Organization Bios
Julie Schmelzer
Executive Director
Julie Schmelzer is a Door County native who grew up near Lake Michigan in the Town of Sturgeon Bay. She developed her passion for trails hiking on the Ahnapee Trail and later the rugged trails of the Pacific Northwest. She recalls as a child the controversy, and excitement, when the Ahnapee Trail was built, noting she can't imagine Southern Door County without "this wonderful asset, and the opportunities to expand the Ahnapee", which is now part of the Ice Age Trail. Having recently moved back from Oregon, she shares stories of the vast trail network that runs through Southern Oregon, particularly the Rogue River area.
She has spent the majority of her career in community development followed by public administration. Working in both Wisconsin and Oregon, she brings a wealth of knowledge in trail planning, grant writing, and public policy. She received her bachelor's degree in urban and regional affairs, and her master's in public administration, instilling the mindset to think beyond municipal borders, and look at projects with a social equity lens. Her passion for trails, experience and education have positioned her for her role as executive director and have been an asset to Door County Trails. Schmelzer is retired and lives in Clay Banks, which is in eastern Southern Door County.
Craig Charles, MSE
Teacher
Board Leadership Committee
Craig Charles grew up chasing Lake Michigan waves before embarking on a life as a journalist, a teacher and an entrepreneur. He spends his days sharing the natural world with his wife, Julie, and is the author of Exploring Door County, the definitive outdoor guide book to the Door County Peninsula. You can often find Craig and Julie spinning their bike wheels or lacing up their hiking boots from their humble cottage in the Town of Egg Harbor. Explaining his support of Door County Trails, Craig says, “I have spent a lifetime hiking, riding and enjoying our Door County trails. Now, the time has arrived for me to chart a sustainable path that others may follow.”
Matt Ernst
Board Leadership Committee
As Park Manager for Peninsula State Park, Matt Ernst understands how important trails are for a healthy community. Matt has performed trail work with the Forest Service in Wisconsin, the Bureau of Land Management in Montana, and the U.S. Army in Alaska. He and his family now call Door County home. By joining Door County Trails’ Board of Directors, Matt brings his passion for the natural world to the Door Peninsula community saying he “hopes to extend recreational opportunities beyond the boundaries of the park.” Matt has volunteered with other trail groups including the Human Powered Trails in La Crosse and the Alaska Long Trail and he brings valuable lessons learned from those groups to assist DCT. Matt is our Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping expert, and he enjoys collecting data on current and future trails. When Matt is not working on trails, you can find him camping or kayaking with his family on this peninsula of stone we call our community.
Rick Nelson
Board Leadership Committee
As a five-year-old, a family vacation first brought Rick Nelson to Door County from his home in Evanston, Illinois. Enchanted by the peninsula’s charms, he and his family returned year after year. After marrying his wife, Patty, they decided to stake their claim in Juddville in 1997. Much of their shared love for the peninsula stems from the opportunity to run, bike, hike, and stay active outdoors year-round in a place of such extraordinary beauty.
Rick spent most of his career in the software consulting industry, ultimately co-founding a firm that specialized in providing software development services to national and international companies that used retail measurement data.
In 2009, Rick began serving on the boards of two other nonprofits focused on environmental issues, saying, “If I can use my nonprofit experience to contribute to the success of Door County Trails and be part of the organization achieving its mission, it will be an incredibly gratifying experience. It’s a great organization poised to do great things for Door County.”
Samantha Herheim, PE
Professional Engineer
Board Member
Sam Herheim is a Door County enthusiast who values trails for their ability to connect people to nature and foster healthier communities. She is a professional engineer with over 20 years of experience in trail design and harbors a passion for creating sustainable and accessible outdoor spaces. She earned a degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and her work focuses on designing bicycle and pedestrian facilities with an emphasis on ADA compliance. She currently leads the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Department as well as the Municipal Transportation Department at KL Engineering. Her expertise in trail strategy, design, and funding requirements makes her a key contributor to the Door County Trails mission.
Sam spends her free time camping, hiking, biking, gardening, and enjoying Door County with her husband Jason, son Michael, and daughter Amelia. Reflecting on her commitment to the cause, Sam said, “I am passionate about trails because they make connections—to nature, to destinations, and between neighborhoods and communities.”
Jane Jerzak, CPA, RN
Board Member
When she’s not exploring the world, Jane Jerzak serves as the Board Treasurer of Door County Trails, where she’s applying both her financial expertise as a licensed CPA and her organizational skills as a registered nurse. A recent addition to the Village of Egg Harbor, Jane is fully immersing herself in the community by leveraging her skills to develop sustainable pedestrian and bicycling trails that will connect and enhance Door County. Jane, her husband, and their three children are avid outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking and biking across the peninsula. A lifelong learner, Jane is passionate about making a lasting impact. “The opportunity to collaborate with visionary individuals toward a common goal is truly an honor. Together, we aim to create a legacy for Door County that will be cherished for generations.” Jane welcomes questions and ideas to support this vital initiative.
William (Bill) Pennoyer
Board Member
Bill Pennoyer has been a pivotal figure in enhancing the trail systems and recreational facilities within Door County. As a dedicated board member of the Friends of Peninsula State Park, his leadership and commitment have significantly contributed to developing and improving the park’s amenities, including completing phase one of the park’s two-phase new mountain bike trail system.
“As I bike Door County roads, it has always struck me as a missed opportunity that there are no biking trails or bike lanes for these beautiful rides. The Door County Trails group has an amazing group of dedicated and experienced professional people passionate about creating connecting trails in Door County.” Bill's knowledge and wisdom will add greatly to the DCT team, as will his philosophy on active transportation. “When I am in a car on a nice day in Door County, immediately I think I should be on a bike!”
Richard (Dick) Untch, MS
Urban Planner
Board Member
A native of the south side of Chicago, Dick Untch brings over four decades of expertise in urban planning and community development to his role as Vice President of Door County Trails.
A passionate advocate for Door County’s natural beauty and heritage, Dick sees the area’s scenic vistas, woodlands, and waters as a remarkable resource for residents and visitors alike. He believes that a connected network of hiking and biking trails will enhance the county’s vibrancy and accessibility, aligning with its strong environmental preservation ethic.
Dick has extensive experience in leading public participation efforts, grant-supported projects, and consensus building to achieve meaningful community improvements.
Now retired, Dick divides his time between Naperville, Illinois, and Fish Creek, Wisconsin, where he enjoys his time with his wife Barb, their two children, and five grandchildren.
Dick is proud to contribute his expertise to the Door County Trails initiative while collaborating with a talented and passionate team of volunteers in creating a safe, accessible, and sustainable trail network that will benefit the entire Door County community.
Don Weise
Board Member
Don Weise is the Director of Donor Advising for the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, a volunteer-powered organization that builds, maintains, and protects public trails and natural areas for all to enjoy. He has authored popular hiking guidebooks, including Circuit Hikes in Harriman and West Milford Baker’s Dozen, is a frequent public speaker about trails, and is the founder/leader of two hiking and trail running groups dating back to 1996.
Residing in New Jersey, Don is a frequent visitor to Door County and has spoken on behalf of Door County Trails (DCT). He serves on the DCT Development Committee. He also serves as a board director of the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce and Environmental Commissioner in his hometown. Don seeks to help people of all ages make lasting connections with nature through the trails.