Board Elections
2026 board elections timeline
The board of the WCA is comprised of elected individuals who serve three-year terms. Terms are staggered such that every year 3 seats are up for election. You must be a member of the WCA to vote in an election.
Important Dates for the 2026 Cycle
January 14 - 28: Nomination period for new Board candidates. Nominate yourself or someone you know by emailing casey@wiclimbers.com. Please email the name of nominee and their email address.
Feb 5 @ 7:30 p.m.: Annual meeting with candidate introductions
Join the Annual Meeting via Zoom!
Feb 6 - 16: Voting window for new Board members. Must be a WCA member to cast your ballot! Not sure on your membership status? We can check!
Feb 17: New board members contacted
If you are considering nominating someone or yourself, please review our board of directors information packet to understand what being a board member entails. With any questions about what it means to be on the WCA board, just ask!
2026 Board Candidates
John Dobbe
He/Him
Bio:
John Dobbe is the originator of the WCA and the mind behind the original Boulder Bash. He’s an exceptionally motivated individual and has a love affair with good pastries. Somehow he manages to still crush at the boulders and we can confidently say he’s done Highly Executed more than anyone else! Saying he has it wired would be an understatement.
Nic van zile
He/Him
Bio:
Boozhoo! Sokaogon Ojibwe climber who was raised in Antigo and Mole Lake. I grew up hiking the Eau Claire Dells and scrambling up the boulders along the river, but my obsession with climbing truly began somewhere between the rocky outcrops of Rib Mountain and summer trips to New Hampshire as a kid. Now, I'm still finding hidden cliffs in northern WI and the UP, but tend to climb at places like Rib Mountain, High Cliff, Carney, Slugs, and Silver Mountain....with a bit of route development sprinkled in along the way.
Emily Gierlich
She/Her
Bio:
I am a Wisconsin native, nonprofit marketing professional, and activist, who has been climbing all over the country for about 6 years - alongside my 10-year-old daughter.
Why you want to be on the board and what you can contribute to Wisconsin’s outdoor climbing community:
I want to be a part of the WCA because now more than ever our public lands are being threatened. I would like to use my marketing background to research and host listening sessions addressing the physical, financial, and social barriers that prevent people from getting outside, and community-source solutions to better protect the crags and the people who enjoy them.
Favorite crag snack:
I love an Uncrustable (or good ‘ol fashioned creamy peanut butter on Wonder Bread).
Pierce Libbey
He/Him
Bio:
Pierce has been climbing since 2015. He grew up in Wisconsin, but didn't become much of a climber until moving to South Dakota for undergrad. After that, he moved to Arizona for law school and lived in Phoenix until moving back home to Milwaukee in 2025. Pierce is excited to explore Wisconsin's excellent crags and maybe become a boulderer at Devil's Lake.
Why you want to be on the board and what you can contribute to Wisconsin’s outdoor climbing community:
I want to be on the board because I'd like to get involved in the Wisconsin climbing community and offer my time and skill towards preserving/extending/establishing access, hosting events, and generally being an advocate for climbing. As far as offerings towards Wisconsin outdoor climbing, I hope to contribute a legal eye and drafting experience towards access considerations and events. Additionally, I love contributing psych and being a good steward at the crag while encouraging and equipping others to do the same.
Favorite crag snack:
My pack almost always contains a Clif bar, a beef stick, and an apple or banana.
Audrie Pelosi
She/Her
Bio:
I began climbing after moving to Baraboo, WI, where I quickly connected with the local climbing community and discovered a love for the sport. Through guiding with Apex Adventure Alliance, I'm able to share my passion for climbing and the outdoors.
Why you want to be on the board and what you can contribute to Wisconsin’s outdoor climbing community:
I bring a passion for climbing, a commitment to supporting others, and a hands-on approach to stewardship, volunteer efforts, and community building. I have experience planning and coordinating events ranging from smaller, skills-based programs - such as free bicycle maintenance clinics with Wildside Action Sports - to large-scale community events, including the Fair on the Square and the Christmas Light Parade with Downtown Baraboo, Inc. I believe in showing up, doing the work, and listening to the community, and I would be honored to contribute my time, energy, and skills to help the WCA continue its work.
Favorite crag snack:
PB&J