Assistant Village Manager Taking New Job in Dane County

After nearly four years of service, Assistant Village Manager Matt Schuenke will leave Whitefish Bay to pursue a new municipal career in western Dane County.

In a letter to the Village Board and village department heads Tuesday, Schuenke announced he will take a new job as the village administrator/clerk-treasurer for Cross Plains, a village of 3,000 people located 26 miles west of Madison.

“Whitefish Bay is a great community in which to work, and I am very appreciative of the opportunities I have had to work with the residents, Village Board and staff,” he stated in the letter. “It is a truly remarkable place with the accomplishments we have been able to achieve together.”

Schuenke was appointed to the position of management assistant by former Village Manager James Grassman in December 2007. In January 2009, he was promoted to assistant village manager, and in January through April 2010, he served as interim village manager while the Village Board searched for a permanent one. The board in March, and DeGrave took over in early May.

Schuenke said he will continue to serve as assistant village manager until Oct. 31, and he offered his assistance during the transition period.

DeGrave said Schuenke has been a great resource during his first six months on the job, and he said Schuenke will prove to be an asset to Cross Plains in his new role.

“He’s a very competent and qualified person, and he’s more than ready to take on the responsibilities in his first village manager position,” he said. “I would have liked to have him stay, but I wish him the very best.”