2026-2027 Board Members
Amanda Pizarek
Jeff Sherry
Ample curling and finding ways to support and volunteer at the club are his current avid pursuits, though he also dabbles heavily in woodworking, antique restorations of mechanicals (clocks, watches, etc.), collecting glass insulators and -- the Scots other gift to the world -- golf. He still watches CNBC market coverage daily as part of his investing hobby, though some have speculated that it’s a ruse and he’s really just waiting for the 2030 Olympic coverage to start.
Favorite bonspiel: Bourbon Spiel at Portage Curling Club (brown liquids and curling together for a whole weekend… what?!!!)
Julia Makiejus
Secretary
Julia first tried curling shortly after watching the 2018 Winter Olympics, completing a Learn to Curl session and rookie league in Kansas City. After a few years away from the sport, she returned to the Chicago area and joined Windy City in April 2021. She’s been an active member of the club ever since.
Julia's favorite curling memory was representing Windy City at the 2024 Winter World Masters Games in Madesimo, Italy. It was her first time competing internationally and deepened her appreciation for the global curling community and the friendships it fosters.
Favorite Bonspiel: The Sawtooth Outdoor Bonspiel (“S.O.B.”) in Stanley, Idaho - where curling in the snow means swapping brooms for shovels, and avoiding a hogged rock might just require a full-on penguin slide across the ice!
Eric Baudais (he/him)
Treasurer
Eric joined Windy City Curling in 2019 when the dedicated facility first opened. He was looking for a curling club because he recently moved to the Chicago area. That's where he found a wonderful club with great people and awesome curling!
Baudais started curling in Tulsa, Oklahoma during an Olympic Learn to Curl in 2018. He remembers being a first-time curler and taking five tries before having enough balance to throw a rock. He became addicted to curling and curled as much as he could.
Eric's other hobbies include rennacting, video games, and baking; just ask the Sunday morning crew! He has a newborn daughter, and tries to spend as much time with her.
Eric's Favorite Bonspiel: WCC's Food Truck Bonspiel!
Matt Butts
Director At-Large
Matt first tried curling after the 2006 Olympics while attending the University of Michigan, but he wanted to do it right, so he made the trip to the Roseland Curling Club in Canada. After curling with Circle City Curling in Indianapolis for a few years, Matt moved to Illinois and joined Windy City Curling in 2016.
Matt’s favorite curling memory was his first bonspiel. During the first draw, he was up against members of the reigning senior nationals team and it was his first time playing vice. Matt got some lessons in yelling that day and as many members would attest, he took those lessons to heart.
Outside of curling, Matt enjoys 3D printing anything and everything, working on his synchronized Christmas light display, and working in his garage.
Favorite Bonspiel: Whatever the last bonspiel Matt attended with his club team, Butts in Pants.
Matt Kirchhoff
Director At-Large
Every time the Olympics rolled around Matt would watch with wonder, so much so that in April 2022 his wife decided to buy him a Learn to Curl gift certificate at Windy City Curling for his birthday. He joined the next LTC he could and was hooked on the curling and the community, helping with bonspiels, rookie leagues, and events.
Outside of curling Matt enjoys a weekly board game night with friends, cooking (including baking and smoking), a bit of woodworking, some video games, and relaxing at home with his wife and two rescue dogs.
Favorite non-WCC bonspiel: Waltham’s Mixed, there are so many delicious pies!
Joshua Richardson
Josh's favorite curling experience was traveling to Madesimo, Italy to participate in the Mixed Fours Competition in the 2024 World Winter Masters Game. Josh played second on the Team and they narrowly missed participating in the medal rounds of the event.
Josh's Favorite Bonspiel: Festivus Open Bonspiel at Blackhawk Curling Club.
Previous Boards
- President - Josh Richardson
- Vice President - Amanda Pizarek
- Secretary - Julia Makiejus
- Treasurer - Eric Baudais
- Director - Matt Butts
- Director - Sara Heatherly
- Director - Anne Pettinger
- President / Vice-President – Joshua Richardson
- Secretary – Colleen Koehler
- Treasurer – Eric Baudais
- Past President - Barry Hutchings
- Director At-Large (Communications) - Eric Reithel
- Director At-Large (Drawmaster) – Colin Rittgers
- President – Aaron DeGagne
- Vice President – Barry Hutchings
- Secretary – Eric Reithel
- Treasurer – Jon Henderson
- Past President – Ray Stone
- Director – Eric Baudais
- President – Barry Hutchings
- Vice President – Lauren Visser
- Secretary – Eric Reithel
- Treasurer – Eric Baudais
- Past President - Aaron DeGagne
- Director At-Large (Communications) - C Kent McKenzie
- Director At-Large (Drawmaster) – Anne Pettinger
- President – Ray Stone
- Vice President – Aaron DeGagne
- Secretary – Eric Reithel
- Treasurer – Jon Henderson
- Past President – Tom Arra
- Director – Barry Hutchings
- Director – Anne Pettinger
- President – Tom Arra
- Vice President – Ray Stone
- Secretary – Kerry Myers
- Treasurer – Jon Henderson
- Past President – Brian Stoiber
- Director – Mike Lerner
- President – Brian Stoiber
- Vice President – Tom Arra
- Secretary – Kerry Myers
- Treasurer – Jon Henderson
- Past President – Simon Ganet
- Director – Mike Lerner
- Director – Carrol Collins (partial term)
