2025-2026 Board Members
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.
Amanda Pizarek
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.
Sara Heatherly
Director At-Large
Sara completed her first Learn to Curl in 2017 while in Montreal, Canada, but it still took an additional 3½ years before officially joining Windy City Curling in January 2021. Since then, she has been an active member of WCC, helping to instruct Learn to Curls, serving as a league coordinator, and volunteering during bonspiels.
Off the ice, Sara enjoys cycling and is a part of the WCC MS Ride Team, “Hurry Hard.” She also dabbles in film production, is currently learning Spanish, and volunteers with local organizations that provide services to people experiencing homelessness.
Favorite Curling Memory: There are two. First, joining my still relatively new curling friends for my first out-of-town bonspiel at the Pirates of the Curl-Ribbean in Orlando, FL, in August 2021. Second, winning silver with Team Puffin Wranglers at the Ice Cup Bonspiel in Akureyri, Iceland, in May 2023.
Favorite Bonspiel: Ice Cup in Akureyri, Iceland.
Anne Pettinger
Director At-Large
A member of Windy City Curling since 2020, Anne is proud to be serving her third term on the board. Passionate about growing the sport and strengthening the curling community, she brings experience, energy, and a deep commitment to the club’s mission both on and off the ice.
Her favorite bonspiel is the O'Canda Shpiel in Vernon, BC where the Hokey-Pokey and Boat Dance are annual traditions.
Previous Boards
- 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 – 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 – Aaron DeGagne
- Vice President – Barry Hutchings
- Secretary – Eric Reithel
- Treasurer – Jon Henderson
- Past President – Ray Stone
- Director – Eric Baudais
- 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)
