Meet the Staff

Executive Director Keith Patt

On March 1, 2005, Keith Patt became the third Executive Director for the Green Bay Education Association. As executive director of the Green Bay Education Association, Keith's primary responsibilities are to negotiate contracts, file and resolve grievances, and manage the day-to-day operations of the association.

Keith is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he graduated from John Marshall High School. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and his master's from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Over his past 30 years in the Green Bay Public Schools District he has served on the Professional Development Quality Review Board, the District Staff Development Advisory Committee, the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Outreach Advisory Board, and the Greater Green Bay Foundation Granting Committee.

For the Green Bay Education Association, Keith has served as vice-president for four years, as a member-at-large on the Executive Board, treasurer of the Green Bay Political Action Committee, and an Association Representative for 10 years.

Keith and his wife, Janice, a registered nurse at St. Vincent Hospital, reside in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. They have three children, Jeff, Sarah and Emily. Jeff and his wife, Courtney, reside in Champlin, Minnesota, and have a son named Miles. Sarah resides in Brown Deer, Wisconsin and Emily resides in Los Angeles, California.

When not working, Keith enjoys playing golf and watching classic movies and sports.

Lori Blakeslee Associate Director/Communications Specialist

As associate director/communications specialist, Lori is responsible for the bi-weekly newsletter Perspective; the parent newsletter Common Ground; the website; press releases, community activities, and advertising. Lori also assists Executive Director Keith Patt by responding to member questions regarding leaves of absence, insurance and other contract questions. In order to be able to communicate the GBEA's activities and perspectives, Lori attends Executive Board meetings, representative assemblies, committee meetings and negotiations.

In addition to her responsibilities for the GBEA, Lori also assists other WEAC UniServs and locals by providing public relations training, designing newsletter mastheads, writing press releases, and providing consultation. Lori is a member of NEA's State Educators Editors and is Vice President of Wisconsin School Public Relations Association.

Prior to joining GBEA in 1999, Lori worked as a Marketing Specialist at Foth & Van Dyke, an engineering firm. Lori is a 1992 graduate of St. Norbert College. She is married to Paul, and they have two children: Isaac and Grace.

Teri Bartel Secretary

Teri's voice is well known to many GBEA members that call the office on a regular basis. Teri has been with the GBEA since 1988. Her responsibilities include payroll, the calendar handbook, GBAPIE membership, the GBEA and GBAPIE contracts, election ballots, the GBEA scholarship, and so much more.

Teri has a BA in English and Secondary Education from UW-GB. She is married to Jay, a counselor at De Pere High School, and has one son, Chris. Chris is a graduate of Carroll College.

Ellen Rentmeester Secretary

Ellen is the other pleasant voice that GBEA members hear when they call the office. Ellen's responsibilities include membership for GBEA and GBEA-R, WRS Trust Funds, New Teacher Dinner, Retirement and Awards Banquet, and much, much more. Ellen has worked for the GBEA since 1991.

Ellen is married to Gary and they have two children: Kyle and Katie. In addition, Ellen has four grandchildren: McKenna, Alexa, Kole and Owen.