Main Street Lansing hires Dan Fisher as new Director

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Dan Fisher, the new Executive Director of Main Street Lansing, began work November 12. Fisher will be working from 7 a.m.-12 noon Monday through Friday at the new location for the Main Street office in the Kerndt Brothers Community Center building. The office will be open for visitor information from 10 a.m.-12 noon Monday through Friday. Earlier each day, Fisher’s job will take him to the various businesses in Lansing to find out how he can help them fulfill the purpose of Main Street Lansing, which is to create a vibrant downtown while preserving the historical past charm of the town.

Fisher grew up in Silver Lake, WI in the southeast corner of that state, attending high school at Wilmot High School. He has worked for several years as a financial consultant specializing in managing retirement income with Woodbury Financial Services based out of Oakdale, MN. He will continue with that position while he works with Main Street Lansing.

Several years ago, Fisher and his wife, Tura, came to the Lansing area to stay for a weekend with friends and fell in love with the area. Seven years ago they purchased a home north of Lansing and began living here full time over two years, after becoming empty-nesters. They have four grown children who all live in Wisconsin.

Fisher has always been involved in the communities where he has lived. He held the position of president of Kiwanis of Western Kenosha County twice, and he ran a safety town program that taught pre-schoolers the value of safety regarding gun safety, bus safety and safety issues for young children. He coordinated an Arbor Day tree sale which sold over 30,000 trees in five years. In addition, as a Kiwanis member, he helped raise funds and build a handicapped accessible cabin at Bong Recreational Area in southeastern Wisconsin.

Fisher was of the founding members that helped develop and grow Old Settlers’ Oktoberfest celebration in Western Kenosha County in Wisconsin. He was awarded George F. Hixson Fellowship from Westosha Kiwanis Club and Kiwanis International. The Hixson is given to recognize a member that has contributed to the community and furthered the Kiwanis reputation for helping to build the local community. He is also a past member of the Board of Directors for Kenosha Symphony Orchestra in Kenosha, WI. Fisher currently serves as a Trustee for the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library.

Fisher stated, “I believe in downtown Lansing and the need to continually improve the area so visitors may experience for years to come what we as local residents experience daily. Lansing is a unique area with many recreational opportunities; coupled with a great downtown that is fun to shop. What is Lansing? It’s an experience not to be equaled. My experience of being involved in communities I’ve lived in coupled with the charm and character of Lansing is the main reason I took on this job. I want to be an integral part of Main Street Lansing and its ability to help the community and its local businesses.”