2023-24 MATC DISTRICT BOARD
BOARD CHAIRPERSON
Mark F. Foley, Attorney, von Briesen & Roper s.c.
Current Term: 07/01/21 - 06/30/24
Mark F. Foley has more than 40 years' experience meeting the business and legal needs of clients ranging from individual business owners to industry trade associations and Global 500 companies. Mr. Foley has successfully argued appeals to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits. He is a shareholder with von Briesen & Roper s.c., whose practice encompasses four primary areas: commercial and business litigation; information technology, data privacy and security; financial and bankruptcy; and product liability.
Mr. Foley holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Yale University. He is a member of various bar associations related to his practice areas and has been listed in one or more categories in The Best Lawyers in America© since 1995, among other distinctions. He joined the board in 2015 and represents an Employer (100+ employees).
BOARD VICE CHAIRPERSON
Lauren Baker
Current Term: 07/01/21 - 06/30/24
Lauren Baker began her career as a journeyman printer and worked more than 20 years in that industry as a tradesperson and educator. She was the first woman in the country to serve as a printing apprenticeship director. Ms. Baker spent 10 years as the coordinator of Career and Technical Education for Milwaukee Public Schools before serving as executive director of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association. Her numerous awards include the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Alumni Association Graduate of the Last Decade, MATC Apprenticeship Program Distinguished Service award and Milwaukee Business Journal Women of Influence award.
She holds several educational distinctions, including a Master of Science in Administrative Leadership and Supervision in Education from UWM. Her work and leadership experiences as a journeyman printer and educator provided her foundational understanding of the value of opening doors to non-traditional students and the remarkable advantage that education and training can provide. Her extensive community service includes 20 years as a member and leader of the MATC District Board. She also served two terms on the national Board of Directors of the Association of Community College Trustees and received the Wisconsin Technical District Boards Association Member of the Year award in 2010. Her most recent MATC District Board appointment began in 2021, when she joined as an additional member.
BOARD SECRETARY
Citlali Mendieta-Ramos, Owner/Director of Special Events, Antigua Latin Restaurant LLC
Current Term: 07/01/22 - 06/30/25
Citlali Mendieta-Ramos has 20 years of experience in the culinary industry and owns Antigua Latin Restaurant LLC where she employs several MATC graduates. She has served on the boards of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, The Business Council and the West Allis Chamber of Commerce. She is recognized as an emerging leader in our community, including as a Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and a recipient of the city of West Allis & West Allis/West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award.
Ms. Mendieta-Ramos has a Master of Business Administration degree from Alverno College and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has served on the MATC Culinary Arts and Management Advisory Committee since 2016 and is a part-time instructor at Waukesha County Technical College. She joined the MATC District Board in 2019 and represents an Employer (15+ employees).
Treasurer
Erica L. Case, Human Resources Director, Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Current Term: 07/01/21 - 06/30/24
Erica L. Case is an experienced human resources professional who has worked at several Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T (SBC), Kraft Foods and Harley-Davidson Motor Company. She has experience in labor relations, talent management, organizational development, change management, HR information systems, employee relations and employee engagement. Ms. Case is currently the director of field human resources, Global Product Development & Manufacturing at Harley-Davidson, where she and her team provide holistic human resources support.
Ms. Case holds Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Alverno College. Her extensive work with MATC and Milwaukee Public Schools to build the pipeline of skilled tradespeople in the Milwaukee area demonstrates her commitment to education and workforce development. Ms. Case has helped develop a youth apprenticeship program between Harley-Davidson, Lynde and Harry Bradley Technology and Trade High School (Bradley Tech) and MATC. She joined the board in 2018 and represents an Employer (100+ employees).
BOARD TRUSTEE
Supreme Moore Omokunde, Wisconsin State Representative for District 17, Wisconsin State Assembly
Current Term: 07/01/22 - 06/30/25
State Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde has served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing District 17, since 2020. He sits on the assembly committees for Energy and Utilities, Mental Health, Regulatory Licensing Reform, Transportation, and the Legislative Council Study on Occupational Licenses.
In 2015, he was elected to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in a special election and was re-elected in 2016 and 2018. Before serving on the county board, Mr. Moore Omokunde worked for several community groups including the Sherman Park Community Association, where he established the Friends of Sherman Park group and helped formulate a Neighborhood Improvement District.
Mr. Moore Omokunde serves on the Milwaukee Public Museum Board of Directors. He was appointed to the MATC District Board in March 2022 as an elected official member.
BOARD TRUSTEE
Bria Burris, Housing Integrity Specialist, Milwaukee Housing Authority
Current Term: 07/01/22 - 06/30/25
Bria Burris graduated from MATC’s Human Service Associate program and is the first college graduate in her family of 11. Ms. Burris, who experienced homelessness while a student, has extensive experience working with low-income and economically disadvantaged families. She is currently a housing integrity specialist for the Milwaukee Housing Authority and a consultant with Community Advocates. Previously she was employed by the Milwaukee Social Development Commission as a lead intake specialist. She also held a quality assurance position for Community Advocates and was the initial contact for official enquiries and legal aid.
While attending MATC, Ms. Burris served on the Student Senate and was active with the Black Student Union and the Latino Student Organization. She also completed an internship with the Local 212/ MATC Believe in Students FAST Fund. Ms. Burris promoted voter engagement as a student and continues to be active with Souls to the Polls. She is the secretary of the Local 212/MATC FAST Fund Board and serves on the Black Strings Triage Ensemble Board. She joined the MATC District Board in July 2022 as an additional member.
BOARD TRUSTEE
Dr. Waleed Najeeb, FCCP, FAASM, Medical Director and CEO of the Medpoint Clinics and Vice President of Medical Affairs of the Independent Physicians Network
Current Term: 07/01/23 - 06/30/26
Dr. Waleed Najeeb has more than 40 years of experience in the medical field including more than 30 years as a physician in Wisconsin. His medical career includes serving in private practice as a pulmonary and internal medicine practitioner. He was an instructor and attending physician at Sinai Samaritan Medical Center. Dr. Najeeb spent 20 years as a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He served in a series of roles, including director of the pulmonary and critical care department, chief of the department of medicine and chief of staff at Northwest General Hospital. Since 2000, Dr. Najeeb has served as medical director and CEO of Medpoint Family Care Center in Glendale, Wisconsin.
Dr. Najeeb graduated from Damascus University School of Medicine and completed an internal medicine residency at New York Health and Hospitals. He also completed a Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship at John Marshall University. Dr. Najeeb currently serves as the Chairman of the Accountable Care Coalition (ACO) of Southeast Wisconsin.
Dr. Najeeb will serve as a board director representing district employers with 15 or more employees.
BOARD TRUSTEE
Gale Pence, CEO and Founder of Global Precision Industries Inc.
Current Term: 07/01/23 - 06/30/26
Gale Pence is an entrepreneur and a business leader with deep knowledge of organizational financial oversight and manufacturing management. Mr. Pence graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Industrial Engineering program and learned every facet of the tool and die business. He has more than 20 years experience as a tool and die maker. His career journey includes working at Milwaukee’s AAA Tool & Die Company and Zuelzke Tool & Engineering before forming his own businesses.
In 2003, he founded Global Precision Industries, which provides product development, engineering services, supply chain management and logistical expertise to clients. In 2015, Mr. Pence purchased Diversified Design & Manufacturing which provides gauging and fixturing (tight-tolerance tooling).
Mr. Pence holds a degree in Applied Science - Industrial Engineering and is an active leader in the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce having served on its World Trade Association Board, the China Business Council and the Council of Small Business Executives. He also currently serves on a special task force of the Milwaukee 7 Regional Economic Development Organization in partnership with the Brookings Institution - Global Cities Initiative.
Mr. Pence will serve as a board director representing a district manufacturing employer with 15 or more employees.
BOARD TRUSTEE
Tina Owen-Moore, Ed.D., Superintendent, School District of Cudahy
Current Term: 07/01/23 - 06/30/26
Dr. Tina Owen-Moore has served as superintendent of the School District of Cudahy since July 2020, overseeing seven schools, more than 2,100 students and nearly 200 staff members. The district has a strong trades program and has partnered with MATC to offer Dual Enrollment Academy opportunities. Before coming to Cudahy, Dr. Owen-Moore served as the chief people officer at the Chicago International Charter School, a network of 14 charter schools in Chicago, finding senior leadership, leading the human resources team and developing employee policies. From 2005 to 2016, Dr. Owen-Moore established and led The Alliance School of Milwaukee, the first school in the nation started with the mission of addressing bullying. At Alliance, she facilitated professional development activities, with special emphasis on restorative practices, service learning, technology as an instructional tool, and peer coaching practices.
Dr. Owen-Moore holds a bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education from Marquette University, a master’s degree in administrative leadership from Alverno College, a doctorate in education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a superintendent endorsement from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Owen-Moore serves as a board director in the school district administrator classification, representing district school superintendents. She joined the board in July 2023.