Mike Koles is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Towns Association, a collaboration of 1,251 towns and 25 villages representing over 10,000 local officials, which specializes in providing education, lobbying, and legal information to public servants and volunteers.

He has worked in the public or non-profit sectors for over 20 years, including 16 years as a Professor of Community Development for the University of Wisconsin-Extension where he taught comprehensive planning, local government finance, leadership development, strategic planning, and community-economic development.

He believes strongly in community development and is very involved in the Iola-Scandinavia, Wisconsin area.

Mike is the President of the Iola-Scandinavia School Board; Treasurer for Iola Living Assistance, a residential care facility ranging from apartments to skilled nursing; Treasurer for the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation; a Premier Community Bank Director; and coaches youth softball.

He and his wife Brenda live in the Town of Scandinavia and have two children, Tanner (15) and Clara (13). When not working or volunteering, he can probably be found in a tree stand, hunting grouse or turkeys, or in a duck blind.