The Wisconsin SOCAP (Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals) Chapter has a rich history dating back to 1980, when Bill Steele of Mercury Marine and Camille Haney of The Haney Company gathered a committee of 12 with an interest in developing a state-wide networking group to share consumer affairs knowledge and experiences. The first leadership committee meeting was hosted by Bob Hampton, president of Milwaukee's Better Business Bureau. Leadership committees were formed, and with strong recruiting efforts the Wisconsin Chapter began to take shape.
     
  On July 6, 1980, the first Wisconsin SOCAP meeting was held at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. The topic of the day, "Action Lines," was discussed with guest speakers Mildred Freese of The Milwaukee Journal and Tom Hooper of WITI-TV.

By the end of 1980, the Wisconsin chapter had over 60 members, and two members had become presidents of National SOCAP. Camille Haney was president in 1982, and Nancy Noeske of Wisconsin Electric Power Co. was president in 1987. In the spring of 1987, the Wisconsin chapter hosted the national conference at The Pfister Hotel.

Today, the Wisconsin chapter is flourishing and poised for growth, averaging more than four meetings per year at excellent places of business and education throughout the state.
     
     
 

Wisconsin Chapter Presidents:

  • 2008 -- John Cronce, Jockey International
  • 2006 – Ann Shah, US Cellular
  • 2004 – Jean Herres, Alta Resources
  • 2002 – Dennis Garrett, Marquette University
  • 2001 – Pat Lombardo, Sargento Foods
  • 1998 – Jeanan Yasiri, Dean Medical Center
  • 1996 – Diane Adams, Aid Association for Lutherans
  • 1995 – Yan Newenhouse, Firstar Bank
  • 1993 – Pat Lombardo, Sargento Foods
  • 1991 – Jo DeMars, DeMars & Associates
  • 1989 – Al Luzi, Wisconsin Electric Power Co.
  • 1988 – John Nelson, Wisconsin Gas Co.
  • 1987 – Frances Smith, Universal Foods
  • 1986 – Sharon Chamberlain, Wisconsin Gas Co.
  • 1985 – Helen Breiling, Johnson Wax (SC Johnson)
  • 1984 – Barbara Stansberry, Northwestern Mutual Life
  • 1983 – Carol Hansen, Johnson Wax
  • 1982 – Bill Steele, Mercury Marine
  • 1980 – Bob Hampton, Better Business Bureau of Greater Milwaukee