Meet Jonathan
Jonathan grew up in Central Wisconsin. He grew up playing football, baseball, basketball and hockey. He also developed a love of the outdoors and made sure he found his way to the woods and waterways all over the State.
After high school, Jonathan spent a year in a seminary before transferring to UW-La Crosse. While studying history and economics, he also made time to serve as President of the school Habitat for Humanity chapter, the Vice President of Kappa Delta Pi honor society, the Treasurer of the Swing and Social Dance Club, a member of the Student Optimist Club and also to volunteer tutoring in local middle schools.
During this same time, Jonathan enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard as a Combat Engineer. He completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training and Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Jonathan eventually sought greater leadership roles in his company and completed ROTC in 13 months, receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduating from UW-L.
After receiving a commission, Jonathan completed the Engineer Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood. Then, he deployed to Kuwait with B Battery, 1-120th Field Artillery out of Marshfield. After returning from Kuwait, Jonathan returned to his Combat Engineer Company and then deployed to Iraq. Jonathan served as the Executive Officer (XO) of this company and was promoted to Captain while in Iraq.
Jonathan returned from his second deployment and attended the University of Wisconsin Law School. Jonathan interned in the Portage County District Attorney's Office. Jonathan also worked in the Federal Appeals Clinic and was elected a class representative on the Student Bar Association.
After graduating law school, Jonathan and his family looked to return to Central Wisconsin and have lived in Grand Rapids since. Jonathan and his wife, Trina, met in the UW-La Crosse Concert Choir. Jonathan and Trina and their five children have been fixtures in the community. Jonathan has coached basketball, football and hockey; while Trina has coached soccer. Jonathan serves on the Wisconsin Rapids Girls Hoops Board. They are members at Our Lady Queen of Heaven parish as well as First English Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids.
Beyond his leadership experience in the Army, Jonathan also started up a small law firm with an Army buddy. After starting up this business and running it for three years, Jonathan wanted to return to prosecution and public service. Jonathan has served as a prosecutor in Adams County, Marathon County and Monroe County. Unwilling to accept gaps in the law that harm victims, Jonathan has worked with Sen. Patrick Testin to amend statutes and close legal loopholes that harmed children.