Meet the Wave Steering Committee
James Bastien - AVP-Business Banking, The Stephenson National Bank and Trust
Steering Committee Member
Wave Member since
Co-Chair
Originally from
Read the interview below to 'meet' the WAVE Co-Chair and area Young Professional!
Why have you chosen to stay in Marinette Menominee?
What do you love about Marinette Menominee?
What about Wave interested you?
What is your favorite part about being a Wave Member?
What kind of an impact do you think Wave makes in our community?
What are your hopes for Wave's future within the community?
Keegan Delforge- Process Engineer, ChemDesign
Steering Commitee Member
Wave Member since 2022
Co-Chair/Secretary
Originally from Birnamwood, WI, Keegan made his home in Marinette Menominee after attending Michigan Tech in Houghton, MI.
Read the interview below to 'meet' the WAVE Co-Chair Secretary and area Young Professional!
Why have you chosen to stay in Marinette Menominee? "My college roommate was from Menominee. His roommate's mom let me know of an entry level process engineering role that opened up at ChemDesign where she worked. It was an opportunity to enter the chemical manufacturing industry relatively close to home and in a small community like I wanted to live in. I applied, got a job offer, and took it!"
What do you love about Marinette Menominee? "I really enjoy the opportunites to pursue my passions outdoors like hunting and fishing. The walleye run up the Menominee River is hard to beat! I also really love the sense of community that the area has and all of the great people that live here."
What about Wave interested you? "Being new to the area, I wanted to get a chance to meet people around my age with similar interests and values. Joining Wave presented a great opportunity to do just that!"
What is your favorite part about being a Wave Member? "My favorite part about being a Wave Member is teh connections I have made. Not only within the group, but it has given me great opportunities to get to know a lot of different people within the area."
What kind of an impact do you think Wave makes in our community? "I think that Wave is great for the young professionals of Marinette-Menominee. The events and activities that the group hosts are a great way to network with other young professionals in the area, and have a great time in doing so. I also believe that Wave strengthens the future of Marinette-Menominee by incentivizing the next generation of professional and community leaders to stay in the area.
What are your hopes for Wave's future within the community? "I hope that Wave will continue to provide the great networking and volunteering opportunites to the area's young professionals. I would like to see the group grow our reach in the "A" (Attract) pillar of the Wave acronym. I think Wave can work closely with local businesses and use the group as a great way to help recruit outstanding young professionals into the area."
Kellie McCarthy- Engineering Support Specialist, JCI
Steering Committee Member
Wave Member since 2022
Vice Chair
Originally from Menominee, MI, Kellie returned to the area after graduating from the University of Michigan.
Read the interview below to 'meet' the Wave Vice Chair and area Young Professional!
Why have you chosen to stay in Marinette Menominee? "After graduating from the University of Michigan, I moved back to the area because I was uncertain about my career path. Using my local network, I discovered several unique career opportunities I hadn’t been aware of before. It really deepened my appreciation for the area."
What do you love about Marinette Menominee? "I love being close to my friends and family and I also love the water! Having access to both the bay and river is a dream come true. The Marinette/Menominee area is stunning, and I truly appreciate being able to experience all 4 seasons."
What about Wave interested you? "I wanted to get out and meet new people from the area with similar interests and career goals, and I thought WAVE would provide the perfect opportunity for that. Since I'm originally from the area, I didn't want to limit myself to the same group of people. WAVE has been an excellent avenue to broaden my social circle and gain new perspectives."
What is your favorite part about being a Wave Member? "My favorite part about being a Wave member is networking with other members and learning about new industries in the community. I also enjoy the WAVE events - they are so much fun and participating is a great way to feel involved in the community."
What kind of an impact do you think Wave makes in our community? "I believe WAVE-MMYP makes a significant impact on our community by fostering connections among young professionals, promoting personal and professional development, and contributing to local volunteer initiatives. The WAVE's active involvement in our community helps shape its future."
What are your hopes for Wave's future within the community? "My hope for the Marinette/Menominee Young Professionals' future within the community is that the WAVE continues to champion and promote community inclusivity, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to participate and contribute, striving to make our community the best it can possibly be."
Cecilie Beaudo- Project Manager, JCI
Steering Commitee Member
Wave Member since 2017
Past Wave Chairperson
After leaving the area to obtain her undergraduate degree, Cecilie made her way back home to Marinette Menominee.
Read the interview below to 'meet' the WAVE's Past Chairperson and area Young Professional!
Why have you chosen to stay in Marinette Menominee? "My family and friends are all here, but I just love being a part of this community."
What do you love about Marinette Menominee? "I love that the area is 'small-town' with some 'large-town' vibes; such as restaurant choices! With the Bay and the rivers, there is water everywhere you look- it's just beautiful!
What about Wave interested you? "I was interested in joining Wave to meet new people who love the area and are interested in career opportunities like me. I also wanted to be a part of the mission of getting people to stay in the area; I love it here and want everyone I meet to know there are opportunities here."
What is your favorite part about being a Wave Member? "My favorite part of being in Wave is getting to know new people from not only, new businesses, but also new industries. The events are always fun as well; the group has become close-knit, like a family."
What kind of an impact do you think Wave makes in our community? "Wave offers a friendly face; people can join and make new friends quickly. The organization overall is extremely accepting and the Steering Committee really takes their time to get to know everyone and make them feel at home. More than that, it's a place Young Professionals can go for advice and build a strong professional network- making connections for possible future opportunities in their career. I also love the volunteer opportunities- I look forward to the Charity Gala every year!"
What are your hopes for Wave's future within the community? "My hopes for Wave are to continue to grow by getting new people involved- especially those who are new to the area."