New leadership for Iola Car Show

By Holly Neumann

Joan Schultz, executive director of the Iola Car Show, will resign her position, effective July 31.

Schultz began working with the car show in 1985 as a part-time office manager under Jim Bach.

“When I started, the Iola Old Car Show was an enterprise of Krause Publications, with a part-time director, Jim Bach, who also owned the Iola Herald,” she said. “The entire show was in the current show car and some of the current swap meet area and the current car corral was the camping area.”

Back then all of the land was owned by Krause Publications.

“It was a Saturday and Sunday show, with Friday setup,” said Schultz. “Food service consisted of breakfast, grilled food and Lions Club chicken dinners. All of the food and beverages were housed under tents. At that time we had roughly 26 volunteer organizations and 80,000 participants/spectators.”

This year will be Schultz 35th year as an employee of the show.

“We now own 300 acres of land, 17 permanent buildings, including a shower house and restroom facilities,” she said. “We greet 115,000 participants and spectators each year and employ eight people full time.”

Over the years she has seen numerous changes with the show. The most recent was the acquisition of the F & W building and surrounding land.

“In addition to many improvements and changes throughout the grounds, technology has changed greatly,” Schultz said. “Many spectators’ desires have changed, too. They expect more activities; they aren’t content to simply see cars and scour the swap meet. They want demonstrations, and they want to meet well known hobbyists and celebrities.”

Schultz reflected for a moment on some of her memories.

“I’ve had the opportunity to talk with people from all over the world, who are headed to Iola, Wisconsin, population 1,301,” she said. “I was fortunate to work under two executive directors, Jim Bach and Bob Crase, who were supportive and encouraging. Our Board of Directors has always been forward-thinking and team-focused. One former board member, Jon Novak, continues to be my go-to person for any accounting questions; I truly appreciate his continued support.”

She also gave a shout out to her executive assistant, Mary Schwartz, who has been employed by the show for 24 years.

“Mary has been the most dependable, encouraging voice to me. She is invaluable to me, as a friend and an employee,” said Schultz. “Managing Director Larry Fechter, joined our team in 2014. He has been the most substantial catalyst for team-building and improvement in the modern era of the show. His encouragement and support helped me to continue to grow as a leader. I will forever appreciate this. These people, and many I haven’t mentioned, are woven throughout some of my fondest memories of my time with the show.”

She feels these relationships are a building block for the show’s success.

“The relationship the Iola Car Show had with Chet Krause was of utmost importance,” said Schultz. “His vision was the cornerstone that we’ve built upon. Along with Chet, Cliff Mishler has always been a vital supporter of the car show. The support of these two men has been paramount to our success.”

The rest of the team includes Joe Opperman, Julie Seering, Earl Lederhaus, Steve Olson, Carter Snyder, Dennis Dickhut, Kitty Tetzlaff and the volunteers who spend thousands of hours preparing for shows.

“We would not be the show we are without their hard work and dedication,” she said.

Upon her retirement, Joe Opperman will be named executive director.

“He’s been with the show since 2016, as PR & Marketing Director and has been instrumental in bringing sponsorships and celebrities/entertainment to our event,” she said. “He will be a great fit for this position.”

Her duties will be split between Opperman, Mary Schwartz, Julie Seering and Carter Snyder.

Kitty Tetzlaff will handle all of the accounting.

“I have agreed to help in the transition by continuing to work with our food vendors,” Schultz said.