Lac du Flambeau town board hires a treasurer

A former human resources manager for the city of Rhinelander starts in the treasurer position for the town of Lac du Flambeau today.

Rachel Pearson was chosen by the town board following a closed session on Sept. 10.

Lac du Flambeau town clerk Susan Schoonover told the town board at its Sept. 3 meeting there were seven applicants for the position, which was switched to appointed from elected status by town electors in late 2024.

At the time of that vote of the electors, Holly Schwartz was the treasurer; Schoonover told The Lakeland Times Schwartz wasn’t one of the seven applicants. 

During the town board’s Sept. 3 meeting, it was suggested Schoonover select the top three candidates to be interviewed at what turned out to be the closed session on Sept. 10. 

Because Rachel Pearson was one of the three finalists Schoonover selected for the interview process and is the wife of Lac du Flambeau town supervisor Dennis Pearson, Schoonover said he didn’t participate in the Sept. 10 interview process or the subsequent vote that followed the closed session. 

Rachel Pearson retired from the city of Rhinelander earlier this summer after four years. Prior to that, she had a career spanning more than 20 years in human resources management with several companies, including General Motors. 

She acknowledges she doesn’t have experience “as a treasurer directly.”

“Accounts payable, reconcilation and aspects of that,” Pearson said of what she considers her strong points as they relate to the town treasurer’s position. “

She said to begin with, her work schedule will be one day a week but that will eventually vary with the time of year “when people are paying their taxes.”

“December, January and into February there will definitely be posted office hours available so that people can bring their payments in,” Pearson said.

She said she’s excited to start as the town’s treasurer. 

“I’m transitioning to retirement but I definitely didn’t want to completely retire and not have anything to do and working in local government has been a positive thing for me,” Pearson said. “I want to do something to give back and help the community at the same time. I thought this was a great opportunity.”

Brian Jopek may be reached via email at [email protected].