Team
Executive Director
Shannon Forshee
Shannon is the Executive Director of Camp Fish Tales. She received her Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Psychology in April 1998 from Grand Valley State University and her Masters of Education in April 2002 from Saginaw Valley State University. Shannon was a special education teacher in the Bullock Creek School District from 1998 until 2007.
Shannon has been a volunteer with many regional charity organizations such as Camp Fish Tales (Board Member 2016-2018), Make-A-Wish, and Share the Memories. She enjoys traveling, running outdoors, reading, and spontaneous adventures. She resides in Midland, Michigan with her three children.
Camp Director
Tim Rinner
My name is Tim Rinner. I am ecstatic to be this years Camp Director! Camp life has always been a special part of my life. My older brother is disabled and over the years I have been part of his life and well-being. Growing up my goal was to always include my brother and his friends in any activity they wished to try. I’ve been involved with camps since my teenage years. My heart has always been with the disabled community and their families and friends. I am a father of three and enjoy sharing with them the outdoors and all it has to offer. I look forward to meeting everyone this camp season and being part of the campers favorite camp memories.
Program Lead
Nicole Conner
Hello! My name is Nicole Conner, this is second summer as the program lead for Camp Fish Tales. I am looking forward to seeing all the wonderful returning campers as well as new ones this summer! We have lots of fun activities that are adaptable for all who join in so everyone can enjoy themselves on our summer camp journey! Can’t wait for summer to start!
Maintenance Supervisor
Ken MacConnell
Ken MacConnell is our maintenance supervisor at Camp Fish Tales. He was born and raised on a dairy farm in Alpena. He moved to Kawkawlin in 1973. He retired from General Motors in 2009. He is a Vietnam Veteran and retired from the Army National Guard in 2005. He is the Trustee for Kawkawlin Township. He volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Carriage House and Heartland Hospice for Veterans. He has 4 children, 10 grandchildren and resides at home with his wife, Sue.
Camp Nurse
Joni Pilaske, RN
Hi! I’m Joni Pilaske RN and this is my first time at Camp Fish Tales. I’ve worked as a Registered Nurse in a variety of capacities and am looking forward to learning about all the campers, Counselors, and the rest of the staff. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a Master’s in Nursing Education. I enjoy working with people, gardening, swimming and summer sunshine. I’m thrilled there is a Camp Fish Tales that creates opportunities where those with special needs can feel included. Thank you Camp Fish Tales for this opportunity!
Camp Counselors 2025
Ryan
Hi! My name is Ryan Bauman. I have been a Counselor for Camp Fish Tales since 2019. I am so excited about being a counselor for 2021 at Camp Fish Tales. I have an Associate’s Degree in Child Development and in Fine Arts. I developed a passion for helping people at a young age when I had cancer and then heart failure later in life. I use that passion and compassion with each camper at Camp Fish Tales. With each camper, I enjoy helping them develop and express their unique skills and abilities through all the activities that we participate in at Camp Fish Tales.
Connor
Hi, I’m Connor Douglas. I’m from Bay City Mi I’m 18 years old and a senior at John Glenn High School. After I graduate I want to apply for an apprenticeship to become a pipe fitter. Currently, I attend Bay Arenic Skills Center. I spend half of my day in the welding program, & half of the day with regular classes. I’m looking forward to meeting new people at camp. I enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, boating, swimming, and hunting.
Nikki
Hello! My name is Nikki Rooseboom. This is my second summer as a counselor at Camp Fish Tales! I am a recent elementary education and special education graduate of Saginaw Valley State University. In my free time I enjoy hiking, biking, reading, and writing. I have always had a passion for helping people of all ages and abilities. I am excited for my second summer at Camp Fish Tales, building new and lasting memories with the campers and staff. See you this summer!
Derick
My name is Derick Marcott. I graduated from Pinconning High School. I Love The Lord. I love nature and doing anything outside. Camping, kayaking, and disc golf are some of my main summer activities. I have a servant heart, I’m looking forward to being a camp counselor. To see the joy on the campers faces as we play fun games throughout the summer is going to be heart warming and rewarding. I can’t wait!
Mackenzie
Hi I am Mackenzie Kridler I am very excited for my first summer as a camp counselor at Camp Fish Tales! I am a very compassionate person who loves working with people and children of all ages. I work in respite care and take care of kids who have disabilities. A little something I’m excited for is the friendships I will create this summer and hopefully lasting memories. I am beyond grateful for this job opportunity.
Board of Directors – 2025
Chair
Mallory Herbert
I was born and raised in Bay City, MI. I attended Michigan State University where I obtained my Bachelors of Science in Environmental Economics and Policies. Currently I work for Trinseo in Midland as a Supply Chain Planner. I was involved in volunteer activities at the camp in college. I also worked in Pinconning for the last 3 years and recognize the potential for local businesses in that community to get involved with the camp.
Board Vice President
Shane Forfar
Shane Forfar, originally from Owosso and now residing in Midland with his wife Lyndsey and their three children, has dedicated his career to community-strengthening nonprofits. He began working in the sector at age 16 with the YMCA, later served with City Parks and Recreation, and now leads as Executive Director of Operations at Greater Midland. Since 2019, Shane has also supported Camp Fish Tales, serving as Board Vice President and contributing to its Fundraising and Executive Committees.
Treasurer
John Haag Sr., CPA/ABV, CVA, CFF
John Haag is a Managing Principal at Yeo & Yeo, a leading Michigan advisory firm. He leads the firm’s Business Valuation and Litigation Support Services Group. He is also a member of the Tax Services Group and Yeo & Yeo’s Career Advocacy team. He is based in the firm’s Midland office.
John has been involved in many organizations throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region. In addition to serving as Treasurer for Camp Fish Tales, he also serves on the board for the Midland Noon Rotary Club Foundation and is President of the Mid-Michigan Multisport Club.
Secretary
Kara Neuman, RN, BSN
Kara has worked as a registered nurse for MyMichigan Health for almost 24 years. She currently serves as the manager for Inpatient Case Management for Midland and Alpena where she leads a team of RN casemanagers, social workers, throughput coordinators, and case management assistants. She is proud to have worked in several different disciplines throughout her career at MyMichigan Health.
Kara was born and raised in Rose City, MI. After graduating from Ogemaw Heights High School, she attended Ferris State University where she obtained her Associate degree in Nursing. She then went on to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Saginaw Valley State University. She enjoys travelling, hiking, camping, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She has been part of the Midland community since 1998 where she currently resides with her husband and two daughters. Kara is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Camp Fish Tales and is looking forward to being part of the Camp Fish Tales family.
Martin Szeliga
Martin Szeliga is a Technician for AT&T and Executive Vice President and Legislative Coordinator for Communication Workers of America (CWA Local 4108).
Born in Stalowa Wola, Poland, Martin immigrated to Canada at the age of 9, where he spent most of his childhood before moving to the US at age 17.
Prior to joining AT&T, Martin spent 4 years in Japan with the US Marines as a Rifleman. Martin earned a BA in Business with a Major in Management from University of Phoenix, and attended Grad School for Human Resource Management at Central Michigan University.
Martin is the Vice President of the Pinconning Athletic Boosters, helps coach youth baseball, and has spent time on various Board of Directors, such as United Way of Bay County. Additionally, Martin is known in the Great Lakes Bay Region as the Airborne Angler, and provides many anglers in the area with valuable information and imaging through his ice flights.
Martin resides in Pinconning with his wife, Tera and their three children, Raven, Josie, and Max.
Robbie Waclawski
Robbie has been a development officer with Special Olympics Michigan for almost a decade. With more than 27 years in the non-profit world, he has experience working with at-risk youth and people with disabilities through a variety of programs.
Born & raised in Kalkaska, he later attended Northern Michigan University. In his spare time he enjoys volunteering with Knights of Columbus, the Midland Noon Rotary club, and at local Special Olympics events. He is an active member of the Greater Midland Tennis Center and can often be found participating in any number of outdoor activities.
He previously served on the board of Sacred Heart Academy, and was treasurer of the Disability Network of Mid-Michigan where he served for 5 years.
Lynn Pavlawk
Lynn Pavlawk is currently the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Great Lakes Bay Region. She is a high-performing executive with 30 years of proven experience leading strategic, transformational initiatives to drive growth, improve performance and achieve success. A native of Bay City, Lynn has made her home in Munger for the last 22 years. Pavlawk earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a Master of Science in Engineering Sciences from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
Before joining the Boys & Girls Club of the Great Lakes bay Region, Pavlawk was most recently the General Manger of Operations for Bay City Bridge Partners where she had an opportunity to engage with the local community while spearheading foundational infrastructures improvements in Bay City. She honed her leadership expertise while at Mobex Global, Nexteer Automotive, and its predecessor businesses, General Motors, and Delphi. She quickly advanced through various management and leadership roles in key organizational functions while continuously achieving results through global strategy development and project execution, strategic sales plannings and revenue growth, marketing communications, U.S. legislative and global regulatory affairs, corporate sustainability, environment, social, and governance reporting, engineering initiatives and enterprise-wide collaboration.