Our Board
Tom Tolan, President
Tom Tolan began Zen practice in the early 1980s, and was one of the people who helped start what was then called the Milwaukee Zen Group, which Katagiri Roshi served as teacher during regular visits from Minnesota. Tom's been an infrequent practitioner since then, but wishes to increase his study and practice of Buddhism. He's had a career in newspaper journalism, and works now as a newspaper copy editor. He's married, lives in Shorewood and has a son in college.
Larraine McNamara-McGraw, Vice President
Larraine is an active member of Milwaukee Zen Center and has been on the board for several years. She was lay-ordained by Tonen O’Connor in 2005 and took part in the 84th Practice Period at Tassajara Mountain Zen Center, where she also spends time every summer as a work practice student. She regularly takes on morning duties at MZC. She was an Assistant State Public Defender until she ran for and was elected to the Milwaukee Common Council, in 1989. After serving two terms, she began her own law practice as attorney in 1997, specializing in Employment and Civil Rights for Plaintiffs. Her current work is with the Horizons Law Group in Brookfield, where she represents people in foreclosures and employment issues. She has three grown daughters and sons-in-law, and greatly enjoys her three grandchildren.
Ted was born and raised in the Appleton, Wisconsin area. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Currently, he lives in Milwaukee and works as a manufacturer's representative. Ted enjoys the simple and goal-less nature of practice at MZC.
Leslie Hosho Morris, Secretary
Leslie first participated at MZC almost 30 years ago. He has been most active in the past few years and took the lay precepts in summer of 2013. Formerly a musician and lighting & sound engineer, Leslie is currently a manager in the IT department of a publishing company. He is a cycling fan and especially likes doing hill workouts on his road bicycle. Leslie and his wife, Mary, have a daughter and son-in-law.
Peter Johnson, Member-at-Large
Peter has been a member of the Milwaukee Zen Center for the past 15 years. He took the precepts with his teacher, Tonen O'Connor, in 1999, and sewed his lay okesa and renewed the precepts in 2013 with Hôkô Karnegis.
Peter is a retired school administrator and continues to work as an educational consultant and professional administrative coach. His current role finds him working with Milwaukee inner city youth in a behavioral reassignment school.
Peter is married and has one daughter. When not working, you might find him sailing, golfing, walking with his wife and pet shelties, or just sitting with a sketch pad.
His gratefulness for this teaching and practice knows no bounds. He feels privileged to be a member of the Milwaukee Zen Center sangha.
Susan Winecki, Member-at-Large
Susan Winecki is a former hospital chaplain, psychotherapist, and business owner. She writes poetry about the natural world whose beauty and resilience keep her heart hopeful and helpful. Susan's been a long-time practitioner and member of Milwaukee Zen Center, with Tonen O'Connor as her teacher.