Get to know the MPA Board!
Steve Amraen
We're excited for you to meet MPA Board member Steve Amraen and find out more about his passion for Milwaukee's places and people!
I was born in Chicago, but when I was about 4 my parents to moved a small town about 60 miles from Chicago called Woodstock, IL. Woodstock has a historic square (which I would strongly encourage anyone to visit) and I had an interest in City Planning that drew my interest to Historic Preservation. For any movie buffs, it's also home to Groundhog Day, so that gives you another reason to visit! I've also always been very interested in Frank Lloyd Wright. In my day job I work for the National Main Street Center, which is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Even though I grew up only about 90 miles away I never spent much time in Milwaukee until the Main Street Conference was here in 2015 and I really got to explore the city. When I then moved to Milwaukee about 4 years ago an NTHP colleague of mine and previous MPA Board Member connected me with MPA right away and next thing I knew I was on the Board! My family and I have truly enjoyed Milwaukee, exploring the lakefront and beautiful neighborhoods, while not dealing with all the traffic of Chicago. |
1. What three words best define you?
Outgoing, Friendly, Sports-fanatic
2. What is your favorite book? Movie?
I just picked up Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP by Mirin Fader at Boswell books and can't wait to start
reading. My favorite movie growing up, though I haven't watched in a while, is The Wizard of Oz. During the holidays Christmas Vacation and Home Alone are can't miss for me as well.
3. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I studied abroad in Greece for a term in college where we worked on an island to look at rebuilding a village destroyed over 50 years ago by an earthquake.
4. What is your favorite free time activity?
When I have free time not driving the kids around to various activities I enjoy traveling and watching/attending or playing sports and sporting events.
5. What is one of your favorite places in Milwaukee? Outside of Milwaukee?
Since it's basically our backyard, my favorite place is Lake Park. I also really enjoy the South Shore and especially the Farmers Market. Outside of Milwaukee I love Lambeau Field of course (I've always been a Packer fan despite being born in Chicago), but enjoy escaping to the peace and quiet of the Northwoods too.
6. What do you see as the future of historic preservation?
When people think about Historic Preservation I think it's most often about the buildings, but I think it's important to remember the history of the land, culture, and people too.
7. Why should people support MPA?
MPA is doing so much that may not be as visible such as working to preserve historic homes, attending various city meetings to provide comment on preservation-based issues, and monitoring legislation that impacts historic preservation. Your support helps us do this important work!
Outgoing, Friendly, Sports-fanatic
2. What is your favorite book? Movie?
I just picked up Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP by Mirin Fader at Boswell books and can't wait to start
reading. My favorite movie growing up, though I haven't watched in a while, is The Wizard of Oz. During the holidays Christmas Vacation and Home Alone are can't miss for me as well.
3. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I studied abroad in Greece for a term in college where we worked on an island to look at rebuilding a village destroyed over 50 years ago by an earthquake.
4. What is your favorite free time activity?
When I have free time not driving the kids around to various activities I enjoy traveling and watching/attending or playing sports and sporting events.
5. What is one of your favorite places in Milwaukee? Outside of Milwaukee?
Since it's basically our backyard, my favorite place is Lake Park. I also really enjoy the South Shore and especially the Farmers Market. Outside of Milwaukee I love Lambeau Field of course (I've always been a Packer fan despite being born in Chicago), but enjoy escaping to the peace and quiet of the Northwoods too.
6. What do you see as the future of historic preservation?
When people think about Historic Preservation I think it's most often about the buildings, but I think it's important to remember the history of the land, culture, and people too.
7. Why should people support MPA?
MPA is doing so much that may not be as visible such as working to preserve historic homes, attending various city meetings to provide comment on preservation-based issues, and monitoring legislation that impacts historic preservation. Your support helps us do this important work!