Executive Director

Paul is a long-time resident of Sheboygan, and is actively involved in the surrounding community. He spent more than 20 years at Lakeland University first as Director of the Hayssen Academic Resource Center and assistant professor, and finally as Director of Institutional Research. Over his 20 years at Lakeland, Paul served as Title IX Coordinator, investigator, adjudicator, and process adviser, as well as serving on several committees. 

Paul is a State of Wisconsin licensed Emergency Medical Technician, licensed Red Cross Training Provider, certified Stop the Bleed Instructor, and he volunteers his time with the Howards Grove Fire Department.

In addition to his work as an EMT with Howards Grove, Paul is Secretary of the Howards Grove Fire Department Board of Directors, Treasurer of the Sheboygan Rifle and Pistol Club Board of Directors, and is past president and member of The Abode Board of Directors. In March 2026, Paul was selected as the Executive Director of The Abode. 

Paul firmly believes in and supports the mission of The Abode to provide a safe space for individuals to practice regaining control of their lives while being provided with necessary challenges and supports to regain that control.

Paul lives with his two college-age daughters, and his dog, Stella.

Board of Directors President

Mrs. Barbara Gutenberger served as an LPN and an RN in the greater Sheboygan area for many years. She earned her RN degree from Lakeshore Technical College and was licensed to practice in all 50 states. Barb has experience in many areas of patient care from hospitals, psychiatric care, nursing homes, hospice, and oncology. She spent most of her career as a certified Oncology RN at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center.

Barb joined The Abode’s Board of Directors in January 2017 and was elected president in 2018. She has a passion for our mission and goals that is fueled, in part, by her own family history of alcoholism and mental illness. Her compassion for those struggling with addiction and mental health challenges informed her choice to be a nurse and now she continues to advocate for those in need through her work with our non-profit organization. She most enjoys being a part of a group that is focused on providing those in need with a supportive care and housing so that they may focus on their recovery and progress to a timely, productive, and sober return to independence.

Board of Directors Vice President

Mr. Michael Hansen graduated in 1975 from the University of Utah with a BS in Special Education. In 1976 he received graduate certification in education of the deaf and hard of hearing. In 1979 he returned to graduate school in Utah and received a certification in education for students with cognitive disabilities. Michael taught Special Education in the Sheboygan Area School District for 28 years, retired in 2005, and worked as a substitute teacher for another ten years. Michael served for 26 years of combined active/reserve duty in the U.S Navy and Army Reserves, retiring in 1996 at the rank of Major.

Michael began serving on the board of directors for The Abode in the fall of 2016. He chooses to volunteer his time for The Abode because he believes in the mission of providing adequate and appropriate temporary housing for a variety of community members. He believes the Abode is an asset to the community as a housing resource to the County for individuals that may not, otherwise, obtain housing based on their circumstances. Michael believes one key strength of The Abode is the ability to offer a wide variety of housing options. Being on the board gives him a sense of being able to make a positive impact on the community. Looking to the future, Michael feels that the board must be keenly aware of a balance between providing needed housing and fiduciary responsibilities. Considering the current economic times, he believes that we need to prepare and plan for difficult financial operations possibly lurking in the future.

Board of Directors Secretary

Dr. Elizabeth Stroot earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Delaware, a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from the University of Delaware, and a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in Psychology at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.

Elizabeth retired as Professor Emeritus of Psychology from Lakeland University in 2022. She served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin Conference of the American Association of University Professors for five years. Highlights of her academic career include serving for six years as Division Chair of Social Sciences and one year for Interdisciplinary Studies; designing and writing the full curriculum for Lakeland University’s successful Master of Counseling program; and teaching and mentoring hundreds of undergraduate psychology majors – many of whom are employed in the social services in Sheboygan County. Prior to her time at Lakeland University, Elizabeth conducted and published research about the effects of alcohol and worked as a clinical psychologist (Belmont Behavioral Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the Buffalo Veterans Administration Medical Center in Buffalo, New York, as well as in private practice).

Elizabeth began her service as the Secretary of the Board of Directors in 2017. Initially, she chose to volunteer as a board member because of the strong match between The Abode’s mission and her work as a psychologist in helping individuals with addictions and mental health challenges. Over time, she has come to value the commitment of her fellow board members and is deeply committed to ensuring The Abode continues to meet its mission over the next 55 years. Elizabeth believes The Abode is an important member of the community due to its history and its unwavering dedication to serve those in need by providing housing and supportive care. She believes a challenge for the future will be to develop and increase the services we offer to more effectively meet the needs of our diverse clients and so that we stay competitive with the larger for-profit organizations.

Board of Directors member

Mr. Christopher Domagalski earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Concordia University. He holds a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice from the University of Virginia and has completed additional graduate work in Leadership Studies at Marquette University.

For over 30 years, Christopher was been employed as a Law Enforcement Officer and served as Chief of Police in the City of Sheboygan from 2010 to 2025 when he retired. He is a past President of the Wisconsin Association of Chiefs of Police and the Wisconsin Police Leadership Foundation, past Chair of the Wisconsin Police Executive Group, and he served on the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board for eight years, including six years as the Chair. Additionally, Christopher served as the Midwest Regional Chair for the MidSize Cities Division of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

In 2017, Christopher was elected to join The Abode Board of Directors. He serves on the board because he believes The Abode provides important supportive transitional living services that are not otherwise available in the Sheboygan community. He believes our services provide the opportunity to change lives by assisting residents with the transition to independent living and their return to being contributing members of our community. Christopher recognizes The Abode as an important member of the Sheboygan area because it provides a supportive and safe place for community members to reach their full potential. He most enjoys serving on the board as it allows him the opportunity to work with and learn from a dedicated group of people who bring their own individual strengths and experiences together to serve a vulnerable population in our community.

Board of Directors member

Mr. Mark Sauer attended Milwaukee School of Engineering, UW Sheboygan Extension, and UW Milwaukee where he earned a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Industrial Management and Marketing and a minor in Finance. Mark’s 50-year career spanned 12 companies, five states, and positions of Plant Manager, General Manager, and Vice President.

Mark accepted the position on the Board of Directors in 2010. Mark’s expertise in business operations and his commitment to best practices and fairness in human resources and personnel concerns are particularly valuable to the Board. He chooses to volunteer his time for The Abode because he truly believes people have so much to offer Sheboygan if we are able to help them with their most basic needs. He finds The Abode’s organization and leadership to be well suited to provide housing for Sheboygan for the long term. It is important for the Board, Mark notes, to stay vigilant in our quest for developing new leaders and, especially, to stay current on wages, qualifications, and work schedules.