Growing up in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Pete Normington was a 1972 graduate of Lincoln High school, earning National Honor society recognition for academic achievement. After earning acceptance into the University of Wisconsin Madison, Pete earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977, with a major in Economics, and an emphasis on Agricultural Economics courses. He then furthered his studies at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a Bachelor’s of Science from the College of Natural Resources with his fish biology major in 1977.
Pete began his work experience at the age of 15, working summers on the familys expanding Ocean Spray cranberry marsh. When combined with a summer of track repair crew work on the Soo Line railroad he learned the value of hard physical work in any upbringing and future career.
After graduating from college, Pete was employed as an agriculture sales and marketing person at Central Sands Produce. Several years later he rejoined the family cranberry marsh, where he currently serves as the President and General Manager of Saddle Mound Cranberry Co, Inc. He also served on the Ocean Spray Wisconsin Advisory Council for several years. He is also co-inventor of a patented hybrid cranberry vine, the HyRed developed at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
In addition, he is currently serving as the Vice President of Bio-Tec Research, Inc, a company specializing in the highest quality deer and elk nutritional products. He acts in a nutritional formulation capacity for the company.
Pete has three sons; Matt is an UWSP graduate and investment agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance. Wes is a UWSP graduate with a fishery major, and currently works on the family cranberry marsh. Scott is the youngest and also attending UWSP with an economics major. All of his sons have participated significantly in USSA volunteer projects.
Pete’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, waterskiing, and basketball. These activities have helped fuel his passion for the outdoors, and strengthened his resolve to provide an opportunity for all to enjoy, regardless of their circumstances in life.
Along with founder Brigid O’Donoghue, Pete helped launch USSA from its very inception. His duties are varied and can consist of assignments from being an onsite volunteer to advising and giving the charity direction.
In addition, he helps conduct a prison ministry, in which inmates are guided towards a better life after they are released. A deep founded respect for the value of human life and family experience helps make USSA an easy choice for Pete’s participation in the charity.
Peter J. Normington