Village Administrator

Welcome to the Village of McFarland! 

My name is Matt Schuenke and I have the pleasure of serving as the Village Administrator for this community. The Village is located adjacent the southeast side of the City of Madison in Dane County. The current population is more than 9,000 residents and growing. We currently have 43.50 road miles and are about 5 square miles in total land area. The Village is serviced by US Highway 51 serving as the main connection point between the cities of Madison and Stoughton, as well as proximity to Interstate 39/90. We are bordered on the west by Lake Waubesa and Upper Mud Lake while to the south by the Lower Yahara River and Lower Mud Lake. The community is home to a high quality of life within the Madison metropolitan area as demonstrated by its excellent schools, variety in commercial enterprises, vast parks, and safe neighborhoods. 

Educational Background

I graduated high school from Maine Township High School South in Park Ridge, Illinois before pursuing my undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At UW, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Science. Following UW, I received my master's degree in Public Administrator from Northern Illinois University (NIU). Additionally, I have graduated from the Municipal Clerk/Treasurers Institute hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and certified by the International City/County Management Association as a Credentialed Manager. I am also a current member of the Wisconsin City/County Management Association serving as the Region 5 Coordinator helping to lead discussions on topics of shared concerns with peer communities in Dane and adjoining counties.

Career Progression

My first job that entered me into the public sector was as a Skate Guard for the local ice rink in Park Ridge when I was 15. When I was 17, I began working in the summer for the Village of Northbrook, Illinois as a part-time Streets and Maintenance Employee. I did this for five summers and winters throughout high school and college learning a lot about the inner workings of a large Public Works Department. After graduating from UW, I was hired as an intern for the City Manager in Janesville while I also pursued my master’s degree. Upon graduation from NIU, I was hired briefly as the Clerk/Treasurer for the Town of Clayton near Oshkosh before moving to the Village of Whitefish Bay as the Assistant Village Manager. My first position as an Administrator came at the Village of Cross Plains in Dane County where I also served as the Clerk and Treasurer during my tenure. In 2016, I was appointed to the Administrator position in McFarland where I have happily served ever since.

Family & Interests

My wife and I reside in the Village where we are raising our family. Together, we have four children. My stepson, who graduated from McFarland High School, my stepdaughter, and our twin boys who attend the McFarland School District. Additionally, we have our family dogs: Willie, a Labrador-German shepherd mix and Simon, a cocker spaniel mix.

We are a very active group to be sure! As a family we enjoy camping, spending time on my wife’s family farm, swimming, and riding bikes. I enjoy golfing, watching a wide variety of Wisconsin sports, fishing, and spending time with family.