Green Bay, WI—During the UW-Green Bay winter Council of Trustees reception and dinner this week, Aspiro was presented with the Community Service Award in recognition of their substantial contributions to communities in Northeast Wisconsin. Additionally, Capital Credit Union President and CEO Laurie Butz was appointed as the newest member of the Council of Trustees.
The Community Service Award is given to recognize community members or organizations who have made significant contributions and have done exceptional community work. The award honors those who have demonstrated outstanding service that has positively impacted the region.
Ryan Ruzziconi, president of Aspiro, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. During his remarks, Ruzziconi expressed his gratitude to the community and the university for the Community Service Award. “I’m reminded that meaningful impact is never the work of one person or one organization—it’s the result of a community coming together, people who care deeply and are willing to invest in making a difference,” Ruzziconi said. “We’re proud to partner with 12 community businesses and organizations, including UWGB. Five days a week, a group of clients, accompanied by a staff member, work alongside UWGB teams in operations, facilities, and grounds. This partnership not only provides meaningful work experience for our clients— we believe it helps make the university even stronger.”
‘Live Your Way’ is an empowering statement and the organization’s tagline. At Aspiro, it is their sole purpose to help clients live their lives in ways that they choose; to do the things that bring them joy and purpose. Aspiro serves over 1,600 individuals and their families from birth through their senior years in the Green Bay area.
Their mission is to create opportunities for people experiencing disabilities to live their best lives by reaching their goals, connecting to their community and achieving their independence. Rooted in core values of respect, choice, relationships and ‘The Little Things,’ they reflect the organization’s commitment to each other, the people and families they support and the community they serve.
Respect-We engage people with dignity and respect. We view disability as part of the human experience.
Choice-We believe one size does not fit all. We support the choices people make to live happy, fulfilling lives.
Relationships-We nurture relationships with each other. Our interactions are honest, supportive and full of integrity.
The Little Things-We do the little things that make a big difference. We go the extra mile to provide the very best in all we do.
Recognized as the leader among disability service providers, Aspiro creates opportunities for people to live their best lives.
The winter meeting was also the first for Capital Credit Union President and CEO Laurie Butz, as the most recent appointee to UW-Green Bay’s Council of Trustees.
Laurie Butz has served as President and CEO of Capital Credit Union since 2021, bringing more than 35 years of experience in financial services and leadership across both nonprofit and for‑profit sectors. A long‑time community leader, she has chaired major Fox Cities nonprofits and continues to serve on regional and industry boards; most notably, in 2025 she was appointed to the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors.
Under her leadership, Capital Credit Union has been widely recognized for growth, workplace excellence, and community impact, and even holds a Caring Company certification from the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities.
Laurie earned business degrees from UW-Green Bay and UW Oshkosh and holds additional executive credentials from the Credit Union Executives Society (CUES). Her honors include recognition from UW Oshkosh, the ATHENA Lifelong Achievement Award, and most recently, induction into the Titan 100 Hall of Fame. Earlier this year, she even appeared on the cover of Insight on Business magazine.
Laurie lives in Green Bay with her husband, Dennis, and enjoys time with their family in the Fox Valley as a proud new grandmother. Her guiding philosophy? Be kind, love one another, and work together to make the world a more caring place.
Photo available upon request.
About UW-Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a school of resilient problem solvers who dare to reach higher with the power of education that ignites growth and answers the biggest challenges. Serving 11,519 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students as well as 101,000 continuing education learners annually, UW-Green Bay offers 200 academic degrees, programs, and certificates. With campus locations in Green Bay, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and a theatre in Marinette, the University’s access mission welcomes all students who want to learn, from every corner of the world. Championing bold thinking since opening its doors in 1965, it is a university on the rise – Wisconsin’s fastest growing UW. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.
