Ann Marie Pierce has a warmth and an energy that is contagious. As the point person for The Reiman Foundation and Grandhaven LLC since 1998, her positive impact has been extensive. Thank you, Ann Marie, for sharing your gifts and talents with the Village of Greendale and beyond. We are grateful for you!
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I’m a small business supporter and a huge believer in the importance of community building & community engagement. I believe that what you imagine is what you create. And I am very proud of what we have created (and continue to create) in Historic Downtown Greendale.
I’m also a book reading, yoga practicing, live music loving, green thumb gardening, passport stamp collecting traveler who will say yes to (just about) every adventure presented to me.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband Marty and I have 4 adult children, a son in law, a daughter in law and two absolutely amazing grandkids.
Q: Please tell us about your current career. What do you love most about what you do?
I work for Hexagon Investments responsible for two areas of focus: The Reiman Foundation and Grandhaven LLC (real estate holdings in Historic Downtown Greendale).
Q: Please tell us about any volunteering that you have done or currently do.
My role with the Reiman Foundation has allowed me to work with a diverse group of organizations, all doing important work in the Greater Milwaukee area. I am grateful for all those experiences and the people I have met along the way. Currently Street Angels and Repairers of the Breach are two organizations I personally support with time, talent & treasure.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Greendale? What do you love there?
The meatloaf at Milk Can. The soups at Sugar & Flour. Ricardo’s pizza. Broad Street Coffee makes the best spiced chai. Joey Gerard’s has an awesome fish fry. A National Bakery mint brownie is pretty hard to say no to!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Greendale?
I have worked in my Broad Street office in Greendale since 1998!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Greendale?
Working beside Roy Reiman for the past 25 years has been incredibly interesting. He’s at the top of my list. Colleen Fechtmeyer is also such an incredible community treasure.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I love to travel so that is a trick question! I recently returned from a solo trip to Portugal & Spain which was amazing. Next up is Egypt, but that won’t be solo!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Chopped. I love it when they open the basket to see what ingredients they have to work with. I’m always amazed by the meals they can create!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
To not let your life be guided by fear. To say yes more than you say no. To find something, even if it is one little thing, every day to be grateful for.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
My son is a USAF pilot. I’d love to buckle up and be a passenger on one of his flights. He often reminds me that he doesn’t have “passengers” and his flights can’t be booked thru Travelocity. So I’ve put flying with my son on my bucket list; maybe one day it will happen!
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
My husband is the drummer for the band The Now so I think I better use that as my answer!
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Greendale?
Oh there are so many! I loved Shoppe Around the Corner, owned by Jim & Cathy Davenport. Cathy set the bar high for all the retail businesses that followed in her huge footsteps.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Brene Brown. She is one of my favorite authors/speakers – her books/teachings greatly impact how I live my life both personally & professionally. As for where we’d meet for lunch – I’d let her choose!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Greendale?
The walking paths. I am so grateful that I can walk out my office door and in a matter of steps find myself on a walking path.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
My mother is Jamaican, born & raised. I spent a great deal of my childhood there. To me there is no place as beautiful as Jamaica, from the mountains to the beaches and the bustling cities in between. Every time I am there, I am reminded of how beautiful it is, not only the country but the people too.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
October. Thanksgiving. August 7th.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Being a grandma!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
The business owners in historic downtown Greendale. I am continually amazed by their creativity, their strength, their entrepreneurial guts, their ability to pivot, when necessary, their desire to create community, to believe in their dreams. I am so inspired by them and always in awe of them.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Coffee in the morning. Lilly of the Valley in May.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Joy. Gratitude. Full.
