Stephanie Klett has been traveling Wisconsin non-stop for the past two decades. Logging more than one million miles criss-crossing the state, few people know more about Wisconsin’s 72 counties and the fun, historic, spiritual, wild, romantic, and adventurous attractions and events they offer.
Klett comes to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism after a 19-year career with Discover Wisconsin Television & Radio. There she traveled 200 days a year hosting the award-winning travelogue series, while also researching and writing over 4,000 radio programs about the state. She was also Managing Director of the Discover Wisconsin Media Network, which included branding, public relations efforts, and marketing promotions.
In 2010, after 6 Emmy nominations from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Klett finally brought the Golden statue back home to Wisconsin in the category of “Individual Excellence for On-Camera Hosting.” At last - no more Susan Lucci jokes.
Klett is passionate about Governor Scott Walker’s vision for creating 250,000 jobs, and believes Wisconsin Tourism will have a big part in that effort. Stephanie also understands the power of partnerships, shining the light on Wisconsin’s hidden and lesser-known treasures, and working with the dynamic tourism-related organizations around the state.
Stephanie was Miss Wisconsin 1992, and a Bert Parks Talent winner at the 1993 Miss America Finals in Atlantic City – the first cornet player in its history. During her year as Miss Wisconsin, she created a program called ATTITUDE ON AIDS. Educating teens on the facts of HIV and AIDS, the program’s success led to an appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America, a trip to Cuba, a Commendation from then-Governor Tommy Thompson, and a keynote address at the Hollywood Hope AIDS service. She also created the annual Spotlight on Wisconsin benefit, which raises money for the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, Beloit Regional Hospice, and the Stateline Area Boys & Girls Clubs.
Stephanie has traveled around the world, including the Far East and throughout Europe. She is a member of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame Foundation, past board member and president of Beloit Regional Hospice, volunteer for Angel on My Shoulder and the Beloit International Film Festival, a Beloit Memorial Hall of Fame Inductee, and is a member of the River of Life United Methodist Church.
Klett is a graduate of Wisconsin’s oldest college of continuing education - Beloit College, where she majored in Philosophy and Theatre Arts/Communications. She extended her education overseas at Moray House College in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Her parents, Fred and Joanne Klett, have been married for nearly 60 years and hail originally from the big Wisconsin cities of La Valle and Elroy. They have 10 children: 9 sons, and one daughter. Klett credits her brothers for her sense of humor and toughening her up.