State Representative Karl Van Roy represents over 55,000 constituents in the 90^th Assembly district in the Wisconsin Legislature, serving Howard, the West side of Green Bay, and part of Suamico. 

Born at St. Mary’s in 1938, Karl has been a life long resident of the Green Bay area.  Karl attended elementary school at St. Patrick’s and St. John the Baptist.  In High School, Karl played football for Packer Hall of Famer Ted Fritsch at Premontre (now Notre Dame).  

After Karl graduated from St. Norbert College in 1961, he joined the US Army, serving from 1962-64.  After he returned to Green Bay, Karl worked as a salesman and bartender until 1974 when he opened up a restaurant of his own, River’s Bend.

River’s Bend wasn’t an immediate success but through hard work and perseverance, Karl  turned it into one of the top supper clubs in Green Bay.  He always operated under the philosophy that if he worked hard with a smile and a positive attitude, his employees would too.

Karl still maintains the business owner’s work ethic and tireless dedication in his role as a member of the Assembly Committee on Small Business.  Karl looks at his position as a voice and advocate for small business owners throughout the Green Bay area and the state.

During his many years at River’s Bend, Karl became active in the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, serving as the association’s president from 1987-88.  In 1990 Karl was presented with the Restaurateur of the Year Award by Governor Tommy Thompson.

Although Karl handed his restaurant over to his step son Jerry in 1998, he still remains active in the local community through his work in the Howard-Suamico Optimist Club.  Karl has been an active Optimist for more than 30 years, is a past president of the local club, and is an Optimist International Life Member.

Over the years, Karl has combined his role as a restaurateur and optimist through many charitable endeavors.  You may have seen Karl flipping flapjacks at a “Pancakes and Porkies” fundraiser for area youth sports, student council, and other activities, or perhaps you’ve had a brat served up by Karl at the Bud-Bend Golf Charity Outing, an event put on by Budweiser and River’s Bend each year to raise money for the Optimists who return $10,000 – 15,000 to the local community each year.  He also works the grill for the MDA Harley Ride fundraiser, and can be seen walking the streets for the ASPIRO Buddy Walk and ringing bells for the Salvation Army, among many other local events.

Karl also serves on the N.E.W. Zoo Board of Directors, and the Brown County Corrections Relations Board.  He’s a former member of the Howard-Suamico Business Association and the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce.

In previous sessions, Karl has served on the Assembly standing committees covering  Insurance, Transportation, and State Affairs.  For the 2009  - 2010 legislative session, Karl was appointed to serve on the following Assembly Standing Committees:

• Jobs, the Economy, and Small Business

• Tourism, Recreation and State Properties

• Corrections and the Courts