BizTimes Milwaukee | May 6, 2024

Monday, June 3, 2024

2:00-2:30pm – Registration | 2:30-5:00pm – Program | 5:00-6:30pm – Cocktails & hors d’ oeuvres

Brookfield Conference Center

Unlocking Growth

Taking

your family business to the next level

Plan to join BizTimes Media and a panel of family and closely held business owners for a discussion focused on the keys to growing in a world that often seems to favor consolidation and big corporations. How do you balance tradition and core values with new ideas? How do you take the right strategic risks while also planning for the long term? Where can you find the resources to make crucial investments when technology keeps racing ahead? Panelists will address these questions and many more.

Panelists:

» Katie Juehring, Chairman and CEO, Owner, 3rd Generation, Glenroy (1)

» JJ Stanwyck, CEO/Owner, 3rd Generation, COST & Refractory Service, Inc. (2)

» Mike Moore, President/Owner, Founder, Moore Construction Services (3)

» Paul Bostrom, President, H.O. Bostrom Company (4)

Concurrent Breakout Sessions:

» Cashless Growth

» Transitioning Your Business? Begin at the End

» Grow & Protect Your Family Legacy: How to Mitigate Fraud Risks

» Is QuickBooks Right For You?

Sponsors:

Nexus sells Pleasant Prairie facility to pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly

By Ashley Smart, staff writer

Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Nexus Pharmaceuticals Inc. has sold its Pleasant Prairie manufacturing facility to Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company for an undisclosed price.

Nexus, a family-owned manufacturer of critically needed injectable drugs, opened the 100,000-square-foot facility at 10300 128th Ave. in the Prairie Highlands Corporate Park in 2021.

The $100 million investment represents the first phase of a $250 million multi-phase project that the company plans to complete by 2031. It’s the first project of its kind within the sterile injectables industry in the past three decades in the United States.

their products at this facility could begin at the end of 2025.

The Pleasant Prairie facility does not provide contract manufacturing services, allowing the facility to be solely dedicated to Lilly.

“The acquisition of this stateof-the-art facility underscores our unwavering commitment to growth and innovation, and we look forward to welcoming talented new Nexus colleagues to Lilly from the Pleasant Prairie facility,” said Edgardo Hernandez, executive vice president and president of Lilly manufacturing. “We are investing boldly to serve our patients, to meet product demand and to build capabilities for our robust pipeline of the future.”

BY THE NUMBERS

“We are excited Lilly is continuing our family’s mission of providing life-saving medications to those who need them most,” said Usman Ahmed, president and chief executive officer of Nexus. “This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our Nexus employees in building a best-in-class injectable manufacturing facility. The combination of our teams and infrastructure with Lilly’s global platform will benefit patients all over the world.”

The acquisition of this FDA-approved facility in Pleasant Prairie will expand Lilly’s global parenteral (injectable) product manufacturing network and support increased demand for the company’s medicines. Lilly estimates that production of

The Milwaukee 7 helped attract Nexus to Pleasant Prairie in 2021. Representatives with the organization, along with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, commended the company for its continued investments in southeastern Wisconsin.

“We would first like to welcome Lilly to southeastern Wisconsin. Having a market leader in the pharmaceutical industry move into the area is another step forward for Pleasant Prairie, the M7 region and the state of Wisconsin,” said Dale Kooyenga, president of MMAC. “We’d be remiss without thanking Nexus Pharmaceuticals for their investment and congratulate them on the successful and attractive operation they’ve built in Kenosha County.”

Nexus Pharmaceuticals’ manufacturing facility in Pleasant Prairie.

NEXUS PHARMACEUTICALS

HOW HAS YOUR

PERSPECTIVE ON REMOTE OR HYBRID WORK AND WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY EVOLVED IN RECENT YEARS?

1

LORI RICHARDS AND JAMES MADLOM

CEOs, Mueller Communications

“We believe there is great value in engaging in person as a team, and we create many opportunities to do so at our offices at the Fortress. Our approach is values versus rules based: We trust team members to balance in-office and athome schedules in a way that enables them to best meet the needs of colleagues and clients, as well as support their needs at home.”

2 JILL BRZESKI

President and CEO, Boelter + Lincoln

“Our perspective has certainly changed since COVID, which forced us to go fully virtual for six months. Fortunately, our team didn’t miss a beat. We’ve since embraced the concept and moved to a hybrid schedule of three days in-office and two days remote, which our employees (many of whom are working parents) really appreciate.”

3 REBECCA VILLEGAS

Vice president of enterprise compliance and north office modernization executive project sponsor, Northwestern Mutual

“Modern workplaces must set the stage for modern work. Northwestern Mutual recognizes the need to balance flexible work arrangements with collaborative, physical spaces. It’s why we’re investing $500 million into our North Office Building to foster connection across our employees, financial representatives and community with function, flexibility and design in mind.”

4 RYAN FESTERLING

CEO, QPS Employment Group

“As an employment partner, we see companies that have production departments on-site and other departments remote. We have complex workforces and those who want to be very rigid when it comes to scheduling are missing an opportunity. Smart companies know that while we can’t create equality, we can create equity.”

5 MATT FUNK

Director of human resources, EAA

“We went from exclusively in-office before COVID to creating an infrastructure that allows remote and hybrid opportunities that meet changing expectations of the workforce. While our needs still often demand on-site presence, especially before and during EAA AirVenture, the new flexibility is an additional opportunity for our staff when possible.” 

MEET THE

DR. JOHN RAYMOND SR.

President and CEO

Medical College of Wisconsin

WAUWATOSA

“Do something every day to improve your organization, and leadership opportunities will come your way.”

This Q&A is an extended profile from Wisconsin 275, a special publication from BizTimes Media highlighting the most influential business leaders in the state. Visit: biztimes.com/wisconsin275 for more.

Dr. John Raymond Sr. leads the state’s only private medical school and the metro Milwaukee area’s seventh largest private employer. The Medical College of Wisconsin has expanded under Raymond’s leadership, opening regional campuses in Wausau and De Pere and growing its footprint on its home campus in Wauwatosa. Raymond became a household name during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he provided daily virtual briefings in partnership with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce to keep area business executives informed of the virus’s spread.

Education: M.D., The Ohio State University

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

“Janitor. The value of a job well done.”

What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career?

“Don’t be afraid to dream big dreams.”

If you could have dinner with any two business leaders, who would you choose and why?

“Bill Gates and Steve Jobs because of their constant commitment to innovation and impact.”

What are some of your favorite destinations/places to visit?

“Door County; Italy; Portugal.”

What is one book you think everyone should read and why?

“’Good to Great’ by Jim Collins. The concept of level five leadership provides insights into how to optimize organizational performance through a culture of leadership engagement.”

What’s your hobby or passion?

“Reading. Online chess.”

What is your favorite Wisconsin restaurant, and what do you order there?

“Buckley’s in Milwaukee, carrot cake.”

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

“I listen to progressive rock and metal music.”

What was your first car? How long did you drive it for?

“1971 Ford Mustang. Three years.”

If you could take a one-year sabbatical, what would you do?

“Learn more about how to empower communities to build

sustainable strength and impact.”

What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome?

“The economic, societal, political and scientific challenges from COVID-19.”

What advice would you give to a young professional?

“Do something every day to improve your organization, and leadership opportunities will come your way.”

What is one thing you would change about Wisconsin to make it even better?

“It would be good for our state if the Legislature and governor’s office could work toward common purpose.”

As you enter your office, what would you choose to be your walk-up or theme song, and why?

“’Imagine’ by John Lennon. We seek a better world at MCW.”

Is there a nonprofit cause that has special meaning to you?

“I am a director of the board of the Milwaukee Academy of Science, a charter school that serves predominantly African American children and which has a remarkable track record of excellence and successes in inspiring our scholars to attend colleges, universities and technical schools.”

What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?

“To serve as a highly visible medical spokesperson during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

What’s at the top of your bucket list?

“To retire and spend quality time with my beautiful wife, who is the love of my life.”

What has you most excited about the future?

“The passion and optimism of our students, research fellows and residents gives me great hope for our future.” 

GETTING THERE

How has your past experience prepared you to take the lead at CC&N?

“By teaching me the value of our most important asset, our people. Ensuring our employee-owners feel heard, informed and appreciated is critical to our long-term success. Creating the ability to grow and develop within CC&N is what helps us retain talent and create lasting relationships with our employees and customer base.”

Biggest goals for the company:

“I’d like CC&N to become a nationally recognized expert resource that is always one step ahead in providing differentiated wired, wireless and fiber solutions, as well as ensuring our employee owners are valued, informed and proud of their contributions and focused on growth and continuous improvement.”

What

has you most excited about the future of the telecommunications industry?

“The data center market and the opportunities it will bring to the surrounding area. Whether it’s privately owned, hyper-scale or colocations, there will be significant opportunities for companies like CC&N to showcase our talents and expand our footprint by becoming a trusted partner in that market vertical.”

Advice

for other professionals looking to step into

bigger roles:

“Ensure you have a plan, then communicate that plan to the overall company as simply as you can. Refer back to it often and create milestones so the plan doesn’t seem too large to conquer. Finally, ensure you celebrate victories publicly when milestones are achieved.”

How do you spend your free time?

“My fiancé and I have two boys, 9 and 6 years old, so most of our free time is spent as a family. Our oldest plays baseball, so outside of practices and games for him, you’ll find us at other Milwaukee sporting events such as the Milkmen, Brewers and Wave games.” 

The latest area economic data.

A total of 2.35 million

tons of goods were shipped through Port Milwaukee in 2023, an increase of 3.6% compared to 2022.

Cruise ships brought

11,502

passengers to Milwaukee in 2023, down 18.3% from 2022.

The metro Milwaukee office real estate market had a 17.1%

vacancy rate during the first quarter, up from 16.3% a year ago.

The southeastern Wisconsin industrial real estate market had a 5.8%

CC&N

AGE: 41

HOMETOWN:

DANIEL WITKOFSKI

vacancy rate during the first quarter, up from 3.6% a year ago.

Bachelor’s and MBA from UW-

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s and MBA from UWParkside

PREVIOUS POSITION: Vice president of operations at CC&N

Wisconsin has a 3.0%

seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate, lower than the U.S. unemployment rate of 3.8%.

Racine

Fostering a lifelong love of reading

By Ashley Smart, staff writer

Growing up in a small town, there weren’t a lot of activities to keep Ralph Stayer, owner and retired CEO of Sheboygan Falls-based Johnsonville, occupied for very long. The one activity that constantly captured his attention was reading good books.

“The stories captivated my imagination and transported me to places and events that made me feel I was part of them,” said Stayer.

the Good LIFE

Some of his favorite books include those focused on physics and astrophysics as well as spy and detective stories.

Reading quickly became a lifelong habit for Stayer, who, now at 80 years old, takes part in a monthly book club of 12 members. While he’s still involved at Johnsonville on a limited basis – often sharing his 60 years of business wisdom – Stayer has always made sure to set aside time to read.

“It is important in life to never stop learning,” he said. “Much of the success I have had

What’s the history of STIR and this office location?

Brian Bennett, president: “STIR was founded in 2000 and has been a proud member of the Milwaukee community since our inception.

In 2021, we made the move to the Harbor District. We were in tune with community development and knew that the Harbor District would be the next area of significant growth. We wanted to be a part of it.”

How have you seen the surrounding neighborhood evolve since you’ve been there?

“We’ve noticed more businesses calling the Harbor District home.

in life – notice I didn’t limit this to business – has come from insights learned from the books I read. The question for me has always been, how can I not make the time to continue to learn?

So, I did.”

Stayer formed his book club on a whim one day after he decided to send seven of his friends a book he had recently finished. The book discussed strengthening your brain as a muscle. Since then, the group has met every month for dinner, fine wine and a discussion on a new non-fiction book. A recent favorite of the group was “The Underworld” by Susan Casey, a book about diving to the bottom of the ocean.

“There is also a selfish reason for starting a book club,” said Stayer. “I have been able to read many great books that I never would have found on my own.”

He also hosts a virtual book club via Zoom for CEOs from across the globe. 

The neighborhood has been booming – from commercial developments to building restorations and new storefronts. We love the diverse opportunities to stroll, entertain and dine here.”

Who are your clients?

“We have an extensive client list that spans a wide range of industries, from industrial and construction, to consumer packaged goods, to financial institutions, health care and insurance.

A few of our current clients include Rural Mutual Insurance, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Bayshore and Verve, a Credit Union. We’ve worked with

several notable Milwaukee organizations, including Milwaukee Area Technical College, Visit Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Bucks.”

What’s the company’s stance on workplace flexibility?

“STIR is a hybrid organization. We understand the need for flexibility, but we also highly value the power of team collaboration in person, so we gather on-site three days a week.” ■

Ralph Stayer

Intellectual Property: Management guideline for small businesses

Chris Scherer, Partner & Executive Committee Member, DeWitt LLP

Protecting the intellectual property (IP) of a small business can be extremely important to the success, and even the survival of a small business. Identifying, prioritizing, registering, enforcing, and monetizing IP are all important steps in building and managing a small business IP portfolio.

Identify your IP

Because small businesses typically do not have endless budgets to commit toward IP portfolio building, it is important to first identify and prioritize the IP held by the business.

For small businesses, oftentimes the most important IP to consider protecting are the various brands developed by the business. In other words, whether it is a small manufacturer, tech company, or service provider, the business may likely have trademarks that need to be protected.

For example, the names and logos used in the name of the business and the flagship brands of the business should be given the highest priority, followed by the names and logos of other product lines, models within the product lines, and finally any slogans or limited use trademarks in building an IP portfolio.

To register or not to register?

Filing and prosecuting IP of any type can be expensive, so care should be taken in deciding whether and when to pursue state and/or federal registrations for any IP. A business should first determine whether the IP in the prioritized list is registerable, and then work with IP counsel to understand clear cost estimates for every step of the registration process.Obtaining U.S. trademark registration is usually less expensive than pursuing patent protection.

For IP that is not registerable or where a budget is unavailable to register the IP right away, IP counsel can identify guidelines on how to internally document and organize records related to the IP to preserve and optimize the IP for later protection or enforcement.

Enforcement and monetization

“What we see depends mainly on what we are looking for.”

–JOHN LUBBOCK

If a budget exists for enforcement, a small business can enforce its IP against an infringer in state or federal court, and in certain cases in government administrative agencies such as the Trademark or Patent Trial and Appeal Boards.

DeWitt attorneys are creative in their approaches to solving our clients’ needs.

It is also important to identify any innovations that the business owns, and to classify them appropriately. Innovations may fall under patentable inventions, trade secrets or designs. A small business may also have copyrightable materials that should also be identified and prioritized.

At DeWitt, we utilize our creativity to offer proactive and effective legal advice in more than 30 areas of law while ser ving publicly and privately held companies, individual clients, familyowned businesses, municipalities and more. With more than 115 attorneys prac ticing in Wisconsin and Minnesota, our firm handles m atters for clients nationwide.

When you need a trusted, full-ser vice law firm, please visit our website at dewittross.com or email info@dewittross.com for more information.

However, some businesses don’t have the appetite or budget for enforcement through litigation. Various types of monetization practices can also be utilized to draw revenue and benefit from an IP portfolio such as licensing or selling an IP portfolio (in certain circumstances). Also building an IP portfolio typically enhances the value of the business if it is planning to sell the business or borrow against it.

An effective IP counsel can partner with small businesses in planning and executing these steps and more.

INN VATI NS

Maglio Companies’ patented watermelon pouch aims to improve the grocery store experience

By Ashley Smart, staff writer

DURING A 2014 trip to southern Florida, Sam Maglio Jr., president and chief executive officer of Glendale-based Maglio Companies, had a sudden hankering for a slice of watermelon. So, he stopped at a nearby grocery store in the hopes of appeasing his craving. Instead, he was met with a sticky, sloppy mess.

As Maglio examined the quarter slices of watermelon for sale, he quickly identified a problem that he and his team could potentially address.

“I sent a picture of the wet, over-wrapped quarter slice of watermelon to my team back in Milwaukee and said, ‘I think we can solve this,’” said Maglio.

Maglio Companies, a fifth-generation family-owned importer and distributor of fresh produce, has been solving packaging problems since its inception in 1902. The company’s success began with its tomato distribution service,

Maglio Companies

Glendale

INNOVATION: ReadyRipe ¼ sliced watermelon pouch

FOUNDERS: Sam, Frank and Jack Maglio (Giacomo Maglio originally started the company in Chicago)

FOUNDED: 1902

maglioproduce.com

which provides customers with the freshest and most consistently packed tomatoes on the market. Maglio Companies has developed several proprietary food handling and packaging processes since its founding, so Maglio knew his team could find a better way to sell watermelons.

The outdated method of protecting and displaying a quarter slice of watermelon involves the use of plastic cling wrap. This method speeds up the decay process of the fruit, while also trapping spoiled organisms next to the melon. Plastic cling wrap makes it easier for liquid to “migrate out” of the watermelon’s flesh, Maglio explained.

That liquid then pools at the imperfect seal at the bottom of the displayed melon slice, providing a breeding ground for all sorts of microbiological activity and eventually leaking out of the wrap onto the grocer’s shelf or the consumer’s refrigerator.

“The form of the wrap demands that the consumer pick up the melon from the underside where it is often wet and sticky,”

said Maglio.

So, his team began the design process for a new type of packaging that would not only address the issue of leakage, but also extend the shelf life of the produce while making it easier to handle.

Maglio Companies had the basic idea and design for its patented “ReadyRipe ¼ sliced watermelon pouch” in just a few days. However, the company spent months investigating different types of materials that could be used to construct the bag. The team knew the pouch needed to retain moisture while allowing oxygen to pass through a plastic film.

The pouch had to be strong enough to hold the weight of the melon when picked up by a handle, while also supporting a zipper welded into the upper end of the pouch. It also needed to be heatsealed above the zipper for food safety purposes.

“The technology is somewhat simple: don’t touch the flesh of the watermelon or liquid will leach out,” said Maglio. “That starting design principle is the basis for the bag construction. The dual-lane zipper

at the top of it makes it easy for employees to close and seal the bag using a gloved hand. The proper selection of materials to laminate into the final bag film was key to establishing the oxygen/carbon dioxide balance within the package.”

The next issue Maglio Companies needed to tackle was finding a manufacturer that would modify its machinery to make a bag large enough for a watermelon to fit into it. Most of the manufacturers the company approached made gusseted pouches for 12 ounces of granola, not 4 pounds of watermelon, Maglio explained.

Once the bag was formed, the company needed to test it for the right oxygen transmission rate. The watermelon slice takes in oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide. If the bag had no oxygen transmission, the watermelon inside could become a food-safety hazard.

“With the right balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide, we could essentially put the watermelon to sleep,” said Maglio.

Finally, the Maglio Companies team needed to consider the graphic design elements of

Maglio Companies’ patented ReadyRipe ¼ sliced watermelon pouch.

the pouch. Creating a pouch that draws attention from consumers was key. The company decided to use bright blue – a color rarely seen in a produce department –near the top of the bag to garner attention. There is also a clear viewing section where customers can see for themselves the freshness of the watermelon.

“In addition to extending the freshness and quality of watermelons, the ReadyRipe pouch offers numerous advantages to both consumers and retailers,” said Richard Butera, director of business development at Maglio Companies. “These responsibly designed pouches minimize waste by prolonging the shelf life of watermelons, thereby reducing spoilage and decreasing shrink for retailers without the use of any added gasses, chemicals or preservatives. The user-friendly packaging streamlines handling and display, simplifying the pro -

cess for retailers and enhancing the overall shopping experience for consumers.”

In March, Maglio Companies announced it had successfully protected its patent for the ReadyRipe 1/4 watermelon pouch.

The original idea for the pouch was submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2014 with the final patent being granted in late 2017. It can take months before a company hears anything back from the patent office, which will often challenge a company’s ideas and compare it to previously patented inventions. Maglio credits his company’s attorney, Sarah Wong, with helping the organization successfully navigate the patenting process.

“If you are providing a product to the consumer at any level of commerce, it is important to maintain the integrity and trust of that consumer by guaranteeing the quality of an original product

without name confusion or product copycatting,” said Maglio.

The ReadyRipe pouch debuted at Whole Foods in the Northeast and was followed by big-box retailers throughout the country. Locally, the pouch can be found at Meijer stores.

“Maglio is the most creative

and innovative produce company in the business, with multiple patents and trademarks to its credit,” said Maglio. “It is always a group effort and involves thoughts and input from all levels of the organization to execute the research and development of new product lines.” n

Maglio Companies’ headquarters in Glendale.

the Interview

WHEN HUNGER TASK FORCE’S longtime chief executive officer Sherrie Tussler retires next month, she’ll be handing the reins over to Matt King. After spending the bulk of his life – including his teenage years – volunteering and working for organizations dedicated to feeding the hungry, the Milwaukee native returned to the region in 2012 to serve as the nonprofit’s farm director. In June, King, who currently serves as associate director of Hunger Task Force, will step into the role of CEO. BizTimes Milwaukee reporter Cara Spoto recently caught up with King about his passion for hunger prevention and the nonprofit’s mission.

BizTimes: You’ve been working to address hunger for much of your career. What attracted you to the work? How did you first get involved?

King: “As an at-risk teenager, I was required by my mom to volunteer in the community. In addition to being a literacy tutor for elementary kids at Auer Avenue School (in Milwaukee), I began volunteering at St. Ben’s (St. Benedict the Moor Parish in Milwaukee), helping with their meal service. Something that really made an impact on me was seeing seniors in our community struggling to make ends meet. I vividly recall a couple in their 80s telling me their story; they worked their whole lives but now, in their 80s, were struggling to afford their prescriptions and housing. Seniors shouldn’t have to make the choice between food and medicine.”

Sherrie Tussler mentioned recruiting you for the farm director position at Hunger Task Force. How did that come about? Had you previously worked together?

“In 2005, I started working for the Congressional Hunger Center in Washington D.C. Through the CHC, I was able to take on a project in my hometown of Milwaukee, which was specifically focused on increasing access to summer meals for local kids. I continued my career and professional development in Washington D.C., and I also worked in New Orleans and Oregon before moving back home to raise my family. Throughout those years, I always admired and stayed connected to Hunger Task Force and had hoped to one day return.”

You were the farm director at Hunger Task Force for close to nine years. What excited you about the job?

“The farm is an innovative response to a persistent issue seen at food banks around the country: reliable access to fresh produce at a scale that substantially impacts public health. Our farm not only provides access to healthy food, but it’s also a 200-acre nature preserve that is a part of the Milwaukee County Parks system.

“The farm provides a unique opportunity for more than 5,000 community volunteers every year to be a part of it. Building that resource for the community I grew up in was the most exciting part.”

What’s the toughest part of running a food bank? And what’s the best part?

“One of the toughest parts is also the best, it is a very dynamic environment to work in. Food supply and demand are constantly changing. We need to reevaluate community needs, markets, partnerships and logistics routinely. We take the responsibility very seriously, and we also have a lot of fun in the process.”

What is something about Hunger Task Force that people who don’t regularly use its services may not know?

“All of the different populations we serve. Over half of the people that we serve are children. We serve veterans, refugees, college students and seniors. We have a diverse, multilingual staff that reflects the community we serve and is able to meet people where they are. I’m incredibly proud of the talented team of experts we have here.”

Selecting the right CPA: A guide for small businesses

EDWARD HASTREITER Founder EWH Small Business Accounting S.C.

AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, managing your finances requires more than just being good at what you do. It requires resourcefulness, understanding where your financing will come from, and how you will allocate those resources to maximize cash flow.

The right Certified Public Accountant (CPA) can make all the difference in your ability to navigate these challenges.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

» Experience – What industries do they work with? Ask for referrals.

» Credentials – What accreditations and licensing do they have?

» Security – What measures do they have in place to protect your information?

» Communication and Customer Service – How accessible is staff and support?

» Fees – Do they have an established fee with list of services included?

Professional firms establish their fee structures by comparing their pricing to others providing similar services. However, smart decision-makers recognize the importance of balancing price with performance. When selecting your accounting partner, prioritize aligning

your business needs with the firm’s capabilities across various parameters beyond just cost.

Start by assessing your specific needs and the services you require. Look for a firm with relevant experience in your industry, a good reputation, and the necessary certifications.

Experienced decision makers know how to evaluate both price and performance before making a decision.

UNLOCK YOUR BUSINESS POTENTIAL WITH EWH

EWH Small Business Accounting is dedicated to empowering small business owners with financial strength. From expert accounting and payroll management to tax assistance and strategic consulting, our skilled team ensures your financial success.

From our roots in Waukesha, we’ve expanded to West Bend, Onalaska, and Madison, working with a wide variety of small businesses.

We offer a comprehensive suite of services tailored to your needs and have 45 years of experience in accounting, payroll, tax, and consulting. Our goal is to help small businesses navigate success and learn from challenges. We know small business because we are a small business. n

WHO REALLY OWNS IT: 2850 N. OAKLAND AVE., MILWAUKEE

The building at 2850 N. Oakland Ave. on Milwaukee’s East Side has had many different occupants in its more than 100-year life.

Built in 1910, the 17,000-square-foot building includes two side-byside retail spaces and second-floor residences.

It most recently was home to Cafe Terrazza and Baccara, an Italian-style bar and restaurant venture by building owner Donnie Dries of Dries Painting. Those establishments closed in December after about three months in business, but the building’s façade got a needed refresh during their buildout. Former occupants Monster Pizza and Black Rose Irish Pub closed in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Before that, the space housed a number of other bars and restaurants.

KORB + ASSOCIATES

ST. BERNARD’S REDEVELOPMENT IN WAUWATOSA

Milwaukee-based development firm Three Leaf Partners is planning its latest apartment project for a prominent property in Wauwatosa’s village area.

The development would take the place of St. Bernard Congregation and the former Wauwatosa Catholic School, both of which sit on a 2.8-acre lot near the intersection of Wauwatosa and Hardwood avenues.

Three Leaf plans to demolish the site’s existing buildings and replace them with a new three-story apartment building with mostly one-bedroom units. The building will include underground parking, a fitness center, community room and a courtyard.

The Wauwatosa Design Review Board has requested changes to the design.

SIZE: 163 apartment units

COST: $46 million

DEVELOPER: Three Leaf Partners

DID YOU KNOW?

62% of men, 89% of African Americans, 80% of Asians, and 70% of Latinos ranked workforce diversity as important in their job search.

DIVERSITY IN BUSINESS

Go Red movement celebrates milestone year

BY DAN TRUTTSCHEL Milwaukee American Heart Association, Marketing Communications Director

NOW IN ITS 20TH YEAR, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement has continued to gain steam since its inception in 2004.

But there’s also much work ahead to keep that momentum going.

And that’s the focus here in Milwaukee with the 2024 luncheon and health expo that will take place at The Pfister Hotel on Friday, May 3.

Milwaukee Executive Director Katie Connolly, who is in her 18th year with the American Heart Association, has seen firsthand the growth of the Go Red for Women campaign.

Connolly’s first year in her current role was in May of 2015, when the national Go Red for Women campaign was just past its first decade.

“We’ve gone from education and awareness one day a year, to year-round engagement of empowering women to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, to better understand their risk factors for heart disease and to having women know that heart disease is their biggest health threat,” Connolly said.

Katie Poehling Seymour, president and CEO of First Supply, is leading this year’s campaign – and she couldn’t be more excited to see the efforts of many this past year come to life May 3.

“I love leading in an anniversary year,” she said. “It gives us an extra splash of energy to amp up our platform and get even more attention to the cause. I am thrilled to be here in this moment.

Katie Poehling Seymour President and CEO of First Supply

“It also carries special meaning for me, as this year is also the 20th anniversary of my sudden cardiac arrest. It was meant to be.”

In her own case, Poehling Seymour said her cardiac arrest factors were wellknown during two high-risk pregnancies – so her entire medical team was able to carefully monitor the situation every step of the way.

“The more women know about their own healthcare, the more empowered we will all be,” Poehling Seymour said.

“I’m an advocate for data driven health. Know your numbers, know how to impact them, know your risk factors.

“Undiagnosed conditions or those arising during pregnancy pose incredible risks for moms and our babies. Even more so, ensuring access to proper healthcare for a reasonable duration to adequately treat and manage the condition is critical.”

Katie Connolly

Milwaukee Executive Director American Heart Association

Women’s health – by the numbers

While the advances in women’s heart health have continued, cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death in women and claims more lives than all cancers combined, according to the American Heart Association. Consider:

• Nearly 45% of women older than 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.

• Only 44% of women are aware that cardiovascular disease is their leading cause of death.

• Women are less likely to receive CPR from a bystander than a man, and men have 23% higher odds of surviving a cardiac arrest than women.

• Heart disease is the leading cause of maternal death in the United States, and it can pose a threat to women’s heart health during pregnancy and later in life.

Those numbers illustrate that, even with so much progress that’s been made in the last 20 years, there’s much more that needs to be done.

“Twenty years ago, women were mostly unaware that heart attack symptoms in women differ from men – let alone the average woman going about her daily life,” Connolly said. “Today, with the help of the Go Red for Women movement, that has changed.

“Women now are having more in-depth conversations with their doctors as it pertains to heart health. More young girls are getting excited about a career in STEM as a result of research focused on women’s cardiovascular health.” ♥

Having a platform

Poehling Seymour, who will deliver her message on May 3, said she’s excited to have the opportunity to share her story with attendees in The Pfister Ballroom.

“A well-placed ICD (implanted cardio defibrillator) and someone with the knowledge of CPR saved me,” she said. “We all have the potential to save someone if we learn CPR. It’s so simple and can literally save a life.

“The ability to share this platform to raise awareness about how research and education can impact the lives of so many is incredible. I am so lucky! Unfortunately, my family continues to be impacted, as my father suffered a stroke a few years ago. I’m ecstatic he’ll be at the luncheon with us to celebrate.”

Poehling Seymour also wants to continue pushing the importance of becoming an advocate for one’s own health.

“If something is bothering you – cardiac or not – listen to your body,” she said. “Know your risk factors and talk to your doctor about cardiac health. Even a little prevention goes a long way in the future.” ♥

The expanded Baird Center encompasses two city blocks in downtown Milwaukee's Westown neighborhood.

Will Baird Center expansion pay off for Milwaukee?

BY HUNTER TURPIN, staff writer

The expansion of downtown Milwaukee’s convention center has been a long time coming.

The facility, originally known as the Midwest Express Center, was built in phases with the first completed in 1998 and the second in 2000.

A third phase to expand the facility was discussed for many years with no progress.

In January 2018, when Marty Brooks became president and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Center District, which owns and operates the convention center, the public organization’s board gave him three directives.

One was to run the WCD – which includes the Baird Center (then called the Wisconsin Center), the UWM Panther Arena and Miller High Life Theater – like a private business and make it more financially accountable. The second was to get the organization, which had historically operated as a silo, more involved in the community.

The third was to finally decide when the longplanned convention center expansion project would happen.

ELLIOTT/MKE DRONES

Over the years, numerous studies were unsuccessful in advancing the convention center expansion beyond the discussion phase. While competing cities continued to invest in improvements to their convention centers, Milwaukee moved down in the ranks of attractive convention destinations.

“(The board) said, ‘We need you to go forward with this expansion or put it on the back burner

JON

and revisit again, but let’s just stop talking about it,” Brooks recalled.

After addressing the first two directives to get the organization in a place where the convention center could be expanded, Brooks took a deeper look at the question of expansion itself.

“I looked at what our competing markets had and saw what kind of business we were, in fact, losing,” he said.

Brooks decided that it was time for the expansion of the convention center to finally move forward, and in April of 2020 – only a couple of weeks after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – he and WCD got the green light to pursue the long-awaited project.

The $456 million project, built on a former parking lot, doubles the size of the convention center to 1.3 million square feet. The expanded Baird Center – renamed last year as the result of a 15year naming rights sponsorship by the Milwaukee-based financial services firm – is set to open this month with a grand opening gala on May 16 and public open house on May 18. The facility will open just in time for the 2024 Republican National Convention this summer and will add to the strong

momentum of new development in downtown’s Westown neighborhood.

Early booking numbers suggest the expansion is on track to increase the Baird Center’s business by 30% to 50%, but some hospitality experts wonder if Milwaukee’s hotel and flight capacity can support and attract the events needed to fill the added square footage to the convention center.

“There’s a lot of ‘show me’ now,” Brooks said. “The onus is on us and Visit Milwaukee to actually make this thing work because it’s been a lot of talk up to this point.”

Expansion overdue

Compared to similarly sized Midwestern cities, Milwaukee’s convention center has been limited in the scale and number of events it can hold due to its relative lack of space.

With 188,000 square feet of exhibit space and 28 meeting rooms, the existing venue’s capacity is far below some of the Midwest region’s larger centers, such as the America’s Center in St. Louis, with 575,000 square feet of exhibit space and 80 meeting rooms, and the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, with 566,000 square feet and 71

Baird Center expansion, by the numbers

Total cost: $456 million

meeting rooms. It’s also smaller than the convention centers in cities like Columbus, Cleveland and Omaha, which, for instance, has 194,000 square feet of exhibit space.

“We were behind, and we were for at least 10 years,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee. “Our peers have continued to make investments in their convention centers, where we had not.”

Milwaukee was at a point in its development as a convention market in which the convention center’s relative lack of space caused scheduling conflicts with lots of potential events.

“We were turning away as much business as we were booking,” Brooks said. “In order to really remain competitive – if not be more aggressive –we needed to, in essence, double our size.”

The expansion will bring the Baird Center to 300,000 square feet of exhibit space, 52 meeting rooms and 69,500 square feet of ballroom space, up from 37,500 square feet. Funded through county hotel, restaurant and car rental taxes levied by WCD, the project will pay off its debt over 40 years.

The additional space unlocks a slew of events that the Baird Center was previously too small

VALERIE

HILL

A view of the Baird Center expansion’s 111,000 square feet of added exhibit space, which includes a loading dock large enough to bring boats and semitrucks inside for shows.

Inside a portion of the Baird Center’s expanded ballroom, with customizable lighting designed to reflect the waves on Lake Michigan.

to hold, such as the Connect Marketplace, which will bring 2,500 meeting and event planning professionals to the city in late August to meet with hotels, convention and visitors bureaus and other industry players.

“We like to bring planners to new spaces and to destinations they might not have seen yet, so this is an opportune time for Milwaukee and, from what I’ve seen, I think this expansion will be huge for their business,” said Tinsley Conway, vice president of events for Connect.

Beyond larger events with more attendees, the additional space will also allow the Baird Center to hold simultaneous or overlapping events, which not only has a big impact on WCD, but also gives a boost to the city’s broader hospitality industry.

Prior to the expansion, the Baird Center might be booked for a total of 13 days for a single event. However, with a five-day move in and four-day move out, that one event generates only four nights of actual economic impact for downtown hotels, restaurants and other businesses that benefit from visitor activity. That will change now that the venue is equipped to have one event occurring while another is loading in or out.

“If a group has a five-day event, while they’re moving in, our hotels aren’t busy with group vis-

its, they have to book their own business,” Williams-Smith said. “Whereas now, we will have more active nights, which means more people are in the hotels, they’re out in the city spending money, and that all helps the cycle.”

WCD expects the expansion will bring an addi-

tional 100,000 visitors to Milwaukee annually.

We built it

Designed by Atlanta-based TVS and Milwaukee-based Eppstein Uhen Architects, the expanded Baird Center offers the ultimate in versatility, func-

Gilbane and C.D. Smith proudly partnered to bring the Wisconsin Center District’s vision to life

The “collaborative staircase” in the expansion’s lobby is made of reclaimed timber.

VALERIE HILL

management system, bird-friendly glass and an onsite food digester.

Project leaders worked to integrate artwork throughout the building to bring a sense of place to a structure that otherwise could feel placeless. One of the most prominent is a staircase mural that runs the height of the building and features scenes of Milwaukee’s skyline and Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers.

tionality and style, convention planners say.

The Baird Center’s new entrance area off West Kilbourn Avenue makes a striking impression: three stories high lined with windows and capped with a brass ceiling, complete with a multi-story water feature. Visitors will be greeted by a large set of stadium stairs, which offer a casual seating area and are made of reclaimed timber, part of the project team’s aim to enhance sustainability, pursuing silver LEED building certification. Other sustainability features include a solar roof, stormwater

“One of our objectives is to represent as much of the state and Milwaukee as we could, because when a lot of people come here, the only thing they see is the airport, their hotel and this place,” Brooks said. “We want to give as much flavor of the state as possible.”

Crafted by a team that has worked on convention centers nationwide, the expansion offers a more modern look and was designed to emulate the architecture seen in world-class cities, project leaders said.

“Sometimes people tour, and they say, ‘I can’t believe I’m in Milwaukee,’” Brooks said.

In the competitive world of attracting events and conventions, hosts want to give convention planners as few reasons to say “no” as possible.

The Baird Center was designed with this in mind, including state-of-the-art color-changing light fixtures and HVAC controls in each subdividable space. A key feature of the expansion is bringing the outside in with large windows in the common areas, exhibit hall and ballroom.

“That is something you don’t see in a lot of convention centers,” Williams-Smith said. “When I’m at a trade show, I’m in a dark room and I don’t even know what the outside looks like because you’re on that trade show floor all day.”

The expansion also adds landscaped terraces around the top-floor ballrooms, a feature that will serve as a standup location for broadcasters and other media covering the Republican National

Top Left: A mural along one of the Baird Center's staircases depicting scenes throughout Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

Top Right: Another Milwaukee-themed mural outside some meeting rooms on the first floor.

Bottom Left: A chandelier in the pre-function space outside the ballroom reflects light from the windows leading out to the terrace.

Bottom Right: The Baird Center’s expansive pre-function space outside the ballroom can be used for silent auctions or cocktail receptions.

Convention in July.

Project planners predict that the addition of outdoor space, which is only seen in modern convention centers, will be an overall differentiator for Milwaukee.

Moreover, the expansion’s pre-function space will allow visitors to be more comfortable and productive thanks to a range of seating options and power outlets at nearly every table. The expansion also integrates inclusion-focused spaces, such as on-site sensory rooms, nursing mother’s rooms and all-gender restrooms available for clients, guests and employees.

“It seems like they took so many great parts about different convention centers around the country and thought about what parts of convention centers they don’t usually like and corrected them,” Conway said.

Will they come?

Studies done on Milwaukee’s attractiveness as a convention destination show the city has a lot to boast about, primarily its affordability and arts and culture scene. A city’s dining and nightlife, natural attractions, sports teams and museums are all things that planners look at when fielding their options for an event.

“There’s a Brewers game the last night (of Connect Marketplace) and having things that we can promote around the city makes people more excited to go,” Conway said.

She also noted the collaboration between Milwaukee’s hospitality industry and broader business community as a differentiator for Milwaukee; she recalled meeting with leaders of the Deer District and the Harley-Davidson Museum during a site tour of the city.

“Everyone just seems to know each other, even if they’re not directly part of the convention sales team,” she said.

Still, skeptics argue that Milwaukee is lacking in some key metrics that could hinder the Baird Center’s success. Beyond just the space available to use at the convention center, planners also weigh things like flights and hotels to determine where to hold their events, and industry experts say Milwaukee is limited in both respects.

While Milwaukee is advantageously located about 90 minutes away from Chicago, Mitchell International Airport only has 32 direct flights, which is fewer than St. Louis with 74 direct flights, Kansas City with 56 and Columbus and Indianapolis, both with 48, though Milwaukee is competitive with Omaha at 32 and Des Moines at 30.

One of the many locally made artworks in the first-floor pre-function space.

Hotel rooms by competing downtown

1. Minneapolis: 9,000 2. St. Louis: 8,000 3. Indianapolis: 7,500 4. Milwaukee: 6,200 5. Detroit: 5,700 6. Cleveland: 5,100

7. Columbus: 5,000

8. Cincinnati: 3,300 9. Des Moines: 3,100

“Unfortunately, Milwaukee does not have the flights to move people in and out,” said Greg Hanis, hotel industry analyst and president of New Berlin-based Hospitality Marketers International Inc. “That’s something that’s going to have to come in order to support that square footage and bring in major conventions.”

Milwaukee has about 6,200 hotel rooms in the downtown area, according to a report from CoStar, which translates to about 206 hotel rooms per 10,000 square feet of exhibit space. That’s comparatively more than many of Milwaukee’s peer cities, including St. Louis with 139 rooms per 10,000 square feet, Columbus with 134 and Indianapolis with 132, according to a BizTimes calculation using the number of downtown hotel rooms claimed by each city’s respective convention and visitors bureau.

However, while overall hotel count is important, industry experts say the number of rooms available in “convention headquarters” hotels could

4 1 2 9 3 6 5 7 8

be more important. Convention headquarters hotels are large hotels located in extremely close proximity to the convention center and, because of their large scale, can commit a high number of rooms to convention groups.

Milwaukee has two of these hotels: the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, with 729 rooms, and the Hyatt Regency, with 481 rooms. Both are connected to the convention center via skywalk, which, in a climate like Milwaukee’s, is the first threshold convention planners are looking to meet, according to Doug Nysse, hospitality industry advisor and director of project and development services with Colliers International | Wisconsin.

“We can’t change the weather, but we can make it as convenient as possible for the folks visiting,” Nysse said. “Planners want to be able to have the conferees as close as possible in as few hotels as possible because it’s more convenient and actually increases the likelihood that they’ll get more conferees to come.”

The second threshold is the number of hotel rooms within walking distance of the convention center; Milwaukee has 2,260 hotel rooms within a half mile of the Baird Center, according to Visit Milwaukee.

“Hotels farther than that generally serve as overflows,” said Hanis.

Milwaukee falls behind many of its peer cities when it comes to rooms available in convention headquarters hotels. Compare the Hilton and Hyatt’s combined 1,210 rooms to peer cities like Indianapolis with a staggering 4,700 hotel rooms connected to the convention center (plus another 800 rooms under construction) and Columbus with 2,700 rooms connected. Milwaukee has significantly more convention headquarters hotel rooms than smaller markets like Omaha with 600 rooms and Des Moines with 330.

In addition to their convenience for attendees, large hotel properties are preferred by planners who try to limit the number of hotel contracts they

Source: Downtown hotel rooms claimed by respective convention and visitors bureau

have to make.

“For a convention coordinator who’s looking to book an event for, say, 1,000 convention goers, and they look at Milwaukee compared to other competitive markets like Indianapolis, Columbus, if those markets have hotels that appear to be more convenient, then those are the markets that are going to get booked,” Nysse said.

That’s been the case for the planners of Connect.

“We have had to split up a lot, we are working with a lot of blocks, but we have been OK for the most part,” Conway said, noting that Connect Marketplace contracted with the Hilton, Hyatt and SpringHill Suites in Westown and The Pfister Hotel and Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel in East Town.

“I don’t necessarily think Milwaukee needs a third (convention headquarters hotel), but it would definitely benefit from one,” she added.

However, getting a modern convention headquarters hotel the size of the Hilton or bigger is going to be a challenging feat, according to Nysse and Hanis.

Existing hotels have seen better days in Milwaukee. Reports from CoStar show that occupancy in the downtown market has still not returned to pre-pandemic levels, with average occupancy in

The 481-room Hyatt Regency hotel is connected to the Baird Center via skywalk as one of the convention center’s two primary headquarters hotels.

VALERIE HILL

2023 at 58% compared to 71% in 2019, though revenue has increased since 2019, largely thanks to higher room rates.

While tourism has come back strong since the pandemic, and group business – the market most closely associated with conventions – has also made noticeable strides, the absence of business travelers to fill hotels during the week and colder weather months has kept hotel occupancy suppressed.

Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 hotel rooms have been added to the downtown Milwaukee area since the beginning of 2019 – including the 132room Cambria in 2019, 116-room Holiday Inn Express in 2020 and 207-room Trade hotel in 2023 –which has diluted some of the demand.

Large convention hotels are costly to build: take, for instance, the 800-room Signia by Hilton under construction in Indianapolis that’s poised to cost about $510 million. Thus, convincing a developer to make such a large investment in a market where occupancy numbers are still floundering is a tricky task.

Developers might consider such an undertaking if offered incentives from local government, such as tax incremental financing, but Milwaukee is unlikely to do that due to the influence from The Marcus Corp., which is headquartered in the city

and owns and operates the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, The Pfister and the Saint Kate, Hanis said.

“They want to protect their interests in the downtown market,” he said.

Marcus Corp. declined to comment on this matter.

“Larger hotels have more restaurants, more meeting space, more parking, and those hotels in tertiary markets usually have some level of incentive from the city,” Nysse said. “In absence of that, we just won’t have large hotels here.”

‘The business is here’

Thanks to the expansion, the Baird Center is projected to increase its business by 30% to 50% within the next few years, according to Brooks.

So far, the Baird Center is on track to have 142 events in 2024, with more events holding dates, which is a 29% increase from the center’s record year in 2019 with 110 events.

Most notably is the Republican National Convention this summer, which will use Fiserv Forum as its main venue, but will use the Baird Center –and the Panther Arena – as designated media space and give WCD the chance to show the expansion off to tens of thousands of visitors and viewers around the world.

Other 2024 events include the Wisconsin Comic Convention in early November, with 30,000 expected attendees, and Trainfest later that month, with 20,000 expected attendees.

Through 2025, there are 211 events booked, also with more events holding dates, including the USA Fencing National Championship, which is expected to generate 13,000 hotel room nights and $10.7 million in economic impact, according to Visit Milwaukee.

In 2026, Expo! Expo!, an event for exhibition and event planners, will be held in Milwaukee for the first time. The event requires 300,000 square feet of exhibit space, which is something the Baird Center didn’t have before. Visit Milwaukee has been pursuing Expo! Expo! since 2021.

“We’ve been selling this expansion since before it broke ground,” Williams-Smith said.

Brooks and Williams-Smith both said they think Milwaukee would benefit from a third convention headquarters hotel, but the expanded convention space needed to come first to gain developer and investor confidence in a project like that.

“We’ve been able to get traction and get big events without the additional hotel package,” Brooks said. “The business is here, the business is coming.” n

Lee Mechanical proudly delivered the HVAC system for the Baird Center, overcoming unique challenges with innovative solutions. Our team efficiently managed a tight schedule and extensive installation requirements, thanks to advanced BIM modeling and the Trimble system. This allowed us to prefabricate 95% of materials, ensuring timely delivery and a clutter-free workspace amidst a bustling construction site with 400 workers daily.

Our skilled team onsite was comprised of 80 trades people: sheet metal workers, steamfitters, electricians, insulators, and balancers. With nearly 500,000 lbs of sheet metal ductwork (some ductwork over 90” diameter), 60,000 linear feet of mechanical piping, (23) Air Handling Units, (3) large chillers, and (150) VAV boxes, this was no small task. Proper planning from our BIM and fabrication, field

management, and project management was essential to the projects success. Lee Mechanical also showed our commitment to diversity on the project by providing RPP (Residence Preference Program) labor for over 40% of the hours worked, contributing over 50% minority business participation, and 7% to women owned businesses with our supplier and subcontractor partners.

Expansion projects at Milwaukee Regional Medical Center take aim at cancers, blood disorders

BY CARA SPOTO, staff writer

CONSTRUCTION has been on the rise in recent years at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center in Wauwatosa, home of Children’s Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, the Medical College of Wisconsin and Versiti Blood Research Institute.

Between 2019 and fall 2023, Children’s Wisconsin embarked on its $385 million Milwaukee Campus Improvement Project.

In November, business leaders and government officials celebrated the groundbreaking for the 212,000-square-foot, $226 million Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility.

As that project moves ahead, partners at Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin are awaiting the completion of expansion projects aimed at better treating and studying cancer, while the Versiti Blood Research Institute prepares to break ground on an addition that will double its research capacity.

Each located on the bustling MRMC campus, the expansions are aimed at better serving southeastern Wisconsinites with life-threatening illnesses, while growing the region’s reputation as a center of medical innovation.

TARGETING TUMORS WITH PROTONS

At Froedtert Hospital’s Clinical Cancer Center, leaders recently celebrated the placing of the last structural beam of an 18,654-square-foot addition that will soon house a 9,400-squarefoot MEVION S250i Proton Therapy System and treatment room.

The project, which began construction in May of last year, will provide certain cancer patients – among them children and adults with tumors in the head and neck – a safer, targeted way to treat tumors with radiation without damaging nearby healthy tissues. The new treatment option, which is slated to be available by mid-July, could treat around 350 patients per year.

Different than the more common photon radiation therapy, which delivers X-rays to the tumor and surrounding areas, proton therapy delivers a targeted dose of radiation directly to a cancer tumor using high-energy beams of proton particles. While photons pass through the cancer and out the other side, protons stop at the tumor, protecting the healthy cells and tissues surrounding the cancerous mass.

This is especially important when treating children as well as adults with tumors near vital organs, said Dr. Christopher Schultz, chairman of radiation oncology, researcher and MCW faculty member with the Froedtert & MCW Cancer Network.

The relative effectiveness of proton therapy is also slightly higher, Schultz noted.

“You get a little bigger bang for the buck, if you will,” he said, adding that proton therapy also offers the possibility of giving higher, faster doses of radiation.

“Another aspect that is being explored is something called flash, which is the ability to give radiation at a very high-dose rate. What we (currently) give over a course of treatment you can give in a matter of seconds,” he said.

The addition comes as UW Health is nearing completion of a multi-treatment room proton therapy system in Madison. But Schultz said more options for such treatment in Wisconsin and the Midwest is a good thing. Currently, the closest hospitals offering proton therapy are Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Northwestern Med-

MEVION

A rendering of the proton therapy treatment room at Froedtert Hospital’s Clinical Cancer Center.

ical Center in Chicago.

can provide) new knowledge, new connections, new collaborations.”

Those collaborations coupled with the special instrumentation should help answer the kinds of questions researchers have long been asking about the origins of cancer, Leone said. Questions like: How does a tumor progress from being benign to malignant? How do patients respond to specific treatments? Why do they respond and then revert back to being cancerous again?

MCW cancer researchers are currently studying how certain biomarkers can provide clues as to how aggressive a certain cancer might be.

STUDYING CANCER

Oncologists and researchers have known about the benefits of proton therapy since the 1980s, Schultz said, but up until now the machines, called cyclotrons, needed to create the proton beams were simply too big and expensive for many regional hospitals to accommodate or afford. Froedtert was able to add a “new tool to its toolbox,” because manufacturers are now able to construct much smaller cyclotrons. While before, such treatment might’ve required the hospital to acquire a massive site away from its main campus, today it can make an addition to its existing cancer treatment wing.

While doctors, nurses and physicists at Froedtert prepare for the launch of a new cancer treatment, researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin are anxiously awaiting the completion of a 150,000-square-foot, $100 million cancer research building.

Designed to centralize the college’s cancer research programs, which currently consist of nearly 700 researchers in 135 labs campus wide, the state-of-the-art building will enable more synergistic cancer research to take place.

In addition to boasting cutting-edge instrumentation – which will include equipment like mass spectrometers used for measuring proteins, lipids and nucleic acids as well as special rooms needed for utilizing radiation, nitrogen and certain kinds of conductivity – the space will provide room for hundreds of researchers.

“There’ll be 400 to 500 people in that build-

“These are really important questions, and they require incredibly sophisticated instrumentation, but also expertise,” Leone said. “You will have scientists that know a lot about math and physics right next to chemists and radiologists and folks that are in molecular biology and mouse genetics. Every piece, every room, every space, has an intention.”

and physics right next to chemists and radioloery space, has an intention.”

The new building will also have spaces on the first floor that are open to the public, so people can come in to talk to scientists and trainees, helping MCW better share its work and mission with the public, Leone said. The building is slated to open in mid-2025.

VERSITI EXPANSION

As cancer researchers at MCW await the completion of the new building on their campus, those working in blood cancers will also be eagerly awaiting the construction of Versiti Blood Research Institute’s 79,000-square-foot expansion.

ing working at various levels, undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, physicians and Ph.D. researchers,” said Gustavo Leone, Ph.D., director of the MCW Cancer Center and the Dr. Glenn R. and Nancy A. Linnerson endowed chair for cancer research.

Having that many researchers all in one space is one of the biggest benefits of the new building, Leone said, which is being constructed with the help of a $10 million state grant.

“There’s no single physician or researcher that knows everything about cancer, so collaboration is really key, especially when those physicians and researchers come from various disciplines,” he said. “Being in the same building, stopping by for coffee, having a conversation that you didn’t expect or going to a seminar … (all of these things

Slated to break ground later this year, the $79 million addition, which is also receiving a $10 million state grant, will essentially double the nonprofit’s research capabilities.

Nearing capacity within its current footprint, the additional space will allow the research institute to expand its current team of 31 principal scientists to approximately 50 in the next five to seven years. Each new scientist will bring a team of up to 10 new colleagues, increasing the total number of researchers and staff there from approximately 200 to more than 350.

With more researchers, the hope is that Versiti will make even greater strides in understanding and developing more novel and less toxic therapies for blood disorders.

“Renowned for our innovative and leading research and extensive knowledge of bleeding and clotting disorders, we are now broadening our focus to include blood cancers and immune system diseases,” said Chris Miskel, president and chief executive officer of Versiti. “This initiative signifies a transformative phase where we can make a positive difference in the health and welfare of patients and families, both locally in Milwaukee and globally.” ■

A rendering of the new cancer research building being constructed at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

its main campus, today it can make an addition to

MEVION MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC.

CANNONDESIGN

A bisected rendering of the MEVION S250i Proton Therapy System, slated to be installed at the Clinical Cancer Center at Froedtert Hospital, shows how much of the system – including a bunker used to shield staff and visitors from radiation –will be hidden within the walls of the building.

BUSINESS IN WAUKESHA COUNTY

BizStarts Community Market fosters Milwaukee’s budding entrepreneurs

BY ASHLEY SMART, staff writer

SMALL BUSINESS owners fight every day to get their products in front of potential customers. Earning shelf space is no easy task, but one local venture is helping budding entrepreneurs sharpen their business skills and bolster their followings, in hopes that one day they’ll be able to open their own brick-and-mortar locations.

The BizStarts Community Market, located at 161 S. First St. in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood, officially opened in October with products from 18 different small business owners on display. Since then, the shop has added approximately 10 vendors to the mix.

As an organization dedicated to helping small business owners, BizStarts wanted to create a place where entrepreneurs who have completed its program could have a space to set up shop without having to spend time and money on travel and rent.

In just a few months, several BizStarts Community Market tenants are already experiencing noticeable growth.

Isabella Rivera, founder of Isla Bella Coffee Roasters, is not only working on building her own business, but also learning business fundamentals by operating the market’s cafe.

Isla Bella aims to bring a taste of Puerto Rico to the mainland through its hand-picked and roasted coffee beans, which are the market’s best seller.

Rivera initially began working with BizStarts

in the summer of 2022. She recalls being a young child and spending time at her parents’ restaurant after school. That sense of entrepreneurship inspired her to start her own company.

Rivera has diversified her product offerings to include one-pound, half-pound and quarter-pound bags. She’s also navigating the challenge of maintaining inventory levels as the business sells out of coffee beans each time a batch is roasted.

“I’m scaling faster than I thought I would need to and increasing my wholesale ordering,” said Rivera. “In my first year of business, I was able to purchase my own roaster. It was huge, being able to afford a huge expense like that.”

She said BizStarts was particularly helpful to her as she was looking to apply for loans to grow her business. Isla Bella received financial support through a Kiva loan after gaining sponsorship from Milwaukee-based Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp. Those connections were initially made through BizStarts.

While it’s still too early to say when Isla Bella will make the jump to its own physical space, Rivera said being in the BizStarts Community Market provides her with valuable data, such as proof of sales and customer analytics. She hopes to get her coffee beans into larger stores through distributors.

“I would love to increase the quantity of coffee I’m bringing in from Puerto Rico and diversify the farmers that I’m working with,” said Rivera. “I can

work with more women on the island and bring them more revenue.”

Tolu Ojesina, founder and chief executive officer of Modaheadwraps, started her business in Alabama in the middle of the pandemic. She sells headwraps and bonnets made from 100% African print cotton and satin.

What makes Ojesina’s products unique is how easy they are to use. Traditional African headwraps are made up of a single piece of fabric that can be anywhere from 20 to 72 inches long. Modaheadwraps are two pieces instead of one, and they can be tied together in a matter of seconds.

“When I show people the headwraps, their first thought is, ‘That’s gorgeous, but I could never recreate it,’” said Ojesina. “Then, when I show them how to use it, they’re like, ‘What, that’s it?’”

She moved to Milwaukee in 2022 after her husband took a new job at the Medical College of Wisconsin. This jump-started her decision to pursue her business as a full-time gig. She learned about BizStarts at a networking event and completed the BizStarts Institute program.

Before becoming a vendor in the BizStarts Community Marketplace, Ojesina sold her headwraps exclusively online.

“You can have an e-commerce store, but you still have to know how to drive traffic there,” she said. “BizStarts had this genius idea to create this retail space, and they just have shelf space for entrepreneurs.”

Since the grand opening of the marketplace, Ojesina has seen her sales more than double to between 20 and 50 pieces each month. She has hired two seamstresses from Nigeria to support Modaheadwrap’s growth and wants to grow that total to five.

BizStarts has helped advise Ojesina on everything from how to structure her business to how to price her products. The confidence she’s gained both in herself and her small business has been the biggest benefit of becoming involved with BizStarts and its new marketplace. Coming from a background in academia, Ojesina said she didn’t really “know a thing” about business before working with the organization.

“If you asked me three years ago if I thought I could ever have my own shop, I would say there’s zero chance,” she said. “I’m fully confident that at some time in the next four to five years, I want to own my own brick-and-mortar space.”

Isabella Rivera, founder of Isla Bella Coffee Roasters, runs the cafe at BizStarts Community Market.

Tolu Ojesina

For Jenny Rey, founder of Mi Casita Herbs, the importance of having a presence in an actual store can’t be understated. The business sells organic seasonings, bath blends and herbal teas, some of which are featured on the menu at the market’s cafe. Her products, particularly her homemade sazón, are also among the market’s best sellers. Rey had been making her own herbal-based products at home for years before launching her business. She’s since moved into a shared kitchen space where she can make her products more efficiently.

“This has given me a really great opportunity to grow even more and to have my products somewhere permanently,” she said. “It’s really nice. I go to markets now and people are like, ‘Oh, I’ve seen your stuff.’”

The feedback she gets from customers who visit the BizStarts Community Market has provided her with valuable business insights. Rey has broadened her company’s offerings based on customer requests, adding products like matcha to her portfolio.

“It’s made me become more open minded as to what products I make, not just what I’m used to drinking or using,” she said. “It just broadens your range of experience.”

In the future, Rey wants to establish herself as an herbalist and open her own wellness clinic focused on women’s health. She’s also considering partnerships with larger distributors, like supermarkets, but is unsure if mass producing her products is the right fit for her business.

“I want to help people with consultations and make them personalized herbal products,” said Rey. “There’s a little bit of a conflict between doing a mass production versus more of a one-on-one type of scenario, but it’s not off the table.” ■

TELL YOUR STORY YOUR WAY

FACES OF FAMILY BUSINESS

June 10 Family Business Issue

Highlight what makes your family business special in this unique feature.

Space reservation: May 22

LEADERS IN INNOVATION

June 24 Innovation Issue

Share your expertise and highlight your own firm’s innovation in this special advertising section within The Innovation Issue.

Space reservation: June 5

CEO Q&A

July 29 Issue

Feature your industry leader and share

Spacereservation:July10

Jenny Rey owns Mi Casita Herbs, which is among nearly 30 local vendors that sell products at the market.

Locally made products on display inside BizStarts Community Market.

Delafield salon and spa hopes ESOP helps sustain its future

BY MAREDITHE MEYER, staff writer

LAST YEAR, one Delafield small business became the first salon and spa in Wisconsin – and likely among the few in the U.S. – to adopt an employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP.

The move transitioned ownership of Anton’s Salon & MSpa from its two longtime proprietors, husband-and-wife duo Kurt and Diane Hampton, to its roughly 70 employee shareholders, who are now tasked with stewarding the nearly 50-yearold business into its third generation and beyond.

As a business succession strategy, ESOPs are most common in high-grossing industries like manufacturing and professional services – not so much in the service sector where turnover tends to be high and margins tight. But the ESOP route was the right one for Anton’s, which has maintained a profitable business serving the affluent Lake Country communities for decades.

The Hamptons purchased Anton’s Salon in 1990 from Anton Bova, who founded the business in the 1960s in Pewaukee and later opened a second location in downtown Oconomowoc. They both worked for Bova in the 1980s as hairdressers right out of beauty school. In 2000, the Hamptons relocated the Oconomowoc salon to Delafield, taking over an additional 4,000 square feet of space to also open a spa.

Now spanning 7,000 square feet, Anton’s corner storefront has since been remodeled or expanded three separate times to keep up with customer demand and ever-evolving beauty trends. In the early 2010s, Anton’s spa transitioned to a medical spa, shifting away from standard facials and massages to focus solely on medical-grade services such as Botox, lip filler, non-surgical facelifts,

laser skin resurfacing, microneedling and other cosmetic procedures.

“We could only go so far as a regular spa, results-wise … and then that whole market just exploded,” said Kurt.

In late 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Anton’s closed its Pewaukee location, bringing the business under one roof in Delafield.

WEIGHING OPTIONS

As they approached retirement age, the Hamptons thought more about the future of the business and how they would eventually step away. Keeping Anton’s in the family wasn’t an option. Their two daughters had grown up around the business but ultimately selected careers in different industries.

“They were here when they were little, playing with mannequin heads and stuff,” said Diane. “When we were working, they could just see it was tough, it’s a tough industry.”

And what’s more, the business had grown to between $5 million and $10 million in annual revenue, said Kurt, so finding a buyer with the right amount of capital and beauty industry experience would be a challenge.

One of the salon’s clients, who works in mergers and acquisitions, suggested an ESOP as a potential option. Kurt did his research, consulting with a couple of valuation firms and reading everything he could about ESOPs. It soon became clear why most salons could not qualify for this type of employee benefit.

“You had to have at least 15 to 20 (employees) … and you have to be very profitable. You have to be

successful to even go down that road,” said Kurt.

THE INVESTMENT

The process of setting up the ESOP, alone, was an investment of more than $300,000, including $15,000 on the initial vetting to determine whether the business qualified and then retaining three different valuation firms, representing the buyer, the seller and the ESOP trustee.

Merging the medical spa portion of the business, which is owned and operated by cosmetic surgeon Dr. Tim Zelko of Zelko Esthetics through a management service organization, into the ESOP added another layer of complexity to what became a year-long process.

Under the plan, which finalized in February 2023, employees who work a minimum of 20 hours a week are eligible to participate in the ESOP after their first year of employment, and it takes five years to become fully vested. Shares of stock are distributed on an annual basis, and the number of shares an employee receives is based on their income for the year. The ESOP is offered as a retirement benefit, but, unlike a 401(k), employees don’t have to contribute any of their income to the fund.

THE PAYOFF

The ESOP benefits the business, too, as a powerful recruitment and retention tool. Anton’s has long offered a 401(k) plan, health insurance, paid time off and professional development opportunities, but the ESOP takes those benefits to the next level – especially for those who have spent the majority of their careers with the business.

“It’s been really well received,” said Kurt. “It was a really nice way for us to reward the people that have been here for decades. They helped build this place so not only do they get their 401(k) and other benefits, but now they have another retirement benefit that they didn’t have to contribute any money to.”

For new hires, the prospect of eventually owning part of the company – and sharing in its profits – is incentive to build a long-term career there, rather than bouncing around to the next best opportunity.

“They can see that they don’t have to go after five years, they can stay, there’s something for them to stay for,” said Diane.

Kurt said he’s noticed a new “owner’s mentality” among the staff when it comes to making major business decisions, such as investing in new laser machines or whether to increase prices to offset the cost of inflation. As company president and vice president, Kurt and Diane still have the final say but they’re fielding more input from their employees who, now as shareholders, see how such decisions directly impact their share price.

“They see that their shares will be worth more if our business is more profitable,” said Kurt. ■

Kurt and Diane Hampton, owners of Anton’s Salon & MSpa in Delafield.

Three potential pitfalls of automating manufacturing processes and how to avoid them

AUTOMATION REVOLUTIONIZES manufacturing with enhanced efficiency, precision, and cost reduction. Yet, challenges lurk beneath its surface. Here’s how to tackle them.

1. Inadequate planning and neglecting process improvement best practices are major hurdles for automation projects.

Rushing into automation without a road map or understanding existing processes can cause misalignment between technology and operations.

Lack of coordination and inadequate training can lead to the workforce resisting change. Successful automation demands meticulous planning, including comprehensive process mapping, technology assessment, and a well-defined integration strategy for collaboration between automated systems and human workers.

Solutions:

» Conduct a value stream map to identify waste and streamline processes.

» Implement TWI job instructions and standard work for consistency.

» Embrace operational excellence best practices for foundational work.

» Utilize project definition and management through a project charter to define scope, steps, and responsibilities.

2. Cutting-edge technology is appealing but comes with potential limitations and complexities.

Overly sophisticated automation solutions can lead to integration issues and the increased need for maintenance. Companies should balance the adoption of advanced technologies with alignment to manufacturing needs. Regular updates, training, and monitoring can help mitigate risks.

Solutions:

» Conduct risk management to assess and manage project risks.

» Perform an automation skillset assessment to identify necessary skills and provide required training.

3. Resistance to change from the workforce poses a significant challenge in automation.

Employees may fear job displacement and be hesitant to embrace new technologies. Overcome this hurdle by investing in effective change management strategies, including communication, training, and reskilling.

Involving employees in the automation process and highlighting the benefits can foster a positive attitude toward change, ensuring a smoother transition and long-term success.

Solutions:

» Implement a change management program to guide employees through the process.

» Develop frontline leaders’ skills to support employees through change.

» Utilize TWI job instructions and standard work to enhance clarity and effectiveness.

» Offer blended learning and training to educate employees on automation and reinforce change processes.

While the benefits of automating manufacturing processes are significant, it’s essential for companies to approach automation projects with caution and strategic planning.

Addressing these issues will pave the way for successful automation initiatives.

May 22, 2024 | 10:30am - 4:30pm | Brookfield Conference Center

LEARN NETWORK CONNECT

Join Milwaukee-area professionals on May 22nd for a daylong event focused on connecting business executives to information and resources crucial for business growth.

The day will kick off with Elevate Your Leadership, a keynote presentation where attendees will learn to lead with intention, purpose and skill. Following the keynote, the exhibit hall opens and the business strategy seminars begin. BizExpo brings together local business decision-makers to learn, network and connect with service providers and suppliers from throughout Wisconsin. Plan now to be part of BizExpo, southeast Wisconsin’s largest business-to-business experience.

10:00am - 11:15am | KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Scott Wozniak, Leadership Consultant | Speaker | Author

Build a Legendary Brand by Creating Raving Fans

What turns otherwise reserved people into raving fans of a chicken sandwich chain like Chickfil-A or a computer company like Apple? It’s not magic. It’s not a lucky product. And it’s not something reserved for consumer brands with luxury products.

Attend Elevate Your Leadership at BizExpo on May 22nd to learn the secret from keynote speaker Scott Wozniak, author of Make Your Brand Legendary with the Customer Experience Engine.

Wozniak will share strategies from more than two decades spent building legendary brands. Wozniak’s experience includes nearly a decade working with the founding family and executive team at Chick-fil-A headquarters to design and lead company-wide upgrades. Scott and his team have also worked with a wide range of industries from manufacturing to professional services to enterprise software.

REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE – EARLY BIRD PRICING THROUGH MAY 10, 2024

Includes access to:

• Exhibit Floor ALL ACCESS PASS

• Keynote presentation: Elevate Your Leadership

• All Business Strategy Seminars

• Exhibit Floor

PASS $60 $50 EARLY BIRD $30 $20 EARLY BIRD

Includes access to:

• All Business Strategy Seminars

Keynote Sponsor:

10 Secrets to Business Results

Presented by: EWH University for Small Business

Unlocking the Augmented Enterprise with AI

Presented by: 7Rivers

Tax Savings for Small Businesses

Presented by: SVA Certified Public Accountants, S.C.

How

be an Effective Leader in a Hybrid Workplace

Presented by: BizTimes Media

AI and Cybersecurity Necessities

Presented by: River Run

Dousing Your Dumpster Fires [and other problems that erase value from your business]

Presented by: BizTimes Media

Creating a Winning Culture in Times of Chaos

Presented by: QPS Employment Group

10 Best Practices to Maximize your Website

Presented by: Saturn Lounge

Introducing and Implementing AI Strategies Across the Organization

Presented by: MSOE

Unleash Savings: Why Reviewing Your Current Business Services is a Profit Powerhouse

Presented by: Breakthrough Business Advisors

HALL | JOIN THIS YEARS EXHIBITORS:

Saturn Lounge Sherman Phoenix Foundation

Sky High Marketing

Solwerk

Source TEN

St. Coletta of Wisconsin

PEO

Kraus-Anderson Construction Company

Lisbon Creek Systems

Living As A Leader

LoyalITy

Marquette University

Midwest College of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Minuteman Press Brookfield

MSOE Center for Professional Education

Northwest Side Community Development Corporation

Office Furniture Resources

Olive Promotions

Ottawa University

Pavlic Vending & Modern Coffee

PLM Paving and Concrete

QPS Employment Group

RCS Commercial Interiors

Rely Contract Manufacturing

Risetech Partners

River Run

Staffing Partners

Stamm Tech

Summerfest

SVA Certified Public Accountants

Technology Innovation Center

The MRD Group

The Neal Group, LLC

Think Ability Wisconsin

Transition Health Benefits

Transworld Business Advisors of Kenosha

U.S. Bank

Ultimate Confections Chocolates

USAV Group Production

UWM-School of Continuing Education

Vaco

Verizon Business

Viking Communications, Inc.

Waident Technology Solutions

WEDC

WhirlyBall

Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

*As of 04.29.24

N OTA BLE SBA LENDERS

BizTimes Milwaukee is proud to present its inaugural showcase of Notable SBA Lenders, recognizing accomplished professionals who work to support the financing needs of Milwaukee’s small businesses. The individuals on the following pages were nominated by their peers and highlight the talent in the region.

METHODOLOGY: The honorees did not pay to be included. Their profiles were drawn from nomination materials. This list features only individuals for whom nominations were submitted and accepted after review by our editorial team. To qualify for the list, nominees must be based in southeastern Wisconsin, must serve in a senior-level role at their organization, must have at least five years of experience in banking and have had a measurable, specific impact on the clients they’ve served.

Keep up with BizTimes’ 2024 roundup of the leaders making a difference throughout southeast Wisconsin.

At companies across southeast Wisconsin, notable executives are running businesses, navigating company restructurings, serving on boards, running marketing departments, and investing in growth throughout the region. The notable individuals profiled in these categories are nominated by their peers at work and in the community.

RYAN BLACK

VICE PRESIDENT - SBA LENDING

FIRST BUSINESS BANK

Ryan Black, vice president of SBA lending at First Business Bank in Brookfield, has reached the $100 million milestone in loan production, according to Jerry Huynh, SBA managing director at First Business Bank.

Black, who joined First Business Bank in 2017, has more than 15 years of banking experience. He has held a range of roles in his career, from retail banking to commercial underwriting. In his current role, Black focuses on providing lending solutions for commercial clients using the SBA and USDA lending programs. He has also launched the bank’s first mentorship program for aspiring business development officers, said Huynh.

In addition, Black is the 2024 president of Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries Wisconsin chapter and has written numerous articles for First Business Bank on various topics to assist borrowers and provide better understanding of the SBA program, Huynh said.

Black has also served for the past seven years on the Elm Grove Recreation Committee, which works to improve and oversee parks and recreation for the village.

N OTA BLE WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY

Celebrating the professional women who are working to keep Milwaukee business on the cutting edge of technology.

Nomination Deadline: May 17, 2024

Issue Date: June 24, 2024

Look for these Notable nominations in 2024!

Notable Women in Sports

Nomination deadline: June 21, 2024 | Issue date: July 29, 2024

Notable Marketing Executives

Nomination deadline: July 12, 2024 | Issue date: August 19, 2024

Notable Women in Wealth Management

Nomination deadline: August 2, 2024 | Issue date: September 9, 2024

Notable Women in Manufacturing

Nomination deadline: August 30, 2024 | Issue date: October 7, 2024

Notable Veterans Executives

Nomination deadline: October 4, 2024 | Issue date: November 11, 2024

Notable Health Care Leaders

Nomination deadline: November 1, 2024 | Issue date: December 9, 2024

STEVE KOHL VICE PRESIDENT AND LOAN OFFICER, SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN TEAM LEAD

WBD INC.

As vice president and loan officer and southeast Wisconsin team lead for Madison-based WBD Inc., Steve Kohl has made a major impact on the local economy, according to Jason Monnett, senior vice president and senior loan officer at WBD.

Kohl works with the 504 loan program, which assists growing businesses by providing access to long-term fixed-rate financing for real estate and equipment projects and minimizing the borrowers’ required down payment.

In the past 20 years, Kohl has served as the WBD loan officer on 716 funded 504 projects, providing more than $507 million in financing and leveraging total project financing of more than $1.3 billion. The majority of these companies are located in southeast Wisconsin and the projects resulted in the creation of 4,748 jobs and the retention of 2,065 jobs.

“The nature of the 504 program requires collaboration with borrowers, banks, credit unions, WBD and SBA staff. Steve Kohl’s superpower is his ability to guide projects through the process, which ultimately helps businesses continue to grow,” Monnett said.

MIKE MAJSTOROVIC

SBA BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT

OFFICER, VICE PRESIDENT

OLD NATIONAL BANK

Mike Majstorovic has been in the banking industry for the past 25 years and currently serves as SBA business development officer and vice president at Old National Bank in Milwaukee.

“Mike has solely focused on SBA lending for the past four years, providing banking and financial guidance to the business communities in Wisconsin,” said Tom Faber, SBA group director and senior vice president at Old National Bank.

Since joining Old National Bank in 2022, Majstorovic has helped business owners secure financing through the SBA 7a program. In 2023, Majstorovic originated $31.9 million in SBA loan fundings with Old National Bank.

“Mike’s expertise and knowledge of the SBA is impressive, and he has been an extremely valuable part of our team in Wisconsin,” said Jerry Schlitz, commercial banking manager and senior vice president at Old National Bank in Milwaukee.

Outside of work, Majstorovic has given his time to Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Clubs, Hunger Task Force and Waukesha Community Dental Clinic.

N OTA BLE SBA LENDERS CONGRATULATIONS!

Kohl Vice President & Loan Officer, Southeast Wisconsin

ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

» Financial donations

» Event sponsors

» Gift cards

CONTACT: Ashley Kopca ashley@abcdmentor.org

ACTS Housing

» Welcome Home basket items

» Become an Acts Sustainer

» Corporate sponsorship

CONTACT: Jessi Pham Jessica@actshousing.org

Alliance Française de Milwaukee

» Items for our silent auctions

» Sponsor an event

» Volunteer for an event

CONTACT: Erin Lewenauer ErinL@AFMilwaukee.org

American Heart Association

» Volunteers

» Donations

» Sponsors

CONTACT: Katie Connolly Katie.Connolly@heart.org

Archdiocese of Milwaukee

» Financial donations

CONTACT: Bob Pfundstein pfundstein@archmil.org

Blessings in a Backpack Waukesha County Chapter

» Donations

» Event sponsors

» Volunteers

CONTACT: Susan Reed susanr@blessingsinabackpack.org

Bookworm Gardens

» Children’s books

» Garbage bags & printer paper

» Horticultural supplies

CONTACT: Elizabeth Wieland info@bookwormgardens.org

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee

» New toys for kids ages 5 – 12

» Gift cards $10 and up

» Mission Impact Investment

CONTACT: Maddie Zimmerman donations@bgcmilwaukee.org

THE NONPROFIT Wish List

Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation

» Annual fund contributions

» Donations toward research

» Event and program sponsors

CONTACT: Janet Curtis brpf@wi.rr.com

Center for Urban Teaching

» Corporate conference sponsors

» Videographer

» Auction Items

CONTACT: Cavell Samuels cavell.samuels@cfut.org

Children’s Wisconsin

» Immediate Impact for Kids Fund

» Mental and Behavioral Health Fund

» Community-Based Programming Fund

CONTACT: Children’s Wisconsin Foundation foundation@childrenswi.org

College Possible Milwaukee

» Event sponsors

» Internship opportunities

» Scholarship opportunities

CONTACT: Carolyn Muckelberg Cmuckelberg@CollegePossible.org

Community Advocates

» Twin sheets/blankets

» Pillows

» Socks

CONTACT: Jeri Kavanaugh jkavanaugh@communityadvocates.net

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

» Van drivers

» Sponsor a Work Study job

» Sponsor a CRJ event

CONTACT: Shannon Watry swatry@cristoreymilwaukee.org

Crohn’s & Colitis FoundationWisconsin Chapter

» Corporate sponsorships

» Volunteers

» Special event auction items

CONTACT: Leslie Del Ponte ldelponte@crohnscolitisfoundation.org

Easterseals Southeast Wisconsin

» Adult day program volunteers

» Adult recreation volunteers

CONTACT: Casey Gonzalez caseyg@eastersealswise.com

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin

» Monetary donations

» Nonperishable food donations

» Food sorting and packing help

CONTACT: Adam Koebel akoebel@feedingamericawi.org

Florentine Opera Company

» Opera in Schools sponsors

» Community Circle sponsor

CONTACT: Gail Valenti gvalenti@florentineopera.org

Food + Farm Exploration Center

» Volunteers

CONTACT: Tom Coleman tcoleman@fftf.us

Food For Health Inc.

» Donations and sponsorships

» Ambassadors

» Volunteers CONTACT: Christa Shields Cshields@foodforhealth.org

Girls on the Run Southeastern Wisconsin

» EOY Appeal donations

» Event & program sponsors

» Volunteer coaches

CONTACT: Madeleine Hein info@girlsontherunsoutheasternwi.org

Goodwill® Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago

» Kitchen appliances

» Living room and bedroom décor

» Household items CONTACT: Retail Customer Service RetailCustomerService@goodwillsew.com

GPS Education Partners

» Auctions items by 8/15/2024

» Donations or volunteers

» Sponsorships/in-kind services

CONTACT: Heather Culli hculli@gpsed.org

Greater Milwaukee Foundation

» Impact Investing Fund

» Early Childhood Education Fund

» ThriveOn Collaboration Fund

CONTACT: Fiesha Lynn Bell fbell@greatermilwaukeefoundation.org

Healing Warrior Hearts - Starfish Foundation

» Financial donations

» Meals for weekend retreats

» Office and facility supplies

CONTACT: Patricia Clason

warriorheart@starfishfound.org

Hmong American Peace Academy

» Donations and sponsorships

» Paraprofessionals

» Food prep and servers

CONTACT: Katie Reinhart reinhart.katie@myhapa.org

Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County (HAWS)

» Canned & dry pet food

» Heavy-duty dog chews/Kong toys

» Towels & blankets

CONTACT: Jennifer Smieja jennifer@hawspets.org

i.c.stars | *Milwaukee

» Laptops

» Headphones

» Hands-on projects

CONTACT: Tammie Brings tbrings@icstars.org

International Institute of Wisconsin

» Home goods & other furnishings

» Winter hats, coats, & gloves

» Auction items

CONTACT: Estela Vazquez-Ornelas evazquez@iiwisconsin.org

John Michael Kohler Arts Center

» Corporate sponsors

» Arts Center members

» Event volunteers

CONTACT: Amy Horst ahorst@jmkac.org

Kathy’s House

» Sponsor a family for $50/night

» Grocery gift cards

» Provide a meal for guests

CONTACT: Liz Beaudoin lizb@kathys-house.org

LUMIN Schools

» School supplies

» Books for classroom libraries

» Winter coats, hats and gloves

CONTACT: Mie Neumann neumann@luminschools.org

MACC Fund - Midwest Athletes

Against Childhood Cancer

» Auction items

» Event volunteers

» Donations to research CONTACT: Mike Bielawski mbielawski@maccfund.org

Marcus Performing Arts Center

» Underwriting arts education

» Volunteer ushers

» Program & event sponsorship

CONTACT: Megan Huse mhuse@marcuscenter.org

MATC Foundation

» Employer partnerships

» Scholarship donations

» Student emergency support CONTACT: Ginny Finn finnvr@matc.edu

MENTOR Greater Milwaukee

» Volunteers

» Recruitment Fair space

» Training space CONTACT: LaNelle Ramey lramey@milwaukeementor.com

Meta House

» Brand-new clothing & shoes

» Formula, diapers, wipes

» Hygiene products

CONTACT: Claudia Bleimund cbleimund@metahouse.org

Milwaukee Academy of Science

» Winter gear

» Chromebooks

» Donations CONTACT: Uniqua Adams uadams@mascience.org

Milwaukee College Prep

» Fundraising (donations)

» Variety of supplies

» Volunteers (in-school) CONTACT: Robyn Swernoff robyn.swernoff@milwcollegeprep.com

Milwaukee Film

» MFF corporate sponsorships

» Youth education support

» Artist services support

CONTACT: Dana Reinoos dana@mkefilm.org

THE NONPROFIT Wish List

Nativity Jesuit Academy

» Philanthropic donations

» Event sponsorships

» Mentors for Nativity alumni CONTACT: Emily Keuter advancement@nativityjesuit.org

North Shore Montessori School

» Expansion space

» Land for a new facility

» Significant contributions CONTACT: Tracy Thesien TracyT@montessoriorthshore.org

NorthShore Classical Academy

» School facility

» Start-up funds

» Partners for World of Work-WOW CONTACT: Cheryle Rebholz info@NCAwi.org

Notre Dame School of Milwaukee

» Improved outdoor spaces

» Classroom technology

» Event volunteers and sponsors CONTACT: Melanie Berexa mberexa@notredamemke.org

PEARLS For Teen Girls

» Donations

» Sponsors

» Auction/raffle items

CONTACT: Tiffany Tardy tiffany.tardy@pearlsforteengirls.com

Rocketship Public Schools

» Volunteer your time

» Donate food or gift cards for holiday baskets

» Donations CONTACT: Lauren Taylor ltaylor@rsed.org

Ronald McDonald House Charities® Eastern Wisconsin

» Travel toiletries

» Individually wrapped snacks

» Clorox/Lysol wipes CONTACT: Olivia Kresse okresse@rmhc-easternwi.org

Saint Joan Antida High School

» Event volunteers

» Internship opportunities

» Tutors & mentors

CONTACT: Yajaira Maldonado ymaldonado@saintjoanantida.org

Savage Support Corp.

» Grocery gift card

» Health & wellness gift card

» Gym or wellness membership

CONTACT: Deanna Savage deannamsavage@icloud.com

Seeds of Health, Inc.

» Annual Giving Tree gifts

» Sports jerseys and equipment

» Annual fund appeal support

CONTACT: Karen Hunt khunt@seedsofhealth.org

Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts

» Choir microphones

» Assistive listening upgrades

» WiFi upgrades

CONTACT: Stuart Jacobs sjacobs@wilson-center.com

SHARP Literacy

» Crayola Model Magic (white)

» Magic markers

» Crayons

CONTACT: Mary Patscot Rocha mary@sharpliteracy.org

Sherman Phoenix Foundation

» Capital improvements funds

» Operating reserve donations

» Program & event sponsorships

CONTACT: Dr. Stacia Thompson director@shermanphoenix.com

Sojourner Family Peace Center

» Diapers

» Hygiene items

» New children’s clothing

CONTACT: Rheanne Tibbits giving@familypeacecenter.org

St. Coletta of Wisconsin

» Annual & event sponsorships

» Durable, sturdy furniture

» Transportation vehicles

CONTACT: Dona Campos decampos@stcolettawi.org

St. Marcus School

» School bus

» Mini bus/van

» Gift cards (grocery, gas, big box)

CONTACT: Michele Kitson michele.kitson@stmarcus.org

The Convergence Resource Center

» Walmart gift cards $100 each

» Gas cards $50 each

» Superbowl expenses

CONTACT: Dr. Debbie Lassiter ceo@convergenceresource.org

UMOS

» Toys for Breakfast with Santa event

» School supplies for grades k-6

» Event volunteers

CONTACT: Kaye Hartmann kaye.hartmann@umos.org

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

» Donations

» Volunteers

CONTACT: Gina Santagati gsantagati@unitedwaygmwc.org

University of Wisconsin-Parkside Foundation

» Individual donations

» Corporate sponsorship

» Scholarship support

CONTACT: Hannah Wallisch wallisch@uwp.edu

Wellpoint Care Network

» Financial donations

» Corporate sponsorships

» Become a foster parent

CONTACT: Starlet Hayes shayes@wellpointcare.org

Wisconsin Hero Outdoors

» Women’s retreat sponsorships

» Fundraiser sponsorships

» Volunteers for special events

CONTACT: Tammy Sawyer tsawyer@wiherooutdoors.org

Zoological Society of Milwaukee

» Donations

» Auction items

» Sponsors

CONTACT: Katie Krecklow katiek@zoosociety.org

Launching a nonprofit

Best practices from two theater companies for artists with disabilities

ESTABLISHING a nonprofit has the same challenges as starting a traditional business venture. You need a funding source, a vision, a mission, a target market and an experienced management team.

I have been involved in two nonprofit startup theater groups for artists with disabilities in Milwaukee and Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Milwaukee group, The Pink Umbrella Theater Company, started with one person who had 30 years of experience. The Scottsdale group, Empowered Theater Arts (ETA), had an experienced board of community volunteers and a seasoned creative director.

These two examples provide us with an opportunity to discuss the importance of assembling an experienced team when establishing a nonprofit.

EMPOWERED THEATER ARTS

Let’s look at ETA, the Scottsdale startup, and how it hit the ground running and was able to produce its first production within seven months. This example is unique, because the founding board was composed of four very experienced community volunteers, who had previous experience in the Scottsdale disability theater community. The creative director, LaRiche Lamar, had been with an established community theater. She left that theater and an experienced group of past board members and major donors of that theater asked her to join them in the new venture.

The first planning meeting was held at a vol-

unteer’s back yard and resulted in a draft mission statement, a vision and a very fundamental strategic plan.

Funding was the first priority and two board members took on the challenge. Within a few months, the board members had a basic fundraising plan. Initially, a number of challenge grants were developed and matched. The result, a year’s worth of funding was raised by the sixth month of operation.

Then came the 501(c)(3) filing so the organization would gain the necessary nonprofit status. In the interim, a fiscal sponsorship was established with another local theater company to process donations for ETA. The organization was up and running, actors were being attracted and workshops established. The first production was scheduled for early November and that target date was met.

The 501(c)(3) status was granted in February 2024. A formal strategic plan was developed and is in the process of being implemented. A third more lavish production is planned for May 2024, a year after the inception of the theater group.

PINK UMBRELLA THEATER COMPANY

In comparison, Pink Umbrella Theater Company, which welcomes actors and artists who have an emotional, intellectual or physical disability, was established in 2018 by Katie Cummings. Katie is an experienced theater professional in Milwaukee. At that time, the administrative duties were manageable by one person and an advisory board. The company continues to grow and as they set out for their next five-year strategic plan, staffing is a top priority.

Disability theater was a brand-new concept to the Milwaukee community in 2018 and there was concern about audience and participation. Katie met with and listened to disabled community leaders to determine the best path forward. As a result, the company’s leadership teams are now comprised of people who identify with a disability. Each professional actor and artist is paid for their time and the shows are written with the voices of the disabled community at the table.

The Pink Umbrella has sold out every performance for the past five years. With regard to fundraising, the community has responded, and a num-

ber of challenge grants were developed.

Currently, the company is seeking new board members to move from an advisory board to a working board to ensure the strategic plans will come to fruition. The company is embarking on their next five-year strategic plan and has a solid roadmap for the future.

Both theater companies are successful but look different to their respective communities. They are both in a rapid growth mode. What phase is your nonprofit in now? If you are considering starting a nonprofit (or already are) these are some of the standards to use to determine its effectiveness.

First, there has to be a desire, and a need, for the service offered by the nonprofit.

Second, the assembly of an experienced board shortens the timeline for growth and the needed fundraising.

Third, there needs to be a strong entrepreneurial spirit on the part of the founding board members.

Fourth, both for-profit and nonprofit organizations follow a growth cycle. Rapid growth is followed by slow growth, then by maturity and then possibly decline. This is not always linear; some nonprofits spend years in the startup mode before they move onto the growth cycle. That is why from time to time nonprofits may need to reinvent/refocus themselves. ■

CARY SILVERSTEIN

Cary Silverstein, MBA, is a speaker, author and consultant, a former executive for Gimbel’s Midwest and JH Collectibles, and a former professor for DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School. He can be reached at csilve1013@aol.com.

listed above is the collective responsibility of the business leaders. A strategically agile organization is built on the premise that we can only go as fast as we can all go together. To enable the organization to move with confident speed, agile leaders should:

Building strategic agility

How to anticipate and respond to change in a volatile business environment

THE PACE OF BUSINESS is accelerating, enabled by technological advancements. Add VUCA to your professional vocabulary. We live in Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous times.

It isn’t enough to adapt and evolve. Companies must anticipate and nimbly respond to ever-changing market dynamics and customer preferences. Those that fail to do so risk becoming obsolete.

STRATEGIC AGILITY

Market leaders in the new economy will be those firms that have cultivated strategic agility. A strategically agile enterprise is focused, fast and flexible. A strategically agile organization operates like a well-oiled machine, all parts working in sync. Strategic agility is achieved through the development of three interrelated competencies:

» Strategic sensing: the ability to foresee and quickly react to changing market conditions, proactively.

» Organizational/operational fitness: the strength, speed, flexibility and resilience needed to succeed in an increasingly turbulent market and competitive business environment.

» Shared accountability: engagement, commitment and alignment of organizational behavior to accomplish common objectives.

AGILE LEADERSHIP

The ongoing development of the proficiencies

» Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

» Define and develop common ground and shared purpose.

» Cultivate strategic thinking.

» Develop an innovative, entrepreneurial culture.

» Focus on possibilities, rather than problems.

» Perceive the organization as an integrated, interdependent system.

» Promote collaborative planning, problem solving and decision making.

» Foster learning, discovery and renewal.

» Build successive levels of engagement from the top down.

» View planning as a process, not an event.

THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE

Agility demands teamwork at the top. But here’s the problem: not all executive teams are teams. Many are simply collections of independent-minded individuals whose primary allegiance is to their own units and objectives. A senior team capable of routinely “firing on all cylinders” is a rare phenomenon.

Team training and team building retreats are great for bonding but carryover to the workplace is limited. The simple truth is you become a team by doing the work of the team. So, what is the work of the executive team? What are the outputs for which business leaders are solely and collectively responsible? Here is a sample of responses generated in a recent leadership workshop:

» Strategic direction, business and organizational development priorities, and key performance indicators.

» Investment focus, asset deployment and resource allocation.

» Enterprise-level problem solving and decision making.

» Leadership and organizational development.

» Organizational synergy, cross-boundary is-

sue resolution.

» Behavioral alignment to core values and company culture.

» Systems, processes and policies to support achievement of company objectives.

WORKING IN THE BUSINESS VS. WORKING ON THE BUSINESS

To meet the challenges of an increasingly demanding business environment, leaders must possess the capacity to work on the future while executing in the present. In other words, they must work on the business, not just in the business. How is your team spending its valuable time together? Is the team focused on the big picture, or getting bogged down in minutia? Are the members of the team interested in exploring the synergies that will advance the enterprise as a whole, or are they engaged in departmental turf protection?

What will it take to get the team operating like a well-oiled machine so that it can move at the speed of business? ■

PAUL WOERPEL

Paul Woerpel, president of Transformation Consulting Group, is a strategic business development consultant with more than 30 years of experience and more than 150 clients. He can be reached at paul@strategic-agility.com.

High tech tool

How small businesses can benefit from ChatGPT

Editor’s note: A large portion of this article was written by ChatGPT

IN TODAY’S rapidly evolving business landscape, small businesses are constantly seeking innovative solutions to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences and drive growth.

One such solution that holds immense potential is ChatGPT, an AI-powered language model developed by OpenAI. In this article, we’ll explore how small businesses can leverage ChatGPT to their advantage and unlock new opportunities for efficiency, productivity and success.

ChatGPT is an app you can download on your mobile device. It is an advanced natural language processing model that uses machine learning algorithms to understand and generate human-like text. Trained on vast amounts of text data, ChatGPT has the ability to comprehend and generate responses to a wide range of queries, making it a versatile tool for communication and automation.

ChatGPT can help small businesses streamline operations and free up valuable time and resources. Enhancing customer interactions is one of the most powerful applications of ChatGPT for small businesses. By integrating ChatGPT into their websites or messaging platforms, businesses can provide instant, personalized assistance to customers, answering common questions, resolving issues and guiding users through purchasing decisions. This not only improves customer satisfaction and loyalty but also reduces the burden on human support agents, allowing them to focus on more complex inquiries and tasks.

ChatGPT can also be a valuable asset in driving

marketing and sales efforts for small businesses by leveraging it to generate engaging content. Businesses can create blog posts, social media updates, email newsletters and product descriptions quickly and efficiently. Additionally, ChatGPT can assist with lead generation and customer engagement by initiating conversations, qualifying leads and providing relevant information to potential customers. This personalized approach to marketing and sales can help businesses attract and retain customers, increase conversions and ultimately drive revenue growth.

To effectively harness the power of ChatGPT, small businesses should begin by identifying specific use cases and integrating ChatGPT into their existing workflows and systems. This may involve collaborating with developers or AI experts to customize and deploy ChatGPT-based solutions tailored to their unique needs and objectives. Additionally, ongoing monitoring and optimization are essential to ensure that ChatGPT continues to deliver value and remains aligned with the business’s goals and priorities.

As AI technology continues to advance, ChatGPT represents a powerful tool for small businesses to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. By embracing ChatGPT and harnessing its capabilities for customer interactions, marketing and sales, small businesses can unlock new opportunities for growth, efficiency and competitiveness in today’s digital economy. With the right strategy and implementation, ChatGPT has the potential to revolutionize how small businesses operate and thrive in the years to come.

How can a small business get started? Just download the ChatGPT app on your mobile device. Begin to type in your questions and see how rapidly it responds.

For example, I asked ChatGPT to write this article for me and I received it within seconds. Yes, seconds. And there were no complaints when I asked for this work to get done at 8 p.m. on a Tuesday night.

Here are just a few ways you can query ChatGPT for your small business:

» Generate marketing ideas

» Write code

» Translate your writing into any language

» Handle customer inquiries

» Generate content for newsletters

» Ask for advice on how to deal with a difficult employee or client

» Email and communication management

» Research

Like any technology platform, ChatGPT has its limitations. While ChatGPT can generate human-like responses, it does not possess emotional intelligence. Therefore, it is not able to detect subtle emotional cues that a human being can detect. In addition, while ChatGPT has access to a large amount of information, it may not have access to your experience and database. This will make their recommendations limited and sometimes incorrect. Keep in mind, the more detailed information you can give in your query, the more accurate your response will be.

Like all things, walk before you run. Try it out as a time management tool. Perhaps begin by asking it to help you write your speech for the toast at your best friend’s wedding. It even has a sense of humor. 

SUSAN K. WEHRLEY

Susan K. Wehrley has been an executive coach for 35 years. She is the owner of BIZremedies and has written 12 books on personal empowerment and leadership. You can learn more at BIZremedies.com. She can be reached at Susan@BIZremedies.com.

Tip Sheet

While there are inevitably some meetings that could have just been an email, getting everyone together to discuss goals, projects or next steps is a critical part of moving a business forward.

Perhaps nothing can be more frustrating than a meeting that is not productive. As it drags on and

on, you’re left thinking of your to do list and ways you could be better spending your time. In a recent Harvard Business Review article, executive coach Luis Velasquez, founder of Velas Coaching LLC, identified four dysfunctional meeting behaviors under the acronym GAAS.

1. Gravity problems: “These occur when team members get sucked into discussing a challenge or issue that’s fundamentally unsolvable at the team level, much like the force of gravity,” Velasquez wrote.

2. Assumption overload: This one can be twofold. Too many assumptions can lead the team to make bad decisions, but Velasquez also notes team members can make incorrect assumptions about the motivations of others, harming the group’s overall collaboration.

3. Annoying negative thoughts: Velasquez identifies several “unproductive thinking

patterns” that can harm meetings, including all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, catastrophizing and emotional reasoning.

4. Squirrel chasing: It is easy for even a meeting with a clear agenda to get off track on a tangential topic. Even if everyone in the meeting is involved in the unrelated issue, it is not the focus of the meeting and takes away from the task at hand.

Velasquez suggests emphasizing focus and clarity to prevent meeting dysfunction: determine the primary objective, reframe goals as inquiry-driven statements and invite the right team members. Different meetings require different attendees. For brainstorming, you’ll want a range of backgrounds and perspectives, but for a decision-making meeting, bringing in the brainstorming group may introduce GAAS behaviors. 

ACUITY EARNS A+/STABLE RATING FROM STANDARD & POOR’S

Acuity announced that Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has reaffirmed the insurer’s A+ long-term financial strength and issuer credit ratings with a stable outlook.

Acuity also has an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best, offering independent agents and customers the financial security of two superior ratings and placing Acuity in the top 19 carriers nationally based on financial strength ratings.

“Our dual A+ ratings demonstrate that we have the foundation of financial strength and stability needed to drive continued business

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Peter Speca Appointed SVP of Public Sector Banking for Johnson Financial Group

Johnson Financial Group recently appointed Peter Speca as Senior Vice President of Public Sector Banking. In this strategic role, Mr. Speca will spearhead the launch and development of the Public Sector Banking Business line, playing a pivotal role in driving the success of public entities by supporting their banking needs. With over 25 years of experience in the financial industry, Mr. Speca brings a wealth of knowledge to his new position.

expansion, protect a growing number of customers, and provide rewarding jobs for more and more employees,” said Melissa Winter, Acuity president.

S&P stated that Acuity’s credit fundamentals, including the diversity of its business and improved profitability margin, consistent operating earnings, ample capital headroom and strong balance sheet supported the rating affirmation.

Acuity Insurance, headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, insures nearly 150,000 businesses, including nearly 350,000 commercial vehicles, and more than 550,000 homes and private passenger autos across 32 states. Rated A+ by AM Best and S&P, Acuity employs more than 1,600 people.

ARCHITECTURE

Kahler Slater Promotes Joseph Sinnett, AIA to Vice President

Kahler Slater is pleased to announce the promotion of Joseph Sinnett, AIA to Vice President. He will continue to lead projects across the country for the firm’s residential and hospitality clients and guide the firm’s long-term direction and growth.

BANKING

Citizens Bank hires Treasury Management Officer to strengthen business banking team

Brigitte Messer has joined Citizens Bank, Mukwonago as Treasury Management Officer. With an MBA from Western Governor’s University, Messer brings over 25 years of banking experience to the Citizens Bank team.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

PARADIGM Real Estate Promotes Johnson to Vice President

Leading Wisconsin commercial real estate brokerage firm PARADIGM Real Estate is proud to promote Jim Johnson to Vice President. Johnson joined PARADIGM Real Estate Corporation in March of 2021 to provide brokerage and consulting services to owners, tenants, and investors of industrial and commercial properties in Wisconsin. “Jim is a talented and respected commercial real estate broker providing unmatched brokerage services for his clients,” said PARADIGM President & CEO Brian Parrish. “His promotion is reflective of his knowledge and success in the industry.”

LEGAL SERVICES

von Briesen & Roper, s.c. welcomes Alexandra Don to its Real Estate Section

As a Shareholder, Ali focuses on transactional real estate, real estate lending and finance, development and business law. She is a member of NAIOP-Wisconsin, Wisconsin Commercial Real Estate Women and Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin.

MEDIA & MARKETING

Aras Promotions announces COO

Aras Promotions welcomed Maddie Otto as their Chief Operating Officer. Maddie started her career with Aras as a new college graduate and then ventured into the industry working for both Badger Liquor and Pernod Ricard over the last 10+ years.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Rachel Bahr Named New CEO of BREAKTHRU Private Investment Companies

BREAKTHRU Family of Companies announces Rachel Bahr as the new CEO of BREAKTHRU’s private investment companies, including Xiogenix, Ardent Animal Health, Vendura, and the newly expanded BREAKTHRU Leadership U (BLU). Rachel states, “I am thrilled to leverage my passion for developing leaders and my talents for building high-performing teams as I transition from leading Xiogenix to overseeing each of our companies within our family. My new role allows me to expand my reach and make an even greater impact.” Rachel’s transformational success comes from attracting, developing, and identifying talent based on values.

LEGAL SERVICES

von Briesen & Roper, s.c. welcomes Steven Beckham to the Team

Steve joins the Litigation & Risk Management Group focusing his practice on commercial and business litigation, insurance coverage and liability defense. He is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Bar Association.

BANKING

North Shore Bank

President and CEO

Jay McKenna

Appointed to Banking Review Board

North Shore Bank

President and CEO Jay McKenna has been appointed by Gov. Evers to the Banking Review Board, and will advise the banking division of the WI DFI. He serves on the ABA Government Relations Council and is a Marquette University alumni.

MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL

EXPLORING EXPANDED USE OF SUMMERFEST GROUNDS

Milwaukee World Festival Inc., the nonprofit organization that maintains Henry Maier Festival Park and operates Summerfest, issued a request for proposals in April to consider expanded opportunities for future programming and improvements for the festival grounds on Milwaukee’s lakefront.

The RFP is a call for a master use plan to explore increased public use of Henry Maier Festival Park, while maintaining use of the festival grounds for Summerfest and the ethnic and cultural festivals held there annually.

Henry Maier Festival Park is owned by the City of Milwaukee

CALENDAR

and leased to Milwaukee World Festival, which maintains and makes improvements to the park. Milwaukee World Festival and its sponsors have invested more than $160 million in capital improvements to the Summerfest grounds since 2003, the organization says.

“We are excited to consider future opportunities to expand the use of Henry Maier Festival Park, while remaining committed to our nonprofit mission,” said Sarah Pancheri, president and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival.

—Cara Spoto, staff writer

WOMEN AND GIRLS FUND OF WAUKESHA COUNTY

N17 W24100 Riverwood Drive, Suite 375, Waukesha, WI 53188 262-875-3126 | wgfwaukeshacounty.org

Facebook: facebook.com/WGFWaukeshaCounty

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/women-and-girls-fund-of-waukesha-county Instagram: @wgfwaukeshacounty

The Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County will hold its 40th Annual Women of Distinction Luncheon on Friday, May 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Brookfield Conference Center, 325 S. Moorland Road, Brookfield. Tickets are $100 per individual.

Cross Catholic Outreach and the Milwaukee Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women will hold a food packing event on Saturday, May 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic Church, 1260 Church St., Elm Grove. The public is welcome to participate in packing 60,000 meals to be shipped to needy families in a developing country.

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County will host the 2024 Women United Bruncheon on Thursday, May 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. Tickets are $60 per individual.

SHARP Literacy will hold its Unwrapped MKE fundraiser on Thursday, May 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Deco, 7140 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis.

DONATION ROUNDUP

Kohl’s Corp. announced plans last month to donate $5 million over three years to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. | The Eck Family Foundation donated $1.5 million to Marquette University to expand addiction research and provide funding for the institution’s Athletic and Human Performance Research Center. | Hon Hai Technology Group, otherwise known as Foxconn, said it was donating two million medical face masks to 40 local nonprofit and community organizations in Wisconsin and Illinois via partnerships with Advocate Health Care in Illinois and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin. | The Ruth Foundation for the Arts spread $950,000 across 10 Wisconsin-based arts organizations with operating budgets under $2 million, as part of its inaugural Wisconsin Special Project grant. Southeastern Wisconsin recipients included Academia Bembé, Cactus Plus, Pink Umbrella Theater Company and Studio K Flamenco, all of Milwaukee.

Year founded: 2004

Mission statement: We are dedicated to advancing the health and well-being, self-sufficiency and empowerment of women and girls in Waukesha County by growing our endowment to provide financial grants and support.

Primary focus: To improve the quality of life for women and girls in Waukesha County.

Other focuses: We believe that empowering women and girls builds strong families and communities.

Number of employees: 1.5

Executive leadership: Nicole Wagner, executive director

Board of directors: Karie Stupek, board chair; Tracy Josetti, vice chair; Karen Loritz, treasurer; Genevieve Schmidt, secretary; Amy Sebert, member at large; members Lesli Boese, Abigail Carlson, Jennifer Thompson Davies, Julia Jaegersberg, Amy Kiiskila, Karen Long, Robyn Ludke, Moncia Nichol, Heather Nino, Lauren Ruff, Marcia Rupp, Kate Weiland Moores

Is the organization actively seeking board members for the upcoming term? Yes

What roles is it looking to fill? Operations and development.

Ways the business community can help: Event sponsorship, fundraiser donations and corporate donations.

Key fundraising events: Women of Distinction Luncheon - May 17, 2024; Nine & Wine Golf Outing - August 9, 2024

Key donors: The Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County was founded by several leading women in the Waukesha community. As the former YWCA of Waukesha County was closing, these women were successful in their effort to have the remaining endowment of the YWCA transferred to create the Women and Girls Fund. These efforts were led by Betty Arndt, Andrea Bryant, Beverly Chappie, Jill Haupt and Laraine O’Brien. These women are still active in our organization today and have recruited many other individuals to be a key part of our mission fulfillment.

GLANCE AT YESTERYEAR

VOLUME 30, NUMBER 2 | MAY 6, 2024

126 N. Jefferson St., Suite 403, Milwaukee, WI 53202-6120

PHONE: 414-277-8181 FAX: 414-277-8191

WEBSITE: www.biztimes.com

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ADVERTISING: 414-336-7112 | advertising@biztimes.com

The Mill Building in Menomonee Falls

This photo shows what is now known as the Mill Building in Menomonee Falls. The building was completed in 1891 by Simon Peter Schlafer and opened as Enterprise Roller Mills. Around 50 years later, Schlafer’s descendants started Server Products, a maker of food service equipment. After Server Products moved to Richfield, the building was restored. Today, the building at N88 W16447 Main St. is home to several businesses, including Trivera Interactive.

— Photo courtesy of Trivera Interactive. To submit your company’s historic photos, visit biztimes.com/glance

Summerfest grounds should be transformed for year-round use

MILWAUKEE WORLD FESTIVAL, the operator of Summerfest, has issued an RFP seeking ideas for future programming and improvements to Henry Maier Festival Park.

In 2021, BizTimes Milwaukee celebrated its 25th anniversary and invited 25 local leaders to pitch their “big ideas” for Milwaukee’s future. One of those ideas came from architect Matt Rinka, founder and partner of Milwaukee-based architectural firm Rinka. He proposed converting the 75-acre Maier Festival Park into a mixed-use neighborhood that would still host Summerfest, ethnic festivals, concerts and other events.

“This would be accomplished by providing unrestricted water access to the public via boardwalks and piers, denser residential developments offering a range of dwelling options, hotels, destination retail and restaurants, and

civic structures and attractions that can continue to host the festivals that we all love,” Rinka wrote in 2021. “The combination of festivals occurring within a neighborhood that can generate excitement and activity year-round will transform our lakefront into a new, engaging heart of our city while connecting local commerce, recreation and tourism. If done right, this could become a regional example of conscientious coastal waterway development. Again, to be clear, this is not a proposal that Summerfest and subsequent annual festivals should cease to occur, rather creatively develop the festival grounds to support more than an annual event that requires an admission fee.”

I contacted Rinka recently and he says he still stands by this idea. He said he would love to submit a proposal to Milwaukee World Festival, but the RFP was sent to selected consulting firms, and his firm was not one of them. MWF said one requirement of the RFP will be to include the participation of a local firm.

The idea of turning Maier Festival Park into a neighborhood may seem crazy to some. Who would want to live there, especially during Summerfest? Well, some people live in the French Quarter, on or near Bourbon Street in New Or-

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PUBLISHER / OWNER

Dan Meyer dan.meyer@biztimes.com

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Mary Ernst mary.ernst@biztimes.com

COMMUNITY

ENGAGEMENT / OWNER

Kate Meyer kate.meyer@biztimes.com

EDITORIAL

EDITOR

Andrew Weiland andrew.weiland@biztimes.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Arthur Thomas arthur.thomas@biztimes.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Maredithe Meyer maredithe.meyer@biztimes.com

REPORTER

Ashley Smart ashley.smart@biztimes.com

REPORTER

Cara Spoto cara.spoto@biztimes.com

REPORTER

Hunter Turpin hunter.turpin@biztimes.com

SALES & MARKETING

DIRECTOR OF SALES

Linda Crawford

linda.crawford@biztimes.com

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Christie Ubl

christie.ubl@biztimes.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Robin Briese

robin.briese@biztimes.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Paddy Kieckhefer

paddy.kieckhefer@biztimes.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Christy Peterson christy.peterson@biztimes.com

SALES ADMIN

Shannon Whiting shannon.whiting@biztimes.com

ADMINISTRATION

ADMINISTRATIVE

COORDINATOR

Sue Herzog sue.herzog@biztimes.com

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

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PRODUCTION & DESIGN

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Alex Schneider alex.schneider@biztimes.com

Independent & Locally Owned

— Founded 1995 —

leans, so while not for everyone, living within Maier Festival Park could appeal to some. A 261unit apartment complex is currently under construction across the street from the Summerfest grounds.

Maier Festival Park hosted more than 1.2 million people for events there in 2023. But while extremely busy during the summer, the 75-acre lakefront festival grounds is quiet most of the year with no events scheduled between early October and early May.

Maier Festival Park should host more events in spring and fall. A winter festival there with ice skating and other cold-weather activities, plus music, food and drink would also be great.

It will be very interesting to see the responses to the Maier Festival Park RFP. It’s another opportunity for Milwaukee to think big. ■

ANDREW WEILAND EDITOR

/ 414-336-7120 / andrew.weiland@biztimes.com / @AndrewWeiland

ANDY LARSEN

President Minnesota Flexible Corp.

Menomonee Falls (headquartered in South Saint Paul, Minnesota) Industry: Industrial machinery manufacturing mfchose.com

Employees: 30 in Menomonee Falls; 180 total

“If we are considering a candidate that we feel may not have a strong character, we quickly move on. Ethically, our job candidates must be aligned to our way of doing business and how our other team members conduct themselves. The times we’ve made hiring mistakes and have not brought in a new employee that has a strong character, is ethically aligned and doesn’t fit with our culture, our team members have let us know.

“Past success and experience are also important characteristics for us in a new hire, but the success doesn’t need to be in our industry. ‘Winners, win’ is a saying that we’ve used a lot. We feel that if they have been successful in the past – regardless of the industry –they’ll be successful with us.

“Above all, character is non-negotiable. A few years ago, we deviated from our hiring philosophy, hiring an account manager that had a lot of industry experience and was

When

is non-negotiable. “ ”

hiring, character

marginally successful with his past employer. Excited about getting this individual on our team and having him stop competing against us, we overlooked some character flaws that should have raised red flags. While the individual had some success with us, his personality clashed with other employees and ethically he caused problems with customers and suppliers. After a couple years of trying to make it work, we moved on and learned an important lesson. Character is non-negotiable.”

AGE: 49

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Larsen joined Minnesota Flexible Corp. in 2003 as vice president of sales. After climbing the ranks for two decades, he was promoted to company president in January. Prior to MFC, Larsen worked as an area sales manager for Eaton Hydraulics. 