Accelerate January 2021 Magazine

WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG ANNUAL KEY INDUSTRIES PROGRAM PROVIDES OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK In partnership with First Business Bank, business leaders in manufacturing, construction, education and health care came together for the Alliance's annual Key Industries for Wisconsin program to discuss trends for the coming year. While there was reflection on the challenges from COVID-19, panelists provided an optimistic outlook for 2021; outlining strategic priorities, discussing new initiatives, and sharing positive takeaways that have come from the pandemic. GRAEF President & CEO, John Kissinger, discussed how his organization has maintained a positive culture despite having employees working remotely. While GRAEF looks forward to the day training can be completed in person again, mentors and apprentices have maintained a successful transfer of knowledge and have helped keep the company culture alive. Roger Roundhouse, CEO of CentroMotion, shared the most important economic indicator the organization tracks throughout the year. "All of the economic indicators available can't substitute a conversation with the customer," said Roundhouse. "Understanding what drives their business is what's most important to our business." President of Carroll University, Dr. Cindy Gnadinger, and Chancellor of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Dr. Mark Mone, shared similar insight into the future of post-secondary education. While both institutions had to adjust nearly every facet of how they operated in 2020, the end goal of educating our future workforce remained consistent. Dr. Gnadinger discussed how Carroll will continue to support under- represented groups. One example is through a week-long residential program for first generation college students to become more comfortable with the college experience and receive the proper tools to be successful. Dr. Mone reiterated the important role UWM plays in supporting our region's workforce shortage. The University puts approximately 5,000 students per year into the talent pipeline, with 85 percent of alumni staying in Wisconsin for at least a decade after graduation. The program concluded with representation from the health care industry by Dr. Peter Stamas, Chief Administration Officer with Ascension. Dr. Stamas thanked the community for the outpouring of support throughout the pandemic. He also shared how COVID-19 has underscored the need to deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time. Ascension looks forward to increasing its footprint outside of the hospital area, along with continued expansion in Waukesha County. 16