ACCELERATE WAUKESHA COUNTY April 2024 A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP Reflecting on Suzanne Kelley's 14 transformative years with the Waukesha County Business Alliance.
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APRIL 2024 MAGAZINE SUZANNE KELLEY President & CEO Waukesha County Business Alliance, Inc. Last December I announced my retirement effective June 30, 2024. Serving as president and CEO of an organization that has championed business and free enterprise for over 105 years has been a tremendous honor. A thriving community cannot exist without thriving businesses and a growing economy. Our economy soars because of the products YOU produce, the services YOU provide, the people YOU employ, the causes YOU support, and so much more. That has been my “why” since joining the Alliance in 2009. My tenure here has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the beginning, I was struck by the dedication of our board of directors, the talent of the Alliance staff, and the palpable belief in business as a force for good that permeates through every interaction. Together, we have tackled critical issues, celebrated successes, weathered storms (dare I say pandemic?), and forged lasting connections. I’m filled with great pride for the partnerships the Alliance has built throughout our region and state. The work we do to strengthen the talent pipeline, support business-friendly public policies, and drive economic growth would not be successful without our partners in education, government, and the nonprofit community. As I reflect on my time at the Alliance, I am filled with gratitude for the support of each and every member. Your passion for our community, your commitment to excellence, and your willingness to collaborate have fueled our collective achievements. Our shared endeavors have made a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals and businesses throughout Waukesha County and its surroundings. I offer heartfelt congratulations to my colleague and successor, Amanda Payne, who has been unanimously approved as the next president and CEO by the Alliance board of directors. I’m confident the Alliance will continue to flourish and have great impact under Amanda’s stewardship. I would be remiss if I did not express my deepest appreciation to the entire staff, whose dedication and professionalism have been the backbone of our organization. Their tireless efforts behind the scenes have ensured the seamless execution of countless initiatives and programs, all aimed at advancing the prosperity and vitality of our community. The path ahead is filled with exciting opportunities and challenges, and I have every confidence the Alliance is ready for the journey. In closing, I extend my sincerest thanks for the privilege of serving alongside you for the last 14 years. I am profoundly grateful for all you do “to make Waukesha County the best place to do business.” With warm regards, THE PATH AHEAD 3
510 S. WEST AVE | WAUKESHA, WI 53186 | 262.522.2600 | DELZER.COM DESIGN FULFILL PRINT Leadership Waukesha County August - December 2024 www.waukesha.org INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF YOUR ORGANIZATION WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG 4
ADVERTISERS 4 BGS Glass Service 21 Carroll University 4 Delzer Lithograph 9 First Business Bank 25 HPS/Paymedix 18 Northwoods 10 R&R Insurance Services 10 The Ingleside Hotel 17 Town Bank 2 Waukesha County Technical College 25 WICPA 3 Suzanne Kelley: The Path Ahead 6 La Casa de Esperanza Celebrates First 8th Grade Graduating Class 8 CTaccess, Inc.: Where Are Your Technology Blind Spots? 11 Industries in Schools 11 SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT: Arrowhead Union High School 16 Economic Impact of the RNC 19 Waukesha Country Grow Fund Exceeds $11 Million 20 NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT: Blessings in a Backpack 23 EXECUTIVE SPOTLIGHT: Erika Nowak, Ixonia Bank 24 SPOTLIGHT ON THE TRADES: Madison Sawyer, SAK, Universal Welding & Engineering, Inc. 24 Around the County 25 Welcome New Members CONTENTS APRIL 2024 MAGAZINE 5 12 A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG LA CASA DE ESPERANZA CELEBRATES FIRST 8TH GRADE GRADUATING CLASS Alonzo L. "My favorite memory was doing the gala practice with my classmates. We got free snacks and free lunch, which I really appreciated because I got to pick chicken for our lunch." Emily G. "My favorite memory at La Casa de Esperanza Charter School is the Annual Gala, a fundraising event we do every year in the school gym." Naomi G. "My favorite memory was in 7th grade when we were eating ice cream, watching movies, and playing board games. I enjoyed spending time with my friends and teachers." Aaron K. "I was very good at Boy Scouts in school. We used to build and make stuff, like toolkits and cars. It was the only after school activity I did, and I was actually good at it." Dacian T. "Kindergarten graduation is my favorite memory because it was my first graduation, and I had never done or seen anything like it at the time." Since 1966, La Casa de Esperanza has provided opportunities for full social and economic participation in society, with an emphasis on the Hispanic population. La Casa has grown, adapted, and responded to the community's needs throughout the years, expanding its programs to a full-service organization. Today, La Casa de Esperanza serves over 20,000 people of all social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds from birth to late adulthood. La Casa's programs include an Early Childhood Education Center for children six weeks to thirteen years old, a full-service Charter School for K4-8th grade, a Center for Financial Stability, the largest Weatherization program in the state, low-income senior housing, and much more. This year will be the first year of graduating eighth-grade students, some of whom have been with La Casa since infancy. Six out of the fourteen graduating eighth graders have been accepted into the area's best private schools, including Brookfield Academy, Catholic Memorial, and Marquette University High School, an opportunity that they might not have had without the support and care of La Casa de Esperanza. The remaining students will be attending Waukesha Public Schools and are wellequipped to succeed in their high school academics. La Casa de Esperanza has pledged to follow the eighthgrade students through high school and continue to serve as a resource for the students and their families. “We are beyond grateful that we are able to provide such amazing services to the community and are so thankful for our donors and supporters who help us make this possible," states President and CEO of La Casa Shari Campbell. "Every day, we are changing lives together and want to share the magic going on inside and outside our organization’s walls. Thank you to the Waukesha County Business Alliance for giving us the opportunity to share who we are and what we do. I encourage anyone who wants to get involved or learn more about our organization to contact us and stop in for a tour!” • 6
APRIL 2024 MAGAZINE 7 Aylin D. "At the end of 7th grade, we had a huge barbeque right outside of our middle school building! At the end of a drumming and dancing performance, we were able to convince Mrs. Carillo to get us McDonalds." Zury M. "I personally really enjoy every day with all my teachers, but especially with Ms. Dahl. She makes the schedules I don't like as much really enjoyable." JJ H. "My favorite memory was celebrating my 13th birthday at La Casa. When I came down into the cafeteria, I saw everyone saying happy birthday to me, and it made me cry. No one in my life threw a birthday like this for me. I will remember this forever." Charity D. "My favorite memory of La Casa was meeting new people and learning new things every day. La Casa is a friendly place, and it is like a second home to most of us." Yatziry M. "My favorite memory is when I first came to school as a Hispanic kid who knew no English. Learning a new language was a real challenge, but it was fun to learn with friends." Maddie A. "My favorite memory was the time I was presenting at La Casa’s Gala. It was a fundraising event, and I was an MC there. It was fun to try different foods from other countries and speak in front of many different people." Yasniel R. "My favorite memory is when I was in 7th grade, and we had the Christmas event because there was good food, we watched movies, and I got to hang out with my friends." Jackson L. "My favorite memory is the gala. It was so fun to learn my script with my friends and be able to be a part of something that had a big impact on my school." LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MISSION OF LA CASA DE ESPERANZA AND HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN SUPPORT.
Blind spots are dangerous, and when we don’t realize we have blind spots, they are the most dangerous. When we talk about a blind spot in a vehicle, we usually recognize it. But, blind spots in leadership, relationships, and even knowledge are not quite as easy to compensate for. We are often unaware of our own deficiencies, sometimes leaving bruised feelings, missing important details, or leading poorly. In the last few months, I’ve heard several stories of people who had blind spots and seemed unaware—and each story has been of individuals leading a company or a department. Their communication is consistently terse and demanding, leaving people feeling unappreciated and uncertain of their value to that leader. When I encounter a person like this, I often ask myself, “How can they operate that way?” And then, with some introspection, I begin to wonder what my blind spots are. MIT professor and writer Junot Diaz said, “We all have a blind spot, and it’s shaped exactly like us.” If we pause to think about it, blind spots exist everywhere. We are often blind to the things closest to us. It seems that blind spots are even more common when managing technology than they are in leadership. The best way to correct our blind spots is to be aware of them. As such, here are 5 common areas of technology management blindness: Reactivity Cataracts. It is not unusual for people to view IT as a reactive game. However, the only way to get IT consistently running smoothly is to regularly do proactive IT disciplines. These are things like password policies, log and server reviews, backup testing, security software, cycle planning, and more. Think of it like an athlete who wants to play, but not practice: they won’t get to play much and will more likely be injured. Operational Risk Blurriness. Often, we see the likelihood and severity of data-related risks through the blurred vision of busyness or don’t grasp how likely a risk is. Risks like falling prey to ransomware are high without precautions like multi-factor authentication, security awareness training, and 365 monitoring. We can also accept risk with misplaced or non-existent backup strategies that do not address critical data. It is essential to regularly review and appropriately address your organization’s IT and data risks. Value Blindness. A basic tenet of good IT management is to replace servers, laptops, and other technology on a 4-to-5-year cycle. Though tempting to let go longer, once you move beyond this SCOTT HIRSCHFELD President, CTaccess, Inc. WHERE ARE YOUR TECHNOLOGY BLIND SPOTS? 1 2 3 WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG 8
planned cycle time, failure rates go up, and problems result. Value blindness can also take shape in seeking the best deal—we sometimes hunt and wait for it, then research to understand terms, and suddenly, we have wasted too much time. Similarly, value blindness shows up in buying cheap products, resulting in problems and slowing down the user (the very resource we value and want to keep running efficiently). Innovation Loss of Perspective. Many people say, “I’m not much of a technology person.”This is a good admission if you take things to the next step: ensure you learn what you need to know, or find a trusted resource to advise you. Innovation is not an option in business, and charting a course to the next level of technology is the leader’s responsibility. Often, it is necessary to plan a route out of the reactive mode you may be in, and then you can plan for innovation and change. Lack of Peripheral Vision. As leaders, we can get so caught up in our goals and plans that we forget to look around at the people on our team who do the work. What do they need to succeed? Sometimes, you can find out just by listening. Other times, a deeper dive is needed. What technology could be applied to make a manual task better? What do people dislike about their jobs? What takes a lot of time each week? What is mundane and repetitive? What is creating a high level of stress? An immersive look at people’s work will identify areas where technology can produce massive benefits. Once we know our blind spots, it is time to act. This can happen in many forms. Learn about new technology, establish proactive processes, discover what others like you are doing, evaluate your risks, and become a student of your team. And, if you need a partner to help clear up your technology vision, please get in touch with us at CTaccess. We would love to help! • APRIL 2024 MAGAZINE 9 Member FDIC A Bank Built For Business firstbusiness.bank When there’s a lot at stake, it’s essential to work with a bank focused on delivering what businesses need without wasting your time. That’s why it’s smart to work with First Business Bank, founded intentionally to serve business owners. For more than 30 years, our focus on business has led to unmatched expertise, industryleading service, and smarter financial decisions. David Schade Vice President Treasury Management 4 5
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APRIL 2024 MAGAZINE 11 In 2023, the Alliance launched a new program to continue to heighten the collaboration between local schools and the business community. A twist on our long-standing Schools2Skills™ program, Industries in Schools takes business leaders inside the doors of high schools to better understand the programs, labs, equipment, and skills being shared with our youth. Over the past year, construction and manufacturing member companies have toured multiple high schools to see firsthand the type of curriculum and equipment students in Waukesha County can access. Tech ed is alive and well in our local high schools and we're excited to showcase their approach to supporting the talent pipeline while giving students the opportunity to show off their talent and passion for these in-demand industries. We look forward to hosting additional Industries in Schools tours in the months ahead. INDUSTRIES IN SCHOOLS The Wisconsin Technology Education Association (WTEA) named Arrowhead Union High School the recipient of its High School Program of the Year Award for its Technical Education Program. The award recognizes schools that demonstrate exceptional commitment to providing students with high-quality technology education experiences. The award recognized Arrowhead's Tech Ed program for its innovative curriculum, dedicated faculty, engaging learning environment, and strong partnerships. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT | ARROWHEAD UNION HIGH SCHOOL Taking Business Leaders Inside the Doors of Local Schools
WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG As President & CEO of the Waukesha County Business Alliance Suzanne Kelley prepares for retirement, we’re reflecting on the legacy of leadership she has left across Waukesha County and our region. Suzanne joined the Alliance in September of 2009 when it was known as the Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce. Within a year, Suzanne led the Chamber to merge with the Waukesha County Action Network to create the Alliance, which is focused on driving economic growth in Waukesha County and providing a strong voice for business. Under Suzanne’s guidance, the Alliance has undoubtedly thrived. In the last 14 years, the Alliance has launched multiple employer collaboratives, including the Manufacturing Alliance of Southeastern Wisconsin, the Waukesha County Construction Alliance and a Nonprofit Alliance. The Alliance also worked hand-in-hand with Waukesha County and business and municipal leaders to launch the Waukesha County Center for Growth, the county’s economic development organization. The creation of the entity involved multiple stakeholders and key partners, who came together under Suzanne’s leadership. The Alliance has also become one of the leading organizations in the state when it comes to workforce, talent and business education partnerships. The Alliance membership continues to grow and now marks 1,200 members. With a background in government affairs, Suzanne led the Alliance to increase its advocacy work and had an impact on several key issues such as Lake Michigan water for the City of Waukesha, completion of the West Waukesha bypass, funding to improve the safety of I-94 in Southeast Wisconsin, enhanced technical education funding, enactment of the state’s manufacturing and agricultural tax credits, expansion of the Alliance’s business A Legacy of LEADERSHIP Reflecting on Suzanne Kelley's 14 transformative years with the Waukesha County Business Alliance. 12
education programming, elevated conversations around workforce housing, and support of innovative transportation solutions. Named among the 2021 Women of Distinction by the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County and the 2013 Women of Influence by the Milwaukee Business Journal, Suzanne is active in several community organizations. She served as a 2015 Campaign Co-Chair for United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and served on the United Way Board of Directors. She also served on the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) Board of Directors and the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives (WCCE) Advisory Board. Suzanne has had an unwavering commitment to our County and her vision for the Waukesha County Business Alliance has always been clear. To position our organization as a regional leader. To advocate for pro-business legislation. To be seen as a go-to resource across the state of Wisconsin. To strengthen the talent pipeline. To foster growth amongst the business community. To work together with the Waukesha County Center for Growth and ensure a successful joint effort in making Waukesha County the best play to do business. Suzanne’s vision is what motivates the Alliance team each and every day. It drives our collaborative spirit as we work together with businesses, nonprofits, educators, municipal partners and key stakeholders to support a vibrant economy. Because of her visionary drive and empowering leadership skills, our team will continue to work in the same way we have for the past 106 years. We cannot thank Suzanne enough for her leadership and the legacy she has undoubtedly left on the Waukesha County Business Alliance, Waukesha County and Southeast Wisconsin. •
“Suzanne stepped into her role with a vision to build the Alliance into the business engine for the County. She helped merge two organizations into a regional leader for businesses throughout southeast Wisconsin. If mom (the late Margaret Farrow, former Lt. Gov. and longtime community leader) were here today, she would agree that Suzanne was the change maker needed to create this organization. I want to thank her for all she has done to truly help Waukesha County lead the way.” - Paul Farrow, Waukesha County Executive “Suzanne commands respect throughout the community. She leads this community through a combination of exceptional skills, deep expertise, consistent high performance, and influential leadership. She inspires many and she is leaving a lasting legacy in this community.” - Pete Bacon, Chief Administrative Officer, ProHealth Care "Suzanne has demonstrated a remarkable track record of building a culture that is fiercely loyal to the mission and relentless in its pursuit of its goals. Her team shows up every day with a passion to improve the business climate in the county of Waukesha and state of Wisconsin. Often times, I leave interactions with the WCBA team thinking that they would do their work for free because they believe in it so much. This is not a coincidence, the WCBA team has followed the example set by their leader.” - Jeff Hoffman, Principal, Cushman & Wakefield | Boerke WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG 14
“Suzanne has been a driving force in making our region a place for businesses to thrive. It has been an honor to serve beside her on the board of directors.” - Mark Sobczak, Wisconsin Market Leader, Sikich & Alliance Board Chair “Suzanne has been the connection point to make collective business and industry success possible throughout Waukesha County. If it happens in this region, Suzanne probably had a hand in it.” - Rich Barnhouse, President, Waukesha County Technical College “Suzanne is a trusted leader who brought competitors together to work for common causes. She is not afraid of failure and that allowed her to experiment with different approaches to tackle the important issues facing businesses.” - Matt Moroney, President/COO, Wangard Partners, Inc. APRIL 2024 MAGAZINE 15 "Suzanne’s leadership demonstrates her deep understanding that the most important projects for our community are best done in collaboration. Our community is undoubtedly stronger because of her dedication and work." - Amy Lindner, President& CEO, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE RNC As we look ahead to the Republican National Convention coming to Milwaukee in July, the economic impact will be seen throughout Waukesha County and our region. The four-day convention will be broadcast across the world, and host upwards of 50,000 guests across Southeast Wisconsin. In fact, delegates recently received hotel assignments marking a major milestone for the planning of the convention. With hotel information in hand, delegates have begun making plans for where they'll eat, entertain, and explore outside of the convention (and most likely in the communities surrounding Milwaukee). While there will most certainly be traffic delays and major disruptions for commuters in the week leading up to and the week of the convention, the RNC being hosted in Wisconsin provides our region with a unique opportunity to shine. It's an exciting time for Wisconsin to be in the national spotlight and we look forward to showing visitors why Waukesha County is an attractive place to live, work and play. When: July 15-18, 2024 Where: Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum & the Wisconsin Center District Campus Expected Number of Guests: 50,000 Number of Media Representatives: 15,000 Including 25 outlets from across Wisconsin. Expected Economic Impact: $200 million City of Milwaukee Frequently Asked Questions MKE 2024 Host Committee RNC Business Resources WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG 16
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APRIL 2024 MAGAZINE 19 WAUKESHA COUNTY GROW FUND EXCEEDS $11 MILLION THERESE THILL Executive Director, Waukesha County Center for Growth Currently exceeding $11 million, the GROW Fund is Waukesha County's economic development fund that supports business expansion and innovative housing solutions in the County. As a revolving loan fund, the GROW Fund has two core purposes – the first is to support businesses with the gap financing they need to grow, and the second is to support residential housing to meet workforce needs. The Fund also provides federal Community Reinvestment Act credits to banks that contribute to the Fund to help meet community credit needs for economic development. In 2023, the GROW Fund initiated eight loans totaling over $4.3 million to businesses. Businesses have used the loans for a variety of purposes - the primary being real estate - and across multiple communities throughout Waukesha County. In both 2023 and 2024, Waukesha County contributed a historic $4.5 million to the GROW Fund. The Fund has also received donations from other contributors including the We Energies Foundation which contributed $100,000 in 2023. Administered by MEDC-Wisconsin, founding members include Bank Five Nine, BMO Harris Bank, Johnson Bank and Town Bank. “The GROW Fund continues to prove impactful in supporting business growth throughout Waukesha County," states Waukesha County Center for Growth Executive Director Therese Thill. "We're thrilled with the additional contributions to the Fund over the last two years as they truly support its mission. The impact of these contributions will be seen for years to come." To learn more about the GROW Fund, visit www.waukeshagrowth.org. • LOAN PURPOSE Building Expansion Equipment Real Estate WAUKESHA COUNTY LOANS PER COMMUNITY Brookfield - 3 Elm Grove - 1 Hartland - 1 Menomonee Falls - 2 Muskego - 1 New Berlin - 2 Pewaukee - 2 Waukesha - 2
WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK WAUKESHA COUNTY CHAPTER SUSAN REED Managing Director, Blessings in a Backpack Waukesha County NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT Q: Describe your organization and its mission. A: Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for school-aged children across America who might otherwise go hungry. As a leader in the movement to end childhood hunger, we believe every school-aged child in America should have the nourishment needed to learn and grow. In Waukesha County, it’s estimated that more than 11,000 children age 17 and under struggle with hunger over the weekends. To help address this issue of food insecurity, Blessings in a Backpack provides a bag of food in backpacks for school-aged children every Friday during the school year. This bag of food has eight nutritional items, including two proteins, two low-sugar cereals, and one to two fruit items. All food is easy to open and shelf stable. Thanks to incredible community support, our goal this year is to feed 3400 children at 42 schools in the Hartland, Kettle Moraine, Menomonee Falls, Oconomowoc, Sussex, and Waukesha school districts. Q: What are your biggest challenges or obstacles? A: Awareness of the extent of food insecurity in Waukesha County is undoubtedly challenging. Many people find it difficult to believe that there could be 11,000 children in Waukesha County who don’t know where their next meal will come from. On average, $175 will feed one child on the weekends during the school year through the Blessings in a Backpack program—the results: nourished kids ready to learn. Food is an essential building block; in this case, it is truly a blessing, especially to a hungry child! Our chapter is fully responsible for securing funds to support our local mission. Like most nonprofits, we compete for donor dollars, so spreading awareness about our work is critical. Q: What have been your biggest successes? A: We have grown exponentially within the past 11 years, from feeding 25 kids at one school in the Waukesha 20
School District to almost 3400 at 42 schools. This year, we brought on a new school, La Casa de Esperanza, where we are feeding all 268 students. Not only are these students getting the nourishment they need to bridge the gap between when they leave school on Friday and when they return on Monday, but this program has many intangible benefits. Along with the meal kits, the kids often receive positive notes of encouragement. These notes and the food let these children know their community cares about them. Q: How can businesses support your organization? A: Hosting a Corporate Packing Event is an excellent way for businesses to get involved with Blessings in a Backpack. At these events, companies can personally pack bags of food for the children who receive food every Friday. These packing events allow companies to engage their employees in giving back to their community while enhancing a company’s social footprint. Another way for companies to support Blessings is by becoming a Corporate School Investor. Through financial support, a company can help ensure that kids at a partnering school are fed for the entire school year. With a partnership like this, there are additional opportunities for employees to volunteer in the school to help distribute the Blessings meal kits and participate in other Blessings-related events. Q: How can individuals get involved with BIAB? A: Blessings in a Backpack would not be able to carry out our mission without the help of our amazing volunteers. Periodically, we host community packing events where we invite volunteers to come and help us pack extra bags of food that go home with our Blessings kids for extended school breaks. There are also opportunities to help on-site at schools and assist with outreach, events, and fundraising. We also invite groups to host food drives that help to defray some of our food costs. Please go to our website to find ways to help! Q: What is one thing you wish the community knew about your organization? A: The goal of the Blessings in a Backpack program is to keep children from going hungry on the weekends and remove barriers to academic success. We believe that ending childhood hunger is possible! Blessings in a Backpack has already made great strides to aid that cause, but we want our impact to grow. With the support of our community, we are confident we can reach that goal for Waukesha County. • APRIL 2024 MAGAZINE 21
Discover new possibilities wctc.edu/ai WCTC is paving the way to the future with Wisconsin’s first comprehensive suite of educational opportunities in artificial intelligence. WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG 22 Thursday, September 12, 2024 4:30 - 8:00 p.m. Brookfield Conference Center www.waukesha.org As the Waukesha County Business Alliance wraps up its 106th year, join us to celebrate the accomplishments of the business community and discuss trends facing businesses in southeast Wisconsin. Hear from Waukesha County business leaders and celebrate our 2024 award winners.
Describe your role in 2 sentences or less. Responsible for overseeing the financial activities of the bank. In addition, play a key role in developing, monitoring, and evaluating overall strategy of the bank with the rest of senior management and our board of directors. What has been your biggest takeaway since starting in your role? The amount of talent, dedication, and skill found among the employees of Ixonia Bank has been truly impressive. I am so honored to be working with each and every one of them. The culture here really is second to none. What is the most important lesson you've learned in your career? Don’t get too comfortable. Challenge yourself even if just a little. You may surprise yourself by what you’re capable of. What is your personal key to success? Surround yourself with good people. Treat others with respect, empathy, and kindness. With a little hard work, everything else falls into place. What’s the first job you ever had? I was a cashier at a local grocery store when the EVP of a local financial institution did not have enough change for her order. I pulled the change out of my store-issued smock and, as they say, the rest is history. I was hired on the spot as a teller at the age of seventeen. What’s your dream job? I have it! I’m enjoying every minute of this job, and the best part is that I get to continue to keep learning and growing whether it’s from learning the business of one of our commercial clients or from our ownership. What book are you currently reading or would you recommend? The book that I’m currently reading is Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge, M.D. It was recommended by one of our board members and while not a business book per se, it reminds people to take the appropriate time to care for themselves. The better you feel, the more productive you will be. What is something unique about you? I studied French at the Sorbonne University in Paris for a summer in college. What is your favorite pastime? Spending every spare minute I have with my family, my husband and two boys – 15 and 11 years old. They are growing up way too fast and we try to do family getaways whenever possible. • ERIKA NOWAK Executive Vice President & CFO Ixonia Bank EXECUTIVE PROFILE APRIL 2024 MAGAZINE 23
Tell us a little bit about yourself. I graduated from Miami University (OH) in May 2020 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration (Marketing) and minors in Global Health Studies and Film Studies. I wanted to earn a degree that would afford me a certain level of job security (Business), while still pursuing my various interest areas. Why/when did you decide to get involved in the trades? I graduated at the start of COVID and was fortunate to find a remote position with an agtech startup that required all three fields of study. But as COVID restrictions became less severe, I realized that I was not thriving remotely and needed to be involved in something more tangible. My family owns a heavy plate fabrication business (Universal Welding & Engineering) and my father had been trying to hire me for years. When I was little, he’d bring home simplified business puzzlers for my sister and me. He’d describe financial and managerial scenarios or sketch out basic engineering drawings and ask us to help solve something for his work. Those puzzlers were a lot of fun. But when I was older, and my dad was trying to hire me, I always turned him down because at that point in my life, I saw manufacturing as many Americans see it – uninteresting. When I told my dad about my lack of fulfillment with remote work, he suggested, yet again, that I work for Universal, with the understanding that it would be a temporary stop on my way to finding a position that better fit my interests. Thankful for a change of pace, I agreed. We had that conversation almost two years ago, and I’m still at Universal today. Why? Because I discovered from day one that manufacturing is anything but boring – it’s fascinating, challenging, and fun! What’s your favorite part about your job? It is thoroughly engaging. Each day is different and chockfull of puzzles to solve! As Project Manager, I help unravel issues and launch new initiatives, like the implementation of our first-ever Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Yesterday, I was mapping out process methods on a whiteboard. Today, I’m training my colleagues on ERP. Tomorrow, I might walk the shop floor with my boss to discuss efficiency changes or redesign our website with our Sales team. I’m part of a driven team, and all of our contributions are meaningful and manifest in real results. What would you say to someone who wants to get involved in the trades? This is for all young people, but especially girls – if you think you are interested in the trades, do not be afraid to give them a shot. I still get raised eyebrows from people when I tell them the kind of work I do, like I have fallen short of their expectations. I don’t let those reactions bother me because I know I have found a field that is the best fit for me. I find my work fulfilling, challenging, and interesting – what more could you want out of a career? Where do you see yourself in the future? One day, I hope to become a business leader in the city and state that I love. To be successful in that, however, I recognize that I need a greater degree of business acumen to improve my ability to lead senior level teams. So, I decided to apply to grad school and was recently accepted to Marquette’s MBA program. I am looking forward to starting classes this summer and putting my developing skills into practice at Universal! • MADISON SAWYER Project Manager, SAK Universal Welding & Engineering, Inc. SPOTLIGHT ON THE TRADES 24 WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG
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The Alliance's Professional Women's Development Network featured a panel of women representing the next generation of female leaders. The Alliance continued to celebrate growth and expansion across Waukesha County. A spcial congratulations to Three Pillars Senior Living Communities on its recent groundbreaking ceremony for The Fields at Three Pillars. The Alliance's newest program, Policy Insights, hosted a local community panel discussion. AROUND THE COUNTY WITH THE ALLIANCE The Alliance hosted its annual Health Care Expo at WCTC, bringing in over 600 students in to explore various careers in healthcare. See what the Alliance was up to over the last few months. Leadership Waukesha County kicked off its spring cohort with a sold-out class of leaders in Waukesha County. The State of Waukesha County spotlighted the opportunity to position Wisconsin as a global leader in personalized medicine, manufacturing, and data sharing. The Alliance continued to bring middle & high school students into the doors of manufacturers through Schools2Skills™. WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG 26
Ace Precision Machinging LLC Oconomowoc ANMAN Design LLC Oconomowoc Asset Control Solutions Hoffman Estates CCB Technology Mount Pleasant Coakley Brothers/Brothers Interiors Milwaukee Cultivate and Thrive Menomonee Falls Everyday Help LLC Big Bend Fisher Barton Waukesha gThankYou, LLC Fitchburg Industrial Associates Waukesha Jump the Curve Consulting LLC Delafield KnotMagic Wauwatosa Mixer Systems Inc Pewaukee Prescient Solutions Schaumburg The Alliance Fitchburg Trilogy Health Group Waukesha WIL-Surge Electric Inc Butler WI LGBT Chamber of Commerce Milwaukee Workplace Investigations Now Waukesha WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! The Alliance is proud to welcome the following companies as new members during the first quarter of 2024: APRIL 2024 MAGAZINE 27 YOUR CONNECTION Whether you’re looking to grow professionally, increase your expertise and leadership or protect the business you’ve built, the WICPA will help you stay connected to the profession and succeed. CONNECTING YOU Become a member and connect with over 7,000 CPAs and accounting and business professionals. } Advocacy } Credibility } Development } Exclusive Savings } Networking } Resources LEARN MORE Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants Tammy Hofstede, WICPA President & CEO
All rights reserved. No part of this guide may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information retrieval system without written permission from the publisher. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. Waukesha County Business Alliance, Inc. cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information presented here or be held accountable for omissions or errors. Please report any changes to the Alliance for inclusion in subsequent editions. © 2024 Waukesha County Business Alliance, Inc. 2717 N. Grandview Blvd, Suite 300, Waukesha, WI 53188 (262) 542-4249 | www.waukesha.org MISSION To drive economic growth in Waukesha County. VISION To make Waukesha County the best place to do business.
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