ACCELERATE WAUKESHA COUNTY July 2022 THE STATE OF WAUKESHA COUNTY 2033: Habitat for Humanity's Vision for the Future Building the Talent Pipeline in Waukesha County MORE INSIDE...
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JULY 2022 MAGAZINE SUZANNE KELLEY President & CEO Waukesha County Business Alliance, Inc. The Alliance continues to evolve to meet the needs of our robust and diverse membership. By doing so, we continually challenge ourselves to ensure our mission, vision and priorities align with those of our 1,200 members. All that we do to drive economic growth in Waukesha County and make our region the best place to live, work and play is supported by four core pillars. And we were recently excited to share that these pillars have evolved to better encompass our efforts. Does the refresh of our pillars seem simple? Absolutely. However, these four words - Advocate, Develop, Engage & Grow, drive the work of our team each and every day. We strive to incorporate them into all that we do and we are excited about the opportunity to continue evolving as an organization. As we celebrate the Alliance's 104th anniversarye look forward to challenging ourselves to be the best we can for the business community. Thank you for joining us on the ride! ADVOCATE • DEVELOP • ENGAGE • GROW LEARN MORE AT MIRON-CONSTRUCTION.COM An equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. At Miron Construction, we are driven by our desire to get involved and extend a helping hand wherever it’s needed. We strive to represent the best of Miron and the best of ourselves wherever we go. Our team members continually find ways to build legacies, creating meaningful connections within the communities we call home. Together, we’re Building Excellence. Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup 3
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ON THE COVER... 6 2033: Habitat for Humanity's Vision for the Future 10 Building the Talent Pipeline in Waukesha County 8 Alliance Welcomes New Board Members 13 SUPERINTENDENT PROFILE Mike Sereno, Superintendent, Oconomowoc Area School District 14 Waukesha County Center for Growth Welcomes New Executive Director 20 FlexRide Demo Day Highlights Services for Prospective Riders 22 SPOTLIGHT ONWORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Husco 24 EXECUTIVE PROFILE John Boyd, PSYD, MHA, Hospital Division CEO, Rogers Behavioral Health 25 Congratulations to the Spring LWC Graduates 26 Around the County 27 Welcome New Members 510 S. WEST AVE | WAUKESHA , WI 53186 | 262 . 522 . 2600 | DELZER . COM DESIGN FULFILL PRINT CONTENTS 18 COVER STORY The State of Waukesha County
WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG Take a moment and remember your childhood home. Maybe there was a rope off the big tree in your backyard that you swung carefree on throughout the summer. Perhaps the smell of dinner wafted throughout the whole house whenever somebody was cooking. Do you remember the feeling of sitting around the table and playing board games with your family or watching the Packers on Sundays in your living room? Can you remember the feeling you had of coming home after a long day at school or from your first job? Now imagine that’s all gone. Instead, imagine a cramped apartment with leaking windows or the backseat of a car. Imagine eating dinner on the kitchen floor or sleeping side-by-side with your parents on a mattress in the living room. This is the silent suffering that more than 25 percent of households inWaukesha County experience. Many of these families are stably employed, working in essential industries like health care or manufacturing. Despite bringing so much toWaukesha County, many families cannot afford to live here. If they do, they pay crippling rent costs or live in inadequate or unsafe environments for their families. Homeownership is a distant dream for them. The number of homes for sale is at a historic low. The rising land, labor, and materials costs make it untenable for developers to build starter homes within the affordable price range of low- to moderate-income families. Additionally, the median home price for a single-family home inWaukesha County is rapidly eclipsing $400,000, while the median household income cannot afford anything above $250,000. Since 1989, Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County has been the leading provider of affordable homeownership in the county. In 2022, we are continuing that legacy. Over the past 33 years, we’ve built 45 homes for deserving families throughout the county, building on average one or two homes a year throughout our history. However, recognizing the urgency of the housing crisis, Habitat Waukesha is rapidly scaling up our efforts. 2033: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY'S VISION FOR THE FUTURE MELISSA SONGCO CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County 6
White Rock Revitalization Beginning with our Prairieville Village project this summer, our goal will be to build more homes per year to serve more families. Prairieville Village will be the site of three duplexes serving six families and marks our largest single project to date. Since 2017, we’ve built or rehabilitated 13 homes along White Rock Avenue, and Prairieville is a continuation of our effort to revitalize an area amicably known as the “Gateway to Downtown.” But Prairieville Village is just the beginning. Aeroshade Workforce Housing Project In early 2023, Habitat will begin construction on a 3.77-acre lot in the Broadway Heights neighborhood of Waukesha: the former site of the century-old Aeroshade factory. Aeroshade will be the site of 16 singlefamily homes and two duplexes, the future new home for 20 families. Our objective is to build six homes a year for three years. The lot has sat vacant since 2017 following the razing of the factory. With the incredible support of JimTarantino the founder, and partner of Capri Communities and its sister firm, Tarantino & Company, we will close on the property in August 2022. We have received generous public funds to help this project move forward. Waukesha County has approved $400,000 in Community Development Block Grant Funds, the HOME Consortium has approved $770,000, and the City of Waukesha has approved $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds toward our projected $8.7 million budget for the Aeroshade project. Thanks to our partnership with theWaukesha County Business Alliance and UnitedWay of Greater Milwaukee andWaukesha County, we applied for Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Programmatic Appropriation Request seeking an additional $1 million in funding. We hope this public support will garner further investment from individuals, businesses and foundations from the Waukesha County community. Partners like RiverGlen Christian Church, Eaton, Shorewest Realtors, Wells Fargo, and Trace-A-Matic have been sustaining donors of our mission for years, and we’re excited to take our giant leap forward side-by-side. Aeroshade is truly a community project; the homes built there will serve as a living monument to what theWaukesha County Community can accomplish together. 2033 But it doesn’t end there. Our eyes are set upon an even grander vision. Imagine 10 years from now. It may be challenging for some. At Habitat Waukesha, the answer is all in the numbers. By 2033, we will be building 20 homes a year and completing 30 repair projects in three communities. That's what 2033 stands for at Habitat. We cannot and will not do it alone. We are incredibly grateful for theWaukesha County Business Alliance’s unwavering support, and we know our partnership will continue to prove vital in reaching our goal of 20-30-3 by 2033. To the business community of Waukesha County, we invite you to join us. Please donate to our cause, sponsor a home at Aeroshade, volunteer at the build site or the ReStore, and advocate for a world where everyone has a decent place to live. •
ALLIANCE WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS The Waukesha County Business Alliance has added four new members to its board of directors: Kate Brewer, president – Greenfield Rehabilitation Agency, Inc.; Tony Mallinger, president & CEO, Metal-Era Inc.; Jim Zaiser, president & CEO, Hydro-Thermal Corp; and ex-officio member Dr. Paul Mielke, superintendent, Hamilton School District. “Each of our newest members has a broad and diverse background and we are thrilled to welcome them to our board of directors,” said Suzanne Kelley, president and CEO of the Waukesha County Business Alliance. “We are grateful for their commitment to our organization and look forward to working with them to make Waukesha County the best place to do business.” • KATE BREWER President, Greenfield Rehabilitation Agency TONY MALLINGER President & CEO, Metal-Era, Inc. JIM ZAISER President & CEO, HydroThermal Corp. DR. PAUL MIELKE Superintendent, Hamilton School District
2022 WICPA GOLF OUTING With nearly 200 golfers, sponsors and volunteers, the WICPA Golf Outing brings together potential customers and a broad base of business professionals in an informal and social atmosphere to make new connections. Sponsorship Opportunities Available! All sponsorships include: Company logo on website, signage at event, recognition in opening remarks and more! For sponsorship opportunities, visit wicpa.org/sponsor or contact Sue Daniels at sue@wicpa.org. FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 Ironwood Golf Course, Sussex
Building the talent pipeline remains as a top priority in Waukesha County and our region. As we reflect on the 20212022 school year, we are proud to report that our business and education partnerships remain strong. The Alliance continues to find ways to connect our K-12 schools with the business community, launch sustainable partnerships and advocate for seamless educational obtainment. The past school year was filled with numerous opportunities to develop our future workforce by connecting businesses and educational institutions through various programming. The following is just a sampling of the programs throughout the school year. Thank you to the business community for opening your doors to the future workforce and to the schools for your continued support of a student’s future. SCHOOLS2SKILLSTM Celebrating 10 years, we are proud to announce that more than 4,000 students have participated in Schools2SkillsTM. Coming out of the pandemic we were able to host 12 Schools2SkillsTM Manufacturing tours with 350 students from nine districts. Students ranged from 8th grade to 12th grade. CAREERS UNCOVEREDTM Concluding its fifth year, we hosted three Careers UncoveredTM which brought 22 educators from 15 districts inside the doors of area businesses. This program gave educators the opportunity to hear from companies representing the largest industries to better understand the growing career pathways in health care, information technology, construction and manufacturing. CONNECTING COUNSELORS The Connecting Counselors program connected K-12 counselors from three schools this spring. This program allows K-12 school counselors and higher education individuals to connect about the many programs/areas of study available to students after high school to meet the current workforce needs. BUILDING THE TALENT PIPELINE IN WAUKESHA COUNTY ROBYN LUDTKE Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives &Workforce 10 WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG
MINI BUSINESS WORLD Together with theWisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Foundation, we hosted over 75 students for MINI Business World inWaukesha County at Waukesha County Technical College. In its third year, this program allows students to interact with other districts and participate in exercises that stress the values of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business ethics. To date, more than 300 high school students have participated in the event. BRIDGING THE GAP We were delighted to wrap up the school year with our annual Bridging the Gap for Waukesha County program. This program hosted over 150 business and school leaders to showcase the innovative business-education partnerships happening within the county, district-wide efforts to support academic and career planning, and regional collaboration among post-secondary institutions. The Alliance remains committed to building strong business/education programming and is delighted to announce that plans are underway for the coming school year. We are excited about bringing back our career expos and offering more tours. If you have interest in learning more about plans for the upcoming school year, please contact the Alliance. • JULY 2022 MAGAZINE 11
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JULY 2022 MAGAZINE 13 Describe your role. My primary responsibility is to collaborate with our Board of Education, our community, and our schools to ensure we can provide a high quality education that prepares students for career, college, and life while providing a strong return on investment for our community. What has been your biggest takeaway since starting with the district? Oconomowoc schools have a rich tradition of excellence, and our community takes great pride in our schools. We have talented educators and leaders in our schools, and our students are achieving amazing things. Our parents are incredibly supportive, and our business community is eager to partner without schools to ensure our community continues to thrive. Oconomowoc is truly an amazing community! What is the most important lesson you've learned in your career? I have been fortunate to work with some amazing leaders during my career, and I have learned a great deal from each of them. The greatest lessons have been about building relationships with stakeholders and developing a culture that values diverse perspectives, is highly collaborative, and maintains a focus on achieving excellence. What is your personal key to success? I have found great value in maximizing the various strengths of our team to inform our most effective path forward as an organization. What’s the first job you ever had? My first job was working for a small landscaping company during high school. The experience reinforced the value of hard work and the satisfaction of completing a job to a customer’s satisfaction. What is your dream job? I just started it! What book are you currently reading or would you recommend? There are several classics that I return to regularly. These include leadership books like Collin’s Good to Great and educational classics like Hattie’s Visible Learning. Most recently I have enjoyed Dan Heath’s Upstream and The Effective Manager by Mark Horstman. What is your favorite pastime? I enjoy spending time with my wife, Kelly, and our four daughters. Our family loves spending time outdoors camping, hiking, and skiing, and at our kids’ various athletic events. • MIKE SERENO Superintendent, Oconomowoc Area School District SUPERINTENDENT PROFILE
WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG TheWaukesha County Center for Growth was excited to welcome Nicole Ryf as the new Executive Director earlier this month. Nicole has extensive experience in business attraction, expansion and project financing in multiple states, including both public and private organizations. Most recently, she served as chief strategy officer with the Hampton Roads Alliance in Norfolk, Virginia, providing strategic leadership and regional economic development support for 14 diverse communities and numerous stakeholders. In addition, Nicole previously held economic development and tourism positions with the Texas Office of the Governor and the City of Evansville, Wisconsin. AWisconsin native and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Nicole is excited to return to her home state to support the growth and expansion of Waukesha County and the region. “We are incredibly excited to welcome Nicole back to Wisconsin,” states Patti Kneiser, President of theWaukesha County Center for Growth Board of Directors. “Nicole’s extensive economic development experience and vast knowledge of business attraction and expansion will be a tremendous asset to not only our municipal partners but to the business community and Waukesha County as a whole.” “Nicole has a strong economic development background and has spent the majority of her career helping businesses and communities grow,” states Suzanne Kelley, President & CEO of theWaukesha County Business Alliance. “The Alliance’s partnership with the Center for Growth provides a coordinated strategy to drive economic growth and we look forward to working alongside Nicole to makeWaukesha County the best place to do business.” Nicole received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. • Headquarters: 262 662.5551 13890 Bishops Dr., Ste. 100 Brookfield, WI 53005 pschwabe.com Design-Build Design-Assist Pre-Construction Construction Remodels National Brand Programs CENTER FOR GROWTH WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NICOLE RYF Executive Director, Waukesha County Center for Growth 14
JULY 2022 MAGAZINE 15 My dad owned a small business so I saw the rewards and struggles firsthand. I think that’s why I really enjoy helping businesses grow to the next level. At First Business Bank, everyone here is part of one team and we work with clients through good times and bad, which I know means a lot to business owners. GREG BLOCK Vice President - Commercial Banking HONORING RELATIONSHIPS firstbusiness.bank Member FDIC The Labor and Employment Section at von Briesen & Roper, s.c. has the depth and knowledge to be the answer for all of your labor and employment issues. We represent employers in all industries including manufacturing, healthcare, financial institutions, schools and governmental entities. vonbriesen.com Milwaukee • Madison • Neenah • Waukesha Green Bay • Chicago • Eau Claire • Employee Benefits • Employment Counseling • Labor Relations • OSHA • Immigration • Wage & Hour • Executive Compensation • Non-Competition • Worker’s Compensation • Supervision & Management Training • Litigation • Armative Action To learn more about how our creative labor and employment solutions can be your workplace peace of mind, please contact Robert Simandl at robert.simandl@vonbriesen.com. Your Workplace Solution.
Waukesha County is known for many things, including being the state’s third largest county, home to 37 municipalities, 77 lakes and over 12,000 employers. A growing county, Waukesha County has consistently gained residents in every census for the last 160 years, with the biggest increases during the 50s and 60s. The county is known for its recreational opportunities – 21,000 acres of public parks, 129 miles of hiking/biking trails, 70 miles of cross-country ski trails and nearly 200 miles of snowmobile trails – as well as great quality of life and high performing schools. It’s also known for its strong manufacturing base, breadth and depth of employment opportunities and low unemployment. Diving a little deeper, following is a look at the current state of Waukesha County. POPULATION INCREASE PRESENTS WORKFORCE CHALLENGES Waukesha County’s population of 409,004 (2021) grew by 10,340 over the last five years and is projected to grow by 10,347 over the next five years. While the growing population demonstrates that the county continues to be headed in the right direction from a growth standpoint, increases (and decreases) in key age brackets point to challenges in the coming years from a workforce perspective. When comparing 2016 population figures to the 2026 population projections, there are some modest increases among many age brackets, and some noticeable changes in certain areas: • Population is expected to decrease 6-8 percent among 10-24 year olds • Population is expected to decrease 23-35 percent among 50-59 year olds • Population is expected to increase 52 percent among 70-74 year olds, 71 percent among 75-79 year olds and 37 percent among 80 to 84 year olds In comparison to the rest of the country, Waukesha County has fewer millennials than the national average, and more people nearing retirement. Our county’s racial diversity is significantly below the national average, and the number of veterans in the county is just slightly below the national average. COVER STORY SUZANNE KELLEY President & CEO Waukesha County Business Alliance, Inc. THE STATE OF WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. 16 WAUKES
JULY 2022 MAGAZINE 17 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME HIGHEST IN WISCONSIN Waukesha County’s strong median household income of $87,300 (2019) is $24,400 above the national median household income of $62,800 and is the highest county median household income in the state. While the median household income is high, a 2018 study of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) in Waukesha County found that 33,000 Waukesha County households earn more than the poverty level, but less than the basic cost of living. In addition, nearly 9,000 families are at the poverty level. This means that about 27 percent of Waukesha County households struggle to live in our county, making safe and affordable housing nearly impossible for some. The rising home prices continue to exacerbate the challenge of homeownership for some. The cost for single-family construction is up 30 percent from two years ago. Wisconsin house prices are up 20 percent from 2019 through 2021; and up 40 percent since 2016. The Waukesha County median home sale price increased from $290,000 in 2018 to $338,000 in 2020. UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS LOW Waukesha County’s unemployment rate (2.4 percent as of April 2022) remains low. Aside from a spike during March 2020 and the months following, Waukesha County has enjoyed a low unemployment rate for several years. In terms of workforce possibility for those individuals currently unemployed in Waukesha County: of the 3,442 individuals in the county who are unemployed, the highest percentage (23.43 percent or 1,306 individuals) is among those between 35-44 years old, closely followed by individuals between 25-34 (22.05 percent or 1,229 individuals). In a gender breakdown, males represent 72.28 percent of the unemployed, more than twice the number of females who are unemployed (1,545 or 27.72 percent). DECLINING LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATES STRAIN ALREADY STRESSED LABOR MARKET Labor force participation is defined as the percentage of the working-age population (16 years and older) that is working or actively looking for work. It’s an important measure from a labor standpoint, as it represents the number of potential employees available for employers. Aside from a slight uptick in 2021, Waukesha County’s labor force participation rate has continued at a steady SHA COUNTY
WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG 18 decline since 2017. In 2017, the county’s labor force participation rate was 69.74 percent and has since dropped to 66.68 percent. “The declining labor force participation rate directly correlates to the aging population. An increase in retirements and a decrease in working age residents has resulted in a steady decline for more than two decades,” said Laura Catherman, Workforce Development Board Director, Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington (WOW) Workforce Development Board. “The number of working age individuals disengaged from the workforce remains low. Other opportunities exist to engage with underutilized talent including veterans, individuals with disabilities, and justice-involved individuals.” Below is the labor force participation rate historical data for the WOW area, which peaked in 1998: WAUKESHA COUNTY GAINS RESIDENTS FROM MILWAUKEE COUNTY AND ILLINOIS In 2019, 7,291 people moved from Milwaukee County to Waukesha County, while 4,553 moved the other way across the county border. With a net of 2,739 new residents, Milwaukee County was the biggest feeder county to Waukesha County. Following Milwaukee County, the next three top counties for positive net migration into Waukesha County were Lake County, Will County and Cook County, all in Illinois. In terms of where Waukesha County loses its residents to, the top destination for net outmigration in 2019 were Washington County, WI, followed by Maricopa County, AZ; Dane County, WI; Dodge County, WI and Lee County, FL. WAUKESHA AND MILWAUKEE COUNTIES TRADE LARGE VOLUME OF DAILY COMMUTERS While Waukesha County brings in nearly 70,000 commuters from Milwaukee County each day, the county sees nearly the same number of individuals who commute to Milwaukee daily. While nearly 140,000 people travel between Waukesha and Milwaukee counties daily, the net is nearly zero for both counties. The biggest net contributor to inbound commuters daily is Washington County, with 13,219 individuals traveling fromWashington County to Waukesha County daily, and only 6,385 traveling the reverse (net is 6,834 inbound daily commuters). Just behindWashington, Waukesha County also has high net commuter numbers from Racine, Jefferson andWalworth counties. WAUKESHA COUNTY LEADS IN MANUFACTURING Waukesha County is a leader in the manufacturing industry, with more than 40,000 manufacturing jobs - twice the national average. Behind manufacturing, our county’s largest industries based on jobs are health care and social assistance, retail trade and construction. Industries in which Waukesha County exceeds the national average in numbers of jobs are manufacturing and construction. Industries in which we fall short of the national average are government, health care,
JULY 2022 MAGAZINE 19 professional services, and accommodation and food services. Looking to the future, the construction industry is the top growing industry in terms of job growth moving forward. The size of Waukesha County businesses is split fairly evenly between those with 1-4 employees (29.4 percent), 5-9 employees (26.8 percent) and 10-19 employees (24 percent). The county has 63 employers with 250-399 employees and 28 with 500+ employees. RESIDENTS ARE HIGHLY EDUCATED, AND BUSINESS/ EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS ARE STRONG In terms of educational attainment, 29.9 percent of Waukesha County residents have a bachelor's degree (9.6 percent above the national average), and 9.7 percent hold an associate's degree (one percent above the national average). While only four percent of the jobs in Waukesha County require a graduate degree or higher, 16 percent of our residents have one. Waukesha County K-12 school districts continue to excel around college, career and life skills. Six Waukesha County districts are among the Top 25 districts in Wisconsin, according to 2022 Niche report, which gathers rankings based on data from the U.S. Department of Education. Waukesha County districts remain committed to careerbased experiences and exposure opportunities for their students to support the county’s talent pipeline strategy. Schools have welcomed partnerships with the business community to align curriculum with the skills needed for the workforce of today and the future. COUNTY HAS A LONG HISTORY OF STRONG FINANCES Waukesha County has Triple-A bond ratings, the highest possible, from both Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings. The rating signifies exceptional creditworthiness and ability to meet financial obligations, which benefits Waukesha County residents by helping lower borrowing costs and keeps the tax rate low. Waukesha County has more than 25 consecutive years of Triple-A bond ratings. “A Triple-A bond rating is extremely hard to earn, yet Waukesha County has maintained it through the pandemic and subsequent inflation,” saidWaukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “This is a testament to our team’s strong budgetary management, which has guided us through challenging times as we look ahead to future investments.” In the report, Moody’s Investors Service highlighted Waukesha County’s “stable financial position supported by strong management and considerable budgetary flexibility.” Moody's also considered the “County’s large, diverse tax base with strong resident income levels and modest leverage and fixed costs.” Fitch Ratings noted that the County’s Triple-A rating “is based on a wealthy and diverse economic base that is likely to demonstrate steady, if slow, continued growth in light of continued commercial and retail development. The county retains substantial untapped taxing capacity and a low longterm liability burden, which, combined with the county's cautious approach to financial management, support the rating at the current level.” WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESSES FOCUS ON THE FUTURE It’s important to understand the state of Waukesha County today to continue a path of economic growth. Capitalizing on assets such as strong business-education partnerships and facing challenges such as an aging demographic head on will allow the business community to shape Waukesha County’s future. For more than a century, the Waukesha County Business Alliance has engaged the public and private sectors toward a common goal of creating prosperity for our communities and residents through a vibrant business climate. As we look to the future, our commitment to driving economic growth through our four pillars – Advocate, Develop, Engage & Grow – remains unwavering. •
WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG In early June, the partners supporting the FlexRide Milwaukee on-demand transportation pilot held a demonstration event, hosted by Employ Milwaukee. At the event, potential riders were able to apply for the service, learn how to use the FlexRide app, and leave able to book rides. They were also able to take a test ride and were connected to job openings at Menomonee Falls/Butler area businesses accessible via FlexRide. FlexRide is a new, convenient, and affordable transportation service that connects Milwaukee neighborhoods with businesses in the Menomonee Falls/Butler area. The pilot is funded by a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation obtained by the University of WisconsinMilwaukee and the SoutheasternWisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Via, a global provider of on-demand mobility solutions, powers the service using a technology platform that provides more flexibility than traditional fixed-route services. Additional project partners include Employ Milwaukee, Waukesha County Business Alliance, Waukesha County Center for Growth, Waukesha-OzaukeeWashingtonWorkforce Development Board, Milwaukee County Transit System, and MobiliSE. The Alliance is proud to be a partner in the program, which works toward one of the Alliance’s 2022 policy priorities: “Support cost-effective, efficient, flexible public and private transportation options to connect employees with jobs in Waukesha County.” The service is available to all Milwaukee residents ages 18 and older who work or want to work in the Menomonee Falls or Butler area. It is accessible to all riders – including residents with disabilities, those without a smartphone, and those without a credit or debit card. Prospective riders can apply to join the pilot and start using the service at www.flexridemke.com. After being approved, eligible riders can download the FlexRide Milwaukee app and create an account. To book a ride, riders enter the pickup and dropoff locations into the app, which tells them where to meet the vehicle and when it arrives. FlexRide operates weekdays from 4:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Since the program launched in February, program partners have worked hard to get the word out to prospective riders and employees. Midway through the pilot, ridership has been climbing at a steady pace in recent weeks, with increases in returning riders and new riders. FLEXRIDE DEMO DAY HIGHLIGHTS SERVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE RIDERS AMANDA PAYNE Senior Vice President, Public Policy, Waukesha County Business Alliance, Inc. 20
APRIL 2021 MAGAZINE 21 WIDE OPEN SPACES INDOOR & OUTDOOR OPTIONS 262.547.0201 • 2810 Golf Road, Pewaukee, WI 53072 theinglesidehotel.com • 194 guest rooms and suites • 40,000 sq. ft. of exible meeting space • 40 acres of outdoor space available for all types of events • Conveniently located o I-94 between Milwaukee and Madison “We’re such a huge supporter of this program. As part of the community, as an employer, we really need to engage in breaking down some of the barriers that prevent access to job opportunities and financial growth,” said Craig Armstrong, president of Scan-Pac Manufacturing. Scan-Pac, an Alliance member, is located in Menomonee Falls and Armstrong said in recent years, the organization has experienced some significant challenges not only for attracting new employees, but also when employees run into transportation challenges. “We’ve seen employees showing up for work two hours early because that’s the only time they can get a friend or a family member to give them a ride. Similarly, they’ve had to wait that long after they finished their shift. We’ve paid for Ubers, we’ve paid for taxis. But we really see the FlexRide Milwaukee program is a huge step forward in offering alternative solutions not only for new employees coming into our organization, but as a backup transportation opportunity,”Armstrong said. “We’ve always known it’s going to take innovation and regional collaboration to solve the problem of the last mile. We hear from our employers inWaukesha County there are a lot of jobs they are having trouble filling and we’re hopeful we can partner with individuals in the City of Milwaukee who might be looking for jobs. Transportation is just one piece of that puzzle,” said Allison Bussler, Waukesha County director of public works. •
WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG SPOTLIGHT ON WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Waukesha based manufacturer Husco International recently partnered with Manpower and Lutheran Social Services to increase its workforce by employing Afghan refugees who were evacuated from Afghanistan last year. In a brief interview with Husco's VP of Global Human Capital Management, Angela Stemo, the Alliance learned more about the refugee hiring process and Husco's learnings along the way. Q: What’s working? A: Currently we have 35 Afghanis working at Husco through Manpower as temporary labor who will be converting to full time Husco employees after completing 4-6 months of work. We are working through cultural and religious differences including language barriers (writing and reading), US/Midwest cultural norms, and general onboarding and employee expectations that Husco has of anyone working for us. Q: What have you learned through the process? A: A lot! We have learned that Afghanis read from right to left, how to communicate and direct individuals through translation devices, about support fromManpower, and other employees who speak both languages. We have learned a lot about this culture and about ourselves. It is gratifying to see how our staff works through the many challenges associated with training and working with individuals who do not speak the same language. It is an awesome thing to see how this group works with our current full-time staff, how eager they are to work and do a great job and how they are as motivated and working toward the same goals as everyone else in the business. Q: Why are you doing what you're doing? A: Beyond being a good corporate citizen and helping others in need, we are exploring multiple resources to increase our workforce in a very tight labor market. Providing work for newly immigrated people into the U.S. is something Husco has done in the past with people from Burma. HUSCO TACKLES WORKFORCE CHALLENGES 22
23 As your local bank, we’re proud to serve the people, businesses, and organizations that work diligently to make our county the best it can be. We’ve been in Waukesha County for 24 years, and we’re proud to have five convenient locations here. Further, we’re committed to offering the expertise, resources, and solutions you need to succeed. When you combine the best local knowledge with the security of a strong bank, it’s a winning combination. PARTNER WITH WAUKESHA COUNTY’S BANK FOR BUSINESS™ MEET THE TEAM: townbank.us/yourpartnerships See More Of Our Recent Wins! $50,000,000 Working Capital Financing | Medical Distributor $13,000,000 Working Capital Financing | Manufacturer $7,500,000 Construction Financing | Equipment Dealership $4,200,000 Equipment Financing | Manufacturer GRIFFIN PROCHNOW SVP, Business Banking gprochnow@townbank.us 262-966-7714 PAUL SCHLEICHER Assistant VP, Business Banking pschleicher@townbank.us 262-369-4224 CRYSTAL KENITZER NMLS # 472263 SVP, Private Client ckenitzer@townbank.us 262-369-4229 PEGGY ARMSTRONG Group EVP, Private Client parmstrong@townbank.us 262-369-8804 Securities, insurance products, financial planning, and investment management services offered through Wintrust Investments, LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC), founded in 1931. Trust and asset management services offered by The Chicago Trust Company, N.A. and Great Lakes Advisors, LLC, respectively. Investment products such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are: NOT FDIC INSURED | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT A DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY COURTNEY BRODERICK Vice President Treasury Management cbroderick@townbank.us 414-255-1013
EXECUTIVE PROFILE Describe your company. Based inWisconsin since 1907, Rogers Behavioral Health is a private, not-for-profit provider of behavioral health services and is nationally recognized for its specialized psychiatry and addiction services. Anchored by the main campus in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Rogers offers evidence-based treatment for adults, children, and adolescents with depression and other mood disorders, eating disorders, addiction, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In Southeast Wisconsin, Rogers operates three inpatient behavioral health hospitals and 15 residential programs with 290 beds. Eight outpatient centers inWisconsin offer day-long treatment in Brown Deer, Oconomowoc, West Allis, Kenosha, Madison, Appleton, and Sheboygan, the latter of which also offers an onsite supportive living option. Learn more at rogersbh.org and Rogers Facts. You can read about Rogers’ clinical approach and outcomes at rogersbh. org/why-choose-us. What has been your company's biggest challenge? There is a significant and growing need for mental health and addiction treatment for children, teens, adults and families right now. Expanding access to care during an unprecedented national workforce shortage continues to be extremely challenging. In addition, the pandemic has exacerbated the risk of health care worker burnout, which is at an all-time high, according to a recently released report by the U.S. Surgeon General. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career? Teammates can surprise you every day with their care for each other along with their talents and expertise. I’ve learned to always look for those people who go above and beyond in how they relate to others. When I observe it happening, it’s an opportunity to recognize them because in makes all the difference in our workplace culture. What’s the first job you ever had? Foster Freeze cashier and cook. What is your dream job? The one I have now. It’s a privilege to lead in an organization with more than a century of providing evidence-based treatment to those in crisis. What book are you currently reading or would you recommend? Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. What is something unique about you? I am a certified scuba diver. What is your favorite pastime? It’s a tie between hiking in Yosemite National Park and hanging out with family and Bennett and Cooper, two wonderful golden retrievers. • JOHN BOYD, PSYD, MHA Hospital Division CEO, Rogers Behavioral Health WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG 24
25 Melissa Barnes Fairchild Equipment Amanda Basso Shurtz Ascension WI Dena Constantineau Waukesha County Technical College Steve Ebling Corporate Contractors Inc Ashley Eilenfeldt ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital Ernie Garza Lemberg Electric Lauren Gilbertson Herzing University Christopher Habjan Wintrust Wealth Management Jacky Hansen EmbedTek LLC Brett Helwig Bevco Engineering Company, Inc. Cassidy Huppertz ProHealth Medical Group Rob Kandetzke MetalTek International Colin Lancaster R&R Insurance Services, Inc. Luis Mendoza Duffek Construction LLC TimMueller Bevco Engineering Company, Inc. Sara Mysker Denali Ingredients LLC Greg Pease KLH Industries, Inc. Devon Pittman Wangard Partners, Inc. Hunter Reuteman Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. Joelle Rothen The Boldt Company Humberto Sanchez VJS Construction Services Melissa Scheid-Grosjean Bank Five Nine Tina Sergent Health Payment Systems StevenStaab Carroll University Wendy Thorgersen Lemberg Electric DuaVang-Ramirez Variety - The Children's Charity of Wisconsin ShelleeVue Waukesha County Technical College CarolineWinternheimer Denali Ingredients LLC Rob Zychowski Implecho CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SPRING 2022 LEADERSHIP WAUKESHA COUNTY GRADUATES THANK YOU TO OUR LEADERSHIP WAUKESHA COUNTY SPONSORS JULY 2022 MAGAZINE
The spring cohort of Leadership Waukesha County concluded with participant presentations at Ruekert & Mielke. The Alliance-supported FlexRide programwas among those named as Workforce Innovation Grant recipients. Close to 200 members attended the Alliance's annual Bridging the Gap program hosted at The Sheraton Hotel. Students frommultiple districts across Waukesha County participated in Schools2Skills tours this spring. AROUND THE COUNTY WITH THE ALLIANCE The Alliance attended a roundtable for The Joseph Project with U.S. Senator Ron Johnson and Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and past Governor of South Carolina. See what the Alliance was up to over the last fewmonths. The Alliance toured Habitat for Humanity's Aeroshade site with representatives from U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin's office and United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County. One-on-One With Public Officials featured local mayors and village presidents. WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG 26
Accelerate Indoor Speedway Waukesha Agora Learning & Consulting Brookfield Agrace Oconomowoc Dykema Gossett PLLC Milwaukee Housing Action Coalition of Waukesha County, Inc. Waukesha MSI Surfaces Pewaukee Pepper Construction of Wisconsin Milwaukee RJLWeb Marketing Waukesha Rogers Behavioral Health Oconomowoc SA Solano LLC Sussex Smart Asset Realty Waukesha Spectrum Business Milwaukee Steadfast Social Media New Berlin The Prestwick Group, Inc. Sussex TL Fabricating Hartland USA Insulation of Waukesha Waukesha Waters Industrial Brookfield WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! The Alliance is proud to welcome the following companies as new members during the second quarter of 2022: JULY 2022 MAGAZINE 27 WCTC offers innovative choices to keep your team on the cutting edge, with thousands of training courses in more than 150 areas of study. Learn on the latest technology in our state-of-the-art training labs. Invest in hands-on training taught by experts with decades of industry experience. Gain real-world skills you can put to work immediately. Partner with us! Learn more at wctc.edu/business-services Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer/Educator TECHNOLOGY KEEPS EVOLVING. Your company should too.
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. © 2022 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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