ACCELERATE WAUKESHA COUNTY Waukesha County Business Alliance ADVOCATE DEVELOP ENGAGE GROW July 2024 ALLIANCE APPOINTS AMANDA PAYNE AS PRESIDENT & CEO
CRUSHING NORMS CREATING VISIONARIES WCTC is embarking on an exciting journey of transformation. We are venturing into uncharted territory, boldly challenging technical college norms to create an entirely new learning experience. Our aim is to revolutionize education while driving positive change in the communities we serve in Southeast Wisconsin and beyond. THIS IS THE FUTURE OF HIGHER ED wctc.edu/unrivaled
JULY 2024 MAGAZINE AMANDA PAYNE President & CEO Waukesha County Business Alliance, Inc. I am excited to officially step into the role of President & CEO at the Waukesha County Business Alliance. For the last decade, I have had the privilege of serving the Waukesha County business community through my work at the Alliance. I am passionate about our mission. I believe in the positive power of business and I am committed to Waukesha County. The work of the Alliance is energizing, and I am thrilled and honored to lead this organization and our talented team. For more than 106 years, the Alliance has served as a voice for the business community, and I look forward to building on that strong foundation with continued growth for the organization as a regional leader. Our purpose is clear – to make Waukesha County the best place to do business. We will remain focused on our strategic priorities in the coming year: advocating for pro-business public policies; supporting key industries; growing the county and regional economy; addressing the workforce issues and providing professional development, leadership and engagement opportunities for our members. Working in partnership with the Waukesha County Center for Growth, we will continue to make Waukesha County a premier destination to live, work and play. In the coming year, I look forward to continuing to engage with our members to understand the most pressing challenges facing their businesses and how the Alliance can help address them. Just as we’ve done for the last 100+ years, our organization remains rooted in its mission, while constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of business. Warm regards, ROOTED IN OUR MISSION 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 23 Carroll University 4 Delzer Lithograph 21 First Business Bank 27 HPS/Paymedix 10 Northwoods 9 R&R Insurance Services 15 The Ingleside Hotel 24 Town Bank 2 Waukesha County Technical College 29 WICPA 3 Amanda Payne: Rooted in Our Mission 6 Alliance Welcomes New Board Members 13 Congratulations to the Spring Leadership Waukesha County Graduates 14 Emerging Leaders of Waukesha County 16 Waukesha County Award Winners 18 New Faces of the Waukesha County Board of Supervisors 20 Waukesha Country Grow Fund Supports Economic Growth 22 NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT: Community Smiles Dental 25 EXECUTIVE PROFILE: Will Neitzel, Waukesha County Business Alliance 26 NEW FACE IN MANUFACTURING: Rob Ewing, CEO, Wenthe-Davidson Manufacturing 28 Around the County 29 Welcome New Members CONTENTS JULY 2024 MAGAZINE 5 8 ALLIANCE APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT & CEO
usiness ADVOCATE DEVELOP WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG ALLIANCE WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS Waukesha usiness ADVOCATE DEVELOP ROB DILLON OwnersEdge Rob Dillon is the CEO of OwnersEdge. Dillon leads all five OwnersEdge operating companies that are all at different growth stages. He has a unique background that allows him to seamlessly navigate the diverse markets that they compete in. After 12 years of working with 13 of the largest Fortune 200 companies in the world, he opened and ran his own company, Communications Service Wisconsin (CSW), for five years. CSW was acquired by OwnersEdge in 2017, where Rob was brought into the ESOP environment as executive vice president, and then president of BAYCOM. He couples his expertise in producing bottom-line results with a commitment to talent development. He has trained and mentored several mid-level managers who have grown to become highly skilled executive leaders over the years. ANDY GUTIERREZ ProHealth Care As CFO of ProHealth Care, Andy Gutierrez is responsible for overseeing financial operations. He came to ProHealth Care with 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry holding titles as auditor, director of accounting, and assistant controller. Gutierrez is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts and of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. He has served on several boards of local not-for-profit groups including La Casa de Esperanza, the National Alliance of Mental Health Southeast Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition. He has trained and mentored several mid-level managers who have grown to become highly skilled executive leaders over the years. REBECCA HOLAPPA Quad Rebecca Holappa, plant director, has been with Quad for 20 years. Holappa spent the first decade of her Quad career supporting Prepress, working with some of the company’s biggest clients. Beginning as an Imaging Service Representative, she advanced through the department over the years, taking on the role of Prepress Business Area Manager in 2012. Over the last decade, she has been a part of the Continuous Improvement team, focusing her efforts on manufacturing teams, training and developing employees, and serving clients in the most effective ways possible. She has been instrumental to Quad’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy, helping start the new QuadMKE recruitment and training hub, as well as working on the DEI Task Force. 6
Allianc ENGAGE GROW JULY 2024 MAGAZINE 7 a County Allianc ENGAGE GROW JIM SEBERT School District of Waukesha Jim Sebert serves as superintendent for the School District of Waukesha where he leverages over two decades of educational leadership experience. The School District of Waukesha is the seventh largest school district in Wisconsin, serving over 12,000 students in seven municipalities. Prior to joining the School District of Waukesha, Sebert served as the superintendent of the Fond du Lac School District. Sebert is a Fond du Lac native earning his bachelor's degree at Marian College, and his doctorate at Edgewood College in Madison. KATHLEEN WARD Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems As the senior director of human resources at Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems, Kathleen Ward is charged with overseeing talent acquisition, succession planning, organization development, leadership development, performance management, workforce planning, employee and labor relations, mentoring and process improvement. Ward has immense experience across several manufacturing industries. Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems has 1,400 employees across four states. TIM STEWART DeWitt LLP Law Firm Tim Stewart is president & managing partner of DeWitt and currently chairs the Alliance’s Policy Board. In addition to guiding DeWitt, he has an active practice guiding clients through employee benefits (ERISA) and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPS). From his office in Milwaukee, Stewart also helps businesses around the United States establish and maintain ESOPS. In addition, Stewart is the co-author of the DeWitt ESOP. He has trained and mentored several mid-level managers who have grown to become highly skilled executive leaders over the years. KATHRYN PAULSON Milwaukee Tool Kathryn Paulson has a strong background in Talent Acquisition, with experience in both RPO and consulting roles. Currently serving as the Director of Talent Acquisition at Milwaukee Tool, Paulson is responsible for recruiting teams nationwide for various positions. Her leadership abilities have contributed to a more positive hiring process for prospective employees at Milwaukee Tool.
Amanda Payne has officially stepped into the role of President & CEO at the Waukesha County Business Alliance. Payne succeeds Suzanne Kelley who retired from the Alliance last month after 14 years. Payne's succession represents a planned, seamless transition in leadership, ensuring continuity and continued success for the Alliance and its members. Her strategic vision and dedication to serving the business community position her as an ideal leader to drive the Alliance forward. Payne joined the Alliance in 2013 and has a strong background in manufacturing and public policy. She has been actively involved in leading the Alliance’s marketing, membership, sponsorship, manufacturing, talent and lobbying efforts. Payne is known as a regional leader in advocating for the business community, fostering strong relationships with businesses, and driving business growth. In her 10+ years at the Alliance, Payne has played a key role in transforming the Alliance’s advocacy work, getting local business leaders engaged in the public policy process and ensuring the voice of business is heard on critical issues. Payne currently leads the Manufacturing Alliance of Southeast Wisconsin and oversees the Alliance’s Economic Development Policy Committee, Infrastructure Policy Committee, and Policy Board. In the coming year, Payne looks forward to continuing to engage with members to understand the most pressing challenges facing their businesses and how the Alliance can help address them. Just as the Alliance has done for the ALLIANCE APPOINTS AMANDA PAYNE AS PRESIDENT & CEO COVER STORY
last 100+ years, the organization remains rooted in its mission, while constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of business. For many years, the Alliance worked to address the workforce shortages plaguing businesses. Through its collaborative business & education programming, the Alliance has worked to develop the future workforce by connecting K-12 and post-secondary institutions with businesses in order to expose students to all the career opportunities in Waukesha County and the region. Looking forward, the Alliance will continue to offer a robust business & education program calendar to meet increasing demand for these programs. Technology, AI and automation are top of mind for business leaders and will be key priorities for the Alliance in the coming year. Through the Manufacturing Alliance of Southeastern Wisconsin, the organization has worked to connect manufacturers with each other to share best practices, and with the resources they need to continue growing here in Wisconsin. The Manufacturing Alliance continues to focus on automation as a key priority – it’s critical that manufacturers continue on the path of technology adoption, automation and AI to mitigate the workforce challenge, increase productivity and compete globally. Payne is a Wisconsin native and received her bachelor’s degree from Butler University. She was recognized as 40 Under 40 award winner by the Milwaukee Business Journal and “People to Know in Manufacturing.” She and her husband live in Waukesha with their three boys. • we know. Do you know the financial impact your insurance broker is having on your business? If your insurance broker is not helping your bottom line, it may be time to make a change. At R&R Insurance, we serve as your trusted business advisor. We provide leading industry insights, market trends and benchmarking tools so you can make informed, data drive decisions, and run your businesses more efficiently. Our custom designed approaches to commercial insurance and employee benefits will improve your productivity and reduce absenteeism which means growth and profitability for you. And our specialized insurance products will protect your assets and income. As a Business Insurance Top 100 Agency, an owner in the Assurex Global Network, and one of the largest independent and family owned agencies in the region, we work with thousands of businesses in Wisconsin, the U.S. and all over the world. MyKnowledgeBroker.com
“Congratulations to Amanda Payne on being named the new President & CEO of the Waukesha County Business Alliance! She was instrumental in garnering business support for our Domenica Park subdivision. Amanda's vision and commitment to our community will undoubtedly lead to continued growth and success for Waukesha County." - Melissa Songco, CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha & Jefferson Counties "Amanda is a valued partner and collaborator to WCTC and the business community in Waukesha County. Her passion, determination and leadership will guide the Waukesha County Business Alliance into its next chapter of success. I couldn’t be more excited for her new journey.” - Rich Barnhouse, President, Waukesha County Technical College "Amanda has consistently championed the interests of businesses in Waukesha County. Her leadership assures us that she will remain a steadfast advocate, fostering growth and prosperity throughout the County." - Paul Farrow, Waukesha County Executive “Amanda’s capacity to unite shines through in every interaction she is a part of, and I applaud the WCBA for their choice in Amanda to lead the WCBA into this next chapter of success. Her ability to foster and inspire collaboration drives results for our community for which we are all grateful”. - Andy Kolokoski, President, Wisconsin Metal Parts COVER STORY CONT. “We are thrilled Amanda is taking over the helm and look forward to continuing our collaboration in fostering economic growth in the county, which has reverberating effects throughout the region. Her enthusiasm for her community is unmatched, and we are excited about the future.”. - Rebecca Gries, Sr Vice President, Milwaukee 7 Regional Partnership
Leadership Waukesha County Leadership Waukesha County has been a premier leadership development program for more than 30 years. The robust program provides the tools, processes and inspiration necessary to develop and enhance leadership skills that empower participants to assume effective leadership roles in the community and their careers. Each class is facilitated by an experienced professional who leads the group through leadership development, discussions, book reviews and more. Participants Gain • Enhanced leadership skills and personal effectiveness • The chance to work with, and learn from, other business professionals and experienced leadership facilitators • A broadened understanding of business issues at the local, regional and statewide level • The creation of a personal Professional Development Plan Employers Gain • Leaders prepared to move their organization forward • Employees connected to a diverse network of dynamic leaders • Staff energized and motivated to apply program information to organizational situations • Individuals with knowledge to address a variety of challenges with a well-grounded sense of local, regional and statewide issues Investment As a premier professional development opportunity, participation requires a reasonable monetary and time investment. The 10-session program meets every other week for a two hour facilitated discussion. If you would like to learn more about commitment of this course, please call the Alliance at (262) 542-4249. Register here for the next session! SPONSORS
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT | ARROWHEAD UNION HIGH SCHOOL JULY 2024 MAGAZINE 13 Brad Bacon Sentry Equipment Corp Matt Beckwith DreamPak LLC Catherine Best SHARP Literacy, Inc. Colin Carr Bevco Engineering Company, Inc. Todd Czubakowski Berghammer Construction Corporation Sarah Drotzur Waukesha County Technical College Kristi Farmer Waukesha County Technical College Bryce Fassbender Eaton Corporation Kaylan Gaines Waukesha County Technical College Brian Griebl VJS Construction Services Jake Grimes Eaton Corporation Alec Hartsuiker Sport Court WI Jake Homulos Schaefer Brush Manufacturing LLC Bill Jones CLA Justin Klieve Rukert & Mielke, Inc. Nathan Klug Husco International Emily LaVine CentroMotion Thone Lovan Bevco Engineering Company, Inc. Christian Matson-Alvirez CentroMotion George Medrano Jones Logistics Todd Moering Berghammer Construction Corporation Lexi Podjasek-Inzunza Waukesha County Business Alliance Marco Porcelli CC&N Shaun Relken Innovative Signs, Inc. Matt Rosch Duffek Construction LLC Allie Schroeder Xiogenix Hannah Scorsone University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Tamela Smith SHARP Literacy, Inc. Steve Styza Cushman & Wakefield | Boerke Brooke Voss Ixonia Bank Cale Wyse Equipment Depot Wisconsin, Inc. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SPRING 2024 LEADERSHIP WAUKESHA COUNTY GRADUATES
A Legacy of Reflecting on Suzanne Kelley's 14 transformative years with the Waukesha County Business Alliance. HOLLY BREIEN CFO, Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. Holly began her career with a regional CPA firm where she spent 15 years providing a variety of audit and assurance services to a wide range of clients. In 2021, Holly transitioned into the civil engineering industry when she joined Ruekert & Meilke, Inc. as their Chief Financial Officer. Holly is responsible for a wide range of financial duties, including financial reporting and compliance, financial planning and strategy, treasury and risk management, and strategic initiatives. Holly also oversees the human resource department, and serves as an Executive Team Member, Team Leader, and Corporate Secretary. Holly is committed to fostering a supportive work environment. Beyond her professional achievements, Holly is active in her community, having served as a member of the Young Wish Makers of Wisconsin for Make-A-Wish, treasurer for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, treasurer for her kids’ school Parent Teacher Organization, and as a Sunday School teacher at St. John’s Lutheran Church. DAN GITTO Director of Operations, TopLine Results Corporation Dan has been an outstanding contributor in his roles by taking initiative and leading the way. He has the mentality of a servant leader with compassion, integrity and humility sitting high on his list of character traits. During his time at Cru Global, Dan and his wife raised $100K in funds to support their year-long assignment in Perth, Australia where they established student organizations and mentored students on two campuses. He is a learner and has no problem finding resources to advance his continuous learning. With a strong heart for community and helping others, Dan spends his free time with the well-being of others in mind. He volunteers often at his church, where him and his wife lead a small group for married couples. Dan volunteers with children who are dealing with relational trauma, and his compassion has been instrumental in the development of his campers. He is actively involved with various local businesses, one of which is Marquette University where he participates in mock interviews for students. KATIE MALNIGHT COO, Engauge Workforce Solutions Katie started her career at several large international manufacturing organizations primarily focused on talent acquisition, employee engagement/training/retention, continuous improvement, and safety. She joined Engauge Workforce Solutions in 2017 as a Workforce Engagement Consultant and helped them start Rely Contract Manufacturing in 2020. Katie is extremely passionate about expanding the employment opportunities for underserved populations including individuals with diverse abilities and non-English speaking refugees. She works heavily with local manufacturers to design and expand programs that reduce the barriers these individuals face when it comes to obtaining and retaining employment. She has also helped Rely create fully integrated workforce development programs that prepare these individuals for careers in manufacturing and distribution. STEVE STYZA Real Estate Advisor, Cushman & Wakefield | Boerke Steve's upbringing immersed him in a family environment deeply rooted in real estate expertise, where he gained valuable insight and experiences in the successful development of multifamily and residential subdivision projects across Southeast Wisconsin. Within his own 2024 EMERGING LEADERS OF WAUKESHA COUNTY The Emerging Leaders of Waukesha County award honors young professionals who live or work in Waukesha County and are creating and inspiring a better vision for the future. These leaders are taking strides to further themselves personally and professionally by showing initiative, determination and commitment. Congratulations to our 2024 Emerging Leaders! WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. 14
practice in industrial brokerage, sales, and leasing, Steve has established himself as an experienced expert in the commercial real estate industry, winning Deal of the Year in 2019. His specialization extends to manufacturing, land acquisition and disposition, investment sales, and value-add transactions. He has a passion for extracting maximum value for his clients with relentless dedication. In 2024, Steve was elected Waukesha County Supervisor. SCOTT WENDT Vice President/Project Executive, Hunzinger Construction Company Scott started at Hunzinger as an Engineering Co-Op while in college. He began full-time as a project engineer over 20 years ago and has grown into a leadership position over that time. As a Project Executive, Scott has become a mentor to rising construction professionals, bringing a dedication and deep understanding of the construction business to his work. He has a positive influence on employees and sets a great example of a realistic worklife balance, always finding time for his three active schoolage children and wife. Scott has many long-term clients and has worked on dozens of projects for The Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club and Milwaukee Admirals, high tech manufacturers like Zund America, Inc., GEA, and GE Healthcare. At his core, Scott is a builder others know they can trust his expertise and counsel as accurate and true. He utilizes the full strength of Hunzinger Construction Company to make sure projects get done on time and within budget. 262.547.0201 • 2810 Golf Road, Pewaukee, WI 53072 theinglesidehotel.com Waukesha County Business Alliance $109 Weekday Special Rate This special rate is available to Waukesha County Business Alliance members from now until December 30, 2024. Includes: • Premier Guest Room • Your choice of breakfast entrée and non-alcoholic beverage OR two drinks (Rail Cocktail, Beer or Soda). Simply book a room online and click “Add Code”, select “Rate Access/Corporate Code” and enter the partner code WCBA109. Available Sunday - Thursday. Blackout dates apply. Waived resort fee. Based on single occupancy.
Small Business of the Year Founded by Mike Duffek in 2017, Duffek Construction is one of Wisconsin’s fastest-growing commercial general contracting firms. With a humble, honest and hardworking approach, the Duffek team understands that a project is more than the physical space it builds. Duffek is passionate about building projects that make a difference in the lives of people, customers and communities. A drive and passion to build with and for people has led to partnerships with dozens of Waukesha County small businesses and non-profits. Duffek is proud to have the opportunity to help make Waukesha County a better place. Large Business of the Year Founded in 1992, Capri Communities has grown into one of Wisconsin’s most progressive and innovative senior living management companies. The founder, James Tarantino, was a recognized leader in Waukesha, in the greater Milwaukee area, and within the senior living industry. With unprecedented revenue growth over the last several years, Capri is recognized as a resident-centric senior living partner and home to over 3,000 people 55 and older. Medium Business of the Year Citizens Bank serves nine communities with 12 offices, 10 of which are located in Waukesha County. Citizens Bank is a true, independent community bank, where all decisions are made locally with an eye on what is best for their customers and their futures. The vision of Citizens Bank is to build meaningful relationships with people, businesses, and communities to help on their journey to financial well-being. They are constantly searching for ways to do business better. In recent years, they have developed a suite of products and services especially for local municipalities and school districts, and are continuing work in assisting local schools to improve their personal finance education. 2024 WAUKESHA COUNTY AWARD WINNERS In partnership with Waukesha County and the Waukesha County Center for Growth, the Waukesha County Awards recognize top-performing businesses and nonprofits who have a significant presence in Waukesha County and are making our community a great place to work, play and live. Congratulations to our 2024 winners!
Don Richards Leadership Award Winner: Suzanne Kelley After 14 years of transformative leadership, Suzanne Kelley retired from the Waukesha County Business Alliance in June of 2024. Kelley joined the Alliance in September 2009 when it was known as the Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce. Within a year, she led the Chamber to merge with the Waukesha County Action Network to create the Alliance. Under her leadership, the Alliance launched multiple employer collaboratives, and 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. With a background in government affairs, she led the Alliance to increase its advocacy efforts 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 and enhanced technical education funding. She was also influential in enacting the state’s manufacturing and agricultural tax credits, pushing for affordable workforce housing, and supporting innovative transportation solutions. Nonprofit of the Year Hebron Housing Services has been providing emergency shelter services for 42 years, making it the oldest and largest non-profit in Waukesha County. They have been at the forefront of promoting health, safety, and quality of life for individuals facing homelessness. The various programs and initiatives in place have provided safe and affordable housing options for vulnerable populations, ensuring access to essential services that contribute to overall well-being. Hebron’s commitment to maintaining high standards of safety within its housing facilities has had a positive impact on the quality of life of its guests. DON RICHARDS LEADERSHIP AWARD & ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR Advocate of the Year: Jeff Hoffman Jeff is a Principal at Cushman & Wakefield | Boerke and co-chair of the Industrial Services Practice. Jeff pursues his passion for learning the nuances of public policy as it relates to advancing economic development. Jeff has served on multiple business trade association boards and has been a member of a legislative task force that reviewed property tax assessment law. On the task force, he helped design (with WRA & NAIOP) a shovel-ready site bill for workforce housing. In 2022, Jeff was named to the Waukesha County Center for Growth Board of Directors which is tasked with growing the economy of Waukesha County, an economic growth engine for Wisconsin. In 2022 Jeff also published his first book “Industrial is What We Do.” which serves as a roadmap for the continued growth of the Wisconsin economy through the next decade. JULY 2024 MAGAZINE 17
WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG JAMES HEINRICH County Board Chair How do you plan to lead the County Board? It was an honor being selected Chair by my fellow board members this past spring. I have served on the County Board since 2007 and spent the last 10 years as Finance Committee chair. I relished that role because it fit in perfectly with my background as a Certified Public Accountant. I have found the key to Waukesha County’s success is our ability to adhere to our conservative budgeting policies, and I intend to maintain that. The County Board serves as the voice of the people in our government process. As Chairman, I want to build relationships with community members to make sure their voices are being heard as the board deliberates. Please feel free to reach out to me so we can build a strong collaborative relationship with the business community and the County Board. Additionally, I want to foster productive discussion and debate among the County Board Supervisors. There will be many crucial debates happening this term and I want to make sure the board is focused on long-term strategic thinking as we deliberate. What issues do you think the County is facing? A major concern is funding county programs to assure the quality of services our residents expect. Wisconsin State Legislature has significantly limited the amount of tax the county is allowed to levy. The amount our budget can increase each year is significantly less than inflation and cost-to-continue for existing services. Additionally, greater than 40% of our budget consists of unfunded mandates. These fiscal restraints put a significant burden on the budgeting process. The County Executive hired a consultant to gather public input and provide direction for future county budgets. The Budget Task Force will provide recommendations on what might be done in the next 5-10 years when budgets are being developed by the County Executive and the County Board to maintain the quality expectations of our residents. WAYNE EUCLIDE District 2 Why did you decide to run for County Board? I decided to run for Waukesha County District 2 (Town of Oconomowoc, Villages of Summit, Lac La Belle, Oconomowoc Lake and Wards 9&12 of City of Oconomowoc) supervisor at the urging of residents and municipal leaders of the district, who desired more proactive, locally engaged representation. I wanted to improve the engagement, communication, and collaboration between the civic, lake management and business leadership of the district with the county board and the supervisor position. I would like to use my experience on the Town of Oconomowoc Plan Commission, community volunteer boards and my years of successful management and leadership experience at GE Healthcare to better serve the residents of the district, while working for a smaller, smarter county government. What are you hoping to accomplish during your time on the County Board? I am already working to improve the engagement, communication, and collaboration between the civic, lake management and business leadership of the district with the county board and the supervisor position. I am proactively out in our district – attending civic, board, lake management and volunteer meetings - listening and looking for areas where the county can help the local municipalities and communities. I want district residents to know who their county supervisor is and for them to feel comfortable with reaching out to me with questions and concerns – government of the people, by the people, for the people! I plan to use my business leadership experience to bring what might be a different perspective to county government to: 1) seek increased or new revenue streams and community development, 2) help keep taxes low, while getting the best value for the tax money spent, 3) always strive for measurable productivity and efficiency improvements for county administration and operations and 4) promote economic development, while maintaining the Lake Country quality of life and preserving farmland, nature areas and lakes. NEW FACES OF THE WAUKESHA COUNTY BOARD 18
JULY 2024 MAGAZINE STEVE STYZA District 1 What issues do you think the County is facing? The largest issues the County will face are public safety, low taxes, and a balanced budget. Our County's Communication Center must remain staffed, and our taxpayers receive the response times they deserve and pay for. Secondly, maintaining a balanced budget with low taxes may become an issue in the coming years. Waukesha County has a tradition of low taxes and efficiency, attracting businesses and people alike to reside in our County, and I intend to continue the tradition. What is your perspective on economic development in Waukesha County? Economic development in Waukesha County remains strong, but we are running out of developable land. This poses hurdles to businesses attempting to locate themselves in Waukesha County, where there is an extremely low vacancy for manufacturing space. Housing remains a challenge in Waukesha County, as our vacancy rate has dropped to around .2%, posing a severe challenge to residents attempting to start a family. This also poses a profound opportunity for Waukesha County to cut the red tape and get creative on density restrictions. What will you do, specifically, to encourage and support business growth in Waukesha County? I will work hard to keep taxes low and make Waukesha County a safe place for business. I intend to work hand in hand with the Waukesha Center for Growth and engage our Country's GROW funds wherever applicable to support the growth of our tax base. I intend to remove red tape and encourage creative zoning options for residential development. I plan to ensure that Waukesha County continues leading the way forward. JOHN LEISEMANN District 13 Why did you decide to run for County Board? I ran for County Board because I wanted to build upon the successes of previous Supervisors that made Waukesha County such an attractive destination to live, work, and raise a family. My wife and I put down roots here immediately after college and I could not imagine being anywhere else. Additionally, I believe younger voices are often not involved in conversations about local governments and I want to change that. While I have great respect for the accomplishments of previous Boards, I want to ensure younger voters’ voices are at the table. What are you hoping to accomplish during your time on the County Board? My primary aim is to continue Waukesha County’s strong commitment to public safety. With this in mind, I also will support policies to continue attracting quality employers to Waukesha County and working towards ensuring sufficient investments are made to attract a quality workforce for those employers. It is no secret that skyrocketing home prices will continue to present issues for folks looking to become homeowners in Waukesha County. What will you do, specifically, to encourage and support business growth in Waukesha County? Supporting policies at the county level and working with policymakers at the state and federal levels to address issues such as the persistent housing shortage and speaking with businesses in both the 13th District and across Waukesha County to hear their thoughts. I’d also point out the importance of collaborating with other county officials across Wisconsin through channels such as the Wisconsin Counties Association. Finally, I will continue to support strong public safety policies and ordinances so folks will continue to seek to move into our vibrant communities. D OF SUPERVISORS 19
GROW FUND SUPPORTS ECONOMIC GROWTH IN WAUKESHA COUNTY Waukesha County, known for its thriving business environment and robust economic growth, continues to advance with the support of the Waukesha County Center for Growth’s GROW Fund. The GROW Fund has played a pivotal role in nurturing local businesses and fostering economic development. Three recent projects supported by the GROW Fund include: Xiogenix: Muskego Projected jobs added: 12 FT Xiogenix is adding clean room manufacturing space to develop custom equipment that separates components of donated tissue and fluid, which are then delivered to a clinic for the treatment of a patient receiving cell & gene therapy. Third Space Brewing: Menomonee Falls Projected jobs added: 10 FT / 8 PT Third Space Brewing is a micro-brewery established in Milwaukee. The brand and products have become well received in the greater Milwaukee area and the company has been distributing beer throughout Wisconsin since 2021. Third Space opened a second tap room in Menomonee Falls in June of 2024. PROEX FOOD: Menomonee Falls, Projected jobs added: 3 FT PROEX FOOD is an equipment OEM that is reshaping the fruit and vegetable industry with automation technologies. Specializing in advanced processing and packaging systems, their automated solutions increase efficiency and quality in pack houses worldwide. They WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG 20
JULY 2024 MAGAZINE 21 provide comprehensive design engineering, control integration, digital technologies, and robotic capabilities, enhancing productivity and reducing labor. “By providing financial support to forward-thinking companies like Xiogenix, Third Space Brewing, and PROEX FOOD, the GROW Fund is not only creating jobs but also fostering an environment where businesses can thrive and innovate,” states Executive Director for the Waukesha County Center for Growth Therese Thill. “These recent projects exemplify the impact that strategic investments can have on our local economy. We are excited to see the continued growth and success of these companies, and remain committed to supporting the economic vitality of our community.” Established in 2019 and currently exceeding $11 million, the GROW Fund was created to provide access to financial resources to enable business expansion and attraction. The GROW Fund assists businesses essential to the economic development of Waukesha County including manufacturing, service, and other commercial establishments looking to expand operations or invest in new operations in the county. It also benefits developers with projects to meet the affordable housing needs of existing and projected workforce growth. Businesses that want to access the GROW Fund should contact the Waukesha County Center for Growth. To learn more about the Waukesha County Center for Growth, or the GROW Fund, please visit www.waukeshagrowth.org. • Member FDIC The 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. Kim Preston Senior Vice President Director of Treasury Management
WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG COMMUNITY SMILES DENTAL WELCOMES NEW CEO SCOTT MARSHALL CEO, Community Smiles Dental NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT Q: Describe your organization and its mission. A: Community Smiles Dental is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive dental care to underserved populations. Primarily serving as a dental home for children, we also extend our care through specialized programs for pregnant mothers and patients with special health needs. We also function as an urgent care option for adults in a dental emergency. Our mission is to improve the lives of the underserved through oral healthcare services, preventive education, and advocacy for systemic healthcare change. We believe that everyone deserves a healthy smile and are proud to provide the same high-quality dental care you'd find at a for-profit dental clinic, ensuring our patients receive the highest quality treatment regardless of their financial situation. Q: What are your biggest challenges or obstacles? A: Community Smiles Dental faces many of the same challenges any business would face. Workforce recruitment and retention are ongoing priorities for us. As a non-profit providing care for the underserved, inflation is a double-edged sword. The cost of equipment and supplies has increased and stretched our budget, while some of our patients may not need to rely on our services if the cost of living hasn’t been increasing like it has. As such, one of our biggest challenges is addressing the significant demand for our services. We are constantly considering how to grow and expand our footprint to help more children gain access to high-quality dental care. With growth comes change and various challenges to navigate, but we are actively working on this with the support of our board of directors and our strategic plan. Q: What have been your biggest successes? A: We are proud of our 17-year tenure serving our communities, which has seen substantial growth over the last five years. In addition to Waukesha County, where our first clinic was launched, we now have a second clinic in Menomonee Falls, and serve patients from Milwaukee, Washington, and Ozaukee counties. 22
Our dedication to strengthening our model for providing a dental home for our patients has earned us recognition within Wisconsin and from several national organizations as a gold-star model. This recognition highlights our commitment to excellence in dental care and our ability to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. Our organization has a long standing history of collaboration not only with the hopes of strengthening or furthering our own mission, but also in seeing the collective impact collaboration can have on the communities we serve. Q: How can businesses support your organization? A: We always say that we are looking for time, talent and treasure, and all can make a significant impact! The easiest way to help is to make a donation online at CommunitySmiles.org, or old school by sending a check. Or you can sponsor one of our events. We just hosted Laugh For A Smile with comedy from Caroline Rhea, and are planning our annual Cheers for a Smile event on November 7th at Bluemound Country Club. Other ways a business can help is by having a 'give at the register' program, hosting a giving day internally at work, or even posting about your company’s support of our mission on social media! Q: How can individuals get involved with Community Smiles Dental? A: Volunteer! Visit CommunitySmiles.org and sign up to volunteer. We love meeting new folks, including dental professionals, who care about our community. You could help us get the word out by following us on Facebook and LinkedIn , and signing up for our e-newsletter! Or you can make a donation to the mission. Q: What is one thing you wish the community knew about your organization? A: One thing we wish the community knew about our organization is that dental care IS health care. People often forget about their teeth when thinking about health care because they usually only see a dentist twice a year, or take dental health for granted unless there's an emergency. It's important to make donations to dental care just as you would to any health charity, as oral health is vital to everyone’s overall well-being. • JULY 2024 MAGAZINE 23
Securities, insurance products, financial planning, & investment management services offered through Wintrust Investments, LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC), founded in 1931. Asset management & financial planning services offered by Great Lakes Advisors. Trust services provided by The Chicago Trust Company, N.A. Investment products such as stocks, bonds, & mutual funds are: NOT FDIC INSURED | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT A DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY MEET THE TEAM GRIFFIN PROCHNOW SVP, Business Banking gprochnow@wintrust.com 262-966-7714 PAUL SCHLEICHER Vice President Business Banking pschleicher@townbank.us 262-369-4224 PEGGY ARMSTRONG Group EVP, Private Client parmstrong@wintrust.com 262-369-8804 CRYSTAL KENITZER NMLS #472263 SVP, Private Client ckenitzer@wintrust.com 262-369-4229 COURTNEY BRODERICK Vice President Treasury Management cbroderick@wintrust.com 414-255-1013 Your business brings something different to your industry — so should your bank. With over 25 years of serving Waukesha County and five local branches committed to excellence, we have the local expertise to provide tailored, personalized solutions to help you succeed. NEXT-LEVEL BANKING NEXT DOOR WAUKESHA COUNTY’S BANK FOR BUSINESS™ townbank.us/yourpartnerships OUR RECENT WINS $11,500,000 Ground Up Construction LIHTC — Multifamily $12,000,000 Working Capital Financing Logistics $1,000,000 Tax Revenue Obligation Financing Government Entity
Q: What are you most looking forward to in your new role? A: Working with job creators to promote policies that will strengthen the economic vitality of Waukesha County. Q: What made you choose Waukesha County? A: It’s a great place to raise a family; the low tax burden; and the Waukesha County Hockey League. Q: What is the most important lesson you've learned in your career? A: Well done is better than well said. Q: What’s the first job you ever had? A: Maintenance assistant at an apartment complex. Q: What book are you currently reading, or would you recommend? A: How Much Land Does a Man Need? – Leo Tolstoy Q: What is something unique about you? A: I can quote the movie "Tommy Boy" line for line. Q: What is your favorite pastime? A: Playing with my kids. Although, my wife might say reading X (Twitter). • WILL NEITZEL Vice President, Public Policy Waukesha County Business Alliance EXECUTIVE PROFILE JULY 2024 MAGAZINE 25 The Alliance is excited to introduce Will Neitzel as Vice President of Public Policy. Will brings a wealth of experience from his previous positions in both Madison and Washington D.C. Most recently, Will served as Deputy Director of Member Services for the Committee on House Administration. Prior to that, Will served as Legislative Assistant for Rep. Bryan Steil in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Senior Policy Advisor for Governor Scott Walker. We are thrilled to welcome Will to the team as he leads the Alliance’s policy initiatives. “With his impressive background and deep understanding of public policy, Will is well-equipped to lead the Alliance's policy initiatives,” states President & CEO of the Waukesha County Business Alliance Amanda Payne. “We look forward to the positive impact his expertise will bring to our organization and the business community in Waukesha County.”
Describe your role in 2 sentences or less. I lead a great team of employee-owners in everything from quoting to delivering high-quality metal products and solutions to our customers. What has been your biggest takeaway since starting in your role? We build strong relationships with our employees and carry those relationships on to our customers. Many envision manufacturing as an equipment-based industry. I see it more clearly than ever as relationship-based. What is the most important lesson you've learned in your career? Integrity is everything. Whether you are dealing with employees, processes, customers, or any other facet of the business, integrity is a requirement of sustained success. What is your personal key to success? I started on the shop floor in manufacturing and worked my way to where I am today. I remember every step of the journey and how decisions from the top impact the entire organization. I will never forget the lessons learned both positively and negatively that I learned along the way. What’s your dream job? I dreamed of a job where the culture and values fit my own. This job would be within an organization that continually looked to improve and enhance their performance. I have my dream job. What book are you currently reading or would you recommend? There are many books that I have read in the past that I reflect upon to keep myself focused. Covey, Womack, and Goldratt are authors that have inspired my thinking early on. I am currently reading Traction by Gino Wickman. What is something unique about you? During the week, I wear business clothes. On the weekends, you may find me in a garage working on cars or at a racetrack. A few times a year, I work on the pit crew for a NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car team with my sons. What is your favorite pastime? I enjoy spending time with my wife, 2 daughters, 3 sons, friends and extended family. I also enjoy golf and home improvement projects, but my lifelong passion is building and driving classic and performance automobiles. • ROB EWING President, Wenthe-Davidson Engineering Company NEW FACE IN MANUFACTURING 26 WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG
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The Alliance welcomed former Wisconsin State Senator Leah Vukmir to speak at its Professional Women's Development Network program. The Alliance continued to celebrate growth and expansion across Waukesha County. Congratulations to the Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel on its grand reopening of meeting spaces, guest rooms, and lobby area. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson presented at the Alliance's Policy Insights program, sharing updates on the City of Milwaukee. AROUND THE COUNTY WITH THE ALLIANCE The Alliance hosted a Young Professionals of Waukesha County program at the Waukesha County Fair. See what the Alliance was up to over the last few months. The Alliance closed out the school year of business education programs with 29 Schools2Skills™ tours and 7 Industries in Schools tours. The Alliance hosted its first Waukesha County Workforce Summit at Carroll University with a panel focused on retaining talent. Outgoing Board Chair Mark Sobczak passed the gavel to incoming Board Chair Rick Andritsch at the Alliance's July board meeting. WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG 28
Ansay & Associates Brookfield Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee Milwaukee Central Office Systems Waukesha Comprehensive Solutions LLC Wauwatosa Concept Co. Milwaukee Diversified Benefit Services, Inc. Hartland Emberz Spa LLC Waukesha Hydrite Brookfield Krause Estate Planning & Elder Law Center Brookfield Miramont Behavorial Health Waukesha Robert Half Waukesha St. Vincent de Paul Waukesha Council Waukesha The Commodore Hartland The Marek Group Waukesha Three Leaf Partners Milwaukee United Financial Advisors Wauwatosa Wells Waukesha Wisconsin Lumber & Pallet Mukwonago WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! The Alliance is proud to welcome the following companies as new members during the second quarter of 2024: JULY 2024 MAGAZINE 29 Hassle-free meeting planning Professional environment Multiple room choices and layouts Accommodations for groups up to 60 Full-day and half-day rental options Equipped with the latest A/V equipment Free high-speed Wi-Fi Free parking Located in Waukesha, just off I-94 Coordinated catering and refreshments Meeting Space & Training Center Rentals Available Training Center Executive Boardroom For more information, visit wicpa.org/MeetingSpaces, or to schedule a tour or reserve space, contact Rachella Fortier at rachella@wicpa.org or 262-785-0445 ext. 4505.
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