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ST O O B S ION T A C W BRE EE K U A W L RY MI T S U D N I M S I R U TO

STUFF made and built in southeastern Wisconsin

Recruit tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workforce Changing the image of careers in manufacturing and the skilled trades in Wisconsin.

Space reservations now open for STUFF Southeast Participate in the 3rd annual edition of STUFF Made & Built in SE Wisconsin to raise awareness and recruit employees â&#x20AC;&#x201C; going directly to junior high, high school and college students as well as workforce centers throughout the region.

Southeast Edition: 2018 Association Partners: STATE OF WISCONSIN

Publishes: August 2019 | Space reservation: July 10, 2019

To reserve a profile, biztimes.com/stuff2019 Contact Linda Crawford today at advertise@biztimes.com or 414-336-7112

THESE COMPANIES ARE HIRING! Thank you to our 2018 profile participants!

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BizTimes Milwaukee (ISSN 1095-936X & USPS # 017813) Volume 25, Number 7, June 24, 2019 – July 21, 2019. BizTimes Milwaukee is published bi-weekly, except monthly in January, July and December by BizTimes Media LLC at 126 N. Jefferson St., Suite 403, Milwaukee, WI 53202-6120, USA. Basic annual subscription rate is $42. Single copy price is $3.25. Back issues are $5 each. Periodicals postage paid at Milwaukee, WI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to BizTimes Milwaukee, 126 N. Jefferson St., Suite 403, Milwaukee, WI 53202-6120. Entire contents copyright 2019 by BizTimes Media LLC. All rights reserved.

Contents

LOCALLY OWNED FOR 24 YEARS

» JUN 24 - JUL 21, 2019

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OOST B S N ATIO C W E BR UKEE STRY A W L MI INDU M S I TOUR

4 Leading Edge 4 NOW BY THE NUMBERS 5 FRESH DIGS 6 FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION 7 IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD 8 BIZTRAVELER 9 BIZ POLL WHO’S ON THE BOARD 10 REV UP

12 Biz News 12 THE INTERVIEW 13 MY TAKE

14 Real Estate 27 Strategies 27 INNOVATION Phil Hauck 28 MANAGEMENT Phil Mydlach 29 FAMILY BUSINESS David Borst

COVER STORY

32 Biz Connections 32 PAY IT FORWARD 33 AROUND TOWN 34 GLANCE AT YESTERYEAR COMMENTARY 35 5 MINUTES WITH…

Special Report

23 Higher Education & Research Coverage includes a Q&A with Kevin Boggs, director of the Office of Technology Development at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and a report on the growing number of free tuition programs at area colleges.

J. K. L E E C I T Y YOU T H M A R T I A L A R T S P R O G R A M, I N C.

Grow your business in our vibrant

PHONE: (414) 687-1060 WEB: cityyouthmartialarts.org Through the many benefits of martial arts, we provide youth in underserved communities an opportunity to learn within a supportive environment that fosters respect, confidence, discipline, and sportsmanship, while promoting mental health, physical fitness, focus, and well-being. As the nonprofit partner to the J.K. Lee family of academies, our school and outreach program was established to help Milwaukee families and to realize Grand Master Lee’s vision of martial arts being accessible to all children.

2019 GIVING GUIDE F E ATU R E D NONPROFI T

To learn more, visit biztimes.com/giving PRODUCED BY

For your business start-up or relocation assistance contact

ADAM GITTER (262) 306-3108 Economic Development Manager, City of West Bend biztimes.com / 3

Leading Edge

BIZTIMES DAILY – The day’s most significant news → biztimes.com/subscribe

MOLLY DILL

NOW

Milwaukee attracting more cruise ships Compiled from staff reports Port Milwaukee is seeing a significant increase in cruise ship traffic. This year, 11 cruise ships are expected to make ports of call in Milwaukee, up from three in 2018. Port Milwaukee director Adam Schlicht said the increase is the result of strategically targeting cruise companies since he took over as port director last year.

BY THE NUMBERS

Wisconsin has 10 golf courses that made Golf Digest’s newest list of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.” Wisconsin tied Michigan with the second most in the nation. 4 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

“We knew that we had a lot of potential (as a cruise ship destination). We knew that we had capacity and room to grow,” he said. Recently, the Pearl Mist, a 210-passenger cruise ship in the Pearl Seas Cruises line, docked at Port Milwaukee near Discovery World. It was the first cruise ship to dock in Milwaukee this year. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Schlicht welcomed Pearl Mist Capt. George Ciortan in a press conference, with Barrett saying the city would “lay out the red carpet” for him and his passengers. “The fact that Pearl Mist is coming here demonstrates to you that others are seeing the value of what’s going on in our city right now and the location of our dock right here, the proximity to downtown, all of the activities that go on in Milwaukee in the summer, I think are what makes this such an incredibly attractive location,” Barrett said. The Pearl Mist also docked in Milwaukee last year, and will return July 3. “It is incredible to be here,” Ciortan said. “It’s a wonderful city, everybody likes it, we have very good feedback from our guests last year.” “Milwaukee is one of the most vibrant cities on the western shore of Lake Michigan, and the perfect

home port for Pearl Seas’ Great Lakes cruises,” said company spokeswoman Alexa Paolella. “We look forward to bringing thousands of tourists to the city beginning this summer. Pearl Seas Cruises looks forward to visiting Milwaukee for many years to come.” Milwaukee was a turnaround port on the latest Pearl Seas Cruises route with the Pearl Mist. The Pearl Mist left from Toronto and also stopped in Clayton and Niagara Falls, New York; and Muskegon, Mackinac Island and Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan with the cruise ending in Milwaukee. The average passenger age is 70, and most of them are well-traveled, Ciortan said. “So for our hotel industry, (being a turnaround port) likely means that there’s going to be an additional night at least, and visitors will spend more time in the City of Milwaukee,” Barrett said. Schlicht said the Milwaukee Cruise Collaborative worked with Pearl Seas Cruises and local food, sightseeing and activity tour companies to set up excursion options for passengers in Milwaukee. “Some may have decided to do biking and other activities,” he said. “Ultimately, the cruise company decides what excursion they would like to do, but we’re playing that facilitator role.” n

LILA ARYAN PHOTOGRAPHY

FRESH DIGS

R&R INSURANCE SERVICES OW N E R / DE V E LOPE R : R&R Insurance Services C ON T R AC TOR / DE S IG N E R : Creative Business Interiors C O S T: Undisclosed C OM PL E T E D : May 2019

WHEN R&R INSURANCE envisioned consolidating its Waukesha headquarters and Oconomowoc and Menomonee Falls offices by opening a new, larger office, the goal was to increase employee collaboration and create an attractive workspace. In May, the insurance agency moved in to its new 60,000-squarefoot headquarters at N14 W23900 Stone Ridge Drive in Pewaukee after renovating the former ProHealth Care facility. R&R had been headquartered at 1581 E. Racine Ave. in Waukesha. The Pewaukee building was redesigned to create a modern, open-concept design with features including a fitness facility, a cafĂŠ with

enhanced vending options for employees (such as a Bevi smart water machine), a training center that holds about 100 people, 15 conference rooms equipped with video conference capabilities and digital scheduling, sit/stand desks for all employees, 15 collaborative work areas, wellness rooms, and digital monitors to enhance internal communication. About 170 employees work from the new office, which also includes work stations for visiting remote employees. The new headquarters positions the company for growth, with capacity for more than 280 employees. R&R also purchased 3 acres of land adjacent to the office for future expansion opportunities. n â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lauren Anderson biztimes.com / 5

Leading Edge

@BIZTIMESMEDIA – Real-time news

from

CONCEPT

Xena Workwear LLC to

COMPLETION

By Molly Dill, staff writer Anastasia Kraft thought it was about time to offer females working in STEM fields a steel-toed boot that was fashionable and safe. “I worked in engineering for over five years and although I loved my job, there was one thing I truly hated. That was my clunky, heavy steel-toed boots that were based on men’s designs,” Kraft said. Her co-workers and other women she asked in the industry felt the same way. So she decided to design work boots women could wear from an office environment to a manufacturing floor.

January 2018: Kraft and her husband Dmitry Krivochenitser begin developing the concept and write a business plan. “We’re bootstrapping it,” she said.

May 2019: Xena Workwear launches with online sales. The company is working on its next boot design, which covers the ankle and meets more stringent requirements.

4 December 2018: Prototyping is completed and production begins. “The main challenge is trying not to over-engineer the product,” Kraft said. “To make it feel comfortable and provide the right level of safety features.”

6 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

April 2018: The pair works with a freelance designer to complete the first boot design, a low-cut black or brown leather bootie that has a puncture-resistant midsole, a steel toecap and a rubber outsole that is heat-, chemical- and slip-resistant.

May 2018: They find a contract manufacturer in Mexico, and complete five rounds of prototyping to assure the boots meet ASTM standards.

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD What kind of batteries do you sell? Michael Moeller, president: “We sell and distribute everything from alkaline batteries all the way up to large industrial batteries and everything in between; all sorts of various chemistries. The chemistry that is our real bread and butter that we focus on is the lead acid.”

REMY BATTERY CO. INC. 4301 W. Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee NEIGHBORHOOD: Layton Park FOUNDED: 1931 OWNERS: Michael and Matthew Moeller EMPLOYEES: 30 SERVICE/PRODUCT: Batteries

Who are your main customers? “The federal government is a key customer of ours, both on the Defense Logistics Agency side ... and then the Government Services Agency or GSA. ... We also serve

as a supplier to a lot of small and midsized manufacturers in the region. ... On top of that, we have a whole wide range of wholesale customers ... all the way down to retail.” How do you differentiate? “We’re third-generation going on a fourth-generation family-owned business and so we have a lot of experience that way. ... We still hold a lot of that knowledge on what makes a battery good … so when we review our suppliers and go tour their facilities we’re studying some of that,

so it’s not necessarily finding a supplier that just wants to distribute in the area.” What are the challenges for the company? “With this (recently awarded $43 million federal) contract and some of the other opportunities that we’ve been working, one of the largest challenges right now is being able to manage some of our growth. This one contract ... it has the opportunity to more than double our business, so try and manage 100% growth.”

AUCTION Property will be auctioned on August 10th, 2019 at 1:00 pm 3057 Red Fox Circle, Colgate, WI 53017 Listed for $1,154,000 Private retreat nestled in 4.53 wooded Acres in the Village of Richfield features an incredible 11,867 square feet with indoor pool & spa, wine cellar, 2 garages for 6 cars, greenhouse, and multiple suites each with private baths and kitchens. Panoramic countryside views! Property includes 2 separate, saleable, vacant land parcels separate tax keys. Property is being sold by a Trust, sold as-is without warranties or representations surviving closing. Successful buyers fee of $10,000 upon accepted bid. Undisclosed Reserve. Call for preview dates. WI Registered Auctioneer #2467-52

The Bill Minett Team The Real Estate Company, Lake & Country Inc. BillMinett.com | Bill@Billminett.com | 262.569.4800

biztimes.com / 7

Leading Edge

BIZTIMES MEDIA – Connect

B I Z T R AV E L E R : MARRAKESH JERRY CURTIN Chief executive officer, COR Wellness

Jerry Curtin leads Sussex-based COR Wellness, a company that provides employers with on-site health and wellness professionals in efforts to promote healthy behaviors among workers. Curtin is also an extreme traveler, having been to exotic places around the planet. He has visited Morocco a few times, including a two-week stint in Marrakesh, Essaouira and the Atlas Mountains. n

T R A N S P O R TAT I O N : “Fly nine hours from Chicago to one of the Spain connecting hubs of Madrid or Barcelona. The best is to plan your arrival in Spain for early morning to avoid missed flights. A 2.5-hour flight to Marrakesh and you are there. Taxis and car services are plentiful to get you to your destination. For excursions outside the city, take the local buses. We chose to hire a car for the long ride from Marrakesh to Essaouira.”

ACCO M M O DAT I O N S A N D F O O D : “A riad is like an American B&B. However, they are all family-owned and proudly display historical and artistic heritage for their accommodations. Most are beautiful, with six to 10 rooms. Must try a tajine. The local dish comes in a clay pot that has been baking for three to four hours. It’s a base of couscous or rice, fresh vegetables, and either chicken or pork. It’s slow cooked with spices and delicious – not to mention very healthy.” E XC U R S I O N S: “Essaouira – the beach city – is three hours from Marrakesh. The African surf destination. Big waves come with bigger wind, so while the temperature may be hot, the beautiful breeze keeps you cool. The Atlas Mountains (are a) must do. Hire a car to take you to the small town at the base of the Atlas Mountains. There you can open hike through dozens of waterfalls and small five- to six-hut villages to view some of the best scenery Morocco has to offer.”

T R AV E L T I P : “Morocco is one of the few places in the region where French is just as widely used as Arabic. This acceptance of French and European influence makes Morocco a wonderful destination to emerge in a completely different culture.” 8 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

BIZ POLL

Who’s on the Board?

A recent survey of BizTimes.com readers.

What should the state do to boost funds for road construction? Raise the gas tax:

30%

Increase title and registration fees:

10%

20% Other: 20% Nothing: 20%

Burke

Both:

MODINE MANUFACTURING CO.

Share your opinion! Visit biztimes.com/bizpoll to cast your vote in the next Biz Poll.

• Thomas Burke, president and chief executive officer of Modine • David Anderson, retired CEO of Sauer-Danfoss Inc. • David Bills, retired senior vice president of corporate strategy for DuPont • Charles Cooley, retired senior VP and chief financial officer of The Lubrizol Corp. • Suresh Garimella, executive VP for research and partnerships for

Purdue University • Larry Moore, retired senior VP of module centers and operations for Pratt & Whitney • Christopher Patterson, retired president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America LLC • Marsha Williams, retired senior VP and CFO of Orbitz Worldwide Inc. • Christine Yan, president of Asia for Stanley Black & Decker Inc.

SAVE THE DATE 2020 Milwaukee Go Red for Women® Celebration May 6, 2020 | The Pfister Hotel For information about sponsorship and volunteer leadership opportunities, contact Maria Betts at maria.betts@heart.org | 414.227.1412 Sponsored locally by

Friends of Heart

2020_MKE_GRFW_Ad_8x4.875.indd 1

6/7/2019 10:08:19 AM/ biztimes.com

Leading Edge

BIZTIMES MEDIA – Like us

EMOPTI INC.

LEADERSHIP: Dr. Edward Barthell, chief executive officer

JAKE HILL PHOTOGRAPHY

REV UP

H E A D Q U A R T E R S: 250 N. Sunnyslope Road, #245, Brookfield WEBSITE: emopti.com W H AT I T D O E S: Emergency room efficiency platform F O U N D E D: 2014 E M P L OY E E S: 11 NEX T GOAL: Launch in four more states in 2019. FUNDING: Raised $1.35 million in December. Previously raised $5.5 million.

Dr. Edward Barthell

EmOpti plans to double geographic reach this year By Molly Dill, staff writer

10 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

IF ALL GOES AS PLANNED, Milwaukee health care software startup EmOpti Inc. will double its geographic reach to eight states by the end of the year. The company, which uses technology to increase emergency room efficiency, in December raised $1.35 million of investor funding and surpassed 250,000 remote patient consultations, said Dr. Edward Barthell, chief executive officer. The funding will be used to ramp up marketing and sales. Founded in 2014, EmOpti created a software platform that reduces patient wait times at emergency rooms and arranges completion of preliminary tests before the patient sees a doctor in person through remote telehealth conferencing. It has previously raised $5.5 million. EmOpti continues to iterate on its product. “We’re adding additional capabilities, including machine learning capabilities and predictive analytics, to complement our telehealth capabilities,” Barthell said. Streaming real-time data is analyzed by its software to provide decision support to health care workers with the help of predictive analytics and remote clinical resources. For example, if a patient comes in to the emergency room with a certain subset of conditions, EmOpti can predict whether that patient

will need to be admitted to the hospital, and begin the process of finding an available bed so those patients aren’t stacking up in the ER, Barthell said. EmOpti’s software is currently being used at four health systems in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Washington, D.C., and Barthell said another 10 systems are in the pipeline. He’s hoping four more systems will commit before year-end, which would help EmOpti expand to at least three more states. “Health systems are like almost any population. There’s early adopters and then the middle tier and then there’s the slow adopters or the laggards,” Barthell said. Among the early adopters, and an ongoing investor, was Milwaukee’s Aurora Health Care (now Advocate Aurora Health). The software is used at five Milwaukee-area Advocate Aurora Health hospitals, with three more coming on board in southeastern Wisconsin soon. Because of the health system’s recent merger and expansion into Illinois, EmOpti is also being deployed soon at two Chicago-area Advocate Aurora hospitals – its fifth state. Where it has been implemented, EmOpti has reduced door to dock time, or the time between when patients arrive at the ER and when they are seen by a clinician, by 50 to 70%. n

2020 EDITION

Reserve your space in the 2020 Giving Guide!

MACC FUND, MIDWEST ATHLETES AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCER, INC.

MISSION The MACC Fund raises funds for research in Wisconsin for childhood cancer and related blood disorders like sickle cell disease and aplastic anemia providing a Gift of Hope Through Research.

A Gift of Hope Through Research

10000 W. Innovation Dr., Suite 135 Milwaukee, WI 53226 (414) 955-5830

Your involvement in this annual publication includes an in-depth

maccfund.org facebook.com/MACCFund @maccfund TOTAL EMPLOYEES: ANNUAL REVENUE:

6 $4,854,837 1976

profile, plus several advertising elements in BizTimes Milwaukee

YEAR ESTABLISHED:

SERVICE AREA Research is supported at The Medical College of Wisconsin, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, the UW Carbone Cancer Center and Marshfield Clinic.

FUNDING SOURCES

GOALS

FUNDRAISING/EVENTS

The goal of the MACC Fund is to find a cure by providing funding for research. The MACC Fund raises money and benefits from a number of exciting events throughout the course of the year. Please visit www.maccfund.org as well as the MACC Fund Facebook page and the MACC Fund Twitter and Instagram accounts to keep up to date on what the MACC Fund is doing!

The MACC Fund benefits from a number of exciting events throughout the year. Please visit www.maccfund.org and follow the MACC Fund on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Trek 100 volunteers manage rest stops, help on the routes and serve food to appreciative riders. Milwaukee Brewers Mini Marathon, 5K and 10K volunteers help in a number of ways. Volunteers play key roles soliciting items for events which they stage working with MACC Fund staff. Whatever the volunteer role, it has a common goal of helping the MACC Fund help children.

n Special Events .......................................................... 75% n Memorial Donations ..................................................9% n General Donations ..................................................... 7% n Foundations..................................................................6% n Major Gifts ....................................................................3%

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Scott Falk (Treasurer) ★ Robert W. Baird & Co.

Kevin Steiner (Vice Chair) ★ West Bend Mutual Insurance Company

Junior Bridgeman

Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company

Jon McGlocklin (President and Co-Founder) ★ Milwaukee Bucks and MACC Fund

Al Costigan

Costigan Family Foundation

Wm. O. Steinberg (Chair Emeritus) ★ Strategic Leverage Partners Eddie Doucette (Honorary VP and Co-Founder) Doucette Promotions, Inc. Jan Lennon (Secretary) ★ Community Volunteer

magazine, BizTimes Nonprofit Weekly enewsletter and BizTimes.com. The MACC Fund supports research for childhood cancer and related blood disorders like sickle cell disease and aplastic anemia. Thanks to generous supporters, the MACC Fund has contributed over $63 million to research in Wisconsin benefiting children throughout the world and helping the overall cure rate for childhood cancer to increase from 20% to 80% since the MACC Fund began in 1976, yet children can relapse and have “late effect” issues that require additional research. MACC Fund supported research impacts the treatment of children throughout the state, the nation and the world.

★ DENOTES EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Knoebel and Associates

Chair

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES The MACC Fund affords many giving opportunities whether as a volunteer, event participant, sponsor or generous donor. Donors can remember a loved one or honor a friend with a donation in their name. Donations can be made through company sponsored events corporate or individual giving. Gifts of securities and insurance as well as planned giving and estate planning are all vehicles that can be part of a Gift of Hope Through Research.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Paul Knoebel (Chairman) ★

Paul Knoebel

Publication Date: November 11, 2019

Paul Griepentrog Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. ★

Greg Klimek

Kenan Advantage Group

T.J. Marini

Wells Fargo Private Bank

Tim Michels

Tammie Miller TKO Miller

Lindsay Schweikert Fiserv

John F. Steinmiller

info@maccfund.org ★ www.maccfund.org Phone: 414.955.5830 ★ Fax: 414.955.6170 10000 W. Innovation Drive, Suite 135 ★ Milwaukee, WI 53226

Milwaukee Bucks

Aldo Madrigrano

Retired, Beer Capitol Distributing

2019 GIVING GUIDE | biztimes.com/giving

Take advantage of the opportunity for your organization to be seen

Michels Corporation

by the Region’s Business and Philanthropic Leaders all year long.

A SU PPLEM ENT OF BI ZTI M ES M I LWA UKEE

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BizNews

the

Interview

DOUG FISHER spent 35 years in the corporate world and more than a decade

in academia, including time as director of the Marquette Center for Supply Chain Management. Upon his recent retirement, he talked with BizTimes reporter Arthur Thomas about his time watching southeastern Wisconsin industry. He plans to stay in the region as he turns to his next chapter. What differences do you see between academia and the business world? “One of the differences that comes to mind is in the corporate world, while you get an opportunity to develop people, you don’t have the opportunity to get 80 to 100 new ones every semester and have a chance to impact their lives on such a continuing basis. That was an absolute thrill; the kids are wonderful. From a business model point of view ... there is a subtle similarity that I kind of challenged people to be aware of for the past decade or so: both entities or institutions have to generate a revenue stream. Their expenses for both cannot exceed revenues over time, and when either entity runs out of cash, it’s over. In the corporate world, that alignment ... is very clear, but in academia that sense of awareness doesn’t seem to exist. “… I don’t think we need to blow up the thing but it probably needs to explore some alternatives aggressively. This is not just Marquette; this is higher ed everywhere. To me, it’s still a fascinating place, I had an absolutely incredible time. It was a wonderful opportunity to impact a lot of students, and hopefully I didn’t mess up too many.”

What are your takeaways from watching the southeastern Wisconsin supply chain?

JAKE HILL PHOTOGRAPHY

“While I anticipated the joy of working with students, one of the things I didn’t even anticipate was the opportunity to meet so many realworld professionals in my decade I was here. There’s something about putting professor after your name that the door is open and they just love to talk. “I don’t think I’ve seen a better time to be going into the business world and selfishly, more specifically, to be in supply chain management; there’s just an awful lot of change and opportunity. “We have this legacy and heritage, we know how to get things done, we have this amazing catalyst of Foxconn and politically, I wish we’d quit arguing over it ... five years, even 10 years is not very long and what this area could look like in five to 10 years is absolutely incredible, but we’re going to need to earn it and in that regard, talent is going to be the critical resource. That’s the same call I got for 10 years.”

Doug Fisher Retired assistant professor, director Marquette University Center for Supply Chain Management 1225 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee marquette.edu/business/supply-chain 12 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

Are there a few specific things the region needs to do? “I wish I had the pill I could take to answer that and cure all ills…I think I heard a note somewhere that all jobs, not just tech jobs, will have a high degree of tech competency required. I think we could probably beef up our ability to take liberal arts and infuse tech, take math and infuse tech. They don’t have to be data scientists or electrical engineers, but get (people) more familiar with the ability to use technology.”

What are your retirement plans? “It’s nice not to be the point of the spear on a daily basis, I’ll grant that, but I still enjoy moving the needle in some way. I think one of the possible paths … is to kind of help the small to medium-sized companies come to grips with where this puck is going; whether that’s advisory or board, I don’t know. I’m not presumptuous enough to think that anybody would want me. There’s some discussion out there.” n

MY TA K E

Republican transportation funding plan

Republicans on the state’s budget committee recently approved plans to increase the annual vehicle registration fee by $10 and the vehicle title transfer fee by $95 to provide $484 million in new financing for local and state transportation projects. Democrats had supported a gas tax increase instead. Recently, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio and Sen. LaTonya Johnson appeared on UpFront with Adrienne Pedersen to discuss the issue. n

REPUTATION MATTERS. The Marquette University Graduate School of Management’s nationally ranked MBA and world-class master’s programs prepare you to problem solve and navigate the challenges in today’s ever-changing business environment. And all our programs are backed by the Marquette reputation. Learn more at marquette.edu/gsm.

REP. ROBIN VOS SEN. LATONYA JOHNSON R-Rochester

D-Milwaukee

SUPPORTER OPPONENT THE REPUBLICANS’ PL AN “It focuses on what we know is a long-term priority…to ensure we have funding for transportation in a way that is sustainable. We don’t want to keep going one budget at a time with a lot of borrowing as we have seen, frankly, under Gov. Doyle and Gov. Walker. The revenue that’s being predicted will actually bring a fairly sizable increase for local road aids and state highway projects.”

“For individuals that are on fixed incomes… it is exceptionally hard for them to come up with those funds to do simple things like re-register their car or transfer that title. That’s something that we need to consider.”

Mid-Year Economic Forecast

GAS TA X “If the gas tax went up 10 cents a gallon and you drive the average number of miles with the average amount of gas mileage it would be lower if you do this, if you buy a car every five years, than if we raised the gas tax.”

“An 8-cent gas tax spreads the cost of maintaining Wisconsin’s roads across the boards with those individuals who live in Wisconsin and those who use Wisconsin roads to get to their destination. Proposing a title fee, that just sticks that cost to Wisconsin residents.”

FINANCIAL IMPACT “We are going to have a substantial increase in funding. We’re going to have a 19% increase in state highway funding, we’re going to have the lowest level of borrowing since 2003, and we’re going to triple the spending on local road improvement programs, which is the largest since 1998.”

Advertise in these upcoming special reports and get your message in front of area business executives.

“To impose a tax like this specifically for Wisconsin residents is just another way to penalize Wisconsin residents for utilizing their own roads and to make it the same across the board; regardless of whether you purchased a $1,500 car or a $65,000 car, you’re going to be paying $164.50 for a transfer. At least with the gas tax that’s dependent on how much you utilize that vehicle.”

July 22, 2019 Space Reservation: July 3, 2019

The Business of Nonprofits

July 22, 2019 Space Reservation: July 3, 2019 Contact Linda Crawford today! Phone: 414.336.7112 Email: advertise@biztimes.com biztimes.com / 13

Real Estate

REAL ESTATE WEEKLY – The week’s most significant real estate news → biztimes.com/subscribe

5 7

AVE .

WA SH

IN G

TON

WHO OWNS THE BLOCK? WASHINGTON AVENUE AREA, CEDARBURG

W62 N620 Washington Ave. Owner: Armbrusters Inc. Tenant: Armbruster Jewelers

5 W61 N498 Washington Ave. Owner: Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church U.A.C. Tenant: Immanuel Lutheran Church

14 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

2 W62 N608-10 Washington Ave. Owner: Family Trust, Survivors Trust, Raymond Jung Tenant: Delicately Delicious

6 W62 N571-73 Washington Ave. Owner: Washington House Inn Associates Tenant: Washington House Inn

3 W62 N604 Washington Ave. Owner: WTP Holdings LLC Tenant: Penzeys Spices

7 N58 W6189 Columbia Road Owner: Kay R. Walters Revocable Trust, Kenneth P. Walters Tenant: Pagoda Fine Jewelry

4 W62 N572-80 Washington Ave. Owner: Kay R. Walters Revocable Trust Tenant: Cedarburg Woolen Mill; The Pink Llama Gallery; Heritage Lighting Gallery

8 N58 W6170-81 Columbia Road Owner: Cedarburg Landmark Preservation Society Inc. Tenant: GROTH Design Group, Landmark Feed Seed & Supply

ALEX ZANK

JON ELLIOTT OF MKE DRONES LLC

WA SH ING TON AV E.

TURNER ST.

UGLY BUILDING: SUNRISE PL A Z A The City of South Milwaukee last summer filed a lawsuit against the owner of Sunrise Plaza, located at 2410 10th Ave., after other efforts failed to get the owner to clean up the property and fix major code issues. City Attorney Chris Smith said the major issues at the time included craters in the parking lot, peeling paint and electrical issues such as exposed wiring. Smith said that in the months since the city filed the lawsuit, the property owner, Chicago-based Carol Investment Corp., has taken steps to address most major issues. Even so, there are still improvements that should be made, said Mayor Erik Brooks. The biggest remaining issue is cleaning up the vacant storefronts. “It doesn’t look very inviting for someone who may want to rent there,” he said. The lawyer representing Carol Investment didn’t respond to a request for comment.

GOLD MEDAL LOFTS Construction officially kicked off in May on the $18 million Gold Medal Lofts project in Racine. The project consists of the redevelopment of the historic Gold Medal Furniture building at 1701 Packard Ave. into a 77-unit apartment complex, 65 of which will be available at below market rents. The redevelopment effort is being led by Milwaukee-based J. Jeffers & Co. and Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. The project is receiving $9.5 million in federal affordable housing tax credits from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Construction is expected to take about 12 months, and the developers anticipate tenants will begin moving in to the building shortly thereafter. DEVELOPER: J. Jeffers & Co. SIZE: 132,000 square feet COST: $18 million

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16 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

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OOST B S TION A C BREW UKEE A TRY S W L U I D M M IN S I R TOU

C H A LO N DA W H I T

BY LAUREN ANDERSON, staff writer

he last time Chalonda White visited Milwaukee for the sole purpose of drinking its beer, she could count the city’s breweries on one hand. It was 2012 and the Brew City was home to the legacy beer giant Miller Brewing Co. that helped give the city that nickname and the three dedicated area breweries that emerged during the rebirth of local brewing in the 1980s and 1990s: Lakefront Brewery, Sprecher Brewing Co. and Milwaukee Brewing Co. Seven years later, on a Saturday in late May, White – a Chicago-based beer enthusiast who blogs, as Afro Beer Chick, about her beer adventures and founded a Chicago chapter of a national organization for fellow female beer fans – decided to return to Milwaukee to check out its now-robust craft beer scene. The day before her trip, she put a call out on Twitter soliciting recommendations from locals, who were eager to help her navigate the city’s landscape, now 40 breweries strong. Heeding their recommendations, White’s daytrip included brunching at Comet Café and sampling a limited-release Jam Sesh PB&J Ale at Eagle Park Brewing Co. on the East Side, picking up a six-pack of Upward Spiral from Third Space Brewing in the Menomonee Valley, relaxing at the Milwaukee Yacht Club on the lakefront, trying an assortment of IPAs and stouts at 1840 Brewing Co. in Bay View and taking in the woodsy aesthetic of Black Husky Brewing’s Riverwest taproom. Her review? “I had a freaking ball,” White said. “It really changed my view of Milwaukee, with how much it’s developed downtown, Riverwest, the lakefront. It gave me a higher respect for Milwaukee and a whole new set of eyes. This town is pretty dope.”

CHALONDA WHITE

MAPPING MILWAUKEE’S BEER SCENE

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For the city that was built in part by 19th century beer barons, beer today remains a driver of out-of-town traffic to Milwaukee. While data isn’t available showing its direct economic impact on metro Milwaukee, travel and tourism research firm Longwoods International indicates beer tourism was responsible for 11% of total overnight trips in Milwaukee in 2018, compared to the national average of 5%. Breweries were among the top five reasons for visitors to spend an overnight in Milwaukee, according to the research. In 2018, visitors to Milwaukee spent $483.2 million on food and beverages in Milwaukee County, an increase of 6% over the previous year, according to VISIT Milwaukee. It was the second-highest visitor spending category last year, behind local transportation. VISIT Milwaukee has made a marketing push

in recent years to leverage the city’s historic beer roots, while promoting the wave of new microbreweries, in an effort to capture the growing “brewcation” market. In some ways, it’s a matter of leaning in to what has always been core to Milwaukee’s identity. “Milwaukee has always had a strong beer scene,” said Megan Suardini, vice president of marketing and communications for VISIT Milwaukee. “As far as beer tourism, we are very well known as ‘Brew City’ across the nation, which obviously goes back to the beer barons, Pabst, Schlitz and Blatz. There isn’t any confusion that Milwaukee is known as a hot beer scene.” When it comes to competition, the cities that have effectively positioned themselves as beer tourism destinations are largely outside of the Midwest, including Denver, San Diego, Portland and Asheville, North Carolina, Suardini said. Closer to home, Madison, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Grand Rapids, Michigan all have “strong beer scenes,” though Suardini wouldn’t call them competitors. Milwaukee has a unique position in the market, however, she said. “They all have strong craft beer scenes, but we have a very strong craft beer scene along with the beer history and beer culture,” she said. In 2018, VISIT Milwaukee partnered with the Milwaukee Craft Brewery League, Lakefront Brewery, Pabst Brewery and malt company Malteurop Malting Co., which has a factory in Milwaukee, to release The Original Brew City Beer Map, a foldable guide of 62 beer-related destinations in the greater Milwaukee area, including the metro area’s many beer gardens, historic beer sites and breweries. “It was a project a few years in the making,” Suardini said. “What really makes it unique is it’s all inclusive; it doesn’t just represent breweries, but all beer-related attractions. Every other city that I can think of that has a beer map or beer trail, it’s very much focused on breweries exclusively. We worked hard to include a combination of breweries and all other beer-themed activities you can do.” VISIT Milwaukee printed a half-million copies to distribute both in-market – at restaurants, hotels and breweries – and out-of-market at rest stops and other high-traffic tourist areas. The organization is also in talks with its counterpart in Madison to explore collaborating on a piece that would draw the connections between the two strong beer cities. Led by VISIT Milwaukee, a delegation of beer representatives brought the then freshly-released map with them in summer 2018 when they attended the Great American Beer Festival, a threeday annual event in Denver that draws more than 60,000 beer enthusiasts from around the world. It’s a strategic place for Milwaukee representatives to be. Among GABF attendees – more of half of whom come from outside of Colorado – 84% reported being interested in traveling for beer-related reasons. biztimes.com / 17

Breweries 1

17 22 31 41

3 17 22 31 41 17 22 31 41“It’s

very much the market we’re trying to get to,” Suardini said. 3 In a crowd of more than 2,220 breweries hail34 3 ing from every60state, the Milwaukee group had to set itself apart. From its station, Third Space distributed samples of its popular Happy Place pale ale. VISIT representatives distributed maps and 34 60 34 60 encouraged attendees to sign up for a chance to 19 62 win the “ultimate brewcation” experience in Milwaukee, which netted more than 400 responses. A costumed Jim Haertel, president of Best Place 19 62 at the Historic Pabst Brewery, offered passersby 6 19 62 a chance to take 10 a photo with legendary beer icon King Gambrinus. The stunt helped boost Milwaukee’s visibility. 6 6 “Everyone wanted 20 a picture with the king,” 23 10 13 Haertel said. “I10must have taken over 3,000 pictures over the three days.” 2 47 21

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21 2 the 54 gesticulations of someone trained 47 With 47 21 2 54 59 57 40 29in45theater, Nykiel slips in a few innuen29 45 59 57 2640 Jason 8 32 27 as he dos 27 28 32 explains the beer brewing process to a 46 46 group 35 of about 25 people encircling him at Lake51 front Brewery. 38 54 26 8 Using26 a 55 tinge of edgy humor to liven up an 8 28 otherwise informative beer history presenta28 tion 35 has become a hallmark of Lakefront Brew35 51 51 38 54 38 ery tours, which 54 15 regularly rank among the most 55 14 city. While Lakefront tour guides popular in11 the 55

1 – many of whom boast theater, improv and other public speaking backgrounds – have the freedom 66 15 own script to develop their and add their own 15 11 14 11 14 63 they are encouraged to keep hosflare to the tour, 1 pitality top of1 mind. “I tell them, ‘You are ambassadors for the city,’” 66 66 said Russ Klisch, president and co-founder of Lake63 33 front Brewery.63“I say, ‘You can’t say anything bad about anyone else’s sports team. You want to make sure that person is feeling very comfortable in the city and happy to be here and wants to come back. 33 33 You are going to be one of the few people that (visitors) actually interact with in the city. And the image you present to people is what they’re going to 43 61 be leaving with of Milwaukee.’” When the 32-year-old brewery first began offering tours in its early days, Klisch would deliver 43 His them “like a science teacher.” brother, brewery 61 43 61 co-founder Jim Klisch, meanwhile, won visitors over by handing out beer at the tour’s outset and weaving humor into his presentation. “Everybody took his tour; no one wanted mine,” Russ said. “We found out early on that people come on tours for two reasons: they want to be entertained and they want to drink beer.” Lakefront has been sticking to that formula since. Over the past 20 years, the brewery has seen a “tenfold” increase in the number of people walking through its doors, and the reason behind tourists’ visits has also evolved over the

18 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

Breweries 2 Ale Asylum Riverhouse, Breweries 1110 N. Old World 3rd St., 1 1

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17 The Fermentorium Brewery & Tasting Room, 7481 Hwy. 60, Cedarburg, (262) 421-8593, thefermentorium.com  

1840 Brewing Company, 342 E. Ward St., (414) 236-4056, 1840brewing.com   

The Original Brew City Beer Map

1840 Brewing Company, 1840 Brewing (414) 269-8700, 342 E. Ward St.,Company, 342 E. Ward St., riverhousemke.com  (414) 236-4056, (414) 236-4056, 1840brewing.com Bavarian Bierhaus,   1840brewing.com    700Asylum W. Lexington Blvd., Ale Riverhouse, Ale Riverhouse, Glendale, 236-7000, 1110 Asylum N. Old(414) World 3rd St., 1110 N. Old World 3rd St., thebavarianbierhaus.com (414) 269-8700, (414)  269-8700,  riverhousemke.com  riverhousemke.com   Big Head Bierhaus, Brewing Co., Bavarian Bavarian Bierhaus, 6204 W.Lexington State St.,Wauwatosa, 700 W. Blvd., 700 W. Lexington Blvd., (414) 257-9782, bighead Glendale, (414) 236-7000, Glendale, (414) 236-7000, brewingco.com   thebavarianbierhaus.com thebavarianbierhaus.com    Brewing Company, Biloba  2970 N. Brookfield Big Head Brewing Rd., Co., Big Head Brewing Co., Brookfield, (262) 309-5820, 6204 W. State St.,Wauwatosa, 6204 W. State bilobabrewing.com (414) 257-9782,St.,Wauwatosa, bighead (414) 257-9782, bighead      brewingco.com    brewingco.com    Black Husky Brewing, Biloba Brewing Company, Biloba Brewing 909 St.,Company, 2970E.N.Locust Brookfield Rd., 2970509-8855, N. Brookfield Rd., (414) Brookfield, (262)blackhusky 309-5820, Brookfield, (262) 309-5820, brewing.com   bilobabrewing.com bilobabrewing.com     Brewing Co., Brewfinity  N58W39800 Industrial Rd., Black Husky Brewing, Black Husky Brewing, SuiteE.D, Oconomowoc, 909 Locust St., 909 E. Locust St., (262) 456-2843, brewfinity (414) 509-8855, blackhusky (414) 509-8855, brewing.com blackhusky  brewing.com    brewing.com      Broken BatBrewing BrewingCo., Co., Brewfinity Brewfinity Brewing Co., 231 E. Buffalo St., N58W39800 Industrial Rd., N58W39800 Industrial Rd., (414) 316-9197, brokenbat Suite D, Oconomowoc, Suite D, Oconomowoc, brewery.com    (262) 456-2843, brewfinity (262) 456-2843,brewfinity brewing.com  Co.,  City Lights Brewing brewing.com     2200 W.Bat Mount Vernon Ave., Broken Brewing Co., Broken Bat Brewing Co., (414)E.436-1011, citylights 231 Buffalo St., 231 E. Buffalo St., brewing.com     (414) 316-9197, brokenbat (414) 316-9197,  brokenbat brewery.com  Company Brewing, brewery.com    735 E. Center St., City Lights Brewing Co., City Lights Brewing Co.,Ave., (414) 930-0909, company 2200 W. Mount Vernon 2200 W. Mount brewing.com Vernon   Ave., (414) 436-1011, citylights (414) 436-1011, citylights brewing.com  Component Brewing brewing.com     Company,Brewing, 2018 S. 1st St., Company Company Brewing, #207, (414) 979-1088, 735 E. Center St., 735 E. Center St.,company componentbrewing.com (414) 930-0909, (414)   930-0909, brewing.com company  brewing.com    Delafield Brewhaus, Component Brewing Component Brewing 3832 Hillside Dr.,S. Delafield, Company, 2018 1st St., Company, 2018delafieldS. 1st St., (262) #207,646-7821, (414) 979-1088, #207, (414) 979-1088, brewhaus.com   componentbrewing.com componentbrewing.com   Park Brewing, Eagle  823 E. Hamilton St., Delafield Brewhaus, Delafield Brewhaus, (414)-585-0123, eaglepark 3832 Hillside Dr., Delafield, 3832 Hillside Dr., Delafield, brewing.com    (262) 646-7821, delafield(262) 646-7821, delafieldbrewhaus.com  Enlightened Brewing brewhaus.com    Company (Taproom), Eagle Park Brewing, 2018 S. 1st St., (414) 364-6225, Eagle Brewing, 823 E. Park Hamilton St., enlightenedbeer.com 823 E. Hamiltoneaglepark St., (414)-585-0123,  (414)-585-0123, eaglepark brewing.com   brewing.com    Enlightened Brewing Enlightened Brewing Company (Production), Enlightened Brewing Company (Taproom), 427 E. Stewart St., Company (Taproom), 2018 S. 1st St., (414) 364-6225, (414) 2018364-6225, S. 1st St., (414) 364-6225, enlightenedbeer.com enlightenedbeer.com    Enlightened Brewing The Explorium Brewpub, Enlightened Brewing Company (Production), Company (Production), Southridge Mall, 427 E. Stewart St.,5300 427 E. Stewart S. 76th St., UnitSt., 1450A, (414) 364-6225, (414) 364-6225, Greendale, (414) 423-1365, enlightenedbeer.com enlightenedbeer.com exploriumbrew.com      The Explorium Brewpub, The Explorium Southridge Mall,Brewpub, 5300 Southridge Mall, 5300 S. 76th St., Unit 1450A, KEY  Patio/Outdoor  S. 76th St., Unit Greendale, (414)1450A, 423-1365, Greendale, (414) 423-1365, exploriumbrew.com exploriumbrew.com   KEY KEY

 Patio/Outdoor  Patio/Outdoor

33 St. Francis Brewery and Restaurant, 3825 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., St. Francis, (414) 744-4448, stfrancisbrewery.com  

50 Pabst Mansion, 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 931-0808, pabstmansion.com 

The Fermentorium Fermentorium 34 St. Sprecher Beer Tours The 33 FrancisBrewing BreweryCo., 50 Pabst Mansion, The Fermentorium 33 701 St. Brewery Mansion, Barrel House, W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 50 Pabst Brewery & Tasting Room, andFrancis Restaurant, 3825 W. Wisconsin 51 2000 Brewery Hop MKE, Ave., Brewery &60, Tasting and Restaurant, 3825 2000931-0808, W. Wisconsin Ave., 6933Hwy. W. North Ave.,Room, (414) 964-2739, sprecher 7481 Cedarburg, S. Kinnickinnic Ave., St. (414) 818 S.931-0808, Water St., (262) 3737481 Hwy. 60, Cedarburg, S. Kinnickinnic Ave., St. (414) Wauwatosa, brewery.com     (262) 421-8593, Francis, (414) 744-4448, pabstmansion.com   8057, brewhopmke.com (262) 421-8593, Francis, (414) 744-4448, pabstmansion.com  thefermentorium.com  thefermentorium.com   35 stfrancisbrewery.com Sprecher Brewing Co.   thefermentorium.com   stfrancisbrewery.com   52 Fun Beer Tours Milwaukee, 19 Gathering Place Tasting Room, 706 S. 5th St., 18 The Fermentorium 34 Sprecher Brewing Co., Beer Tours (414) 202-3611, funbeer 18 Brewing The Fermentorium 34 sprecherbrewery.com Sprecher Brewing Co., Co.,  Beer Tours  Barrel House, 701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, toursmke.com Barrel House, 701 W. Glendalesprecher Ave., Glendale, 51 Brewery 811 E. W. Vienna Ave., Hop MKE, 6933 North Ave., 964-2739, 36 (414) Stock House Brewing Co., 51 818 Brewery Hop MKE, 6933 W. North Ave., sprecher (414) 964-2739, (414) 364-6328, S. Water St., (262) 37353 Milwaukee Food & City Wauwatosa, brewery.com    7208 W. NorthAve., 818 S. brewhopmke.com Water St., (262) 373- Wauwatosa, brewery.com     gatheringplace 8057, Tours, (414) 255-0534, thefermentorium.com  Wauwatosa, (414) 739-9876, 8057, brewhopmke.com  35 Sprecher Brewing Co. thefermentorium.com brewing.com       35 stockhousebrewing.com Sprecher Brewing 52 milwaukeefoodtours.com Fun Beer Tours Milwaukee, 19 Gathering Place Tasting Room, 706 Co. S. 5th St., 52 (414) Fun Beer Tours Milwaukee, 19 Gathering Place Tasting Room, 706 S. 5th St., 20 Brewing Good CityCo., Brewing,     202-3611, funbeer 54 Milwaukee Paddle Tavern, sprecherbrewery.com    (414) 202-3611, funbeer Brewing Co.,Ave., sprecherbrewery.com    2108 Farwell Ave., toursmke.com  820 S. 113 E. Juneau Ave., 811 E. N. Vienna 37 toursmke.com  36 Third StockSpace HouseBrewing, Brewing Co., 811 Vienna Ave., (414)E.364-6328, 539-4173, goodcity St., (414) 241-4394, (414) 36 1505 Stock House Brewing St. Paul Ave., Co., 53 Water Milwaukee Food & City 7208W. W. North Ave., (414) 364-6328, brewing.com     53 Milwaukee Food & City paddletavern.com ✱ gatheringplace 7208909-2337, W. North Ave., (414) thirdspace Tours, (414) 255-0534, Wauwatosa, (414) 739-9876, gatheringplace Tours, (414) 255-0534,  Wauwatosa, (414) 739-9876, 21 brewing.com Good City Brewing, brewing.com      55 milwaukeefoodtours.com Milwaukee Pedal Tavern,  stockhousebrewing.com brewing.com      milwaukeefoodtours.com  stockhousebrewing.com 333 W.City Juneau Ave., 820 S. Water St., (414) 48820 Good Brewing,  Harvest  38  Urban Brewing, 54 Milwaukee Paddle Tavern, 20 2108 Good City Brewing,  (414) 539-4173, goodcity 54 Milwaukee Paddle Tavern, 0427, pedaltavern.com N. Farwell Ave., 1024 S.Space 5th St., (414) 249-4074, 113 E. Juneau Ave., 820 S. ✱ 37 Third Brewing, 2108 N. Farwell Ave., brewing.com     113 E. Juneau Ave., 820 S. (414) 539-4173, goodcity 37 Third Space Brewing, urbanharvestbrewing.com St., (414) 241-4394, 56 Water MKE Tours, (414) 502-8335, 1505 W. St. Paul Ave., (414) 539-4173, goodcity Water St., (414) 241-4394,  1505 W. St. Paulthirdspace Ave., 22 brewing.com Inventors Brewpub,  909-2337,  paddletavern.com mketours.com  ✱ ✱ (414) brewing.com     paddletavern.com  ✱ (414) 909-2337, thirdspace 435 N.City LakeBrewing, St., Port 21 Good  39 brewing.com Vennture Brew Co., 55 Pedal Tavern, 57 Milwaukee Riverwalk Boat Tours 21 Good City Brewing, brewing.com      Washington, (262) 284-4690, 55 Milwaukee Pedal Tavern, 333 W. Juneau Ave., W.Harvest North Ave., S. Water St., &820 Rentals, 950 N.(414) Old 488World 38 5519 Urban Brewing, 333 W. Juneaugoodcity Ave., inventorsbrewpub.com 820 S. Water St., (414) 488(414) 539-4173, 38 1024 Urban Brewing, vennturebrewco.com  0427, 3rd St.,pedaltavern.com (414) 283-9999,  ✱ S. Harvest 5th St., (414) 249-4074, (414) 539-4173, goodcity      0427, pedaltavern.com  ✱ brewing.com     1024 S. 5th St., (414) 249-4074, riverwalkboats.com ✱ brewing.com     40 urbanharvestbrewing.com Water Street Brewery, 56 MKE Tours, (414) 502-8335, urbanharvestbrewing.com 23 Inventors Lakefront Brewpub, Brewery, MKE Tours, (414)502-8335, 22  N.Water   St., (414) 272-1195, 56 1101 mketours.com 58 Untapped Tours, ✱ 22 Inventors Brewpub,  1872N. N.Lake Commerce mketours.com  ✱ 435 St., PortSt., waterstreetbrewery.com 698-8058, 39 Vennture Brew Co., 435 N. Lake St., Port (414) 372-8800, lakefront 57 (414) Riverwalk Boat Tours Washington, (262) 284-4690, 39  Vennture Brew Co.,  W.  North 57 untappedtours.com Riverwalk BoatN.Tours 5519 Ave., Washington, (262) brewery.com  284-4690,  & Rentals, 950 Old World inventorsbrewpub.com 5519 W. North Ave., & Rentals, 950 N. Old World vennturebrewco.com  inventorsbrewpub.com 41 Water Street Brewery, 3rd St., (414) 283-9999,   Brewing  vennturebrewco.com  24  Melms Company, 3rd St., (414) 283-9999, ✱  1251 Gateway Dr., Grafton, riverwalkboats.com Beer Gardens 40 Water Street Brewery, 418 MertonBrewery, Ave., Hartland, riverwalkboats.com ✱ 23 Lakefront 40 1101 Water StreetSt., Brewery, (262) waterstreet N.375-2222, Water (414) 272-1195, 58 Untapped Tours, 23 Lakefront Brewery, (262)N. 361-4946, melms Beer Garden, 1872 Commerce St., 1101 N. Water St., (414) brewery.com   272-1195, 59 58 The Untapped Tours, 1133 N. Old waterstreetbrewery.com 1872 N. Commerce St., brewing.com   (414) 698-8058, World 3rd St.    ✱ (414) 372-8800, lakefront waterstreetbrewery.com (414) 698-8058,   Street Brewery, (414) 372-8800,lakefront 42 Water untappedtours.com    25 brewery.com Miller Brewing Company, untappedtours.com  60 Estabrook Beer Garden, brewery.com     Golf Rd., Delafield, 41 3191 Water Street Brewery, 4251 W. State St., 4600 Estabrook Pkwy., 24 Melms Brewing Company, 41 (262) Water Street Brewery, 646-7878, waterstreet 1251 Gateway Dr., Grafton, 24 Melms Brewing Company, (414) 931-3880, Beer Gardens (414) 219-9065, estabrook 418 Merton Ave., Hartland, 1251 Gateway Dr., Grafton, brewery.com waterstreet   Beer Gardens    ✱ (262) 375-2222, 418 Merton Ave.,melms Hartland, millercoors.com  (262) 361-4946, (262) 375-2222, waterstreet 59 beergarden.com The Beer Garden, 1133 N. Old  (262) 361-4946,melms 43 brewery.com Water Street Brewery, 59 World The Beer Garden,  26 brewing.com Milwaukee Ale House, brewery.com    3rdBeer St.   1133  ✱N. Old 61 Franklin Garden, brewing.com   140 W. Town Way, World 3rd St.    ✱ 42 Water StreetSquare Brewery, 233 N. Brewing Water St.,Company, 9100 S. 76th St., Franklin, 25 Miller 42 Water Street Brewery, Oak Creek, (414) 301-5290, 60 Estabrook Beer Garden, 3191 Golf Rd., Delafield, 25 Miller Brewing Company, (414) 276-2337, 60 4600 Estabrook Beer Garden, (414) 467-4958, croatianpark 4251 W. State St., 3191 Golf Rd., Delafield, waterstreetbrewery.com Estabrook Pkwy., (262) 646-7878, waterstreet 4251 W. State St.,  ale-house.com 4600 Estabrook Pkwy., beergarden.com  (414) 931-3880, (262) 646-7878,  (414) 219-9065, estabrook brewery.com waterstreet  (414) 931-3880,    (414) 219-9065, estabrook 27 millercoors.com Milwaukee Brewing brewery.com     ✱ 62 beergarden.com Hubbard Park Beer Garden, millercoors.com    44 Westallion Brewing beergarden.com     ✱ 43 Water Street Brewery, Company, 1128 N. 9th St., 3565 N. Morris Blvd., 26 Milwaukee Ale House, 43 140 Water Street Brewery, Company, 1825 S. 72nd St., 61 Franklin Beer Garden, W. Town Square Way, 26 233 Milwaukee (414)N. 226-2337, 61 Franklin Beer Garden, Shorewood, (414) 332-4207, WaterAle St.,House, 140 W. Town Square Way, WestCreek, Allis, (414) 9100 S. 76th St., Franklin, Oak (414)578-7998, 301-5290, 233 N. Water St.,     mkebrewing.com 9100467-4958, S. 76th St.,croatianpark Franklin, hubbardparkbeergarden. (414) 276-2337, Oak Creek, (414) 301-5290, westallionbrewing.com (414) waterstreetbrewery.com (414) 276-2337,   (414) croatianpark com467-4958, ✱ 28 ale-house.com MobCraft, 505 S. 5th St., waterstreetbrewery.com    beergarden.com     ale-house.com   beergarden.com    (414) 488-2019, mobcraft    63 Beer Beer Garden, 3000 27 Milwaukee Brewing 62 Humbolt Hubbard Park Garden, 44 Westallion Brewing 27 beer.com Milwaukee Brewing      62 3565 Hubbard Park (414) Beer418-2864, Garden, S. Howell Ave., Company, 1128 N. 9th St., 44 Company, Westallion Brewing Beer History N. Morris Blvd., 1825 S. 72nd St., Company, 1128 N. 9th St., 3565 N. Morris Blvd., milwaukeescraftbeergarden. (414) 226-2337, 29 Pabst Milwaukee Company, 1825 S. 72nd St., Shorewood, (414) 332-4207, WestPlace Allis, (414) 578-7998, (414) 226-2337, 45 Best at the Historic Shorewood, (414) com  ✱ 332-4207, mkebrewing.com  Brewery & Taproom, West Allis, (414) 578-7998, hubbardparkbeergarden. westallionbrewing.com mkebrewing.com     Pabst Brewery, 901 W. hubbardparkbeergarden. W. Juneau Ave., westallionbrewing.com com  64 The Landing at✱Hoyt Park, 28 1037 MobCraft, 505 S. 5th St.,     Juneau Ave., (414) 630-1609, com     ✱ 28 (414) MobCraft, 505 S. 5th St., 908-0025, pabstmke     N. Swan (414) 488-2019, mobcraft bestplacemilwaukee.com 63 1800 Humbolt BeerBlvd., Garden, 3000 (414) 488-2019, mobcraft brewery.com  63 S. Humbolt Beer Garden, 3000 Wauwatosa, (414) 302-9160, beer.com       Howell Ave., (414) 418-2864, beer.com      Beer History S. Howell Ave., (414) 418-2864, friendsofhoytpark.org 30 Pabst RaisedMilwaukee Grain Brewing Beer History milwaukeescraftbeergarden. 29 46 Best BrewPlace City MKE, milwaukeescraftbeergarden.      ✱ 29 Pabst Milwaukee Company, 1725 Dolphin Dr., 45 at the Historic com     ✱ Brewery & Taproom, 45 275 Best Place at the Historic W. Wisconsin Ave. com     ✱ Brewery & Taproom, Ste. B,W.Waukesha, (262) 505Pabst Brewery, 901 W. 65 1037 Juneau Ave., Pabst Brewery, 901 W. (Main entrance of Grand 64 Milwaukee The LandingCounty at Hoyt Park, 1037 W. Juneau pabstmke Ave.,    5942,908-0025, rgbrewing.com Juneau Ave., (414) 630-1609, Parks TravelingHoyt Beer 64 The (414) Juneau Ave., Avenue Mall),(414) (414)630-1609, 897-8765, 1800Landing N. Swanat Blvd., Park, (414) 908-0025, pabstmke   bestplacemilwaukee.com Garden, various locations, 1800 N. Swan Blvd., brewery.com      bestplacemilwaukee.com brewcitymilwaukee.com Wauwatosa, (414) 302-9160, brewery.com       mkebeergardens.com/ Wauwatosa, (414) 302-9160, 31 Raised Rebellion Brewing,     friendsofhoytpark.org 30 Grain Brewing traveling ✱ friendsofhoytpark.org 30 Raised Grain Brewing N57W6172 Portland Rd, 46 Brew City MKE, ✱ Company, 1725 Dolphin Dr., 46 Brew City MKE, 47 The Brewhouse Inn & Suites, ✱ Company, 1725 Dr., Cedarburg, (262)Dolphin 421-8678, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. 66 South Shore Terrace Ste. B, Waukesha, (262) 505275 W. Wisconsin 1215 N.entrance 10th St., (414) 810-3350, 65 Milwaukee County Ste. B,rgbrewing.com Waukesha, (262)505rebellionbrewingusa.com. (Main of Ave. Grand Beer Garden, 2900 S. 65 Milwaukee County 5942,  Parks Traveling Beer (Main entrance of Grand brewhousesuites.com  5942, rgbrewing.com        Avenue Mall), (414) 897-8765, Parks Beer Shore Traveling Dr.,various (414) 257-8005,  Garden, locations, Avenue Mall), (414) 897-8765,  brewcitymilwaukee.com 48 Forest Home Cemetery, Garden, various locations, southshoreterrace.com 32 Rebellion Rock Bottom Restaurant mkebeergardens.com/ brewcitymilwaukee.com 31 Brewing,   2405 W. Forest Home Ave., mkebeergardens.com/ ✱ ✱ 31 & Rebellion Brewery,Brewing, 740 N. Plankinton traveling  N57W6172 Portland Rd, (414)Brewhouse 645-2632, foresthome traveling      ✱ N57W6172 Portland Rd, Ave., (414) 276-3030, 47 The Inn & Suites, 67 Whitnall ParkTerrace Beer Garden, Cedarburg, (262) 421-8678, 66 South Shore 47 The Brewhouse Inn & Suites, preservation.org  Cedarburg, (262) 421-8678, rockbottom.com/locations/ 1215 N. 10th St., (414) 810-3350, 66 South Shore Terrace 8831 N. Root River rebellionbrewingusa.com. Beer Garden, 2900Pkwy., S. 1215 N. 10th St., (414) 810-3350, rebellionbrewingusa.com. milwaukee     brewhousesuites.com   49 Old World Wisconsin, Beer Garden, 2900 S. Franklin,  Shore Dr.,(414) (414)257-8005, 257-8005, brewhousesuites.com    67, Shore Dr., (414) 257-8005, mkebeergardens.com/ 48 W372 ForestS9727 HomeHwy. Cemetery, southshoreterrace.com 32 Rock Bottom Restaurant 48 2405 Forest Home Cemetery, Eagle, (262) 594-6301, southshoreterrace.com whitnall ✱ 32 Rock Bottom Restaurant W. Forest Home Ave.,    ✱ & Brewery, 740 N. Plankinton 2405 W. Forest foresthome Home Ave., oldworldwisconsin.org ✱ ✱ & Brewery, 740 N. Plankinton (414) 645-2632, Ave., (414) 276-3030, 67 Whitnall Park Beer Garden, (414) 645-2632, foresthome Ave., (414) 276-3030, preservation.org  67 Whitnall Park Beer Garden, rockbottom.com/locations/ 8831 N. Root River Pkwy., preservation.org  rockbottom.com/locations/ 8831 N. Root River Pkwy., milwaukee   Friendly  49 Old World Wisconsin, Tours Available  Food Service  BYOFood  Food Trucks ✱ Limited Hours Franklin, (414) 257-8005, milwaukee  Dog  49 Old World Wisconsin, Franklin, (414) 257-8005, W372 S9727 Hwy. 67, mkebeergardens.com/ W372 S9727 Hwy. 67, mkebeergardens.com/ Eagle, (262) 594-6301, whitnall     ✱ Eagle, (262) 594-6301,   ✱ whitnall     ✱ oldworldwisconsin.org oldworldwisconsin.org   ✱ 18 17 17

 Tours Available  Tours Available

 Dog Friendly  Dog Friendly

years, Russ said. “It used to be that people would say ‘I’m coming for a wedding or for work,’” Russ said. “We used to get that all the time. But now we see people actually coming to visit because they think it’s a destination.” By his estimate, about half of tour-goers are from out of the state and another 25 percent are from a Wisconsin city other than Milwaukee.

 Food Service  Food Service

 BYOFood  BYOFood

 Food Trucks  Food Trucks

✱ Limited Hours ✱ Limited Hours

Russ said Lakefront offers a quintessential Milwaukee experience, with its cream city brick walls, industrial feel, proximity to the Milwaukee River, Friday night fish fries and, of course, beer. It represents one prong of what he calls Milwaukee’s “brewery trifecta.” “We have heritage breweries like Miller and the Pabst complex and Schlitz complex for beer history nerds to visit,” he said. “We have Sprecher,

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ourselves and Milwaukee Brewing Co. And then the new wave of craft breweries. Our city has all three. We have a lot of heritage and history and creativity that goes on with the breweries in town here. It’s a great destination for people from out of town to come here to drink beer in Brew City again.” Among some of the city’s biggest beer champions is a sense of optimism for the city’s future.

“People from all over the country, when they’ve thought of Milwaukee, they think of the flyover city, the Rust Belt, the manufacturing; what’s really there to see in Milwaukee?” Haertel said. “But a lot of people are learning that Milwaukee is not just another city. We’ve saved so much of our history and our architecture and so much of it is interwoven with beer here in Milwaukee.” Given Milwaukee’s relatively late start to the

renaissance of craft brewing, some argue the city has catching up to do. “As a whole, the growth that the craft beer scene in Milwaukee has seen over the past three years is definitely impressive. Yet when looking at similarly sized cities around the country, we are still far behind in a lot of ways,” said Jake Schinker, owner and chief creative officer of Eagle Park Brewing. “That being said, beer tourism to biztimes.com / 19

VISIT MILWAUKEE

s, brinu , Gam King dary hero n e by a leg lded is hera as the many saint” on “patr eer. of b

Milwaukee has seen major growth due to the larger variety of beer styles being offered and Milwaukee becoming a more popular travel destination as a whole due to things like our successful sports teams and growing culinary scene.”

STORY COVER

OLD WORLD WISCONSIN

BEER HISTORY

Above: Old World Wisconsin in Eagle provides historic brewing demonstrations using equipment and techniques from the late 1800s, along with heirloom hops and barley grown on the grounds. Left: Third Space Brewing in Menomonee Valley.

CHALONDA WHITE

Below: Black Husky Taproom in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood.

20 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

The steady flow of tourists streaming through the former Pabst Brewing Co. headquarters in downtown Milwaukee suggests the city’s historic beer roots also remain a draw. The tour guides at Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery complex provide guests with beer and pretzels at its outset, before chronicling the history of Pabst, playing vintage beer commercials and walking visitors through the historic building’s Great Hall, Blue Ribbon Hall, Captain Pabst’s former office and the basement’s speakeasy. Haertel estimates about a third of visitors come from out of state, a third are local and a third come from elsewhere in Wisconsin. In 2001, Haertel, a beer and history enthusiast, cashed in his 401(k) to purchase a trio of buildings in the historic brewery complex, which had then been shuttered for five years. He was compelled to preserve a major city landmark, not just for locals, but for visitors as well. One of the city’s biggest assets, he argues, is the preservation of its architecture. On a recent afternoon, Haertel stood in the Great Hall as a tour of 14 people, including the tour’s youngest-ever participant, a 10-day-old baby, walked through the hall. He paused to tell the brief version of how he acquired the place. “I heard they were thinking about tearing this building down,” he said. “Wouldn’t that have been a shame? And I thought people like you would want to come see the place and drink some beer and have some pretzels.” On the southern edge of Waukesha County, Old World Wisconsin is looking to capture more beer history enthusiasts by building out its historic brewing demonstrations and adding a full-time operating brewery on its grounds. Old World plans to build a complex at its entry that will include a reconstructed small brewery that will house the historic demonstrations, an early 20th century tavern and a permanent beer garden. Dan Freas, director of Old World Wisconsin, sees the connection between the growing interest in craft brewing and its own historic brewing program. These days, people want to know what they’re consuming and how it’s made. Meanwhile, brewing is a big part of the state’s history that Old World hasn’t fully explored up until now. “People are making travel plans around beer and visiting parts of the country and experiencing craft brews,” Freas said. “This is part of a strategy we’re using at Old World Wisconsin to diversify the experience and make sure we’re offering something for everyone … And certainly beer and brewing has proven already, in the short time we’ve been doing our program, to attract people who might not otherwise think about visiting us.”

AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE While “brewcation” has entered the tourist industry lexicon with the micro-brewing surge in recent years, Schinker said out-of-towners don’t typically travel exclusively to imbibe in its brews. But it does serve a key purpose for many travelers. “I don’t think that most people are traveling for the sole reason of going to breweries, but rather go to a new city and use breweries as an easy way to see parts of town that aren’t just your boilerplate tourist destinations,” he said. “When people visit us from out of town we often get asked about other things to do around the city during their stay and are more than happy to give them the local’s guide to Milwaukee.” Since opening in 2015, Eagle Park Brewing has received visitors from across the world, Schinker said. One recent evening, he spoke with a man who was in town from Portland, Oregon, and later a couple from Japan. The fact that brewery owners like Schinker can be seen walking around and talking with customers is part of Milwaukee’s charm, Russ Klisch said. “Especially with the small breweries, it’s not uncommon for an owner to be walking around or giving a tour,” Klisch said. “It’s not as polished. It’s not a PR push or advertisement that you might get other places. It’s more genuine.” That’s a message Milwaukee can leverage, Suardini said. Drinking isn’t put on for tourists; it’s the city’s culture.

Guide Jason Nykiel leads a group on a Lakefront Brewery tour.

“Our whole city embraces it,” she said. “A trend right now is when you travel someplace, you want to feel like a local. You want to know the secret places. You want to have the inside scoop on the best restaurants; you want to know where the best bars are. So our locals are experiencing the same thing our visitors want to experience.” When Milwaukee hosts the Democratic Na-

tional Convention next summer, it will provide a unique opportunity for the city to show off its assets, among which many would count beer. The convention is expected to spawn as many as 2,000 convention-related functions across the region. Lakefront is among the beer-centric venues preparing to host some of them. “People coming for the DNC are going to be

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biztimes.com / 21

PHOTOS: VISIT MILWAUKEE

STORY COVER

Above: Milwaukee’s booth at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver was themed around the recently-released Original Brew City Beer Map. Right: Russ Klisch, president and co-founder of Lakefront Brewery, and Jim Haertel, president of Best Place (dressed as King Gambrinus), represented Milwaukee at the Great American Beer Festival

seeing a lot of the breweries here and it will be a great way to get the word out,” Klisch said. Meanwhile, others have questioned whether it’s instead high time for Milwaukee to shed itself of its longstanding association with beer, brats and cheese; “Laverne & Shirley;” “Happy Days” and the Bronze Fonz. VISIT Milwaukee won’t be leading that charge. “Some people will say, ‘We’re more than beer

and cheese,’ and what we like to say is ‘Yes, we have amazing beer and we have amazing cheese. We have an amazing arts scene. Our festivals in the summertime are amazing. We have fresh water. We have a motorcycle scene. Our hotels are fun. We have a riverwalk. It’s not just beer and cheese … but, from a VISIT Milwaukee standpoint, beer and cheese are pretty awesome. We have a lot to get excited about.” n

Thank You

Attendees, sponsors and partners! On June 13, a distinguished group of Milwaukee business leaders gave their insights to a crowd of 300 at BizTimes Media’s fifth annual Family & Closely Held Business Summit at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. The morning kicked off with a presentation from nationally-recognized futurist David Zach. Family business leaders Dan Ariens of Ariens Co., Nick and Tony Chiappetta of Chiappetta Shoes, Jerry Wedimann of Wisconsin Lift Truck, and Paul Bartolotta and Keith Trafton of The Bartolotta Restaurants then presented their ideas, followed by a moderated discussion with David Borst of Family Business Leadership Partners. Finally, attendees chose from 11 roundtable discussions to continue the conversation.

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Special Report HIGHER EDUCATION & RESEARCH

MAREDITHE MEYER

The Medical College of Wisconsin.

Translating science into business Kevin Boggs joined the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2018 as the director of its Office of Technology Development, after working as a senior manager of global licensing with North Carolina-based nonprofit research institute RTI International. Boggs says he wants to expedite the process of bringing MCW research and inventions to the marketplace. BizTimes Milwaukee reporter Lauren Anderson recently spoke with Boggs about his new position. Following are portions of that interview. BizTimes Milwaukee: What does MCW’s Office of Technology Development do? Boggs: “The Office of Technology Development is responsible ultimately for helping bring the fruits of the research of our creative faculty to patients and their health care providers so we can improve health care outcomes. Succinctly, if we have diseases we don’t have treatments for, and we know that research can lead to new treatments, the way that you go from research to new treatment, it goes through tech transfer. “We translate the science into business so businesspeople can understand it and get the rights and the support they need and the connections to faculty they need to bring those often high-risk products to market and help people. We do that by getting to know the researchers, what they’re doing, and then encouraging them to tell us about their inventions before they

publish them so we can ensure we have the ability to get patent applications filed and patents issued outside the United States. Then, we are responsible for evaluating the commercial potential of a product that we see coming from those early stage research breakthroughs. “It’s a pretty specialized business to do what we do. We have three licensing professionals, myself included, with backgrounds in microbiology and biochemistry and experience with startups.” How do you assess an invention’s market potential? “It takes a bit of creativity to look at research that is generally, almost always, purely academic, to say this could treat Huntington’s disease or a certain type of cancer, or could help improve MRI image analysis. We’re responsible for looking at the market. And it can seem like it’s very mercenary that we only invest in things that have a mar-

ket, but we’re talking to either entrepreneurs who are going to start companies, or existing companies, who will be driven mostly by the market. They need to know they can raise money from angel investors or venture capitalists, who are looking for return on investment. Or, if it’s a large company, they also have to worry about whether or not (they are) investing sometimes hundreds of millions of dollars, if it’s a new drug candidate. “We also, of course, look at the intellectual property landscape. Is the invention they’re telling us about, is it potentially patentable? Is it different enough from things out there that we have a chance of getting reasonable patent protection? If it seems there is a potential market and a credible chance at patent protection, then we’ll say, ‘Yes, we’ll move forward with this.’ We’ll file a patent application. Then it will be our job to go out to the marketplace, companies and

our entrepreneurial network to find someone who would be interested in doing the hard and risky work of bringing life science technologies to the marketplace. “Say we find an entrepreneur with some experience that can raise funds to do the early work to bring the technology to market, then we negotiate licenses with them. Then it’s a situation where we work with them on what’s a reasonable structure that allows them if they’re a startup to raise money from venture capitalists, but also allows reasonable return from MCW. Because MCW takes any net revenue to support our network here and research, and inventors also receive a share of the net revenue.” How are life sciences inventions particularly risky for investors? “The amount of money involved is multiples larger than a prototypical IT startup. With life sciences, a lot of what we do has a long development pathway. Not all of it, but some of it certainly, is from the regulatory requirements, from the FDA, European Medicines Agency, the regulators in whatever country. And because the science is always, by definition, cutting edge … that does ramp up the reward profile, but also certainly ramps up risk profile.” You’ve said you want to accelerate the process of bringing MCW inventions to market. How is your office doing that and what results have you seen? “On the front end, I’m doing a lot of work to educate the faculty about the process and I think we’re able now to be a bit more nimble. We have the authority to make a lot more decisions within our own office here about whether or not to file patent applications and which licenses to move forward with. I think the faculty are responding to that. “When faculty come to us with their invention, we call them ‘invention disclosures.’ It’s a confidential disclosure just to us. The rate of invention disclosures per year biztimes.com / 23

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24 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

If it seems there is a potential market and a credible chance at patent protection, then we’ll say, ‘Yes, we’ll move forward with this.’

is a key metric for offices like ours. The four years before I arrived, it was around 50. And it looks like we’re going to hit 75 this fiscal year, which ends in a few weeks. That’s a good sign.” “We want to make sure when we talk to (faculty), we have new information for them, the right answers for them, that we do everything we can to minimize the impact on their time. When we file their patent application, we need their help to review technical aspects, but we do everything else so it doesn’t really impact them that much. “On the other end of the funnel, we’re continuing to make sure entrepreneurs and investors in the region know about us, that we are open for business, that we do reasonable deals. We don’t give anything away for free … but we want to make sure we do fast, reasonable deals. When an entrepreneur or a large company wants to do a deal with a university, they have options. If we make it clear that we move at the speed of business, give them a fast turnaround and fast answers, we show them we know what we’re doing and they can sense that. I think that we’re going to see more licenses simply from moving at that fast tempo.” What kind of response have you seen from Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial community? “If you’re not in Boston or San Francisco or maybe San Diego, then you face similar challenges. You don’t have packs of venture capitalists roaming the halls looking to meet every faculty member that you have. But, given that, I’m glad that we do have a decent number of venture capitalists in the state that will look at the early-stage deals. I’m learning more about the angel investors in the area and I believe

they will be open to hearing about opportunities to invest in earlier rounds of investments. “From what I’ve seen, I think there is an opportunity to increase the education and awareness campaign that I’ve been carrying out by getting to know the folks in the region. Since I’ve been here, we’ve signed licenses with six startup companies. We hadn’t done licenses with even one startup the previous two years. Those happened not long after I got here, so I’m not taking credit for them, but I believe that the attitude I bring to it of, ‘Let’s get things done,’ hopefully helped move things along.” How does having a strong tech transfer office affect MCW as an institution? “Tech transfer weaves itself into a couple different areas. For administration, tech transfer is seen as important for faculty recruitment and retention. For faculty that are competitive at a national level, we often lure them from other places, and they get lured from here. More than once, I’ve been asked to meet with candidates from other universities who want to know that we have a credible tech transfer office. “I would say there needs to be more awareness that MCW is a rigorous research institution and, based on that rigor, we have quite valuable intellectual property that is a very credible basis of startup companies or new products on the market. Awareness is a very big thing. And certainly there is some level of awareness of what we do, but it needs to be broader across the state. I think a good number of people know we do research, but they need to know that we know how to work with people who are potential entrepreneurs and investors to help bring those to market.” n

Special Report HIGHER EDUCATION & RESEARCH

MATC

MATC Promise donor and Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele; David Dull, chairperson of the MATC district board; and Vicki Martin, MATC president, announce the MATC Promise for Adults free tuition program.

Free tuition programs aimed at providing opportunity, addressing workforce shortages BY LAUREN ANDERSON, staff writer AS WORKER SHORTAGES and college affordability remain persistent challenges in southeastern Wisconsin, more than 1,200 students have enrolled at Milwaukee Area Technical College through a free tuition program aimed at tackling both of those issues. In the fall of 2015, the college was the first in the state to launch a Promise program, which provides free tuition to qualifying low-income high school graduates from the college’s service district. When MATC leaders decided to roll out the program, it was driven

by a sense of urgency, said Vicki Martin, president of MATC. “People came together and said, ‘We’re going to do this,’” Martin said. “We didn’t want to lose another senior class in high school who could take advantage of this because what we’ve found is that so many students who are low-income, first-generation, historically underserved students didn’t believe they could afford to go to college.” The MATC Promise program covers tuition and fees for program courses for up to 75 credits. Across MATC’s district – which

includes all of Milwaukee County and portions of Ozaukee and Washington counties – there are more than 75,000 low-income students, Martin said. Since the program launched, 514 qualified students have enrolled at the college through the program, which is publicly and privately funded. Meanwhile, 135,000 people in Milwaukee County have completed some college but don’t have a degree. MATC expanded the Promise program in 2018 in an effort to help returning college students receive credentials. The MATC Promise for Adults program extends free tuition to students 24 years and older who are living in the college district and have already completed some col-

lege credits. It provides up to 75 credits toward an associate degree that is tied to a top 50 in-demand career in Wisconsin. Those degree programs include STEM fields, construction, health care, manufacturing, hospitality and tourism, among others. Both programs are last-dollar scholarships, meaning they cover the gap after other aids and scholarships are applied. MATC also assists returning students in getting out of student loan default. Nearly 3,330 prospective students expressed interest in the MATC Promise for Adults for 2018’19. About 1,000 of those students enrolled, including 689 who met all qualifications. “The MATC Promise for Adults generated a tremendous amount of

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“ DISCOVER NEW RESEARCH TALENT AT UW-MILWAUKEE

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26 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

When there’s $1.6 trillion of student debt (nationally), shame on us,” Black said. “We all need to work to do something about this.”

interest last year,” Martin said. “We are excited to offer the program for additional students for the next academic year.” The program is particularly focused on training workers to fill socalled “middle-skill” jobs: those that require more than a high school diploma but less than a bachelor’s degree. For students, the program provides a significant opportunity, Martin said. “They’re adults; they’ve already been there before,” she said. “They’ve come back and now they’re determined. We’ve gotten them out of default, and now they can get on track to pay it off and be eligible again for Pell. We work with them on internships and other things they can do to make sure they’re on the right path and in a career they’re interested in.” Between the two Promise programs, more than 1,200 students have enrolled at MATC, earning a cumulative 20,000 college credits. The MATC Foundation Inc. has received more than $2 million from more than 230 donors to support its Promise programs. The largest donor, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, personally gave $250,000 for the MATC Promise for New High School Graduates and an additional $500,000 for the MATC Promise for Adults. Gateway Technical College in Kenosha also launched a Promise program in 2015 for qualifying high school graduates. The program has seen traction among students, with more than 300 currently participating. Gateway Promise provides three years of free tuition to eligible students in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties. The college re-

cently reported that nearly nine out of 10 Promise students remained in college after their first semester, compared to a national average of five of every 10. The GTC Foundation recently surpassed its initial fundraising target by nearly $1 million to support the program, raising $3.93 million for the program. Lakeland University in Sheboygan County recently announced it would build off of MATC’s program by offering free tuition to qualifying students seeking their bachelor’s degree. Lakeland has established a scholarship fund to extend the opportunity to graduating MATC Promise students who go on to attend the university full-time. For many of the students, the scholarship will cover all tuition after federal and state financial grant aid has been applied. David Black, president of Lakeland University, said MATC and Lakeland serve similar student populations. “We’re a lot alike, not in just those whom we educate, but in how we see the world,” Black said. “So when (MATC leaders) talked about the Promise program, my gosh, the very spirit was exciting to us.” It also builds on other efforts by Lakeland to minimize debt among its graduates. The university recently rolled out a cooperative education model that allows students to gain 12 to 18 months of professional work experience with area companies, while earning an estimated $100,000 in wages and scholarships over four years to defray tuition costs. “When there’s $1.6 trillion of student debt (nationally), shame on us,” Black said. “We all need to work to do something about this.” n

Strategies INNOVATION

Trend watching What will your customers want next? YOU CAN’T ASK your customers to anticipate their next want or need. Usually, they don’t know. And if they don’t know, it’s difficult for you to create a long-range strategy that will help them. Strategic innovation occurs when a change – usually technological but not always – bumps up against a core human need. Tension occurs, and an unusually intuitive someone creates the innovation that serves a human need for status, love, connection, empathy, values, family, etc. Think Steve Jobs. He was best at it. More recently, Burger King this year introduced a new Whopper that has no beef but tastes like beef, which was developed by Impossible Foods Inc. in 2016. That’s typical of innovations that occur fast and become ubiquitous. ASK THESE QUESTIONS Today, on the edge, you can see ridiculous products and services. Don’t overlook them. Instead ask, what’s the new want that serves a human need? If you can identify one, is your innovation gaining traction? Do others begin to emulate it? In South Korea, you can check in to a “mock prison” for 24 hours. It’s an actual cell that delivers food through a tiny door. Ridiculous? Yes. But what’s the human need? It allows you to be alone with yourself and your thoughts, and escape the pressures of everyday life for one day. WHAT’S AROUND THE CORNER? So what’s headed your way? I pay close attention to trendwatching.com. It helps B2C professionals in more than 180 countries unlock powerful

answers to the question: “What will my customers want next?” Trendwatching sponsored a New York symposium recently that studied trends spotted throughout the world and that soon might be everywhere: 1. E VEN MORE CONVENIENCE AND MORE ON-DEMAND Stop & Shop in Boston sells produce from a driverless grocery store on wheels. You can summon it online. It will arrive at your address and let you select the produce you want and pay online. In China, you can walk into a booth on the street and access a doctor via telemedicine. The booth even has some over-the-counter medicines you can buy. 2. NEXT-ERA AUTOMATION Of course, there’s Amazon Go, the convenience store with everything bar-coded. As you take items off the shelf, it charges your credit card. Then you walk out. Other companies are testing this, too. Elsewhere, robots are mixing your drink or your coffee. 3. SELF-ACTUALIZATION A Boston-based company lets you take a blood test for only $99. It analyzes your blood and automatically delivers the medicines you need. Your biking friends might be using a Peloton bike and, with their virtual teammates, competing against other virtual teams. 4. SENTIENT SPACES THAT RECOGNIZE AND REACT TO YOU A casino, with your permission, uses facial recognition to know when you enter. You’re greeted by name, ushered to your favorite gambling table and served beverages. This technology can also be used to identify repeat offenders, without their permission. McDonald’s just spent $300 million for a company that will recognize you in the drive-thru lane and make customized suggestions to you from the menu board. 5. CREATING VILLAGES Create a village and offer more experiences throughout your business.

Walmart is opening Esports Arenas inside new stores. They allow for small- to large-scale highly produced esports and entertainment events. Esports Arenas also host daily video game competitions. The retail giant is also reimagining its outside areas to be more like a village, with exercise and live entertainment stages. Selfridges opened a high-end department store in London that includes a skate park inside. (Note: I’ve even skied inside a mall in Dubai!) How can you rework your spaces to foster communities? 6. Y OUR PEOPLE ARE THE EXPERIENCE AND GIVE YOUR BRAND PERSONALITY You don’t do it by forcing them to express themselves, or with fun benefits. Try to create an environment that puts the emphasis on the customer and encourages employees to “go beyond,” to “be themselves” and to “be the experience.” That’s what Southwest Airlines does. Have you ever heard a flight attendant give safety instructions? Hilarious! WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU Most of these ideas won’t work for your business. But by discussing them, your employees will be more likely to suggest ideas that can work for you and differentiate your company in the marketplace. n

PHIL HAUCK Phil Hauck chairs three groups for Vistage in northeast Wisconsin. He can be reached at phauck1@gmail.com. biztimes.com / 27

Strategies MANAGEMENT

Care, show appreciation Two ways to increase employee engagement

“Make it a priority to create a work culture that focuses on valuing your team.” —Maya Angelou

RESEARCHERS CONDUCTED a global Gallup poll a few years ago and found that only 13% of employees are engaged at work. If this stat is true, low engagement is at epidemic levels and it’s absolutely affecting productivity, innovation and competitive advantage. Once the shock of that statistic has worn off, think about your company. The majority of employees within your company could feel adrift and not have the proper motivation to complete the work, due to a lack of connection with your company. What can you do beyond sending out a survey or doing a quarterly team activity to show interest in their careers? Here are two suggestions. SHOW GRATITUDE REGULARLY I often tell CEOs that a largely overlooked leadership behavior is gratitude. Being able to show gratitude for the team you’re leading shows your employees that you value their intellect and appreciate their contributions. Cultivating a spirit of gratitude must be an intentional effort and if it’s not front and center in your mindset, the feeling of being simply a cog in the wheel or being taken for granted will creep back in, without you noticing. When a good thought comes to my mind about a teammate, friend or family member, I obligate myself to share it. What good does it do if it just bounces around in my head? I’d rather share that good thought and help make someone’s day. This simple expression sends what I refer to as “the value message.” It’s a simple way of ensuring people feel and know they are a valued member of the team. This simple expression, a quick “good job,” could make all the difference in helping ensure employees know their work counts, motivating them further to continue fulfilling the mission. The gratitude you put forward will enable you to build a strong and connected team, which will enable you to create massive competitive advantage for your company. DON’T FORGET EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT Here’s a truth…the pace with which your employees grow directly impacts the pace with

28 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

which your company grows. Many employees act surprised when their manager shows she cares about their individual development and success. By actively engaging in understanding your team’s growth and development goals, this shows how much you value them as individuals, which circles back to gratitude. Follow up individually with employees about their career aspirations and where they envision themselves within the company. Then, create actionable next steps to help them move in that direction. Helping your team members achieve their career goals is a smart financial investment – one that many leaders miss. This step is a building block that will help propel you as a leader, helping to create a line at your door with top talent wanting to work for and with you. Make it a priority to create a work culture that focuses on valuing your team; these are just two ways to improve employee engagement. n

PHIL MYDLACH Phil Mydlach is a business and leadership coach. As a serial entrepreneur, he has more than 30 years of experience leading companies and developing people. He can be reached at phil@mydlachmanagement.com.

FAMILY BUSINESS

The End When the family business dies

“The business can continue to another generation and then another, but at some point it will end.” —Maya Angelou

OKAY, I ADMIT IT… I was a “Game of Thrones” junkie. I came to the addiction later in life, around season 3 or 4, and then binge-watched to make sure we GOT the season all in during the one free week of HBO. Hey, we are Wisconsinites: It is either on sale all the time like Kohl’s or it is a buffet – all you can eat. Yes, I am cheap! But let’s get to the end – the real end – because that is it. GOT is done! And now the arguments have started to fly. Would Dany have really ordered the burning of King’s Landing? Should all those families who named their daughters Khaleesi change their names now that she is emblematic of Holocaust-like death? And why did Jon Snow have to go and kill her? Even our very own golden boy Aaron Rodgers of house Green Bay Packers had a cameo and beef with the ending. Aaron, stick to chugging beers at Bucks games

and being cheap on paying for Danica’s drinks and let the expert take the analysis from here. That’s me…the expert…the GOT junkie. Much like the House Lannister, family businesses don’t see it coming. They are so awash in their riches and plans for the future that they don’t even see the dragon in their midst. Speak to any family business about the end and they will banish you to the Watch. But the truth is, the end comes, or as Robert Bolt wrote in his play and then movie “A Man for All Seasons” about the life of Thomas More, “Death comes for us all.” But another truth is that many family businesses survive the death of the patriarch or matriarch. In fact, it is not this death of which I write. I write about the end of the business, the family legacy. Let’s examine the end. The business can continue to another generation and then another, but at some point it will end. That end could come in being bought out, or run into the ground by the disappointing son – Sam Tarly – with the big heart and bigger girth. Or perhaps your fleet burns at the hands of a jilted lover with an angry hot-breathed dragon bent on bringing the Greyjoy family to the bottom of the sea. God forbid the family firm ends up in the hands of The Hand, who happens to be an imp…or the family cripple – Bran of House Stark. Explain to me how the lone female left with name and birthright gets her own kingdom if not for some nod to prevailing feminist winds of the day. Yes, the family business will end and it is unlikely to be a smooth landing. So, does that mean it should never have begun? The vast majority of business owners I meet try to plan for every eventuality. They get prenups and postnups. They write wills and execute ethical wills all while still of this earth. They decide on passing the firm to the kids by interest, birthright, or who has the most cash at time of sale. But the truth of it is that most of the time the true end can’t be seen or planned for. So, like any good owner, you do your best. You get lawyers and financial planners on your team. You make sure your bankers know the passwords and the insurance agent has you covered. But did you plan on the blade to the gut by the one you love? Figuratively, for sure, but isn’t that the part of fate that just stinks? You never

see your loved one as the one to bring you down… or the treason from those who surround you and call you friends, perhaps even business partners. Caesar took it in the back while at least Jon Snow stabbed Daenerys during a kiss. How biblical that kiss of betrayal. So, should we never have a family business? In the immortal words of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, not of the House Targaryen, “’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” In other words, build that family business, but understand that in the end all good things must die. When they do, they will rarely die according to your plan. For me, I would rather go out like The Hound, fighting my brother right into the flames, than fly off like the dragon never to be seen again. Besides, dragons eat too much at Thanksgiving dinner anyway. n

DAVID BORST David Borst, E.D., is executive director and chief operating officer of Family Business Legacy Partners, a regional resource hub for family businesses. He can be reached at david.borst@cuw.edu. biztimes.com / 29

Marketplace

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New Hire?

Share the news with the business community! Announce new hires, promotions, accolades, and board appointments with BizPeople.

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BIZ PEOPLE

Advertising Section: New Hires, Promotions, Accolades and Board Appointments

BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES North Shore Bank Names New Vice President of Commercial Banking. Michael Cornell has joined North Shore Bank as VP- Senior Lender, Commercial Banking. With over 30 years in commercial banking, he brings tenured middle market experience. He is co-chair of the American Lung Association Fight for Air Climb committee.

BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES First Federal Bank of Wisconsin Names Brian McManus SVP of Lending. First Federal Bank of Wisconsin is proud to announce that Brian McManus, a 20-year banking industry veteran, has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Lending and Executive Officer of First Federal Bank.

FINANCIAL SERVICES Joe Maier Joins Johnson Financial Group as SVP Director of Wealth Strategy. Joe Maier has joined Johnson Financial Group as SVP, Director of Wealth Strategy. With 22 years in legal wealth strategy, Maier has extensive experience serving high-net worth individuals, business owners, corporate executives and family businesses.

LEGAL SERVICES Attorney Rodman W. Streicher joins von Briesen & Roper, s.c. Streicher is a principal associate in the litigation practice group. His litigation practice entails tax assessment, commercial, municipal, employment, real estate and contract disputes. He received a J.D. from Cornell University of Law.

BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES First Federal Bank of Wisconsin Names Michelle Haslam SVP of Operations. First Federal Bank of Wisconsin is proud to announce Michelle Haslam, former Information Security Risk Officer, has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations and Executive Officer of First Federal Bank.

BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES PNC Bank Names Nicholas Robinson Business Banking Sales Manager For Wisconsin. Nicholas “Nick” Robinson was promoted to vice president and business banking sales manager for Wisconsin. In his role, he will lead PNC’s business banking strategy and oversee a regional team of business bankers and treasury management officers.

LEGAL SERVICES

MANUFACTURING Nitin Kulkarni Promoted to Vice President of Engineering & Business Development. Helwig Carbon Products, Inc. announces the promotion of Nitin Kulkarni to the position of VP-Engineering & Business Development. Mr. Kulkarni has over 14 years of experience at Helwig Carbon Products in engineering management roles and now assumes the additional responsibilities of VP-Business Development. Prior to joining Helwig Carbon Products, Mr. Kulkarni spent 10 years with a leading motor manufacturer in engineering and manufacturing roles. Mr. Kulkarni’s extensive experience will contribute to increased customer support and growth into new market channels.

LEGAL SERVICES

Attorney Stephen A. Seifert joins von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

Attorney Lawrence C. Silton joins von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

Seifert is Counsel with the firm in the Business Practice Group. Seifert has over 35 years of experience in commercial, business, real estate law and litigation. He received a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin.

Silton is Counsel with the firm in the Business Practice Group. Silton focuses his practice on tax and business. He is also a certified public accountant. He received a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law.

LEGAL SERVICES Attorney Jared R. Stroik joins von Briesen & Roper, s.c. Stroik is a principal associate in the business practice group. Stroik focuses his practice on business, estate planning, real estate and tax issues. He received a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin.

OTHER Healthcare Strategist joins Kahler Slater as a Strategic Advisory Services Leader. Kahler Slater’s Healthcare Team welcomes Supina Mapon as Principal & Strategic Advisory Services Leader. She is a seasoned consultant who has advised health systems, academic medical centers, community hospitals and provider groups across five continents.

To place your listing, or for more information, please visit biztimes.com/bizconnect

OTHER Martin Luther King Economic Development Corp. Names Nicole Robbins Executive Director. Robbins has an extensive background in law and real estate. After law school, she served as a Corporate and Regulatory Attorney for Walgreen’s Corp. in Chicago. In 2011, she returned as a Milwaukee County Probate Court Commissioner and operated her private law practice, providing legal counsel to small businesses, nonprofits, and Fortune 40 companies. In 2018, Robbins was hired by the MLK Economic Development Corporation to direct MLK Homes. She holds a certificate from the Associates in Commercial Real Estate (ACRE) program, a B.S. from Marquette University, and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

LEGAL SERVICES Attorney Adam N. Skarie joins von Briesen & Roper, s.c. Skarie is a shareholder in the business practice group. Skarie focuses his practice on business planning, estate planning and federal and state tax issues. He received a J.D., Dean’s List, from Marquette University.

TECHNOLOGY Chris Downs joins New Resources Consulting as Vice President of Client Delivery. As Vice President of Client Delivery, Chris will serve as a consultant and client advocate, ensuring successful implementation of NRC’s portfolio of solutions to meet cost, quality and, most importantly, client expectations.

biztimes.com / 31

BizConnections

LILA ARYAN PHOTOGRAPHY

PAY IT FORWARD

Melissa Masek, senior corporate recruiter at Waterstone Mortgage, and Ericka Smith at the recent Women Build event in Waukesha.

Ericka Smith helps build homes through Habitat ERICKA SMITH, vice president of marketing for Pewaukee-based Waterstone Mortgage Corp., has seen the transformative effect housing can have on a community. Smith initially joined Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County’s board of directors in 2011 as a way to meet people and give back to the community, shortly after moving from Rock County to Waukesha County. Since then, she has helped the organization as it has expanded its building capacity from an average of one house per year to seven houses in 2019. “We’re employing a larger strategy now because we’ve expanded the staff, we’ve got the support of a larger board, and corporations in Waukesha County are stepping up and helping us achieve our mission,” she said. “It grows on itself. With every new person that gets excited, another person gets excited.” In her role at Waterstone Mortgage, she has helped spread that enthusiasm by leading a team 32 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

of volunteers during the organization’s Women Build event, which invites teams of women to help build a home in the community. This year’s event benefitted single mom Dawn Lhuillier, her daughter Courtney, who is in college and the National Guard, and her 9-year-old daughter Myah, who has severe special needs. The Women Build event drew 100 volunteers from various area companies over a 10-day period, including Capital Electric Wire & Cable Co., Eaton WAVE, Bradley Corp., QPS Employment Group, American Transmission Co., First Business Bank and Hydrite Chemical Co. Smith said her team members were eager to lend a hand. “We would need several more days to handle all the people who want to come back and help,” Smith said. In addition to volunteer labor, Waterstone Mortgage and its parent company, Waterstone Bank, have donated $20,000 to support Habitat’s build events over the past

Ericka Smith Vice president of marketing Waterstone Mortgage Corp. Nonprofit served: Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County Service: Board member

four years. As Habitat grows its building capacity, the organization is able to have a significant positive impact on families like the Lhuilliers and their neighborhoods, Smith said. “When you start small with one house, you can get a lot of people excited about it,” she said. “But when you’re making change to an entire block, you’re changing an entire community; you’re changing families’ lives. Those children that grow up in those houses are affected forever.” Events like Women Build also help put on display the mission of Habitat, Smith said. “I think people are often misinformed about what Habitat does, so this gives us an opportunity to talk about what we do,” Smith said. “Not only are we helping the family get into this home, but too, we’re trying to help people get into

affordable workforce homes and inform employers from Waukesha County about how they can benefit from affordable workplace housing. We can partner with business partners to do more of this. It’s a win-win for everyone.” n

LAUREN ANDERSON Reporter

P / 414-336-7121 E / lauren.anderson@biztimes.com T / @Biz_Lauren

BizExpo 2019

AROUND TOWN

BizTimes Media recently held its 15th annual BizExpo, a daylong southeastern Wisconsin business-tobusiness conference at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. The event included an exhibit floor with more than 100 exhibitors and 18 strategy seminars held throughout the day. It also featured three mainstage events: the Women in Business Breakfast, the Bravo! Entrepreneur and I.Q. (Innovation Quotient) Awards luncheon and the BizExpo After Hours networking event.

ANNETTE JACOBSON of Women Rocking the World, THERESA WILMOT of Wilmot Designs and DEBORAH KAHLER of Young Living.

JOEL BENZ of Waukesha State Bank, SHEILA BUECHEL, RICK MOON of Lunar Communications and KEVIN WALDVOGEL of Artmor Ltd.

KATHY THORNTON-BIAS of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, JULIE WATERMAN of Indulgence Chocolatiers, MAGGIE FERNANDES of MacGregor Partners, MARY LOU YOUNG, retired from United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, DEBORAH ALLEN of DNA Network LLC and MOLLY DILL of BizTimes Media.

MANNY LARA of Advocate Aurora Health, LARRY PRESBERG of PAI and ERIC VENN of The Venn Group LLC.

MARK SCHANEN of Supporting Strategies, LISA RAEBEL of Rebel Girl Marketing LLC and DOUG HARPSTER of Capital Electric Wire & Cable Co.

MARY HOEHNE of Granville Economic Development Corp. and DORINTHIA ROBINSON, project manager.

KAREN RUPNICK and RICK PETRE, both of Superior Support Resources Inc.

KAREN LIPYANIK-GEAGAN of Landsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; End and JUNIOR MEDRANO of Office Furniture Warehouse.

Photos by BizTimes Staff

Date with a Plate

ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis commemorated 20 years of service and celebrated the lives it has positively impacted at Date with a Plate 2019. With more than 430 guests in attendance, the event raised more than $360,000. 9.

BONNIE ANDERSON of ABCD, REEMA BANERJEE and ROHINI DESAI of ABCD.

10. KATHLEEN HARRIS of Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition and MORGAN OLDENBURG of LIFT Field Hockey. 11. Community volunteer SUSIE SILVERSTEIN and BizTimes columnist and author CARY SILVERSTEIN. 12. ELLEN FRIEBERT SCUPPER and WAYNE OLDENBURG of ABCD with TIM SMITH and PEGGY WILLIAMS-SMITH of Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

13. MO CAROLLO, SARAH JOERRES, MARTIN VERTACNIK of 360 Degrees LLC and EMILY VERTACNIK of University School of Milwaukee. Photos courtesy ABCD biztimes.com / 33

BizConnections VOLUME 25, NUMBER 7 | JUN 24, 2019

GLANCE AT YESTERYEAR

126 N. Jefferson St., Suite 403, Milwaukee, WI 53202-6120 PHONE: 414-277-8181 FAX: 414-277-8191 WEBSITE: www.biztimes.com CIRCULATION: 414-336-7100 | circulation@biztimes.com ADVERTISING: 414-336-7112 | advertising@biztimes.com EDITORIAL: 414-336-7120 | andrew.weiland@biztimes.com REPRINTS: 414-336-7100 | reprints@biztimes.com PUBLISHER / OWNER Dan Meyer dan.meyer@biztimes.com

SALES & MARKETING

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Mary Ernst mary.ernst@biztimes.com

EDITORIAL EDITOR Andrew Weiland andrew.weiland@biztimes.com MANAGING EDITOR Molly Dill molly.dill@biztimes.com REPORTER Lauren Anderson lauren.anderson@biztimes.com REPORTER Maredithe Meyer maredithe.meyer@biztimes.com REPORTER Arthur Thomas arthur.thomas@biztimes.com

— This photo is from the Milwaukee Public Museum’s Photo Archives collection.

COMMENTARY

Deer District ideal for new museum ELLEN CENSKY was recently named the new president and chief executive officer of the Milwaukee Public Museum. She becomes the leader of one of Milwaukee’s most important cultural institutions at a crucial time in its existence. The museum’s building, completed in 1962, is in bad shape. Burst pipes have damaged collections. The roof leaks and the basement has mold issues. The building’s deferred maintenance is estimated at $87 million. It needs to be replaced. Early cost estimates are $100 million. This will be one of the most important civic projects in Milwaukee’s history. It must be done well, and picking the right location is vital for the museum and for the community. Museum officials have considered several possible locations. Censky says they are down to four in the downtown area. 34 / BizTimes Milwaukee JUNE 24, 2019

She declined to name them all, but did say that the Mitchell Park Domes site is no longer under consideration, and the site of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts parking structure is still in contention. Moving MPM out of downtown to Mitchell Park would have been a bad idea. Downtown is far more dynamic and the city needs to cluster its attractions as close as possible. Marcus Center president Paul Mathews has pitched the idea of having MPM and Betty Brinn Chidren’s Museum located in a development at the Marcus Center parking garage site at East State and North Water streets. That would create a cultural campus in the middle of downtown. Another possibility is the lakefront, which could become a museum district with MPM, Betty Brinn, the Milwaukee Art Museum and Discovery World. But I have a better idea: the Deer District. Just across the Milwaukee River from the Marcus Center, the Deer District (the development district anchored by Fiserv Forum) is the hottest spot in town. Crowds have packed the new arena for Bucks and Marquette men’s basketball games and several notable concerts. Huge crowds flocked to the district during the NBA playoffs to watch the Bucks on giant

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Molly Lawrence molly.lawrence@biztimes.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Maggie Pinnt maggie.pinnt@biztimes.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Christie Ubl christie.ubl@biztimes.com SALES INTERN Tess Romans tess.romans@biztimes.com

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This photo, taken circa 1913, appears to show the Historic Third Ward building at 322 N. Broadway. Constructed in 1909, it was home to produce wholesaler Jennaro Brothers until 2005. Milwaukee developer Robert Joseph purchased the 26,400-square-foot warehouse in 2016 and redeveloped it. A Wahlburgers restaurant is expected to open there later this year.

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Independent & Locally Owned — Founded 1995 —

outdoor screens. The district’s entertainment block has been an early success. The Bucks plan to attract additional development around the arena in the Park East corridor and at the former Bradley Center site. The goal is to create a vibrant neighborhood with activity going on 24-7. The museum could help accomplish that goal. The arena is a mostly nighttime attraction. But MPM draws daytime traffic year-round nearly every day (about 550,000 visitors annually). A mixed-use development at the former Bradley Center site with a new Milwaukee Public Museum, hotel, retail and restaurants would be ideal. The Bucks’ deep-pocketed owners could help provide funds for the new museum. Hopefully it’s an idea given serious consideration. I asked a Bucks spokesman about it and his response was, “we have no comment.” Stay tuned. n

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JAKE HILL PHOTOGRAPHY

5 MINUTES WITH…

RYAN WALTHER Co-owner, Wisconsinbly Holdings LLC

IN JULY 2018, Wisconsinbly Holdings co-owner Ryan Walther announced the company had raised $1.5 million to fund its formation and growth. Almost one year later, he’s delivered on that promise. In early April, the company’s Milwaukee-based lifestyle and apparel brand, Drink Wisconsinbly, relocated its Walker’s Point pub and merchandise store to a new 3,500-square-foot space within the Milwaukee Bucks’ Entertainment Block near Fiserv Forum. That move came after Drink Wisconsinbly secured a deal to sponsor three craft beer bars inside the new arena. Also in April, the company launched its own line of spirits, starting with Drink Wisconsinbly brandy. In an interview with BizTimes reporter Maredithe Meyer, Walther discussed the company’s plans for continued growth. BRAND EVOLUTION “This all started as a slogan on a T-shirt: ‘Drink Wisconsinbly.’ Obviously people connected right away and there’s a great connection to this brand – Wisconsinites are extremely loyal and have state pride. We started as unofficially the official lifestyle brand of Wisconsin, but our goal is to someday be the official lifestyle brand of Wisconsin. We plan to be the lifestyle brand of Wisconsin in and around fun and good times and events; across hospitality, for example… Furthermore, we love the idea of getting into consumer packaged goods – salty snacks. Who knows?

Maybe a Drink Wisconsinbly brat.” BUCKS COLLABORATION “(The Deer District) is going to be a big-time entertainment center over the years. The fact that we were able to partner with the Bucks and the Bucks saw our brand and what the brand delivers and the fact that we really celebrate Wisconsin, really delivers on what their objective was: to bring that local flavor and local feel to the Deer District. In addition to that, obviously, with the events, the Bucks, Marquette plays there, it’s a lot of touches to our brand; a lot of people are going to encounter our brand.” MULTIGENERATIONAL APPEAL “Social media and our content is kind of like a mix of The Onion and Barstool Sports of Wisconsin. So on that front, I certainly think that younger generations follow the content, like the content and are fans of the content. That’s kind of the mouthpiece (of DW). So, I think with our media and our attention to content – and it will grow in the future – that’s going to definitely be a driver to that younger audience, certainly. But you know, when you come through the pub, you’ll see the millennials, and you’ll see older generations from all parts of the state, but that’s what I think really separates the brand. Yes, we’ll always have the young ones coming through… but it’s really a brand for many generations.” n biztimes.com / 35

CONGRATULATIONS 2019 FUTURE 50

Winners

360 DEGREES AccuTrans Group ADVENT All Occasions Catering/Bubbs BBQ American Construction Services AMI Information Systems Arrow Sewing Cabinets Brunch Central Standard Craft Distillery Cleary Gull Current Electric Company Custom Wire Technologies Dersē Diversified Design and Manufacturing Enviro-Safe Resource Recovery Equips FareTemps Geneva Supply Glenn Rieder Good City Brewing Greenfield Rehabilitation Agency Heritage Senior Living InCheck Interstate Roof Systems Consultants James Imaging Systems

Kowal Investment Group Lemberg Magellan Promotions Mindful Staffing Solutions Moore Construction Services PartsBadger Plasti-Coil / Tri-Tec Price Erecting Company Rent College Pads Rocket Clicks Sanborn Tube Sales of WI Scas Management Group Spectrum Investment Advisors Spike Brewing Equipment SRH Tall Guy and a Grill Catering TESCHGlobal The American Deposit Management Co. The Cabinetree of WI Titus Talent Strategies Tuna Traffic VJS Construction Services Vulcan GMS Warehouse-Lighting COM Wenthe-Davidson Engineering Co.

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FUTURE 50 AWARDS LUNCHEON

September 20, 2019

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The Future 50 Program was created by MMAC’s Council of Small Business Executives to recognize top local firms that are growing in revenue and employment. Presenting Sponsor

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