BizTimes Milwaukee | September 18, 2017

plus SHERMAN PHOENIX TENANTS PREPARE TO TAKE FLIGHT 23 STANDARD ELECTRIC OWNER GROOMS FOURTH GENERATION 25 Cindy Gnadinger, Carroll University

MEET THE 2017 FUTURE 50 COMPANIES 27

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BizTimes Milwaukee (ISSN 1095-936X & USPS # 017813) Volume 23, Number 13, September 18 - October 1, 2017. BizTimes Milwaukee is published bi-weekly, except two consecutive weeks in December (the second and third weeks of 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 2017 by BizTimes Media LLC. All rights reserved.

Contents

4 Leading Edge 4 NOW

BY THE NUMBERS 5 FRESH DIGS 6 BIZTRACKER 7 REV UP 8 THE PUBLIC RECORD 9 BIZ POLL WHO’S ON THE BOARD 10 IN FOCUS 11 QUOTE/UNQUOTE

12 Biz News 12 PORT MILWAUKEE WANTS TO BRING BACK INTERMODAL SERVICE 14 MY TAKE

16 Real Estate 27 Future 50

COVER STORY

18

Region’s new college presidents chart their own course

Special Report

79 Strategies 79 DAVID BORST 80 TIP SHEET

82 Biz Connections DAN PROFIO PHOTOGRAPHY

82 PAY IT FORWARD 83 PERSONNEL FILE 84 GLANCE AT YESTERYEAR

23 Entrepreneurship & Family Business

84 COMMENTARY

Coverage includes a closer look at some of the entrepreneurs planning to join the Sherman Phoenix hub and the story of Standard Electric’s plans to transition to the fourth generation.

85 AROUND TOWN 86 THE LAST WORD

biztimes.com / 3

Leading Edge

BIZTIMES MEDIA – Like us

NOW

36 branches to be closed in Associated-Bank Mutual deal

By Molly Dill, staff writer Associated Banc-Corp revealed in a recent legal filing that a total of 36 branches will be closed and their operations consolidated with nearby branches in its acquisition of Bank Mutual Corp.

Green Bay-based Associated filed applications with the Federal Reserve and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency seeking approval for the planned acquisition of Brown Deer-based Bank Mutual, which the companies announced July 20. In the applications, the

BY THE NUMBERS

73 %

of Wisconsin construction firms are reporting labor shortages, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.

4 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

banks outlined their post-merger branch network.

The branches that will be closed are in very close proximity to another branch, which is why they are being consolidated.

In the filing, the companies said: “There will be significant, ongoing opportunities for employees of both organizations to contribute to the organization over the long-term.”

If Associated and Bank Mutual receive the regulatory approvals being sought and get the go-ahead from Bank Mutual’s shareholders, the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018. Associated expects a 45 percent cost savings from the transaction, which will be drawn from mainly branch consolidations and layoffs.

The companies plan to close 28 Bank Mutual branches and eight Associated Bank branches. Here is the complete list of the branches that are closing:

Associated branches to be closed

Bank Mutual branches to be closed 510 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee 3340 S. 27th St., Milwaukee 6801 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee 2600 N. Mayfair Road, Milwaukee 5784 N. Port Washington Road, Milwaukee 8780 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek 400 N. Moorland Road, Brookfield 10296 W. National Ave., Milwaukee 8400 W. Forest Home Ave., Milwaukee W178N9379 Water Tower Place, Menomonee Falls 3212 Fiddlers Creek Drive, Waukesha 1870 Meadow Lane, Pewaukee 1526 S. Main St., West Bend 4323 W. Wisconsin Ave., Appleton 201 N. Monroe Ave., Green Bay 1227 Egg Harbor Road, Sturgeon Bay 2603 Glendale Ave., Green Bay 835 E. Green Bay St., Shawano 2370 E. Mason St., Green Bay 2111 Holiday Drive, Janesville

10509 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon

130 W. Maple Ave., Beaver Dam

1930 Wisconsin Ave., Grafton

145 East Cook St., Portage

420 E. Main St., Ellsworth

6209 Century Ave., Middleton

2403 S. Oneida St., Green Bay

1 East Main St., Madison

206 N. Wisconsin St., De Pere

10562 Kansas Ave., Hayward

2252 W. Mason St., Green Bay

2000 Crestview Drive, Hudson

212 Bay St., Chippewa Falls

8420 City Center Drive, Woodbury

3009 Mall Drive, Eau Claire

749 Main Ave., De Pere

DAN PROFIO PHOTOGRAPHY

FRESH DIGS

PLUM MEDIA OW N E R / DE V E LOPE R : Richard Schmig A RC H I T E C T S : Plunkett Raysich Architects and Design 2 Construct

C O N T R AC T O R : Design 2 Construct C O S T S : $1.85 million C O M P L E T E D : August 2017

MILWAUKEE MEDIA PRODUCTION COMPANY PLUM MEDIA relocated from leased space in the Historic Third Ward to a renovated warehouse in the city’s Menomonee Valley.

The company’s 22 employees moved in to the new office, at 1418 W. St. Paul Ave., at the end of August.

“I’m excited to move to this area because I think there is going to be a lot of growth down here,” said Richard Schmig, company president. “There is a lot of potential here.”

The two-story building was constructed in 1929 and was the former location of the Milwaukee Casket Co. It was later occupied by Action Heating & Cooling Inc.

Architects used wood from the casket company to build the office doors and railings for Plum. The original floor and ceiling is still intact.

“If it is done right, and I think we did it right, we’re not feeling too much like a funeral casket company,” Schmig said.

The Milwaukee Casket Co. operated three buildings at the site and Schmig owned all three.

In March, he sold the building at 422 N. 15th St. to Christopher Kidd, owner of Menomonee Fallsbased architectural firm Christopher Kidd and Associates LLC, who is planning to renovate the building and expand his business with an office there. n – Corrinne Hess biztimes.com / 5

Leading Edge The latest area economic data.

Startup firms in Wisconsin’s Qualified New Business Venture program received

$281.7 million Here to help local businesses put tomorrow’s plan in motion today.

in funding in 2016, up 60 percent from 2015, according to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

54 There are

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Wisconsin firms on the new Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America, up from 52 a year ago.

Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender

Attendance at the Wisconsin State Fair totaled

1,028,049 this year, a 1.2 percent increase from 2016.

For the first seven months of the year, passenger traffic at General Mitchell International Airport increased

2.5%

compared to the same period last year.

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55.4

The Milwaukee area manufacturing index was

in August, down from 56.98 in July.

Any reading greater than 50 indicates growth.

HOME FRONT ALLIANCE LEADERSHIP: Garrett FitzGerald

LILA ARYAN PHOTOGRAPHY

REV UP

H E A D Q U A R T E R S: Milwaukee W H AT I T D O E S: Connects veterans with colleges F O U N D E D: 2013 E M P L OY E E S: 10 N E X T G O A L S: A complete virtual access transition plan for veterans.

Helping them determine what they should study, where they should study and what they should do afterward.

FUNDING: $250,000 seed round, 2013; $200,000 series A round, 2015.

Garrett FitzGerald

Home Front Alliance develops site for American Legion

By Molly Dill, staff writer

From Aug. 18 to 24, about 9,000 American Legion members from around the country descended on Reno, Nevada for the organization’s 99th national convention.

At the conference, the American Legion rolled out a web platform that will help up to 55,000 veterans across the country find and apply to colleges that match their field of interest. That website was developed by Milwaukee startup Home Front Alliance LLC. While there are a variety of services available to veterans and service members as they transition out of active duty, they’re mostly focused on employment and financial services.

There is less help available in the secondary education arena, said Garrett FitzGerald, founder of Home Front Alliance.

The company got its start with its own platform, CollegeRecon.com. The site launched last year after two-and-a-half years of development, and has been growing steadily by connecting veterans with on-campus admissions representatives. But the partnership with the American Legion will help the 10-employee firm take flight, FitzGerald said.

To put the sheer scale of the American Legion’s reach in perspective: There are about 1,000 average monthly users on CollegeRecon. com. The American Legion expects the new platform to attract 35,000 to 55,000 users from among its 2.3 million members just this year.

“With this new added tool, what they expect just based on their own marketing outreach and efforts and what they do with schools, that’s their target,” FitzGerald said of the American Legion. “It will be definitely our biggest platform so far.”

Home Front Alliance earns its revenue from colleges and universities, which pay for a subscription that allows them to create a profile on the site, post content, advertise and send newsletter promotions to users on its CollegeRecon and American Legion platforms.

The cachet associated with the American Legion has already been beneficial to Home Front Alliance. Instead of calling on colleges, Home Front received more than 50 calls from colleges in the first two weeks of the American Legion platform launch.

“For a while, it was a lot of just us banging down (the American Legion’s) doors,” he said.

“It took a year of nonstop calling, emailing, trying as hard as you can to get in.”

The platform is expected to help the American Legion reach veterans fresh out of the military, a group it has been working to target.

“The American Legion, their big focus right now, they have an issue with bringing in new and younger members,” FitzGerald said. “They looked at education as a vital thing to focus on because they’re targeting that younger demographic.” n biztimes.com / 7

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PUBLIC

RECORD Milwaukee’s biggest golden parachutes

By Arthur Thomas, staff writer WHEN ALEX MOLINAROLI left Johnson Controls International plc 18 months ahead of schedule, he became eligible for cash severance and bonus payments of more than three times what he would have gotten had he stuck around.

The terms of the merger between Johnson Controls Inc. and Tyco International plc called for Molinaroli to stay on as chairman and chief executive officer for 18 months after the merger. He would then be executive chairman for 12 months before retiring.

That timeline would have made him eligible for an estimated “golden parachute” of almost $39 million, but he agreed to receive $20 million as part of an amended employment agreement.

The JCI board, however, opted in August to accelerate the timeline, moving president and chief operating officer George Oliver into the chairman and CEO roles. Molinaroli left the company and was no longer eligible for the $20 million package. Instead, he’ll receive roughly $63 million in payments.

It’s common for companies to have change of control agreements in place with their top executives. Courtney Yu, associate director of research at California-based Equilar Inc., which tracks executive compensation, said the packages offer a safety net for executives to pursue transactions in the best interest of shareholders.

“Without one, executives might not be motivated to go through with a merger because of what it might mean for their own jobs,” Yu said.

Molinaroli’s package included three times the sum of his base salary and average performance bonus, which Yu said is on the higher end as companies have shifted toward a two-times multiplier. Other elements of his package are quite common, she said.

In the Milwaukee area, Molinaroli’s severance package is well ahead of the field. The average is roughly $12.8 million, while the median is around $8.8 million. It is worth noting companies use a variety of different structures for change of control agreements that alter when they are triggered. Some don’t include severance payments and some don’t have them in place at all.

Here are the top 10 payments that could be triggered locally, based on a BizTimes review of securities filings as of Sept. 7: 1. Jeffery Yabuki, Fiserv Inc., $41.5 million 2. Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Inc., $36.2 million 3. Paul Manning, Sensient Technologies Corp., $29.1 million 4. Nicholas Pinchuk, Snap-on Inc., $28.3 million 5. Allen Leverett, WEC Energy Group Inc., $26.8 million 6. Ajita Rajendra, A.O. Smith Corp., $26.3 million 7. Joel Quadracci, Quad/Graphics Inc., $25.5 million 8. Matt Levatich, Harley-Davidson Inc., $19.9 million 9. Todd Teske, Briggs & Stratton Corp., $19.8 million 10. Philip Flynn, Associated Banc-Corp, $16.9 million

BIZ POLL

A recent survey of BizTimes.com readers.

Who’s on the Board?

Is Hans Weissgerber III’s proposed beer garden at Pere Marquette Park downtown a good idea?

YES:

77%

NO:

23%

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

WEC ENERGY GROUP • John Bergstrom, chairman and chief executive officer, Bergstrom Corp.

• Barbara Bowles, retired vice chair, Profit Investment Management • William Brodsky, retired chairman, CBOE Holdings Inc. • Albert Budney, Jr., retired president and director, Niagara Mohawk Holdings Inc. • Patricia Chadwick, president, Ravengate Partners LLC • Curt Culver, non-executive chairman of MGIC Investment Corp.

• Thomas Fischer, principal, Fisch-

Gale Klappa

er Financial Consulting LLC • Paul Jones, retired executive chairman and CEO, A.O. Smith Corp.

• Gale Klappa, non-executive chairman, WEC Energy Group • Henry Knueppel, retired chairman and CEO, Regal Beloit Corp.

• Allen Leverett, president and CEO, WEC Energy Group • Ulice Payne, Jr., managing member, Addison-Clifton LLC • Mary Ellen Stanek, managing director and director of asset management, Baird Financial Group

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Leading Edge

@BIZTIMESMEDIA – Real-time news ALEX SCHNEIDER

inf cus

High-end living on the Milwaukee River WHEN MILWAUKEE-BASED Mandel Group Inc. developed its apartment building, DoMUS, along the Milwaukee River in the Historic Third Ward, designers traveled the country to find the latest designs for its units.

The results include reclaimed elm shelving and large Carrara quartz islands in the kitchens, and floating vanities and white quartz in the bathrooms.

The luxury comes at a price. Monthly rents at DoMUS start at $1,375 a month for a 646-squarefoot one-bedroom apartment. The complex, in the 300 block of East Erie Street, includes 91 one-bedroom apartments; 39 two-bedroom apartments, starting at $2,595 a month; and two three-bedroom apartments, starting at $5,720 a month.

The six-story building curves with the river. And the outside pays homage to the neighborhood, with screens depicting the warehouses that used to line Erie Street hiding the first-floor parking.

Mandel Group’s original plans for the site called for a 61-unit condominium building, but that project was scrapped when the downtown condo market collapsed and the Great Recession hit.

The sixth floor units opened Aug. 1, with the final apartments opening Sept. 20.

Vita Physical Therapy & Fitness will open on the first floor as part of the amenities package, in addition to a club room along the Riverwalk. n -Corrinne Hess 10 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

“ QUOTE

unQUOTE

MARK HOGAN

”

S EC R E TA RY A N D C H I EF E X ECU T I V E O FFI C ER , W I SCO N S I N ECO N O M I C D E V ELO PM EN T CO R P. Mark Hogan was intimately involved in negotiating Wisconsin’s $3 billion incentive offer for Foxconn Technology Group to build a $10 billion manufacturing complex and create 13,000 jobs in southeastern Wisconsin. He’s also had the task of defending and championing the legislation needed to make the deal a reality, including at a Joint Finance Committee hearing in Sturtevant. n

“This project’s impact will be more than just the black and white ROI numbers that I am accustomed to reviewing.”

“This is not a company that sits on the sideline waiting for someone to come up with an idea. This is a company where research and development is part of their DNA.”

“From day one, when I looked at this opportunity, I thought this was a game-changer relative to finding significant opportunities for people that are underemployed in the city of Milwaukee.”

“We should be recruiting workers that want to work in Wisconsin and live in Wisconsin. That’s what we should be doing.”

“We have heard from several of the venture capitalists in the state of Wisconsin feeling this is a game-changer relative to making Wisconsin a point where the East Coast and the West Coast dollars are now going to be looking at Wisconsin.”

“We’re negotiating the terms of the contract, but it would be our intent to have clawbacks which are consistent with others we’ve done with the enterprise zones.”

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4 1 4 - 2 7 3 - 3 5 0 7 | w w w. t o w n b a n k . u s

biztimes.com / 11

BizNews FEATURE STORY

An aerial view of the intermodal service at Port Milwaukee shortly before it shut down in 2012.

Port Milwaukee leading effort to bring back intermodal service

By Arthur Thomas, staff writer ALMOST FROM THE DAY Canadian Pacific Railway closed down its intermodal container service at Port Milwaukee in September 2012, users of the service began asking when the port would find a way to bring the service back.

But for nearly five years, Peter Hirthe couldn’t get either of the Class I railroads operating at the port to even discuss the idea.

“What we’ve been trying to do is look for a window of opportunity with the railroads,” said Hirthe, senior trade development representative at Port Milwaukee. “We had multiple meetings over the last several years where we couldn’t get the engagement.”

The window he was looking for opened earlier this year as both 12 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

railroads, Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific Railroad, had new management at various levels, including a new chief executive officer at CP. The chance for a new beginning presented a chance to redevelop business relationships and Hirthe made it a point to put intermodal on the table. The goal wasn’t necessarily to get either to commit immediately to restarting the service, but instead to explore the feasibility.

Both railroads were willing to discuss intermodal, but one of their first questions was how much demand there was for it. “Union Pacific is evaluating the feasibility of providing intermodal service to Port Milwaukee. While we cur-

rently provide manifest service to the region and have rail access to the port, establishing intermodal service would require additional investments, likely from public and private funding sources. We look forward to continued discussions about supporting economic growth in the state of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee region.”

When the intermodal service was shut down at Port Milwaukee, it wasn’t because no one was using it. There just wasn’t enough volume for the railroad to operate as efficiently as possible, especially when management put an emphasis on moving containers quickly.

“I think the volume we moved through here, it was profitable,” Hirthe said. “They wanted to move

and actually quantify them. He reached out to the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce to begin a survey of potential intermodal users about what kind of international and domestic quantities they would have; if they weren’t using intermodal now, whether they would if it were in Milwaukee; and other details.

Reaching out to MMAC quickly translated into a much wider statewide partnership that brought state agencies and other organizations onboard.

“It was one phone call and suddenly the next day you had DOT, WMC, WEDC, all the acronyms you can think of, DATCP got involved, all the stakeholders,” said Katie Henry, executive director of MMAC’s World Trade Association.

Jason Culotta, senior director of government relations for Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, said it made sense for his organization to get involved, particularly for members in southeastern Wisconsin and the Green Bay and Fox Valley area, especially if it could drive down costs and make businesses more efficient.

The outreach included a joint email message to members from the heads of WMC and MMAC.

The survey went out in July and again in August. Hirthe plans to keep collecting data, but he thinks there’s sufficient information to show there is enough demand.

“We think we’ve got enough of a snapshot now … that they’ll be able to do some serious number crunching,” he said. “They have existing networks and existing systems that they have to add this to and there’s an impact.”

Hirthe hopes to receive solid feedback from the railroads by the end of the year, if not sooner. Even if the railroads aren’t able to make intermodal service in Milwaukee work immediately, Hirthe is hoping they will offer him a roadmap to making it a reality.

There are still open questions around whether there will be a balance between inbound and outbound traffic, how the service could evolve, the potential impact of a proposed cross-lake shipping operation and whether the port is the ideal location.

“The goal of this ultimately is to have it here (in the region),” Hirthe said. “At the moment the port’s in the center of it, but the overall effort long-term is not port-specific.”

The previous intermodal service ran in a roughly 10-acre space near the city heavy lift dock at the port. That area is now used for some storage and short-term operations, but the infrastructure is still ready.

“We could do what we were doing within a short period of time, I would say months,” Hirthe said.

A decision to restart the service is not imminent, but supporters of the effort are optimistic.

“We went from neither railroad really wanting to talk intermodal to both, so it’s at least positive that we’re engaged,” Hirthe said.

Culotta agreed: “We’re also optimistic, we’re hopeful it comes to pass because it just makes doing business in Wisconsin easier to do.”

Jeff Fleming, a spokesman for the port and the Milwaukee Department of City Development, said workforce and transportation are consistently the top two issues considered in making relocation or expansion decisions, and adding intermodal would check an important transportation box.

“That helps the concept of adding new businesses and improving the overall health of the business climate here,” he said. n ARTHUR THOMAS

from the West Coast to Chicago as quickly as possible and so we were a speed bump on that velocity.”

Intermodal shipping, in which containers or truck trailers make long-haul movement by rail and connect to trucks or ships at one or both ends, has grown in the United States from 3.1 million containers in 1980 to a high of 13.7 million in 2015, according to the Association of American Railroads.

More than 5.8 million containers and trailers originated or terminated in the Chicago market in 2014, according to the association, making it the largest in the country.

With that much volume, the Chicago market is known for congestion at the rail yards and on the highways. When Milwaukee’s intermodal service closed, companies had to truck their products down to Chicago before they could go out on railways to their final destination.

Crossing over the state line adds costs for Wisconsin companies. Hirthe has heard from some firms spending more than $1 million per year on tolls alone, and some municipalities in the Chicago area are looking at imposing their own permit requirements on incoming trucks. On top of those costs, there’s the simple fact that having to drive to Chicago limits the number of trips a driver can make in a day, compared to coming only as far as Milwaukee.

“There’s layers of cost right now that are only involved in the intermodal process for Wisconsin manufacturers because they have to go so far and they have to cross state lines,” Hirthe said.

A 2012 Milwaukee Common Council resolution urging CP not to shut down the service estimated going to Chicago would cost companies an additional $600 per container.

The railroads already have an idea of how much demand there is, since they both operate in Chicago.

Hirthe pointed out both only know their own business and no one has a sense of the whole picture.

Hirthe had plenty of anecdotal examples of the demand, but he needed to take all those voices

The current view of the city heavy lift dock where the intermodal service used to operate. biztimes.com / 13

BizNews Attend the

on October 4, 2017 at the Wisconsin Expo Center

3M Industrial Customer Center Visit the 3M Industrial Customer Center, featuring the Safety Roadshow - a 48-foot, fully equipped mobile training center showcasing 3M’s industrial safety expertise and personal protective equipment. 3M will also highlight product innovations from a variety of business units. The Safety Roadshow truck will be conducting trainings all day, while attendees can meet 3M personnel, and learn about the latest products driving industrial business today.

MY TA K E

Should Wisconsin repeal the state’s moratorium on sulfide mining?

State Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) recently introduced legislation to repeal a nearly 20-year-old state law that requires sulfide mining companies to show another mine they have operated for at least 10 years has been closed for at least 10 years without polluting groundwater or surface water. n

TOM TIFFANY KERRY SCHUMANN State Senator

YES NO

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SHAPING THE FUTURE Manufacturing Matters! 2017 will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee on February 23rd, 2017. The theme of this year’s conference is Shaping the Future, and the conference features 18 breakout session in six tracks including: Growth • Operational Excellence • Human Capital Management C-Suite Essentials • Technology & innovation Wisconsin Manufacturing P L AT I N U M S P O N S O R

As workforce challenges and trends are on the minds of most manufacturers, we are pleased to announce this year’s keynote presenter is Kip Wright, Senior Vice President of Manpower, North America. Kip will discuss G O key L D workforce SPONSORS trends and what manufacturers can do to secure and develop their current and future workforces.

October 4th from 7:00-11:00 Kip Wright

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REGISTER TODAY! www.manufacturingmatters.org

Register today or learn more: visit biztimes.com/mfg 14 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT “Sulfide mining can be done safely and effectively. The Flambeau Mine in Ladysmith has demonstrated this. During its operation, the Flambeau Mine successfully purified the surface area drainage and pit pumping water through a treatment plant. Upon closure, to avoid long-term acid rock drainage, the pit was backfilled with 30,000 tons of limestone to neutralize any ARD that forms.”

“According to the EPA, sulfide mining is America’s most toxic industry. It poisons rivers, kills wildlife, disrupts ecosystems and taints surface water and groundwater with heavy metals and carcinogens like lead, arsenic and cyanide. Metal mining accounts for 37 percent of all toxics reported to the EPA. Mining in the U.S. pollutes up to 27 billion gallons of water per year.”

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNIT Y “People want to make things in America again. Our neighbors, Minnesota and Michigan, have placed their shovels in the dirt of America’s future. It is Wisconsin’s turn to do the same. American technological needs such as mobile phones, hybrid cars and even solar panels require mined minerals to be built. It is time for America to build these products. That process can begin here.”

“Mining does not bring prosperity. Across the nation, high levels of unemployment, slow rates of growth, high property taxes and stagnant or declining populations beset mining communities. During (the Flambeau Mine’s) last year of operation, (Rusk County) suffered from the second-toworst unemployment rate in the state.”

STATE OVERSIGHT OF MINING “Consumers purchase products every day that are mined in countries with little to no environmental protection. It is time to step up to the plate and mine in a state that chooses to rigorously protect its environment.”

“With this bill, Tiffany is trying…to give away our natural resources to foreign mining interests, and he’s requiring no proof they will not destroy our air, land and water.”

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Real Estate

@BIZTIMESMEDIA – Real-time news

The Marcus Theatres BistroPlex in Greendale.

Two more movie theaters planned in Brookfield

MARCUS THEATRES opened its first BistroPlex earlier this year at Southridge Mall in Greendale, and now wants to open another in Brookfield, even though it already has a movie theater there.

But the newest BistroPlex, which is billed as a restaurant that serves movies, won’t be located at The Corners mixed-use devel-

opment in Brookfield, in which Marcus has a minority ownership stake.

Instead, the BistroPlex will be built at Brookfield Square Mall as part of an effort to revitalize the mall. The 40,000-square-foot theater will be attached to the shopping center in a separate building as part of the future redevelopment of the Sears building.

The Sears store remains open at Brookfield Square, for now. But eventually, plans indicate the Sears space will be converted into an entertainment center. Officials with Chattanooga, Tennessee-based CBL & Associates Properties Inc., the owner of Brookfield Square Mall, aren’t ready to talk about it.

“We’re thrilled about the addition of BistroPlex at Brookfield Square. It’s the first key component of our Sears redevelopment project,” said a CBL spokeswoman. “We’re unable to announce additional information at this time (regarding Sears) as we’re still in the process of finalizing plans.”

Marcus Theatres was looking at several CBL locations for its second BistroPlex when CBL mentioned its plan to redevelop Brookfield Square, said Rolando Rodriguez, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Marcus Theatres.

It seemed like a perfect fit,

WHO REALLY OWNS IT? ADDRESS: Fire Engine House #15, 105 N. Water St., Milwaukee OWNER: IMP Real Estate Services LLC/Timothy Dyer A small former fire station built next to the bridge that is the southern gateway to Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward neighborhood is easily missed if you aren’t looking for it.

The two-story, 5,600-square-foot building is currently home to Integrated Medical Partners with condominiums on the second floor.

The property is also currently listed for sale by Transwestern, with an asking price of $2.7 million.

ASSESSED: $703,000.

16 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Rodriguez said.

“This is a project long sought after by us for many years. Being connected to a shopping center will offer customers an all-day entertainment experience,” Rodriguez said.

The Brookfield BistroPlex will be 5.2 miles from Marcus’ flagship theater, the Marcus Majestic Cinema at 770 N. Springdale Road in the Town of Brookfield, and 5.8 miles from the Marcus Ridge Cinema in New Berlin.

The distance from Brookfield Square to those theaters is similar to the distance from the Greendale BistroPlex and Marcus’ south side theaters, Rodriguez said.

“Traditionally, in our industry, the five mile radius tends to be a good barometer,” he said. “When you look at Brookfield, that area is a really nice growth corridor. We’re putting the (BistroPlex) theater where it makes the most sense.”

THEATER AT THE CORNERS The Majestic opened in 2007, replacing two Brookfield theaters, Marcus West Point and the Marcus Westown Cinema.

The vacant West Point building was demolished as part of The Corners project, a $200 million development on a 19-acre site bounded by West Bluemound Road, North Barker Road and I-94.

Marcus Theatres parent company The Marcus Corp. first unveiled plans for The Corners in 2011, and later sold its majority stake for the project to Chicago-based Brookfield Corners LLC, the joint venture formed to build The Corners development.

Rodriguez said Marcus Corp. is still involved in The Corners, but he would not disclose what percentage it owns.

Whatever the percentage, it is apparently not enough to sway any stakeholders on their decisions.

In August, The Corners announced that Miami, Florida-based Silverspot Cinema will enter the Wisconsin Market with a 750-seat, 41,000-square-foot theater at The Corners, a move which Marcus Theatres opposes.

The Silverspot Cinema will

focus on cultural programming but will also show first-run movies.

“If we would have thought that was a good strategic location, we would have designed and built a theater there ourselves,” Rodriguez said, adding that The Corners is not structurally designed for a movie theater.

“We’ve expressed as partners and as experts in the business our feelings that this is not logical,” Rodriguez said. “We hope that rational minds come to bear.”

DOWNTOWN MOVIE THEATER PLANS While Marcus Theatres has been looking at suburban growth, it has not lost sight of downtown Milwaukee.

In June 2016, plans surfaced on a Baltimore-based architectural firm’s website depicting “Edison Place,” a mixed-use development northwest of North Water Street and East Knapp Street in downtown Milwaukee being developed by The Marcus Corp.

Renderings included an eightscreen cinema, fueling excitement for a downtown theater.

“We believe it is time to have a theater downtown, as well,” Rodriguez said.

But the Edison Place site, which Marcus Corp. owns, might not be where its theater is ultimately located, Rodriguez said.

“We are exploring multiple opportunities within the downtown for a theater. It may not be there. There are no definitive plans,” he said. n

THE MILWAUKEE BALLET The Milwaukee Ballet will build a two-story, 52,000-squarefoot facility at 132 N. Jackson St. at the southern end of the Italian Community Center parking lot in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward neighborhood.

The building will replace the Ballet’s training studio and offices at 504 W. National Ave. in Walker’s Point. It will include two large rehearsal halls for the ballet’s main dance company, multiple classrooms for children and adults, and five other rehearsal studios for children. HGA Architects and Engineers is leading the design team for the project.

OWNER: Milwaukee Ballet Co. SIZE: 52,000 square feet

CORRINNE HESS Reporter

P / 414-336-7116 E / corri.hess@biztimes.com T / @CorriHess

biztimes.com / 17

Gnadinger

18 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

DAN PROFIO PHOTOGRAPHY

STORY COVER

t r a h c s t n e d i s e r p e g e l l o c w e n e s s ’ r n u o i o g c e n R w o r i e th

BY ARTHUR THOMAS, staff writer The first few weeks on any new job can be chaotic and exciting. There are new people to meet, policies to learn and a chance to set up your office in your own way.

It is no different for new college presidents.

Many begin their roles in mid-summer when a college campus is quieter and lacks the same level of energy as the fall or spring. But that time also offers an opportunity for new leaders to get their bearings and meet with board members, administrators, faculty, students and staff.

That’s exactly how Cindy Gnadinger spent the first few weeks as the new president of Carroll University, so it is understandable the tags were still on the chairs in her office in mid-August as she discussed her vision for Carroll. Gnadinger also pointed out her new conference table was yet to arrive and she was waiting to make sure the chairs fit the table.

The challenge of setting up the office wasn’t unique to Gnadinger. Six weeks into his role as Carthage College president, John Swallow had yet to figure out how he would rearrange his office.

He’d taken to asking visitors for their input.

Decisions about office furniture are pretty small in the scope of things a college president has to do. Gnadinger arrives at Carroll after the tenure of Doug Hastad, who took the school from a college

to a university and capped off his time by starting more than $50 million in capital improvement projects. When he arrived in 2006, Hastad launched a strategic plan the school has now lived out.

“This is my time to do the same,” Gnadinger said. “We’re going to dive totally in and launch a full-scale strategic plan.”

Carthage is in the midst of capital improvements of its own. It is currently constructing a $21.5 million residence hall, and received a $15 million gift last year for a career and welcome center, on the heels of opening a $43 million science center in 2015.

Gnadinger and Swallow are among a group of six new presidents named either last year or this year at private higher education institutions in southeastern Wisconsin. The six are tasked with charting a course for schools that together serve roughly 16,000 students.

The infusion of new leadership comes at a time of increasing tuition and frequent questions about the value of a college degree or of a liberal arts education. Surveys from the Pew Research Center and other organizations have shown an increasing number of people think colleges and universities have a negative effect on the country, while those who see a degree as necessary for success in the workforce is declining.

“The business model is broken,” said David Black, now on his second stint as president of Lakeland University. “I have for years wondered, what is the new model that would in fact work?”

Lakeland is in the process of adopting a new

approach to its undergraduate programs focused on co-operative education. Black said the idea is to lengthen the school year closer to 11 or 12 months, but give students the opportunity for paid work experiences at area companies to help minimize their debt burden and prepare them to enter the workforce.

Black, like many of the other new school leaders, emphasized the value of a liberal arts education, but said there’s no reason students can’t also graduate with a relationship with a world-class company or organization.

“Liberal arts colleges have always had three objectives for students – understanding, knowledge and wisdom. It’s precious,” he said. “My goodness, how do you make sense out of Charlottesville if you lack understanding or knowledge or wisdom?

So there’s a reason for us to continue, but we have to continue in a business or operating model that is sustainable.”

Getting to know a new place Black previously led Lakeland from 1989 to 1997 before leaving to become president of Eastern University in Pennsylvania. Unlike many of the other new presidents, he steps into the job with the benefit of the relationships he maintained over the past 20 years.

Others have to begin building relationships in a new city. Christine Pharr, Mount Mary University’s new president, met with every board member individually for an hour-and-a-half and offered

CINDY GNADINGER, CARROLL UNIVERSITY AGE:

50

FAVORITE BOOK:

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE:

B.S. in elementary education PREVIOUS JOB:

President, St. Catharine College

CHILDHOOD DREAM JOB:

Third grade teacher

FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL:

“The people! Our students are enthusiastic and achieve at high levels, and the faculty and staff are fully committed to our students’ success, which shows in their work each and every day.”

“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger – “After all these years, I still find it a timeless depiction of adolescent angst.”

FAVORITE MUSIC GENRE:

Americana-bluegrass rock THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOU:

Compassionate, energetic and driven BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED:

“If you want something you’ve never had, then you must do something you’ve never done.”

INTERVIEW EXCERPT:

Gnadinger is actually the second woman to be named the first female president of Carroll, since Sara Ray Stoelinga withdrew in February after initially being chosen.

Gnadinger said that situation hasn’t come up much in her first few weeks. “I’ve not actually heard anything about it. You are the first to bring that up,” she said. “I’m thrilled to be here and think it’s an opportunity that I was just fortunate enough to be part of.”

biztimes.com / 19

STORY COVER

John Swallow CARTHAGE COLLEGE AGE:

47

Bachelor of arts (summa cum laude) in mathematics and English literature, The University of the South

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE:

Provost and executive vice president, The University of the South

PREVIOUS JOB:

CHILDHOOD DREAM JOB:

College professor (really!)

FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL:

“The warmth and friendliness of everyone on campus.”

FAVORITE BOOK:

“The Aeneid”

FAVORITE MUSIC GENRE:

Contemporary jazz

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOU:

Friendly, focused, curious BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED:

“Know thyself.”

Swallow is originally from North Carolina and lived for the past several years in Tennessee. He was surprised when someone stopped him before he went for a bike ride on an 80-degree day to express concern about the heat and humidity. As for Wisconsin winters, he said he’s been warned: “I hear there’s a lot of clothing one might need so I’m prepared to be making some purchases.”

INTERVIEW EXCERPT:

Carthage College is in the midst of constructing a $21.5 million residence hall.

20 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

all faculty and staff the opportunity to meet with her for 30 minutes. She said some came prepared with a detailed list of talking points to discuss and while it is a bit of a scheduling nightmare, the process has helped her get to know the institution.

Swallow credited Carthage’s presidential transition committee for setting up meetings with local leaders he needed to get to know, including those in government, nonprofits and the business community.

“I’m not sure I would have come up with those ideas myself,” he said.

John Walz, who took over as president at Milwaukee School of Engineering in 2016, said he was once advised to take the first year to learn as much as possible about the institution.

He tried to adhere to that while also getting his leadership team set.

“There’s been a lot of stuff the first year just laying the base,” he said.

Like Black, Sister Andrea Lee was able to hit the ground running at Alverno College thanks to her previous three years on the school’s board of directors. She transitioned from president of St. Catherine University in Minneapolis-St. Paul to president of Alverno over the course of a weekend.

“It was not a hard transition for me because I already knew the institution,” she said. “I was captured by the magic and the mission of Alverno.”

Lee said she believes women’s colleges allow student potential and leadership to take hold. That’s especially true, she said, when combined with Alverno’s abilities-based education, which includes things like communication, analysis, problem-solving and developing a global perspective.

“They do embody the skills employers tell us they are looking for,” Lee said.

The other five new presidents expressed a similar sentiment – the mission of the schools that selected them helped draw them to Wisconsin.

Pharr, who was previously an administrator at a women’s college in Omaha, Nebraska, said she “saw what that did to empower women and Mount Mary is very similar in nature to that institution, so for me this is a logical career step.”

“I think that this is a very mission-focused institution and I really care about that,” she said.

Gnadinger, a self-described history nut, said she saw Carroll’s founding as the state’s first four-year institution of higher education, combined with its recent emphasis on health sciences, as a sign the school was able to adapt.

“What that told me was this is an institution rooted in history, deep in tradition, but is also aware of and meets the needs of its community,” she said.

Swallow saw something similar in Carthage’s relocation in 1962 from Illinois to Kenosha and the continued evolution of its programs. He said the school has been willing to ask what the world needs and then participate in delivering it.

“I am not afraid of that question,” Swallow said. “I don’t think that question is going to lead us to a fundamentally different institution, but I think it can offer us new opportunities.”

Walz, previously the engineering dean at the University of Kentucky, said MSOE fit exactly what he imagined if he ever did become a college president.

“One thing about being small and private is you can be nimble, you have the ability to respond quickly to opportunities, maybe more than you would have at a large state school,” he said.

MSOE was founded to prepare students for the workforce, Walz said, and given the school’s emphasis in engineering, business and nursing, it is well-positioned for today’s job market.

“There’s always a need for schools like us and there’s always a demand for the types of students that we graduate here,” he said. “So you keep that as your base and then you answer the question of how can you do that better.”

Addressing challenges Doing better is a challenge for all of the institutions, especially in the area of tuition. Black pointed out tuition has gone up as technology, insurance and other costs have gone up for schools, “but family incomes, adjusted for inflation, have remained essentially static in the Midwest for 40 years.”

“So how do we make all of that work?” he asked.

Private schools often point out most stu-

dents don’t pay the full tuition price after receiving scholarships and other financial aid, but Swallow said there should be more simplicity.

“I am disappointed sometimes at how complicated it is for a student and a family to learn what they need to learn about what it will cost,” he said, noting someone once pointed out to him there aren’t other industries where the consumer indicates his or her interest in making a purchase, sends in a tax form and then hears nine months later whether he or she can make the purchase and what the price will be.

“That’s a little bit of an exaggeration, but it just shows you how complicated it can be … the first question should be, ‘How will I be a more developed person after four years at this institution?’”

Walz and Pharr both said they understand that costs are going up, but added there is still value in a higher education.

“It’s the best investment you can make in your life and I really believe that,” Pharr said. “What you pay for your education, even if you have some debt when you come out, that’s going to last you a lifetime and that’s what we have to get across to students.

“I understand that it’s getting more expensive.

No one likes that. We don’t like that,” Walz said.

“But I still believe that education is a worthwhile endeavor. Is a college education necessary for everything? Probably not. But I’m a big believer that

education provides opportunities to people.”

Swallow said he doesn’t have a “grand solution” but suggests schools embrace honesty and transparency when it comes to their value, along with whatever it is that makes the college distinctive.

“I’m not sure that liberal arts colleges as a sector are fundamentally challenged. I think a lot of them have a lot to offer at prices that people can afford,” he said. “I would also say the success of many of those institutions will be by being distinctive. This is not a good time to be offering an education that seems just like 20 other institutions.”

Lee said making the case to prospective Alverno students is “probably the easiest and hardest task I have.”

When students are already interested in the school, it is easy to point at the success of graduates.

“The difficult part is if you never get a chance to do that,” she said, noting some prospective students write off the school because it is an all-women’s college.

Gnadinger said “the liberal arts are alive and well and very much needed in our world today.”

“I don’t worry as much about that,” she said.

“What I think we need to do is just sort of change the way we frame our discussions.”

Students used to come to college for the education and that was it. They would figure out the job portion later.

“Now we know students and parents in our society today really want to know as they come to school, ‘What kind of job can I get?’” Gnadinger said. “So we just need to change our way of conversing about our different degree programs.”

During her time at College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Pharr said the school sought to make its business program more responsive to the community’s needs. After a survey determined business-

Mount Mary completed construction on a new food lab in mid-August.

Christine Pharr and Sister Mary Ann Kuttner tour newly completed archives for the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL:

“I’m impressed by the multidimensional approach we take to educating the whole person. In addition to creating working professionals, Mount Mary instills a foundation in the liberal arts, an appreciation for diversity and a willingness to give back to society.

This creative fusion engages students and turns them into leaders.”

CHRISTINE PHARR MOUNT MARY UNIVERSITY AGE: 60 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE:

Chemistry and biology PREVIOUS JOB: Vice

president for academic affairs and vice president for alumnae and donor relations at College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska.

CHILDHOOD DREAM JOB: Cowgirl

who could wear boots, hat and holster every day.

FAVORITE BOOK: “I

usually tackle three books at once – one for professional development, one for inspiration and a good historical fiction novel. Right now I’m reading a book about the first hundred days of a college presidency, a book about Mother Theresa Gerhardinger, foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and just for fun, I’m rereading one of my favorites, ‘Follow the River’ by James Alexander Thom.”

FAVORITE MUSIC GENRE: “I

like to listen to soft rock when I’m relaxing; I also unwind by playing Broadway musicals on the piano.

I’ve been playing piano in church since I was 13 and I find liturgical music very inspiring.”

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOU:

Passionate,

energetic and enthusiastic BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED: “‘Strive

for balance.’ True wellness is achieving balance in life; that’s what we prepare our students to do, too. As professionals, we are role models for our students on how to achieve richer and more fulfilling lives.”

With a roughly 50 percent minority student body, Pharr said Mount Mary can be a model for the community.

“We are mixing all kinds of people here,” she said. “They’re all working together, they’re in the classrooms together, they are succeeding and failing together and so really, we are a model for the community of what it means to really work together with those who don’t look or don’t have the same backgrounds that we do.”

INTERVIEW EXCERPT:

biztimes.com / 21

STORY COVER

es weren’t getting enough people who could turn data into decisions or communicate those decisions to stakeholders, the school launched a business analytics and strategic communications program.

The program was based in general education and basic business classes, but focused on analysis and strategic communication. Students had one job shadow and two internships, and every one had a job before graduation, Pharr said.

“I think it was a perfect example of what happens when you go to the community and say, ‘What do you need?’ and then you try and fashion your curriculum so it’s responsive to those needs,” she said.

All of the new presidents said they would look to deepen their institutions’ ties to the business and wider communities, whether through expanded internships and career services or through advisory boards and other relationships.

But if Lakeland’s Black is able to complete the university’s transition to a co-op model, it will represent one of the more significant moves toward more engagement with the business community. He said

the school is fortunate to share a community with world-class, family-owned companies who respect the school and are interested in participating.

“We’re in the planning stages and in the partnering stages, so we’re putting the model on paper,” he said, noting companies need workers now, but one of the questions is what will happen when the economy eventually reaches a downturn. “If we do this as a partnership, there has to be some co-ownership. … That’s a conversation that’s going on; they don’t want to make a promise they can’t keep.”

Black said the pressure to fundraise and have good corporate relationships has meant the job of college presidents has become more about raising money and less about ideas.

“I get that and I must do it, but not to the expense of the ideas,” he said.

He wants to find a model that takes some of the pressure off of fundraising and makes the support more of a partnership.

“Those from whom we ask funds would be getting something from us in return – that is the work, knowledge – and would still invest but maybe instead of through a gift they would pay students, who would then pay their tuition,” he said.

“I just think the model needs to change and I just couldn’t wait to try it.”

Even after retiring once?

“Aw heck, retirement is really overrated and my wife’s so happy that I’m here,” Black said. “I was driving her crazy.” n

John Walz MILWAUKEE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AGE:

David Black LAKELAND UNIVERSITY

57

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE:

Chemical engineer-

ing PREVIOUS JOB:

AGE:

68

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE:

Dean of Engineering, University

of Kentucky

PREVIOUS JOB:

CHILDHOOD DREAM JOB:

Scientist

FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL:

“Our great students.”

“Hard to pick one – I read a bit of everything.”

FAVORITE BOOK:

FAVORITE MUSIC GENRE:

Alternative rock

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOU:

Determined,

persistent, hardworking “Never be afraid to move out of your comfort zone.”

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED:

“The job is a demanding job; I knew it would be. Sometimes it’s more demanding than I thought it would be, but that is what I wanted to do. I love the job.

I’ve heard someone use the term ‘wonderfully consuming’ and it can be all-consuming, but in a very great way. The university environment is a great place to be.”

INTERVIEW EXCERPT:

22 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

History and psychol-

ogy President of Eastern University

CHILDHOOD DREAM JOB:

Play in the NBA

FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL:

“The opportunities Lakeland provides for making the world a better place.”

FAVORITE BOOK:

“Sophie’s Choice”

FAVORITE MUSIC GENRE:

Handel, Kirk Franklin

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOU:

Faith, reason,

justice “Comparison is the basis for all unhappiness.” (from Soren Kierkegaard, via my dad)

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED:

Black is the son of a university president and a professor. He said he loves the industry and it’s all he’s ever done.

“I never met an idea I didn’t like and our business is ideas. We talk about the great ideas of time and think about new ones. It is the family business.”

INTERVIEW EXCERPT:

Sister Andrea Lee ALVERNO COLLEGE President of St. Catherine University in Minneapolis-St. Paul

PREVIOUS JOB:

Lee is in her 20th year as a college president, but after nearly two decades at St. Catherine, she wanted one more adventure before retirement. “I knew I wanted to do one more thing in my career,” she said.

INTERVIEW EXCERPT:

Special Report ENTREPRENEURSHIP & FAMILY BUSINESS

Sherman Phoenix tenants prepare to take flight Mission drives entrepreneurs to join Sherman Park entrepreneurial hub

By Molly Dill, staff writer TRUEMAN MCGEE is an entrepreneur at heart. After he lost 70 pounds and several friends and family members asked him for his secrets, McGee launched Getting Tired Fitness in 2012.

When his clients needed healthier meal options to accelerate their fitness goals, McGee created spring rolls filled with healthy ingredients, like sweet potato and black bean, and he answered another need.

“People loved the spring rolls more than they loved the squats, burpees, pushups and all the exercises,” McGee said.

In 2015, he formed his second enterprise, Funky Fresh Spring Rolls, to sell the concoctions – there are now 12 flavors – at area farmers markets and events. And it has found success, with 20,000 sold in 2015, 32,000 in 2016 and 42,000 already in 2017. It currently has five employees and shares a commercial kitchen in Bay View.

Funky Fresh is one of 12 small black-owned businesses that plan to move into the Sherman Phoenix, an entrepreneurial hub being developed by JoAnne Johnson-Sabir and Juli Kaufmann in the former BMO Harris Bank branch damaged by the civil unrest in Sherman Park last year. It is expected to open in the spring.

The pair came up with the idea when Johnson-Sabir was seeking a new space for her juice cafe, The Juice Kitchen, with the help of Kaufmann, a real estate developer.

“We then began to think about all of the entrepreneurs that have come to us looking for support,” Johnson-Sabir said. “We began to think about what a hub for culture, art, food and wellness could potentially be.”

The pair spoke with their friends and neighbors in the Sherman Park community after the unrest and noticed a sense of the black community wanting to be connected, seen and heard in a hyper segregated city, she said.

Plus, there was a large blighted building gutted by fire that would have otherwise sat vacant.

BMO Harris had decided to build a new branch across the street.

“Juli and I, in our different areas of exper-

This BMO Harris Bank branch, burned in last year’s civil unrest in Sherman Park, will be converted into the Sherman Phoenix.

tise, really do work on this call and response,” Johnson-Sabir said. “What is the call? What is the need?”

The call has been answered and the wheels are in motion to create the community and business hub at 3637 W. Fond du Lac Ave. BMO Harris Bank is donating $50,000 over two years to support the hub and the businesses in it.

The City of Milwaukee has approved $225,000 in tax increment financing for the project.

Philanthropists and investors including Lynde Uihlein, Albert Orr, Alex Lasry, John Miller and an anonymous professional athlete have made significant contributions. And the Sherman Phoenix has launched an Indiegogo campaign to collect gifts from the wider community of as little as $5.

“It really is getting folks engaged that may not have the $50,000, the $75,000, but they still want to be part of the movement,” Johnson-Sabir said. “The largest portion of the money that we’ve received to date has been through individual givers.

“I think it’s really about a lot of folks wanting to figure out how to engage in change and really wanting to be about uplifting their fellow neighbors and community and really wanting to coalesce around this idea of unity.”

The property will include tenant spaces of between 112 square feet and 2,000 square feet, depending on each business’ space needs. The rents will range from $125 to $1,400 per month.

Once the hub begins to cash flow, investors will receive a modest return, Johnson-Sabir said.

Tenants will include a mix of food, wellness, beauty and retail businesses. The 12 tenants are: The Juice Kitchen, Funky Fresh Spring

Rolls, Embody Yoga, Sabir’s Karate Center, Hello Beautiful, RSVP Confections, Queens Closet Consignment Shop, #DreamsNeverExpire!, Sister Locs, Rees Barbershop, Studio 69 and Buffalo Boss.

Joanna Brooks, owner of Embody Yoga, is moving her business from the Walnut Way Center in Lindsay Heights to a space larger than 1,000 square feet in the Sherman Phoenix.

She decided to join the community because she liked the idea of rising from the ashes and revitalizing the Sherman Park neighborhood, and she wanted to learn from the other entrepreneurs who will be in the space. And it makes good business sense for Embody.

“It would be a great opportunity to connect to the community that I’m trying to serve, primarily,” Brooks said. “My business is dedicated to the process of sharing yoga with people of color. When I would take classes, either in Milwaukee or other cities, it wouldn’t be unusual to be the only person of color in the room. And for some people, that can be an uncomfortable or unwelcome experience. It was really important to me to be able to create a space where people of color understood they were welcome.”

Brooks needed a larger space to take Embody to the next level, but said she specifically chose the Sherman Phoenix instead of another space because of its mission.

Like Brooks, McGee said he did not have to move to Sherman Park, but wanted to do so to contribute to the neighborhood’s renewal.

“I grew up in the Sherman Park area, so they always have a special connection with me and I would love to do what I can to help resurrect that area,” McGee said. “It was thriving when I biztimes.com / 23

was a kid. Now it’s like a 180, total opposite.”

With the 500-square-foot space he’s moving into at the Phoenix, McGee plans to hire at least three more people. Funky Fresh’s next goal is to get into grocery stores.

Not only will tenants like McGee and Brooks have access to a new operational space, but they also will be enrolled in a two-year business development program, Johnson-Sabir said. She will share the lessons she has learned as a small business owner, help the companies scale and provide mentorship and investor connections.

The project is expected to create 45 jobs.

The renovations to the 20,000-square-foot space will include a food hall, an outdoor patio, and community gathering space that could host dance performances or cultural events.

The hope is that the community feels connected to the Sherman Phoenix and can shop, eat, learn and grow together in the space, she said.

The project is expected to cost about $2.5 million.

“The building is completely gutted and burned, so it is an empty vessel,” Johnson-Sabir said. “The majority of it will be just for construction costs.” n

Above: Funky Fresh Spring Rolls are hand-rolled with fresh local ingredients. The company will occupy a space at the new entrepreneurship center.

Top Right: A rendering of the planned buildout of the Sherman Phoenix.

Bottom: Embody Yoga is currently located in the Walnut Way Conservation Corp. building, but will move to the Sherman Phoenix.

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Special Report ENTREPRENEURSHIP & FAMILY BUSINESS

Standard Electric owner grooms fourth generation

By Molly Dill, staff writer David and Morris Stern and David Siegel formed Standard Light Co. in 1919, at a time just after World War I when electricity was becoming more widespread in American homes.

The business manufactured light fixtures on North Water Street in Milwaukee. In the 1930s, the company shifted its focus to electrical supply distribution and changed its name to Standard Electric Supply Co. When it was time for the original founders to retire, the company passed into many different hands.

“They, as was fairly typical back then, gifted and willed all their stock to their children,” said Larry Stern, David Stern’s grandson and president of Standard Electric, which is now based in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley. “There being three original owners, that ended up being 17

individuals that were owners of the business in that second generation.”

Larry’s father, Adolph, worked at Standard Electric his whole career, never knowing what would ultimately happen to the company.

“He never promoted the company to (me and my brother) as a good opportunity because he didn’t know what was going to happen,” Larry said, and there wasn’t one clear leader.

Meanwhile, Larry graduated with an accounting degree and went to work for a CPA firm in Chicago, then later got his law degree at Southern Methodist University and began practicing corporate law in Milwaukee.

“Those second-generation owners were getting older, into their 60s and 70s,” he said.

“None of those second generation owners had any children involved in the business.”

Those not working in the business wanted to get their value out of it and transition into retirement, so in the 80s, Larry used his legal expertise to help facilitate that process.

“During that process is when I developed a desire to carry on the business to a third generation,” Larry said. “So in my mind, I had really a strong sense of wanting to carry on a

Larry and Matt Stern at Standard Electric.

family business.”

In 1989, Larry and Adolph bought out all the other stockholders and became the owners of Standard Electric.

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biztimes.com / 25

“Before I came into the company, my dad was the last president running the business,” he said. “He was probably in that role I’d say throughout most of the ‘80s and into the early ‘90s, when he retired.”

Larry became treasurer and traveled a steep learning curve as he gained knowledge about the industry and the business from his dad.

He advanced to president and began running the company in 1993, around which time he acquired full ownership of the company.

Over the years, Larry has expanded Standard Electric beyond Milwaukee and into new verticals. The company has grown to 185 employees working at 15 Midwestern locations, supplying industrial and OEM clients with automation and control products. Its 2017 revenue is expected to be $95 million.

Now 60 years old, Larry is setting in motion a plan he formed back in the early ‘90s, before the youngest of his three kids was even born: passing the business on to the fourth generation.

While there’s nothing specifically documented about how the transition will take place, Larry knows it’s time to start talking about the succession plan because his kids

have reached the right age. Jason is 30 and lives in New Orleans, Samantha is 28 and just completed graduate school to become a physician’s assistant, and Matt is 24 and works for Schneider Electric, a key Standard Electric supplier.

Matt decided to join the family company around his sophomore year of college, and has planned accordingly since then, he said. “(Larry) never pushed me in that direction at all,” Matt said. “I think we always knew the family business would be an option if me or my brother or sister wanted to do it.”

Matt majored in business management and leadership at the University of St. Thomas, and went to work at Schneider’s Schaumburg, Illinois office to gain experience in the industry as a channel development associate.

“I wanted to get more information and learn as much as I could about the electrical industry before coming back,” Matt said. “I know I’d be back in a couple years and I’d learn a lot from my dad, but I thought it would be good to get background from other people in the industry, as well.”

Matt’s supervisors at Schneider and his dad

know he plans to join Standard Electric at the beginning of 2018, beginning in outside sales at its Chicago office and then moving to the Milwaukee office after a couple of years.

“It all depends on looking at my management team at the time and what exact roles or opportunities are available,” Larry said. “I see having that two- or three-year window to solidify that thought more and frankly, it depends on how he grows or matures himself. Regardless, it’s going to be on the operational side.”

While his siblings may not come to work for the family business, Matt has talked to them about his plans to do so and they know the door is open if they decide to join, he said.

“I think it’s exciting to be able to come into it as the fourth generation and I’m glad I’ll be able to work under my dad for a few years to learn from him,” Matt said.

“One of the things that excites me about a family business is the uniqueness of the relationship you have with your children as a result of that,” Larry said. “The short time that my dad and I worked together, I really enjoyed that opportunity to have that special unique bond with him.” n

RETIREMENT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE As a family-owned firm with 30 years of experience, we understand the challenges that can come with running a family business. We’re here to help you plan for the retirement you’ve always wanted – one that is not solely dependent upon your business.

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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.

Able Access Transportation LLC AccuTrans Group All Occasions Catering/Bubbs BBQ ALLCON LLC Best Version Media Bliffert Lumber and Hardware Boelter Companies Breckenridge Landscape Design Brilliance Business Solutions Capital Heating & Cooling Capri Senior Communities Central Standard Craft Distillery Church Metal Spinning Co. Coates Electric Crescendo Collective CTS-Connected Technology Solutions Design Fugitives Dynamic Solutions Worldwide Equips General Plastics Inc. Gustave A. Larson Co. Healics Hilmot Industrial Automation Solutions Innovative Dynamic Networks

JCP Construction LLC Kesslers Diamonds KeyStone Staffing Group LLC Lange Bros. Woodwork Co. Inc. Lemberg Electric Co. Inc. Milwaukee Bucks Moore Construction Services LLC Pattyn North America Inc. PRE/3 Reich Tool & Design Inc. Rocket Clicks Roofed Right America RSP Inc. Savage Solutions LLC Scathain Swarming Technology Symbiont Holding Co. Inc. TechCanary Valentine Coffee Co. Vizance Weather Tight Corp.

Wenthe-Davidson Engineering Co. Wisconsin International Academy Z.T. Distribution Inc. ZMac Transportation Solutions LLC

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biztimes.com / 27

Future 50 companies are building up the Milwaukee region As numerous cranes tower over the Milwaukee skyline and major building projects continue throughout the region, there are 12 construction firms on the annual Future 50 list, the highest representation for the industry in more than a decade for the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Council of Small Business Executives program, which is now in its 30th year.

In addition to the 12 construction firms, there are 14 business services, nine technology, eight manufacturing, five wholesale trade, and two finance/insurance real estate firms on the 2017 Future 50 list.

seven-county Milwaukee Region that have been rapidly growing.

To qualify for the award, a company must be headquartered in the seven-county Milwaukee region; be independently-owned; have been in business for at least three years; and demonstrate strong growth in revenue and employment. There is no age limit for the companies, since companies can innovate and reinvent themselves at any time.

A company can receive the Future 50 award up to three times.

These 50 firms have a major impact on the region. Combined, they have projected 2017 revenues of more than $1.7 billion.

The Future 50 winners will receive their awards at a luncheon program on Friday, Sept. 22, at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Milwaukee. For more information or to register, visit biztimes.com/future50.

The annual Future 50 program recognizes companies in the

BizTimes Milwaukee is the media sponsor of the Future 50 program.

It’s hard to believe, but this year MMAC and COSBE are celebrating 30 years of honoring fastgrowing companies in the Milwaukee Region with the Future 50 award. What began as a way to highlight companies that often went under the radar, has become a long and distinguished list of businesses that play an integral role in growing our regional economy.

From technology developers to machinery builders and financial experts to craft distillers, this diverse group represents the backbone of the local economy and what makes our economy unique.

It’s been interesting to track the trends of those companies that are on the rise each year – and this year we see a strong showing of companies in construction and development and those in related fields. Rightly so. The region is undergoing a building boom, not just in downtown Milwaukee, but throughout the surrounding counties and cities. It’s exciting to see and gratifying to recognize their contributions.

I congratulate all the firms on the 2017 Future 50 list and I look forward to supporting their accomplishments in the years to come.

TIM SHEEHY President, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce

28 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Building on

Your Vision

Housi IC | Equal Member FD

With a foundation built to support local businesses, we congratulate this year’s Future 50 winners – including four of our own customers.

Park Bank is proud to celebrate with you and we look forward to supporting you as you continue to build on your success.

Congratulations to all the honorees, including these Park Bank customers: Industrial Automation Solutions | Jim Tarantino PRE/3 | Rocket Clicks

414.466.8000 | ParkBankOnline.com

ng Lender

Presenting Sponsor

Media Sponsor

Congratulations to the MMAC 2017 Future 50 Award honorees!

Your commitment to active leadership, teamwork and old-fashioned hard work is paying off.

BizTimes Media supports business growth in the Milwaukee region, which is why we continue to partner with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s Council of Small Business Executives to present the Future 50 awards.

At Park Bank, we know that being successful at business is not for the faint of heart. It requires late nights, busy seasons, weekends in the office and a willingness to take calculated risks. You have done that - and more! We hope you take time to celebrate your success while continuing your focus on the future.

We applaud the winners of the Future 50 awards, especially the threetime Master Mettle winners who have shown continuous improvement.

Today, we celebrate with you. More than that, we’re here to support you. We consider businesses like yours vital to the growth of our region. Let us know how we can help build on your success.

Small and medium companies are the engine of our economy.

BizTimes Media’s mission is to provide news and operational insights to business owners and executives throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

It’s no wonder we write so frequently about many of these winners in the pages of our magazine, BizTimes Milwaukee, and on our website, BizTimes.com. Thank you for letting us share your success stories!

DAVE WERNER

The Future 50 event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors. Thank you for recognizing the important role these innovative businesses play in our region.

President & CEO of Park Bank, an independent business bank headquartered in Milwaukee since 1915. Park Bank is a 19-year sponsor of the Future 50, founding member of COSBE and 90-year MMAC member.

DAN MEYER Publisher and owner, BizTimes Media

Table of contents: Able Access Transportation LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . 36 AccuTrans Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 All Occasions Catering/Bubbs BBQ. . . . . . . . . 39 ALLCON LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Best Version Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Bliffert Lumber and Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Boelter Cos.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Breckenridge Landscape Design. . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Brilliance Business Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Capital Heating & Cooling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Capri Senior Communities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Central Standard Craft Distillery. . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Church Metal Spinning Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Coates Electric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Crescendo Collective. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 CTS-Connected Technology Solutions. . . . . . 49 Design Fugitives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Dynamic Solutions Worldwide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Equips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

30 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

General Plastics Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Gustave A. Larson Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Healics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Hilmot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Industrial Automation Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Innovative Dynamic Networks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 JCP Construction LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Kesslers Diamonds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 KeyStone Staffing Group LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Lange Bros. Woodwork Co. Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Lemberg Electric Co. Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Milwaukee Bucks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Moore Construction Services LLC . . . . . . . . . . 63 Pattyn North America Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 PRE/3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Reich Tool & Design Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Rocket Clicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Roofed Right America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 RSP Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Savage Solutions LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Scathain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Swarming Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Symbiont Holding Co. Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 TechCanary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Valentine Coffee Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Vizance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Weather Tight Corp.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Wenthe-Davidson Engineering Co.. . . . . . . . . . 76 Wisconsin International Academy. . . . . . . . . . . 77 Z.T. Distribution Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 ZMac Transportation Solutions LLC. . . . . . . . . 78 Profiles compiled by: Alysha Schertz Photos by: Paul Gaertner of White Dog Photography

Gold Sponsors

Chortek CPAs, a leading professional services firm with industry expertise in the Food & Beverage, Manufacturing, Distribution and Transportation industries advises leaders on innovative ways to build and protect value within their businesses. Chortek is honored to return as a sponsor of the Future 50 award program, an event that recognizes the top businesses for their growth in both revenue and workforce.

Chortek’s team of professionals are proud to partner with business leaders, delivering accounting, auditing, tax planning and compliance services along with value-driven technology solutions, and tailored M&A offerings. These services provide the solutions to help business leaders build and protect value in their businesses and for their families.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MMAC/COSBE FUTURE 50 WINNERS!

Future 50 winners embody the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit needed to make the greater Milwaukee area a wonderful place to not only do business, but to live and play. At Findorff, we are proud to be in good company and share a sense of community pride and superior craftsmanship. We are grateful for the opportunity to once again sponsor this year’s Future 50 awards and we look forward to building for tomorrow, together!

For 70 years, our entrepreneurial spirit and strong desire to see your business grow has driven our talented professionals to listen to your needs and support your goals with meaningful and forwardthinking advice.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FUTURE 50 AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations, 2017 Future 50 winners! Thank you for providing valuable learning opportunities for our students and exciting career opportunities for our graduates.

The Future 50 Awards program gives the University of Wisconsin-Parkside learning community the chance to acknowledge the dedication, commitment and entrepreneurial spirit of business leaders throughout our region. It also allows us to introduce you to incredible talent from UW-Parkside.

One reason our graduates are so well prepared is the growing number of internships offered by businesses throughout southeastern Wisconsin. The opportunity to work on tomorrow’s challenges today is a key element in our students being ready to contribute on day one!

Our graduating classes continue to grow and our alumni benefit from new academic programs that align with your talent needs.

Together that spells a partnership for success between Future 50 winners and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Debbie Ford, Chancellor University of Wisconsin-Parkside

32 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

As a full-service, business-oriented law firm with a long history of supporting the aspirations and achievements of growing companies, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren is pleased to co-sponsor the MMAC/ COSBE Future 50 Awards Program. We salute this year’s winning entrepreneurs, business leaders and job creators for the critical role they play in the economic vitality of Milwaukee – including several winners we are proud to call clients.

At Reinhart, we recognize the challenges and opportunities that face growing companies and organizations. From start-up and capitalization to market leadership and succession planning, we help our clients navigate regulation, secure intellectual property, expand facilities, build capacity and accelerate growth – all while developing lasting relationships. By deeply understanding the distinct attributes of each business, our attorneys deliver a combination of legal advice, business acumen and superior service perfectly matched to each client’s unique situation.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FUTURE 50 AWARD WINNERS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AS WE BUILD A GREAT FUTURE TOGETHER.

Milwaukee trusts a community builder .

Future 50 winners embody the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit needed to make the greater Milwaukee area a wonderful place to not only do business, but to live and play. At Findorff, we are proud to be in good company and share a sense of community pride and superior craftsmanship. We are grateful for the opportunity to once again sponsor this year’s Future 50 awards and we look forward to building for tomorrow, together!

.com

A STATISTICAL LOOK AT THE 2017 FUTURE 50 APPROXIMATE CURRENT EMPLOYMENT Manufacturing

Wholesale Trade

Manufacturing

5 5 Trade Wholesale Wholesale Trade 5 5

Finance/Real Estate/Insurance Finance/Real Estate/Insurance Finance/Real Estate/Insurance Finance/Real Estate/Insurance

2 2 2 2

Wholesale Trade

Other Services

14 14 Other Services Other Services 14 14 Other Services

MAJOR BUSINESS OF MAJOR BUSINESS 2017 FUTURE 50 OF MAJOR BUSINESS 2017 FUTURE 50 OF MAJOR BUSINESS 2017 FUTURE OF 50 2017 FUTURE 50

$2 $1 - 25 million APPROXIMATE ANNUAL REVENUE RANGE

APPROXIMATE $5 million ANNUAL REVENUE RANGE $2 - 10 5 million $1 - 2 million $1 - 2- 25 million $10 million $5 -- 510million million $2

$2 - 550 million $25 $10 - 25million million $5 - 10 $5 10 million $50 million $25 million $10 -+- 50 25 million $10 - 25 million $50 -+50 million $25 million $25 - 50 millionTOTAL EMPLOYMENT COMBINED $50 + million 2014 2015 $50 + million TOTAL EMPLOYMENT COMBINED 2,528 Employees 2,989 Employees 2014 2015

COMBINED TOTAL EMPLOYMENT 2,528 Employees 2,989 Employees COMBINED 2014TOTAL EMPLOYMENT 2015

12 12 Construction Construction 12 12

3,432 Employees 2016 3,432 2016 Employees

4,079 Employees 2017 (Projected) 2017 (Projected) 4,079 Employees

19% 19% 19% 19%

4,079 Employees

2010 - 2014

Prior COMPANY to 1986 1986 1992 - 1997 YEAR WAS- 1991 FOUNDED YEAR COMPANY WAS FOUNDED

2010 - 2014

0 19920 - 1997 1992 - 1997 0 0

34 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

9 9 Technology Technology 9 9 Technology

Construction

9 9 910 9 9 910 79 910 67 910 67 9 7 2017 (Projected) 2016 6 6 4,079 3,432 Employees Employees 2016 2017 (Projected)

2,989 2015 Employees 2,989 Employees Growth 3,432 overEmployees previous year

3 19863 - 1991 1986 - 1991 3 3

Technology

Construction

Prior COMPANY to 1986 1986 1992 - 1997 Growth 1998over - 2003 2004 previous year- 2009 YEAR WAS- 1991 FOUNDED

17 Prior to 1986 17 Prior to 1986 17 17

1 11 -9 10 - 14 1-9 1- 14 105 1 105 - 14 15-19 10 - 14 5 15-19 5 5 15-19 5 20 - 34 15-19 205 9 5- 34 209 - 34 35 -- 34 49 20 9 359 - 49 359 - 49 35 - 49 9 29 2 2 Racine 2

APPROXIMATE CURRENT EMPLOYMENT 1-9 APPROXIMATE CURRENT EMPLOYMENT

COUNTY LOCATION

18% 15% 18% 15% previous year 18%Growth over 15% YEAR COMPANY WAS FOUNDED 18%Growth over 15% previous year 2,528 2014 Employees 2,528 Employees

1-9

8 8 Manufacturing Manufacturing 8 8

APPROXIMATE ANNUAL REVENUE RANGE $1 - 2 million APPROXIMATE ANNUAL REVENUE RANGE

APPROXIMATE CURRENT EMPLOYMENT

3 19983 - 2003 1998 - 2003 3 3

1998 - 2003

16 200416 - 2009 2004 - 2009 16 16

2004 - 2009

11 201011 - 2014 2010 - 2014 11 11

COUNTY LOCATION

0 0 Washington 0 0 Washington

COUNTY LOCATION COUNTY LOCATION

Washington Washington

0 0 0 Kenosha 0

Kenosha

COMBINED TOTAL REVENUE Kenosha 2014 Kenosha $1,015,182,851 2014

COMBINED TOTAL REVENUE

29 29 29 29 Milwaukee Milwaukee Milwaukee 2015 Milwaukee $1,188,145,426 2015

COMBINED TOTAL REVENUE $1,188,145,426 $1,015,182,851 COMBINED TOTAL REVENUE 2014 2015

17% 17% 17% YEARS HONORED AS A FUTURE 5017% C0MPANY 2014 $1,015,182,851 $1,015,182,851

2015 $1,188,145,426 $1,188,145,426

5 505 - 74 50--99 74 75 5 754 5- 99 754 - 99 100-199 75 - 99 4 100-199 6 4 100-199 6 200 + 100-199 6+ 200 6 200 6+ 200 + 6 6 50 - 74

19 19 19 19

Racine

Waukesha

Racine Racine

Waukesha

2016 $1,467,892,211 2016

50 - 74

0 0 Ozaukee 0/ Walworth 0 Ozaukee /

Walworth Ozaukee / Waukesha Walworth/ Ozaukee 2017 (Projected) Waukesha Walworth $1,741,653,080 2017 (Projected)

$1,467,892,211 2016 2016 $1,467,892,211

$1,741,653,080 2017 (Projected) 2017 (Projected) $1,741,653,080

$1,467,892,211 Increase over previous year

$1,741,653,080

24% 24% Increase over previous year 24% 24% Increase over previous year

19% 19% 19% 19%

1st Time AS A FUTURE 50 C0MPANY 2nd Time Increase over previous year YEARS HONORED

3rd Time

1st Time 2nd Time YEARS HONORED AS A FUTURE 50 C0MPANY YEARS HONORED AS A FUTURE 50 C0MPANY

3rd Time

26 1st Time 26 1st Time 26 26

15 2nd 15Time 2nd Time 15 15

9 3rd9 Time 3rd Time 9 9

Partnering For Growth Reinhart salutes the 2017 Future 50 Award winners, including several we are proud to call clients.

As long-standing partners in Greater Milwaukee’s business success, our attorneys are dedicated to helping clients face important issues, execute sound strategies, and achieve business goals—all while building lasting relationships.

reinhartlaw.com ⋅ 414.298.1000 MILWAUKEE ⋅ MADISON ⋅ WAUKESHA ⋅ CHICAGO ⋅ ROCKFORD ⋅ DENVER ⋅ PHOENIX

2

Able Access Transportation LLC Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Transportation FOUNDED: 2001 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $3.1 million

Since 2001, Able Access Transportation LLC in Milwaukee has been providing a full range of non-emergency transportation services for Milwaukee County’s aging and physically and cognitively disabled residents.

W I N N E R

The company is focused on customer satisfaction and service, and strives to enhance the lives and wellbeing of its customers by providing reliable transportation services for medical and non-medical appointments on an ongoing or same-day schedule.

Each driver in the company’s fleet is equipped with a fully integrated GPS software system that provides complete real-time positioning of each vehicle.

Y E A R

Drivers and dispatch staff use the technology to monitor each trip and assure timeliness and route adherence.

2 N D

Two years ago, the company expanded into new markets. It now serves Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Ozaukee and Washington counties, and also has the ability to travel statewide by appointment.

Best advice you’ve ever received:

The Able Access Transportation team

36 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

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1

AccuTrans Group Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Transportation FOUNDED: 2008 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: Not disclosed

“Mind the details and the larger things will fall into place.” That’s the mindset and best advice of Matthew Carroll, president and chief executive officer of AccuTrans Group. The veteran-owned company provides premium chauffeur services to corporate and retail clients in the Milwaukee area and beyond.

W I N N E R

In 2010, AccuTrans launched its Global Car Service bookings, which allowed riders the convenience of reliable transportation services in the Milwaukee area and around the world.

Y E A R

AccuTrans merged with another company Carroll purchased, Limousines Inc., in 2009, allowing the two companies to enhance their fleet variety for customers.

1 S T

The company is focused on corporate travel, group movements and convention services, but also offers traditional services, including wedding and event limousines and airport transportation.

AccuTrans was named Emerging What changes are coming?

Small Business of the year in 2016 by the Small Business Administration “We eventually want to have other Wisconsin and continues to look locations inside the state of Wisconsin. for new ways to reach and This would allow for more efficient serve its customers.

The company fleet currently offers executive sedans, SUVs, luxury vans, stretch limousines, mini-coach and motor coach buses.

Scott Schmoller, Mark Sumner and Matt Carroll

service to our clients and help keep our rates affordable for years to come.”

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November 2, 2017 7:30-9:30am – Italian Conference Center A Business Approach To Tackling Poverty in Milwaukee Make plans to attend our fourth annual Nonprofit Excellence Awards on November 2nd where we’ll shine the spotlight on the people in for-profit and nonprofit organizations making a difference in our community. Honorees will be recognized in the categories of Corporate Citizenship and Nonprofit Leadership.

Preceding the awards presentation, a panel of local business leaders will discuss solutions for creating entrepreneurs and developing employees from within the city of Milwaukee.

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To learn more or register, go to biztimes.com/npawards 38 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

All Occasions Catering/Bubbs BBQ Big Bend INDUSTRY: Hospitality FOUNDED: 1929 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $2.1 million

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All Occasions Catering and Bubbs BBQ provide off-premise catering services for almost any occasion, and the company has been doing so for decades. For Mark Anderson, president and owner of All Occasions, growth is measured by the number of events the company is able to take on, and flexibility is key to ensuring continued success.

1 S T

All Occasions specializes in corporate events, tailgates, backyard graduations, galas and weddings throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

Y E A R

Its chefs provide a plethora of menu options, including buffets, hors d’oeuvres, cold sandwiches, breakfast items and desserts.

W I N N E R

In 1996, the company expanded its business to include Bubbs BBQ, a unique catering division serving smoked Texas barbecue, made in oak woodfueled BBQ pits.

In addition to catering services, the company can also provide eventplanning services up to complete management of the event venue and vendors.

Anderson plans to continue to grow All Occasions’ services and hire additional staff within the year.

What’s new?

All Occasions is in the process of building an addition to its headquarters that will increase the company’s space by 75 percent.

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

All Occasions Catering/Bubbs BBQ

Mark Anderson

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biztimes.com / 39

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ALLCON LLC Butler Industry: Construction Founded: 2009 Projected 2017 revenue: $14 million Decades of experience in diverse areas permeate Butler-based Allcon Construction’s staff. That experience has helped propel the company forward, allowing for continued growth and expansion, including a new office in Fort Collins, Colorado.

W I N N E R

The Hispanic and woman-owned company started in 2009 as an electrical contractor, but has since expanded to include a unique blend of general contracting skills and services, led by president Ana Lopez.

Y E A R

The skilled labor shortage is a concern for the industry, and Allcon is no different. Yet despite those challenges, the company is still exceeding its growth projections.

1 S T

“A leader never crosses the finish line by themselves.”

The firm plans to continue to work to adopt the latest technologies and training opportunities for its employees. Allcon also plans to expand its general construction work both inside and outside the state of Wisconsin, including bids and contract opportunities with the federal government.

Words of advice

“It is important to be who you are versus trying to portray something you are not. God will hold you responsible for the gifts he gave you and what you do with them, not someone else’s.”

Ana Lopez

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

Winter, Kloman, Moter & Repp, S.C. would like to congratulate all the Future 50 Winners and recognize our

business partners:

ALLCON, LLC Congratulations and thank you for allowing PNC to support your business.

ALLCON, LLC Bliffert Lumber and Hardware Capri Senior Communities Healics, Inc.

PNC BANK

We are truly honored to be your strategic partner and wish you continued success!

Roy Wagner and everyone at von Briesen congratulate ALLCON LLC on this honor!

www.WKMR.com

JOSEPH ALIVO (414) 745-3214 PNC.COM

von

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Brookeld - 262.797.9050 Oconomowoc - 262.567.6540 Watertown - 920.261.6767 40 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Best Version Media LLC Brookfield INDUSTRY: Print media FOUNDED: 2007 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: Not disclosed

M A S T E R

The best advice Dave Durand, president of Brookfield-based Best Version Media, has ever received is: “The key to success is doing what you don’t feel like doing.”

Best Version Media has certainly done that, maintaining a 380 percent growth rate for the past three years. Founded in 2007, the company started with five metropolitan Milwaukee publications and today has nearly 500 community-based publications, located in all 50 states and in Canada.

M E T T L E

In 2016 alone, the company added 203 magazines and increased readership levels by more than 1.5 million.

Best Version Media has continued to develop and implement new programs to enhance efficiency and productivity within its current markets, but also continues to invest heavily in research and development that will enhance product offerings to existing clients.

W I N N E R

While onboarding at the pace of growth has been a challenge for the company, it still Where is the opportunity? plans to continue to add new “Domestically. We have international markets and plans, but the domestic growth is products in the tremendous. We also see growth with coming years.

existing clients (advertisers) by offering new opportunities for them to reach local markets.”

M M

David Durand

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

Best Version Media Congratulations Best Version team.

We look forward to your ongoing success.

C l i f to n l a r s o n a l l e n (414) 476-18 80 CLACONNECT.COM

Congratulations to Best Version Media on their continued success!

W I NT RU ST COMME R C I AL BAN K I N G AT TOW N BA NK

(414) 273-3 507 TOWNBANK .US

biztimes.com / 41

Bliffert Lumber Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Lumber and hardware FOUNDED: 1904 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $75 million For more than a century, the Bliffert family has been serving the region’s lumber needs, including lumber, building supplies, hardware and millwork.

Since 2004, the company has grown from two lumberyards and 20 employees to seven locations and 150 employees. A strategic approach to expansion and consolidation of key competitors has allowed Bliffert to diversify its offerings.

W I N N E R

M M

That diversification, along with a strong focus on customer service and relationships has helped the company weather the challenges associated with online retail and big box stores.

M A S T E R

M E T T L E

Bliffert now has traditional industry yards, construction yards and a neighborhood hardware store. The company is always on the lookout for additional opportunities to expand and increase its share of the retail lumber and hardware markets.

What is your biggest obstacle to growth?

Eli Bliffert

1

“The ability for people to purchase almost anything online can be a threat to any retail establishment. But many of our customers tend to prefer the customer service and insight provided by our staff members over the ease of purchasing something online. Chances are that someone with a substantial project will stop at their local Bliffert location rather than try to order their material online or take their chances at a big box store. By getting to know our customers, we can provide a very different sort of experience.”

Boelter Cos. Waukesha INDUSTRY: Food and beverage distribution FOUNDED: 1929 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $400 million You can’t attend a ball game or go to dinner without coming in contact with Waukesha-based Boelter Cos.

W I N N E R

There are three primary divisions of Boelter: Boelter Foodservice Design, Equipment and Supply, which offers commercial kitchen design, build, resupply and small wares; Boelter Beverage, which provides decorated glassware and fulfillment services for breweries, craft brewers and distilleries; and Boelter Brands, which produces and distributes licensed major league and collegiate sports products to big box stores and gift shops.

Y E A R

While the divisions provide different services, all three focus on customer retention and growth through creative, innovative and entrepreneurial thinking.

Recently, Boelter released an exclusive marketing technology that allows its clients to connect to their customers via mobile apps, social media and the traditional website.

1 S T

Where is the opportunity?

Eric Boelter, Bill Boelter and Rick Boelter 42 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

“Geographical expansion has contributed most to our growth. We have successfully reached out into many markets beyond southeast Wisconsin, including Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Sacramento, Tennessee and Georgia.”

Breckenridge Landscape Design New Berlin INDUSTRY: Landscaping FOUNDED: 2009 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $5.5 million

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The economy continues to drive growth at New Berlin-based Breckenridge Landscape Design, Construction & Maintenance.

This year, the company grew from five crews to nine and has also added key sales and office staff at its headquarters, and in the residential and commercial divisions. Additionally, over the past four years, Breckenridge has acquired three companies that have helped diversify services and increase revenue.

The company is currently focused on the increased opportunities in its permeable paver division. The permeable paver has quickly become a niche market. To date, Breckenridge has installed more than 1 million square feet, including the largest paver road in the state.

The company is committed to geographic growth, both in state and out of state, and also plans to invest internally to become more efficient.

Y E A R W I N N E R

What’s new?

“One thing we are very proud of is our involvement in the Operation Finally Home project with Belman Homes. We installed a full-scale landscape for a returning veteran complete with paver driveway, walkway, patio, and outdoor kitchen and irrigation system.

We have veterans that work for us and everyone on my team has a very grateful mindset when it comes to our veterans. It was a great experience for all of us and we were so happy to be able to give back.”

1

Eric Weishaar

Brilliance Business Solutions Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Professional services/technology FOUNDED: 1998 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $1.75 million

1

Traction is largely responsible for Brilliance Business Solutions’ success over the past year. Traction is the name of the company’s Entrepreneurial Operating System.

1 S T

The company builds and supports websites that drive revenue. By 2025, BBS plans to target $250 million in online revenue growth for its customers.

Brilliance specializes in B2B e-commerce solutions and websites with complex requirements.

Y E A R

Complex requirements demand staff with specialized skills. BBS has a dedicated staff of employees who specialize in all aspects of .NET development, but accessing a pipeline of talent and training opportunities is a challenge for all technology companies.

W I N N E R

The company prides itself on its commitment to constant learning. It plans to add an additional one to two software platforms to its repertoire and grow its team by adding salespeople, developers and project managers. In addition, BBS plans to expand into adjoining office space.

Words of advice “‘What would you do if you weren’t afraid?’ I ask myself this question frequently.”

The Brilliance Business Solutions team biztimes.com / 43

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Capital Heating & Cooling Menomonee Falls INDUSTRY: HVAC-R FOUNDED: 2007 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $7.5 million

For continued growth, Jason Fox, owner of Menomonee Falls-based Capital Heating & Cooling, knows the value in customer service. Growth over the past year was driven by customer satisfaction and referrals, he said.

W I N N E R

The company provides heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration services to homeowners and businesses throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

In order to enhance customer service and ensure the best possible experience for clients, Capital focuses heavily on training and ongoing education for all of its technicians.

Y E A R

In fact, the company recently moved to a new headquarters and constructed a state-of-the-art training lab in order to provide adequate space and continuous training and support for employees.

1 S T

Fox sees a lot of opportunities in ancillary services, as well as strategic acquisitions, and plans to focus on streamlining and simplifying company processes to encourage growth Words of advice in the future.

“Both my parents were entrepreneurs who taught me to work hard, keep moving forward and never give up. Every business has its ups and downs (just ask any business owner!) so it’s important to stay focused and positive to keep growing.”

Jason Fox

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2017 STRATEGIC PARTNERS All Occassions Catering/Bubbs BBQ

General Plastics, Inc.

Best Version Media

Pattyn North America, Inc.

Breckenridge Landscape Design

RSP, Inc.

Capri Senior Communities

Wenthe-Davidson Engineering Co.

Dynamic Solutions Worldwide

MyKnowledgeBroker.com | 800.566.7007 | The Knowledge Brokers

44 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Capri Senior Communities Waukesha INDUSTRY: Senior living/health care FOUNDED: 1991 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $50 million

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Capri Senior Communities is committed to improving the quality of life for its residents. The company continues to adapt to meet the changing needs of those residents, and those strategic changes have propelled the company’s growth. Recently, Capri converted several apartment communities to offer more assisted living services for residents wishing to age in their homes. New spaces like the Casetta apartments offer independent living options, with gathering spaces for residents to take advantage of the community offered in traditional senior living spaces.

Y E A R

In the past year, Capri has acquired three senior living communities that expand its reach north to Fond du Lac and Port Washington. Heritage Place, located in Brookfield, was also acquired and now shares in Capri’s vision and mission.

W I N N E R

And Capri is adopting technology to utilize electronic medical records, increase efficiency and streamline resident services to include those offered by other strategic health care providers.

What’s new?

“We are also in the planning phases for several new developments, including St. Rita Square, which will be a state-of-the-art independent, assisted and memory care community on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side that will include a brand new St. Rita Church.”

The Capri Senior Communities team

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

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262-513-3750 biztimes.com / 45

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Central Standard Craft Distillery Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Manufacturing FOUNDED: 2014 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $2 million

Central Standard Craft Distillery is in the process of opening its new 12,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Milwaukee. The company has experienced significant growth over the past year in terms of sales, market growth and the addition of new employees.

W I N N E R

Central Standard Craft Distillery produces handcrafted spirits including Wisconsin Rye Vodka, New American Gin, Coffee Vodka, Bourbon and Rye Whiskey.

As you can probably imagine, time is the biggest obstacle to the company’s growth, because it takes time to properly age a barrel.

Y E A R

The new facility will allow the distillery to produce more and continue its growth. The existing smaller facility will still be used for research and development of new, innovative products and flavors.

1 S T

Central Standard is still in the growth phase and is constantly making changes to improve the business and its processes. According to the cofounders, Central Standard has barely scratched the surface of opportunity in terms of creative products.

Words of advice

“Put your head down and do the work; hard work pays off. Don’t be afraid to take a risk and bet on yourself.”

Pat McQuillan and Evan Hughes

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

Don’t miss this exciting advertising opportunity!

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Church Metal Spinning Co. Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Manufacturing FOUNDED: 1944 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $7.5 million

M E T T L E W I N N E R

of our largest customers. After I gave him a litany of why his order was late, he responded, ‘Mark, I just want my parts.’ There are always impediments to your performance. We make sure those impediments don’t impact our ability to provide parts. Whenever we run into difficulties, we recite those words and work to overcome.

M A S T E R

Investment in new equipment continues to drive Milwaukee’s Church Metal Spinning Co. to new heights in the market. Church Metal’s new 5-axis lasers and 3D programming equipment have increased opportunities for the company among new and existing customers and, according to president Mark Verhein, has allowed it to continue to add jobs, as well.

Church Metal strives for continuous improvement and works hard to address the challenges associated with effectively integrating new parts and programs into its production stream.

Church Metal Spinning prides itself on its ability to help its customers grow, Verhein said.

“Our current customers want us to provide more parts and high-valueadded parts,” he said. “They know we have performed for them in the past and they want to depend on us to help Words of advice them grow their “The best advice I ever received was from one businesses.”

The Church Metal Spinning Co. team

Coates Electric Waukesha INDUSTRY: Electrical contracting FOUNDED: 2009 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: Not disclosed

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Waukesha-based Coates Electric is a fully licensed electrical contractor that serves customers throughout southeastern Wisconsin in the commercial, medical, institutional, residential and industrial sectors.

While finding qualified workers is a constant struggle for the industry, Coates constantly strives to improve aspects of the company in order to provide the best services possible for its clients.

Coates recently implemented new time management accounting, as well as project management software that will gather data faster and more efficiently than its previous software.

Greater efficiency leads to opportunities for more innovative thinking, design-build capabilities and internal and external communication.

Service personnel at Coates are trained and certified through the Joint Apprenticeship Training program and are required to enroll in continuing education courses to learn about code updates, safety and Where is the opportunity? technological advancements.

Y E A R W I N N E R

“Our employees. When you invest and grow your employees, your company succeeds. Employees realize their potential (and) bring fresh perspectives and new ideas, which presents the company with new opportunities.”

M M

Brody Coates biztimes.com / 47

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Crescendo Collective Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Marketing FOUNDED: 2014 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $5 million

1 S T

Y E A R

W I N N E R

Milwaukee-based Crescendo Collective measures growth by its clients’ success. If its clients are succeeding, Crescendo is moving forward as a company.

Crescendo specializes in web design and development, technology integration, mobile development and a full suite of additional digital marketing strategies and services.

The solutions and projects Crescendo takes on are often large and complex, requiring several qualified individuals with a multitude of skillsets.

Finding quality staff that not only has the right skillset, but also cares about clients’ success has been a challenge, but one that hasn’t deterred the company’s progress.

Change is frequent at Crescendo as the team stays abreast of the latest technologies and advances to meet the needs of the current marketplace.

The company considers itself world-class and competes for large-scale projects, including one in which Crescendo launched 42 international websites What changes are coming? throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

“Crescendo is designed to render Crescendo plans to itself obsolete every two years, increase its presence in the so yes, change is always afoot. As global market and expand technology changes and clients’ needs with existing clients.

change, so too does Crescendo. If we’re not changing, something is probably wrong.”

Bernard Gomez and Thomas Duffey

The Digital World Is Big. OUR EXPERTISE IS BIGGER. (LET US BE YOUR PALM PILOT.)

WINNER OF THE 2017 MMAC • COSBE FUTURE 50 AWARD

Visit us at:

CRESCENDOCOLLECTIVE.COM 48 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

CTS- Connected Technology Solutions Menomonee Falls INDUSTRY: Manufacturing/technology FOUNDED: 2002 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: Not disclosed

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Menomonee Falls-based Connected Technology Solutions has long been known for its innovative approach. The company specializes in branded technology-based user experiences that include interactive kiosks, digital signage, displays, telemedicine suites and retail fixtures.

Currently, CTS works with clients in the health care, retail, hospitality and transportation industries.

Since 2010, the company has experienced year-over-year sales growth of 25 percent.

Sandra Nix, president and chief executive officer, credits the company’s success to superior engineering and design talent, coupled with quality hardware and software turnkey solutions.

Most recently, CTS entered the telemedicine market and now offers fullyequipped, turnkey suites in which patients are connected to nurses, doctors and counselors in real time.

CTS designs and manufactures the technology for its clients and plans to continue to grow aggressively, both organically and through Where is the opportunity? acquisition.

Y E A R W I N N E R

“We are evolving more and more into an automated, interactive technology economy, and that is exactly where our expertise lies.”

Sandra Nix

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

Crescendo Collective Future

Congratulations Crescendo Collective team.

We look forward to your ongoing success.

September 19, 2016

50

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BizTimes Milwaukee

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Design Fugitives Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Design and fabrication FOUNDED: 2009 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $1.6 million Milwaukee-based Design Fugitives is an innovative company seeking a legacy. The company specializes in the production of custom architecturalscale art and LED fixtures, and is focused on creating atrium sculptures, 3D wall coverings and ecclesiastic art.

W I N N E R

The company recently hired six new employees and several additional temp workers to assist in its growth, but personal bandwidth is a limiting factor.

Design Fugitives is currently working to increase its own marketing efforts to include YouTube videos and curated short films about the company and its projects.

Y E A R

Its projects mostly consist of large, one-time custom pieces for companies and organizations throughout Wisconsin. Design Fugitives has designed atrium pieces for Johnson Controls International plc and 833 East, wall coverings at Direct Supply Inc. and more.

1 S T

Design Fugitives plans to continue to pursue innovative design while integrating new technologies that will help the company produce art seen nowhere else in the world.

The Design Fugitives team

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Where is the opportunity?

“We believe we can elevate the entire Milwaukee area’s status in the world of design. There is a lot of hidden talent here, and we continue to form new partnerships to harness that talent.”

Dynamic Solutions Worldwide Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Manufacturing FOUNDED: 2010

1 S T

Y E A R

W I N N E R

PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $32 million

Jim Hunter and Juan Rocha 50 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Milwaukee-based Dynamic Solutions Worldwide LLC is doing its part to help your backyard barbecue with the creation of its patented DynaTrap insect trap.

The trap mimics human beings to maximize attraction, using UV light and carbon dioxide to lure mosquitoes and other predatory insects into the trap. Once inside, the insects are vacuumed into the retaining cage, where they eventually dry up and die.

For every mosquito DynaTrap catches, hundreds of additional mosquitoes are prevented from hatching on a property.

When operated 24/7 during mosquito season, DynaTrap works to disrupt the mosquito lifecycle, with maximum impact in six to eight weeks.

The trap is chemical-free, making it safe to install around pets and children, and does not attract honeybees and other beneficial insects.

Currently, DynaTrap is sold in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, What else is new?

Mexico, and Central and “We also launched DynaSteam in 2016, a South America. Dynamic natural weed killer that uses superheated Solutions has also released steam to kill weeds on contact, and also several advanced lines of mosquito traps, doubles as an effective steam cleaner. With including the DT600 just a cup of ordinary tap water super-heated to and the premium over 300 degrees, DynaSteam attacks weeds at Sonata Series. the root without the use of herbicides or glyphosate.

Equips Brookfield INDUSTRY: Equipment maintenance FOUNDED: 2008 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: Not disclosed

2 N D

Our world is becoming more and more automated, and for Brookfield-based Equips, that trend is driving growth.

The company provides equipment management and consulting services for financial institutions.

Equips works with ATMs, drive-ups, vaults, security equipment, copiers, teller cash equipment and coin machines found at branch locations.

Equips also manages service calls through its E-Link software platform, which helps provide cost savings, improved efficiencies, equipment management and service administration.

Equips strives to make equipment maintenance and management easier, so financial institutions can focus on the customers they serve.

While getting the word out about the work the company does has historically been a challenge, Equips recently partnered with ResultsMarketing in Brookfield to help.

The company consistently looks for ways to serve the fast-changing world of banking automation. The company is poised to help financial What has contributed to your growth? institutions navigate “Our current team of experts have been those changes now contributors to our growth this year. Our culture is and in the future.

2

Y E A R W I N N E R

vibrant. People who visit our offices can sense the energy, drive and enjoyment that we have working together. We are a team in the best sense of the word.”

Adam York

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2

General Plastics Inc. Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Manufacturing FOUNDED: 1987 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $14 million

W I N N E R

General Plastics Inc. is a certified, full-service custom plastic thermoformer that provides high-quality and cost effective turnkey solutions for point-ofpurchase and original equipment manufacturers in a wide variety of industries, including transportation, office, lavatory, medical, health and wellness, gaming, food and beverage, agriculture and construction.

Since 1987, the company has grown from just six full-time employees to more than 80. General Plastics is now located in a 93,000-square-foot facility on Milwaukee’s north side after completing three different expansion projects over the past 30 years.

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The most recent expansion, completed in 2016, will generate 10 to 15 new jobs.

General Plastics has experienced annual growth, driven by existing customer relationships and new customer acquisition throughout the U.S. and Canada.

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The company plans to maintain its reputation as a leading, cuttingedge company, and remains in constant change and continual Words of advice improvement mode.

“Never be satisfied with the status quo. Constantly disrupt your conventional thinking, and identify ways to make step change improvements to the organization’s performance.”

Bob Porsche

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

RESERVE YOUR BOOTH!

General Plastics Inc.

MAY 2018

Congratulations to all the winners, including several we are proud to call clients.

G OL D STEI N LAW GR OU P, S.C.

(414) 446-8 800 • G OLDSTEINSC.COM

52 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

CONTACT LINDA CRAWFORD TODAY! (414) 336-7112 || advertise@biztimes.com

Gustave A. Larson Co. Pewaukee INDUSTRY: Distribution FOUNDED: 1936 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $280 million

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Gustave A. Larson Co. has grown through a combination of organic growth, geographic expansion and acquisition.

The company is a distributor of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, parts and supplies.

The company currently has 450 team members serving 20 states from 53 locations across the country.

New construction continues to flourish, and Gustave A. Larson is poised to serve customers with value-added solutions that can help them succeed.

The goal, according to company leadership, is to go above and beyond the traditional HVAC/R distributor to provide innovative, custom solutions to help customers become more profitable.

The company recently implemented a new ERP system that will go live at the end of 2017. The system will help streamline processes and procedures and Words of advice continue to drive future growth.

“The most important part of any business The leaders have continued is the blending of human attitudes toward a to invest in the business, common goal, which will result in a spirit that making improvements distinguishes the good company from the excellent to the company’s digital strategy and company. We will not be content with less than e-commerce excellence in everything we do. In order to achieve solutions. this, we must develop strong, positive attitudes.”

Brad Lamers, Dan Benischek, Scott Larson and Greg Toler

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

Gustave A. Larson Company Congratulations Gustave A. Larson team! Wells Fargo is proud to be your partner.

WELLS FARGO - MIDDLE MARKET BANKING

We are so proud to be named a Future 50 Winner.

Thank you to all of our customers, suppliers, partners and staff that have helped us become a Future 50 Winner!

For Us, It’s Personal.

T.J. SMITH (414) 2 24-74 81 • WELLSFARG O.COM

2

Putting our customers first in everything we do Committed to integrity, trust and building relationships Pushing ourselves to go further For us, it’s not just business – it’s personal!

Learn more at http://galarson.com

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Healics Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Health and wellness FOUNDED: 1985 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $20 million In the ever-changing world of health care, Milwaukee-based Healics continues to be an innovator in the industry. Healics provides health risk assessments, biometric screenings, aggregate health risk reporting, coaching, wellness programs, care management and on-site or near-site employer wellness clinics and preventative care, among other services.

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In March, Healics and Brookfield-based Interra Health Inc., made the strategic decision to merge and become a single, unified Healics. Interra Health specialized in clinical management and development and the decision to merge has allowed Healics to serve more patients along the continuum of care.

Healics plans to continue to integrate to offer quality services and care for health-conscious companies and individuals. It will upgrade its software systems during the merger integration process, which will also mean hiring additional qualified staff members to assist in the transition.

M A S T E R

Where is the opportunity?

The Healics team

Hilmot Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Material handling FOUNDED: 2005 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $45 million Customer satisfaction drives growth at Milwaukee-based Hilmot. Hilmot is a leading manufacturer of motorized drive roller conveyer and conventional conveyor equipment and systems, serving material handling industries in manufacturing, distribution, assembly and order picking.

The company prides itself on its ability to focus on relationships and customized problem-solving and innovation for each client. The relationships drive the business.

Hilmot handles everything from start to finish for its customers – sales and marketing of its products and solutions, engineering, assembly, project management, shipping and final installation.

The company offers an array of solutions, including interlock sorters, tire handling, a variety of conveyer systems, scanners, weight scales and other products as needed in order to provide a complete solution for its clients.

In addition, a new state-of-the-art control platform allows the company to diagnose and pinpoint repairs, while also allowing What’s new? interchangeable Hilmot has a lot of exciting new products modular designs and services coming, including a patentfor customization opportunities. pending snap-lock dust cover, Quick

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“Employers continually seek a ‘onestop-shop’ experience as it relates to making decisions about health and wellness partners. This is driving the industry, as a whole, towards consolidation, which is a great opportunity for Healics.”

The Hilmot team 54 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Connect power modules, new integrated cable management systems and new control platforms.

Industrial Automation Solutions New Berlin INDUSTRY: Engineering services FOUNDED: 1998 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $3.5 million

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More and more companies are turning to automation to increase efficiency and productivity. New Berlin-based Industrial Automation Solutions is leading the way, and experiencing its own growth in the process.

The company uses a series of metrics to stay informed and agile in the marketplace, and relies on strategic partnerships and diversification to help drive growth.

IAS recently launched a new robotic palletizer line known as the Sprinter Series that provides configurable and scalable designs that can meet the production needs of all customers regardless of company size or industry. IAS also sees a lot of opportunity in helping customers redefine manufacturing using robotics and machines to alleviate costly and sometimes dangerous tasks on a manufacturing floor.

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Words of advice “Culture eats strategy for lunch. Nourishing a defined company culture leads to success. At IAS, we have a culture of structural creativity. We treat engineering as an art form, but we also have found ways to rigorously test our ideas either digitally or offline first. This way, we can encourage outside-of-the-box thinking and maintain our reputation of highperformance systems. That has become our identity.�

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Bryan Brisch and Paul Szeflinski

2 0OVATION 17 OVATION AWARDS AWARDS

The Kenosha Area Business Alliance would like to congratulate the 2017 Ovation Award Winners: Business of the Year: Kenall Manufacturing Small Business of the Year: Kenosha Kingfish Baseball Club Entrepreneur of the Year: S.R. Mills, Bear Real Estate Group Fast Five: > Frontida Assisted Living, Inc. > Otto Nelson Moving and Storage > Puratos Corporation > SL Montevideo Technology, Inc. > Vonco Products, LLC

The award winners will be recognized at an event on November 2nd. Watch for additional details about the event to be announced soon at kaba.org/ovation-awards. biztimes.com / 55

Racine INDUSTRY: Information technology FOUNDED: 2004 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $2 million

Innovative Dynamic Networks has been able to do a lot with very limited resources. By streamlining its processes and targeting its areas of focus, IDN provides network services, wireless analysis, technical support, security, managed services, email support and backup, service administration, phone services and web design, among other IT services.

In response to industry demand, the company began specializing in surveillance and camera systems and has expanded its managed services division to provide additional email management and backup services to its customers.

In the ever-changing world of technology, companies must grow and respond to the changes in the market.

Perhaps not surprisingly, IDN sees the most growth potential in the data center, storage and wireless communication divisions.

IDN has already shifted its focus to the construction of a data center where all of its clients’ cloud solutions will be located, secured and managed.

Words of advice In addition, IDN has plans to “The best advice I ever received construct multiple remote locations would be to ‘think simple,’ to across the United States and ‘always have a contingency plan’ eventually, in Canada, Mexico and ‘always maintain your loyalty and and Central America.

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Innovative Dynamic Networks

The Innovative Dynamic Networks team

good business ethics.’”

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

Presented By:

Innovative Dynamic Networks Congratulations to the entire IDN team for their recognition in the business community.

M U R PH Y J OHNSON & TR A MP E SC (26 2) 6 37-8 5 51 MJT-LAW.COM

Congratulations to the Innovative Dynamic Networks team on their much deserved recognition!

WI NT RU ST COMME R C I AL BAN K I N G AT TOW N BA NK

(414) 273-3 507 TOWNBANK .US

Nomination Deadline: October 31, 2017

Recognize the people and organizations that are making a difference every day by providing superior health care in our region.

Categories Include: Advancements in Health Care Behavioral Health Community Service Corporate Achievement in Health Care Executive Leadership

First Responder Health Care Staff Nurse Physician Volunteer

Winners will be featured in the December 18, 2017 issue of BizTimes Milwaukee

To nominate a hero, visit biztimes.com/hero 56 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

JCP Construction LLC Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Building and construction FOUNDED: 2008 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $5 million

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James, Clifton and Jalin Phelps founded JCP Construction in 2008.

Combined, the three had more than 30 years of experience in construction and related industries.

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Today, the company provides a wide range of services for construction, general contracting and construction management. Since the beginning, the team has been committed to delivering each and every project on time and within budget.

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Previously, JCP focused primarily on multi-family home renovations. Today, the company has evolved into a commercial construction firm that has been involved in significant projects throughout the city of Milwaukee, including the Milwaukee Bucks arena, the Northwestern Mutual Tower & Commons and Bader Philanthropies projects.

W I N N E R

Thanks to a booming economy and a revival in the construction industry throughout the region, JCP is poised to take on several new Where is the opportunity? development projects. The company plans to add staff “The most opportunities for JCP and expand its job site Construction right now include being workforce, as well.

in the right industry (construction), being in the right place (City of Milwaukee), at the right time (now).”

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

Clifton Phelps, James Phelps, Jr. and Jalin Phelps

WHAT CAN WE BUILD FOR YOU?

Health Care & Senior Living

October 16, 2017 Space Reservation: September 27, 2017

Business in Kenosha County

October 30, 2017

Thank you to everyone who has helped us become a second year in a row Future 50 Winner!

Space Reservation: October 11, 2017 Contact Linda Crawford today!

Phone: 414.336.7112 Email: advertise@biztimes.com

1849 N. MLK Drive, Suite 200, Milwaukee, WI 53212 Office: 414-372-7300 • Fax: 414-372-7618 jcp-construction.com

biztimes.com / 57

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Kesslers Diamonds Germantown INDUSTRY: Retail jeweler FOUNDED: 1980 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $35 million

Kesslers Diamonds has a storied history in the region, and while mature stores typically maintain stable revenue numbers, new stores drive the company’s growth. Kesslers currently holds about 30 percent market share in its communities and plans to open a new store every 18 to 24 months.

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Its two newest stores are currently doubling their growth over the prior year.

Finding the appropriate market size and location is a challenge the company is focused on as it continues to expand.

Kesslers provides diamonds, diamond engagement rings, and custom designs for rings and jewelery.

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The company is focused on customer satisfaction and strives to be different in the retail industry. As Kesslers continues to grow, succession planning is top of mind. As an employee-owned company, Kesslers must take steps to ensure its future success.

What’s new?

“Two years ag, we introduced laboratory grown diamonds to our markets. Virtually no one has attempted to do this to any significant degree. In fact, most jewelers have a fear of something new like this.

Without question, these diamonds are and will continue to be the biggest revolution in jewelry for many years to come.”

Richard Kessler

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

Kesslers Diamonds Congratulations on your achievement! We wish you continued success in the coming years.

U NI TED HEA LTHCA R E (414) 44 3-4720 UHC.COM

BizTimes Salutes our Veterans

Veterans Day 2017 B I Z T I M E S M I LWA U K E E • S P E C I A L C O V E R A G E

Congratulations on this outstanding achievement.

We look forward to helping you succeed.

V R A K AS C PAS + A DV I SOR S (26 2) 797- 0 400 VRAKASCPAS.COM

58 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Honor our service members and recognize the companies that go above and beyond to support them by advertising your logo on the front cover of BizTimes Milwaukee or within the Special Report.

Space reservation:

Publication date:

October 25, 2017

November 13, 2017

If your company actively recruits veterans, ask about the 3 exclusive cover wrap ad placements opportunities available.

Please contact Linda Crawford directly at 414.336.7112 for more information on those positions.

KeyStone Staffing Group LLC Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Employment FOUNDED: 2012 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $7 million

2

KeyStone Staffing Group is a workforce solutions provider specializing in recruiting industrial and office professionals.

Keystone prides itself on truly understanding its clients’ businesses and requirements to find the best person to staff those needs.

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The company is focused on quality representation and value-added services and programs. It currently sources talent for many of the top companies throughout Wisconsin from two locations in the state, and specializes in long-term manufacturing, engineering and support positions.

Finding qualified individuals to fill the talent pool is an ongoing challenge for KeyStone and the industry, but it hasn’t deterred the company from growing.

W I N N E R

The company has completed several expansion projects at its corporate headquarters and recently opened a second location to better serve its clients throughout the state.

What’s new?

KeyStone recently opened a second office in Appleton.

American Heart Association and American Stroke Association PHONE: (414) 271-9999 WEB: heart.org

Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

FEATURED NONPROFIT

Johnson Financial Group proudly congratulates our

FUTURE 50 BUSINESS PARTNERS We are proud to recognize all of this year’s Future 50

To learn more, visit biztimes.com/giving

2017 GIVING GUIDE

The KeyStone Staffing Group team

PRODUCED BY

winners including our clients: · Keystone Staffing Group LLC · Moore Construction Services LLC · CTS - Connected Technology Solutions · Industrial Automation Solutions

AmericanCommunity Outreach Cancer Society Health Inc. PHONE: (800)Centers, 947-0487

As a trusted partner, our integrated team of experienced banking,

WEB: cancer.org PHONE: (414) 906-5306 WEB: ochc-milw.org As the largest community-based voluntary health organization in the world, the American Cancer Society is on a mission to save lives and celebrate life women – every day. combine To ensure that men, andWe children in our the relentless Greater Milwaukee Area receive the quality health passion with the wisdom over a century of experience to care, behavioral health,ofhousing and supportive services needed to live at the highest possible make this vision a reality, and we get results.

Thanks, in part, to levels of self-sufficiency. Outreach Community Health Centers, Inc. will work to achieve this mission our contributions, more than 1.7prevention, million livespublic have been saved collaborative relationships with other through advocacy, outreach, awareness, in the U.S. in the past two decades.

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Lange Bros. Woodwork Co. Inc. Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Architectural millwork FOUNDED: 1932 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $10 million

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In 1932, the Lange brothers – John and Rudy – brought the expertise of their grandfathers to Wisconsin. For more than 80 years, Milwaukee-based Lange Bros. Woodwork Co. has shared with the community centuries of skills and techniques in woodworking. Today, the company is one of the most sought after sources of custom architectural woodwork and cabinets in the country.

An economic boom has increased opportunities for the company and a transition to more automated processes has helped it remain competitive, while still offering superior services.

Y E A R

Lange Bros. recently adopted robotic automation technology, as well as new resource planning and tracking software and tools. Lange also plans to automate its molding process and refine the workflow to increase efficiency.

The automation has helped the company in terms of productivity, but has also alleviated some of the challenges associated with the skills gap faced by many companies in the manufacturing space.

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Where is the opportunity?

The Lange Bros. Woodwork Co. team

“We specialize in being a support structure and knowledge base for our customers. Rather than just supplying millwork, we focus on servicing our customers and contractors throughout design decisions and changes by leaning on the years of experience of the company and our members.”

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

Lange Bros. Woodwork Co., Inc. Future

September 19, 2016

50

WINNER FIRST YEAR

BizTimes Milwaukee

Group KeyStone Staffing 412, Wauwatosa

LLC

Suite 2323 N. Mayfair Road, www.itskeystone.com

Congratulations to the Lange Bros. Woodwork Co. on their continued success and growth!

WI NT RU ST COMME R C I AL BAN K I N G AT TOW N BA NK

(414) 273-3 507 • TOWNBANK .US

YEAR FOUNDED: 2012 for OFFERED: Talent sourcing PRODUCT OR SERVICE in southeastern Wisconsin manufacturing companies Rowe PRESIDENT & CEO: Bob Ryan, partner Galante, partner; Peter LEADERSHIP TEAM: Tim

$6 million PROJECTED 2016 REVENUE: manufacturing primary clients are talent TARGET CLIENTELE: Our long-term, career-minded companies seeking Wisconsin MEMBERSHIPS: BBB, BUSINESS ORGANIZATION Services, HRMA, MMAC Association of Staffing

What has fueled your

company’s growth?

in the market ‘staffing’ companies “There are countless temporary help. KeyStone sources connection who provide primarily talent for a career in the employhigh-quality manufacturing This is a big distinction spewith our customers. a highly sought after has proven to be ment industry and marketplace.” cialty service for the

What is the biggest obstacle “Like most fast-growing employment market.”

to your company’s growth? a robust

companies, finding

talent in

THE KEYSTONE STAFFING

GROUP TEAM

to your company?

changes corexpansion at our making its third office a Fox Valley “KeyStone will be and will be opening porate office in Wauwatosa 2016.” operation in late

Do you plan to make any

What is the outlook for “The outlook for

your industry?

the industry is strong;

however, adapting

to

bringing innovative talent market and an already depleted is the challenge.” solutions to our customers

What is your company’s

most important growth

the very best talent “Continue providing gies for our customers.”

strategy?

and sourcing strate-

ORDER YOUR REPRINTS!

Awards, cover stories, special reports, advertisements, feature stories, whatever your interests may be. We’ll provide reprints of any published material.

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60 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Lemberg Electric Co. Inc. Brookfield

INDUSTRY: Electrical construction FOUNDED: 1928 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $40 million

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company and set us apart from our competitors.”

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Brookfield-based Lemberg is a full-service firm founded in 1928, specializing in electrical construction, data communications, energy management, sign design and installation, and 24-hour electrical service.

The company is recognized as one of the largest employee-owned electrical contracting firms in the region.

The booming construction industry in the greater Milwaukee area is helping drive Lemberg’s growth, and president and chief executive officer David Washebek is optimistic the trend will continue.

He is encouraged by the investments coming into the region and is confident Lemberg’s five divisions will be poised for growth in response.

According to Washebek, the growth the company has experienced since its foundation is a combination of two things: a commitment to customers, partners and employees; and its comprehensive approach to project management.

The company What’s new? works closely with partners, “Lemberg is investing heavily into leadership vendors and development training for its employees. It is a the customer three-year commitment to create a sustainable to provide leadership culture within the company. The successful innovative completion of this training will secure the future of the solutions.

Patrick Antkowski, Timothy Scheid, David Washebek and Sean McBride

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Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Sports and entertainment FOUNDED: 1968 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: Not disclosed The Milwaukee Bucks have a longstanding history with the City of Milwaukee.

Founded in 1968, the team earned the distinction of becoming the fastest to rise from expansion team to champion after winning the NBA Championship in 1971.

The Bucks will celebrate 50 seasons in the NBA in 2018. The organization continues to undergo rapid growth and expansion in the ever-changing landscape that is the NBA. A brand new Bucks arena is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018 in downtown Milwaukee. The Bucks’ arena and the surrounding buildings are poised to anchor a new entertainment district for Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Bucks have already opened a new practice facility and a new team training facility in partnership with Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin.

The team also Where is the opportunity? launched its own NBA G League team, The “With the new arena being built, the team Wisconsin Herd, is rapidly expanding into an entertainment which will begin its company that operates its own arena. This means first season in there will be many opportunities for the Bucks Oshkosh this to expand into concerts, shows and entertainment November.

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Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks team

events at the new arena.”

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Moore Construction Services LLC Menomonee Falls

INDUSTRY: Building/construction FOUNDED: 2007 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $15 million

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Menomonee Falls-based Moore Construction Services credits its team for the company’s continued success. The general contracting company recently named Tom Smith its executive vice president, and also purchased land to build a new company headquarters. Moore Construction specializes in design/build and general contracting services in the commercial, educational and religious group markets. The firm prides itself on its ability to foster and grow strong relationships with clients and subcontractors and sees growth opportunity in several sectors, but more in the education and manufacturing markets.

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School choice and the evolution of creative spaces needed for the delivery of learning is driving new construction in the education market, and manufacturers continue to update and design their work environments to attract new workers and adjust for new, robotic and automated technology, said founder Mike Moore.

Words of advice “Do what you say you’re going to do, and clean livin’ – my dad always said that phrase whenever things went well for him.”

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The Moore Construction Services team

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

Milwaukee Bucks Congratulations on your achievement! We wish you continued success in the coming years.

U NI TED HEA LTHCA R E

(414) 44 3-4720 • UHC.COM

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Pattyn North America Inc. Hartland INDUSTRY: Manufacturing FOUNDED: 2010 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $14 million

In the past three years, Pattyn North America Inc. has experienced tremendous growth. The company is expanding its headquarters in Hartland and also plans to establish sales and service offices throughout North America.

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Pattyn provides automated systems for bulk packaging, including handling, filling and packing of bulk products into polybag-lined cases, crates, trays, tins, pails, and drums. Its machines are designed to pack almost any product.

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Growth will continue through innovative thinking and the development of new packaging concepts, while still maintaining or increasing the company’s commitment to food safety.

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In addition, Pattyn continues to explore opportunities in bulk-packaged products in several new industries, and has moved from being a resource for end of line packaging to completing more What changes are coming? projects as a main contractor.

“In our effort to reach more industries

working with bulk packaged products, we have a two-year timeline in place to set up regional sales and service offices in strategic areas of North America. The ability to act more as a local supplier will help us expand our activities and further serve our customers.

Lars Nielsen

Pattyn North America is grateful for being named a Future 50 company for the third year in a row. We truly appreciate the support of everyone who has contributed to the company.

Our employees and their families, customers, and business partners are what make our success possible.

Thank you!

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

Pattyn North America We are delighted to celebrate for the third year in a row with our client, Master Mettle winner Pattyn North America.

OAK HILL BUSINESS PARTN E R S

Pattyn develops innovative machinery and responsive solutions to pack, weigh fill or count products for industrial use.

(414) 8 52- 0015 • OAKHILLBP.COM

N76 W30500 County Road Vv | Hartland, WI 53029 | 262-966-0300

64 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

PRE/3 Brookfield INDUSTRY: Real estate FOUNDED: 1978 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $5.7 million

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enhancements will keep us on the cutting edge and solidify our position as one of the leading affordable and market rate multi-family managers in the country.”

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Brookfield-based PRE/3 specializes in multi-family property management, investment and development. The company has experienced significant growth over the past year, in part due to several opportunistic acquisitions of Section 42 affordable housing projects throughout the country.

In 2016, PRE/3 relocated to its new headquarters building, which has spacious conference rooms, natural light and more efficient spaces ideal for meetings and collaboration. The company also rebranded from Premier Real Estate Management to PRE/3 to reflect its three distinct business lines: multifamily investment, development and property management.

PRE/3 currently manages 11,500 units across 14 states. In the first six months of 2017, the company has already seen its units under management grow 15 percent.

For PRE/3, it’s all about providing quality, What changes are coming? affordable housing “We continue to make technology options for average Americans enhancements, including online leasing, in smaller electronic payments for residents and improved communities. integration with our accounting software. These

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The PRE/3 team

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Reich Tool & Design Inc. Menomonee Falls INDUSTRY: Manufacturing FOUNDED: 1965 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $12 million Reich Tool & Design is a second-generation family-owned business based in Menomonee Falls. The company is a certified industry leader in supplying precision stamping dies, custom-machined components and critical assemblies to Fortune 500 OEMs and small to mid-sized companies throughout the country.

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Reich was founded on conservative Christian values and has been producing complex metal stamping dies for more than 50 years.

The company also provides contract machining services and cleanroom ultrasonic washing, passivation assembly and packaging services for the medical device and aerospace industries.

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Reich has experienced growth by adopting additive manufacturing techniques, utilizing more lean methodologies and adding more automation to its existing machines.

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The company is exploring possible acquisitions in the Where is the opportunity? market as a way to continue to “Fortunately, we are blessed further its growth, and also with opportunity in all areas of our sees more opportunity in company. However, with our expansion the medical device and of the latest technologies and equipment, aerospace industries.

Brett Reich and Fritz Reich

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

Reich Tool & Design, Inc. David Roettgers and everyone at von Briesen congratulate Reich Tool & Design!

the medical device and aerospace industries seem to be some of the best.”

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66 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Rocket Clicks Menomonee Falls INDUSTRY: Digital marketing FOUNDED: 2009 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $2 million

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Rocket Clicks keeps client growth front of mind when working on projects.

When clients are growing, Rocket Clicks is growing, too.

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The Menomonee Falls-based digital marketing firm specializes in paid and organic search management and optimization. The company creates meaningful partnerships with its clients to help them get seen and be found online, with the sole purpose of increasing leads, conversions and sales.

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Rocket Clicks recently implemented an Entrepreneurial Operating System that has helped make sure all aspects of the company are rowing in the same direction. The streamlined process has allowed the company to focus on customer relationships and retaining partners instead of rushing to onboard new ones, which has also contributed to the company’s growth.

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Rocket Clicks has a small but dedicated staff, and has seen a measureable influx in companies requesting SEO and PPC management work. The company sees opportunity in the future to integrate its Where is the opportunity? cross-service client management work.

“Making our expertise more publicly known

through conference attendance, helpful content on our website, and creating local opportunities to showcase the impact of digital marketing and the value of the right partnerships.”

The Rocket Clicks team

YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee PHONE: (414) 224-9622 WEB: wmcamke.org

PRESENTS:

2017

The Y is dedicated to creating a healthier, safer Milwaukee where families of all incomes thrive. With five locations plus Camp Minikani, we deliver programs for infants, youth, families, seniors, and those with special needs. Our mission is to strengthen Milwaukee by giving youth the building blocks needed to succeed academically, by promoting strong families and healthy lifestyles, and by offering safe places where kids, families, and seniors can gather seven days a week.

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Make plans to attend our fourth annual Nonprofit Excellence Awards on November 2nd where we’ll shine the spotlight on the people in for-profit and nonprofit organizations making a difference in our community. Honorees will be recognized in the categories of Corporate Citizenship and Nonprofit Leadership.

PHONE: (414) 258-2333 WEB: zoosociety.org

Preceding the awards presentation, a panel of local business leaders will discuss solutions for creating entrepreneurs and developing employees from within the city of Milwaukee.

The mission of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee is to take part in conserving wildlife and endangered species, to educate people about the importance of wildlife and the environment, and to support the Milwaukee County Zoo.

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Roofed Right America Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Commercial roofing FOUNDED: 2006 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $16.4 million When Roofed Right America was founded in 2006, the company set out to offer the most technically perfect designs and the most comprehensively engineered solutions in the waterproofing industry. In doing that, it opened new markets not typically available to traditional roofing companies.

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Currently, Roofed Right provides commercial roof construction, repair, waterproofing and maintenance for companies throughout the U.S.

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The company has experienced steady growth over the past several years due to its expansion of expertise and geographic locations.

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Roofed Right takes pride in its employment process and the ability to effectively train technicians with little to no prior construction experience. The employees are given the opportunity to learn new skillsets to not only advance their technical and installation prowess, Where is the opportunity? but also their place as valuable “A lot of what has helped us grow organically assets in the is the process development and the engineered company. testing we perform in-house. Continuing to expand

Adam Brissman, Ricardo Herrera and Khary Penebaker

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

these two areas in particular will be our continued focus, but we really see ourselves continuing an organic growth and don’t have the desire to put at risk our clients or employees by pursuing growth for growth’s sake.”

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For more information contact: Linda Crawford at (414)336-7112 or advertise@biztimes.com

RSP Inc. Brookfield INDUSTRY: Manufacturing FOUNDED: 1960 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $10 million

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Brookfield-based RSP Inc. is a full-service custom contract manufacturer.

With operations in the U.S. and China, the company makes products for use in homes, restaurants, automobiles and hospitals around the world. RSP specializes in keypads, electronics, wire harnesses, molded plastic, molded silicone and assembly, but can supply full turnkey products with other components, as well.

By the end of the year, RSP will move to a larger facility in Brookfield in order to grow with its existing clients, add new clients and services, invest in new equipment and improve warehouse and logistics procedures.

Its China operation is also adding 30 percent more manufacturing space to increase equipment and resources.

RSP plans to hire additional team members and is constantly evolving to keep up with advances in technology and Words of advice the needs and “A professor in college challenged me to buy requirements of its a million dollar business with no money down clients.

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before I graduated. I eventually made a deal before graduating and had an agreement to purchase a business, but at the last minute the seller backed out. This advice taught me that age can’t stop you, you don’t need money to make money, and confidence and attitude will take you a long way in life.”

Paul Ryan and Mike Ryan

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Savage Solutions LLC Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Marketing FOUNDED: 2001 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $1.4 million

Savage Solutions simply wants to be the best brand, digital, content and studio company in Milwaukee, and it measures growth not only in terms of billings, but also through the same lens as its clients: How did its work affect their bottom line?

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Savage has grown significantly and is in the process of moving to a new, larger space in its existing building. The new floor plan will nearly double the square footage and will allow for a more cohesive working environment.

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Savage Solutions also has plans to launch an independent studio called Owl House later this year, which will provide full video and photography capabilities and lend support to the company’s brand and content teams.

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Its rapid growth actually contributed to one of the biggest obstacles faced by the company, as well. Through its growth period, Savage lacked an organizational structure. As the company grew, it was necessary for the firm to back up, write job descriptions and create What changes are coming? an organizational chart in order to provide “Several. We continue to expand our service sustainability for the areas, which will create the need to hire more future.

great people. We are also looking at some unique opportunities to partner with other organizations that will truly enhance our service offering.”

The Savage Solutions team

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

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Scathain Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Manufacturing/design build FOUNDED: 2008 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: Not disclosed

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From its headquarters in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood, Scathain team members create one-of-a-kind pieces of art and furniture for businesses, celebrities and recognized designers all over the world.

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Scathain, pronounced skuh-thayn, is Gaelic for “mirror” or “smooth reflective surface.”

New inquiries, both national and international, have quadrupled over the past year and the company continues to grow, doubling its gross revenue annually.

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Scathain strives to craft artistic furnishings and functional accents using metal, wood and mirror that last longer than a lifetime.

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Increased market exposure, process improvement, additional equipment and improved efficiency have driven the company’s success.

What started as a one-person show with owner and founder John McWilliam today has more than 25 employees to handle its project load.

Additionally, the company has made some internal changes so Where is the opportunity? employees can securely access information outside the office.

“We are looking forward to building

our national portfolio and launching Scathain-branded furniture, decor and mirrored tile lines.”

The Scathain team

Scathain

Congratulations to Scathain and Vizance.

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biztimes.com / 71

Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Software development FOUNDED: 2011 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $3.8 million At just six years old, Milwaukee-based Swarming Technology is still a growing startup company. The firm provides e-commerce and web application development.

Swarming has always relied heavily on organic growth through partnerships and referrals, but now is turning to a more proactive sales and marketing strategy to continue its trajectory.

This year, Swarming launched a new data exchange and integration management platform company called Buzzi.

Buzzi started as a way to solve a problem for IBM, but is now actively raising capital to fuel Swarming’s future growth.

While the company is focused on the launch of its new sales and marketing strategy, it is also always looking for ways to optimize its development process, better define its culture and values, Words of advice and bring more “One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received focus to its about running a business is that you must have development focus. It is a lot harder to accomplish your goals if you teams.

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Swarming Technology

Ian Baxter

Symbiont Holding Co. Inc. West Allis INDUSTRY: Municipal, industrial, food and beverage FOUNDED: 1981 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $100 million

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as a leader and your team are not focused on a very specific goal. I’ve found that in the times our company has put its entire energy behind fewer initiatives, we do our best work and achieve the highest level of productivity.”

The Symbiont Holding Co. team 72 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

In its 34-year history, Symbiont has grown steadily in size, offerings and geography. Today, the company offers engineering design services for public wastewater and environmental projects, production processes in the food and beverage industry, design-build projects for delivery services, construction management services and general construction.

The company has diversified in response to client needs and demands for more from their service providers.

Two years ago, Symbiont acquired construction company T.V. John & Son Inc. in order to more effectively deliver its construction services to clients. Since that time, the company has hired more construction managers, enhanced its estimating capabilities and increased the volume of construction projects it performs. Design-build revenues have increased 400 percent since the acquisition.

Symbiont also recently hired a full-time professional in its HR department who will work closely with the staff to identify and implement What changes are coming? opportunities to enhance employee “We are eager to continue our growth satisfaction, through strategic acquisitions. We are productivity and continually looking for potential firms that will retention. help us expand our services and broaden our

geographic influence.”

TechCanary Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Software technology FOUNDED: 2013 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $8 million

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TechCanary was founded to be the “canary in the coal mine” for the insurance industry. The company prides itself on its ability to use technology to think ahead, anticipate change and innovate to meet the ever-changing needs and challenges of the insurance sector.

During his years on the agency side of the insurance industry, Reid Holzworth, chief executive officer of TechCanary, experienced firsthand the limitations and restrictions of the available agency management and business automation offerings. As a result, he leveraged salesforce.com to build a system to successfully manage his own business and in 2013, founded TechCanary to make his insurance sales and service productivity platform commercially available.

TechCanary is a full-featured, cloud-based, analytics-driven insurance platform for agencies, brokerages, MGAs, MGUs, GAs, wholesalers and carriers.

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What’s new?

This summer, TechCanary announced the availability of its Broker Management System on the Salesforce AppExchange, designed for the Canadian insurance market. This enhancement provides Canadian brokers and insurers with additional Canada-specific capabilities supporting personal and commercial property and casualty lines of business.

Reid Holzworth

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

TechCanary

BizTimes Salutes our Veterans

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Valentine Coffee Co. Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Coffee roasting FOUNDED: 2009 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE:

Not disclosed For Milwaukee-based Valentine Coffee Co., growth is only sustainable if the company is able to maintain its commitment to unmatched quality. This year, Valentine will experience nearly 40 percent growth in revenue, and the company’s commitment to quality and service is driving that growth.

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Valentine Coffee Co. is not only dedicated to quality, but also to responsibility.

The company cultivates direct relationships with coffee farmers all over the world and champions a mission for responsibility in everything it does.

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Valentine sources American-made coffee roasters, serves coffee in compostable cups and lids, and serves local food, milk, tea and vanilla in its tasting room.

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This spring, the company opened a new café at Drexel Town Square in Oak Creek. The new café is part of the company’s plan to bring specialty coffee to the forefront of the market in the region. Valentine is also planning an expansion of its current roasting facility in Milwaukee.

Where is the opportunity?

Joe Gilsdorf and Robb Kashevarof

Vizance Hartland INDUSTRY: Insurance FOUNDED: 1978 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: Not disclosed

Through a combination of organic growth and strategic mergers and acquisitions, Hartland-based Vizance has experienced steady growth over the past few years.

Formerly RC Insurance Services, Vizance places a strong emphasis on company culture. As growth continues, culture and vision remain a top priority.

In March 2017, the company acquired Valley Insurance Associates in Appleton, and expanded its geographic footprint to the northeast part of the state with locations in Appleton, Oshkosh, Green Bay and Kaukauna.

Vizance can design and implement a full range of insurance, employee benefits, safety and risk management, claims management, wellness and financial service solutions that What challenges do you face? protect the “Because it isn’t a profession that comes to financial security mind when considering the vast landscape of businesses of occupations, we’ve had to work hard to and families throughout demonstrate the benefits of an insurance-related the state. career. After learning more about the industry and

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“The specialty coffee scene is still a relatively small sector of the coffee market. We strive to bring responsibly sourced, farmed and roasted coffee to the forefront.”

Jeff Cardenas and Dimas Ocampo 74 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

getting a firsthand look at our unique culture, our candidates are often interested in a career that offers challenge, advancement and stability, with a team that likes to work hard and have fun.”

Weather Tight Corp.

West Allis INDUSTRY: Exterior remodeling FOUNDED: 1986 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $16.4 million

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We are building a new corporate training program that will allow managers to train new staff right away without removing them from their current staff for long periods of time.”

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For more than 30 years, West Allis-based Weather Tight Corp. has been marketing and selling exterior home remodeling products including windows, doors, roofing, siding and gutter protection throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

Thanks to its commitment to customer service and a focus on ethical business practices, Weather Tight has continued to see steady growth.

Recently, the company equipped its sales staff with tools and materials to help them do their jobs better, which will also help in the company’s shift to a paperless sales system. It has also implemented new procedures and processes to help improve efficiency and achieve even higher standards for customer service, and also released a new siding product for customers this summer.

Weather Tight recently earned the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Ethics, a testament to its commitment to culture and trust.

The company plans to expand its product line to offer additional custom items and is hopeful the new processes What changes are coming? and procedures “As always, there will be changes towards will increase continual improvement and development of staff. efficiency.

Todd Schulz and Tod Colbert

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind

Weather Tight Corporation Future

September 19, 2016

50

WINNER FIRST YEAR

BizTimes Milwaukee

Group KeyStone Staffing 412, Wauwatosa

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Wenthe-Davidson Engineering Co. New Berlin INDUSTRY: Manufacturing FOUNDED: 1941 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $35 million

New Berlin-based Wenthe-Davidson Engineering Co. credits its continued success to its ability to listen to customers and give them more than they ask for.

The company is a metal fabricator specializing in electric motor and generator housings, metal tubular products and emission systems for diesel trucks.

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Wenthe-Davidson strives for efficiency and has the ability to ship in exact quantities with perfect quality, just as customers need them.

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Engineers at the company have more than 200 years of experience in fabrication, welding, lean manufacturing and industrial engineering.

For 30 years, Wenthe-Davidson has been a minority ESOP company with 28 percent employee ownership. This year, the company transitioned to a 100 percent employee-owned company, and strives to create and maintain a culture of innovation and efficiency within the business.

Where is the opportunity?

The company prides itself on the ability to deliver more for less.

The Wenthe-Davidson Engineering Co. team

“Exploring new markets is a priority, but there is still so much more we can do for our existing customer base in the form of increased value added and innovation.”

Congratulations! from the strategic partners behind New Berin, WI 53151 (262)782-1550 www.Wenthe-Davidson.com

Wenthe-Davidson is a metal fabricator that specializes in electric motor and generator housings, emissions systems components, and custom tubular products. We would like to thank our employees for their hard work.

Without them our growth would not have been possible.

We would also like to thank our customers, partners, and suppliers for their support and great working relationships.

Wenthe-Davidson was founded in 1941 and is 100% employee owned. Please visit our website

for career opportunities.

76 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Wenthe-Davidson Engineering Co We congratulate Wenthe-Davidson Engineering on this distinguished award and wish them continued success.

REILLY, PENNER & BEN TO N L L P

Reilly Penner & Benton LLP JOEL JOYCE (414) 271-7800 • RPB.BIZ

Wisconsin International Academy Wauwatosa INDUSTRY: International education FOUNDED: 2012 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: $10 million

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Wisconsin International Academy provides a total care program that surrounds international student enrollment at quality private and parochial high schools to prepare the students for admission to competitive colleges and universities in America and beyond.

WIA has seven partner high schools in the Milwaukee metro area that combined enrolled 160 students during the 2016 school year, up from just 20 students during its first year in business.

Currently, WIA works primarily with parents in China wishing to make an eight-year educational investment for their children to attend high school and college.

Due to the growing interest of Chinese parents and students, WIA has expanded into the Chicago area, and plans to expand to the Iowa City and Cleveland areas.

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What are your challenges?

“Marketing and recruiting for continuing schools and new partner schools needs to precede expectations for enrollment targets being met by as much as two years. The obstacle is maintaining the focus of consistent marketing and recruiting efforts over this length of time and then sustaining it so an increasing number of new freshmen are ready to replace graduating seniors.”

The Wisconsin International Academy team

Z.T. Distribution Inc. Milwaukee INDUSTRY: Grocery distribution FOUNDED: 1919 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE: Not disclosed

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Milwaukee-based Z.T. Distribution Inc. began as Z.T. Wholesale in 1919. It was started by Zigmunt Trojanowski and incorporated in 1965. Today, three generations later, the company has evolved from a wholesaler to a full-service, direct store distribution company serving more than 400 retail grocers throughout Wisconsin and Illinois.

For Z.T., service is paramount. Logistics employees operate six days a week and store level service operations employees work seven days a week, including holidays. If the grocery stores are open, so is Z.T. That type of service is crucial when building the corporate relationships that drive the growth of the business.

The size of the company has helped it grow in terms of being able to overcome geographic challenges and service retail locations in multiple states.

Z.T. has been able to work with brands like Roundy’s, Woodman’s, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Sendik’s Food Markets, Festival Foods, Target, Hy-Vee, Meijer and others because of its size and distribution range.

The company sees opportunity in brand building services for emerging brands, as well as for established brands that may have plateaued What changes are coming? or have been limited because of challenges gaining “We are always willing to evolve and exposure in a crowded allow the market to shape us, rather retail environment. than fight an ever-changing market.”

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Carolyn and Scot Trojanowski biztimes.com / 77

ZMac Transportation Solutions Racine INDUSTRY: Transportation FOUNDED: 2010 PROJECTED 2017 REVENUE:

$20 million Racine-based ZMac Transportation Solutions credits its people for every bit of success the company has achieved. It specializes in coordinating the shipment of flatbed and oversized freight for manufacturers.

ZMac leverages the latest in technology to help its customers and carriers problem-solve.

The company developed ZRate, a subscription software that provides a market price on oversized freight, and also recently introduced a new industrychanging program that allows large local manufacturers to manage the entire shipment process.

ZMac sees the greatest opportunity in continuing to find great people to add to its team. If the company is open and honest about its future plans to grow, and makes the right investment in the right people, growth will continue.

Company leaders think the industry is ripe for Words of advice disruption and plan to “Always do what is right. That is what take advantage of those opportunities. we live by at ZMac. Our reputation is more

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The ZMac Transportation Solutions team

important than money, so we live by this standard and our customers know it. It’s who we are at our core. Our employees love it because it is not gray. We empower them to make that decision.

It makes for a great environment to work in.”

2018 EDITION

GIVING GUIDE Reserve your space in the 2018 Giving Guide Take advantage of the opportunity for your organization to be seen by the Region’s Business and Philanthropic Leaders all year long.

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78 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

A SUPPLEMENT OF

Strategies FAMILY BUSINESS

When it’s time Passing on the family business Family business owners know the pain of giving a child up for adoption. Their business, which they bore and raised from infancy, has grown and matured. During that maturation, they too, have grown and now are older.

The final quarter comes at a different time for everyone – there is no magic age. Plenty of owners/founders are active and sharp well into their 70s and 80s. Some of these captains of industry will choose to pilot the boat and die at the helm. But is this the right decision? Others will choose to step off the bridge and turn over the wheel to the next generation.

But when is the right time?

In working with business owners daily, I can share that most stay too long. The demands of the job change with the business through the years and often the skillsets of the owners shift, but rarely change too much. When the next generation has a skillset more in tune with the current generation of customer, it may be time to hand over the reins.

Understandably, this is a painful decision.

This is your baby! Even turning the baby over to a relative or child is heart-wrenching.

The next generation needs to understand this fact. Too often, next generation children look to wrest the captain’s hands from the wheel too soon or are callous in their approach. I have seen this actually end up in court, which ends in disaster for everyone. But I have also seen the captain stay at the helm too long, and this is equally disastrous.

For example, a longtime founder is well into her 70s (facts changed to disguise and protect the family). She has several children who are in

the business and are well into adulthood. The children have long participated in the business to the point of servitude. Salaries are below the standard in the industry, and decisions they make are countermanded by the founder. They have sought outside help, but the owner does not live up to her promises and reverts back to treating the adult children like the kids they once were.

The children have remained patient, but that patience is wearing thin. The problem is that they have sweat equity in the business and to walk away from the company now would jeopardize that stake. Further, the owner/founder is making decisions which are not benefitting the firm, so the guiding hand of the adult children is crucial to business survival.

Sadly, this has gone on too long. It is past time…

Had the adult children worked with me sooner, I would have suggested walking away if the owner/founder did not stick to a predetermined plan to step down. Their intellectual property is transferrable enough to their own firm that they don’t need to remain in indentured servitude. It is possible this will damage the relationship with Mom, but the truth is, this relationship is strained and probably to the breaking point already.

Some owners may never step down, and frankly, that is their right. Hopefully with pre-planning and guidance, this process is as painless as possible, but it will never be pain-free.

Another family that will remain anonymous had an owner give the other members a two-minute warning before stepping down.

Okay, it was two weeks, but it was really that sudden. Unrelated to health or any external issue, the owner just said one day that the next generation takes over in two weeks. That is an example of too sudden a transition. If not for the next generation, think about the external workers, vendors and customers.

One of the industry experts I have talked

with, Jeff Billings of Godfrey & Kahn S.C., has said repeatedly to clients that they need to plan and then work that plan. This allows everyone to know when the transition is coming and to not be surprised when it happens.

Much like a social worker present at the handoff between parent and adoptive parent, usually acting as an intermediary, it is important to subscribe to the services of an outside person to play that role. He or she can ease the hands of the owner/founder off that wheel, and sensitively handle the transition. The intermediary can also be the shoulder to cry upon, as that transition is tough. The next generation needs to understand that when it’s time, it is extraordinarily painful. n

DAVID BORST David Borst, Ed.D., is executive director and chief operating officer of the Family Business Legacy Institute, a regional resource hub for family business. He can be reached at davidb@fbli-usa.com biztimes.com / 79

Strategies

Tip Sheet

Crafting a social media strategy

F

or businesses, being present on social media is no longer just an option. It is a necessity. Sometimes, posting on various social media platforms is the only part of a smaller company’s marketing plan.

But maintaining a social media presence without a strategy is almost as pointless as not using the tool at all.

In an article published by SCORE, Daniel Kehrer, founder and managing director of BizBest Media Corp., identifies some social media planning essentials to help your business digitally engage with customers and build an online reputation.

A CONSISTENT MESSAGE Posts on all platforms should use a unified voice and message that reflects the company’s

Don’t use all forms of social media, but instead, use a couple platforms that best fit your business.

culture. Designate one person to represent the company on social media.

THOUGHTFUL CONTENT Generate words, photos and videos for social media posts intentionally. Be sure content is informative and engaging enough to contribute to your company’s long-term online presence.

CAREFULLY CHOSEN PLATFORMS Don’t use all forms of social media, but instead, use a couple platforms that best fit your business. B2B businesses should use LinkedIn; businesses that produce visual products or services should use Instagram; businesses that can create videos should use YouTube. All businesses should use Facebook and Twitter.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY Minimal posts that are timely and have useful content are more effective than constant posts throughout the day. Stick with one or two good posts per day.

CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT Design a plan to listen and respond when customers reach out via social media. Interacting online with customers is a way to discover exactly what your customers want by directly receiving complaints, praise and questions.

VARIETY AND CREATIVITY Don’t get stuck in a routine. Constantly look for new ways to engage with customers using social media. n

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BizConnections PAY IT FORWARD

Bohn lends business acumen to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin William Bohn Executive vice president, head of private client and institutional services Associated Bank

KAT SCHLEICHER PHOTOGRAPHY

Nonprofit served: Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin Service: Board member

82 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

GROWING UP in a large family, Bill Bohn saw his mother set a high standard for hospitality.

“She always showed her caring for people through food,” Bohn said. “We always had lots of food going to lots of places when people were sick. On holidays, we always had extra places set for people who didn’t have a place to go. It was always a value that I was raised with.”

And it’s a value that stuck with him. Over the years, Bohn and his wife have donated to food programs and lent a hand at soup kitchens on Thanksgiving.

Bohn enjoyed serving in that capacity. So when he was approached eight years ago to join the board of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and began learning more about the organization’s operations, he saw it as an opportunity to apply his business acumen for a greater cause.

“I wanted to do something good for people and help solve a problem, but I also wanted, because I’m a business person, do it in a very cost-effective, efficient businesslike manner,” he said. “So it’s the perfect marriage of those two concepts.”

Bohn, now in the middle of his two-year term as chairman of the board, appreciates Feeding America’s approach to hunger relief. As a national organization, Feeding America leverages partnerships

in the supply chain that allow it to acquire food at below-retail prices and distribute it through pantries and meal programs.

“I never understood the logistics behind how much food was needed and how it got from one place to the other,” Bohn said.

“So when I first learned about the concept of the food bank and what it was, it was intriguing. It’s really about efficiency and logistics.

The more I learned about Feeding America’s model, the more impressed I was – it’s a significant and meaningful way to create a different outcome and solve hunger.”

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin serves as a food bank for a network of more than 600 member organizations, including food pantries, meal programs, shelters and mobile pantries, to provide more than 20 million meals to about 400,000 people in 36 eastern Wisconsin counties each year.

And while Bohn enjoys being able to apply his business savvy to help the large-scale operation run efficiently, Feeding America officials note he’s also willing to roll up his sleeves when needed – to sort, label and pack food to make sure it gets to those who need it. n

LAUREN ANDERSON Reporter

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

PERSONNEL FILE ARCHITECTURE

HGA Architects and Engineers, Milwaukee

Smith

Mullaney

HGA Architects and Engineers named Katie Smith regional health care business developer for the Great Lakes Region. Smith has experience working with regional and national practice leaders.

Kate Mullaney has been named national health care business developer. Mullaney has more than 15 years of marketing and business development experience in the architecture industry, including prior experience with a global firm in the health care, science and technology sectors.

BANKING & FINANCE

2014 Concordia University Graduate with a bachelor’s degree in management, comes to Port Washington State Bank with 12 years of banking experience .

initiatives and the government and community relations department.

She is also responsible for all of Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers’ fund development.

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION

INSURANCE

Greenfire Management Services LLC, Milwaukee

HNI Risk Services, New Berlin

Greenfire Management Services has promoted Tom Heinrich to senior estimator. Heinrich has nearly 20 years of experience in managing construction projects from concept to completion. His resume includes projects within the retail, residential, automotive, commercial and industrial markets.

HNI Risk Services has hired Pricilla Valadez as a service support specialist. She will provide administrative support as an extension to the HNI service teams, along with guaranteeing a positive customer service experience through processing and coordination functions to ensure service teams and clients’ needs are met.

ENGINEERING

MARKETING

R.A. Smith National, Brookfield

Keystone Click, Milwaukee

Arnold

BANKING & FINANCE

Port Washington State Bank, Port Washington Port Washington State Bank has named BreAnna Porth to the position of branch manager at the company’s Port Washington location. Porth, a

Axcesor Inc., Grafton Scott Loftus has been promoted to engineering manager at Axcesor Inc. He joined Axcesor in August 2015 as project engineer, and has developed new customers and a variety of products. In his new role, Loftus will lead the firm’s team and suppliers in its efforts to convert customers’ needs and wants into products molded, assembled and fulfilled by Axcesor.

STEM Forward, Milwaukee

Sturm Potter

MANUFACTURING

NONPROFIT

Waukesha State Bank, Waukesha

Waukesha State Bank has hired Joel Potter as bank manager of its Sussex office. Potter comes to Waukesha State Bank from Bank Mutual, where he was assistant vice president – bank office manager. Trevor Arnold was also promoted to assistant vice president – commercial banking officer. Arnold started his career with Waukesha State Bank in 2004 as a part-time teller.

The newly created role focuses on growth and retention strategies for key Derse clients, large new business development opportunities and leading the company’s Client Strategy department.

Hawley

Eric Sturm has been promoted to the assistant division director of survey services at R.A. Smith National. Sturm has been employed with R.A. Smith National’s survey division since 1995, where he most recently served as project manager.

Additionally, Pat Hawley was promoted to assistant division director of transportation services.

Hawley has more than 25 years of transportation experience.

HEALTH CARE

Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, Milwaukee Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers has named Cindy Kazan vice president of advancement. In this role, she oversees the organization’s internal and external marketing and communications programs/

Latus

Curtis

Rovinski

King

Bostrom

Burgoon

Francois

Colvin

Keystone Click has promoted Matt Curtis to account management specialist and Dominica Latus to visual communication specialist. In addition, the company has hired Kyle Rovinski as marketing coordinator and Elizabeth Colvin as an administrative coordinator.

MARKETING

Derse, Milwaukee Derse has promoted Rick Stoner from director of marketing to vice president, sales and client strategy.

Phyllis King, vice provost of the University of WisconsinMilwaukee, has been named president of STEM Forward. In addition, Lynn Bostrom, director of communications at Magnetek, has been named president-elect, Mary Burgoon, market development manager at Rockwell Automation Inc., has been named vice president/ secretary and Sebastien Francois, CFO of Tulip Molded Plastics Corp., has been named treasurer.

biztimes.com / 83

BizConnections VOLUME 23, NUMBER 13 | SEPT. 18, 2017

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 | ads@biztimes.com EDITORIAL: 414-336-7120 | andrew.weiland@biztimes.com REPRINTS: 414-336-7128 | 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 Corrinne Hess corri.hess@biztimes.com REPORTER Arthur Thomas arthur.thomas@biztimes.com

Church of God in Christ

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

COMMENTARY

Too many servings IT WAS SURPRISING to hear the recent announcement that Bartolotta Restaurant Group will end its partnership with Phoenix Hospitality Group for four restaurants at The Mayfair Collection development in Wauwatosa. The first of those restaurants, Osgood’s, opened less than two years ago.

Evidently those restaurants have not met expectations, and the arrangement between Bartolotta and Phoenix has not worked out as hoped; otherwise, Bartolotta wouldn’t be pulling out so soon. Bartolotta is the premier restaurant group in the Milwaukee area and it has approximately a dozen other establishments. From Bartolotta’s perspective, there is no reason to carry around underperforming restaurants. Better to cut bait and move on.

The move raises an interesting question.

After several years of a boom of new restaurants in the Milwaukee area, is the market now oversaturated? Mayfair Collection itself has nine restaurants. Several new restaurants have 84 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

opened in the area in recent years, and a slew of additional new restaurants are on the way.

Of course, restaurants are opening and closing all the time, but there have been some notable closures of late: Karl Ratzsch in downtown Milwaukee, Weissgerber’s Gasthaus in Waukesha, Hinterland Erie Street Gastropub in the Third Ward, and Cempazuchi and Mimma’s Cafe, both on Brady Street. In a region with modest population and job growth, there is only so much we can eat. With so many new restaurants in the area, more closures could be ahead.

Speaking of closures, Associated BancCorp recently revealed that 36 bank branches will be closed and their operations consolidated with nearby branches in its acquisition of Bank Mutual Corp. The companies plan to close 28 Bank Mutual branches and eight Associated Bank branches around the state, including 15 branches in southeastern Wisconsin.

Brick-and-mortar branches are becoming a smaller part of the banking business. So who is going to make use of the 15 vacated branch buildings? It is going to be hard to find banks to absorb all of them. Restaurants are another option but, again, how many more of them can the market support?

Another sector showing signs of oversupply

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Molly Lawrence molly.lawrence@biztimes.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE David Pinkus david.pinkus@biztimes.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Maggie Pinnt maggie.pinnt@biztimes.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Christie Ubl christie.ubl@biztimes.com SALES INTERN Amanda Bruening amanda.bruening@biztimes.com

ADMINISTRATION

INTERN REPORTER Maredithe Meyer maredithe.meyer@biztimes.com

This photo, taken by Harold Hone circa 1939 as part of a Works Progress Administration writers’ project, shows people gathered outside New Fellowship Church of God in Christ on North Eighth Street in Milwaukee. The church and structure do not appear to exist today, and the area is residential.

DIRECTOR OF SALES Linda Crawford linda.crawford@biztimes.com

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR Sue Herzog sue.herzog@biztimes.com

PRODUCTION & DESIGN GRAPHIC DESIGNER Alex Schneider alex.schneider@biztimes.com ART DIRECTOR Shelly Tabor shelly.tabor@biztimes.com

Independent & Locally Owned — Founded 1995 —

in the area: hotels. Several new hotels have been built in recent years downtown and in the suburbs, and more are under construction or being planned. Occupancy rates have dipped this year. The market would benefit from some older hotels being converted to other uses.

Case in point, the Park East Hotel near downtown Milwaukee was recently sold to developers who plan to convert it into an apartment building. That change should benefit the other hotels downtown, which will absorb the demand that will no longer be met at the Park East Hotel.

But apartments are another sector that has been built up in recent years, especially downtown. Two of the area’s largest multi-family apartment developers have indicated they are tapping the brakes on additional downtown projects, for now. It will be interesting to see how the Park East Hotel conversion and other projects fare. n

ANDREW WEILAND EDITOR

P / 414-336-7120 E / andrew.weiland@biztimes.com T / @AndrewWeiland

AROUND TOWN COSBE Golf Outing The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s Council of Small Business Executives held its Executive Roundtable Golf Outing at Westmoor Country Club in Brookfield.

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DICK HENSLEY of National Exchange Bank & Trust, DUANE MAAS of MC Services, JIM SWERNOFF of Lakeside Stoneworks LLC and ERIC BERTHELSEN of Newport Network Solutions Inc.

2.

SHANNON MAYER of Creative Business Interiors, DAN MEYER of BizTimes Media, CHRIS SHULT of Bevco Engineering Co. Inc., ALAN PETELINSEK of Power Test Inc., TOM NELSON of Nelson Container Corp. and HEATHER COLLIGANCLARKE of Creative Business Interiors.

3.

BOB MAGNUS of Spinweld Inc., HARRIET PEDERSEN of Commerce Industrial Chemicals Inc., DOUG ROSE of Rose & deJong S.C. and TOM PALZEWICZ of ActionCOACH.

4.

DAVID MORROW of Zero Zone Inc., KEITH COURSIN of Desert Aire LLC, TODD CLEMENS of SVA Certified Public Accountants and DAN JESSUP of JLL.

5.

HARRIET PEDERSON of Commerce Industrial Chemicals and BOB MAGNUS of Spinweld.

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ANA SIMPSON of M3 Insurance, RYAN MARKS of Ryan Cos. US Inc., DEBBIE SEEGER of Patina Solutions, JIM SCHLATER of Secure Fire & Safety LLC, TROY BEAUCHAMP of Patina Solutions and STARIE THOMPSON of M3 Insurance.

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Angelic Bakehouse groundbreaking

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ANTHONY TISLAU, NATHAN LAURENT and AARON NAGEL , all of Keller.

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JENNY MARINO of Angelic Bakehouse, LEXI MARINO, and Cudahy MAYOR JOHN HOHENFELDT.

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JOANNA VÁZQUEZ, JESSICA GRIGGS and SUSAN CARTER , all of Angelic Bakehouse.

10. NIDAL ESTIBAN, TONY MARINO and CRISTINA GAYLE , all of Angelic Bakehouse.

11. JENNY AND JAMES MARINO of Angelic Bakehouse, MAYOR HOHENFELDT and other executives from Keller and Angelic Bakehouse with GOV. SCOTT WALKER .

12. Angelic Bakehouse employees and GOV. SCOTT WALKER.

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13. REBECCA ROEPKE of the Cudahy Family Library and RYAN BIERNAT of the City of Cudahy. biztimes.com / 85

Photos by Maredithe Meyer

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Angelic Bakehouse broke ground Sept. 1 on the expansion of its factory on Layton Avenue in Cudahy. Kaukauna-based architectural firm Keller Inc. will oversee the construction.

BizConnections

LILA ARYAN PHOTOGRAPHY

the LASTWORD

S C OT T J O H N S O N Create a fan base… then listen to it Milwaukee-based restaurant group Toro Toro Toro Inc. recently opened its sixth BelAir Cantina location in Madison, its first location outside the Milwaukee area. Co-owner and partner Scott Johnson says the business uses social media to cultivate loyal customers.

“BelAir Cantina restaurants were built through the creation of a loyal fan base, supported largely by social media. With individual Facebook and Twitter feeds for each location, we gain invaluable insight into what our customers like, don’t like and want to see more of. By being super responsive to their posts and engaging with them frequently, we give our followers a reason to keep coming back to see what’s 86 / BizTimes Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

|

CO - O W N ER , PA R T N ER

Toro Toro Toro Inc. | Milwaukee belaircantina.com Industry: Restaurants Locations: BelAir Cantina: Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Oak Creek, Brookfield, Madison; Finks: Milwaukee

new, and that makes them true insiders. Our followers know what is happening with our brand almost at the second it hits the restaurant.

“When we began to explore expanding the brand into a new market, our followers were the ones who told us where to look. Using Google Analytics, we were able to see that a large percentage of Google searches were coming from the Madison area.

“When we launch a new menu item, we gauge the reaction through sales and feedback on social media and we build on it through special promotions. We partner with like-minded charities and businesses that complement us.

Then, we further engage them through our social media channels. We stay true to who we are, use our customers’ feedback to make the BelAir experience better, and they literally eat it up.” n

&

SHAPING THE FUTURE Manufacturing Matters! 2017 will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee on February 23rd, 2017. The theme of this year’s conference is Shaping the Future, and the conference features 18 breakout session in six tracks including: Growth • Operational Excellence • Human Capital Management C-Suite Essentials • Technology & innovation Wisconsin Manufacturing P L AT I N U M S P O N S O R

and trends are P L A T I N As U Mworkforce S P O Nchallenges SOR

on the minds of most manufacturers, we are pleased to announce this year’s keynote presenter is Kip Wright, Senior Vice President of Manpower, North America. Kip will discuss G O key L D workforce SPONSORS trends and what manufacturers can do to secure and develop their current and future workforces.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017 • 7:00 - 11:00 AM WI Manufacturing & Technology Show at Wisconsin Exposition Kip WrightCenter at State Fair Park Senior Vice President of Manpower, North America

Preparing For What’s Next

REGISTER TODAY! Are you letting the disruptors control you, or are you building a “Proactively Adaptable Organization” www.manufacturingmatters.org Join us for the annual Next Generation Manufacturing Summit, featuring a lively interactive discussion with chief executive officers and leaders of southeastern Wisconsin manufacturing companies. These CEO’s will share their company’s ideas and best practices for competing in a global marketplace and how they strive to be “proactively adaptable” world-class manufacturers in the 21st century.

Proactively adaptable organizations look beyond their own four walls and next purchase order and are preparing for the inevitable disruptors in today’s business environment. Hear from industry leaders who are creating processes and a culture of innovation, as well as methods of talent attraction, that will drive innovation in their business.

Moderated Panel: • Jim Hawkins, CEO - Kenall Manufacturing (1) • Jim Leef, President - ITU AbsorbTech (2) • John W. Mellowes, CEO - Charter Manufacturing Company, Inc. (3) • David Werner, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Director, Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division (IATD) - 3M (4)

SHAPING THE FUTURE

Moderator - Joseph Weitzer, Ph.D., Dean - Center for Business Performance Solutions, Waukesha County Technical College (5)

Manufacturing Matters! 2017 will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee on February 23rd, 2017. The theme of this year’s conference is Shaping the Future,1and the conference 2features 18 breakout session in six tracks including:

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Growth • Operational Excellence • Human Capital The program continues with roundtable discussions.

The CEO panel and roundtables will address a variety of topics including: Management C-Suite Essentials • Technology & innovation • Building an organization’s “adaptability muscles” • Creating a process and culture to be more innovative • Additive manufacturing/3D printing Wisconsin Manufacturing for the future

• Automation and process improvement

• Talentchallenges attraction, development and retention • Logistics & supply chain management As workforce and trends are • Leadership & engagement • Succession planning on the minds most manufacturers, • Big data,of Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence • Exporting, global engagement we are pleased to announce this year’s keynote presenter is Kip Wright, Senior Vice President of Manpower, North America. Kip will discuss key workforce GOLD SPONSORS trends and what manufacturers can do Kip Wright to secure and develop their current and Senior Vice President of future workforces.

Manpower, North America

• Process improvement • Customer-focused innovation • And more

REGISTER TODAY! • biztimes.com/mfg

REGISTER TODAY! www.manufacturingmatters.org

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