BizTimes Milwaukee | October 14, 2019 by BizTimes Media

FUNDING CRISIS

MILWAUKEE EMBRACES MICROMOBILITY 12

HOW CAN MANUFACTURERS BRING DATA ONTO THE PRODUCTION FLOOR? 14

COMMENTARY: GARY GRUNAU WAS A VISIONARY 40

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BizTimes Milwaukee (ISSN 1095-936X & USPS # 017813) Volume 25, Number 14, October 14, 2019 – October 27, 2019. BizTimes Milwaukee is published bi-weekly, except monthly in January, July and December by BizTimes Media LLC at 126 N. Jefferson St., Suite 403, Milwaukee, WI 53202-6120, USA. Basic annual subscription rate is $42. Single copy price is $3.25. Back issues are $5 each. Periodicals postage paid at Milwaukee, WI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to BizTimes Milwaukee, 126 N. Jefferson St., Suite 403, Milwaukee, WI 53202-6120. Entire contents copyright 2019 by BizTimes Media LLC. All rights reserved.

Contents

4 Leading Edge 4 NOW BY THE NUMBERS 5 BEHIND THE SCENES 6 PROJECT PITCH IT 8 BIZ LUNCH 9 IN FOCUS 10 STYLE 11 WHO’S ON THE BOARD BIZ POLL

12 Biz News 12 MILWAUKEE EMBRACES MICROMOBILITY 14 SHOP TALK 15 THE INTERVIEW 16 NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE AWARDS PREVIEW

18 Real Estate

COVER STORY

33 Strategies

The nursing home funding crisis Medicaid shortfall contributes to facility closures

38 Biz Connections

Special Report

20 Health Care and Wellness Coverage includes the cover story, a look at how a new $25 million commitment from the MACC Fund to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin will boost research for cancer treatments and a report on how the opening of a Life Time fitness center in Brookfield could impact the local fitness market.

2019 GIVING GUIDE F E ATU R E D NONPROFI T

33 LEADERSHIP John Howman 34 NEGOTIATIONS Christine McMahon 35 TIP SHEET 38 PAY IT FORWARD 39 SBA LOANS 40 GLANCE AT YESTERYEAR COMMENTARY 41 AROUND TOWN 42 5 MINUTES WITH…

S T. M A R C U S S C H O O L

S T. C O L E T TA O F W I S C O N S I N

PHONE: (414) 562-3163 WEB: stmarcus.org/school

PHONE: (920) 674-4330 WEB: stcolettawi.org

To disciple children for Christ now and for all eternity, and to train them in excellence for their roles in their family, church, community, workplace and country.

Inspired by the Franciscan Values of compassion, dignity and respect, St. Coletta of Wisconsin supports persons with developmental and other challenges to achieve their highest quality of life, personal growth and spiritual awareness.

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

2019 GIVING GUIDE F EATURED NONPROF I T

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Leading Edge

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

NOW

Work starts on $40 million Soldiers Home project to create veteran housing By Alex Zank, staff writer Restoration work has begun on the Milwaukee VA Soldiers Home project. A recent groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of the project, which consists of the rehabilitation of six buildings on the

grounds of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, located near Miller Park, to provide housing for veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Madison-based developer The Alexander Co. and the Housing

BY THE NUMBERS

Sussex-based Quad/Graphics Inc. will pay nearly

10 MILLION

to settle bribery charges from the SEC related to its Chinese and Peruvian subsidiaries. 4 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

Authority of the City of Milwaukee in 2016 were selected to lead the restoration project by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The project is made possible through an enhanced use lease agreement with the VA. The law authorizing such agreements requires the buildings be used for their original purpose of serving veterans. “This project entailed a significant collaborative effort, which speaks volumes to our nation’s commitment to care for our veterans,” said Joseph Alexander, president of The Alexander Co. Once the work is complete, the buildings will provide 101 supportive-housing units for veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The buildings to be restored include the iconic Old Main building. Crews will preserve the buildings’ interior and exterior historic features. Crews have been busy cleaning out the Old Main building and ridding it of harmful materials, such as asbestos and lead paint. Construction work is expected to finish in the first quarter of 2021. The Old Main, a former domiciliary for patient living and care, will be renovated into an 80-unit apartment building for veterans, including 70 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom units. It will feature amenities such as large community

spaces, resource centers and a fitness area. Meanwhile, the Headquarters Building will be converted into single-room occupancy units, which will provide housing for 14 homeless or at-risk veterans. It will also include a common-area kitchen and dining, community and living rooms. The historic post office on the first floor of the building will be used as supportive program offices. Several duplexes on the grounds will also be restored for veteran housing. These include the former Catholic Chaplain’s Quarters and three private homes that formerly housed Soldiers Home staff and their families. The Chaplain’s Quarters will remain a four-bedroom single-family home, while the others will become two-story, three-bedroom duplexes. The project is primarily being designed by The Alexander Co. and Milwaukee-based Uihlein/ Wilson-Ramlow/Stein Architects. Janesville-based J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc. is the general contractor. The Housing Authority will manage the property once the units are up and running. Supportive services will be provided by the VA. The roughly $40 million project is being financed by a variety of sources, including low-income housing tax credits, federal and state historic tax credits. n

BEHIND THE SCENES

BEHIND THE SCENES JAKE HILL PHOTOGRAPHY

Talgo overhauling train cars at Century City By Alex Zank, staff writer

panish train maker Talgo Inc., as part of a joint venture with Paris-based Systra, was awarded a nearly $139 million rail car overhaul contract by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority in May. The contract is for at least 50 Bombardier rail cars currently operated by Metrolink, with the possibility of an additional 71 cars. The work is being done at Talgoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Century City facility on Milwaukeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northwest side. The company recently announced it would hire 63 more people and occupy an additional 40,000-square-foot space there. The company, which first appeared in the city to build high-speed rail cars for a line that was to run from Milwaukee to Madison, but was cancelled, returned to Milwaukee in 2017 after receiving a $73 million contract to overhaul up to 74 cars for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. n

Metrolink trains sit outside of the Talgo facility in Milwaukee waiting to be refurbished.

Joanne Perez and Elias Jimenez make a modification to the dummy trucks.

Hector Muga terminates some recently installed wiring.

Todd Nimmer and Ivan Molpeceres test the wiring in the car.

Miguel Moreno routes and then terminates new wires for a train car.

biztimes.com / 5

Leading Edge

PROJECT PITCH IT ONKOL LEADERSHIP: Marc Cayle, founder; Robert Kebbekus, chief executive officer A D D R E S S: 316 N. Milwaukee St., Suite 317, Milwaukee WEBSITE: OnKol.net W H AT I T D O E S: Remote patient monitoring F O U N D E D: 2014

After five years, the timing may be right for OnKol By Arthur Thomas, staff writer

iming is often everything, and, for the past few years, it seems Milwaukee-based startup OnKol has been just a little bit ahead of the market. Founded in 2014, OnKol appeared on the third season of entrepreneurship pitch show “Project Pitch It” on WISN-TV Channel 12. The company developed a smart device that connects third-party home and health monitoring sensors to an elderly person’s family, medical professionals and data platforms. The idea is that a person can age in their home while those who care about the individual can keep an eye on their well-being. Marc Cayle, founder of OnKol, said the challenge has been that the home care industry has generally focused on more reactive devices that will alert someone in an emergency. “We have really been on the forefront for the last five years of the remote patient monitoring industry, which is really just getting started,” said Cayle, noting that devices like OnKol can identify trends in declining health or whether a patient is taking medications to help family or professionals intervene before an emergency situation develops. “The industry is so used to reacting instead of preventing,” he said. “It’s just taking a bit for the prevention piece to catch on.” Changes in Medicare codes to allow physicians to be paid for monitoring patients remotely are fueling an industry shift. “Now that there is a payer and the insurance companies are catching on, it’s going to happen a lot faster,” Cayle said. As the market has come around to OnKol’s approach to remote patient monitoring, Cayle said the biggest challenge has been preparing for an eventual increase in demand. Those ef-

OnKol’s remote patient monitoring device.

forts include having the capacity to meet large orders, something Cayle said the company is prepared for with its contract manufacturing partner. OnKol has also sought to develop channels to get its product into the homes of seniors, either through health systems or through business-to-consumer methods. To foster the latter option, Cayle launched BeHomeSafe, which will use a franchise model to deliver home health monitoring products directly to consumers. Cayle said BeHomeSafe has five affiliate locations set to come online before the first quarter and will start franchising as early as next summer. OnKol will likely be the core product offered by BeHomeSafe. “It is honestly the best product in the market and we’ve looked hard,” Cayle said. With distribution channels developing and market demand turning in its favor, OnKol is in a position to capitalize on new opportunities. “We were ahead of our time when we first came out, but we are right in the middle of it now,” Cayle said. n

RESERVE YOUR 2020 SPONSORSHIP TODAY! UP TO 4 SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE TO ANCHOR THE PROJECT PITCH IT PAGE AND BRAND YOUR COMPANY AS A SUPPORTER OF STARTUPS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

CONTACT LINDA CRAWFORD AT:

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Sponsor:

PRESENTS:

2019

CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP

Friday, November 1, 2019 | Registration & Networking - 7:00am–7:30am | Breakfast & Program - 7:30am–9:30am

From Homelessness to Housing Chronic and family homelessness are growing concerns and challenging issues in the Milwaukee area that impact the entire community. Our panel discussion will address the realities of the growing tent city in downtown Milwaukee, hidden homelessness and other housing-related challenges in the region and possible solutions and paths to stable housing, along with ways you can help. Learn more about this important issue and see how you can guide our community toward solutions. Following the panel discussion, we will recognize BizTimes Media’s 2019 Nonprofit awards finalists and honorees. The for-profit categories include: corporate citizen of the year, corporate volunteer of the year, in-kind supporter, next generation leadership and lifetime achievement. The nonprofit categories include: executive of the year, nonprofit organization of the year (large & small) and social enterprise.

Panelists Eric Collins-Dyke, MSW, APSW, Homeless Outreach Services Manager, Milwaukee County Housing Division (1) Mike Flynn, President - Milwaukee, First Business Bank (2) Michael Gosman, Executive Director, ACTS Housing (3) Beth Wierick, CEO, Milwaukee Downtown - BID #21 (4) 1

Moderator: Lauren Anderson, Associate Editor, BizTimes Milwaukee

2019 Nonprofit Award Finalists

2019 Corporate Citizenship Award Finalists

Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year: • Medical College of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Academy of Science • LUMIN Schools • UMOS

Corporate Citizen of the Year: • The Starr Group • Kapco Metal Stamping • Sargento Foods Inc.

Nonprofit Executive of the Year: • Hector Colon, Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan • Sue Smith, Nativity Jesuit Academy • Mike Thirtle, Bethesda Lutheran Communities

Corporate Volunteer of the Year: • Gwen Erickson, Velvac Inc. • Christy Engel, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield • Kathryn Keppel, Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP

Large Nonprofit (Organization) of the Year: • Zoological Society of Milwaukee • Pathfinders • La Causa Inc. • Curative Care Network

In-Kind Supporter: • Tall Guy and a Grill Catering • The Corners of Brookfield

Small Nonprofit (Organization) of the Year: • ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis • Revitalize Milwaukee • Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation Social Enterprise: • Beyond Vision • Alliance for Strong Families and Communities – FEI Behavioral Health Lifetime Achievement: • Jim Mueller, mueller QAAS

Next Generation Leadership: • Justin Juley, HNTB Corp. • Jackson Bubolz, Elevated Insurance

PLATINUM SPONSOR:

Leading Edge

BIZ LUNCH

Lunch

ALEX SCHNEIDER

Biz

BAVETTE LA BOUCHERIE

A D D R E S S: 330 E. Menomonee St., Milwaukee WEBSITE: bavettelaboucherie.com CUISINE: Farm to table C H E F: Karen Bell M O O D: Casual and fun PRICING: Entrees: $12-$26; Cocktails: $9-$14 Bavette La Boucherie is a butcher shop and restaurant based in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Inspired by her time working in Madrid, owner Karen Bell has developed a menu of Spanish-inspired dishes and locally-sourced meat. Bell encourages diners to share multiple dishes and take their time eating each one. “My philosophy is when you start with a really great product, you don’t really need to do a lot to it,” Bell said. “You can allow the ingredients to speak for themselves.” Bavette features both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as seating at the bar. With the restaurant’s open layout, customers are able to watch the butchering of the meats at the butchering table, located just beyond the bar. 

8 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

1 2 3

One of the more popular salads at Bavette La Boucherie is the Burrata Salad. It includes snap peas, radishes, strawberries, golden beets, golden beet relish, Spanish cured beef and burrata cheese. The salad incorporates some Spanish influences, with the addition of the cured beef. A frequently ordered lunch menu item is the Banh Mi sandwich. The Banh Mi can be made with chicken, pork or kimchi sausage and also includes miso-sriracha aioli and pickled carrots and cucumbers. Bavette combines aspects of old-time butcher shops with modern, chic restaurants. For example, the restaurant’s aqua wallpaper spotted with gold cattle heads fits in with the Third Ward’s aesthetic, but the open concept space that allows customers to see the butcher table and rolls of paper provides the charm of butcher shops. “What you see is what we have,” Bell said.

inf cus

LILA ARYAN

St. Josaphat lights its dome THE GIANT DOME atop The Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee’s Lincoln Village neighborhood on the city’s south side has long stood as a landmark, but the structure now stands out more than ever before. That’s because a new lighting system has been installed to illuminate the iconic dome at night. The dome was lit for the first time during a recent ceremony hosted by the St. Josaphat Basilica Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has worked to restore and preserve the nearly 120-year-old church building since 1991. “It’s a building that should be highlighted for its beauty and it should be lit up to focus on the fact that it’s been in Lincoln Village for 120 years,” said Colleen Cheney-Trawinski, executive director of the St. Josaphat Basilica Foundation. “It’s a place of worship. It’s highlighting the faith of the church, it’s highlighting the neighborhood and it’s certainly highlighting the community around it. And it was very important to really give it the true prominence in the skyline of Milwaukee.” LED lights were installed at 26 locations surrounding St. Josaphat, including new lamp posts and rooftops of various businesses and buildings, making the year-long project a community effort, Cheney-Trawinski said. The total cost for the dome lighting project was $400,000, which came from private donations. n — Maredithe Meyer biztimes.com / 9

Leading Edge

belts

ARCADE RANGER SLIM ADVENTURE BELT $26 at Moda3, Milwaukee The Ranger Slim Adventure belt is lightweight and lowprofile, made with elastic stretch material for comfort and fit. The belt is available in Moon Blue, Ivy Green and Metal Brown.

THE MICRON $105 at Obscure Belts, Milwaukee This Milwaukee-made leather belt comes in brown, gray and black and is available in sizes small through extra-large, or can be custom fitted. The belt features a quick-release button and is 1.25’’ wide.

BLACK LEATHER BELT 1-1/2’’ $85 at Milworks, Milwaukee This leather belt, available in both black and brown, is made by Filson from North American hides and tanned in the U.S. The leather is strong, built to endure repeated twisting and bending.

10 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

ADA WOMEN’S LEATHER BELTS $86 at Lela Boutique, Milwaukee This belt is available in a variety of colors, including metallic, and can be styled for work or play. The belts are made in Argentina and are 100% leather.

WHO’S ON THE BOARD Who’s on the Board?

BIZ POLL

A recent survey of BizTimes.com readers.

Should President Donald Trump be impeached? YES:

50.8% NO:

• Alfredo Altavilla, chief operating officer of Europe, Africa and the Middle East and head of business development of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles • Randal Baker, president and chief executive officer of Enerpac Tool Group • Palmer Clarkson, founder, president and chief executive officer of Bridgestone HosePower LLC • Danny Cunningham, former partner and chief risk officer of

•

• •

•

48.3%

Randal Baker

Deloitte and Touche LLP Jim Ferland, former president and chief executive officer of The Babcock & Wilcox Co. Richard Holder, president and chief executive officer of NN, Inc. Sidney Simmons, founder and attorney at law of Sidney Simmons Law Holly Van Deursen, former group vice president of petrochemicals and group vice president of strategy at BP plc

GINO SANTA MARIA / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

ENERPAC TOOL GROUP

MAYBE/ UNSURE:

0.8% Share your opinion! Visit biztimes.com/bizpoll to cast your vote in the next Biz Poll.

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biztimes.com / 11

BizNews

TROY FREUND PHOTOGRAPHY

KAROLIS KAVOLELIS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

FEATURE

Milwaukee embraces micromobility Scooters, bikesharing offer transportation alternatives by Maredithe Meyer, staff writer CARS HAVE long been the transportation mode of choice for commuters in metro areas across the country. But the rise of the sharing economy in recent years has caused a shift, giving way to on-demand ridesharing services and micromobility, including bikeshare systems and most recently dockless electric scooters. Milwaukee is no different. Local bike share nonprofit Bublr launched in 2013 with ten stations in downtown Milwaukee and has since grown to include 88 stations and 700 bikes in Milwaukee, West Allis, Wauwatosa and Shorewood. And plans are in the works to expand by an additional 26 stations and 50 bicycles in 2020. Last summer, Santa Monica, California-based Bird became the first company to introduce electric scooter rentals to the Milwaukee market. 12 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

Its initial 100-scooter fleet wasn’t on the streets for long before the city of Milwaukee filed a lawsuit against Bird just two weeks after its launch, arguing the vehicles were illegal to operate under state law. One year later — after the city agreed to work with Bird and the lawsuit was settled — Gov. Tony Evers signed into law a bill authorizing dockless motorized scooters on Wisconsin roads. Scooters officially returned to Milwaukee’s streets on July 23 when the city launched its dockless scooter pilot study. Current participating operators Bird, Lime and Spin have each deployed 350 scooters that can be operated within the city limits. Although e-scooters have taken Milwaukee by storm, they don’t pose a threat to Bublr — the area’s original shared micromobility option, according to that program’s

executive director James Davies. “We’re supportive of anything that is another option to help get people out of cars,” Davies said. “Part of our mission is getting people on bikes, getting people out of cars and so we don’t really see the scooters as conflicting with that.” It’s only been a couple months since scooters popped up in Milwaukee, but Bublr’s ridership so far hasn’t felt an impact, Davies said. Instead of seeing the scooters as competition, Davies said he has considered how Bublr could partner with scooter operators to make transportation easier for users. Both modes of microbility are working toward similar goals, with reduced car ridership at the top of the list. “Ultimately, we think our biggest competitor is the car,” said Nico Probst, director of government relations at San Francisco-based scooter operator Lime.

The company has deployed its bright green scooters in 28 states and 29 countries and recently celebrated 100 million rides, all in the name of creating “more livable cities,” Probst said. He said air pollution from cars is not only a detriment to the environment, but also to people’s health— especially in low-income communities where asthma and lung disease rates are high. But Probst is hopeful electric scooters will help disrupt the current state of transportation. “That’s a trend that every city is really going to have to think about as cities get more and more urbanized and folks continue to move into denser of a population as time goes along,” he said. “We’re really going to think about how we grapple with transportation at large and how that affects the city that we live in.” And in a city where there are now several modes of alternative transportation, Lime is just one piece of the larger puzzle. Scooters are often touted as a solution to the first-mile or lastmile issue. Lime’s global average trip distance is 1.3 miles and more than 40% of its total users have utilized a scooter to access public transit, Probst said. With 80% of its stations located near public transit stops, including Milwaukee County Transit System, The Hop and Amtrak, Bublr is also positioned to serve that last-mile need, Davies said. Unlike scooters, biking is a

more physical activity, which is a huge draw for Bublr users, Davies said, citing user surveys. “I think a lot of people would love to be more active and I think that’s something Bublr provides,” Davies said. “If you’re going someplace anyway and it works, Bublr is an active transportation option to get there.” Similar to other bikeshare systems across the country, Bublr has responded to recent demand for adaptive options. The organization late this summer, with the city of Milwaukee, launched its fully integrated adaptive bike pilot program, unveiling a fleet of new trikes and handcycles at various stations in Milwaukee. “A lot of other cities partner with bike shops and made the bikes available for rental during business hours, but here’s the work of Milwaukee’s advocacy community who made it clear they want

these bikes to be available just like all the other bikes are available,” Davies said. From a city government perspective, whether it’s a bikeshare, a streetcar or a dockless scooter system, any additional means of connection is seen as progress. “We see many positives in providing more (transportation) options, related to economic development, access to opportunity via school or jobs, improved health outcomes,” said Mike Amsden, multimodal transportation manager at the city’s Department of Public Works and a member of the team overseeing the dockless scooter pilot study. He said demand for alternative modes of transportation will ultimately help create safer streets as new infrastructure is put in place. For example, protected bike lanes were recently created for bikers and scooter riders.

“That’s on us to try and really build out those connected networks so people do have a way to get around,” Amsden said. The scooter pilot study, which will come to a close at the year’s end, will help measure that demand, said Kate Riordan, associate transportation planner at DPW and the pilot’s project manager. From the program’s launch through late September, more than 252,356 scooter rides had been taken among the three scooter operators in Milwaukee, which Riordan said is a strong showing. The program got off to a rocky start with initial complaints of sidewalk riding and parking issues, but both rider behavior and public feedback have since improved, she said. DPW recently launched an online survey aimed at gathering public reaction to scooters in

Milwaukee and gauging support for development of a permanent program. Based on those results, as well as ridership numbers and other community feedback, the city will determine next steps likely sometime in early 2020, Amsden said. Milwaukee is not dissimilar from other cities in its cautious approach to its newest micromobility system, Probst said. It’s not only a new technology, but it disrupts longstanding transportation norms. “We know that in any city we launch, it is going to take some time both for riders and non-riders to get comfortable with this,” Probst said. “I think this initial couple month period is certainly showcasing data to them that the usage is very high, there are lots of trips happening on a daily basis and then there are some great opportunities to expand upon that.” n

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biztimes.com / 13

BizNews

SHOP TALK How can manufacturers bring data onto the production floor? FOR MANY MANUFACTURERS, the equipment on the production floor has moved well beyond the traditional mechanical machines that once produced parts and components. The physics of cutting metal or forming plastic remain, but the equipment doing the work now generates thousands of data points manufacturers can use to improve their processes, productivity and, ultimately, profits. Large manufacturers are well positioned to take advantage of all this data. But the small- to medium-sized companies prevalent in southeastern Wisconsin often face challenges. While industry experts say data will continue to grow in importance, investing in the resources to analyze and use it can be time-consuming and complex. “It is going to take smaller companies a while to appreciate what their information can tell them,” said Mary Isbister, president of Mequon-based GenMet Corp. “Think about how long it took a lot of organizations to adopt just lean philosophies. It’s the leadership, it’s the workforce and it’s the industry as a whole kind of coming together to make this how we do business going forward.” Isbister was one of five industry experts to participate with BizTimes in a recent roundtable discussion organized by Illinois-based advisory firm Sikich. W. Kent Lorenz, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Pewaukee-based Acieta LLC and now a consultant to manufacturers, said he expects early adopters of more advanced data analytics and artificial 14 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

ADVICE FOR USING YOUR DATA 1. Bring employees along on the journey Clearly communicate the need for and potential benefit to employees and start with projects with clear tangible benefits. 2. Keep it simple Align the data you are collecting to key business metrics and then communicate performance in an easy to understand way. 3. Plan for the future Data you collect now could be analyzed in the future by AI to identify areas for improvement. intelligence will thrive. “The fast followers will miss it and they’ll miss it because they’re not going to get the economic benefits that the early adopters got,” Lorenz said, adding that companies chasing early adopters will also be chasing customers who have integrated their operations with the companies that can utilize and act on data. “The stakes are high, because you could go away, but doing nothing is not the right strategy,” he said. Rob Cowen, president and CEO of Milwaukee-based Badger Alloys Inc., said the challenge is that companies already generate a high volume of data and it can be difficult to know which pieces to act on.

“They can’t make any decisions because they’re streaming through so much information that common sense and the basics have gone out the window,” he said. “You’ve got all this data, but are you chasing the right data, or do you go off on a tangent of something that really adds zero value, or actually costs you?” Kim Erdmann, president and CEO of Waukesha-based Schaefer Brush, said investing in new technology like an ERP system can leave businesses with a lot of new data, but it is important to use it to develop information someone on the shop floor can use. “Just because you have the data doesn’t mean it’s actionable, doesn’t mean it’s executable, it doesn’t mean it’s going to make a difference, so it is really a huge issue, especially for smaller companies, because I’ve got it and I’m still trying to figure out what to do with it,” he said. Isbister said GenMet found success by focusing on issues where people could see the benefit of data, like maintenance. The company started by collecting information on key pieces of equipment, correlating that to maintenance events and using it to be predictive about when maintenance should take place. “We picked areas that people could identify with, that they could draw the line between the information and what it was telling us and then actions it suggests we

should do,” she said. Lorenz said companies also stand to benefit from having access to their historical data in the future. “Get as much data as you can and store it, because when the AI is ready to look at your data, the more data the better,” he said. “It’s going to find trends that you would never see.” Tom Fotsch, chief operating officer of Pewaukee-based EmbedTek, said for now it is best for manufacturers to capture data and then keep things simple. They should look at metrics that connect to their business like quality, safety, market capabilities or margins and do so through easy to understand systems like green for good performance or red for poor. “Then you filter that down to each individual area within the organization,” he said. n

ARTHUR THOMAS Reporter

P / 414-336-7123 E / arthur.thomas@biztimes.com T / @arthur8823

the

Interview

RYAN PATTEE is a Milwaukee-area boutique developer who pursues projects

outside of downtown that reflect the desires of the neighborhoods the buildings are in. His current projects include the transformation of a former nightclub at 3060 S. 13th St. into a new tea shop and manufacturing space for Urbal Tea, the redevelopment of 3528-30 W. National Ave. as the future home of Salvadorian restaurant Pupuseria la Chalateca, and the redevelopment of the commercial building at 729-733 W. Historic Mitchell St. Pattee recently spoke with BizTimes reporter Alex Zank about his method of choosing projects and his views on the city’s future. How do you choose which redevelopment projects to pursue? “We generally like to sit down with the neighborhood BID (business improvement district) or the NID (neighborhood improvement district) if they have one, and try to get a better idea of what the neighborhood residents are looking for in the area. If possible, we really try to work with the (Department of City Development) to find a city-owned property in these neighborhoods. We feel we can kill two birds with one stone and buy a city-owned property. It removes blight in the neighborhood and also adds taxes back on the tax roll for the entire city’s benefit … We have a pretty extensive list of tenants that are looking for space. After you do a few, hopefully, what we think are successful projects, you start getting people contacting you wanting space, and we can kind of build to suit for these tenants.”

Why do you focus your efforts outside of downtown? “We feel downtown is in good hands already with people like Tim Gokhman of New Land Enterprises, Josh Jeffers (of J. Jeffers & Co.), a ton of other great developers. Downtown’s covered. There are people doing it, they’re doing a great job at it. We want to highlight some of the other wonderful, diverse, eclectic areas of the city. We are a whole city, not just downtown. We want to highlight the other neighborhoods and show what they have to give and they have the same hipness factor as downtown.”

What do you see as the next up-and-coming Milwaukee neighborhood?

What are some of the challenges you face as a developer in Milwaukee? “Our model, unlike other developers, we’re more of a boutique developer, I guess you could call us. So, we have to continue to keep looking for inventory that fits our model and will work with the clients we try to attract. We really try to offer an A-class space … but with C-class pricing. We love keeping the tenants’ costs low so they can remain in the city and don’t have to flee to lower-cost space in the suburbs. They don’t always even have to be a good quality property; it’s just finding the right ratio for acquisition price compared to rehab costs, compared to how low we can keep that rent for people. That’s the key, is keeping it affordable so the businesses can succeed.” See more from the interview at biztimes.com. n

JAKE HILL PHOTOGRAPHY

“I feel there are many places that fit the bill for an up-and-coming neighborhood. It depends on the timeframe you’re looking at, if you’re looking at two years, five years, (or) 10 years. The few that I look forward to seeing come up: I like Historic Mitchell Street. I really like Clarke Square, Silver City, the Near West Side. I like the Washington Heights/ Washington Park area. I think those are some of the areas I can see having the correct confluence of commercial corridor, really good housing stock, high owner-occupancy in the home stock, not a ton of rental properties.”

Ryan Pattee President Pattee Group 4828 W Lisbon Ave., Milwaukee patteegroup.com biztimes.com / 15

BizNews EVENT PREVIEW

Community leaders to discuss Milwaukee’s homelessness challenges at Nonprofit Excellence Awards program By Lauren Anderson, staff writer

A PANEL of community leaders will discuss the challenges related to homelessness in the Milwaukee area, along with possible solutions to connect people to stable housing, at the sixth annual BizTimes Nonprofit Excellence Awards program on Nov. 1. Panelists will include Eric Collins-Dyke, homeless outreach services manager for the Milwaukee County Housing Division; Michael Gosman, executive director of ACTS Housing; Beth Weirick, chief executive officer of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21; and Mike Flynn, president of the Milwaukee region for First Business Bank. BizTimes associate editor Lauren Anderson will moderate the discussion. Panelists will address the realities of the highly visible “tent city” in downtown Milwaukee, hidden homelessness and other housing-related challenges in the

Join us for an inspirational evening in support of our future female leaders.

Italian Community Center 5:30 p.m.

Tickets

$100 per person Co-chairs: Jen Dirks and Marquette Baylor BGCMilwaukee.org/celebrating-girls.

16 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

Eric Collins-Dyke

Mike Flynn

Michael Gosman

region, along with the work that is underway to address those issues. Following the panel discussion, finalists and honorees of BizTimes Media’s 2019 Nonprofit Excellence Awards will be recognized. Finalists for the Corporate Citizenship Awards include: »» Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: Jim Mueller, mueller QAAS »» Corporate Citizen of the Year: The Starr Group, Kapco Metal Stamping and Sargento Foods Inc. »» Corporate Volunteer of the Year: Gwen Erickson of Velvac Inc., Christy Engel of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Kathryn Keppel of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP »» In-Kind Supporter: Tall Guy and a Grill Catering and The Corners of Brookfield »» Next Generation Leadership: Justin Juley of HNTB Corp. and Jackson Bubolz of Elevated Insurance Finalists for the Nonprofit Awards include: »» Nonprofit Collaboration of

Beth Weirick

»»

the Year: Medical College of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Academy of Science, LUMIN Schools and UMOS Nonprofit Executive of the Year: Héctor Colón of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Sue Smith of Nativity Jesuit Academy, and Mike Thirtle of Bethesda Lutheran Communities Large Nonprofit (Organization) of the Year: Zoological Society of Milwaukee, Pathfinders of Milwaukee Inc., La Causa Inc. and Curative Care Network Small Nonprofit (Organization) of the Year: ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Revitalize Milwaukee and Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation Social Enterprise: Beyond Vision and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities – FEI Behavioral Health.

The Nonprofit Excellence Awards event will run from 7-9:30 a.m. on Nov. 1 at the Italian Community Center. Registration is open at biztimes.com/npawards. n

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS! Recognize the people and organizations that are making a difference every day by providing superior health care in our region. Winners will be featured in the December 16, 2019 issue of BizTimes Milwaukee. 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

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Real Estate

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

A house under construction.

Report: Wisconsin faces severe workforce housing shortage

A SHORTAGE in workforce housing exists throughout Wisconsin, including in the southeastern part of the state. This is according to new research conducted by a University of Wisconsin-Madison professor and backed by the Wisconsin Realtors Association. To remedy the issue, WRA officials call

for more housing to be built, a reinvestment in older housing stock and regulatory changes at the state and local levels. The report outlines the main causes of the shortage and the effects seen throughout the state. According to the report, the state isn’t seeing enough homes being built, construction costs are rising faster than inflation and incomes and land-use regulations, such as minimum lot sizes and excessive parking requirements, are further driving up the cost of housing. As a result, Wisconsin is seeing declining homeownership and, compared with its neighbors, the state has the highest rate of extreme rental cost burden for lower-income families and the second-highest such rate for lower-income homeowners. “It’s probably been the top issue for the residential single-family real estate industry over the last several years,” said Tom Larson, WRA senior vice president of legal and public affairs. “And that’s regardless of where you go. Whether it’s the northern part of the state or southeastern part of the state, they’re having inventory issues.” Indeed, month after month realtors groups like WRA and the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors have found very small

JON ELLIOT OF MKE DRONES LLC

BIRD’S EYE VIEW: G E R M A N T O W N I N D U S T R I A L D E V E LO P M E N T S

18 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

It wasn’t too long ago that the area immediately east of the I-41 and Holy Hill Road interchange in Germantown was farmland. Now, it is home to four industrial buildings that are either brand new or under construction, with potentially more to be developed later. In the foreground of this aerial photo is a 100,000-square-foot building under construction that will serve as a new headquarters and manufacturing facility for Menomonee Falls-based Dielectric Corp. The other three buildings are part of Milwaukee-based Zilber Property Group’s 140-acre Gateway Corporate Park. The 706,000-square-foot Briggs & Stratton global distribution facility is operational, while the other two roughly 200,000-square-foot buildings are still under construction. The one furthest north of Holy Hill Road is to be used by Kansas City-based Smart Warehousing. Zilber has additional sites at the park available for development.

inventories of homes for sale. GMAR found an inventory level (how long it would take to sell all of the homes on the market at a given time) of 2.3 months in August in metro Milwaukee, the same as August 2018. That’s very much a seller’s market. An inventory level of about 6 months is generally considered a balanced market, while an inventory higher than that is considered a buyer’s market. The workforce housing report also points out that Wisconsin builders are creating about 75% fewer lots and 55% fewer new housing units than pre-Great Recession averages. Waukesha County saw the highest rates of “underproduction” of housing. From 2006-‘17, the county saw a roughly 36,300 increase in households but a growth of roughly 25,100 housing units. The result was about 11,200 units worth of underproduction. “There’s an overall shortage of every type of housing,” said Kurt Paulsen, UW-Madison professor of urban and regional planning and the study’s author. “When there is an overall shortage of every type of housing, the squeeze gets worse for people on the lower end of the income scale.” For the purposes of this study, Paulsen defined workforce housing as housing that is “affordable” for renting families who earn up to 60% of an area’s median income and for owning families who earn up to 120% of an area’s median income. The report measured housing affordability using two indices. The first index gauges affordability for entry-level housing. According to this index, entry-level housing is barely affordable for the seven counties that make up southeastern Wisconsin (Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha). The second index measures rental affordability. It determined rental units in Washington County were affordable. Ozaukee, Waukesha and Walworth counties were barely affordable; and Kenosha, Milwaukee and Racine counties were not affordable.

The report also found a clear gap between rising costs to live or rent versus median incomes. From 2000-‘17, the median household income in Wisconsin grew 35%, while the median house price grew 59%. From 2007 to 2017, median rental rates in Wisconsin grew 21.7% while median income in the state rose 17.3%. Potential solutions to the issue focus on five key goals: Building more housing, increasing housing choice through diverse stock, strengthening homeownership, reinvesting in older housing, and making housing a priority. Paulsen said many of them are based on reforms being made in other states, such as Utah and Oregon, and tailoring them to Wisconsin. “There are lots of things bubbling up in other states that we can learn from,” he said. Among the number of ideas are: construction of more “missing middle” housing types, such as duplexes and townhomes; additional incentives to reduce workforce housing costs; coordinated housing programs; and expedited permitting and development-approval processes at the state and local levels. Larson said local regulations have the biggest impact on housing developments. He said local governments can look to change things such as their regulations, fees and approval timelines, to “sweeten the pot” for developers. n

AMERICAN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

FEATURED DEAL: Z U E R N B U I L D I N G P R O D U C T S’ N E W H Q Zuern Building Products Inc., an Allenton-based supplier of materials to homeowners and professional builders, will soon be moving its headquarters to nearby Slinger, following the acquisition of a 69,000-square-foot distribution center. The former Legendary Whitetails building, located at 820 Enterprise Drive, was purchased recently by a holding company for the third-generation owners of Zuern. The 6-acre property where the building is located was purchased for roughly $3.1 million. Zuern plans to move its office staff to the new building by Dec. 1 and have the distribution center in operation by March 1, according to company president Arleen Mantel. The company will keep its Allenton facility, and has other locations in Cedarburg, Franklin and Watertown. It will have all of its millwork, windows and cabinets for its locations shipped directly to Slinger. ADDRESS: 820 Enterprise Drive, Slinger BUYER: Gen3 Distribution LLC SELLER: East Mequon Development Corp. PRICE: $3.1 million

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ALEX ZANK Reporter

P / 414-336-7116 E / alex.zank@biztimes.com T / @AlexZank

S H A R P 1 9 . G I V E S M A R T . C O M

biztimes.com / 19

STORY COVER

The Nursing home

Funding

n April, Julie Thauer’s 91-year-old mother, Nancy, suffered a stroke, and her assisted living facility could no longer provide the services she needed. She had to move. Once she began researching her options, Thauer, a Shorewood resident, was confronted with a number of roadblocks. Thauer’s mother, a woman she describes as a 1950s homemaker who went on to “do her best to live on what she had” after her husband died, had run out of money to pay for her long-term care, left to rely solely on government assistance. When Thauer attempted to get her mother into a 5-star rated nursing home facility, as measured by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, she was turned down because of her “payer source.” 20 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

The implication was that the facilities preferred a private payer, as opposed to government-funded Medicaid, which reimburses nursing facilities at below cost. Medicaid is a federal and state government program that covers medical costs, including nursing home care, for people with limited financial resources. Lower-rated facilities presented other challenges. Thauer had concerns about quality, and they were farther away from her than she preferred. One turned Thauer away, citing a recent influx of patients from another area nursing home that had just closed. She was left with few options. “What I was told is, ‘You’re not going to be able to get into a five-star (facility). You’re going to have

to accept a one- or two-star,’” Thauer said. “But if you’re looking at someone needing 24-hour care and they have bedsores, you’re sentencing them to death. Money is what makes the difference.” Thauer’s experience underscores the financial challenges faced not only by families seeking care for their loved ones, but also an industry that’s up against serious headwinds, including low government reimbursement rates, a severe workforce shortage and a swelling patient population. As of August, 12 Wisconsin nursing home facilities have shuttered their doors, or are in the process of closing, this year alone. Wellspring of Milwaukee, a 185-bed rehabilitation and skilled nursing center on the city’s northwest side, closed in March, forcing the relo-

Crisis Medicaid shortfall contributes to facility closures BY LAUREN ANDERSON, staff writer

cation of its residents and elimination of 160 jobs. The facility’s notice filed with the state Department of Workforce Development attributed the decision to “catastrophic unforeseeable business circumstances.” In April, eight Dycora Transitional Health & Living skilled nursing facilities in Wisconsin, including two Glendale locations and a Greendale location, were placed into receivership, an alternative to bankruptcy under Wisconsin state law. That followed similar actions taken at The Atrium of Racine, a 76-unit senior housing facility and 40-unit assisted living facility, in fall 2018. Milwaukee-based Fortis Management Group, which operated 65 long term care centers in six states, also filed for receivership in July 2017, ul-

timately closing its Milwaukee headquarters and laying off 250 employees in fall 2018. A total of 34 facilities in the state have either closed, or are in the process of closing, since 2016. Medicaid losses are a significant contributing factor, industry representatives say. A 2016 study from national accounting and consulting firm Eljay LLP ranked Wisconsin as having the highest daily shortfall per Medicaid patient in the country. Wisconsin’s skilled nursing facilities on average lose between $70.66 and $78.58 per day for each Medicaid resident they serve, according to a study by LeadingAge Wisconsin, a statewide membership association of nonprofits that serve aging adults and people with disabilities.

“Reimbursement for Medicaid services has never been particularly lucrative,” said John Vander Meer, president and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Health Care Association and Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living. “But in the last 10 years, there has been an increasing payment gap between the level of reimbursement that skilled facilities receive on a per-patient per-day basis, compared to the cost they sustain … We in Wisconsin have in the last 10 years routinely been in the top 10 worst reimbursed states in the country.” Vander Meer said the funding gap can, in part, be attributed to the high quality of care provided in Wisconsin. “Quality costs money,” he said. But even as increasing acuity levels lead to biztimes.com / 21

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higher costs for facilities, the state has largely seen minimal increases in the Medicaid reimbursement rate over the past decade. At Milwaukee’s Ovation Communities, the shortfall is more severe, about $150 to $200 per day per Medicaid patient. Michael Sattell, president and chief executive officer of Ovation, attributes that to the higher costs associated with running the Jewish senior living center on Prospect Avenue, which is a kosher facility and has had to increase its security in recent years. “Arguably our gap is higher than most, but I don’t think there’s any provider out there that’s not losing money with Medicaid,” Sattell said. That means cost-shifting onto private payers. The same 2018 LeadingAge study found private pay residents pay $41,000 more annually than Medicaid residents – about $100 more per day – because of the shortfall, which in turn depletes residents’ assets more quickly. In addition to cost shifting, providers have responded by shifting their continuum of care to achieve a viable mix of nursing, assisted living and senior housing services. Often, that means downsizing their nursing home operation and expanding their assisted living arm, which means fewer available beds for those needing more intensive, around-the-clock care. “It’s a delicate model,” said John Sauer, president and CEO of LeadingAge Wisconsin. “Facilities are looking at what is the maximum number of Medicaid residents they can serve and still be able to meet their budget, make payroll, staffing wages and benefit needs within the organization. What I think people are starting to realize, because Medicaid has been paying at such a low rate compared to cost, is that there is starting to be access issues for someone on Medicaid needing nursing home care … We’re seeing that in many areas of the state.” Ovation leaders said that it’s part of their mission to provide care to the Jewish elderly commu22 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

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STORY COVER

nity, regardless of residents’ ability to pay out of pocket. About 70% to 75% of their residents rely on government assistance, Sattell said. The organization, a nonprofit, leans on philanthropic support to help offset the cost, but it’s becoming more difficult. “We’re blessed to have incredibly generous people over the past several decades … but frankly it’s getting harder every year to raise more money,” Sattell said. “We don’t want to go into the principal of our endowments and we’re at the ceiling of our spending policy. I fear we’re going to have to make some decisions where we won’t be able to say ‘yes.’”

Workforce ‘crisis’ Compounding the issue is a serious labor shortage amid a sustained low unemployment rate in recent years. In 2018, a survey of about 750 nursing home and assisted living care providers in Wisconsin found the state’s long-term and residential care facilities had about 16,500 vacancies for caregiver positions. The survey was released by a coalition of senior-serving organizations, including LeadingAge, Wisconsin Health Care Association, Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living and Disability Service Provider Network. In that same study, about 83% of providers said there were no qualified applicants available for their key positions. Over half said they had not received any applicants for openings. “It’s appropriately called a crisis,” Sattell said. “We know we’re not alone in terms of the difficulty finding people and keeping people in this low unemployment economy.” Understaffing has hampered Ovation’s ability to accept new patients, hurting its bottom line. “There have been times when we’ve not been able to take in admissions,” said Michelle Putz, chief operating officer. “We have to make sure we have enough people on staff to take care of people.

We’ve had to limit admissions; that’s financially affected us.” Ovation is working to confront those challenges both in the short- and long-term. Last year, it launched its own Geriatric Career Development program, which takes Milwaukee high students who are at risk of not graduating through three years of training to receive their certified nursing assistant (CNA) certifications. The program, which has 10 students returning for a second year and plans to scale up to about 45 total, draws from three Milwaukee Public Schools with the lowest graduation rates. The program costs about $5,000 per student, and was launched with financial support from LeadingAge. The goal is two-fold: to mentor students onto a better post-high school track and fill the industry’s worker pipeline. “So often we say ‘if we could only create our own employees,’” Sattell said. “That’s what we are doing hopefully for the city and community of Milwaukee.” While that program could pay long-term dividends, Ovation has focused on retention to address its immediate workforce challenges. Strategies have included offering job sharing and other flexible scheduling, providing a wellness program, offering an employee award program that includes financial awards for high performance, and integrating more fun in a work environment that can be taxing. “Our employees work very hard; it’s very stressful being in caregiving jobs,” Putz said. “They need to be celebrated, so we’re trying to find more ways to do that.” The average hourly pay for a certified nurse assistant in Milwaukee ranges from $11 to $16. Employers largely attribute their inability to raise wages to the state’s low Medicaid reimbursement rate. Ann Louise Tetreault, vice president with SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin – which represents about

“My heart stopped 78 times. This is where my team worked together to save my life.”

– Nicole Patient, Nurse at Froedtert Hospital

4,000 health care workers in the state – said many CNAs opt to leave for higher-paying jobs elsewhere – jobs that are less physically and emotionally demanding. “People are finding they can work in a fast food facility and make more money,” she said. “They’ll go to Home Depot, Burger King or someplace else. You’re going to pay someone more to flip a hamburger than take care of your loved one? (Caregivers) should make $15-plus.” Prior to Wellspring of Milwaukee’s closure, the union had been bargaining for higher wages, Tetreault said. She said organizers were told the long-term care facility was in “OK shape” financially, yet they were unable to negotiate a pay bump. “We couldn’t even get to $9 (an hour),” she said. “That’s with workloads that are atrocious; it’s backbreaking. And work rules that are not bendable. You’re asked to smile while you do this heartbreaking work.” Then the facility shut down, Tetreault said. “They were planning and working with the Department of Health and Social Services to work on an orderly closure to find other beds (for residents to move to),” she said. “Then, before they could even get through the process they laid out, they didn’t even have food at the facility. They had to go into an emergency situation of diverting these patients.” Wellspring representatives could not be reached for comment for this story. For operators, Putz said, the stakes are high when it comes to employee burnout and turnover. More than ever, nursing facilities need welltrained workers to deal with an increasingly complex patient population. “We’re a 24-hour business; we’re taking care of a vulnerable population,” Putz said. “In the last three to five years, the population has been more sick and coming in with more complicated social,

Dr. Peter Rossi & Dr. David Del Toro

Seamless Care. When a health network ... networks. When Nicole collapsed from a rare and undetected genetic heart condition, our team of specialists rallied around her. To save her life, surgeons had to amputate her legs because of her compromised blood flow. Nicole’s team guided her through recovery until, with the help of prosthetics, she walked again. Inspired by the care she received, Nicole graduated from nursing school and now cares for patients at Froedtert Hospital. For any medical concern, you want expert teams like Nicole’s working together for you.

What Is Possible Learn more about Nicole’s journey from patient to nurse at froedtert.com/possible biztimes.com / 23

STORY COVER

Wellspring of Milwaukee closed earlier this year.

economic and family issues. We need expertise. So how do we retain those folks who might not want a traditional 40-hour work week? We are taking care of a much more complicated resident population than ever before.” That’s only expected to increase, Sauer said. “As we age as a population and boomers move from ages in the 60s to 70s and 80s, the demand for skilled nursing facilities is going to increase,” he said. “Nursing homes will look different than they do now … Many hospitals are telling us they’re having a very difficult time placing certain individuals in nursing facilities.”

Future relief? The state’s 2019-’21 biennial budget offers some relief for providers. The budget, signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers in July, increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes by 6.4%. “What the Legislature did is they put together a long-term care package that in its totality, I would 24 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

view, as unprecedented in terms of the funding commitment and scope,” Sauer said. “I don’t want to minimize it by saying it’s a first step, but it’s a really important first step to address long-term care needs for the state of Wisconsin. Is this going to solve the problem? No. But will it move us in a positive direction? We’re hoping those dollars get out there and are allocated to providers as quickly as possible.” Sattell agrees that it’s a step in the right direction, but isn’t enough. “There will be increases in the next biennium, which is great because there really hasn’t been in a long time … but even a 7% increase is not going to make a huge difference for the underfunding of senior care through Medicaid,” he said Other solutions will need to address the workforce crisis, Sauer said. In addition to programs like Ovation’s Geriatrics Career Program, he said the industry needs to look at immigration as a potential pipeline. “We need to look at workers from other coun-

tries who are willing to come here legally and work in long-term care,” he said. “The demographics are such that the ratio of workers to retirees is shrinking. I think we’ll have to look at immigration.” Another answer could come in the form of technology. He said advancements are coming — and some have already arrived — that will allow for remote monitoring of patients, along with other telehealth solutions. Advancements in robotics will also allow patients to age in place longer, offsetting their transition into assisted living facilities. “I don’t want to get too overly optimistic about future trends in technology, but I just look at the trends that have happened in my lifetime,” he said. “And I think the acceleration of tech will have a positive impact on how we provide care and services.” But there are limits to technology in the health care industry. “We’re a person-centered business,” Vander Meer said. “You can’t get a machine to hold your grandmother’s hand when she needs to be

STORY COVER

The closure of Wellspring of Milwaukee forced its residents to relocate, and eliminated 160 jobs.

comforted from a spell of dementia … These aren’t widgets; they’re people. And we have to have people who are well-trained and well-equipped and well-oriented from the standpoint of being the right caregivers to offer that care.” Meanwhile, Sattell and Putz said they would like to get the word out about the importance of long-term care insurance.

“We do see some people with long-term care policies, but they’re few and far in between,” Putz said. More people are simply outliving their money these days, she said. “We’re seeing that at a dramatic, dramatic rate,” she said. Thauer said her experience with her mother

has taught her the wisdom behind long-term care insurance. It’s an education she said she’d rather not have had to learn the hard way. “You have to go through this with a parent to realize you yourself are going to face this someday,” she said. “And it’s a big stack of money to be able to allow you to live in comfort and safety to the end of your days.” n

NOTABLE WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING

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 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:

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Call 414.336.7112 or go online to biztimes.com/coverlogo to sign up and submit your logo 26 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS NOW! On December 16, BizTimes Milwaukee will name the 2019 Notable Women in Manufacturing in a special editorial feature in print and online. This section will feature influential female leaders who have made a substantial impact across the manufacturing industry with groundbreaking ideas, initiatives and leadership, as nominated by clients and colleagues.

Nominate notable women in manufacturing at biztimes.com/notableMFG

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Special Report HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

MACC Fund’s $25 million investment comes at critical time for pediatric cancer research BY LAUREN ANDERSON, staff writer same treatment they give to patients when they relapse as adults and it has fewer side effects and is more potent in a certain way.” Ordan opted for the clinical trial and after two cycles of therapy, he was in remission. “What you see in movies or what they describe in books about a regular cancer patient as someone who is miserable, throwing up, bald and can’t live daily life – for me, I was pretty much the exact opposite,” he said. “I wasn’t miserable. I didn’t lose all my hair. I was rarely nauseous. I didn’t even throw up once from the chemo. I was able to live my dayto-day life.” Now 19, Ordan touts the importance of clinical trials. “I like to say I’m proof that clinical trials are very important and that they really do work and improve the quality of life for patients that are on them,” he said. Leaders of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin say Ordan’s story is indicative of where cancer treatment is headed: less invasive and more targeted therapies that result in a higher quality of life for patients. A new $25 million commitment from the MACC Fund is aimed at enabling the institutions to advance medical discoveries to that end. The MACC (Midwest Athletes Against ChildMCW

TWO YEARS AGO, 17-year-old Raphael Ordan found out he had stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He soon received reassurance at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. “When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I barely had time to register my fear before the doctor was already telling me that this was one of the more curable types and that they were very confident they could make it go away and stay away,” Ordan said. Standard treatments, however, would come with side effects. Radiation would have targeted the neck and chest, potentially producing longterm issues. Chemotherapy medications can be hard on the heart, while others can cause pulmonary problems later in life. Ordan was presented with the option of participating in a clinical trial, led by Dr. Paul Harker-Murray, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. It would use the standard chemotherapy approach, but eliminate one medication that can cause pulmonary fibrosis, while adding another targeted therapy. Ordan was initially hesitant. “I didn’t know what that meant,” he said. “Did that mean this was the first time someone was getting this treatment? Does it work? Etc. And Dr. Harker-Murray noticed that, and said this is the

Peggy Troy, president and chief executive officer of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and Dr. John Raymond, president and CEO of the Medical College of Wisconsin. 28 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

hood Cancer) Fund announced in September its commitment to CHW and MCW – its largest-ever investment – with a focus on fighting pediatric cancer and blood disorders. The leading disease-related cause of death among children, pediatric cancer causes more than 1,800 deaths each year in the United States. The funding is aimed at accelerating the development of therapies through the research process, from concept to trial to outcomes assessment, and growing high-impact discovery science where early findings can lead to promising research opportunities to advance therapies. Dr. Cindy Schwartz, an oncologist at CHW, said it’s a critical time to invest in such research. “This is the beginning of an exciting era in this field,” Schwartz said. “Things are really going to change. Most of my career we’ve been doing good work in curing people with kind of the same old therapies, but there are some really new therapies on the brink now.” Among them is immunotherapy, a treatment that uses a patient’s own immune system to help fight cancer. Whereas commonly used treatments like chemotherapy and radiation kill both cancer cells and damage healthy cells, an immunotherapy approach called CAR (chimeric antigen receptors) T-cell therapy genetically reprograms a person’s immune system to target cancer cells, mitigating the negative side effects. MCW and Froedtert Hospital have seen promising results from a unique product developed by researchers at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus in Wauwatosa. The new product is a dual-targeted CAR T-cell therapy that takes aim at two proteins on the cancer cells, called CD19 and CD20, which are prevalent in patients with mantle cell lymphoma. FDA-approved products only target one protein. MCW researchers point to the promising results of a middle-aged male patient, who received the therapy in 2017 to treat mantle cell lymphoma, as an indicator of immunotherapy’s significant cancer-fighting potential. After seeing positive results among adult patients, CHW and MCW have submitted an application to the FDA to pursue those therapies for childhood leukemia. “We’re hoping that in the near future that we’ll actually open the trial to children with leukemia,” Scwhartz said. “We’re really excited about that because nobody else has that – CARs that have these two particular antibodies we can deliver here.” While CAR T therapies are effective at fighting leukemias and lymphomas, CHW is also making progress in using what are called “natural killer” cells to target cancer cells in solid tumors, including brain tumors and sarcomas. “It’s very innovative therapy,” Schwartz said. “That’s what’s exciting. You can’t do every innova-

MCW

tive therapy that exists. You have to focus and find things that work for your institution. Or you don’t do anything. But our group, with the MACC Fund, has the resources to bring some of these new ideas and developments and actually bring them to the clinical arena where we can actually bring them to patients. That’s the exciting part, but it takes a lot of money. The insurance companies don’t pay for this kind of stuff.” Currently, 90% of CHW’s cancer patients are enrolled in a clinical research program. Building out a robust research arm with support from the MACC Fund also plays an important role in attracting talent to the region, according to Dr. John Raymond, president and chief executive officer of MCW. “That’s really the hallmark of success, that we bring good people in and we give them the resources they need to develop new treatments and cures for childhood cancer,” Raymond said “… Even though we’re all proud that Milwaukee is a rising exciting city, it is still a medium-sized city. It is so important for talented faculty members and clinicians to know they have the support of the community, that there is a true investment in the work they’re doing.” Other focuses of the MACC Fund funding in-

Raphael Ordan and Dr. Paul Harker-Murray at the announcement of the MACC Fund’s $25 million commitment to pediatric cancer research at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

clude creating new methods of delivering health care to optimize the length and quality of life for pediatric patients. “We’re really focusing now on survivorship as well because we know there are effects from the cancer treatment and we want these kids to grow

up and be healthy and resilient,” said Peggy Troy, president and chief executive officer of CHW. “So part of this gift is going to allow us to do a better job of understanding the outcomes, the psychological impact, the social impact, how they re-enter in school and community.” n

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CONTRIBUTED

Special Report HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Life Time to make splash in area’s fitness market As national fitness brand enters Wisconsin, others ready to compete BY MAREDITHE MEYER, staff writer WHEN LIFE TIME BROOKFIELD OPENS later this fall it will bring 126,423 square feet of health and fitness amenities to Waukesha County, aiming to set itself apart as a “luxury, resort-style destination.” The massive facility at The Corridor mixeduse development in Brookfield is the first step into the Wisconsin market for Chanhassen, Minnesota-based Life Time Inc. and the company has high expectations as the brand is already well-established across the Midwest. Life Time operates 145 large-format health clubs in 30 states and Canada, but those in cities

Life Time’s front entrance area.

such as Des Moines, Iowa; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Kansas City and St. Louis have performed particularly well, said Jeff Zwiefel, chief operating officer at Life Time. That’s because Life Time claims to offer members something more than just fitness. “The power of our business for over 20 years

has been the idea of connecting like-minded people and when you put those like-minded people together in a setting like our club, it does truly become their third place after home and work,” said Zwiefel. “The very backbone of the Midwestern community is that and so this just further provides that forum.”

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Members can schedule hair, nail and massage services at the LifeSpa.

Life Time’s indoor pool space includes a lap pool, leisure pool and whirlpool.

Life Time Brookfield’s upper level will have 400 pieces of cardio and weight equipment, two NBA-size basketball courts, and yoga, Pilates, indoor cycling and group fitness studios for the 125 group fitness classes offered on average each week. The facility’s ground level is where the company’s resort proposition comes into play. It includes a full-service spa and salon, executive-style locker rooms with saunas and steam rooms, two indoor pools, a “kids academy” with dance, art, music and tumbling studios for children, a business lounge with co-working space and conference rooms, a health-focused cafe and bar area, and an outdoor aquatic center with zero-depth entry pools, lap pools, waterslides and a poolside cafe. Offering an extensive list of amenities and services “under one roof” is why Life Time considers itself an attraction for members, but Zwiefel said the company puts just as much emphasis on minute details such as scented towels in the yoga studio, shampoo and conditioner in the showers and the Life Time app, which allows members to schedule a hair appointment at the salon, track exercise and order lunch from LifeCafe. Zwiefel said the Life Time brand reflects the way consumer tastes have evolved. And now more than ever, consumers prioritize experience-based entertainment and social connection, likely in response to the rise of technology. But those trends aren’t only shaping national health club brands. Local fitness clubs are also working to evolve, especially in a highly competitive and ever-changing industry that’s seen a recent shift toward studio-based fitness. “We had this conversation internally: is the time of the big club over? And our decision is absolutely not,” said Keith Nygren, president of Wisconsin Athletic Club. “People are looking every bit as much for that belonging, maybe more so than they were 40 years ago when we started.” biztimes.com / 31

CONTRIBUTED

Special Report HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS The WAC has grown since its 1976 founding to open eight Milwaukee-area locations and employ 1,200 people — all while staying true to its original concept as not only an athletic club, but also a social one, Nygren said. When the WAC started its big attraction was racquetball, but these days its group fitness classes (more than 700 per week across all locations), “Club Pub” bars and tennis leagues have become some of its most popular features. And that won’t change, even when national brands like Life Time enter the market. “I don’t think we’ve done anything disruptive to our company as a result of any competition coming into town,” Nygren said. That’s not to say the company doesn’t keep an eye on competition, he said, but it instead looks to its members when weighing big decisions, such as opening its eighth location in Lake Country or renovating its Wauwatosa facility. And because it’s been in operation for decades, the WAC has both members and employees who have been a part of the club for multiple generations. “The best people we wind up hiring are people who grew up in the club because they understand what our commitment is and they also see that it

Life Time’s outdoor aquatic space has the same offerings of the indoor one, plus waterslides, lounge seating and a poolside café.

really hasn’t varied too much, and that’s not an accident,” Nygren said. Milwaukee-based Elite Sports Clubs, which currently operates five locations, has been around for almost as long and, like the WAC, isn’t gun shy when it comes to competition. Touting unique amenities such as music and dance lessons and ping pong and cornhole leagues, Elite said it continuously works to create

16th Annual

a sense of belonging for its members while evolving with the industry. “We are all too familiar with national brands moving into the Milwaukee market—some last, others don’t. We’re proud of the communities we have grown together with over the past three decades, and are glad they are continuing to be developed to attract more families to this great area we call home,” the company said in a statement. n

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Strategies LEADERSHIP

Be the alpha Leading people is similar to training dogs

MARK TWAIN ONCE SAID, “The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.” For hundreds of years, people have compared their fellow human beings to man’s best friend. Last year, we adopted a terrific Miniature Australian Labradoodle named Harken from the Labradoodle Corral in Hartford. As the Corral’s owner, Jeff Nienhaus, helped me train Harken, it dawned on me how much dog training and managing people have in common. I asked Jeff to give me his top five most important things to know about training a dog. Here’s what he said:

1. Be the alpha. An alpha does not talk soft or offer choices. An alpha makes swift corrections – then it’s over. No grudges. People, like dogs, need a leader and want to be led. Great leaders are great communicators. Easily understood. Happy to offer praise. Willing to offer criticism when necessary. Then, willing to move on. No resentment and definitely no growling!

2. People don’t like being treated like dogs. Guess what? Dogs don’t like being treated like people. Dogs don’t understand it. It’s not their world. So, respect their world. Teach in their world. Meet people on their terms. Many BizTimes readers might be considered “the one-percenters” (whatever that actually means these days). But

they likely spend most of their time with people who represent the other 99 percent. It’s important for the 100 percent to learn and respect the worlds and lives of others. Make sure you and your leaders walk the floor, both literally and figuratively.

3. Repetition, repetition, repetition. It used to be that a person needed to hear the same message at least seven times to retain it. Today’s studies show people may need to hear the same message 12 to 20 times. Unfortunately, politicians know this all too well since we’re bombarded with the same political ads for months ahead of any election. Yes, it’s often frustrating or even boring to repeat the same message over and over again. Yes, it sometimes feels like no one gets it. But it really is almost impossible to overcommunicate. Dogs know this and thrive on communication. In our strategic planning process, we teach the importance of “cascading communications,” an idea advanced by author Patrick Lencioni. It’s critical that the leadership team speak with one voice and repeat the important messages of the organization. Our canine companions watch for the same cues over and over again to tell them what they are doing is good, not bad. They like consistency.

rewarded only by being accountable. And rewards don’t always have to be tangible. Often a “good job” accolade is enough for a particular moment of fine accountability.

5. Love unconditionally as they do. Sleep with them. Let them be your shadow and give them a job. It makes them feel important, gives them purpose, and makes them want to continue to do good work. Well, sleeping with your team will definitely create an HR issue! But I do truly believe in loving my co-workers, mentoring them and learning with them. We all want to work toward a higher purpose — just like our dog friends. Of course, leading teams isn’t dog training. But it’s not likely we’ll ever be in a workplace without the need to lead and train accountable teams. Learning about the dog/people connection from Jeff Nienhaus does make me ponder whether I should hire a dog trainer as my next director of human resources. n

4. Break training into small segments, and then put the segments back together. »» “Come” = Treat »» “Come. Sit.” = Treat »» “Come. Sit. Stay.” = Treat Only reward them when they do it right. No participation trophies. It confuses them and tells them mediocre or wrong is good enough. When we facilitate strategic planning, we take the BHAG (“Big Harry Audacious Goal”), the threeyear initiatives and the one-year objectives and break them down into 90-day priorities. It’s amazing how much more we get done. And when you have an organization with a culture of accountability, people know they will be

JOHN HOWMAN As a serial entrepreneur, business and community leader since 1983, John Howman has led a variety of businesses, from technology to consumer products companies. He leads two groups for Vistage, a professional development group for CEOs, presidents and business owners. He can be reached at JHowman@AlliedCG.com. biztimes.com / 33

Strategies NEGOTIATIONS

Watch out for these moves How to react to common negotiation strategies HAVE YOU EVER BEEN engaged in a negotiation that was advancing nicely until suddenly, the other party did something unexpected that caused you to lose your emotional balance? While it would be nice to think that this was not intentional, the reality is that the move was likely deliberate. A number of times people have told me, “This is not personal; it’s just business.” But people do take it personally and they have long memories. To avoid falling prey to the other party’s ill intentions, become familiar with these three common negotiation strategies and their countermoves so you can respond with grace and ease.

Strategy 1: The Surprise “The Surprise” is an introduction of new or unexpected information, an unscheduled change of negotiator or members of the negotiation team, or an abrupt change in attitude. The purpose of “The Surprise” is to destabilize you so you lose your emotional and/or mental footing. The counter to this strategy is to focus on the desired outcome and refuse to respond. This situation happened to me recently. I arrived for a meeting and was escorted to a room. A junior person walked into the room and sat down. She informed me that “Gary was called away” and asked her to take his place. She then started to review what Gary and I had worked through and then she took a very hard position on the last item. After she finished, I smiled 34 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

at her and said, “I appreciate your thoughtfulness to sit in for Gary, recognizing that I made this three hour trip. However, I am not prepared to have this conversation with you. Please have Gary call me when he returns and we can handle these details over the phone.” At that point, I packed up my briefcase and left. She was shocked and I anticipate Gary was too when she debriefed him. When he and I talked on the phone, he apologized and we worked through the difference rather quickly.

Strategy 2: The Flinch “The Flinch” is a dramatic negative reaction to an offer. Imagine making an offer and the other party responds by: »» Taking a deep breath and then sighing very heavily. »» Staring at you, then dropping his head downward and shaking it from side-to-side to indicate that your offer is totally unreasonable. »» And then looking at you with squinty eyes and a perplexed look as if to say, “Really?!” What you have just experienced is The Flinch – a negative physical reaction to something you did or said. The goal is to lower your expectation about what is reasonably acceptable. To counter this strategy simply ignore the “act” and continue the conversation unimpeded by their response. Asking a question will engage dialogue such as, “What are your thoughts regarding this offer?” and they will tell you that it’s out of line. If you respond by saying, “I’m sorry that you feel that way. In fact, considering X, Y, and Z, this offer is more than fair. If you are no longer interested, please let me know so we can explore other options or close the file on this deal.” The key here is not to be intimidated or influenced by their “act.” It’s just a show to get you to lower your expectations and give in to what they want.

Strategy 3: The Nibble “The Nibble” is a common strategy used by

seasoned negotiators to get “just a little more.” It usually is a small request that happens before the agreement is signed. The goal is to leverage your desire to “seal the deal” as bait for getting extras “thrown in.” In most situations, agreeing to a “new” request doesn’t influence the outcome of the negotiation; in other words, if you say “no” they will still sign the contract for the negotiated terms. In these situations, you can say, “If this is really important to you, I am happy to take this information into consideration but it means that we will have to renegotiate the new terms. In other words, everything that we have agreed to up to this point is off the table.” This usually results in the other party saying, “No, let’s go with what we have. We don’t have time to start the process all over,” and that ends the discussion. It’s been said that you get what you are prepared for when negotiating. Familiarizing yourself with the different negotiation strategies (there are more than 30 different strategies) and their countermoves, enables you to be more proactive versus reactive when difficult or challenging situations arise. n

CHRISTINE MCMAHON Christine McMahon is a former sales executive for Nabisco, SlimFast and Procter & Gamble. She offers sales and leadership training, conference keynotes and executive coaching. She can be reached at (844) 3692133 or ccm@christinemcmahon.com.

Tip Sheet

suggests four ways entrepreneurs can properly get ready to add a partner to an existing business.

How to prepare for a new business partner

1. Put it in writing A partnership agreement is not required from a legal standpoint, but it’s a smart idea to draft one. Although you may trust your business partner and expect you’re both on the same page, that’s not always the case. This agreement “lays out the partnership’s terms and conditions for each owner of the business.” She suggests covering some key terms such as operational roles and responsibilities, partnership terms, admitting new partners and partner exits.

orming a new business partnership is not as simple as joining forces with a friend or family member. It’s a drastic move that requires some preparation, regardless of the business type. In a recent article published in SCORE, Deborah Sweeney, chief executive officer of MyCorporation,

2. File for an employer identification number An EIN is a federal tax ID that allows the IRS to identify your employer tax account. This will allow a business to bring on a partner as a sole proprietor. There are now two owners of the business instead of one, meaning you are able to receive liability protection to sepa-

rate personal and professional assets. 3. Amend original agreements For a business that operates as a limited liability company, it’s important that the operating agreement evolves with the company’s structure. An operating agreement lays out how the company is run by its members, their ownership percentage and rights and responsibilities, but those things change when a new partner joins. “An LLC operating agreement must be amended to reflect changes for the incoming partner,” Sweeney said. 4. Reflect on what’s best Take time to consider if the partnership is good for the business. Sweeney argues that partners do not have to be extremely similar but rather able to balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Discuss your plan to add a partner with an outside source such as a mentor or legal professional. n

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BIZ PEOPLE

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

ARCHITECTURE Seasoned Senior Living Designer Joins AG Architecture. AG Architecture, a nationally recognized architectural/ engineering firm continuing a 50-year commitment to the design of innovative senior living environments, welcomes Andrew Alden as a Senior Associate. Alden brings over 20 years of experience and an extensive resume that includes a diverse portfolio of award-winning senior focused project work. He is a strong believer in the value of linking research and practice as well as supporting the future of the industry. He teaches, conducts post occupancy evaluations, publishes articles, presents at conferences and serves in leadership roles with industry organizations.

LEGAL SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION Jim Olson joins Consolidated Construction team in Southern Wisconsin. Jim Olson, AIA, NCARB, has been appointed to Director of Business Development for Consolidated Construction. As a registered architect well-versed in both traditional and design-build project delivery, Olson brings a unique perspective to the role. He will serve project owners in manufacturing, industrial, commercial, health care, recreation, and hospitality design and construction. Based in Milwaukee, Olson holds a Masters degree in architecture, has more than 26 years of professional experience in the region, and currently serves with the Wisconsin chapter of the Design/Build Institute of America.

MANUFACTURING

FINANCIAL SERVICES Daniel Sweeney joins PNC Community Development Banking team in Wisconsin. Daniel Sweeney has been appointed to vice president and relationship manager for the PNC community development banking team in Wisconsin. Based in Milwaukee, Sweeney will generate loans and investments to support community and economic development efforts in underserved areas in the state. Sweeney has more than 11 years of community and economic development experience, leading community investment, education and outreach programs. Most recently, he led community development for Wells Fargo in the region. He serves as a board member for LISC Milwaukee, Habitat for Humanity of Milwaukee and Historic Milwaukee, Inc.

MANUFACTURING

Attorney Andrew Jones joins Hansen Reynolds LLC

Perlick Names New Marketing Generalist.

Perlick Names New Vice President of Marketing.

Hansen Reynolds is excited to announce that Andrew Jones has joined the firm as a partner in its Milwaukee office. Jones represents companies, governmental entities and individuals in a broad range of constitutional, commercial, compliance, employment and land use litigation matters, including class action proceedings. He has substantial experience in both the public and private sectors, as he began his legal career as an assistant city attorney for the City of New York and he was a partner and board member at two national law firms. Most recently, Jones served as a judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

Steph Graham joins Perlick as a Marketing Generalist. She’ll leverage her background in television news reporting and producing to tell Perlick’s legacy story on all platforms, with a focus on social and digital media. Steph most recently worked at Steinhafels Furniture as PR and Content Manager. She’s excited to be part of another family-owned, local company that is involved with and gives back to the community. Based in Milwaukee, WI, for over 100 years, Perlick designs, engineers and manufactures luxury refrigeration equipment and systems for both homes and the bar, restaurant and beverage industries.

Perlick is proud to announce Mark McCleary joined the team as Vice President of Marketing. Mark has over 20 years of U.S. and international marketing and business development experience, including his most recent role as Vice President – Marketing with Beko Americas. He&#039;s also held senior marketing leadership roles with Direct Supply, Manpower Group, Brunswick Corporation, S. C. Johnson and Nabisco. Family owned and based in Milwaukee for 102 years, Perlick designs, engineers and manufactures luxury refrigeration equipment and systems for both homes and the bar, restaurant and beverage industries.

HUMAN RESOURCES MRA’s new Director of HR Services and Total Rewards– Deidre Garrett. MRA, one of the largest employer associations in the nation, has named Deidre Garrett as Director of Total Rewards. Deidre joined MRA in June 2018 to lead HR Services and will now oversee both lines of business throughout MRA’s four regional offices in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. Big on trying new things and stepping out of the box, Deidre will develop innovative strategies, lead her teams to the next level, and create comprehensive compensation and benefits programs to meet and exceed member expectations.

EDUCATION Steve Hancock was appointed as University School of Milwaukee’s ninth head of school. His tenure at Wisconsin’s top PK–12 independent school will begin July 1, 2020. He is currently headmaster at Presbyterian Day School and has also served at other top independent schools including Princeton Day School and The Westminster Schools.

FINANCIAL SERVICES Waukesha State Bank Hires Jasmine Medina as Commercial Banker. Waukesha State Bank has hired Jasmine Medina as commercial banker. Jasmine has over 17 years of financial experience and will be responsible for prospecting, developing and managing commercial loan portfolios.

To place your listing, or for more information, please visit biztimes.com/bizconnect biztimes.com / 37

BizConnections

Bill Caraher (pictured middle, left) with i.c. stars interns Taylor Mack (top left), Ianette Grad, Kenyatta Hayes, Maisem Shah and Miguel Teran.

Caraher championed bringing i.c. stars workforce development program to Milwaukee ONCE BILL CARAHER saw Chicago’s i.c. stars program in action, he knew it needed to come to Milwaukee. For 20 years, the nonprofit organization has provided inner-city young adults with training and leadership development to pursue technology jobs through its 20-month program. Caraher, chief information officer of von Briesen & Roper, s.c., had the opportunity to visit the Chicago operation and observed students as they showcased their work. “I was blown away by the students,” he said. “Seeing the results of their efforts, I thought Milwaukee would totally benefit from the program.” Caraher worked with the organization’s president and co-founder, Sandee Kastrul, and area business representatives to lay the groundwork for its expansion north, to Milwaukee. He found a captive audience in Cynthia LaConte, chief 38 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

executive officer of The Dohmen Co., which signed on with a $1.6 million commitment to provide funding, staff and office space for the organization’s new Milwaukee arm. “The stars really aligned,” Caraher said. “Milwaukee had a need; we found a partner with Dohmen.” The program provides interns with two years of coaching and professional development, and includes a four-month paid internship to help prepare them for technology careers. The organization also works with interns to place them in tech jobs after they have completed the program. Caraher, who serves as the organization’s board chair, said the program aligns with larger regional efforts to build Milwaukee as an inclusive tech hub, as it works to engage an untapped local workforce and cultivate diverse leaders in the technology industry. “People talk about the lack of finding and retaining talent in the

Bill Caraher, Chief information officer von Briesen & Roper, s.c. Nonprofit served: i.c. stars Service: Board chair

city,” he said. “Well, we’re all pulling from the same pool of professional existing candidates, (but) we have a pool of candidates who are willing and able, who just need that training and opportunity.” As i.c. stars Milwaukee is still in its startup phase, Caraher said collaboration with area companies is imperative for its success. His employer, von Briesen, along with Northwestern Mutual, have played important roles in supporting the program, he said. “We see this as a community program; it’s for Milwaukee by Milwaukee” he said. “All money raised for Milwaukee stays in Milwaukee. This is a business-community partnership, not a handout. This is impacting lives to change the trajectory for a lot of people in a positive way.” For him, the proof is in the interns’ stories. “All I have to do is go over there

even just once a month to see the transformation that’s happening,” he said. “To touch one life is great, but to see 20 lives impacted … It’s been said that each person in the program will impact 1,000 other people, whether in the business community, their neighborhoods, families, other graduates. That’s really cool when you think about the impact.” n

LAUREN ANDERSON Reporter

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

LILA ARYAN PHOTOGRAPHY

PAY IT FORWARD

SBA LOANS: AUGUST 2019 The U.S. Small Business Administration approved the following loan guarantees in August: JEFFERSON COUNTY

Tower Auto Body LLC, 420 Water Tower Court, Watertown, $35,000, Bank of Lake Mills; Tower Auto Body LLC, 420 Water Tower Court, Watertown, $25,000, Bank of Lake Mills; KENOSHA COUNTY

Family Slices Inc., 24730 75th St., Salem, $245,000, Byline Bank; MILWAUKEE COUNTY

6 Petro Mart LLC, 575 W. Becher St., Milwaukee, $937,000, Byline Bank; Alins Inc., 321 Brentwood Lane, Milwaukee, $50,000, U.S. Bank; Alins Inc., 321 Brentwood Lane, Milwaukee, $25,000, U.S. Bank; BF @ GL Properties LLC, 5921 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, $340,000, Waukesha State Bank;

Bukacek Acquisition Inc., 2429 Summit Ave., Racine, $350,000, Byline Bank; Bukacek Acquisition Inc., 2429 Summit Ave., Racine, $1,030,000, Byline Bank; i1320 Management LLC, 1320 S. Green Bay Road, Mount Pleasant, $619,000, Racine County Business Development Corp; Medical Weight Loss & Wellness Inc., 1458 Horizon Blvd, Suite 150, Racine, $350,000, Bank of the West; Superior Well Service LLC, 39608 60th St., Burlington, $210,000, Greenwood’s State Bank;

K & M Tinning LLC, 1104 Millersville Ave., Howards Grove, $185,000, Cleveland State Bank; K19S LLC, 2828 - 2832 South Business Drive, Sheboygan, $523,000, WBD, Inc.; Mid-Point Machine LLC, 8988 County Rd T, Glenbeulah, $175,000, Community First Credit Union; WALWORTH COUNTY

Westenn Mechanical Contractors Inc., 990 Koopman Lane, Elkhorn, $50,000, Community State Bank;

Blue Waters Painting LLC, 2000 57th St., Milwaukee, $45,000, U.S. Bank;

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Distilled LLC, 5050 N. Port Washington Road, Milwaukee, $1,625,000, Byline Bank; Germyan Transport LLC, 2600 S. Chicago Ave., South Milwaukee, $60,000, JPMorgan Chase Bank; Good City Brewing LLC, 2108 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee, $150,000, Educators Credit Union; JA Holdings LLC, 5050 N. Port Washington Road, Glendale, $150,000, Byline Bank; Monterrey Market Plaza LLC, 3920 S. 27th St., Milwaukee, $1,646,000, WBD, Inc.; RTS 120th LLC, 120 N. 120th St., Wauwatosa, $241,000, WBD, Inc.; Saiia Inc., 10637 W. Oklahoma Ave., West Allis, $50,000, Associated Bank; Todd D Burgess Properties LLC, 5796 W. Kinnickinnic River Parkway, Milwaukee, $35,000, U.S. Bank; OZAUKEE COUNTY

Anytime Fitness, W63 N143 Washington Ave., Cedarburg, $825,000, Live Oak Banking Company; RACINE COUNTY

A.J. Schultz LLC, 322 Main St., Racine, $75,000, Educators Credit Union;

Jilidoni Designs LLC, 4720 Catherine Court , Pewaukee, $300,000, Ixonia Bank; KDR Fitness LLC, 64 W24350 Main St., Sussex, $200,000, First Business Bank; Lake Country Dog LLC, 535 E. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc, $69,000, Waukesha State Bank; Morgan Thomas Construction LLC, 233 N. Charles St., Waukesha, $5,000, Wells Fargo Bank;

Suttner & Rosch Properties LLC, 24 South Main St., Oconomowoc, $1,447,000, WBD, Inc.; The Local on Hillendale LLC, W191 S6409 Hillendale Drive, Muskego, $337,500, Waukesha State Bank; Three Daughters Properties LLC, 12475 Knoll Road, Elm Grove, $262,000, WBD, Inc.; Xcel Manufacturing LLC, W226 N781 Eastmound Drive, Ste. A, Waukesha, $200,000, Waukesha State Bank .

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY

Block Zwieg Bakery Inc., 1501 Underwood Ave., Wauwatosa, $200,000, Commerce State Bank;

Cloud Recycling LLC, 5325 W. Rogers St., Milwaukee, $48,600, Associated Bank;

Heaven & Earth Acupuncture and Wellness LLC, 17040 W. Greenfield Ave., Brookfield, $25,000, First Bank Financial;

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation (REQUESTOR PUBLICATIONS ONLY)

PUBLICATION TITLE: BizTimes Milwaukee

PUBLICATION NO.: 017-813

FILING DATE: September 26, 2019

ISSUE FREQUENCY: Bi-weekly

NO. OF ISSUES PUBLISHED ANNUALLY: 23

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: Free to Qualified Subscribers; Paid Rates: 1-yr: $42.00; 2-yr: $66.00; 3-yr: $88.00

Covert Operations Inc., 1442 W. Washington Ave., West Bend, $250,000, Commerce State Bank; Covert Operations Inc., 1442 W. Washington Ave., West Bend, $35,000, Commerce State Bank;

10.

OWNER: Dan Meyer - 126 N Jefferson St, Suite 403, Milwaukee WI 53202-6120

11.

KNOWN BONDHOLDERS, MORTGAGEES, AND OTHER SECURITY HOLDERS OWNING OR HOLDING 1 PERCENT OR MORE OF TOTAL AMOUNT OF BONDS, MORTGAGES OR OTHER SECURITIES: None

12.

TAX STATUS: Has not changed during preceding 12 months

13.

PUBLICATION TITLE: BizTimes Milwaukee

14.

ISSUE DATE FOR CIRCULATION DATA: September 2, 2019

15.

Extent and nature of circulation:

No. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date

13,372

b. Legitimate paid and/or requested distribution (by mail and outside the mail) 1. Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541. .................................................................................................................9,838 8,653 2. Not Applicable ..................................................................................................................................................— — 3. Sales through Dealers & Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested distribution Outside USPS ................................................. 25 21 4. Not Applicable ..................................................................................................................................................— — c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation .............................................................................................9,863 8,674 d. Nonrequested distribution (by mail and outside the mail) 1. Outside County Nonrequested Copies stated on PS form 3541. .......................... 2,728 3,785 2. Not applicable ..................................................................................................................................................— — 3. Not applicable ..................................................................................................................................................— — 4. Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail ...........................................................378 650 e. Total Nonrequested Distribution .................................................................................................................3,106 4,435 f. Total distribution .................................................................................................................................................12,970 13,109 g. Copies not distributed ..........................................................................................................................................280 265 h. Total........................................................................................................................................................................... 13,249 13,374 i. Percent paid and/or requested circulation ................................................................................................76.0 % 66.2 %

Midwest Spice Company LLC, 1829 County Rd. K, Hartford, $80,000, Summit Credit Union; Scott W. Sommer, W148 N12696 Pleasant View Drive, Germantown, $363,000, WBD, Inc.; WAUKESHA COUNTY

4825 N. 125th Street LLC, 4825 N. 125th St., Butler, $153,000, WBD, Inc.; Brett Mimosa LLC, 4753 N. 124th St., Butler, $350,000, Waukesha State Bank;

Everyday Bliss Ltd, 1930 Bluemound Road, Waukesha, $1,105,000, Harvest Small Business Finance, LLC;

Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months

a. Total no. copies (net press run)............................................................................................ 13,250

Keener Insurance Solutions LLC, W175 N11163 Stonewood Drive, Germantown, $40,000, First Bank Financial Centre;

D&M Properties on Silver Lake LLC, 685 E. Valley Road, Oconomowoc,$876,000, WBD, Inc.;

FULL NAMES AND COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESSES OF PUBLISHER, EDITOR, AND MANAGING EDITOR:

Publisher: Dan Meyer - 126 N Jefferson St, Suite 403, Milwaukee WI 53202-6120 Editor: Andrew Weiland - 126 N Jefferson St, Suite 403, Milwaukee WI 53202-6120

FCS Productions LLC, 662 Kreuser Ridge, Colgate, $14,000, U.S. Bank;

Brook-Falls Veterinary Hospital & Exotics, N48 W14850 W. Lisbon Road, Menomonee Falls, $350,000, Bank of the West;

COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF HEADQUARTERS OR GENERAL BUSINESS OFFICE OF PUBLISHER:

BizTimes Media LLC, 126 N Jefferson St, Suite 403, Milwaukee WI 53202-6120 9.

A&T Landholdings LLC, 1020 E. Washington St., West Bend, $382,000, Readycap Lending, LLC;

COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF KNOWN OFFICE OF PUBLICATION (STREET, CITY, COUNTY, STATE, AND ZIP+4):

BizTimes Media LLC, 126 N Jefferson St, Suite 403, Milwaukee WI 53202-6120, Milwaukee County. Contact Person: Dan Meyer. Phone: 414-277-8181

16.

Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the OCTOBER 14, 2019 issue of this publication.

17.

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

Dan Meyer, Publisher, September 26, 2019 biztimes.com / 39

BizConnections VOLUME 25, NUMBER 14 | OCT 14, 2019

GLANCE AT YESTERYEAR

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

SALES & MARKETING

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Mary Ernst mary.ernst@biztimes.com COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT /OWNER Kate Meyer kate.meyer@biztimes.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Maggie Pinnt maggie.pinnt@biztimes.com

EDITOR Andrew Weiland andrew.weiland@biztimes.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Christie Ubl christie.ubl@biztimes.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lauren Anderson lauren.anderson@biztimes.com

ADMINISTRATION

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Arthur Thomas arthur.thomas@biztimes.com

Herb Brumder bought Hydraulic Tool Co. in 1927, moved the Los Angeles company’s production to Milwaukee and began selling its jacks under his company’s Blackhawk brand. Two years before Blackhawk Manufacturing become Applied Power Industries, the company began selling its industrial hydraulic tools and systems under the Enerpac brand. Applied Power eventually rebranded as Actuant in 2000. Having transitioned from a diversified company to one focused on industrial tools, Actuant changed its name in September to Enerpac Tool Group, putting its industrial brand front and center.

Gary Grunau was a visionary WITH THE RECENT DEATH of Milwaukee developer Gary Grunau, the city’s business community lost an icon and influential civic leader. But we lost something else, one of Milwaukee’s most visionary individuals. It was that vision that led Grunau and his business partner Scott Sampson to acquire the former Schlitz brewery complex in the early 1980s and convert it into an office complex, which they later redeveloped again into a more modern facility. Grunau played vital roles in spearheading numerous civic projects including the city’s RiverWalk, the downtown convention center and Discovery World on the lakefront. For those and other career achievements, Grunau received the BRAVO! Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award from BizTimes Media in 2014. Accepting the award at the annual BizExpo conference, Grunau made several bold statements, plus some predictions that have 40 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR Sue Herzog sue.herzog@biztimes.com

REPORTER Maredithe Meyer maredithe.meyer@biztimes.com

PRODUCTION & DESIGN GRAPHIC DESIGNER Alex Schneider alex.schneider@biztimes.com

REPORTER Alex Zank alex.zank@biztimes.com

ART DIRECTOR Shelly Tabor shelly.tabor@biztimes.com

INTERN REPORTER Marla Hiller marla.hiller@biztimes.com

Independent & Locally Owned — Founded 1995 —

— This photo is courtesy of Enerpac Tool Group

COMMENTARY

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Paddy Kieckhefer paddy.kieckhefer@biztimes.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Molly Lawrence molly.lawrence@biztimes.com

EDITORIAL

Drawing on history for a new name

DIRECTOR OF SALES Linda Crawford linda.crawford@biztimes.com

since been realized. It’s amazing to listen to that speech again. Here are a few highlights: “Never ever be satisfied with the status quo. Never ever quit.” “When there is a catalytic event out there, we’ve got to seize the opportunity, and we’ve got to make it happen.” Grunau said a massive expansion of the then-nascent Bublr bike share system was in the works. “This is a very important thing that changes the viewpoint of people of the city and also the transportation systems.” Bublr now has 88 stations and 700 bikes in Milwaukee and a few suburbs. In addition, Bird, Lime and Spin have each deployed 350 scooters in Milwaukee. “Let’s break the deadlock on transportation… every major city we compete with has a transportation system that works, and a modern one…” Here Grunau was talking about the downtown streetcar. Love it or hate it, the system began operating last year. Some thought it would never happen. “We need to solve the Grand Avenue...get it repositioned and let it become an asset again.” The former downtown mall is now being converted into office space, apartments and a food hall. Engineering firm GRAEF will move its

headquarters there. “I personally think (a new arena) is going to happen…I think we have wonderful owners (of the Bucks)…” Of course, Fiserv Forum was built. Its first year was a huge success as the Bucks, led by NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, almost reached the NBA Finals. While he was battling brain cancer Grunau spoke at length to BizTimes Milwaukee about his concerns about segregation and racial disparity in Milwaukee and how much that hurts the city’s economic competitiveness. Just days after Grunau’s death, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce announced a new initiative aimed at increasing racial diversity in the management and workforce of area businesses. Grunau was a visionary and key leader on some of the city’s biggest issues, right to the very end of his life. We should all try to embrace his visionary approach in trying to solve Milwaukee’s toughest problems. n

ANDREW WEILAND EDITOR

P / 414-336-7120 E / andrew.weiland@biztimes.com T / @AndrewWeiland

2019 Future 50 Awards Luncheon

AROUND TOWN

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and its Council of Small Business Executives recently held the 32nd annual Future 50 Awards Luncheon at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Historic Third Ward.

BEN WHITE and BRIAN KELLER, both of Titus Talent Strategies.

HUNTER KLUS of M3 Insurance, AARON SCHMANSKI of First Business Bank and MITCH MAURINA of M3 Insurance.

PETE SMITH of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., MARY SCHEIBEL of Trefoil Group Inc. and ANDY NARRAI of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

ERICA GUMIENY and MICHAEL WALSH, both of Advocate Aurora Health.

JENNIFER BEHNKE of TESCHGlobal and MARK ZACHAR of Microsoft Philanthropies.

JOSH MUETH of Sitzberger & Co. s.c. and CHRIS DRAEGER and ERIN KOKTA, both of The Cabinetree of Wisconsin Inc.

ELIZABETH BORST of Park Bank, ARTHUR FLATER of Central Office Systems and CRAIG SCHMUTZER of Park Bank.

KAYLA MCCULLOUGH, MEGAN RENDE and BETH GINNOW MANDL, all of ADVENT.

BECKY MACHI, DELL MERCADO and KAELYN CERVEROI, all of F Street Hospitality. Photos by Maredithe Meyer

2019 MMAC All Member meeting The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce held its All Member Meeting in late September at Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee. At the meeting, it announced a goal of increasing the number of African American and Hispanic employees in metro Milwaukee by 15% and managers by 25% by the year 2025.

10. BARICE BENZSCHAWEL and PATRICIA ALGIERS, both of Chemistry in Place.

11. RENATO MOTA and JOE HAGER, both of Rockwell Automation. 12. JENNIFER GARBO-SHAWHAN of Wisconsin Lutheran College and KRIS NAIDL of Laughlin Constable. 13. MARQUETTE BAYLOR of Advocate Aurora Health, GAYLE PEAY of Institute for the Transformation of Learning, and KRISTEN HARRIS of Johnson Controls.

14. ANDY LOCKE of Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee, RICH MANNISTO of Wisconsin Lutheran College, and ADAM KIRSCH of Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee. 15. RODNEY FERGUSON of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino and PAUL UPCHURCH of VISIT Milwaukee. 16. STEVEN BROWN of GE Healthcare, CHAD JOHNSON of Chad Johnson LLC, and state Rep. KALAN HAYWOOD.

17. SAMANTHA MITCHELL of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, REGINALD REED of Mindful Companies and NAFESSA BURDINE of ManpowerGroup. Photos by Alex Zank biztimes.com / 41

LILA ARYAN PHOTOGRAPHY

BizConnections

5 MINUTES WITH…

DAVID BODETTE General manager, Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel

DAVID BODETTE WAS RECENTLY NAMED general manager of Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, the new arts-themed concept from Marcus Hotels & Resorts that opened in June at the former InterContinental Milwaukee hotel building downtown. Bodette previously managed notable hotels, including Ritz-Carlton properties; The Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach, California; The Langham hotel in Boston, Massachusetts; and The ART, another arts-themed hotel in Denver, Colorado. He is also a sculptor in his free time. In a recent interview with BizTimes Milwaukee reporter Maredithe Meyer, Bodette discussed his plans for Saint Kate and what sets it apart from other hotels. WHERE DOES SAINT KATE FIT INTO MILWAUKEE’S CURRENT RENAISSANCE? “There’s a subtle yet elegant sophistication developing in the heart of Milwaukee and we’re planting a flag and saying, ‘Here it is.’ We’re in the heart of the arts and entertainment district… We’re on the river, centrally located. We’re going to be, I hope, the living room for the (2020 Democratic National Convention) because their offices are going to be in our complex, and I’m looking forward to seeing them daily even before the convention arrives. I think when people see a product like Saint Kate, they think, ‘This isn’t the Milwaukee we thought we knew,’ and that reinvention is at the heart of any solid redux.” 42 / BizTimes Milwaukee OCTOBER 14, 2019

WHY ARTS-THEMED? “I’d say over the last 10 years there’s been a renaissance of arts hotels. Pablo Picasso said one of the features of art is to dust off the dirt of the day, and it couldn’t be more accurate because when you have an art hotel, you’re coming into an environment where freedom of expression and being allowed to feel is everywhere — whether it’s for our business traveler who might want to just get away from it and allow themselves to be a little bit more human, to your everyday traveler who is seeking out that new experience … I think at the core of our appeal is, for that traveler, we’re allowing them to unplug. When you walk into the Saint Kate, you’re enveloped in an environment that just tells you you’ve arrived … We allow you to be free and be your inner child here at the Saint Kate, whether you’re an artist or not.” GOALS FOR THE HOTEL “Livening our service culture is so important to me. We have a culture of ‘yes’ and a promise to the community that we’ll do everything in our power to make their dreams realities and if I do that right, the finances and everything else just fall into place. Sometimes we open hotels and forget that a true experiential hotel needs to constantly reinvent itself, as much by the hour as by the day and the week and the month because that’s what’s happening with our customers: They’re reinventing themselves.” n

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2019 | 7:00am - 7:25am - Registration & Networking | 7:25am - 9:30am - Breakfast & Program

MILWAUKEE HAS ARRIVED… NOW WHAT? Several significant commercial real estate developments and events have occurred, or will occur soon, in our region in recent years (the DNC in Milwaukee, major golf championships, Fiserv Forum, Foxconn, Northwestern Mutual Tower & Commons, Komatsu’s new headquarters in the Harbor District, Michels Corp.’s R1VER project in Bay View, the new Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performance center…and many others). These developments and events are bringing new excitement and attention to Milwaukee. But now what? How will the Milwaukee area capitalize on all of this activity, and what impact will it all have on the region’s commercial real estate market moving forward?

KEYNOTE: The Future of Experience Design - In the next 5-10 years, we will see changes in consumer expectations and cravings for new experiences in their spaces for living, learning, working and playing. These emerging changes may influence the physical design, services, value propositions and modes of transactions that are relevant to Real Estate developers and associated businesses. In this session, Michael Perman, CEO & founder of C’EST WHAT? LLC will first share his perspectives on how we can train our minds to perceive what is coming over the horizon. Then, Michael will share foresight and emerging innovation waves that may appeal to future participants in new spaces based on changes in culture, lifestyle, technology and design.

A panel of prominent real estate professionals will discuss the opportunities for economic growth in metro Milwaukee, as well as the significant challenges facing the region and how it will all impact the commercial real estate development in the area.

PANELISTS: 1

Kalan R. Haywood, Sr., President, Haywood Group, LLC (1) Juli Kaufmann, President, Fix Development (2) Steve Palec, Chief Marketing Officer, Irgens (3) Blair Williams, President, WiRED (4)

MODERATOR:

Andy Hunt, Director, Marquette University Center for Real Estate (5) 4

Exhibit Sponsors:

Event Partners:

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