Fall 2014 PlatyPress is a newsletter for members of the Platypus Circle, composed of individuals, corporations and foundations who share our passion for supporting the Milwaukee County Zoo, conserving endangered animal species, and teaching the importance of preserving wildlife and its natural environment.
Creating a Conservation Bond
The Zoo’s red river hogs, Radish and Mango, made their debut in summer. The brothers are on display during warm weather next to the elephants, where their squeals can be heard across the Zoo when they’re not napping in the sunshine or rooting in the dirt. Over the years, the Martins have contributed to renovation of the giraffe exhibit, an exhibit at the Herb & Nada Mahler Family Aviary and the last two capital campaigns. Quinn, a retired partner at Quarles & Brady LLP in Milwaukee, is a longtime director and was founding president of the ZSM Associate Board, which plans fundraising events. He served on two master plan committees and was head of the search committee that hired Dr. Robert Davis, ZSM president and CEO. Quinn and Jane volunteered for many years with Zoo Ball, the ZSM’s largest annual fundraiser. “The red river hog exhibit is only the latest example of Quinn and Jane’s generosity,” Davis says. “They give not only financially but also with their time and talents.”
Jane’s interest in animals goes back to her childhood in Fond du Lac, where her father was a veterinarian. The Martins have visited zoos all over the world, even in Vietnam. They also support the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens in Naples, Fla., where they live much of the year. Photo by Bob Wickland.
hen the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) needed help bringing red river hogs to the Milwaukee County Zoo, it knew whom to call. Quinn and Jane Martin have supported the ZSM for nearly 30 years, whether it’s contributing to an exhibit renovation, serving on the board or helping with a fundraiser. The Mequon couple, a silver-level member of the Platypus Circle, generously donated funds to refurbish an exhibit for the hogs, despite knowing little about the animals. “It’s important to get new exhibits from time to time, and they are interesting creatures,” says Quinn.
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Quinn says his commitment to the Zoological Society comes from his strong belief that city dwellers, especially children, need a connection to nature. “It’s very important that there be a bond between our young people and conservation and animals,” he says. He also supports the ZSM’s education mission.
Above: Quinn and Jane Martin donated funds to refurbish an exhibit for the red river hogs. The Zoo’s red river hogs, Mango and Radish, are brothers who arrive d here from California.
Programs such as Animal Ambassador, which reaches schoolchildren in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, bring children to the Zoo who might not otherwise be able to visit. “That kind of outreach broadens the kids’ experiences and broadens their horizons,” he says. “They really absorb an enormous amount when it comes to those animals, and it will stick with them the rest of their lives.” By Stacy Vogel Davis
Emu Egg Award Don and Nora Dreske received the Emu Egg Award, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s (ZSM’s) highest honor, for their more than 30 years of support of the ZSM on Sept. 23 at the Platypus Circle Recognition Dinner. Nora has been involved with the ZSM’s two largest fundraisers, Zoo Ball and the Birdies & Eagles Golf Tournament, since their inception, and she served on the ZSM’s Associate Board and its Executive Committee. A painter and graphic artist by trade, Nora has been the go-to person for many of Zoo Ball’s most memorable decorations. Don has used his chainsaw to help trim hundreds of trees for the ZSM’s holiday Fantastic Forest exhibit. In 1999, the couple chaired Zoo Ball. Through their company, Clinicare Corp. – which operates residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children – the Dreskes have purchased corporate tables for Zoo Ball as well as a hole sponsorship and two foursomes for the Birdies & Eagles Golf Tournament each year. They generously support auctions for both events and are often the highest bidders. Many times they’ve given their auction items – such as “breakfast with the wolves” – to groups of children from their clinics. The Dreskes have been involved with the Platypus Circle since 1996.
PlatyPress PlatyPress is published twice a year by the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM), 10005 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53226-4383. 414-258-2333 zoosociety.org DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Dave Strelitz (Committee Chair) Thom Brown Dr. Robert Davis Mary Ellen Enea Karen Peck Katz Maria Gonzalez Knavel Jack McKeithan Deborah Musante Ryan Schultz Tricia Shinners Thelma Sias Judy Holz Stathas Jane Bush Wierzba
Don and Nora Dreske received the Emu Egg Award, the Zoological Society’s highest honor, on Sept. 23.
Dr. Robert Davis (right) greets Nora and Don Dreske and their granddaughter Addison at the premiere of the Zoo’s special summer exhibit on dinosaurs in 2010.
DEVELOPMENT STAFF Penny Gutekunst, Vice President of Development Kim Peterson, Senior Development Officer Georgia Young, Development Assistant Averia Steinman, Grants Administrator NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS Stacy Vogel Davis, editor Zak Mazur, contributing editor Richard Brodzeller, photographer
nlei Photo by Rick Hei
n.
(unless otherwise noted)
PlatyPress Fall 2014 Page 2
Humboldt er introduces Houdini, a Zookeeper Heather Neldn typus Circle l Rezel. The Rezels are Pla penguin, to Betsy and Bil de, unteers through Zoo Pri members and devoted vol volunteer auxiliary. the Zoological Society’s
Keith Franz (left) chats with Zoo Director Chuck Wikenhauser and his wife, Trish.
Honoring Society Supporters The Zoological Society celebrated some of its most dedicated supporters Sept. 23 at the annual Platypus Circle Recognition Dinner. Attendees mingled with Houdini, a Humboldt penguin, as they enjoyed a cocktail hour before the sit-down dinner. The ZSM presented 25-year members with paintings by Gretel, a gentoo penguin, while corporate members received paintings by Brittany, one of the Zoo’s two African elephants. New members also were recognized.
Dr. Robert Davis, ZSM pre
sident and CEO, mingles with Denyse and Randy Malon e.
Shelby Johnson (left) and Chris Bosetti admire the awards given to 25-year members. PlatyPress Fall 2014 Page 3
Recognizing Long-term Platypus Circle Members Members for 30 years or longer
Members for 26-29 years
ACL Laboratories Howard E. & Barbara A. Alcorn A.O. Smith Foundation, Inc. BMO Harris Bank Bostik, Inc. Grunau Company Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation Johnson Controls, Inc. Krause Family Foundation Marcus Corporation Megal Development Corporation Jack & Patti McKeithan MillerCoors Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. Bernard & Miriam Peck The Perlick Corporation Judy & Barry S. Sattell J.A. Taylor Family Foundation U.S. Bank U.S. Food Service Usinger Foundation, Inc. Barbara E. Van Engel Judy Van Till
CG Schmidt, Inc. Derse Foundation, Inc. Fruit Ranch Market, Inc. Elizabeth H. Gjenvick Harley-Davidson Motor Company Roxy Heyse Holz Motors, Inc. Kalmbach Publishing Co. Karen P. & Alan J. Katz Koss Foundation Eugene & Gwen Lavin Marshfield Clinic Laboratories Quinn W. & Jane E. Martin William J. Murgas National Business Furniture John Oster Family Foundation Jodi Peck & Les Weil Steren McDonald’s Restaurants Lowell Warshawsky WaterStone Bank Zimmer Thomson Associates, Inc.
New 25-Year Platypus Circle Milestone Members Anonymous Donor Dr. Gil & Lillian Boese Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Dr. & Mrs. Gerald G. Gleisner Russell & Irene Heumann
Joy Global, Inc. Greater Milwaukee Foundation Luedke-Smith Fund Lynn Nicholas
Jean Gleisner, of West Ben d, was honored along wit h her husband, Dr. Gerald Gle isner, as a 25-year Platyp us Circle member at the recognitio n dinner Sept. 23.
New Platypus Circle Members ADC Manufacturing Aegis Corporation AG Architecture, Inc. Jeff Airoldi & Laura Horn-Airoldi American Enterprises International Badger Mutual Insurance Co. Steven & Jill Bell Brookfield Rehabilitation & Specialty Care Center Cheryl Brossmann Nathan Bublitz & Amanda Losinski Richard Carpenter Arlene Carter & Brian Lauttamus Ryan & Crystal Cepican Coleman & Williams Diane & Kevin Cook Nate & Mary Cunniff Custom Equipment DCI Artform Dianne Dziengel
Erdman Co. Catherine Erdmann Falls Manufacturing, Inc. Jeffrey & Mary Fertl Arthur & Gayle Gaulke Patricia Gormley Jason Graham Gregory & Sandy Groth Grumman/Butkus Associates GSF Mortgage Corporation Bill & Penny Gutekunst Katrina & Nezih Hasanoglu Healics, Inc. Helgesen Design Services, LLC H.O.O.P.S. 4 Kidz The Horton Group Hupy and Abraham, S.C. Independent General Agencies Key Technical Solutions, Inc. Scott Kimball
Tom & Wendy Komula Richard & Penny Krejci Priscilla & Kenneth Kuehn Don Layden Timothy & Karen Lee Jeff & Shelly Likosar M. E. Dey & Company, Inc. Dennis & Donnalyn Maiman Joseph Mallinger Rebecca & Matthew Marsh Milwaukee Aquarium Society MSB Custom Contractors, LLC Lori & Tim Murphy National Investment Services, Inc. Old Republic Surety Company Steven Olguin Palermo’s® Pizza Paychex Real Time Automation Nicholas & Marge Rivecca
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Dominic & Carrie Schanen Michael & Bo Schmit Mark Schounard Server Products Stafford Rosenbaum, LLC Erik Ulvog & Jes Klimas Reish VMP Sarah Vuolo & Travis LeMoine Carol A. Wunderer
New Member Profiles . Photo by Stacy Kaat
Badger Mutual Keeps it All in the Family Family is an important concept for Badger Mutual Insurance Co. It refers to its 95-person workforce as “the Badger family,” and it holds employees’ families in high esteem, too. So a partnership with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) is a perfect fit for this philanthropic-minded company. “I really wanted to keep that family culture,” says Dave Kane, who became president last year after 30 years with the company. Badger Mutual, which has resided on West National Avenue in Milwaukee for its entire 127-year history, decided to include families in its summer staff outing this year. Several employees suggested a cookout at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Around the same time, Jim Kaufman, administrative vice president, received a call from the ZSM to talk about the Platypus Circle program. “It just all came together,” he says. The company signed on at the silver level and expects to ramp up its support in future years, Kane says. The biggest attraction for Badger Mutual is the ability to provide transferable membership cards to employees. “We’re really happy with the number of employees using the membership,” Kane says. The company has hired many young adults in recent years who could soon start families. “I remember taking my kids to the Zoo when they were little,” he says. “It’s a really great place for kids.” ger
Bad Dave Kane, president of Mutual Insurance Co.
The ZSM is one of many organizations Badger Mutual supports. It sponsors Make-A-Wish Wisconsin’s annual run and walk and has had the largest team in the event for the last two years. A wall in the company’s conference center bears 65 gold stars, one for each wish it has helped grant. It also is involved with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, the United Community Center, Journey House and several other groups. “This is our culture,” Kane says. “We do a lot for the employees, but we expect our employees to do a lot for others.” By Stacy Vogel Davis
Family Takes Passion for Animals to Next Level Kevin and Diane Cook instilled a love of animals in their son and daughter by becoming Zoo Pass members when the children were babies. Family vacations often were planned around zoos in other cities, and they even sponsored a zebra to serve as a family “pet,” since Diane is allergic to cats and dogs. Twenty years later, their daughter, Lacey, convinced them to take their support for the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) to the next level by becoming Platypus Circle members this year. Lacey urged the family to go to an introductory session about the Platypus Circle when they received a flyer in the mail. “We got hooked after listening to Dr. Bert Davis (ZSM president and CEO) talk about all the Zoological Society does,” Diane says. Kevin and Diane, both employees of Harley-Davidson, grew up in the Milwaukee area, so they were already familiar with the Milwaukee County Zoo’s offerings for families and the ZSM’s stellar reputation. But they were impressed to learn about the world-class education and conservation efforts the ZSM supports, particularly the Bonobo & Congo Biodiversity Initiative. “With all the animals in critical or endangered status, it’s impossible not to feel compelled to help in any way I can,” Diane says. They enjoyed the behind-the-scenes tour that helped them get to know the Zoo and ZSM better. The Zoo offers something for everyone in the Waukesha-based family. Diane loves the snow leopards, while Lacey adores the North American river otters. Son Zachery looks forward to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte every year, while Kevin enjoys Zoo Brew, an annual ZSM fundraiser centered on beer and food. They find themselves coming to the Zoo more than ever these days and have a sense of pride knowing they’re contributing. “The Platypus Circle was the opportunity I have been waiting for to become more involved,” Diane says. By Stacy Vogel Davis PlatyPress Fall 2014 Page 5
Diane and Kevin Cook,
of Waukesha
Photo provided.
Providing for the Future of the Zoo Barry Sattell has been giving to the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) and the Milwaukee County Zoo for three decades. As a member of the Simba Circle, the ZSM’s planned giving society, he knows his financial resources will continue to support the ZSM even after he’s gone. In fact, Sattell, managing shareholder of accounting firm Sattell, Johnson, Appel & Co., S.C., helped start the Simba Circle two decades ago and Barry Sattell, of Mequon. is chairman of the ZSM’s Endowment Trust. Here, he explains why he gives to the ZSM and why it’s important to include the organization in a will or estate plan.
the ZSM in a will to receive a specific amount or a percentage of the estate. The ZSM can be named as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, or a member can buy a gift annuity, which provides him or her with a tax deduction and an income stream to the Zoo. These are just a few of the more common bequests.
Q: When did you start giving to the ZSM and the Zoo? A: My financial relationship with the Milwaukee County Zoo began when my son Ben was stung by a bee during a visit. Not knowing if he was allergic, I searched high and low for a first-aid station. I was told that money was being raised to create one and was asked if I wanted to help. I said “yes,” and now it’s 30 years later.
Q: What’s your favorite animal at the Zoo? A: The hippos.
Q: What led you to help start what would become the Simba Circle? A: In the mid-1990s, the captains of industry in the Milwaukee area were moving or passing away, and we had no assurance the next generation would be willing to step up and continue to help the Zoo and ZSM. Because of my understanding of financial planning, I was selected to help with the Planned Giving Committee. This committee later became the Simba Circle and led to the Endowment Trust.
Q: Why do you want to support the Zoological Society after you’re gone?
A: My earliest memories and some of my happiest are going to the old Washington Park Zoo with my parents, just whistling and singing as we walked the grounds. The Zoo is one place to find happy people, young and old. The Society is a major champion of support for the Zoo, and I want to help by providing money after I’m gone (hopefully many years from now).
Q: How does giving through the Simba Circle work? A: There are a number of ways someone can leave money and property through planned giving. It could be as simple as naming
The hippos are Barry Sat
tell’s favorite animals at
the Zoo.
Calendar of Events Dec. 5-Jan. 1, 2015
Jan. 18
Feb. 5
Fantastic Forest at the Zoo, sponsored by Hawks Landscape
Samson Stomp & Romp at the Zoo,* sponsored by Amica Insurance
Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21
Puttin’ on the Ritz dinner and boxing fundraiser at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino,* sponsored by Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek
Feb. 2
Breakfast & Lunch with Santa at the Zoo,* sponsored by Racine Danish Kringles
Groundhog Day celebration at the Zoo
Feb. 28 Zumba® Fitness Party at the Zoo*
For more information, call 414-258-2333 or go online at zoosociety.org. PlatyPress Fall 2014 Page 6
*Please pre-register printed on recycled paper
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