North Shore Bank CEO named to federal government committee
Brookfield-based North Shore Bank today announced that president and CEO James F. McKenna has been selected to serve a two-year term on the Office of Thrift Supervision’s Mutual Savings Association Advisory Committee, a newly created panel that advises the OTS on how best to support the country’s mutual institutions. In the role, McKenna will help guide and provide input on the national reorganization of U.S. bank regulations.
OTS is an agency of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the primary regulator of federal savings banks in the United States. McKenna is the only Wisconsin banker on the 12-member committee, which will have its first meeting June 9 in Washington, D.C. The group will meet three times a year to consider potential regulatory changes and other steps by OTS and their impact on the health and viability of U.S. mutual savings banks.
“The invitation to serve on this influential committee is a testament to the strength of North Shore Bank and its reputation and continued growth even in these challenging economic times,” McKenna said. “I talk and work with people involved in the banking industry every day – not just bankers, but regulators, educators, consumers and others, particularly in the Midwest, who have important stakes in this industry and its future. I am honored to take what I’ve learned from all of these people and help Wisconsin’s economic voice be heard in Washington, particularly at this important and dynamic time in the nation’s banking industry.”
BizTimes Media adds VP of sales
Milwaukee-based BizTimes Media LLC, the publisher of BizTimes Milwaukee and BizTimes.com, announced recently that Tom Gaertner will be hired as vice president of sales.
Gaertner has extensive experience in media, marketing and advertising within the greater Milwaukee market. He most recently served as vice president of client development for Pewaukee-based Platypus Advertising +Design. He also previously served as vice president of the midwest region for Time Warner Cable Media Sales. His other experiences include sales management for FM 96.5 WKLH and Channel 12 WISN-TV. “Tom’s track record speaks for itself," said Dan Meyer, president of BizTimes media and publisher of BizTimes Milwaukee and BizTimes.com. "He has had tremendous success for many years in this market and he understands the importance and impact of traditional media and new media. We are fortunate to have him join us to serve our customers and to continue to build on the success we have realized from the past 14 plus years.”
Founded in 1995, BizTimes Media is a business to business media company, providing news, trends, operational strategies, and educational and awards events for the owners, presidents and other top executives of southeastern Wisconsin’s leading companies. Gaertner will oversee the print, online and event sponsorship sales for the business magazine- BizTimes Milwaukee, and BizTimes.com- including BizTimes Daily and four weekly e-newsletters.
Lu promoted to president and COO of The Novo Group
Milwaukee-based The Novo Group announced that Cindy Lu has been promoted to president and chief operating officer.
"I am delighted to announce that Cindy Lu has been promoted to the position of President," said Mike Harris, co-founder and Chairman of the Novo Group. "Cindy has been a strong leader for Novo since we started the firm together in 2003. Under her guidance, I know Novo will continue to be a successful growth company,"
Prior to starting Novo, Lu had her own recruiting firm and she also spent five years helping Parson Group grow into the fastest growing privately held firm the Inc. 500 List.
"I am excited about what the future holds for Novo," said Lu. "We have a talented and committed team of professional recruiters who genuinely have the clients’ best interest in mind every day. Our range of customized talent solutions can scale up or down to meet our clients’ needs and the value based pricing structure is a bonus in this kind of economic environment" said Lu.
Novo also announced that Paul Stewart and Paul Sweeney have joined the company’s board of directors. Stewart and Sweeney are principals in PS Capital, a private equity firm in Milwaukee.
"Both Pauls bring us many years of prudent business management and they really understand how to carefully manage all the elements of building a company. We are very fortunate to have them as board members for Novo," said Harris.
