Bucyrus CEO, Baird executive named to Northwestern Mutual board
Timothy Sullivan, the chief executive officer of South Milwaukee-based Bucyrus International Inc., and Mary Ellen Stanek, managing director and director of asset management for Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co., were named to the board of trustees for Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.
"Northwestern Mutual is fortunate to bring these two prominent Milwaukee businesspeople onto its board of trustees," said Northwestern Mutual chairman and CEO Edward Zore. "These professionals bring a proven track record with their success in business and financial management."
Stanek is responsible for the development and portfolio management of all proprietary asset management services in her position at Baird. Additionally, she serves as the president of the Baird Funds. She previously served as president and CEO of Firstar Investment Research & Management Company.
Sullivan has served as president and CEO of Bucyrus since 2004, after holding various management positions with the company since joining in 1976. He also served as president and chief executive officer of United Container Machinery, Inc. in Glen Arm, Md., from January through December 1999, rejoining Bucyrus in January 2000.
Holloway appoints himself and Mayo to RTA board
Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway has appointed himself and Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Michael Mayo Sr. to the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority (RTA) board.
The RTA is working to establish a commuter rail service in Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee counties (KRM).
Previously, Holloway said he would appoint himself and another member to the RTA board to vote against anything related to the KRM because he was upset that Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed a 0.5 percent sales tax increase for Milwaukee County to the fund the Milwaukee County Transit System, which the governor approved a rental car tax increase to pay for the KRM.
Holloway says solving the Milwaukee County bus systems financial woes should be the first priority before establishing a commuter rail service. Holloway said he is calling on the governor and the state Legislature to develop a new funding plan to provide a dedicated funding source for Milwaukee County buses.
"To be clear, I am not opposed to the KRM line," Holloway said. "In fact, I support it. But supporters of the KRM must first fix the bus system, otherwise the KRM will never happen. The federal government is unlikely to approve any funds for the KRM without dedicated funding for buses. The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission believes it would be embarrassing for the feds to approve funding for shiny new trains when our bus system is crumbling. They just won’t do it. It’s clear that the Governor’s veto of dedicated funding for mass transit in Milwaukee County is jeopardizing not only our bus system, but the KRM line as well."
Skylight Opera Theatre board elects interim president
The Skylight Opera Theatre’s Board of Directors named Terry Kurtenbach as its interim president.
"It is our fervent hope that we can begin to communicate the sense of the Board’s passion and commitment to the artistry of the organization and begin to address concerns of the artist community," Kurtenbach said
Previous board president Suzanne Hefty submitted her resignation.
"I was planning to step down as president at the annual meeting scheduled for Sept. 9," Hefty said. "I am now convinced that stepping down earlier will help provide continuity for the coming year."
The board also voted to retain current management. Board member Tessa Bartels was elected vice president of artist relations.
