Erica Breunlin
Erica Breunlin, former BizTimes Milwaukee reporter.
Home is where the firehouse is
The same walls that Melvina Kleverova Zilliox now calls home a century ago housed a cohort of firemen ready to come to Milwaukee's rescue.
Kleverova Zilliox, design director for general merchandise at Harley-Davidson Motor Co., and her husband, Michael Zilliox, live in an Italianate-style firehouse located in Milwaukee's Martin Drive Neighborhood. Throughout the last seven years of owning the 101-year-old house, which sits within walking distance of Kleverova Zilliox's workplace, the couple has devoted many of their weeks to do-it-yourself renovation projects that draw out the “old world” charm of the house while adding in “modern convenience,” she said.
Kleverova Zilliox, design director for general merchandise at Harley-Davidson Motor Co., and her husband, Michael Zilliox, live in an Italianate-style firehouse located in Milwaukee's Martin Drive Neighborhood. Throughout the last seven years of owning the 101-year-old house, which sits within walking distance of Kleverova Zilliox's workplace, the couple has devoted many of their weeks to do-it-yourself renovation projects that draw out the “old world” charm of the house while adding in “modern convenience,” she said.
Potawatomi announces ‘Heart of Canal Street’ signature charities
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino put in motion its 2015 “Heart of Canal Street” charity event earlier this month as it announced this year's 10 signature charities, which will receive program funds.
The “Heart of Canal Street” program, formerly known as “Miracle on Canal Street,” raises funds for youth-serving organizations based in southeastern Wisconsin, primarily through bingo games played at the casino each August through December.
The “Heart of Canal Street” program, formerly known as “Miracle on Canal Street,” raises funds for youth-serving organizations based in southeastern Wisconsin, primarily through bingo games played at the casino each August through December.
“Team Genius”
Rich Karlgaard and Michael Malone deconstruct the makings of effective teams in their newly published book, “Team Genius: The New Science of High-Performing Organizations.”
Blending recent scientific research with case studies and their personal experiences as journalists, analysts, investors and entrepreneurs, the authors guide executives through the tenets of top-performing teams.
Blending recent scientific research with case studies and their personal experiences as journalists, analysts, investors and entrepreneurs, the authors guide executives through the tenets of top-performing teams.
Workforce developers: Area businesses step up to improve education system
Gus Ramirez embarked on one of the most ambitious projects of his philanthropic career earlier this year when he pledged to make a $60 million investment in improving education in Milwaukee with the development of a new K-12 school on the city's south side.
Concerned about the future workforce of his company, Waukesha-based HUSCO International Inc., and fed up with the performance of Milwaukee Public Schools, Ramirez made a bold proposal to play a more direct role in improving education in Milwaukee.
His proposed school, Augustine Prep, has garnered as much criticism from public school advocates, teachers' unions and charter school competitors as it has support from those who understand his vision. Much of the criticism stems from competition among schools to draw students and, with them, public funds.
“I believe this is something God wants to happen and He's given me enough nudges, opened up enough doors, created enough options for us to be successful that I think He's had a hand in this process,” said Ramirez, who serves as executive chairman of HUSCO. “If I didn't feel that, we wouldn't be doing it.”
Concerned about the future workforce of his company, Waukesha-based HUSCO International Inc., and fed up with the performance of Milwaukee Public Schools, Ramirez made a bold proposal to play a more direct role in improving education in Milwaukee.
His proposed school, Augustine Prep, has garnered as much criticism from public school advocates, teachers' unions and charter school competitors as it has support from those who understand his vision. Much of the criticism stems from competition among schools to draw students and, with them, public funds.
“I believe this is something God wants to happen and He's given me enough nudges, opened up enough doors, created enough options for us to be successful that I think He's had a hand in this process,” said Ramirez, who serves as executive chairman of HUSCO. “If I didn't feel that, we wouldn't be doing it.”
