Ozaukee Economic Development
Ozaukee Economic Development has named its 2014 Business of the Year award winners in small business, mid-size and large business categories. The Business of the Year program, which launched last year, celebrates businesses that have demonstrated significant business and job growth over the past five years and companies that have proven to be active community partners.
Shully’s Cuisine & Events in Thiensville has been crowned 2014 Small Business of the Year. Johnson Level, a Mequon-based manufacturer, has been recognized as the Mid-Size Business of the Year, and OED has named Port Washington-based Ansay & Associates the Large Business of the Year. OED will honor selected businesses at its Business of the Year and Economic Forecast Breakfast on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Ozaukee Pavilion in Cedarburg.
Strategic IR Advisors
Strategic IR Advisors LLC launched in Milwaukee last month to help small to mid-size public companies improve their investor marketing programs and strengthen shareholder value. The firm, led by President David Urban, works to boost companies’ visibility and branding within the investment community and draw top investors who will back companies’ long-term visions. Among Strategic IR Advisors’ services are strategic planning, financial communications and customized investor marketing programs. Urban, a native of Milwaukee, has more than a decade of experience in providing investor relations tools and resources to public companies. Prior to forming Strategic IR Advisors, he spent two years as director of investor relations for Johnson Controls Inc. His career also includes 27 years at Marshall & Ilsley Corp. (now BMO Harris Bank). Strategic IR Advisors is located at 11414 W. Park Place, Suite 202, in Milwaukee.
U.S. Bank and La Casa de Esperanza
La Casa de Esperanza Inc. recently saluted Rudy Gutierrez, a branch manager for U.S. Bank in Milwaukee, with its Community Service Award. The award recognizes Gutierrez’ service to the nonprofit organization as well as his service to Waukesha. In addition to serving La Casa de Esperanza as a director, a finance committee volunteer and an Early Head Start Policy Council volunteer, Gutierrez has donated his time and talent to the organization’s VITA program (tax assistance). La Casa de Esperanza is a community-based organization that focuses on helping residents of Waukesha County achieve full social and economic participation in society. The organization largely works with the Hispanic population. Gutierrez has worked for U.S. Bank for 16 years.
Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Jason Rae, executive director of the Milwaukee-based Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, has earned a scholarship from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives through its Leadership Diversity program. The program promotes leadership diversity among member chambers across the country. Rae, who has headed the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce since its 2012 founding, was one of nine chamber professionals to be awarded a scholarship this year. Recipients were selected from a pool of applicants, each of whom had at least three years of senior level experience at chambers. Rae’s scholarship will give him access to quarterly networking conference calls with other recipients as well as access to ACCE annual conventions, ACCE webinars, and ACCE’s Mentor Program, in addition to other resources. His connection to the ACCE will advance the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s support of lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender business leaders, professionals and advocates across the state.
