International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Michael Wilson, chief executive officer of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, Brookfield, received the Harry J. Harwick Award from the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), Englewood, Colo. The Harry J. Harwick Award is given to an individual who has displayed a lifetime of achievement and made nationally recognized contributions to health care delivery, administration and education in medical group practice. Wilson was recognized for contributions including turning a struggling organization around during the advent of managed care at Colorado Springs Medical Center, Colo. Wilson also spearheaded the partnership between Dean Medical Center, Madison; Mercy Health System, Cincinnati, and St. Mary’s Health System, St. Louis, to create Dean Health System. Dean Health System is now one of the largest health care organizations in the Midwest. At his current position with the International Foundation, Wilson guides the nonprofit association in providing education to those who design and deliver the nation’s health and pension plans. Wilson has been an MGMA member since 1981 and served as the board’s chair in 1998. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Baylor University, a master’s degree in counseling from Chapman College and a master’s degree in business administration with emphasis on finance and economics from Southwest Missouri State University.
Gossen Corp.
Gossen Corp., Milwaukee, received the 2006 Ovation Award for Corporate Support from CG Schmidt Inc., Milwaukee. Capitol Bank, Madison, received honorable mention. The Ovation Award for Corporate Support recognizes companies that have created long-term partnerships with non-profit organizations through financial or in-kind support, board involvement and the encouragement of employee volunteerism. Gossen Corp. received a $1,500 contribution to Milwaukee Rescue Mission from the CG Schmidt Foundation. After receiving the award, Jef Butterfield, president of Gossen, donated $3,500 in addition for a total contribution of $5,000. The Gossen Corporation has been a supporter of the Milwaukee Rescue Mission for more than 15 years. Capitol Bank was nominated for the award by the Wexford Ridge Neighborhood Center, Madison. The bank’s employees participate in picking up, packaging and delivering fresh produce and breads once per week to the center’s food recovery program. The CG Schmidt Foundation made a $500 contribution to the Wexford Ridge Neighborhood Center.
Acuity and West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.
Acuity, Sheboygan, and West Bend Mutual Insurance Co., West Bend, received the 2006 Applied Systems Interface Partnership Award from Applied Systems Inc., University Park, Ill. The award recognized insurance carriers for an increasing commitment to agency-carrier communication through interface with agents and brokers who use Applied Systems agency management technology. The award was presented to 17 companies nationwide based on the volume of transactions the companies support and the volume of interface opportunities created.
Wisconsin Technology Council
Four companies received Rising Star awards for having the highest score in the Elevator Pitch Olympics, an event at the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium. The Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium is presented by the Wisconsin Technology Council, Madison. Award winners were Hirak Basu of Colby Pharmaceuticals, Madison; Erik Bergman of Luminary Biosciences, Elm Grove; Anthony Escarcega of Ratio Drug Delivery, Madison, and Bonnie Greenwood of Transitions Inc., Verona. More than 25 companies competed in two rounds of the contest. The Elevator Pitch Olympics are a rapid-fire succession of 90-second pitches made by Wisconsin firms seeking private equity capital to a panel of venture capitalists and angel investors. All companies were judged on how their pitches would have compelled the panel of investors to either take a meeting with them or read beyond the first page of their business plans if they arrived in their offices the next day. Other top-scoring presentations were made by Mitch Nick of Firesite LLC, Madison and Donato Diorio of Broadlook Technologies, Pewaukee.
Potisk Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Dr. Tom Potisk of Potisk Chiropractic and Wellness Center, South Milwaukee, received the 2006 Chiropractor of the Year award from the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association (WCA), Madison. The award is chosen by the WCA board of directors. An award recipient must be in practice for at least 10 years. Primary considerations for the award are a chiropractor’s contribution to the advancement of the chiropractic profession and a chiropractor’s contribution to his or her community.
Kern Family Foundation
Thomas Hefty, of counsel at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C., Milwaukee, was named president of the Kern Family Foundation, Waukesha. Hefty is past president of Competitive Wisconsin Inc., Madison; former chairman of the Wisconsin Foundation of Independent Colleges Inc., Milwaukee, and previously served as president of BlueCross BlueShield United of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, for 17 years. Hefty holds a master’s degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Commercial Real Estate Women
Wisconsin Commercial Real Estate Women (WCREW), Milwaukee, recognized five local commercial developments as part of its annual WCREW Real Estate Showcase Awards. Milwaukee Public Market, Milwaukee, received the Showcase Award; J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Madison, received the Heart of the Community Award for work completed on its new Milwaukee office; Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Milwaukee, received the Leading Edge Award; the GE Healthcare Research Park, Wauwatosa, received the Regional Impact Award and the Ambassador Hotel, Milwaukee, received the Judges’ Choice Award. Criteria for the Real Estate Showcase Awards include a development or redevelopment which results in job development, economic development and increased property value; has a creative use or sense of space; has a positive impact on the community; promotes sustainable development and has overcome obstacles.
Health Payment Systems Inc.
Bruce Lefco joined Health Payment Systems Inc. (HPS), Milwaukee, as chairman and chief executive officer. Eric Butlein joined as co-chairman; James A Brindley as president; Trish Nienow as chief operating officer; James Meyers as vice president of contracting; Tom Hajny as vice president of finance and Pat Phillips as vice president of sales.
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Dennis Slater, president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Milwaukee, was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the Tradeshow Business by Tradeshow Week magazine. Slater was recognized for his work in positioning AEM as a leading trade show organizer and for his leadership in the International Association for Exhibition Management (IAEM). Slater served as chairman of IAEM in 2004. The Top 100 list recognizes executives from show management companies, convention centers and other facilities, exhibition services firms and trade associations.
Business Health Care Group
Business Health Care Group (BHCG), Milwaukee, received a $25,000 grant from NOVO Nordisk A/S, Denmark, to increase the number of area physicians recognized in diabetic care and management by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The grant was awarded in conjunction with the NCQA/American Diabetes Association’s Physician Recognition Program (DPRP). Physicians earn recognition by demonstrating high quality care for diabetic patients based on the NCQA’s nationally supported comprehensive diabetes care measures. The grant will allow the BHCG to assist member physicians in achieving recognition for delivering care according to evidence-based medical guidelines. BHCG partners with Humana to offer a preferred provider network to its member companies.
Plunkett Raysich Architects LLP and Ruekert-Mielke
Plunkett Raysich Architects LLP, Milwaukee, and Ruekert-Mielke, Waukesha, formed an alliance to assist municipalities in planning for their future facility needs and developing strategies for how best to fund building and renovation programs. Currently, Plunkett Raysich Architects and Ruekert-Mielke are working together to help the City of Mineral Point determine its options for financing an expansion and renovation of their city hall and library by adding public meeting facilities and a senior center to those existing structures. The two firms previously worked together with the City of Oconomowoc on a plan for a number of municipal facilities. Plunkett Raysich evaluated the future space requirements and provided construction cost estimates for an expansion of the present police station, a new fire/EMS station, an addition to the library, a new department of public works facility and an expansion of the city’s recreational department offices. Ruekert-Mielke focused on the financial planning the city would need to undertake to fund the various projects.
Clearview Medical Imaging LLC
Clearview Medical Imaging LLC recently opened for business at 5205 N. Ironwood Road. in Glendale. Clearview Medical Imaging is owned by Ozzie Dizon and Tracy Knutson, certified nuclear medicine technologists (CNMT). The clinic provides nuclear medicine services including cardiology stress tests and bone and liver scans. Dizon and Knutson work with local cardiologists and physicians whose patients are referred for nuclear medicine testing. Dizon has 10 years of experience as a CNMT and 16 years of experience as a radiology technician. Dizon previously worked for St. Michael Hospital, Milwaukee. Knutson has 23 years of experience in nuclear medicine and previously served as lead tech for the nuclear cardiology group and manager of general nuclear medical technology for St. Michael Hospital. Dizon and Knutson recently hired Agi Stolp, a cardiovascular technician with 20 years of experience. Results at Clearview Medical Imaging will be read by Dr. Roberts Hellman, a nuclear medicine physician and faculty member of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa.
Milwaukee Mile
Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, retained Aras Promotions to manage its 2007 Miss Milwaukee Mile contest and Milwaukee Mile Grid Girls program. Aras Promotions is led by Sara Gilliame, president. Gilliame recently formed Aras Promotions. She oversaw the inaugural Miss Milwaukee Mile and Grid Girls programs last year and she intends to expand both programs in 2007.
Chrysalis Packaging & Assembly Corp. and Creative Marketing Resources
Chrysalis Packaging & Assembly Corp. (CHRYSPAC), Milwaukee and Creative Marketing Resources, Milwaukee, received Regional Supplier of the Year awards from the National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc. (NMSDC), N.Y. Creative Marketing Resources went on to receive a National Supplier of the Year award for excellence in business acumen and community service. Sixteen businesses from the U.S. received Supplier of the Year designation and were divided into four classes according to annual sales. The companies were nominated by their corporate customers. CHRYSPAC placed in the Class II category for companies with sales between $1 million and $10 million. CHRYSPAC is owned by William Beckett, president and chief executive officer. The company projects $2.4 million in sales for 2006. Creative Marketing Resources placed in the Class I category for companies with sales less than $1 million. The company is owned by Jacqueline Moore and may exceed its 2006 revenue projections of $1.4 million.
