Graef, Anhalt, Schloemer & Associates, Inc.
Graef, Anhalt, Schloemer & Associates Inc. recently changed its name to GRAEF.
The company said its new name is easier to pronounce, easier to remember, and reflects the national organization that the firm has become in recent years. GRAEF is a national consulting firm that offers diverse, multidisciplinary, and integrated services for the built and natural environments. GRAEF is an employee-owned consulting firm with offices in Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Madison, Wis.; Chicago, Ill.; Fort Myers and Orlando, Fla; and Phoenix, Ariz.
Image Makers Advertising
Image Makers Advertising, Waukesha, was recently named agency of record by Art’s Cameras Plus. Image Makers will be responsible for strategic marketing planning, media buying, production of creative materials and public relations for Art’s Cameras Plus.
Pinnacle XL
Pinnacle XL, Milwaukee, recently completed the Emerging 200 program, a nationwide program started by Boston College and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Graduation was held on Jan. 6, at the Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District. The program helped inner-city businesses accelerate growth through a six month program focusing on the development of a Growth Action Plan. Participants had the opportunity to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops, and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and the financial community.
Environmental Systems Inc.
Environmental Systems Inc., Waukesha, recently acquired ECC Controls Inc., Milwaukee, in a move that expands ESI’s technology offerings and its Midwest presence. ESI provides technology and services in the areas of building automation, systems integration, networking and IT infrastructure, security, life safety, building operations and software applications in Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. ECC provides temperature controls, building automation, energy management and security systems in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. ECC’s employees and operations have been integrated into ESI. The ECC Milwaukee location has moved to the ESI facility in Waukesha located at W223 N603 Saratoga Drive.
Markel American Insurance Company
Markel American Insurance Company’s Waukesha-based division specializing in motorcycle, boat and ATV insurance, has hired Mader Communications Group, Inc. in Mequon to spearhead a national marketing communications campaign.
The new integrated campaign will include strategic branding, web site development, advertising, direct response and lead generation, as well as affinity programs with powersports vehicle manufacturers and member associations.
Faith Technologies Inc.
Faith Technologies Inc., recently completed the final phase of a nationwide transition by converting all 10 of its Town & Country Electric locations in Wisconsin to one name – Faith Technologies. Faith Technologies, has more than 1,000 employees across Wisconsin, including 150 in Milwaukee. Faith Technologies has informed more then 2,650 customers through letters. The employee-owned company has experienced revenue growth of 75 percent across Wisconsin since 2003, with 60 percent in Milwaukee. In 2008, Faith Technologies exceeded $225 million in revenue.
Carroll University
Carroll University, Waukesha, recently received a two-year, $50,000 grant from the Helen Bader Foundation, Inc., to enhance Carroll’s impact on Waukesha County’s older adults by strengthening service-learning partnerships across academic disciplines. This grant is one of 25 awarded through the foundation’s Alzheimer’s and Aging program area, which supports education and training efforts that raise the capacity of professionals and volunteers who serve older adults. Service-learning is incorporated into the curriculum of Carroll’s physical therapy, exercise science, physical and health education, recreation management and nursing programs, providing hands-on experience that complements coursework and helps meet community needs. The funding will be used for model development for campus-community partnerships, implementation, assessment and sustainability to successfully serve older adults. The program is anticipated to begin July 1, 2009.
Eso-Technologies Inc.
Governor Jim Doyle recently announced that Eso-Technologies, Inc., Hartland, will receive a $100,000 Technology Venture Fund loan from the Department of Commerce. The department of commerce has also certified the company as a Qualified New Business Venture eligible for early stage and angel investment.
Penta Technologies, Inc.
Penta Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise software for the construction industry, recently announced the release of PENTA Mobile Field Service, a mobile construction software application designed to help mechanical, electrical and other specialty service contractors optimize their field service operations. The application, being introduced at the 2009 AHR Expo in Chicago, reduces paperwork, eliminates duplicate data entry, expedites approval processes and provides real-time management visibility to field activity. PENTA Mobile Field Service software keeps contractors’ service management staff and field service technicians, and the mission critical information they exchange, seamlessly connected throughout the work day. Penta selected the Dexterra Concert mobility platform as the underlying technology to build and run the PENTA Mobile Field Service.
Wisconsin Marketing Services Inc.
Wisconsin Marketing Services Inc., a Bay View-based binding firm, will introduce its Little Yellow Coupon Book later this month. The book is a direct mail advertising product that is targeted at specific zip codes in Milwaukee. The majority of businesses that appear in the book are located in or near the zip code, said Robert Chirafisi, owner of the company. And because the book is sent to households within one zip code, it allows businesses a chance to specifically target one area of the city. The first Little Yellow Coupon Book is being sent out to the 53207 area code, but Wisconsin Marketing Services Inc. plans to create different books for all of the zip codes serving metro Milwaukee. If the product is well received, it may be expanded across the state or into other parts of the country.
