BIZNOTES FOR 6/25/04

The Southeastern Wisconsin Public Relations Society of America awarded Dan Steininger, CEO of Catholic Knights, the Paragon Communicator Award for 2004. The Communicator Award is given out annually to a businessperson, educator, politician or other community leader who maximizes the use of public relations and communication skills in the community.
The Paragon Awards program is held each May to recognize excellence in public relations practice.
PRSA also presented 36 awards to area practitioners for excellence in public relations tactics and campaigns. Jon Stern of CKPR earned Best of Show. The awards are based on research, planning, execution and evaluation. Other Paragon Excellence and Merit award winners include the following: The 440th Airlift Wing Public Affairs for community relations, public affairs and special events; Bader Rutter & Associates for special events; Brady Marketing Group for business to business marketing; BVK for marketing consumer services and media/press kits; Catholic Knights for internal relations, business to business marketing and media/press kits; Charleston/Orwig for newsletters; CKPR for business to business marketing, marketing consumer services and special events; Core Creative for internal relations; Covenant Healthcare for community relations; Elmbrook School District for internal relations; Emerald Isle Marketing PR for internal relations and media/press kits; ESW/Blue Horse for business to business marketing and marketing consumer services; Integre for business to business marketing; Laacke & Joys for special events; Laughlin/Constable for marketing consumer services; ManPower for business to business marketing; McGlinchey & Associates for business to business marketing; Medical College of Wisconsin for newsletters; Morgan&Myers for new media and shareholder; National Funeral Directors Association for integrated communications; Vollrath Associates for annual report performance; Zeppos & Associates for public affairs and satellite interviews; and Zigman Joseph Stephenson for marketing consumer services.
Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation
Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) announced a new loan fund designed specifically for childcare providers at a reduced interest rate. WWBIC’s new loan fund and related program initiatives will empower providers with business knowledge to make their child care more efficient and profitable, and in turn increase the business’ sustainability. The program developed from a broad-based, public-private partnership and is currently delivered in collaboration with local childcare resource and referral agencies.
ESW/Blue Horse
AQS, Hartland, a leading provider of commercial policy administration solutions to the property/casualty industry, has selected ESW/Blue Horse, Milwaukee, as its integrated marketing communications agency. ESW/Blue Horse will provide advertising, public relations, direct marketing, collateral and strategic marketing services in support of AQS’ re-branding initiatives and sustained rapid growth.
Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce
The Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointment of Christopher Smith to its board of directors. Smith has worked as a financial advisor with Robert W. Baird & Co. for the past four years. He will serve on the board for a two-year term.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
The UW-Whitewater global business resource center (GBRC) received a federal international education grant of $173,000 form the U.S. Department of Education to support its work in assisting the international business needs of Southeastern Wisconsin. GBRC has conducted more than 50 global market research projects for area companies since its inception in 1999, including Spacesaver Corp., Fort Atkinson, and Lab Safety, Janesville. Aside from funding international outreach, the two-year grant also pays for internal development of international programs within the university.
SBA Announces 2004 Minority Small Business Person of the Year
African American and Native American Mike Weber was awarded the Small Business Administration (SBA) 2004 Minority Small Business Person of the Year award for turning the idea of being a technology consultant into a successful technology company. Weber is the sole founder and majority shareholder of Integrated Systems Corp. (ISCorp), Glendale. ISCorp was founded in 1988 and specializes in the integration, implementation and administration of enterprise-wide network business solutions for financial, educational and medical markets. ISCorp recently moved into a 20,000 square-foot facility to meet its expanding client list and to better serve its existing clients.
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, The Grogan Group, Brookfield, moved its offices to a 4,177 square-foot remodeled portion of Park Place Towers, 11270 W. park Place Dr., Milwaukee. The move allows The Grogan Group to better serve the Financial Network’s customers because of the location near Hwy 41 and Hwy 45.
Water Resource Group
Water Resource Group LLC, Milwaukee, received a $10,000 award for Advanced Manufacturing at the Governors Business Plan contest awards banquet. The Water Resource Group developed the Aquamake Wastewater Recycling System, an organic treatment device that can recycle household and commercial wastewater. The treated water can then be reused for flushing toilets, irrigation and development of green communities.
June 25, 2004, Small Business Times, Milwaukee, WI