Bubbler Executive Appointments

Frenette is new executive director of Wisconsin State Fair
Richard Frenette has been selected as the new executive director of Wisconsin State Fair Park.
After a six-month search process, the fair’s board of directors announced today it has selected Frenette, who is currently the executive director of the Utah State Fair. Prior to joining the Utah State Fair in 2004, Frenette was the executive director from 1993 until 2003 of the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair in Columbus, and he was the finance director of the Minnesota State Fair from 1986 until making the move to Ohio.
His career in the fairs and expositions industry started in Wisconsin at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair in Chippewa Falls in the 1980s.
Frenette, who was selected from a field of more than 70 candidates, holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.
“The Fair Park Board felt that Mr. Frenette’s more than 20 years in top management and leadership roles in the fairs and expositions industry combined with his knowledge of the public sector, sponsorships, finance, strategic planning, agriculture and marketing and promotions, made him the right candidate for the job,” said Susan Crane, chair of the State Fair Park board. “His active involvement and certifications within the industry convinced us he was the right person for this position.”
“I am very excited to return to my home state to lead the Wisconsin State Fair Park,” Frenette said. “I look forward to continuing the growth of State Fair and maintaining its status as one of the premier fairs in the country.”
Frenette will join the staff of Wisconsin State Fair Park in February.

First Business Bank-Milwaukee adds Lorenz to board
First Business Bank-Milwaukee announced that W. Kent Lorenz has joined its board of directors.
Lorenz is president of the Midwest region of Ellison Technologies, a provider of advanced machining and robotic automation solutions to North American metal-cutting manufacturers and their global affiliates. He also is the owner of of DKR Investors LLC.
“We’re pleased to have Kent join our board. His expertise complements that of our existing First Business Bank board of directors and builds upon the resources we offer our clients and staff.” said Dave Vetta, president and chief executive officer of First Business Bank-Milwaukee, which is part of First Business Financial Services Inc

Greenberg is new president of Aurora Health Care Foundation
Aurora Health Care has appointed Bev Greenberg president of the Aurora Health Care Foundation.
In this new position, Greenberg will lead philanthropy and social responsibility for Aurora and will report to the foundation’s board of directors.
Greenberg comes to Aurora after 30 years of experience in corporate social responsibility, team-building, strategic planning, development and marketing.
She most recently served as vice president of public affairs and regional local programming for Time Warner Cable in Milwaukee. During her 19-year tenure there, she was responsible for all internal and external communications, charitable contributions and community/government relations.
Prior to her career with Time Warner, she was vice president of development and marketing for the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County, leading both capital and annual development campaigns.
"Bev brings demonstrated leadership in philanthropy and a unique community perspective based on many years of leading successful and significant fund raising and community awareness campaigns," said Nick Turkal, Aurora’s president and chief executive officer. "I valued her vision and leadership when she served as our board chair.  I look forward to her energizing and leading our philanthropic, community outreach and social responsibility efforts in her new position."
"I strongly believe in Aurora’s mission to provide extraordinary health care to its patients," Greenberg said. "I recognize and appreciate the passionate Aurora caregivers whose service is critical to the health and well being of communities throughout the state.  Health care is a primary concern to all of us, and Aurora’s unique model of integrated care works to deliver value to patients and communities. I feel privileged to join Aurora’s dedicated team of professionals."

National City names Baka to lead corporate banking in Wisconsin
National City, now a part of Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services Group Inc., today announced the appointment of A. James Baka as senior vice president for corporate banking in Wisconsin.
Baka leads the Wisconsin corporate banking team in offering clients expertise in business financing, personal wealth management, global treasury services, capital markets, institutional asset management and international services.
Baka has 39 years of banking, financial services and corporate leadership experience, with more than 25 years in southeasten Wisconsin. His experience includes serving as senior vice president and managing director for middle market commercial, international and investment banking at Bank of America in Wisconsin and previously as senior vice president and chief financial officer for Ariens Company in Brillion. Most recently, he was the senior vice president of finance, strategic planning and corporate development at Alto Shaam in Menomonee Falls.
"Our customers will benefit from Jim’s wealth of experience in banking and his prior corporate leadership in some of Wisconsin’s top companies,” said Beth Wnuk, president of Wisconsin banking for National City. “We are committed to providing our clients with a deep understanding of their needs and offering the best credit and financial solutions.”
PNC is the fifth-largest bank in the nation.