Downtown Racine Corporation announces new board members
The Downtown Racine Corporation has elected three new members to its board of directors. The new members include: Gregg Anderegg, director of community leadership at Racine-based SC Johnson and executive director and vice president trustee of SC Johnson Fund Inc.; Donna Mueller, advertising director at The Journal Times in Racine; and Caleb Robinson, owner of Top Dogs Hot Dogs. The three new members will serve two year terms. In addition to the addition of new board members, the following were named to the 2011 executive committee: Eric Peterson of Landmark Title of Racine, chairman; John Busey II of Robert W. Baird and Company, immediate past chairman; Lori Castor of CNH Global, vice chairman; Victoria Kiefer of Johnson Financial Group, treasurer; and John Kmosena, secretary.
Potawatomi name Schmitt to lead new construction firm
The Potawatomi Business Development Corp. (PBDC), the economic diversification arm of the Forest County Potawatomi, announced today it has named Robert E. Schmitt as president of its new construction management firm, Greenfire Management Services LLC (GMS).
Schmitt is the former president of Grunau Project Development.
“With Bob and his team, GMS has the experience and personnel to help ensure clients receive the highest quality construction on time and within budget,” said Pepi Randolph, chief executive officer of the PBDC. “PBDC is responding to a need in the marketplace for Native American, owned and operated construction management firms. As we continue to diversify the tribes’ portfolio beyond gaming, we’re excited to be in a position to help create jobs and build Milwaukee.”
As a tribally-owned minority firm with a seasoned management team and strong bonding capacity, GMS will be attractive to clients needing minority contractor participation as well as federal, state and local government agencies, Randolph said.
“Successful building projects are contingent on outstanding management capabilities and a mindset that unites all team members behind one main purpose – a superior experience,” Schmitt said. “And, in a recovering economy, the importance of pre-construction planning will be even more critical. Our senior executives will be involved in all projects from day one and stay involved until the final closeout.”
The firm will serve private owners and developers, public entities, tribes and tribal entities and large construction firms seeking to partner with an established, bondable minority firm.
Children’s Hospital CFO to leave
Tim Birkenstock, chief financial officer of Children’s Hospital and Health System, announced he will leave the organization at the end of March. He has been with the system for more than 28 years.
“Tim has helped our organization consistently maintain a positive financial picture, regardless of economic conditions,” said Peggy Troy, president and CEO of Children’s. “I am grateful for all Tim has done for Children’s in nearly three decades of commitment and passion to the children and families we serve. He has been a valuable partner in my transition to Children’s these past two years.”
“I don’t have a firm plan yet,” Birkenstock said. “This is something my wife and I have been reflecting on for the past year. We’ve even spoken to Peggy Troy about the situation. We just feel like this is a time in my life where I can still make some changes. Changes I couldn’t have made when my kids were still young.”
Birkenstock will be 58 this year, he said. He has a daughter that lives in Boulder, Colo., and a son who lives with his family in Huntsville, Ala.
“I don’t get to see them nearly as much as I want to, and my wife and I really like to travel,” he said. “It seems like it’s a good time of the year to put some miles under our belt before we get things in order and on track for the next career.”
Throughout his career, Birkenstock led efforts to achieve the AA bond rating for the health system and maintained it through several years of difficult economies. He also led significant building projects for the system and provided leadership to bring Surgicenter of Greater Milwaukee into the system 10 years ago.
“I have a very strong finance staff at the hospital; we are having transitional meetings already and I’m planning to handoff responsibilities throughout the month of March. They are a very talented team and I suspect it will be a smooth transition and in terms of the finances of the organization, you won’t even see a ripple because of me,” Birkenstock said.
A search committee is being developed by a national firm, and a national search for a CFO will begin in March.
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