Ernst & Young honors Wisconsin entrepreneurs
Several Wisconsin business executives were among the recipients of the 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards in the Upper Midwest.
The Upper Midwest region includes companies based in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Winners were announced during a ceremony Wednesday at the Frontier Airlines Center in Milwaukee.
The Wisconsin winners included:
Joe Bartolotta, president of Bartolotta Restaurant Group in Wauwatosa, was honored in the hospitality category.
Joel Quadracci, president, chairman and CEO of Sussex-based Quad/Graphics Inc., won in the manufacturing category.
Tim Sullivan, president and CEO of Oak Creek-based Bucyrus International Inc., was named a master entrepreneur.
Deborah Carey, co-owner of New Glarus Brewing Co., won in the consumer products category.
Henry Knueppel, retired CEO of Regal Beloit Corp. in Beloit, was honored with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Lifetime Achievement award for more than 30 years of business success.
Walker appoints Nowak to PSC
Gov. Scott Walker has appointed Ellen Nowak to serve on the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Nowak joins Chairman Phil Montgomery and Commissioner Eric Callisto on the commission.
Among other functions, the PSC sets utility rates in Wisconsin.
“Ellen’s experience and unique skill set will be a great addition to the Public Service Commission,” Walker said. “An important role of the Public Service Commission is to ensure fairness and responsibility when it comes to utility costs and quality for Wisconsin consumers, and I know that Ellen will fulfill her duties with zeal.”
Nowak comes to the PSC after serving as chief of staff to Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas. Prior to her service in Waukesha, Nowak was legal counsel to the Speaker’s office in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2002-2006 and promoted to chief of staff in 2006.
Vrakas said, "Ellen Nowak has served the citizens of Waukesha County with integrity and dedication. Governor Walker has chosen wisely and Ellen will be an outstanding member of the Public Service Commission."
“I thank Governor Walker for the opportunity to serve my fellow Wisconsinites on the Public Service Commission,” Nowak said. “I look forward to the important work ahead of us and serving with Chairman Montgomery and Commissioner Callisto.”
Drew Petersen, vice president of external relations and corporate communications for TDS Telecommunications Corp., said, “We applaud Governor Walker for recognizing the need to install a seasoned public policy expert in the critical communications leadership position of commissioner to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Ellen Nowak is a thoughtful legislative and regulatory tactician, strong communicator, and experienced administrative manager. Her executive background and ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously will be a tremendous attribute to the (PSC).”
Sutfin is new CFO of Johnson Bank
Newly appointed chief executive officer Tom Bolger and the boards of directors of Johnson Financial Group and Johnson Bank announced they have named Judy Carre Sutfin as chief financial officer of the companies.
Sutfin most recently served as CFO at AMCORE Financial, having been hired to work through the issues and eventual transition of that organization. Previously, Sutfin spent 23 years with LaSalle Bank Corp in Chicago, in increasing roles of responsibility across many functions and areas within accounting and finance.
“This is a critical role, and Judy’s knowledge, experience and managerial strength will serve us well as we continue to build a stronger organization,” Bolger said.
Sutfin succeeds Dennis Axelson who retired from the company in January.
Sutfin said, “The combination of family ownership, strong culture and a focus on doing the right thing for clients makes this a great opportunity for me. I see an organization with a great deal of potential.”
McGushin is new president of Poblocki Sign Co.
Poblocki Sign Co. has promoted executive Terry McGushin to president.
McGushin joined the Milwaukee-based company in 2010 as vice president and chief operating officer. He previously worked in sales and marketing for Harley-Davidson Inc., Arbon Corp. and Rite-Holding Corp.
In his new job, McGushin will oversee Poblocki’s day-to-day operations and strategic vision.
"What Terry has done to improve our sales and marketing initiatives, he will do for Poblocki as a whole," said Dave Drury, chief executive officer and company owner.
"I’m focused on continually improving the customer experience," McGushin said. "Poblocki can continue to grow so long as we serve our customers first and foremost and continue to provide the highest quality services that have made Poblocki the industry flagship it is today."
Poblocki has three manufacturing facilities throughout the country: a 120,000-square-foot office in Milwaukee; a 26,000-square-foot office in Raleigh, N.C.; and a light fabrication plant in Omaha, Neb.
International Monetary Systems names new president and CEO
New Berlin-based International Monetary Systems Ltd., a publicly trader barter company, today announced that John Strabley was appointed chief executive officer and Dale Mardak was appointed president of the company. Both had previously been functioning in vice presidents and as co-chief operating officers.
Donald Mardak, the founder of International Monetary Systems, was the previous president and CEO. He will remain active in management of the company as chairman of the board.
Strabley, 47, has been the executive vice president of International Monetary Systems Ltd. since 1992 and a director since 1997. Dale L. Mardak, 51, has been senior vice president of International Monetary Systems since 1995, and a director since 1997.
International Monetary Systems also proposed Kim Strabley to vice president. Previously she was director of the company’s Travel and Reciprocal Division.
International Monetary Systems serves 23,000 cardholders in 51 North American markets. IMS says it is one of the largest publicly traded barter companies in the world.
Johnson Controls legal exec named Milwaukee County corporation counsel
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele on Monday named Kimberly R. Walker, an attorney who has held top positions at Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc., as Milwaukee County’s corporation counsel, which serves as the county’s legal advisor.
“Kimberly is an experienced attorney who has held top legal and administrative positions in the corporate world and state government,” Abele said. “She brings a breadth of legal knowledge, as well as expertise in human resources issues, that will greatly benefit Milwaukee County policymakers, administrators and taxpayers.”
Walker has served as director of HR compliance and employee relations for Johnson Controls’ Building Efficiency group since April. Her duties included responsibility for developing and implementing policies and procedures in support of federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting human resources programs.
Prior to that position, Walker was the senior human resources manager for Building Efficiency, human resources manager for the Johnson Controls’ Power Solutions group and group counsel for Power Solutions, Americas.
Walker previously served as the administrator of the State of Wisconsin’s Division of Energy in the Department of Administration and administrator of the Safety and Buildings Division in the State Department of Commerce.
Walker is also a member of the Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers and serves on a number of non-profit boards.
Merkel named executive director of STEM Forward
The board of directors for Milwaukee-based STEM Forward announced today that Rich Merkel will join the organization as the executive director.
STEM Forward (formerly Engineers & Scientists of Milwaukee, or ESM) was founded in 1905 and is an advocate and clearinghouse for all things for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), and is a provider of STEM awareness and outreach activities.
Merkel comes to STEM Forward from Junior Achievement of Wisconsin where he most recently served as director of development. Merkel played a key role in the capital campaign for the JA Capstone project raising $10.58 million. Merkel also served as Junior Achievement’s director of metro operations.
“Rich has a strong understanding of the opportunities in the community encompassing business, education, and non-profit sectors,” said Sue Michaelson, board president for STEM Forward. “His work in partnership development, volunteer engagement, and fundraising will be invaluable for continuing the growth of STEM Forward.”
The previous executive director for STEM Forward was Van Walling, who is returning to his engineering career at CH2M HILL.
