Journal Communications promotes Fernandez to president
Journal Communications Inc. today announced that its board has named Andre Fernandez president in addition to his role as chief financial officer. Steven Smith, who was president, will remain chairman and chief executive officer of the parent company of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
"This additional title recognizes the significant role Andre plays on our leadership team," Smith said. "He has been instrumental in the continuing evolution of our business, the steady focus on building our local media brands and the sustained investment in our digital business. Andre has also helped us maintain our strong financial disciplines which have led to Journal’s consistently improving balance sheet. We look forward to Andre’s increased operational responsibilities across the company."
Fernandez joined Journal Communications in October 2008 from NBC Universal, where he was senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer for Telemundo Communications Group Inc. Prior to Telemundo, he served in a number of financial leadership roles for General Electric Corp.
Harley names Wandell chairman of the board
Harley-Davidson Inc. president and chief executive officer Keith Wandell will assume the additional duties of chairman of the company’s board of directors, effective immediately.
Wandell was named chairman by board action today.
"Keith is a transcendent leader who has done an outstanding job of guiding Harley-Davidson in a period of extraordinary challenge and transformation," said Barry Allen, who has served as the company’s non-executive chairman since 2009.
"When Keith joined Harley-Davidson as CEO in 2009, the Board believed it essential for him to be able to devote his full energy to strategies to move the business forward, without the distraction of Board leadership responsibilities," Allen said. “With the company’s tremendous progress under Keith’s leadership over the last three years, the board believes the time is right to recombine the roles of chairman and CEO."
Additionally, the board named Richard Beattie as lead director. Beattie has been an outside director of Harley-Davidson since 1996. As lead director, Beattie will head the oversight and monitoring activities of the board that would otherwise be performed by a non-executive chairman.
Wandell joined Harley-Davidson in May 2009 as the company’s first outside CEO since 1981. Beginning in fall 2009, the Company embarked on a major new strategy to focus exclusively on the Harley-Davidson brand and transform the company’s approach to product development, manufacturing and the retail experience.
Wandell also took hard-line stances to reduce the company’s labor costs as he renegotiated with the company’s unions, which ultimately agreed to salary concessions.
"I am grateful for the confidence the board has placed in me, since I first came to Harley-Davidson, to work with everyone in this great organization to build a bright future for our company," Wandell said. "On behalf of the directors and all our stakeholders, we express our deep gratitude to Barry for his board leadership and we look forward to his continued guidance and contributions as a director."
In other action, the board approved a cash dividend of $0.155 per share for the first quarter of 2012. This represents a 24 percent increase over the fourth quarter 2011 dividend ($.125) and a 55 percent increase over the first quarter 2011 dividend ($.100). The dividend is payable March 2, to the holders of record of the company’s common stock on Feb. 21.
The Business Council announces award recipients
The Business Council (TBC) announced the recipients of its Strategic Partner of the Year and Business Person of the Year awards for contributions to the growth of ethnically diverse businesses.
ManpowerGroup is being recognized for its commitment to supplier diversity and tripling its 2010 spending with TBC members. Adonica Randall, president of Abaxent LLC, has been named Business Person of the Year for achieving consistent business growth over 10 years by developing strategic alliances with local and national business partners. ManpowerGroup and Randall will be recognized at TBC’s 13th annual Strategic Partnership Luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 16.
ManpowerGroup is a corporate member of the TBC Supplier Diversity Module. From 2010 through the third quarter of 2011, ManpowerGroup tripled its spend with ethnically diverse businesses in the module by expanding opportunities for Victory Personnel and Abaxent, and adding Site Personnel Services Inc. as a supplier.
To help strengthen its diverse suppliers, ManpowerGroup provides educational and development programs through its Executive Mentoring Program; introduces suppliers to key account managers; and hosts an Annual Roundtable Event, a hallmark development and networking event.
“ManpowerGroup’s commitment to supplier diversity is evident by its spending with diverse companies and investment in the continual growth of these suppliers by mentoring their executives,” said Carla Cross, TBC’s executive director.
Randall is president and CEO of Abaxent LLC, a process solutions and business consulting company. She has more than 25 years of technical and business experience in the health care, insurance, manufacturing and distribution industries, and specializes in the development of new services and business process improvement.For the past 12 years, Randall has been an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Sciences at Alverno College. She is a certified instructor for the nationally recognized Fast Track Entrepreneurs Program.
“Adonica’s persistence, tenacity and commitment to quality have helped her make the transition from a business executive to successful entrepreneur. At the same time, she continues to help the next generation of IT professionals,” said Joseph Tucker, president of Victory Personnel Services Inc.
TBC’s mission is to create and maximize access to economic opportunities and resources for its members, which will support the financial stability of ethnically diverse-owned businesses and stimulate their growth.
TBC is an affiliate organization of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC).
Press Club names Milwaukee MVPs
The Milwaukee Press Club recently announced the winners of its MVP contest which was part of the 166TH City of Milwaukee Birthday celebration. The Press Club held online balloting for the most valuable players in sports, business, the arts and other categories. The winners of the contest will have their names displayed in the Newsroom Pub next to others including Teddy Rooseveldt, Barbara Walters and other celebrities.
The 2012 MVPs include:
- Arts: Gary Witt, Executive Director of the Pabst Theatre Foundation
- Business: Richard Bub, Chairman of GRAEF
- Civic: VISIT Milwaukee
- Education: Henry Tyson, Superintendent, St. Marcus School
- Elected Official: Willie Hines, Milwaukee Common Council President
- Hospitality: Joe Bartolotta, President & Owner of The Bartolotta Restaurants
- Media: Mike Gousha, Law & Public Policy, Marquette University Law School; and WISN Political Analyst, Contributing News Anchor & Host of “Upfront”
- Philanthropy: Danae Davis, Chief Executive Officer, PEARLS for Teen Girls
- Religion: Kathleen Cullen, Director of Campus Ministry at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School
- Sports – College: Bo Ryan, Head Coach of UW-Madison Men’s Basketball
- Sports – Pro: Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback of the Green Bay Packers
