Former Wave player named Omaha head coach
Milwaukee Wave veteran midfielder Marcelo Fontana was recently named the head coach of MISL’s newest franchise, the Omaha Vipers. Fontana, 37, was a part of the Milwaukee Wave for the past nine years and has been an integral part of the Wave’s successes, winning a championship in the 2004- 2005 season and reaching the title game on four other occasions.
“It was a tough decision, I am so excited about the new opportunity that awaits me starting my professional coaching career,” Fontana said.
Fontana is originally from Misiones, Argentina and first played professionally there for the San Lorenzo club before coming to the U.S.
“I am extremely happy and proud Marcelo joining the coaching ranks with Omaha,” said Keith Tozer, Milwaukee Wave Head Coach. “His dedication, passion and hard work as a player will transcend into his coaching. We wish him nothing but the best.”
Fontana finished his career with 179 goals, 125 assists and 433 points in 398 career games. The 263 games he played with the Wave have earned him the eighth spot in all-time Milwaukee Wave history while his 132 goals scored place him ninth on that prestigious list.
Lovell will be interim chancellor at UWM
University of Wisconsin System president Kevin Reilly recently announced that Michael Lovell has agreed to serve as UW-Milwaukee’s interim chancellor.
Lovell, dean of the UWM’s College of Engineering and Applied Science since 2008, will step into the new role next month following the departure of Chancellor Carlos Santiago.
“Dean Lovell has a broad perspective on higher education and a clear vision for the whole UW-Milwaukee campus,” Reilly said. “He has an impressive academic record of his own, and he’s recruited other talented faculty members to UWM at a time when the institution is working to ramp-up its research capacity.”
Reilly praised Lovell’s efforts to engage community leaders and private businesses in support of UW-Milwaukee’s central role as an economic engine for Southeastern Wisconsin.
“This is someone with great energy, who has engendered broad support among his faculty and staff colleagues, as well as others in the Milwaukee region,” Reilly said.
“There’s a growing consensus that the economic vitality of this region is inextricably tied to UW-Milwaukee’s success. Dean Lovell is well prepared to keep this institution moving forward with efforts to expand scientific research while preserving educational access for Wisconsin citizens,” said Regent president Charles Pruitt of Milwaukee.
Prior to joining UWM, Lovell served as associate dean for research at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Engineering for five years. He previously directed two multi-university research centers, working with hundreds of faculty members, graduate students, and private companies. He was a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Kentucky, after starting his career at a private firm that develops engineering simulation software.
Lovell earned his Ph.D., M.S., and undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
Santiago announced in August that he would leave UWM in October to become chief executive officer of the Hispanic College Fund in Washington, D.C.
Reilly is now working with the Board of Regents and the UW-Milwaukee campus community to begin a national search for the next chancellor, aiming to have a permanent leader in place next summer.
SVA promotes Schultz to chairman
The SVA board of directors announced the election of Carl Schultz, CPA, as the company’s next chairman of the board. He succeeds John Baltes.
SVA is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, employs over 400 staff, and has additional offices in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wisconsin, and Rockford, Illinois.
“I am extremely proud to introduce Carl Schultz as the chairman of the board,” said Jack Cotton, SVA chief executive officer. “Carl is an exceptional partner and an exemplary leader. I am confident during his tenure as chairman of the board SVA will continue to grow and provide the exceptional client service our professionals are known for.”
Joining SVA in 1982, Schultz is the principal-in-charge of the SVA-Milwaukee office and a member of the Healthcare Management Group. He has nearly 29 years of industry experience as well as strategic planning expertise.
“I am very excited to be named as SVA’s chairman of the board,” Schultz said. “I look forward to the challenge and the opportunity. I am honored to follow John Baltes who has been an exceptional leader and on behalf of the entire firm would like to extend our appreciation and thanks to him for his past years of service in the chairman role.”
Koeppe will be new chairman at ZBB Energy Corp.
Paul Koeppe will replace William Mundell as chairman of the board of directors at troubled ZBB Energy Corp.
Mundell announced today he has decided not to stand for reelection to the board of the Menomonee Falls-based company.
"My current political commitments in my home state of California are making it increasingly difficult for me to devote the time and energy necessary to continue to serve," said. Mundell, whose term will expire in November. "I’ve enjoyed my involvement with ZBB over the years and wish the company well in its future endeavors."
Board director Manfred Birnbaum said, "Mundell navigated the company through two critical financings, rebuilt the board to enhance its technical and management expertise, and managed the transition from the company’s founder to a new CEO. These steps have positioned the company for future success".
Koeppe said, "We want to thank Bill for his service over the past few years. His leadership and positive involvement in the company have been a key asset in making difficult decisions during his tenure."
Koeppe was appointed to the board in August of 2009. In November of 2009, he was named interim chief executive officer, beginning a process of restructuring the company. Eric Apfelbach replaced Koeppe as the permanent CEO in January of this year.
Richard Abdoo, chairman of the ZBB nominating and governance committee, said, "Besides providing leadership this past year, Paul has also invested substantial time and capital in helping ZBB overcome a number of obstacles. We are very pleased that Paul has accepted the position of chairman of the board."
Previously, Koeppe was CEO, president and founder of Superconductivity Inc, a manufacturer of superconducting magnetic energy storage devices that was acquired by American Superconductor Corp.
Koeppe added, "I’ve spent most of my professional career in the energy industry. I’m very pleased to be involved at ZBB Energy, a company that I believe is on the threshold of becoming a key contributor in the renewable and energy storage market and well positioned to provide a substantial increase in shareholder value."
ZBB, which made headlines recently by hosting a visit by President Barack Obama, recently reported a net loss of $9.6 million, or 74 cents per share, for its full fiscal year.
The company’s annual losses deepened from a net loss of $5.6 million, or 53 cents per share, in the previous year.
Doyle appoints Colon to be judge
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle today announced the appointment of outgoing state Rep. Pedro Colón (D-Milwaukee) to be a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge.
Colón will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Patricia McMahon. He will begin serving Sept. 20 for a term to expire July 31, 2011.
“Pedro Colón is a dedicated public servant that will serve the people of Milwaukee County well on the bench,” Doyle said. “I know he will work really hard to uphold fairness and justice in Milwaukee.”
Colón was elected to represent the 8th Assembly District in 1998 and has served six terms. He has also been in private practice since 1994. Colón announced in May that he would not seek re-election.
“I appreciate the governor’s confidence in my ability to serve the people of Milwaukee County,” Colón said. “I look forward to continuing in my role as a public servant and to make sure that all the citizens of the County of Milwaukee get a fair hearing while I preside over Branch 18.”
Colón earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1994 and his undergraduate degree from Marquette University in 1991.
