Teske is new chairman of WMC
Todd Teske, chairman, president and CEO of Wauwatosa-based Briggs & Stratton Corp., is the new chairman of the Wisconsin Manufacturer & Commerce (WMC).
Teske was officially installed as WMC chair today during the 101-year old business group’s board meeting. He succeeds Thomas Howatt, chairman of Wausau Paper.
In brief remarks to the WMC board, Teske outlined his priorities for his two-year term.
“Manufacturing has been, and continues to be the core of family-supporting middle class jobs in Wisconsin,” Teske said. “But those jobs are threatened by a number of factors including a shortage of skilled industrial workers to fill existing and expected job vacancies.”
If left unaddressed, the worker shortage will become a crisis for manufacturers, and ultimately for Wisconsin’s economy, Teske said.
“Manufacturing is our state’s No. 1 one business sector. It is also a foundational economic sector because it doesn’t just create jobs in factories. It also creates jobs in banks and retail stores, restaurants and hotels, local governments and hospitals. If Wisconsin doesn’t develop or attract the skilled workers needed for today’s advanced manufacturing, companies will be forced to look elsewhere.”
Defending the progress made during 2011 to improve Wisconsin’s business climate is another priority for Teske. He specifically singled out the manufacturers’ tax credit for recognition, which will begin a three year phase-in in 2013.
“One thing everyone in our state should be able to agree on is the need for more good jobs that support families, create opportunities and make communities strong,” Teske said.
At the same meeting, the WMC Board elected Daniel Ariens, president/CEO of Brillion-based Ariens Company, as vice chair. Ariens spoke this morning as a panelist at the Northern Trust Economic Trends Breakfast presented by BizTimes.
In addition, Tod Linstroth, senior partner and past chair and member of the management committee, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, was re-elected secretary of WMC. Timothy Christen, CPA, CEO of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, was re-elected treasurer of WMC. Kurt Bauer was re-elected president/CEO of WMC.
James Buchen, James Morgan and Michael Shoys were re-elected vice presidents of WMC.
Wisconsin Energy adds Stanek to board
Mary Ellen Stanek, managing director and director of asset management of Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc., has been elected to the board of directors of Wisconsin Energy Corp., effective immediately.
"I’m delighted that Mary Ellen has agreed to serve as a Wisconsin Energy director," said Gale Klappa, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Wisconsin Energy, the Milwaukee-based parent company of We Energies. "Her extensive management experience and her broad understanding of business strategy will strengthen an already strong and engaged board of directors."
Stanek, 55, has more than 30 years of investment management experience and is currently responsible for the development and portfolio management of all proprietary asset management services offered by Baird. She also co-manages several fixed income mutual funds as well as a number of taxable and tax-exempt portfolios.
Stanek also serves on the boards of directors of Baird, Journal Communications Inc., The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and West Bend Mutual Insurance Company. In addition, she is a trustee and past chair of Marquette University and a trustee of the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Bon-Ton Stores names new CEO
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. today announced the appointment of Brendan Hoffman, 43, to the position of president and chief executive officer of the company, effective Feb. 7.
Hoffman also will be elected to the company’s board of directors.
Hoffman will succeed president and CEO Bud Bergren, who is a current member of the board and will transition to the role of the chairman of the board. Upon Mr. Bergren’s transition to chairman, Tim Grumbacher, currently serving as executive chairman, will remain a director of the company.
Hoffman has been the CEO and president of Lord & Taylor L.L.C. since October 2008. He previously served six years as president and CEO of Neiman Marcus Direct, a subsidiary of The Neiman Marcus Group Inc.
Grumbacher stated, "We are excited to have an executive with Brendan’s skill and background assuming the role of president and chief executive officer of the company. He comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the retail industry, which we believe will be very beneficial in driving profitable growth from the strategic initiatives we began piloting in the fall of fiscal 2011. We look forward to Brendan joining our team and working with him to drive the future success of our company. The board of directors and I would personally like to thank Bud and recognize his many accomplishments and dedicated service over the past seven years. We are very fortunate to have the continued counsel and support of Bud as he transitions into his new role as chairman of the board."
Hoffman said, "I have great confidence in Bon-Ton’s future and look forward to working closely with management and the board in executing a successful strategic plan and increasing shareholder value. I am excited to lead the Bon-Ton team as it embarks on a new phase of growth."
Bon-Ton Stores Inc. has corporate headquarters in Milwaukee and York, Pa.
