Economic Development

McGladrey LLP, a Chicago-based provider of assurance, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market, has named John LeBlanc as national leader of business performance improvement and merger integration, based in the firm's Milwaukee office.

Milwaukee-based Lakeview Equity Partners LLC has acquired UAS Laboratories Inc., an Edina, Minn.-based pioneer in the research, development and manufacture of probiotic nutritional supplements.

Several local businesses are working with students to improve financial literacy rates.

In 2011 and 2012, there were nearly 500 mergers and acquisitions completed that involved Wisconsin-based companies. About 285 involved a Wisconsin-based seller and 289 involved a Wisconsin-based buyer.

Seeds Milwaukee Corp., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, announced the commencement of its 2013 Retail Business Plan Competition.

Business optimism improved in 2013's second quarter following the tepid results posted in this year's first quarter, according to the latest Business Outlook Survey conducted by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC).

Company owners interested in learning more about the process and prospects of buying or selling businesses are invited to attend the annual BizTimes M&A Forum, which will take place Friday, May 3, at the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Fiserv Inc., a Brookfield-based global provider of financial services technology solutions, announced it has expanded and added capabilities to its transactional print and mail facility in the Los Angeles area.

Oak Creek-based Karl's Event Services, which provides event rental equipment including tents, tables and chairs, announced that it has been acquired by U.K.-based Arena Group.

Jim Lindenberg announced that he has sold the Milwaukee Wave Professional Indoor Soccer Team and the team's Wave of Hope Foundation to Sue Black, who was named president and chief executive officer of the team in February.