Viewpoints

The 2013 Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest has drawn a record 326 entries, competition officials announced Wednesday.

Bryant & Stratton College has established a hospitality management degree program at its downtown Milwaukee campus to help develop a workforce that can serve the business needs of Milwaukee’s hotels, restaurants, conventions and tourism market.

A great deal of positive chatter about Wisconsin’s economy in 2013 is coming out of the state’s banking sector.

There was a palpable tension in the room when Bob Chernow began his recent speech to Tempo Milwaukee by telling the women that the original title for his talk was, “The Future of Women in Business or There Ain’t Nothing Like a Dame.”

David Kane has been named the new president of Milwaukee-based Badger Mutual Insurance Company.

Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. announced that Jon Langenfeld has been promoted to head of global equities with overall responsibility for Baird’s equity research, sales and trading operations.

First Business Financial Services Inc. the Madison-based parent company of First Business Bank and First Business Bank -Milwaukee, reported strong fourth quarter and record full year earnings, reflecting successful execution on initiatives to grow loans and in-market deposits, invest in fee-generating capabilities and improve asset quality.

The U.S. economy shrank in the fourth quarter for the first time since 2009, hurt by the largest cut in defense spending in 40 years, fewer exports and sluggish growth in company stockpiles.

Waukesha-based Generac Power Systems Inc. announced it is looking for qualified applicants to fill approximately 100 permanent manufacturing, professional and technical positions jobs at its Jefferson and Whitewater facilities.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellor Mike Lovell has cooked up a recipe that he predicts will transform the “innovation ecosystem” and economy of southeast Wisconsin.