Leadership

Volunteerism can help business leaders gain valuable learning and critical thinking skills, according to Gary Meier, president of Metalworld Inc. in Racine, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The company, formerly known as Racine Boiler and Tank, fabricates a wide variety of metal products.

Gary Steinhafel is president of Steinhafels Inc., a third-generation family furniture business started in 1934 by his grandfather. Gary works alonside his sister Ellen Steinhafel-Lappe (CFO) and cousins Mark (COO), Steve and Tom Steinhafel. Mark's son, Andrew, recently joined Steinhafels as IT director. Steinhafels operates 17 retail stores in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. The company has more than 600 employees. Here, Steinhafel shares valuable leassons he has learned during his career.

What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?

"Expanding the Elite Sports Clubs brand to five clubs in the Greater Milwaukee area by purchasing the former Le Club property, now known as River Glen, in Glendale. We now have three clubs in the North Shore area – Mequon, North Shore and River Glen – plus two clubs in Brookfield. With the addition of River Glen, we are the premier tennis facility with 44 courts. Plus we offer basketball, state-of-the-art equipment, 10 swimming pools, extensive weight-training, cardiovascular areas and free group classes at each location."

Stewart "Stu" Wangard is chairman, CEO and founder of Wangard, a Wauwatosa-based real estate investment, development and management firm. His firm is one of several that is building or planning to build urban housing in Milwaukee to meet the demands of young professionals. Here he explains what projects need to appeal to that demographic.