Veteran employee honored as technician of the year
Ed Vesbach, 90, an employee of New Berlin-based Joe Wilde Company, Inc., was recently honored as the 2011 Technician of the Year at the International Garage Door Exposition.
Vesbach has worked for the company for the past 60 years.
Vesbach was hired as the company’s first installer/technician in 1950, his son Brian has also been with the company for 32 years.
UWM names founding dean of the School of Freshwater Sciences
Australian scientist David E. J. Garman, a specialist in water resources and pollution control, has been named as the founding dean of the graduate School of Freshwater Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM).
His appointment will become effective Sept. 1.
Garman comes to UWM from the Environmental Biotechnology Cooperative Research Centre (EBCRC) in Eveleigh, New South Wales, Australia, where he has been executive director since 1996. The EBCRC brings together the multidisciplinary skills of researchers, engineers and industry participants to discover novel technologies for environmental and other applications.
The UWM School of Freshwater Sciences is the only graduate school in the nation dedicated solely to the study of freshwater issues.
“Dr. Garman brings tremendous experience to our university and represents exactly what we want our new school to become: an international leader in the field of freshwater sciences,” said UWM Chancellor Michael Lovell. “His agreeing to become the founding dean of the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences is an indication that there is global recognition of our region’s potential to be a world leader in water research, policy and technology development.”
“David Garman brings a truly global perspective on freshwater science that bridges the public and private sectors. His experience in developing and applying water technology solutions throughout the world is uniquely suited to advancing the School of Freshwater Sciences’ goal of being in the forefront of water research globally,” said UWM Provost Johannes Britz.
Brinkman is new CEO of Wisconsin Manufacturers Extension Partnership
The Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) has named Buckley Brinkman to serve as the organization’s executive director and chief executive officer.
In this role, Brinkman will oversee the operations and management of WMEP, a nonprofit consulting organization that provides services to help Wisconsin’s small and midsize manufacturers grow and succeed. He also will lead WMEP’s advocacy efforts on behalf of state manufacturers, which include research studies, educational programs and initiatives to promote competitiveness, exports and sustainability.
“WMEP has a proven track record in providing services that deliver exceptional results to Wisconsin manufacturers,” Brinkman said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to build on the success of this terrific organization, and lead efforts to achieve our mission to make Wisconsin the best manufacturing economy in the world.”
Brinkman served as president and chief operating officer of U.S. Music Corp., an Illinois-based musical instrument manufacturer, and as chief operating officer of Minneapolis-based Manchester Companies, where he received the Turnaround of the Year award for his work with a medical device manufacturer. Most recently, he served as president of Vallon LLC, a Minneapolis-based interim executive placement firm.
“We’re very pleased to have Buckley Brinkman on board and wish him the best as he takes the helm of WMEP,” said Mike Erwin, chair of WMEP’s board of directors and president of Menomonee Falls-based Tailored Label Products, Inc. “He is an enthusiastic and energetic proponent of manufacturing who will be a tremendous asset to the organization.”
Brinkman fills the position vacated by Mike Klonsinski, who left WMEP in January to become deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.
Walker retains Baumbach as Workforce Development secretary
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker named Department of Workforce Development (DWD) interim secretary Scott Baumbach as the department’s full-time secretary.
“Scott Baumbach has done a tremendous job in the Department of Workforce Development since day one, both as a deputy and interim secretary, and I know that he will continue to succeed in his new role,” Walker said. “My administration’s number one priority is to allow the private sector to create 250,000 jobs by 2015, and Scott’s leadership at DWD will help us achieve that goal.”
Baumbach succeeds Milwaukee business executive Manny Perez, who left the helm of the Department of Commerce after just five months.
Baumbach was named deputy secretary of DWD in January 2011 and assumed the interim secretary role in May. He previously was an associate and partner at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP law firm in Milwaukee from 2001-2010, and a law clerk for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Diane Sykes from 2000-2001.
“I look forward to continuing my work in the Department of Workforce Development and advancing Gov. Walker’s vision of creating the environment for 250,000 private sector jobs by 2015,” Baumbach said. “DWD will continue to play an important role in that effort, and I thank Governor Walker for the opportunity to serve.”
West Bend banker is new chair of Wisconsin Bankers Association
James Podewils, president and chief operating officer of Westbury Bank in West Bend, will serve as the 2011-2012 chair of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA).
The WBA is the state’s largest financial industry trade association, representing 300 commercial banks and savings institutions, their nearly 2,300 branch offices and 28,000 employees.
Podewils earned his business degree from Marquette University. He started his career at Continental Savings Bank and took on several roles including branch manager, vice president of operations and chief operating officer. In 1997, he became the president and CEO of Continental Savings Bank, which later merged with West Bend Savings Bank to become Westbury Bank.
Also serving as officers on the WBA board are: chair-elect Daniel Riebe, president of Peoples Bank of Wisconsin, Eau Claire; vice chair Tom Pamperin, president/CEO of Premier Community Bank, Marion; and past chair Robert Just, Jr., president/CEO of Mound City Bank, Platteville.
Joining the board for three-year terms are: Cynthia Erdman, president & CEO, First Bank of Tomah, Tomah; Jay McKenna, executive vice president/chief operating officer, North Shore Bank, Brookfield; and Jeffrey Whitrock, president/CEO, Pioneer Bank, Auburndale.
Those continuing their terms on the board are: Jon Bernander, president/CEO of Bank of Wisconsin Dells; Carla Breunig, president/CEO, Layton State Bank, New Berlin; Robert Cera, CEO, Baylake Bank, Sturgeon Bay; Scott Lockard, president-Madison market, U.S. Bank, N.A., Madison; Peter Prickett, president/CEO, First National Bank-Fox Valley, Neenah; Steven Schowalter, president/CEO, Port Washington State Bank; Bradley Sturm, president and CEO, Coulee Bank, La Crosse; Terry Taylor, president, Oak Bank, Fitchburg; and Michael Welsh, president & CEO, Peoples State Bank of Bloomer.
Prime Financial Credit Union appoints new board
Cudahy-based Prime Financial Credit Union announced that members elected a new, seven-member board of directors at its annual meeting, marking the credit union’s first election since 2008.
Additionally, Prime Financial announced a net income of $474,563 for 2010, the first time the institution reported a net income since 2007.
Credit union president and chief executive officer Christine Moczynski said the new board and net income are signs the credit union continues to recover since resuming independent operations from the state in May 2010.
“We have worked hard – in partnership with our members, board and employees – to improve Prime Financial’s overall position and performance, and we’ve accomplished quite a bit in a very short period of time,” Moczynski said. “To record our first net income in three years and have a member-elected Board in place are significant milestones. We are confident that Prime Financial can build on these successes as we continue to move forward.”
The new seven member board includes: HB Staffileno (chairman); Christine Timm (vice chairman); Eric Moore (secretary); Raplph Devito; Dennis DeGrave; Randy Perry; and Sean Slowey.
The new board replaces a seven-person board appointed by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions when it returned control of Prime Financial to its members after 15 months in conservatorship.
“Prime Financial has made significant progress, and we are pleased to continue this positive trend under the direction of our new board and outstanding team,” Moczynski said. “It has been an honor for Prime Financial Credit Union to serve our devoted members and carry on our tradition of ‘people helping people’ for 88 years. We look forward to the future.”
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