WISN-Channel 12 news anchor and reporter Abe Lubetkin will be the emcee of the BizTimes Health Care Heroes Awards Brekafast, which will salute people and organizations who are making a positive difference on the front lines of health care.

Twas the employer’s holiday party, getting all away from the house
Employees were stirring, excited to be out
The company took many precautions with care
To avoid claims of liability after the celebratory affair

Heartland Financial USA Inc., the parent company of Madison-based Wisconsin Bank & Trust, announced it has closed on the purchase of First Shares Inc. (FSI), parent company of First National Bank of Platteville.

Cleveland, Ohio-based Cohen Fund Audit Services, which opened a Milwaukee office in September, has decided to make Milwaukee one of its hubs.

Neenah-based Legacy Private Trust Company announced that Paul Kasriel, retired senior vice president and chief economist at Northern Trust Bank, has joined Legacy as a senior economic and investment advisor and consultant.

Racine-based Johnson Outdoors Inc. announced it has closed on its acquisition of Jetboil Inc., the world's No. 1 brand of outdoor cooking systems.

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services LLC (USBFS), a Milwaukee-based subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp, announced it has agreed to acquire AIS Fund Administration (AIS), a provider of fund administration and related services to alternative investment managers.

Blackthorne Partners Ltd., a Mequon-based private equity firm, announced it has acquired Berlon Industries, a Hustisford-based manufacturer of buckets and attachments for skid loaders, telehandlers and compact utility tractors.

New Berlin-based Nassco Inc. has acquired of Messner Inc. of Madison.
Messner began in 1941as the Refrigeration Equipment Co.

The Wisconsin economy is expanding at a somewhat sluggish pace and has struggled to gather any sustained momentum given declining factory activity, according to the State Monitor report released by BMO Capital Markets Economics.

The owners of the United Center have offered DePaul University 10 years free rent and a court-full of other perks if they'll move Blue Demons basketball games to the United Center, according to sources close to the matter.

In recent years, regionalism has been a hot topic in the news and a trend among area businesses and local governments. From boardrooms of area businesses to County Board and Common Council meetings, our elected leaders have looked to find ways to share services and create efficiencies. However, the benefits and efficiencies of regionalization are not unique to businesses and municipalities, they can be equally as important for nonprofit and service-oriented organizations.