BizStarts Milwaukee names Steininger president
BizStarts Milwaukee has expanded its board of directors and appointed co-founder Daniel Steininger as president of the organization.
Co-founder John Torinus, chief executive officer of Serigraph, is moving to the newly created role of chairman of the BizStarts board.
Bill Haberman was elected vice president, while Tony Berndt and Karen Ellenbecker remain treasurer and secretary, respectively.
The board also approved seven new members: Dave Baumgarten, CEO of Bank Mutual; Marilyn Vollrath, president and CEO of Vollrath Associates; Bev Greenberg, community leader; Bill Haberman, president of the Herzfeld Foundation; Jennifer Bartolotta, Bartolotta Restaurants; Ann Hanna, president and CEO of Commercial Restoration; Kishor Patel, CEO of GS Hydraulics; and David Aragón, senior executive and owner of the Site Group and president of MAP Engineering Services.
Newly appointed BizStarts Milwaukee executive director Eric Paulsen said, “I’m excited about these developments. The addition of Ann Hanna, Kishor Patel and David Aragón expands the already impressive breadth of knowledge and resources held by our board members. As we continue to develop Venture Track, College Consortium and our other programs that expand our ability to help inspire and launch new high-growth companies, our board members and officers provide exceptional guidance.”
Torinus said, “We have come a long way in less than three years towards creating an entrepreneurial culture in the M7 region. We were once derided as a conservative, risk-averse area. No longer. We’re becoming known as a great place for entrepreneurs to seek support, applause and capital.”
BizStarts Milwaukee launched in 2008 to connect individuals who have innovative product and company ideas with information and practical resources needed to start and grow their businesses in southeastern Wisconsin.
Waukesha County Community Foundation names Leverenz president
Ford Titus, chairman of the board of directors of the Waukesha County Community Foundation, has announced the selection of Kathryn Leverenz of Oconomowoc as the organization’s new president. Leverenz will succeed Dave Schultz, who will retire June 30 after serving as the president of the Foundation since 2005.
“We were impressed with the credentials of our candidates, which made our job more difficult,” Titus said. “Our committee was thorough and deliberate and we are confident that Kathryn is the most qualified candidate to fulfill the demands of the job.”
Leverenz will begin her duties in June so that she and Schultz can work together for a smooth transition. She previously served as a planned and major gift officer for the Waukesha Memorial Hospital Foundation since 2004. She also worked with the American Lung Association and Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services in fund development positions, and previously in the financial services industry.
Local volunteers honored for their work
The Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee, recently held its 29th annual Inspire by Example Awards and five awards were presented to local corporate and individual volunteers. DRS Power & Control Technologies received the Business Award; Meals on Wheels Volunteer Drivers nominated by Horizon Home Care and Hospice received the Team Volunteer award, Audrey Hemmer received the adult volunteer award for her work with Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement programs; C. Frederick Geilfuss II received the Fran Swigart Board Leadership Award and Carlos Orozco of Brown Deer High School received the youth volunteer award. The luncheon was attended by 430 corporate and nonprofit employees along with volunteers. Portia Young of WISN 12 was the Master of Ceremonies.
City Year Milwaukee Receives SOAR Award
Milwaukee Public School superintendent, Greg Thornton recently awarded the City Year David & Julia Uihlein Charitable Foundation Team serving at 81st Street School with the 2011 SOAR Award. The award recognized the City Year team’s support and strong partnership with the district’s pre-existing Community Learning Centers (CLC) at 81st Street School.
VSA honored with national award
VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, has announced that VSA Wisconsin will receive the National Award of Excellence in Public Awareness and Outreach for its dedication to increasing opportunities for people with disabilities not only with its newsletter, website, email blasts and public speaking engagements, but also through its programs. VSA Wisconsin presents multiple, traveling, juried exhibitions of the work of artists with disabilities. School groups visiting the exhibits participate in an interactive and Universally Designed experience.
“VSA Wisconsin’s work consistently creates opportunities in the arts for both children and adults with disabilities,” said Carol McGrath, VSA director of affiliate services. “Out of all our 40 affiliates nationwide, VSA Wisconsin stood out for excelling in Public Awareness and Outreach, and we are so pleased to congratulate them on their accomplishments.”
Tri-Adathon nonprofit spotlight
The Tri-Adathon venture between Elm Grove-based Clear Verve Marketing and Milwaukee firms Catral Doyle Creative and the Welke Group recently presented 32 area nonprofit organizations with pro-bono marketing services as part of its 24-hour nonstop creative work marathon.
The services provided included marketing and communications planning, public relations programs, website design, radio spot creation, graphic design and media planning.
Tri-Adathon worked closely with local vendors who donated on air time, printing services and other amenities to the selected organizations.
Tri-Adathon received 115 requests for work from nonprofit organizations and were selected based on need and the skills of the marketing companies involved, said Christina Steder, president of Clear Verve Marketing.
BizTimes Nonprofit Weekly will highlight the organizations selected, and the work they received, over the next few weeks. The Center for Communication, Hearing & Deafness got involved with the Tri-Adathon effort to give their annual Corks & Kegs event a fresh look. Team members created an invitation and theme for the event which will be held in August. The organization hopes that the new invitation and theme will help attract new event attendees that can help support programs and services for individuals of all ages with hearing loss.
Nonprofit Name: Center for Communication, Hearing & Deafness
Nonprofit Address: 10243 W. National Avenue, West Allis, WI 53227
Website: www.cchdwi.org
Leadership: Dorothy Kerr – Executive Director, Lynn Lucius – President, Board of Directors
Mission of Organization: “To help infants, children and adults reach their fullest potential by eliminating communication and language barriers through personalized services, technology and education.”
Annual volunteer/fundraising event:
Eighth Annual Gardens Luncheon
Thursday, May 12
Woman’s Club of Wisconsin
813 E. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee
Corks & Kegs – Beer & Wine Tasting Fundraiser
Friday, August 26
Milwaukee Brewing Company
613 S. Second St., Milwaukee
What makes your organization unique?
“The Center is the only place of its kind in Wisconsin, serving infants through the elderly and offering a full-range of services to help individuals hear and communicate better – from hearing aids to sign language instruction. CCHD is truly a one stop shop for hearing-related products and services to meet the needs of individuals of all ages.”
Is your organization in search of board members?
“Yes, the Center is currently looking for board members who have a passion for helping others in our community and who believe strongly in the mission of the Center for Communication, Hearing & Deafness.”
How can business people/the community help your organization?
“The Center always has a need for support from our community in the form of donations, attending fundraising events, sponsoring events or activities at the Center, inviting the Center to speak in the community, Board membership and volunteering on an event committee.”
