Accounting
Reilly, Penner & Benton LLP, based in Wauwatosa, has hired James Hennick as a senior tax accountant. In this position, Hennick will focus on individual, corporate, partnership, fiduciary, exempt organizations and estate taxes.
Advertising & Public Relations
Staples Marketing, based in Pewaukee, has hired Ryan Quade as senior graphic designer, Katie Smallwood as marketing assistant, and Amy Opad as assistant account executive.
Strategic Marketing Partners, headquartered in Milwaukee, has added Melissa Shearer as marketing and client relations manager. Shearer has more than eight years of marketing and business development experience. At Strategic Marketing Partners, she will maintain client relationships through strategic analysis and communication strategies.
Banking & Finance
Racine-based Johnson Bank promoted Gus Hernandez to president of the metropolitan Milwaukee market. Hernandez has been with the bank since early 2013 and has 25 years of financial services experience. Peter Engel, who had served as executive vice president of consumer banking and president of the Milwaukee market since July 2011, will now focus on his corporate responsibilities in the EVP role.
Kirk Hackbarth has joined Richardson Financial Group in Menomonee Falls as a director of financial planning. Hackbarth has more than 20 years of experience in financial services. He most recently was a partner at Kabarec Financial Advisors.
RBC Wealth Management has promoted Linda Cowan to vice president, financial advisor, in its Milwaukee office.
Education
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has added Mount Mary University education department chair and professor Dr. Debra Dosemagen to its Professional Standards Council to serve a three-year term. Dosemagen has more than 30 years of education experience and previously served on DPI’s Teacher Effectiveness Evaluation Task Force. As a member of the PSC, she will advise the state superintendent on policies and practices for school boards and teacher organizations. She will also lend her expertise on procedures for the preparation and licensure of teachers as well as on evaluation methods for teaching excellence.
Mount Mary University has named Barbara Armstrong dean of the School of Arts & Design. Armstrong has 30 years of design experience, having most recently served as principal at Kahler Slater. Armstrong will lead the university’s art and design programs, including fine art, art therapy, fashion and interior design. She will also help advance the school’s Creative Campus Initiative, which works to blend creativity with curriculum and strengthen students’ creative leadership skills.
Government
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has appointed leaders for the Strong Neighborhoods Investment Plan, a multi-year initiative focused on city-owned, vacant and abandoned properties. Aaron Szopinski, an analyst in the city’s Budget & Management Division, will serve as housing director. Mario Higgins of the Community Development & Grants Administration Office will function as housing outreach director. Together, they will coordinate the efforts of the city departments, work with community partners, and provide accountability for the city’s investment in neighborhoods and housing under SNIP.
Health Care
Froedtert Health has appointed Lynn Streeter director of strategic planning and business development. Streeter previously worked as chief strategic planning advisor for Columbia St. Mary’s. In her new position at Froedtert Health, she will help guide system-wide strategic planning and implementation, operations management and clinical program development.
Froedtert Hospital has named Philip Brummond director of pharmacy services. Previously, Brummond worked as assistant director of pharmacy services at the University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers. He will manage the hospital’s pharmacy services and will also collaborate with pharmacists, nurses, physicians and other medical professionals to ensure a safe, effective continuum of care for patients.
Aurora Health Care has added Scott Austin as senior vice president of commercial growth. Austin has more than 25 years of experience in leadership with employee benefit providers, most recently as president of the employee benefits and life division at Johnson Insurance Services in Racine. He will focus on developing the long-term commercial growth strategy for Aurora. His responsibilities will include advancing the development of the Aurora Accountable Care Network by strengthening relationships with contracted insurers, brokers and employers.
Coreen Dicus-Johnson has been promoted to president of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare’s Central Market, which encompasses Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – Franklin and St. Francis hospitals; Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital; and Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group. Dicus-Johnson succeeds Dan Mattes, who died in November. She previously worked as senior vice president of physician and revenue operations for Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. She has been with Wheaton since 2005.
Hospitality
Clint Wills has joined the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport as general manager. He was previously general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Milwaukee Airport hotel. Michelle Arline has joined the Crowne Plaza and Ramada Plaza Milwaukee Airport and Conference Center as cluster sales manager. Arline most recently served as director of sales at the Courtyard by Marriott Milwaukee Airport hotel.
Insurance
Willis of Wisconsin’s Milwaukee area office in Wauwatosa has added David Osinski as a benefits consultant in the Human Capital Practice.
Midwest Insurance Group, of Delafield, has hired Ryan Woods as an account executive.
Interior Design
Corporate Design Interiors, based in Waukesha, has hired Elizabeth Olson as showroom manager and interior designer in the company’s new furniture showroom located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Olson has nine years of experience in commercial design. She will oversee showroom operations, organize special events for clients and designers, and administer day-to-day interior design services.
Legal Services
Foley & Lardner LLP has named partner Jason Allen co-chair of the firm’s Energy Industry Team. Allen, who works out of the firm’s Milwaukee office, has a background in energy, project and infrastructure finance transactions. In his new leadership role, he will guide firm initiatives related to traditional and renewable energy infrastructure development, financing, acquisition and divestiture.
Nonprofit
Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, has added Michelle Setzer as an executive assistant. Setzer has about 30 years of administrative experience and most recently worked as a global administrative assistant at ASQ. In her new role, she will give administrative support to CEO Beth Weirick and will function as a liaison among BID #21 property owners, vendors and internal staff.
Westown Association has named Sarah Tomczyk marketing and events coordinator. Tomczyk has experience in downtown event organizing and marketing. She will assist with coordination of community events such as Milwaukee’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Westown Farmers Market, River Rhythms, Oktoberfest and Holiday Bazaar. She will also provide support for internal initiatives.
Philanthropy
The Donors Forum of Wisconsin has named Jill Van Calster president and chief executive officer. Van Calster has more than two decades of experience serving Wisconsin nonprofit organizations and most recently was executive vice president and chief operating officer for Curative Care Network. At the DFW, she succeeds Deborah Fugenschuh.
The United Performing Arts Fund recently hired Amanda Garry Aliperta as senior marketing and community partners specialist, Ethan Hartkemeyer as marketing coordinator, Laura Rodriguez as senior marketing manager, and Chuck Rozewicz as director of development.
The Wisconsin Dental Association Foundation board of directors has added Andy Lehmkuhl, principal and co-founder of West Allis-based Edge Advisors LLC. Lehmkuhl has about 15 years of experience working in the dental and health care market.
Technology
Midland Video Productions, based in Milwaukee, has promoted Joe Liberatore to vice president of production and development. Liberatore has worked for the company for 15 years. In his new role, he will handle Midland’s creative services and will direct the company’s business development initiatives.
Utilities
Pewaukee-based American Transmission Co. has appointed William Marsan executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. Most recently, Marsan was general counsel and corporate secretary at Indianapolis Power & Light Company. At American Transmission Co., he will hold responsibility of legal and state regulatory staffs.
¦ Legal Services
Milwaukee-based Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. has announced six new shareholders. Stephen Elliott is a shareholder in the firm’s Real Estate Practice. L. Katie Mason is a shareholder in the Business Reorganization Practice. Carolyn McAllister is a shareholder in the Employee Benefits Practice. Nathan Neuberger is a shareholder in the Business Law Practice. Jessica Hutson Polakowski is a shareholder in the Intellectual Property Litigation and Tax Litigation Practices. Katie Triska is a shareholder in the Labor and Employment Practice.
