Accounting
Brookfield-based Vrakas CPAs + Advisors promoted Dave Canedo, Chris Marks and Goran Vukovic to senior accountants.
Advertising & Public Relations
Boelter + Lincoln Marketing Communications, of Milwaukee, recently promoted Jessica Levine to assistant account executive in its public relations and social media department. Levine previously worked as an account coordinator. In her elevated role, she will take on more responsibility in the daily management of public relations and social media activities for clients.
Architecture
HGA Architects and Engineers added Brenda Barker as senior human resources generalist in its Milwaukee office. Prior to joining HGA, Barker served as a human resources manager with Godfrey & Kahn S.C. She is well versed in talent management and development, performance management and development, employee relations matters, employment law matters, compensation, talent acquisition, training and development, and succession planning. At HGA, Barker will be responsible for employee relations, recruiting and onboarding for Milwaukee employees. She will also contribute to human resources projects and the creation of processes, policies and procedures across the entire firm.
Banking & Finance
Park Bank, headquartered in Milwaukee, has added Greg Wesley to its board of directors. Wesley is an equity partner with Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP. The bank’s board is composed of 10 directors.
Annex Wealth Management, of Elm Grove, has named Deanne Phillips director of client learning and development. Phillips previously worked as vice president, director of investments, for BMO Harris Bank in Milwaukee. She has more than 17 years of client relations and public speaking experience. At Annex Wealth Management, she will coach clients on wealth management topics with a large focus on female investors. She will also be charged with adding new clients, building long-term relationships and contributing to Annex Wealth Management’s regular radio shows.
Francis Investment Counsel, of Brookfield, added Alicia Stingley as an advisor, participant services, and Sally Gebauer as an education services coordinator. The company also recently promoted Anne Loppnow to business development consultant. Loppnow has been with the company since 2013 in the role of education services coordinator.
Education
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education appointed Jayna Hintz program coordinator for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The school also recently named Angela Kelber as an outreach specialist for the Department of Human Services and Pamela Kramer as an account executive for marketing.
Hospitality & Entertainment
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of Milwaukee-based The Marcus Corp., has appointed Laurie Hobbs vice president of marketing. In this leadership capacity, Hobbs will head marketing, e-commerce, customer relationship marketing, advertising, social media and public relations initiatives. She has 30 years of experience in marketing communications in the hospitality industry and most recently worked as director of marketing for Blue Harbor Resort, Spa & Conference Center in Sheboygan.
Interior Design
New Berlin-based Schroeder Solutions added Denise Scardina, Jonathon Kokott and Matthew Rosenquist to its team of Workplace Consultants. Scardina will head the Account Management Team as general sales manager, Kokott will serve as a logistics coordinator, and Rosenquist will contribute to the company’s design process.
Legal Services
Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. named Donald Gallo a co-leader of its Environmental Litigation Team. Gallo is a shareholder in the firm’s Milwaukee office and belongs to its Real Estate Practice Group. He has 25 years of legal experience and has more than 40 years of experience in environmental engineering. Gallo’s practice centers on environmental matters as he addresses cost recovery and contribution, administrative enforcement actions, insurance recovery, permitting, litigation on environmental matters, transactional issues, development of environmental legislation and regulations, and environmental regulatory compliance.
Andrus Intellectual Property Law’s Milwaukee office has welcomed Thomas Knight as an associate. Knight’s practice focuses on domestic and international patent and trademark prosecution and enforcement. He advises clients on patentability and infringement issues and gives written patentability and clearance opinions.
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, based in Milwaukee, has added Danielle Bergner as a partner and co-chair of its Real Estate Practice Group. Prior to joining the firm, Bergner worked as a Milwaukee deputy city attorney. She has experience in real estate development, zoning and land use, tax credits, and public and private real estate financing.
Manufacturing
Superior Die Set Corp., of Oak Creek, has added Brandon Haffelder as a process engineer, a role in which he will work to enhance manufacturing efficiency, accuracy and product flow.
Waukesha-based Generac Power Systems has appointed Patrick Forsythe executive vice president of global engineering. Forsythe has more than 25 years of experience in engineering. He most recently was vice president, engineering and technology, for Hayward Industries.
Nonprofit
The United Performing Arts Fund has appointed David Fantle chief marketing officer. In his new position, Fantle will help strengthen the organization’s public profile and mission. Prior to joining UPAF, Fantle was executive director of the Milwaukee chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Before that role, he served as deputy secretary of tourism and vice president of public relations for VISIT Milwaukee.
Professional Organizations
The Kenosha Area Business Alliance has welcomed Brock Portilia as director of finance and administration. In this role, Portilia will oversee KABA’s financial matters with responsibility for financial accounting and reporting, revolving loan fund management and administration, budget preparation and other financial duties. Portilia, who grew up in Kenosha, previously served as senior auditor at Assurant Health in Milwaukee.
