Join us for the 2011 First Business Economic Forum
The results of the 2011 First Business Economic Survey are in. Find out what Milwaukee and Waukesha business leaders are saying about 2011 actual and 2012 predicted:
- sales revenue
- total operating costs
- capital expenditures
- profitability
- number of employees
- changes in wages
- changes in pricing
- demand for education and experience levels in job applicants
Join us December 13 for our First Business Economic Forum. Tom Hefty will highlight the 2011 survey results. Following the presentation, Lynn Sprangers will moderate a panel discussion with local business leaders on the economic climate of Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties.
Featured Business Leaders:
Speaker: Tom Hefty
Tom is the retired Chief Executive Officer of Cobalt Corporation NYSE (Blue Cross Blue Shield United of Wisconsin). He served as Co-Chair of Governor Doyle's Economic Growth Council from 2003-2005 and on a similar panel under Governor Thompson. Tom holds a masters degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin. He has received honorary doctorates from both Ripon College and the Medical College of Wisconsin. He has also taught both business and economics at Ripon College.
Moderator: Lynn Sprangers
Lynn is the Executive in Residence for Women's Leadership at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee. She focuses on public policy and social justice issues that affect women, including education, gender equity, poverty, racial diversity, and conflict resolution. Lynn was the 2010 Campaign Co-Chair for the United Way of Greater Milwaukee. Prior to these roles, she was: an executive with the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, including President of Brewers Charities; Director of Communications for the Milwaukee County Executive; and spent nearly 20 years in broadcast journalism
Panelist: Kent Lorenz
Kent is the Midwest Regional President of Ellison Technologies. Kent joined Ellison Machinery as a Sales Engineer in the Milwaukee Office in 1985. After holding several positions in sales and management, Kent took over as President of the Midwestern Group of Ellison Technologies Companies in 2006. Kent is past Chairman of the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association (AMTDA), past President of the Pewaukee Woods Owner's Association, and past member of the Pewaukee Lake Citizens Advisory Committee. Kent is also an Owner/Partner of DKR Investors LLC. He has been an active member of the Milwaukee Chapter of the Young President's Organization (YPO) since 2000.
Panelist: Christine Holloway
Christine is a Communications business and IT professional currently serving as Vice President of the Converged Infrastructure Solutions segment of CDW. Christine has more than 20 years of leadership experience in sales, marketing and communication technology services. In her current role as Vice President, she is responsible for the overall strategy and development of unified communications, networking, and security solution offerings. Christine also serves as the President of TEMPO International's Waukesha Chapter and is active in numerous community and mission outreach initiatives through her church.
Panelist: Greg Marcus
Greg is the President & CEO of The Marcus Corporation, and serves as President of B&G Realty. Greg has been a Director of The Marcus Corporation since 2005. He also serves as Director of Columbia St. Mary's, and is on the boards of several non-profit organizations including Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee Jewish Federation, and United Way of Greater Milwaukee. He was President of Betty Brinn Children's Museum, and Director of Cinema Screen Media, LLC. Greg received Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Indiana University in 1986 and J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1989.
Panelist: JoAnne Brandes
JoAnne retired after a 25+ year career with the S.C. Johnson family of companies as EVP, CAO, General Counsel, and Secretary of JohnsonDiversey, Inc. She was responsible for all legal matters, Human Resources, Communications, Public Affairs, and administration for the company and its over 65 international and domestic subsidiaries. JoAnne was a member of the company's management committee and had major responsibility for the company's acquisition and integration of global companies adding over $2 billion in sales.
Cross-Regional Results
The First Business Economic Survey was executed in Dane County, Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties, and Northeast Wisconsin. The individual market results are being rolled out in December in each market. A cross-regional report that compares and contrasts the results between regions will be released on December 16, 2011.
