2011 First Business Economic Survey & Forum
The results of the 2011 First Business Economic Survey are in. Find out what Northeast Wisconsin 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 15 for our First Business Economic Forum. David Ward will highlight the 2011 survey results. Following the presentation, Margaret LeBrun will moderate a panel discussion with local business leaders on the economic climate of Northeast Wisconsin.
Featured Business Leaders:
Speaker: David Ward
David is the President and Founder of NorthStar Economics. He earned a BBA, MBA and Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Dr. Ward completed a 31 year career in the University of Wisconsin System in 2000. He held teaching positions at the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay and the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, and was awarded the Chancellor's Medallion.
Moderator: Margaret LeBrun
Margaret is Co-publisher, Editor, and Writer for Insight Publications. Margaret launched Insight Publications with co-publisher, Brian Rassmussen in 2008, featuring Insight, a monthly business-to-business magazine. Margaret is an award-winning professional journalist, with many years of experience as an editor and reporter for daily newspapers in New York and Wisconsin.
Panelist: Shelia Jenkins
Sheila became President of Network Health Plan in 2002. The health plan is a division of Affinity Health System and provides a suite of comprehensive health insurance products to more than 125,000 residents of Northeast Wisconsin. Sheila guides Network's strategic initiatives and performance, leading the organization to be ranked among the nation's top 50 health plans. Sheila is a certified public accountant and has more than 25 years of experience in health care administration.
Panelist: Bob Zemple
Bob is Partner with Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, and has been serving clients since 1980. Bob is the contributing Partner for the firm's Manufacturing and Distribution Team. He specializes in accounting and auditing practices. His specific experience includes: acting as the engagement partner on numrous accounting and auditing engagements, analyzing and making recommendations for improvment of inventory management and controls systems, assisting with product contribution margin analysis, and more.
Panelist: Vicki Updike
Vicki has 20 years business and marketing experience with direct to consumer and business brands. Vicki is currently the President of Miles Kimball Company. Miles Kimball Company manages five direct to consumer brands: Miles Kimball, Walter Drake, Easy Comforts, As We Change, and Exposures. Prior to joining Miles Kimball Company, Vicki held direct marketing positions at American Girl and Lab Safety Supply.
Panelist: Ann Franz
Ann is the Strategic Partnerships Manager for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. She serves as the coordinator of three industry sector partnerships: NEW Manufacturing Alliance, North Coast Marine Manufacturing Alliance, and the Greater Green Bay Healthcare Alliance. The NEW Manufacturing Alliance is a partnership that promotes manufacturing in an 18 county region. The manufacturers that are members of the Alliance employ 30 percent of the manufacturing workforce in the New North.
Panelist: Mark Lasky
Mark has been the Chief Executive Officer of Sadoff and Rudoy Industries since 2006. Sadoff and Rudoy Industries is a third generation, privately held scrap metal recycling company headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Mark currently serves as President for the Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh Board of Directors, a board member of Governors for the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, and a member of TEC 12 based in Northeast Wisconsin.
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 and the cross-regional report that compares and contrasts the results between regions will be released December 16, 2011.
