Building Connections.Strengthening Business.YOUR County Chamber
YOUR County Chamber
2016Policy Agenda
Waukesha County Business Alliance, Inc. | YOUR County Chamber2717 N. Grandview Blvd., Suite 300, Waukesha WI 53188 • p: 262.542.4249 • www.waukesha.org
Policy Board
Bart Adams - ChairSikich LLPBrian Nemoir - Vice Chair Full Impact Communications, LLCGreg Bauer BMO Harris BankBrian Carroll Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.Marikris Coryell Terex CorporationCraig Coursin MSI General CorporationMike Farrell Community LeaderMargaret Farrow Community LeaderTom Fotsch EmbedTek LLC
Susan Fronk MRA - The Management AssociationMike Gryczka American BankPat Henderson Quad/Graphics Jeff Hoffman Cushman & Wakefield | The Boerke CompanyRick Kalscheuer R&R Insurance Services, Inc.Bill King King Innovative Tom Kissinger The Marcus CorporationPatti Kneiser Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin
Bill Mielke Ruekert & Mielke IncMike Mooney MLG CompaniesMike Payne R&R Insurance Services, Inc.Mike Pjevach Wisconsin Coach Lines / Coach USAStuart Schroeder The Schroeder Group, S.C., Attorneys at LawTracy Shilobrit Meta4 Marketing & CommunicationTim Stewart DeWitt Ross & StevensFred Stier Stier Construction, Inc.
The Waukesha County Business Alliance is pleased to present this Policy Agenda, which addresses key issues impacting our business community. On behalf of the Alliance Board of Directors, we would like to thank the members of our Policy Board and three Policy Committees for their many hours of work in researching the issues and developing this document. All positions recommended by these dedicated individuals have also been vetted and approved by the Alliance Board.
We encourage our members to get involved and support our efforts to ensure a strong, pro-business climate in Waukesha County and its surroundings. If you are interested in joining a Policy Committee, please contact us.
Suzanne Kelley Amanda PaynePresident Vice President, Public PolicyWaukesha County Business Alliance Waukesha County Business Alliance(262)409-2623 (262)409-2620
Waukesha County and its 37 municipalities possess many of Wisconsin’s most vibrant businesses. Waukesha County’s most important resource, its people, contributes significant value to the state’s economic output and tax base. Additionally, the quality of life of each community is supported by the meaningful work of businesses large and small. We are committed to removing obstacles to business growth, expansion and development, and marshaling resources to accelerate economic growth and improvement to the quality of life.
Economic Development
In collaboration with the County Executive and other stakeholders, work to develop and implement a new Economic Development Organization (EDO) to serve as a central point of contact for business inquiries in Waukesha County.
Prepare an Economic Development Strategy for Waukesha County that clearly communicates multi-year objectives and serves as an implementation guide for municipal economic development staff, business organizations and the county.
Advocate for tax and regulatory measures that promote business retention.
Advance efforts to streamline and simplify inconsistencies in taxes and regulations.
Identify policy tools that allow Wisconsin to remain competitive within the region and provide Wisconsin a competitive advantage with surrounding states.
Support the Alliance’s Infrastructure and Education agendas where Economic Development is impacted.
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Economic Development Policy Committee
Mike Payne - ChairR&R Insurance Services, Inc.Greg Bauer - Vice ChairBMO Harris Bank Bart AdamsSikich LLPRyan Amtmann Ruekert & Mielke, Inc.Jeff Anderson M3 Insurance Ann Barry Hanneman Simandl Law Group, S.C.Gary BillingtonConnect.The.Dots LLCTimothy M. Casey City of BrookfieldDavid Christianson Wipfli LLP - CPAs & ConsultantsThomas Congdon University of WI - WaukeshaEric Corbeg Waddell & ReedMarybeth Cottrill Northern Trust CompanyBob Dennik VJS Construction ServicesMike Eckl U.S. Bank Jeff Garretson J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.Mary Pat Halaska Selzer-Ornst CoDan Hansen Park BankPat Henderson Quad/GraphicsBill King King Innovative
David J. Kircher Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corp.Patti Kneiser Froedtert & The Medical College of WisconsinScott Krajcir Home Federal Savings BankTony Laszewski Waukesha State BankBarry McNulty We EnergiesTimothy A Nettesheim Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.Scott Nissen Nissen Staffing Continuum IncChad O’Brien Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLPClark Rasmussen Associated BankSteven Ritt Michael Best & Friedrich LLPChad Ritterbusch The Ritterbusch GroupStuart Schroeder The Schroeder Group, S.C., Attorneys at LawTracy Shilobrit Meta4 Marketing & CommunicationMichael Stover Westbury BankTimm Walker OLIVER Construction CoBen Woodward Tri City National Bank Chris Zuzick Corporate Financial Advisors
Waukesha County’s future economic vitality depends on its employers having access to a skilled talent pool of employees. Many future members of that talent pool are currently students in Waukesha County schools. Waukesha County businesses, educational institutions and parents must work together to see that the county’s high school graduates are both college and career ready, and that students can take advantage of the job opportunities that exist in the marketplace. The Alliance will continue to collaborate with all of these groups to ensure that Waukesha County schools present multiple school-to-work options to today’s students so that they are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.
Education
Support Academic Career Plans (ACPs) for all students and a Universal Credit Transfer Agreement between Wisconsin technical colleges and UW system campuses.
Present to Waukesha County school boards, parent/teacher organizations and service groups about the employment needs of Waukesha County businesses.
Connect with middle school students, parents and educators to introduce them to a wider range of career options.
Advocate for the following employability skills to become part of the curriculum in every Waukesha County school district: communication, critical thinking and problem solving, personal responsibility, personal growth and working in a team.
Assess the impact of recent state legislation to address a shortage of qualified technical education teachers and stay informed of local implementation efforts.
Drive best practices among school districts addressing the skills gap in manufacturing, skilled trades, IT and health care.
Education Health Care Subcommittee: Build stronger relationships between Waukesha County schools and Alliance members in the health care community. Start with the “Many Futures in Health Care” fair.
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Education Policy Committee
Rick Kalscheuer - ChairR&R Insurance Services, Inc.Marikris Coryell - Vice ChairTerex Corporation Larry Bangs PNC BankMark Beilman Precision Plus, Inc.Bob Buerger The PrivateBankChris Carman ActionCOACH of Elm GroveJeff Clark Waukesha® Metal ProductsMary Ellen Comp CC&NMargaret Farrow Community Leader
Jerry Fons Executive Power LLCSusan Fronk MRA - The Management AssociationJoan Kiser W.I.S. Logistics IncNick Kroll Aries Industries, Inc.Alicia Moore Rogers Memorial Hospital Renee Patterson Rogers Memorial HospitalVicki Pinnow Waukesha® Metal ProductsLynn Revoy Community LeaderMark Sabljak Milwaukee Business Journal
John Schiraj United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha CountyKevin Scott DeWitt Ross & StevensMichael R. Sekula InPro CorporationJames R Stearns Sitzberger Hau & Company, S.C.Marc Whitney The Ritterbusch GroupLeighann Zimmer Froedtert & The Medical College of WisconsinChris Zuzick Corporate Financial AdvisorsJ.P. Zvesper Jacsten Holdings, LLC
Education Health Care Subcommittee
Renee Patterson - ChairRogers Memorial Hospital Kerri Ackerman Waukesha Community Health CenterDavid Addington LifeCare Hospitals of WisconsinSarah Armao ProHealth CareDarla Armstrong Lake Country Health and RehabilitationBob Best Laureate Group Senior CommunitiesGabrielle Burnitz ProHealth CareGlen Choban Capri Senior Communities
Andy Dresang Froedtert & The Medical College of WisconsinChristy Grunewald Aurora Health CareYvette Harrington Coppe Healthcare SolutionsAlfred (AJ) E Jefferson Jr. Froedtert & The Medical College of WisconsinRick Kalscheuer R&R Insurance Services, Inc.Angela Klauser River Hills West Health Care CenterAnn Marie Krause - Hanson Waukesha County Technical CollegeKenneth Maurer R&R Insurance Services, Inc.Lisa McNeil Momentum Movement Clinic
Alicia Moore Rogers Memorial HospitalCynthia Paris Rogers Memorial HospitalBreyan M Radeck Grandview Chiropractic CenterAmanda Reedy Froedtert & The Medical College of WisconsinAshley Rome ProHealth CareKevin Scott DeWitt Ross & StevensErin Tauscher Cultivate by Standard ProcessHeather VanHaelewyn Frontida Inc
Waukesha County’s economic vitality depends on a modern and robust infrastructure network coupled with efficient and collaborative governments throughout the 37 municipalities that encompass Waukesha County. A vibrant business climate demands that the day-to-day activities in which we all participate – such as providing a safe and sustainable supply of drinking water to our communities, connecting people to jobs, facilitating the flow of goods and services to markets via modern transportation networks, and continuing to advance fiscally sound and efficient communities – are provided in a seamless and cost-effective manner.
Infrastructure
Support Waukesha’s application to borrow Lake Michigan water via the City of Oak Creek, returning the water to the lake through the Root River.
Drive discussion about potential funding options for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to ensure that the solutions are appropriate and pro-business.
Advocate for completion of the I-94 East-West corridor between 70th Street and 16th Street.
Support the continued advancement of municipal service consolidation.
Continue researching state and local incentives for energy efficiency building upgrades.
Continue to evaluate flexible transportation options that support the private sector in recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce.
Support completion of the West Waukesha Bypass along Highway TT/Meadowbrook Road/Merrill Hills Road via the Pebble Creek West Alternative.
Support the Alliance’s Economic Development agenda as it relates to statewide TIF reforms.
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Infrastructure Policy Committee
Jeff Hoffman - ChairCushman & Wakefield | The Boerke CompanyTim Stewart - Vice ChairDeWitt Ross & StevensLarry Bangs PNC BankRobert J. Bast Go Riteway Transportation GroupMary Carpenter American Transmission CompanyBrian Carroll Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.Tom Dieckelman Wisconsin Coach Lines / Coach USATom Fotsch EmbedTek LLCDon Gallo Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.Troy E. Giles Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.Mike Gryczka American BankPat Henderson Quad/GraphicsKristine Hillmer Metropolitan Builders AssociationTom Kissinger The Marcus CorporationScott Kroeger AECOM
Bill Mielke Ruekert & Mielke, Inc.Timothy A Nettesheim Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.Bruce Ommen Ayres AssociatesJoe Pieper Westbury BankMike Pjevach Wisconsin Coach Lines / Coach USAGary Riley First Federal Bank of Wisconsin Robert Risch Sorrentino Burkert Risch Kalter Law Group LLCTom Schreibel Beechwood Sales and ServiceCheryl Sment Interstate Sealant & Concrete, IncKevin Soucie CNFred Stier Stier Construction, Inc.Todd W. Taves Ehlers & Associates IncJennifer Vaughn SealMaster WisconsinCharlie Webb CH2M
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