BizTimes MKE: Milwaukee Business Insights

Brian Baker, president and CEO of Oconomowoc-based Sentry Equipment Corporation, joins BizTimes Media managing editor Arthur Thomas on the podcast. They discuss his journey from finance expert to company leader, how Sentry has expanded from a manufacturer to also a service provider, the benefits and challenges of employee ownership and how the current economy is shaping business for Sentry Equipment. Whether you’re a manufacturer or not, this episode has a number of interesting insights to help your business grow.

Ellen Gilligan, the president and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, joins Marquette University president Michael Lovell and BizTimes Media managing editor Arthur Thomas on the latest episode of Leadership Lens. Gilligan discusses what she's learned about taking on big projects, her own leadership style and how she knew it was the right time to announce her upcoming retirement. Lovell and Gilligan also both share insights from leading their own organizations' $700 million-plus fundraising campaigns. 

Milwaukee Bucks president Peter Feigin joins Marquette University president Michael Lovell and BizTimes Media managing editor Arthur Thomas on Leadership Lens, a monthly podcast that features southeastern Wisconsin business leaders discussing how they approach their work. On this episode, Feigin discusses his career journey, from working with Arthur Ashe to Madison Square Garden to the circumstances that brought him to Milwaukee. He also touches on the power of sports as a common language, the Bucks recent coaching changes, how he makes decisions and the untapped potential for Milwaukee. 

Gus Ramirez and the Ramirez Family Foundation made big news in 2023, buying the former campus of Cardinal Stritch University in Glendale and Fox Point for $24 million not long after the school shut down at the end of the spring semester. The chairman of Waukesha-based manufacturer Husco International, Ramirez and his family were behind the launch of St. Augustine Preparatory Academy on Milwaukee’s south side and now plan to open another Christian education K-12 school on the Cardinal Stritch campus by 2025. In September, Ramirez joined BizTimes Media managing editor Arthur Thomas and Marquette University president Michael Lovell for a recording of Leadership Lens, a podcast in which area business leaders discuss their leadership styles and making important decisions.

Menasha-based health insurer Network Health has a new ownership structure after Froedtert Health completed its acquisition of Ascension Wisconsin’s 50% stake in the health insurer, taking full ownership of the company. Network Health CEO Coreen Dicus-Johnson recently joined BizTimes managing editor Arthur Thomas to discuss what the change means and how the company competes in an industry dominated by giants

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media discuss the news of the week, including the announcement that UWM's Washington County campus will close by July 2024. It is another example of the challenges facing higher education amid declining enrollment, financial challenges and the changing value of higher education.

Insider Story Spotlight

• Wages in Wisconsin continue to grow more than 5% year-over-year
• Q&A: Dale Kooyenga discusses priorities as MMAC’s incoming president

Big Story

• UWM-Washington County campus to close by June
• Survival 101: Colleges adapt amid shrinking pool of high school grads

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including the first legislative victory for plans to fund improvements to American Family Field. The deal, which passed a state Assembly committee this week, would keep the Milwaukee Brewers in town through 2050. While the Republicans introduced the plans, they are also gaining support from Democrats.

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Insider Story Spotlight

• Strauss Brands to lay off 127 workers in Franklin as production line is eliminated
• Wisconsin VC funding continued to slide in Q3

Big Story

• Evers, Johnson back new Brewers stadium bill unveiled by Republicans Thursday

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news off the week, including Johnsonville taking over as the sausage sponsor at Fiserv Forum. The deal marks the third time in recent years that Johnsonville has taken over a sponsorship from Klement's.

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Insider Story Spotlight

• Sprecher acquires Ooh La Lemin lemonade brand from Kona Gold Beverage
• Baird to pay $15 million penalty for communication, recordkeeping issues

Big Story

• Johnsonville replaces Klement’s as Bucks’ sausage sponsor

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media discuss the news of the week, including Republican lawmakers unveiling a new $700 million plan to fund upgrades at American Family Field and keep the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers had previously pitched a $290 million plan that didn't include specific contributions from the team or local governments. The GOP plan includes both and gets state money from a different source.

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Insider Story Spotlight

• Sweet potato chip manufacturer expanding Muskego plant
• Crazy busy summer planned for Milwaukee in 2024

Big Story

• GOP lawmakers unveil $700 million American Family Field funding proposal
• Evers pitching $290 million plan for American Family Field upgrades
• Here are the American Family Field upgrades that more than $400 million would cover

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media discuss the news from the week, including Barrett Lo Visionary Development planning a $400 million, 918-unit, multi-building apartment development, including 15- to 19-story buildings, on the Mayfair Mall property.

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Insider Story Spotlight

• Generac plans to build plant in Beaver Dam that could employ up to 400 workers 
• Wisconsin banks saw improving loan and deposit growth in Q2

Big Story

• Barrett Lo unveils plans for $400 million apartment development at Mayfair Mall