Milwaukee Business Journal Weekly

MBJ’s Teddy Nykiel interviews Todd Asmuth, President and Chief Strategy Officer, with SHINE Medical.  The company just raised $150M for a total of $650 million raised so far. SHINE Medical is nuclear technology company in Janesville that started in the medical space but has plans to expand into clean energy.  Later, Teddy talks with fellow MBJ reporters Sari Lesk and Margaret Naczek about this week’s cover story on the Bucks playoff run and how that’s affecting the Bucks organization and downtown restaurants and bars.  For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Sari Lesk talks with JoAnne Sabir about the reopening of the Sherman Phoenix. The complex, which houses 25 small businesses, was closed to the public for the last year due to Covid-19, but has recently re-opened.  Later, Sari chats with fellow MBJ reporter Margaret Naczek about her cover story on the return of business travel  - and specifically to Mitchell International Airport.  For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

Milwaukee radio personality Gene Mueller announced his retirement from WTMJ Radio earlier this week.  MBJ’s Rich Kirchen sat down with the host of “Wisconsin’s Morning News” about his decision and his plans to remain active in the media across a few platforms. Later, MBJ reporter Sean Ryan has an update on three luxury high-rise apartments that are either planned or underway in downtown Milwaukee. Sean also discusses his cover story on Milwaukee real estate developer Blair Williams, who is progressing in his recovery from a stroke.  For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/  

  MBJ’s Sean Ryan digs into some changes at Milwaukee 7, Southeast Wisconsin’s biggest private organization that works nationwide to attract more jobs and companies. They have new leadership on the podcast to talk about what that means, and what kind of activity they’re seeing this summer in the corporate attraction world.  We’ll hear from long-time leader Pat O’Brien, business attraction ace and new executive director Jim Paetsch, and Lynn Olberding, who joins Milwaukee 7 as Vice President of Economic Development.  Later, Sean is joined by fellow MBJ reporter Rich Kirchen to talk about the “new” Briggs and Stratton.  Rich had an extended interview with the Milwaukee manufacturer’s CEO, Steve Andrews. After emerging from a Chapter 11 reorganization in fall 2020, owners KPS Capital Partners of New York are looking for growth through acquisitions and new product development. Finally, Coreen Dicus-Johnson, President and CEO of Network Health joins the podcast to discuss health plan solutions for local businesses

Throughout 2020, the Milwaukee airport saw its traffic numbers hit record lows. Now, in 2021, recovery has begun with increases in monthly traffic, more flights and even new airlines. MBJ’s Margaret Naczek spoke with Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport’s Director of Public Affairs and Marketing, Harold Mester about the successes in the first six months of 2021, as well as some of the new airlines that are coming to the airport this year and next.  Later, Margaret talked with fellow MBJ reporter Teddy Nykiel about her cover story on diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.  They discuss how events of 2020 prompted increased discussions about diversity and inclusion in the tech space. For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Teddy Nykiel talks with David Berka from United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County about the organization’s new initiative called Techquity. It’s aimed at closing the digital divide in Milwaukee.  The lack of digital equity across Milwaukee became very apparent during the pandemic, and this group is pushing for reliable and affordable broadband, access to digital devices and more. Later, Teddy chats with fellow MBJ reporter Sari Lesk.  They discuss Sari’s cover story this week about the local restaurant industry’s struggle to find enough workers as the economy rebounds from the pandemic. For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visithttps://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

  MBJ’s Sari Lesk talks with Dr. Jorge Ramallo of Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers about the latest on Covid-19, including what we know about the new mask guidance, vaccinations and safety precautions.  Later, MBJ’s Margaret Naczek discusses her cover story on the return of events around Wisconsin, including the Wisconsin State Fair and Summerfest.  For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episod

MBJ’s Rich Kirchen interviews two executives from We Energies’ parent company on a new initiative to reduce methane emissions to net-zero by 2030 and do their part to mitigate global warming. For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

It was a busy week for big real estate news in Milwaukee.  There was the big Common Council approval for an incentive package to bring Milwaukee Tool’s next expansion to Milwaukee. The 44-story Couture apartment building on the other end of downtown hit a huge milestone by completing its financing.  MBJ’s real estate reporter Sean Ryan sat down with City of Milwaukee development commissioner Lafayette Crump to talk about what those mean for the community.  Later, MBJ’s Teddy Nykiel interviewed David Reeves, President of  OpenGov, a Silicon Valley software company that is opening a new office in Milwaukee.  Reeves talks about his Milwaukee roots, the company’s growth prospects locally and why they are growing here.   For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

The 13th annual Milwaukee Film Festival will be held again virtually this year, but only six months after the previous festival. MBJ’s Margaret Naczek talks with Milwaukee Film’s CEO Jonathan Jackson about the move to May and why he thinks will be beneficial to the festival in the long run. He’ll also give some recommendations on some of the best films to watch this year.  Later, Margaret chats with Irgens’ Chief Marketing Officer Steve Palec. Irgens won the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Project of the Year Real Estate award for its BMO Tower.  For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Sari Lesk talks with Rob Mejia, adjunct faculty member in Cannabis Studies at Stockton University and the founder of Our Community Harvest, a cannabis education firm. He is featured in Sari’s cover story for this week about Governor Evers’ proposal to legalize marijuana in Wisconsin and what that could look like for the business community.  Later, Sari is joined by Teddy Nykiel, the newest reporter at The Milwaukee Business Journal.  She will be covering multiple beats, with an emphasis on technology. Get to know our newest team member!  Click here to get tickets for MBJ’s Real Estate Awards  on April 27th.  Use the code “mbjpodcast” for $5 off. For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

Since the pandemic hit last year, Milwaukee independent pharmacy Hayat Pharmacy has raised its profile first with Covid-19 testing and more recently with vaccinations. CEO Hashim Zaibak and MBJ’s Rich Kirchen discuss the how and why of the endeavor.  Later on, learn more aboutAdvocate Aurora Health’s decision to launch a subsidiary that invests in businesses that enable people to improve their health and well-being beyond traditional clinical settings. Rich talks with Scott Powder, who is president of the Enterprises group.  Click here to get tickets for MBJ’s Real Estate Awards  on April 27th.  Use the code “mbjpodcast” for $5 off. For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

This spring, Marcus Theaters is reopening 70% of its locations, ending a long run of closures that started in March 2020. Their CEO, Rolando Rodriguez, joins MBJ reporter Sean Ryan to share more about that process.   Rodriguez runs through the new safety protocols Marcus is putting in place for its movie theaters, and give a hint of the response from the movie-going public after some reopenings in early March.  Later, Nancy Hernandez of the Hispanic Collaborative in Milwaukee discusses pandemic recovery efforts for Milwaukee Hispanic and Latino business community, and ongoing efforts to help more youths get into and afford college.  She’ll also give a preview of the 2021 Urbano Hispanic real estate conference that’s in the works.   Click here to get tickets for MBJ’s Real Estate Awards  on April 27th. Use the code “mbjpodcast” for $5 off. For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Margaret Naczek talks with Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s acting secretary Anne Sayers about the department’s plans for 2021.  She also talks about the many challenges Covid-19 presented over the last year.  Later, MBJ’s Sean Ryan joins Margaret to discuss a proposed $163 million state office building on Milwaukee’s Near West Side.  Finally, Melinda Wilke from Wilke Wealth and Investment Planning, affiliated with Northwestern Mutual, joins the podcast to talk about life insurance.  Click here to get tickets for MBJ’s Real Estate Awards  on April 27th.  Use the code “mbjpodcast” for $5 off. For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

Both guests are featured in this week’s MBJ cover story – our next installment of the “Small Business, Big Mission” series. The theme is “Local seeds of recovery and challenges ahead for small business owners in a post-pandemic economy.”  MBJ’s Sari Lesk talks with Milwaukee Repertory TheaterExecutive Director, Chad Bauman, then later with Joyce Nwatuobi, founder of digital health companyThriveHealth. In both cases, they discuss their experiences during the pandemic and looking ahead to recovery in the economy. Click here to get tickets for MBJ’s Real Estate Awards  on April 27th. Use the code “mbjpodcast” for $5 off. For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

We hit 100 episodes!  Thanks for all the downloads, listens and shares.  This week, MBJ’s Nick Williams – in his farewell appearance on the pod – talks with Tyshun Wardlaw, owner and director of Milwaukee independent film and television company Wardlaw Productions.  They discuss Wardlaw’s first feature film "Growing Up Milwaukee” streaming exclusively on HBO Max. Nick also talks with Daniela Cortes of 371 Productions in Milwaukee, the creator of Mexican Ghost Stories, an episodic TV series based on her grandfather's ghost stories told around campfires in Mexico.  Click here to get tickets for the “40 Under 40” awards on March 29.  Use the code “mbjpodcast” for $5 off. For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

Sussex Injection Molding is embarking on growth thanks in part to a contract for a collar that protects athletes from brain injuries and concussions. CEO Keith Everson chats with MBJ’s Rich Kirchen about the demanding project and challenges with raw material supplies and prices.  Covid-19 shut down metro Milwaukee’s economy one year ago. This week our MBJ print edition profiles five small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Reporters Rich Kirchen, Sari Lesk and Sean Ryan discuss how these local businesses survived and adapted.  Finally, Cheri Cicona-Trudell from North Shore Bank joins the pod to discuss merchant credit card processing.  For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

Diversity and economic disparities are big topics this week as MBJ’s Sean Ryan talks with leaders from two Milwaukee organizations that are trying to inject more capital into Milwaukee’s minority communities. Milwaukee Bucks Vice President of Social Responsibility and Bucks Foundation Executive Director Arvind Gopalratnam discusses the team’s ongoing efforts to further racial justice and grow businesses owned by people of color through grants and direct investment. Sean also talks with Ken Robertson, Chief Operating and Financial Officer with Greater Milwaukee Foundation.   They are also heavily involved in efforts to inject investment into Milwaukee’s minority businesses and neighborhoods. The Foundation has a $30 million investment program making significant contributions right now. Both The Bucks and Greater Milwaukee Foundation are being recognized through this year’s Milwaukee Business Journal Diversity in Business Awards program.  For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode

On Feb. 26, 2020, Miller Brewery employees in Milwaukee experienced the tragedy and great trauma of a shooting inside their facility that left six employees dead, including the shooter. MBJ’s Margaret Naczek spoke with Molson Coors’ Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer Adam Collins about what happened at the brewery one year ago and how Molson Coors employees are still recovering today.  Later, Margaret talked with fellow MBJ reporter Sean Ryan about his cover story this week, which looks at the recent interest in new apartment developments in the Wauwatosa area and some of the conflicts that have arisen in the community as a result. Click here to get tickets now for the “Diversity in Business Awards” event on March 5.  Use the code “mbjpodcast” for $5 off. For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Nick Williams talks with Brandon Tschacher of the MKE Esports Alliance on Milwaukee’s gaming and esports industry and why it’s an opportunity the region needs to be involved in. Later, Nick chats with Paul Szeflinski, president ofIAS in New Berlin, a robotics and automation technology company, about the demand the company is receiving for its robotics during the pandemic. Click here to get tickets now for the “Diversity in Business Awards” event on March 5.  Use the code “mbjpodcast” for $5 off. For more information on some of the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/