Milwaukee Business Journal Weekly

MBJ’s Sari Lesk talks with Rachaad Howard, Owner of Cream City Print Lounge in West Allis. His business recently reached a deal to produce t-shirts focused on racial equity that will be carried in select Kohl’s stores and on Kohls.com. Later, Sari is joined by Daria Hall, Policy Director for The Wisconsin Partnership. They talk about Wisconsin’s child care industry and its role in reopening the economy. It’s also the subject of the cover story for this week’s paper.  Finally, Jay Mack and Edward Bryant from Town Bank discuss the bank’s growth and their commitment to the Milwaukee community in the midst of Covid-19 and social unrest.  For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

Covid-19 is taking a toll on the finances of Milwaukee area colleges and universities. MBJ reporters Rich Kirchen and Sari Lesk explore how revenue is shrinking while costs for safety and technology are on the rise.  Later, an increasing number of employees in many fields are coping with the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic – and that’s where a company called Empathia in Pewaukee comes in. Rich talks with CEO Carol Wilson about her company’s growth this year. Finally, Cindy Krahenbuhl, Executive Director of Guest House of Milwaukee and Board Member Kevin Newell discuss how Guest House is adjusting their services in this era of Covid-19, and economic and racial strife.  For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

People driving along I-94 south of downtown have probably noticed that tall glass office building under construction near the Becher Street Exit. MBJ’s Sean Ryan talks with David Stegeman, executive with Michels Corporation, the company behind that development.  Stegeman shares insight into the $100 million R1ver development and other activity in the surrounding harbor district of Milwaukee. Later, Sean talks with MBJ’s Margaret Naczek on the latest on Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.  As expected, passenger counts are way down at the airport this summer, and are expected to stay that way next year. Margaret provides a closer look at how the airport is responding to the pandemic.  For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

Grab your buttered popcorn and cold soda. The movies are back! Marcus Theatres announced it was reopening two-thirds of its 91 movie theater locations by the end of the month. MBJ reporter Margaret Maczek spoke with Marcus Theatres CEO, Rolando Rodriguez about the long journey to reopening.  Marcus originally opened six locations in late June but was waiting on the anticipated release of several films before continuing with the reopening plan.  Later, Margaret talked with Visit Milwaukee’s director of communications, Kristin Settle.  They talked about the long journey Visit Milwaukee had to get the bid for the Democratic National Convention, as well as the many changes that were taken to DNC preparation because of the pandemic. For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ reporter Nick Williams talks with Laurie Greenlees, Director of HR Hotline for HR management company MRA, about what’s top of mind for employers when it comes to Covid-19 safety.  Later, Nick interviews Jessica Silvaggi, director of technology commercialization at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Research Foundation on a new $400,000 program to fund startup companies founded by UWM students, faculty and staff. For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Women of Influence special issue was published on 7/31.  This included profiles on all the winners of the Women of Influence Award for 2020.  (Virtual Awards event is September 25th.  Tickets on sale here)  MBJ’s Sari Lesk talked to two of the winners about their work and their views on being a woman of influence - Terry Tuttle, President of HellermannTyton North America, and Chandra Cooper, Founder and CEO of Grateful Girls Inc.  For more information on the winners and all Women of Influence coverage, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

Milwaukee is known for many things: the city of festivals, Harley-Davidson and, of course, beer. Molson Coors Beverage Company continues its plan to bring more jobs to Milwaukee despite the uncertain Covid-19 climate. MBJ’s Margaret Naczek spoke with the company’s CEO, Gavin Hattersley, about the impact in Milwaukee, their 2nd quarter earnings and more. Later, Margaret chats with Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport director Brian Dranzik on operations at the airport during the pandemic.  They discuss how the airport is working with its partners in the TSA, concessionaires and airlines to create as safe as possible of an environment for travelers and employees.  For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

One of metro Milwaukee’s best known manufacturers Briggs & Stratton proposes a quick sale of its assets through the bankruptcy court.  MBJ reporters Rich Kirchen and Margaret Naczek discuss their coverage of this fast-developing major story.  Later, Rich talks with Eric Conley, who took over as president of Wisconsin’s largest hospital – Froedtert – this month.  Conley is passionate about addressing social determinants of health and advocating for diversity in management even as the hospital works through the Covid pandemic. For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MJB’s Nick Williams talks with Christopher Perceptions, founder of PerceptForm, a cryptocurrency and blockchain technology company that includes the Simply Crypto course and currency token. PerceptForm is a platform to grow the adoption of cryptocurrency and blockchain tech, starting with minority communities. Later, Nick chats with Ben Stanley of startup accelerator gener8tor  to talk about the company’s new residency program for recent college graduates. For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Sean Ryan talk with Milwaukee’s new Commissioner of City Development, Lafayette Crump.  Crump discusses his priority of bringing new investment and jobs to Milwaukee’s neighborhoods and minority communities, which of course is a major topic of discussion right now in the city.  Later, Sean talks with fellow Business Journal Reporter Margaret Naczek to get the latest on Milwaukee’s tourism and hospitality industry’s reopening and reaction to the pandemic. For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Sari Lesk talks with Gary Witt, Executive Director of The Pabst Theater Group, and Jeff Bentoff of Bentoff Communications about their efforts to make masks mandatory in Milwaukee.   Later, Sari chats with MBJ reporter Nick Williams. Nick’s cover story this week reports on the latest unemployment issues throughout Wisconsin.  For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Rich Kirchen talks with Dr. Gregory Brusko, Chief Clinical Officer of Ascension Wisconsin. He discusses how Wisconsin’s second-largest health care system has reactivated elective procedures and clinic visits after this spring’s Covid-19 and how Ascension would handle a resurgence in Covid-19 cases.  Later, Rich chats with MBJ Commercial Real Estate Reporter Sean Ryan. His cover story this week shows how construction contractors have adapted to Covid-19 worksite protocols and how some of those are becoming permanent practice.  For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

The Milwaukee County Zoo began its phased reopening to the public last week. In the first phase of reopening, visitors could enjoy the outdoor animal exhibits while social distancing and wearing masks. MBJ’s Margaret Naczek talks with Zoo Director Chuck Wikenhauser about how the first phase of reopening was formulated and what zoo visitors may expect in subsequent phases.  Margaret also speaks with MBJ reporter Nick Williams on his cover story in this week’s print paper.  Nick spoke with several Fortunate 500 companies in Wisconsin like Rockwell and Kohls to discuss some of their greatest challenges as it relates to diversity and inclusion and what these companies are doing to create better atmospheres for all their employees. For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Nick Williams talks with Tarik Moody, the Digital Director and Music Host and Rhythm Lab Radio producer at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, on the power of music during a time of crisis in America, and diversity and inclusion efforts by the radio to close the economic gap in Milwaukee. Nick also talks with fellow MBJ reporter Sari Lesk about her newest cover piece on Wisconsin universities are gearing up for the next semester amid Covid-19. For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/  

Milwaukee Business Journal has a big, nationwide project in this week’s paper called “Small Business, Big Mission”.  It’s a look at small businesses all over the country that talk about their experiences and adjustments during the pandemic.  MBJ’s Sari Lesk focuses on two local businesses and their top executives that are featured in coverage - Jeff Binkert, president and owner of House of Harley-Davidson and Mary Isbister, president of GenMet Corp.  Later, Sari talks with Jessica Zeratsky, partner at Husch Blackwell. She will provide an update on the latest information available regarding the Paycheck Protection Program and guidance on obtaining forgiveness.  For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/  

MBJ’s Rich Kirchen talks with Jim Zilli, the CEO of Zilli Hospitality Group in Waukesha.  They discuss the impact of the pandemic on Zilli’s catering and events business -- including where things stand with bookings for the Democratic National Convention.  Later, Rich talks with MBJ’s Sari Lesk about her cover story this week.  It focuses on Milwaukee-area restaurants ranging from legendary fine-dining establishment Sanford’s, to local favorites like Mister Perkins Family Restaurant, making the best of a difficult situation during the stay at home order. For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

The Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned Governor Tony Evers’ Safer at Home order on Wednesday night.  MBJ reporters Margaret Naczek and Sari Lesk dive into the implications for local businesses and what this means moving forward.  Later, the Milwaukee arts and entertainment industry is one of the hardest hit sectors with the Covid-19 pandemic. Venues are shut down. Festivals are canceled, and local artists are looking for other ways to support themselves.  Margaret talks with David Lee, CEO of Imagine MKE, a new local arts organization doing some monumental work to help the arts community.  For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Nick Williams talks with Lisa Johnson, CEO of BioForward, the state’s leading biohealth organization, on how Wisconsin companies and research institutions are working together to find solutions for the Covid-19 outbreak. Nick also chats with Aaron Matter, owner of Matter Development , a real estate development company operating in the senior living industry, on how the senior living industry is being impacted and what can be done to support those working in senior living during the coronavirus pandemic. For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Sean Ryan talks with Joaquin Altoro, CEO of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, about this year’s round of affordable housing tax credit awards, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond financing development of new apartments for low-income renters, WHEDA is a lender to a lot of first-time homebuyers, so he had a lot of perspective to share.   Later, MBJ reporter Sari Lesk joins Sean to discuss the federal Paycheck Protection Program.  Sari gives a solid overview of what’s happening locally with small, and sometimes larger, businesses seeking loans to get through this pandemic. For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/

MBJ’s Sari Lesk talks with Justin Carlisle, the owner of Ardent, Red Light Ramen and The Laughing Taco, about operating a restaurant during a pandemic and his new line of business.  Later, Sari chats with Brion Collins, from the Lake Country office of Wealthspire Advisors. He shares his advice for business owners who received funds through the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. For more information on the stories featured in today’s episode, visit https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/