New statewide business initiative launched in Wisconsin

With leadership from major companies with a Wisconsin presence, the new Wisconsin Business Council intends to work with citizens, elected officials and policy-makers. The goal? To develop a pro-business, pro-employment agenda that makes Wisconsin a better place to start a business, expand a corporation and find exceptional investment opportunities.

“When we talk about how we can sustain our quality of life, we’re really talking about the need to establish a better business climate — one that opens the door to opportunity, innovation and employment,” says Phillip Prange, owner of consulting firm Gateway Ventures and the new president and chief executive of group. “The Wisconsin Business Council was established because we believe there are mutually beneficial solutions to the challenges we face today. If the current economic downturn has made one thing clear, it’s that a flourishing private sector is critical for family-supporting jobs and a robust tax base.”

Members of the council say the organization’s optimistic outlook and proactive stance will lead to a constructive dialogue among elected officials, legislative leaders, policy experts and members of the general public. Ultimately, however, the council’s private sector supporters will be looking for real results.

“Our future vitality requires a comprehensive strategy that recognizes the broad nature of our existing economic base and the unique strengths of our work force,” says Jim Senty, a member of the Wisconsin Business Council’s advisory board, president of Midwest Natural Gas in La Crosse and chairman of Park Bank in Madison. “At the same time, we need to be realistic about areas where our performance needs improvement and devise effective strategies to achieve new levels of success.”

Marc Marotta, a member of the Wisconsin Business Council’s board of directors and former Doyle Administration Secretary, says Wisconsin has been fortunate with the diverse nature of its industries, ranging from manufacturing and agriculture to insurance, health care and retail. However, says Marotta, now a partner with Foley and Lardner in Milwaukee, the state’s work force lags the national average in the percentage of workers with advanced degrees. Wisconsin also falls below average in the number of workers employed in what the U.S. Department of Labor classifies as high-technology jobs.

“The Wisconsin Business Council wants to give voice to these issues, while engaging leaders throughout the state in an aggressive search for solutions,” says Prange.

For more information or to join, visit  www.wibusiness.org.

MOVERS

>> Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. has announced that Barbara Zabawa has been elected Chair of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Health Law Section Board. The firm also announced the election of three new shareholders: Ted J. Barthel and Francis H. LoCoco in the Milwaukee office and Sverre D. Roang in the Madison office.

>> Clifton Gunderson has restructured its firmwide executive team: Todd Craft has been named chief business officer; Anita Ford has been named chief practice officer; John Shutkin is the company’s new general counsel; Yassir Karam has been promoted to managing partner of Clifton Gunderson’s Valuation and Forensic Services practice; and Cathy Schweigel has been named firmwide director of assurance.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

STATEWIDE: Knupp & Watson teamed up with Wisconsin high school students to create the anti-tobacco “They Killed 8,000” campaign, which was so effective, it won a national silver award at the 2009 National ADDY Awards in June. The campaign, created for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, won for outstanding creative work in the Public Service, Mixed Media Campaign category. It began with day-long meetings involving more than 30 youth, held in five cities: Hudson, Appleton, Madison, Minocqua and Milwaukee. Knupp & Watson narrowed the choices down to three campaigns, and the youth ultimately selected the campaign during a statewide workshop held in Madison. The campaign also won the American Advertising Association–Madison’s Best of Show award last February.

MILWAUKEE: The Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance (WBIA) has launched a new social media campaign. Fans of the Facebook page, followers on Twitter and LinkedIn connections will be able to view WBIA press releases, upcoming events, news about the industry and participate in online discussions.