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 Equipme...

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 a...

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 circumstanc...

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...

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...

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 tha...

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...

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. Register for upcoming BizTimes events. Insider Story Spotlight Sprecher acquires Ooh La Lemin lemonade brand fr...

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 pla...

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. Register for upcoming BizTimes events. Insider Story Spotlight Generac plans to build plant in Beaver Dam that could employ up to 40...

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including IAM Local 1947 and Mercury Marine reaching a new 5-year contract. The fact the deal came with little fanfare is a sign of how far things have come since 2009 when the company was considering a move to Oklahoma. Register for the Next Generation Manufacturing Summit Insider Story Spotlight In...

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including the first Republican presidential debate of the 2024 campaign coming to Milwaukee. While on a much smaller scale than next summer's Republican National Convention, the debate does offer a preview of what to expect next year. If the city's performance on the national stage can scal...

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including FPC Live again revising plans for a music venue in Milwaukee. The project, which was originally planned in the Third Ward and has since moved to the former Bradley Center site in the Deer District, will now have just one 4,500-person capacity venue instead of the two venue plan that origina...

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including continuing financial challenges for hotels in or near downtown Milwaukee. The Iron Horse Hotel in Walker's Point is set to go up for auction next month and the downtown Hampton Inn & Suites, which closed suddenly earlier this year, has been handed over to its bank. Submit nominatio...

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including Nokia's plans to manufacture broadband components at the Pleasant Prairie facility of San Jose-based Sanmina. They discuss whether the BEAN program that's led to the investment is a wise use of government spending and whether provisions encouraging U.S. manufacturing make sense. I...

To get a better sense of the day-to-day work of DEI leaders, BizTimes worked with Beth Ridley of Ridley Consulting Group to record a podcast with members of an inclusive leaders roundtable group she leads. Along with Ridley, the conversation included Sri Kadasinghanahalli, vice president of enterprise data and analytics at Milwaukee-based MGIC Investment Corp.; Michelle Naples, chief integration o...

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including Summerfest seeing a 40% increase in attendance but still falling short of pre-pandemic levels. They also discuss the impact of Harley-Davidson's 120th anniversary celebrations this weekend. Insider Story Spotlight Report examines ideas to improve housing affordability in Waukesha Count...

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including financial services firm Baird making another commitment to downtown Milwaukee. Earlier this year, the firm bought the naming rights for the downtown convention center and this week the company extended its lease at the U.S. Bank building through 2033.  Insider Story Spotlight Report: Milwau...

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including the Wisconsin DOT releasing concept plans for the future of I-794 in downtown Milwaukee. The plans include a range of options from rebuilding the highway to modifying to tearing it down. Insider Story Spotlight Construction begins for train station expansion at airport AI has arrived, is Wi...

Restaurateur and developer Omar Shaikh joined Marquette president Michael Lovell and BizTimes Media managing editor Arthur Thomas for a live recording of Leadership Lens at BizExpo in early May. Shaikh, a partner in Carnevor and 3rd Street Market Hall and member of various boards, discussed how he decides what to get involved in, becoming an increasingly vocal community leader, leading his busines...

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including the announcement of the King Tut immersive experience coming to the Baird Center, formerly known as the Wisconsin Center, this fall. It is the fourth immersive exhibit to come to the downtown convention  center, offering a unique way to bring additional visitors to the downtown area. Inside...

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including the launch of the East-West Bus Rapid Transit route in Milwaukee. The route connects the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center with downtown in around 30 minutes by using a dedicated bus lane, fewer stops and technological improvements. Andrew and Arthur discuss the stakes for the $55 million B...

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media discuss the news of the week, including the city of Milwaukee issuing a new request for proposals for a vacant site at 401 W. Wisconsin Ave., just south of the convention center in downtown Milwaukee. Andrew shares his thoughts on what kind of development makes the most sense, what the city should avoid for the site and the prospects for a viabl...

Longtime Outpost Natural Foods general manager Pam Mehnert joins BizTimes Media's Maredithe Meyer and Arthur Thomas to discuss her career and retirement plans, the growth of the co-op grocer from one store to four and now nearly $50 million in sales, her approach to leadership and the advice she is passing to her successor. 

Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including Master Lock’s decision to close its Milwaukee plant, eliminating around 330 jobs. The closure represents another piece of bad news for the northwest side of Milwaukee, which has lost Leonardo DRS, Astronautics and others in recent years.  Insider Story Spotlight: Future unclear for Hampton...