The Greater Milwaukee Committee's mission is to keep Southeastern Wisconsin the best community to live, learn, work, and play.
Our membership - comprised of our region's business, labor, academic, philanthropic, nonprofit and civic leadership - believes that intelligent, active interest in public affairs is the true measure of citizenship, and the foundation for community.
GMC June Meeting covers talent: recruitment, training and retaining
The Greater Milwaukee Committee's June 2009 meeting featured talent as the topic. How do some GMC member companies find, train and retain top talent for long-term success? We found out from panelists David Myers from Johnson Controls,Paul Purcell from Robert W. Baird & Company, and Peggy Troy from Children's Hospital & Health Services. Manpower CEO Jeff Joerres served as moderator.
Also, County Executive Scott Walker addressed the GMC and discussed the 2009 and 2010 budgets and strategies for the coming year (download Scott Walker's slides here) and John Kissinger provided an update on the Earn & Learn program. Videos are both are available below.
UWM, GMC, Water Council present lakefront location concept to city Board of Harbor Commissioners
The city Board of Harbor Commissioners held an information session this morning (Friday, May 8th) regarding the School of Freshwater Sciences proposal to build a signature facility on Milwaukee's lakefront at the former Pieces of Eight site.
Presenters included UWM Chancellor Carlos Santiago, GMC President Julia Taylor, Badger Meter Chairman, President & CEO Rich Meeusen, Michael Cudahy and Department of City Development Commissioner Rocky Marcoux. The meeting was open to the public - and it was filled to capacity, extending into the lobby area. While this session was informational only, a public meeting inviting input will be scheduled soon, and we will pass the information along when it becomes available.
GMC & Water Council instrumental in making Milwaukee a UN Global Compact City
Milwaukee is truly a world water hub - and now the UN is formally recognizing it.
The announcement came April 28th from Dr. Paul James, Director of the UN Global Cities Compact Programme, in an address to the Water Council at Discovery World.
Check out Paul James' address to the Water Council (left) and WISN-TV Channel 12 coverage (right).
Transit takes center stage at April GMC Meeting
Working to get things moving in the transit arena, the Greater Milwaukee Committee focused its April meeting on bringing together panelists to lay out plans, opportunities and critical needs for the future of transit in southeastern Wisconsin.
Transit panelists included (from left to right): Rod Clark from WisDOT; Ken Yunker from SEWRPC; Chris Larson from the Milwaukee County Board; and Michael Cudahy. Julia Taylor served as moderator.View video here!
GMC member Michael Cudahy discussed the urgent need to shore up the local system and stressed the economic and development value from rail lines, as exemplified in cities like Portland and Denver. Milwaukee County Supervisor Chris Larson addressed the Milwaukee County Transit System and the importance of shoring up bus service. Both he and Ken Yunker, Executive Director of the SEWRPC (the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission) addressed the need for dedicated funding for transit. Yunker went on to discuss the RTA (Regional Transit Authority) and how systems tie together, including the KRM Commuter Rail Line. Rod Clark from the State Department of Transportation also gave the membership a good overview of the Midwest High-Speed Rail Initiative and where Wisconsin stood for getting stimulus funds and engineering underway to begin construction.
Doyle announces $240 million in support for UWM, including the School of Freshwater Sciences Read more...
Inner City Business Awards salute seven Milwaukee companies
The GMC, the Business Journal and Generation Growth Capital congratulate winners in the 6th Annual Inner City Business Awards, which took place at the Pfister Hotel on Monday, March 9. Winners include Cross Management, Diamond Discs International, Eclipse Contols, Frentzel Products, Palermo Villa, Inc. and Thomas A. Mason, as well as We Energies, which won the ICBA's first-ever Trailblazer Award.
Cross Management's Carla Cross is congratulated by Mayor Tom Barrett. In the background are co-chairs and award presenters Mark Sabljak(left) of the Business Journal and Cory Nettles (right) of Generation Growth Capital and Quarles & Brady.
Mayor Barrett and Ugo Nwagbaraocha, owner of Diamond Discs International, at the Inner City Business Awards.
"Well Workplace" Awards highlight wellness programs in Milwaukee area companies
In pursuit of a "Well City" designation for Milwaukee, the Well City Milwaukee team hosted its second Awards & Celebration Presentation at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Wednesday, March 4. The awards honored Aurora Health Care, Helwig Carbon, Northwestern Mutual, PyraMax Bank, We Energies and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare for their comprehensive wellness programs and ability to derive bottom-line results.
Michael Grebe confirmed as new Chair of GMC
Following today's 2009 Annual Meeting, Michael Grebe was confirmed by the Board of Directors as Chair of the Greater Milwaukee Committee as Chair. Mr. Grebe, President of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, is the 34th person to assume this role with the GMC. Outgoing Chair and Northwestern Mutual President & CEO Edward Zore was presented with a gift that will grow in Lake Park for many years - his own tree - as he was thanked for his service and leadership.
Hot on the heels of the Cultural Assets Report released to GMC members in November, the MKEKre8Kamp took place last week. This Creative Community Summit was designed to stimulate ideas for arts and cultural institutions in the Milwaukee Region and keep our creative community and economy strong.
The New Year kicked off with Wisconsin's top official visiting with GMC members. On January 12th, Governor Jim Doyle spoke to over 100 GMC members and shared his vision and expectations for the coming year and how state government will respond. Budgets, priorities and initiatives were the order of the day... including GMC pursuits such as rail transit, education and water as an economic cluster for the Milwaukee region.
Mayor Barrett also spoke to the membership on the Earn & Learn Program taking place in Milwaukee. Click to view here.
The Earn & Learn Program has set a lofty goal to provide employment opportunities for young people in Milwaukee this summer, and GMC members are invited to help. More information is on the way!
November Meeting: the Cultural Assets Report
The November GMC meeting featured a report on the Milwaukee Region Cultural Assets Study from the Cultural Alliance and the GMC Quality of Life Committee.
In the September 2008 Meeting, Sister Joel Read discussed the MPS Strategic Plan and hosted a three-member representing New Leaders for New Schools, Teach for America and the New Teacher Project. Two of the three groups are currently working with MPS.
Water Summit II inside the Pilot House atop Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin was a rousing success, with over 200 people in attendance over the course of the day. Attendees covered a broad spectrum: there were business leaders, engineers, scientists, community leaders and a number of dignitaries, including Mayor Tom Barrett, Senator Herb Kohl and our keynote speaker, Fred Dubee. Mr. Dubee is a Senior Advisor with the United Nations Global Compact and discussed the role of business with respect to world water issues. A reactor panel convened afterwards to discuss his comments and provide the perspective from the public sector. Here are the videos:
Following today's 2009 Annual Meeting, Michael Grebe was confirmed by the Board of Directors as Chair of the Greater Milwaukee Committee as Chair. Mr. Grebe, President of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, is the 34th person to assume this role with the GMC. Outgoing Chair and Northwestern Mutual President & CEO Edward Zore was presented with a gift that will grow in Lake Park for many years - his own tree - as he was thanked for his service and leadership.
