Jason Allen is a partner and business lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP, where he is a member and co-chair of the Energy Industry Team. He is a member of the Finance & Financial Institutions, Transactional & Securities, and Private Equity & Venture Capital Practices. Jason’s practice focuses on the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private equity, finance, and general corporate and commercial law, with a particular emphasis on transactions in the energy industry.

Jason’s background in energy, project and infrastructure finance transactions involves the acquisition, divestiture and financing of numerous domestic and international energy projects. Jason has extensive experience in all aspects of these transactions, including the preparation and negotiation of various documentation, such as asset and stock purchase agreements, merger agreements, electric power and steam sales contracts, operation and maintenance agreements, fuel supply agreements, construction contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, shareholder agreements and LLC agreements.

In addition to energy-related projects, Jason has been involved in various types of acquisitions and financings across a broad array of other industries.

David Barnett is an artist, collector, appraiser, and gallery owner in Milwaukee. The David Barnett Gallery is the oldest gallery in Wisconsin, in business for over fifty-five years, and has flourished to become Wisconsin’s premier gallery. The gallery established its international reputation early on by dealing extensive collections of Picasso ceramics and Milton Avery oil paintings. Today it has the most diverse range of art available in any Wisconsin gallery, including over six thousand works of art representing over eight hundred artists. The David Barnett Gallery specializes in European and American masters, regional and nationally recognized artists, and “emerging” Wisconsin artists. Modern and contemporary artworks Latin American, Asian, African, and African American artists also adorn the gallery, along with historic arts of Africa, Indonesia, and Oceania.

In a 2013 article composed by ArtPlace and the National Endowment for the Arts, the David Barnett Gallery was the only gallery mentioned by name when reviewing why Milwaukee was considered one of twelve cities considered “America’s Top ArtPlaces”. In 2019, his gallery was included in Michelle Madden’s book 111 Places in Milwaukee That You Must Not Miss.

David’s passion for art started at the mere age of five, and at the age of nineteen he pursued a career in the field. He started his gallery in 1966 while he was a fine art and art history student at UW-Milwaukee. The gallery was first located in a converted basement apartment at 21st Street and Wisconsin Avenue. He inaugurated this space with an exhibition of the work of graduate students from local universities and colleges. In 1985, David moved his gallery from Wisconsin Avenue into the historic Button Mansion on State Street has been active ever since. David’s talents for recognizing undervalued artists and for meeting the needs of art lovers, art collectors and artists have created a vibrant, flourishing gallery and collection of over six thousand works of art.

David was born and raised in Wisconsin. His hometown is dear to him and so he has made it part of his career to give back to the art and culture scene of Milwaukee. He has donated more than one million dollars in artwork locally and throughout Wisconsin and has hosted numerous non-profit organization fundraisers at his gallery. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Artist Series Pabst and was Vice President of the Mayor’s Art Commission. In 1985, David started an internship program to train college-level fine art and art history students in the business of art, which has now benefited dozens of young professionals.

The David Barnett Gallery provides custom archival framing, fine art appraisals, installation services, consulting services and fine art conservation. David also operates VanGo Frame and Art, the country’s first mobile art service, established in 1984. David Barnett has been appraising art as an accredited member of the Appraisers Association of America since 1975 and he is one of approximately only two thousand personal property appraisers in the United States with the Uniformed Standards of Professional Appraiser Practice Certification.

Management Responsibilities

1. Regional Managing Partner for the Central Region Tax practice- BDO USA LLP from 2004 until retirement
2. Regional Managing Partner for the Atlantic Region Tax Practice- BDO USA LLP from 2012 until 2016
3. Member- BDO USA LLP Board of Partners from 2004 through 2010

Seasoned Tax Professional with significant experience and skills

1. Corporate tax including issues in corporate formation, operational results, raising capital, restructuring, bankruptcy, and liquidations
2. Tax issues related to taxable and tax-free acquisitions of businesses
3. Tax issues involved in preparing a business for a liquidity event including a sale of stock, sale of assets, and Initial Public Offerings
4. Consulting with closely held family businesses on issues such as succession planning, the transfer of the business to the next generation of ownership, and the possible use of ESOPS to accomplish transition
5. Consulting on a variety of issues involved with the compensation of business executives, including stock options, bonus arrangements, compensation studies, and qualified plans such as common 401(k) plans
6. Tax issues associated with the partnership form of business operations
7. Tax issues associated with operating as an S-Corporation
8. Tax and financial planning advice to high-net-worth individual taxpayers

Education:

BBA Accounting: UW-Milwaukee, May 1982

MS Taxation: UW-Milwaukee, May 1985

Experience:

Arthur Andersen, January 1984 – December 1989, Tax Manager

BDO USA LLP, January 1990 – December 2003, Tax Partner

BDO USA LLP, January 2004 – December 2018: Regional Managing Partner-Tax Services

Blinka CPA

UW-Milwaukee Lubar School of Business, January 2019 – Present, Lecturer

Awards and Acknowledgements:

CPA – Wisconsin 1998 – Present

Treasurer- UW Milwaukee Foundation: 2006- 2012

Member- Milwaukee Tax Club: 1990- Present

BDO USA LLP: Board of Partners- 2004 through 2010

Member MMAC Advisory Committee on Business: 2004-2018

WICPA

AICPA

Robert Bukowski is the Managing Director and founder of Alpha Investment Consulting Group, LLC.  Alpha was founded in 1989 and provides fee based investment consulting services to institutional clients.  Mr. Bukowski has been actively involved in the financial services business for over thirty years acting as an expert witness, technical expert, business manager, business owner and fiduciary.

Bob graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from UW Madison.  He is a member of the CFA Society of Milwaukee, GMEBC, and WRPPL, and currently serves on several boards, including the Milwaukee County Council Boy Scouts of America Endowment Fund and the UWM Foundation.   He is also heavily involved with SecureFutures – Wisconsin, a non-profit organization that provides financial literacy education to high school seniors throughout Wisconsin.  He currently serves on the Board and is a former President.

A Cedarburg, Wisconsin native, Dr. Ellen J. Censky earned her Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in 1979 and her doctorate in biological sciences from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Censky spent 20 years at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh conducting research on amphibians and reptiles in the Caribbean, Central and South America and the United States. She has published 3 books and more than 50 scientific papers. She went on to serve in leadership capacities nationally, including at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, where she received national recognition for her work in founding and developing the BioBlitz program, which is now a staple community outreach program at institutions in every U.S. state and in countries around the world.

Dr. Censky continued to expand her leadership skills as the Director of the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History and Director and CEO of the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History at the University of Oklahoma, guiding both institutions through significant expansions and seven-figure capital campaigns. Following successful tenures of leadership across the country, Dr. Censky returned to the Milwaukee Public Museum in 2008 to serve as Senior Vice President and Academic Dean. Today, Dr. Censky is responsible for leading the Milwaukee Public Museum as it envisions a future in a new home.

Stephanie Chedid is President & CEO of Luther Manor, A Life Plan Community in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin offering a full spectrum of senior services from independent living to hospice care. Stephanie is the third CEO in the organization’s history and its first female leader. In her role, she guides an exceptional team of professionals who are responsible for nearly 320 residents, 375 employees and hundreds of volunteers. Luther Manor is among the largest Life Plan Communities in the State of Wisconsin and provides more than $5M in charity care a year made possible in part through grants from the Luther Manor Foundation; of which Stephanie is President.

Prior to her role with Luther Manor, she spent 20 years in the investment industry. A shift to the health care industry came when she was President of Cleary Gull Advisors, a start-up division serving both hospital and senior care providers offered a unique opportunity to influence the evolving health care delivery model. Today, she leverages the financial acumen from her time as a business leader and investment advisor with her mission driven community work to bring new life to a mature health care organization on Milwaukee’s northwest side. Stephanie received a BA in International Relations along with a minor in Economics from UWM in 1994. In addition, she has completed advanced course work at Harvard Business School and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Today, she is an active alumna and a guest speaker for the UWM College of Health Sciences in addition to pursuing an MBA though the UWM Lubar School of Business.

Core to the Luther Manor culture is a commitment to serve outside of the organization. Stephanie has served in numerous leadership positions with the United Way of Greater Milwaukee, including as co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Council – the largest and most successful council of its kind in the nation. As board member of LeadingAge Wisconsin, she pairs her advocacy work for seniors with that of United Way to help address issues impacting staff such as employment and financial stability.

As Senior Vice President and Market Executive, Lori Craig oversees the client’s team of wealth management professionals, striving to achieve the highest levels of client satisfaction.  Her top priority is that the team not only meets, but also exceeds the client’s expectations.  Through Craig’s leadership and commitment, she ensures that clients benefit from a full complement of investment, trust, financial planning and private banking services to help them achieve their financial goals.

Lori Craig joined PNC in July 2010 as Market Leader for Wisconsin.  Prior to joining PNC, Craig was Senior Vice President and Wealth Strategist with Northern Trust in Milwaukee.  She has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, with 16 years of experience specifically in Wealth Management.

Craig holds a Master’s Degree in Management and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University.  In addition, she is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honors Society.

She is an active member in the community and serves on a number of boards, including the UWM Foundation, Cardinal Stritch College of Business – Chair, Go Red for Women – Chair of Executive Leadership Team, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, and the Milwaukee Jewish Museum.  She is also on a number of advisory boards including UPAF Campaign Cabinet, Make a Difference Wisconsin, Milwaukee Women Inc Steering Committee and the MATC Paralegal Program and secure Futures.

Lori has two adult children. Her son lives in Chicago and her daughter is in Milwaukee.

Donna earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ certification in 2010. In 2007, she completed Baird’s Investment Consultant Program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and earned the designation Senior Investment Consultant. In 2005, Donna earned the designation of Certified Retirement Counselor through Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Donna received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Donna is a Director of the Milwaukee Tennis and Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that makes a difference in central city, at-risk children’s lives through tennis, scholastic tutoring, and life skills mentoring and is a nationally ranked tennis player. She also sits on the UWM Foundation Investment Committee and a member of the Economic Club of Sheboygan and Alliance Franchise.

Jeff is currently a Senior Fellow at Harvard in their Advanced Leadership Initiative.  For the last 11 year’s, 50 individuals are selected annually from around the world to participate.  The current cohort comes from six continents and sixteen countries.  Jeff is the first participant from the state of Wisconsin.

Previous to Harvard, Jeff worked for Miller Brewing Company for 38 years starting in an entry level position and retiring as President.  He also served as President of SABMiller’s Americas where he oversaw an organization which serviced 36 countries.  Prior to this he served as VP International, VP Trade Marketing, Director of Corporate Strategy, Director of Sales Development and Director of Business Development.

He is an owner of a multitude of companies across a variety of industries such as Bioverse (a producer of all-natural water cleaning products), New Fashion Pork (one of the larger pork producers with ownership in Triumph Foods, the second largest processor in the US), Precision Health Technologies (a manufacture of all nature animal health care products) to shrimp, farming and sugar cane operations in Belize.  He is currently working on two startups while also sitting on the board of JW Speaker (a manufacturer of lights for companies such as Harley Davidson, BMW and John Deere).

He received his undergraduate degree in Operations Management from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s of Science in Business from the Cardinal Stritch University, where he currently sits on their board.  Jeff and his wife Karin live in Milwaukee, have two daughters and two grandchildren.

Jacqueline is a 1984 graduate of the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) where she earned a degree in Electrical Engineering.  While attending MSOE, Jacqueline co-founded the school’s National Society of Black Engineers/NTA chapter.  After graduating, Jacqueline began work as a Sales Engineer for Motorola.  She retired in 2009 just shy of 25 years of employment.

Prior to her retirement, Jacqueline held direct and indirect sales management positions at Motorola. Her account base included companies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Midwest and globally.  This included manufacturers in diverse markets such as automotive, healthcare, military, contract manufacturing, telecom, factory automation, and avionics.

Jacqueline serves on several community and civic boards in Milwaukee.  She is immediate past chair of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Board, past chair of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Urban League, and MSOE Alumni Association boards. She currently serves as Past President of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, is a member of the SaintA Board, the MSOE Corporate Board, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Foundation Board, St. Ann’s Center for Intergenerational Care, the United Way of Greater Milwaukee, the Urban Day School Board, COA, Children’s Hospital Foundation Board, Federal Defender Services of Wisconsin, Black Arts Think Tank (BATT) and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Board.

Jackie is a 2006 inductee into the Milwaukee School of Engineering Wall of Fame a member of the Milwaukee Chapter of the Links, Inc and Girl Friends.

Jackie is married to Michael, COO of GE Healthcare Systems and has two children, Lauren, a fourth-year medical student at Harvard Medical School and Justin, a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and currently pursuing his MBA at the Lubar School of Business.

Karen Hung is the CEO and Founder of Silver Rock Consulting.  Silver Rock focuses on transformation and growth via co-creation of business models and strategies.  The results catalyze leadership alignment and market momentum.  Ms. Hung has corporate and client experience and agility across a range of sectors.  Some of her clients include Ascension Healthcare, Kohler, MetLife, AbbVie, Johnson Controls, and Goodwill Industries.

Prior to founding Silver Rock, Ms. Hung was the Senior Vice President, Global Chief Marketing Officer with Lands’ End.  She has held C-Suite and other executive positions leading global teams with General Electric, Ann Taylor, and Citigroup in the areas of Strategy, Marketing, and Innovation.

Ms. Hung serves as a Board Director and on Audit and Compensation Committees with KeHE, a national B-Corp food distributor; Florence Eiseman Company, an upscale children’s apparel brand; and Ascension Wisconsin healthcare system as Board Secretary and Governance Committee.

An active civic leader, Ms. Hung serves on the Boards of Directors of the Harvard Business School Club of Wisconsin as Immediate Past President, the Rotary Club of Milwaukee as Immediate Past President, Milwaukee Women Inc as Member Engagement/Governance co-Chair, and the National Christian Foundation.  She was also honored by being named Board Emeritus of Junior Achievement of Wisconsin (Executive and Strategy Committees) and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (Governance Chair, Exec Comm) for her years of Board service.

Ms. Hung taught MBA and undergraduate Entrepreneurship and Leadership courses at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lubar School of Business.

Ms. Hung has been recognized and honored as Wisconsin’s Most Influential Asian American Leaders, Women of Influence, Notable Women on Boards, and Women of Distinction.

Karen Hung earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a BA from Washington University of St. Louis.

Kimberly Kane is the president and CEO of Kane Communications Group. She is an award-winning journalist and public relations practitioner. Her firm works with executives to align communications with business strategy, defining brands, building reputations and inspiring business results.

Kimberly grew up in Los Angeles where her father operated a gang prevention and juvenile diversion program. She and her twin sister spent years working with their dad in the city’s most dangerous housing projects. This experience inspired Kimberly to pursue a career in journalism where she saw an opportunity to do more than report on difficult news, but to share stories of hope and to empower viewers with well-researched, objective information.

During her 15 years in television news, Kimberly won multiple awards, including an Emmy nomination. She was instrumental in the creation of a highly recognized health segment for WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee. In 2006, Kimberly entered the business community, working in business development, communications and government affairs before starting her own company.

Today, Kimberly is not only involved with her firm and their clients, but is active on numerous boards, advisory boards and committees; regularly emcees events; and is a public speaker – on topics that include crisis management, strategic communications and leadership. She has a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Urban Politics from the University of Southern California and is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Strategic PR and Political Management from George Washington University.

Margaret “Peggy” C. Kelsey joined WEC Energy Group as executive vice president in September 2017 and assumed responsibilities as general counsel and corporate secretary in January 2018.
In this role, Kelsey is responsible for all legal matters affecting the company. She also is corporate secretary to the WEC Energy Group board of directors and manages all governance matters. In addition, she oversees the company’s human resources, administrative services and environmental functions.

Kelsey was previously general counsel, corporate secretary and vice president – legal and corporate communications at Racine, Wisconsin-based Modine Manufacturing Co., where she oversaw a variety of legal and regulatory matters, served as liaison to Modine’s board of directors and managed corporate governance matters and the company’s corporate communications function.
Kelsey joined Modine as senior counsel in 2001 and progressed through a series of positions, including senior counsel and assistant secretary; corporate treasurer and assistant secretary; vice president – finance, corporate treasury and business development; vice president – corporate strategy and business development; and vice president – corporate development. She served as general counsel, corporate secretary and vice president since 2008.

Previously, she was a partner at Quarles & Brady LLP, where she was a member of the litigation group, specializing in product liability defense and representing clients across the United States.
Kelsey holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Mount Mary University, a juris doctor from Georgetown University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

She is a member of the boards of directors of Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, Greater Milwaukee Committee, North Shore Bank, Teach for America and Zoological Society of Milwaukee. She also serves on the Marquette University Women’s Council.

Matt Kulasa started his career in the audit and assurance practice at Deloitte. He joined Joy Global in 2005 as the Manager and then Director of Financial Reporting with responsibility for SEC reporting, technical accounting and internal controls. In 2009, he became Assistant Controller and Director of Corporate Accounting. Matt then moved to the U.K. in 2011, where he led the finance, information technology and commercial teams for the Eurasia region as Finance Director. In 2014, Matt returned to Milwaukee and was named Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Joy Global. After the acquisition of Joy Global by Komatsu in April 2017, Matt became Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer for Komatsu Mining Corp (formerly Joy Global) and Komatsu America. Matt holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In 2021, Matt joined WESCO International, a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions as Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller & Chief Accounting Officer.

Ron Miller joined Cleary Gull in 1993 and is currently Managing Director and Head of CIBC Cleary Gull. He is responsible for leading CIBC’s United States Middle Market M&A group, as well as actively managing transactions, business development, and private equity coverage. With over 35 years of transaction experience, Ron has completed more than 130 merger and acquisition and public and private financing assignments which represent approximately $10 billion of transaction value. In 2019 and 2015 Ron was named the M&A Advisor “Boutique M&A Investment Banker of the Year”.

As President of Cleary Gull from 2016 to 2019, Ron grew the firm 70% prior to negotiating the sale of Cleary Gull Inc. to CIBC in September 2019.

Between 1998 and 2002, Ron served as Managing Director of Tucker Anthony Sutro’s Investment Banking Department. Prior to Cleary Gull, Ron worked as a commercial banker at First Chicago Corporation and a Financial Analyst at Morgan Stanley in New York City.

Ron earned a M.M. from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, a B.S.E. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. in History from the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ron is on the Executive Committee and is Treasurer of COA Youth & Family Center, on the Executive Committee and is Investment Committee Chair of Versiti (f/k/a Blood Center of Wisconsin), a member of the Business Advisory Council of the Lubar School of Business at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, on the board of SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates, a member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, on the Endowment Committee of Congregation Shalom, on the Audit Committee of the Jewish Community Center and a guest lecturer at the Lubar School of Business and Marquette University and past President of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG – Wisconsin).

Dave graduated from UWM with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science 1992.  Since completing graduate school from UW-Madison in 1995, Dave has resided in the City of Milwaukee working in both the private and public sectors.  He currently works for the City of Milwaukee overseeing the City’s real estate program including residential, commercial, and industrial properties.  His specific focus has been on brownfield redevelopment converting abandoned, contaminated properties into productive uses in the Menomonee Valley, 0th Street Industrial Corridor, and the Harbor District.  He proudly served as the President of the UWM Alumni Association from 2013-2018.

His wife, Lisa (also a UWM grad), and he have two daughters

Bob joined Mandel Group, Inc. in 1999 and serves as its Senior Partner. Previously he acted as COO and Senior Vice President of the firm. Mandel Group is a privately held boutique/best-in-class multifamily developer with operations concentrated in metro Milwaukee.  Portfolio assets and operations span five Midwest states.  He is a 40+ year veteran of the real estate industry.

In 1991 Bob helped form Mandel Group, Inc. as the successor to Trammell Crow Residential’s Milwaukee operations. He participates in company strategic direction, debt & equity capitalization, and new project origination. Bob manages large scale multifamily, urban redevelopment, and waterfront developments. Prior employment engagements include mixed-use project management for a national developer and development director for WISPARK Corporation, the real estate subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corporation that has developed thousands of acres of logistics and enhanced manufacturing work settings in the upper Midwest.

Bob and his wife Barb are long-time City of Milwaukee residents and have two adult sons. A native Milwaukeean, Bob is a graduate of UW–Milwaukee’s School of Architecture & Urban Planning from which he received his BArch degree. He is active in the Milwaukee community contributing time and expertise to many community development initiatives.  He is an active member on the boards of the WAM DC–Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee Development Corp, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Bublr Bikes, Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, and Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra.  Current civic development projects in which Bob actively participates include the Bronzeville Center for the Arts, a cultural arts catalytic development that will anchor the Bronzeville Cultural Arts District on Milwaukee’s North Side.

Tom Myers is a Shareholder in the Business Practice Group. Tom focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, executive compensation, ESOP transactions, business counseling, corporate finance and taxation. He represents manufacturers, distributors, large retailers, software companies, mezzanine lenders, private equity sponsors and financial institutions.

Tom has served as lead attorney for both sellers and buyers of businesses and has many years of effective service in representing public companies, family-owned entities, leveraged buyout funds, investment banking and other equity funds. He is a frequent presenter to business groups regarding all legal aspects of the business purchase process, including valuation, negotiations, taxation, business structure, documentation and due diligence, as well as the process of marketing a business for sale.

Tom is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Corporate Law and has been recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2008-2013). Tom is AV Preeminent^® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell^®, the highest rating possible.

Tom is very involved in the community and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Cardinal Stritch University (Chair, Board of Trustees 2013-2017) and Ozaukee County Economic Development Corporation.

President of Diamond Discs International, a premiere Accredited supplier of construction tools specializing in quality diamond-edged cutting blades, core bits and small power tool items.

A local graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee majoring in Political Science with a Law Studies Option.

Executively managed in the construction industry for over 14 years as Division Sales Manager, General Manager and Director of Sales for several national wholesalers of industrial tools.

Demonstrated track record of rapid growth in the total volume of sales with nationwide wholesalers of industrial tooling. Identified and facilitated the compilation of larger customer bases through the integration of diverse marketing strategies which allowed the companies to form long-term mutually beneficial business relationships with different aspects of the industry. Exhibited unique ability to motivate, train and develop new and existing business units comprised of sales representatives, due to acclaimed diligence and integrity.

Director of Sales for Diamond Discs for several years before becoming the President of the organization.

Diamond Discs is proud to be the largest, fully certified minority-owned wholesaler of construction tools in the local area. Our goal is to continue our company motto of providing “Value – Trust – No Headaches” to all of our business relationships in the construction industry, internationally, nationally and to now continue our success here in the local market.

Clarissa Ortiz currently leads the Office of Northwestern Mutual’s President and incoming CEO/Chairman of the Board, Tim Gerend and is a member of the company’s Enterprise Leadership Group (ELG).  In this role, she is responsible for the operations of the office and is a thought partner and strategic advisor to Tim. She also has a hand in the company’s enterprise strategic planning efforts, leadership team development, critical initiative and priority oversight, and supports key company decision-making.

In her nearly 13 years at NM, Clarissa has held various leadership roles across the organization, including Products and Sales, Corporate Strategy, Distribution Strategy and Distribution Growth & Development. She also helped form the company’s first Hispanic Employee Resource Group in 2013 and served as Vice-Chair of the organization for several years. She continues to have a passion for mentoring other Latinas and women across the organization. Prior to joining NM, she worked in media, communications and advertising (both in Milwaukee and Atlanta).  Clarissa went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she majored in Broadcast Journalism and Spanish and received her MBA from UW-Milwaukee.  Clarissa serves on the Board of Directors for Cream City South Community Development Corporation and is a member of Business Advisory Council for the Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business at UW-Milwaukee. She also serves on the strategy leadership team for the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute.

Although Clarissa was born in the US, she was the first generation in her family to do so. As a result, she has strong ties to Puerto Rico and Lithuania where her family is originally from.  She speaks Spanish fluently. Clarissa is married to Michael Ortiz (Principal at Northwestern Mutual) and they have two very active boys (Emilio – 7 and Cristian – 5).  She enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures/backgrounds, biking, playing tennis, outdoor activities like hiking and camping, volunteering, reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time with her husband, kids and extended family and friends.

Peggy Williams-Smith is the President and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee. She joined VISIT Milwaukee in November of 2019, after spending 22 years with Marcus Hotels & Resorts in several leadership positions at varying locations throughout the division. At VISIT Milwaukee, she is responsible for promoting Milwaukee as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live, work and visit. She is directly responsible for the branding, marketing and selling of Milwaukee. She serves as the key spokesperson for the organization, ensuring ongoing and active communication with all tourism industry, public and private constituents and develops advocacy programs to communicate the mission and raise awareness of the organization.

Peggy currently sits on the boards of Milwaukee World Festivals, the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation, Professional Dimensions, BID 21, Greater Milwaukee Hotel and Lodging Association and Destinations Wisconsin. She is the Research Chair for Milwaukee Women, Inc and the co-chair of the 2021 Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee Gala. She was the 2016 city wide co-chair for the United Performing Arts Fund, past president of Tempo Milwaukee, and past Chair of the board for the American Heart Association of Southeastern WI. She was honored in 2010 as one Milwaukee’s 40 under 40 presented by the Business Journal and was awarded the Peak Performer Award in 2009 from Junior Achievement. She was also named a 2017 Women of Influence by the Business Journal, as well as one of the city’s 100 Power Brokers for five years.

Laura Bray is President of the UWM Foundation, leading the Foundation’s strategic direction, overseeing financial stewardship, and strengthening donor engagement to reinforce its role as a trusted, independent partner of UWM. Her leadership includes supporting affiliated organizations: the UWM Research Foundation, the UWM Real Estate Foundation and the UWM Alumni Association.

Bray brings over 30 years of experience in economic development, higher education, advancement, public-private partnerships, and nonprofit strategy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration, both from Marquette University. Bray was recognized as a 2024 Milwaukee Magazine Betty Awards honoree for her bridge-building, mission-focused leadership.

Prior to joining UWM, Bray served as Milwaukee Area Technical College’s (MATC) Vice President of College Advancement and External Communications and Executive Director of the MATC Foundation. During her eight-year tenure, she led efforts that more than doubled the Foundation’s assets, increased scholarship support by over 500%, and elevated the college’s visibility—helping thousands of MATC students launch careers in critical industries. For ten years, she served as the Executive Director of Menomonee Valley Partners Inc., spearheading a nationally recognized public-private initiative to transform blighted industrial land into a thriving urban district. She began her career as a community organizer at an affordable housing lender in Bridgeport, CT volunteering through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

A lifelong Milwaukeean and neighbor to UWM’s campus, Bray currently serves as on the board of Dominican High School and enjoys cooking, hiking, music, singing, and spending time with friends and family including her husband, two children, and dog Milo.

As the Chief Operating Officer of both the UWM Foundation and the UWM Real Estate Foundation, Curt is responsible for managing all aspects of the day to day operations including financial management and reporting.  Curt came to the UWM Foundation in October 2003 with extensive financial management experience in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors.  He was responsible for regional financial reporting, cash control and accounts receivable while at Blue Cross of Wisconsin and prior to that was Manager of Accounting for United Hospital, Inc. and United Hospital Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Curt also worked in public accounting as an auditor for four years for Arthur Andersen & Co and Ernst & Young after obtaining his accounting degree from Marquette University in 1985. Curt is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the Wisconsin Institute of CPA’s.

Curt resides in Burlington and has six children, three daughters and three sons.

Joah Tucker graduated from UWM with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2006. He was born and raised in the city of Milwaukee. Joah played basketball during his tenure at UWM where he helped the team to one of their most successful seasons in history, a Sweet Sixteen birth in 2005. Joah was honored to be inducted into the UWM Hall of Fame In 2014.

After graduating from UWM, Joah played professional basketball for five (5) seasons in Europe. He began to invest in residential and commercial real estate during his basketball career. After retiring from basketball, he invested in real estate full time. He and his family now manage a modest portfolio of investment properties on the near Eastside of Milwaukee. His company has been buying, renovating and providing housing in the community for over 15 years. He is also a proud Acre Program graduate in the class of 2014.

In his free time, he enjoys watching sports, golfing, boating and spending time with family and friends.

He is married to his wife Amy and they have 2 children together, Camden and Cali.