Richard Frenette has joined the staff of the Wisconsin State Fair Park as its new executive director.
Frenette was selected after a six-month search process. He is a veteran of the fair and event business and began his career at the Chippewa Falls County Fair, where his father was part owner. From there, he decided to accept a position at the Minnesota State Fair and has stuck with the business ever since.
“The fair and event business is in my blood and has been since I was young. It’s been a dream of mine to work here in the Wisconsin State Fair organization, and I’m excited I get to finish my career at home,” Frenette said.
Prior to joining the staff at the Wisconsin State Fair, Frenette was with the Utah State Fair and also served as the executive director for the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair in Columbus Ohio.
“This is already a great organization, the staff is strong, the organization is strong and the fair is one of the top 25 fairs in the country in terms of attendance and revenue,” he said. “What I bring is a background of experience, and I hope to be able to help the organization become even better, but also lead the people of this organization to develop the same sort of passion for the business that I have.”
Frenette hopes to continue down the successful path the organization is already on, but through his connections and his background, he also hopes to bring some new events to the grounds and generate additional revenue for the park so they can begin investing back into the facilities and programs for future growth.
During his first week on the job, Frenette shared his visions for the State Fair and the Milwaukee Mile with BizTimes Milwaukee reporter Alysha Schertz. To view a webcast of that interview, click on the video

Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls Inc. has been selected by Wal-mart to be the sole source provider of its automotive, marine, Powersport and lawn and garden batteries for its stores in the United States and Puerto Rico.
"We are honored to receive this expanded business from Wal-mart," said Allen Martin, vice president and general manager Americas for the Power Solutions business of Johnson Controls. "We are committed to providing Wal-mart the highest level of quality and service, demonstrating the value we bring to all our customers in the United States and globally."
Johnson Controls has been a Wal-mart supplier for more than 25 years. The company received Wal-mart's Supplier of the Year for Automotive in 2009.
"Johnson Controls' superior quality, consistent service, partnership in reducing consumer returns, and category leadership were key factors for selecting Johnson Controls as our sole source provider," said a Wal-mart representative.

Integrated Marketing Think Tank, a group of business professionals from Milwaukee and Chicago that are dedicated to providing strategic c-level intensive trainings and corporate consultation, will host a one-day seminar, Think Tank Live! Internet Marketing Conference - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at the Country Springs Hotel and water park, 2810 Golf Road in Pewaukee.
 “It is important for companies and business owners to realize that a successful marketing strategy includes multiple components,” said Mary DuQuain, president and founder of I.M. Think Tank. “What we wanted to do was bring a panel of successful, knowledgeable people, who are all experts in their own area, together in one place for the benefit of those attending.”
According to DuQuaine, the topics that will be discussed at the seminar are all necessary components to a company’s strategic plan.
“This conference will teach attendees the importance of each component on an individual level, but will also explore the ways these components balance each other out,” DuQuaine said.
Scheduled topics include search engine optimization, digital marketing strategy, SEM/pay per click advertising, web tracking and analytics, social media, twitter, and building a company’s online community.
In this economy, business leaders are looking for strategies and practical ideas to attract more customers and increase profits, said Jo Stumpner, an event speaker and a pay-per-click marketing specialist from New Berlin-based Top Floor Technologies. “Digital online marketing is the new landscape and we will help people to navigate the various disciplines for success.”
Other speakers at the event will include Lisa Sabin-Wilson, Anthony Verre, Seng Weiland, Chris King. James Bird, Christopher Campbell and Ryan Evans.
Sabin-Wilson, a native of West Bend, will speak on building online communities. Sabin-Wilson is the author of WordPress For Dummies and BuddyPress For Dummies, and is a regular speaker at national conferences including South by Southwest Interactive, and WordCamp events across the country.
Small and medium size business owners, marketing professionals, web developers and agency professionals are encouraged to attend. Tickets are available for $225 which includes lunch and seminars. For more information or to register visit: www.thinktanklive.com or follow the conversation on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ThinkTankLive or by following the Twitter hashtag #ttlmke.

The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center will hold its 16th annual Sailors Ball on Saturday, March 6 at the Italian Community Center from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. All proceeds from the event support the Sailing Center’s efforts to engage Milwaukee’s at-risk, urban youth, as well as children and adults with disabilities, in innovative sailing experiences.
This year’s ball will feature the sights, sounds and tastes of Puerto Rico as island fare, attire, entertainment and a silent auction set the tone for the evening. More than 200 nautical, dining and leisure packages will be auctioned off, including a one-week charter on a 40’ sailboat.  A raffle drawing that includes six nights lodging, plus $1,000 cash for travel expenses to Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. Salsa lessons and demonstrations will be provided by the children’s dancing program, Danceworks’ Mad Hot Ballroom & Tap and instructor Melinda LaPlante from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio will provide a group lesson.
Father-and-son sailing legends Doug and Jared Drake have been selected as the recipients of the 2010 Sailor of the Year Award. Both have given themselves wholly to the sport and the sailing center community. Doug Drake has been sailing for more than 60 years and is the namesake for the Sailing Center’s  Love of Sailing Award. 
The Sailing Center’s Youth Outreach Participation Partner, Neu-Life Community Resource Center will also be recognized at the program. Casual, island attire is encouraged.  General admission tickets, which include dinner and entertainment, are $90 per person. General admission tickets plus passes to the Admirals Club pre-reception are $135 per person, and VIP Gold Packages, which include general admission, passes to the Admirals Club pre-reception and wine with dinner, are $175 per person.  To purchase raffle or ball tickets, contact the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center at (414) 277-9094.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat, and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, a Republican, will address nearly 1,000 business executives at Business Day in Madison on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
The two candidates are running for governor to succeed Democrat Gov. Jim Doyle, who is not seeking re-election.
The candidates will speak at 3 p.m.
Former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann, a Republican governor candidate, was invited to speak, but will be unable to attend. 
“We are honored to be able to host two of the major candidates for governor at Business Day in Madison,” said James Haney, president of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC).
Business Day in Madison is hosted by 15 business groups, and more than 60 local chambers of commerce. It is the largest event of its kind in the state, annually attracting up to 1,000 business executives.
“Our business climate is in tough shape, and the candidates need to hear from the business community about competitiveness,” Haney said.  “We need to partner with the next governor to restore Wisconsin’s competitiveness, and we look forward to their remarks.”
Business Day in Madison also will feature some bipartisan sparring as the only two women ever to serve as presidential press secretaries take the stage during the noon luncheon. Dee Dee Myers of the Clinton administration, and Dana Perino of the Bush administration will provide commentary on the state of the nation and share insights into the upcoming mid-term elections.
Political prognosticator Charlie Cook will open the day at 9 a.m. with an analysis of the future of American politics.
A health care reform panel discussion will feature Mary Grealy, president of the Health Care Leadership Council; Wisconsin Health Services Secretary Karen Timberlake; and John Torinus, chairman, Serigraph, Inc.
Business Day in Madison will be emceed by University of Wisconsin journalism professor James Baughman and will be held at the Monona Terrace Convention Center. For additional information, visit here.

The Harley’s & Hollywood exhibit will open Friday, Feb. 12, at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. Motorcycles owned by stars Clark Gable, Steve McQueen and seen in hit films like G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra and Wild Hogs will be on display. Visitors will also be able to get their picture taken on a bike from the blockbuster film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

The Milwaukee Ballet will present Innovative Motion at the Pabst Theater from Thursday, Feb. 11 through Sunday, Feb. 14. The works featured in Innovative Motion are new to Milwaukee Ballet’s repertoire and two are original pieces. The guest choreographers working with the Company reinforce Milwaukee Ballet’s dedication to debuting innovative pieces.
“This is the life-blood of dance,” said Michael Pink, artistic director. “It’s extremely important to generate new work. It’s interesting, vital to the development of our artists, and critical to continuing our effort to reach new generations of ballet-goers.”
Salvatore Aiello’s Clowns and Others features vignettes of 10 clowns portraying human traits such as compassion, grief and wonder, set to live accompaniment of Sergei Prokofiev’s humorous piano score. Luc Vanier’s world premiere, Sur_Rendered, continues the collaboration between the UW-Milwaukee (UWM) and Milwaukee Ballet through a unique blend of movement and visual imagery. Vanier, an assistant professor at UWM’s Peck School of The Arts, has used motion capture technology as a way to link animation in real time for the stage. Motion capture technology refers to the process of recording movement and translating that movement onto a digital model.
The winner of Milwaukee Ballet’s 2009 international choreographic competition, Timothy O’Donnell, will return to Milwaukee with another world premiere, Bolero, Let There Be Light. Set to Ravel’s “Boléro” and sound bytes from historical speeches, O’Donnell’s ballet is a series of questions, the main one being, “Will we continue to take authority as the truth, or will we start taking truth as the authority?”
Tickets are available for $25 to $88. To order or for additional information, call (414) 902-2103 or visit www.milwaukeeballet.org.
Audiences are also invited to attend the Milwaukee Ballet’s Pints before Pointes event on Thursday, Feb. 11 in the Salon at the Intercontinental Hotel, 139 E. Kilbourn Ave. at 6 p.m. A cash bar and complimentary appetizers will be available and the cost to attend is $35 which includes a prime seating ticket to the performance following the event.

In commemoration of the company’s 30-year history, Milwaukee-based Midland Video Productions has launched a company blog that features a series of videos and outtakes from the production company’s archives. As the crews of Super Bowl XLIV are enjoying the Miami Sun, Midland Video share its footage from Super Bowl XVI when the NFL awarded the 1982 game to Pontiac, Michigan; a somewhat different January climate than Miami. Check out this week’s blog here: www.midlandvideo.com/blog 

Name: Doug Hastad           
Title:    President
Company: Carroll University   
Company address: 100 N. East Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186
Company web site: www.carrollu.edu
Industry: Higher Education
Education: Ed. D. Arizona State University, M.S. Washington State University, B.A. Concordia College ('71), Moorhead, Minnesota
Family:  Spouse: Nancy Hastad, and children Jacob and Rebekah
Hobbies and Interests: reading, travel, golf, cycling, fitness activities
Favorite book and/or movie: “I enjoy all types of reading materials and movies, but if pressed to list a favorite book, it would be: fiction – "The Foundation Trilogy" by Isaac Asimov; non-fiction: "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose.”
Favorite musician/band: “I enjoy all types of music, but, if pressed to listen to one band – The Dave Matthews Band.”
Favorite place to visit/vacation: “Visit: Vietnam and China; Vacation: Lake country in Minnesota.”
Favorite local restaurant: “There are so many to choose from, but for special occasions, we choose The Union House in Genesee Depot.”
Words to live by: “If everyone just took care of their little corner of the world…”
What is your core philosophy for doing business? "Students First!"
Who is your role model and why? “Teachers, because they are educating the next generation of world citizens.”
What was the funniest thing that has ever happened to you? “Living in Wisconsin for 21 years, being a Minnesota Vikings fan and still having so many dear friends throughout this wonderful state!”

New president named for United Heartland Insurance
Steve Cooper has been named the president of New Berlin-based United Heartland Insurance, a national workers compensation insurer, by parent company Accident Fund Holdings Inc.
Cooper succeeds Emil Pfenninger, who has led United Heartland since its founding in 1990. Cooper has 21 years of property-casualty experience. Prior to joining United Heartland, he served as vice president of claim operations at Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, another Accident Fund Holdings subsidiary. Prior to joining Accident Fund, he served in various service center and claims leadership positions at Specialty Underwriters Alliance, General Electric Insurance Solutions, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Travelers Insurance Company.
“Steve Cooper is uniquely suited to build on the past success of United Heartland and the team,” said Elizabeth R. Haar, president and CEO of Accident Fund Holdings. “Under Steve’s direction, United Heartland will continue to flourish as a national player in workers compensation insurance, partnering with agents to deliver exceptional value to our policyholders. I would like to thank and recognize Emil Pfenninger for his leadership of United Heartland over the last 20 years. Emil is a special leader who built United Heartland into the growing, successful company that it is today.”
United Heartland now has more than 260 employees, and writes more than $200 million in premium annually.
In December, the company moved into a newly built headquarters in New Berlin.
Pfenninger will remain with United Heartland in the coming months to help in the transition of his responsibilities to Cooper and work on special projects with Accident Fund Holdings until his retirement in 2011.

Lucas is new president of Racine Metal-Fab
Scott Lucas has been named president and chief operating officer of Racine Metal-Fab (RMF). Kim Nichols, RMF owner and chief executive officer, said Lucas will provide leadership in strategic planning, business development, branding, lean engineering, manufacturing and team development at the company.
Lucas formerly served as a division president at Dorner Manufacturing Corp. in Hartland for 15 years and previously as senior management at Enerpac, an Actuant Company, for 18 years.
“Scott will be a significant asset to our company and customers, as we look to grow our business in terms of revenues, products and industries served,” Nichols said.
Racine Metal-Fab is a premium supplier of custom fabricated metal.

Education
Gary Jorgenson, chairman of VJS Construction; and Marie O’Brien, president and CEO of Enterforce, have joined the board of trustees at Mount Mary College. Each will serve a three-year term. 

Dr. Gary Keller, associate professor in the College of Business and Management, at Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee has been appointed to a five-year term on the Shorewood Police Commission by the Shorewood Village Board.

Health Care
Patricia Petry, RNC, MS, has been named director of women’s health services at Community Memorial Hospital, Menomonee Falls. Petry will be responsible for the development and growth of women’s services at the hospital, including women’s health programs, Breast Care Center and perinatology.

Dr. Marylyn Ranta, has joined Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa, as directorof physician affairs. In the newly created role, Dr. Ranta will provide administrative input to several areas and functions, including the utilization management program, Medical/Dental Staff Services and Physician Support Services. She also will provide support and leadership for the hospital’s quality initiatives. Most recently, Dr. Ranta worked as a community pediatrician for Forest View Pediatrics, a member of Children’s Medical Group.

Hospitality & Entertainment
Josh Peeples has been named assistant marketing operations director at Potawatomi Bingo Casino, Milwaukee.  He has been with the Casino since 2004, in a number of different marketing positions.

Legal Services
Casey Law Offices, Milwaukee, has added attorney Thomas Alberti, a lawyer concentrating in the areas of intellectual property and general business practices, to its firm. Prior to joining Casey’s firm, Alberti served as intellectual property counsel with Von Briesen & Roper, S.C., and spent four years as General Counsel at the K.W. Muth Company, a $16 million technology company and manufacturer of automotive OEM safety products based in Sheboygan.

Davis & Kuelthau has announced that attorney Matthew Impola has joined its corporate and real estate practices group. Impola has more than seven years of experience with AMLAW 100 firms and more recently serving as corporate counsel for Continental Properties Company, Inc.

Manufacturing
ETE REMAN, Inc., Milwaukee added Darin Engert as director of business development. He brings a wealth of senior management experience in the Automotive Aftermarket to the company.   

Kohler Co.’s Global Power Group, Kohler, has named Jason Struthers as the new president of its Kohler Power Systems business. Struthers has assumed leadership and management responsibilities for Kohler Power Systems, which includes operations in North America and Asia.

Publishing
Joe Luedtke was promoted to vice president at Interactive Media of Liturgical Publications Inc., New Berlin. This newly created position is a result of LPi’s strategy of becoming a multi-media publisher.

“Transit legislation currently in the works in Madison reflects the collective appeal from the local business, labor and civic communities who understand that dedicated funding for transit is critical to the future of our region… an adequately funded transit system will preserve and expand job opportunities in southeastern Wisconsin, promote job creation and allow us to be competitive in attracting and retaining top talent.”
~Julia Taylor, president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee

Check out the week ahead surrounding Milwaukee's performing arts and music scene by visiting Third Coast Digest, a media partner of BizTimes Milwaukee.

1. “Seven Lessons for Leading in Crisis” by Bill George and Warren Bennis
2. “Crush It!” by Gary Vaynerchuk
3. “I Love You More Than My Dog” by Jeanne Bliss
4. “Rich Dad's Increase Your Financial IQ” by Robert T Kiyosaki and Jake Johnson
5. “Behind the Cloud” by Marc Benioff and Carlye Adler
Courtesy of 800 CEO Read

• Tuesday, Feb. 23 A.B.L.E South will present a LinkedIn training seminar at the Knights of Columbus building, 3200 S. 103rd St, beginning at 1 p.m. Wayne Breitbarth, president of M&M Office Interiors will present at the event. Cost to attend is $10 for A.B.L.E South members and $20 for non members. To register call the UWM School of continuing education at 414-227-3098.
• Thursday, Feb. 25, BizTimes Media will present its Wellness Summit, Strategies for a healthy workforce event at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W. Wisconsin Ave. from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Session leaders include Nick Neitzel, community wellness director for the Wisconsin Athletic Club; Jo Steinberg, president of Midland Health; and Connie Roethel, R.N., wellness expert and president of Core Health Group. Learn tools and strategies from local experts that you can implement now to save money and increase productivity in your own business. Cost to attend is $45 per person or $450 for a corporate table of ten. For more information visit www.biztimes.com/wellness.
• Wednesday, March 3 DeWitt Ross & Stevens will present The Facebook Frenzy: How to Deal with Your Employees’ Newest On-the-Clock Pastime at the Brookfield Suites Hotel, 1200 S. Moorland Road, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Mindy Rowland and Michele Perreault from DeWitt Ross & Stevens will present. This presentation will provide guidance on how to deal with employees’ use of Facebook and other networking sites, including advice on drafting comprehensive policies and appropriate discipline methods to ensure no repeat offenders. We will also address the trend toward shutting down Facebook and twitter access at work as a potential solution, as well as touching upon how employers can use Facebook and similar sites to your advantage. The seminar is part of an ongoing series of seminars called HR Roundtable. To register for the free Brookfield seminar, go to www.dewittross.com and register under Events or send an e-mail to hrroundtable@dewittross.com or call 608-252-9330

• Saturday, Feb. 6 The 2nd Annual Wine Tasting Benefit for the Bay View Community Center will be held at the Woodland Dreams Ballroom at Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal Street. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served and guests will have the opportunity to sample 40 quality-crafted wines, and participate in a silent auction.  Advance tickets can be purchased for $40 or $45 at the door. Advanced tickets get guests 15 percent off any Potawatomi restaurants. Call the Center (414) 482-1000 to order your tickets. 
• Saturday, Feb. 6 Family Free Day at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Families can enjoy free admission to the zoo. For details visit: http://bit.ly/dhfZqq
• Saturday, Feb. 6 Milwaukee Bucks take on the Indiana Pacers at the Bradley Center. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

• African American Chamber of Commerce Milwaukee
• American Marketing Association-Milwaukee Chapter
• Business Marketing Association-Milwaukee
• Conservative Young Professionals of Milwaukee
• Executive Women International-Milwaukee Chapter
• FUEL Milwaukee
• Grandville-Brown Deer Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce
• Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce
• Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC)
• National Association of Women Business Owners
• Professional Dimensions
• Public Relations Society of America - Wisconsin Chapter,
• South Suburban Chamber of Commerce
• Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce
• Tempo Waukesha
• Tempo Milwaukee
• Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce
• Waukesha Young Professionals
• Wisconsin Better Business Bureau
• YP Impact