Milwaukee-based IndependeceFirst has a unique way for companies to think about their "green" initiatives. The non-profit agency wants companies and individuals to donate their out of date, used computers so they can be refurbished and given to local individuals with disabilities, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford one of their own.

IndependenceFirst is directed by and for the benefit of people with disabilities. Its main goal is to empower individuals with disabilities through education, advocacy, independent living services, and coalition building.

Since its recent move to a remodeled facility on First street in Milwaukee’s Fifth Ward, IndependenceFirst has also embarked on a mission of becoming a primary resource for companies and individuals looking to get rid of outdated, gently used desktop and laptop computers.

“We started the program almost 10 years ago, but when we started we were shipping out 6 to 10 computers a year. Now we are up to around 200 to 300,” said Thomas Uyehara, IndependenceFirst IT director.

IndependenceFirst uses department of defense standards for clearing and removing existing hard drives. Once the drives are clear, the computer is cleaned, and any components of the computer that do not work correctly are replaced, Uyehara said.

From there the computer is loaded with an operating system, and free software available online.

“We will include anything that helps the computer’s user to be productive,” he said.

According to Uyehara, the program is run almost completely on the generosity of volunteers, so it is important for the organization to keep costs down.

IndependenceFirst has a relationship with PC Pro Schools, and MATC, so students can gain hardware experience, and collect internship hours, and individuals with IT experience who are in between jobs, and corporations looking for volunteer service hours have also donated time to the cause.

“We can offer a great opportunity for companies to gain volunteer hours by offering a team building experience, where they can come in as a team and disassemble and reassemble the computers getting ready for shipment,” said Carol Voss, public relations and marketing director. “That really helps us out too, because instead of getting, three or four computers done in one day we can do 30 to 40 with a larger group.”

Individuals looking to receive a computer must complete an application form, have a disability, live in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington or Waukesha counties, and must demonstrate a financial need and reason for having the computer, Voss said.

Applicants are then placed on a list, and receive a computer once one is available.

“The waiting list right now is somewhere around 200 people,” Uyehara said. “The problem is the donation stream isn’t consistent. We may finish five to six PC’s a day, but we also receive a half dozen requests each day for those computers too.”

IndependenceFirst is seeking both donations and volunteers to assist in the refurbishing.

“We would like companies in the Milwaukee area to know that this is a great way to recycle their old computers free of cost, it’s tax deductible, and it works well with their green initiatives,” Voss said.

The minimum criteria for a computer donation includes: Pentium III processor or better, 128 MB RAM memory or better, 600 MHZ or better, 17-inch monitor or larger.

To view more information related to donating or volunteering visit the IndependenceFirst website.

Elite Fitness & Racquet Ball Club, Brookfield, will host local U.S. Open ballperson tryouts for youth and adults ages 14 and up. The winner of the local contest will head to New York for a chance to work at the U.S. Open.

According to Randy Stolpe, director of Tennis at Elite and one of the tryout judges, ballpersons must be able to demonstrate, speed and coordination, a strong throwing arm, ability to catch, attentiveness, and have a positive attitude and enthusiasm.

Having a tennis background helps, but anyone with athletic ability is invited to try out, he said.

“We are so excited to offer this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help a local athlete get up close and personal with some of the greatest tennis players in the world,” said Kay Yuspeh, owner of Elite Fitness & Racquet Clubs. “No matter what your age, it’s hard not to get excited about the chance to be on the courts where legends like John McEnroe and Billie Jean King have played.”

There are two different positions that require either quickness and hand-eye coordination or a strong throwing arm.

Confirmed judges for the tryouts will include Stolpe, Erika Wentz, USTA Midwest Section tennis service representative, and Doug Russell, morning show host for Milwaukee SportsRadio AM 1250.

Participants can pick up registration/waiver forms and rules at any of Elite’s four locations or download the forms online at www.eliteclubs.com. Participants can bring completed registration and waiver forms to the tryouts, or register onside the day of the event. 

Tryouts will take place on Saturday, May 2 at the Highlander Elite Club, 13825 W. Burleigh Road, Brookfield, from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

Elite will award the winner and a guest with airfare and lodging to the U.S. Open ballperson tryouts on Thursday, June 25, at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

Optional Elite Ballpersons Training Clinics will be held at the North Shore Elite Club (5750 N. Glen Park Road) in Glendale on Tuesday, April 28 from 4-5 p.m. and at Highlander Elite in Brookfield on Saturday, May 2 at 11:30 a.m. to help participants prepare for their tryouts. 

The Milwaukee/NARI Foundation, Inc., the educational and charitable arm of the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council Inc., Wauwatosa, will host its fourth annual “Home Improvement Rummage Sale” at the Milwaukee/NARI office, 11815 W. Dearbourn Ave., Milwaukee, on Friday, April 24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Menomonee Falls-based Joe DeBelak Plumbing & Heating Company and Grafton-based Lakeside Electric, Inc., are co-sponsors for the event.

The event has generated over $30,000 over the last three years. Proceeds from the sale support the Milwaukee/NARI Foundation’s efforts to provide financial and educational support to students pursuing a career in the home improvement and remodeling industry, while also assisting efforts to reduce the construction and demolition materials in landfills.

“To help fund our scholarship and technical school endowment programs and finance equipment and materials for those pursuing careers in the remodeling industry, as well as to reduce waste and C&D debris, we’ll once again be selling leftovers, extras, wrong sizes, colors, styles, and materials that association members have not used, but which would be really useful for area homeowners,” said Mark Brick, CR, owner of B & E General Contractors in Glendale and Milwaukee/NARI Foundation president. “The generous donations of our members and the commitment of those who will purchase materials will help us educate people on the large number of opportunities available within the industry.”

The Milwaukee/NARI Foundation is currently working with instructors and students at Milwaukee Area Technical College, Waukesha County Technical College, Gateway Technical College, Bradley Tech High School, Community High School, and Franklin High School.

It is anticipated that donated appliances, bathroom and ceiling tiles, cabinets, lumber, decking materials, trim, windows and doors, furniture, lighting fixtures, sinks, insulation, vent covers, plumbing fixtures and supplies, and roofing shingles will all be available at the sale.

Milwaukee/NARI member volunteers, including NARI Certified Professionals, will be at the sale to answer questions on the available materials and how consumers can effectively use them in their homes, as well as to load materials for those who purchase products.

Any person that makes a purchase will receive a pair of tickets for the 2009 Spring Home Improvement Showcase, a tour of recently remodeled homes on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3.  In addition, attendees will receive the 2009 Milwaukee/NARI Membership Directory and the association’s Remodeling Guide.

Central Bark Doggy Daycare, 5780 W. Hemlock, Milwaukee, will host the third annual ‘National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day’ on Saturday April 25 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. The event begins with a Bulldog parade and later moves inside to highlight local nonprofit agencies that are doing work helping others.

Milwaukee native, and bulldog owner Jackie Valent, initiated the formation of the national event in Milwaukee. Valent wrote the children’s book, “Stinky the Bulldog,” a book about a bulldog who is eager to make friends but is unable to because of his unusual appearance. The inspiration for “Stinky the Bulldog” came from her observations of people and their reactions to superficial characteristics and diversity, she said. She started the event to encourage diversity and acceptance among everyone.

“Bulldogs get a bad rap. People look at them and judge them as mean or aggressive when they are just lovable couch potatoes,” Valent said. “People are judged every day in similar ways. This is an opportunity to celebrate the differences in all through our fabulous bulldogs.” 

The event is expected to attract more than 50 bulldogs, and will feature treats for dogs and humans, and will offer an opportunity to give back to the community. Participants are encouraged to bring in nonperishable food items to be donated to local food banks.

Stinky the bulldog will also be present, to begin the parade and “pawtograph” copies of the book. Participants will also have an opportunity to hear from various local nonprofits to learn about volunteer opportunities and other ways to give back to others.

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. recently announced that it has provided airline tickets to Milwaukee resident and recent television celebrity, Molly Malaney, so she can visit “The Bachelor” star boyfriend Jason Mesnick in Seattle. The company wanted to re-emphasize its mantra “Go. There’s Nothing Stopping You,” and promote a number of new routes which will increase the airline's service in Milwaukee by more than 55 percent.

When service fully expands in June, AirTran Airways will offer 33 daily departures from General Mitchell International Airport to 19 nonstop destinations.

“AirTran Airways believes high fares shouldn’t stop people from being together,” said Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and sales, AirTran Airways. “Our low fares and extensive service make it easy and affordable for Milwaukeeans to visit friends, family and business associates across the country. We wish Jason and Molly well as they explore their budding romance.”

The tickets were delivered to Malaney along with a bouquet of roses, a trademark of the show.

AirTran will also host an event with The Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee on Thursday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Helfaer Field Atrium just outside Miller Park, to promote its new nonstop service to the Twin Cities. AirTran will give away 500 free round trip tickets from Milwaukee to Minneapolis/St. Paul to twins or anyone with Minnie, Saint or Paul in their name. Participants are being asked to bring non perishable food items that will benefit the Hunger Task Force, which will also receive a $10,000 check the day of the event, courtesy of AirTran Airways.

Lake Lawn Resort, located at 2400 E. Geneva St. in Delavan, wants kids to help out with mom’s Mother’s Day brunch. Chef David Ross will host a kids-only cooking class in the resort’s Frontier Restaurant to allow children to prepare portions of the meal for their moms.

The cooking class will begin at 1 p.m. and another will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 10. Children and their mother’s must be attending Frontier Restaurant's Mother’s Day brunch to participate.

Brunch is served from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is $31.95 for adults, $12.95 for children ages 5-12, and free for children 4 and under. Brunch will include selections of cheeses, sausages, vegetables, fruits, pastries, seafood, salads, breakfast favorites, sausage stuffed pork loin, garlic crusted roast beef, orange ginger ham, lemon oregano roasted chicken, complimentary flowers and its traditional ‘Pink Squirrel’ cocktails.

Kids can also treat their mothers by creating cards with the help of the resort’s activity coordinators to display on the “Mother’s Day Wall of Fame.” Children under age 12 can write short essays explaining why their moms are the best ever, and the winning mother will receive a free one hour Swedish massage at the resort’s recently remodeled Timber Spa. 

Name: Steven Schnur

Title: Zaffiro’s executive chef (North Shore)

Company : Marcus Theatres

Company address: 11700 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon

Company web site: Marcustheatres.com

Industry: Theatre/entertainment

Education: Graduated Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago, A cordon Blue Program

Family:  Fiance, Teresa; 2 dogs, Mollie and Fraiser

Hobbies and Interests: “While cooking is my vocation, it’s also my avocation as well. I also enjoy sports in general, but particularly golf.”

Favorite book and/or movie: “Anything written by Peter Mayle.”

Favorite musician/band: Beatles

Favorite place to visit/vacation: “I’m originally from Chicago so it’s my favorite place to visit. It really has become a world class food city in recent years with the restaurants, chefs and all the great markets.”

Favorite local restaurant: “Trattoria Stefano in Sheboygan is great. It’s very authentic and rustic.”

Words to live by: “The hardest part of being the best at anything is not the final destination, but having the will and desire to make the journey. The very highest levels of quality are achieved through dogged determination.”

What is your core philosophy for doing business? “When times get tough the tough get better. At the end of the day as a chef, you’re only as good as your weakest team member.”

Who is your role model and why? “My father. The older I get the smarter I realized he was.”

What was the funniest thing that has ever happened to you? “With so many bright people around me, I’m the Bubbler Executive of the week.”

Ulice Payne voted chair-elect of YMCA of the USA

The YMCA of the USA announced that Ulice Payne Jr., the president of Brookfield-based Addison-Clifton LLC, has been unanimously voted chair-elect by the YMCA's Board of Directors.The 27-member board establishes policy and strategic direction for YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the country's 2,686 YMCAs. Payne will serve as chair-elect until February of 2010, when he will succeed current YMCA board chair Kenneth B. Colloton.

Payne joined the board in 2005 and will serve a two-year term as board chair.

"Our nation's YMCAs form a powerful association dedicated to strengthening kids, families and communities," said Neil Nicoll, President and CEO of YMCA of the USA. "Ulice brings passion and years of experience as a business and community leader to our mission. We look forward to his leadership as we continue our efforts to foster the development of children and families, advance healthy communities and support those in need."

Building & Construction

CG Schmidt, Milwaukee, recently announced the promotions of Greg Morelli, Jon Foster, and Jim Hans to vice president.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry recently awarded Thomas Weiher, president of Carmel Builders, Inc., Menomonee Falls, its 2008 Professionalism Award.

Design

Bridget Wessel has been named as a partner of Mathematic Arts, a web design and development company in Milwaukee. She will also continue to serve as the firm’s director of technology.

Government Organizations

The 30th Street Industrial Corridor Corporation recently named three new board members to two year terms on its board of directors: Ruben Anthony, Jr., deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation; David Misky, assistant executive director of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee; and Kim Ban, director of human resources and facilities for DRS Power & Control Technologies, Inc.

The Milwaukee Public Library recently appointed Joan Johnson as the new deputy director of public services. Johnson has served as Central Library and special projects director since joining the Milwaukee Public Library in November 2006.

Health Care

Barbara Pinekenstein recently joined Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital as chief nursing officer and executive vice president. Prior to joining ProHealth Care, Pinekenstein was chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care at Meriter Hospital in Madison.

“I have had many successes with social media as a marketing outlet. I use LinkedIn, Spoke, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and even You Tube for marketing and advertising purposes. With options for a group and a page within Facebook, upcoming events, press releases and websites are easily placed in front of the right audience. Since I have approached Facebook primarily from a business perspective, I have been able to gather a large collection of ‘friends’ that I may only vaguely know who have received our information directly as well as passed it on to others they know.”

— Nathaniel Bauer of Franklin-based Big Bang LLC.

Read the BizTimes Milwaukee cover story: Social Media: New tools for business growth for more success stories

Five best selling business books courtesy of 800 CEO Read:

1. “How We Lead Matters,” by Marilyn Carlson Nelson

2. “Sales Blazers,” by Mark Cook

3. “Leaders Make the Future,” by Bob Johansen

4. “Women at the Table,” by Women’s Foodservice Forum

5. “Carrot Principle,” by Adrian Gostick & Chester Elton

Courtesy of 800 CEO Read