MillerCoors LLC has announced the winners of its 2009-10 MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneurs Series Business Plan competition.
The top winner, Rex Wills of Hi-tek PO in Raleigh N.C., received a grant of $100,000. The four runners-up received grants of $25,000 each to contribute to either the start-up or expansion of their business. The runners up include: Vision Tutoring, Rex Ga.; Splice Kitchen; Chicago, Ill.; Tap Me Games, Chicago, Ill.; and Bumblebee Energy Solutions, Grand Prarie, Texas.
The winners will be honored during a special reception hosted at MillerCoors' new corporate headquarters in Chicago.
Since its inception in 1999, the MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneurship series (MUES) has awarded $1.4 million to emerging minority businesses. Businesses across the country competed for an opportunity to win a total of $200,000 in business grants.
"Ultimately, our goal is to foster economic growth and to one day turn many of the businesses that come through the program into minority suppliers for our company," said Larry Waters, director of multicultural relations for MillerCoors. "MUES is much more than just a hand-out. We track our winners and stay in touch with them to help them grow their enterprises."
The MUES program was launched to stimulate economic growth and development in urban communities. In addition to the grant money, the program provides web-based educational resources including webinars, blogs and business advice from national judges and past winners.
"We are fully invested in helping small businesses succeed, especially given the current economic climate," said Waters. "As an industry leader, we recognize that entrepreneurship fuels our economy and ultimately provides economic empowerment and job creation. It is a priority for us to actually provide invaluable resources to urban businesses to help them succeed and not to simply pay lip service."
"We cannot express how important a program of this type is to helping entrepreneurs get a solid foundation. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the MUES program is phenomenal and speaks volumes to the commitment of MillerCoors," said eDali Pollard, senior business consultant, Entrepreneurship Center for the Chicago Urban League.  

Alterra Coffee will host the annual Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition from March 12-14 at Discovery World, 500 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee.
The best baristas from a five state area will compete in a three day competition for their chance to compete at the U.S. Barista Championship in Anaheim Calif. in April.
The baristas at the competition will be given 15 minutes to prepare four cappuccinos, four espressos and four signature drinks for a panel of judges. There is a strong focus on presentation, cleanliness, professionalism and taste.
Four local Alterra baristas are competing in this year’s competition including last year’s Great Lakes regional champion, Scott Lucey. The other Alterra baristas that will compete are: Colin Whitcomb, Nathan Hoida and Cody Kinart.
The event is free and open to the public. Guests are invited to sample the coffees, espressos, and signature beverages being prepared by competitors.
Following Saturday’s competition, spectators may join Alterra at Sabor Brazilian Churrascaria, 777 N. Water St., Milwaukee, for appetizers, a cash bar and live samba and dancing with Luciano Antonio, Planeta Azul, Passistas Samba Dancers, and music from disc jockey Marcus Doucette of 88.9 RadioMilwaukee. Guests can also enjoy single-origin espressos and a presentation by Brazilian coffee farmer Alexandre Gonzaga.

Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett and common council president Willie Hines Jr. have teamed up to ask for residents’ support in getting Google to launch a test pilot of its ultra high-speed broadband network in the Milwaukee area.
“As a city we’re just the right size for the Google Fiber project,” said Hines. “(We have) ample telecom infrastructure, and diverse neighborhoods featuring an array of residential housing styles. We’re not too big, but we’re also home to professional sports franchises, major colleges and universities, top-notch arts and culture, great ethnic and music festivals, and Fortune 500 employers such as Manpower, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Northwestern Mutual Life and Johnson Controls International.”
Google has said it plans to test the ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. The network can reportedly deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, over 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections.
City officials say the project could create hundreds of jobs and bring tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure investment.
“I’m hoping this Google search leads to Milwaukee jobs,” Barrett said.
Residents in the Milwaukee area are encouraged to visit the Google website to say why the Milwaukee community should be selected for the project. http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options.

The Milwaukee Ballet has announced the production line up for its 41st season as an organization. The new lineup will feature three full-length ballets, new productions of old favorites and a few ground breaking new works.
This year’s season includes Esmeralda, The Nutcracker and Coppélia.
The Ballet will also present a world premiere from Darrell Grand Moultrie, Diane Coburn Bruning’s bluegrass-inspired Ramblin’ Suite, and Broad Waters from Milwaukee Ballet’s Petr Zahradnícek.
“Our commitment continues to provide audiences with timeless classics, magical favorites, world-class spectacles and innovative new works, while offering the ultimate in flexibility and an abundance of opportunities to meet the company and enhance a family’s ballet-going experience,” said artistic director Michael Pink.
The season begins Oct. 28-31, with Esmeralda, and continues with the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker.
For a complete listing of the Milwaukee Ballet’s new schedule visit www.milwaukeeballet.org.
The Ballet’s performance of Pure Dance will begin on Thursday, March 25 and run through Sunday, March 28 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. The bill will feature new works from Val Caniparoli and Milwaukee Ballet Company member Petr Zahradnícek, and the Milwaukee premiere of Jerry Opdenaker’s Coeur de Basque. For ticket information visit www.milwaukeeballet.org.

The Milwaukee Art Museum has partnered with Art’s Cameras Plus and Today’s TMJ4 to benefit Alverno College’s Distilling Essence Project, Camera’s for Kids campaign. The campaign was inspired by the museum’s new photography exhibition Street Seen: The Pyschologicial Gesture in American Photography 1940-1959.
Milwaukee residents are encouraged to donate their gently used cameras any time between March 11-21. Those who donate a camera will receive $2 off admission to the Milwaukee Art Museum and discounts at Art’s Cameras Plus.
Cameras can be dropped off at the Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr., Milwaukee, or at Art’s Cameras Plus, 4981 S. 76th St., Greenfield or 2130 W. Silvernail Road, Waukesha. 

The United States Postal Service announced the winners of its 12th annual Women Putting Their Stamp on Metro Milwaukee awards. Recipients are named by the Postal Service’s Learning, Development and Diversity Center after being nominated by members of the general public.
The presentations will be made at a luncheon at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, on Friday, March 19 at 11:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $35 a piece or $350 for a table of ten. Call 270-2340 for ticket information.
This year’s award recipients include:

• Abilities Awareness: Leslie Myers, disability abuse response team leader at Independence First.
• Arts or Entertainment: Azeeza Islam, associate artistic director at Milwaukee Public Theatre.
• Business: Diane Chamness, president of the Chamness Group.
• Diversity Champion: Kathryn Dunn, community investment officer at Helen Bader Foundation Inc.
• Education: Mary Diez, graduate dean at Alverno College.
• Government Service or Law: Sharon Robinson, director of department of administration, City of Milwaukee.
• Growing Leadership: Kristina Finnel, director of programs at Mental Health America of Wisconsin.
• Health or Social Services: Kathy Schneider, executive director of Greater Milwaukee Free Clinic.
• Humanitarianism: Lisa Calderone-Stewart, youth leadership director at Tomorrow’s Present.
• Media: Colleen Henry, investigative reporter for WISN-TV Channel 12.
• Postal Service: Doralyn Wilson, USPS, operations support manager; and Karen Matulis, USPS, maintenance support clerk.
• Sports: Kristine Hinrichs, race director of the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon
• Volunteerism: Bonnie Anderson, adult day program manager at Milwaukee Catholic Home
• Youth Achievement: Blanca Sierra, student at Dominican High School

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. recently announced that “Verge” was selected as the winning name for Milwaukee’s new alternative and modern rock music festival.
Katie Kostuck, a resident in the greater Milwaukee area, was the creator of the winning name.
A final event logo will be revealed in the weeks to come along with the official festival website, www.vergemusicfestival.com.
The current entertainment lineup at the festival features: Weezer, AFI, Three Days Grace, Crash Kings, Eagles of Death Metal, Cold War Kids, The Raveonettes, Rogue Wave, She & Him, Nico Vega, Reni Lane, Jaill, The Championship, Figureheads, Geri X, Pezzettino, 1956, Red Knife Lottery, Invade Rome, Revision Text and Juniper Tar.
Verge will also feature a pro-am skateboard and BMX competition and a tattoo contest. The festival will be held June 4-5 at Henry Maier Festival Park. Advance tickets for the event can be purchased at www.yourmusicfest.com. Single day passes are $25 and two-day passes can be purchased for $40. Every advance ticket purchased includes a free weekday Summerfest admission ticket. 

Stephen Marcus, chairman of The Marcus Corp., will be the recipient of the 2010 BizTimes Bravo! Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award.
Marcus will receive the award at a luncheon at the sixth annual BizTech Conference & Expo on Thursday, April 29, at Wisconsin State Fair Park.
Marcus guided his family’s company to unprecedented growth over several decades.
Today, Milwaukee-based Marcus Corp. is a global leader in the lodging and entertainment industries. Marcus Theatres is the seventh-largest theatre circuit in the United States, with 668 screens at 54 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Ohio, and one family entertainment center in Wisconsin. The company’s lodging division, Marcus Hotels and Resorts, owns or manages 19 hotels, resorts and other properties in 10 states. In Milwaukee, the firm’s properties include The Pfister Hotel, the Intercontinental Milwaukee and the Hilton Milwaukee City Center.
Marcus Corp.’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and the company is included in the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Index and the Russell 2000 Index.
The company has 5,900 employees and is celebrating its 75th year in 2010.
The firm was founded by Marcus’ father, Ben Marcus, in 1935, with the purchase of a single movie theatre in Ripon, Wis. Today, the company is led by Marcus’ son, Gregory Marcus.
Stephen Marcus joined the company in 1962.  He served as president from 1980 to January 2008 and as chief executive officer from 1988 to January 2009. He was elected chairman of the board in 1991.
Marcus continues to be active in the community, serving as a director for the Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC), the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), the Wisconsin Center District Board and Variety-The Children’s Charity of Wisconsin.
He previously held leadership positions for the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, the United Way, the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Alverno College, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, the United Cerebral Palsy Telethon, the March of Dimes Telethon, the United Performing Arts Fund, the NAACP Annual Freedom Fund Dinner, Mount Sinai Medical Center, the MECCA, Summerfest, the Citizens Government Research Bureau, the Honorary Council of the Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project Inc. and the Southeastern Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Advisory Board.
Marcus resides in River Hills with his wife, Janice. They have three sons and nine grandchildren.
Marcus will be the sixth recipient of the Bravo! Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award. Past recipients have included: Richard Pieper Sr. of PPC Partners Inc.; Harry Quadracci of Quad/Graphics Inc.; Joseph Zilber of Towne Realty Inc.; Robert Kern of Generac Power Systems Inc.; and George Dalton of Fiserv Inc. and Novo 1 Inc.

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. This week, Midland Video revisits its very first video ever done. It was something so unique and out of the ordinary that a local TV station came to shoot footage of MVP shooting its footage. Check out this week’s blog here: www.midlandvideo.com/blog

What are the secrets to great cash flow management? Read BizTimes Columnist Harry Dennis’ answer and ask your own questions here

Name: Bill Mayer

Title: CPA, partner

Company: RitzHolman CPAs

Company Address: 330 E. Kilbourn Ave., Suite 550 Milwaukee, WI 53202

Company Web Site: www.ritzholman.com
Industry: Accounting
Education: Bachelor of business administration in accounting and marketing from the University of Wisconsin – Madison

Family: “My wife, Wendy, and two daughters Katy, 14 and Emily, 11.”

Hobbies and Interests: “Playing golf, traveling with family, skiing and reading.”

Favorite Book: “Any book written by Phillip Margolin”

Favorite Musician/Band: “I enjoy listening to all music genres and styles. Jazz, rock, classical, etc.  My iPod contains a lot of every style.”

Favorite Place to Visit/Vacation: Hawaii

Favorite Local Restaurant: “Any good Italian or seafood restaurant.”

Words to Live By: “‘The harder you work, the luckier you get,’ by Gary Player. This famous quote can be applied in business as well as to your own personal career and life.”

What is your core philosophy for doing business? “Confidentiality and trust is at the core of my business relationships. As a CPA, my clients entrust me with their sensitive financial information. By analyzing their existing tax situation, I am able to help them make informed decisions for their future growth. It is my responsibility to earn their trust, which is the foundation and key to any successful working relationship.”

Who is your role model and why? “My role model is a good friend who always has a very positive attitude. Every time I see or speak to him, his outlook uplifts me.”

Accounting
Bray & Company, CPA, LLC, Wauwatosa, recently announced the addition of Vincent Mirenda, Mary Tarman and Mary O’Connor as new associates to the firm. 

CFS Baker Tilly, LLC, the staffing division of Baker Tilly, has announced the addition of Carver Smith to its Milwaukee office. Carver joined Baker Tilly as a search practice leader in February of 2010.
The American Society of Women Accountants recently elected its 2010-2011 board of directors. Vivian Moller, CPA of Milwaukee was elected as president of ASWA’s Board of Directors joining 15 other professionals from across the country.

Advertising & Public Relations
Milwaukee-based Zizzo Group Advertising and PR, has added Katina Jordan to its creative team as senior art director.

Architecture
Bray Associates Architects Inc., Sheboygan, is pleased to announce the addition of Erica Kirklewski, interior designer and David Gleisner, architectural intern, to its firm. Their corporate offices are located in Sheboygan with regional offices in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin.

Arts & Entertainment
Skylight Opera Theatre, Milwaukee, has added Jennifer Samuelson as its new marketing director. Samuelson comes to the Skylight after nearly a decade in arts management. Most recently she served the Bel Canto Chorus as managing director.

The Racine Art Museum has appointed Lena Vigna as its new curator of exhibitions. Vigna comes to the museum from the Miami University Art Museum in Oxford, Ohio.

Building & Construction
Environmental Systems Inc., Brookfield, announced that Steve Miazga, business development, will chair the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) 2010 CenterBuild Conference committee on marketing, promotions and technology.

Triad Construction Inc., West Allis, has promoted Kevin King to senior project manager.  King has been with Triad for two years and in addition to his regular job duties, will take on some supervisory duties and play an important role in determining the company’s goals and direction.

Distribution
Frank Zimmerman has joined Mueller Graphic Supply, Inc., Milwaukee, as an account executive. Zimmerman has over 30 years of experience in graphic arts distribution and will focus on servicing the commercial print, wide-format digital, and packaging markets.

Education
Milwaukee School of Engineering recently added Nigel Longworth as director of the computer and communication services department. Prior to joining MSOE, Longworth served as the general manager of information services for Manpower Australia/New Zealand, in Sydney, Australia.

Engineering
New Berlin-based Digalog Systems Inc., has added Stanley Jaskolski, Ph.D., to its board of directors. Jaskolski is currently the Opus Dean of Marquette University’s College of Engineering and will retire from this position in June 2010. 

“(Steve Pintar, Ford engineer), who toured Wisconsin recently to promote Fiesta’s release, is not alone in his belief that states can overreach when they set standards that move beyond federal rules. Business and trade groups in Wisconsin have lined up to oppose the transportation goals from the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming for that very reason.”
~ Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council
Read the full Milwaukee BizBlog: State should proceed with caution with energy policy

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. “Linchpin,” by Seth Godin, Jessica Hagy, Hugh MacLeod
2. “Live It, Love It, Earn It,” by Mariana Olszewski
3. “Return of the Gold,” by Dan Bickley
4. “Crush It!,” by Gary Vaynerchuk
5. “What Got You Here Won't Get You There,” by Marshall Goldsmith, Mark Reiter

Courtesy of 800 CEO Read

• Wednesday, March 24, YP Impact will host a networking event at 88 Keys Piano Martini Lounge, 7211 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, from 6-9 p.m. Complimentary appetizers and cash bar will be available, cost to attend is $10 for nonmembers. To register visit: www.ypimpact.org
• Thursday, April 8, Marquette University and Comet Branding team up to offer PR+Social Media Summit at Marquette University Alumni Memorial Union from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The one day summit will focus on the convergence of strategic communications and social media. The exact topics for the event have not yet been decided but it will include speakers from companies like IBM, BlendTec/Will it Blend, Jockey International, Trek Bicycles, Marcus Hotels & Resorts, PitchEngine.com, Big Shoes Network, Lightburn, Radio Milwaukee, and Radian 6. Cost to attend the event is $75 for professionals and $10 for students with a valid ID. All post-expense proceeds from the event will go towards a scholarship for Marquette’s PRSSA chapter. A post event Tweetup will also be hosted by Clear at the Intercontinental Hotel Milwaukee. For more information about the event visit www.prsmsummit.com or follow the event on Twitter at Twitter.com/prsmsummit or using the Twitter hashtag #prsms.
• Thursday, April 29, The Annual BMA Bell Awards Ceremony will take place at the Bell Lounge at Potawatomi Bingo & Casino in Milwaukee, beginning at 5 p.m. For more information or to register for the event visit bmabellawards.com

Archbishop Jerome Listecki was the featured guest at the Milwaukee Press Club's Newsmaker Luncheon on March 9. Listecki spoke about the future of the Roman Catholic Church. Listecki's signature was added to the club's collection of historic signature plaques.

Check out this week's BizTimes Around Town

Respond to the BizTimes Poll Question:Should payday lenders be allowed to charge whatever interest rate they want?

• Friday, March 12 through Thursday, March 18, The Milwaukee Film Festival- Winter Edition will be held at Marcus North Shore Cinema, 11700 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon. Cost to attend is $10 per film, for ticket information visit www.milwaukee-film.org
• Saturday, March 13, Milwaukee’s 44th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade throughout downtown Milwaukee. Cost is free to attend. For more information and the parade route visit www.saintpatricksparade.org
• Saturday, March 13, and Sunday, March 14, Get a sneek peek behind the scenes at the zoo. Talk to zoologists and visit areas not accessible to the general public at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Cost is free with regular zoo admission. Visit the Milwaukee County Zoo website for more information. 
• Friday, March 12, the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Utah Jazz at the Bradley Center, tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Come back again on Sunday to see them face off in a noon game against the Indiana Pacers. 

• 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