The Wisconsin Credit Union League recently opened the Credit Union House, a 2,500-square foot-office and meeting facility at 1 E. Main St. in Madison.

The office, located on the Capitol Square, will give the league's 250 members a place to host meetings with legislators and other state officials, said Chad Helminak, a league spokesman.

"We've emphasized advocacy over the last few years, and we want to have space available to those who need it,” he said.

The office will house about seven employees of the Wisconsin Credit Union League. The league's headquarters will remain in Pewaukee.

"Credit Union House is a place where credit union people come to cultivate their ongoing partnership with state agencies and public officials, celebrate their role in strengthening Wisconsin's economy, and tout their success in returning millions of dollars to their member-owners each year," said Brett Thompson, president and chief executive officer of the league. "Credit Union House is here to help lawmakers and public officials recognize the role credit unions will continue to play in helping state residents and businesses manage their finances despite economic challenges."

For more information, visit www.theleague.coop.

Wednesday will be the last day to enter data into BizTimes Media LLC's Access To Capital directory, which will be posted online and included in the Jan. 23, 2009, print edition of BizTimes Milwaukee. The directory will include key information on financial service agencies such as banks, credit unions, leasing companies, M&A firms, private equity groups, accounting firms, law firms that offer financial services, venture capital and angel investing groups, valuation firms and leasing companies.

Information contained in the Access to Capital directory includes key contacts, industries specialized in, financial data and much more, and is designed to help business owners and managers connect to the type of financial services providers they need to help their business expand, grow or gain market share.

There is no cost to enter information about your company in the directory. For more information, visit www.biztimes.com/capital.

Mason Wells, a Milwaukee-based private equity firm, recently purchased Tolas Healthcare Packaging, a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of healthcare packaging, as an add-on acquisition for Oliver Medical LLC, a Mason Wells portfolio company. Oliver Medical makes medical and food-related packaging and processing equipment, and has facilities in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Ventray, Netherlands. It also has a sales office in Suzhou, China.

Mason Wells manages more than $500 in institutional capital in several funds. For more, visit www.masonwells.com.

Commerce State Bank to expand to Cedarburg
West Bend-based Commerce State Bank announced it will open Commerce State Bank of Cedarburg this spring at the corner of Washington Avenue and Lincoln Boulevard, as the anchor tenant in the Bloch Plaza Building.

Cedarburg resident Joe Fazio, who is chairman and chief executive officer of Commerce State Bank, said, "With the significant changes in ownership of Ozaukee County's community banks, we see the need for a locally owned bank in Cedarburg. Nearly all our shareholders live in southeast Wisconsin; many from Cedarburg and Ozaukee County."

Joining Fazio at Commerce State Bank of Cedarburg will be Marci Hauck, client services representative/business coordinator, and Mary Hazell, operations manager.

Commerce State Bank opened in fall of 2005 and has grown to $275 million in assets.

Metal Forms Corp. acquires Sterling Handling Equipment
Metal Forms Corp., a manufacturer of concrete and related forms for the construction industry, recently purchased Sterling Handling Equipment, a manufacturer of material handling equipment such as wheelbarrows and concrete carts. Both companies are based in Milwaukee.

Terms of the acquisition, which closed at the end of December, were not disclosed. Sterling Handling Equipment's facility at 2300 W. Florist Ave. will be closed and its operations merged into Metal Forms Corp.'s facility at 3334 N. Booth St.

“Sterling has an excellent reputation in the industry with durable and reliable products,” said Tom Miller, president of Metal Forms Corp. “This equipment complements our existing product line and will serve as the cornerstone of MFC's new handling division.”

Prior to the acquisition, Metal Forms Corp. had 22 employees. Three of Sterling Handling Equipment's former employees have been added to the company's staff, Miller said.

For more information, visit www.metalforms.com.

Generations Bancorp completes acquisition of Amerihome Mortgage Company
Generations Bancorp Inc. has completed its acquisition of Brookfield-based Amerihome Mortgage Company LLC, creating a wholly-owned mortgage banking subsidiary, American Foundations MortgageBanc Inc.

"American Foundations MortgageBanc will focus on finding customers the right mortgage at the right price, while providing a timely, painless mortgage process," said Greg Kolton, Generations Bancorp chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Nicholas DelTorto, Amerihome president and CEO, will serve as president and CEO of American Foundations MortgageBanc. DelTorto said Amerihome employees will continue in their current positions.

"Our experienced staff has the industry knowledge and the technological capabilities to deliver a smooth mortgage process," DelTorto said. "And as part of Generations Bancorp, a strong and solid bank holding company, we have access to more capital to support continued growth and offer our customers greater long-term stability."

Generations Bancorp is the parent company of Foundations Bank in Pewaukee.

"Like Foundations Bank, American Foundations MortgageBanc takes pride in building long-term relationships through a consultative approach," Kolton said.

Portage manufacturer acquires Michigan firm
Penda Corp., a Portage-based manufacturer and marketer of thermoformed solutions, has merged with Durakon Industries Inc. of Lapeer, Mich.

Durakon is a supplier of advanced thermoformed automotive components.

The name of the new entity will remain Penda Corp., and the headquarters will be in Portage.

Both companies supply parts to the automotive industry. Penda is a portfolio company of Resilience Capital Partners. Durakon is a portfolio company of Littlejohn & Co. LLC.

"Combining the core competencies, capacities and complementary channels to market of Penda and Durakon will create a leading heavy gauge thermoformer with a strong technology base, sufficient capacity for future growth and diversified market participation," said Ulf Buergel, president and chief executive officer f the combined companies.

Name: Dave Griebl       

Title: Vice President of Finance

Company: Monster Worldwide

City of residence: Hartford, Wis.

Family: Wife, Mary Parodo

What are you working on now? "New products for 2009 (accounting implications), financial close of 2008, new technologies."

What are the most interesting issues you work on clients with? "I do not work directly with clients, as they interface solely with our sales team. The finance team will work on a variety of issues from the accounting of complex contracts, new products, revenue share agreements, and basic financing issues."

What is the most challenging project you've been involved with? "Acquisitions and divestitures are always the most challenging. Both are very demanding of the team and challenge everyone to think differently about how we conduct business. Integrating acquired sites with independent systems and processes provides a number of challenges as we look to incorporate best practices but also insure compliance to Monster policies. Also challenging, yet the polar opposite, are divestitures of businesses which are fully integrated - working to provide those divestitures with fully functioning and independent processes can be quite a challenge."

What was the funniest moment of your career? "Several years back with a different company, I was taken to task by the new CFO from France - complete with French expletives, hand waving, stomping around his private board room, all the hallmarks you might expect from an overly excitable person. Apparently he was extremely upset with the amount of spend taking place in marketing. After repeated rants I was able to seize an opportunity as he inhaled in preparation for the next barrage to I reminded him that I ran his finance operations - I did not support marketing in any manner - in fact no person did as that position was vacant due to downsizing. The blank stare, echoing silence, and glowing red face have provided a lifetime of chuckles and memories…."

Madison company lands more financing to test Alzheimer's drug
Mithridion, Inc., a drug development company focusing on serious central nervous system disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, announced today it has received $2.9 million in Series B Preferred Stock financing.

The company will use the funds for the clinical development of MCD-386, its lead drug candidate, aimed at stopping or slowing down disease progression and improving memory and cognition for patients with Alzheimer's.

The company has raised $7.4 million to date in equity funding.

Venture Investors of Madison led the latest round of financing. The State of Wisconsin Investment Board and Wisconsin Investment Partners, both of Madison, and Rocket Venture Fund of Toledo. Ohio, all existing shareholders, also participated in the latest funding.

"his new funding will enable Mithridion not only to advance MCD-386 in Phase I trial, but will also support the development of exciting drug leads for AD and schizophrenia in our preclinical pipeline," said Trevor Twose, Ph.D., the company's chief executive officer. "We greatly appreciate the continued support of our shareholders."

In preclinical laboratory tests, MCD-386 appears to replace deficient brain acetylcholine activity, similar to that caused by Alzheimer's. The drug is intended to improve memory and cognition, with improved tolerability compared to previously tested M1-selective muscarinic drugs. MCD-386 also appeared to activate alpha-secretase enzymes, which might reduce or prevent the loss of brain cells in Alzheimer's by preventing the formation of amyloid beta. In preclinical lab

Automakers launch new loan program with credit unions
Credit unions in Wisconsin are joining a new program called "Invest in America," in which their members are eligible to receive discounted loans to buy cars from General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC.

Credit unions across the nation are making as much as $80 billion available for low-cost loans on new cars.

As part of "Invest in America," which will run through March 31, 90 million credit union members nationwide - including 2.2 million in Wisconsin - can gain access to GM's Credit Union Member Discount Program and Chrysler's Credit Union Member Cash discounts, as well as low-cost financing on new vehicle purchases.

In the program, GM is offering supplier price discounts, while Chrysler is offering rebates of $500 or $1,000 on eligible vehicles.

The program was piloted in a handful of states but had expanded nationwide to provide more consumers with affordable financing options. Non-members can join a credit union to access the discounts.

"Credit union members can feel good knowing they're saving money through these offers, but also because they're helping to reinvigorate the auto industry - a vital part of the U.S. economy," said Brett Thompson, president and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Credit Union League.

Auto lending has traditionally been credit unions' "bread and butter," Thompson said.

"America's credit unions have billions to lend. They began in the United States during the Great Depression, and they seem to come into vogue when times are toughest," Thompson said.

Thompson said nonprofit credit unions are financially strong and ready to lend, while other institutions have restricted credit.

"In a down economy, more people are looking at used cars or simply not buying," Thompson said. "So, credit unions - which don't chase profits - provide an obvious solution to helping people opt for a new vehicle simply because the rates credit unions can offer will give consumers more car for their money."

For more information about the new program, visit www.lovemycreditunion.org.

Greater Milwaukee Committee president to speak at Economic Trends Breakfast
Julia Taylor, president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, has been added to the featured speaker panel of the 2009 Northern Trust Economic Trends Breakfast to be presented by BizTimes Milwaukee on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

The event, which will provide insights about the year ahead in business, will take place at the Italian Community Center in downtown Milwaukee.

Taylor will provide a sneak peak of 2009 from the perspective of some of the region's largest employers. The GMC's mission is to keep southeastern Wisconsin the best community to live, learn, work and play. The GMC's membership includes 185 business, labor, academic, philanthropic, nonprofit and civic leaders.

In addition to Taylor, the speaker lineup for the conference will include:

• Michael Knetter, dean of the University of Wisconsin School of Business in Madison, will return to provide his macroeconomic outlook. Knetter, a former economic advisor to Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, will have some especially timely and critical insight at the 2009 event.

• Richard Meeusen, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Milwaukee-based Badger Meter Inc., will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Wisconsin's manufacturers in 2009. Meeusen says Milwaukee's proximity to Lake Michigan will provide economic opportunities for the region. Badger Meter has grown to become a global company. The firm's stock is now traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

• Jane Cooper, founder, president and chief executive officer of Milwaukee-based Patient Care, the nation's leading advocacy company that helps employees navigate the health care system and become better consumers, will discuss the future of health care. Patient Care's clients include Assurant Health, Harley-Davidson Motor Co., MillerCoors LLC, Briggs & Stratton Corp., Regency Hospital Company and Midwest Airlines. Cooper founded her company in New Orleans in 2001. Cooper and her company fled to Milwaukee after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. Previously, Cooper was the CEO of the Community Physicians Network in Madison, Wisconsin, where she led a financial turnaround of the regional Independent Physician's Association (IPA). She also founded Advantage Health Plan, a regional preferred provider organization (PPO) and health maintenance organization, which grew to $280 million in annual revenues and 300 employees. Cooper also served as the chairman of the American Association of PPOs. She will discuss the future of health care in America.

• Jerry Shereshewsky, chief executive officer of Grandparents.com, will travel from New York City to Milwaukee to join the panel and speak about how Wisconsin businesses will have incredible opportunities to market their products and services to the growing population of baby boomer grandparents. This generation has wealth and is more vibrant, healthy and dynamic than any preceding generation of grandparents, according to Shereshewsky, who is a legend on New York's Madison Avenue. Shereshewsky invented the Mellow Yellow brand of soda. After stints among the "Mad Men" with Wunderman, Burson Marsteller, the Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) and Yoyodyne, Shereshewsky became one of the driving forces in the growth of Yahoo!, where he spent almost nine years overseeing marketing for the Yahoo! Media Sales Group. Shereshewsky, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Madison, served on the board of directors of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), as well as the Dean's Advisory Board at the UW School of Business.

To register to attend the event, visit www.biztimes.com/trends.

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce will hold a "Mandated Sick Leave Legal Challenge" from 7:30 to 9 a.m. today in the MMAC offices, 756 N. Milwaukee St., suite 400. There is no cost for this meeting. Speakers include: Scott Beightol - Managing Partner, Michael Best and Friedrich Daniel J. Finerty - Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. (Maximum of 70 individuals may attend.) Cancellation Policy: If you pre-register for an event and cannot make it, please kindly let us know, in advance. Contact Person: CARRIE GOGGIN (414) 287.4114 cgoggin@mmac.org.

"Assessing Nonprofit Organization and Managerial Effectiveness" Seminar will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tueday, Jan. 20 in the UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education facility, 161 W. Wisconsin Avenue 7th Floor. Cost is $150 per person. For information, email sbufford@uwm.edu.

Banking

• Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions 
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
• Wisconsin Bankers Association 
• Community Bankers of Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association
• American Bankers Association
• Bankers Association for Finance and Trade
• Commercial Finance Association 
• Risk Management Association

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Association for Corporate Growth 
• International Business Brokers Association 
• Mergers.com

Wealth Management/Financial/Retirement Planning

• Financial Planning Association
• Financial Planning Association of Southern Wisconsin
• Investment Management Consultants Association
• National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)

Other 

• Small Business Administration
• State public awareness campaign
• Wisconsin Credit Union League
• CFA Institute
• CFA Society of Milwaukee
• Wisconsin Angel Network