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MCTS asking riders to weigh in on service changes  What better way to make decisions on the service needs of your clients than by asking them?
That’s exactly what the Milwaukee County Transit Service (MCTS) is in the process of doing with their MOVE 2025 initiative. Between now and Feb. 10, MCTS is holding community meetings throughout Milwaukee County and distributing a survey to determine which route options work best when changes are made this fall. Businesses set goals for the year ahead By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  A new year brings a refreshed sense of optimism for business leaders around the nation. It is a time to set goals and scope out opportunities for growth. In fact, 75 percent of middle-market executives expressed optimism about their own companies in a 2025 Business Leaders Outlook Survey conducted by J.P. Morgan. This positive sentiment was paired with several growth strategies for the next 12 months:
This national data aligns with many of the goals shared by local leaders.
A partnership between Beyond Vision and the Milwaukee Bucks By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  In basketball, an assist happens when a player makes a successful pass to a teammate, resulting in a scored basket for their team. This term can be applied to the business world. When two organizations form a partnership or “team,” they assist each other in reaching collective success.
MMAC is proud to highlight two members, Beyond Vision and the Milwaukee Bucks, whose partnership not only benefits both organizations, but also advances conversations surrounding inclusivity in the workplace. Revitalize Milwaukee teaching the trades  Milwaukee resident Amber Manley – a nurse working weekends – moved into an older home in 2020 that needed improvements, some involving lead paint issues. With her weekdays free, she took the initiative to learn those home repairs on her own through Revitalize Milwaukee’s Building Hope program. The program, launched a little over a year ago, teaches students construction skills used in lead abatement – skills like window and door replacement, drywalling, siding installation and more. It serves a few purposes: It’s an out-of-the-box approach to mitigate lead paint issues in our city’s homes and gives participants a foundation of carpentry skills they can use on their own or to build a career upon. “It’s a program that allows people who don’t usually get a break to earn some skills,” said Jackie Weber, Workforce Development Coordinator. Opportunities abound but plenty of work on tap By Dale Kooyenga, MMAC President  This year the Nobel Prize was awarded to the authors of a compelling book titled “Why Nations Fail,” one that I enjoyed earlier in my career. The authors researched why the same people in the same climate and similar environments realize drastically different economic, health and overall community success. They looked at East Berlin versus West Berlin, North Korea versus South Korea, Nogales, Ariz., versus Nogales, Mexico. I could go on, but you get the idea. The reason for substantially different outcomes – it’s the strength of the institutions that keep their communities engaged in government and engaged with each other.
As I complete my first year as president of MMAC following Tim Sheehy’s 31 years of leadership, I’ve reflected on the nature of institutions, the purpose of MMAC and what we can collectively do with this remarkable institution that’s been connecting people, shaping public policy and doing so much more since 1861. MMAC welcomes four team members  The organization is growing! We are excited to begin 2025 with four additional team members.
Join us in welcoming JJ Sherman, Director of Governmental Affairs; Jane Mullarkey, Milwaukee 7 Manager of Corporate Attraction and Expansion; Becky Glass, Events Manager; and Amira Adams, Programs Specialist. Each employee’s diverse skills and experience will prove invaluable as we continue to foster growth in the Milwaukee region. MMAC employee spotlight: Andrea Medved By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  MMAC’s ability to serve its 2,000-plus members relies on a well-maintained database. This month, database manager Andrea Medved celebrates her eighth year at MMAC. In her role, Medved maintains member information, organizes committees and affiliation codes, manages billings and keeps a pulse on database changes. Her passion lies in breaking down challenging data and helping others solve complex problems. Medved’s work on the back end of the database ensures that the organization can provide quality programming and resources for its members.
Consider supporting local retailers By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  Whether or not you’ve stepped foot in a retailer this month, you’re aware that this time of the year is crazy with the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. A recent Forbes article outlined consumer trends for the 2024 holiday season. When it comes to retailer size, the data draws a clear conclusion. Consumers are in favor of shopping at small businesses this year.
The key to talent attraction and retention By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  Earlier this month, MMAC and Visit Milwaukee hosted the second-annual Milwaukee Talent Summit at Potawatomi Casino Hotel. Event attendees listened as local professionals shared their perspectives on topics relevant to talent attraction and expansion in the Milwaukee area.
A panel discussion led by Marquette Assistant Professor Alisa Nagle leaned into the concept of partnerships, emphasizing how creative and even ‘unconventional’ partnerships often result in successful talent development. Airport provides tips for easy holiday travel By: Ryan Amundson, Senior Director of Communications  Gifts are being wrapped. Menus are being prepared. Final preparations are coming into focus. You can certainly count on some things in the days leading up to the holidays.
Another one of those things is travelers descending on the airport. According to AAA, 119.3 million people in the U.S. will travel 50 miles or more from home between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1. Of those, AAA is expecting nearly 8 million traveling by plane. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) will see its share of those holiday travelers. They’re ready for that surge. MMAC member spotlight By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  When you hear the word ‘marketing,’ what comes to mind? For some individuals it might be social media, while for others it’s cohesive branding. The reality is that marketing is complex and finding the best way to make a brand stand out has become increasingly challenging. Ampersand, a full-service marketing agency in Pewaukee, is dedicated to ensuring its clients achieve marketing success.
Local venues and caterers share tips and tricks By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  Events can be particularly stressful during the holiday season. For many employers, December through February is booked with staff parties and year-end celebrations. ezCater - a leading food technology platform for businesses in the U.S. - conducted a survey to better understand how today’s employees feel about those holiday parties. The findings align with insight from local venues and caterers on how to plan and execute the perfect holiday event.
A Christmas Carol, celebrating its 49th year at Milwaukee Rep, got its start with help from MMAC By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  2023 production. Pictured: Valentina Vega and Matt Daniels with cast. Photo by: Michael Brosilow The holiday season is right around the corner. For Milwaukeeans, this time of the year means enjoying Milwaukee Repertory (Rep) Theater’s annual production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The timeless tale of hope and redemption has remained a Milwaukee Rep tradition since 1975, sparking joy and nostalgia in over 1.7 million people. In fact, the theater holds the record for the second-longest running production of A Christmas Carol in the United States.
Milwaukee Rep is excited to welcome the community back for its 49th production of the show from Nov. 26 to Dec. 24 this season. Camo Crew Junk Removal: A veteran-owned business By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  Nov. 11 marks the beginning of National Veterans Small Business Week, a time to recognize and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of veterans who continue to serve their communities.
Camo Crew Junk Removal is a local, veteran-owned business. Meeting the needs of both residential and commercial clients, Camo Crew helps with the removal and disposal of unwanted items. The company operates in the greater Milwaukee area, serving Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties. Passion to profession By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  If you ask Anna Lardinois what has shaped her career, she will likely tell you that it is her lifelong love of storytelling and her eagerness to learn. Lardinois is the Managing Editor of MKE Startup News, a media outlet highlighting the funders and founders of the Milwaukee startup ecosystem. Her storytelling is a key component of a larger project launched by the MMAC and board member Chris Abele in 2021. The project seeks to increase the visibility of startup businesses in the Milwaukee area. “It’s extremely exciting for me to have the opportunity to talk to all of these people who are so excited about their projects,” she said. “All I have ever wanted to do is write and now I’m writing plus I get to do something good for my city.”
Q&A with Lauren Feaster  Lauren Feaster is the CEO of Professional Dimensions, a leading women’s professional association in the Milwaukee area. Feaster will moderate a panel discussion at our Thankful Connections event from 4:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at The Ivy House. The panel, featuring prominent female entrepreneurs and industry leaders, will dive into a discussion surrounding the value of peer networks.
In this Q&A, Feaster shares how fostering connections has positively impacted her professional journey. Organization to expand fellowship program By: Ryan Amundson, Senior Director of Communications The Milwaukee Development Corp. (MDC) will help support three up-and-coming real-estate developers through its fellowship program after receiving a $250,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago’s (FHLBank Chicago) Community First® Diverse Developer Initiative. Spring Bank served as a FHLB member sponsor for the grant application. “Helping develop and mentor the next generation will go a long way in strengthening our neighborhoods in Milwaukee,” said Erica-Nicole Harris, MDC board member. “We appreciate the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and the investment they’re making in our community.”
Local professionals weigh in By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  During the 2020 pandemic, employers across the nation were forced to pivot. Meetings in the office boardroom quickly shifted to video calls from kitchen tables and living room couches. Nearly five years later it seems that full-time, in-office work is rare. In fact, data indicates that Milwaukee area organizations have embraced flexible work options and will continue to do so moving forward.
In September, MMAC distributed a survey to chief human resources officers (CHRO) in the chamber’s peer roundtable program. The purpose of the survey was to gauge current and anticipated work modalities at local organizations. The AEM Manufacturing Express scheduled to visit Wisconsin By Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  According to a 2023 impact report published by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), equipment manufacturing created over 2.3 million jobs across the United States and generated $714 billion in total output and sales activity. In Wisconsin alone, the industry supported 30,520 jobs and contributed $4.7 billion of direct GDP. The bottom line is clear: Equipment manufacturing remains an invaluable industry in the United States. In its most ambitious advocacy effort to date, AEM introduced the AEM Manufacturing Express. This bus tour commenced on July 1 in Iowa, with the goal of visiting 20 states and 80 AEM member companies in the span of four short months. At each visit, manufacturers are invited to showcase their technology and share stories with attendees.
Sector has changed, but still vital to our economy By Dale Kooyenga  President, MMAC (October marks Manufacturing Month. The following appeared as a guest op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last week.) As our Milwaukee Brewers are headed to the playoffs a baseball analogy seems appropriate. Fans know a successful pitcher needs a repertoire of weapons in his arsenal. A potent curveball or slider are nice for any pitcher to have in his back pocket. But that overpowering fastball is typically what gets the job done. The same holds true for a regional economy. A diverse make-up of business sectors defines any successful economic climate, but you need that one sector to drive the region forward. For generations here, it’s been manufacturing. Manufacturing is our fastball in Wisconsin. We have the highest concentration of these jobs in the country. We are makers and producers here.
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