Retail Rebound? Madison Retailers Hope for the Best As the Holidays Approach

NovemberNovember 20220200 [$3.95][$3.95]

Retail Rebound? Madison retailers hope for the best as the holidays approach. + PAGE 32 Pandemic pivoting Construction and COVID Who’s got your legal back?

TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2020

GREATER MADISON’S BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR OVER 40 YEARS DEPARTMENTS 4 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 6 CAREERIST 8 LEADERSHIP INSIGHT 10 THE BUSINESS REPORT 24 EXECUTIVE PROFILE 26 STARTUP 28 BUSINESS DYNAMIC 70 COURT FILINGS 72 BY THE NUMBERS FEATURES 32 RETAILERS’ HOLIDAY HOPES Madison retailers are hoping for the best, but they are realistic about their holiday expectations. 42 CONSTRUCTIVE DEVELOPMENTS Most of the construction projects set for completion in 2020 got done despite COVID-19. 50 PANDEMIC PROTECTION Without liability legislation, guarding your business against COVID-19 lawsuits is up to you. ON OUR COVER SPONSORED CONTENT RETAIL REBOOT Madison retailers absorbed several blows in 2020, from pandemic restrictions to 56 WOMEN IN BUSINESS property damage and looting during demonstrations that turned violent, but their Touting the contributions of professional women 32 resilience is reﬂected in creative adjustments, pandemic-inspired e-commerce, and tempered hopes for holiday sales. 60 40 UNDER 40 PHOTO BY: M.O.D. MEDIA PRODUCTIONS Infographics tell a story about past honorees. 66 LEGAL PROFILES Madison’s legal expertise is rich and varied.

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IBMADISON.COM 1 November 2020 VOL. 43, NO. 11

Meet the What is your sign of the zodiac IB team. and strongest associated trait?

PUBLISHER Cancer Jon Konarske (loyal) [email protected]

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Leo Joe Vanden Plas (egotistical) [email protected]

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Aquarius Ellen Cameron (open-minded) NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS [email protected] DEPARTMENTS EDITOR Virgo Jan Wilson (over thinker) [email protected]

ONLINE EDITOR Aquarius Jason Busch (obstinate) [email protected]

STAFF WRITER Taurus Kimberly Hazen (super [email protected] stubborn)

MULTIMEDIA STRATEGIST Capricorn Terri McCarthy (practical) [email protected]

EVENTS MANAGER Gemini Jessica Hamm (curious) [email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Leo Renee Sporle (big-hearted) APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOV. 15, 2020 [email protected] OFFICE MANAGER Libra IBMadison.com/40Under40 Carol Hornung (balance in [email protected] all things)

DATABASE SUPPORT Libra Gloria Babcock (diplomatic) [email protected] APPLY TODAY! PRESIDENT Libra IB is seeking the most successful and civic-minded William H. Haight III (fair-minded) young professionals to be honored as the 2021 40 Under [email protected] 40! Nominate yourself or someone you know today! IBMadison.com Bloggers: The 2021 class will be featured in the March issue of In Business Deborah Biddle, Buckley Brinkman, Corey Chambas, Michael Dubis, Mindi Giftos, Donna Gray, Jessica M. Kramer, magazine and honored at a networking event that month. Debra Lafler, Terry Siebert, Spencer X. Smith, Tom Still, Martha Sullivan, and Coreyne Woodman-Holoubek In Business is printed in Dane County by Royle Printing.

SPONSORED BY: In Business magazine is published monthly, including the yearly Book of Lists, by Business Information LLC, 200 River Place, Suite 250, Madison, WI, 53716, a subsidiary of Magna Publi- Kosnick Financial Group cations Inc. Periodicals postage paid at Madison, Wis. ISSN 01927450. Publications No. USPS 424-130. © 2020 by Magna Publications Inc. Reproductions in whole or in part without written permission are prohibited. Postmaster send address changes to In Business, 200 River Place, Suite 250, Madison, WI, 53716; (608) 204-9655; fax: (608) 204-9656. Subscriptions are $36/ year. Subscription information available at IBMadison.com.

2 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 MARK YOUR WEB EXCLUSIVES CALENDAR NOVEMBER 2020

40 Under 40 APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOV. 15, 2020 IB is seeking the most successful and civic-minded young professionals to be honored as the 2021 40 Under 40! Nominate yourself or someone you know today! The 2021 class will be featured in the March issue of In Business magazine and honored at a networking event that month. Info: IBMadison.com/40Under40

ICONS IN BUSINESS COULD A SILVER TSUNAMI SINK MADISON? Icons in Business — Virtual On average, 10,000 baby boomers reach retirement age every day in the U.S., a NOV. 18, 10 A.M. trend that is expected to continue into the 2030s. Despite being a college town, Icons in Business connects you to the iconic organiza- Madison is not immune from this silver tsunami. In Madison, 50.42% of business tions and people inﬂuencing the business landscape. owners are over the age of 55 and 20.64% of those owners have no documented On Nov. 18, Deb Archer, retiring CEO of Destination transition plan, according to research from Ready for Next Cities (RFN Cities), a Madison and the Madison Area Sports Commission, preparedness and business retention program. will share insight into 25 years of making Madison IBMadison.com/SilverTsunami a sought-after location for tourism, conventions, sporting events, and competitions that boost the local economy. Tickets: Free Info: IBMadison.com/Icons 40 UNDER 40 HABITAT BUILD Members of past 40 Under 40 classes participated in a build COMMERCIAL DESIGN AWARDS 2021 project for Habitat for Humanity Commercial Design Awards of Dane County. IBMadison.com/4040Habitat APPLICATION DEADLINE: JAN. 15, 2021 IB is now seeking the most impressive commercial design projects that transformed the Wisconsin landscape in 2020. Winners will be featured in the April 2021 issue and honored at an event that month. Info: IBMadison.com/CDA MAKING MADISON BY BUCKLEY BRINKMAN It’s time for Old White Guys (OWG) to take their foot off Sponsor a 2021 IB Event the brakes on social change and lean into the actions Contact your multimedia strategist at 608.204.9655 that will move us toward social and economic justice. or email [email protected]. For questions IBMadison.com/OWGs regarding our 2021 events, contact Events Manager Jessica Hamm at 608.204.9655 x35, or by email at [email protected].

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IBMADISON.COM 3 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

WILL DIVERSE BOARDS REQUIRE LEGISLATION?

When it comes to gender diversity on business boards, Wisconsin’s corporations are doing better than the national average, but nationwide gender balance remains an elusive goal. In 2019, women held 21.7% of the board seats at 45 Wisconsin corporations on the Russell 3000 index, according to the latest Gender Diversity Index published by the organization 2020 Women on Boards. This ranks Wisconsin seventh out of 26 states with at least 20 Russell 3000 companies, and since the Badger State doesn’t normally rank in the top half of national business rankings, let alone in the top 10, we can take a bow for the time being. More than half of the Wisconsin-based companies are at 20% or greater in terms of the percentage of women directors. Fifteen Wisconsin companies have three or more women on their boards, and two companies, Alliant Energy Corp. and Manpow- erGroup Inc., already have achieved gender balance, which is deﬁned as an equal number of men and women corporate directors or a difference of one more woman or man in the case of boards with an odd number of directors. Board diversity is a long overdue development and an underappreciated aspect of stronger business performance. More voices and perspectives in the boardroom reﬂect the diversity that already exists in society and contributes to better decision-making. While Wisconsin has made progress on women, backsliding is always possible, and nationwide there still is a lack of women and people of color on corporate boards. How can this be remedied to the point where diverse boards are the norm rather than the exception? “You’d wish that diverse boards didn’t require legislation, but I think it’s going to.” — Susan Hodgkinson, The Personal Brand Co.

If more progress isn’t made soon, calls might grow to force the issue with legislation, according to Susan Hodgkinson, 30-year executive coach, founder of The Person- al Brand Co., and author of The Dignity Mindset: A Leader’s Guide to Building Gender Equity at Work. As Hodgkinson explains, it’s been done overseas. “You’d wish that diverse boards didn’t require legislation, but I think it’s going to,” states Hodgkinson, who has called for a minimum of 30% women and minority representation on boards. “So, if you look at countries where they have achieved these outcomes, in Iceland for one, it came through legislation. Germany has got legislation.” Maybe it won’t come down to new laws. Perhaps more consumers (and share- holders) will demand it. Can you name one modern corporation that wants to be out of sync with its customer base?

JOE VANDEN PLAS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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IBMADISON.COM 5 CAREERIST

DISPENSE WITH INDISPENSABLE CAREER ADVICE When your employer can’t live without you, you may end up stuck right where you are. BY JASON BUSCH

ice presidents, it’s long been said, are just “a Your manager relies on you so much that they Vheartbeat away” from the presidency. While won’t part with you, and you’re at risk of being pi- many would argue that the duties and pow- geonholed. This effect is often made worse by an- ers of the president make them indispensable, our other piece of well-meaning advice: ‘You’re doing system of government is set up precisely because a great job, just keep doing what you’re doing.’ presidents are dispensable. Their replacement is of- This is what managers often say when they are too ten standing just behind them, and there’s a whole nice (or too lazy) to come up with feedback that line of succession after that. will help you develop.” And because presidents thankfully don’t die in According to Busch, there’s a better way to be- office very often, we have a term system in place come indispensable — for what you can become, that allows voters to dispense with the president rather than what you currently do: every four years if they see fit. In fact, the minimum Help others see you in a different light. qualifications to be president are so minimal, the “Show people that there’s more than one dimension pool of potential candidates for the job numbers in to your capabilities. So, if they mostly see you doing the tens of millions. ‘behind-the-scenes’ research, invite them to a meeting where you’re ‘on stage’ presenting. Take on new “Being indispensable is not the same challenges. Let others know you have the interest as being appreciated, recognized, or and potential to do more.” See yourself in a different light. “The longer even rewarded, and those things are you stay in the comfort zone of the role where often what we’re really in search of.” you’re indispensable, the harder it will be to envi- sion yourself doing something else, and that will Despite the fact that the most powerful person color your behavior. Instead, challenge yourself to in America is entirely dispensable, it’s a popular see yourself in a different light. Look for opportuni- piece of career advice that we should all make our- ties where you can learn, stretch, and develop new selves indispensable to our employers. That seems capabilities.” to make perfect sense, especially when so many Prepare for the next level. “The best way to workers these days feel completely disposable. Who do this is to continually invest in yourself and wouldn’t want to have the job security and inev- your development. Make time to learn new things. itable rise up the corporate ladder that would come Identify the experiences and skills you want to from being indispensable, right? have. Talk to others about what it takes and the Being indispensable, though, is not the same things they wished they’d done to prepare them- as being appreciated, recognized, or even reward- selves. Then go explore how you can do those ed, and those things are often what we’re really in things.” search of. May Busch (no relation), an executive Make yourself moveable. “Building a bench and career coach, says that “in reality, making your- of talent beneath you is the best way to ensure that self indispensable is the best way to keep yourself senior managers feel comfortable moving you to the where you are in your job, rather than advancing. next-level position you aspire to. Remember, you “When you’re so amazing in that one role that don’t want to end up [being irreplaceable]. If you most people can’t imagine you doing anything can create your own backfill, managers won’t feel else, they won’t want you to do anything else. as anxious promoting you.”

6 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 IBMADISON.COM 7 LEADERSHIP INSIGHT COVID TRANSITION

3 KEYS TO RESHAPING YOUR BUSINESS IN A COVID19 WORLD BY MARK BURISH AND JOE MOZDEN

oday, we live in a world of change. The COVID-19 spent more than 15 years streaming live and on-demand Tpandemic underscores that change and is an extreme video conference sessions, suddenly saw its pipeline drop example of it. While change is sometimes unsettling, it as conferences and tradeshows were canceled. offers unique opportunities to accelerate business. As this important line of business was forced to close The world as we knew it changed overnight last spring up shop overnight, we didn’t have time to think in terms at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It became a chal- of “when things return to normal.” While the change was lenge for corporations and campuses to maintain opera- unsettling, it gave us the opportunity to work toward a tions and for planned classes, meetings, and conferences new future, and we took the opportunity to create a virtu- to take place in person. Living, working, and learning sud- al event platform to address new market needs. Mediasite denly depended on digital platforms and streaming video. Events worked with meeting planners to help them pivot from in-person conferences to customizable online events. This is the time for companies to embrace change to “As this important line of business was its fullest. Here are three key things we leaned on as we forced to close up shop overnight, we faced the COVID-19 reality: didn’t have time to think in terms of ‘ 1. Reassess the opportunity. We asked this: With these when things return to normal.’” new constraints, is there a new opportunity? We did not ask this: When will things return to normal? This time Some industries, such as higher education, pivoted of change isn’t over yet and companies that view it as a quickly in the ﬁrst phase of the transformation. College powerful catalyst to ride though the disruption will be campuses scaled up their use of video technology to set up better positioned for growth. As managers, we need to online classrooms within a week, giving them the founda- consider how we can change our operating style to take tion to continually reﬁne and improve their virtual plans. advantage of this opportunity. Accept change and be The interruption was more dramatic for the conference open to a new path. Yes, it’s uncomfortable but worth- and events industry. Mediasite Events, our group that has while change is always worth the discomfort.

8 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 2. Recalibrate the offering. Think back to the start of this year. What was your company vision for the months ahead? Did any of it come true? Or did the COVID-19 pandemic set you on a completely new trajectory, forcing you to be more creative and innovative than ever before? New business ideas take months, sometimes years, to material- ize. However, once we understood the new market requirements for our events team, we retrained staff, recalibrated our technology stack, and offered a solution in a matter of days. Companies with the agility to rethink operating models and change on a dime to meet new market dynamics will be better able to weather the storm of uncertainty. Remember, you’re only limited by your imagination. If you run into roadblocks, ask yourself whether it is a limitation you imposed on yourself because it often is. Solving the problem is about thinking of different, creative options versus focusing on any barriers in your way.

3. Increase reliability, reach, and revenue. Turn your clients’ concerns into opportunities. To put it another way, focus on the positive. The events industry, for example, could have drowned in the sorrows of canceled meetups and travel bans. Instead, it found inventive ways to ensure the show could go on — and with even better return on investment. Looking ahead, event attendance is no longer limited by venue, schedules, or travel budgets, and as a result virtual conferences have tripled their reach compared to in-person events. Overwhelmed by providing care? The dramatic market conditions chal- It’s okay to ask for help. lenged us to think bigger and push through perceived limitations, but it also Learn how we can safely transition your loved one to Oakwood. sets the bar for how we adapt to change www.oakwoodvillage.net and plan for the future. As we think stra- tegically about what the next year holds for our businesses, it’s critical to not be among those who look at it with fear but with great ingenuity. What steps can you take to ensure long-term success for both you and your customers? PRAIRIE RIDGE UNIVERSITY WOODS Mark Burish is chairman of the board of (608) 230-4000 (608) 230-4699 Sonic Foundry and a shareholder in the Hurley Burish law ﬁrm. Joe Mozden is CEO of Sonic Foundry.

IBMADISON.COM 9 THE BUSINESS REPORT

CULTURAL HUB TO BUILD A SENSE OF BELONGING Madison’s Center for Black Excellence and Culture promises to nurture the Black soul, and area businesses can help. BY KIMBERLY HAZEN JLA Architects

lack talent is leaving Madison at an A mutual connection led Gee to JLA Ar- as it pertains to African Americans and the Balarming rate. However, organizers for chitects’ Rafeeq Asad. “Being a minority in Black aesthetic. “I think architecture should the Center for Black Excellence and architecture, you rarely get a chance to be represent the users,” Asad observes, “and Culture hope the project will change that in a room with others who look like you, what better way than to put the Black aes- trend. “Competition for people of color let alone stakeholders,” Asad notes. thetic into the architecture?” is not the organization down the Beltline, Before the building is designed, the it’s the community itself,” says the Rev. Dr. steering committee wants to take time to Alex Gee, a steering committee co-chair listen to the community. Joseph Lee, own- for the center. “If this community does not er and president of JLA, says the process is nurture the Black soul, that Black person in the very early stages. “We just have this won’t stay.” big idea,” Lee says. “The hard work is yet Last month, Dane County Executive Joe to come.” Parisi joined Gee to announce an $810,000 Community listening sessions are addition in the 2021 county budget to help planned for the next several months with organizers plan the Center for Black Ex- fundraising efforts beginning in the spring cellence and Culture. The goals of the de- of 2021. Organizers hope to break ground velopment are to foster a sense of commu- on the project in 2022 with an opening in nity and family, celebrate and teach about the fall of that year. impactful Black culture, help nurture and “I think architecture should Gee hopes the project is Black-led and develop Black business and community represent the users, and community supported like other successful leaders, connect employers with talented what better way than to Madison endeavors, including the Madison Black professionals, and build a cultural put the Black aesthetic Children’s Museum and Madison Museum hub along the Beltline corridor. of Contemporary Art. “We need the business For decades, Gee has been hearing into the architecture?” community to help us build this beautiful about the lack of Black cultural space in — Rafeeq Asad, JLA Architects cultural hub that will help attract and retain Madison. Eight years ago, he took action Black brilliance and Black talent,” Gee by purchasing an additional acre of land states. adjacent to his church on Badger Road. Asad called the center the most exciting However, before the center is built, Gee Now, organizers are ready to start the project he’s worked on, one that will allow feels the Black community will beneﬁt from planning process in earnest. “We have him to put his knowledge of the Black the process. “The work itself — of even known there’s been a lack of cultural re- aesthetic to work. Characteristics of the dreaming it — will build a sense of commu- inforcement in this community and we’ve Black aesthetic that Asad hopes to incorpo- nity,” Gee says. “By the time we put bricks been planning for this project,” Gee states. rate into the design include color, drama, and mortar together, it will merely house “Recent events have just allowed us to rhythm, and angularity. Asad’s master’s the greater sense of community and pride dust off our plans.” curriculum was to learn about architecture that’s already been built.”

10 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 LLC

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Berndt CPA LLC - Your Fully Outsourced Payroll & HR Partner Meet our team leaders! Let us handle your payroll & HR needs, so you can get back to doing Don W. Happ, FPC, SPHR what you enjoy—running your business. Outsourcing this function with Don specializes in technological services related to cloud-based HR and payroll us is cost and time effective especially in the new employee remote systems to help clients simplify business work environment. operations. Don provides client training and support, as well as HR and payroll We use a single-source payroll & human capital management cloud- consulting. He also has an extensive background in hospitality management, based solution that starts with recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and fully project management, and payroll tax. administering your employee benefits. In addition, we have full-time specialists to assist with your other HR needs. Kristin M. McDaniel, CPP, SHRM-SCP Kristin McDaniel leads the payroll and HR The most valuable asset to any organization is its people. Automating team as senior manager – payroll services. As a dedicated payroll and HR profession- and streamlining your internal processes with payroll & HR will improve al with over 15 years of experience, Kristin efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve productivity. supports clients across many industries and strives to meet the payroll and HR Work with our local payroll & HR team for a needs of her clients with exceptional customized solution that works best for you. customer service. Amy L. Meissner, SPHR, MBA Visit us now at berndtcpa.com and find out how Amy specializes in HR leadership and strategy. Amy works with businesses of we can free you from the back office so you can all sizes, across all industries, leverag- focus on the heart of your business. ing HR expertise to streamline practices, ensure legal compliance, hedge risk, (608) 274-7473 further business initiatives, and gener- [email protected] ate human capital. THE BUSINESS REPORT HOUSING, ON THE HABITAT, AND HILLDALE RISE This month’s summary of local business news. Get acquainted with local young COMPILED BY KIMBERLY HAZEN professionals who are rising through the ranks. TIM “PIO” PIOTROWSKI Chief Beer Officer/Founder GOOD NEWS Delta Beer Lab Signs of positive activity or growth in the market Madison startup matches staff with need Marc LaPierre has created tech startup WHAT DO YOU My favorite vacations involve backpacking. In 2017, I took five months to hike the whole Appalachian Trail. Clock’d for matching restaurant workers LIKE TO DO WHEN with businesses in need. The company is YOU AREN’T Time with my dog, hiking, softball, a good book, and puzzles are my regular activities. based in downtown Madison and helps WORKING? trained bartenders, servers, hosts, and cooks pick up extra shifts from restaurants who need them. New addiction clinic opens downtown WHAT DO YOU I have the opportunity to create a variety of beers, Monarch Health Addiction Recovery Clinic ENJOY MOST a company culture that makes a difference, and ABOUT YOUR is opening at the corner of East Wash- (hopefully) the opportunity to craft change that ington Avenue and South Blair Street and CURRENT JOB AND impacts people far beyond Madison. POSITION? will provide medication, counseling, and lab testing in one place. The clinic’s focus will be on using medications, including buprenorphine, to treat addiction. Opioid overdoses are up 48% this year statewide WHAT CAN A and opioid overdose deaths are up 35% MORE SEASONED People are more important than endless profits. Write in Madison. EXECUTIVE down your mission and run every decision through it. LEARN FROM Cookie vendor opens shop YOU? Yeng Yang, a cookie seller at the Dane County Farmers’ Market, is opening a store, Yummee Cookies, at 5510 University Ave. Before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled I’d like pumpkin beers to not be a thing. Just kidding, but the market at the square, Yang had been WHAT IS SOME not really. I would really like business owners and brewers making his cookies at FEED Kitchens on THING YOU’D LIKE to gain adequate professional experience before jumping the north side of Madison and selling TO CHANGE ABOUT into our industry. Follow the science and focus on quality directly to the public. YOUR INDUSTRY? from the very beginning. Four new tenants to open at Hilldale National burger restaurant Shake Shack, fitness studio Burn Boot Camp, DIY crafting shop Glitter Workshop, and Indochi- WHAT IS ONE no, a made-to-measure men’s outfitter, See all people as people and treat each guest, customer, STEP A BUSINESS have or will open in Hilldale shopping employee, and community member as you would want COULD TAKE TO center this fall. SOLVE RACIAL them to treat you. There’s no freedom until we’re equal. INEQUALITY? Madison restaurateurs expand to Oregon The owners of Merchant, Lucille, and Brothers Three are planning Good Co., a new restaurant at the former Charlie’s on Main location in Oregon. Patrick Sweeney

12 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 and Matthew Stebbins will do extensive re- Wisconsin hits record home sales modeling and open Good Co. just before In a recent report from the Wisconsin Christmas. The location consists of two Realtors Association, Wisconsin home spaces that will be combined for the new sales set a three-month record this summer. restaurant. The record was due to a combination of the state gradually reopening in June and Madison startup a top food innovator record-low mortgage interest rates over the Slide Gourmet Potato Chips, a company summer. Summer home sales grew 2.8% that produces nine varieties of hand- compared to the June–August period of packed chips made from Wisconsin pota- 2019. Robust sales growth in July and a toes, is one of 10 businesses honored by slight improvement in the August market the Food Finance Institute FaBcap Acceler- pushed summer home sales to 27,795, the ator’s Class of 2020-21. The list recognizes strongest summer sales volume on record food-product innovation across multiple for the state. Low inventories in the state Working categories. This year’s list, chosen from 35 made for a strong seller’s market with limit- applicants, represents eight Wisconsin cities ed buying opportunities. and includes two technology companies and eight food brands. MONEY MATTERS From Exact Sciences unveils new tests Financial nurturing Exact Sciences has unveiled early research for the company’s liquid biopsy cancer Mayor announces 2021 operating budget screening test and has gained FDA autho- A reduction in services, furloughs, and lay- Home? rization for an at-home COVID-19 swab offs are some of the measures that Mayor test. The ﬁrst test would screen biomarkers Satya Rhodes-Conway is using to balance in the blood to detect multiple types of the $349.1 million 2021 operating budget cancer. An early study of the test found for the city. The budget, forced to tighten that it could identify 83% to 87% of cases by the COVID-19 pandemic, includes over that had esophageal, liver, lung, ovarian, $3 million in cuts to agency budgets. In pancreatic, or stomach cancers with about addition, the plan uses $8 million of the a 5% rate of false positives. city’s unrestricted fund balance for tempo- We’ll rary revenue loss and one-time expen- Sun Prairie makes top list ditures. A $25 million gap was expected The city of Sun Prairie is listed as the 40th from declines in revenue streams like “Best Place to Live in America” for 2020 by hotel room taxes, parking violation ﬁnes, DELIVER Money magazine. The list considers fac- interest from investments, and an increase tors including the local economy, housing in spending. However, the gap shrunk market, cost of living, diversity, public edu- to $16.5 million once agencies submitted cation, health and safety, weather, lifestyle, their requests. Office and amenities. Public market to apply for federal grant Trailer manufacturer adds 300 positions Madison will apply for a $3 million federal Stoughton Trailers LLC announced plans grant to help fund the public market project. Supplies to hire 300 new employees for entry-level, The grant will attempt to replace a stream skilled labor, and professional positions of funding that has decreased in value due at its Stoughton and Brodhead facilities. to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution Entry-level and skilled positions will be agreed to by Madison’s City Council autho- in the departments of assembly, weld- rized the city to apply to the U.S. Economic To Your ing, material control, and maintenance. Development Administration for the grant. Professional openings are in engineering, The total project of the public market is quality, supply chain, information technolo- valued at $13 million. ! gy, human resources, sales/marketing, and Door accounting positions. City cuts 2021 tourism marketing Shrinking room tax proceeds for tourism Summer play boosts state golf industry marketing due to COVID-19 has caused an The Wisconsin 2020 golf season saw a already shrinking marketing budget for the 13% increase in the number of rounds promotion of Monona Terrace and Over- played. The state increase was twice ture Center to be further reduced. Under the national increase of 6.2%. While the the 2021 budget, Destination Madison will season was off to a rocky start in April receive $3.75 million for marketing, com- EZOP.COM with a 48% decrease over April 2019, the pared with $4.7 million in 2019. Monona Wisconsin golf industry rebounded over Terrace will get $3.75 million, compared the summer months. with $4.8 million in 2020, and Overture

IBMADISON.COM 13 THE BUSINESS REPORT

STREETSTREET SMARTS SMARTS Right now, what are you most grateful for?

Connie Ziegler Darren Paul Marie Rickard Joseph Muenich Andrea K.L. Barber Business Manager Communications Director Owner/Founder Business Development Owner/Lead Alchemist Gaylord Catering Service Inc. WBD Inc. Derma 180 and Client Services Apothecary LLC Skin Renewal Center ActionCOACH of Madison “I am grateful that I still “I’m thankful that my “I’m most grateful for have a job. I’ve been kids are healthy and “I am most grateful for “My team [members] at my family all being with Gaylord Catering COVID-free, that I have my family, especially ActionCOACH, who are healthy regardless of for 35 years. The com- an employer who pro- my granddaughter and supportive and growth my daughter going to pany is 57 years strong. vides a safe environ- my loyal clients!” minded. I’m thankful school in Florida. Also, Things are slow and ment, and that I hav- for them.” I’ve retained all of my scary right now, but I en’t had any friends or clients.” get up every day to go family affected by our to work. I want to make current pandemic.” sure that we are around for another 50 years.”

Center will receive $1.5 million compared families and communities lacking adequate 11,500 homes and businesses in rural areas with $2 million in 2020. access to affordable financial products and that include parts of Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, services. Nationally, awards total more than and Rock counties. County releases 2021 budget proposal $204 million. Dane County Executive Joe Parisi has $47 million in added support announced released a 2021 budget proposal for a $4.45 million invested for housing A total of $47 million funded through $615.5 million operating budget and a Five area municipalities will benefit from federal CARES Act dollars will be used to $71.6 million capital budget. The budgets county funds totaling $4.45 million to help help child care, health care navigators, and aim to protect services and employees in build low-income housing projects. After energy and rental assistance in Wisconsin. the county from the economic impacts approval from the county board, the funds Here’s how the money will be used: of the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget will support construction of 323 low-in- • $15 million will be invested in Wis- proposal would increase property taxes come housing units in five projects in consin’s Low-Income Home Energy by 3.4% and taxes on the average home Madison, McFarland, Cambridge, Fitch- Assistance Program; would increase by $30.18. burg, and Verona. The apartments will • $10 million will be directed toward the serve residents who make less than the COVID-19 Out-of-School Support Grant Feds award Habitat $650,000 median income of the county. Program; Habitat for Humanity of Dane County was • $10 million will be invested in the one of the 397 Community Development $5.3 million for broadband expansion Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program, Financial Institutions (CDFIs) across the Investing in primarily fixed wireless adding on to $25 million previously nation awarded funding from the U.S. De- projects to serve 11,500 customers, the announced; partment of the Treasury’s Community De- Wisconsin Public Service Commission has • $10 million will go toward the Food velopment Financial Institutions Fund. The awarded $5.3 million in federal pandemic Security Initiative, adding on to $15 organization received $650,000 to increase relief money to fund the expansion of million previously allocated; lending and investment activity in low-in- high-speed internet service this year. The • $1 million will be directed toward the come and economically distressed commu- CARES Act funding restrictions mean the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund, a nities in Dane County. Specifically, Habitat projects need to incur costs between March nonprofit that provides a statewide safe- will use its funding for families that fall 1 and Dec. 30 and funding can cover the ty net to individuals facing energy-relat- between 30% to 60% of the county’s medi- expansion of broadband service to support ed emergencies; and an household income and that are unable distance learning, telehealth, and working • $1 million will be invested in the state- to qualify for most traditional financing. from home. The projects are expected to wide health insurance navigator organi- The CDFI program invests in low-income make service available to approximately zation to help residents purchase health

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insurance on the federal marketplace or to enroll in BadgerCare. Wage law correlated to wage drop EXECUTIVES A new Midwest Economic Policy Insti- tute study finds the repeal of Wisconsin’s ON THE MOVE prevailing wage laws has resulted in lower wages for construction workers in Wisconsin. Despite having no statistically significant impact on the cost of public Donna Moreland is the new Deputy construction projects, prevailing wage Secretary of the Wisconsin laws set minimum pay requirements for Department of Safety and wages paid to workers on public con- Professional Services. struction projects such as school buildings J.H. Findorff & Son has promoted Renee Boyce to or highway construction. In 2015, former vice president – human resources, John Feller to Colliers International, Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker and GOP lawmakers vice president – preconstruction, Sam Lawrence to vice president – preconstruction, and has named Chris Richards repealed Wisconsin’s prevailing wage law managing director and market for local construction projects and in 2017, Jim Martin to vice president – project management. leader of its Madison office. they repealed Wisconsin’s prevailing wage law for state construction projects. The new study used data from the U.S. Realtime Utlity Engineers has Census Bureau and found that before the promoted Mitch Bradt to director laws were repealed, the average annu- of electrical engineering. al income for full-time construction and extraction workers was close to $49,000. Stoughton Trailers announced Jeremy Sanders joined the company as its new chief After the laws were repealed, the average The Gordon Flesch Company commercial officer and Sue Vanderbilt is the annual income was a little over $46,000, a promoted Kelly Dolphin to new chief financial officer. drop of more than 5%. chief financial officer. WEDC announces local grant winners RETIRING The Wisconsin Economic Development Keith Breunig retired as chief financial Corp. and the University of Wisconsin Sys- Steve Greiff has joined Johnson officer of The Gordon Flesch Company. Financial Group as senior vice tem’s Center for Technology Commercial- Joe Koss, chief executive officer of president, director of mortgage. ization have named six small companies Culver’s, will retire at the end of 2020. that will each receive a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research Advance IN MEMORIAM grant. The innovative startups are: Madi- Colleen Johnson has joined SVA Marshall B. Sergenian, former son-based AmebaGone Inc., NCD Technol- Financial Group as senior wealth president of Sergenian’s Floor Coverings ogies, Stem Pharm, and Filament Games; manager. Imbed Biosciences Inc. of Fitchburg; and Msgr. Michael Burke, UW football NanoAffix Sciences of Wauwatosa. Busi- team chaplain nesses awarded the grants have already received federal funding from the Small Business Innovation Research or Small PRESENTED BY Business Technology Transfer programs to develop high-tech innovations. Tax collections boosted by auditors The addition of tax auditors has resulted in 20% higher corporate tax collections in the state, according to the Legislative acquired Tasman Global, a health care Aster Assisted Living, Assisted Memory Fiscal Bureau. Revenues from Wisconsin’s IT consulting firm headquartered in the Care, and the Drumlin Residences in Cot- corporate tax totaled $1.61 billion in the Netherlands. The addition of Tasman ex- tage Grove. The Drumlin Residences will 2019–20 fiscal year ending in June, which pands Nordic to Europe and Asia and the be renamed Drumlin Reserve and Capri represents an increase of $269.8 million combined companies will reach nearly 300 will also assume management of Drumlin over the previous year. health care organizations globally. Nordic Tower and Olde Town Apartments on the was founded in 2010 and provides health same campus. Capri Communities manag- IT staffing, advisory consulting, and man- es 25 locations. BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS aged services. Mergers, sales, and acquisitions Summit buys Associated Bank branch Capri Communities acquires properties Summit Credit Union has purchased Tech firm acquires foreign IT company Capri Communities, a provider of senior an Associated Bank branch in Monroe, Health care consulting firm Nordic has living in southern Wisconsin, has acquired Wisconsin. The location, at 1420 11th

16 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 St., will become the 46th branch of the Madison-based credit union. Summit holds more than $4.3 billion in assets with 662 employees and 205,000 members.

MIXED MESSAGES Sounds good, then bad, or vice versa

AmFam consolidates claims, cuts jobs American Family Insurance is consoli- dating all its claims departments into one after years of acquiring various insurance brands and will be cutting an undisclosed number of positions. The insurance group’s companies include The General, Homesite, Main Street America Group, and CONNECT. Merging all claims departments into one will streamline the claims process for the multiline insurer, which has about 4,200 claims workers. WE WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS State infrastructure makes C rating Wisconsin’s 2020 Infrastructure Report AT THOMPSON INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, WE SPECIALIZE IN: Card gave the state a C rating. Wisconsin • Investment Portfolio Management scored highest in energy and waste, earn- • Retirement Plan Services ing a B, but earned poor scores in transit • Mutual Funds and roads, which pulled down the grade average. The report card, written by more ThompsonInvest.com 608.827.5700 than 50 civil engineer volunteers across Thompson Investment Management is a registered investment advisory firm. the state, rated categories such as capacity, condition, funding, and maintenance. Cat- egories in the state earning C-range grades are aviation, bridges, dams, drinking water, inland waterways, ports, stormwater, and THIS IS SEAMLESS wastewater. State has large insurance gap A new RAND Corp. report ranks Wiscon- sin as 10th highest in the country for its private-public insurance hospital bill gap. Patients with private insurance pay nearly three times as much as Medicare patients pay for hospital care in Wisconsin, high- lighting concerns about employer health care costs. Privately insured patients paid an average of 247% compared to Medicare patients nationally to hospitals in 2018, a cost shift that was up from 224% in 2016 and 230% in 2017.

HANG ON TIGHT THIS IS WHY Signs of negative activity or failing markets ¸(SSPHU[,ULYN`*LU[LYWYV]PKLZT`ZOV^^P[OL]LY`[OPUNULLKLK Pain clinic to close 12 locations MYVTL]LU[JVVYKPUH[PVU[VOPNOX\HSP[`VUZP[LJH[LYPUNHUK JVUJLZZPVUZ4`L_OPIP[VYZLUQV`[OLVULZ[VWZOVWWPUNMVYHSS Advanced Pain Management has sent a VM[OLPYIVV[OULLKZHUKT`H[[LUKLLZHWWYLJPH[L[OLHI\UKHU[ notice to the Wisconsin Department of WHYRPUNHUKJLU[YHSSVJH[PVU¹ Workforce Development stating that it will be closing locations across the state *OYPZ4VKLL]LU[WYVTV[LY(Y[.SHZZ )LHK:OV^ and eliminating a total of 238 jobs. The company intends to close its location in ALLIANTENERGYCENTER.COM | SHIRLEY KALTENBERG Madison as well as facilities in Greenﬁeld, 608-267-1549 | [email protected]

IBMADISON.COM 17 THE BUSINESS REPORT

Appleton, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Prairie du tle Tibet, Melly Mell’s Catering, El Sabor de plans to purchase the property and have Sac, Sheboygan, West Bend, and Mount Puebla, and Perfect Imperfections — will housing ready by Christmas. The project Pleasant. receive a starting stipend, coaching, and is in response to the worry that shelters other resources through the city’s “Market- won’t have enough space for everyone Entertainment promoter lays off 39 Ready” program, which helps entrepre- when the weather turns colder. Occupy Frank Productions laid off 39 employees neurs create stable business foundations. Madison is hoping to get about $425,000 at five company locations including The in grant money from the county to support Sylvee, the Orpheum, and the Majestic live Park expansion seeks to raze buildings the project. entertainment venues. The company stated The proposed expansion of McPike Park the entertainment industry as a whole has on the near east side of Madison calls for Oakwood seeks to amend land-use permit been severely impacted by COVID-19 and the demolition of three buildings on South The city’s Urban Design Commission is locally it is not able to sustain full operations Baldwin Street. The Madison Parks Divi- reviewing a proposal for a new senior at all of its locations. Positions impacted sion is also evaluating the adaptive reuse living facility from Oakwood Village Se- include accounting, marketing, box office, of a fourth building. All of the buildings nior Living. Project planners are seeking to production, and others. were acquired by the city to expand the amend a land-use permit in order to build 9.2-acre park. McPike Park hosts events a 77-unit, four-story senior living facility at Oregon restaurant to close permanently and festivals including La Fete de Mar- its complex on the west side of Madison. Charlie’s on Main in Oregon will be clos- quette and features a small amphitheater, The proposal would remove an existing ing due to the COVID-19 pandemic shut- gathering spaces, restrooms, event areas, recreational building and construct the new downs. The 5-year-old restaurant closed farmers market space, and a skate park. living facility and 63 stalls of underground in March and kept its dining rooms closed parking. to keep customers and staff safe, but it Commission nixes east side development had been able to keep much of its staff A proposed $40 million project to redevel- $31.7 million solar project approved employed. Owner Dave Heide said now op the corner of Monona Drive and Cot- The Wisconsin Public Service Commission the restaurant is out of funds and needs to tage Grove Road has been rejected by the has authorized a 20-megawatt solar farm close. Heide also owns Liliana’s Restaurant Madison Plan Commission. The plan from from Madison Gas and Electric in Fitch- in Fitchburg. developer Joe Krupp called for demol- burg and will allow the utility to expand a ishing the Lakeside Shopping Center, the program to sell clean energy to industrial Amtrak to reduce stops in state former Jade Monkey bar building, and Ex- and governmental customers. The unani- Amtrak will reduce the number of stops in haust Pros muffler shop to build a four-story mous decision approved the $31.7 million Portage, Wisconsin Dells, and Columbus in structure that would include 2,500 square O’Brien Solar Fields project, a 160-acre site response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The feet of commercial space, 188 apartments, near Seminole Highway and Lacy Road. reduction to three stops a week also is a and underground parking. A sticking point The operation of the solar farm could begin response to ridership decreasing nationally. for many commission members was the as early as next summer, with construction The stops affected by the changes in Wis- overall loss of retail space. beginning this year. consin are part of Amtrak’s Empire Builder line that currently runs daily from Chicago Bus barn project needs more data to Seattle. Federal transit authorities are asking for LEGALITIES However, a Wisconsin-Minnesota pas- more information about hazardous mate- Court cases worth noting senger rail project will be receiving $31.8 rials on the former Oscar Mayer property, million in federal grant funds to expand where the city is planning a new bus Judge blocks release of businesses names service to the Twin Cities and Chicago garage. The Federal Transit Administra- After a lawsuit was filed by the Wisconsin from Wisconsin. The Consolidated Rail- tion, which is funding the project, says it Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), a road Infrastructure and Safety Improve- is reevaluating an exemption from the judge has ruled against Gov. Tony Evers’ ment competitive grant will be awarded environmental review process amid con- release of business names that have had to the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago cerns that the city downplayed the extent of employees test positive for COVID-19. passenger rail project for final design and contamination from a century of industrial WMC was made aware that information construction of necessary railroad improve- activity, which included burning coal and on more than 1,000 businesses would ments. The project will add an extra daily manufacturing plastics and pesticides. The be released by the Evers administration round-trip line between the Twin Cities, La city of Madison has approved plans for up if they had at least two employees who Crosse, Milwaukee, and Chicago along the to $300 million in redevelopment around tested positive for COVID-19, regardless Empire Builder route. the 72-acre Oscar Mayer campus and is of where the employees contracted the seeking to buy the northern 15 acres of virus. Waukesha County Circuit Court the property, including two buildings, Judge Lloyd V. Carter issued a temporary DEV’T & CONSTRUCTION to store buses for a proposed Bus Rapid restraining order barring the release of What’s going up – or being held up – where? Transit system. the business names. First Public Market vendors announced Property purchased for homeless village City of Madison officials have announced Occupy Madison has an accepted offer MISCELLANEOUS the first five vendors for the Madison to purchase Wiggie’s Bar, at 1901 Aberg Extras, tidbits, and goings-on Public Market, all of which will receive Ave., to build a tiny home village of 25 $19,000 in seed money from the city. The to 30 homes to house homeless people Taxi company uses local ride-hailing app vendors — Caracas Empanadas y Más, Lit- in Madison this winter. The organization Madison-based Green Cab has adopted the

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IBMADISON.COM 19 THE BUSINESS REPORT use of Mobile22, a new ride-hailing app scale up the use of renewable energy, has Therapy, which will open an office within from a Madison startup. The app books ranked Madison 64th out of the 100 cities the 109-year-old church. The clinic will rides and works similarly to the Uber and that were studied. The report provides a serve clients on Tuesdays free of charge Lyft apps, with fare prices offered up front comprehensive national measurement for for mental health issues like depression, for on-demand, scheduled, individual, and climate progress and finds the Capital City anxiety, or substance abuse. Funding has shared rides. All the rides that are provided ranks behind Milwaukee, Chicago, Minne- been secured by the church to cover the in the Madison area are from Green Cab, apolis, and St. Paul. The report also says clinic’s costs through the end of the year, rather than independent contractors. Madison is unlikely to meet its ambitious and it’s working to raise money for the ser- carbon reduction goals due mostly to lax vices going forward. Clients do not need Report: Madison lags in energy efforts building standards, which are impacted by to be affiliated with the church to use the The American Council for an Energy-Effi- state law. counseling services. cient Economy’s 2020 City Clean Energy Scorecard, which analyzed the efforts of Local church, clinic to offer counseling Patio music considered mass gathering 100 major U.S. cities to make buildings and Mt. Zion Baptist Church has partnered Garver Patio at the Garver Feed Mill has transportation more energy efficient and with state-certified clinic Anesis Family canceled most of its remaining live music for the season and capped the rest at 25 people due to a notice from Public Health Madison and Dane County. As a restaurant, the company has an outdoor capacity to seat 150 in tables spaced six feet apart. However, live music played on the Garv- er Patio constitutes a concert and “mass gathering” that should be limited to 25 people, according to health officials. The restaurant feels it was operating within the regulations but has changed its plans for the rest of the fall season. County installs clean water system A new $1.65 million system outside of Middleton to separate water from cow BUSINESS JUST GOT EASIER™ manure is now part of Dane County’s clean water efforts. The AQUA Innovations system began operations in early summer and takes liquid manure from local dairy farms and extracts nutrients that can be spread onto fields as fertilizer. The water that trickles into the Pheasant Branch Creek after treatment is considered clean enough to drink. Madison Capitols suspend season Custom Vehicle Graphics The Madison Capitols junior hockey team is putting a hold on the 2020–21 United States Hockey League season because of public health restrictions in Dane County caused by COVID-19 pandemic. Capitols owner Ryan Suter was denied an exemption to public health restrictions on full practices and games for sports deemed to have medium and high risks of transmission of COVID-19. Signs Cut-To-Shape Dimensional Wall Lettering Local teams win national competition Two University of Wisconsin–Madison teams have earned a total of $1.5 million for their projects to help Dane County’s CALL 608-246-9663 | signsbytomorrow.com/madison middle class. The Alliance for the Ameri- 4707 Lien Road, Madison, WI can Dream Challenge winners ConnectRx and Opportunity Calculator use technology platforms to help residents gain ac- SHOWROOM BEHIND EAST TOWNE cess to or understand social and financial services. ConnectRx will create software

20 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 to allow health care providers to track patients’ nonmedical needs, such as housing or food assistance, and connect them with social service providers who can help, thus aiming to improve birth outcomes for Black mothers. Opportunity Calculator will develop a mobile platform that helps Anne Fink, CFP® workers calculate the impact of new opportunities on their income and eligibility SVP, PRIVATE BANKING NMLS #684325 for benefits such as health insurance, food assistance, housing, and child care. Entrepreneur who launched private banking at Settlers bank MATC receives EPA award The U.S. Environmental Protection Agen- cy has presented Madison College with the 2020 Green Power Leadership Award. A level of service only a few elite bankers can provide. The award was given to six organizations nationwide for direct project engagement. Anne Fink is a highly experienced, comprehensive Madison College’s Truax campus is currently advisor for professional clients with complex credit generating nearly 2.4 million kilowatt-hours needs. Anne’s unique ability to create sophisticated (kWh) of green power annually from an lending structures can have a profoundly positive on-site solar photovoltaic system, which PTWHJ[VU`V\YV]LYHSSÄUHUJPHSWSHU is enough green power to meet 23% of its Contact Anne today. 608.842.5025 electricity use and is equivalent to the annual electricity use of more than 200 average American homes. Sierra Club opposes utility rate freeze The Sierra Club says a proposed Madison Madison | Windsor | SettlersWi.com Gas and Electric rate freeze will cre- MEMBER FDIC ate future costs for ratepayers. The deal, the group says, locks in a regressive rate structure while allowing MGE to pocket $1.9 million that it owes ratepayers. MGE has proposed a 4.1% increase in natural your gas prices while holding electricity rates ADVANCE CAREER. flat next year. If approved by regulators, it MORE EFFECTIVE LEADER is expected to raise the average household BECOME Ĵ . gas bill by about $27 a year. The Sierra Club objects to the proposal’s $19 fixed monthly charge and says it penalizes those who use the least energy and discourages energy AFFORDABLE, FLEXIBLE PROGRAMS conservation. for WORKING PROFESSIONALS: State issues order to expand workforce Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Depart- • MBA ment of Health Service Secretary-designee • Master’s in Organizational Andrea Palm have issued an emergency Leadership & Change order to provide some relief for health • Master’s in Social Innovation care staffing shortages in the state. The & Sustainability Leadership new order provides for temporary inter- • Master’s in Accountancy state license reciprocity for health care providers to work in Wisconsin medical ĿņłłխĸŅļŁĺĴ Bachelor’s in Organizational facilities, extends licenses that may expire Behavior & Leadership - Evening/accelerated during the federal emergency declaration courses designed for working adults. for 30 days after its conclusion, and makes it easier for health care providers with a GET YOUR DEGREE ĹŅłŀĴĶłĿĿĸĺĸŊļŇĻĴPROVEN recently lapsed license to apply for rein- RECORD łĹŃŅłķňĶļŁĺ ETHICAL, INNOVATIVE statement with the Department of Safety BUSINESS LEADERS for MADISON. and Professional Services. DWD to seek funds for updating system www.edgewood.edu/graduate-business The Wisconsin Department of Workforce

IBMADISON.COM 21 THE BUSINESS REPORT

Development is expected to address the COVID-19 treatment averages $14,500 state’s outdated unemployment system According to a new report from M3 Insur- in the next state budget process. Gov. ance, hospital and other medical treatment Tony Evers says the department has made for COVID-19 costs $14,573 per patient on replacing the system a priority and specifics average and coronavirus testing is about READER will be detailed during the next state budget $102 per sample. The COVID-19 Impact RECOMMENDED process. on Health Care study also reported that Earlier, Evers asked for and received insurance premiums went up an average the resignation of DWD Secretary Caleb of 4.8% this year in the state. In addition, Frostman, who was under fire for the de- the report found that 68% of M3 customers partment’s slow response to unprecedented surveyed in July said they don’t anticipate unemployment claims during the COVID-19 making changes to health benefits because pandemic. Evers has added staffing resourc- of the current health crisis. Four percent es to the DWD to assist with the substantial said they plan to make changes and 28% influx in claims, calls, and adjudication said they weren’t sure. processes. Toy Industry Hall of Fame names Rowland Workers believe in optional workplace Pleasant Rowland, founder of American In a recent study by Dolman Law Group of Girl, has been elected to the Toy Industry MARKMARK WWEBSTEREBSTER 5,650 workers over the age of 18, 72% of Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021. Inductees President, Mark Webster Communication Wisconsin employees believe that return- are nominated and voted on by members ing to the workplace should be optional. of the Toy Association for significant con- The study points to employees remaining tributions to the industry and the impact Book: nervous about their health, their fellow they have had on the lives of children. The Crucial Conversations: Tools colleagues following safety protocols, and American Girl company, started in 1986 by for Talking When Stakes Are their employers providing a safe working Rowland, produces historical educational High by Joseph Grenny, Ron environment. The survey also revealed that dolls. The Middleton-based company was McMillan, Kerry Patterson, 72% of employees would report a colleague sold to Mattel in 1998. and Al Switzler for not following COVID-19 health protocols and that just one in three workers believe Antitrust report seeks big tech changes the mental health benefits of returning In a House Judiciary Committee report Podcast: to the workplace outweigh the risks of presented to Congress, House lawmak- MMy Favorite Murder COVID-19. ers under Democratic leadership found and Exactly that the practices of the world’s largest Right Media Utility shutoff ban extended until April technology companies including Amazon, Wisconsin Public Service Commission Apple, Facebook, and Google had exer- regulators have extended a ban on utility cised and abused their monopoly power, disconnections through April 15, 2021 for and the report recommends the most customers who fall behind on their bills. sweeping changes to antitrust laws in half The Public Service commissioners voted a century. Lawmakers said the companies App: 2–1 to extend a disconnection moratorium set and often dictated prices and rules SeatGuru that was originally put in place in March. for commerce, search, advertising, social networking, and publishing. To correct the Impact on communities of color probed abuse of dominant positions, the commit- The Just Recovery for Racial Equity initia- tee recommendations include restoring tive is a joint effort to address communities competition by effectively breaking up disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 the companies, emboldening the agencies Local restaurant for and will be carried out by the Wisconsin that police market concentration, putting out-of-town guests: Department of Health Services and the up hurdles for the companies to acquire The Biergarten at Population Health Institute (PHI) at the startups, and reforming antitrust laws. University of Wisconsin–Madison. Data Olbrich Park shows Black, Latinx, and indigenous pop- ulations are significantly over-represented CHANGES among COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, Changes in name, location, purpose, or status and deaths. Musical album: The $2.6 million Just Recovery initiative Software company changes name Eurovision Song aims to identify and support strategies for Madison-based Recruiting Pro Software Contest: The Story responding to COVID-19 and build resil- has been renamed to NaviCu. The data of Fire Saga (Music ience in communities of color by partner- management software provider has re- from the Netflix film) ing with community-based organizations branded to coincide with the launch of a and local groups, including other govern- new version of its proprietary process and ment and social service agencies. a new website.

22 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020

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IBMADISON.COM 23 EXECUTIVE PROFILE NONPROFITS

ichael Johnson, president and CEO of the Boys & MGirls Clubs of Dane County, was raised in the projects MESSAGE of Chicago and found solace later in life as an athlete (football and wrestling) at a small, liberal arts college in Minnesota, where he met his wife, Toya, a chemistry major. They’re now parents to three children, ages 15, 10, and 6. Johnson recently shared his thoughts on his role in the FROM community and the challenges of working with young people in a growing and changing city.

How did you get to Madison? MICHAEL I was the deputy commissioner of operations for parks and recreation in Philadelphia and mentioned in a news Boys & Girls Clubs CEO discusses recent protests, article that someday I’d like to run Boys & Girls Clubs. frustrations, and the need to heed warning signs. QTI must have somehow seen that story because they called and left a message at my work. I thought they were BY JAN WILSON AND PHOTOGRAPH BY RENEE SPORLE just another vendor wanting to sell me paint or something and I didn’t respond. Later, we connected, and I learned there was a search going on for the president/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County.

What drives your passion for kids? I’ve always worked with kids. I used to run all the Boys & Girls Clubs in the public housing developments in some

24 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 of the toughest neighborhoods in Chicago. What really made me stayed in the projects for 24 of my 44 years on this earth. Many in stay in this profession was going back to my elementary school my family still live in poverty. I have family members and friends on the west side of Chicago and realizing the number of young who’ve been part of the criminal justice system, unfairly targeted people who had fallen victim to violence. and sometimes overpunished for some of the things they’ve done. I see it and I feel it because I come from that environment. What are your biggest accomplishments here? This community has a lot of good people who really love kids When I took over, we had a hard time making payroll. We’ve grown and want to help young people thrive. I love Madison for that our operating budget by almost a half a million dollars every year reason, and I see it in financial contributions and volunteering. But since I’ve been here; from $1 million to a $7 million organization; on the flip side there’s a lot of quietness. We’re living in very divisive from serving 1,800 kids to almost 8,000 this year; from being in two times right now, and the division frustrates me. facilities to now overseeing programs at 15 locations, including Wal- worth County, where I’m also the CEO. How do you see your role in this community? We’ve grown our board and have done things that tradition- Some people ask why the Boys & Girls Clubs leader is in this space, al Boys & Girls Clubs just don’t do. We’ve raised hundreds of saying I should “stay in my lane.” But in my opinion leadership thousands of dollars for Black, brown, and poor white families should never be defined by geography or any singular issue. All impacted by COVID-19; we have a partnership with the school issues affect kids and their families. district where a third of our staff works in the schools during the Look at the resources our organization has raised for kids — day. We also put 141 kids to work this summer during a pandemic $25 million over 10 years! Independent studies show our kids’ and paid them $15 an hour. GPAs are higher, their attendance is better, they take more rigorous courses, and 70% are Black and brown kids of color who traditionally don’t graduate from high school. “Could Madison become a mini Chicago? We’ll continue to move the agenda forward to help kids fulfill To some degree, we’re already seeing that.” their dreams. We’ll help many, we’ll miss some, but we’ll keep trying. That’s why I’m here. — Michael Johnson, Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County Can the business community help? Yet in 2018, you left for a United Way position in Cincinnati, Businesses need more diversity and diverse boards. We need to see Ohio — reportedly your “dream job.” Four months later you that there’s representation in the C-suite, at the board level, and that were back. What happened? businesses welcome and retain people of color. That’s important It was a regional position covering about 22 counties in Ohio, for our city and for the next generation of young people to see. Kentucky, and Indiana. I was constantly traveling. Our workforce and culture should also encourage involvement in I missed being in the community, in one county, and working nonprofit sectors and on nonprofit boards. It’s all about giving time, directly with kids. I just didn’t feel a connection. The first eight talent, and treasure to support others. weekends, I was back in Madison staying with friends! My wife chastised me for it. So, when I learned my former job at the Boys Whom do you consider your mentors? & Girls Clubs hadn’t been filled yet, I made a call. I’d say Paul Tonnesen (formerly of Fiskars). Paul is on our board and very wise. He gives it to me straight but also gives me coun- Earlier this year, you joined a group of local officials down- sel. Marilyn Harper is a very generous woman who owns some town during the protests. Why, and what did you learn? businesses and real estate in town. She’s one of our largest African I just hadn’t seen elected officials or community leaders out there at American donors; and Jacquelyn Hunt, CEO of F.O.S.T.E.R (Fami- night and I wanted to have a presence. About 75 people showed lies Overcoming Struggles to Encourage Resilience). We run ideas up — from grassroots leaders to state reps to members of the City past each other from time to time. I respect them all. Council and former Mayor Paul Soglin. As we walked toward the protestors, they began clapping and Are you concerned that this economic climate will impact asked to speak with us. We did, for about 20 minutes. Then they donations to the Boys & Girls Clubs and other nonprofits? kneeled and raised their right hands. The respect was encouraging. Yes, I think a number of nonprofits will downsize or go out of But later, some of the agitators infiltrated that movement and business. Donations will drop. Cuts are happening at every level, started burning things. We deflected some of it. I stayed downtown so I wouldn’t be surprised if individual giving goes down, impacting all night talking to some of the young people. I didn’t want them those that we serve. I’m concerned about next year. catching felonies and doing things they’d later regret. There’s another issue, too, in my opinion. If we continue to The protest went from justice for George Floyd to damaging see the violence that we’re seeing, our tax base will go down, property and removing statues. The Floyd family’s message got businesses will leave, and that will impact public safety. lost. When people start looting and defacing property, it takes Could Madison become a mini Chicago? To some degree, we’re away from the broader message. That’s my opinion, but some already seeing that — shootings on highways, kids being killed, bul- don’t agree. lets flying through homes. As a community, we either have to fight I am glad that young people are speaking out against the against these issues or see what’s happening in large urban cities injustices taking place across this country because it’s real. I knocking on our back door.

IBMADISON.COM 25 STARTUP SOFTWARE

PLAYING BY THE RULES Area woman offers tracking software to help companies stay compliant. BY JAN WILSON AND PHOTOGRAPH BY NICK WILKES PHOTOGRAPHY

enifer “Jen” Remsik, 43, never had this product, and that got me excited.” allow an HR person or training coordinator Jdesigns on going into software. She In fact, Remsik purchased the software to plug in a date range to see which em- owned Sapling Events and was an in 2018, and she’s been designing her own ployees need specific training or certifica- events planner for about four years. “My company around it ever since. tions in Q4 this year, for example.” interest in software developed by accident Training Tracker is a “go-to-cloud” solu- A records management feature was — or maybe osmosis — through my hus- tion for training compliance and audit- recently added, allowing users to upload band, Jim,” Remsik admits. Now the CEO ing. Companies can track whether their driver’s licenses or signed documents that of Training Tracker LLC, she helps clients employees are completing tasks or training may be required for certification or by a keep employees and companies on track required by regulatory agencies such as the compliance inspector. through regulatory compliance. Occupational Safety and Health Administra- She paid for the software with part of The couple lived in Florida early on tion (OSHA). her severance after Adorable IO was sold. where Jim’s software co-workers became She also agreed to pay Training Tracker’s Jen’s extended family and friends. “I lis- former owner a percentage of her revenue tened and learned,” she says. “At the time I purchased the each month for several years, and retained When they returned to Madison, his software, we had about 35 its customers, as well, creating an instant career took off. He co-founded Adorable paying customers. I’ve since revenue stream to help cover expenses. IO and hired Jen to handle administrative doubled that.” “When I first purchased the software, we duties and event administration for Ador- had about 35 paying customers,” Remsik able IO using Training Tracker software, a — Jen Remsik, Training Tracker LLC reports. “I’ve since doubled that.” product from North Carolina-based Com- Clients pay either a monthly fee or an puter Directions. She was impressed but The product is well suited for any annual discounted fee based on the num- knew it had some drawbacks. business that requires compliance train- ber of users who log in. For potential cus- “We knew there was room for improve- ing, but she’s found it particularly useful tomers, Remsik offers a 30-day free trial and ment, and when the former owner of Train- for municipalities (fleet and public works refuses to accept any credit card information ing Tracker asked Adorable to improve the departments), health care (long-term care until they try the software and know they’ll product, it also became obvious that he was facilities and pharmaceutical companies), like it. “I only want happy customers,” ready to let it go and retire.” and manufacturing (from food to plastics she says. Remsik immediately offered suggestions, to large equipment rental companies). like adding a paywall to make payments in- “The software tells an employer what Training Tracker LLC stant with fewer invoices falling through the they need to do and when,” she explains. trainingtrackersoftware.com cracks. “I knew I could help and grow with “It does not do the training but it would (866) 571-2108

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BORDERLINE BATTLE After immigration snafus and the loss of his ﬂagship’s lease, Michael Dix still has big plans for Michael’s Frozen Custard. BY JAN WILSON AND PHOTOGRAPH BY MELANIE JONES FOR OUR LIVES MAGAZINE

he story of Michael’s Frozen Custard is one Tof fits, starts, and emotional upheavals. It’s also a story of love lost and love found. At the end of September, owner Michael Dix was emptying out years of memories and reflecting on decades of ups and downs while preparing to close the Monroe Street flagship location. After more than three decades with the same landlord, they couldn’t reach an agreement, and COVID-19’s impact on the restaurant industry only exacerbated tensions. Dix and his late partner, John Kuehl, opened on Monroe Street 34 years ago after paying a visit to Leduc’s Frozen Custard in Wales, Wisconsin. Despite the snowy weather that night, the line outside was long. “John turned to me and said, ‘Michael, this is what we’re going to do!’” They didn’t know anything about custard, Dix recalls. “We had no money, no business experience, but we had determination and grit.” Kuehl insisted on putting Dix’s name on the business, even though they’d floated several others, including “John’s Frozen Custard.” Michael’s Frozen Custard opened on Monroe Street on Aug. 22, 1986, at 4:04 p.m. An hour later it closed due to a fire in the fuse box. A minor blip. The co-owners had big dreams, hoping to franchise the business. “We were going to be like Culver’s, with 600 stores throughout Ameri- ca,” Dix says, “but when you get HIV and you’re dying of AIDS, a new reality sets in in terms of what’s important in life.” Kuehl died of AIDS in 1993. After he passed, Dix learned that Kuehl had contracted HIV even before they met and knew his time on earth would be short. “He wanted my name to live on,” says Dix, who never contracted the virus.

28 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 A ROCKY ROAD ing Canadian citizens. “We thought, if the U.S. Fast forward to 2018. Dix had married Sergio De government doesn’t want our money, we’ll go La O Hernandez three years earlier. De La O someplace that does.” Hernandez was an undocumented resident Dix Slind suggested asking the local neighborhood had met online. De La O Hernandez had lived and for more letters of support, but Dix was done. “I worked in the U.S. for more than 30 years and had just couldn’t ask anyone else for any more help. a long history of restaurant and custard experience. We’d already sent the government 800 pages of Eleven years younger than Dix, he began running documentation. If that wouldn’t do it, how would the day-to-day operations for Michael’s. He was, in more letters help?” COVID-time terms, an essential worker anxious to Things were looking up in 2020. De La O become a legal citizen. Hernandez was scheduled for a final interview in With paperwork that had already been ap- Juarez on April 4, but then COVID-19 hit, and the proved by the U.S. government and Dix spon- U.S. closed all of its embassies and consulates. soring his spouse, they left for Mexico in August It was their lowest point, Dix laments. “We 2018, planning for a quick return. were two weeks away!” It was the last time De La O Hernandez would In a letter, Slind persuaded immigration offi- step foot on U.S. soil for 21 months. cials to agree to an emergency interview and it “That’s how they lure you back,” Dix reflects, finally paid off. De La O Hernandez got his visa “with promises that everything is fine.” It wasn’t. and crossed the border on May 8, 2020, the very day Michael’s reopened on Monroe Street. He’ll be able to apply for U.S. citizenship in 2023. “We thought, if the U.S. government Now that it’s closed permanently, Dix isn’t doesn’t want our money, we’ll go sure Michael’s will ever return to the neighbor- someplace that does.” hood. “We’re looking,” he says, “but if I had my wishes, I’d probably just get a food truck and — Michael Dix, Michael’s Frozen Custard park it wherever the crowds are.”

At the U.S. consulate in Juarez, De La O Her- REBRANDING A CUSTARD STAND nandez was missing a document and denied. These days, Dix is eagerly planning significant With no obvious choices, they rented a home changes to his two remaining restaurants, includ- in Cabo San Lucas, hired Madison attorney Jes- ing downsizing the footprint, an idea he’s been sica Slind, and waited. “I kind of abandoned the mulling for years. “COVID-19 accelerated things,” two remaining businesses in Madison and let the he says. He’s already talking with an architect. managers take charge,” he admits, fortunate to “I’m thinking 600 to 700 square feet, with two have employees he could entrust with such du- walk-up windows, a nice outdoor patio, room for ties. He’d check in daily and fly back to Madison bathrooms, but no inside dining,” Dix states. “It about once a month. Meanwhile, sympathetic will still have the Michael’s feel but won’t be a big patrons in Madison wrote hundreds of letters in space that you have to staff to make work.” support of the business, pleading their case. If the neighborhoods and the city approve, Dix had to prove extreme hardship should his he’ll begin with the Atwood location this winter. spouse not be allowed to return. He forwarded The menu will also be simplified. Burgers, hot copies of tax and medical records, photos, and dogs, or fries will likely be replaced by a focus character references, but with a thriving custard on custard and coffee, primarily. “Coffee is much business and three homes between them, the more profitable,” Dix explains. authorities felt he made too much. Says Dix: “I’m “Nobody wants to cook burgers anymore. It’s a good Monopoly player. If this was the game not a glamorous job and customers won’t pay we had to play, I’d have to lose money.” what I need to charge for a burger. They’ll pay That’s what he did. In November 2018, Dix that for a cup of coffee, but not for a burger.” closed the Monroe Street restaurant, shifted em- He’s trademarked the coffee name — Blue ployees to the remaining restaurants, packed the Crown Coffee — which will be sourced in Cana- car — including their two dogs — and headed da and introduced at the Schroeder Road store. to Mexico. Michael’s reopened in March, only to “This is a work in progress and a new learn- close again six months later after a waiver Slind ing curve for me,” admits Dix. “I know nothing had introduced on their behalf was again denied. about coffee other than the fact that I drink it.” Meanwhile, Dix and De La O Hernandez Sounds familiar. He knew nothing about visited Toronto and seriously considered becom- custard, either.

IBMADISON.COM 29 TRADE SECRETS SUMMIT CREDIT UNION SPONSORED CONTENT Summit Credit Union Summit Credit Judy McNeal, owner of QB’s Magnetic Creations in Madison, is one of many women business owners supported by Summit Credit Union SUMMIT CREDIT UNION’S MICROBUSINESS LOANS ATTRACT QB’S MAGNETIC CREATIONS

udy McNeal’s entrepreneurial spirit comes forced the cancellation of public events this year, after the credit union’s popular consumer lending Jfrom the encouragement her late mother, she accelerated her efforts to establish an online program — provides new financing opportunities Qubie, instilled in her as a child. So, when store (qbsid.com) and turned to Summit Credit for small business owners and “makes it easier for the time came to market and sell the magnetic Union for invaluable advice and assistance in members to do business with us, which is one of jewelry badge holders McNeal had been making refinancing her business debt. our primary goals.” for herself and her colleagues, she called her “We had several conversations, which is Meanwhile, McNeal continues to increase new venture QB’s Magnetic Creations. what we like to do in order to make our business her online presence and share her business ex- The creations include a badge of honor — a members feel comfortable,” says Jim Costanzo, a perience with others. “I really love being a small, magnet that attaches inside a piece of clothing Commercial Lender for Summit Credit Union, minority business owner,” she says. “I don’t think and is connected with a second jewelry magnet which works with many Madison and Milwaukee- there are enough of us. Sometimes, people like on the outside. “The magnetic badge holders area small businesses owned and operated by me don’t have family members or friends who run are a spinoff of magnetic eyeglass holders,” says women — including Short Stack Eatery, Little their own businesses to offer support. So, I want McNeal, who designed her first badge holder Luxuries gift store, and Stimmi LLC, makers of to be that face for others; I want to be able to tell in 2007 and began selling them in 2009. QB’s an app for caregivers. them: ‘Yes — this is possible.’” Magnetic Creations became a full-time online In the end, Costanzo and Summit offered business in December 2019 with an inventory McNeal a “microbusiness loan” and refinanced that also includes magnetic brooches, magnetic her existing loan, helping McNeal save a lot of jewelry strings, and magnetic face mask “bling.” money and interest, he adds. CONTACT: “I wasn’t finding anything similar for name badg- “Summit has been my go-to for years,” McNeal es, so I started making my own.” says. “It made sense for them to help with my Jim Costanzo: McNeal, who creates all items by hand at her business, too. These are tough times for small Summit Credit Union Madison home, estimates she has sold thousands businesses, but you have to trust that there are Commercial Lender of her magnetic jewelry pieces over the years — knowledgeable people out there who can guide [email protected] primarily at craft fairs and women’s expos but you. I knew Summit was going to have an answer 608-243-5000 ext. 1817 also through working with entities such as the City for me.” of Madison and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Costanzo says the launch of Summit’s Foundation. When the coronavirus pandemic microbusiness loan program in 2018 — modeled

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RETAIL REBOUND Madison retailers are lowering their holiday expectations, but they are poised to rebound when public health conditions permit.

BY JOE VANDEN PLAS AND PHOTOGRAPH BY M.O.D. MEDIA PRODUCTIONS

rying to make up some lost COVID-19 ground, retail- Ters have launched the 2020 holiday season far earlier than usual. In the early stages of the pandemic, it was thought they would have to start holiday sales the day after Halloween. Scratch that. Mid-October was the unofﬁcial launch date for many retailers as they tried to cut their expected losses during a season when they typically generate the bulk of their annual sales receipts. In this look at the possibility of a retail rebound, we talked to independent retailers on State Street, who also were impacted by racial unrest, and on Monroe Street. We also talked to retail experts at the University of Wisconsin– Madison and at Madison College to get their take on what shoppers can expect this holiday season, the shaky future of shopping malls, and how Madison’s embattled restaurateurs, still limited by public health orders, hope to salvage something from the 2020 holiday season. What we found is that the pandemic has made the Amazon Effect even more pronounced, and it has forced retailers to be more creative with their online and social media marketing and merchandising. The pandemic has also been a boon to the market share of other massive retailers such as Home Depot, Costco, and Target, which have millions of dollars in resources to throw at a pandemic problem and solve it. The fact that Amazon, which is investing millions of dollars in new distribution facilities in suburban Mil- waukee and in Madison, has emerged as an even more dominant retail force comes as no surprise to industry observers. The retail giant now claims nearly 50% of the e-commerce market, and while independent retailers are trying to play catch up, that share could grow if the pandemic lasts well into 2021. “It’s partly because the rest of the industry wasn’t prepared, and this was their sweet spot,” notes Jerry O’Brien, executive director of the Kohl’s Center for Retailing at UW–Madison. “If you don’t want to leave your house and have something delivered, Amazon

32 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 IS COVID THE DEATH BLOW FOR MALLS?

aven’t been to a mall or shopping center Hlately? If not, it might be easy to assume they have outlived their usefulness. Before the pandemic, they were making the transition to a hybrid of well-trafficked stores and experiences. COVID-19 undermined both. One sign of damage was when CBL Proper- Hilldale ties, which owns East Towne and West Towne A quick pickup parking space accommodates safe shopping at Hilldale. Malls in Madison and more than 100 retail centers in all, reached a restructuring support we’re working with certain retailers to open the benefit of being open air, has made during agreement with debt holders in response to the secondary pop-up locations, helping to promote the COVID-19 pandemic. effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Terms of the their BOPIS (buy online, pick up in store) ser- Since April, Hilldale has made available agreement provide for a comprehensive restruc- vices, and we’re designating more parking to over 30 quick pickup parking spaces that are turing and will slash $900 million of debt and at accommodate those that offer curbside pickup,” placed conveniently between retailers whose least $600 million in other obligations. Cavanagh states. customers have requested one, and shoppers While day-to-day operations and business On the future of malls, Cavanagh notes an who pick up orders have been courteous about continue during the restructuring process, such important evolution is underway. “Over the last obeying the 15-minute parking time limit. For the news leaves the impression that COVID-19 has several years, we’ve been working to redevelop holidays, Hilldale has plans to create warming joined Amazon as the two horsemen of the mall our properties from traditional malls to subur- huts so that visitors can more comfortably wait apocalypse. “Malls are really in deep trouble,” ban town centers that offer visitors a variety of for coffee after ordering it on a phone app. As for states Betty Hurd, retail expert and marketing uses and experiences,” Cavanagh notes. “Retail individual stores, some fashion retailers have instructor at Madison College. “We’re going will always be an important component of our created wardrobe pick-up and try-on programs to have to look at the whole experience of the properties, but we’re working to strengthen and where shoppers can work with a personal stylist mall and what people really want to do. People shrink its footprint by replacing underperform- to curate a wardrobe. Other retailers are taking don’t want to just hang out and clothes shop ing retailers with in-demand retail.” in less occupancy than they are allowed, just to anymore.” Hilldale in Madison is also still punching, make sure customers feel safe while shopping in Mall operators caution not to write their recently announcing four new additions, including their stores. obituaries just yet. Melissa Cavanagh, senior the Shake Shack burger joint, Burn Boot Camp, With such creativity, there is no doubt in Horn’s marketing director for CBL Properties, says a fitness destination, the Glitter Workshop, a mind that the transition to experience-based re- traffic has continued to build following the do-it-yourself crafting shop, and Indochino, a tail can succeed once shopping centers get past reopening of its properties, and customers men’s custom apparel brand. Nanci Horn, general the pandemic. “We’ve seen it here,” Horn states. are visiting the mall with the intention to buy. manager of Hilldale, noted the concepts reflect “The experiences are a little bit different, and our “Heading into the holiday season, and given the its emphasis on experience-first retail, and she retailers have been great with being able to pivot occupancy limits in place for individual stores, talked about the adjustments Hilldale, which has in this environment.”

is the brand. It’s like Kleenex and facial that are open to the public such as stores, tissue.” restaurants, and other businesses that allow As of this writing, Dane County was public entry, as well as spaces with tick- still in Phase 2 of its reopening plan, which eted events. has been the case since June 12. Phase 2 Weather permitting, Dane County had allows most businesses, including retail been allowing outdoor gatherings of up to stores, to operate at 50% capacity. That 100 people, with proper social distancing, was replaced, at least temporarily, by Gov. while indoor gatherings are limited to 50 Evers’ Oct. 6 order directing Department of people. With winter approaching, outdoor “If you don’t want to leave your Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea dining will no longer be a viable option, house and have something Palm to issue an emergency order limiting and the local business owners we spoke public gatherings to no more than 25% of to say it would certainly help if Washing- delivered, Amazon is the brand. a room or building’s total occupancy. This ton could pass another round of stimulus It’s like Kleenex and facial tissue.” directive will remain in effect until Nov. 6 before more retailers and restaurateurs — Jerry O’Brien, Kohl’s Center for and applies to any gatherings at locations pass out. Retailing, UW–Madison

IBMADISON.COM 33 FEATURE RETAIL

stocking up on things,” Scannell recalls. “We didn’t do terribly, but the thing that really hurt us in March was having to close our doors.” Well, not entirely. The Soap Opera upgraded its website in 2016, so many products carried in the retail store — it has more than 4,000 stock-keeping units — are presented on the website. “That saved us,” Scannell states. “I don’t know what I would have done without a website. We were cranking out orders.” However, Scannell had to let go of some of her staff — the sales ﬂoor employees and part-timers who were students — because it didn’t make sense to keep them. It did make sense to hang on to her web staff

M.O.D. Media Productions M.O.D. and transition one long-time floor worker to the web because that’s where help Still, as independent retailers have piv- With the 2020 holiday season under- was needed. “We just had to switch gears oted to COVID-19 realities, not to mention way for the better part of two weeks, really fast when everything hit because the the damaging aftereffects of societal un- consumers may have already noticed the lockdown happened fast,” she says. “One rest, there are some silver linings. First and varied ways retailers are trying to meet minute we were doing business as usual foremost, small retailers that have put off them more than halfway. The in-store and and then the next week, it was close your advanced e-commerce capabilities found curbside pickup employed during the early doors right now. You’re not allowed to be they had no choice but to connect with cus- stages of the pandemic remain, and gift open. It was so crazy.” tomers in “virtually” every conceivable way, cards will be more important than ever. Having an e-commerce website was a and if they can survive the pandemic, their During the summer, some mall retailers lifesaver even after the lockdown ended. enhanced e-commerce capabilities have set up outdoor tent sales that may or may The Soap Opera was closed from March 17 them poised for a strong rebound. not survive the holiday chill, and malls plan until the end of May, but in-store sales nev- Retailers that are nimble and can to set up secondary pop-up locations and er picked up again, and the societal unrest “omnichannel” will have a competitive are promoting their buy online, pick up in that followed the May 25 police-involved advantage as they try to salvage something store services. murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis explains part of it. State Street businesses saw their storefront windows smashed and “You know the old-school saying that it some were looted as violent demonstrators takes 21–28 days to form a habit? Well, took it out on local business owners. “My we’re into this pandemic for more than in-store is down significantly to unsustain- able numbers,” Scannell acknowledges. 20 weeks. We’re at home or not going out The tension may have lifted, even after as much, and we’re more comfortable another round of vandalism following the shopping online.” Aug. 23 police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, but stores remain impacted be- — Betty Hurd, Madison College cause of the inability to get beyond Phase 2 of the Dane County reopening plan and lingering safety concerns. Scannell’s customers have admitted as out of 2020 with reasonably strong holiday SOAPY SALES much to her. One customer drove for an sales. Betty Hurd, marketing instructor and Like most retailers, 2020 got off to a strong hour to shop, only to find the store board- retail expert at Madison College, notes that start for Stacey Scannell, owner of The Soap ed up. She turned around, got in her car, home-shopping habits are already well in- Opera, 319 State St. From January through drove home, and called to place an order grained. “You know the old-school saying early March, sales were strong for her bath over the phone and have Scannell ship it that it takes 21–28 days to form a habit? and grooming products, but when the pan- instead. “There is a sense of downtown Well, we’re into this pandemic for more demic hit, it caused even more emotional being unsafe right now and being scary than 20 weeks,” she notes. “We’re at home damage than financial damage. for a lot of my customers, which definitely or not going out as much, and we’re more “It was really scary because nobody affects us,” Scannell acknowledges. “I can’t comfortable shopping online.” knew what to expect, and everybody was say it doesn’t.”

34 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

In the isolating environment of a @IBMadison pandemic, it doesn’t hurt to sell pam- pering products, but it’s her e-commerce #ConnectWithIB capabilities that give Scannell hope for the holidays. Even though the pandemic prevented Scannell from attending trade and product shows — both Tracey and her husband have respiratory issues — she started ordering holiday merchandise in July with the help of vendors who sent her catalogs. She’s ordering more conservatively than she normally would, but not too conservatively. “I don’t want to risk having CREATED TO BE too much inventory after Christmas,” she explains. “On the ﬂip side, I’ve talked to WISCONSIN’S BANK other business owners and they are saying, ‘I’m just going to get what I know sells and ® just keep to that,’ and I don’t think that’s the FOR BUSINESS right approach. The right approach is let’s get things that make sense.”

JIM WEST MIKE DOERS DAN STRUM SVP, Commercial Market VP, Business Lending President Banking

“There is a sense of downtown being unsafe right now and being scary for a lot of my customers, which deﬁnitely affects us. I can’t say it doesn’t.” JIM POPE JOHN JOHANNES PEGGY ARMSTRONG JAMIE VOS Senior Mortgage EVP, Commercial Group EVP, VP, Treasury — Stacey Scannell, The Soap Opera Consultant Real Estate Wealth Services Management

Holiday sales typically comprise 50% or more of The Soap Opera’s annual We’re Wisconsin’s Bank for Business® and our decision to focus on receipts, and as much as Scannell would Madison, its residents, and the businesses that run here is one we’re most like to maintain that, she can’t realistically proud of. We’re dedicated to serving this area and getting to know your forecast it. “I have projected that sales will needs so we can offer the tools that truly support you. most likely be down roughly 30% overall,” she notes. “That’s kind of where we’re ﬂoating. I’m hoping that ends up not to be the case, but you never know.”

NECESSITIES AND LUXURIES With one key exception, it’s a somewhat similar story for Amy Moore, owner of Little Luxuries at 230 State St., which offers what 10 W. Mifflin St. | Madison, WI 53703 608-282-4840 | townbank.us Moore calls a carefully curated collection of spa, tabletop, and personal interest gifts.

IBMADISON.COM 35 FEATURE RETAIL

RESTAURANTS’ HOLIDAY HOPE

ther than hotels, no industry has suffered Caitlyn Suemnicht, chief operating officer Omore sales and job losses during the pan- of Food Fight Restaurant Group, says better demic than the restaurant industry. Even takeout and delivery business should keep the since reopening, they have been relegated to group stable through the spring, even without limited indoor seating, outdoor seating where the benefit of outdoor dining. Food Fight, which possible during the summer, and carryout and is hiring again after the pandemic forced lay- delivery options, and the forthcoming holiday offs, is trying to expand its delivery footprint in season probably won’t provide a yuletide Dane County with the help of partnerships with respite for restaurant operators. EatStreet, Uber Eats, and Green Cab. Chris Hynes Given the loss of 2.3 million jobs from the Since not every Food Fight restaurant Caitlin Suemnicht industry’s February peak — yes, that includes does great carryout business, management has recent job gains — the National Restaurant As- discussed temporarily closing some for a few The state of Wisconsin has allocated more sociation now believes the industry’s return to months if necessary. “Now, we haven’t pulled the than $100 million to help hard-hit Wisconsin pre-COVID employment levels will take years, trigger on any of that yet because we still need a businesses, including restaurants, through the not months. little bit of time to see what happens in the next winter, but if more federal stimulus became In fact, the other “NRA” conducted a survey month now that people aren’t dining outdoors as available, would Food Fight apply for it? Abso- of 3,500 restaurants from Aug. 26 to Sept. 1 and much,” Suemnicht acknowledged before Avenue lutely, but with the understanding that it might found that 33% of Wisconsin restaurants are Club closed, “but if we have to do that to ensure be structured differently, perhaps to make up unlikely to be in business six months from now if the long-term survival or give us a better shot at the difference between 2019 and 2020 sales. pandemic restrictions continue. In addition, 68% long-term survival, we will.” A couple of Food Fight restaurants have come of restaurant owners in the state don’t expect With that in mind, gift cards, especially for close to pre-pandemic sales, but others have their restaurant’s sales to return to pre-coro- restaurants, will be crucial for holiday sales, struggled, and additional aid might save jobs. navirus levels within the next six months. That and restaurants will be getting creative with There is always the possibility of a safe and should set off some alarm bells. them. Food Fight usually offers a $25 bonus effective COVID-19 vaccine, but Suemnicht has In Madison, the local “Streatery Program” certificate when people purchase $100 in gift been conditioned not to think anything will make has been helpful for establishments that can cards, but given the pandemic restrictions, it an immediate difference. offer an outdoor dining experience, and thanks will provide a book of offers valued at $100. “Do I think there will be a vaccine and cus- to the people who want to support restaurants, The point of that is to drive foot traffic to every tomers will come pouring in our door? No, but they are doing good curbside and delivery single location instead of just spending that when there is a vaccine, I’ll be happy that we business, but it’s not the volume they had with bonus certificate at one place, one time, Suem- potentially won’t have to have six feet of space in-person dining prior to the pandemic. nicht notes. between customers in our restaurants.”

As 2020 unfolded, she was looking forward our doors immediately, which happened tous hand sanitizer, and Plexiglas barriers. to celebrating the store’s 30th year on State initially, we quickly needed to jump over In addition to in-store opportunities, Little Street, but the events of this bewildering to social media.” Luxuries offers curbside and delivery ser- year are hardly what she anticipated. The closing gave Moore some breath- vice and shipping. The online sales pivot What was supposed to be a milestone ing room to develop a website that gave helps Moore connect with customers in year turned into a challenging one in large her the capability to sell online, but not the ways they are comfortable for them. measure because of one key difference before being drastically impacted on the Having to scramble at the onset of between her store and The Soap Opera. front end. Since then, Little Luxuries has the pandemic kept Moore as busy as she Prior to the pandemic, Moore had started worked with a local business to establish would have been had the store remained to work on her website’s design elements, a ramped-up web platform, and work to completely open. “We just quickly pivoted but the pandemic required more than the grow that platform continues. “We have over to selling online,” she says. “While brochure site she had established to give carefully curated gift collections with gift that was still in motion, that wasn’t up and shoppers an idea of what was in store. boxes of various themes, and then we ready to go immediately. With social media, “It took us a little off guard when the have our favorite items available online,” we just kind of posted online and we had pandemic hit home here. Immediately, she says. “So, now, we’re working on driv- to shift to our own homes initially. Using we were impacted pretty greatly because ing our customers to that destination.” USPS [U.S. Postal Service], we relied heavily we were not set up to offer goods on our At the time of the interview, Little Lux- on ﬂat-rate shipping boxes and just tried to website,” she explained. “We’ve always uries could allow 10 people into the store make the shopping experience as easy as had a website where people could get a ﬂa- at a time, with the usual COVID-related possible.” vor of who we were, but when we closed trappings of the mask requirement, ubiqui- With sales growing again after that initial

36 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 halt, the store is nowhere near what it’s MONROE DOCTRINE pointing because the year started out pretty accustomed to, especially given its location With the completion of reconstruction work well and because Barth is going through on State Street — normally, one of the more on Monroe Street, Abigail Barth, owner of that crucial third year of business that tells heavily trafficked streets in Madison. Their ReFind Style, 1639 Monroe St., thought her retailers whether or not they will have the perception of safety is part of the calcula- 3-year-old consigned clothing store cleared momentum to keep moving forward. Head- tion, and that reinforces the need to have a hurdle, but street construction has nothing ing into March, it felt like full steam ahead. robust e-commerce. on COVID-19. “We looked back and painfully laughed be- “To go from the traffic that we’re used cause we really felt good at that point,” she to where we are currently — we have relates. “Then, when everything fell apart, it pedestrian counters on the street, and was pretty devastating.” at points you can see we’re down 50% After allowing herself a day to cry traffic, 60% traffic,” Moore laments. “As and take a few days off when the shop far as sales go, that lower traffic count can was closed, Barth came back, put her head immediately align with sales if you are not down, and started to develop a better web- already established online. So, now that site on her own, using a website template we do have a [e-commerce] website, it’s all maker that people could shop from. She about marketing that before the holidays had dabbled in getting some of her vintage and making sure that people still know the items on Etsy, but she had to take a 72- way to connect to us.” hour self-education session on how to For independent retailers, the cost of make a website. shipping, and time commitment associated “To go from the traffic that “My consignment is about 50%–60% with it, can be excessive, but Little Luxu- we’re used to where we vintage clothes, and then Etsy is out there ries has found ways to make it as efficient are currently — we have for the really serious vintage buyers in the as possible. Moore created a shipping and pedestrian counters on world, and I thought to myself, everyone receiving space in the basement, but with in the world is sitting at home, doing noth- the amount of time it takes, it’s like balanc- the street, and at points ing, and so let’s crank up that Etsy shop ing several businesses. With a commercial you can see we’re down as well. That was our focus for about two website, delivery, and in-store sales, “those 50% traffic, 60% traffic.” months.” are all uniquely different ways to operate Call it a refocus, a pivot, or a transition, as a business,” she notes. “Considering our — Amy Moore, Little Luxuries but whatever it was, call it very neces- team is quite small, it will be an interesting on State Street sary. “That felt very difficult for so many experience, unlike anything we’ve had to reasons, from people concerned about the do before. We’re kind of learning as we go.” So, here she was, with this wonderfully health crisis and that not being dealt with As a result, holiday sales expectations revamped street, and then comes a pan- correctly, and then it just felt the problem are tamped down even though the holiday demic. During the reconstruction of Mon- as a whole was handed over to the busi- season is starting earlier. “Thirty percent of roe Street, it was about everyone coming ness owners.” our sales, on average, is what is deter- together, being together, getting through As a sole proprietor, she applied for but mined in that mid-November through it together. What is interesting about this did not receive a PPP loan, but she would December period — the holiday season,” scenario is that everyone’s struggle is so try again if and when Congress extends Moore notes, “and I’m assuming it will different from person to person and from the program. She did receive $3,000 in be 30%, but when we talk about 30% in business to business. assistance from Dane County, which was a year like this, that volume will be less “That’s been devastating,” she acknowl- most welcome. “That was a lifesaver, liter- than what we’re accustomed to just due edged. “Everyone was looking forward ally, thrown to me out in the middle of to the limitations.” to a lot of the new things to come from the ocean,” Barth says. “The transition has The silver lining is that if Little Luxuries Monroe Street. I was really looking forward been the most difficult. My sales are down can survive the pandemic, it’s new ways to this summer and the expectation that exponentially. I mean, right now, I’m doing of doing business should really bear fruit there was going to be this new vibrancy on 30% of what I was before.” on the back end. “It will take some time, Monroe Street. There was a day a couple of When it comes to buying things on but once we get there, we’ll be established, weeks ago, a really slow day, and I walked consignment, many people prefer to see and we’ll be doing business in a new way,” outside, and I looked down the street and merchandise in store. Adding to Barth’s Moore says. “This expansion online will there were no cars. Just sad.” challenge is that people aren’t going out definitely stick with us and offer more ways Barth describes her primary customer as much, and they aren’t spending money in which we can connect, and especially demographic as a woman in her mid to late unnecessarily. One way she’s tried to over- multigenerationally connect. On the back 30s who knows who she is, knows how come that is by arranging private shopping end of this, we’re going to be stronger as a her style represents her, and can have fun sessions for customers who don’t want to business and more connected to our com- with the apparel ReFind Style provides. The come to the store if other people are there. munity than ever before.” 2020 business slump is all the more disap- “It helps them to feel special,” she says.

IBMADISON.COM 37 FEATURE RETAIL

been a great year for the grins. From an operational standpoint, Schroeder’s biggest challenge has been pivoting from providing a meaningful in-store experience for shoppers to finding alternative ways for them to access the store’s merchandise. This work includes working with a vendor to increase online offerings, which is combined with a curbside pickup option that so far has been embraced by customers. Orange Tree Imports also makes good use of a back porch where people can come in on the alley and pick up their purchases. So far, that has worked pretty seamlessly, but even that alternative could be undermined during the winter by a debilitating snowstorm, and Schroeder isn’t sure that customers will want to wait outside in the cold because the store can only welcome a handful of in-store customers at a time. Given the restrictions mandated Dean and Carol “Orange” Schroeder of Orange Tree Imports by public orders, Orange Tree Imports has Steve Daubs, Gravity Photo Co. Photo Daubs, Gravity Steve set up a model where a limited number “One of the things that is giving everyone anxiety is the idea that we of mask-wearing customers can come into have no idea when things will return to any sense of normalcy. When the store and shop, but Schroeder feels that experience is not as much fun as will in-person shopping be carefree again? We just don’t know.” shopping under normal circumstances. — Carol “Orange” Schroeder, Orange Tree Imports Even with adaptations that keep the train running, Schroeder is very concerned Interviewed in early September, Barth trend toward vintage styles like kaftans, about what the holiday season will bring noted she had a customer in the store the muumuus, house dresses, and vintage because it represents about 40% of her day before who was very excited to treat lounge wear. business. “Right now, we allow five to herself, but she’s an exception to the cur- “There is a whole trend globally and so six customers in the store at a time, and rent rule. “People are very excited to treat I have found those people and I found that if you’ve been in Orange Tree Imports themselves to something special, but I also niche,” she adds, “but that’s not in Madison during the holidays, you know that’s a understand that my demographic is the peo- because they are going to Target and buying small fraction of the number of people ple who are following the recommendations stretch pants and sweatshirts. I don’t have who are usually there, filling up shop- of the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and that, nor will I ever.” ping totes full of gifts and gift wrap and Prevention] and not leaving their house and ornaments and all of the things that make not going into places they don’t need to go,” ORANGE GROOVE the holidays special,” she says. “We are Barth states. “It’s frustrating, though, because On Monroe Street, Carol “Orange” Schroed- concerned, and realistically we know that you go into Target and it’s full of people, er wears two hats. First, she’s co-owner of the 2020 holiday season is not going to be but they won’t come into my 800-square- Orange Tree Imports, a 45-year-old specialty what we hoped it would be.” foot store.” retailer at 1721 Monroe St. Secondly, she’s Not only does she have to temper Asked if she feels the need to cater to chairman of the Monroe Street Merchants her expectations, she has to temper her those who need remote, working-at-home Association board, so she’s not only worried buying. While Orange Tree Imports hasn’t attire, Barth notes that remote working has about her own shop, she’s concerned about canceled orders that it placed for the 2020 inspired certain trends, but not for local buy- the whole street. holiday season, it is being very cautious ers. At the moment, sales to people outside Yet the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t been going forward because Schroeder knows of Greater Madison account for 60% of her the worst thing that’s happened to her this it’s been a very challenging year for both business. “I just kind of flipped my store year. On Aug. 11, her husband and store suppliers and sales reps. “One of the things seasonally and it was really strange because co-owner Dean Schroeder suffered a heart that is giving everyone anxiety is the idea I had to think differently about what kinds attack while biking with friends. He was that we have no idea when things will re- of products that I want in there,” she says. hospitalized for the better part of a month turn to any sense of normalcy,” Schroeder “They are not coming in and buying dresses and likely won’t be able to help around the states. “When will in-person shopping be or clothing for work. It’s been more advan- store this holiday season. carefree again? tageous online because there is a whole To put it mildly, 2020 hasn’t exactly “We just don’t know.”

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IBMADISON.COM 39 SPOTLIGHT MIRON CONSTRUCTION SPONSORED CONTENT Miron Construction Miron Among Miron Construction’s Madison-area projects is the Gebhardt Building on East Washington Avenue, home of Miron’s Madison ofﬁce. HOW EARLY COLLABORATION YIELDS SUCCESS

wo of the most common construction project delivery options that quicker. As part of the design team, we can provide input such as real-time Tbusiness owners utilize are a hard-bid process (design-bid-build) and estimating, so the owner and the architect/engineer can understand the a negotiated process, which includes design-build or construction ost impact of every design attribute and make informed decisions if those management at risk. What’s the difference? And why does it matter? specific attributes should be included in the project. The process is way The first involves the owner hiring an architect to complete the design more efficient for all involved and leads to less recycling of work, less and engineering for the project prior to soliciting bids from general con- disappointment, and a more enjoyable journey.” tractors; the award usually goes to the lowest bidder. The latter approach Another key to project success lies in making sure various user groups brings on the general contractor early in the process — often at the same are engaged throughout the process. In the early programming and design time as the architect — and allows all parties to collaborate on the project’s phase, ask employees to identify improvements needed in their workspac- key objectives including scope, design, schedule, and budget. es, engage them in the design process, and then give them tours of the “There are advantages and disadvantages to every project delivery building at various phases of completion, Wolters suggests. He adds that model. All of them have a place and all of them can be successful,” says such an approach helps create buy-in among all stakeholders. Steve Wolters, health care market leader and senior vice president of “Understand that that takes time and energy because you’re taking Madison operations for Miron Construction. those individuals away from their main job responsibilities to get them Miron Construction is a Wisconsin-based firm whose recent Madison involved in the project,” he says. “But if an organization is truly committed area projects include the new Nichols Recreation Center at the University to designing and delivering the best facility possible, the investment of of Wisconsin–Madison, several city of Madison municipal projects, and The keeping those individuals informed throughout the process leads to huge Gebhardt Building on East Washington Avenue, where Miron’s Madison dividends in the end.” office is located. In the Madison market, approximately 60% of Miron’s projects stem from the hard-bid process, with the remainder being negotiated contracts. That said, Wolters favors the negotiated process when possible. “I like to see the general contractor involved early, because I think we CONTACT: can bring a lot of knowledge to the table to help ensure an efficient process Steve Wolters and, more importantly, to ensure that all of the objectives of the project are Health Care Market Leader & Senior VP, Madison Operations met,” he says. “With the hard-bid process, projects often experience exces- [email protected] sive changes and end up over budget because the construction manager 608-203-2735 wasn’t involved in the planning process. The key value we can bring is miron-construction.com confirming the budget and schedule targets, and address issues of con- structability. Owners are requesting that projects be brought on line much

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“It’s been a matter of learning about COVID, dealing with it, and keeping people safe.” — Jeff Grundahl, JG Development

but also projected how the pandemic may impact construction well into the future. The good news? Most of the February projects were completed on time because they were already in progress when COVID-19 first hit. The bad news is that there’s no end in sight relative to restrictions forced by COVID-19, and supplies of various materials, particularly lumber, could drive prices much higher and impact affordability. The construction industry was not hurt nearly as much as the hospitality and restaurant sectors because construction was deemed essential by the Evers administra- Bill Fritsch tion. Projects could continue with safety measures in place, although some were temporarily delayed by external factors, CONSTRUCTION such as supply-chain issues. ORDERING EARLY AND COVID19 Jeff Grundahl, who co-owns JG Devel- opment with his wife, Mary, was in the COVID-19’s construction impacts include less material process of building the new Hotel of the availability, higher prices, and potentially a long-term Arts/Baymont Inn & Suites on Coho Street suppression of demand for office space. in Madison. In February, the project was on track to be completed in July. Now the BY JAN WILSON plan is to open before the holidays. Baymont is a brand of Wyndham Hotels, and delays, Grundahl says, were due pri- hen In Business published its annual consin Department of Health Services. marily to other factors. That said, he adds W“What’s Going Up” feature in Febru- Statewide, tthere were 31,595 active cases that COVID has impacted hotel construc- ary profiling 24 projects scheduled on Oct. 14, with 125,411 people recovered tion as well as his job as a contractor. to be completed throughout Dane County and 1,536 deaths. The numbers are spiking “We’ve seen materials delayed and in 2020, a global pandemic was little more again, however, and health officials worry delivery surcharges,” Grundahl says, but than a plot in a science fiction movie. Unfor- about Wisconsin’s winter forcing people because the project was well underway tunately, COVID-19, like Godzilla, reared its inside where germs can be spread more prior to COVID, the impact has been fairly ugly head in March, attacking thousands of easily. minor and no jobs were cut. The Baymont, people throughout the state and bringing We checked back with some of the he says, used wood-frame construction and the retail, hospitality, and tourism industries contractors featured in February to see materials that were purchased prior to the to their knees. how COVID-19 had impacted their com- pandemic. Other contractors may not have An especially virulent respiratory virus, pletion dates, if at all. Several declined to been so lucky. COVID-19 had sickened 158,578 people be interviewed, but others offered some Immediately, JG Development went since March 15, according to the Wis- insight not only into their local success into an emergency response mode, which

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included things the company hadn’t considered previously — how to mask up, how to clean tools, and handwashing protocol. At the time of this interview, no employee had gotten sick with COVID-19. $1,000 “We dedicated one person to safety supply delivery, sent him out in a truck with every kind of hand sanitizer solution we had, $900 and had him rotate job sites every day,” Grundahl notes. $800

$700

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$500 Per thousand board feet thousand board Per $400 “Double offices won’t be $300 required anymore, meaning we could see an office space $200 shortage of thousands …” — Brian Hornung, J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. 1/10/20 2/7/20 3/6/20 4/3/20 5/1/20 5/29/206/12/20 7/10/20 8/7/20 9/4/20 10/2/20 Taking quick and decisive action was Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price CME Futures Price important but so was adaptability because in the early days of the pandemic, the government’s guidance could change on a dime. “It gave our team confidence that we had control because the information we were KNOCK ON WOOD getting from authorities seemed to change Homebuilders plead for federal help every six minutes; it became a full-time job for several people in our company.” ate in September, executives from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Conversations are different now, he Lmet virtually with Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. At issue was the notes, regarding management systems, the cost of lumber, which has seen a dramatic uptick due to the COVID-19 pandemic. number of employees allowed in a room, In mid-May, framing lumber experienced its largest two-week increase in more than a and entryways and exits as contractors and decade, and solid-yellow pine two-by-four prices rose 50% in four weeks, largely because business owners figure out the new normal. home improvement stores also were deemed essential businesses, sparking a flurry of Discussions tend to be about separating home DIY projects. While the futures price came down by early October (see chart), NAHB people and not requiring them to be con- officials stressed how important lumber was to home building and how large spikes in the gregated in one space. “Flexibility is key,” cost of lumber could impede the U.S. housing market. Grundahl says. Random Lengths, a trade publication for the wood products industry, reported an aver- “As a company, we already had several age 170% increase on lumber prices since mid-April, the largest spike since 1949, with res- people trained in airborne particulate man- idential builders absorbing most of the increase. On average, the unprecedented increase agement like lead and asbestos,” he adds. could add $16,000 to the cost of a new single-family home, or $6,000 to a multifamily unit. “It’s been a matter of learning about COVID, NAHB’s concern is that skyrocketing lumber prices will make it much more difficult to dealing with it, and keeping people safe.” build affordable housing for low-and moderate-income families. Ross told the industry executives that lumber mills are nervous that an uptick in hous- MATERIAL SHORTAGES ing is temporary, while the NAHB maintains that most lumber mills are running two shifts The pandemic has led to a shortage of instead of three and can’t catch up to the backlog caused earlier in the year when jobs Plexiglas, he says, which is being used were lost at the height of the pandemic. worldwide to keep face-to-face interactions at a minimum, and the lumber industry has been very hard-hit, forcing prices to sky- rocket. The shortage has also affected the availability of treated lumber and plywood. “It’s very hard to get lumber,” Grundahl

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states. “There’s no availability and prices rose 100%, 150% in many cases.” partners Most lumber mills are located in the southern U.S., and some lumber comes FOR NEARLY 100 YEARS from Canada. When the pandemic ﬁrst hit, the mills furloughed most of their staffs in anticipation of a sharp decline in demand, but there was no such falloff. “Businesses sent everyone home to work virtually and it seems they all wanted to do a home DIY project!” Grundahl notes. “Nationally, we haven’t seen any major slowdowns in construction starts related to housing, so the supply chain petered out on fear of COVID and staff reductions.

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“Now, due to COVID restrictions, the number of employees that mills can call back are not enough to keep up with the standard demand for lumber much less a deferred demand over several months,” he adds. “It’s created a storm in the lumber industry and is now being discussed at the federal level to try to ﬁgure out what they can do.” The aforementioned storm has caused delays in construction of several months, with projects that were supposed to start in spring not breaking ground until late summer. In Grundahl’s words, now everyone is “over-the-top busy,” picking up jobs that should have been completed in September but just started in August. The biggest challenge is that nobody knows for certain how things should be done, he explains, especially when contractors are trying to manage the expectations of authorities and staff and the public. “Every- one has their own opinions and there are very few facts. It makes it tough.” Given what has transpired, Grundahl predicts COVID-19 will impact construction for years to come. “But I also believe the pendulum will swing back. Americans are

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IBMADISON.COM 47 FEATURE CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Americans, and we’ll go back to our stan- FORWARD DEVELOPMENT GROUP dards as quickly as the world allows us.”

BACK TO SCHOOL? Brian Hornung, executive vice president of J.H. Findorff & Son, noted some project delays early on, but says for the most part they finished on time. In fact, the highly anticipated Verona Area High School project finished ahead of schedule, thanks in large part to students not being in school due to COVID restrictions. The school district showcased its $150 million, 590,000-square-foot school and 160-acre campus in January, with scheduled Oakmont Senior Living - Verona, WI tours and online drone flyovers in anticipa- Construction is in full swing on the new 100-unit senior living facility in Verona. tion of the September start to the 2020–2021 Oakmont Senior living will offer studio, one, and two bedroom units, underground school year. Ironically, the building now parking, resident storage lockers, a library, hair salon, pub/lounge, outdoor deck, sits empty as virtual learning continues and cafe, family room, game and crafts room, and wellness/fitness center. The project sports are canceled. is expected to open Fall 2021. Of those projects featured in February’s magazine, Findorff completed all with only slight delays, Hornung reports. That includes two for Exact Sciences — Discovery Campus on the Beltline and Innovation One in University Research Park — and the Uni- tyPoint Health–Meriter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry building. Each was scheduled for an April opening. What complicated matters was not Building Exceptional Communities | forwarddevgroup.com | 608.848.9050 understanding the magnitude of COVID-19, Hornung explains. “Our first priority was conducting our business safely and keeping RENDERING PROVIDED BY SKETCHWORKS ARCHITECTURE our employees, their families, the business owners, and subcontractors safe.” The company became “hyper focused” on sanitation, he adds, which didn’t add relative cost but quickly paid off in terms of the workforce because Findorff actually increased its employee count. As for the long-term pandemic impact, office spaces will change, Hornung explains. “We’ve learned that there won’t be as many people working in the office, and those who do work will need more space.” COVID has forced new discussions about where to locate Plexiglas, how employees flow through a space, and whether auto- matic door openers or foot openers are necessary. 1848 CONSTRUCTION, INC. MADISON, WI “Double offices won’t be required anymore, meaning we could see an office www.JSDinc.com space shortage of thousands, while people “Building relationships with a who will work from home may require commitment to client satisfaction through home office improvements.” HVAC systems have taken on more trust, quality and experience.” prominence, with ionization systems and air exchangers for cleaner air. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT • CIVIL ENGINEERING • TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING Geography brings another complication. MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING • STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING • WATER RESOURCES • LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Findorff has current jobs in Illinois, Virginia, CONSTRUCTION SERVICES • LAND SURVEYING AND MAPPING • ECOLOGICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Arizona, and will soon begin projects in Washington state and Florida. Keeping MADISON • MILWAUKEE • KENOSHA • APPLETON • WAUSAU abreast of each state’s changing regula-

48 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 tions is also a challenge. “In terms of the future, we’re not op- timistic, but we’re not pessimistic, either,” Hornung states, adding that Findorff is a 130-year-old company that has survived because of the relationships it has built. “COVID has completely changed how we pursue work, and we’re really getting good at Zoom interviews, but we absolutely need to make sure that electronically, our points are getting through. “That said,” Hornung adds, “I don’t think the industry will ever go back to how things were.”

DESIGNS ON COVID YOUR IDEAL BUILDER. Milwaukee-based CG Schmidt was in the process of renovating its new Madison YOUR IDEAL EXPERIENCE. office in February. Scheduled to relocate in June, the office actually opened in early Serving Commercial Clients in Madison and Beyond July, but not because of COVID-related issues. In fact, CG Schmidt hasn’t had any deadlines breached by the pandemic, according to Brian Horras, project executive. Previously, the company had rented its Madison space until purchasing an existing 1960’s building on West Washington Ave- nue to signal its commitment to the local market. Inside, CG Schmidt occupies the first two floors and plans to lease floors (608) 271-8111 idealbuilders.com three, four, and five. The building’s two staircases are des- ignated “up” and “down” to direct human movement; elevator access is restricted; and Plexiglas partitions were added to the lobby desk. The flexible space includes individual offices, each with a sliding glass door, and “hoteling” space is available on a first-come, first-served basis for visiting field personnel who may need to work on paperwork. “Our workforce comes and goes at different times, so there isn’t much crossover,” Horras explains. That said, the number of employees allowed in the office at one time is limited, and employees working on jobsites are discouraged from visiting unless absolutely necessary. CG Schmidt staff also put together a COVID task force that meets twice a week to keep up to date on changing recommendations, and cleaning and sanitizing is conducted daily. “We all wear masks,” Horras adds, but working virtually is the

company’s most signiﬁcant change. H@GLG?J9H@Q2K@9OF@9JH=J “We used to have weekly in-person meetings with architects and engineers, especially on school projects. It was tricky, but I’m a glass-half-full guy,” he says. Sizzling dance. “Now I see the beneﬁts. Virtual meetings are saving time and travel, and I believe Acclaimed choreography. communication has been spurred in a kanopydance.org positive way.” Professional instruction. Gn]jlmj]kj]ka\]fleg\]jf\Yf[][gehYfqYf\Y[Y\]eq&

IBMADISON.COM 49 FEATURE LAW

iStock

mall businesses have suffered immensely from the economic effects Sof the COVID-19 pandemic, but another potential threat looms large. PROTECTING Speciﬁcally, what is a business’ liability when it comes to COVID-19 and what do employers need to do to protect themselves from pandemic-related legal action? YOUR BUSINESS Outside of an actual courtroom, the court of public opinion on the highly sensitive topic of the pandemic has already begun issuing verdicts. One need look no further than the case of Helbachs Coffee Roasters and FROM COVID19 Kitchen in Middleton, which lost its lease in August after a much-publicized standoff with Public Health Madison and Dane County over the county’s LAWSUITS face-mask mandate. Helbachs Coffee owners refused to enforce or even comply with the With federal and state legislation on hold, public health requirement, and the facility risked losing its food and drink business owners can consider waivers or license if it continued operating in violation of the mask mandate. How- just employ plain, old common sense. ever, before that could happen, increasingly negative public pressure and the loss of its lease led to Helbachs closing its storefront on Aug. 31. BY JASON BUSCH In these tense times, it won’t take much for concerned consumers or fraught workers to seek formal legal action against businesses they feel are at best not creating a safe environment and at worst are directly responsi- ble for the transmission of COVID-19 to the public. It’s in no small part why Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) has rallied behind an effort to block the release of business names that have had employees test positive for COVID-19. WMC ﬁled its own lawsuit to stop the release of names of more than 1,000 businesses by Gov. Tony Evers’ administration if they had at least two employees who tested positive for COVID-19 — regardless of where the employees contracted the virus. WMC was particularly concerned that business information could be released even if the organizations had no employees

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BOARDMANCLARK.COM FEATURE LAW

The Act further states that Congress must “safeguard its investment of taxpayer dollars under the CARES Act and other coronavirus legislation [to] ensure that those funds are used to help businesses and workers survive and recover from the economic crisis, and to help health care facilities defeat the virus.” To this end, the SAFE TO WORK Act would provide businesses, schools, colleges, churches, charities, and many other institutions immunity from personal injury lawsuits, and from certain federal enforcement actions for COVID-19-related exposures, so long as reopening steps are taken in line with applicable health guidance. Providing some formal legal protection for businesses against liability due to COVID-19 is necessary, argue Republi- cans, because businesses and other institutions are making decisions with incomplete information about a disease that continues to confound the medical community. Therefore, workers shouldn’t be able to iStock sue if they contract the disease in the workplace. test positive but had two or more contact FEDERAL HELP IS ON THE WAY, RIGHT? The issue is opposed by Democrats, tracing investigations. Not likely, at least not in any way that’s however, who say it could leave workers “This type of release has the potential to gained traction since mid-summer, though without recourse if they become infect- spread false and misleading information the general election race proved strong ed as a result of irresponsible or unsafe that will damage the brands of Wisconsin enough to forestall many efforts at addi- actions by employers. employers,” noted WMC President and CEO tional COVID-19 relief being negotiated in Kurt Bauer in October. “Not only could this the halls on Congress. SO, THEN THE STATE WILL DO SOMETHING? cause significant financial and reputational Well, maybe. harm to businesses, it would reduce the “Proving that a customer No fewer than seven states have passed effectiveness of contact tracing, reduce contracted COVID-19 at a some form of new laws or executive or- the confidence level workers have in their business is such a fact- ders in recent months protecting businesses employers, and actually increase the likeli- from coronavirus lawsuits. The new laws hood of spreading the virus.” intensive question that range from exempting all businesses from WMC’s effort was successful, at least it is difficult to state a lawsuits brought by people who contracted momentarily, as on Oct. 1, Waukesha generalized way to COVID-19 (Wyoming’s law, for example, County Circuit Court Judge Lloyd V. Car- exempts “any person or business”) to apply- ter issued a temporary restraining order prove liability.” ing only to specific businesses or industries, barring the release of business names with — Robb Evans, Murphy Desmond S.C. notes an analysis by the PEW Charitable employees who have tested positive for Trusts. Some extend protections for man- COVID-19. ufacturing plants that may have shifted to Still the issue proves just how tenuous The Safeguarding America’s Frontline producing personal protective equipment, the situation is for businesses, especial- Employees To Offer Work Opportunities for example, while others apply only to ly small businesses, as having to worry Required to Kickstart the Economy Act, mer- health care facilities. about the potential for lawsuits is now just cifully shortened to the “SAFE TO WORK” In Wisconsin, some legislators have one more item added to the laundry list of Act and proposed by Congressional Re- circulated legislation to protect businesses setbacks brought on over the past seven publicans, sought to address concerns that and property owners from liability, says months by the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19-related lawsuits “risk diverting Robb Evans, a business attorney with Mur- What’s a business owner to do to protect taxpayer money provided under the CARES phy Desmond S.C. in Madison. However, their livelihood at the same time they’re also Act and other coronavirus legislation from the timeline is unclear, at this point, for endeavoring to protect their workers and its intended purpose to the pockets of such a bill to work its way through the the public? opportunistic trial lawyers.” legislature. It is also unclear whether Gov.

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Evers would sign that legislation. there might be validity to the claims from course against that business as they would “While there have been certain legislative proponents of liability protections that the against a business where they suffered a liability shields extended to health care-re- kinds of lawsuits these laws are trying to slip-and-fall injury, explains Evans. How- lated industries and workers, including in curtail are at best misguided and relying ever, the ability to prove liability against Wisconsin, there have only been prelim- on insufficient or conflicting information a business is going to be tougher in a inary discussions of legislation that would and at worst are completely frivolous and COVID-19 case than a slip-and-fall case. create a liability shield for other busi- damaging to a business’ reputation. “The most straightforward case would nesses during this [continued] reopening “There could be some merit to these be someone who has no interactions ever, phase of the pandemic,” add attorneys Lisa claims but even saying that is speculative,” except went to a store once and then Kleiner Wood and Ethan C. Geis of Davis contends Evans. “As we have seen with the tested positive for COVID-19,” posits Kuelthau S.C., which has offices in Green difficulties of contact tracing, it is equally Evans. “However, that does not reflect Bay, Milwaukee, and Brookfield. “It is difficult to pinpoint where a person may most people’s lives. Most people, even unclear whether such legislation will be have contracted COVID-19. Thus, business- in a socially distanced world, have many passed and, if it passes, whether liability es may end up being unfairly targeted for interpersonal interactions daily where they protection will be predicated on business- liability due to a perceived sense of having could potentially contract COVID-19. Prov- es meeting certain thresholds for following the resources to pay the damages that could ing that a customer contracted COVID-19 at local, state, and federal health guidelines. be incurred as a result of a lawsuit. a business is such a fact-intensive question COVID-19 waivers are new and have not “However, blanket liability may create that it is difficult to state a generalized way yet been interpreted by the courts. It is an incentive for a business to relax safety to prove liability.” possible that courts will rule that such and sanitation protocols because it is shield- waivers are against public policy.” ed from liability,” Evans continues. “This could increase the chances that a person “Not only could this cause “COVID-19 waivers are new and gets infected by patronizing a business. In significant financial and have not yet been interpreted the very short-term, it may help reopen reputational harm to by the courts. It is possible the economy. But without ways to ensure that businesses maintain proper safety and businesses, it would reduce that courts will rule that sanitation protocols, the economy may the effectiveness of contact such waivers are against shut down again if customers are fearful tracing, reduce the confidence public policy.” of patronizing businesses where they might level workers have in their contract COVID-19.” — Lisa Kleiner Wood and Ethan C. Geis, While Evans is unaware of any pending employers, and actually Davis Kuelthau S.C. COVID-19 related lawsuits in Wisconsin increase the likelihood of at this time, he believes it’s really still too spreading the virus.” Until there is further guidance, Kleiner early to see how COVID-19 has altered Wood and Geis note businesses may wish business liability cases. It could be months — Kurt Bauer, WMC to proactively limit potential liability on or even years before we see how things their own by requiring guests and potential have changed in this regard, he notes. If employees believe they contracted customers to sign liability waivers, though That said, Evans expects businesses COVID-19 while at work, their recourse they don’t go so far as to address em- could be affected in other ways in the is to file a worker’s compensation claim. ployees signing waivers provided by their meantime if they’re being overly cautious Potentially, an employee could have a negli- employers. “While in Wisconsin the actual or particularly lax in their handling of gence claim against their employer if their effectiveness of such liability waivers might COVID-19 safety measures. employer is not following safety and sanita- be limited, a well-crafted liability waiver that “There is a risk that businesses will tion protocols, though Evans points out he is drafted to include requirements found in lose customers because of choices made is not aware of claims of that nature being Wisconsin case law may increase the likeli- regarding COVID-19 related protocols,” says litigated at this time. As such, it is unclear hood of enforceability.” Evans. “Some customers will be annoyed whether an employee is likely to prevail on In general, however, liability waivers with strict protocols, whereas risk-averse such a claim. are often not favored by Wisconsin courts, customers will avoid businesses that do “Ultimately, employees should take the Kleiner Wood and Geis state. “Given the not enact the strictest measures. There will precautions they deem necessary to protect Wisconsin court’s position relating to also be customers who fall in between their health and the health of their families,” enforceability of liability waivers, there is the extremes. A business should follow the Evans says. “This is certainly an unprece- no guarantee that even the most carefully rules/orders/laws that are in place and do dented time for this country. In order for crafted waiver will be effective to neutralize its best to maintain relationships with its things to go back to normal, businesses, all risk and liability from claims relating to customer base.” employees, and consumers are going to inadvertent transmission of the virus on a If a customer believes they contracted have to take the precautions necessary business’s premises.” COVID-19 as a result of patronizing a busi- to stymie the spread of COVID-19 until a Evans, of Murphy Desmond, notes that ness, those consumers have the same resolution is found.”

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LEANING ON SOME LEADING LADIES

Celebrating women in the business world might seem trite but given continuing lack of progress on pay equity and board representation, it’s still worth recognizing organizations that are making an effort to diversify and elevate. So, in this special Women in Business section, we gave the local business community an opportunity to recognize the women who make their companies go, and it was banking services companies that stepped forward. And with good reason — Park Bank, Capitol Bank, and Starion Bank are fortunate to have gifted women serving in key roles in their respective organizations. Inside, you’ll learn about a retail manager who helps Starion Bank stay connected with clients in the age of physical distancing, ﬁve women who make up a dynamic banking services team at Capitol Bank, and 10 professional women from Park Bank who also demonstrate leadership by serving on the local boards of Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin, The Business Forum, Madison Festivals, and the Extended Hands Pantry. They are but a few of the examples of executive and community leadership by Dane County women, but their examples are inspiring for women and men alike.

56 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 From left to right: Amy Gile-Enge NMLS#586017, Kari Harpold NMLS#1253622, Wendy Jirsa NMLS#1264271, Anne Conlin NMLS#1264283, Cori Femrite NMLS#594085

With many different services available to Greater Dane County professionals, Capitol Bank is a refreshing “one-stop shop” that delivers for your personal and business financial needs. • Amy Gile-Enge and Cori Femrite offer mortgage products with competitive rates and consultative service. It’s a personal touch you may not get elsewhere. • Anne Conlin is a relationship banker that prides herself on high-touch service for her customers’ deposit needs. She’s driven by making the banking experience tailored and efficient for her clients. 608-440-9906 CapitolBank.com/ib-women-20 • Wendy Jirsa is the bank manager in Verona. Wendy strives to provide the service our customers not only expect but deserve by focusing on retail and business banking with a personal touch and a familiar friendly face. • Kari Harpold partners with local business owners on their cash management needs. She’s worked with many Dane County area businesses, ensuring expertise in this market. These five women make up a dynamic banking services team perfect for busy Madison, Verona, and Greater Dane County professionals.

ADVERTISEMENT Women Empowering Women: Park Bank Female Leaders Serve on Female-Led Nonproﬁt Boards

Park Bank is proud to have these incredible women on our thropic work. This board is led by President Sam Engelhart team, and not just because of their contributions to our of American Printing Co. business. Each of these women serve on the board for Elyse Smithback, first VP of business banking, is a member local women-led nonprofit organizations. of the Madison Festivals Inc. board, which produces local Leslie Osman, VP of marketing and communications, is a events that provide enrichment, education, and entertain- board member for Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, an ment to our community, while also raising funds for various organization focused on ensuring the safety and well-being volunteer organizations. MFI’s president is Sara Klemme. of domestic violence survivors and their families. DAIS also Megan Davis, senior mortgage advisor, serves on the board provides the only domestic violence shelter for all of Dane for Extended Hands Pantry, which provides healthy after- County. DAIS is led by Executive Director Shannon Barry. school snacks and light meals as well as tutoring services Lexi Gates, business services representative, is a board at the Pack and Northport Community Learning Centers. In member and foster parent for Underdog Pet Rescue of addition, Extended Hands provides groceries at a curbside Wisconsin, which offers pet rescue and veterinary services pantry for 60–100 families at Lighthouse Church and School. with a mission to find permanent homes for animals in need Jenny Czerkas co-founded Extended Hands and serves as and enrich lives by strengthening the connection between operations director. animals and people through community outreach. Underdog was founded by Executive Director Lauren Wojtasiak. Leila Godkin, VP of business banking, serves on the board for The Business Forum, which, appropriately, is focused on supporting and strengthening women in our community through networking events, special programs, and philan- parkbank.com ADVERTISEMENT Checking in with Starion’s Erin Jacobson From moms and sisters to co-workers and employees, Starion Bank values the women in business within our communities, families, and in our organization. One of these valued employees at Starion Bank is Erin Jacobson, who we recently had a chance to catch up with. Erin works as the retail manager over our Madison area branches and has been working in banking for nearly 20 years. She was recently able to encourage the retail bankers that she oversees to connect with our customers in a simple yet effective way: a “check-in call.” Erin says that “these times have brought about new normals, especially the idea of social distancing. We wanted to find a way to connect with our customers even though we weren’t able to actually see them.” Erin and her staff called hundreds of Starion customers to simply introduce themselves and “make sure things are going well.” Erin says that “the feedback to these calls has been incredibly positive,” and she’s been able to see firsthand the big difference that a small act of intentionality can make. Erin Jacobson, Starion’s retail manager at three Madison Even with COVID-19 restrictions in place, Starion can offer com- branch locations. plete financial solutions through these difficult times. “Sometimes our customers don’t realize how much banking they can do with our mobile app — like depositing checks and sending money to family and friends. These check-in calls give us a great chance to tell customers about convenient products and services,” says Erin. Starion has a full team available to serve customers with all their banking needs. Erin, alongside the whole team at Starion, will continually work to connect with customers on a real and meaningful level. Past a meaningful connection, Starion offers an array of products and services to meet the needs of businesses and individuals alike. Mobile and online banking provide 24/7 access to services such as checking balances, transferring money, paying bills, accessing bank statements, depositing checks, accepting payments, and more. In Starion Bank offers three convenient Dane County locations, including the newest branch in Sun Prairie. addition to information about Starion’s products and services, the website provides a full range of services including online applications for loans and mortgages, the ability to open accounts, and training videos to help customers use the bank’s services to the fullest. To learn more about Starion Bank, visit www.starionbank. com or contact the experts at one of three Dane County locations.

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ADVERTISEMENT 40 UNDER 40 ALUMNI PROFILE

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS The character of our 40 Under 40 classes shines here. BY JOE VANDEN PLAS

roﬁling 20 years of 40 Under 40 classes is not an easy task, but given what we learned in our recent Psurvey of this distinguished alumni group, it was well worth the effort. The young business professionals who represent the future (and present) of Madison’s executive suite have quite a collective story to tell, and the following information graphics tell a good part of it. Perhaps the most impressive part of their story is how well their careers have unfolded and how well their entrepreneurial ventures have fared. From their current titles, to their recommended business books, to their preference for dogs or cats, their proﬁles are well worth knowing.

8% 34% 6% 17% 10% 5% 52% 56% 4% 17% 3% 19% 54% 5% 10%

CURRENT TITLE OR POSITION NUMBER OF JOBS HELD EDUCATION LEVEL Rising high: A majority of our 40 Under 40 More than half are with the same organiza- Like the city itself, Madison’s executive suite respondents have reached the top, while tion, but nearly 30% have held more than is a highly educated group, and 40 Under 40 just 5% are in a non-management capacity. one job since their 40 Under 40 selection. alums are no different. Owner/CEO/President/Board Chairman With the same company/organization Ph.D. Partner/GM One Master’s or MBA C-Suite (excluding CEO, which is listed above) Two Bachelor’s Degree Senior or Executive VP Three or more Associate Degree Director, Manager, Supervisor, VP High School/GED Non-management professional

60 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 -rb|oѴ-mh 1om]u-|Ѵ-|;v|_; ƓƏ&m7;uƓƏѴlmbĺ 70% $_-mho=ouou AFTER COVID19 WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK REMOTELY? _-u7ouhķѴom]_ouv The vast majority would prefer a hybrid approach -m77;7b1-|bom|o to work once the pandemic winds down. 17% ou1-u;;uķ=-lbѴb;v All of the time 13% -m71ollmb|ĺ Some of the time Never again +ou;==ou|v|o 1om|bmovѴblruo; LIVING OR WORKING IN DANE COUNTY ou0vbm;vvѴ-m7v1-r; To the surprise of nobody, most 40 Under 40 alumni live or work in Greater Madison, but some have found -m71ollmb|-u; 93% employment opportunities elsewhere. l-hbm]-7b==;u;m1;Ĵ Yes No

DO YOU HOLD A BOARD POSITION? Asked whether they currently hold a board position or &%2/ leadership role for a nonproﬁt/charitable organization, nearly 70% answered in the afﬁrmative. 03'%0

68% 32% &DSLWRO%DQNFRP8QGHU YES No iStock

IBMADISON.COM 61 40 UNDER 40 ALUMNI PROFILE

Getting personal: WEALTH STATISTICS Professional data tells only part of the story. Paying the price for success can pay off Personal information helps paint a fuller handsomely in terms of compensation. picture, so we asked members of past 40 Under 40 classes about their afﬂuence, the Average annual income: $308,000 local organizational leaders they most ad- Average market value of mire, about canines or kitties, what they like primary residence: $614,500 to read and watch, and where they prefer Average value of all to travel. assets/investments owned: $2,590,000

MOST ADMIRED MADISON LEADERS Michael Johnson In good company: With all the accomplished private-sector executives to admire, our 40 Jack Salzwedel Under 40 alums most admire the accomplishments and example set by the president Kevin Conroy and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. Richard Lynch

Deb Archer

Judith Faulkner

Renee Moe

RECOMMENDED BUSINESS BOOKS 40 Under 40 selections not only aspire to lead, they want to be outstanding leaders, as their list of recommended business books suggests.

1. Good to Great — Jim Collins 2. Dare to Lead — Brené Brown 3. How to Win Friends & Inﬂuence People — Dale Carnegie 4. Start with Why — Simon Sinek 5. Grit — Angela Duckworth Catch Up With the 40 Under 40 6. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead — Sheryl Sandberg 7. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen Covey Ever wonder what happened to past 40 Under 40 selections? 8. The Power of Habit — Charles Duhigg To ﬁnd out, visit IBMadison.com/WhereAreTheyNow 9. Leaders Eat Last — Simon Sinek 10. The 4-Hour Workweek — Timothy Ferriss 11. Drive — Daniel Pink 12. Ideal Team Player — Patrick Lencioni

62 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 SUBURBS OR URBAN LIFE? As people climb the executive ladder and grow their families, they tend to migrate to suburban environments. 71% 29% Suburbs City

DOGS OR CATS? Cats might be low-maintenance pets, UW-Madison Sellery Hall but dogs are overwhelming favored WE’RE BUILDING THAT. by the 40 Under 40.

63%

Dog 11% 12% 13% Cat Can’t decide - I have both! I don’t like either of them! CHILDREN? When it comes to growing their families, two is enough for nearly 40% of our 40 Under 40 classes. Four or more appears to be the ﬂoor. PAST. PRESENT. FUTURE. None One Two Three Four or more 39%

23% 19% 13% 6%

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IBMADISON.COM 63 40 UNDER 40 ALUMNI PROFILE

LIFESTYLE INTERESTS Over the summer, playing more golf was a favorite pandemic activity in Madison, but it was also deemed essential by many 40 Under 40 alumni. As one can see, they have no shortage of lifestyle interests to pursue.

Golf Skiing Sports events (Professional, Wine tasting Boating/Watersports Fitness/Wellness programs Badgers, Mallards, etc.) None of the above Kayaking/Paddleboarding Running Hunting/Fishing Cycling Yoga Gourmet cooking Gardening Music/Theatre performance Craft beers 70%

57% 48% 41% 41% 42% 38% 38% 32% 31% 28% 27% 30% 26% 23%

VACATION EXERCISE Wisconsinites travel well, and they also are well traveled, so tropical Whether or not they are still under 40, most class members are physically active destinations most often are cited as ideal vacation spots. to some degree, and many get moving at least 3–4 or 5–6 times per week.

Tropical location 1-2 times a week 18% 4% Up north to a house on/near a lake 3-4 times a week 11% 41% Outdoor/camping 5-6 times a week 16% Cities in the U.S. 7 or more times a week International locations 38% 18% Not routinely 7% No time for vacations! Other 2% 7% 11 % 28%

MAC or PC MacBooks have a very devoted following, but other personal computers are the top choice of most young professionals here. 22% 63% 15% Mac PC No preference

THE 40 UNDER 40 IS SPONSORED BY:

Still Time to Apply for 40 Under 40 Applications for the 2021 “40 Under 40” class are being accepted online through Nov. 15. To apply, visit IBMadison.com/40Under40 Kosnick Financial Group

64 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 SOCIAL MEDIA The Twitter Universe might be expansive, but it comes in a distant fourth behind Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram when it comes to the social media preferences of our 40 Under 40 alums.

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter You’ve thought about it. Not on social media Talked about it. Daydreamed about it. And talked about it Other some more. Today’s the day to make it happen. We’ll look at your financial big BINGEWORTHY TV/STREAMING picture and design a plan to The “goings on” in Ozark and Schitt’s Creek are the most “binge-worthy” for 40 Under 40 television viewers. help you do what’s important today and every day after. Ozark

Northwestern Mutual Kosnick Group Schitt’s Creek Middleton, WI middleton.nm.com Yellowstone 608-836-3080

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Peaky Blinders

Alone

SPORTS TEAMS Not surprisingly, local sports teams are the favorites of our 40 Under 40 classes, and their geographic rivals have achieved “Most Hated Villain” status.

Favorite Teams Least Favorite Teams 1. UW Badgers 1. Minnesota Vikings 2. Green Bay Packers 2. Chicago Bears 3. Milwaukee Brewers 3. Chicago Cubs 4. Milwaukee Bucks

07-1002 © 2020 Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI.

IBMADISON.COM 65 PROFILES LAW FIRMS

he term “project management” isn’t often associated with law firms, but when FIRM you think about representing a client in a legal case, law firms need to be as T detail oriented with their legal representation as construction firms do when designing and constructing a commercial building. REPRESENTATION That’s true for clients big and small, and would-be clients in the Madison business community are fortunate to have an array of legal expertise available to them in business and corporate law, labor employment matters, intellectual property protection, and regulatory compliance. That expertise resides in law firms that practice in the above areas and more, and local law firms apply that expertise in multiple geographic regions. They are ranked here based on the number of attorneys employed in their Dane County offices, but in truth their legal firepower extends nationwide. Inside these pages are profiles on two sponsoring firms, Husch Blackwell and von Briesen & Roper, whose respective missions serve every client from startups to industry-leading firms. So, when some real class action is required to protect your business venture, please refer to the comprehensive legal services presented here.

Law Firms Largest ﬁrms ranked by the number of Dane County attorneys, then full-time-equivalent employees (3PT=1FT) if tie

Rank Company Attorneys FT/PT Areas of Practice

DeWitt LLP dewittllp.com 70 104/8 Business, labor/employment, environmental, estate planning, family law, 1 2 E. Mifflin St., #600, Madison, WI 53703 government relations, intellectual property, litigation, and real estate (608) 255-8891

Boardman Clark LLP boardmanclark.com 67 110/2 Banking, business, dealership, estate planning, family, intellectual prop- 2 1 S. Pinckney St., #410, Madison, WI 53703 erty, labor/employment, litigation, municipal, real estate, school, taxation (608) 257-9521

Foley & Lardner LLP foley.com 56 116/1 Business, securities, venture capital, intellectual property, litigation, 3 150 E. Gilman St., #5000, Madison, WI 53703 employment, real estate, estate planning, regulatory, and tax law (608) 257-5035

Axley Brynelson LLP axley.com 51 94/3 Business, tax, estate, corporate, real estate, construction, 4 2 E. Mifflin St., #200, Madison, WI 53703 litigation, insurance, family, labor/employment, and injury (608) 257-5661

Quarles & Brady LLP quarles.com 47 74/0 Providing comprehensive legal service in all major practice areas 5 33 E. Main St., #900, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 251-5000

Stafford Rosenbaum LLP staffordlaw.com 43 40/6 Full-service law firm: business, real estate, estate planning, 6 222 W. Washington Ave., #900, Madison, WI 53701 election, family and environmental law, litigation, and energy/utility (608) 256-0226

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP michaelbest.com 40 84/3 Corporate, intellectual property, litigation, land and 7 1 S. Pinckney St., #700, Madison, WI 53703 resources, tax, wealth planning, labor, and employment (608) 257-3501

Husch Blackwell huschblackwell.com 38 51/1 An industry-focused litigation and business law firm 8 33 E. Main St., #300, Madison, WI 53703 with offices in 18 cities across the United States (608) 255-4440

Murphy Desmond S.C. murphydesmond.com 31 54/4 Business, tax, real estate, litigation, securities, immigration, creditor 9 33 E. Main St., #500, Madison, WI 53703 rights, M&A, family, estate, municipal, criminal, license defense; bilingual (608) 257-7181

66 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 Rank Company Attorneys FT/PT Areas of Practice

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. reinhartlaw.com 31 43/5 Real estate, property tax, litigation, labor, employee benefits, intellectual 10 22 E. Mifflin St., #700, Madison, WI 53703 property, food/beverage, banking/finance, health care, corporate, tax, (608) 229-2200 trusts/estates, and government relations

Godfrey & Kahn S.C. gklaw.com 28 47/4 Corporate, banking, securities, litigation, environmental, estate planning, 11 1 E. Main St., #500, Madison, WI 53701 employment, intellectual property, health care, insurance, and political (608) 257-3911 law

von Briesen & Roper S.C. vonbriesen.com 23 33/1 Business and corporate law, banking, finance, government, health, 12 10 E. Doty St., #900, Madison, WI 53703 labor and employment, litigation, M&A, real estate and construction, (608) 441-0300 tax, and trust and estates

Neider & Boucher S.C. neiderboucher.com 23 29/4 Specializes in providing estate planning and business legal 13 401 Charmany Drive, #310, Madison, WI 53719 services to individuals and closely-held businesses (608) 661-4500

Perkins Coie LLP perkinscoie.com 22 37/0 Intellectual property litigation (patent and trademark), insurance cover- 14 33 E. Main St., #201, Madison, WI 53703 age litigation (pro-policyholder), antitrust litigation, commercial litigation, (608) 663-7460 environmental, energy and resources, and political law

Hawks Quindel S.C. hq-law.com 16 33/4 Representing individuals in short- and long-term disability, 15 409 E. Main St., Madison, WI 53703 employment, family, personal injury, social security disability, (608) 257-0040 wage and hour, and workers' compensation law

Pines Bach LLP pinesbach.com 16 28/1 Multiservice law firm consisting of the practice areas of energy, labor/ 16 122 W. Washington Ave., #900, Madison, WI 53703 employment, family, civil/criminal litigation, health, personal injury, (608) 251-0101 governmental relations, and business/real estate

Bell, Moore & Richter S.C. bmrlawyers.com 15 22/9 Litigation, insurance, malpractice-defense, workers' compensation, 17 345 W. Washington Ave., #302, Madison, WI 53703 family law, employment/labor law, estate planning, business/corporate, (608) 257-3764 and real estate

Stroud, Willink & Howard LLC stroudlaw.com 15 18/5 Business/corporate, construction law, estate planning, probate, 18 33 E. Main St., #610, Madison, WI 53703 family law, real estate, commercial litigation, criminal defense, (608) 257-2281 lender representation, and employment

Hurley Burish S.C. hurleyburish.com 14 24/1 Business, construction, real estate, estate planning, mediation, 19 33 E. Main St., #400, Madison, WI 53703 employment, family law, civil litigation, professional discipline, and (608) 257-0945 criminal and white-collar defense

Wheeler, Van Sickle & Anderson S.C. wheelerlaw.com 14 18/6 Energy law, public utilities, telecommunications, land and water, 20 44 E. Mifflin St., #1000, Madison, WI 53703 environmental, business, and nonprofit organizations (608) 255-7277

Lawton & Cates S.C. lawtoncates.com 11 19/2 Represents injured people, families, and small businesses 21 345 W. Washington Ave., #201, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 282-6200

Krekeler Strother S.C. ks-lawfirm.com 10 11/3 Financial problem solvers for bankruptcy, business organization, 22 2901 W. Beltline Hwy., #301, Madison, WI 53713 consumer litigation, collection, and foreclosure defense (608) 258-8555

Hupy and Abraham S.C. hupy.com 8 17/0 Personal injury (car/motorcycle accidents) wrongful death, 23 3001 W. Beltline Hwy., #204, Madison, WI 53711 pharmaceutical class actions, slip and fall, dog bites, and (608) 277-7777 negligent security

Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. habush.com 7 15/1 Plaintiff personal injury law, vehicle accidents, product liability, 24 150 E. Gilman St., #2000, Madison, WI 53703 and nursing home abuse (608) 255-6663

Coyne, Schultz, Becker & Bauer S.C. cnsbb.com 7 11/0 Civil trial and appellate practice in all courts 25 150 E. Gilman St., #1000, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 255-1388

IBMADISON.COM 67 LAW FIRM PROFILE SPONSORED CONTENT

33 East Main St., Suite 300 Madison, WI 53703 www.huschblackwell.com Our Mission With 700+ attorneys practicing from 21 offices across the U.S., including The Link virtual office, Husch Blackwell maintains Husch Blackwell has the breadth and depth of a relentless focus on our a large national law firm, but approaches clients clients’ success and is with the service orientation of a much smaller guided by our pledge to align firm. To us, every client is a big client. For each assignment we pull together the best team to our goals and objectives help clients achieve their objectives, and bring to with those of our clients, to bear award-winning legal project management to gain an uncommonly deep make sure each matter is carried out as efficiently understanding of our clients’ as possible. We are an advocate for clients in both day-to-day operations and crisis manage- businesses, and to deliver ment, including navigating the unprecedented measurable value through legal challenges brought on by COVID-19. the efficient management Our clients include start-ups as well as today’s of resources. business champions and leaders across industries, including our core focus areas of Energy & Natural Resources; Financial Services & Capital Markets; Food & Agribusiness; Healthcare, Life Partners Stephen Tumbush (left) and Marci Kawski (right) have extensive Sciences & Education; Real Estate, Development experience in corporate law and consumer finance litigation, respectively. & Construction; and Technology, Manufacturing & Transportation. Many of our clients have been with us for decades and through multiple transitions and transactions, through growth spurts and re- trenchments. We pride ourselves on being the law firm clients won’t outgrow, providing best- in-class legal advice coupled with Midwestern values and a relentless focus on client service. Our firm offers these legal services: • Banking and finance • Consumer finance • Corporate and M&A • Real estate, development, and construction • Government relations • Trust, estates, and private wealth • Bankruptcy and restructuring • Intellectual property • Business litigation Mindi Giftos, Office Managing Partner for Husch Blackwell’s Madison • Data privacy, security, and breach response office, is an experienced attorney in both information technology and intellectual property. Contact Mindi Giftos, Office Managing Partner, at 608-234-6076 or email her at [email protected].

68 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 LAW FIRM PROFILE SPONSORED CONTENT

10 East Doty Street, Suite 900 Madison, WI 53703 vonbriesen.com Our Vision von Briesen & Roper s.c. is not your traditional law firm. We transform the traditional law firm We believe that a into a modern platform for legal innovation. We shared understanding combine our industry-leading expertise with of and commitment innovative technology and a creative approach to our beliefs and to problem-solving to generate game-changing advantages for our clients. values will create a Recognized as a great place to work and supportive, caring founded on our core values of unparalleled environment while service and recognized expertise, we provide we achieve our vision. innovative, cost-effective, value-added, and practical legal advice and effective representation. Founded in 1904, we are today more than 180 professionals strong with offices throughout Wisconsin. Our practice is global, national, regional, and local and we are regularly chosen by industry leaders for their most significant and complicated legal matters while at the same time assisting growing businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs by addressing their legal needs. Neither “Big Law” nor a “small firm,” we fit the niche that sophisticated consumers of legal services seek. von Briesen focuses on: • Business and corporate; • Banking and finance; von Briesen & Roper, s.c. was a proud sponsor of, and attendee of, • Government; several shows at The Sylvee. • Health; • Labor and employment; • Litigation; • Mergers and acquisitions; • Real estate and construction; • Tax; and • Trusts and estates.

Contact Susan E. Lovern, President and CEO, at 414-287-1286, or [email protected].

Law ﬁrm employees are active in the community, including the 2019 Crazy Legs Classic.

IBMADISON.COM 69 COURT FILINGS

FILINGS FOR CIVIL MONEY JUDGMENTS & CLAIMS FOR LIENS Dane County businesses and employers with total judgments or liens of $1,000 and greater at press time. Listings include debtor, city, amount, creditor, docketed date, and type of case. COMPILED BY GLORIA BABCOCK

A La Brasa LLC, Madison, $18,966, Pawnee Leasing Corp., 9/18/2020 (CV) Nature’s Touch Group Inc., Madison, $28,869, Morton Salt Inc., 9/9/2020 (CV)

4-Ever Endeavors Development LLC, Madison, $2,572, DWD, 9/11/2020 (UC) Nu Branding Solutions LLC, Verona, $5,447, DWD, 9/25/2020 (WC)

Aesthetic Artistry Spa Inc., Sun Prairie, $271,996, Amur Equipment Finance Peloton Residences LLC, Middleton, $507,353, Angus-Young Associates Inc., Inc., 9/30/2020 (CV) 9/25/2020 (CL)

Black Mamba Bus Co. LLC, Verona, $2,450, DWD, 9/9/2020 (UC) Robin Hood Plumbing LLC, Madison, $17,578, Ferguson Enterprises LLC, 9/2/2020 (CV) B’s Hospitality LLC, Madison, $3,336, DWD, 9/11/2020 (UC) Robinia LLC, Madison, $1,329, DWD, 9/24/2020 (UC) Central Properties of Madison LLC, Madison, $4,518, DWD, 9/10/2020 (UC) Shetler Trucking LLC, Blue Mounds, $12,728, Security Bank Minnesota, Christopher Terrace Condo Association Inc., Madison, $2,422, All Service 9/9/2020 (TJ) Specialists Inc., 9/2/2020 (CL) Spartan Landscaping LLC, McFarland, $2,657, DWD, 9/17/2020 (UC) Drive Automotive Inc., Madison, $3,885, DWD, 9/15/2020 (UC) Springdale Two LLC, Dane, $2,679, R & R Janitorial and Carpet Cleaning Fuegos Steak & Tapas LLC, Madison, $17,317, Bankers’ Bancorporation Inc., Services Inc., 9/22/2020 (SC) 9/8/2020 (CV) Studio Dansu LLC, Madison, $2,018, DWD, 9/11/2020 (UC) Functional Pathways of Tennessee LLC, Black Earth, $1,746, DWD, TNT of McFarland LLC, Madison, $7,274, Bartelt Enterprises Inc., 9/9/2020 (UC) 9/29/2020 (CL) Hamilton Concrete LLC, Madison, $1,948, DWD, 9/29/2020 (UC) Two Sweet Cakes LLC, Madison, $1,488, DWD, 9/10/2020 (UC) Joseph Lee & Associates LLC, Madison, $1,758, DWD, 9/9/2020 (UC) Waggoner Home Services LLC, Sun Prairie, $2,757, DWD, 9/29/2020 (UC) Madison Gas and Electric Co., Madison, $54,756, PeopleReady Inc., 9/22/2020 (CL) YOUR SIDE Madison Landscape Construction, DeForest, $6,896, Summit Credit Union, If your company is experiencing public financial difficulties and would 9/29/2020 (SC) like to express your side of a potentially negative listing in a brief “Their Side,” contact Departments Editor Jan Wilson at (608) 204-9655 x24, or Martinez Custodial Inc., Madison, $1,398, DWD, 9/9/2020 (UC) [email protected]. See Publisher’s Note below for more information.

KEY (CL) Construction Lien: Claim on property for non-payment (SC) Small Claims: Lawsuits seeking claims of less than (UC) Unemployment Compensation: Warrant issued by of work that improved the property. $10,000, evictions, and replevin actions (the repossession Wisconsin DWD for an employer’s failure to pay contribu- of property). tions, interest, or fees. Warrant has the same effect as a (CV) Civil: Typically, lawsuits seeking claims in excess of judgment granted by a court. $5,000; also such actions as restraining orders, appeals from (TJ) Transcript of Judgment: Judgment or order from an- municipal court and administrative agency decisions, name other Wisconsin circuit court, a Wisconsin appellate court, (WC) Workers Compensation: Award issued by the Wiscon- changes, etc. a federal court in Wisconsin, or a municipal court in that sin DWD. This award has the same effect as a judgment county; treated as if ordered by the circuit court in the county granted by a court. (FJ) Foreign Judgment: A judgment or order of a court from a where it’s filed. different state, a federal court outside Wisconsin, a municipal Source: http://wcca.wicourts.gov court of another county, or a tribal court; treated as if ordered by a Wisconsin circuit court. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: In Business selects only judgments with business ties and only those above a certain dollar amount. IB relies on the court system to provide accurate records. A case is considered closed when the creditor informs the court in writing that the debtor has fully satisfied the debt and the court changes the public record. If you have a dispute with a listing, please refer it to the court. IB will not “hold back” a public financial record, regardless of the explanation offered, even if the suit filed was settled out of court. If you have any questions or concerns about this listing, please contact Departments Editor Jan Wilson at (608) 204-9655, ext. 24, or [email protected].

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70 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 ICONS IN BUSINESS

November 18 | 10 a.m. | FREE VIRTUAL EVENT

FEATURING: DEB ARCHER CEO of Destination Madison and the Madison Area Sports Commission

JOIN IN BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR... the next virtual Icons in Business featuring Deb Archer, CEO of Destination Madison and the Madison Area Sports Register online at Commission. For over two decades, Archer has worked to make Madison a sought-after location for tourism, ibmadison.com/icons conventions, sporting events, and competitions that boost the local economy. With her forthcoming retirement at the end of the year, Archer will reﬂect on the past 25 years of leading Destination Madison, discuss attracting and securing high proﬁle events such as Ironman and CrossFit, and Tickets are free share insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the local tourism market in light of COVID-19. You must register in advance!

PRESENTING SPONSOR: ADDITIONAL SPONSORS: BY THE NUMBERS MEDICINE

VACCINATING FOR DOUBT Pharmaceutical companies have pledged that a potential COVID-19 vaccine would meet rigorous safety standards, but the American public has growing doubts. BY JOE VANDEN PLAS iStock

ust a few months ago, the American public was pining for a federally available, they would definitely or probably get one, and almost as many Japproved COVID-19 vaccine, but now almost half of them say they (49%) say they definitely or probably would not get one at this time. That’s would not get vaccinated, according to a recent survey from Pew down more than 20 percentage points since May, when 72% of U.S. adults Research Center. indicated they would get vaccinated. Perhaps it’s tangled up in presidential politics. As of this writing, Pres- The findings are based on a national survey conducted Sept. 8–13 ident Trump was still touting the possibility that a vaccine could be ap- among 10,093 U.S. adults. It found that intent to get a COVID-19 vaccine proved in October, perhaps to undermine the Democrats’ narrative about has declined across all major political and demographic groups. The ra- a substandard pandemic response on his part. Whatever the reason, the tionale of those with less confidence in a vaccine is that Operation Warp percentage of American adults who say they would get vaccinated has Speed, which is the federal government’s program to deliver 300 million sharply declined. doses of a safe, effective vaccine for COVID-19 by January 2021, is mov- About half (51%) now say that if a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 became ing with too much speed to adequately address possible side effects.

Drilling deeper, Pew Research Center also uncovered these interesting tidbits from its recent research: 86–69% 76% 77% Roughly nine in 10 (86%) of Democrats Among the Americans who say they would not get Just over three-quarters of Americans believe are more concerned about the approval a COVID-19 vaccine, just over three-quarters cited it’s very or somewhat likely a COVID-19 process moving too fast, while 69% of concern about side effects as a major reason why vaccine will be approved before its safety Republicans feel that way. they would definitely or probably not get one. and effectiveness are fully understood. 21% 72% 42% The share of survey respondents who would The percentage of those who would not get a About four in 10 of those who say they will get a definitely get a coronavirus vaccine now COVID-19 vaccine who cite a desire to know vaccine also say out-of-pocket costs would not stands at just over one-fifth of those surveyed, more about how well it works. change their likelihood of getting vaccinated. about half the share that were in this category in May 2020.

Editor’s note: Researchers are still not sure how effective a COVID-19 vaccine will ultimately be. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it would authorize a COVID-19 vaccine if it was safe and at least 50% effective in preventing the disease or decreasing the severity of infection. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said scientists are hoping for a vaccine that is at least 75% effective.

PRESENTED BY

Measurable Results.™ | SVA.com

72 IN BUSINESS: GREATER MADISON | NOVEMBER 2020 Your Wealth Deserves A Wealth of Service.®

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