From Green Bay to Maui, Shorewood to Augusta, Brillion to Saturn, alumni execs rise above Profiles: Blue Hawaiian’s Dave and Patti Chevalier • TaylorMade’s Mark King • GM’s Jill Lajdziak • Supervalu’s Mike Jackson • Nationwide’s Mary Ostrom • Jewell-Osco’s Larry Wahlstrom • Pacific Summit’s Jim Watts FEBRUARY 2007 Notes from 2420 Nicolet... Far from home, alumni leaders carry Green Bay with them Dear Friends, Greetings from Green Bay’s University of Wisconsin, and welcome to what we feel is a particularly exciting edition of Inside magazine. We proudly turn the spotlight on UW-Green Bay graduates who have traveled far and wide Inside UW-Green Bay to assume positions of leadership with world-famous brands, Fortune 500 corporations or February 2007 FEATURESIn the driver’s seat their own leading-edge companies. Volume 33, No. 2 Saturn GM enjoys fast-track success 4 Geographically speaking, that’s a departure for these pages. As a regional institution, we Editor Chris Sampson typically highlight the careers and contributions of the vast majority of our alumni who live King of the drivers their lives and base their businesses right here in Northeastern Wisconsin. Editorial Staff Golf CEO is a big hitter Chris Sampson 4 We will resume that regional focus in an upcoming issue when we profile individuals on our Sue Bodilly Scott Hildebrand Big buy, small world “Phoenix 400.” That’s the sizeable and growing list of UW-Green Bay alumni who are CEOs, Retail execs share alumni ties CFOs and COOs, presidents, owners and entrepreneurs. Most are Wisconsin-based, many Designer with national or even global reach, some with Forbes or Fortune rankings. Yvonne Splan 6 Second career Photographer Top executive gives back Work ethic and education are common denominators. Previewing the stories here of our Eric Miller high-achieving Titletown transplants, I was struck by how similar are their personal stories. Contributing 8 Thanks, Dr. Harden They may reside today in Maui, San Diego or Detroit, but they grew up in Green Bay, Photographer Award honors campus legacy 11 Brillion or Oconto. They were first-generation college students of modest means who Matt Becker • worked their way through school. One swept floors as a part-time job and wound up 10 Soaring sweethearts running the corporation. Inside UW-Green Bay is Plane proposal earns ‘I do!’ published by the Office of In short, these individuals began where many of our students and young alumni start today. University Advancement 11 Their examples are inspirational, for us all. We must all work to ensure that the University of and its Marketing and Com- munication unit. We welcome Wisconsin-Green Bay continues to be a bridge to brighter tomorrows. your comments. Address 20 them to: Inside UW-Green 20 Thank you for your support in helping us “Connect learning to life.” And, remember, Bay Editor, Cofrin Library Go Phoenix! Suite 815, or fax (920) 465-2340. Mail change of 11 DEPARTMENTSCampus news address notification to Inside UW-Green Bay, Cofrin Library 15 Alumni notes Suite 820, University of Bruce Shepard Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI Chancellor 54311-7001. 24 Visit Inside on the web at www.uwgb.edu/univcomm/news/page/inside.htm Cover photograph courtesy of Blue Hawaiian Helicopters Hitting the heights in FROM THE COVER Hawaii, couple stays grounded Flying high in Hawaii… Cruising in a convertible… Golfing with Sergio… Sounds like a dream mid- winter vacation, but for some transplanted grads-turned- executives, it’s a job. Read how hard work and DAVE & PATTI college education have CHEVALIERHometown: Green Bay yielded high-profile careers, Owners and Operators, Inside UW-Green Bay. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters Maui, Hawaii Patti and Dave Chevalier’s Blue Hawaiian has become the Her brother, “Griff,” a former CAMPUS HANGOUT: The Rathskeller diligence at becoming the best helicopter service of choice for UW-Green Bay student himself, (now Phoenix Club) in their industry has resulted in photographers from National is the COO. Patti and Griff work becoming the biggest, with a Geographic and major Hol- together “in the trenches,” says HOW THEY MET: “Former faculty members Joyce touch of Hollywood flash. lywood studios. The Chevaliers Dave, in overseeing day-to-day Salisbury and David Galaty introduced us and set have flown aerials for motion operations. up an off-campus blind date.” The UW-Green Bay graduates picture blockbusters such as (Dave is Class of ’77, Patti Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Although the Green Bay group that developed this first helped the company far exceed Thousands of miles from FACULTY MEMORIES: “Keith White (biology) Class of ’83) own and operate as well as Honeymoon in Vegas, natives left Wisconsin almost helicopter specifically designed national safety standards. Wisconsin, the Chevaliers have brought such an intellectual curiosity and interest in sci- Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, the Flight of the Intruder, Crimson immediately after graduation, for air touring. Additionally, he made a home, but their aloha ence and was really motivational in helping you be creative Patti, a former social studies largest touring company on the Tide, George of the Jungle and they remained committed to was the helicopter rep on the spirit isn’t far removed from in your thinking. Ija Korner (psychology) was an influence teacher, takes education to islands. Pearl Harbor, among others. their environmentally focused working group of environmen- their college philosophy, or socially, helping you to open your mind and, well, grow up.” education — a big plus on the tal and air-tour interests that heart, making sure every their Midwest roots. They still “We operated with one heli- “It’s fun working with the spectacular but environmen- reached consensus on the visitor leaves inspired with an visit the Green Bay area from ADVICE FOR TODAY’S GRADS: “You can attain most copter from 1985 to 1989,” entertainment industry and tally sensitive Hawaiian Islands. National Parks Overflights Act enhanced knowledge of the time to time — Dave’s sister anything you want, but you’ll have to pay the price. Be says Dave. “Our goal was to meeting people you’ve seen on of 2000. islands. They consider their Catherine is a UW-Green Bay clear and focused, and work for the goals.” simply have our own business the screen for years,” Dave said. “There is little doubt that tours “flying classrooms” and alumna and a resident of the and be self-sufficient. I never our environmental focus and On top of the $2.2 million hired Hawaii expert George area. They are Packers fanatics, INVOLVEMENT: Helped create Maui’s Disaster Medical “It is really neat to see the final envisioned we would be this philosophy grew from our expe- price tag for each EcoStar, the Kanahele to develop an audio still. But a permanent return Assistance Team, offering personnel and equipment product and go with the fan- big, we’ve really just grown with rience at UW-Green Bay,” says Chevaliers have splurged on program in Hawaiian history, home? Not likely. And who in times of emergency or disaster... Maui Coastal Land tasy of it and be entertained. the market and opportunity.” Dave. “It is a part of everything extras such as custom four- culture, language, wildlife and could blame them? Trust... chair, Chamber of Commerce and Maui Visitors But when I’m doing it, it’s just a job... with a lot of waiting we do.” camera, in-flight video systems geology. Bureau (Patti)... board member, Helicopter Association The couple, together with around.” recording a DVD of each tour, We’ve got such a wonderful International (Dave). Patti’s brother Dave Griffin, Ten of their helicopters are two-way communication with “What we do is not a thrill ride,” place in the country with an oversees the operation of 32 EC130 EcoStars. The spacious, pilots, and Bose Electronic Patti says. “It’s a means to pro- incredible view,” said Dave. ACCOLADES: Island Business Magazine Entrepreneurs of The Chevaliers run the com- expert pilots and 180 full-time state-of-the-art machines have Noise-Canceling headsets that vide an educational experience “We’ll be sitting on our lanai the Year; Travel Channel’s “Top Ten World’s Best” helicop- pany as a family team. Dave, employees with bases on Maui, been designated as ‘Quiet cost about $1,000 each. The that cannot be achieved any with a little wine and (of ter experiences; industry’s Five-Star Diamond Award. who is U.S. military trained, is the Big Island and Kauai. With a both a pilot and CEO, respon- Technology Aircraft’ by the investment in safety equipment other way.” course) cheese and remind fleet of 19 helicopters, they fly sible for the overall vision and National Park Service. Dave including emergency floats and ourselves how far we’ve come, about 30,000 tours per year. direction. Patti is the president. was part of the customer focus a terrain mapping system has and just how fortunate we are.” February 007 February 007 GM’s Titletown work ethic, In 1979, with UW-Green Bay Plus, Lajdziak and her colleagues “I love it,” she says. “I am blessed graduation approaching, Jill have been able to do what some it is my passion. I believe that (Jentink) Lajdziak sat in a job drive have consideredSaturn nearly impossible on intellectthe is great, rise but intellect interview with a Procter & Gam- in today’s industry: create and alone gets you nowhere. At the ble executive and was asked, retain brand loyalty through end of the day it is work ethic and “Where do you see yourself in “guest treatment.” drive. Then you continue to build five years?” on successful strategies and your “I’m tenacious about making a business acumen grows over time.