Dupaco announces 2026 board election results

DUBUQUE, Iowa— During Dupaco Community Credit Union’s 77^th Annual Membership meeting held Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Denise Dolan, Andy Schroeder and Robert Wethal were elected to serve three-year terms on the credit union’s board of directors. 

Dolan has served on the Dupaco board since 1993. She is the retired Dubuque County Auditor. Schroeder has been with the Dupaco board since 2014 and is Vice President of Digital Services for Prenger Solutions Group in Dubuque. Wethal joined Dupaco’s board in 2012 and is Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer for MercyOne Medical Center in Dubuque. 

Following the membership meeting, the board of directors held its re-organizational meeting, at which these officer appointments were made: 

• Randy Skemp, chair of the board 
• Ellen Goodmann Miller, vice chair 
• Andy Schroeder, secretary 
• Renee Poppe, treasurer 
• Joe Hearn, president/CEO 

These directors were appointed to committee chair positions: 

• Denise Dolan, chair, Business Lending committee 
• Andy Schroeder, chair, CUSO Board of Managers 
• Ron Meyers, chair, Audit committee 
• Bob Wethal, chair, Nomination & Governance committee  
• Jeff Gonner, Asset Liability Management committee 
• Renee Poppe, chair, Personnel committee 
• Antonio Mouzon, chair, Credit/Delinquent Loan committee 
• Ellen Goodmann Miller, chair, Marketing committee 

As a member-owned, democratically-controlled cooperative, all Dupaco members have an equal say in their credit union. Each member has one vote, no matter how much money they have in deposits or loans at Dupaco. 

#  # #

ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 179,000 with assets exceeding $3.6 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations.  Learn more at www.dupaco.com.  

Dupaco announces 2026 board election results

DUBUQUE, Iowa— During Dupaco Community Credit Union’s 77^th Annual Membership meeting held Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Denise Dolan, Andy Schroeder and Robert Wethal were elected to serve three-year terms on the credit union’s board of directors. 

Dolan has served on the Dupaco board since 1993. She is the retired Dubuque County Auditor. Schroeder has been with the Dupaco board since 2014 and is Vice President of Digital Services for Prenger Solutions Group in Dubuque. Wethal joined Dupaco’s board in 2012 and is Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer for MercyOne Medical Center in Dubuque. 

Following the membership meeting, the board of directors held its re-organizational meeting, at which these officer appointments were made: 

• Randy Skemp, chair of the board 
• Ellen Goodmann Miller, vice chair 
• Andy Schroeder, secretary 
• Renee Poppe, treasurer 
• Joe Hearn, president/CEO 

These directors were appointed to committee chair positions: 

• Denise Dolan, chair, Business Lending committee 
• Andy Schroeder, chair, CUSO Board of Managers 
• Ron Meyers, chair, Audit committee 
• Bob Wethal, chair, Nomination & Governance committee  
• Jeff Gonner, Asset Liability Management committee 
• Renee Poppe, chair, Personnel committee 
• Antonio Mouzon, chair, Credit/Delinquent Loan committee 
• Ellen Goodmann Miller, chair, Marketing committee 

As a member-owned, democratically-controlled cooperative, all Dupaco members have an equal say in their credit union. Each member has one vote, no matter how much money they have in deposits or loans at Dupaco. 

#  # #

ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 179,000 with assets exceeding $3.6 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations.  Learn more at www.dupaco.com.  

Wisconsin School of Business AI for Business Summit early bird pricing ends Feb. 27

On April 16-17, the AI Hub for Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will host Ground Truth: AI for Business Summit 2026.

Why Attend Ground Truth

AI is moving faster than most organizations can keep up. Ground Truth is designed for leaders who want to move beyond experimentation and deploy AI for real business value.

Leave with one idea you can use on Monday

• Where AI drives real bottom-line impact
• Lessons from leaders deploying AI at scale
• AI strategies grounded in research, not hype
• A room full of leaders solving the same problems you are

Registration

Early Bird Registration: $495

• Ends Friday, February 27

Regular Registration: $900

• Ends Friday, April 2

Special rates available for UW affiliated and UWEBC members.

Registration includes:

• Access to all sessions
• Refreshment breaks and lunch
• Thursday evening attendee reception

Learn more and register here.

Wisconsin World Trade Day set for May 19

The Wisconsin trade community comes together for Wisconsin World Trade Day to celebrate the vital role global commerce plays in Wisconsin’s economy, and to equip new and currently exporting businesses with practical insights to grow exports.

The event features a keynote address from Jason Turner, Chief Investment Strategist, Wintrust Financial Corporation offering a forward-looking perspective on global markets and highlighting emerging export opportunities for Wisconsin companies seeking to expand internationally. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of where demand is growing, how global trends impact exports, and what this means for Wisconsin-made products and services.

The program showcases real-life experiences and lessons learned from successful Wisconsin exporters, providing candid insights into challenges, strategies, and best practices for entering and succeeding in international markets.

The day continues with interactive breakout sessions focused on the practical “how-to” of exporting, diving into actionable steps for growing exports. Sessions will introduce the tools, programs, and resources available to support companies at every stage of their export journey.

Whether you are new to exporting or looking to scale your global presence, Wisconsin World Trade Day offers valuable knowledge, connections, and guidance to help your business compete and succeed worldwide.

About the Keynote Speaker: Jason Turner is Chief Investment Strategist at Wintrust Wealth Management. He is a member of the firm’s investment committee, authors market and economic commentary, regularly presents in the media and to professional conferences, and works with client portfolio managers to support institutional and private clients. As the Head of Multi-Asset Strategy, he is responsible for portfolio strategy, asset allocation, and for overseeing the firm’s manager due diligence and selection efforts. He is also a member of the firm’s Operating Committee and Management Committee.

Event Date: May 19, 2026

Event Time: 8:00am – 3:30pm Program 3:30pm-5:00pm Networking Social

Location: Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) RTA Education Center 800 Main Street, Pewaukee, WI 53072

Cost: In-person only: $125.00 Registration $100.00 Early Bird by May 8, 2026

MMSD Begins Early Planning for 2026–27 Budget, Outlines Priorities and Fiscal Outlook

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has begun early planning for its 2026–27 preliminary budget, outlining key priorities focused on supporting students, aligning resources to district goals and maintaining long-term fiscal stability amid rising costs and ongoing state funding challenges.

District leaders emphasized that budget development begins months in advance to ensure thoughtful planning, transparency and alignment with MMSD’s Strategic Framework. The process centers on meeting student and staff needs while remaining fiscally responsible stewards of public resources.

“Our budget reflects what we value most as a school district,” said Superintendent Joe Gothard. “We are committed to uplifting the student experience, supporting our staff and making strategic investments that move our schools forward. At the same time, we must plan responsibly for financial realities that continue to challenge public education.”

Potential cost increases for the 2026–27 fiscal year are significant. Current estimates include:

• Compensation step increases: $4.7 million
• Inflationary compensation increases (2.63%): $9.5 million
• Health insurance increases: $14 million to $16 million
• Salary compensation study outcomes: $2 million to $8 million
• Parental leave benefit expansion: To be determined

In total, MMSD is projecting between $30.2 million and $38.2 million in potential new cost pressures.

“These increases reflect contractual obligations, market conditions and our responsibility to remain competitive as an employer,” said Bob Soldner, assistant superintendent of financial services. “We begin planning early so we can evaluate multiple scenarios, manage risk and minimize disruption to schools and classrooms.”

The district’s financial outlook is shaped not only by rising costs but also by declining state support. MMSD expects to receive approximately $7 million less in general state aid, continuing a trend that places greater reliance on local property taxes to fund operations.

Because Madison’s property values exceed the state average, MMSD receives about 10 percent of its funding from general state aid. By comparison, other large urban districts in Wisconsin receive between 62 percent and 68 percent.

In addition, MMSD continues to face a $62 million gap between special education costs and state reimbursement. The district must cover those expenses to ensure students receive legally required services.

Early learning also remains a priority investment. Although 4K students are funded at 60 percent of a full pupil count, districts must cover the full cost of providing programming.

“We know early learning sets the foundation for long-term academic success,” Gothard said. “Even when funding formulas fall short, we remain committed to ensuring our youngest learners have access to high-quality, full-day experiences.”

Recent voter-approved facilities and operations referenda have helped stabilize MMSD’s financial position and allowed the district to move forward with rebuilding or reconstructing 10 schools. District leaders expressed gratitude for that community support while noting it does not eliminate structural funding challenges.

As planning continues, MMSD will evaluate expenditures, staffing needs and program investments while advocating alongside other districts for sustainable state funding solutions, particularly around special education reimbursement.

The preliminary budget will be refined in the coming months, with additional updates and opportunities for public engagement provided throughout the process.

MMSD stakeholders and community members are encouraged to provide feedback on the budget through the district’s Let’s Talk platform.

###

About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.