Gallagher to be recognized as SBA’s Women in Business Champion of the Year

April 9, 2019 (Madison, WI) — The U.S. Small Business Administration will honor Laura Gallagher during National Small Business Week May 5-11 at a ceremony in Waukesha, Wisconsin on May 10th . Gallagher is the Wisconsin Women in Business Champion of the Year.

Laura Gallagher is President and CEO of The Creative Company, Inc. a PR and Digital Agency she founded 30 years ago in Wisconsin. She is among 17 small businesses and champions from around Wisconsin to be recognized.

Laura Gallagher is one of 90 women in Wisconsin to be recognized by the Governor as a Trailblazer in Wisconsin.  She is a 2016 graduate of the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) program with Harvard professor Michael W. Porter and the recipient of a scholarship from Goldman Sachs to become a scholar in 2017 at Babson College as part of the highly competitive 10KSB program for entrepreneurs. 

In 2017, Gallagher became a USA Ambassador for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) representing Wisconsin. With the help of a diverse and inclusive board of leaders from every sector, Gallagher produced a sold-out conference for women in Wisconsin in 2017, as well as 2018. She brought many of the resources from her Babson and ICIC experiences as well her 30 years in business to the movement making a real impact in the lives of women in business in this region. She also served as a Regional Ambassador helping other US Ambassadors and worked with women from around the world to empower, support and celebrate women in business.

More than half of attendees of the WEDWisconsin conferences said they are more likely to seek capital to grow their businesses as a result of attending. 96% left more confident. It is a diverse and inclusive stage as well as an audience that represented a number of sectors, with 400 women  in attendance each year.

Gallagher also secured a proclamation from Dane County Executive Joe Parisi (2018) and Mayor Paul Soglin (2017) to join women globally as part of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day movement naming November 19th officially Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. Because of Gallagher’s leadership, the State of Wisconsin and the Governor proclaimed November 14th through the 19th Women’s Entrepreneurship Week in Wisconsin.

Until 1988, the year before Gallagher started her company, a woman couldn’t legally get a business loan without a man’s signature. Gallagher started her company in 1989. Today, women represent the fastest growing segment of new business start-ups. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that only 17.2% of women owned businesses started since 1994 have survived. The Creative Company has been recognized with numerous Alchemy and Marcum Awards, has twice been recognized as one of the best places to work and as one of the best ad agencies in Wisconsin.

Eric Ness, SBA’s Wisconsin district director, congratulated Laura Gallagher saying, “Wisconsin’s 448,000 small business owners can find inspiration and resources for their own success with this champions and Wisconsin’s 2019 National Small Business Week award winners. They are creating jobs, driving innovation, and increasing America’s global competitiveness. We look forward to celebrating them at the state’s 34th annual SCORE/SBA Awards Breakfast on May 10 at the Marriott Milwaukee West in Waukesha.” Register for the event here. 

Interview Opportunities: Laura Gallagher is available for interviews concerning the state of small businesses and the importance of Small Business Week.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

Vogel Bros. Building Co. Receives Two Commercial Design Awards

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Heather Manke, 608.663.8974

MADISON, WIS. – Vogel Bros. Building Co., a fifth-generation construction services company, is proud to announce that both the Goodman Community Center’s Brass Works project and the Zendesk Madison Office were selected as the recipients of a 2019 Commercial Design Award.

Celebrating Dane County’s influence on Wisconsin’s notable architecture, InBusiness magazine announced the winners of the 2019 Commercial Design Awards in March, but recognized the recipients publicly at award reception in April. The 12^th annual Commercial Design Awards honor the best commercial design projects built in Wisconsin. The Brass Works project won Best New Development or Renovation – Mixed Use and Zendesk won Best Renovation – Office. Selected by a distinguished judging panel with a wide range of expertise in commercial design, the winners were selected based on responses to a project summary questionnaire that gave insight into the project’s purpose and impact on the surrounding community.

Vogel Bros. would like to congratulate all those who were a part of these projects. Awards like this celebrate the successful collaboration between all the members of the project team – from craft worker to firm leadership. Vogel Bros. believes people are the key to our success. This award wouldn’t be possible without their hard work and dedication to our craft.

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Photo Details:

1. Image 1 is of members of the Zendesk project team.
2. Image 2 is of members of the Goodman Community Center Brass Works project team.

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Vogel Bros. Building Co. (http://vogelbldg.com) is a fifth-generation construction services company with offices in Madison, WI and Lakeland, FL. As an award-winning company, Vogel Bros. has earned recognition for completing large-scale complex projects, encouraging innovation, embracing new technologies, and making a difference in our communities. We owe our success and longevity to the values established by the Vogel family that have been shared through the generations and are embodied in our employees.

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Attic Angel Awards $220,000 in Grants to Area Nonprofits

Attic Angel Association, the fund-raising and volunteer arm of Attic Angel Community, awarded nearly $220,000 in grants this year to a total of 10 area nonprofit organizations that support pressing needs in the greater community.

Each year, the 500-member Association conducts three community-wide signature fund-raising sales to support the Association’s good works, a long list of which dates back to 1889. Proceeds from the Attic Sale, Classic Clothing Sale, and the Holidays Galore & More Sale all go toward that fiscal year’s outreach focus. In 2018-19, the focus was to provide mental health services for school-aged youth (K-12).

Grant recipients for 2018-19 are as follows:

• CANOPY CENTER INC. – Oasis Program Expansion – $43,850
• CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF MADISON – School-Based Suicide Prevention Program – $12,742
• DOMESTIC ABUSE INTERVENTION SERVICES (DAIS) – Men Encouraging Nonviolent Strength Program – $20,000
• GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER – Mental Health Services Program – $25,000
• HORIZON HIGH SCHOOL – Mental Health Services – $10,000
• THE RAINBOW PROJECT – Rainbow Project Trauma Specialists in the Schools – $30,000
• THE ROAD HOME – Bright Future Therapy Program – $40,000
• SAFE HARBOR CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER – Safe Step Trauma Assessments – $8,000
• UNITED WAY OF DANE COUNTY – Cognitive Behavior Interventions for Trauma in Schools – $14,241
• VERA COURT NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER – Mindfulness Project – $15,000

Attic Angel Association began in 1889, when two sisters earned the nickname “attic angels” by descending from their attic with armloads of goods to share with children less fortunate. Today, more than 500 members join their ranks to serve both children and seniors throughout Dane County, including those living in Attic Angel Community. This new fiscal year, Attic Angel marks its 130^th anniversary of caring for the greater Madison community.

Expected to die, John O’Leary now teaches others how to truly live

Contact: Sherry Herwig, 608-441-7347, sherry.herwig@uwfbc.org

Expected to die, John O’Leary now teaches others how to truly live
Hosted by the Wisconsin School of Business Family Business Center, May 9

MADISON, Wis. – Hear the inspiring story of acclaimed speaker and bestselling author John O’Leary, who was given just a 1% chance to live after burning 100% of his body at nine years old. John’s story reminds audiences of the significance of daily attitudes, the power of gratitude, and the impact of serving others with courage.

How One Attitude, One Action, and One Person Can Change the World will take place Thurs., May 9 at the Fluno Center Auditorium from 3 – 5 p.m. The Wisconsin School of Business Family Business Center will be hosting this unique and life-changing program.

John’s story doesn’t focus on his own life. It centers on the heroes who served him and his family during their hardest times, including a Hall of Fame sports announcer and a visionary burn nurse, and how one person can make a profound impact on another’s life.

This program is open to the general public. Anyone who is seeking inspiration and motivation in their life both personally and professionally is encouraged to attend. Registration information can be found on the Wisconsin School of Business Center for Professional & Executive Development website uwcped.org or by going to go.wisc.edu/oleary.

A networking opportunity, along with refreshments, will take place prior to the program beginning at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $89 for the general public and seats are limited.

About the Wisconsin School of Business Family Business Center
The Wisconsin School of Business Family Business Center provides family-owned businesses with an opportunity to address their unique challenges through world-class presentations, insightful educational forums, and diverse peer-learning groups. Its greater aim is to help members’ businesses and families succeed for current and future generations.

Dr. Timothy Flaherty retires from WPS Health Solutions Board; Kristine Euclide is elected new Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Tom Enwright

(608) 977-7165

thomas.enwright@wpsic.com

Dr. Timothy Flaherty retires from WPS Health Solutions Board; Kristine Euclide is elected new Chair

MADISON, Wis.—April 3, 2019— Dr. Timothy Flaherty retired from the Board of Directors of WPS Health Solutions on March 28 after 18 years of service, including 10 years as the Board Chair.

At his final Board meeting, Dr. Flaherty was thanked for his dedicated service. A Certificate of Appreciation presented by President and CEO Mike Hamerlik, on behalf of the Board, reads, in part:

“Dr. Flaherty has tirelessly given his time, wise counsel, outstanding leadership and unwavering support in guiding WPS through many successes and challenges. His calm demeanor, professional expertise, and friendship will be missed. Thank you for your dedicated service to WPS, our employees and our customers!”

Kristine Euclide was elected as the new Board Chair. Euclide was elected to the Board in 2007. Most recently, she was Chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee, while also serving on the Executive Committee and the Human Resources and Compensation Committee.

She has more than 40 years of legal experience, focusing on energy, regulatory, government, environmental, and employment law matters. She retired in 2016 from Madison Gas and Electric Company after 15 years of service. She was Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and, later, Strategic Projects Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer. She was also a director of the MGE Foundation. Previously in her career, she was a senior partner with the Madison office of Stafford Rosenbaum, LLP, where she served several terms on the Executive Committee and as Managing Partner. She also served as Executive Assistant to the Dane County Executive from 1997-1999.

Euclide has been a member and served in leadership roles of various community and professional organizations, including TEMPO Madison, Downtown Rotary (Madison), Madison Symphony Orchestra Board, Natural Resources Foundation Board, Gathering Waters Conservancy, the Madison Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Capital Area Regional Planning Commission, and Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation. She also was a member of the Governor’s 2007 Task Force on Global Warming.

Euclide earned her law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Order of the Coif) and a bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) from UW-Oshkosh, where she was honored as an Outstanding Young Alumni.

Euclide and her husband, Doug Steege, live in Madison, as do their two adult children and three grandchildren.

About WPS Health Solutions

WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans and their families. In 2019, the international Ethisphere® Institute named WPS one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® for the 10th straight year. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.