Held twice each academic year, the Executive-in-Residence program complements and strengthens the student's classroom experience by offering real-world illustrations of the key issues encountered when managing a business firm. In sharing their vision and experiences, the high level executives help bridge the gap between theory and practice and provide insight into how difficult business decisions are made. Students learn from these business perspectives and gain awareness that future success can be achieved through continued academic growth and development. Executives also meet with university leaders and faculty from the school to exchange ideas on how the university and business community can partner together for mutual benefit.
Presented in an engaging atmosphere, participants have the opportunity to raise questions on issues of interest and from this interaction gain an appreciation of how executives make decisions, motivate, and manage. Executives find the experience to be very beneficial and gratifying in knowing they are playing an important role in shaping America's future business leaders.
Shown below are the current and past executive participants of the program.
James A. Kettinger
President & Chief Executive
IEA, Inc.
Topic: "Applied Leadership Lessons - Career and Business Success Essentials"
Date: April 3, 2012
James A. Kettinger Sr. is President and Chief Executive of IEA, Inc., a Kenosha-based manufacturer of very large industrial radiators for internal combustion engines. Additionally, through its Silver Linings Division, IEA designs and manufactures thermally managed enclosures for technical data center equipment. These enclosures house computer servers, power supplies and data distribution equipment in commercial and military applications ranging from small, single site computer rooms to major data centers around the world.
Mr. Kettinger is a life long resident of Wisconsin, a 1980 graduate of University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management (Accounting) degree, and a Certified Public Accountant. His career has included positions in public accounting at Price Waterhouse followed by 23 years in senior management and consulting at many public and private, middle-market, Wisconsin companies. Jim is a board member of Association for Corporate Growth and Ace Worldwide. While a student, Mr. Kettinger was the founding president of the UW-Parkside Accounting Club.
IEA is enjoying significant growth through product and customer diversification and as a result of strong market resurgence in the industries it serves. IEA's success is also attributable to its cultural transformation that emphasizes the engagement of its entire work force in business management and continuous improvement for mutual success and rewards. In his presentation, “Applied Leadership Lessons - Career and Business Success Essentials,” Mr. Kettinger will share a collection of key leadership attributes that have been core to his own successes at clients and employers.
Michael P. Haubrich
NAPFA Registered Financial Advisor
President, Financial Service Group, Inc.
Topic: "Career Sustainability and Your Financial Well Being"
Date: November 29, 2011
Michael Haubrich is a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner with more than 25 years of practical experience, making him one of the longest-standing CFP practitioners in our area. He is founder and shareholder of Financial Service Group a fee-only firm with more than $100 million in assets under management providing superior quality financial advice to a select group of clients.
A graduate of University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Mike is past-president of the southeast Wisconsin chapter of the Financial Planning Association and frequent guest lecturer on the subjects of holistic financial planning and innovation approaches to the practice. Along with the more traditional financial planning services, Mike focuses on helping clients manage financial and non-financial life transition issues. His work includes the development of career asset management, which has been recognized by the financial planning community for its value-add to the planner/client relationship.
His community involvement includes board and committee service on a number of not for profit organizations including UW-Parkside Foundation Board, Careers Industries, Lakeside Curative Workshop, and Racine Community Foundation.
Russell C. Weyers
President and Chief Executive Officer, Johnson Financial Group
President, Johnson Bank
Topic: "The Great Recession and the Impact on the Future of Industry"
Date: April 14, 2011
Russell C. Weyers was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Financial Group in January 2011. He held the position of Executive Vice President of Johnson Financial Group and President and Chief Operating Officer of Johnson Bank since June 2004. Russ joined Johnson Bank as Executive Vice President and Manager of Corporate Banking in February 1995. In December 1999, he was named President of Johnson Bank Racine and became Executive Vice President - Strategic Development Officer in 2001. Mr. Weyers is also a member of the Board of Directors for Johnson Financial Group, Johnson Bank and Johnson Insurance, as well as President of Johnson Community Development Company.
Prior to joining Johnson Bank, Russ served in senior commercial lending positions for Bank One, Kenosha, WI and with Firstar Bank, Milwaukee, WI.
Mr. Weyers previously served as a member of the Board of Directors and past Chairman of the Wisconsin Bankers Association. He is also past Chairman of Leadership Racine and past Chairman of Racine County Economic Development Corporation and Racine Zoological Society. Russ is also a member of the Board of Directors for Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and A&E Inc. in Racine.
A native of Kimberly, WI, Russ holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin -Oshkosh and master's degree in business administration from Marquette University, WI.
Thomas A. Burke
President and Chief Executive Officer
Modine Manufacturing Company
Topic: "Surviving the Economic Crisis: One Company's Story"
Date: October 21, 2010
Thomas A. Burke was named President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of Modine's Board of Directors in March 2008.
Mr. Burke joined Modine in 2005 as Executive Vice President. In July 2006, he was promoted to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, taking on the responsibilities of streamlining the company's global organizational structure. As COO, he was in charge of all global operations for the Powertrain Cooling, Engine, Passenger Thermal Management, Commercial and Fuel Cell Products Groups, as well as Environmental, Safety and Security.
Prior to joining Modine, Mr. Burke worked for nine years with Visteon Corporation, where he was Vice President of North American Manufacturing Operations with responsibility for more than $10 billion in sales. There, he led an effort to develop and implement business strategies to enhance the company's global manufacturing product portfolio. Before that, and based in Cologne, Germany, Mr. Burke served as Vice President of European and South American Manufacturing and Vice President of North American and Asian Operations.
Previously, Mr. Burke spent 13 years with Ford Motor Company in the Climate Control Division in a variety of engineering and operations positions in the United States and Mexico.
Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mr. Burke received a bachelor's degree in engineering from Purdue University. He presently serves on the Board of Trustees of MAPI/Manufacturers' Alliance and the Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Racine County United Way.
Jane M. Hutterly
Executive Vice President
Worldwide Corporate & Environmental Affairs
S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
and
President - Johnson Keland Management, Inc.
Topic: "Create A Life of Adventure"
Date: April 8, 2010
Jane M. Hutterly was appointed Executive Vice President of Worldwide Corporate & Environmental Affairs for S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. in 2005, and President of Johnson Keland Management, Inc. in 1999. Ms. Hutterly joined SC Johnson as a product manager in 1979 from Frito-Lay, Inc. She held a variety of brand management positions in the company's insect control and personal care businesses before being named Corporate Acquisitions Director in 1987. She served as Vice President of Franchise Sales & Marketing for Molly Maids, Inc., prior to being named Director of Worldwide Environmental Affairs in 1990 and became Vice President of Environmental & Safety Actions in 1992.
Ms. Hutterly currently serves on the Board of Directors of Johnson Financial Group, Inc., as Chair of the Board of the American Cleaning Institute, and is a member of the Milwaukee 7 Regional Economic Development Advisory Council and of Cornell University's Johnson School Advisory Council. Her professional affiliations have included, among others: Liaison Delegate to both the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the U.S. President's Council on Sustainable Development, Chair and Member of the Board of the Consumer Specialty Products Association, and membership on the President's Council of Cornell Women. Locally, she serves on the Racine Art Museum Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and previously served on the Boards of Directors of the Downtown Racine Corporation, All Saints Healthcare System, and YWCA of Racine, and as Chair of the 2005 Racine County United Way Campaign.
A native of Washington D.C., Ms. Hutterly holds a B.S. degree in Business from Centenary College of Louisiana and an MBA from Cornell University. She and her husband, Louie, who has two children, have resided in Racine, Wisconsin for the past 31 years.
Richard A. Meeusen
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Badger Meter, Inc.
Topic: "Water Technology: Wisconsin's Newest Growth Industry"
Date: October 13, 2009
Richard Meeusen joined Badger Meter, Inc. in 1995 as vice president of finance and chief financial officer. In April 2002, he was elected president and chief executive officer and later elected chairman in April 2004. Rich began his professional career in 1976 by joining the audit division of the Milwaukee office of Arthur Andersen & Co. In 1988, he became vice president of finance and treasurer of Zenith Sintered Products, Inc., a powder metal parts manufacturer located in Germantown. Most recently, Mr. Meeusen received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award in the manufacturing category in the Upper Midwest region.
Mr. Meeusen received an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in 1995, a BBA in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1976, and a CPA certificate in 1978. He is currently a director of Menasha Corporation, a consumer packaging company, and a past director of Waukesha Foundry, Town Bank, and State Financial Services Corporation. Rich also serves as co-chair of the Milwaukee 7 Water Council.
In his professional associations, Mr. Meeusen is a director of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. He also serves on the boards of numerous non-profit community organizations.
Perry Yeatman
Senior Vice President - Corporate Affairs
Kraft Foods Inc.
Topic: "Your career, Your terms"
Date: April 9, 2009
Perry Yeatman started her career in the agency world, spending nearly 15 years with leading global communications firms. In 2000, Perry moved “in-house� as a Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Unilever in North America. Today, Ms. Yeatman is Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, for Kraft Foods. In this role she is a key advisor to CEO Irene Rosenfeld and one of the company's top 50 executives worldwide.
Perry's Corporate Affairs expertise is further enhanced by her breadth of international experience and in-depth understanding of business and leadership. From 1990-2000, Ms. Yeatman worked in more than 50 countries and lived in 4 regions - based first in Singapore, then Russia, then the UK and finally back in North America. In her various roles, she has served not only as a senior marketing communications and corporate affairs counselor but also as a General Manager.
In 2005, Perry also served as an adjunct professor, teaching courses on globalization, ethics and diversity.
Outside of work, Perry is the award winning co-author of Get Ahead by Going Abroad, from Harper Collins and a featured blogger on The Huffington Post. She also serves on the National Board of the Girl Scouts of the USA.
Kim Adriano
Corporate Controller
Bacardi Limited, Hamilton Bermuda
Topic: "Eight Basic Principles You Might Not Have Learned in the Lecture Hall"
Date: November 25, 2008
Former SC Johnson and current Bacardi Limited corporate controller Kim Adriano serves as the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Executive-in-Residence Tuesday, Nov. 25. A UW-Parkside graduate, Adriano ('79, Business Management), speaks about her business experiences during two on-campus programs titled "Career Success 101: Eight basic principles you might not have learned in the Lecture Hall." Both programs are free and open to the public.
Adriano began her career in public accounting, her area of specialization at UW-Parkside, and she is a Certified Public Accountant. She served in a number of management positions at SC Johnson, working both in Racine and Great Britain, during her 22 years at the consumer products giant. She eventually rose to the company's Vice President--Corporate Controller position. She recently joined Bacardi Limited, a privately held marketer of premium spirits based in Hamilton, Bermuda, where she serves as Corporate Controller.
While at UW-Parkside, Adriano makes Executive-in-Residence presentations at 9:30 a.m. and at 11 a.m. in the Cinema of the newly renovated Student Center. UW-Parkside School of Business and Technology Dean Fred Ebeid emphasized that these free programs are open to students, faculty, staff and the public.
Dean Sivley
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Orbitz for Business and Alliance Marketing
Topic: "The Road Less Traveled"
Date: February 26, 2008
Dean Sivley's distinguished career achievements in both the travel and technology professions lend unique management strength to an organization that pioneered the merging of the two.
Charting the vision and strategic direction in Orbitz for Business, Partner Marketing, White Label groups are Sivley's key responsibilities. As head of these groups, his focus is to ensure continued success and growth in the competitive travel industry. He is responsible for driving performance toward shareholder and business goals, managing day-to-day execution and aligning the organization around its strategic imperatives.
Prior to joining Orbitz Worldwide, Sivley served as the executive vice president, general manager at Creditek, a leading invoice-to-cash business processing outsourcing (BPO) company serving more than half of the Fortune 500. His in-depth travel industry experience includes serving as CEO of Atlas Travel Technologies and VP of marketing and CIO of Rosenbluth International. He was the chief strategy officer at Neon Systems and VerticalNet Inc., where he oversaw the development of the technology infrastructure and eCommerce transaction strategy.
Steven Bierman
President
CNH Capital
Topic: "Effective Leadership Today, With an Eye on Tomorrow"
Date: November 6, 2007
Steven Bierman is responsible for the global activities of CNH Capital, the financial services affiliate of CNH Global, N.V. He joined the company in 2005 as Vice President, Commercial Finance and was later appointed President.
Prior to joining CNH Capital, Steve was Chief Information Officer for Fremont Investment & Loan, a $10-billion thrift with residential and commercial real estate lending operations throughout the U.S. He joined Fremont General Corporation in 1998 as General Manager for the firm's Syndicated Lending Group, and was later promoted to Chief Operating Officer.
Steve's experience also includes ten years with General Electric (GE) Capital, where he contributed to several key growth initiatives, including the firm's $2.5-billion acquisition of Gelco Corporation and the joint venture with Penske Truck Leasing. Steve later transitioned into commercial lending for GE Capital, where he served as a co-leader for risk management in the western United States.
Steve holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Edward F. Lonergan
President and Chief Executive Officer
JohnsonDiversey
Topic: "Building a Sustainable Enterprise in Today's Global Economy"
Date: April 3, 2007
Edward Lonergan has served as Director and President and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Diversey since February 2006. Mr. Lonergan has also served as a Director of Holdco since February 2006 and as Director and President and Chief Executive Officer of Holdings since February 2006. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Lonergan had over 25 years of experience in the consumer products industry, most recently serving as President of the European region for the Gillette Company from May 2002 until January 2006. He was employed from 1981 to April 2002 by the Proctor & Gamble Company, where he held a variety of responsibilities including most recently Customer General Management assignments in Europe and the United States.
Mr. Lonergan graduated from Union College of New York in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.
Michael Falbo
Chairman
Associated Community Development, LLC
Topic: "The Role of Banking in Our Communities"
Date: November 16, 2006
Michael Falbo is Chairman of Associated Community Development, LLC. He is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of State Financial Services Corporation, a $1.5 billion financial services company that was based in Milwaukee, with operations in Wisconsin and Illinois. The company was the fifth largest bank holding company in the State and was publicly traded on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol SFSW. Associated Banc-Corp, Green Bay, WI, recently acquired the company.
Mr. Falbo joined the company in 1983 as president of then State Bank Hales Corners; he was named President and CEO of the holding company in 1984. Under Mike's leadership, the company successfully integrated numerous acquisitions growing total assets from $75 million and 70 employees to $1.5 billion and 432 employees. Through careful strategic planning Mike orchestrated the growth of the company in a very competitive industry through challenging economic times. His banking career started as an auditor in 1973.
Mike earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mr. Falbo served in the United States Army, Vietnam Medic Corps and was honorably discharged. He is married 34 years to his wife Sheila and they have two grown daughters.
Today Mr. Falbo serves on numerous boards and leadership positions in the banking industry and the community.
Greg Harper
President
Runzheimer International
Topic: "Runzheimer's Journey to Performance Excellence"
Date: April 6, 2006
Greg Harper is the President of Runzheimer International. Founded in 1933, Runzheimer International provides a full suite of employee mobility related products and services which can be tailored to specifically meet customers' needs. The information and services provided can be applied by companies and government agencies for employee relocation, international assignment, business vehicle and driver programs, and business travel, both domestically and internationally. Harper previously held the roles of Vice President and Executive Vice President at Runzheimer International.
Prior to joining Runzheimer International, Harper was a Vice President at Placon Corporation in Madison, Wisconsin. Harper's professional experience also includes Electronic Data Systems (EDS), the global information technology consulting company where he held business development and customer relations positions. Greg holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Iowa State University and is involved with Executive Agenda and the Madison School Education Program.
Greg Harper has extensive experience with speaking engagements with clients and employees and his leadership had been instrumental in creating a work environment at Runzheimer that has earned the organization recognition from SHRM and Great Places to Work Institute as one of the "Best Companies to work for in America 2005." He has worked innovatively with a very specific focus on using sound methods and data-based approaches to enable companies to increase overall human capital value and ultimately business performance. He has traveled extensively, applying his talents across a variety of industries.
Richard V. Caskey
Vice President, Market Development
Snap-On Incorporated
Topic: "Snap-On: A Global Perspective"
Date: November 1, 2005
Richard Caskey has general management background including Marketing, Product Management, Sales and Business Development. He has served Snap-On Incorporated in numerous capacities including Vice President Marketing, Vice President and General Manager Power Tools, and his current role as Vice President Market Development establishing operations in emerging markets with a focus on China. Mr. Caskey has had a broad range of responsibility in international markets for over 30 years.
Richard holds an MBA degree from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and a BA degree from Dominican College in Racine, WI. He has been a member of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside School of Business and Technology Advisory Board since 1988, serving as Chairman for three years. Mr. Caskey received the 1998 University of Wisconsin-Parkside Alumni Association Distinguished Achievement Award. He is a past member of Sales and Marketing Executives, Racine/Kenosha, Wisconsin.
David R. Barnes
Entrepreneur
Von Briesen & Roper, SC
Topic: "Learn How to Be A Successful Entrepreneur From a Successful Entrepreneur"
Date: April 12, 2005
David Barnes has a long history of starting successful businesses. He has started and remains the president or chairman of the following businesses:
Diane E. Doers
President
DeltaHawk, Inc.
Topic: "DeltaHawk Engines: Flying Against the Wind"
Date: November 9, 2004
Diane Doers has been the President, Treasurer, and a Director of DeltaHawk, Inc. since its inception in 1996 to the present. She carries on her DeltaHawk duties as her "night and weekend" job while maintaining a full-time position as Corporate Community Relations Manager for IBM's Central Region. In prior positions at IBM, Diane had systems development, sales and management responsibilities in IBM's custom system development business with manufacturing companies. Her experience with developing shop floor, quality control, inventory management, materials handling and labor reporting systems for a variety of manufacturing companies, large and small, served as excellent preparation for her leadership of DeltaHawk, Inc. and DeltaHawk Engines LLC, of which she is also President.
Prior to her IBM career, Diane was a field research biologist studying bats, working from university and museum positions. Her initial work following college was as an elementary school teacher. She holds a B.A. in English (Magna Cum Laude) from Bethany College, West Virginia, and a M.S. in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (coursework and assistantships at the University of Kansas). In her "spare time" she travels, scuba dives, performs occasionally with an amateur theater group, and participates in a book club.
J. Gary Raley
President and Chief Operating Officer
Johnson Polymer, LLC
Topic: "Leading Through Turbulent Times"
Date: March 2, 2004
Gary Raley is President & COO for Johnson Polymer. He began this assignment in May 2002. Unlike other Johnson companies, Johnson Polymer is a specialty chemical manufacturer of resins and emulsions used primarily in water based printing (ink, OPV's and dispersants) and coating products. Additionally, Polyols, powder coatings, specialty polymers for floor care and hair care and plastic additive products are marked globally.
Gary was President of North America for Johnson Wax Professionals from June 2000 Until May 2002. His responsibilities included the U.S. Professional business, Butchers, Drachett, US Chemical, Whitmire Micro-Gen, Prism, and CMA Dishmachines. Collectively, these companies represented one-half of JWP sales, over 1350 employees, and four manufacturing facilities.
Prior to the President position, Gary was Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing, where he led the development of a Global Sales team to focus on the key global retailers and building service contractors. He also formed a Global Marketing team responsible for the development and launch of major programs impacting strategic end-users.
Prior to joining Johnson Wax Professional, Gary served as Senior Vice President of Sales for Fruit of the Loom in Bowling Green, Kentucky. There, he was responsible for US retail products sales, Canada, Mexico, and Japan, as well as the development of a market entry strategy for Latin America. Gary also successfully led the sales organization to become the preferred partner with the discount class of trade through customer teams, category management, and vendor managed inventory. Prior to holding the chief sales role at Fruit of the Loom, Gary was Vice President of Business Development.
Gary holds a B.A. degree in Economics from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, completed the Harvard Graduate School of Business PMD (Program for Management Development), and has attended numerous other training and development courses. Mr. Raley represents JohnsonDiversey, Inc. as a Director for the Johnson Wax Fund. He is married to Deane Ann, and has one son, Seth (24). His interests include golf, racquet sports and reading.
Edward C. Emma
President and Chief Operating Officer
Jockey International, Inc.
Topic: "Embracing Change in the New Global Economy"
Date: November 18, 2003
Edward Emma was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer of Jockey International, Inc. in May 1995. In this role, his goal has been to position his company's strong consumer brand franchise as the preeminent underwear brand in the world. Ed joined Jockey in 1991 as the Director of Menswear and Retail Operations and was later promoted to Senior Vice President of Retail Operations where he oversaw the dramatic growth of Jockey's retail store operation. In 1994, he was named to the Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Jockey, he spent 13 years in retail business working for several of the industry's premier department store groups. He began his career at Filene's in Boston where he became the Buyer of Men's Personal Furnishings. Following Filene's, Ed's career took him to Jordan March when after achieving the rank of Store Manager, he accepted an offer from G. Fox in Hartford, Connecticut, to become the Divisional Merchandise Manager of Men's Furnishings. Several years late, Mr. Emma returned to Jordan March to become the Vice President Divisional Merchandise Manager of Men's Sportswear and Young Men's.
Ed is a member of the Board of Directors for the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) having acted as Secretary and Treasurer, currently serving as Vice Chairman, and in line to be appointed Chairman in 2004. He is involved in a number of local organizations including: The Kenosha Hospital & Medical Center Board of Directors, Interlochen Music Camp as a member of the Corporate Council, The Veritas Society (Wisconsin Right to Life) as Racine/Kenosha Trustee, Western Reserve Academy Board of Visitors, Young Life Ministries Board of Directors in Lake Geneva, and also participates in the KABA Mentor Program for local grade schools. Ed is a member of Calvary Church in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
Mr. Emma is a cum laude graduate of Harvard University. He and his Wife, Penny, have been married for 21 years and have three children: Arthur, 14; Alex,13; and Amanda,12. Ed resides in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
David B. Rayburn
Chief Operating Officer
Modine Manufacturing Company
Topic: "Modine - Where we are, and Where we are Going!"
Date: March 4, 2003
David Rayburn, President and Chief Executive Officer, since January 2003, joined Modine in 1991 as Vice President and General Manager of the Heavy-Duty and Industrial Division. In November 1993, he was named Vice President and General Manger of Modine's Automotive Division. In October 1994, he became Group Vice President, Highway Products. In March 1998, David was promoted to Executive Vice President, Original Equipment, responsible for all domestic original equipment manufacturing operations as well as corporate wide quality and information services functions. In March 2000, Mr. Rayburn was named the Executive Vice President, Operations, where he added responsibility for Modine's European operations. In April 2002, he became President and Chief Operating Officer.
Prior to joining Modine, David was Director of Manufacturing for the Off-Highway Product and Drive Line Division of the Automotive Operations Group Rockwell International. Since 1970, he served in a variety of plant and division management functions there.
Born on May 24, 1984, in Gallipolis, Ohio, Mr. Rayburn received his B.S. degree in industrial engineering form Penn State University in 1970. He earned his M.B.A. in management from Xavier University in 1979.
Mr. Rayburn is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, is on the board of Directors for Marshall & Ilsley bank in Racine, Twin Disc, Jason Holding Inc., and the Racine Area Manufacturing and Commerce (RAMAC).
Jerry G. Ryder
Chief Executive Officer
In-Sink-Erator
Topic: "Succeeding in a Tough Economy"
Date: November 5, 2002
Jerry Ryder is the President of the In-Sink-Erator Division of Emerson Electric Co., St. Louis, Missouri. He joined Emerson 26 years ago, beginning his career in Consumer Marketing, as a Product Manager. He has been associated with five different divisions of Emerson in his career, holding positions as Director of Marketing, Vice President of Marketing, General Manager, and President. Jerry has been the President of In-Sink-Erator since May 1995. During his tenure at In-Sink-Erator the company has grown over 50% and holds the number one market position in its product categories.
Jerry has served on the Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce Board of Directors and was also a Director of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. He currently serves on the Board of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and is the Treasurer of that organization.
Mr. Ryder attended Louisiana College and majored in Political Science. He currently resides in Lake Bluff, Illinois with his wife and two daughters.
Karen Johnson
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer
Aha Studios
Topic: "The Challenges & Opportunities in the New Economy"
Date: March 14, 2002
Karen Johnson is founder and CEO of Karen Johnson Productions, Inc. (KJP), an animation studio specializing in character animation for games and multimedia, scoreboards and broadcast. Formed in 1989 with a staff of five, KJP currently employs a staff of 20 animation and production artists and offer all phases of 2D and 3D animation design and productions.
Karen's interest in art began at an early age. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1972 to peruse a Fine Arts degree. It was there that she and a fellow animator decided to start their own animation studio. At 19 years of age, and $600 between them, they set up shop in an old factory in Racine and built most of their own animation equipment. Their company which specializes in animated commercials for local and regional advertising agencies as well as scoreboard animation for professional teams across the United States.
In 1989, Karen and her partner decided to pursue separate business paths and Karen left to form Karen Johnson Productions, Inc. She continued to expand production in the scoreboard animation field and soon became one of the largest suppliers of scoreboard animation in North America. The sports business, while lucrative, was seasonal so Karen began to pursue other areas of new business. Karen opened up a studio in Toronto to work on the animated film, "Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest," a feature-length animation film under the director of Kroyer Films and released by 20th Century Fox. They also produced a Christmas special, "The Wish That Changed Christmas," for Children's Television Workshop.
Over the last six years KJP has become a leading computer game developer, specializing in designing and producing software for children. Their clients include industry mainstays such as Disney, Mattel and Hasbro. A game they produced for Disney, "Disney's Villian's Revenge" won the 1999 Best Children's Entertainment Title of the Year.
Karen is currently raising money for her own children's property. When fully funded, OINK (The Online Interactive Network for Kids) will likely revolutionize the way preschool children learn in the 21st century. OINK's wholesome blend of fun innovative educational products will guide even the most at risk children on a path to success.
Ms. Johnson gives free of her time, speaking on animation to a variety of professional and volunteer groups and associations. She was named "1996 Small Business Person of the Year/Racine" and received the "1997 YWCA Woman of Distinction" award. In November 1997, Karen received a historical tribute from Women in Animation, honoring her for her contribution to the art of animation. She was presented with the award at the Warner Brother's Studio in Los Angeles. In 1999, Ms. Johnson received the Ernst & Young Service "Entrepreneur of the Year Award" for the State of Wisconsin.
Married for 23 years to John Johnson, she lives in Racine with their daughter, Becca 15. Their other daughter, Krista, 21, attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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