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Blow Your Own Horn

Tell us what wonderful things have happened to you—promotions, job changes, articles published, awards, honors, and kudos.  Submit your news to PD’s newsletter editor, Molly Quirk at mmquirk@concentric.net . 

Pam Kassner recently finished her third Ironman triathlon – the Ironman Florida in Panama City. She bested her 2005 time by nearly 30 minutes on a day with difficult conditions. The 2.4 mile swim started with air temperatures in the 40s and choppy gulf waters. Stiff winds blew on the 112 mile bike ride. And, the marathon run – well at that point, it’s just hard. When sitting still in her chair, Pam’s marketing and communications firm, Super Pear Strategies, celebrates its two-year anniversary in February. It’s been a fruitful experience.

Please join us in congratulating Christy Brooks. Christy was one of only 20 attorneys named a “2007 Leader in the Law” by the Wisconsin Law Journal.  Leaders in the Law annually recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to the practice of law. This year’s honorees will be featured in a special magazine published on April 2 and will also be recognized at a dinner event on March.

Connie Roethel was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) Council of Small Business Executives (COSBE). The role of the COSBE Board is to raise visibility of small business within the MMAC and to be a leader and advocate for Milwaukee area small businesses.

Karen Case won a $300— 3rd Place Award at the 16th Annual Town of Longboat Key Exhibition.

Her Raku fired entry “ENRO-I” was on display until January 28th at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts and can be viewed at her web-site: www.karen-case.com PD member Kay Yuspeh will be

receiving the Governor’s Trailblazer Award on March 27 at a presentation and reception in the

capitol. The Trailblazer Award is presented to women who have successfully owned and built their own business for 25 years or more.

Nadine T. Guirl is happily ensconced in a fabulous new job as the Sr. Vice President of Human

Resources for ProHealth Care. As you may know, ProHealth Care has been providing quality health care services in Waukesha County for more than 90 years through Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital, 15 ProHealth Care Medical Centers (primary care clinics), home health care and hospice services, assisted and independent living communities and West Wood Health and Fitness Center. ProHealth Care boasts some of the top health care programs in the region, state and even nation, including the top-rated heart program in the Milwaukee area for the 2nd year in a row (according to 2005 and 2006 HealthGrades research study), one of the top Cancer Centers in the nation (according to the Commission on Cancer), Wisconsin’s most comprehensive hospital-based Womens’ Center a nd more. ProHealth Care has approximately 5,300 employees and is Waukesha County’s largest employer. The population is 85% female and ProHealth Care responds to patients with excellent service, respect and compassion in a values-based culture

Bonnie L. Schwid of Anagraphics was appointed by Governor Doyle to serve on the Small Business Regulatory Review Board. The board studies regulations that affect or can potentially affect small businesses in Wisconsin by putting barriers or burdens on them. The appointment was at the recommendation of Bill Smith, lobbyist for the NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business), a politically active advocate for small business. Anagraphics has also expanded

its forensic document examination practice to include Robin Williams who has a Master’s Degree in

Forensic Sciences, and who brings 25 years of experience and additional forensic services to the firm. We now operate in the metro Milwaukee area, Chicago and Green Bay.

Jennifer Bartolotta has been named the winner of the 2007 CG Schmidt Ovation award for Volunteerism. CG Schmidt, one of Wisconsin’s largest construction management firms, will make a $2500 contribution to Meta House, the organization that nominated Bartolotta for the award. Congratulations, Jennifer!

Paula Hare’s firm, Hare Strigenz Design, announces that Trinity Academy of Irish Dance which is a client was featured on the March 16th TODAY show. Hare Strigenz also welcomes St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy as a new client.

The Women’s Center celebrates its 30 year anniversary in May. It was founded by five women, including PD member Kathie Kueht, who has remained involved in the organization. The Women’s Center provides personal and career counseling services to women, services for victims of domestic violence, crisis hot line, public shelter, legal advocacy, and Hispanic outreach.

Joan Lloyd was interviewed by Morey Stettner, for the article Lower Turnover By Making Employees Feel Appreciated featured in the Managing Success section of the national publication, Investors Business Daily. The article appeared in the Monday, March 26, 2007 issue.

Judge Patricia S. Curley of the Court of Appeals was recently named Presiding Judge for District I, which covers all of Milwaukee County. Judge Curley has been on the Court of Appeals for ten years. Before that, she was a circuit court judge in Milwaukee.

First Weber Realtor has announced that Grace Bottoni has earned the Graduate Realtors Institute designation as well as obtaining her Certified Residential Specialist and Certified Senior Specialist designations. Grace was the sales leader in the Lake Country office for the month of January.

After four years of classes at Marquette University, Christine Baranoucky will be receiving her Masters of Business Administration (MBA), specializing in International Business, on May 20th.

Congratulations to Margy Stratton Norman on the birth of her third child, daughter Annie Norman born 11-27-06. Margy reports that she has returned to work at Milwaukee Reads. She and family are doing fine.

Hyler Communications, a full-service public relations firm founded in 2001 and headed by PD member Lora Hyler, landed a contract to handle publicity for local author and former Milwaukee Journal reporter Cynthia Dennis. Dennis has authored The Sunflower Sinner, the

tale of her father’s quest to become the next Governor of Kansas. This inside look at the life of a political family involves adultery, abortion, alcoholism and a political payoff scandal, and asks the question: How did you survive your childhood?

 Marquette University Honors the Honorable Maxine Aldridge White with its National Award – Alumni Service to the Community. After graduating from Marquette University Law School in 1985, Judge White worked for six years as an assistant U.S. attorney before becoming circuit court judge for Milwaukee County. She has won several awards for her work including, most recently, the Mattie Belle Davis Award by the National Association of Women Judges. She also serves on the boards of community and fine arts groups. The award is given to a Marquette graduate who has shown outstanding service to the community beyond Marquette University.

Marquette University Honors the Honorable Patricia J. Gorence with its Law School – Alumna of the Year Award. Judge Patricia J. Gorence, Jour ‘65, Law ‘77, is actively involved in the community and a leader in developing innovative legal solutions for the betterment of society.

Honorable Patricia J. Gorence A United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Pat is also known as a collaborator. In 2003, she worked with Milwaukee

County Circuit Court Judge Carl Ashley to bring together local police chiefs, district and city attorneys, and judges and lawyers to establish the Guidelines for the Review of Crimes

and Ordinance Violations by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and the Milwaukee County Communities, which paved the way for consistent treatment of minor offenses throughout the county. For their work, the Wisconsin Law Journal named Pat, along with Judge Ashley, Innovator of the Year for their collaborative effort to ensure equal treatment under the law.

In the Milwaukee community, Pat is co-founder and steering committee member of Women’s Resource Day, a free one-day program for low-income women. For many years, she also served as board chair of the Bottomless Closet, which provides clothing to low-income women entering the workforce. She is also a longtime member of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Slovenian Arts Council. Appointed to the national Advisory Group for United States Magistrate Judges. Pat also chairs the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Lawyer Dispute Resolution Committee, is vice chair of the Milwaukee Bar Association’s Community Relations Committee, and serves on other community boards and committees. Among the many awards she has received for community involvement and legal excellence are the Milwaukee Bar Association’s Distinguished Service and Lawyer of the Year-Prosecutor awards, and the Wisconsin State Bar President’s Award of Excellence.

Karen A. Vernal, President of Vernal Management Consultants, LLC will give the key note address on Emotional Intelligence for an anticipated 350 leaders in rural healthcare at the Wisconsin Rural Hospital Association Conference June 23rd & 24th at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Karen will also be leading a break out session to continue the conversation on Emotional Intelligence. Emotional Intelligence is twice as significant as I.Q. and technical skills as a predictor of success. Karen will also co-facilitate the Member Leader Summit for the American Society for Quality at their annual World Conference in Orlando, FL.