The Forum's Board of Trustees voted to install Andrew Schiesl as its new chairman at the January 15 annual meeting. Schiesl, who had been Forum secretary for the past three years, replaces Milwaukee businesswoman Susan H. Hatch, who stepped down after a three-year term.
Schiesl is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Gardner Denver, Inc., where he is responsible for the legal, compliance, government affairs, environmental, health and safety, and real estate functions of the company. Before joining Gardner Denver last year, he was Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Quad/Graphics, Inc. He also has served as Senior Counsel at Harley-Davidson, Inc. and was a member of the business law department at Foley & Lardner LLP.
A native of Milwaukee, Schiesl earned his law degree at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He also holds an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor's degree in political science and history from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
In addition to his involvement with the Public Policy Forum, Schiesl currently serves as an officer, member of the Executive Committee, chair of the Bylaws Committee, and board member of the UWM Foundation; an officer and board member of the UWM Research Foundation; and board member of the Waukesha County Business Alliance.
"Andy's strong ties to the region's civic and business communities, his impressive legal background, and his vast knowledge of public policy and research make him an ideal leader for the Forum," says Forum President Rob Henken. "In addition, at 42 years of age, Andy is our youngest board chair in recent memory, and his connections to Milwaukee's next generation of civic leaders will be extremely helpful in expanding the reach of the organization and guiding it into its second century."
"At the same time, we are extremely grateful for Susan's three years of service to the Forum and, in particular, her outstanding leadership in planning and executing our 100th anniversary celebration," Henken added.
The Forum also appointed the following individuals as new members of its Board of Trustees:
Kevin Dallman, BDO USA
Tom Finco, American Transmission Company
Kelly Fortier, Michael Best & Friedrich
Daniel Potter, Grant Thornton
Scott Royer, Veolia Water Milwaukee
Kenneth Munson, Community Care, Inc.
The 2014 annual meeting also featured a panel discussion on the Forum's arts, cultural, and entertainment research that included Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, United Performing Arts Fund President/CEO Deanna Tillisch, and Milwaukee Public Museum President Jay Williams. Photos from the event can be accessed on our Facebook page.
