Welcome new board members!

We’ve expanded our board of directors! We’re excited to announce eight new members: Rick Andritsch, partner and vice president of business development for VJS Construction Services and CEO of VJS Lincoln, Inc.; Brian Baker, president and CEO of Sentry Equipment Corp; Tina Chang, CEO of SysLogic, Inc.; Cara Fuller, director of customer operations support for WEC Energy Group; Katie Gavin, vice president of human resources for Milwaukee Tool; Linda Joel, president and CEO of LindenGrove Communities; Mark Mone, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; and Stan Sugden, president of Ruekert and Mielke, Inc.

Rick Andritsch has more than 29 years of construction experience in a variety of project areas including tenant build-outs and commercial, industrial, educational, religious, manufacturing, medical, multi-residential, aviation and senior living projects. Andritsch’s career has included project field supervision, project management and project executive roles. His current duties include serving as partner in charge of business development for VJS Construction Services and CEO of VJS Lincoln, VJS’ general aviation construction division. Andritsch has been involved with the National Association of General Contractors of America for more than 19 years, serves on the board of directors for Rogers Memorial Hospital and the YMCA of Waukesha and is the current Vice-Chair of the YMCA of Greater Waukesha County.

Brian Baker is president and CEO of Sentry Equipment Corp in Oconomowoc. He also serves on Sentry’s board of directors and is trustee of the company’s employee stock ownership plan.  Baker started his career with Arthur Andersen and was controller of Rexworks Inc. before moving to Sentry in 1995. Prior to becoming president, Brian was Sentry’s vice president and chief financial officer. Baker graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and has an MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.

Tina Chang is the CEO of SysLogic, Inc., an information technology services firm offering technology strategy consulting, custom software development and business intelligence solutions. Prior to joining SysLogic in 1996, Chang worked for Accenture where she served as a business analyst and consultant to Fortune 500 companies. Chang has demonstrated a dedication to community and professional development through her leadership and board responsibilities with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, Alverno College, Boys & Girls Clubs-Milwaukee, LISC Milwaukee, United Way and the United Performing Arts Fund, among others. Originally from New York, Chang attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison and received a BBA degree with an emphasis in marketing and international business. Chang is passionate about mentoring our region’s youth and she enjoys tournament bass fishing in her free time.

Cara Fuller was appointed director – customer operations support for the customer service and operations department of WEC Energy Group in July 2015. In this role, Fuller has overall responsibility for support functions to customer service and operations personnel. Fuller joined the company as a co-op engineer in 1985. Fuller earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Marquette University. She has served on the boards of National Association of Women in Construction, TEMPO/Envision, Holy Family Parish School and Dominican High School and is currently a cabinet member for the Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County United Way campaign.

Katie Gavin started with Milwaukee Tool in 2005 and took over leadership of the human resources department in 2008. She has over 20 years of experience, with a functional expertise in compensation and employee benefits. Under her leadership the Milwaukee Tool HR team delivers on impactful human resource strategies that allow Milwaukee Tool to recruit, retain, engage and develop employees to their highest potential. The HR team has been essential in providing the support needed to triple the Milwaukee Tool employment base in the U.S. over the past 10 years.

Linda Joel began her position as president and CEO of LindenGrove Communities in 2015 after relocating from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Prior to that, she served in a variety of senior executive roles at Spectrum Health, an integrated health system serving West Michigan. Joel earned her undergraduate degree at Michigan State University and a master’s degree at Western Michigan University and completed a 12-month residency program in healthcare administration at the University of Michigan. Joel is board certified in health care management and holds Fellow status in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Joel serves on the board of directors of LeadingAge Wisconsin and the Leading Choice Network, organizations that advocate for excellence in senior care.

Dr. Mark Mone was appointed Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin‐Milwaukee in 2014. He has put the University on a strategic course for strengthened student success, research, partnerships, entrepreneurship and innovation while managing unprecedented challenges facing higher education, and the consolidation of two regional campuses into branch campuses of UWM. Dr. Mone has served higher education for more than 30 years as a faculty member, associate dean and senior administrator. He has a BS in management from Central Washington University, an MBA from Idaho State University and a PhD in organizational behavior and organization theory from Washington State University.

Stan Sugden is the president of Ruekert & Mielke, Inc., a consulting engineering firm with five offices that provide municipal engineering services to many of the communities located throughout Wisconsin, acting as city, village or town engineer for many of these municipalities. Sugden is a registered professional engineer and has served as city engineer for the City of Oconomowoc since 1995, being involved in all aspects of city planning and development. In addition to serving as a member of the Waukesha County Business Alliance Policy Board, Sugden is a member of the National and Wisconsin Societies of Professional Engineers and serves on several committees for the American Society of Engineering Companies. Stan is also a member of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County Campaign Cabinet, serving on the Corporate Engagement Committee.

“Our board members represent a broad spectrum of strong and engaged businesses in southeast Wisconsin,” said Suzanne Kelley, president and CEO of the Waukesha County Business Alliance. “We’re grateful for their commitment to our organization and look forward to working with them to make Waukesha County the best place to do business.”

See our full list of board members here.