Category: Member News

Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C. Attorneys Earn Best Lawyers Designation

Multiple attorneys from Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C. have earned designation on the exclusive Best Lawyers annual list.

Those who made the list include Laura Beck, (Family Law), George Burnett (Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs), Robert Gagan (Municipal Law), Tori Kluess (Trusts and Estates), Jodi Labs (Environmental Law) and Fred Schmidt (Trusts and Estates).

The 32nd edition of The Best Lawyers in America recognizes only the top 5% of U.S. attorneys for 2026. The 6th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America recognizes about 2% of early early-career lawyers. Nominations are reviewed via confidential evaluations by current lawyers in the same practice area and region.

  • Bob Gagan
  • Fred Schmidt
  • George Burnett
  • Jodi Labs
  • Laura Beck
  • Tori Kluess

About Best Lawyers:

Best Lawyers provides trusted, peer-reviewed recognition of top legal professionals and helps clients find credible, experienced counsel with confidence. Best Lawyers publishes both The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, recognizing outstanding achievements of legal professionals who demonstrate unparalleled expertise and dedication in their fields. For more information, visit bestlawyers.com.

About Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C.:

Since 1976, Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C. has helped clients solve various legal challenges using a proactive and involved approach. Our reputation for the highest quality standards has earned us the trust and confidence of businesses and individuals throughout Northeast Wisconsin for over four decades. To learn more, visit lcojlaw.com.

Middle Schoolers Take Interest in Media and Communications

Middle school students from Menominee Tribal School were supported in their media interests by taking a trip to local media production companies this summer. Twelve students embarked on a day full of fun and learning at FOX 11 News studio, LiveX Media Production Company and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC)’s Media Center.

Their interest in media began back in June at “Revitalize Neopit” – an event hosted by the Wolf River Development Company and the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin to highlight the positive economic development projects happening within the Neopit community. In preparation for the event, members of the Menominee Tribal Communications Department taught students skills for interviewing, video and audio equipment usage, formulating a well-rounded story, highlighting key points, written communication skills and gaining audience interest. At Revitalize Neopit, students conducted and recorded several interviews with attendees about planning and economic development. With an overwhelming interest from students, a decision was made to coordinate a media field trip so they could learn more.

The itinerary from the day included:

  • WLUK Fox 11 News Station
    • Tour of the newsroom
    • Meet & Greet with the anchors
    • Q&A with journalists about what makes a good story
    • Watched Good Day Wisconsin morning show live
  • LiveX Media Production Company
    • Talk about live streaming, programming production, live camera switching, video editing, graphics and playback.
  • NWTC Media Center
    • Tour of classrooms and technical spaces used for graphic design, photography, audio recording and marketing.

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Menominee Tribal School is a K-8 Tribally-controlled grant school owned by the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin (MITW). Its mission is to provide the best educational experience that addresses students’ individual needs by integrating Menominee language and culture to promote success. Overseen by the Bureau of Indian Education, the Menominee Tribal School receives its major funding from the federal government and is located in Neopit, Wis.

Wisconsin’s Favorite Sports Team Join Together to Honor Veterans

The Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks are teaming up to sponsor three planeloads of area veterans on Stars and Stripes Honor Flight’s 84th mission,” scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025. This will be the sixth year the teams have joined together for the purpose of honoring our American heroes.

This “Flight of Champions” will honor approximately 180 Vietnam and Vietnam Era veterans from northeast, southeast and east central Wisconsin with a one day, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built to recognize their service and sacrifice, and to experience a full day of honor and thanks for their efforts. 

“It is an honor to be a part of this mission with our fellow pro sports teams from Wisconsin,” stated Green Bay Packers President and CEO, Ed Policy. “All of our teams have great respect and gratitude for those who have served, and are serving, in our military. That’s why we are so excited to continue playing a small role in ensuring these veterans have a great day in D.C.” 

Early in the morning of November 1, a plane of veterans, guardians and Green Bay Packers alumni will depart from Green Bay’s Austin-Straubel International Airport. Simultaneously, two planeloads of veterans, guardians and representatives from the Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks will depart from Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport.

When the three planes arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport on flight day, the veterans, their guardians and team representatives will spend the day touring Washington. The tour will include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Marine Corps/Iwo Jima Memorial and the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.

Making this day even more special is that on November 1, Stars and Stripes Honor Flight will welcome its 11,000th veteran to take this trip of honor since 2008. “We are thrilled to welcome the 11,000th veteran to take this journey of healing, closure and gratitude with us since 2008,” stated Karyn Roelke, president of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. “It has been an incredible honor to thank each and every one of them and we look forward to honoring thousands more local veterans in the years to come.”

“The Brewers, along with our partners the Packers and Bucks, have long-standing commitments to giving back to those veterans who call Wisconsin home,” said Brewers President – Business Operations, Rick Schlesinger.

He continued, “There is no greater honor than supporting them as they make this incredible Flight of Champions journey. Throughout the many years we’ve worked with Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, we know what an outstanding job they do, and we know this will be a memorable experience for the honored veterans and all of us involved with this effort.”

“We thank our family, friends and neighbors for their bravery and sacrifice and dedicating their lives to protecting us,” said Peter Feigin, President of the Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum. “The Milwaukee Bucks are proud to team up with the Packers and Brewers to create a memorable trip and experience for those who served so courageously in our military.”

“In the past, many of our veterans returned home to little gratitude or fanfare,” Roelke said. “Many of our Vietnam and Vietnam Era veterans came home to disinterest, or even a hostile reception. What an honor it will be to finally welcome them home properly and hopefully replace some of those difficult memories with positive ones.”

Melisa Young, County Veterans Service Officer, agreed. “This honor and validation from the community, Packers, Brewers and Bucks, will encourage even more veterans to sign up for these flights and encourage them to seek out their VA benefits from their local county and tribal veterans service offices.”

Members of the public are encouraged to mark the evening of November 1 on their calendars and go to Austin Straubel International Airport or Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport to welcome the veterans upon their return home. Details will be announced in the coming weeks. “We want to give our veterans a return home that they will remember for a lifetime,” added Roelke. “It’s a way to say thanks to these men and women who gave so much to our country. The festivities are always outstanding and as memorable for the public as they are for the veterans.”

This will be the final Stars and Stripes Honor Flight for 2025, with the 2026 schedule to be announced in January. As an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff and no offices, the organization is proud to share that more than $.97 of every donated dollar goes directly to flying and honoring veterans.

# # #

Honor Flight is a national program with more than 130 hubs from coast to coast. Nationally, hubs in the Honor Flight network have honored over 275,000 veterans with free trips to see their memorials. 

Local Partners Planning Startup Week Events, Leading up to December 3 Regional Event

Continuing to support entrepreneurial activity in Northeast Wisconsin, New North Inc. is working with 14 of its local partners to hold pitch events during Startup Week in the state. The event winners will advance to a regional pitch event, scheduled for December 3 at TitletownTech in Green Bay.

Entrepreneurs within the New North who are interested in participating in the qualifying, local pitch events are asked to upload their pitch ideas at https://www.startupwi.org/new-north. Those registering will be asked to select the one local pitch event that is closest to them or where their business is/will be located.

The local and regional entrepreneurial pitch contests are supported by the NEW Launch Alliance of New North Inc., along with WBD Inc. The NEW Launch Alliance was formed to create a more robust and productive entrepreneurial ecosystem across the 18 counties of the New North region, connecting entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, educators, accelerators and other resources.

“New North believes that a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem is vital to the success of our regional economy,” says Barb LaMue, president and CEO of New North Inc., the economic development corporation fostering collaboration among the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin. “We appreciate the efforts of our partners who join us to provide an opportunity for creative business ideas to be shared through the local pitch competitions and their ongoing support for entrepreneurs. We thank WBD Inc. for its sponsorship of the local and regional events, Headway.io for hosting the application website and TitletownTech for being the host location of the regional pitch event.”

The local contests are open to all residents located in Northeast Wisconsin or those who will be launching their businesses in the region. Contestants must be at least 18 years of age and the business must have generated no more than $300,000 in annual revenue or capital raised. Winners from the last two years are not eligible to receive award money.

The six local pitch events, in order of their occurrence, are:

Envision This!, powered by Envision Greater Fond du Lac

Date/Time: Monday, November 10, at 5:30 p.m.

Location: Lakeside Park Pavilion, 71 Promen Dr., Fond du Lac

Main contact: Zach Beasom, zbeasom@envisiongreaterfdl.com

Accelerate Sheboygan County, powered by Sheboygan County Economic Development Corp., Lakeland University,

SBDC at UW-Green Bay

Date/Time: Tuesday, November 11, at 5:30 p.m.

Location: Jake’s Café – A Lakeland Community, 529 Ontario Ave., Sheboygan

Main contact: Ray York, york@sheboygancountyedc.com

Fast Pitch, powered by FVTC Venture Center, Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, UW-

Oshkosh SBDC, UW-Madison Extension – Outagamie and Winnebago counties

Date/Time: Tuesday, November 11, at 5 p.m.

Location: Bordini Center at FVTC, 5 N. Systems Drive, Appleton

Main contact: Mia Ljung, mia.ljung@wisc.edu

Lighthouse Launch, powered by Door County Economic Development, Kewaunee County Economic Development, UW-Madison Extension Brown and Kewaunee counties

Date/Time: Wednesday, November 12, at 6 p.m.

Location: Robert Ray Gallery, 520 Parkway St., Algoma

Main contacts: Devin Vandertie, devin@doorcountybusiness.com, Ben Nelson, ben.nelson@kcedc.org and Patrick Nehring, patrick.nehring@wisc.edu

LevelUp, powered by Progress Lakeshore

Date/Time: Thursday, November 13, at 5 p.m.

Location: Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, 7001 Gass Lake Road, Manitowoc

Main contact: Jada Haese, jada@progresslakeshore.org

Pitch Greater Green Bay, powered by the Greater Green Bay Chamber

Date/Time: Thursday, November 13, at 4 p.m.

Location: Urban Hub, 340 N. Broadway Ave., #200, Green Bay

Main contact: Shane Kanneberg, skanneberg@greatergbc.org

Pre-pitch workshops are available for applicants. The deadline to upload pitch ideas is October 31.

The top two winners from each of these local contests will receive prize money – $1,000 cash for first place, $500 for second place – with the top winners advancing to the NEW Launch Alliance Pitch Event on Wednesday, December 3, where they will compete for additional funding for their business ideas and broad investor attention. Prize money at the regional event is $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place.

Regional winners also will be invited to give an update at the New North Summit on June 9, 2026, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

More information about the entrepreneurial pitch contest is available at the New North website, www.thenewnorth.com.

Fairchild Systems Named a 2024 Great 8 Dealer for Second Consecutive Year

Fairchild Systems, a division of Fairchild Equipment, is proud to announce it has received the prestigious 2024 Great 8 Dealer Award for Wholesale Pallet Rack Products (WPRP). This marks the second consecutive year the company has been recognized as one of the top eight dealers, affirming its position as an industry leader in the material handling sector.

This esteemed award highlights Fairchild Systems’ consistent dedication to excellence, superior performance, and innovative customer solutions. Being honored for the second year in a row underscores the company’s sustained commitment to providing top-tier service and customized pallet racking solutions in a competitive market.

“Receiving the Great 8 Dealer Award for the second time is an incredible honor and a direct reflection of our team’s relentless drive for excellence,” said Mike Bruno, Systems Engineering Manager of Fairchild Systems. “We’ve successfully helped customers increase their storage capacity by as much as 75% through our custom-engineered solutions. This award validates our commitment to delivering measurable results and exceptional value to our partners.”

The continued recognition from WPRP reinforces Fairchild Systems’ reputation for industry-leading expertise in warehouse storage and design. The team specializes in creating optimized product flow solutions that maximize productivity and return on investment for its clients.

“We are immensely proud of the Fairchild Systems team for this outstanding achievement,” stated Chad Fairchild, CEO of Fairchild Equipment. “This back-to-back win exemplifies our mission to provide outstanding service and innovative solutions, creating customers for life. It showcases the team’s ability to not just meet, but consistently exceed, the evolving needs of our customers with world-class material handling solutions.”

Fairchild Systems provides a comprehensive suite of services, including warehouse space planning, design, layout, budgeting, supply, installation, and maintenance. This holistic approach ensures every customer receives a solution tailored to their specific material handling needs. Together with Fairchild Equipment’s full suite of offerings, the company provides support for all aspects of customers’ material handling operations, from providing forklifts and other material handling equipment to parts and service, fleet management, and more.

MCW’s Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endownment Funding to Help Meet Talent Needs

New North Inc., the regional economic development corporation serving the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, and its burgeoning NEW Healthcare Alliance have received a major grant from the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment (AHW) of the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) to help build a durable, robust healthcare workforce into the future.

Funded in the amount of $250,000 over two years, the grant begins on Nov. 1, 2025, and includes a partnership with the MCW research team.

“We thank the Medical College of Wisconsin for the tremendous boost this grant will give to the efforts of the NEW Healthcare Alliance as it looks to build a strong, resilient healthcare ecosystem within Northeast Wisconsin,” says Dr. Ashwani Bhatia, a New North board member and CEO/Chief Medical Officer of BayCare Clinic. “We are bringing industry and community partners together to strengthen the talent pipeline through enhanced career pathways. Through creation of a robust healthcare workforce, we can meet the care needs of our region into the future.”

The NEW Healthcare Alliance represents a collaborative effort to address the most pressing challenges facing healthcare in our area. The coalition of healthcare professionals, organizations and community partners in the New North is dedicated to strengthening the region’s healthcare ecosystem.

Initial efforts will focus on four critical areas:

Continuing high-quality clinical placements: Ensuring strong partnerships for student training and professional development that benefit both learners and healthcare facilities.

Establishing a regional healthcare alliance: Strengthening coordination and advocacy efforts across the New North healthcare community.

Attracting and retaining the healthcare workforce: Developing innovative strategies to address workforce shortages and support healthcare professionals in the region.

Expanding career exploration for secondary and post-secondary students: Enhancing opportunities to engage and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals, including a regional healthcare career expo.

“The New North region has strong momentum in building out its next-generation healthcare workforce,” says Rebecca Deschane, vice president of talent development for New North Inc. “The unified, efficient approach of the NEW Healthcare Alliance reduces duplication and maximizes resources. Collaboration between industry and community partners provides the opportunity to meet the demand for skilled healthcare professionals, particularly in the rural areas of Northeast Wisconsin.”

According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), 2023 vacancy rates across healthcare professions have stabilized but remain concerning, particularly for registered nurses whose vacancy rate reached 10.1% in 2022. The workforce shortage often is more pronounced in rural areas, leading to disparities in healthcare services.

Anyone interested in joining the NEW Healthcare Alliance can find more information on the New North website at Healthcare Alliances in the New North.

Giving Day Returns February 25 & 26 to Support the Work of Local Nonprofits

Give BIG Green Bay will return for its ninth year starting at noon February 25 until noon February 26, 2026. The community-wide giving day hosted by the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and the Green Bay Packers provides local nonprofits with a platform to tell their stories, raise awareness of their work, and reach new donors.

Nonprofits serving Brown County can apply to participate starting October 1 until midnight October 31, 2025, at giveBIGgreenbay.org. Organizers say the selection process is designed to ensure that a diverse range of nonprofit organizations benefit from the event to impact 11 fields of interest.

“Give BIG Green Bay is a chance for nonprofits to share more about the incredible work they do to improve the quality of life in so many areas across Brown County,” said Amber Paluch, Senior Vice President of Community Impact with the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. “Whether they’re large, small, new to Give BIG or have participated before, we encourage organizations to submit their applications for this opportunity.”

Since launching in 2018, Give BIG Green Bay has raised more than $17 million in donations. Nonprofits selected to take part in Give BIG Green Bay will be notified in January. For more details, eligibility, and answers to frequently asked questions, visit giveBIGgreenbay.org.

Green Bay Botanical Garden Event Schedule

Self-Guided Daily Drop-In Activities
Free with Daily Admission/Free for Garden Members

Story Time

Tuesdays through October 28 | 10–10:30 am

Stop & Learn Signs |Anytime

Discovery Boxes | Anytime

Scavenger Hunts | Anytime

S.E.E.D. Packs | Anytime

October

Wednesday, October 8

Gong & Guided Meditation

5:30–6:45 pm

Brenda Brayko, Celestial Sound                          

$16/Garden Member

$19/General Public

Thursday, October 16

The Bird Garden

10–11:30 am

Rob Zimmer, Rob Zimmer Outdoors

$15/Garden Member

$18/General Public 

Tuesday, October 21

Wine Bottle Planter

5–7 pm

Taylor Moeller-Roy & Kourtney Kositzke, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass

$37/Garden Member         

$44/General Public

Wednesday, October 29

Gong & Guided Meditation

5:30–6:45 pm

Brenda Brayko, Celestial Sound                          

$16/Garden Member

$19/General Public

November

Tuesdays, November 4, 11, 18
Breath Work for Better Health

5:30–6:45 pm

Cujo, Exercise Physiologist

Full series: $29/Garden Member

$35/General Public

One Day: $13

Thursday, November 6
Woodburned Botanical Charcuterie Boards

6–8 pm

Jennifer Frisch, Coneflower Creations

$41/Garden Member

$49/General Public

WPS Garden of Lights

November 28-30

December 4–7, 11–14, 18–23, & 26–30
4:30–9 pm

Closed November 27, December 24 & 25.

Timed and dated tickets are required for entry and must be purchased in advance.

The New exhibit Highlights WIsconsin Artists and the REgion’s Athletic Spirit

 Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) has announced the newest installation in its GRB Arts Program: “The Art of Sport”. The curated exhibit, located in Concourse A, showcases the work of Wisconsin artists whose creations explore the spirit, emotion and community of athletics.

“This installation is a wonderful example of how our airport is not only a gateway to the community but also to the culture of Northeast Wisconsin,” said Airport Director Marty Piette, A.A.E. “Through the GRB Arts Program, we’re able to highlight local and regional artists with the goal of enriching the passenger experience though vibrant art that reflects our community’s identity.”

The new exhibit includes bold portraits, mixed media mosaics, photography, bronze sculpture and acrylic paintings that reflect the energy and cultural impact of sports in the region. Featured works include:

  • Gianna Bay – Sports Art, acrylic, 30″ x 30″
  • Matt Krause – Vince, mixed media pull-tab mosaic, 51″ x 73″
  • John E. Jones – Lambeau Field, acrylic, 24″ x 36″
  • Monali Jathar – Guts to Glory, charcoal, 16″ x 24″
  • Derek York – A Beautiful Night for a Match, photography, 8″ x 10″
  • Morgan West – Inflatable Cheesehead, mixed media, 14” x 14” x 6”
  • Sally Sorenson – Michael, colored pencil, 15-1/2″ x 19″
  • Lisa Gegare – Game Day, acrylic on canvas, 11″ x 14″
  • Mike Karcz – Canvasback Decoy, bronze on wood, 14-1/2″ x 5-2/4″ x 10″

“A shared love of sports is a powerful connector, bringing together people from all walks of life,” said Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach. “This collection embodies the pride and energy that define Green Bay and the region, instantly giving travelers a sense of place, celebrating who we are and showcasing the talent of our local and regional artists.”

“The Art of Sport” installation will be on display throughout 2025 as part of the airport’s rotating GRB Arts Program, which offers travelers a dynamic and engaging experience any time they travel.

For more information about the GRB Arts Program, visit www.flygrb.com.

Annual Pumpkin Carving Event Returns to the NEW Zoo

It’s that time of year! The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park officially invites you to join our annual Public Pumpkin Carving Event, presented by Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream and Piggly Wiggly Howard/Suamico. Join us on Wednesday, October 8th, between 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Pines Shelter, off the north end
of the NEW Zoo’s main parking lot. Bring your own pumpkins and pumpkin-carving tools and get ready to show us your creative carving skills to help us decorate the Zoo! This event is FREE to attend. If you are
unable to bring your own pumpkins, you are still welcome to participate and carve, thanks to a selection of pumpkins provided by Piggly Wiggly Howard/Suamico. Please bring your own carving supplies.

Be sure to work up an appetite while you carve, because Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream will provide
FREE PIZZA and the zoo will provide drinks to everyone who participates! Happy Joe’s mascot, “Happy
the Dog,” will also stop by that night to meet guests. This is a great opportunity for families, along with larger groups such as scout troops, clubs, churches, school service groups, and more. Everyone is welcome!

“Our Public Pumpkin Carving event is such a fun tradition for so many,” says Angela Kawski, Education &
Outreach Coordinator. “Families, students and scouts, small and large groups alike are all welcome to join
us, to help carve the 200-plus pumpkins needed to line the Zoo’s pathways. We love seeing both familiar and new faces every year.”

All pumpkins carved during the event remain at the Zoo, to be used to decorate for North Shore Bank Zoo Boo 2025, held on October 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th, and 25th. Community members are also welcome to donate and drop-off carved pumpkins ANYTIME during regular business hours, Sundays through Thursdays in October, starting on October 12th. The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park is continually in need of “fresh” pumpkins throughout the month of October.

Pre-registration through our online RSVP system is strongly encouraged for the event. After
registering, guests can arrive anytime between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For more information
and to register, visit www.newzoo.org/events.

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