May 2012 President's Address

Greetings to Members and Friends of the IMA-GMC

I am very pleased that the April Student Meeting was well attended and the two speakers Carver Smith and Michael Steinmetz were outstanding.  Thank you for making them welcome.  I also want to thank Lakeland College for their support as a continuing corporate sponsor of the event.

As we wrap our IMA program year Monday, May 21, our speaker for the annual Past-Presidents night is Patrick Georgia of Aon.  Patrick serves as a Senior Benefit Consultant, managing a block of middle to large market clients and focusing on creating comprehensive multiple line benefit strategies in the manufacturing, services, and healthcare industries.  In light of the upcoming Supreme Court decision on healthcare, it will be interesting to learn how health insurance organizations are preparing for the new health care environment.  The meeting will be at Bullwinkle’s, formerly Pano’s Bar and Grill, on west Blue Mound Road, Brookfield.

Speaking of Past Presidents night, this year like previous years, all past presidents will be admitted at half of their normal meeting price.

There are a number people I would like to recognize in our local chapter prior to handing it off to the very capable hands of Erin Ankebrant for next year.  It has been my privilege to work with so many who are dedicated to the local organization, wanting to bring about positive change in the chapter, as well as to work with students.  As president, I would like to recognize my board and friends who have made a positive impact on the organization this year.  There are a number who have agreed to continue, while some are cutting back a bit as their lives change.

• Matt, Barb and Erin, thank you for your work to create a new webpage, it is outstanding! 
• Barb, Erin and Elizabeth, thank you for your student chapter work. 
• Linda Amann, thank you for helping the IMA-GMC and Whitewater develop a lasting relationship over the last several years.
• Angela, thank you, for all your advice and constant support of programs, last minute assistance, and for bringing in Greg.
• Judy, you are and have been steady, thank you.  Barb, nice work on the Roster and we appreciate your efforts going forward in the role as employment director.
• Thank you Beverly for approaching the board and wanting to reach out to local businesses.  You did a great job of informing financial executives that IMA is here to help in Milwaukee.  From that conversation, we were able to bring the CEO of IMA, Jeff Thomson to Milwaukee.
• Danijela, thank you for having meeting places and meals selected early in the year.  This was one big issue that did not have to be addressed all year, making planning and reporting much easier.
• Mary Strautmann, thank you for your guidance, push and pull to make the IMA-GMC the best it can be. 

Mary has agreed to produce the Roster next year.  She has asked that you check out your contact information at the national organization.  We rely on your email addresses being current as well as those of your employers.  Would you please take a minute and log onto the national website and verify your address and other contact information? 

Since October of last year, it has been my pleasure to recognize and to promote the work being done by the financial literacy group here in the Greater Milwaukee area Make A Difference – Wisconsin, letting you know how this non-profit organization provides programs and resources to empower students to make sound financial decisions.  Their vision is to build strong communities where students and their families make informed financial decisions and take control of their financial future.  If you have the desire to “pay it forward” contact Brenda Campbell, at 414.273.8102 for more information.

Jim Sigl, Special Activities Director has Brewer tickets to the Saturday, July 14, Pittsburg Pirates game at 6:10 pm.  Watch for additional information.  Thanks Jim.

Finally, I want to say that it has been my pleasure to be your president.  Thank you for your support this year.  Best wishes to Erin for next year.

Forrest Ramsel

April 2012 President's Address

Greetings to Members and Friends of the IMA-GMC

It is said that the month of April may have gotten its name from the Latin word “aperire” which means to open. Buds typically begin to open this month as do our wallets for the IRS filing deadline April 17.  The Greater Milwaukee Chapter will be having it annual Student Night with special student night presentations April 16, and the Mid-America Council’s is once again hosting the annual LTS in Rockford, April 20.  

Since October of last year, it has been my pleasure to recognize and to promote the work being done by the financial literacy group here in the Greater Milwaukee area Make A Difference – Wisconsin, letting you know how this non-profit organization provides programs and resources to empower students to make sound financial decisions.  Their vision is to build strong communities where students and their families make informed financial decisions and take control of their financial future. 

Make A Difference engages volunteers from the local business and professional community in the delivery of financial education.  Make A Difference has developed a 5-hour (6-lesson) financial literacy program that is targeted for 11th and 12th grade students in Milwaukee-area high schools.

Make A Difference volunteers are delivering the program in 60 Milwaukee area high schools this year, including most MPS high schools, several Milwaukee Choice and Charter schools, and a growing number of suburban high schools.  Volunteers from more than 200 businesses and organizations are involved, but more volunteers are needed.

We as financial professionals are uniquely qualified to assist in this area, please consider contacting Brenda Campbell, at 414.273.8102 for more information.  The website has additional information and you can sign up online at www.makeadifferencewisconsin.org

Moving on to our own education and networking opportunities, the April program will once again be a two part session.  Carver Smith, Search Practice Leader with Baker Tilly Search & Staffing, LLC will be presenting to area college students and interested members from 4:30 – 5:30, followed by dinner and then Michael Steinmetz, Vice President and General Manger Midwest Division of Manpower will speak. The meeting will be at the Country Springs Hotel, on Golf Road, Pewaukee.

Our Corporate Sponsor is Lakeland College, with Der Yang, Associate Director recently taking the role of Accounting Advisor at Lakeland.

The winner of the Greater Milwaukee Chapter 2011 CMA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE will be presented to the chapter member who completed their CMA exam with the highest cumulative score.  The two parts do not have to be taken in the same calendar year, so finish up what you started last year.

The Mid-America Council is hosting its Leadership Training Session (LTS) on Friday, April 20, 2012 at the Northern Illinois Outreach Center in Rockford, IL.  According to Bruce Hamilton, MAC President-Elect, this year’s LTS has “A very impressive array of speakers will help you build and refine your skills in interpersonal communications, team building & succession planning. Breakout sessions will be offered for both new and returning chapter officers & directors, and the day will conclude with a presentation by Dr. William Miller, CPA, winner of the 2011 Carl Menconi Ethics Case Competition.” Questions please contact Bruce at hamiltoncpa@sbcglobal.net.  

We have a number of educational and personal enrichment programs going on here in April, once the taxes are done, you will find you have a lot of time to take part, I am looking forward to seeing you at GMC-IMA events.  Plan on e-filing your taxes before you leave for the Student Night meeting and then drop the check in the mailbox on your way home.

Forrest

March 2012 President's Address

Greetings to Members and Friends of the IMA-GMC

The winds of March are here bringing with them opportunities for educational opportunities including an update of the mortgage industry, the Mid-America Council’s annual LTS in Rockford and opportunities to expand your personal network. 

Last month Bill King of Centurion Data Systems presentation of Decision Support Systems was very informative and well attended.  Bill’s presentation focused on three aspects:  Better measurement of your marketing efforts; Creating a smarter system to help you “know what you don’t know”; and Build a system to focus your entire organization on growth & innovation.  Bill did a great job and I appreciate his time and efforts as do the attendees.

Wisconsin Secretary Paul Jadin – CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation presented at the Venice Club to a full room and some new faces to the chapter.  Richard Manns  of  BRIGHTSTAR PARTNERS, INC brought a few door prizes to add to the buzz of the evening.

Our March speaker is Douglas Luedcke of US Bank.  Doug will be discussing the current status of the mortgage industry, where are mortgages going forward and what challenges are expected.  The March meeting will be held at the Charcoal Grill and will include officer/board member elections for the 2012-2013 year.

The Mid-America Council is hosting its Leadership Training Session (LTS) on Friday, April 20, 2012 at the Northern Illinois Outreach Center in Rockford, IL.  According to Bruce Hamilton, MAC President-Elect, this year’s LTS has “A very impressive array of speakers will help you build and refine your skills in interpersonal communications, team building & succession planning. Breakout sessions will be offered for both new and returning chapter officers & directors, and the day will conclude with a presentation by Dr. William Miller, CPA, winner of the 2011 Carl Menconi Ethics Case Competition.” Questions please contact Bruce at hamiltoncpa@sbcglobal.net.  

The Mid-America Council is holding a lottery for free admission to the 2012 IMA Conference in Las Vegas June 23-27.  To purchase tickets, you must register for the LTS on the Mid-America Council website before March 15^th.  Details are on the Mid-America Council website at www.midamerica.imanet.org for your ease of registration.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions regarding your Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the IMA. 

I am looking forward to seeing you at GMC-IMA events.

Forrest

February 2012 President's Address

Greetings to Members and Friends of the IMA-GMC

The IMA is a great place to obtain CPE and expand your personal network.  Your Greater Milwaukee Chapter has two very interesting education opportunities in the month of February.  The first is Bill King of Centurion Data Systems presenting Decision Support Systems.  This will be at the Radisson Hotel on Mayfair Road in Wauwatosa on February 10, at 10:00 am.  Bill’s presentation will focus on three aspects:  Better measurement of your marketing efforts; Creating a smarter system to help you “know what you don’t know”; and Build a system to focus your entire organization on growth & innovation.  Please see the website for registration.

The speaker for our February 20 meeting, is Paul Jadin – CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.  Paul was appointed by Governor Scott Walker as Secretary of the Department of Commerce on December 30, 2010, to accomplish the transition to the public-private Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.  He began to serve as its CEO on the establishment of the corporation on July 1, 2011.  The meeting will be held at The Venice Club, 1905 N Calhoun Rd, Brookfield.  Corporate Sponsor for the February meeting is BRIGHTSTAR PARTNERS, INC.

January meeting attendees were treated to an insightful and enlightened presentation by Wendy Hambleton, BDO USA’s National SEC Practice the head of the firm’s IFRS Task Force on IFRS. 

The Mid-America Council is hosting its Leadership Training Session (LTS) on Friday, April 20, 2012 at the Northern Illinois Outreach Center in Rockford, IL.  According to Bruce Hamilton, MAC President-Elect, this year’s LTS has “A very impressive array of speakers will help you build and refine your skills in interpersonal communications, team building & succession planning. Breakout sessions will be offered for both new and returning chapter officers & directors, and the day will conclude with a presentation by Dr. William Miller, CPA, winner of the 2011 Carl Menconi Ethics Case Competition.” Questions please contact Bruce at hamiltoncpa@sbcglobal.net.  

We were just informed that those who register early for LTS will be able to purchase a lottery ticket for free admission to the 2012 IMA Conference in Las Vegas June 23-27.  Details will be on the Mid-America Council website.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions regarding your Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the IMA. 

I am looking forward to seeing you at GMC-IMA events.

Forrest

January 2012 President's Address

Happy New Year to all Members and Friends of the IMA-GMC

Were you able to meet all of your CPE credits for 2011?  Your IMA-GMC is here to help you start the year off right as we will be getting into some heavy lifting as far as accounting topics go, at the January 16, 2012 meeting.  Wendy Hambleton of BDO will be presenting an update on IFRS.  Wendy is the Director of BDO USA’s National SEC Practice and heads the firm’s IFRS Task Force.  Previously she was a partner in the SEC practice and was the Regional Technical Director for the Midwest region.   I invite you to register, get this on your calendar, and attend the meeting at the Radisson Hotel, Mayfair Road in Wauwatosa.

December meeting attendees were treated to a very enthusiastic speaker in Danica Olson Accounting Manager of the Milwaukee Bucks.  We had promised that she would enlighten the attendees, and there is no doubt that she did.  In addition, members and guests contributed food to The Hunger Task Force and cash contributions to Goodwill Industries NCW.  The December corporate sponsor was Superior Support Resources, Inc., with Peter Rathmann presenting.  What a great night, thank you all for your contributions.  

The month of February has a couple of very interesting education opportunities as well.  The first is Bill King of Centurion Data Systems presenting Decision Support Systems.  This will be at the Radisson Hotel on Mayfair Road in Wauwatosa on February 10.

The speaker for our February meeting is Paul Jadin – CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.  Paul was appointed by Governor Scott Walker as Secretary of the Department of Commerce on December 30, 2010, to accomplish the transition to the public-private Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.  He began to serve as its CEO on the establishment of the corporation on July 1, 2011.  Corporate Sponsor for the February meeting is BRIGHTSTAR PARTNERS, INC.

The Mid-America Council is hosting its Leadership Training Session (LTS) on Friday, April 20, 2012 at the Northern Illinois Outreach Center in Rockford, IL.  According to Bruce Hamilton, MAC President-Elect, this year’s LTS has “A very impressive array of speakers will help you build and refine your skills in interpersonal communications, team building & succession planning. Breakout sessions will be offered for both new and returning chapter officers & directors, and the day will conclude with a presentation by Dr. William Miller, CPA, winner of the 2011 Carl Menconi Ethics Case Competition.” Questions please contact Bruce at hamiltoncpa@sbcglobal.net.

Begin the New Year on the right path, schedule time for your education and networking beginning in January.  I am looking forward to see you January 16, at the Radisson on Mayfair Road with an update on IFRS from Wendy Hambleton.

Forrest