January - Madison Magazine

LEADERS@WORK
LGM UPDATE
LGM13 LEARNS A
LESSON IN
COLLABORATION
by Justin Markofski, workforce
development coordinator,
Northport Apartment
Corporation
Take a moment to
imagine how you’d describe
the greater Madison area.
What would you highlight What gives
Madison its distinct character What factors
contribute to its consistently ranking high in
national publications regarding our quality of
life How will our grandchildren and greatgrandchildren
answer these same questions in
the generations to come What is your role in
helping ensure that greater Madison reaches its
full potential as a region
These are the types of questions discussed
at this month’s LGM session on economic
development. An excellent line-up of
presenters began the morning session at Oscar
Mayer and concluded in the afternoon at the
MAGNET’S 2005
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Thank you members and sponsors
2005 has been a year of growth and
development for the Madison Area Growth
Network (MAGNET), thanks largely to our
dedicated members and sponsors. During 2005,
our membership and our sponsors, Madison
Gas and Electric Company, John Taylor and
the GMCC have given us their support and
encouragement to grow into the type of
excellent organization that successfully attracts
and retains the next generation of leaders to
the greater Madison area.
We’ve also received ongoing community
support from outstanding individuals such as
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, Dane County
Executive Kathleen Falk, Congresswoman
Tammy Baldwin, Governor Doyle and
Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton. They
have publicly championed MAGNET’s mission
and acknowledged it as an important
component in furthering sustainable economic
development initiatives in our area.
Our members have been dedicated, active
and vocal about their changing needs and
interests. Our events have reflected the diverse
MG&E Innovation Center.
The theme for the entire day seemed to be
‘collaborations,’ as we explored the challenges
and opportunities lying before us as a region.
Kay Plantes, economist and corporate
strategist, expressed the case for collaborative
economic development efforts, reflecting the
principle belief: “If we make our community
better, it makes our company, our organization,
and even ourselves better.”
Rick Searer, president of Oscar Mayer,
supported this view as he shared Oscar Mayer’s
100-plus-year history, including its ongoing
commitment to helping the local community
fight hunger.
The morning session concluded
appropriately with a presentation by Terri
Potter, CEO of Meriter Hospital, on Dane
County’s emerging Collaboration Council
initiative. The Collaboration Council is a
regional economic development effort
comprised of a cross-section of leaders from
Dane County’s business, government,
education, and nonprofit communities. This
leadership collaboration is gathering to help
ensure Dane County’s continued economic
success by creating a forward-looking economy.
With our minds full of information, questions,
and possibilities, we were treated to an all-
Kraft lunch at Oscar Mayer, which, by the
way, included a lot more than mac & cheese
and hot dogs.
requests we hear from our membership, from
our Halloween party or our professional
development networking breakfasts, to our
volunteering at the Heart Walk or our
Attain Dane discussion about county-wide
regional development with County Executive
Kathleen Falk.
2005 successes
During 2005 MAGNET’s membership
nearly doubled, from 200 to 400, and we
attained significant accomplishments:
• Hosted over 50 events with over 1,500
participants
• Held a well-attended one-year birthday
party for MAGNET, hosted in Madison’s
newest venue, the Overture Center.
• Released our official report, “Identifying
the Next Generation of Leaders,” detailing
the brain-drain challenge facing Dane
County.
• MAGNET sports teams participated in
intramural kickball and softball leagues.
• Received many positive news reviews and
were highlighted in the GMCC’s annual
dinner video.
• Solidified our four committee co-chair
positions and our steering committee.
The afternoon proved to punctuate and
enhance our morning lessons. We saw
firsthand two bio-tech start-up companies in
the MG&E Innovation Center and
pretended we understood the science behind
their research. We heard from a panel
discussing “The New Economy,” consisting of
Elizabeth Kluesner, Dane County Executive’s
Office; Ed Clarke, MATC; Noel Radomski,
UW Office of Corporate Relations; Greg Wise,
Wisconsin Agricultural Innovation Center;
and John Biondi, Lucigen Corporation. Deb
Archer, Greater Madison Convention and
Visitors Bureau, facilitated the discussion. The
GMCC’s Rafael Carbonell further updated us
on the Collaboration Council’s current efforts.
Entrepreneur and philanthropist John Taylor
stressed the importance of sustaining quality of
life through core value commitments. Phyllis
Wilhelm of Madison Gas and Electric
Company wrapped up our full day by tying the
pieces together and reminding us what’s at
stake for our region … that we might indeed
become “the model for a healthy regional city”
and sustain this identity long into our future. ◆
LGM is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational program of
the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. Our goal is
to prepare organizational leaders for active service on
community boards, committees and commissions within
the greater Madison area. For more information please visit
the GMCC Web site, www.greatermadisonchamber.com,
or contact LGM Director Connie Shomberg at
cshomberg@greatermadison chamber.com or 443-1953.
2006 goals
As MAGNET enters 2006, we’re
undergoing some very exciting transitions.
During the year, we hope to hire a full-time
executive director to ensure that our
committees and future programming have the
support they need to flourish. We’ll focus our
energy on establishing MAGNET programs,
developing our marketing and outreach in the
region, and increasing our membership benefits.
We’ll continue to cultivate our
relationships with leaders in the region. This
will be a year in which we build upon our
foundation of excellent social, public policy,
professional development and civic events and
stretch ourselves as an organization to try new
and different events as well. We’ll also launch
our members-only online membership directory
to facilitate professional networking.
Finally, if you have any questions or
suggestions for ways MAGNET can improve
during the year, please contact me with your
input. We’re looking forward to a successful
and exhilarating new year.
Happy New Year,
Henry Sanders, Jr.
MAGNET president
PAGE 12 JANUARY 2006