Wauwatosa Chamber of Commerce Announces 2012 Award Winners

The Wauwatosa Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the winners of its annual awards, which will be presented Jan. 17 at the Wauwatosa Community Annual Showcase & Social at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee-Wauwatosa.

Recognized for its presence and commitment in Wauwatosa and the region for providing major community support and sponsorships, gifts in kind, and/or financial benefits demonstrating its commitment to the area, Wangard Partners Inc. will be presented with The Regional Impact Award.

Wangard Partners Inc. is a real estate development company specializing in office, multi-family, retail and industrial development. It is a growing, influential business in the Wauwatosa area and continues to benefit the region in various ways.

“We believe our job is to build communities, and that includes job-creation," said chairman and CEO Stewart Wangard. "We’ve been able to create over 400 jobs in the Milwaukee area just this past year with different developments, and we’re looking to increase that next year.

"Our buildings and residents are another part of the equation. We focus on common areas and public spaces to improve the quality of life with high quality housing solutions. Developing a project involves and impacts a whole community, not just our company.” 

Workplace design firm wins small business award

Given to businesses with fewer than 100 employees and demonstrating the ability to impact the Milwaukee area, The Small Business Community Award will be presented to Schroeder Solutions.

Schroeder Solutions, specializing in workplace design, architectural products, contract furnishings and corporate relocation services, has been very actively involved in the community by volunteering and sponsoring various events and associations.

“I would estimate over 25 percent of our workforce is involved in charitable organizations and activities,” said Scott Gierhahn, president of Schroeder Solutions. “In addition to supporting the community with our sponsorships and volunteer activities, we also support not-for-profit clients by providing our services at reduced rates.” 

Schroeder Solutions has been operating in Wisconsin since 1948 and has been a member of the Wauwatosa Chamber of Commerce for many years.

East Tosa Alliance recognized for civic improvement

In recognition of its commitment to enhancing the community through the tireless efforts of its volunteers, the Wauwatosa Chamber of Commerce will present the Civic Appreciation Award to the East Tosa Alliance.

The East Tosa Alliance was formed in 2007 in an effort to reshape North Avenue from North 60th to 76th streets. Comprised of business owners and community members, the Alliance has worked to recruit new businesses as well as surveying local residents about the business needs of the area.

In the past few years, the Alliance has worked to recruit multiple businesses to the area, including Juniper 61, Rocket Baby Bakery, North Avenue Grill, Tosa Yoga and the coming Bel Air Cantina.

Additionally, they have created an annual, nationally recognized chili cook –off event, Chili’n on the Avenue, which also showcases East Tosa businesses and what they have to offer.

In the summer of 2013, the Alliance will bring a stage of the Tour of America’s Dairyland bike race to North Avenue, drawing with it tens of thousands of spectators to Wauwatosa and the area.

"The strength of a neighborhood is its residents," Wauwatosa Fifth District Ald. Bobby Pantuso said. "This group of citizens decided what kind of neighborhood they wanted to live in and then went out and made it happen."

Annual showcase is setting for awards

All awards will be presented at the Wauwatosa Community Annual Showcase & Social at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee-Wauwatosa. The event is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. with networking, exhibitors, music, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

The cost is $40 per person. Corporate tables that include sponsorship are available.

An After Party will take place at Innovations, adjacent to the hotel, with food, music and prizes starting at 7 p.m.

For more information on the Wauwatosa Annual Showcase & Social, please contact Terry Estness, executive director (Terry@tosachamber.org) or Kari Miller, assistant executive director, (Kari@TosaChamber.org) or call 414-453-2330.