VISIT MILWAUKEE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Administrative Coordinator
Alderman Stamper was elected to the Milwaukee Common Council in 2014. He proudly serves on the Common Council's Community and Economic Development Committee and the Licenses Committee. Prior to his aldermanic election, Alderman Stamper served on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.
After graduating from Messmer High School, Alderman Stamper received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Computer Science from Alabama State University. Upon graduating from Alabama State, Alderman Stamper returned to Milwaukee and completed his MBA at Cardinal Stritch University. He also holds a certificate in Professional Grant Writing from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
For nearly 10 years, Alderman Stamper served as the Program Supervisor for New Concept Self Development Center, where he managed and administered quality delivery of adult and youth social service programs. Alderman Stamper also served with the Social Development Commission (SDC) as a Lead Integrated Services Liaison. His primary focus involved addressing the immediate needs of Milwaukee residents with resources such as job training, emergency assistance, GED attainment, and driver's license acquisition and reinstatement. Alderman Stamper is driven by his passion for helping residents become self-sufficient.
Alderman Stamper mentors many youth in the city of Milwaukee and is committed to cultivating opportunities that will improve the quality of life for young people. He is also committed to sustaining a clean, safe, and healthy district while also providing responsive, quality services to his constituents.
Alderman Stamper resides in the Sherman Park neighborhood with his wife, Latoya, and two children, Russell III and Kendall.
Job Titles:
- Creative Marketing Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing for Potawatomi Casino
Alexx Zawada is the director of marketing for Potawatomi Casino | Hotel. She is an experienced Marketing Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the hospitality industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Market Research, Management, Event Planning and Marketing Strategy. Strong administrative professional with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) focused in Communication and Media Studies from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Alexx volunteer experience includes Visit Milwaukee's Marketing Committee, Hunting Moon Pow Wow - Marketing Coordinator for Forest County Potawatomi Community, and the Young Athlete Program at Special Olympics Wisconsin.
Job Titles:
- Marketing Project Manager
Beth Weirick is a native Milwaukeean who is a self described Downtown lover. Beth has been in the industry of promoting downtown Milwaukee for over two decades and always knew that Milwaukee is a great product - she just wants to make sure the rest of the world knows this too.
Job Titles:
- Partnership Sales Manager
Job Titles:
- National Account Executive ( DC )
- National Account Executive - DC Office
Job Titles:
- Senior Convention Sales Coordinator
Job Titles:
- VP of Communications and Advocacy
Job Titles:
- Chief Operations Officer for Milwaukee College Preparatory School
Clifton Crump is the Chief Operations Officer for Milwaukee College Preparatory School (MCP). In this role he serves as a thought leader, working in conjunction with the school's CEO, to manage and administer daily operations of the four-school public charter network that annually serves 2,000 students with an operating budget of twenty-four million dollars. Clifton came to MCP after having served 20 years in leadership in Municipal government leading departments specializing in public policy, public safety, zoning and community and economic development. Clifton has held various positions within the City of Milwaukee, most extensively, with the Board of Zoning appeals office (BOZA) for 10 years. At BOZA, in the role of Board Secretary, he assisted in the creation of thousands of new businesses and developments. Additionally, he served in the Office of the Mayor, the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee and as the Operations Manager at the Fire and Police Commission (FPC). In his time at FPC, Clifton spearheaded a national recruitment campaign which was able to achieve its application goals and subsequently produce some of the most diverse graduating police classes in the history of the City.
Clifton has a proven track record of being a change agent and strongly believes in enhancing the public health, safety and general welfare of Milwaukee, the state and region. He has served on many boards, including but not limited to; BOZA, the Bronzeville Advisory Committee (Chair), the Black Male Achievement Advisory Council and the Milwaukee Center for Independence (Executive Board).
Job Titles:
- Account Executive
- National Account Executive
Job Titles:
- Ex Officio
- MMAC 's Chief Financial Officer
Craig Kammholz is MMAC's chief financial officer. Kammholz has over 20 years of experience in government and non-profit management, and has served as budget director for Milwaukee County and as deputy comptroller for the City of Milwaukee. Kammholz earned his bachelor's degree from UW-Milwaukee, his master's degree in finance from the American University in Washington, D.C. and his master's degree in accounting from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Chief Executive Officer of Saz 's Hospitality Group
Job Titles:
- Attorney With Hall and Render
Danielle Bergner is an attorney with Hall and Render. She focuses her practice on the area of real estate transactions. Bringing a unique perspective informed by experience in both the public and private sectors, Danielle assists clients through all aspects of structuring, negotiating, and closing commercial real estate transactions.
Danielle counsels non-profit and healthcare clients on transactions throughout the asset life cycle, including acquisition, construction, financing, leasing, refinancing, and disposition. She is skilled at identifying and analyzing corporate and real estate risk management issues and enjoys working with clients to develop and implement effective and efficient business and legal strategies. Additionally, she provides services in the areas of housing, entitlements, commercial leasing, new markets tax credits, and historic tax credits.
In addition to conventional and institutional financing, Danielle is also experienced managing transactions involving unconventional financing, such as tax incremental financing, bond financing, and tax credits. Her experience includes affordable housing, senior housing, and large-scale community impact development projects nationwide.
Clients value Danielle's diverse business and legal background and experiences. Prior to joining Hall and Render, Danielle served as general counsel and chief operating officer for a high-growth regional real estate development and investment firm. There, she oversaw all risk and transaction management for the company and played an instrumental role in expanding the company's portfolio. Prior to her role as general counsel, Danielle represented corporate, non-profit, and governmental clients on a range of sophisticated corporate and real estate transactions, including a role as deputy city attorney where she developed and oversaw housing and community development strategies for the City of Milwaukee.
Danielle has been recognized in the Best Lawyers list of Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA. She has also been selected to the Milwaukee Business Journal's 40 Under 40 and Women of Influence lists and as a Business Journal National Influencer. Danielle enjoys giving back to her community and regularly serves on non-profit boards.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Mayor of Wauwatosa
Dennis McBride is Wauwatosa's 17th Mayor. He is dedicated to guiding the City's growth in a fiscally responsible way that balances economic growth with maintaining strong neighborhoods and quality city services.Before becoming Mayor, McBride served 10 years on the Wauwatosa Common Council and two terms as Council President. He also served as Chair of the Council's Financial Affairs Committee and Transportation Affairs Committee. He was a member of the Village Streetscaping Committee and aldermanic liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission. Before his election as alderman, he served 15 years on the Civil Service Commission, including several terms as Chairman.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Immediate past Chair / Greater Milwaukee Urban League
- President and CEO of the Milwaukee Urban League
Dr. Eve M. Hall serves as the president and CEO of the Milwaukee Urban League. Known as a leader who builds and connects, Hall emphasizes excellence, professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and communication. She is a sought-after presenter, using her skills and gifts to motivate and inspire others to make a difference.
Job Titles:
- Event Experience Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of the Milwaukee Partnership Academy
- Milwaukee Education Partnership
Gerard A. Randall, Jr. is the executive director of the Milwaukee Partnership Academy (MPA), a PK-16 education partnership that aims to bring every Milwaukee student to grade level in reading, writing, math and science. Mr. Randall is also the Managing Partner of The Lazarus Group, which provides education and workforce development guidance, strategic planning and support. Formerly, Mr. Randall served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Private Industry Council of Milwaukee County (PIC), a workforce development board. Prior to leading the PIC, he served as Community Relations Counsel in the County Executive's Office since June 1995. He also served as a member of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents from May 1994 through February 2007, having served two years as Vice President. In addition to serving for Milwaukee Public Schools on the Board of Commissioners for the Social Development Commission, he currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Cardinal Stritch University and on the Board of Directors for the Milwaukee Public Museum and Milwaukee's Fresh Coast Basketball Classic.
Grady L. Crosby is the chief sustainability and impact officer for Northwestern Mutual. He is a senior executive who drives environmental, social, and governance strategies. Prior to joining NM, Grady was a corporate officer of Johnson Controls and was responsible for leading Johnson Controls' global diversity and inclusion strategy, sustainability thought leadership, LATAM government relations strategies, and philanthropic endeavors. He is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion. He currently sits on the boards of Black Arts MKE, Froedtert, and the Wisconsin Center District. He received a bachelor's degree in political science and business administration from Howard University and a Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.
Job Titles:
- Senior Communications Manager
Job Titles:
- Managing Artistic Director, Latino Arts Inc
"Our partnership with VISIT Milwaukee has been tremendous over the past many years. We believe that Milwaukee County has many of the amenities that draw visitors from all across the country. And these are things what we are able to talk about and really showcase to visitors. I truly believe that we would not see the millions of people who come to our Milwaukee County region if it wasn't for VISIT Milwaukee."
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Chief Executive Officer of the Wisconsin Chapter of NAIOP
- Treasurer / National Association for Industrial & Office
James "Jim" Villa is the chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Chapter of NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. NAIOP is the leading organization for developers, owners, and related commercial real estate professionals in industrial, retail, and mixed-use real estate. In 2019, Mr. Villa was named the Chapter Executive of the Year and Wisconsin the Chapter of the Year by NAIOP.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- President & CEO of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Jason Rae is the president & CEO of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce and a partner at Nation Consulting, a Milwaukee-based public affairs consulting firm. Jason moved to Milwaukee to attend Marquette University, where he graduated from in 2009. He currently lives in Glendale with his husband.
Job Titles:
- Director of Administration
- Member of the Executive Committee
Jeremy Lucas is the director of administration & planning at Milwaukee County Parks. He has over 7 years of experience in government relations. Jeremy has served on a number of volunteer boards and committees, including Friends of Hoyt Park Pool and the UWM Masters of Public Administration Alumni Board. He received a Masters of Public Administration degree in Municipal Management from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Job Titles:
- VP of Marketing & Communications
Kate Braasch is chief of presidential affairs at Marquette University. She has nearly 20 years of non-profit and fundraising experience; 18 in higher education. In her current position, Kate operates from a day-to-day strategic presidential lens-which includes focus on the president's donor, corporate and community relations role, as well as overseeing presidential communications.
She holds a Bachelor of Science from UW-La Crosse and a Master's from Marquette University. Kate is a graduate of the Future Milwaukee program, serves on the Advancement Committee of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, and is a member of TEMPO Milwaukee
Job Titles:
- Industry Expert, Certified Fair Executive
Kathleen O'Leary is a leading tourism industry expert, certified Fair Executive, and visionary marketing professional in the Greater Milwaukee area. CEO of the Wisconsin State Fair until 2021, Kathleen spent 24 years with the fair in several different roles, shaping the landmark celebration of all things Wisconsin into what it is today. Recognized for her efforts by the Milwaukee Business Journal in 2017, one of the publication's Women of Influence, Kathleen is a leader in the community as an active member of TEMPO Milwaukee and Professional Dimensions.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair of the Executive Committee
- Vice Chair / Wisconsin Restaurant Association
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Sales
Job Titles:
- VP of Sales and Event Experience
Job Titles:
- Convention Sales Coordinator
Job Titles:
- National Account Executive
Job Titles:
- Partnership Services Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- CO, KS, MT, ND, NE, SD, WY
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Director of Event Experience
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Manager
Job Titles:
- Event Experience Specialist
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Executive Committee
- President
Job Titles:
- National Account Executive ( TX )
Alderman Russell W. Stamper II is a lifelong Sherman Park resident with a heart for public service. The son of a professor and a judge, Alderman Stamper's family instilled in him a legacy of service and a commitment to strengthening Milwaukee's communities while empowering its residents.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Chaska Consulting
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Board Chair / Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
Job Titles:
- Senior Event Experience Manager
Job Titles:
- Convention Sales Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Visitor Experience Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Harley
William J. "Bill" Davidson, vice president of the Harley-Davidson Museum, is proud to work with the talented team that manages one of the largest corporate archival collections of unrestored Harley-Davidson motorcycles and artifacts in the world. As the Museum's top executive, Davidson is responsible for overseeing its overall business including marketing communications, special event activities and daily operations.