Lone Eagle Profile - Tricia Braun

With over 15 years of experience in three different states, Tricia Braun has developed an economic development approach that acknowledges that every project or community is unique and therefore requires a solid understanding of its strengths and complexities in order to create solutions that will be embraced and supported by decision-makers and stakeholders, all while having a positive long-term impact on the region.

Most recently, Tricia served as the Director of Economic Development of the City of Riverside, California, where she led a team responsible for bringing in thousands of new jobs, and coordinated the development and implementation of “Seizing Our Destiny”, Riverside’s strategic vision that focuses on a government-education-neighborhood-business collaborative approach to improving the quality of life in the city.
 
In May 2012, a family-related move from California to Wisconsin necessitated Tricia’s departure from the City of Riverside. While incredibly bittersweet, she used this opportunity to launch her own economic development consulting firm, The T. Braun Company (aka The Braun Company). During the past year, she has enjoyed working as a "Lone Eagle" on a variety of projects in California, Minnesota and Wisconsin - including a feasibility study for a potential coworking space currently being prepared for Waunakee.

Website: www.TheBraunCompany.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/triciabraun/ 
Twitter: @TBraunCo

Waunakee Coworking Space Feasibility Study Now Available

The Village of Waunakee’s Economic Development Strategic Vision Plan recognizes that although the precise number of independent professionals (Lone Eagles) in the community is unknown, this is an increasing source of job growth within quality residential communities and should be nurtured here in Waunakee. Since the adoption of this Plan in 2009, several efforts have been undertaken to increase engagement with and support for this segment of the Village’s workforce – from establishing a special section on the Village’s economic development website (www.waunakee-ed.com/loneeagles) and a LinkedIn page to hosting monthly networking and educational events.

The latest Lone Eagle initiative undertaken by the Village of Waunakee was to contract with economic development consulting firm, The T. Braun Company, to conduct a study to determine the need for and ability to support a coworking facility. Coworking spaces – or shared office spaces – have become a new alternative for independent professionals.  Across the nation, the number of coworking spaces is rising at a rapid pace as this growing segment of the workforce strives to get out of the basements and coffee shops currently serving as their workspace. Unlike the traditional office setting, many coworking spaces have become collaborative workspaces because of the synergistic atmosphere that develops from working alongside like-minded, ambitious, creative, talented people.

With feedback provided by 27 Waunakee Lone Eagles (independent professionals) and the assessment of 19 possible locations throughout the Village, it has been determined that the potential for the development of a successful coworking space in Waunakee is very high. Moving forward, a scoping session will be held with those Lone Eagles most interested in helping to establish this type of workspace here in Waunakee. If you are a Lone Eagle and think this would be an attractive option, please email Stephen Bechler at adminintern@vil.waunakee.wi.us.

Click here to read the full report.

Upcoming Madison College Employer Forum Letter

Dear Madison Area Employer:

As part of Madison College’s continuing effort to serve local employers, I would like to invite you to attend one of four listening sessions we are holding at our West Campus.  The purpose of these listening sessions are to provide us with direct input from employers with respect to four main workforce issues:

• employee skills gap;
• workforce training needs;
• professional development and continuing education needs; and
• academic and technical programming options at the West Campus.

Your input will help us to develop appropriate strategies to respond to the issues you face.

The following sessions have been scheduled:

Friday, November 8, 8:00am-9:00am

Friday, November 8, 11:30am-12:30pm

Friday, November 15, 8:00am-9:00am

Friday, November 15, 11:30am-12:30pm

Tables will be arranged and labeled by topic in Room 208, 209, and 210 at the West Campus (302 S. Gammon Road).   The College will provide a facilitator at each table to gather your thoughts, opinions, and insights.  We will provide a light breakfast (bagels, fruit, juice, and coffee) or lunch (sandwich, chips, cookie, and soda) for you to enjoy.

If you are able to attend, please RSVP to lwilliams@madisoncollege.edu or (608)243-5418 and let us know what day and time you would prefer so we may arrange accurate food and beverage service.  

Thank you for your consideration.  I look forward to meeting you personally.

Sincerely,

Lorin K. Toepper, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Economic and Workforce Development-Southwest Region

Lone Eagle Profile - Ben DiSalvo

The Lone Eagles has proved itself to be more than the occasion to meet people, it offers each member the chance to share their tenets and expectations re: relationships with business clients and with each other.

Benedict (Ben) Di Salvo has lived in Waunakee with his wife Diane for 13 years, and in Santa Fe for two years.  He also lived in 12 other states accumulating experience in business, arts & tourism, fund development and grant-making.

Ben was hired to dissolve the United Neighborhood Center (Madison) that had eight dependent member organizations. His job was to help each member become a capable, independent 501(c)3.  The model he developed was both an assessment and a growth model that gave each member organization a specific path to follow toward independence and success.  That assessment / growth model is now known as The MaxCI Assessment©.  

The MaxCI Assessment© is a confidential, on-line, self-assessment tool for not-for-profits to determine their organizational health and capacity. What sets this tool apart from other assessments and growth models is that the organizations receives a comparative, or ipsative, score – one that compares the organization to itself and not to other organizations.  The results include recommendations to increase its ability to raise more funds, deliver premium programs, reach its potential and to become indispensable to the community.  On the other side of the “funding table” foundations, businesses and government agencies use the tool to screen applicants in – or out of – the awards process; or to help strengthen the applicant organization.

For detailed descriptions go to www.maxci.net

Lone Eagle Profile - Robert Arntz

Robert J. Arntz, Architect has been a licensed Architect since October 8, 1992, specializing in the architectural design of custom new, addition, and remodeling projects for single-family residences and small commercial buildings.  In 1995, he started his sole practitioner firm in Waunakee to provide more personalized services tailored to the unique needs of each client.  Robert provides clients problem solving and conceptual design consultations, schematic design, design development, construction documents and construction administration services.

Working as a sole practitioner Architect allows Robert to have more quality family time and more flexibility to participate in community service projects.  Since he attended the first Lone Eagle Initiative meeting, Robert continues to be involved with the group because it is a great way to network with other home office professionals.  Waunakee is an ideal location to practice architecture because of the many new residential and commercial developments in addition to its proximity to Madison, Middleton and other surrounding Dane County communities.  Robert has been a member of the American Institute of Architects for over twenty years and both the Waunakee Rotary Club and the Waunakee Area Chamber of Commerce for over 18 years.  You can see examples of his architecture projects on his website along with his landscape, nature and wildlife photographs.

Robert J. Arntz, Architect
Phone: (608) 849-7292
Email: rjarntz@tds.net
Website:         http://robertjarntzphotography.zenfolio.com

Robert suggests the following links to learn more about what architects do:
What does an Architect do video – http://www.youtube.com/user/CRANtv
The American Institute of Architects – http://www.aia.org