Sales and Marketing Executives of Madison: 2008 executive of the year to be announced Tuesday

Madison, WI – The Sales and Marketing Executives of Madison (SME Madison) Tuesday will name Mark D. Bugher, Director University Research Park, the 2008 Executive of the Year.

Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Where: Monona Terrace – Community Terrace Room

When: 11:30 Registration

12:00 Noon Luncheon

12:30 Program

1:15 Program Ends

Although many of the nominees from across Dane County displayed noteworthy talent, Bugher’s leadership and dedication to service made the selection committee look to him as the executive most deserving of this award. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce Mark Bugher as our 2008 Executive of the Year,” Richard Birrenkott, President of SME Madison, said. “Mark was a natural choice because he embodies the ideals of Sales & Marketing Executives of Madison—commitment to our industry through marketing University Research Park and commitment to the community by serving on countless committees. His reputation, civic achievements, professional accomplishments and ‘can do attitude’ make Mark an executive we can all look up to.”

Bugher has shown us that dedication to service throughout his career, Birrenkott said. From serving three terms as Eau Claire County Supervisors to Secretary of the Department of Administration in 1996, he discovered his own personal potential when he set out to re-ignite University Research Park in1999 in Madison. That initiative helped strengthen and enhance Madison’s identity as a vibrant place to live, work and play. Birrenkott added the 2008 Executive of the Year remains committed to encourage faculty startup companies, build an asset for the University and enhance economic development. As the Director, he is also responsible for the management of a separately organized real estate development corporation.

Sales & Marketing Executives of Madison will honor Bugher on April 7, 2009 at the Monona Terrace. The formal ceremony begins at 11:30 am with a social, followed by luncheon and the award presentation. The event is sponsored in part by Findorff, American Family Insurance, Econoprint, Restaino & Associates and Tricor.

SME Madison will also present educational scholarships to two students who are interested in sales and marketing as a career. The Ron Turner Scholarship award recipients are Ryan Homan of Waunakee High School and Sarah Mielke of UW-Whitewater. Turner served SME Madison for more than twenty years as a past member, president and executive director. During this time, Ron stressed that a core principal of SME is to promote youth education through practical experience and financial assistance.

SME Madison is committed to serving as the leading professional organization of sales and marketing executives in Dane County. We seek to be the premier forum for resource-sharing, career and youth education, professional development and peer support. For more on SME Madison please visit http://www.smemadison.com.

For more information on SME Madison or the Executive of the Year program, please call Rich Birrenkott at 608-288-1800 ext 1707, or e-mail info@smemadison.com