SBA: Milwaukee entrepreneurs graduate SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative

Contact: Shirah Apple (414) 297-1096, (414) 841-7013

Small Businesses Developed Growth Plans, Networks

Milwaukee, Wis. – CEO’s of 8 small, high potential firms completed SBA’s 26-week “streetwise MBA” Emerging Leaders course on October 24. Serial entrepreneur and director of graduate management programs for the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Gene Wright, taught the program along with local business experts. Emerging Leaders culminates with each CEO developing a three year growth plan. Sylvestra Ramirez, CEO of Physical Therapy of Milwaukee, spoke on behalf of the class.

Eric Ness, SBA’s Wisconsin district director, congratulated the new graduates, saying, “Through the Emerging Leaders initiative, SBA has worked with nearly 80 Wisconsin companies. These firms have created local jobs, found financing to expand, and pursued contracting opportunities. Nationally, Emerging Leaders businesses have accessed more than $20 million in new financing and more than $700 million in Federal, state, local and tribal contracts. More than 80 percent created new jobs or retained all existing jobs and nearly 70 percent saw revenue growth. We look forward to the 2016 Emerging Leaders class moving their businesses forward with measurable success.”

Graduates included:

Duane Crowley and Genevieve O’Sullivan-Crowley, D&G Express Service Ltd
Lynne Keckeisen, Confluence Graphics Inc.
John LaPointe and Leah LaPointe, Greener Roofs and Gardens
Citlali Mendieta, Antigua Latin Restaurant & Catering
Alex Post and Jay Hoppa, Arker LLC
Sylvestra Ramirez, Physical Therapy of Milwaukee
Jose Reyes, CMJ Electric, LLC
Rosheen Styczinski, New Eden Landscape Architecture, LLC