Laurie Radke's background is about as different from her
predecessor as can be. What that difference will mean for the Green Bay
Area Chamber of Commerce
remains to be seen.
Radke, 45, will start her new job as chamber president on Sept. 26. She succeeds Paul Jadin, who was appointed secretary of commerce by Gov. Scott Walker in December, and now heads the Department of Commerce's successor agency, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Fred Monique served as interim president and will return to his role as vice president of economic development for the chamber.
Radke's background is in education and economic development, Jadin's in human resources and politics. Radke said she applied for the chamber position because "it seemed like a natural fit for me."
A native of Manitowoc, Radke graduated from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a bachelor's degree in public administration, and received an MBA from Lakeland College, where she worked in several roles before becoming director of the school's Ashwaubenon campus. At present, she is dean of training and economic development for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in GreenBay .
When she joined NWTC, Radke said, her department was working with 700 employers and had a budget of $1 million. The department now works with 1,100 employers and has a budget of $4 million.
"Under Dr. (Jeffrey) Rafn's leadership, the voice of the customer is a priority," Radke said. "My department's been very dynamic."
The chamber's approach to public policy — politics — is a topic that comes up often, she said. Under Jadin, the chamber often took firm, pro-business, often Republican-leaning, positions. It may continue to do so, but Radke said that will be one of many areas under review.
"It's obviously a topic. The board of directors needs to re-evaluate its position. How do we want to move forward to represent our membership?" she said.
Radke has no doubt there will be changes in how membership — recruiting and retention — is addressed. Outgoing chamber chairwoman Gail McNutt said that was identified as a weakness when the chamber received its accreditation review earlier this year. The chamber is one of only 83 in the nation to receive accreditation with four stars from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"That's going to be one area where Laurie is going to spend a lot of time," McNutt said.
Regional economic development is another area that appeals to Radke, in line with the work she's done at NWTC. She said she has an entrepreneurial bent and will work with other economic development entities, including Jadin's Economic Development Corp.
"We need to look at business expansion, attraction and development. We will work with others. We don't need to duplicate effort," she said.
Radke said she's looking forward to a retreat with board members, including new chairman Greg Gauthier, in November or early December to plan strategy.
"I'd like to be the type of leader where there won't be any surprises for my board. The board is here to guide and direct," she said.
The chamber has 1,250 members representing 94,000 workers. It has 25 employees and a $3 million budget.
Radke said she plans a lot of outreach, talking to members and non-members alike.
"We'll be looking at our resources and products and meeting the needs of our customers," she said. "The (staff) are uniquely positioned for work force development, community development and business development under one roof. How do you touch all those different components to build that synergy?"
Radke, 45, will start her new job as chamber president on Sept. 26. She succeeds Paul Jadin, who was appointed secretary of commerce by Gov. Scott Walker in December, and now heads the Department of Commerce's successor agency, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Fred Monique served as interim president and will return to his role as vice president of economic development for the chamber.
Radke's background is in education and economic development, Jadin's in human resources and politics. Radke said she applied for the chamber position because "it seemed like a natural fit for me."
A native of Manitowoc, Radke graduated from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a bachelor's degree in public administration, and received an MBA from Lakeland College, where she worked in several roles before becoming director of the school's Ashwaubenon campus. At present, she is dean of training and economic development for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green
When she joined NWTC, Radke said, her department was working with 700 employers and had a budget of $1 million. The department now works with 1,100 employers and has a budget of $4 million.
"Under Dr. (Jeffrey) Rafn's leadership, the voice of the customer is a priority," Radke said. "My department's been very dynamic."
The chamber's approach to public policy — politics — is a topic that comes up often, she said. Under Jadin, the chamber often took firm, pro-business, often Republican-leaning, positions. It may continue to do so, but Radke said that will be one of many areas under review.
"It's obviously a topic. The board of directors needs to re-evaluate its position. How do we want to move forward to represent our membership?" she said.
Radke has no doubt there will be changes in how membership — recruiting and retention — is addressed. Outgoing chamber chairwoman Gail McNutt said that was identified as a weakness when the chamber received its accreditation review earlier this year. The chamber is one of only 83 in the nation to receive accreditation with four stars from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"That's going to be one area where Laurie is going to spend a lot of time," McNutt said.
Regional economic development is another area that appeals to Radke, in line with the work she's done at NWTC. She said she has an entrepreneurial bent and will work with other economic development entities, including Jadin's Economic Development Corp.
"We need to look at business expansion, attraction and development. We will work with others. We don't need to duplicate effort," she said.
Radke said she's looking forward to a retreat with board members, including new chairman Greg Gauthier, in November or early December to plan strategy.
"I'd like to be the type of leader where there won't be any surprises for my board. The board is here to guide and direct," she said.
The chamber has 1,250 members representing 94,000 workers. It has 25 employees and a $3 million budget.
Radke said she plans a lot of outreach, talking to members and non-members alike.
"We'll be looking at our resources and products and meeting the needs of our customers," she said. "The (staff) are uniquely positioned for work force development, community development and business development under one roof. How do you touch all those different components to build that synergy?"
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