Category: Archived Press Releases
Photo by Richard Hurd
Chamber Statement Re: Cheatham offered superintendent job for Madison Metropolitan School District
MADISON – Responding to the announcement that Jennifer Cheatham has been offered the job as the next superintendent of Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), Zach Brandon, president of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, had this to say:
“Dr. Cheatham – or Jen as she prefers – is the right choice at the right time for one of the toughest, yet most important jobs, in our community. The business community congratulates her and the school board. We look forward to a successful partnership.
Tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and workers need real-world exposure today. Many of Jen’s remarks – as well as her experience – demonstrate that educational success goes beyond test scores and technology. There is clear opportunity to further the partnership between the schools and the private sector. Opportunities like the Youth Apprenticeship Program which partners academic and technical classroom instruction with mentored, on-the-job training for employability skills.
The Greater Madison area is in a time of great change. Key roles such as the superintendent of MMSD are being filled with new leaders ready to take this region to the next level by believing our challenges are solvable, ensuring complacency is unacceptable and being energized to imagine and aggressively pursue this area’s full potential. We believe Jen is this type of leader.”
About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,400 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 6,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, Madison businesses vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
Chamber Makes Early Alder Endorsements
MADISON – The board of directors for the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce has released its early endorsements for the Madison Common Council. The Chamber’s endorsements are being released as President Zach Brandon is challenging leaders to close the gap between what our region is and what it can be as an innovation hub on the global stage.
“The Greater Madison region is home to many innovative and entrepreneurial companies, products, technologies and ideas that highlight our potential,” said Brandon. “We need the right leaders, with the right vision and commitment, to translate that potential into increased jobs and wages. The Madison Common Council plays a key role in the perception and reality of our business climate.”
The Chamber Board has endorsed the following candidates in the upcoming Spring Election:
| District 3: Lauren Cnare | District 9: Paul Skidmore | District 17: Joe Clausius |
| District 5: Shiva Bidar-Sielaff | District 10: Maurice Cheeks | District 19: Mark Clear |
| District 7: Steve King | District 11: Chris Schmidt | District 20: Matt Phair |
| District 8: Scott Resnick | District 14: Tim Bruer |
With the exception of District 10, all on the list are incumbents who received Chamber endorsements in previous elections for their leadership and focus on job creation.
“It is important that Madison voters elect leaders who understand and value the private sector,” said Brandon. “All of the endorsed candidates have demonstrated their commitment to creating a climate that will help grow businesses and the jobs they create.”
Endorsement interviews in the remaining districts will take place in the coming weeks. Endorsements may not be made in every district, just in those where a candidate meets the endorsement criteria.
“Throughout this process we have kept in close contact with the Building and Construction Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin because of our mutual goal to grow jobs and wages,” said Brandon. “It is promising to find our candidate endorsements align.”
About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,400 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 6,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, Madison businesses vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
Three Greater Madison Companies Rank on List of Top 10 Innovations for 2012
Chamber Calls List a Reinforcement that Madison has all the Elements of a Global Innovation Hub
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MADISON – Two companies based in Greater Madison are ranked in the Top 10 Innovations 2012 from the magazine, The Scientist. Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) and Promega both made the list along with Life Technologies that has an office here.
“The Greater Madison region is a leader in the innovation of life-changing products, technologies, methods and ideas,” said Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon. “To this point, our community has been leading quietly. The time for quiet is over.”
Brandon calls the accolades a powerful example of the cutting-edge technology work being done throughout our region.
“CDI and Promega are companies that started with just an idea – a spark – that was fueled by local investors which then ignited market-leading technologies,” said Brandon. “More sparks ignite every day. The Madison Region has all of the elements of a world-class innovation hub.”
Brandon was named Chamber president Nov. 15, 2012. In his opening comments, he committed the Chamber would be energetic in telling the story of the Madison region domestically and internationally. Brandon challenged leaders to put it all on the line to close the gap between what our region is and what it can be as a true player on the global stage.
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About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Chamber is nearly 1,400 businesses working together as a strong voice for enlightened economic growth in the Greater Madison region. We serve the interests of all our members, ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 4,000 employees. The Chamber is committed to improving the community by growing healthy businesses. More information about the Chamber can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com.
Click here to download an electronic copy of the press release
Photo by Richard Hurd
Zach Brandon Named President of Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
Business Acumen, Community Knowledge and Proven Economic Development Success,
coupled with Passion, Builds on Chamber’s Strong Foundation
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MADISON – After conducting a national search, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce board of directors found its ideal candidate in its own backyard. Local leader Zach Brandon has been named president of the Chamber. Brandon, 39, replaces Jennifer Alexander, who is retiring after nearly nine years.
“Our community needs tenacious leaders who put it all on the line to close the gap between what our region is and what it can be as a true player on the national stage,” said David Stark, Chamber board chair and president of Stark Company Realtors. “Zach is this type of leader – the right leader, with the right experience at the right time. He understands and shares our passion for economic development and a strong business voice.”
Early in his career, Brandon saw the region’s potential, and in 1998 located a business in downtown Madison. As an entrepreneur, small business owner and the father of three, Brandon saw firsthand the need to enhance the area’s business climate. Brandon has worked toward this goal, first as a three-term City of Madison alder, then as Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce under Gov. Jim Doyle, and most recently as the head of the Wisconsin Angel Network, which promotes early stage investment in Madison and beyond.
“Greater Madison is more than the name of our region. It must be our collective goal: A Greater Madison.” Brandon said. “This region, its businesses and its workers are second to none, and the Chamber will be energetic in telling our story domestically and internationally. We will proactively fill the economic development policy vacuum and be aggressive in the pursuit of a climate that recruits, retains and grows employers and the jobs they create.”
Brandon, who has represented Wisconsin internationally, had high praise for outgoing president Alexander citing a Chinese proverb. “The Chinese have this saying: ‘While drinking the water, remember who dug the well,’” said Brandon. “Jennifer has built the strong foundation from which we will launch this intrepid effort.”
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About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Chamber is nearly 1,400 businesses working together as a strong voice for enlightened economic growth in the Greater Madison region. We serve the interests of all our members, ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 4,000 employees. The Chamber is committed to improving the community by growing healthy businesses. More information about the Chamber can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com.