Topic
Inside the Lines – Think Like an Owner  

Summary & Learning Objectives
Join Wisconsin sports team owners, Brendan Bruss of The Gamblers, Craig Dickman of the Timber Rattlers, Mark Skogen of the Rockers, and Larry Treankler of The Blizzard, for a panel discussion on the measures, methodologies and mindsets that contribute to being an owner.

Moderator

Grace Murray
Marketing & Communications Leader | TitletownTech

Biography
As Marketing & Communications Specialist, Grace leads TitletownTech’s messaging and brand awareness. She brings a unique blend of late-stage startup and high-profile brand experience as she develops and advises on communications across various channels for TitletownTech and its portfolio companies. 

Before joining TitletownTech, Grace effectively distilled and communicated complex information to various stakeholders as Sr. Marketing & Communications Specialist for SaaS software provider OpenGov. She formerly served as Communications Coordinator for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, where she helped manage day-to-day media relations responsibilities across the organization’s portfolio of entities. A born and raised Wisconsinite, Grace is a former collegiate soccer player and graduate of Denison University with degrees in Communication and Economics.

Panelist

Brendan Bruss
CEO of PMI Entertainment Group, Owners of The Gamblers

Biography
Brendan has been with PMI Entertainment Group, Inc., a community led for-profit, non-stock company since 2003. Named President of the company in 2020, Brendan is skilled at bringing together organizational design, marketing, sales, technology and business plans for the arena, sports, and events business. As President, Brendan is charged with leading the activities and sustainability of the entertainment and sports management company. PMI Entertainment Group manages the Resch Center Complex, the Meyer Theatre, owns and operates the Green Bay Gamblers Hockey team, Ticket Star ticketing company, Blue Green Events, as well as a variety of events throughout N.E. Wisconsin. From 2016 to 2021 he served on the Board of Directors for the International Ticketing Association in the role of Treasurer.

Panelist

Craig Dickman
Managing Director of TitletownTech & Owner of The Timber Rattlers

Biography
Craig Dickman is an entrepreneur, inventor, and venture capitalist. He is the Managing Director of TitletownTech and one of the key visionaries in its creation. Dickman is also Chairman and Principal Owner of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the High-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders, a collegiate summer baseball team. His professional career has focused on innovation and venture creation as a repeat founder, active investor, and corporate innovation leader.

Panelist

Mark Skogen
CEO of Festival Foods & Owners of The Rockers

Biography
Mark Skogen is the third generation of Skogen grocers. Mark’s grandfather, Paul Skogen, opened his first grocery store in Onalaska, WI, in 1946. Dave Skogen, Mark’s father, grew the small chain of IGA stores in the ‘70s and ‘80s and then introduced the family business to the large-grocery format of Festival Foods in 1990.  Mark joined the company full-time after graduating from Viterbo University in 1992 and became President and CEO in 2006. Under Mark’s leadership, the company operates 46 retail grocery stores across the state of Wisconsin. Mark attributes Festival’s continued success to the more than 8,000 associates whom are all committed to the company’s Boomerang Principle which guides everyday business decisions by answering the question “Will it bring the customer back?”.

In addition to leading Festival Foods, Mark serves on the board of directors for the Green Bay Packers and the Food Marketing Institute. He is also active in fundraising efforts for the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay and the United Way. In late 2020, Mark became the owner of the Green Bay Booyah baseball team (later renamed the Green Bay Rockers), and in 2021, Mark opened the Epic Event Center, a concert venue.

 

Panelist

Larry Treankler
CEO of the Village Companies & Owners of The Blizzard

Biography
Larry, along with his Father (Mel), Mother (Mary Ann) and Brother (Carl) started MCL Industries, Inc., an industrial contract manufacturer, in 1979 in the basement of the family home. Lifelong friend Terry Hanstedt joined the ownership group in 1984. He led MCL from 1979-1993 at which time Terry took the lead role.  In 1982 the family purchased a sister company, Baytek Entertainment, Inc. which Larry served on a daily basis from 1993-2012. 

Larry and his bride (Kathy) bought two divisions of the C.A. Lawton Co. in 2007 now known as Trink’s, Inc. which is owned and led by Kathy. Larry and Kathy also purchased The Green Bay Blizzard indoor football team in 2013 and are entering their 10th season.  Larry currently serves as Chairman for all the family businesses now known as The Village Companies, LLC (Bay Tek Entertainment, Beer Belly Bags, Dimensional Branding Group, MCL Industries, MCL Fabrication, Maverick Hunting, Skee-Ball). Larry's primary role as Chairman is to serve the Leadership of each company and be a positive example of living our Mission, Vision, Values.

Professional Development Presentation
Presented by von Briesen & Roper, S.C.
Topic: Student Athletes in the Age of NIL: America’s Newest Brand Ambassadors

Summary
Wholesale changes in NIL regulations have thrust student athletes into uncharted territory. Now faced with the opportunity to build more than just a sports legacy, student athletes have become some of America’s most sought-after brand ambassadors overnight. In this seminar, attendees will learn about the changes to NIL regulations and their implications on student-athletes, trends in the NIL marketplace and top items to consider when partnering with student-athletes.

Learning Objectives

• Learn the new landscape of Name-Image-Likeness regulations
• Gain an understanding of the current trends in the NIL marketplace and how NIL deals work
• What should be considered if/when. your business partners with student-athletes

Speaker

Megan Jerabek
Shareholder | von Briesen & Roper, S.C.

Biography
Megan Jerabek is a Shareholder, chair of the firm’s Sports Law Section, co-chair of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Section, and a member of the firm’s Business, Tax and Real Estate Sections. Her practice focuses on estate planning, trust and estate administration, business succession planning, real estate leasing and business transactions. She also represents current and former professional athletes on a variety of matters, including real estate, business formation and transactions, and estate planning. Megan frequently presents throughout Wisconsin on estate and business succession planning to professional trade associations, wealth advisors and insurance representatives, planned giving societies, and employees and executives as part of health and wellness programming offered by corporations. She has also been a frequent presenter at the State Bar of Wisconsin Annual Estate Planning Update.

Megan is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in Trusts and Estates Law (2019-2023). In 2016, Megan was recognized as a “40 Under 40” by InBusiness Magazine.

Financial Executives International (FEI) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org.