Tuesday Luncheon Speakers

Milwaukee County serves 950,000 residents with programs ranging from the Airport to the Zoo. The annual budget is $1.4 billion, including a $263 million property tax levy. Milwaukee County is positioning itself for the future while being open to structural reform, including consolidating duplicate governments within the greater Milwaukee area.  Leading that charge is Board Chairman Lee Holloway, whose vision to reform health care costs has saved taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.  Holloway, along with 18th District Supervisor Johnny L. Thomas and Director of the Department of Audit Jerome Heer, will talk to Rotary about the County’s plans to diversify revenue and provide dedicated funding for desired services while reducing property tax levy.

Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the U.S. In addition to providing safe and high-quality pediatric specialty and primary health care to children, Children’s conducts pediatric research, educates the physicians and nurses of the future, actively educates teachers and other caregivers to help keep children healthy and safe, and advocates for children’s health issues locally and nationally. Peggy Troy, RN, MSN, became president and CEO of Children’s Hospital and Health System in January 2009. She will discuss the status of pediatric health care with a growing focus on community health and well-being and an increased emphasis on clinical quality and patient safety.

Aquatic invasive species are one of the principal ecological and economic threats to the Great Lakes. In recent years, an average of at least one new invader has been discovered in the Great Lakes each year. With many connections to shipping pathways, the Great Lakes are one of the major entryways for freshwater invaders into North America. Rebecca Smith, Deputy Director, The Nature Conservancy-WI will speak about efforts to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in the world's largest freshwater ecosystem, including the Asian Carp.