On May 4, 2001, the RMA-Wisconsin Chapter held its annual spring conference at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton. State President Dick Ihlenfeldt, Senior Vice President at First National Bank of Stoughton, provided opening remarks and introduced the new officers for the year 2001-2002. They were: President Elect, Rick Zimmerman, M&I Bank Wausau; First Vice President, John Heistad, Firstar Corporation; Treasurer, Cindy Brzeski, Park Bank Milwaukee; and RMA Chapter Secretary, Sandy Gruber. Recognition was given to Dale R. Jensen, Senior Vice President, First National Bank of Baldwin, for serving as a Board member for over 10 years and as a Chapter President. Also, RMA Past President, Mark Higgins, Irwin Union Bank, DePere, received the Gold Star Award from RMA National Headquarters for the leadership and contributions made the past year.

Dr. Don Nichols, Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, discussed Wisconsin’s economic outlook while Steve Hegg, from Business Resource Services, informed the participants on Advisory Selling techniques. The luncheon & keynote speaker, Frank Novak, Special Teams Coach for the Green Bay Packers, spoke about total commitment and leadership skills by professional players and individuals within the Packer organization.

The sessions continued in the afternoon with Marie Mansheim of Wipfli Ullrich Bertelson LLP giving a presentation on Marketing. A 3 person panel from Quarles & Brady LLP, David Bourne, Ann Murphy, and Tony Marino, gave an uplifting production on Effective Negotiation of Terms, Conditions & Covenants.

Mike Phillips of the State Bank of Cross Plains was the winner of the Palm Pilot.