New Board Member Applicants - Nov 2021!
We would like to welcome and thank you all for taking the time to read about and vote for our new Board members. This is such an exciting time for growth and we're looking forward to the new year ahead of us all!
To vote, please fill out the form at the end. While we would love to make everything anonymous, we need to make sure voters are business owners and that each vote is tallied only once. Your votes will not be published by name, just final tallies.
To vote, please fill out the form at the end. While we would love to make everything anonymous, we need to make sure voters are business owners and that each vote is tallied only once. Your votes will not be published by name, just final tallies.
Applicant 1.: Phil Fonzen Owner of Premiere Tech 5710 W. Vliet
Interested in joining the board to help further the community interests of business and commerce as well as take a bigger role in the community events that our area has to offer.
Phil Fonzen lives in Dane County but operates 2 different locations for Premiere Tech - Milwaukee and Stevens Point. In Milwaukee Premiere Tech is actively working with a number of local businesses in leasing equipment, and IT support of day to day repair operations. Phil has Milwaukee ties from attending UW Milwaukee as well as an active member of the Milwaukee local skateboard scene.
Phil has numerous community experiences from volunteering with Habitat Re-Stores in various cities and a long standing Member of the Madison Skatepark Fund (15 years) that helped design, build and finance Madison’s first public skatepark. His technology experience with social media, design, marketing and brand development will be a strong addition to the West Vliet Board.
Interested in joining the board to help further the community interests of business and commerce as well as take a bigger role in the community events that our area has to offer.
Phil Fonzen lives in Dane County but operates 2 different locations for Premiere Tech - Milwaukee and Stevens Point. In Milwaukee Premiere Tech is actively working with a number of local businesses in leasing equipment, and IT support of day to day repair operations. Phil has Milwaukee ties from attending UW Milwaukee as well as an active member of the Milwaukee local skateboard scene.
Phil has numerous community experiences from volunteering with Habitat Re-Stores in various cities and a long standing Member of the Madison Skatepark Fund (15 years) that helped design, build and finance Madison’s first public skatepark. His technology experience with social media, design, marketing and brand development will be a strong addition to the West Vliet Board.
Applicant 2.: Tony Schiro Co-Owner of Charles E. Fromage 5811 W.Vliet
Running for the ultra-competitive Treasurer position. I'm running because I want to see the street thrive and I think I can be of assistance in that regard.
I'm a business owner (well, employee) on Vliet St since 2019, property owner on the street since 2017. Math and science teacher for 25 years. The math skills should be an asset for the position.
Thanks, Tony
Running for the ultra-competitive Treasurer position. I'm running because I want to see the street thrive and I think I can be of assistance in that regard.
I'm a business owner (well, employee) on Vliet St since 2019, property owner on the street since 2017. Math and science teacher for 25 years. The math skills should be an asset for the position.
Thanks, Tony
Applicant 3.: Andrea Parikh Co-Owner of Gigawatt Media 5919 W. Vliet
Hello West Vliet Street team-
1. Why would you like to join the board?
We picked the West Vliet location for our offices because the area offers a growing variety of unique restaurants and retail, that are on par with downtown Milwaukee without the hassle of traffic and parking! We believe these offerings, coupled with the convenience to get to the area, green spaces and walkability of the street, are very attractive to young talent and clients. Therefore I'd like to join the board to help promote the value of West Vliet by contributing to events, promotions and initiatives that will continue to drive interest in area businesses.
2. A little bit about you, a bio of sorts.
I have been the Marketing Lead and co-owner of Gigawatt Media for a little over a year, after 16+ years as a VP of Marketing with Clear Channel Outdoor in both Milwaukee and NYC. While I am happy to have left the corporate world behind, the experience I gained working across various customers, teams and markets has prepared me for the diverse needs of a small business. Additionally, we are very proud to be building a world-class digital agency in Milwaukee, creating media solutions for local and national brands across the websites, apps and connected TV screens people use more everyday, while empowering the amazing talent within our hometown.
When not working on the business, taking classes at Barre Milwaukee or hanging with friends over a glass of wine, you'll find me spending time with my husband Adam (founder of Gigawatt Media) and two kids. We live a few blocks away in East Tosa and love that our location allows us to explore the dining, retail, bars, parks and more bridging the Tosa & Milwaukee communities.
3. What will you bring to the board?
As a board member, I can commit to:
-Enhancing Communication - I know this is an area of focus for the board and the members as they are seeking regular updates on board initiatives and W Vliet St happenings. I believe I can make the most impact here, either maximizing the current tools in place (email, website, socials) or evaluating additional resources to ensure the member community has the information they need, while creating efficiency for the board.
-Project Management Support - In addition to my job experience, I have worked with a variety of volunteer organizations, ranging from founding Ad2 Milwaukee (a young professionals advertising association in Milwaukee) to coordinating our neighborhood Trick-or-Treat events. I'm hoping to leverage this experience to help the board manage various community initiatives, while contributing new ideas that add value.
-Energy - I am excited to get more involved in the community and am willing to commit the time and energy to help with various initiatives. I am also looking forward to contributing a new perspective to the organization, while respecting the historical viewpoints from the businesses and board members that have been involved in the past.
Hello West Vliet Street team-
1. Why would you like to join the board?
We picked the West Vliet location for our offices because the area offers a growing variety of unique restaurants and retail, that are on par with downtown Milwaukee without the hassle of traffic and parking! We believe these offerings, coupled with the convenience to get to the area, green spaces and walkability of the street, are very attractive to young talent and clients. Therefore I'd like to join the board to help promote the value of West Vliet by contributing to events, promotions and initiatives that will continue to drive interest in area businesses.
2. A little bit about you, a bio of sorts.
I have been the Marketing Lead and co-owner of Gigawatt Media for a little over a year, after 16+ years as a VP of Marketing with Clear Channel Outdoor in both Milwaukee and NYC. While I am happy to have left the corporate world behind, the experience I gained working across various customers, teams and markets has prepared me for the diverse needs of a small business. Additionally, we are very proud to be building a world-class digital agency in Milwaukee, creating media solutions for local and national brands across the websites, apps and connected TV screens people use more everyday, while empowering the amazing talent within our hometown.
When not working on the business, taking classes at Barre Milwaukee or hanging with friends over a glass of wine, you'll find me spending time with my husband Adam (founder of Gigawatt Media) and two kids. We live a few blocks away in East Tosa and love that our location allows us to explore the dining, retail, bars, parks and more bridging the Tosa & Milwaukee communities.
3. What will you bring to the board?
As a board member, I can commit to:
-Enhancing Communication - I know this is an area of focus for the board and the members as they are seeking regular updates on board initiatives and W Vliet St happenings. I believe I can make the most impact here, either maximizing the current tools in place (email, website, socials) or evaluating additional resources to ensure the member community has the information they need, while creating efficiency for the board.
-Project Management Support - In addition to my job experience, I have worked with a variety of volunteer organizations, ranging from founding Ad2 Milwaukee (a young professionals advertising association in Milwaukee) to coordinating our neighborhood Trick-or-Treat events. I'm hoping to leverage this experience to help the board manage various community initiatives, while contributing new ideas that add value.
-Energy - I am excited to get more involved in the community and am willing to commit the time and energy to help with various initiatives. I am also looking forward to contributing a new perspective to the organization, while respecting the historical viewpoints from the businesses and board members that have been involved in the past.