Wisconsin

Midwest Strategy Group
Contact: Michael Brozek
14 W. Mifflin Street, Suite 300
Madison, WI 53703-4324

Tel 608.251.0267/Fax 608.258.4647/Cell 608.576.5300
Email brozek@midweststrategy.com

Firm Profile

Midwest Strategy Group is one of Wisconsin's most highly rated, respected and resourceful lobbying firms. They are called upon by national and international business interests, as well as charitable and nonprofit interests, for creative interaction with local, state and federal governments. Noted for their practical bipartisan approach to government relations, Midwest Strategy Group work successfully, with Wisconsin’s Governor and Legislature.

Firm Specialty

In Wisconsin the Midwest Strategy Group specializes in high profile and sometimes controversial interest areas; gaming - both tribal and non tribal, entertainment and tourism, banking, environment technologies, information technologies, manufacturing and Wisconsin's growing international trade business. In addition to their Legislative and Executive Branch relationships, Midwest Strategy Group offers a wealth of experience in city government and urban business development, under the direction of former Madison Mayor Joel Skornicka.

On the federal level Midwest Strategy Group also specializes in transportation, gaming and health issues. Federal health and human service issues have been a special emphasis for the firm since theappointment of former Governor Tommy Thompson to the post of U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

TAG Contact

Michael Brozek

Prior to joining Midwest Strategy Group, Michael was an established lobbyist in Madison, Wisconsin, representing a diverse spectrum of clients including national and international financial institutions, entertainment, gaming, manufacturing, energy, and telecommunications before executive and legislative branches of Wisconsin government, the United States Congress, and federal agencies.

In addition to state based public sector activities, Michael has concentrated on federal health policy in Washington D.C., most notably at the United States Department of Health and Human Services with HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson. Michael represents many national health interests, as well as European health related companies. These companies include provider health services, diagnostic and pharmacological products, Medicare/Medicaid fraud detection, Food and Drug Administration corporate product approval, as well as numerous innovative health services.

Under the efforts of legislative leadership and key Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson Administration officials, Michael wrote legislation enabling the harvesting of millions of 100-year old sunken logs from the bottom of Lake Superior. This revolutionary approach to recycling long abandoned cut timer has become the international standard in the recovery and production of the highest quality, and in some cases extinct, hardwoods. This project has received the acclaim of major media and business publications. Michael has served on numerous business trade missions to Germany, Poland and Russia with Governor Thompson and Wisconsin industrial leaders, to promote Wisconsin manufacturing and agricultural business interests worldwide.

Michael is also very active in sports and entertainment enterprises throughout the United States. Michael's representation of Carl Haas, of the world championship Paul Newman-Carl Haas Racing Team, is widely cited as the major factor in bringing Championship CART and NASCAR racing back to Wisconsin's "Milwaukee Mile". Michael's efforts to further expand Wisconsin's presence in the racing industry also include his continuing work with Indianapolis 500 President Tony George and the Wisconsin Governor for new racing venues in Wisconsin.

Early in his career, Michael served as an assistant to newly elected Wisconsin Attorney General, Bronson C. LaFollette, with responsibility for assisting in the Attorney General's transition after the election. After completing this transition, Michael left the Attorney General's office to organize the State Medical Society of Wisconsin for the creation of a new legislative and public affairs division where he served as the legislative lobbyist for the 6,000 member physicians' trade association. This reorganization propelled the Wisconsin physician trade association back into political prominence, after years of legislative decline. Michael was ultimately honored by the American Medical Association with its highest award for an industry-media production outlining legislative organization and process.

Brian A. Schimming

schimming@midweststrategy.com

Brian began his public service career serving as a top assistant to Wisconsin State Senator Richard Kreul. From that position, Brian was named Political Director of the Wisconsin Republican party and later as director of the Assembly Republican Caucus. When the Republicans took control of that house for the first time in 24 years, Brian was appointed chief of staff to Assembly Speaker David T. Prosser, Jr., who later became a Justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Brian served in several positions in the administration of Governor Tommy G. Thompson including Executive Director of the Wisconsin Conservation Corps and Administrator of the Wisconsin Division of Housing and Intergovernmental Relations. Brian continued as Administrator under new Governor Scott McCallum, after Governor Thompson became U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services in President George W. Bush's Cabinet.

A well respected policy and political advisor, Brian is regularly called upon for his advice and counsel, and he is considered one of the top campaign organizers in Wisconsin. After leaving government service, Brian used his experience and skills as a prominent governmental affairs lobbyist and consultant. Brian represents an impressive array of interests ranging from banking, finance, and technology.

Brian is very active in civic and charitable organizations serving on the Boards of the Salvation Army and Henry Vilas Zoo. Brian also was elected to the Whitewater City Council and served as president of the Fitchburg Community Development Authority.

Brian hosts a highly listened to talk show on NewsTalk 1310/WIBA in Madison and is well known for his incisive analysis.

Joel Skornicka

skornicka@midweststrategy.com

Joel Skornicka brings a unique and valuable capability to the Midwest Strategy Group team with his knowledge of the intricacies of local government. Joel served two terms as the Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin. During Joel's terms as Mayor, Madison experienced impressive growth and progress as Wisconsin's capitol city. As Mayor, Joel directed the construction of the 325 acres University of Wisconsin Research park. The Research Park has enlarged over the years as one of the country's most respected research facilities, and is presently the location of the new National Stem Cell Research Center. Also as Mayor, Joel oversaw the construction of the Madison Civic Center and numerous other community projects.

Prior to becoming Mayor, Joel also served as Assistant Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin and Executive Vice President for the University of Wisconsin Foundation, where he was responsible for raising tens of millions of dollars annually for the University.

Joel was instrumental in developing innovative community-based projects. The Skornicka Seminars for Communities, developed in conjunction with the Robert M. LaFollette Institute for Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin is a highly regarded program designed to introduce Mayors and community leaders to government process.

Joel's experience in city management gives him unique abilities and a creative perspective on the complexities of local affairs.