Manage your Risk, Drive your Profits

A fireside chat with Jeff Tuisl & Scott Ravanesi

In an industry where people are our product, managing risk is a non-negotiable and can be a great industry differentiator if done right. Considerable costs and sleepless nights come from not managing risk properly. Hear from our industry experts who will share employment practice liability and worker’s compensation trends.  In addition, gain a pulse on the overall state of insurance in the staffing industry!    These industry experts will host an interactive discussion on the most critical and often misunderstood components of business insurance.

Don’t miss hearing the latest trends and how to mitigate your risks and act now to safeguard your business.   Join Jeff Tuisl & Scott Ravanesi as they share real insights, case studies and best practices to set your business up for long-term success and profitability. You will not leave this session without action items to take back to office that could make a big difference in your business.

Biographies

Jeff Tuisl is a 30+ year veteran of the insurance and risk management industry, and is currently the Co-Founder and President of T2 Insurance Solutions.  T2 is a wholesale brokerage firm specializing in the temporary staffing and PEO industries, offering workers’ compensation and other solutions to retail brokers since 2024.

Most recently Jeff was a Principal and member of the Board of Directors at Assurance Agency, a Marsh McLennan Agency.  He was a national producer focusing on the temporary staffing and PEO industries for 24 years, helping to build the brand to the industry leader that it remains today.  During the process, he helped build the book of business to more than 500 staffing clients nationwide.  He also served on the Wisconsin Association of Staffing Services Board of Directors from 2001-2024.

Previous to Assurance Agency, he was the Assistant Director of Workers’ Compensation Underwriting at SAFECO Insurance Companies, and a Senior Underwriter at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company.  He earned his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 2007.  He is a 1992 graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and resides in the greater Chicago area.

Scott Ravanesi is entering his 10th Year as Senior Vice President at Marsh McLennan Agency, who focuses primarily on the staffing industry. He’s dedicated to providing clients with long-term risk management strategies that support a healthy company culture and deliver measurable results. Scott’s prompt response time, ethical approach, and willingness to go the extra mile helps staffing agencies minimize risk and maximize the health of their organization.

Prior to joining Marsh McLennan Scott was a Marketing Representative for an A+ rated federated insurance company where he worked directly with business owners to implement risk management programs, estate and business succession planning, specialized business insurance packages and employee benefit programs.

“I enjoy being able to effectively advocate for my clients, so they can focus their time and attention on what matters most – growing their staffing business.”

Scott earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing/Management and completed a one year federated insurance program at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He was a member of the Missouri Valley Football All-Conference and All-Academic Teams, as well as the Business Dean’s List.

Moderated by: Michelle Werner, Hatch Staffing Services & WASS Board Member

HR Panel: Client Clash or Perfect Match

What HR leaders in distribution and manufacturing really want from staffing partners? What keeps HR business leaders up at night and how can staffing firms partner to better consultant for their business? In a world that is highly competitive, how can you differentiate yourself?

Hear from our panelist - Cheryl Brah (Helwig Carbon), Mary Felder (Midwest Refrigerated Services) & Rob Greenup (Novonesis) - and share in this unique opportunity to understand what our customers truly want, how to break through voicemail barriers, and land new opportunities.  This is an chance to understand what really drives their staffing decisions, how they evaluate staffing partners and where they see opportunities for growth and collaboration. These HR leaders have used or use staffing firms as a part of their business plan. They will offer an unfiltered perspective on labor trends, operational pressures, safety concerns and what they wish staffing companies better understood about their business.

Too often we get filtered feedback through HR.  As new business development becomes more critical, this panel will bring you closer to their core priorities, gain insights into their biggest pet peeves and guide you as you craft a more effective value proposition.  This fun, dynamic session will get you into a customer mindset and learn what’s important to them. It will be a lively, engaging session as we play a Newly Wed-like game! Fun fact: If your table wins, there will be an “only in Wisconsin” treat that makes it all worth it!

Biographies

Cheryl Brah - Cheryl has served as the VP of Human Resources at Helwig Carbon Products, Inc. since 2008.  At Helwig, which has 250 employees, Cheryl oversees the entire human resources function, including the company wellness program, employee benefits, training, and employee relations with the help of three staff members.

Cheryl started in the human resources arena in 1991 at Harnischfeger and in 1999, became the first HR Manager at Wauwatosa Savings Bank (now Waterstone Bank).  After leaving Wauwatosa Savings Bank in 2007, Cheryl moved back to her roots in manufacturing.

Cheryl has a BA in Human Resources Management and Adult Education and an MA in Organizational Management.  She is SPHR and SHRM-SPC certified.  Cheryl is a major advocate of adult education and spent 15 years as an adjunct faculty member at Ottawa University and Concordia University teaching undergraduate and graduate HR-related classes.

Mary Felder - Recently retired, Mary Felder served as Vice President of Human Resources at Midwest Refrigerated Services (MRS), where she oversaw company-wide HR and administrative functions and played a key role in the organization’s growth. Joining MRS as Director of HR in December 2020 and promoted to Vice President in March 2021, Mary led initiatives that improved operational efficiency, supported multiple site launches, and advanced automation across HR processes.

Before her tenure at MRS, Mary was the Director of HR at Tribus Services, managing HR operations for 26 sites across the U.S. and Canada. She also served as Corporate Director of HR at Meridian Industries, where she achieved significant cost savings through optimized staffing contracts and streamlined HR practices.

Mary’s career includes extensive experience in leadership development, mergers and acquisitions, and HR strategy. She holds a BBA in Industrial Relations and a Master’s in Human Resources from DeVry University, and has served as an adjunct instructor at Concordia University.

Beyond her professional achievements, Mary enjoys traveling, attending live music events, and exploring family genealogy. She and her husband, Dave, have two children and are proud grandparents. Known for her approachable leadership style and commitment to integrity, Mary continues to exemplify the core values that shaped her success at MRS.

Robert Greenup - Robert is a seasoned People and Organization Consultant at Novonesis, a global biosolutions company formed from the merger of Novozymes and Chr. Hansen. Prior to the 2024 merger, he spent nearly four years as a Senior Supply Chain Manager at Chr Hansen and Hatch Staffing Services.  Earlier in his career, Robert owned and operated a construction and landscaping business for two decades  and spent a bit of time as a Heating and Cooling Services Technician and Installer.

Robert is based in Brookfield. Outside of work, he enjoys rock climbing, paddleboarding, surfing, cooking, and listening to music. He values family life with his partner Rebecca and their three sons, Logan, Owen and Luke.

Moderated by: Sara Luchsinger, SEEK Careers/Staffing & WASS Board Member

Lunch Hour Ted Talk

with Julie Ann Bittner, CEO of TRICOM

In staffing, we match people with opportunity, but what happens when that opportunity is nothing more than a trap?  Protect your business and know the fraud traps taking place in the staffing industry today.  Julie Ann Bittner, CEO of TRICOM is here to share real life examples of near misses that almost cost her clients thousands of dollars.

Julie will share stories about how the fraud happened and how they caught it with their clients.  She will share the best practices on how you and your team can spot it early in your organization and how to ensure you don’t fall victim to scam artists targeting your firm.  In addition, she’ll share some critical processes all staffing firms should have in place to ensure processes are iron clad and reject such “opportunities” before a minute of time is spent on them.  Scammers are getting more savvy and AI tools are helping them target our industry even more.  Knowing the threats, having the tools and processes to manage them will ensure we spend our time on the right priorities while we minimize our risk of falling victim to savvy schemes.

Biography

Outgoing. High-energy. Passionate. This is how Julie Ann describes herself, and anyone who has met Julie Ann understands why. As CEO of TRICOM, Julie Ann spends countless hours meeting and speaking with staffing company owners, executives and other staffing industry leaders across the country, sharing her expertise and offering TRICOM’s vast resources to prospects and clients alike. These efforts reflect her business philosophy: “Give more than what you try to receive; don’t worry about what you get back.”

Julie Ann joined TRICOM in 1991 and was quickly promoted to Director of Cash Management. Over the years, she took on several roles including Co-Manager of the Payroll Department, Director of Information Systems and Vice President. She became President and CEO in 2002. Prior to her time at TRICOM, Julie Ann attended the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and worked several years in retail operations management.

For Julie Ann, working at TRICOM is all about offering opportunities: the opportunity to help independent staffing company owners grow their businesses, the opportunity to help temporary workers succeed in their careers, and the opportunity for TRICOM employees to grow personally and professionally. When not at TRICOM, you may find Julie Ann lending her support to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin or Habitat for Humanity – or cheering on the Packers!

The Hard Hat View from the CEO:

Business leaders on Labor Market, Recruitment Partnerships, Growth, Priorities & More

Get an inside look into the minds of construction and manufacturing CEO’s as they pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead in today’s fast changing, dynamic economy. From workforce challenges and margin pressures to automation, AI, safety and shifting customer demands, these business leaders are finding themselves needing to be more nimble and more decisive than ever. Understand their strategy for why contingent labor makes sense to their overall staffing plan and why they work with recruiters to find key talent for their organizations.

Hear from our panelists - Mike Duffek (Duffek Construction), Manuel Merkt (Haimer USA) & Phil Malliet (Hayes Performance Systems). In this no-fluff panel, they will share what they value most - and least - in their partner relationships, how labor shortages impact their business and what they expect in 2026.  Find out the real issues that keep them up at night, how to get their attention and what they really value in business partners. Better understand how to tie labor strategies to profitability and what external vendors often get wrong about their business priorities and objectives. What conversations take place behind the curtain and where and how we miss the mark in speaking their language and helping to solve their real business problems. You will leave with raw insights into how to better serve your industrial clients in a more effective way and become an invaluable partner to them at the same time.

Biographies

Mike Duffek, Duffek Construction - The Founder and President of Duffek Construction, a fast-growing, award winning commercial construction firm headquartered in Wisconsin. A third-generation contractor, Mike’s roots in the industry trace back to the 1930s when his grandfather, Anton Duffek, founded Duffek Sand and Gravel.

Mike studied architecture and planning at the University of Minnesota before earning his MBA and launching a career that now spans over 25 years. Throughout his career, he has led more than $200 million in commercial construction projects across the United States, building landmark facilities for major clients such as Quad Graphics, Froedtert Hospital, ProHealth, Ascension Health, Rockwell, Harley-Davidson, Rexnord, and Caterpillar.

In 2009, Mike was named “Wisconsin’s Rising Young Professional” by Wisconsin Builder Magazine. In 2017, he founded Duffek Construction—starting from a table in his basement. Since then, the company has grown to a 20-person team with over $33 million in annual revenue. Duffek Construction has been recognized with multiple AIA Awards, was named
the 2018 Up and Coming Firm of the Year, and is a two-time Future 50 Company awardee. Most recently, in 2024, the company was honored as Waukesha County’s Small Business of the Year.

With a commitment to empowering people and redefining how construction projects are delivered, Mike continues to drive innovation and excellence in the industry. Mike lives in Waukesha with his wife of 22 years, Kristin. They have three children. In his free time, Mike enjoys traveling, golfing, fishing, playing basketball, and spending time outdoors.

Manuel Merkt, Haimer USA - A Native of Germany, Manuel Merkt began developing his industrial engineering background through a traditional 3.5-year dual apprenticeship program with Hermle AG in Germany, a machine tool manufacturer, specialized in high-end 5-Axis CNC machines. After the apprenticeship program, Manuel went back to school to get his Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Applied Science Constance, Germany as well as a Bachelor of European Engineering Studies from Coventry University in the UK.

After graduating in 2010, Manuel moved to the U.S. and took on the role of Executive Assistant at Hermle's North American headquarters.

His extensive product knowledge and strong connections to the German headquarters helped him rapidly advance within the company. By 2014, Manuel became Operations Manager, and just four years later, he was promoted to President & COO, leading Hermle USA’s executive team. Manuel served on the boards of the German-Immersion Foundation of Milwaukee, the Franklin Business Park Consortium, and the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, and its Wisconsin Chapter as President. He played a key role in bringing the ICATT apprenticeship program to Wisconsin.

Recognized as one of Milwaukee’s 40 Under 40 in 2019, Manuel earned acclaim for his leadership and contributions to the community. After nearly 22 years at Hermle, he transitioned to Zund America in 2022 as President, leading the North American team for the Swiss digital cutting machine manufacturer.

In 2024, Manuel returned to the metal cutting industry, joining Haimer USA as COO & VP of Marketing, overseeing the North American subsidiary of the German manufacturer known for tool holders, cutting tools, and technologies in shrinking, balancing, presetting, and 3D measurement.

Manuel is married to his wife Emily and has two sons, ages 9 and 12. Outside of work, he enjoys running, soccer, biking, music, and traveling with his family.

Philip Malliet, Hayes Performance Systems - With 40 years of successful leadership in both corporate and entrepreneurial settings, he has a diverse industrial market background that he has leveraged in a number of unique company environments.  Phil became part owner of Hayes Performance Systems as President and CEO in 2014. An innovative and creative international business leader, Phil is an agent of change: “Change is the new normal, and those who proactively drive change will be your winners.” Phil leads his teams with a proactive sense of urgency because he knows customers always have alternatives. He’s a leader who encourages questioning the status quo while requiring accountability to achieve operational efficiency, exceptional financial performance, and profitable growth.

Throughout his career, Phil has proven the ability to attract and mentor highly productive teams. He has led them in the execution of aggressive, multi-faceted strategic initiatives to deliver the company mission: “Strategy deployment is the process that gives life to a strategic plan — it is the differentiator that separates a great company from the rest.” In 2023, he was recognized as one of the 100 Titans of Industry in the State of Wisconsin and received the same award again in 2024.

Phil attended Marquette University and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, later earning an MBA there as well. He resides in Colgate with his wife Karen.  He has two adult children Kaitlin (31) and Christopher (29) that also still live in Wisconsin. In his free time, he enjoys riding his Spider Motorcycle with his wife to small towns in south central Wisconsin and relaxing at his lake cottage in Northern Wisconsin. He also enjoys a round of golf and will blow off steam with an exhilarating UTV or snowmobile trail ride.

Moderated by: Clay Pautz, Parallel Employment Group & WASS President

A Sneak Peek at DWD 2026

A Workforce Development update from Deputy Secretary Pamela McGillivray

As a key leader at Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development, Deputy Secretary Pamela McGillivray keeps the agency focused on its mission to efficiently deliver effective and inclusive services that meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs.  DWD is responsible for advocating for the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers and job seekers.  Join in hearing from Deputy Secretary McGillivray as she updates us on the department’s latest priorities and where she expects their focus to be as we head into 2026.  Get her perspective on the changing workforce and employment needs, technologies’ impact on workforce development initiatives, how they plan to collaborate with the business and manufacturing sectors and more.  Bring your questions!

Biography

Pam was named the DWD Deputy Secretary in July 2021 and has been a member of DWD's leadership team since March 2019, serving a DWD's Chief Legal Counsel. As Chief Legal Counsel she managed DWD's Office of Legal Counsel and has overseen numerous high-level agency projects and personnel matters. She has served as the department's representative to the Governor's Task Force on Climate Change, the Governor's Task Force on Retirement Security, and the State Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and as the department's Tribal liaison.

Prior to joining DWD, Pam worked as an attorney at the Department of Health Services, advising the agency on personnel disputes, civil rights, and contract-related matters. Before her work for the state, Pam was a litigation attorney in private practice for over 16 years, most recently as a partner at McGillivray Westerberg & Bender LLC, a law firm dedicated to public service. Pam represented individuals and non-profit organizations seeking to remedy discrimination in employment and places of public accommodation, to correct constitutional wrongs for people arrested or imprisoned, and to protect our air and water through litigation.

She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School and received her undergraduate degree from UW-Madison in history. Pam grew up on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior and now resides in Madison.

Keynote: Dr. Nicole Eull

Think Fast, Work Well: Training Recruiting Professionals to Communicate Effectively

This is a highly interactive presentation based on improvisational exercises. Each exercise simulates challenges and scenarios in real life and the debriefing illustrates how we can translate these skills into professional "scenes." The participants will learn strategies and practical tools to improve communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence. What a great way to wrap up a full day. Her sessions have created a buzz in the CEO Vistage network for information, application, and good old fashion fun.

Dr. Nicole Eull is a psychologist, speaker, consultant, podcast host and author, with experience ranging from the front lines of a level one trauma center to serving as a healthcare executive. She has developed powerful rules of engagement to teach people in high-stake and fast-paced work environments to communicate effectively. She is the author of “Well to Do: A Guide to Take Charge, Set Goals and Improve Your Health” and the host of the “Practice on Purpose Podcast.”

Using improv games, storytelling and humor, Nicole brings memorable, practical and relatable tools delivered in unique and engaging ways. Dr. Eull can teach you how to make your work culture more creative, effective, and enjoyable. One person who attended her workshop stated, “Nicole’s improv session at our annual company retreat was insightful, valuable, and interactive. Nicole shared information that all team members in our diverse audience could grasp and take away. The message was clear; her style was professional and informative while at the same time being entertaining. I hope to work with Nicole again in the future!"  Another shared “Regardless of whether you're a start-up staffing firm or a long-established team, Nicole's insights, wisdom, and fun/interactive delivery will add tremendous value to your company and your culture."

If you like to leave these conferences early to beat traffic or are feeling fatigued as the day nears an end, not to worry! Nicole will grab your attention in the first five minutes and when she finishes, you won’t know where the time went and will leave wanting more!

Biography

Dr. Nicole Eull is a psychologist, speaker, consultant, podcast host, coach and author. She has served in healthcare for over twenty years, from the front lines to healthcare executive and is a passionate advocate for Interpersonal Wellness. She is the host of “Practice on Purpose” and teaches professionals to harness the pillars of Interpersonal Wellness to create mentally healthy workplaces. Her trainings are humorous and engaging with practical and effective takeaways. She is the author of “Well to Do: A Guide to Take Charge, Set Goals and Improve Your Health”.