Student Leadership Series Recap
The Series
Thank you for joining our Student Leadership Series. Each installment, we’re joined by a top executive or industry leader from Wisconsin to learn about leadership, professional development, company culture, soft skills, entrepreneurship and more. This program provides great networking opportunities and is an excellent resume builder.
INSTALLMENT 4
Gautam Malik
Gautam Malik is CEO of Team Gamber-Johnson, managing the multinational company made up of 320 worldwide employees generating $125 million in annual sales.
Gautam has been with the company since 2004 and part of leadership team since 2009. He oversees manufacturing, purchasing, and optimizing the day-to-day operations of the company. In addition, he is responsible for international sales, distribution, and the quick response office cell that diversifies the company’s portfolio. Gautam has a passion for lean manufacturing and has been leading the lean transformation at Gamber-Johnson for 12 years.
Gautam holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pune, India; and a master’s of engineering in manufacturing engineering from the University of New Mexico. He is a certified quality auditor, a Six Sigma Black Belt from the American Society of Quality, and holds a lean certificate from the University of Kentucky.
INSTALLMENT 3
Kim Bassett
As CEO and Executive Chairwoman of Bassett Mechanical, Kim focuses on developing the company’s short and long-term strategy, managing overall business operations, perpetuating the culture, and leading the company to safely achieve its vision. Kim provides a link from the Board to Bassett’s Executive Leadership Team and serves to engage the Leadership Team in strategic planning and execution. Kim’s goal is to preserve corporate values and principles and uphold Bassett’s goal of Creating Customers for Life.
Kim joined Bassett in 1996 as a maintenance sales representative. She then worked in the shop and field assisting with duct installations and ammonia piping projects. She also served as an HVAC and refrigeration estimator and project manager. In 2004, Kim served as a sales service manager. In 2007, she was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer responsible for daily operations and execution of strategy. She was unanimously voted President and CEO in 2009. In 2022, Kim assumed the role of CEO and Executive Chairwoman.
INSTALLMENT 2
Rusty Schieber
Schieber serves as the Vice President of Operations Support for Brakebush Brothers, Inc. His areas of responsibility include Sustainability/Environmental Management, Finished Goods Warehousing, Property Management and Government Relations. He has been with Brakebush for the past 32 years.
Outside of the corporate structure Schieber has been associated with the US Paralympic Curling Team since 2008, leading the program as the National Coach 2017-2022. He coached Team USA at the 2010 Vancouver, 2014 Sochi and 2018 Pyeonchang and 2022 Beijing Paralympic Winter Games as well as the 2009-2022 World Championships. He is also a Certified Level 3 Mental Management Coach primarily working with athletes, both adaptive and able bodied, at all levels of competition and many differing sports, with the precision sports gaining his most attention.
Watch Rusty’s presentation on how sports and business principles overlap, then share your takeaway below!
INSTALLMENT 1
Ed Paradowski
For our first installment, Ed Paradowski joins us to share about how basic principles have guided his career.
Watch the presentation, then click the link below to share your biggest takeaway!
WORDS OF WISDOM
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For any relationship to be sustainable, both parties must contribute something and both parties must be getting something out of it. Companies should apply this mutual value standard in their relationship with their employees. I can mandate compliance, but I can’t mandate engagement. Engagement is earned.
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Ed Paradowski
Wisconsin Business World Student Leadership Series Speaker
Interested in Learning more about our programs?
If you would like to learn more about our programs, please contact the Business World Program Senior Director, Michelle Grajkowski, via e-mail or by phone 608.258.3400.