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The Leadership Breakfast Series is a place where community leaders share their knowledge, attendees enjoy a hot buffet-style breakfast, and business and government professionals network with each other and MBU’s faculty, staff, and students. Each breakfast features a guest speaker and relevant topic, with a brief introduction to Maranatha. Subscribe HERE to be notified of upcoming breakfasts!

February 12, 2025

The Annual Economic Breakfast with Deb Reinbold of ThriveED/Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium & special guests Matt Kures [UW-Madison], Rob Marchant [City of Watertown Redevelopment Authority] and Watertown Mayor Emily McFarland

“The Cost of Complacency: How Economic Development Transforms Communities”

Breakfast opens: 7:00 AM
Presentation starts: 7:30 AM
Cost: $5.00 per person

Watch Previous Breakfasts

Meet Your

Each speaker will share career experience, offer practical industry wisdom, and address trends and best practices in leadership. Join students and professionals from a variety of vocations for opportunities to connect with others and to grow as a leader.  

STEVE BOARD

STEVE BOARD

MBU School of Business
Assistant Professor

Speaker CV

Mr. Steve Board was a member of the Maranatha Board of Trustees for ten years before becoming a faculty/staff member in 2012. He brings real-life experience to his business courses, having spent more than thirty years in business, including supervisory, managerial, and leadership roles.

During those years, he assisted two businesses in recovering from previous poor management, led a national construction company to increase its annual revenues by 400% in less than 10 years, and acted as lead team member of a start-up business enterprise that grew to more than 240 employees in 10 years.

In addition to teaching in the Maranatha Baptist University School of Business, he is heavily involved in the community and the development happening in downtown Watertown.

Learn more about Steve Board.

Deb Reinbold

Deb Reinbold

President, Thrive Economic Development (ThriveED), Jefferson County

Speaker CV
As ThriveED’s president, Deb Reinbold leads strategic economic and community development efforts. She also serves as Executive Director of the Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium (JCEDC), ThriveED’s public sector partner entity.

Deb is also active in the following organizations:
Bread Basket Food Pantry (Board Member)
Wisconsin Rural Partners (Board Member)
Habitat for Humanity (Board Member)
Wisconsin Talent Attraction Community Partner Network (member)
NAIOP (member)
CarW (member)
BioForward (member)

MATT KURES

MATT KURES

>Specialist, Researcher | Community Development Institute at the UW-Madison, Division of Extension

Speaker CV

Matt Kures is a Distinguished Community Economic Development Specialist and Researcher with the Community Development Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension.  Matt works in partnership with Extension’s statewide network of resources to assist communities and organizations in the areas of regional economic analysis, labor force research, and industry sector competitiveness. He has authored numerous studies on Wisconsin’s economy and makes frequent presentations to local, regional and national audiences. Matt has worked at the University of Wisconsin for more than 20 years and has his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Rob Marchant

Rob Marchant

Chairperson, City of Watertown Redevelopment Authority
Former Chief Client Officer and Partner, Michael Best Strategies LLC
Senior Counsel, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Speaker CV

Rob has long been a trusted advisor who helps clients make the connections they need—in the law firm, marketplace, and in government.

Rob served as a client relationship manager himself, helping clients solve business challenges and grow their business by identifying strategic opportunities, then designing and implementing programs to achieve their goals. His work comprises a full range of services related to public policy strategy, including government relations, lobbying, strategic planning, and public relations.

He is a seasoned lawyer with bipartisan experience—which includes drafting the rules of procedure for legislative chambers, serving as parliamentarian of the Wisconsin Senate, and serving in the executive branch.

Rob served as deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds, and was Chief Clerk and Director of Operations for the Wisconsin State Senate for eight years, elected unanimously to the position by the Wisconsin State Senate on multiple occasions and serving under five majority leaders in both parties.

Education

  • University of Wisconsin Law School, Juris Doctor (J.D.), cum laude, 1997
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), 1993

Admissions

  • Wisconsin

Community Involvement

  • Chief Statistician for the Green Bay Packers, 1999‐present

 

 

EMILY MCFARLAND

EMILY MCFARLAND

Mayor, Watertown

Speaker CV

Emily McFarland is currently serving as the Mayor of the City of Watertown. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration. Emily’s entire career has been in government. She worked for the United States House of Representatives, Green Lake County, the Department of Administration and the Department of Children and Families. Prior to being elected Mayor, Emily served as an Alderperson for the city of Watertown for five years. Emily’s career in government is based on her belief that we should give more than we take, and she is committed to giving the next generation a better version of Watertown than we have today.

Tom Parks

As Director of Retirement Plan Services, Tom Parks has specialized in qualified retirement plan administration, education, and consulting since 2001. In this role at Annex Wealth, Tom presents quarterly investment reviews and annual plan reviews.

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LOCATION & DIRECTIONS

Maranatha Baptist University is located at 745 W Main St, Watertown, WI.

Parking is available inside the main entrance to the left (number 32 in the map). The meeting venue is in the top level of the Dining Complex (number 4).

Get Directions