Jerold Franke

Biography: Jerold Franke Retired, Former President Wispark, LLC Milwaukee, WI Since August 2000, Jerold Franke has been president of WISPARK LLC, the real estate development subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corporation. Franke began his career with WISPARK in 1988 as the director of business development. He was named vice president in 1989 and became senior vice president in 1998. WISPARK is a leader in the development of innovative business settings and redevelopment projects, primarily throughout southeastern Wisconsin. WISPARK has developed over 4,000 acres of business parks and more than 11 million square feet of industrial, office and mixed-use buildings. Before joining WISPARK LLC., Franke was vice president for economic development of Forward Wisconsin, Inc., the state's economic development marketing organization from 1987 to 1988. Previously, he was director of community development for the city of Janesville from 1980 to 1987 and also served as acting city manager for seven months. Prior to that he served in city planning positions in both Des Moines and Waterloo, Iowa. Franke graduated in 1973 from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville with degrees in urban geography and economics. He presently is a member of the board of directors for WISPARK, LLC; Johnson Bank; Kenosha Area Business Alliance (past chairman); Forward Wisconsin; CenterPoint WISPARK Land Company and the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP). Franke also serves on the national board of directors and executive committee of NAIOP and currently chairs its Urban Redevelopment Forum. He is the past president of NAIOP’s Wisconsin Chapter and previously chaired the organization’s Business Park Development Forum. Franke also is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Wisconsin Economic Development Association. He is past president of the board of directors of the United Way of Kenosha County