Member Spotlight | Brian Walczak

ACG WI Member Since: 2020

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Why did you join ACG?
I have really enjoyed the ability to connect with many business leaders and professionals within the ACG membership. I have enjoyed the networking aspect of the organization and meeting new people. Also, the quality of speakers and topics are top notch. I generally have some takeaways from each of the presentations and I think about ways I can apply them.

What do you think are the biggest challenges your industry will face in the next 5 years, and what actions is your business taking to position it for success in the future?
Like many other industries, we will continue to face the recruitment and retention of talent. It goes without saying that people are our most important asset and will continue to be into the future. The stronger engagement that our people have will result in our ability to better serve our clients and business communities. It all starts by understanding what our people value and what is important to them as they grow in their careers and serve their clients. We align this understanding with our firms’ goals and strategies and take appropriate action steps. We are constantly getting feedback from our teams and focusing on what works and making adjustments when things are not. It is also important that everyone at the firm has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of talent.

What lessons have you learned during the pandemic that you think you will carry over in the long term?
Like many others I have found efficiencies during the pandemic working remotely, eliminating travel time, and holding meetings via video conference calls. I have seen that many have an enhanced comfort level working and interacting remotely. Obviously, the pandemic has significantly reduced the number of face-to-face interactions that we are all having. The pandemic has reinforced the value of connecting with colleagues, clients and peers face to face and I appreciate it more when the opportunity arises. As the old saying goes you don’t know what you have until it is gone. 

What do you do for fun?
I enjoy spending time with my family. I try and spend as much time with my wife, 15-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son. We like to spend time outside, bike riding, traveling up north, and cross-country skiing when there is snow. My daughter is involved with ballet, and we enjoy watching her performances. My son enjoys fishing in the summertime, and we usually spend a lot of time on the lake when we go up north.