PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
JCI – 507 News
I happened to be going through downtown Milwaukee recently and taking note of what has changed since I retired 12 years ago. I note that the 507 building, that I spent much of my time in, no longer has any of the large Johnson Controls signage on it. I know it has been sold, as I had reported here a few issues ago, so I made a point to drive around the building to see if there are any other changes taking place. While I didn’t see anything physically changed to the building, the only place I could still see any indication that it was Johnson Controls was in the two pieces of engraved stone or concrete over the two former main entrances on Michigan St. The oldest of the two still has “Johnson Service Company” above it and the newer entrance to the east still has “Brengel Technology Center” above it. I guess that confirms that once something is “Cast in Concrete” it is at least somewhat longer lasting than the bright shiny logos and lettering that was mounted on the outside wall. Those can be unbolted more easily than a masonry header over a doorway. That concrete/stone may disappear too, but not yet. I assume all JCI employees are now moved out. The company presence in downtown Milwaukee is fading fast.
This made me think of Milwaukee’s Theater district and question if Fred Brengel’s name is still on part of the gallery between the Pabst Theater and the Powerhouse Theater. He made a large enough donation to get his name on one of the wings of that gallery. Roadwork and parking issues kept me from checking personally if it is still there. An online search didn’t turn up any mention of Brengel, but I see they have a fund drive to update that area of the facility to a larger space referred to as the Haack Grand Lobby, so we will see if any F. Brengel recognition remains. Even large donations may only get name recognition for a limited duration.
On a broader JCI note, Johnson Controls current chief executive officer George Oliver has announced his plans to retire from that role, so a succession plan is in the works as they look for a new CEO. He plans to remain chairman of the board. I doubt that we will be seeing him at any of our retiree luncheons however, although he is more than welcome. He is the first JCI CEO that I have not personally met since Fred Brengel, who would shake everyone’s hand when he came around at Christmas time.
Gene