Northeastern Wisconsin business leaders, mayors urge civility, voting over partisanship, anger

DE PERE - Kurt Voss and Sachin Shivaram disagree politically on many things — Voss hosted Donald Trump Jr. in De Pere; Shivaram hosted President Joe Biden in Manitowoc — but they still meet monthly for breakfast to talk politics and business.

Voss, CEO of AmeriLux, and Shivaram, CEO of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, say that over breakfast at Black Honey Hashery in De Pere, they've learned they agree on a lot more than they disagree on. They both value diverse voices, the perspectives of people they disagree with, and the link between economic prosperity and democracy.

The two CEOs hope their example can spur more business leaders, elected officials and the public to disregard the partisan bickering and divisiveness and instead embrace civility, engage in democracy and vote in elections.

"It's a deep, unlikely friendship, but we respect each other and listen," Shivaram said. "We hope others can find inspiration in what we're doing here."

The pair sat down at the same table once again on Thursday, but they were joined by executives from TitletownTech, BayCare Clinic, the Bank of Kaukauna, the New North Inc., Hinterland Brewery and three northeastern Wisconsin mayors The gathering was convened by the nonprofit Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy in an effort to push CEOs to urge their employees to vote, to be civil and to get involved in democracy.

"At a time when election results are being unduly called into question and laws are being passed that restrict our fellow citizens access to vote, it is time to raise our voices in defense of our democracy," the group's website says. "We are dedicated to helping ensure equitable access to voting, non-partisan, transparent election policy and administration, and unbiased representation."

Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich, De Pere Mayor James Boyd and Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels said such efforts among business leaders are vital ahead of the August primary election and November presidential election. They said the clerks, poll workers and election observers who administer elections are the people you see in church, at the grocery store or at youth baseball games.

"They're not trying to steal elections," Nickels said. "These are your neighbors."

Michelle Tressler, co-founder of Hinterland Brewery, asked Genrich and Boyd if it might be possible to have clerks visit Hinterland to help register their employees there. Both seemed amenable to the idea and, in general, supporting businesses efforts to back voting and civic engagement. All three elected officials said their clerks and staff can provide CEOs informational pamphlets to share with employees on how to register to vote, how to find your polling place and other basic election information.

"We will help you help your people get out to vote," Boyd said.

The nonprofit group's website includes civic engagement toolkits that can help businesses do something as simple as develop a communication strategy to remind employees to vote (not whom to vote for, just to vote) or can go further, like the a voter registration drive or encouraging employees to become poll workers on Election Day.

The topic of civic engagement and supporting workers involvement in democracy was one Ashwani Bhatia, CEO and chief medical officer at BayCare Clinic, is passionate about. Bhatia became a U.S. citizen in 2020 and November will be the first time he casts a ballot in a presidential election.

"Everyone should exercise their civic right," Bhatia said.

Contact Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com . Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier .

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Northeastern Wisconsin business leaders, mayors urge civility, voting over partisanship, anger