Get to know: Doug Schacht

Department chair of Entrepreneurship Studies & Venture Center, FVTC

In his new role as Fox Valley Technical College’s department chair of Entrepreneurship Studies & Venture Center, Doug Schacht brings experience in business ownership and real estate investing, as well as working as an intrapreneur for other companies.

“I bring a lot of different experiences to the table when it comes to business ownership, business launch and scaling your company for larger growth,” Schacht says. “That experience put me in this role to really help guide the program so that future business owners could figure out their plan and path themselves.”

Schacht has been teaching FVTC students in entrepreneurship and small business management for the past 12 years and will continue teaching alongside his new role. Schacht’s focus will be to work with adjunct instructors and community partners to help grow the FVTC Venture Center and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to start or grow businesses.

Since 2000, the Venture Center has helped launch more than 600 businesses. Annually, the Venture Center connects with approximately 500 potential entrepreneurs and business owners.

“My experience in the classroom with students and my peers, it lends itself well to this,” Schacht says. “I can understand where people are coming from when it comes to providing knowledge and resources they need in order to be successful down the road.”

Schacht is looking forward to expanding the work completed by former Venture Center Director Amy Pietsch, who stepped back in 2024 after 20 years with the college. Schacht will continue the current E-Seed entrepreneurship training program and the Innovation Accelerator for Veterans, while also looking at seminars aimed at those looking for specific business topics.

“It’s been a great experience so far,” Schacht says of the new role. “I’m excited about where this will go.”

— Chris Rugowski

FutureTech Forum

In March, Green Bay’s TitletownTech launched the FutureTech Forum, an invitation-only member group made up of chief technology and chief information officers in manufacturing, construction, supply chain, logistics, agriculture, water, energy, digital health and sports. Members receive access to insights and opportunities to accelerate the adoption of technologies including AI, Quantum, Fusion, robotics and autonomous systems, among others. “The FutureTech Forum is for the leaders navigating what’s next, not just in theory, but in preparation and practice,” said Craig Dickman, TitletownTech managing partner. “This forum creates space to think critically, test ideas and engage with peers, because shaping the future is a shared effort.” FutureTech Forum members will continue to meet throughout the year. More information at titletowntech.com/futuretech-forum.

Feeling cheesy

Plymouth’s Cheese Capital Festival will return for its third year June 27-28. Sargento, Masters Gallery Foods, Sartori Cheese and Great Lakes Cheese are among the local industry partners involved in this year’s event. Organizers said about 5,000 people attended last year’s event celebrating Plymouth’s cheesemaking heritage. The two-day celebration will feature a cheese-themed parade, food vendors, children’s entertainment, a cheese eating contest and a mac and cheese competition. Road America is hosting the Cheese Capital Cup the same weekend as the festival and will add a Friday evening parade of 40 elite race cars from the Trans Am Series and Optima Ultimate Street Car Competition. Festival proceeds will support a scholarship for local college students pursuing business majors. More information at plymouthwisconsin.com.

High-income household growth

Green Bay was recently ranked No. 2 nationally in high-income household growth by fintech company SmartAsset. Using U.S. Census Bureau data, SmartAsset ranked 352 U.S. cities based on the percentage change in the proportion of households earning $200,000 or more from 2022 to 2023. Green Bay saw a 119% increase in households earning more than $200,000, jumping from 1,416 in 2022 to 3,093 in 2023. Despite a slight dip in total households, median income rose to $66,950 in 2023 from $55,177 the prior year. Palm Bay, Florida was the top-ranked city in high-income household growth, with a percentage increase of more than 146%.