KEVIN HARDMAN
Executive Director of Bublr Bike
Do you know the story behind the bright blue bikes? Come learn about Bublr Bicycles from the company’s Executive Director, Kevin Hardman.
After graduating from Notre Dame with a degree in Electrical Engineering, Hardman went into development and planning for urban living communities, where he was the developer of a diverse real-estate portfolio valued at over $125 million.
Hardman’s love of biking eventually pulled him out of real-estate and into the world of non-profit, where he served as executive director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin (Bike Fed) for almost five years. Under his leadership, the Bike Fed grew in to the largest statewide bicycle organization in the country.
In 2009 Hardman began his career at Bublr, where he’s been responsible for all aspects of day-to-day operations as well as fundraising and community engagement.
A big part of Bublr’s mission is to create a system that is accessible to everyone. The company provides subsidized and discounted passes to income-qualified individuals, while keeping prices low for everyone else, too.
Bublr bikes are super tech-savvy and keep track of all kinds of data. The bikes actually convert those numbers in real time to the Bublr website, where you can find stats like how ridership has increased by 425 percent since the company began in 2013. Or how over those same three and a half years, Bublr Bikers have ridden over 270,000 miles (to put that into perspective, the circumference of the Earth is 24,900 miles).
Come find out more about all the impressive things Bublr is doing for the city, and get some intel on their plans for the future.
P.S. Kevin wants everyone to test ride a Bublr, so he’s offering FUELer’s a free pass! Get your special code when you register.
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TOM BARRETT
Mayor of Milwaukee
On July 14th, Mayor Tom Barrett will sit down with FUELers to discuss professional and personal development. With 32 years of political experience under his belt, Barrett has a wealth of knowledge to share.
Barrett received his degree in economics as well as his law degree from University of Wisconsin Madison.
While in school, Barrett supported himself while working on the assembly line at Harley Davidson. After graduating from law school, he worked as a law clerk for Judge Robert Warren from 1980-1982. Soon after, he entered the private sector and worked as a bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Barrett began his political career as a young man, joining the Wisconsin State Assembly at age 30. From there he went on to join the Wisconsin State Senate, the United States House of Representatives, respectively.
In 2004, Barrett won his first term as Mayor of Milwaukee. Since then he has been a popular candidate during every reelection year, consistently winning by landslides. During his first reelection, he won by 79% of the votes – the largest percentage a mayoral candidate had received in 40 years.
Under his leadership, Milwaukee has found creative ways to boost the economy while keeping the budget balanced. For example, Barrett helped create the M7, a regional, bipartisan economic development group that is housed in the same office as FUEL. M7 forges the way to turn abandoned industrial areas like the Menomonee Valley into successfully developed commercial centers.
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KAYAK DOWNTOWN
Explore Milwaukee’s urban waterway via kayak! Join FUEL for a fun, active evening paddling along the Milwaukee River while connecting with other young professionals.
Located in an active boat yard, Milwaukee Kayak Company provides a relaxing, safe and super popular way to see the city while simultaneously appreciating the beauty of nature.
End the night at Central Standard Craft Distillery where you can sample meticulously crafted spirits. Enjoy cocktails made from whiskey, gin, vodka or bourbon, all made in-house.
Come experience Milwaukee from a whole new perspective and end the night swapping stories (and business cards).
Space is limited, so register ASAP!
Your registration to this event includes:
- Rental of a kayak, life jacket and paddle for the night
- Guides and a safety boater to sweep assure a safe and fun atmosphere
- A special offer for the Central Standard Craft Distillery located a few blocks away on 2nd street in Walkers Point.
The night’s agenda:
- 5:15PM- Arrive at Milwaukee Kayak Company
- 5:15-5:30- Introduction, instruction, fitting
- 5:30-5:45- Launch
- 5:45-7:30- Paddle Milwaukee River through downtown, turn-around (paddle as far as we can within timeline)
- 7:30-7:45- Return to dock
- 8:00PM- Meet at Central Standard Distillery for drinks and networking
REGISTRATION
$27 Members
$30 Non-members
Address of Milwaukee Kayak Company:
Jerry’s Docks
318 SOUTH Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53204
Address of Central Standard Distillery:
613 South 2nd Street (next to Milwaukee Brewing Co.)
Milwaukee, WI 53204
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PURELY SOCIAL
@Red Lion Pub
Bring your A-game to FUEL’s Purely Social event at the Red Lion Pub!
What better way to build connections than through some friendly competition?
Whether you choose to flex your physical or intellectual prowess, July’s Purely Social event has something for everyone.
Known for hosting awesome viewing parties for soccer (or should we say, football) games, Red Lion Pub is a favorite among Wisconsinites who crave the culture from across the pond.
Featuring a full menu of traditional English pub fare, British mixers and Guinness floats, Red Lion is a great place to experience a taste of the United Kingdom.
Aside from the food and drinks, Red Lion features a roof top patio that houses a larger-than-life game of “Soccer Pool,” which FUELers will get the chance to try for free!
WHAT TO EXPECT
- A diverse network of young professions to chat up and add to your phonebook.
- “Soccer pool” – Picture a giant pool table that you stand on. Intrigued? Come check it out!
- Complimentary appetizers, courtesy of Red Lion Pub.
- Discount drinks
- Trivia at 8p.m. – Drink while you think! Just $1 to participate.
- Free photo booth!
EVENT COST
FUEL Milwaukee’s Purely Social events are FREE to existing members and potential members. Just make sure to REGISTER above so we can make sure to have enough appetizers.