Profiles in Leadership - UW-Milwaukee

Beta Gamma Sigma
U.S. Bank’s Bertha to Students:
“It’s Not a Sprint, It’s a Marathon”
Utilizing the classic story of the
tortoise and the hare, Bill Bertha,
Market President of U.S. Bank,
told top business students that they need
to recognize that their career isn’t a sprint,
it’s a marathon.
“When you’re young, you’re always
moving and geared up, and that’s great,”
he said. “But remember that it’s a long
road — your career will be a body of work,
not just this year. Set your own pace.”
Bertha was the keynote speaker and Beta
Gamma Sigma honoree at the April
induc tion ceremony of the national
business honor society. He addressed an
audience of about 110 people, including
inductees, their family members and
friends, and Lubar School faculty and staff.
In addition to looking at the larger picture,
Bertha also stressed the importance of
working hard.
“The professional world is not 9 to 5, but
it’s not just about the hours you put in,”
he shared. “It’s a competitive world out
there. Work smart. Come up with new
approaches, creative ideas. You may think
that success has a lot to do with luck, but
I’d suggest that there is a high correlation
between luck and hard work.”
He also urged students to understand
and embrace their skill set, but not to be
reluctant to take risks, such as taking on
additional assignments or accepting a job
in a different location. “Taking intelligent
risks at the right time will be rewarded,”
he said.
Last, Bertha said that it is “hugely
important” to treat people well. “As a
manager, it’s incumbent on you to
manage with a human aspect — it’s not
just about dollars and cents.”
Bill Bertha joined U.S. Bank in 2005 with
more than 20 years of experience in the
fi nancial service industry. Prior to joining
U.S. Bank, he was president of Strategic
Advisors, an investment banking boutique
that he founded in Chicago. During his
career, he also worked for Deutsche Bank
as managing director and a global head
in its investment banking division. In
addition, Bertha worked as a managing
director of Dean Witter Reynolds’ investment
banking group and ran its fi nancial
institutions group. He is also an active
member of the Lubar School’s Business
Advisory Council.
With assets in excess of $221 billion, U.S.
Bancorp is the 6th largest commercial
bank in the United States. The company
provides a comprehensive line of banking,
brokerage, insurance, investment,
mort gage, trust, and payment services
products to consumers, businesses and
institutions.
Thirty-seven students and one faculty member were inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma at the April ceremony:
FACULTY
John C. Healy
MASTERS CLASS
Leah Adeniji
Bin Chen
William Engerson
Michael Hensler
John Kozlosky
20 OUTLOOK
Bill Bertha
Jason Meier
David Miller
Joel Nagle
Sara Olson
Matthew Radde
Timothy Robinson
Michelle Smith
Tanja Woelfer
SENIOR CLASS
Marc Craig
Jessica Hendricks
Lindsay Hierz
Jessica Stanley
Keri Thompson
JUNIOR CLASS
Kathleen Brengosz
Michael Churchill
Colin Doyle
Matthew Kiefer
Megan Klaas
Benjamen Kuhl
Hope Lealou
Drew Madelung
Katie Moker
Nicole Phelan
Hannah Reed
Joanna Severson
Leslie Tennie
Mary Trader
Misha Tubic
Alex Vant Hoff
Ryan Waldschmidt
Krista Wichman
David Yugo