2010 Panel
 Laurie Benson
CEO, LB Unlimited
Laurie was a founder and CEO of Inacom Information Systems from 1984-2009. At the time of sale to CORE BTS, Inacom Information Systems was a leading IT company with revenues of $80,000,000 and 150 employees throughout Wisconsin. The merged entity is now $180,000,000 with 310 employees in 6 states. As of July, 2009 Laurie has exited the business and is now pursuing her work in the community both in Wisconsin and nationally, and through her board service.
Laurie serves as Director for WWBIC (Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative), First Business Bank, Valicom, and Henry Vilas Zoological Society Boards and serves on the following advisory boards: Wisconsin and National Girls Collaboratives, Wisconsin STEM Pipeline Champions, ITAWi (Wisconsin’s IT Association), and Lussier Community Education Center Development Council. She serves as Co-Chair of the UW School of Nursing Board of Visitors and the UW- Madison School of Business MBA Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship Advisory Board and Merlin Mentors. She was selected as Dane County’s Sales and Marketing Executive of the Year 2004, CRN’s “top 25 Most Influential IT Executives,” November 2004, and VARBusiness “Power 50 Women of the IT Channel,” 2006-2009. Laurie was inducted into the Ingram Micro North America VentureTech Network Hall of Fame in 2006. Laurie is the recipient of the 2009 Dane County Small Business Advocate Award and the 2009 National SBA Woman Champion in Business Award. The Business Forum announced Laurie as the 2010 ATHENA Award in March 2010.
Laurie previously served on Advisory Boards for Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, and Ingram Micro. She continues to be actively involved in Count Me In’s Make Mine a $Million for women’s economic independence both on a national and state level.
Laurie’s philosophy is centered on the Golden Rule, living her core values, enabling others to realize their potential, and giving back to our communities.
 Jean Jacobson
Former Racine County Executive
Jean Jacobson served as County Executive of Racine County, from 1995-2003. Prior to that Jean served on the Racine County Board of Supervisors for 15 years, including four as the Chair, the first woman to hold those positions in Racine County history.
Jean is especially proud of her efforts in the creation of Racine County’s Workforce Development Center, chosen as the premier center in the United States, and of the intergovernmental initiatives she has fostered. She was active in promoting Sustainable Development both locally, nationally, and internationally, and was Board Chair of Sustainable Racine.
During her years on the County Board, Jean developed a keen interest and well-respected expertise in the area of transportation, serving in leadership positions on several state and national committees.
A recognized leader in County Government, Jean received numerous awards, but is most proud of being named a “Woman of Influence” by the Milwaukee Business Journal in 2001.
Jean presently serves as Chair of the Town of Norway in Racine County, definitely an opportunity to give back to her community. She and her husband, Phil, operated Phil Jacobson, Builder, a general contracting and land development firm for 35 years, until her husband’s retirement.
In addition to being a Director of the Johnson Bank, several boards have invited Jean to share her enthusiasm and knowledge to further their organizations. As a Director of the Local Government Institute, a newly formed state-wide organization, Jean islooking to use her expertise in helping local governments be more efficient by sharing and coordinating services across municipal lines.
Panel Facilitator
Carla Rutley is the founder and President of The Rutley Group. Her company focuses on marketing, business development, and association management. She represents Milwaukee Women inc as Executive Director, an association focused on advancing women onto corporate boards and in executive suites. Carla is the Development Director for Tempo International, the umbrella organization over Tempo Chapters nation-wide. Tempo is a women’s executive association bringing together women who have demonstrated professional achievement and contributions to their community. She continues to teach as an adjunct Professor at several Universities in Southeastern Wisconsin in business management, leadership and communications.
Carla was the co-founder and Executive Director of the Waukesha County Action Network. WCAN is a civic think tank; lead by regional corporate CEO’s and community leaders who work on public policy issues impacting the economic climate of Waukesha County and the Southeastern Wisconsin region. Rutley carries over 25 years of marketing, sales, public relations and fund development experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Management of Community Based Organizations, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Her early career began with launching the Pin Program for Milwaukee’s music festival, Summerfest, and she continued to work in festival management for decades.
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