FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2026

Independent Business Association of Wisconsin Selects HB Strategies (HBS) as New Association Management Firm **MILWAUKEE, WI** 

The Independent Business Association of Wisconsin (IBAW) announced today that HB Strategies and Wisconsin Managing Principal, Robert Marchant, have been selected to serve as the association’s new firm providing Executive Director and Association Management Services (AMS), effective May 1, 2026. HB Strategies brings extensive experience in association leadership, advocacy support, operational management, and strategic growth for mission-driven organizations. HBS will provide day-to-day executive leadership and comprehensive management services to support IBAW’s mission of advancing the interests of Wisconsin’s independent businesses and employers.

“IBAW’s Board of Directors is confident that HB Strategies is well positioned to lead the association through its next growth chapter,” said Andy Oliver, IBAW Board President. “HBS brings a strong understanding of member-driven organizations and a proven ability to deliver strategic, operational, and advocacy-focused leadership.” HB Strategies will assume responsibility for executive director leadership, member engagement, board support, communications, and administrative operations.

“HB Strategies is honored to partner with IBAW,” said Rob Marchant, Managing Principal of HBS’s Wisconsin office and Director of Growth for HB Strategies nationally. “We look forward to working closely with the Board, members, and stakeholders to advance IBAW’s priorities and strengthen its role as a leading voice for independent businesses in Wisconsin.” Marchant will serve as IBAW’s Executive Director and will be the point of contact for IBAW members, sponsors and partners. IBAW is confident that Marchant’s enthusiasm for growth and advancing IBAW as a thought leader for independent businesses throughout Wisconsin will serve to be extremely valuable to IBAW and its members.

IBAW will resume its monthly program schedule with the Leadership Circle on May 29th, the Sales Roundtable on June 8th, the monthly breakfast meeting at the Wisconsin Club on Friday, June 19, and the Leadership Circle on June 26th, 2026. IBAW is pleased to announce that ATC Vice President of Regional Affairs and Strategic Siting Greg Levesque will be our speaker at our monthly and annual meeting on June 19, 2026. Greg will address the pivotal issues surrounding energy demands and infrastructure and the impact of these issues affecting the Wisconsin business community. We hope you will join us for this insightful programming and to meet Rob and learn more about IBAW’s upcoming events and plans for 2026-2027. These events will include the Annual Manufacturing Summit on September 19, 2026 at the Wisconsin Club and the Annual Clay Shoot on October 9, 2026.

Please mark your calendars for these annual traditions. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events for the 2026-2027 year.

About the Independent Business Association of Wisconsin (IBAW), the Independent Business Association of Wisconsin is a statewide organization dedicated to advancing the interests of independent businesses and employers. IBAW provides insightful programming, peer-to-peer networking, advocacy, and resources to help Wisconsin businesses thrive.

About HB Strategies HB Strategies is a strategic consulting firm providing executive leadership, operational management, government relations, and advisory services to nonprofit and membership-based organizations and for-profit companies.