Banking and Finance
President and CEO
Lubar & Co. | Milwaukee
David Lubar leads Lubar & Co., the Milwaukee-based private investment firm his father, Sheldon Lubar, founded in 1977. David has been with the business, which invests in middle-market operating companies, since 1983. In 2021, he was named chairman of Ixonia Bancshares, the holding company for Ixonia Bank. Lubar has sat on the boards of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, BMO Financial Corp., Baird Funds Inc., the Milwaukee Brewers, Froedtert Health, and other nonprofit organizations.
Education: Bachelor’s, Bowdoin College; MBA, University of Minnesota
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career?
"The advice was 'Think for yourself and trust your own judgement.' You need to gather input and advice from others, but don't hesitate to make your own decisions."
What are some of your favorite destinations/places to visit?
"Hanging out on the shore of Lake Michigan in Oostburg, just 40 minutes north of Milwaukee. We read, relax, play games and have outdoor fires."
What’s your hobby/passion?
"I lo
ve to hike in the mountains with my wife and family. We enjoy the beautifulÂ
views, being out in nature and the sense of accomplishment after a long day."
What's the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome?
"I have been involved in the start-up of several businesses, beginning with writing the business plan. It is far more challenging to start a company that has no history, no employees, customers, suppliers, infrastructure, than it is to take a going concern and double or triple its revenues. I have had successes like Lake Express ferry and failures which are no longer in business. The experience of the CEO and management team is a major determinant of success."
What advice would you give to a young professional?
"Be curious. Ask questions. E
very day is a good day to learn"
What is one thing you would change about Wisconsin to make it better?
"Wisconsin does not have a statewide initiative or referendum process which, with the signed support of a sufficient number of Wisconsin citizens, would allow for a statewide vote to determine passage of a new law or repeal of an existing law."
Is there a nonprofit cause that has special meaning to you?
"I'
ve had aÂ
very longstanding relationshi
p as a director of Froedtert Heath and more recently also with the Medical College of Wisconsin. It's gratifying to beÂ
part of the success of both organizations which has resulted in tremendous growth in the number of skilledÂ
physicians a
vailable toÂ
pro
vide quality care to more and moreÂ
patients in our community. Additionally, MCW is educating and graduating more WisconsinÂ
physicians than any other medical school and continually increasing the amount of groundbreaking medical research."
What has you most excited about the future?
"Yes, the s
peed of change is increasing and the number and com
plexity of the social, economic, en
vironmental,Â
political issues im
pacting our city, state, country and world is also increasing. Rather than be o
verwhelmed and de
pressed, it is an o
pportunity to make the world a betterÂ
place. It begins with being kind and res
pectful to others, and thenÂ
volunteering to hel
p a friend, a relati
ve or a stranger."
