Living Legends
Chairman and founder
Lubar & Co. | Milwaukee
Sheldon Lubar is founder and chairman of Lubar & Co., a family-owned, Milwaukee-based private investment and wealth management office. He was chairman and chief executive officer of the Christiana Companies Inc. until its merger with Weatherford International in 1999 and chairman of Total Logistics Inc. until its acquisition in 2005 by SuperValu Inc. He’s held federal governmental appointments under presidents Carter, Nixon and Ford, and was past president of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. His $10 million gift to University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee established the Lubar School for Entrepreneurship, and its home, the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center. He also co-founded and served as president of the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute.
Education: Bachelor’s and J.D., UW-Madison
What was your first job and what did you learn from it? “Marine National Exchange Bank. I learned everything about banking: estate planning, lending, investing and management.”
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career? "Don't let go of one trapeze until you have a firm hand on the other."
If you could have dinner with any two business leaders, who would you choose and why? “Warren Buffet, he is the best investor in America. David Rubenstein, he says he knows who the best investors in America are.”
What are some of your favorite destinations/places to visit? "Aspen, Colorado; Switzerland; our home in River Hills."
What is one book you think everyone should read and why? "'Jews, God and History,' by Max I. Dimont. Because of the importance of understanding the broadest sector of the world's population."
What’s your hobby/passion? "Sports: Swimming, Skiing (formerly), mountain climbing and now reading."
What is your favorite Wisconsin restaurant and what do you order there? "I don't like restaurants. I prefer my wife's cooking. Second choice, Milwaukee Country Club."
What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)? "Nothing. I am an open book that sometimes does the unexpected."
What was your first car? "The Ford my wife drove when we were married."
If you could take a one-year sabbatical, what would you do? "We already did it. Our family (4 children, Marianne and me) moved to Switzerland for one year and traveled the world."
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome? "Financing my first acquisition."
What advice would you give to a young professional? "1. Buy a home and with your spouse, fill it with children. 2. Always tell the truth. 3. Money is no objective. All you need is enough."
What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months? "All our companies are at their peak and expanding. We have great teams and we all work together and share. It is what I call Professional Ownership."
What would make Wisconsin better: “Very low college tuition.”
As you enter your office, what would you choose to be your walk-up or theme song and why? "'On Wisconsin' because it is the best in most respects."
Is there a nonprofit cause that has special meaning to you? "Education. Knowledge is the pathway to success and a better life."
What is the biggest risk you have ever taken? "My first acquisition that I did on my own."
Top of your bucket list: “Living past 100.”
What has you most excited about the future? "Everything."
