DIANE GABRIEL, LIPPMANN CEO, FEATURED
ON COVER OF "WOMEN OF INFLUENCE"

CUDAHY, WI – The Business Journal, published in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, recently celebrated the accomplishments of 22 successful business leaders at a special awards luncheon, in conjunction with an inaugural journal section entitled Women of Influence. Listed in the issue were the largest women-owned businesses in the State of Wisconsin, and nominated for top honors in the family business category, along with Peggy Coakley, President of Coakley Bros., Co., was Diane Gabriel, Chief Executive Officer, Lippmann-Milwaukee, Inc.

The following is her inspiring profile, excerpted from Women of Influence August 18, 2000, written by Peg Masterson Edquist:

Diane Gabriel, chief executive officer of Lippmann-Milwaukee, Inc., is a reluctant female role model. Her story of success came from tragedy, when her husband, Joseph, died suddenly from a brain aneurysm in 1994. At that time, he was the owner and CEO of Lippmann, which manufactures mining equipment, most notably rock crushers and aggregate washers.

Based in Cudahy, the company has a history dating back to 1923, when it was known as Lippmann Engineering Works. Joseph Gabriel purchased it from Bankruptcy Court in 1976 and moved it to its current location in 1982. When his death put the company’s future in question, Diane, who was working at Lippmann as manager of human resources and administration, decided to take over his responsibilities.

“I just didn’t want to see everything my husband had worked so long and hard for go down the tubes without a fight,” she remembered.

It was not easy. The company’s sales were just under $5 million at the time, and there were extenuating business and personnel issues. But Gabriel persevered and trusted her instincts to keep the company going.

“I had already suffered my greatest fear by losing my spouse – I thought either this will work or it won’t, but either way I’ll survive.”

Gabriel not only stabilized the company, but has more than doubled sales to $13 million for fiscal 2000.

“It’s really quite phenomenal what she has done since taking over the reins,” said Kenneth Pinckney, vice president of business banking at U.S. Bank in Milwaukee and manager for the Lippmann account. “She learned what she needed to learn and surrounded herself with good people.”

Among her key business decisions was becoming president in 1996 and the appointment of her son-in-law, Robert Turner, as president in 1999. That same year, they acquired a small company that builds machinery that compliments the crushing machinery that Lippmann produces.

Gabriel credits her attorneys and bankers, whom she said have given her personal support in addition to business assistance.

“In heavy machinery (industries), I think they’ve actually picked a niche and developed it quite well,” Pinckney said, adding that Gabriel’s success is even more unusual given that Lippmann is in an industry dominated by men in leadership positions.

“I am the oddity,” Gabriel, 54, admits. “There are times when some people (in the industry) don’t know how to relate to me.”

Although she maintains relationships with existing customers and assists in forging new business relationships, she feels some avenues of opportunity are closed to her.

“When it comes to things like the golf course or at the bar – the networking possibilities are still on an uneven playing field,” she said.

Despite the apparent inequities, her resolve to make the best of her situation has given Gabriel staying power.

“A wise person once told me that you have no control over your life – the only thing you can control is your response and reaction to your life.”

Judging from her success, Gabriel has taken those words to heart.