How I Built an Empire and Gave It Away
My family and I, particularly my father, knew, worked with, and admired Joe Zilber. Joes contributions to Milwaukee were many and his focus on development of moderate-priced high-value housing and improving Milwaukee s neighborhoods remain as lasting legacies. The Zilber name has become iconic with ideas andinitiatives for the betterment of Milwaukee and our country. --Herb Kohl Senator, WisconsinJoe Zilber was a visionary in numerous ways. He transformed major parts of this city by building thousands of homes for working class families who wanted to be able to live the American dream. Later in life he had another vision to leave a legacy to improve the quality of life, particularly in challenged neighborhoods like those where he grew up. I will always remember the phone call that I received from him when he said that he wanted his legacy to include the old and abandoned Pabst Brewery, where he has literally transformed an area of the city into one that is now thriving. He also understood the need to help those who were left behind, which he did out of a sense of civic responsibility and caring for human beings, and that legacy certainly lives on. He has left his mark in so many ways, for which I, and the citizens of our city, will be eternally grateful. --Tom Barrett Mayor, Milwaukee,WisconsinDuring his lifetime, Joe Zilber provided a model of conduct focused on doing the right thing. This included purchasing and destroying all of the Jeffrey Dahmer property used in his trial, running newspaper ads immediately after 9-11 encouraging businesses to keep investing in America in order to prevent the terrorists from winning, and buying the decaying Pabst Brewery and turning it into an historic, sustainable neighborhood. No matter what the issue, Joe Zilber stood up to be counted supplying the wit, wisdom, method and means to demonstrate true leadership wherever and whenever needed. Joe Zilber was, indeed, a remarkable human being. --Mike Mervis Vice President, Zilber Ltd. (Retired)