Jerry & Louise Stein

Gerald “Jerry” Stein was a graduate of Washington High School, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Business (1959), and Marquette Law School. He started at Zilber Limited as a bookkeeper and retired as CEO and vice chairman after 52 years there. Jerry died in 2016 at the age of 78. Jerry and Louise raised three daughters: Debra (Dr. Daniel) Eisenstein, Leslie (Peter) Beard, and Leigh (Tuck) Maxon.

Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration – Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1959 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Marquette University Law School in 1962. Also in 1962, he earned a CPA and became a member of the Wisconsin Bar and Federal Bar. He became a licensed Real Estate Broker in 1965.

Jerry is best remembered for his leadership as President and Chief Executive officer of Zilber Ltd., Milwaukee. He joined the company in 1957 and performed various account functions on a part-time basis through 1962. From 1962 to 1964, he served as a Finance Officer in the U.S. Army and thereafter returned to the Zilber Ltd. family of companies. He advanced with the company over the years, serving as House Counsel for Towne Realty, Inc. (1964-1967), then as Executive Vice President of Towne Realty (Zilber Ltd.‘s real estate division), and as an integral part of senior management for Zilber Ltd.’s numerous holdings throughout the United States. As President of Zilber Ltd., Jerry Stein was responsible for overseeing all of the investments and operations of the Zilber holdings.

Jerry also contributed his leadership and expertise to many community organizations, including the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Milwaukee Jewish Home and Care Center, Milwaukee Center for Independence, Jewish Foundation for Economic Opportunity, and Milwaukee Public Museum.

He served on the UWM School of Business Administration Advisory Council. He joined the UWM Foundation Board of Directors from 1992 to May 2001 and served on the Development Committee. In November 2001, the Board elected him an Emeritus Director of the UWM Foundation.

Jerry and his wife, Louise, made their home in Milwaukee and raised their three daughters there.