Chris Wiken—2021 WRA Chair of the Board

My name is Chris Wiken and I am honored to serve as your Wisconsin Restaurant Association Board Chair for 2021. My family owns and operates The Packing House restaurant across from Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. My Dad and Mom, Keith and Margaret Wiken, opened the restaurant in 1974 and I’m proud to be the second generation to operate our family-owned Supper Club.

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I first joined the WRA state board in 1994 and took some time away from our family business from 2001-2010. When I returned to the business, I became involved once again with our great Association and came back to the state board of directors in 2011. 
  
Several years ago, board Chair Chico Pope from the Buckhorn Supper Club in Milton, nominated me to serve on the Executive Committee. I was honored to accept that nomination and am excited to serve as your Chair this year.
  
The last year has been the most challenging year for our industry in history. While we all look to survive and recover and protect our businesses, we must engage our political leaders and legislators to help us. 
  
My focus this year is going to be our restaurant recovery and how we can lobby our leaders on the local, state and federal levels to tell our story. We all have very engaging stories to tell, and they need to hear directly from us how the events of the last year have affected us and will continue to affect us for the foreseeable future.