Volume 28 • No. 5 • October/November 2014
Vision statement: The bold, innovative voice for business success.
Table of Contents:
An Evening
Under the Stars
Gala .......................p 1
Message from the
Board Chair ...........p 2
November 7, 5 pm
Target Field
Leadership
Fund ......................p 2
Upcoming
Events ....................p 3
WOW .....................p 4
Ribbon
Cuttings ............. p 5-6
New Members
and Renewals ........p 6
October & November
Calendar of
Events ....................p 7
Professional
Directory ................p 8
H
ave an incredible experience at Target Field for our 2014 Gala! If you’ve only ever been there for a
baseball game, this is your chance to experience this premiere event location and all they have to offer.
Our Gala will be situated in the Metropolitan Club, which offers an amazing view of not just the ballpark but downtown Minneapolis.
We’re hired tour guides to give an exclusive peek at the stadium. Did you know that the irrigation
system is designed and operated by our very own chamber member, Mickman Brothers? Or did you
know that after Harmon Killbrew passed away that Target Field placed a picture of him under home
plate? These are just 2 of the many facts you’ll learn on the tour, not to mention seeing the Champions
Club and the World Series trophies.
After the tour, you’ll be ready to eat the elegant plated dinner as prepared by their award-winning chefs.
Throughout the evening, vie for plethora of prizes, including a chance to win $750 in our Golden Ticket
Raffle. It will be a first-class event at a first-class venue with our first-class members.
A variety of sponsorships, which include admission tickets, are still available – in fact, one can be
customized just for you. Otherwise, individual tickets are just $75 each or $125/pair. Even better: get
your colleagues together, since a table of 10 receives a discounted rate of $625.
Looking for a unique way to connect with all of the evening’s guests? The Metropolitan 9 large flat
screen TV’s are the way to go. Display your company logo via these TV’s for the entire evening, to be
seen countless times by the attendees. An ad is just $150; what an ROI!
Thanks to current sponsors:
4 Star:
2 Star:
3 Star:
Strength of a Leader. Hand of a Friend.
[email protected]
www.metronorthchamber.org
MNC Team:
Lori Higgins, President
Holly Krebsbach, Membership
Resource Director
Heads & Tails:
Golden Ticket Raffle:
2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bob Schlichte, Chair
Grand Casino Mille Lacs & Hinckley,
(763) 488-1899
Patty Sagert, Past Chair
Rasmussen College, (763) 795-4720
Mike Mulrooney, Vice Chair
Central Minnesota Development
Company, (763) 784-3337
Ted Erhart, Treasurer
Trott Brook Financial, (763) 213-1000
Diane Duguay
Kraus Anderson Construction Company,
(763) 786-7711
Kari Hefnider
American Family Insurance - Kari Hefnider
Agency, (763) 755-0375
Stacey Jensen
Running Aces Harness Park, (651) 925-4571
Clayton Kearns
MinnesotaJobs.com, (763) 784-9393
Damian Kussian
North Metro TV, (763) 780-8241
Chris Johnson
Apparel Designer /Consultant,
(763) 755-8000
Mary Peterson
Greater Midwest Realty, (763) 767-9200
Jess Robertson
PTL Tire & Auto, (763) 434-7766
Mike Schardin
betmar languages, (763) 572-9711
Mike Thorsland
Nationwide Insurance, (763) 398-8770
Jeff Warner, Jr.
Warners’ Stellian Appliance,
(763) 421-5720
Committee Chairs:
Ambassadors: Caralyn Hack, INI
Bodywork & Wellness, & Steve Griffiths,
Impact Services
Workforce Development Committee:
Kelly Rietow, ROO Solutions
Gala: Jess Robertson, PTL Tire & Auto
Golf: Pam Demmer, Vernon Promotions
and Stacey Jensen, Running Aces
Government Affairs: Dick Haluptzok
Grapevine Wine: John Stiepel, The
Stiepel Group, & Joyce Swanson, Central
Park Liquor
Sunrise: Lance Baumgard, ChiroWay of
Blaine, & Marisa Reyes, The Power Within
Working with Women: Maria D., State
Farm, Mandy Meisner, Rodan & Fields
Dermatologists
Young Professionals: Jeff Warner Jr.,
Warners’ Stellian
Message from
the Board Chair
L
ast December during our Annual meeting I talked about
member engagement and how important it was to move this
chamber forward. It is the time of the year when your member
engagement is the most critical. Our Chamber Gala is the biggest fund raiser of the
year. On November 7th plan on spending an evening under the stars amidst your
friends and colleagues!
The Metro North Board of Directors decided to celebrate the evening at Target Field.
I have had the opportunity to attend two chamber galas at Target Field and they
were a blast. The venue is great, the food is awesome and the service is first class.
Please join us this year and support your chamber. We have a limited number of
seats so book early.
Bob Schlichte, 2014 Board Chair
Grand Casino Mille Lacs/Hinckley
MetroNorth Chamber
Leadership Fund
After many hours of research and robust discussion, the MetroNorth Chamber Leadership Fund has put forth their recommendations as to the best pro-business candidates running for local office in the north metro area. You’ll find their ‘official ballot’
as an insert in this newsletter to use as a guide in your decision making process.
For more information on voting, polling locations, etc., visit mnvotes.org. It is vital
that the business community’s voice is heard at the polls. Make a difference: vote.
If you are interested in joining a
committee or learning more, contact the
Chamber. We’d love to hear from you!
2
Upcoming Events
Immigration
& Business
2014 Business Expo
November 15, 11-3 pm
Northtown Mall – Blaine
October 2, 8-9 am
Rasmussen College – Blaine
Sell and/or display your products/services to the prime holiday shopping traffic at Northtown Mall. Space is limited and
on a first-come basis. Take advantage of this great way to
showcase your business!
The role of immigrant populations and their
impact to our economy as workers & consumers is a topic gaining more & more attention around the state, if not country. In fact,
immigration reform will be a hot topic in 2015
around the Capitol, & businesses should be
aware of the surrounding issues.
Want a premium location & marketing? Premier Sponsorships are still available. Download an application at
www.metronorthchamber.org.
On Thursday, Oct 2 the MN Chamber of
Commerce’s interim president, Bill Blazer, will lead this discussion. An RSVP is requested. No cost for MetroNorth
members; $15 for not-yet members. Thank you to Capitol
Contributor sponsor Rasmussen College – Blaine.
Curling &
Cocktails Part II
Lots of shoppers peruse the 2013 expo booths.
October 23, 4-6:15 pm
Four Seasons Curling Club
$20
Be A Part Of Your Community!
Join us for an encore experience of this wildly popular event.
Throw a few stones while lifting a few steins. No experience
necessary (although we bet most of you have lifted a few steins
before.) Curling is from 4:00-4:45 pm, happy hour/social until
6:15 pm. Thanks to event sponsor Kugler Financial Services.
Your
Business
• Anoka County Shopper
• Smart Money
Coupon Magazine
• Anoka County UnionHerald
• Blaine/Spring Lake Park Life • ABCNewspapers.com
• Sun Focus
Carl Gebhardt from Village Bank and Ross Bloomquist
from Financial One Credit Union face off in the battle of the
financial institutions.
Don’t Be The
Best Kept Secret In Your Town
Call 763.712.3521
For more information on any of the above:
763.783.3553 or [email protected].
3
WOW.
T
he summer of 2014 was one of the busiest summers MetroNorth has had in a long time. We had a plethora of programming
and activities to keep us – and you – busy. Thank you, members, for making our summer so successful. Below are a few
photos from events just since our last newsletter:
An Acapulco Fiesta
Online Marketing Summit with the 3M Championship
Marty and Karen Fischer with Diane and BriAna from
Kraus Anderson Construction Co.
Lori Higgins welcomes the 200+ attendee crowd to the Summit
Transportation & Your Business Membership Meeting
Google + for Your Business
Bob Schlichte, Board Chair, fields audience questions presented
to speakers MnDOT Commissioner Charles Zelle and
CATO Institute’s Randy O’Toole
Sunrise Attendees listen to Google+ Presentation
Member Appreciation Party at Banfille Locke
The Advantages of a Personal Mentor
featuring MNDOT Commissioner Charles Zelle
WWW attendees have an interactive experience with
speaker Lisa Olson
Board member Kari Hefnider and Free2B Executive Jim Huff
enjoying the artwork
4
Ribbon Cuttings
LifeStyle Fitness: Moved to Andover!
Walters Public Transfer & Recycling Center: Expansion!
LifeStyle Fitness is a driven personal training facility in a private
setting, which creates individual programs based on combining
our three components of fitness – Nutrition, Consulting, Cardio
and Resistance Training. Bobby Thompson (763) 205-1345, www.
lifestylefitnessmn.com, 13735 Round Lake Blvd. NW, Andover.
As a family owned and operated company, we strive to provide
our customers with personalized customer service and attentive customer care. Our motto has always been: “Big enough
to get the job done… Small enough to care.” Mike Moroz (763)
780-8464, www.waltersrecycling.com, PO Box 67, Circle Pines.
Iceberg Web Design: 10th Anniversary!
Your website is the first impression a customer has of your
business. Don’t let it be their last. Iceberg Web Design is a
leader in custom website development with a focus on unique,
professional web design. Jessi Gurr (763) 350-8762, www.
icebergwebdesign.com, PO Box 202, Anoka.
Diggity: Grand Opening!
Diggity offers a made from scratch menu and full bar in a vintage Americana environment. Christina Fortier (763) 780-3400,
www.tcdiggity.com, 133 Coon Rapids Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids
Life Prep Academy: Grand Opening!
Life Prep Academy is a faith based school serving students
that have had difficulty succeeding in typical school settings
due to learning, behavioral, economic, and life circumstance
barriers. Pam Wolf (763) 203-2015, www.lifeprepacademymn.
com, 1628 County Hwy. 20, Spring Lake Park.
Premier Banks: Grand Opening!
Locally owned and operated Premier Bank has deep roots
in Minnesota. Honesty, integrity and responsiveness are the
values that have guided Premier Banks’ history and served
Premier customers and communities for more than 39 years.
Jason Weitzel (763) 780-0385, www.premierbanks.com, 2345
124th Ct. NE Ste. 300, Blaine
Continued û
Ambassadors Present:
Jack Titus, 21st Century Bank
Tiffany Schmidt, abrams & schmidt LLC
Alex Carlson, Achieve Services, Inc.
Shanon McGaver, Aflac – North Metro Area
Jill Ide, Bolt Hofer Boyd Law Firm
Nicole Vadner, ECM Sun Publishers, Inc.
Teresa Elmstrand, Edward Jones – Circle Pines
Jim Huff, Free To Be
Dave Schmidt, Great River Office Products
Mike Rathbun, Freedom Cleaning Services
Steve Griffiths, Impact Services
Caralyn Hack, INI Bodywork & Wellness
Rebecca Jochum, INI Bodywork & Wellness
Dawn Piburn, Opportunity Partners, Inc.
Joe Raus, Premier Specialties
Meg Chiodo, Royal Credit Union
Dan Savaloja, Savalaw
5
The Ambassadors of the Month Are…
July: Brenda Jewell
of Prime Advertising & Design, Inc.
August: Nicole Vadner
of ECM Sun Publishers, Inc.
Northeast Bank: Remodel!
Minnesota Guitar Academy: Grand Opening!
At Northeast Bank, we work with others to meet community
needs. Local businesses are important to us and our community. That is why we go to great lengths to help them grow.
Larry Crane (763) 784-3533, www.northeastbank-mn.com,
200 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids
Minnesota Guitar Academy is a local, family owned music
school and the Twin Cities’ exclusive provider of The Childbloom Guitar Program™ — the nation’s leading guitar lesson
program for kids. Eric Nehring (763) 432-9713, mnguitaracademy.com, 3529 88th Ave NE, Blaine.
July & August New Members: Welcome!
RM Flooring, Inc.
Roxanne Collins – President
PO 32199
Minneapolis, MN 55432
763-205-1628
www.rmflooring.com
Flooring
Super Consulting Services LLC
Michelle Super – CEO & HR Consultant
2035 150th Lane NW
Andover, MN 55304
612-281-9381
www.hrsolutionsmn.com
Human Resources
Rob Harris – Ameriprise
Rob Harris – Owner
3200 Main St. NW Ste. 110
Coon Rapids, MN 55448
763-421-9052
www.ameripriseadvisors.com/robert.j.harris
Financial Planners
Blaine Family Chiropractic
Dr. Aaron Frach – Doctor of Chiropractic
10950 Club West Parkway Ste. 110
Blaine, MN 55449
763-786-5585
www.blainespine.com
Health-Wellness
Advanced Veterinary Care
Dr. Ross Elton – DMV, Veterinarian
Northgate Mall
1500 125th Ave. NE
Blaine, MN 55449
763-310-3500
www.avetcare.com
Animal Care
Axel’s Bonfire
Justin Rooney – General Manager
4365 Pheasant Ridge Dr. NE
Blaine, MN 55449
763-398-2475
www.axelsbonfire.com
Restaurants
Diggity
Christina Fortier – Marketing Director
133 Coon Rapids Blvd. NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
763-780-3400
www.tcdiggity.com
Restaurants
Minnesota Guitar Academy
Eric Nehring – Owner
3529 88th Ave. NE
Blaine, MN 55014
763-432-9713
www.mnguitaracademy.com
Education
Ameriguard Agency Inc.
Brad Boldt – President
9380 Central Ave. NE Ste. 360
Blaine, MN 55434
763-767-0522
www.ameriguardagencyinc.com
Insurance
Stepping Stone Emergency Housing
Julie Jeppson – Development Director
3300 4th Ave. No. Cronin Bldg. Ste. 14
Anoka, MN 55303
763-323-7006
Non-Profit
Sherwin-Williams Company
Dan Michels – Store Manager
10690 Baltimore St. NE
Blaine, MN 55449
763-783-1501
www.sherwin-williams.com
Home/Interiors – Home Décor & Design –
Paint & Wallpaper
Bridal Express
Lynda Baker – Manager
1226 E. Moore Lake Dr.
Fridley, MN 55432
763-574-7200
www.bridalexpressmn.com
Bridal / Wedding
RealStar Title – Blaine
Brandi Collins – Executive Closer
11806 Aberdeen St. NE Ste. 100
Blaine, MN 55449
763-452-3050
www.realstartitle.com
Title Company
Interlog USA
Matt Larson – Senior Sales Representative
9380 Central Ave. NE Ste. 350
Blaine, MN 55434
612-789-3456
www.interlogusa.com
Shipping / Transfer – Specialty Services
Premier Banks
Jason Weitzel – Vice President / Loan
Officer
2345 124th Court NE
Blaine, MN 55449
763-780-0385
www.premierbanks.com
Banks/Financing
July & August Renewals: Thanks for Your Continued Support!
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Signs Now
Aggressive Hydraulics
Volunteers of America/The Homestead
@ Coon Rapids
Engineered Finishing Corp.
American Israel Chamber of Commerce
BAE Systems
Metro Gun Club
Aveda
Multicare Association of the Twin Cities
Park Dental Coon Rapids
Savalaw
Alexandra House
Bob’s Produce Ranch
PTL Tire and Auto
Coon Rapids Chrysler Jeep
Panera Bread - Blaine
Panera Bread - Coon Rapids
Wells Fargo Bank - Riverdale
Natural Awakenings
Chick-fil-A of Coon Rapids
Atomic Data
Pawn America - Anoka
Pawn America - Coon Rapids
PayDay America - Anoka
PayDay America - Coon Rapids
Century Link
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - Blaine
Hejny Chiropractic
Northwest Passage High School
Papa John’s Pizza
Alto Consulting & Training
Commers The Water Company
YMCA - Emma B. Howe Family
Andover Cinema
City of East Bethel
MinnesotaJobs.com
Keller Williams Classic Realty
North Suburban Eye Specialists - Coon
Rapids
North Suburban Eye Specialists - Blaine
Emerald Bay Performance Inc.
AnokaCountyOnline.com
Atomic Data
Adhue Graphic Resources
Minnesota School of Business
Verus Corporation
Majestic Oaks Golf Club
Office Depot #2600
Wells Fargo Bank - Blaine
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Wells Fargo Bank - Anoka
Wells Fargo Bank – Coon Rapids
Wells Fargo Bank - Northtown
6
Verizon Wireless – Blaine
Joshua Moshier – Sales Manager
599 Northtown Dr. Ste. 400
Blaine, MN 55434
763-783-3070
www.verizonwireless.com
Telecommunications
New Member
Referral Program
Winners
July Referral Winner: Pam
Wolf of Life Prep Academy
won $50 to Chili’s for referring Roxanne Collins of RM
Flooring, Inc. Thank you,
Pam, and welcome Roxanne!
OctOber 2014
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Wine:
NOvember 2014
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10950 Club West Pkwy, Suite 120
(between The Tavern and Wild Bill’s)
Club West Plaza
Blaine, MN 55449
Ambassadors:
Board:
Executive:
Gala:
Golf:
Sunrise Blaine:
Sunrise Mounds View:
COMMITTEES/GROuPS:
October 14, Chamber, 4 pm
October 9, Grand Casino Hinckley
September 30, Chamber, 8:15 am
October 31, Chamber, 9:30 am
October 6, Chamber, 4 pm
October 3
Tavern Grill - Blaine, 7:30 am
October 17
Moe’s - Mounds View, 7:30 am
October 1
La Casita Columbia Heights, 4:44 pm
November 11, Chamber, 4 pm
November 12, Chamber, 7:30 am
November 4, Chamber, 8:15 am
No meeting
November 3, Chamber, 4 pm
November 7
Tavern Grill - Blaine, 7:30 am
November 21
Moe’s - Mounds View, 7:30 am
November 5, Biff’s, 4:44
Workforce
October 27, Chamber, 3 pm
November 24, Chamber, 3 pm
Development:
November 19
Working with October 22
Rasmussen College-Blaine; 9:15 am Rasmussen College-Blaine; 9:15 am
Women:
SPECIAl EVEnTS:
Immigration & Business:
Marketing 201:
Blaine Business Council:
Curling & Cocktails Part II:
5th Friday Sunrise:
An Evening Under the Stars:
Business Expo:
Connecting 101:
Coon Rapids Business Council:
Lillians of Blaine
763.785.0400
Email: [email protected]
Open EVERY Wednesday - Sunday!
Open Wednesday (10am-8pm), Thursday (10am-8pm)
Friday (10am-7pm), Saturday (10am-5pm) & Sunday (12-4pm)
7
October 2, Rasmussen College – Blaine, 8 am
October 16, Chamber, 8:15 am
October 23, TPC, 7:30 am
October 23, Four Seasons Curling Club, 4 pm
October 31, Northwest Passage High School, 7:30 am
November 7, Target Field, 5 pm
November 15, Northtown Mall, 11 am
November 20, Chamber, 8:15 am
November 20, Bunker Hills Club House, 7:30 am
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Anoka, MN 55303
Permit No. 287
21st Century Bank Building, 9380 Central Ave. NE, Suite 320
Blaine, MN 55434
763-398-8100
educatiOn
www.thetaverngrill.com
raSmuSSen cOllege
Now offering Nursing (RN)
Blaine, MN 55014
763-795-4720
www.rasmussen.edu
Mille Lacs: 800-626-5825
Hinckley: 800-472-6321
www.grandcasinomn.com
nOrtheaSt Bank
200 Coon Rapids Boulevard
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
763-784-3533
www.northeastbank-mn.com
minneSOta
OccupatiOnal health
10230 Baltimore Street # 300
Blaine, MN 55449
651-968-5300
www.mohonline.com
centurylink™
Visit us at Northtown Mall
(763) 795-8082
www.printmn.com
Summit OrthOpedicS –
OrthOQuick
10230 Baltimore Street # 300
Blaine, MN 55449
651-968-5806
www.summitortho.com
hOme/garden
eLectric
plumBing
retail
“What’s your Grand Casino story?”
612-296-5646
www.triolandscaping.com
Specialty
10950 Club West Parkway
Blaine, MN
grand caSinO
mille lacS & hinckley
triO landScaping
Consultation,Design,Project Management
“Outdoor Living, Concept to Completion”
Water
dining
the tavern grill
651-464-7359
www.sternbergelectric.com
internet/phOne
www.oxymagic.biz
15246 Lake Drive NE
Columbus, MN 55025
Marketing
763-213-6217
SternBerg
electric Service
OrtHOpedics
Average 1 hour dry time
Guaranteed Prices
entertainment
612-247-3852
www.impactaccountingmn.com
finance
Oxymagic carpet
cleaning
Bookkeeping, Payroll
health
accOUnting
impact accOunting inc.
carpet cLeaning
MetroNorth Professional Directory
hOmetOWn plumBing
13025 Central Avenue NE, Suite 100
Blaine, MN 55434
763-755-6886
www.hometownplumbing.net
Sam’S cluB fridley
8150 University Ave. NE
Fridley, MN 55432
(763) 784-4102
Savings Made Simple
nOrthern Sanitary
Supply cO.
341 Coon Rapids Boulevard
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
763-786-1820
www.norsan.com
culligan SOft Water cO.
6390 McKinley Street, Suite 101
Ramsey, MN 55303
763-421-5512
www.culliganwater.com
Your Business Signature
Your Businessyou 2014
Your Business Sponsors!
Your Business
Thank
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Silver:
Gold:
Your Business
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Golf:
Gala:
Your Business
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Your Business
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Your
logoYour Business
Capitol
Here
here!ListingContributor:
Bronze:
Your Business
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Summer
Food Fest:
Your Business
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Blaine Campus
Your Business
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Sunrise:
Grow MN:
Your Business
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