Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
Monthly
NEWSLETTER
Volume XVIII
Issue 38
January 2015
Chamber Partners with Schools and Local Manufactures
The Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District and the
McDonell Area Catholic Schools are coordinating with local manufactures to provide 8th grade students the
opportunity to learn more about manufacturing career options in Chippewa
Falls. They have joined together to inspire middle school students, parents
and educators to learn more about manufacturing careers available within our
community.
Nordson EDI, Spectrum Industries and W.S. Darley opened up their doors to
the students, teachers and parents for tours. And CVTC helped students learn
more about the educational options available to them.
“Manufacturing is strong and growing in our community and the need for
skilled workers is expected to grow,” said Chamber President, Mike Jordan.
Hands on experience at CVTC
“Our local manufacturers are telling us that it is difficult to find qualified
employees to fill the job openings.” He explained that for years, the manufacturing world has been seen as dark,
dirty and dangerous. “We are lucky in our community to have a real partnership between the schools and our
manufacturers to help disperse these myths. Manufacturing today is clean, safe and requires a skilled labor force,”
said Jordan.
“These tours assist our students in learning about the real world of work and help them
find a pathway of interest early in their career exploration,” said Superintendent Brad
Saron. “As 8th graders, the students will have an opportunity to learn about manufacturing
before they have to decide on classes to take in high school.”
Annual Meeting
Business After Hours
Monday, January 19, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Noon - Avalon Hotel & Conference Center
5 - 6:30 pm at
Featured Business: TTM Technologies, Inc.
$25 per person or $200 for a table of 8
Call the Chamber office at 715-723-0331 or email
[email protected] to reserve a seat.
Horizon’s Lounge & Banquet Center
10764 CTH Q, Chippewa Falls
Co-sponsor:
Mission Statement
The mission of the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is to
improve the quality of life in our community by providing leadership to coordinate,
support, and promote the business interest of our membership.
Chamber News
2015 Chamber Board
The following slate of nominees has been presented for terms on the Chambers Board of Directors. Nominated for a three year
term beginning in 2015 are Tom Hubbard, Cedar Falls Building Systems, Inc., Mike Olson, Micon Cinemas, Inc. and
Jamie Liebrandt, Northwestern Bank.
John Manier, General Beer - Northwest will be Chair of the Board of Directors. Along with Manier, the following have been
elected: Chair Elect Janice Lemminger, Manpower, First Vice Chair Rolly Enderes, Treasurer Tom Etmund, RCU and Immediate
Past Chair, Bill Mercer, Premium Waters, Inc.
Returning Board Members include: Tim Fries - Fries Financial Group - Raymond James, Jeremy Kiley - Wissota Health and Regional Vent Center, Martin Maher, Great Northern Corporation, Kris McDonald, AWS , Stacy Olson - Integrated Design Solutions, LLC, Sue Kern, Mason Companies Inc., Neil Mathwig, Citizens State Bank, Mark Broses from S.E.H.
The Chamber would like to thank our outgoing board members: Karen Hebert, Spectrum Insurance and Terry Huppert,
Markquart Motors.
According to the Chamber by-laws, additional nominations may be submitted by at least 10 members in good standing. If no
nominations are received, the Board will declare these nominations official.
Young Professionals Upcoming Events
Professional Development: Work and Wellness
Join YPCV on January 15 from 4:30-5:30pm at the Eau Claire Chamber for a professional development
seminar on Work and Wellness. Hear from local experts about the importance of sleep, diet, fitness, and how
they impact your life. Cost is $10/person. A great kick off to a New Years resolution perhaps?
Please join YPCV on January 22 from 5-6:30 for a happy hour at Draganetti's Ristorante. Draganetti's will feature some of
their appetizers as well as a few drink specials just for YPCV. Draganetti's will also be donating a $20 gift card to be given away
at the event. Drawing will take place at 6 PM and you must be present to win. This event is open to members and non-members.
The events above are for YPCV members only, unless otherwise stated. For more information on YPCV membership, volunteering, or events, contact Allyson at 715-723-0331. If you know someone that would benefit from this group, please pass the information on to them.
21st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 in Madison
Bringing the Chippewa Valley's voice to Madison. Join fellow business and community
leaders for our annual visit to the State Capitol to educate state legislators and other
officials on the economic, education, infrastructure and other issues critical to our region.
The 2015 Rally will be especially consequential, with over 30 new legislators in office in the new session, and several priority
issues highlighting their agenda. To register, contact the Eau Claire Chamber office at 715-834-1204. Event Sponsorships are
also available. For more information, contact Scott Rogers at 715-858-0616 or [email protected].
Meet The Board
Chair
Bill Mercer
Premium Waters
Chair Elect
John Manier
General Beer-Northwest
First Vice Chair
Janice Lemminger
Manpower
Treasurer
Tom Etmund
RCU
Immediate Past Chair
Karen Hebert
Spectrum Insurance Group
www. chippewachamber.org
Directors
Mark Broses - Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc.
Rolly Enderes - ChemCeed, LLC
Timothy Fries - Fries Financial Group Raymond James
Terry Huppert - Markquart Motors
Sue Kern - Mason Companies, Inc.
Jeremy Kiley - Wissota Health and
Regional Vent Center
Neil Mathwig - Citizens State Bank
Martin Maher - Great Northern Corporation
Kris McDonald - AWS
Stacy Olson - Integrated Design Solutions, LLC
Chamber Staff
Mike Jordan - President
Allyson Gommer - Tourism Director
Michelle Farrow - Membership
Coordinator
Kelly Kuechenmeister-Administrative
Assistant
Chamber News is published monthly
by the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber
of Commerce, 10 S. Bridge St.,
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.
Subscription costs $20 per year and is
included in membership.
PAGE 2
Ambassador News
New Ambassador Leadership
Ribbon Cuttings
Ben Lane will lead the Ambassadors as the 2015 Ambassador
Chair and assisting him will be Tami Severson as the Ambassador
Co-Chair.
Brown Barn
Chris Untiedt
116 N. Bridge Street, Chippewa Falls
715-827-0413
New Business
L.E. Phillips Career Development Center
Gregg Mizerk
508 N. Bridge Street, Chippewa Falls
715-861-5002
Ben Lane is an associate attorney at Wiley
Law S.C. specializing in business/corporate,
estate planning, real estate, collections,
municipal law and many other legal services. He is a member of the Chippewa Rod
& Gun Club and is a Board member of the
State Bar of Wisconsin Young Lawyers
Division. He is President of the Chippewa
County Bar Association and coordinates the
Chippewa County Bar Association’s free
Ben Lane
legal clinic each month. Ben is also a
member of the Chippewa County Deer Advisory Council with the
Wisconsin DNR. Ben and his wife have two children who keep
them busy.
Tami Severson is a Business Account
Executive for Charter Business, providing
new business customers with scalable,
cost-effective solutions for internet, phone
and tv. She serves on several committees
and belongs to several organizations
including Polka Dot Powerhouse, BNIGreater Eau Claire Chapter, Big Brothers
Big Sisters-Bowl for Kids Sake Chippewa
Falls and many others. Tami grew up in
Tami Severson
Chippewa Falls and has been married to
Curt for 21 years. They have two children Taylor and Carsen and
as a family enjoy camping, fishing and kayaking. She enjoys
volunteering and strongly believes in being an active member of
the Chamber.
Secondary Location
Welcome New Ambassadors
Mike Crawford is a salesman/
estimator for Access Security, a
locally owned and operated provider
of residential and commercial access
control, burglar alarm, camera and
fire alarm systems. He and his wife
Tristi have two children, Alayna (8)
and Isaac (6) that keep them busy
with numerous kids' activities.
Mike Crawford
Mike is involved with the Knights
of Columbus, the Columbus Association, the Church of Notre
Dame and McDonell Area Catholic Schools in various
capacities. He regularly attends Business After Hours and has
been on the planning committee for the farmers appreciation
dinner in June organized by the Chamber for many years.
www. chippewachamber.org
Michael Rada is the Community
Relations Manager for Wissota Place
Senior Living, offering assisted living
for seniors in an apartment setting
with 24 hour staff, medication assist,
meals, activities and transportation.
His role is to provide help and
information related to senior living for
the community. Michael has a passion
for sports and enjoys spending time
Michael Rada
with family and friends. He is actively
involved in community outreach projects through his position
and looks forward to meeting new Chamber members and
supporting Chamber member businesses as an Ambassador.
We look forward to having Michael as a part of this group.
PAGE 3
Tourism News
Chippewa County Tourism
Annual Meeting
The Chippewa County Tourism Council will be holding their annual meeting
on Tuesday, January 20 from 5-6:30pm, at the Fill-Inn Station, located at
104 W. Columbia Street, Chippewa Falls. Presentations will be made by
Dick Leinenkugel, Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company President and Drew Nussbaum, Regional Tourism Specialist with the
Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
Join to learn more about tourism businesses, tourism efforts in Chippewa County and how the County Tourism Council works to
promote tourism. Dinner will be provided and RSVP’s are recommended, but not required.
For information about the meeting or the Chippewa County Tourism Council, contact Allyson at 715-723-0331.
Oktoberfest Rolls Out
the Official Logo Design Contest Rules
The Official Logo for the 13th Annual Oktoberfest in Chippewa Falls is still a vision in
someone’s creative mind. Oktoberfest has started their annual logo design contest for the 2015 Celebration. One design idea
winner will be selected from entries meeting the contest criteria and then brought to life for the marketing of this year’s event.
The contest winner will be awarded a $150 cash prize and will receive a three-day admission pass to the event, plus their design
idea will be used in the event marketing for the 2014 event. The entry deadline is Monday, February 2, 2015. For complete
contest rules visit www.oktoberfest.com or contact Oktoberfest at 1-866-723-0340.
Oktoberfest will take place September 18-20 at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in Chippewa Falls. The event will
have something to please the German in everyone. Get set to experience 4 stages with a wonderful variety of live music &
entertainment and plenty of scrumptious German food, frolic & fun for the entire family.
Important Information About
Chamber Buck$
The Chamber has sold more
than $52,000 of Chamber
Buck$ in the last few months.
REDEEMING CHAMBER BUCK$: The Chamber Buck$
gift certificate is a legal check, purchased by the “gift giver”.
These checks, drawn off of a local financial institution can be
purchased in denominations of $5, $10, $20 or more by
special order. As a participating Chamber member you get
your money fast! Just put your Chamber Buck$ gift
certificates in your daily bank deposit and you will receive
FULL FACE VALUE! If you have any questions call Kelly
at 715-723-0331. Keeping it Local!
www. chippewachamber.org
Big Bundle Up Initiative
Non-profit organizations in Chippewa Falls received
a generous donation to help those in need stay warm
this winter season. Ross Sports, the maker of ZooZatz
hats, is contributing 3,500 hats to Wisconsin
Tourism’s Big Bundle Up initiative. These items were
divided between Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, Eau
Claire and Hudson. The items that the Chippewa Falls
Chamber received were donated to the Boys and Girls
Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley and the
Chippewa Valley Family YMCA.
Referring Chamber Members
November 2014
Walk in Visitors – 80
Referrals - 911
Visitor Packets - 42
Relocation Packets - 3
Website Page Views - 19,512
PAGE 4
Member to Member
Junior Achievement is pleased to announce that William (BJ)
New Chamber Members
Rauckman, Manager of the Substation Engineering and Design
Department, Xcel Energy has joined the JA Board of Directors.
M & J Services LLC
Loffler Companies announced that Phillip Swiler has joined
the local business development team.
Dan McGinley
Spectrum Industries recently purchased the former Pactiv
200 E. Walnut Street, Chippewa Falls
facility at 1500 River Street, Chippewa Falls.
715-271-2850
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin has
www.mandjservices.net
named Wesley Escondo as the new chief executive officer.
Categories: Powder Coating/Sand Blasting
Excite! Wellness Studio welcomes Jenna Steinmetz as their
new massage therapist.
Loffler Companies
Cray Inc. announced that Steve Scott has returned to Cray as
Phillip Swiler
its chief technology officer and senior vice president.
2273 Brackett Avenue, Eau Claire
EO Johnson Business Technologies has acquired Agosto Inc.
Young
Professionals
Upcoming
Events
715-598-6344
based in Minneapolis, MN.
www.loffler.com
RCU announced that Tracy White has been named Director of
Organizational Alignment.
Category: Business Services
Ambassador of the Quarter
Congratulations to Tami Severson,
Business Account Executive for Charter
Business. Throughout the fourth quarter
Tami attended Ambassador events
including monthly business visits,
numerous ribbon cuttings, and sponsored
four Chamber members.
Amundson Appliance
Paul Amundson
124 N. Bridge Street, Chippewa Falls
715-720-8000
www.amundsonsappliance.com
Category (s): Appliances and Parts &
Service/Retail Stores
Thank you to Tami for her commitment to the Ambassadors
and keep up the great work!
Member Support Members
Featured Categories
continued from last month
Industrial Design
Integrated Design Solutions, LLC
(715) 723-6500
www.integrateddesign.com
Insurance
American Family Ins./
Paul Schlosser Agency
(715) 723-3293
www.amfam.com
Area Financial Services, Inc.
(715) 834-2786
www.areafs.com
Bourget Insurance Agency LLC
(715) 723-0313
Complete Insurance Services
(715) 318-1180
www.completeinsurance
ofeauclaire.com
Corey-Burstad Insurance Agency
(715) 723-0600
www.burstadinsurance.com
Meinen Insurance Agency Inc.
(715) 723-1174
www.meineninsurance.com
UCare
(877) 523-1518
www.ucare.org
Eagle Point Mutual Insurance
Company
(715) 723-9333
www.eaglepointmutual.com
Mower Insurance Agency, Inc.
(715) 723-5525
www.mowerins.com
WPS Health Insurance
(715) 835-6167
www.wpsic.com
Spectrum Insurance Group, LLC
(715) 723-8135
www.spectruminsgroup.com
Interior Designs
Gregg Bohlig State Farm Insurance
(715) 839-0899
www.greggbohlig.com
Group Health Cooperative of
Eau Claire
(715) 552-4300
www.group-health.com
Robert J. Hogseth
(715) 382-4841
Indianhead Insurance Agency
(715) 723-0274
www.Indianhead-insurance.com.
Johnson Insurance Services, Inc.
(715) 835-9111
www.johnsonins.com
www. chippewachamber.org
Jeff Flaig Insurance Agency Inc.
State Farm
(715) 723-9128
www.jeffflaig.com
State Farm Insurance
Lake Wissota
(715) 723-7770
www.ronbakken.com
Thrivent FinancialBrady L Zwiefelhofer
(715) 514-1540
facebook.com/
brady.zwiefelhofer.thrivent
House Blend Lighting &
Design Studio
(715) 726-3080
www.houseblendstudio.com
UPDATE YOUR
MEMBER PROFILE
Update your contact information
or add a staff person to our
distribution list at 715-723-0331
or [email protected]
PAGE 5
Buying or Selling Real Estate?
Member FDIC
www.csbankcadott.com
715-723-2141
brownbuildersgeneralcontractors.com
18399 Hwy X, Chippewa Falls
We’ll help make it come true.
ate
Real Est
Auctions
w!
running no
JIM DOCKSEY 723-8588
JACOB JANSEN 723-2117
PAUL MURRY 720-8849
DEBI WALDUSKY 726-8923
AARON WIDIKER 720-6105
www.RohmeyerAuctions.com
www.edwardjones.com
Call 715-225-0562
WE SOLVE REAL ESTATE PROBLEMS
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
EAU CLAIRE, WI
PERMIT NO. 1557
1 North Bridge Street, Chippewa Falls WI 54729
Serving the Chippewa Valley
Phone: 715715-723723-3661
Fax: 715715-720720-9333
14623 County Hwy S
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
www.hudsonelectric.com
Independence
State Bank
“We’re in touch with you!”
2425 Commercial Blvd.
Chippewa Falls, WI
715-738-1897
www.independencestatebank.com
We’re the BANK
for your BUSINESS
Timothy M. Fries, CFP ®
Michael F. Shillin, AAMS
OUTLET STORE
715-723-4323
Downtown Chippewa Falls
HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:00-6:00;
Sat. 9:00-5:30; Sun. 11:00-4:00
715 - 720-9605
715-723-4461
northwesternbank.com
Cathy Johnson
715-723-5241
www.friesfinancialgroup.com
“POWERING YOUR BUSINESS
IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE”
10 North Bridge Street | Chippewa Falls, WI
800.472.5881
sehinc.com
Engineers | Architects | Planners | Scientists
(715) 861-5303
www.mnpwr.com