september 2014 | volume 15 | issue 3

WHAT’S DRIVING YOUR COMPANY’S CULTURE? BOYS & GIRLS

CLUB OF MENASHA BREAKS GROUND

APPS YOU NEED TO HELP YOUR BUSINESSHELPING EMPLOYERS

FIND AND KEEP SKILLED WORKERS

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Fox CitiesChamber of Commerce & Industry

4 The Values in Company Culture

Cover Story

Fox Cities Chamber Business (v 259180). Published quarterly by the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 125 N. Superior Street, Appleton, WI 54911. PH 920-734-7101. WEB www.foxcitieschamber.com. Periodical postage paid at Appleton, WI. Annual subscription fee to members for Fox Cities Chamber Business is $9 and is included in dues. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Fox Cities Chamber Business, 125 N. Superior Street, Appleton, WI 54911.

4 30

8

On the cover: Firestone Complete Auto Care, Neenah

Photography by: Craig Augustine Photography 24 New Members

24 Diamond Member Honor Roll

26 Business Showcase

Highlights

2 PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVEViews from Chamber President/CEO Shannon Meyer Full

24 NEW MEMBERS

28 OUT AND ABOUT

36 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

18 Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset

19 APPROVED: Apps You Need to Help Your Business

22 Community Project Gives Menasha Youth a Place to Call Their Own

30 The Faces of Success

36 Mark Your Calendar!

8 Why Partnerships are Key to Regional Growth

12 Navigating the Talent Crunch

14 What do Fewer Candidates Tell Us About State Government?

15 How We Get a Sustainable 21st Century Workforce

16 Octoberfest’s Very Own Specialty Beer

20 Anatomy of a YP

FeaturesNewsEvery Issue

Winners

Business Award

Fox Cities Chamber Business | SEPTEMBER 2014 1

this issue VOLUME 15, ISSUE 3 | SEPTEMBER 2014

One of my favorite aspects of my job is that I have the opportunity to visit hundreds of companies — large and small, talk with tremendous business owners and learn from others that are much wiser than me. A valuable lesson that I have learned is to invest time in defining your mission, vision and values. They aren’t just words on paper or sayings on your office wall; they are why we exist and how we act.

Last year, our Chamber and board leadership went through a critical process in redefining our mission and vision. We wanted to make sure that both of these reflected our purpose, direction, goals, members and stakeholders. Our mission, which aligns perfectly with our program of work, is to promote growth and prosperity. It seems very straightforward, but it is extremely complex and speaks to the fact that your chamber is much more than a membership organization. We are a business growth organization, and we are passionate about fulfilling our mission.

Our vision speaks to the fact that we are striving for something bigger than our organization. The Fox Cities is recognized as a world-class community. If we grow this community and strive for excellence, we

will achieve world-class status. We already know that we have world-class talent, world-class amenities, world-class businesses, world-class communities, world-class non-profits… but does everyone know this about us? Until this recognition happens, we still have work to do.

We also developed our core values. In the 15 years that I have been leading chambers, I have never had such a challenging, yet enlightening experience as this one. We engaged various members and stakeholders and my team in this discussion, but at the end of the day, leadership sets core values. Core values are the “how” are we going to live, and they are the core convictions that we hold about our organization. Our team is committed to these core values, and they will be our foundation for years to come.

So what are our core values? Respect, Resourcefulness, Relationships, Stewardship and Servant Leadership. These words mean different things to different people, so I thought I would give you my perspective on why they were chosen to represent your chamber.

• Respect – We value and care about each other. We operate with a spirit of generosity and honor the opinions of others. We are loyal to our team, members, stakeholders and to the community, and we seek to find the potential that exists in everyone.

• Resourcefulness – We know that we don’t have all of the answers to help our businesses and community grow, but we

Lisa Cruz Red Shoes PR, Inc.

John Dennis Gardan Inc.

Kevin Eismann Epiphany Law, LLC

Travis Froze BMO Harris Bank

Robyn Gruner AT&T

Sharon Hulce Employment Resource Group Inc.

Dave Jansen ThedaCare

Lyssa King OuterEdge Stage

Vic Lutz McMahon

Chris Matheny Fox Valley Technical College

Jen Wagner Mauk Affinity Health System

Mayor Don Merkes City of Menasha

Robert Pedersen Goodwill NCW

Todd Romenesko Calumet County

Bruce Sasman We Energies

Kathi Seifert Katapult, LLC

Monica Vomastic Landmark Staffing Resources

Bob Zemple Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP

Chairman of the Board Kip Golden Miron Construction Co., Inc.

Chairman-Elect Daniel P. Ferris SECURA Insurance Companies

Past Chairman Greg Bell WHBY

Secretary/Treasurer Bruce Zak JPMorgan Chase, N.A.

Our vision speaks to the fact that we are striving for something bigger than our organization. The Fox Cities is recognized as a world-class community.

Publisher Shannon Meyer Full

Editor Kristin Sewall

Design Coalesce Marketing & Design, Inc.

Photography Craig Augustine

Printing JP Graphics Inc.

Advertising Sales Dawn Nowakowski, 920-734-7101

Board of Directors 2014-2015

MISSION, VISION AND VALUES … LIVING THEM AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE

2 Fox Cities Chamber Business | SEPTEMBER 2014

president’s perspective

are committed to finding the right tools, making the right connections and collaborating where possible to achieve our mission. We thrive on being an important partner to our business community, one that they can rely on at all times.

• Relationships – These are the backbone of everything we do. We are committed to building strong relationships with members, teammates and stakeholders to ensure we reach our common goal. We honor our commitments and continually search for new ways to add value to our existing relationships. We strive daily to build new relationships and focus on the inclusion of everyone.

• Stewardship – We are committed to aligning our resources with the needs of our members and stakeholders. We invest human and capital resources through our programs, systems, events and initiatives that best benefit our mission of promoting growth and prosperity.

• Servant Leadership – We put the needs of others first. We exist to serve the needs of the business community. We are committed to making a difference by helping businesses grow and prosper. We strive to not only build businesses, but to build a community and strengthen the economy.

I am so very proud of my team, our volunteer leadership and all of you that assisted us in this process. Identifying our mission, vision and values was the first step, now we are focused daily on achieving our mission and vision while living our core values in all of our interactions. I am proud to be a part of this great organization.

Shannon Meyer FullPresident/CEO


3001 East Venture DriveAppleton, WI 54911

Phone 920-733-4483Fax 920-733-1700

www.jpinc.com

Printing ... as Promised

Did we catch your eye?

Company culture is often defined as the set of shared values, attitudes, standards and beliefs that characterizes members of an organization. Culture is rooted in a company’s goals, strategies, structure, and approaches to labor, customers, investors and the greater community. It exists in every organization, and if you’re not driving it, your clients and employees will be.

Studies show that our next generation of talent — which will make up 75 percent of the workforce in the next 10 years*— is more interested in working for an organization with a well-understood purpose.

If values and company culture are at the center of your organization, pat yourself on the back. You are part of 14 percent globally that are leading the charge.* If you aren’t quite sure how your team describes your company’s cultures, it’s time to reevaluate.

Here are some tips from organizations that lead through their values, and their companies’ culture proves it.

* ”Global Human Capital Trends 2014: Engaging the 21st century workforce,” Deloitte Consulting LLP

The Values in

Company Culture

Does your organization excel in living its values? Share your story on our Facebook page: facebook.com/foxcitieschamber.


Firestone Complete Auto CareSimon Ciesielski, District Manager

What are the values that drive your company culture?

It really starts with our company’s brand promise, which is a “promise to care” — for each other and for our customers. We strongly believe in having a family atmosphere in our stores by creating an environment where all teammates feel valued, respected, have fun and are allowed to reach their full potential. That promise obviously extends to our customers; we want to earn their trust and become their neighborhood car care center of choice.

Our customer, or as we call it “the Boss,” is number one in everything we do, and our teammates put them at the forefront of their daily activities.

What motivates your teammates to adopt your company culture as their own?

One of our strategic pillars is to be an Outstanding Corporate Citizen. In addition to nationwide efforts supporting the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Meals on Wheels, many of our stores are heavily involved in local charities and fundraising events. Having that level of local involvement by our teammates is imperative to keeping all employees excited about what they do day in and day out. Being part of something bigger than just their workplace instills a great sense of pride.

Do you have any advice for businesses that are starting to make their mission/vision/values a priority in their own organizations?

Over the years I found this to be very true regardless of the type of business: focus on your employees and your customers equally. Finding that balance is a strong foundation for building a successful organization.

Firestone Complete Auto Care is the largest tire and service retailer in the world. On top of that, it offers free car care basics education, invests in innovation that supports environmental programs (including offering an enviro-friendly oil change in Portland, Oregon, which is the first of its kind), and donates dollars and time to several non-profit organizations.

Red Shoes PRLisa Cruz, President and CEO

What values drive your organization forward?Trust, integrity and boldness, to name a few. These are

the cornerstones of our business and culture. We also value working hard, having some fun along the way and always being the best, not necessarily the largest, agency.

How do you get and keep your team rallied around your values?

Values come from leadership; we need to demonstrate our values through actions, as well as words. Recognizing employees on the spot in front of others for the values-driven work they do is one way we keep our team enthusiastic. We have a cowbell we ring if we catch someone exhibiting one of the values. Everyone gathers and we recognize the individual.

Any advice for newcomers to the values arena?Leaders of the organization must set the tone and

expectations from the beginning. The amount of attention you spend on developing and embracing your values and company culture should equal the amount of time you spend developing your business plan and budget.

Red Shoes PR offers traditional public relations services such as media relations, crisis communications, media training and social media consulting.

Festival FoodsMichael Siakpere, Organizational Development & Training Manager

What are the values that drive your company culture?

The culture at Festival Foods is driven by our five company values: Servant Leadership, Execution, Community Involvement, Associate Development and Service.

How do your values impact your team and your customers?

In the simplest terms, company culture can be defined as the set of values that determine how people behave within an organization. At Festival Foods, our values influence each and every part of our business. They are not only what is important to the company, but also what is important to our associates—these are our “non-negotiables.” Our values are used to hire the best talent, create an enjoyable shopping experience

for our guests and make a positive difference in our community.

Do you have any advice for businesses in the process of integrating a value set into their organizations?

The successful integration of company values into the culture of a business hinge on the basic understanding that everyone must lead by example — from front-line associates to company leadership. The values should be institutionalized so they correspond with every aspect of the business and designed to easily resonate with associates. Most importantly, values should be visible and talked about often, used to coach associate behavior, and you must be willing to part ways with individuals whose behavior does not align with the company’s values.

Festival Foods is dedicated to serving our communities by providing outstanding service and a quality selection of products all at a great price.


Horicon BankFrederick F. Schwertfeger, President

What are the values your organization lives and breathes?Our CORE virtues are:

• Capability – We can provide the best banking experience.

• Honesty – We enjoy the trust of our colleagues, customers and communities through truthful and dependable conduct and communication.

• Respect – We choose to work as a team in an atmosphere of mutual consideration and generosity of spirit.

• Energy – We recognize that working at the bank, rearing our families and helping others requires a balanced commitment of time and effort.

Living your virtues is hard work. What’s in it for your company? Consistent delivery of our virtues and mission to our team sets the

expectations of our employees. That in turn gives customers a consistent experience that they can expect from banking with us, which comes back to our vision of enjoying working together to make lives better and more secure.

How do you manage to communicate your virtues consistently?In order to affect everyone in the bank, this has to start with the

leadership. Our management strives to live out our virtues. We use the language daily in our communication with our team and the public. We talk about how the virtues came about and what they mean to us, and we encourage employees to model our virtues because we realize it is these behaviors that truly set us apart as an organization.

What advice would you give to businesses on the path to self-discovery? 1. Know who you want to be and how you plan to get there.2. Communicate consistently. Incorporate your values into employee

onboarding, training and general communication. Your guiding principals can never be over-communicated.

3. Make your principals accessible. We give new employees an index card with the vision, mission and virtues written on it.

Horicon Bank is committed to providing quality customer service as it supports the sound and productive growth of local businesses and strives to meet the financial needs of its customers in their bank market areas.

Wasmer CompanyTim Wasmer, President & CEO

What are the values that drive your company culture?REACH: Respect, Empowerment, Accountability, Creativity,

Happiness

How do you keep your team enthusiastic and focused on your values?

First, we facilitate friendships at work. We make sure team members knows our expectations and that their work friends will hold them accountable; this has led to improved performance. We also hold monthly get-togethers outside of work to celebrate the wins.

Next, we lead by example. We make sure leadership is accountable for the same values. Either way, your team will follow your lead.

Do you have any advice for businesses embarking on the values journey?1. Find a mentor. Every member of our leadership team is

required to have a mentor. This is how we get outside ideas and spark innovation.

2. Train your team. This gives them value anywhere they go, which makes them more valuable to you and you will treat them better because of it.

3. Find creative solutions. For example, we had to raise our employees’ contribution to their healthcare, but we gave them an opportunity to earn a portion of it back. Following the “wheel of life” (a balance of time spent on family/friends, career, spirituality, health, wealth, recreation, relationships and personal space), our team had to work on six of the eight pieces during their off time and report back with a quick explanation of what they did. No strings, our only rule: it had to be memorable. (TV time with your family doesn’t count.)

4. Create the culture at the leadership level, or your employees and clients will create it for you.

5. Be prepared for a challenge. You may hire people that take advantage of your kindness; be prepared to deal with those situations as they arise.

6. Treat your team as an investment, not an expense.

Wasmer Company is your partner in energy conservation and consulting. They are experts in energy audits, power monitoring, building automation and more.

Looking for a career in a company that has a healthy company culture? Check out glassdoor.com.



economic development

Larry Burkhardt, CEcDExecutive Vice President

Fox Cities Regional Partnership

The Fox Cities Regional Partnership was formed by the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce as an af� liate of the Chamber, and structured as a public/private partnership. As such, the Regional Partnership has a segregated � nancial structure, which accounts for its revenues and expenses distinct from those of all other functions and programs of the Chamber.

Whether as an independent organization or aligned with a Chamber of Commerce, the vast majority of economic development organizations are structured as public/private partnerships. The exceptions to this fact would be a very small number of exclusively private sector funded organizations, and economic development departments totally within municipal and county governments.

In contrast to the Chamber of Commerce, which generates revenue through membership dues, sponsorships and events, the Regional Partnership’s activities are supported by Investors, who provide support based on their commitment to the economic growth of the community. Those who choose to invest in the efforts to enable economic development in the Fox Cities Region do so not as much to receive direct bene� t in the same way that a membership organization such as the Chamber might offer, but to advance the fortunes of the community and grow the primary job base.

When those efforts are successful, the Investors recognize that they will bene� t — in some cases directly, but in most cases indirectly. As an example, while a local bank may not necessarily secure the direct business banking activity of a company new to the community, it will likely see some increase in general banking activity as a result of the new payroll and business-to-business activity that the company brings to the area. That activity may take the form of new deposits and personal checking accounts of the company’s employees, increased activity resulting from the business activity that those employees produce for others of the banks customers, etc.

Overall, those who invest in local economic development efforts understand that they—as will all in the community—bene� t from direct, indirect and induced economic activity. In this way, the economic development organization ful� lls its mission of enhancing the quality of life for local residents.

The rationale for the public/private structure is simply recognition that economic development requires the support and participation of both government and the private sector in order to be successful. Each has distinct roles and responsibilities with regard to growing the local economy. At the risk of over-simpli� cation, the public

sector is in large part responsible for the enhancement of what is generally termed the business climate. Whether in planning for and installing necessary infrastructure (such as streets, water and sewer service), providing for public safety and other necessary services, or in establishing a reasonable regulatory framework, the public sector provides the setting in which the private sector determines whether or not to invest its risk dollars. The private sector then invests in those business activities that employ people and generate wealth.

The Fox Cities Regional Partnership enjoys the support of some 65 Investors and Supporters. Of these, 18 are from public sector entities around the Fox Cities and 47 are private sector employers—both large and small. It is no overstatement to indicate that the work of the Regional Partnership could not continue without the support of these companies and governments that understand the critical importance of growing the base of primary employers in our region.

INVESTING IN THE FOX CITIES’ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTHow Public and Private Partnerships are Helping Grow the Community

INVESTORSDO YOU SUPPORT FOX CITIES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?

REGI NALFOX CITIES

P A R T N E R S H I PA Wisconsin Business Powerhouse

GOVERNORS CIRCLE

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

INVESTORS CIRCLE

SUPPORTERS CIRCLEGarrow Oil Corp.

Great Northern Corporation

Landmark Staffi ng Resources

Nordon Business Environments

Martenson & Eisele

OMNNI Associates

Prospera Credit Union

Time Warner Cable

Town of Buchanan

Town of Clayton

Town of Greenville

Town of Menasha

Town of Neenah

Winnebago County

American National Bank Fox Cities

Business Lending Group

CopperLeaf Boutique Hotel and Spa

First National Bank Fox Valley

The following organizations provide Fox Cities Regional Partnership with specifi c tools to stimulate industry growth


BANKS

RETAILSERVICES

NON-PROFIT

TAXES

EXISTING INDUSTRYRETENTION/EXPANSION

NEW INDUSTRY ATTRACTION

LOCALGOVERNMENT

PRIVATECOMPANIES

FUNDING: Our investors provide support based on their commitment to the economic growth of the community, understanding that when development efforts are successful

they will benefit — both directly and indirectly.

SUPPORT FOR EMPLOYMENT GROWTH: We support existing Fox Cities primary employers to support expansions and hiring, as well as market the

Fox Cities to recruit new primary employers to the area.

INFUSION OF OUTSIDE $$ INTO THE AREA: As new wages circulate through our local retail,

service, professional, government and non-profit sectors; our regional

economy benefits.

HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING

FoxCitiesRegionalPartnership.com

INDUSTRY TARGETS

PROJECTED GROWTH

+

HIGHER THAN AVERAGE WAGES

+

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

=

FOX CITIES WEALTH

ADVANCED MANUFACTURINGPACKAGINGPAPERELECTRONICSSPECIALTY MACHINES

FOOD & BEVERAGE PROCESSING

DAIRY / CHEESEGRAINS

FROZEN FOODSCANNED GOODS

QUALITY BUSINESSSERVICESINSURANCEFINANCEENGINEERINGARCHITECTURAL

TRANSPORTATIONMANUFACTURING

HEAVY TRUCKSAEROSPACE

MILITARYEMERGENCY

MADE BETTER HERE


Fox Cities Chamber Business | JUNE 2014 11Fox Cities Chamber Business | SEPTEMBER 2014 11www.craigaugustinephoto.com . 920.810.2616

Craig

lifestyle . corporate . conceptual . product . industrial . architectural

leadership

by: Josh Dukelow Fox Cities Chamber, Vice President of Public Policy and Leadership

Helping Employers Find (and Keep) Skilled Workers

The Talent Crunch:

Over the past year or so, conversations with members and primary employers in our region have had one thing in common: the need to recruit, develop and retain skilled workers. More than any other business challenge, the need for talented workers has caused problems for employers.

What created this situation? Several factors contribute to the talent mismatch frustrating employers. First, despite the fact that the unemployment rate for adults with a bachelor’s degree is much lower than the general population, there are many educated professionals who have developed skills that are not in high demand. This is especially true for younger professionals with little applied work experience in their desired field. They have all the degrees and credentials, but can’t get started without actual experience on the job.

Additionally, the jobs that are highest priority for HR managers to fill often require skills that are best developed through technical training or on-the-

job experience. This applies to welders, project managers and maintenance engineers, just to name a few. With so much pressure on students and parents to attend prestigious four-year colleges, there aren’t as many students pursuing the trades and technical fields like engineering and information technology.

So what is being done about it? Lots!

At the state level, Governor Walker’s Blueprint for Prosperity includes millions of dollars for technical colleges to boost class sizes in the areas that are in greatest demand. By making room for more students in these fields, more graduates will be available for employers to hire.

Closer to home, UW-Fox Valley is part of a collaboration to bring the best engineering training classes offered by UW-Platteville to our area. Students can now earn a four-year bachelor’s in mechanical or electrical engineering right here in the Fox Valley. By reducing the costs of this high-demand degree, we should start to see more qualified

graduates to fill open positions at local employers very soon.

Growing our local talent is a top priority, but we also want to attract the best and brightest minds to our area. In order to help college students understand the opportunities available here, the Chamber is hosting an IT and Engineering Familiarization Tour for college seniors studying those fields. We will bring ambitious students from schools in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin for a three-day tour of employment opportunities here in the Fox Cities, and introduce them to the community, too. This immersive experience will show future workers what it’s like to work and play in our region.

Attracting experienced, senior-level talent is a particular challenge. HR managers and recruiters know that veteran professionals who have never visited (or even heard of) the Fox Cities are less likely to accept a job offer here. In order to boost our chances, the Chamber is offering the Concierge Plus program.


Chamber staff will work with a recruit to identify the quality-of-life elements that are most important to them (recreation, church home, schools, service opportunities, etc.) and demonstrate that life here can be as rich as or better than the place they currently live. This service can also be applied for retaining valuable talent that is already here by helping to build their social network in targeted areas.

The Chamber also offers Leadership Fox Cities in both a traditional format and an accelerated version for senior executives. Through hands-on community service and educational visits to local organizations and institutions, participants gain a deeper understanding of what makes the Fox Cities so special. The group also bonds and builds social connections that will help with career advancement and talent retention. Similar benefits are available on an on-going basis to young professionals through the Pulse Network.

Looking ahead, the Chamber is also exploring how we can support the unique needs of talented workers from diverse backgrounds. Employers have told us about particular challenges attracting and keeping African-American, Asian-American, Latin American and LGBTQ recruits. We want to bring companies together to learn from each other and share best practices with the rest of our region.

The talent crunch is a very real challenge for Fox Cities’ employers. The Chamber is working hard to help address this challenge to make our region the most competitive and prosperous it can be.

We encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas. Contact VP of Public Policy and Leadership Josh Dukelow at (920) 734-7101.


advocacy

Josh Dukelow, Fox Cities Chamber, Vice President of Public Policy and Leadership

The general election is Tuesday, November 4, 2014.

CURRENT PARTISAN SPLIT:

ASSEMBLY

SENATE

60 39

18 15

22 of 99 Assemblymen are retiring

7 of 17 State Senators are retiring

seats are uncontested or only have one major party candidate running

55of

116

Fewer Voices, Fewer Choices: What Can Diminished Candidate Numbers Tell Us About State Government?

As we approach the 2014 election a few things are certain: this is the most important election of your lifetime (until the next one), you are tired of the non-stop campaign commercials on radio and television, and your choices for who will represent you in Madison are the fewest they’ve been in years.

An analysis from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance shows that prior to the August partisan primary, the 2014 election already had the fewest number of candidates running since 2006 (246 vs. 243). Not only are there fewer candidates overall, but in 55 of the 116 legislative races being contested this year there is only one major party candidate running. What does this mean? In nearly half of the races this year, voters effectively have no choice about who will represent them in Madison.

Every two years, all 99 members of the State Assembly and one-third of the 33 State Senators are up for election. Currently, the Republicans are in control of both houses of the legislature, with a 60-39 advantage in the Assembly and an 18-15 majority in the Senate.

The partisan control of the legislature is not expected to change much after this

election. In fact, with 29 Republicans running uncontested for Assembly seats, that party is already 60 percent of the way to reclaiming their majority in that house.

One might think that a wave of retiring incumbents would make room for many new faces and encourage a robust competition for open seats. In 2014, fully one-quarter (29 of 117) of the contested seats are open as a result of a retiring incumbent. In the Senate, 41 percent (7 of 17) seats up for election have no incumbent running (three retiring Democrats and four retiring Republicans). Nonetheless, the GOP majority in the upper house is not expected to shift much more than one seat in either direction.

What can we make of this? At a time when voter dissatisfaction with government is high at all levels, we see fewer people running. Even when we see a wave of retiring incumbents (perhaps due to frustration with the partisan rancor and inertia) no significant change is expected in the balance of power.

The last time candidate numbers were this low was 2006, a time when voters were also dissatisfied with government, but they were also growing impatient with foreign wars. It was a nationalized “wave election” that advantaged Democrats at all levels of

government. We saw a counter-movement in 2010 when the Tea Party energized Republican candidates at all levels, and that party took over both houses of the State Legislature.

Definitive conclusions are hard to make. Election cycles with low numbers of candidates might indicate voter apathy or institutional frustration. High numbers of retiring incumbents could signal a sea-change in the legislature or bring us more of the same because of safe districts that advantage the major parties.

One thing is certain: voters lose when they have fewer choices on Election Day.


talent – education

David Botz, Little Chute School District Administrator Competitive Workforce Alliance Member

Contact our industry experts today! www.fvtc.edu/bis

Appleton 920-996-2949 • Oshkosh 888-458-0449

Services for Business & Industry

Customized. Innovative. Solutions.

“ Training from Fox Valley Tech is vital in helping us build a strong organization.”

Paul ClevelandManager, Distributor Training

Miller Electric Mfg. Co.

In today’s global economy, high school students must be well prepared for the demands of college and the workplace. Therefore, schools must provide and support the development of quality resources, tools and strategies designed to assist students as they transition from middle school to high school and into an increasingly wide array of post-secondary options.

I strongly believe that for schools to succeed in preparing students for post-secondary success, business partnerships must be established where relationships can be cultivated to create robust school-to-career programs.

The Fox Cities Competitive Workforce Alliance plays a vital role in creating and shaping those relationships between businesses and schools (and their students) in the Fox Valley Region. With their support and direction, The Fox Cities Competitive Workforce Alliance is building a bridge between schools and businesses to produce a vigorous and sustainable 21st Century workforce.

Why is the Competitive Workforce Alliance Valuable to You?


octoberfest

For complete details, visit octoberfestonline.org.

Octoberfest is a program of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH WAPL105.7FM

WestEndofCollegeAvenue:Big N’ Tasty Blues ............................................. 9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. Annie Rose Band ..............................................10:45 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Bobby Evans Band ............................................12:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. Vic Ferrari Band .................................................. 2:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

WIXX101.1FM

CornerofCollegeAvenue&DivisionStreet:Boogie and the Yo-Yo’z .................................... 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.Green Screen Kid ................................................ 1:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.RPM ....................................................................... 3:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

WNCY100.3FMY100

CornerofCollegeAvenue&SuperiorStreet:Rodeo DeVille ..................................................... 11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.Copper Box ........................................................... 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.Saving Savannah ................................................ 3:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

KISS95.9FMandKZ104.3FM

HoudiniPlaza,cornerofCollegeAvenue&AppletonStreet:Paperfest’s BOTB Winner ................................ 11:00 A.M. – 11:45 A.M.Kyle Megna & The Monsoons ..........................12:00 P.M. – 12:45 P.M.Leading the Blind ................................................ 1:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M.The Lately ............................................................2:00 P.M. – 2:45 P.M. Shaker and The Egg ...........................................3:00 P.M. – 3:45 P.M. Cool Waters Band ...............................................4:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

WVBO103.9FMandWNAM1280AM

CornerofCollegeAvenue&DurkeeStreet:Newtonburg Oktoberfest Band ...................... 9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.The Doo-Wop Daddies ...................................... 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.Sly Joe & The Smooth Operators .................... 1:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Road Trip .............................................................. 3:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

WYDR94.3FM&99.7FMTheDriveStage

HoudiniPlaza,cornerofCollegeAvenue&AppletonStreet:The Doo-Wop Daddies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6:00 – 9:30 P.M.

2014

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

STAGE 3

STAGE 4

STAGE 5

CONCERT SCHEDULE

Octoberfest Funds Granted

July 2014• Fox Cities Building for the Arts

received a $7,500 grant to assist with hosting the upcoming “Under the Hat! The Many Worlds of Dr. Suess” exhibit.

• Fox Cities Performing Arts Center received a $5,000 grant to assist with fees associated with hosting the Disney Fantasia – Live In Concert in collaboration with the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra.

• Friends of the Appleton Fire Department Foundation received a $2,500 grant to help with the continued restoration of Old Engine 5.

• History Museum at the Castle received a $2,000 grant for the upcoming exhibit “Neon: The Collection of Jed Schleisner.”


A One-of-a-Kind Beer for a One-of-a-Kind Festival

When Wisconsin Brewing Company in Verona realized that Wisconsin Distributors partnered with one of the largest Oktoberfest events in the country, creating an exclusive beer for the occasion felt like the right thing to do.

And so, Magic Marzeniac was born. “We wanted to brew a beer that reflected the heritage of the Fox Cities community, coupled with the authenticity of an Oktoberfest style lager,” said Kirby Nelson, Wisconsin Brewing Co. Brewmaster.

The name of this marzen-style beer was created through a contest held among Wisconsin Distributor’s employees. “We took two of our

employees’ suggestions and married their ideas,” said Tricia Schwartz, Wisconsin Distributors Marketing Manager. “‘Magic’ celebrates Appleton’s storied history with Harry Houdini, while ‘Marzeniac’ is a play on words with respect to the marzen style beer.”

Marzen beers originated in Bavaria and are typically characterized by a medium to full body, malty flavor with a clean dry finish.

“Over the years, we’ve expanded our beer menu to festival goers, but this is the first time we will have a product that was created specially for the festival,” said Susan Vanden Heuvel, Octoberfest Executive Director. “We are very excited!”

ww

w.

octoberfestonline.org



Join the fun – walk the Avenue among some of the coolest cars around.Enjoy live music by the Doo Wop Daddies in Houdini Plaza from 6 – 9 p.m.2014 Feature car: Ford Mustang

COLLEGE AVE. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 20146:00 - 9:30 P.M.

2014

Interested in displaying a car? Call (920) 734-7101 or visit octoberfestonline.org

This past June, “Star Wars” creator George Lucas announced that Chicago would be the home for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. In an article in the June 29, 2014 issue of The Post-Crescent, Lucas says his museum will promote themes such as innovation and education, among others.

When you think of innovation, do you think of Yoda and Luke Skywalker? Do you think of “Star Wars” as educational? Do you think of George Lucas as being entrepreneurial?

Innovation and entrepreneurship have gone hand-in-hand throughout our history. We follow the careers of people we think as innovative and entrepreneurial, such as George Lucas, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, with curiosity and amazement. What makes them innovative? What gives them the courage to become entrepreneurs? I suggest it is their “entrepreneurial mindset.”

What is an entrepreneurial mindset? It is the ability some people have to see what no one else sees. Steve Jobs was great at this. It is the ability to work in a larger organization to create value others cannot imagine.

Long before Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, Robert Noyce and his entrepreneurial friends began Silicone Valley back in the 1960s. An entrepreneurial mindset is also the ability to take an idea, start a venture and drive it to success when others only see risk.

Look around the Fox Valley, how many innovative and entrepreneurial people can you identify? They belong to your church, your Rotary Club, your Chamber of Commerce or your non-profit organization. These are the people that have an “entrepreneurial mindset” in our community. Embrace their ideas, seek out their opinions and invite them to be part of an advisory team.

At Lawrence University, we have courses, such as “In Pursuit of Innovation,” that teach students the history of innovation and entrepreneurship, not only in the U.S. but around the world. Students are challenged to explore within themselves their own idea of an “entrepreneurial mindset.”

As employers are you challenging your associates to explore their own “entrepreneurial mindset”? Are you giving them the freedom to be innovative? As I work with business owners, I see how these traits can contribute to owners’ equity in an organization.

Our challenge as business owners, corporate executives and community leaders is to cultivate and embrace those who have an “entrepreneurial mindset” within our organizations.

May the positive force of innovation and entrepreneurship be with you!

featured column

Gary Vaughan, Founder and President, Guident Business Solutions, LLC

Instructor of Innovation and EntrepreneurshipCoordinator of the I&E Interdisciplinary AreaLawrence University

Are you of the entrepreneurial mindset? Consider this …Before forging ahead, ask yourself, “Why do I want to start my own business?”• Is it for wealth?• Are you expected to take over a family business?• Do you just need a job?Regardless of your reason, one consistent ingredient for a successful entrepreneur is passion. Passion gets you through the tough times, the cash flow shortages, the long hours and sleepless nights.Owning a business is not a job or a career — it’s a lifestyle. Passion is the driving force. Do you have it?


Cultivating an Entrepreneurial

Mindset “Do or Do Not, There Is No Try!” - Yoda

featured column

APPROVEDApps you need to help your business.

App Name: Slack (slack.com)Function: Group and personal chat

Cost: Freemium (free but some features cost $)

Super cool feature: Cut internal email by 90 percent. A powerful and easy to use group chat program that will super charge your team/companies communication. Group chat is public and revolves around groups (useful for teams, departments or projects). Can also do private one-to-one conversations. They also have FANTASTIC mobile apps.

App Name: Pulse by Linkedin (pulse.me)Function: Organized News

Cost: Free

Super cool feature: Organize numerous news feeds from hundreds and hundreds of sources into one location. For instance, you can bounce around from “Business” category to “Food and Lifestyle” category. Automatically refresh to get the latest articles from sources like Entrepreneur Magazine, Time Magazine, Fast Company, Techcrunch and hundreds more!

App Name: Evernote (evernote.com)Function: Productivity

Cost: Free (Evernote Premium is $5/month, Evernote Business is $10/month/user)

Super cool feature: Collect web articles, capture handwritten notes or snap photos to keep physical records with your digital notes together. You can also create fast, one-click presentations from your notes in a screen-friendly layout.

App name: Over (madewithover.com)Function: Add text and artwork to photos

Cost: $1.99

Super cool feature: Add unique fonts and eye-catching artwork to your photos, giving your social media posts a professional, creative look. Your posts will not only stand out in crowded platforms, they’ll tell a story.

App

Recommendatio

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pulse

POLITICALLY-MOTIVATEDNope.

DELAYED GRATIFICATION Nope.

ATTENTION SPANNope.

FLEXIBILITY We’re not talking about calisthenics here. Tomorrow’s innovators don’t just desire flexibility, they require it—both in the way they work and the schedule they keep. Which shouldn’t be a problem given how tech-savvy and connected they are!

COLLABORATION Forget the lone-wolf, somber business characters of yore, YPs today are working together at every turn, and value the opportunity to observe their blind spots through the eyes of more experienced leaders and coworkers. Stepping outside the bubble of personal ownership in order to create a better product, innovation or idea is no big deal because the outcome is that much better. That being said, the emerging leaders of today also desire…

RECOGNITION Years of positive reinforcement from parents, teachers and mentors has made today’s YPs keenly aware of their impact on those around them. It’s not an ego thing; it’s an ability to measure successes through personal and professional relationships — a living, breathing litmus test of sorts.

MULTI-TASKING With inspector gadget-like resourcefulness, there is no limit to their ability to juggle multiple assignments and conversations — a positive side effect of a painfully short attention span.

COMMUNITY-MINDED The more things change, the more they stay the same. Younger generations have always been the most socially, culturally and community-minded among us. Today’s YPs are no exception. Making a difference is an essential part of their identities, both inside and outside of the office.

TECH SAVVY Technology won’t wait for anyone, but after growing up in a time when anticipation is muted by the ever-so-slight hum of a first generation iPad, YPs aren’t waiting around for new advances either. They actively seek the next best thing (and they already know how to use it). Adaptability is the name; converting to new, hyper-advanced marketing, e-commerce and social-media platforms is the game.

CONNECTED Today’s young professionals are more connected than ever before. Whether referring to relationships with peers, the technology they utilize or their parents (whose opinion they still hold in high regard), they are linked-in on every level. But don’t mistake it for dependence or clinginess. YPs simply value communication in a deep and meaningful way, which contributes significantly to their value in whatever field they employ.

Anatomy of a YP


“My favorite cause is the environment. Growing up in Wisconsin, I’ve always appreciated the access I’ve had to our natural resources — state parks, lakes and rivers, and recreational trails. It’s important that we make sure we protect these resources for future generations to enjoy. Locally, I’m involved in three different environmental organizations: the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust, the Fox River Environmental Education Alliance and the Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board.”

— Kim Biedermann, Outreach Program Manager, Business Success Center UW Oshkosh

“My favorite cause is the Best Friends of Neenah-Menasha. It’s imperative to let kids that may not have a lot of support in their lives know that they are important and that there are people out there who care about them. I’ve been with my ‘best friend’ for four years, and I have had a lot of fun

hanging out, experiencing the Valley and watching him grow.”

— John Werner, Senior Associate, Grant Thornton LLP

“My favorite cause is my service as a volunteer fire fighter for the Village of Little Chute because I get to serve the community where I live with some of the bravest and most dedicated people I know—my brother fire fighters. We get to help people at the worst time of their lives, and make a difference.”

— Rob Peterson, Associate Engineer – Manufacturing, Pierce Manufacturing

“The cause closest to my heart at the moment is Autism Speaks. My boyfriends’ son is on the spectrum, so I witness first-hand the daily struggle for communication, understanding and patience in a sometimes-apathetic world. There are so many questions and so few answers, but the number of families affected continues to grow exponentially. Research is the key to educating the public and maintaining hope for a cure, when the cause remains a mystery.”

— Adrienne Palm, Director of Leadership – Pulse & Cultivate, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and Industry

“Volunteering as a Junior Achievement class instructor has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had. My own grade school experience as a JA student planted an entrepreneurial spirit inside of me that has played a major role in all the professional goals I have achieved to date. It is a magical experience witnessing the ideas and creativity that students share with me in the classroom, making me feel that the lifelong lessons they are learning will be just as powerful for them as they were for me.”

- Preston Kendall, Financial Advisor, Robert W. Baird & Co

Ask a YP: Favorite Cause and Why?

Pulse offers volunteer opportunities monthly. Follow us on Facebook to find out about them.

Facebook.com/pulsefoxcities

PULSE Young Professionals Network


community spotlight

Menasha Youth Get a Place to Call Their Own

Kids in Menasha will soon have a new place to gather and grow. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in early September for the new $7.6 million Boys & Girls Club of Menasha, which will give area children and youth an improved opportunity to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

The new 33,000-square-foot club is slated to open in June 2015 at the corner of Racine and 6th Streets. It will feature a teen center, robotics lab, dance studio, two technology centers, a music and drama room, an art room, cafeteria, leaders room, games rooms, sound stage, and community gathering space.

Club leaders expect the new Boys & Girls Club of Menasha to serve more than 1,000 area children and youth annually.

The fundraising campaign is being led by John F. Bergstrom, Chairman and CEO of Bergstrom Corporation. “The young people of Menasha deserve a chance, and it is our duty as a community to provide resources to help our young people succeed,” said Bergstrom. “As a community-funded project, this Boys & Girls Club is truly an investment in all of our futures.”

Organizers express concern that Menasha youth need a place to call their own. There are no comprehensive youth organizations and centers located in the City of Menasha, yet the Menasha youth population has arguably the greatest need in the Fox Cities.

“Menasha youth need us all to help,” said Chris VanderHeyden, Superintendent of the Menasha Joint School District. “As our needs grow and our population diversifies, we’re excited to know the Boys & Girls Club’s proven programs will support and extend learning beyond the bounds of the traditional school day and year. Our partnership with the new Boys & Girls Club in Menasha will help us further ensure that all kids receive the support they need to reach their full potential.”

By Greg Lemke-Rochon

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley is a leading provider of youth services, working with more than 12,000 young people each year and an average of more than 1,100 each school day. It operates eight different Boys & Girls Clubs, including The CLUB Teen Center in downtown Appleton.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley

Average daily summer attendance: 300 (6- to 11-year-olds)

The CLUB Teen Center

Average daily summer attendance: 80 (12- to 18-year-olds)Visit bgclubfoxvalley.org for more information.

This architectural rendering illustrates what the new Boys & Girls Club of Menasha will look. The 33,000-square-foot facility is expected to open early next summer.

About the

Continued on page 23


Studies consistently show that Boys & Girls Club programs result in increased academic success, healthier and wiser choices, and an increased chance of further education beyond high school. Boys & Girls Club alumni are also well known to give back to the communities that have helped them grow.

“We couldn’t be more excited for Menasha youth. We know that when you give young people a safe place, caring adults, and access to constructive and challenging activities, they grow and they thrive,” said Greg Lemke-Rochon, Chief Professional Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley. “We believe our new Boys & Girls Club in Menasha will be a difference maker for many of the young people it will serve over the years. We are very grateful to all those who are coming together to support and lead this vital effort.”


1.800.236.2534 l www.kellerbuilds.com Offices in the Fox Cities, Madison, Milwaukee & Wausau

Employee-Ownersof Keller

Before You Buy The LandBefore You Draw The Plans

Call Keller.

Want your vision turned into a reality?

SteveArchitectKeller Employee-Owner

Keller’s on-staff Architects provide complete design services for our clients and are hands-on in determining floor layouts and building designs. Our team has the expertise necessary to personally create a space that is not only unique but completely functional and built to stand the test of time.

Keller, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned construction company. This means that our clients work with an owner of Keller each and every day. Our employees have a vested interest in the success of our company, working diligently to ensure that our clients are more than satisfied with the entire building process by performing the highest quality of work.

920.427.5077 www.guidentbusiness.com

Successful Journeys Need a Guide™

Without execution, they’re just numbers. Let us do the math.

American Republic Insurance ServicesLeslie Schroeder5317 Grande Market Drive, Suite CAppleton, WI 54913-8465(920) 380-9575www.aris-secure.comINSURANCE

B-104 Radio & Digital (Martini Media, LLC)Alex Mann3911 S. Washburn StreetOshkosh, WI 54904-8903(920) 230-1047www.b104online.comRADIO STATION

Brettschneider-Trettin-Nickel Funeral ChapelTim Trettin606 N. Oneida StreetAppleton, WI 54911-5010(920) 733-7383www.btlfuneral.comFUNERAL HOMES

Calmes CustomsTom Vanden HeuvelN2193 Bodde RoadKaukauna, WI 54130-9762(920) 766-7940www.jamesjcalmesconstruction.comCABINETS

Candeo CreativeZack Pawlosky21 Waugoo AvenueOshkosh, WI 54901-4848(920) 252-8128www.candeocreative.comMARKETING

Edward JonesPatrick MinskeyW5669 County Road KK, Suite HAppleton, Wi 54915-9398(920) 832-0744www.edwardjones.comFINANCIAL PLANNERS

Exit Elite RealtyLori Muller 1006 S. Lawe StreetAppleton, WI 54915-2009(920) 722-1100www.exitelitewi.comREAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL

F.J.A. Christiansen Roofing Co., Inc.Nicholas Dubey2101 W. Purdue StreetMilwaukee, WI 53209-6336(414) 445-4141www.christiansenroofing.comROOFING

Firestone Complete Auto CareRay Garbe612 S. Green Bay RoadNeenah, WI 54956-3154(920) 729-4798www.firestonecompleteautocare.comAUTOMOBILE & TRUCK REPAIRS & SERVICE

Health Payment Systems, Inc.Stacy Jo Salan735 N. Water Street, Suite 333Milwaukee, WI 53202-4103(414) 271-5000www.HPS.mdINSURANCE - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Heidel House ResortAlex Mabry643 Illinois AvenueGreen Lake, WI 54941-9750(920) 294-3344www.heidelhouse.comRESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER

J & J Machine, LLCJoe Valima1629 W. Haskel StreetAppleton, WI 54914-5033(920) 882-2175www.jjmachinellc.comMACHINE SHOP

Midwest Restoration - Fire & Water Damage SpecialistsCoyne Borree2230 Bohm DriveLittle Chute, WI 54140-2551(920) 460-3900www.mwrestoration.comFIRE & WATER RESTORATION

Milwaukee Burger CompanyKim Olsen421 N. Casaloma DriveAppleton, WI 54913-9153(920) 202-3558www.milwaukeeburgercompany.comRESTAURANTS

Options Lab, Inc.Bryan Wagner4110 W. Spencer Street, Suite 100Appleton, WI 54914-4064(920) 882-1646www.options-lab.netHEALTH CARE

Promotional PiecesLisa CoenenP.O. Box 183Hortonville, WI 54944-9204(920) 470-3631www.promotionalpieces.comPROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

Ramada AppletonJulie Brown1565 N. Federated DriveAppleton, WI 54913-8504(920) 560-3000www.ramada.comHOTELS/MOTELS

Scene NewspaperJim Moran19 E. Main StreetChilton, WI 53014-1427(920) 849-4651www.scenenewspaper.comNEWSPAPERS

STL Office SolutionsLarry Palmbach1300 S. Van Dyke RoadAppleton, WI 54914-8845(920) 955-9675www.poweredbystl.comSTAFFING SERVICES

Sun Roofing, Inc.John Sramkoski4538 N. French RoadAppleton, WI 54913-8363(920) 954-5545www.sunroofing.netROOFING

TML Auto, LLCTodd Lemmens3250 N. Mayflower DriveAppleton, WI 54912-1855(920) 716-3810www.tmlauto.bizAUTOMOBILE & TRUCK REPAIRS & SERVICE

TRC MidValley UtilitiesTodd CalmesN2193 Bodde RoadKaukauna, WI 54130-9762(920) 766-7940www.jamesjcalmesconstruction.comUTILITY CONTRACTOR

UltraCom WirelessRussell Holbrook425 W. Northland AvenueAppleton, WI 54911-1925(920) 955-3570www.ultracomwireless.comCELLULAR PHONES

Walcheske & Luzi, LLCScott Luzi4321 W. College Avenue, Suite 200Appleton, WI 54914-3968(920) 757-2440www.walcheskeluzi.comATTORNEYS

Winncrest Banquet Hall (Headliners Bar & Grill)Crista Schmidli2788 Towne CourtNeenah, WI 54956-9425(920) 886-0474www.headlinersbar.comBAR/BANQUET FACILITIES

diamond member honor roll | September — November 2014

The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce relies on its members to continue its work in promoting business interests in the Fox Valley region. Without these committed members, the Chamber would not be able to provide the high quality services it is known for.

Diamond Members are companies that have supported the Chamber and community for more than 40 years. We’d like to express our gratitude to the following Diamond

Member businesses for their membership and support to the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.• Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation• Appleton Lathing Corporation• Avis Rent A Car System Licensee• BMO Harris Bank• Brennan-Fraser Roofing &

Siding Co., Inc.• Carpetland U.S.A.• Golper Supply Co., Inc.

• Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin (NCW)

• Great Northern Corporation• Integrity Mutual Insurance Company• La Quinta Inn & Suites• Manpower, Inc.• Modern Business Machines• Pace Corporation• Wisconsin Distributors Appleton, LLC


new member welcome | September – November 2014


Schenck hosts workshops and seminars throughout the year to keep you up to date on the latest business and tax issues that may impact your organization.

Upcoming workshops include:Payroll Forum November 13 • 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Bridgewood Resort Hotel • 1000 Cameron Way, Neenah

Year-End Tax Planning Workshop November 18 • 8 – 9:30 a.m. Butte des Morts Country Club • 3600 W. Prospect Avenue, Appleton

Visit schencksc.com/events for more information and to register.

200 E. Washington Street • Appleton • 800-236-2246 • schencksc.com© Schenck sc 2014 8.14

Join us for a Business Improvement Workshop

Marketplace Financial Group109 East Bell Street Neenah, WI 54956(920) 886-0220 www.marketplacefinancialgroup.com

Bridge-It Languages, LLC Translate. Train. Retain. (With some FUN tossed in!)2305 W. Twin Willows Drive Appleton, WI 54914(920) 213-7810www.bridgeitlanguages.com

The advisors at Marketplace Financial Group, LLC seek to independently provide financial solutions to individuals and business owners alike. When clients come to Marketplace Financial Group, we provide them with a strategy that coordinates and streamlines their financial journey. We act as their financial architect, assembling various tactics to help them get the most from their investments.

As a group of independent financial advisors, we are not beholden to any

investment firms or third party vendors. Therefore, we are truly objective in the advice we give and the solutions we recommend.

Being an independent advisor firm also allows us more flexibility in working with our clients, and we recently revamped our marketing, providing an updated website with client resources, as well as social networking pages that provide routine value added content for our clients. Marketplace Financial recently expanded by adding a new financial advisor, Lisa Werner.

Bridge-It Languages, LLC, owner, manager and translator Kevin Anderle discovered his gift of learning Spanish as a second language more than 30 years ago, while living and studying for six months in Sevilla, Spain. Originally from Illinois, he got his career start and a graduate degree in training and development as an Employee Development Specialist for a K-12 publisher’s distribution warehouse. While there, Kevin facilitated Spanish/English new employee onboarding and safety training, and taught Spanish to management and English to employees during the off-season.

In 2012, Kevin founded Bridge-It Languages, LLC to serve companies who are frustrated with bridging the language gap and the Spanish-speaking community, especially when it comes to reducing the risk of life-altering injury on the job. “I want to make sure that when a head is nodding ‘yes’ during an explanation of a safety procedure, that it is a ‘nod of understanding,’” says Kevin.

While having documentation translated to Spanish or a bilingual format is important for understanding, Bridge-It will take that translated material a step further and design and develop a bilingual, customized,

multimedia training solution to help the employees better retain that new knowledge on the job. “For adults, I strongly believe that when you experience training that is interactive, meaningful and fun, you’ll better retain that new knowledge. Fun = Retention,” says Kevin.

Fun is also the main component to teaching employees Spanish with vocabulary buckets, which are specific to the Bridge-It Languages’ industry and language barrier challenges.


business showcase | june 2014

business showcase | july 2014

Valley Bakers Cooperative AssociationW6470 Quality DriveGreenville, WI 54942(920) 560-3214www.valleybakers.com

Established in 1949, Valley Bakers Cooperative Association developed a platform for bakeries in the Fox Valley to aggregate their buying power and decrease their ingredient costs. It began with founder Fran Quigley buying truckloads of flour and distributing them to bakeries in smaller increments, which demonstrated the efficiency and collective strength of the group.

Today, this Greenville-based company has grown to encompass five subsidiaries that include a distribution business, two transportation companies, a public storage facility and an e-commerce platform designed

to bring additional value to bakeries across the country. Valley Bakers Cooperative is thriving with 152 current employees and a membership exceeding 375 members – all of whom own shares of common stock.

As a cooperative, one of its core philosophies is to make members better business owners and provide multiple training opportunities throughout the year to assist them in that process. Valley Bakers Cooperative’s highlighted mission statement is to bring the best possible value to its membership by working in support of bakery traditions.


business showcase | august 2014

Cory Chisel and Dave Willems giving away Mile of Music prizes

at the Business Connection.

Expert beer tasters were on hand to sample Octoberfest’s Magic Marzeniac, brewed by Wisconsin Brewing Company especially for the event.

Attempts at stealing the Wisconsin Distributors beer truck are foiled by the driver. The 2014 Business Trifecta opens

with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Wisconsin Distributors hosts a Business Connection. We love

the creative tables!GingeRootz celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

Catching up at the Business Connection at Stone Cellar at

Riverview Gardens.

Speed networking at the Business Trifecta was very well received.


out and about

Celebrating a great shot and a great day at Ridgeway Country Club.

Clowning around with our Cellcom friends.

Hey there, First National Bank Fox Valley!

Anything to win a raffle prize. Thanks for the laughs,

A-mazing Events!

Gorgeous day for golf at Winagamie Golf Course.

Milwaukee Burger Girls having fun.

Wrapping up the day with friends.

Why yes, there is a Milwaukee Burger slider on my bloody mary.

Winagamie Golf Course is a great place to ponder life’s

great mysteries.


Winner

Winner

Winner

Business Award WinnersRising Star Award Rising Star Award

Rising Star | Service

Appleton920.882.2175 | jjmachinellc.com

J & J Machine specializes in rapid prototyping and low-lot production machining. They use programming software

to create 2-D and 3-D programs that increase productivity. The company experienced 27 percent growth in 2013 and

is on track to do the same or more in 2014.

Rising Star | Manufacturing

Rising Star | Wholesale/Retail

It is given to those ventures that have gotten off to a strong start and exhibit the potential for growing into a prosperous enterprise in the future. It is designed to encourage entrepreneurs who have been in business less than five years.

Appleton 920.940.8948 | bconnectedllc.com

BConnected is a team of thinkers and problem solvers dedicated to managing businesses social media presence

on a daily basis. They pride themselves on having an upbeat culture that fosters creativity and results. Just

three years they have gone from one client to 32, and seen triple digit revenue increases.

WI Self Storage is a state-of-the-art self-storage facility that offers complete comfort and protection for our tenants and their stored goods. Unlike other self-storage properties, customers drive their vehicle in to the 100 percent climate controlled building where they can load and unload their goods right at their unit.Appleton

920-843-8878 | wiselfstorage.com

J & J MachineJ & J Machine

WI Self Storage

BConnected


Winner

Winner

The roots of the United Way can be traced back to 1947, when Appleton, Neenah and Menasha each had a local United Way. In 1993, the individual entities merged to become United Way Fox Cities. United Way Fox Cities has adopted a “community impact business model,” focused on collaborating with community partners to create initiatives that promote a better life for all those living in the Fox Cities.

U.S. Venture has logged more than 7,100 volunteer hours for organizations that offer opportunities to the disadvantaged, improve the quality of people’s lives, and strengthen communities. Fox Valley

Area nonprofits and programs alone have been granted $852,000. Since its inception in 1986, The U.S. Venture Open golf tournament has earned

more than $18 million that goes to assist non-profit organizations in Northeast Wisconsin with a proven track record of success in

establishing or growing solid, critical programs that address the root causes of poverty and prevent people in episodic crisis from becoming

people of chronic need.

Corporate Leadership Award

Menasha920.954.7210 | unitedwayfoxcities.org

Appleton 920.739.6101 | usventure.com

Corporate Leadership AwardSmall Category

Corporate Leadership AwardLarge category

This award recognizes an organization whose philosophy of giving and community involvement has made a significant difference in the health and well-being of the Fox Cities. The award encourages and supports corporate social responsibility and community leadership.

United Way

U.S. Venture


Winner

Winner

Business of the Year

Business of the Year Large category — Wholesale/Retail

This award recognizes businesses for outstanding performance, job growth, increasing sales, overcoming adversity, and community contributions. These companies have demonstrated staying power and a substantiated history as an established business.

Greenville920.560.3200 | valleybakers.com

In 1949, the founder of the company began buying truckloads of flour and distributing them to bakeries in small increments,

which demonstrated the efficiencies and collective strength of the group. Today, Valley Bakers Cooperative Association

operates five wholly owned subsidiaries: two transportation companies, a public warehouse facility, and an online bakery

marketplace; all located in Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan.

Valley Bakers Cooperative Association

Business Award Winners

Business of the Year Small Category — Wholesale/Retail

Appleton 877.991.2561 | advancedptsm.com

Frank’s Pizza Palace is recognized as the first pizza joint in Appleton and home of the best fresh made

sausage around. Known for their hospitality, customers bring their kids and grandkids time

and again because Frank’s treats them like family.

Frank’s Pizza Palace


Winner

Winner

Winner

Neenah920.722.7741 | gallowaycompany.com

Galloway Company has been in business for nearly sixty years and is a third generation company. It has evolved

from a bottler and regional distributor of fresh milk to the country’s largest supplier of sweetened condensed milk

and cream liqueur beverage bases and one of the region’s largest suppliers of high quality fresh ice cream mixes.

Business of the YearLarge category — Manufacturing

Galloway Company

Appleton 877.991.2561 | advancedptsm.com

What started with two physical therapists and one office personnel and a one room facility, into 45+ employees and

several locations throughout the Fox Cities. Advanced Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine provides outpatient physical and

occupational therapy and individualized care based on clinical expertise with commitment to patient advocacy.

Business of the YearSmall Category — Service

Advanced Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine

Neenah800-558-6411 | jewelersmutual.com

Jewelers Mutual is more than 100 years old and was started in the back room of a jewelry store in Neenah. Today the company serves nearly 10,000 jewelry businesses and 300,000 jewelry owners and remains the only insurance company dedicated solely to serving the jewelry industry in the United States and Canada. Jewelers Mutual has been named to the list of Ward’s 50 top performing insurance companies for the last three consecutive years.

Business of the YearLarge Category — Service

Jewelers Mutual


Winner

Winner

Company Innovation Award

Company Innovation Large Category

Appleton920.543.6784 | optimal-marketing.com

Optimal Digital Marketing encompasses the technical, visible and emotional parts of marketing, a thoughtful

strategy that includes design, development and messaging. Originally designed to help businesses thrive online, they

have evolved into the most complete digital marketing service in the Fox Valley. The innovation that Optimal

Digital Marketing uses is borrowed from the principles from Kanban, a Japanese process of getting work done that was

created by Toyota.

Company InnovationSmall Category

This award honors an organization that has implemented significant innovation in their business in the past year in response to the changes to the economy. Applicants needed to describe the innovation, why it is innovative and how it has positively impacted the business.

Appleton920.968.0110 | omniresources.com

Omni Resources focuses on understanding their client’s needs and delivering creative business solutions by managing

technology. Their innovation process is designed to make technology an asset for their clients, enabling them to better

serve their customers, differentiate themselves from their competition and strengthen their business. Since moving to an employee owned company in 2009, Omni now fosters a culture

of innovation for itself and its clients.

Optimal Digital Marketing

Omni Resources

Business Award Winners


Winner

Winner

Exemplary Performance Award

Petit & Dommershausen, SC is a group of law abiding citizens who have a different vehicle for marketing their services. They use a fleet of eight Fiat cars that are custom wrapped with their marketing message. Combined with other traditional marketing approaches, the company has increased revenue by 35% and increased from six attorneys to nine.

Affinity Health System utilizes a complete media mix of direct mail, radio, outdoor, online, print ads, videos, TV spots, open house events and more. The combined approach has increased website visits from 230 one year ago to 2,345.

Menasha920.720-1700 | affinityhealth.org

Exemplary Performance — Small Category

Exemplary Performance — Large Category

This award acknowledges organizations that have taken risks around their marketing and promotional practices that improved revenue.

Petit & Dommershausen, SC

Affinity Health System

Menasha920.739.9900 | pdlawoffice.com


920-830-1290 cffoxvalley.org

We can help

Move beyond the

MEto strenghthen the

WERemember your

commUNITY.

Give now and for future generations


SeptemberBusiness ConnectionTuesday, September 9, 2014Appleton Yacht Club 1200 S. Lutz Drive, AppletonCome to the launch of the new beer, Magic Marzeniac, specifically brewed for Octoberfest by Wisconsin Brewing Company

Pulse Lunch & LearnWednesday, September 10, 2014

Leadership Fox Cities RetreatSeptember 18 & 19, 2014

Accelerate Your MembershipThursday, September 25, 2014UW Oshkosh Executive Education Center 2323 E. Capital Drive, Appleton

License To CruiseFriday, September 26, 201450th Anniversary of the Ford Mustang

Octoberfest Saturday, September 27, 2014

OctoberPulse Lunch & LearnWednesday, October 8, 2014

Business ConnectionWednesday, October 14, 2014Thrivent Financial, 4321 N. Ballard Road, AppletonThrivent Financial will share its annual Report to the Community as part of the Business Connection

Octoberfest Volunteer PartyFriday, October 17, 2014Liberty Hall, 800 Eisenhower Drive, Kimberly

Pulse CEO BreakfastTuesday, October 28, 2014Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company 24 Jewelers Park Drive, Neenah

NovemberThe Event Celebrating BusinessWednesday, November 5, 2014Radisson Paper Valley Hotel

Business ConnectionTuesday, November 11, 2014Miron Construction, 1471 McMahon Drive, Neenah

Pulse Lunch & LearnWednesday, November 12, 2014

Accelerate Your MembershipThursday, November 20, 2014UW Oshkosh Executive Education Center, 2323 E. Capital Drive, Appleton

DecemberBusiness ConnectionTuesday, December 9, 2014SECURA Insurance 2401 S. Memorial Drive, Appleton

Pulse Lunch & LearnWednesday, December 10, 2014

2015Economic Outlook BreakfastWednesday, February 11, 2015Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton

Business Trifecta Wednesday, June 10, 2015Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton

Go to www.foxcitieschamber.com for up-to-date event details.

Calendar of Events

Three years ago, the Fox Cities Chamber reformatted its annual meeting into a celebration of business success. As the title sponsor of The Event, Baker Tilly is proud of what it represents—supporting our local business and community leaders and recognizing their accomplishments.

Since its inception, I, as well as many other chamber members, have sat on The Event’s planning committee. We meet throughout the year to discuss how we can continue to make The Event better. After three years, and with your input, we are shaking things up this year, with a new location, format and theme.

Moving to the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, we are eliminating the formal,

seated awards presentation and creating an evening long reception. You will enjoy endless networking opportunities, live music and video enhancements. Our theme, “Casino Royale,” will inspire your inner James Bond, and comes with a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas.

You asked; we listened. After all, you are what The Event is all about. So please save the date to join me, along with many of our community and business leaders on Wednesday, November 5 as we celebrate the success of our peers.

Sponsorship opportunities for The Event are available. Contact Susan Vanden Heuvel at [email protected] for more information.

A New Spin on the Area’s Largest Celebration of BusinessBy, Angela Horn, Senior Marketing Associate, Baker Tilly


POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:Fox Cities Chamber Businessc/o Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc.125 N. Superior StreetAppleton, WI 54911

F O X C I T I E S C H A M B E R

STRONG &CONSISTENT

We focus exclusively on businesses and individuals with sophisticated needs. We help our clients achieve success, which in return leads to our success. In fact, First Business reported record net income of $13.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Visit www.firstbusiness.com for details or call us today to see how we can help you.Fox Cities: 920-734-1800Oshkosh: 920-231-2400Green Bay: 920-435-5442

so you can be too.

Member FDIC

Y O U R S U C C E S S C O M E S F I R S T.

Business Banking | Specialized Lending | Equipment Finance | Retirement Services | Private Wealth Management

(L-R) Mickey Noone, PresidentTim McKeag, Vice PresidentFirst Business Bank - Northeast

september 2014 | volume 15 | issue 3

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