The Bridge May 2015 by The FMWF Chamber of Commerce

Bridge May 2015 | Vol 18 | No. 9

the

Corporate Cup

Teams are sold out but volunteers are still needed 3 ChamberChoice Announcing the 2015

ChamberChoice candidates

12 Leadership Fargo

Moorhead West Fargo

Class partners with area nonprofits

Message For more than 20 years, The Chamber has recognized the outstanding businesses and organizations within the community that make a difference in our region every day. The ChamberChoice Awards are an opportunity for us to shine a befitting spotlight on all the incredible member businesses that help our economy grow and thrive. Applying for the awards involves a rigorous process that begins with nominations, and I’m ecstatic to announce we received nearly 300 nominations—an incredible testament to the engagement of our members and the vitality of our member businesses. As the 59 applications came pouring in at the end of March, we soon realized how lucky our community is to be home to so many exciting, worthwhile businesses, nonprofits and entrepreneurs. I do not envy the judges or their difficult task of evaluating the applications to determine the 2015 winners. Recognizing our members is a crucial component of our job as your Chamber of Commerce. We know how hard you all work, and we all enjoy one of the best local economies in the nation because you have mastered your work yet continue to innovate and inspire. Our hope is that all businesses, nonprofits and entrepreneurs involved with

ChamberChoice — from nominees to candidates to finalists to the eventual winners — feel honored for the recognition received; it is well deserved and well placed. We work hard to ensure the benefits of winning a ChamberChoice award don’t stop after everyone has left the award show. The seven winners are featured in their own member profile in The Bridge and on our blog. For the first time this year, the 2014 ChamberChoice winners had the opportunity to present their best practices at one of our Business Training sessions. We have also discovered that some past participants found unexpected benefits in the process. The rigorous application process gives applicants an in-depth look of their organization, drawing attention to details they often overlook. Applicants, and especially winners, have also been impressed by the relationships that can develop from the exposure they receive throughout the process. Please consider joining us on May 19 as we recognize the stars of our business community. The ChamberChoice Awards Luncheon promises to be a thrilling event with surprises, laughter and maybe even some tears.

Board of Directors

Events

4 Chamber Challenge

8 Advocacy Events

From Kegs & Issues to Legislative Wrap-Ups, it's a full month

14 Business Training Learn about leadership excellence from past ChamberChoice winners

16 Women Connect Understand how to connect with presence

33 Community Events Check out all the fun things happening in our community

2 | May 2015

Members

20 Profile

Smartt Interior Construction designs for tomorrow

21 Spotlight

Find out which members can help with your outdoor spaces

22 Company News Read about awards and recognition members have received recently

24 People News

See the latest new employees, promotions and awards

28 New Members

Learn about the members that recently joined The Chamber

Doug Restemayer Jon Riewer Judd Graham Bernie Dardis Chuck Driscoll Thomas Astrup Kyle Dorow Jodi Duncan Don Gronke Katie Hasbargen Peggy Kennedy Norm Leslie Kathy Lewin Paul Richard Steve Swiontek Jeff Volk

D-S Beverages, Inc. Chair of the Board Eventide Senior Living Communities Chair Elect Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Treasurer Indigo Signworks Immediate Past Chair Red River Refrigeration, Inc. Member at Large American Crystal Sugar Company Essentia Health Flint Communications, Inc. State Farm Insurance Microsoft Minnesota State Community and Technical College National Hospitality Services City of West Fargo Sanford Health Gate City Bank Moore Engineering, Inc.

Chamber Staff Craig Whitney Jim Parsons Julie Doggett Darren Dunlop Samantha Gust Tracy Meckler Gail Petersen Elly Peterson Tracy Powell Bobbi Jo Rehder Kaylyn Stroh Mickayla Thompson Julie Yourczek

President/CEO Vice President of Finance/Operations Information Systems Administrator Business Development Manager Professional Development Coordinator Membership & Advertising Sales Manager Membership Relations Coordinator Government Affairs & Advocacy Coordinator Director of Events & Programs Events Coordinator Publications & Program Marketing Coordinator Administrative Services Coordinator Administrative Support Coordinator

THE BRIDGE (USPS 124-430) is published monthly by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber. For each issue received, $3.50 of membership dues are applied toward subscription of the newsletter. Periodicals Postage Paid at Fargo, ND 58102 and at additional mailing offices. Publication No. 124430. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Bridge, PO Box 2443, Fargo, ND 58108-2443; 218.233.1100.

2015

ChamberChoice luncheon

May 19 | Noon to 1:30 p.m. Ramada Plaza & Suites and Conference Center

James Cunningham Master of Ceremonies

Presented By

In true awards show fashion, James Cunningham will again have us laughing and on the edge of our seats waiting to hear who the 2015 ChamberChoice award winners are. Be sure to vote for the People’s Choice Award online May 1 through 15. Watch for more details in the eBridge and on social media. Register at 218.233.1100 or at www.fmwfchamber.com.

Award Sponsors

#ChamberChoice15

The Forum O F

Spotlight on ChamberChoice Candidates

F A R G O - M O O R H E A D

We have so much to be proud of when it comes to our dynamic, thriving business community, and we are pleased to recognize so many deserving companies, nonprofits and entrepreneurs who are making a difference in the region. It is with immense pride that we announce the following as candidates for the 2015 ChamberChoice Awards. Congratulations to all of you on this achievement! Amanda McKinnon American Red Cross - Red River Valley Chapter Animal Health Clinic Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties BlackRidgeBANK Border States Electric Brady Nash ByteSpeed Choice Financial Courtyard by Marriott FargoMoorhead Dan Hurder Discovery Benefits, Inc. Emergency Food Pantry, Inc. Erik Hatch Fargo Air Museum Flint Communications, Inc. Gate City Bank - Corporate Office Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation Hatch Realty Heritage Homes, LLC Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County Homeward Animal Shelter Hospice of the Red River Valley Hotel Donaldson

International Marketing Systems, LTD JLG Architects Kelly Norton Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Dakota Mark Lindquist Matthew Lachowitzer Matt’s Automotive Service Center Medical Weight Loss Specialists Midcontinent Communications Minuteman Press Moore Engineering, Inc. NetWork Center, Inc. Nor-Son, Inc. Office Sign Company Onsharp Plains Art Museum Robert Gibb & Sons, Inc. Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley Ryan Fritz Starion Financial The Apartment Movers, Inc. Thrivent Financial TNT Kid’s Fitness & Gymnastics Total Imaging TrueIT Youthworks

Bankers. Experts. Friends.

Corporate Table Sponsors

Alerus Financial The Apartment Movers, Inc. Bank of the West Bell State Bank & Trust Bethany Retirement Living BlackRidgeBANK Cass County Electric Cooperative Inc. Choice Financial Cornerstone Bank Discovery Benefits, Inc. Eide Bailly LLP Enventis Games Galore Party Rental Gate City Bank GOLDMARK Property Management

Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation Heartland Trust Company InterceptEFT KFGO-AM Mighty 790 KLJ Microsoft Moore Engineering, Inc. North Dakota State University ROERS TNT Kid’s Fitness & Gymnastics U.S. Bank Western State Bank

Event Production Sponsor Sponsors as of publication date.

| Noon 5 1 y l u J , y Wednesda ry Club t n u o C w o Oxb Superheros and Villians is the theme for this year’s annual golf tournament. Teams and sponsors are invited to participate in the theme but it is not required. Prizes will be given for the best themed Tee Box or Hole Sponsor and best theme-dressed team. Teams and Tee Box Sponsorships have sold out but Hole Sponsorships are still available and include: § Two complimentary golf passes and admission to the 19th Hole Happy Hour where you can provide a door prize. § Opportunity to greet and network with each foursome as well as give away prizes and specialty items or gifts. § Recognized on event web page with a link to your company’s website. § Company name recognition in The Bridge. § Signage on printed materials and exclusive signage at the hole. Please call 218.233.1100 to reserve your hole sponsorship or be put on the waiting list for a team or tee box sponsorship.

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f l f l o o G G F F W W M ##FFM Why

Leader Board Sponsor

4 | May 2015

GOLF!

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! NO! It’s the Helicopter Golf Ball Drop! Proceeds to benefit the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Buy a golf ball for a chance to win $1,000!

Individual Golf Ball Tickets - $5 5 Golf Balls - $20 12 Golf Balls - $50 For every ticket sold, a numbered golf ball will be placed randomly in a bucket and dropped from a helicopter between 6 and 6:30 p.m. while it hovers over the driving range at Oxbow Country Club. The first participant whose numbered golf ball goes into the hole or closest to the hole will win the grand prize of $1,000! The contestant who purchased the winning golf ball will be announced at the social. Raffle tickets can be purchased at The Chamber office; online at www.fmwfchamber.com; or by calling 218.233.1100. Participants will be assigned a numbered golf ball(s) that corresponds to their purchase. YEA! is a year-long program that teaches middle and high school students how to start and run their own real businesses. The YEA! program puts students on a path to college and career success and enables students to transition successfully to adulthood; achieve higher financial literacy; develop business acumen; build character based on personal principles and values; connect to local business leaders; become involved in their communities; and pursue their dreams by harnessing their creativity and energy. The program also creates a culture of innovation in schools and communities across the nation as well as fosters an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset in young people, educators and community members.

Sponsored by

Business After Hours

Thursday, June 11 | 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott Fargo-Moorhead Registration Members Only $22 in advance | $32 at the door Register at www.fmwfchamber.com or by calling 218.233.1100.

#FMWFBAH Sponsored by

6 | May 2015

Eggs & Issues

Join Us

Thursday, June 2 7:30 to 9 a.m. Radisson Hotel Fargo

ND Water Issues and Trends: Industrial, Ag, and Energy Steve Burian, CEO of Advance Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (AE2S) and cochair of the Valley Prosperity Partnership, will discuss water issues and trends in North Dakota with regards to how H2O impacts everything from our domestic and industrial growth, to sustained agricultural success, to keeping the energy industry booming. Burian is a North Dakota native who has devoted his career to water consulting. He co-founded AE2S in 1991 and grew it from a two-person environmental, civil and geomatics firm into a company that employs more than 300 people with offices throughout the Upper Midwest and Upper Rocky Mountain Region, including the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo region. He has received several regional and national awards recognizing his leadership and dedication to the water and engineering profession.

Registration (includes breakfast) Chamber Members: $20 General Admission: $30 Register at www.fmwfchamber.com or by calling 218.233.1100.

#FMWFEggs Presenting Sponsor

Breakfast Host

8 | May 2015

Eggs & Issues

Impact of changing oil prices Last month, Niles Hushka, CEO of KLJ Solutions, assured a crowd of over 160 attendees that although Bakken oil production may be slowing at the moment, North Dakota has a strong future in the energy industry. Hushka provided an in-depth and informative talk about the barriers the Bakken and North Dakota face in the oil industry, including one of the top issues: difficulty accessing refineries. He also shared an optimistic outlook on growth and job creation across the state, explaining that the Bakken oil formation will be in play for years to come. Check out what one of the attendees had to say:

“Very interesting presentation on the reasons the Bakken will continue to affect North Dakota for many years. Great explanation on price trigger points.”

Kegs & Issues

Learn about the Minnesota Vikings stadium Thursday, May 7 4 to 5 p.m. | Social from 5 to 6 p.m. D-S Beverages, Inc.

& Issues Eggs

Join Us

Advocacy

You don’t want to miss Kegs & Issues, a very unique and special event where we will host Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA). The MSFA will own and operate the new Viking stadium. Michele leads the Authority in its role of planning and designing the new world-class stadium and will be giving us the insiders scoop on the new facility. After the presentation, stick around to ask questions and network while enjoying hot dogs and cold drinks. Registration $20 in advance | $25 at the door Register at www.fmwfchamber.com or by calling 218.233.1100.

Presenting Sponsor

Advocacy

Join Us

With fluctuating oil prices and unpredictable production numbers, the state budget has been a hot topic this session. From infrastructure to flood protection to tax relief, the North Dakota legislature is passing significant legislation that will impact your business. Join us to hear from key legislators what you need to know about the 2015 session and beyond. The event will feature Sen. Judy Lee, Sen. Tim Mathern, Rep. Thomas Beadle, Rep. Al Carlson and Rep. Ben Hanson. They will share their insights and opinions on the last session. Chris Berg, host of KVLY 6:30 Point of View, will serve as the moderator for this event. Because we have a full public affairs calendar for May, the North Dakota Legislative Wrap-Up will replace the monthly Eggs & Issues forum.

Lee

Beadle

Minnesota Thursday, May 28 Noon to 1:30 p.m. Hjemkomst Center

Tuesday, May 5 Noon to 1:30 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn Fargo

North Dakota

Join Us

Legislative Wrap-Ups

As a representative of two border cities, The Chamber works to advocate across state lines. The Minnesota legislature is working to pass key legislation that will impact your business. The Minnesota Legislative Wrap-Up will bring key lawmakers and special guests who will tell you what you need to know about what happened during the 2015 session. The event will feature Sen. Kent Eken, Rep. Ben Lein and Rep. Paul Marquart. They will share their insights and opinions on the last session. Berg will also moderate the Minnesota Legislative Wrap-Up.

Mathern

Carlson

Eken

Hanson

Lein

Marquart

Registration per Wrap-Up (includes lunch) Chamber Members: $25 General Admission: $40 Register at www.fmwfchamber.com or by calling 218.233.1100.

Legislative Wrap-Up Sponsors

www.fmwfchamber.com | 9

LFMWF Program Sponsors

Congratulations!

2014-15 Leadership class Over the last nine months, the participants of the Leadership Fargo Moorhead West Fargo class have developed the skills necessary to continue down their paths of leadership, explored various aspects of our community and given back to the place they call home through nonprofit projects.

Stephen Astrup JD Legal Planning P.L.L.C.

Keith Bergseth Bergseth Bros. Co., Inc.

William Brandt Microsoft

David Ebinger Moorhead Police Department

Craig Ehrmantraut Cornerstone Bank

Nicole Erickson AgCountry Farm Credit Services

Jacquelyn Erovick Otter Tail Corporation

Debra Gemar Hospice of the Red River Valley

Jennifer Gompf Winmar Sleep Wellness Center

Fredrick Greer Forum Communications Company

Tonya Hansen Minnesota State University Moorhead

Chris Heaton West Acres Development, L.L.P.

Nathan Hendrickson TNT Kid's Fitness & Gymnastics

Joshua Huffman The Village Family Service Center

Chad Jaroszewski Bell State Bank & Trust

Leissa Johnson Serco Global Services, LLC

Lindsay Johnson Discovery Benefits, Inc.

Tracy Jordre JLG Architects

LEADERSHIP Fargo Moorhead West Fargo

10 | May 2015

LFMWF

Tyler Klose Border States Electric

Kristin Krile Dress for Success Red River Valley

Courtney Larson Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation

Sara Lingwall Essentia Health

Patrick Lorenson Ramsey National Bank

Katie Lowry TMI Hospitality

Timothy Lystad John Deere Electronic Solutions

Daniel Madler Beyond Shelter, Inc.

Jordan McCormick Family Wellness, LLC

Matthew Oachs Western State Bank

Alycia Peter Rasmussen College

Travis Riffey Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Diane Sandven Heartland Trust Company

Valerie Schwantes Enventis

Joanna Slominski Mortenson Construction

Kenneth Story Homeward Animal Shelter

Kristen Sullivan GOLDMARK Property Management

Joshua Swanson Vogel Law Firm

Shannon Uecker Essentia Health

“My favorite part is the opportunity to share ideas with a diverse group of people. Everyone is committed to the community and making sure we’re doing our part to ensure a bright future. We want to continue what’s been done in the past so when we’re in positions of leadership we have that same forward-thinking, progressive vision for the community.”

Josh Swanson

www.fmwfchamber.com | 11

LFMWF

Giving Back

Leadership class serves local nonprofits through program projects Each year, Leadership Fargo Moorhead West Fargo (LFMWF) partners with local nonprofit organizations who have applied for assistance from the class. Seven nonprofits are selected, and class members learn about each nonprofit’s needs before selecting which organization they would like to give their time. Since last November, each of the LFMWF groups have devoted countless hours to their nonprofit and during this session, they shared their accomplishments with the class. Executive Director Pat Traynor kicked off the day with a welcome at the Dakota Medical Foundation. Traynor shared with the class the integral role the Leadership class played in the creation of the DMF Lend A Hand program. The class ended the day hearing from one of FMWF’s finest, Margie Bailly. She shared with us how to find leadership lessons in everyday life, whether it’s from your mother, your children or even the movies. They left knowing that just because the class is nearing its end, doesn’t mean their journey as a leader is ending, it’s just beginning.

Emergency Food Pantry

Will Brandt, Microsoft Deb Gemar, Hospice of the Red River Valley Tracy Jordre, JLG Architects Tyler Klose, Border States Electric Val Schwantes, Enventis Shannon Uecker, Essentia Health Project Vision: Improve and revitalize the waiting room of the Emergency Food Pantry to change the entire experience of coming to food distribution, creating a friendly, welcoming space where client dignity, comfort and overall experience are prioritized.

Faith Lutheran Church

Stephen Astrup, JD Legal Planning P.L.L.C. Nicole Erickson, AgCountry Farm Credit Services Nate Hendrickson, TNT Kid’s Fitness Courtney Larson, Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation Sara Lingwall, Essentia Health Ken Story, Homeward Animal Shelter Project Vision: Increase annual giving and service attendance through research and the creation of a budget strategy, development plan, communication plan and implementation schedule.

12 | May 2015

Farm in the Dell

Craig Ehrmantraut, Cornerstone Bank T.J. Hansen, Minnesota State University Moorhead Matt Oachs, Western State Bank Kristen Sullivan, GOLDMARK Property Management Josh Swanson, Vogel Law Firm Project Vision: Increase “friend-raising” through the development of a marketing plan for the annual Friends of the Farm fundraising event.

FM Coalition for Homeless Persons Dave Ebinger, Moorhead Police Department Jen Gompf, Winmar Sleep Wellness Center Fred Greer, Forum Communications Company Dan Madler, Beyond Shelter, Inc. Alycia Peter, Rasmussen College

Project Vision: Gain an understanding of the business community’s knowledge and attitude of poverty and homelessness in the FMWF community through a survey, followed by the development of a marketing campaign to inform the community of the issues surrounding these topics and to increase involvement of the business community with the coalition.

LFMWF Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Dakota Kristine Krile, Dress for Success Red River Valley Pat Lorenson, Ramsey National Bank Katie Lowry, TMI Hospitality Tim Lystad, John Deere Electronic Solutions Jordan McCormick, Family Wellness, LLC Travis Riffey, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Project Vision: Gain professional perspective in talking with current volunteers, establish baseline data and develop an effective volunteer management structure to enhance engagement and provide a sense of community for the volunteers to improve retention.

The Red River Zoo

Keith Bergseth, Bergseth Bros. Co., Inc. Chris Heaton, West Acres Development, L.L.P. Joshua Huffman, The Village Family Service Center Leissa Johnson, Serco Global Services Diane Sandven, Heartland Trust Company Joanna Slominski, Mortenson Construction Project Vision: The zoo wanted to gain an understanding of the views residents have of the organization by surveying the FMWF community and, in turn, develop a marketing strategy to raise awareness and attendance.

Youthworks

Jackie Erovick, Otter Tail Corporation Chad Jaroszewski, Bell State Bank & Trust Lindsay Johnson, Discovery Benefits, Inc. Project Vision: Improve and expand the “We’ve Got You Covered” event which provides gently used clothes at no cost for students, by partnering with local businesses, securing storage for donations and assisting with marketing of the event.

Apply Today

Applications for the 2015-16 program now available Become the leader you want to be and connect with your community in a way you never have before. Leadership Fargo Moorhead West Fargo is a nine-month leadership program that runs August through April, followed by a commencement ceremony in May, which meets monthly. Participants will: § Develop long lasting relationships with other leaders. § Discover the inner workings of their community and challenges facing the region. § Define their individual role and responsibility as a leader within their organization and their community. Applications close May 28. Check out www.fmwfchamber.com for more information. Questions? Contact Sam at 218.359.0529 or sgust@fmwfchamber.com.

Program Schedule All sessions are Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted. August 13 - Orientation Friday, September 11 - Ropes Course | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. September 24 - The Chamber’s Annual Meeting Noon to 1:30 p.m. October 8 November 13 December 10 January 14 February 11 March 10 April 14 May 12 - Graduation

www.fmwfchamber.com | 13

Business Training

Leadership Excellence

Join Us

Wednesday, May 13 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott Fargo-Morhead

Savvy Strategies used by ChamberChoice Winners Want answers to your burning questions about leadership? Our panelists will answer a variety of questions about effective leadership, identifying great employees, mentorship and more.

Shannon Bock CCRI, Inc.

Chad Kost Spectrum Aeromed

Registration (includes lunch) Chamber Members: $25 in advance | $35 at the door General Admission: $45 in advance | $55 at the door Register at www.fmwfchamber.com or by calling 218.233.1100.

Sher Thomsen United Way of Cass-Clay

Jason Boutwell Marco, Inc.

Julie Laufenberg Integreon Managed Solutions

#FMWFTraining

When itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service that counts, we are here to serve you with over

520 Main Ave. | Fargo, ND

(701) 271-6630 14 | May 2015

of combined insurance experience!

Insurance Products Are:

NOT FDIC INSURED NOT A DEPOSIT

NOT BANK GUARANTEED

MAY LOSE VALUE

NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Business Training

Join Us

Wednesday, June 10 Marcus Theatres

Aaron Davis More than one million people have experienced the presentations given by Aaron Davis. His presentations, which focus on the characteristics of championship teams, leadership and performers have been received with overwhelming success. As a member of the 1994 national championship Nebraska football team and working with numerous corporations and organizations, he understands firsthand what it takes to perform like a champion.

“Aaron has the unique ability to make you think while making you laugh at the same time.”

Perform Like a Champion Attitude, mental toughness and the ability to change and adapt quickly are just a few characteristics that all champions possess. As a member of what some considered one of the best teams ever assembled, Davis has a keen understanding of what it takes to achieve incredible results.

Ivan Benson, Pepsi Bottling Group

Lights, Camera, Action!

9:30 a.m. | Registration and Networking 10 a.m. to noon | Session

Every year, we bring a national speaker to be one of our 12 Business Training presenters. This year, Aaron Davis will bring his dynamic presentations to a special venue, Marcus Theatres - West Acres 14. It's a great chance to see the theatre from a whole new perspective. See you June 10!

Championship Teams Have No Bench Warmers It’s impossible to obtain any sort of long-lasting success without the help of others. Championship teams don’t just preach teamwork; they cultivate and foster it every day so it permeates their entire organization. Davis shares the best practices of successful teams and characteristics of being an amazing teammate. 1:30 p.m. | Registration and Networking 2 to 4 p.m. | Session Registration Per Session (includes popcorn and soda) Chamber Members: $45 in advance | $55 at the door General Admission: $65 in advance | $75 at the door Register at www.fmwfchamber.com or by calling 218.233.1100.

Business Training Sponsors Program Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors Bell State Bank & Trust Eventide Senior Living Communities GOLDMARK Property Management

InterceptEFT Network Center, Inc. Wanzek Construction, Inc.

www.fmwfchamber.com | 15

Women Connect

Join Us

out from the crowd. Presence gets you in front of people you would otherwise never meet, creates incredible opportunities and ensures you leave a lasting impact wherever you go.

Confident

Passionate

Enthusiastic

Presence

Authentic

Comfortable

Captivating

Registration Members Only $25 in advance | $35 at the door Register at www.fmwfchamber.com or by calling 218.233.1100.

#FMWFWC

onnect

omen. Business. Life.

Presenting Sponsors

16 | May 2015

When it comes to the secrets of the most successful leaders, passion is always mentioned as a must-have quality. Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric and one of the most well known business leaders in the world, said that before hiring a person for a job he always looked for the “Final P,” Passion - a heartfelt, deep and authentic excitement about work and life. As women, we know how important it is for us to be passionate leaders in our family, work and communities. But the reality is, we don’t always make time in our busy schedules for passion. In this fun and uplifting talk, Brazilian psychotherapist and founder of Women's Impact, Cris Linnares, reveals three powerful and practical tools to be a passionate leader in your personal and professional life. As a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, mom, stepmom and wife, Linnares created this talk that is inspired by her own experience of being a woman in dire need of reclaiming her own passion after moving from Brazil to Fargo and dealing with depression. She hasn’t shared her three secrets to a passionate leadership with anyone... Until now!

Tuesday, June 23 3:30 to 5 p.m. | Social 5 to 6 p.m. Avalon Events Center West

Thursday, May 28 3:30 to 5 p.m. | Social 5 to 6 p.m. Avalon Events Center West

We have all come across people who possess a strong personal presence. They exude confidence, appear comfortable in their own skin and have the ability to make others feel at ease too. The good news is personal presence can be learned, but it must be authentic. Tonya Stende from Dale Carnegie Business Group of ND and Kristi Huber of Alerus Financial will help you understand how having an assertive personal presence can open doors for you in business as well as make you stand

Connecting with Passion

Join Us

Connecting with Presence

Thank you! Thank you to Danielle Paulus, ROERS, and Jodi Heilman, Bell State Bank & Trust, for leading our March Women Connect session. They taught us how to pitch an idea and get to a yes. The afternoon was filled with great conversation and table activities where participants were able to determine if they were blockers, champions or decision makers. Real life scenarios were played out in front of the audience using each type of personality to determine the outcome.

Supporting Sponsors

Eide Bailly LLP Essentia Health Gate City Bank

Sanford Health Vogel Law Firm

Military Matters

Senator Hoeven Visits with Happy Hooligan supporters

chamber military appreciation night at the redhawks Thursday, July 30 | 7:02 p.m.

In early April, The Chamber hosted Sen. John Hoeven for a general briefing on what’s been happening at the 119th Wing of the North Dakota Air National Guard at the Fargo Air Museum. Attendees included the Chamber’s board of directors, the Air National Guard Support Group, Col. Kent Olsen of the 119th Wing and many top officials of the Happy Hooligans. As a member of the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee, Hoeven announced his efforts to secure a new permanent facility to house the intelligence-targeting group at the 119th Wing. “I’m working to get the $7.3 million facility through the appropriations process so that the building can be constructed and occupied by 2017,” said Hoeven. “The Chamber is committed to supporting the members of the 119th Wing of the Air National Guard. The Happy Hooligans are once again on the leading edge of national security through the missions they conduct. It is imperative we support the men and women who serve in the Air National Guard in Fargo Moorhead West Fargo,” said Craig Whitney, Chamber President/CEO.

Cost is $10 and includes a ticket to the game and $3 in RedHawks Bucks. The Chamber will have a reserved section.

sponsor a family

Last year, more than 650 members of our military community were guests of honor at the event. Three different sponsorship levels are available. Visit www.fmwfchamber.com or call 218.233.1100 to purchase tickets or sponsor a military family.

grand slam sponsor

www.fmwfchamber.com | 17

Sparks of Innovation! Nominate Students Today We are looking for energetic students interested in starting their OWN real company!

YEA! is a nine-month program that teaches middle and high school students how to start and run their own businesses. Nominated students should have a strong work ethic and should demonstrate high levels of effort on a consistent basis. Please contact Sam at sgust@fmwfchamber.com or 218.359.0529 to nominate or for more information. A limited number of scholarships are available. Interviews begin May 11th | Application deadline May 29th Presenting Sponsor

YPN

Events

Off

the

Program Sponsors

Cl ck

Off the Clock Sponsor

Making Happy Hour Professional

Wednesday, May 20 | 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. Granite City Food & Brewery It’s time to take advantage of our beautiful weather! Join us on Granite City’s patio for networking, fun and a few drinks. Don’t forget to bring your business cards! Free, no registration required.

Corporate Cup

Thursday, May 21 | 3:45 to 9 p.m. Minnesota State University Moorhead Looking to score points for the event before the day even starts? Each team that provides volunteer(s) will be awarded an automatic 100 points. Is your company not competing, but you still want to be involved? You can volunteer as well! Contact Sam from more information at 218.359.0529 or sgust@fmwfchamber.com.

YPN

Networking to Business: A Healthy Young Professional Wednesday, May 27 | 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. TNT Kid’s Fitness & Gymnastics

Young Professionals Network

Your health is an important aspect of your success as a young professional. Nate Hendrickson, TNT Kid’s Fitness & Gymnastics, will share tips and tricks on living a healthful life, physically and emotionally. There will be the opportunity to be active during this session but it is not required.

#FMWFYPN

Registration Free for YPN Members | $20 Non-Member

engage

develop

connect

One to Watch

Amanda Carlson, Agency Manager, State Farm Insurance - Jay Bartley Agency “Amanda knows how to get the job done. As the chair of the YPN membership services committee, she continuously strives to make YPN members’ experience great, new and old alike. A current member of the United Way’s 35 under 35 program, it’s clear that Amanda is not only an asset to the YPN, but the community well.”

Congratulations, Area Grads!

Find Your Passion. 701.235.1121 • 888.526.1121 16 South 16th Street • Fargo, ND Passion. Quality. Innovation.

www.knightprinting.com

www.fmwfchamber.com | 19

Member Profile

Designing for Today and Tomorrow Smartt Interiors Construction Paula Klein isn’t your typical general contractor. For starters, she’s a woman in a fairly male-dominated field. Second, she doesn’t hold a degree in construction management or another related field; she majored in mass communications. Third, she works exclusively in modular design. Being one of a few women in the field doesn’t faze Klein. “It’s fun being a female in a male-dominated industry,” she said. “There are a lot more women architects, construction managers and engineers now, and it’s fun to be a part of that.” She explained that the increasing number of women is good for everyone. “We bring a different perspective. It’s all about different styles,” she asserted. So how did Klein end up in the construction business instead of becoming a reporter? After college, Klein started a small business with her mom. “That dumped me into the design world, which led to commercial furniture, design and construction,” she explained. Klein thinks this may have been what she was always meant to do. As a child, she would draw floor plans for fun. It’s also one of the reasons she now encourages students to taste a variety of industries before choosing one. Modular design, the third aspect that sets Klein apart from her peers, is where things start to get really exciting. DIRTT, the company Smartt Interior Construction partners with, stands for “Doing It Right

20 | May 2015

This Time.” The company created their whole concept of modular design with technology as the foundation. One of the biggest advantages of DIRTT construction is the ability to easily install, move and update technology right in the wall. “One of my favorite examples comes from an architect I presented to,” said Klein. “They had this beautiful conference room with amazing TVs in the wall, and I couldn’t hook up to the display because my new computer wasn’t compatible with their technology. If they had DIRTT walls, they could easily access the wiring in the wall and make the necessary updates.” DIRTT also utilizes technology in the design phase. ICE, the program used to design DIRTT projects, was inspired by 3D video games. “This generation of decision makers don’t want to see a 2D drawing,” Klein said. “They want to be able to see the space like it is.” Klein also talked about the latest technology advancement for DIRTT, using virtual reality to allow people to actually walk through a space that has just been drawn. Klein sees modular design as the future of construction. With the ability to quickly change and update not only what your walls look like but also where they are, the possibilities are endless. ”It’s like futureproofing your building,” she said.

Saving the Environment

Here are a few ways traditional construction impacts the environment that DIRTT construction helps combat: §§ 15 to 25 percent of all landfills consist of construction, renovation and demolition waste. §§ For every square foot of brand new construction, one pound of drywall is disposed. §§ There is over 45 billion feet of abandoned, home-run cabling (with decomposing lead and PVC) in the ceilings of North American offices.

Sources: EPA, Cornell University, National Electrical Code all via DIRTT

Member Spotlight

Lush Lawns and Outdoor Living

Prepare your outdoor spaces for summer with help from these Chamber members

As temperatures heat up, it’s natural to begin thinking about summertime activities – dinner on the deck or patio, lawn games, backyard swimming, etc. Businesses may start thinking about employee barbecues or company picnics. The common denominator here is the space in which these activities will take place, so you’ll want to properly prepare your yard to maximize its ability to provide a lush playground for your family, employees or customers. The following businesses offer a variety of services and products to help get your yard ready for summer.

Greenscape Companies Inc.

www.greenscapecompanies.com For more than two decades, Greenscape Companies has created beautiful outdoor environments for clients, both residential and commercial. The company specializes in retaining walls, patio design/construction, irrigation, sod production and landscaping projects of all sizes.

Hoglund Landscape Inc.

www.stanhoglund.com Hoglund Landscape offers custom design and construction in all phases of interior and exterior landscape projects, no matter how big or small.

Johnsons Pest Control & Lawn Service, Inc.

www.johnsonspest.com Johnsons Pest Control & Lawn Service offers a variety of pest control and lawn services for the metro as well as the surrounding area. Pest control is offered for both residential and commercial atmospheres, and estimates are free.

Land Elements

www.landelements.com Land Elements is a landscaping architecture firm that focuses on conceptual design to create a unique sense of place. The company offers residential and commercial landscape architecture and design, property development, master planning and owners representation.

MGI Landscapes Outdoor Living

www.mgilandscapes.com MGI Landscapes specializes in creative design for both residential and commercial customers through quality installation of outdoor living spaces: patios, plants, decorative rocks and mulches.

Opp Construction Patio World

www.oppconstruction.com Opp Construction offers concrete paving, landscaping, erosion control, irrigation, sod, foundations and more. The company was founded in 1978 and has offices in Fargo and Grand Forks.

TruGreen

www.trugreen.com TruGreen is one of the nation’s largest lawn service companies, with an office in Fargo. The company, which was established in 1960, offers fertilization, weed control and aeration services.

Tyler’s Tree Service

www.tylerscut.com Tyler’s Tree Service provides a variety of tree service needs such as removal, trimming, stump grinding, branch hauling and more. The company services residential, commercial and rural property owners in the metro as well as the surrounding area.

Valley Landscaping

www.valleylandscaping.com Valley Landscaping is a full-service landscaping company specializing in the installation of patios, outdoor living kits and continuous curb edging as well as lawn care and snow removal services for commercial properties.

www.fmwfchamber.com | 21

News H. Goerger & Associates Inc. dba AskHG is now a member of Network Connect. Network Connect works to connect its 12,000 individual investors and 500 investment groups to business owners looking for funds. Bergstrom Electric Inc. earned an Eagle Award in the Electrical: Commercial - Less than $2 million category of Associated Builders and Contractors’ Excellence in Construction Awards for their work on the Barnes County North School project. Bergstrom crews overcame a six-month winter-weather delay to complete the electrical work for a new 85,000-square-foot, K-12 school in rural North Dakota. The Excellence in Construction awards program is the industry’s leading competition, developed to honor innovative and high-quality merit shop construction projects. Capital Credit Union received a Diamond Award, which recognizes outstanding marketing and business development achievements in the credit union industry. Capital Credit Union won the community/public relations category for its entry, titled Loan Rescue. The goal of this campaign was to help borrowers save money by refinancing higher interest loans from other financial institutions to lower interest rates at Capital Credit Union. Choice Financial was also recognized as a 2014 Best Place to Work Runner-Up by the North Dakota Young Professionals (NDYP). NDYP recognizes businesses that provide high quality jobs and a work environment enticing to and in support of young professionals. EAPC Architects Engineers opened a branch office in Sioux Falls. Leap Chear, architect and employee of EAPC for nine years, is the office manager for the downtown Sioux Falls office. Forbes magazine rated Edward Jones the highest-ranking financial-services firm out of the list of 500 companies spanning 27 industries in the magazine’s “America’s Best Employers 2015” edition. The firm’s overall ranking was No. 24. Edward Jones also ranked No. 6 on Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For 2015” list in its 16th appearance on the prestigious list. Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops launched a new website, www.happy-harrys.com. The new site features weekly specials, party planning, articles and more. Thanks to two Minnesota Historical Society Cultural Heritage grants, the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County was able to capture a variety of newspapers, some dating back to 1881, on a total of 43 rolls of microfilm. Access to issues of Moorhead Daily News, Hawley Herald, Barnesville Record Review, Clay County Union, Dilworth News and several others are now easily available on microfilm at the Clay County Archives in the Hjemkomst Center. Dakota MEP has changed it name to Impact Dakota. The rebranding comes as the company continues to grow its programs and services for the North Dakota manufacturing community, increases its outreach to educate the public about the manufacturing industry and expands their expertise to other industry sectors. Impact Dakota also launched a new website, www.impactdakota.com, to support the rebrand.

Companies The “Making Student Success a Priority” program at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) was named as the 2015 Grand Silver winner of the NASPA Excellence Awards. Each year, NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, recognizes the outstanding contributions of members who are transforming higher education through exceptional programs, innovative services and effective administration. The program was selected by a peer review process. The first fully endowed chair at North Dakota State University was established to continue potato pathology research. Neil Gudmestad, who is the current potato pathologist at NDSU, announced his plans to step down by 2019 and wanted to ensure the program continued after he was gone. Working with potato growers and companies he has helped over the last 30 years, he helped secure the endowment. Park Co. Realtors received a Five Star Award from the Cartus Broker Network. The award recognizes brokers who have met or exceeded their individual objectives for outgoing broker-to-broker referral closings during the calendar year. ROERS received the United Way’s annual award for “Outstanding New Campaign.” ROERS implemented its first corporate giving campaign last year and raised just over $51,000 through employee giving, several company events and a largely successful chili feed to support the United Way of Cass-Clay. Showplace Kitchens ND was named a President’s Club Award winner for exceptional cabinetry sales by Showplace Wood Products. The achievement places them among the top Showplace dealers nationwide. This is the eighth year they have been recognized with the award. Fargo Sleep Inn & Suites was named a recipient of a prestigious 2015 Platinum Hospitality Award from one of the world’s largest hotel companies, Choice Hotels International, Inc. Platinum Award status represents a tremendous accomplishment for a hotel and its entire staff. Each year, only the very top hotels in each brand are eligible to receive this elite distinction. Spherion Staffing local franchisee Jill Berg received an award for Franchise Sales Growth and Professional Placement. In order to be eligible, franchise owners are ranked in their revenue category for sales and profitability growth year-over year. U.S. Bank was recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as a 2015 World’s Most Ethical Company®. The designation recognizes those organizations that have had a material impact on the way business is conducted by fostering a culture of ethics and transparency at every level of the company.

Polar Communications entered into a partnership with Insight Technologies, Inc., Dickey Rural and Dakota Central Telecommunications. The affiliation will bring new opportunities to Polar customers such as network monitoring and maintenance, security, vulnerability scanning, remote support, virtualization and more. Marco, Inc. purchased Better Business Equipment (BBE), a copier and printer company located in Omaha. The purchase allows Marco to further expand its geographic footprint nationally and provide technical services in the state of Nebraska. This is the 12th acquisition the company has completed over the past two and a half years.

22 | May 2015

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www.fmwfchamber.com | 23

News

Churchill

Evans

People

Oswald

Portillo

Steve Churchill was hired as director of project management; John Evans was hired as an ag sales support specialist; Darren Oswald was hired as a facilities engineer; Julie Portillo was hired as marketing coordinator; and Tucker Richardson was hired as a business analyst at Appareo Systems. Churchill earned his master’s degree in electronics and computer-controlled systems. Evans earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from UND. Oswald earned his associate degree in heating, ventilation and air Richardson conditioning technology from MSCTC. Portillo earned a bachelor’s degree from U of M, Crookston in hotel, restaurant and tourism management and marketing. Richardson earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and management from NDSU.

Frankenberger

Paulson

Susie Frankenberger was promoted to cash management online support team lead, and Jeffrey Paulson was hired as a credit officer at Bell State Bank & Trust. Frankenberger completed various banking courses through American Institute of Banking, Stephens College and earned the designation of Accredited ACH Professional in 2012. Paulson earned his MBA from the University of Mary.

Gail Blair, VP/trust officer at Bell State Bank & Trust, was awarded the Certified Trust & Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers (ICB), a subsidiary of the American Bankers Association. The CTFA designation is awarded to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of wealth management and trust.

Seventeen certified nursing assistants (CNAs) at Bethany Retirement Living have been accepted into the 2015 CNA Advancement Program. The program is designed to promote positive morale, foster increased longevity in their position with Bethany and reward excellence in job performance. Those selected this year include Brianne Anderson, Nicole Bayliss, Shari Bjorland, Vanessa Bryn, Amanda Fangsrud, Kim Friese, Gale Graphenteen, Rebecca Hamilton, Christine Huus, Melany Jenkins, Cody Johnson, Toni Larson, Chelsa Mitchell, Lois Ness, Carol Schroeder, Roxanne Young and Joleen Zwack. Peggy Isakson, a residential REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker First Realty, earned membership in the company’s International President’s Premier. This award represents the top one percent of all sales associates worldwide in the Coldwell Banker® system.

Isakson

Byrum

Hinschberger

Larson

Lebahn

Capener

Clark

Milne

White

Michelle Byrum was promoted to AVP/retail manager for the Fargo market; Kathryn Hinschberger was hired as a cash management sales officer; Matt Larson was promoted to credit analyst; and Todd Lebahn was hired as a compliance specialist at Cornerstone Bank. Byrum joined Cornerstone in 2007 as a personal banker and was promoted to personal banking officer/customer service manager in 2011 and AVP in 2013. Hinschberger has more than 33 years of banking experience including positions in cash management and corporate bank training. Larson joined the bank in 2013 as a teller. Lebahn brings more than 14 years of banking experience.

Blair

Brad Heinz was named director of building services, and Mark Olson and Les Schock were promoted to building services leads at Bethany Retirement Living. Heinz joined Bethany in July 1995 after working in Heinz Olson Schock maintenance at MeritCare. Olson joined Bethany in May 2009 after six years of maintenance experience at Rosewood on Broadway. Schock was hired by Bethany in February 1998 with a background in farming.

Eide Bailly LLP employees Daniel Capener, Paul Clark, Dan Milne and Jeff White became NetSuite Certified ERP Consultants. NetSuite ERP certification recognizes expertise in the implementation and integration of NetSuite ERP solutions to meet business requirements.

Hanel

Sornsin

Your complete distributor for all your paper, plastic, janitorial, packaging, equipment & supply needs since 1918.

www.colepapers.com 24 | May 2015

Cordes

Lindberg

Adam Hanel and Joseph Sornsin, Eide Bailly LLP, attained Cisco specialization for small and midsize business. Cisco SMB specialization provides Cisco partners with the knowledge and understanding of strategic technologies for small to midsize businesses, including cloud concepts, virtualization and data center switching. Katie Cordes and Mark Lindberg, Eide Bailly LLP, achieved Sage ERP X3 certifications. The Sage ERP X3 implementation consultant certification provides Sage partners with the knowledge and skills to successfully prepare, install and configure an on-premise implementation of Sage ERP X3 and its integrated solutions on a client server.

Dr. Rochak Varma joined Essentia Health. Dr. Varma earned a medical degree from Maulana Azad Medical College in New Dehli, India. He completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in nephrology at the Metropolitan Hospital Center in New York City.

Varma

John Abbott was named president of Varistar, the entity that provides operational and talent support for Otter Tail Corporation’s manufacturing portfolio. Abbott has more than 30 years of strong sales, marketing and operating experience and more than 15 years in president or group president roles in manufacturing-based companies, including acquisition and integration experience. Abbott

Tammy Rhone, RN, was promoted to director of nursing at Eventide Senior Living Communities. Rhone received her associate degree in nursing from Northland Community College.

Rohne

Andrew Miller was named manager of financial planning at Otter Tail Corporation. Miller has an extensive background as a finance and budget professional, having most recently served as CFO of Vector Windows.

Miller

Kim Keller, Park Co. Realtors, was granted the highest level of service achievement in the real estate industry, Quality Service Certified® Platinum. The award is in recognition of earning 100 percent client service satisfaction in 2014 as measured by Leading Research Corporation.

Mary Phillippi was named director of the Red River Regional Dispatch Center. Phillippi was previously the assistant director. Shawn Thomasson, PLS, joined the small group of professional land surveyors nationwide to become a Certified Federal Surveyor. Thomasson serves as a professional land surveyor at Houston Engineering’s Fargo office and has been with the company since 2012.

Thomasson

Thomas Kornkven was hired as a civil engineer; Nancy Wills, PE, was hired as a project manager; and Cody Zarak was hired as a civil technician at Houston Engineering, Inc. Kornkven attended UND where he earned his Kornkven Wills Zarak degree in civil engineering. Wills attended college at Kansas State University where she earned her civil engineering degree. Zarak earned his land survey and civil engineering technology degree from NDSCS. Daniel Ugelstad was hired as a software design engineer at John Deere Electronic Solutions. Ugelstad received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with a computer engineering emphasis from NDSU.

Keller

Jessica Westgard Larson, Dakotas Business Center of the Principal Financial Group, qualified for the company’s Premier Club. Producers who qualify for Premier Club represent the company’s very best producers nationwide. Westgard Larson also earned membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). Achieving membership in MDRT is a distinguishing career milestone, attained only by those who have demonstrated exceptional Westgard Larson professional knowledge, expertise and client service. David Hale was hired as a commercial agent at Property Resources Group. Hale brings a strong work ethic formed during his professional hockey career.

Hale

Kaley Klein was promoted to front office manager at Ramada Plaza & Suites and Conference Center. Klein graduated from NDSU with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management.

Ugelstad

Sara Bakken was hired as a marketing coordinator at Flom Property Group, a team within Keller Williams Roers’ Realty. Bakken earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and retail merchandising from NDSU and has three years of experience in marketing.

Klein

Dave Bartell was promoted to vice president of construction operations, and Rick Roers was promoted to vice president of field operations at ROERS.

Bakken

Josh Peterson was hired as an e-commerce specialist at One Herd. Peterson is currently attending NDSU for public relations and advertising.

Bartell

Roers

www.fmwfchamber.com | 25

Stephanie Doppler was hired as a registered nurse, and Janna Johnson and Rod Opp were hired as licensed addiction counselors at ShareHouse, Inc. Doppler earned a bachelor of social work and gerontology from Doppler Johnson Opp MSUM. Johnson earned a bachelor’s in social work from MSUM. Opp earned a bachelor’s in social work from MSUM and an associate in arts from MSCTC.

Boll

Gentz

Graser

Irsfeld

Meissner

Moos

Nelson

Ring

Ken Kovarik, media consultant for SmartSearch, was recognized as the top performer for directory sales in 2014.

Nisa Rajput was hired as an account representative at Spectrum Aeromed. Rajput graduated from Mayville State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in psychology and marketing specialization.

Rajput

Kathleen Toft, senior professional recruiter at Spherion Staffing, was recognized for exceptional performance as a professional recruiter. Toft received the award for 2014. This is her second consecutive year as a winner in this category.

Toft

Hamre

Koehler

Mark Hamre was hired as an account representative; Laura Ingalls was hired as office manager; and Ryan Koehler was hired as a graphic designer at Spotlight Media, Inc. Hamre graduated from Brown Institute and worked at KFGO for close to 15 years. Ingalls graduated from Concordia College with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science. Koehler attended MSCTC for graphic design.

David Boll was hired as a senior developer; Nicole Gentz was hired as a senior developer; Adele Graser was hired as a functional consultant; Tom Irsfeld was hired as a senior functional consultant; Eric Meissner was hired as a developer; LeAnn Moos was hired as human resources and recruiting manager; Mark Nelson was hired as a senior developer; Wendy Ring was hired as a senior functional consultant; and David Ruelle was hired as a principal consultant at Stoneridge Software. Boll previously spent seven Ruelle years at Microsoft as both a tester and a development engineer. Gentz has been a software developer for more than 14 years working on a variety of systems. Graser was previously a software consultant focused on supply chain. Irsfeld is a software consultant with specialization in finance. Meissner has more than eight years of experience in development and business intelligence. Moos brings 15 years of experience in the financial and communications industry. Nelson spent 18 years as a developer and the last 11 years at Microsoft. Ring spent 16 years at Microsoft and has a bachelor’s degree in finance from MSUM. Ruelle previously served as a director of finance and IT and as a software consultant focusing on the areas of finance, trade and logistics. Nathan Enderle was promoted to web acquisition and marketing manager at Swanson Health Products. Enderle has been with Swanson since 2013, most recently serving as lead ecommerce business analyst.

Enderle

Kyle Heinze was hired as a mobile movement fitness instructor at TNT Kid’s Fitness & Gymnastics. Heinze has a degree in physical and heath education from MSUM.

Congratulations! The following companies and individuals received Addy Awards from the North Dakota Advertising Federation: §§ Odney, best in show for “ND Tourism 2014 Print Campaign” done for ND Tourism §§ Absolute Marketing Group, judge’s choice for “ExpressBagger” Website done for ExpressBagger §§ Shawn Tennyson, Bell State Bank & Trust, silver medalist.

Heinze

Martin Peterson was promoted to business loan officer at Town & Country Credit Union. Peterson graduated from NDSU with a degree in agricultural economics.

Peterson

26 | May 2015

Hanley

Schoenherr

Jennifer Hanley was promoted from senior engineer to technical manager for the civil transportation team, and Adam Schoenherr was promoted from senior engineer to technical manager for the civil transportation team at Ulteig. Hanley, who joined Ulteig in 2008, brings more than 15 years of engineering experience to the team. Schoenherr earned a bachelor’s in civil engineering from SDSU and has been with Ultieg since 2007.

Jeff Richmond, general manager at Valley Imports, Inc., attended the National Auto Dealers Association General Dealership Management Academy. The year-long program included six intensive, week-long classroom sessions as well as self-study and web based homework. All aspects of dealership operations were taught, including: financial management, fixed operations, variable operations and business leadership. Dr. Travis Helmers joined Venture Chiropractic. Dr. Helmers received his doctorate of chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University College of Chiropractic.

Helmers

Andy Robinson was hired as eBusiness manager at Wallwork, Inc. Robinson attended St. Cloud Technical College and St. Cloud State University with studies in information technology and finance.

Kayley Erlandson was hired as a WordPress and digital marketing specialist; Brad Larson was hired as manager of information systems; and Jeanine Larson was hired as digital marketing manager at Western Erlandson B. Larson J. Larson Products, Inc. Erlandson completed her master’s degree in mass communication at NDSU and also holds a bachelor’s degree in professional media communication from Valley City State University. B. Larson earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Concordia College. J. Larson earned bachelor’s degrees in broadcast journalism and communication arts and sciences from Penn State University. Mike Bannach was named market president at Western State Bank. Bannach has more than 20 years of banking experience, most recently serving as senior vice president/business banking manager at Bremer Bank, N.A.

Bannach

Peter Johnson, vice president/mortgage loan officer at Western State Bank, was recently selected as one of Minnesota Housing’s Top Producing Loan Officers by Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The Top Producing Loan Officer Program is designed to recognize individual loan officer production for first mortgage loan programs.

Robinson

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Award-Winning Customer Service Yes, work can be easier and more convenient with Bremer Bank as your partner. We have powerful tools that help your business run smooth, from lending programs and Online Banking to Merchant Services and Fraud Management. Fargo • 492-2600 North Fargo • 239-5935 Moorhead • 299-7600 800-908-BANK (2265) Bremer.com

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New Members The Chamber encourages all members to conduct business with each other. Those listed below recently have made an important investment in their businesses and their professional careers by joining The Chamber. Please consider them for your personal and professional needs. When you do, let them know you learned of their business through The Chamber!

APM, LLLP

www.APM4ME.COM Apartments APM provides quality, well-built and well-managed college apartments in north Fargo and downtown.

Bell State Bank Mortgage Division

www.bellbanks.com/mortgage Mortgages Bell State Bank & Trust knows how to get you the best rate on your loan. With 130 plus years of mortgage experience, their home loan experts will help you take advantage of record-low interest rates.

Bell Wealth Management www.bellbanks.com/trust investment Financial Consultants Bell Wealth Management provides a wide array of products and services providing a lifetime of investment solutions to their clients; including professional investment management services for institutional assets, including pension funds, endowments, insurance reserve funds and special purpose corporate funds; individual retirement accounts (IRAs); trust and estate planning services to individuals; retirement planning and investments; and qualified and non-qualified employee benefit programs including 401(k)s to employers across the U.S. and Canada.

Big Valley Properties LLC

701.306.9101 Real Estate - Investment Big Valley Properties LLC invests in residential and multi-family properties in and around the Fargo Moorhead area.

Bock’s Office Transformational Consulting

www.bocksoffice.com Consultants Bock’s Office provides keynote speeches, executive coaching, facilitation and corporate learning events that engage and challenge through a three-step process of awareness, artful action and transformation. Bock’s Office specializes in the areas of effective communication, leadership development and personal accountability.

28 | May 2015

Elevate Human Potential

www.elevatehumanpotential.com Fitness Centers Elevate Human Potential provides performance crossfit recovery. They strive to empower people to move their bodies in a way that is fulfilling and optimal for them.

Exposure Creative Group www.fmexposure.com Marketing Exposure Creative Group is an allinclusive production, marketing and design agency that provides services to help enhance the way businesses and people promote their company, product or story through the use of creative visual media marketing, interactive design and consulting.

Face It TOGETHER Fargo Moorhead www.wefaceittogether.org Healthcare Services Face It TOGETHER is working to solve addiction in Fargo Moorhead. They are dedicated to saving lives and reducing the tremendous social, human and economic costs of this chronic disease.

Institute of Diagnostic Imaging

www.idifargo.com Healthcare Services Institute of Diagnostic Imaging provides high-quality outpatient diagnostic imaging services to patients and physicians, utilizing the most advanced technologies available. Their goal is to efficiently care for their patients, treating each patient with kindness and compassion.

Lowry Engineering

www.lowryeng.com Engineering Lowry Engineering provides exceptional surveying, planning and civil engineering services to private and public clients in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

MSPIRE

Pine View First Addition

218.790.2239 Senior Housing Pine View First Addition is a nonprofit senior homeowner association for 55 or older common interest community.

www.mspire.com Marketing MSPIRE is an expert in brand development, customer experience analysis, marketing, advertising, writing and editing, graphic design, social media management, website services, public relations, media relations and event planning.

The Fountain of Youth MD

www.thefoymd.com Healthcare Services The Fountain of Youth MD delivers physician-only care providing medical procedures that are aimed at improving the physical appearance and satisfaction of the patient, using non-invasive to minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.

Novo Nordisk

www.novonordisk us.com Healthcare Services Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes cases.

Looking to do Business? Check out our directory at www.fmwfchamber.com to search our full list of 2,100 member businesses. Has your business moved or changed names? Send the information to thebridge@fmwfchamber.com.

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McNeal and Friends

www.mcnealfriends.com Design - Interior & Residential McNeal and Friends is a lifestyle boutique and interior design studio in the heart of downtown Fargo. Their signature style begins with a soft neutral palette and grows with layers of beautiful vibrant accessories. Their passion is in the details.

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Learning More High Impact Presentations This two-day program will be held on June 10 and 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Eide Bailly LLP in Fargo. Whether you are persuading colleagues, selling a client or energizing a team, the power of your presentation makes the difference between success and failure. The experience in this presentation skills-training seminar is as close as you can get to having a personal,

public speaking coach. In this two-day program you will walk away with these valuable tools: § Lead effective Q & A sessions. § Motivate and persuade every audience, every time. § Be more relaxed and natural when making a presentation. For additional information call 701.476.8811 or go online at www.northdakota.dalecarnegie.com.

Contributions

Tobacco Prevention What to know about your community

Article submitted by Holly Scott, Community Health Educator at Fargo Cass Public Health Did you know that the North Dakota smoke-free law requires that all entrances into smoke-free public places and workplaces have a sign stating they are smoke-free? If you didn’t know, don’t worry! The tobacco prevention program at Fargo Cass Public Health (FCPH) would like to remind Cass County businesses that in order to meet this requirement, a variety of free signs are available through their office. In addition to working with the state smoke-free law, tobacco prevention coordinators are also available to assist smokers who wish to kick their nicotine addiction. Those ready to quit are referred to the NDQuits program first. Ex-smokers often say that quitting smoking is one of the biggest achievements in their lives. NDQuits has helped thousands of smokers become proud quitters and has experienced a 31 percent success rate throughout North Dakota. When individualized treatment is more appropriate, the team at FCPH will set up a plan for each individual. With these types of programs, available on an individualized basis, the problem of tobacco use can be addressed at the local level. Tobacco prevention coordinators also work to provide community education on smoke-free multi-unit housing and electronic cigarettes. The smoke-free multi-unit housing initiative provides resources to property managers and owners, along with renters, to educate them on the advantages of becoming smokefree. Resources for property managers and landlords include sample lease language and tips on how to communicate a policy change to

30 | May 2015

SmokeFree! E N V I R O N M E N T

Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, is prohibited by law indoors & within 20 feet of entrances.

N.D.C.C. 23-12-9 to 23-12-11

tenants. Tenant resources include talking points on the benefits of smoke-free apartments. There are many concerns surrounding electronic cigarettes and their lack of regulations at the federal, state and local levels. Some of these devices can contain the highly addictive drug nicotine. The lack of federal regulation means an absence of laws regarding age restrictions for purchasing and using e-cigs, widespread lack of safety regulations of packaging including child-proof caps and no regulations for advertising and marketing these products to minors. The public, and especially parents, need to be informed about electronic cigarettes. Tobacco prevention coordinators are available to speak on any of the above topics or provide additional resources and information. Businesses are welcome to request signs by calling Holly Scott at 701.241.8576.

EXPERIENCED & EFFICIENT CONNECT FOR A QUOTE Erick Roder eroder@jmprint.net 218-205-6671 Austin Roeder aroeder@jmprint.net 701-680-1466 Rich Maras rmaras@jmprint.net 701-730-1623 4666 Amber Valley Pkwy Fargo, ND 58103 701-476-0311

We’ve been in this business for 50 years and are one of the largest printers in the area. That means we’ve learned what customers want and need. And, we have the team and technology to make it happen. We work with all industries, taking on jobs big and small. Give us the opportunity to bid a project and we’ll give service like no other... PRINTING • Commercial • Digital • Variable Data • Docutech • Large Format

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www.fmwfchamber.com | 31

Contributions

Practicing Mindfulness

Increase efficiency and decrease stress by being in the moment Article was written by Denis Hellekson for The Village Business Institute’s “Good People, Good Business” blog. Remember the days when summer seemed to stretch ahead of you like a blank canvas waiting to be filled with adventures and magical moments? Childhood summers were a time to slow down, relax and enjoy being in the moment. Then we grew up. Now most people’s summers are just as busy as the rest of their lives. Daily planners are overflowing with projects and activities vying for our attention like an endless treadmill without an “off” switch. Is this how you want your life to be? If not, there is a simple approach that can help you bring balance back and reclaim some of the joy of childhood. Children are experts at being in the moment. Whether it’s splashing through a summer shower or watching fireflies flashing their mysterious signals, they aren’t thinking of what is ahead but reveling in what is here now. They are masters of mindfulness. As adults, we can recapture that feeling and it can begin with only a minute a day. One of the most quoted books on mindfulness is The Miracle of Mindfulness, by Thich Nhat Hanh. This noted Zen Master’s book is just over 100 pages (paperback version) yet packed with wisdom on how to savor the special moments in your life and let them fill you up with happiness. His approach is the opposite to the frenzied multitasking that is prevalent in today’s workplace where responding to endless emails, phone calls and deadlines often finds people trying to do multiple things simultaneously. Recent research has shown that focused attention can actually increase efficiency and decrease stress. Mindfulness is the opposite of multitasking. Mindfulness is deeply focusing on one person or task at a time. Quieting our mind and focusing on the present moment can help us to find a sense of balance. As Joel and Michelle Levey state in their book, Living a Balanced Life, “Developing mindfulness gives you an internal guidance system that helps you know when you’re heading off the course of balance, so you can self-correct and

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Electronic format No cost to participate Discounted purchase price for participants Over 200 positions surveyed

For more information please visit our web site: www.fmhra.camp9.org

32 | May 2015

find your way back on track. It’s like having an inner compass or radar, advising you of your present reality and the direction you’re heading in, then lighting your way home.” Practicing mindfulness for just a few minutes a day can make a big difference, especially if you do it at the beginning of the day. Focus on your breathing; with your inward breath, say “return” and with your outward breath say “home” repeat this for two to three minutes. This short meditation is both calming and centering, and can help you face the day feeling more centered; helping you to respond to the day rather than react to it. As Amit Ray stated in his book Om, Chanting and Meditation, “If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, stressed or lost in thoughts of the past or future, take a few moments to pull your attention back to your current surroundings and just be present. The website Wisdom Commons describes it this way, “Mindfulness lets us absorb the richness of the moment instead of going through life with half of our attention on the past or future or our own mental chatter. The self-knowledge that comes from mindfulness lets us be more intentional in choosing priorities and actions that fit our life mission.” Every day and every moment is a chance to practice mindfulness. When sending an email, focus your attention on the person receiving it and what they are needing to hear. When listening to a colleague or a friend, give them your full attention. Listen to the words and the feelings between the words and see what a difference it makes. Turn your awareness to yourself as well, what are you feeling? What are you experiencing? Making time for mindfulness is practicing being in the moment, and the moment is where the magic is. If you don’t believe me, just ask a kid on summer vacation.

Community Calendar May 2015

2 5 7 14 16

16 18 20 31

2015 Spring Gala: Carnaval Plains Art Museum

Stroke Awareness Luncheon

Essentia Health

Annual Meeting

Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County

DAYTA University on Social Media

DAYTA Marketing

Salute to Women Veterans

Third Annual Hometown Tourist Campaign

Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau

Women's Health Conference

Ramada Plaza & Suites and Conference Center

CULTIVATE.you

Arthur Ventures, LLC

Hawley Rodeo Fest City of Hawley

Send your events to thebridge@fmwfchamber.com to see them on our community calendar!

Cragun's Resort and Conference Center

1217611_13323 Vertical Rush

3.625x4.75 4c

Special Ops Obstacle Course

Growing your business is easier when you have a dedicated team At Wells Fargo, we take time to get to know Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo businesses By getting to know you and your business, our experienced business bankers can offer financing options tailored to meet your financial needs. Visit us at a location near you. wellsfargo.com

Contact us for your corporate picnics and team building, block parties and backyard birthdays. Also, our Party Zone offers all the fun of Games Galore Parties indoors. Our Zone is fully furnished with a Big Screen TV, Pizza OVens, Refrigerator & Three Inflatable Games. Call Dave Lerud or Corey Heiser at 373-0104.

1217611_13323 3.625x4.75 4c.indd 1

www.fmwfchamber.com | 33

10/1/14 3:12 PM

Member Mentions

Homeward Animal Shelter provides compassionate care and treatment for all companion animals needing protection; advocates the prevention of cruelty to and the relief of suffering among animals; and provides education and encourages stray-pet adoptions. The shelter has taken 51 percent of all adoptable cats and dogs from local pounds. A total of 810 animals were rescued in the Fargo Moorhead area in 2014.

A Real Estate App That Will Change How You Look for a Home!

Buyer at Large has changed their name to Pastiche and has moved to 303 Broadway North, Fargo next to Toasted Frog. Pastiche is a boutique filled with a curated mix of fun, unique gifts and fashionable home decor, selected just for you. If you’re going to spend the money, why not get something unique? Pastiche has seasoned buyers who are passionate about helping you find a truly meaningful gift or that perfect home décor piece. They search the globe to bring you this simplified, sure-fire selection and make your shopping easier and faster.

Entrepreneurs Wanted

Put your ideas to work. We help entrepreneurs and start-ups in high-tech industries gain a foothold and move onto solid financial and operational ground. For established companies, we help advance their research and development initiatives. Programs include: • Technology innovation, commercialization, licensing and joint venture opportunities

• Search by MLS number, city, ZIP code or using Circle Draw • Apply filters to refine search by property type, status & more! • Instantly view nearby properties with Park Scan augmented reality! • Real-time data straight to your phone or tablet!

Get it now: Web.ParkCompany.com 34 | May 2015

• Entrepreneur Development comprehensive business assistance, market research, educational events, mentoring and networking • Financing, venture capital and strategic partnerships • Access to talent FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT NDSU RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PARK www.ndsuresearchpark.com | 701.499.3603 john@ndsuresearchpark.com

research and technology Park

Celebrations Ribbon cuttings are led by the Public Relations Ambassadors, a group of dedicated volunteers who help Chamber members celebrate their business accomplishments. If you would like more information on ribbon cuttings, visit www.fmwfchamber.com or call Gail at 218.233.1100.

CAMBRIA SUITES One year anniversary on March 5 825 East Beaton Drive, West Fargo www.kajhospitality.com

RBZ BARBERSHOP Grand opening on March 13 109 Seventh Street South, Moorhead www.rbzbarbershop.com

BOTTLE BARN Grand opening on March 12 3171 Bluestem Drive, West Fargo www.bottlebarnliquors.com

WIRED UP! Relocation celebration on March 19 808 36th Street South, Moorhead www.iamwiredup.com

www.fmwfchamber.com | 35

Bridge the

Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber Post Office Box 2443 Fargo, North Dakota 58108-2443 www.fmwfchamber.com

May 2015 Chamber Events

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North Dakota Legislative Wrap-Up Noon Hilton Garden Inn Fargo

Kegs & Issues

4 p.m. D-S Beverages, Inc.

Leadership Excellence

11:30 a.m. Courtyard by Marriott Fargo-Moorhead

ChamberChoice Awards Luncheon

Noon Ramada Plaza & Suites and Conference Center

21 27 28 28

Corporate Cup

3:45 p.m. Minnesota State University Moorhead

YPN Networking to Business: A Healthy Young Professional 11:30 a.m. TNT Kid's Fitness & Gymnastics

Minnesota Legislative Wrap-Up Noon Hjemkomst Center

Women Connect: Connecting with Presence 3:30 p.m. Avalon Events Center West

YPN Off the Clock

5:15 p.m. Granite City Food & Brewery

Community Builders

36 | May 2015