MAY - JUNE 2017
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CHAMBER LEADERSHIP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Joe Poehling - Chair First Supply, LLC Ed Jaekel - Chair-Elect JRM CPAs, LLC Lynn Bruns, Vice-Chair Elect (Secretary) ISG Joe Kruse - Past Chair Mayo Clinic Health System Randy Berg - Treasurer Trane Bruce Friell Gundersen Health System Forrest Moe Schomburg Refrigeration Co., Inc.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kerstin Boudreau Metre Chris Butler Verve, a Credit Union Brad Dinsmoor Dinsmoor Strategies Rick Eickmeier, Board Advisor Anytime Fitness, Onalaska Wendy Franke, Board Advisor N2 Publishing A.J. Frels, ex-officio Explore La Crosse James Hill, ex-officio La Crosse Area Development Corporation (LADCO) Mark Hughes, Board Advisor Candlewood Suites Scott Kish Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, Inc. Sue Kolve-Feehan The Salon Professional Academy Steve Loehr Kwik Trip Robin Moses, ex-officio Downtown Mainstreet, Inc. Barbara Nick Dairyland Power Cooperative Steven Nicolai Nicolai Apartments Cindy Prindle Western Technical College Brandon Prinsen Johns, Flaherty & Collins, SC JoAnn Steffes Steffes HR Advantage Brenda Stuhr Trust Point, Inc. Jodi Widuch The Parenting Place Jeff Wieser Wieser Brothers General Contractor, Inc.
Executive Director’s Message: ENGAGE! “Blocking and tackling” is a term Chamber Business Outreach Director Steve Bissen has ingrained in my head -you’d have thought I would have known it with having three boys. It implies going back to the basics. This past month, Chamber Chairman of the Board Joe Poehling (First Supply) did a “block and tackle” exercise that has positive impact for you as well as our Chamber team. He held a committee chairperson orientation and empowered these great people giving their time and talents with determining their own destiny -- aligning their work to the Chamber’s plan, creating their own meeting agendas, and communicating out directly what they’re working on. The basics, right? But these basics send a significant message -- one I’ve observed since the day I started. Our Chamber (technically YOUR Chamber) has become very reliant on the team to drive initiatives forward. It’s easy to do -- hire someone to make your job as a volunteer easier. But your voice and action makes conversations with other businesses much more vibrant. This is a move that takes back ownership of the Chamber and gives it to you, the investors. The Chamber is not Vicki or Steve, Maggie, or Jami. It is you. You have the insight and the power to make our Chamber great -- through one conversation with a non-member and through an encouragement to someone to participate. That is powerful! Moreso than anything one of the paid members of our team could do -- and it means it’s less work your organization has to pay someone to do. “But I don’t have enough time,” is a common comment. Look around you. Is there someone else in your department who would find the experience beneficial to their development? They may welcome getting out of the office. What is a burden to you is an opportunity to the next generation leader. Some of the best people I know I met because we shared the joy of volunteering together. The committees are re-energized. We are forming new opportunities around what I used to call “floater events” -- i.e.
things the Chamber team did without one touch by our members -- our golf outing, our honor student banquet, our business expo, our leadership programs -- will all operate with input from our investors. We welcome people who want to implement new ways for businesses to connect to other businesses. Our (your) relocation guide is being redeveloped into a magazine for those thinking of moving to the area. Content, advertisers, and more are being developed. We welcome your input. Our 150th Anniversary planning is beginning (hello history buffs and people who love to look through old photos!). Our YP Housing Task Force is just getting going. If you’re not sure where you fit, give us a call. We’ll help you find it. I firmly believe volunteering should tap into your passion. Passion energizes. Check out our home page and look for the “ENGAGE” campaign on our home page of www.lacrossechamber.com. We’ll find a place for you to ENGAGE! I look forward to YOU saying, “I know [insert name]. I worked with him/her on a Chamber event.” Your shared passion creates long-lasting bonds. See you soon! With appreciation,
Vicki Markussen Executive Director
Cover Story: First Supply: 120 Years.......Page 4 COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP........................................................................................... 3 REP. DOYLE’S TRANSPORTATION ROUNDTABLE ������������������������������������������������� 5 HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP ���������������������������������������������������������������6 ROCK STARS & RIBBON CUTTINGS ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7
Table of Contents
NEW SALES TAX (PRAT) NEXT STEPS ���������������������������������������������������������������������8 YP HOUSING TASKFORCE ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8 WI ‘S BEST ECONOMY IN 15 YEARS ���������������������������������������������������������������������������9 ECONOMIC INDICATOR BREAKFAST HIGHLIGHTS GENEROSITY.....................9 UPCOMING EVENTS...................................................................................................... 10 149 ANNUAL CELEBRATION........................................................................................ 11 GOVERNOR WALKER SPECIAL SESSION ��������������������������������������������������������������� 11 HONOR STUDENT BANQUET...................................................................................... 11 WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE CHAMBER ��������������������������������������������������������������� 12 COMPARE YOUR WAGES WITH YOUR PEERS ������������������������������������������������������ 12 BUILD A CAREER AIN LA CROSSE AT IC SYSTEM ����������������������������������������������� 13 CONNECTING MEMBERS TO MEMBERS ����������������������������������������������������������������� 14
Contact THE
Chamber
VICKI MARKUSSEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 608-784-4880 ext. 6 vicki@lacrossechamber.com STEVE BISSEN, BUSINESS OUTREACH DIRECTOR 608-784-4880 ext. 5 steve@lacrossechamber.com MAGGIE CHRISTIAN, MARKETING & EVENTS DIRECTOR 608-784-4880 ext. 4 maggie@lacrossechamber.com JAMI REDENBAUGH, RECEPTIONIST 608-784-4880 jami@lacrossechamber.com
Magazine Layout by Jacob Klatte jmklatte@live.com
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Community Leadership This month we’re excited to share an inside look at our Community Leadership Program through the group’s community service projects. This aspect of the program challenges participants to put into practice the principles learned and to lead by example as they meet the needs of businesses and nonprofits in a variety of ways throughout the La Crosse Area.
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Leading Through Service
Celebrating 120 Years and Growing As First Supply begins its celebration year of 120 years in business, there is a sense of great pride in remaining family-owned into the fifth generation. Ultimately, time is the true test of a team. On a daily basis, customers determine a company’s success by either awarding their business or not. It has been the driving philosophy of “The Customer Relationship comes First” that has given First Supply long-term relationships with their customers allowing them to provide services specifically tailored to their customers business needs. Key to keeping First Supply’s customers at the forefront starts with the Companies’ Vision statements. Separated into two segments; both the Distribution Company and the Kitchen and Bath Store’s visions revolve around three key themes:
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Opening a very early plumbing showroom in 1922, the first Kitchen and Bath Store in the country in 1940 and the first Kohler Signature Store in 2012.
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In the 1950’s, the first barging from the factories in the south of soil pipe which led to the barging of ductile iron pipe in the 60’s.
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Early implementation of computer processing in distribution in the late 1960’s.
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Acquisitions including Kewanee Boiler Corporation from American Standard in 1971 and numerous upper Midwest distributors to allow us significant growth and market share.
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Adding Board of Directors who are not family members in the early 1990’s.
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Unifying the distribution company under a singular First Supply umbrella in the late 1990’s.
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“Maintaining market leadership in each of our key market segments. There is significant advantage for this position including being the first-to-market with the needs of the customers. In order to do this, we must remain innovative and willing to take leadership positions to help our customers be successful with the ever changing markets we serve with them.” “Exceeding customer expectations where we anticipate our customers’ needs so the customer is truly delighted with their engagement with us. This includes having the knowledgeable team to properly troubleshoot challenges as well as solve integration and startup issues. We need to be the complete package for them and be their best solution for their needs.” “Handling market leading products is also key to being successful. This especially involves staying meaningful to our flagship marketleading manufacturers that are most likely to bring innovative products to the market. Over the past 120 years, the list of these products we have been instrumental to bring to our markets includes metal Star windmills, coal stokers, kitchen cabinetry, barging of soil pipe and ductile iron pipe to the market, solid surface countertops, pex piping, whirlpool tubs, WaterSense and EnergyStar products and so many more. Keeping a focus on understanding the needs of the evolving customer and then recognizing the products which the customer will need in the future, taking the risk to introduce the product and sell what these products bring to the customer is what keeps us in the preferred channel to market.”
Each of these three themes can only be accomplished by a highly motivated and skilled team of professionals. So, it is the whole Poehling family and the Board of Directors which is extremely proud of each and every team member who has made it possible to stay family owned for 120 years and creates a very bright future for the fifth generation and beyond. RECENTLY, FIRST SUPPLY CHAIRMAN JOE POEHLING WAS ASKED A FEW QUESTIONS AS THEY PREPARED FOR THEIR 120TH ANNIVERSARY:
What were the most significant events in the 120 years that shaped First Supply into the company it is today? •
Placing a very large steel order just prior to WW1 which gave the company a large allocation during the war. This put the company on solid financial basis.
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Landing the underground piping order for Fort McCoy just prior to WW2 that gave us a large steel allocation during that war. This provided the capital structure which allowed our first market expansion to Eau Claire in 1950.
What has been the most remarkable advancement within our industry? •
Economical automatic heat in the home through the introduction of coal stokers is the singular most advancing item in our industry. This was done by mechanically feeding coal into a burner to keep continuous heat coming into the home. Besides the heat it produced, this led to much more indoor plumbing into the home and a much improved life style.
After 120 successful years, what does the future hold for First Supply? •
The world around us continues to evolve which makes it necessary for our customers to evolve as well. Staying true to our vision is going to remain key to our long term success. As we are well grounded in this area and have the leadership of our COO’s Paul Kennedy and Katie Poehling and our CFO Todd Restel, we are ready to continue to grow, expand and further serve our customers of today as well as new and evolving customers of tomorrow.
How has everyday business changed over time (from order taking, ordering supplies from vendors, bookkeeping, etc.)? •
Business hasn’t really changed over time. The means in which we do business has changed with new technologies and methods which give us so much more information so much more quickly. But ultimately the focus on the customer’s needs by maintaining market leadership, exceeding customer’s expectations and handling market leading products has remained as true today as it did back in 1897 when Ed Roesler, Henry Poehling, Rennie Wesson and James Trane started the company.
With that, First Supply is excited to have achieved 120 years of family owned business. While the history is extensive, they are in no way slowing down, as plans are always in motion preparing for the next 120 years. Here’s to continued success serving our local communities!
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Rep. Doyle’s Transportation Roundtable: Insight at Doyle’s DOT Meeting BY VICKI MARKUSSEN
[The following advocacy update is possible because of our member businesses whose annual investment pays for the Chamber to attend and hence report out on meetings that impact our collective business community]. Because of the debate surrounding transportation funding, for the first time in 24 years, Wisconsin representatives have removed it from the budget to allow the budget to move forward more quickly and to allow more debate on funding transportation. In light of this critical crossroads for our infrastructure improvements, Representative Steve Doyle held a roundtable featuring Reinhart Foods, City Brewery, KWIK TRIP, MATHY CONSTRUCTION, and BRENENGEN’S. Each employer discussed the impact of poor infrastructure on their businesses. Insight provided:
JEFF REICHLING, KWIK TRIP •
They have 550 convenience stores of which 330 are in Wisconsin (vs. MN and IA). More than 80% of the products in their stores are made by themselves. They have 100 routes to these stores and travel 25 million miles per year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in all kinds of weather.
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Their goal is 35 new stores in 2017.
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Their petroleum group does 479 loads a day, 1 billion gallons of gas, and has 450 drivers.
TONY TOMASHEK, MATHY CONSTRUCTION •
There is a lot of red tape to get a road built. This increases cost. An example is it taking 1-2 years to get a gravel pit approved.
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Our number one concern is safety -- for the good of [Kwik Trip’s] drivers and others on the road.”
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The loss of experience due to retirement at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation means the DOT’s new hires will need to be learning from the experienced contractors.
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Don Brenengan, Brenengan’s Auto
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Suspensions are deteriorating faster.
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Chemicals used on the roads are causing undersides to erode quicker.
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It is harder to completely close roads now because of inconvenience. This causes the size of the projects to be smaller and take longer. Both increase cost.
“We have to find long-term solutions. All ideas should be on the table.” PAT SEIKA, CITY BREWERY •
They have several hundred trucks coming and going daily.
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25 years ago the production line to truck full was one hour. Now it is two hours because of the amount of airbags, double wrap needed to protect their products from breakage. While increased speed limits and longer trailers are a factor this extra cost of time and materials is mainly due to road conditions.
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he cost of shipping materials is $200/semi.
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Due to increased packaging costs, moving product by train is becoming economical again.
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They have another plan in Memphis and if the costs of doing business here are too high, they will shift production. How many businesses are already doing that?
“[Poor road conditions] are costing us time, we’re losing efficiency, and we have additional packaging expenses. It is costing us more as a business.”
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“It’s not just the condition of the roads, it’s what we’re putting on the roads.” DAVID RING, KWIK TRIP •
* The loss of gas tax indexing [which was repealed in 2006] has resulted in $1.2 billion in lost revenue.
CRAIG THOMPSON, TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION •
On the International Roughness Index, Wisconsin has some of the worst -- 32% of roads are in good shape vs. 75% in Iowa.
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Many other states rely on gas tax to fund roads but they are looking at a more natural growth component vs. indexing.
Transportation remains a top legislative priority for the La Crosse Area Chamber. Stay tuned for more information.
HOW TO MaXimize YOUR MEMBERSHIP
STEVE BISSEN – BUSINESS OUTREACH DIRECTOR
NINE EASY METHODS FOR MEMBERSHIP SUCCESS 1.
2.
3.
VISIT THE CHAMBER WEBSITE. Our website is a valuable resource with a wealth of information on the La Crosse area. In addition to our upcoming collaborations and events, promotional opportunities, and ways to engage, we regularly post information on key issues impacting your business. IDENTIFY WHAT YOU WANT FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP. Whether you’re looking to build relationships with peers and potential customers, develop professionally, or raise your profile as a community leader, the Chamber is the place for you and your employees to connect. Your membership experience should be as unique and personalized as your business and we’re here to help! INCLUDE EVERYONE. Your membership investment covers your entire team, and the more involved they are, the more your membership will blossom. Your first step is to log into your membership profile and add staff names, titles and contact information. The Chamber
offers a variety of programs that will benefit individuals in all types of positions within your organization. 4.
LEND US YOUR VOICE . Participate in the conversations that move business and community forward through committees, task forces, advocacy meetings and community conversations.
5.
CONNECT WITH FELLOW MEMBERS. Make meaningful connections with your business peers and prospects through member events, peer-topeer opportunities and business celebrations.
6.
DO BUSINESS WITH CHAMBER MEMBERS. Our online membership directory contains all member contact information. These companies share your interest in making our community thrive and we encourage you to look in the directory first when making purchases. If you don’t see your preferred vendor or partner in the directory, encourage them to explore Chamber membership.
7.
STAY INFORMED. Subscribe to our weekly e-Newsletters and the Chamber Connection newsletter and follow our social media channels to keep up-to-date on a variety of issues. Have something to share? Send it to newsletter@ lacrossechamber.com. We’ll work with you to find the best advertising options within your budget.
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MARKET WITH THE CHAMBER. Whether you’re seeking to build your brand identity, generate leads or spotlight your corporate responsibility initiatives, allow the Chamber to carry your message forward. From newsletter ads and enhanced directory listings to mailing labels and ribbon cuttings, we have several avenues to help your business thrive.
9.
SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK. To better improve the benefits and services we provide, we rely on your honest feedback to guide our efforts. If there is something you are looking for in your membership that is not provided please let us know.
YOUR AD HERE ($275 for 1/4 page)
Other sizes and prices available. Visit www.lacrossechamber.com to purchase your ad!
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Rock Stars
Connect. Grow. Advocate. is the bedrock of the Chamber. Here we Spotlight some people who help us continue to build on that foundation.
JESSICA HIMMER (RE/MAX FIRST CHOICE - BRIAN STEPHAN), SPENCER HEGENBARTH (GERRARD-HOESCHLER REALTORS, INC.), MARK HUGHES (CANDLEWOOD SUITES), and SHANNON CRAIG (LA CROSSE BEVERAGE, LLC) who are leading the effort to plan the Young Professionals events for the next year. SUE KOLVE-FEEHAN (THE SALON PROFESSIONAL ACADEMY and SUE KOLVE’S SALON AND DAY SPA) whose efforts to rally people to fly to Washington DC with us for our DC Fly resulted in our largest fly-in group in at least a decade! To the crew at NICOLAI APARTMENTS who removed the graffiti left on our dumpster. NATHAN FRANKLIN (DAIRYLAND POWER) who secured the next six months of The Forum speakers.
STEVE NICOLAI (NICOLAI APARTMENTS) who is overseeing the hiring of a building management company to remove this work from the Chamber team. LAURA OLSON (GUNDERSEN HEALTH SYSTEM) who is single-handedly pulling together the various sources of information for our DC Fly-In issues booklet. The newly formed Young Professionals Outreach Committee had a strong first meeting with the leadership of DILLON BEAN (GERRARD-HOESCHLER REALTORS INC.), MARK HUGHES (CANDLEWOOD SUITES), CHRIS RICHGELS (RE/MAX FIRST CHOICE - BRIAN STEPHAN), and DANIEL KOELLER (CANDLEWOOD SUITES), BROOKE WHITE (HOME FEDERAL). CHRIS BUTLER (VERVE, A CREDIT UNION) who remains a faithful attendee to the Synergy meetings (finding ways to have the Chamber, Downtown Mainstreet, 7 Rivers Alliance and La Crosse Area Development Corporation work closer together).
MARK HUGHES (CANDLEWOOD SUITES) who continues to astound our Chamber team with his dedication to growing the Young Professionals by being involved in all three of their committees, monitoring the state-wide Young Professionals week at the end of April, and attending the all-state Young Professionals meeting. RICK EICKMEIER (ANYTIME FITNESS® ONALASKA AND WEST SALEM), VA YOU YANG (VERVE, A CREDIT UNION), SHEILA CONNORS (NEW HORIZONS SHELTER & OUTREACH CENTER) and CATHY FOX (COLDWELL BANKER RIVER VALLEY, REALTORS) for their assistance welcoming parents, students and business sponsors at our 57th Honor Student Banquet in April. The YP HOUSING COMMITTEE held its second meeting. See highlights from that meeting for those fantastic volunteers.
Ribbon Cuttings
GUNDERSEN CREDIT UNION Want to schedule a Ribbon Cutting or Ground Breaking through the Chamber? Please contact info@ lacrossechamber.com at least two weeks in advance. Jackson Plaza La Crosse
608.784.2110
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New Sales Tax
(aka Premier Resort Area Tax or PRAT) Next Steps BY VICKI MARKUSSEN When even the writers of a referendum express surprise that it
There are some strategies to be developed around showing them
passed, you know something interesting happened at the polls.
why it’s a bad idea for their constituencies in Madison, Milwaukee,
Approximately one month ago the La Crosse Area Chamber of
the great north woods and beyond.
Commerce, Downtown Mainstreet, La Crosse County Convention and Visitors Bureau, North La Crosse Business Association and the tavern league announced their opposition to the PRAT. We did so after uniting more than 70 people to learn about the PRAT and then asking their thoughts. More than 60% voiced opposition because of the impact it would have and hence the inequity on select businesses. We carried the message through radio stations, TV stations, social media, our website.
If it passes Madison -- some say it will be a long shot but our learning lesson locally was to not assume -- it comes back to the County for a 2/3 vote by the County Board. That’s where your local voice will be needed again. It is likely to pass since the Board already passed this idea once. From there, it’s all in
But we live in a democracy and with referendums, the wording is
the wording of the
everything. The voters approved the PRAT. Clearly we will learn from
binding referendum.
this, but our focus is on the next step. Businesses still have concerns
Often people read the
and hence we need to continue to project that voice.
question at face value.
We have resolved to call this what it is - an additional sales tax. We know it has several more steps: 1) authoring by our local electeds in Madison. Writing to them won’t do any good. The voters have told
How it reads so as to provide clarity is critical. Stay tuned.
them what they want. They will commit political suicide by not listening, hence our focus is on 2) the vote by our non-local elected.
YP Housing Task Force Takes Next Step A survey designed to identify the gap
that there is a desire for more short-term and off-academic year
between available housing stock and what
leases where people can move here, assess where they want to live,
young professionals want is the next step
and get out of their lease.
for the YP Housing Task Force. This group formed when the Young Professional’s visioning process nearly one year ago identified quality, affordable rental housing in short supply. Discussions at the last group meeting identified that jobs have changed over the past 20 years. Karl Green with the County Extension office pointed out that the median home price is $156,000. This housing stock worked well as colleges and university were expending. Now it is tired. We need housing to align with the new young professionals. The group believes firmly in having diversity in our housing stock versus developing all large complexes. There are some complexities in the development process that could be streamlined
The rental needs follow the course of life -- the immediate transition from college, three to five years later, then 7-8 years later. The goal of this group is to ensure that once the next phase of life is entered that there is rental housing stock available. There are complexities in the YP dynamics as shared by those in the group -- people want to rent longer vs. own and student loan debt makes home ownership more challenging. In addition, young professionals are sharing an inclination towards more disposable income and away from long-term savings. Some opportunities identified by the realtors in the group: no one is communicating a desire to live near downtown La Crosse because they realize the housing stock is not the turn-key properties they are seeking. A survey will help define the word “affordable” for YPs. The group will reconvene around this information.
-- contact Chamber team member Vicki Markussen for more information: vicki@lacrossechamber.com or 608.784.4880 x 6.
to reduce costs, but the most critical need is to identify at which price point the gap of what exists meets what is desired. It is known
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Wisconsin’s (and La Crosse County’s) Best Economy in 15 Years TUESDAY, MAY 23 | 11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
Hosted by Altra Federal Credit Union (Headquarters) - 1700 Oak Forest Drive, Onalaska, WI 54650 Tickets are $20 Chamber members / $40 for non-members At this Special Forum, John Koskinen, Chief Economist with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue will examine local and regional data to provide projections for what lies ahead and highlights on which sectors of our economy are still struggling and which have improved. Space is limited to the first 70 individuals so make sure to RSVP quickly to secure your seat.
Economic Indicators Breakfast Highlights Generosity BY VICKI MARKUSSEN
SUPPLIERS OF OUR NONPROFIT FUNDS: •
71% are from individuals (down from 84% in 1976-1980)
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16% foundations
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5% corporations
People are giving about 2% of their income. Corporations are giving about 1.5%
[The following advocacy update is possible because of our member businesses whose annual investment pays for the Chamber to attend and hence report out on meetings that impact our collective business community]. The biggest impact on achieving the American Dream is equality, according to UW-La Crosse Associate Professor of Economics Taggert J. Brooks. The American Dream is defined as earning more than your parents by the age of 30. In the 1940s there was tremendous inequality. The lower the poverty level in parents, the greater the odds that the next generation will do better. Other comments made at this quarterly breakfast by the economist included: •
There are no more jobs now due to the Free Trade Agreement and there will be no loss without it.
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Obamacare/Affordable Care Act generates more than $10 trillion over 10 years. Those dollars are being collected over fewer people.
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The only way to decrease healthcare premiums and pay less is to decrease the number of covered items
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Median home price in La Crosse County is $140,000 to $170,000. There is increased activity.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PHILANTHROPY
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Nonprofits are the suppliers of funds to the demanders of funds. There is a trend towards the funds going to “financial Intermediaries” such as United Way, Foundations, and larger non-profits.
Despite income decreasing, people are giving the same amount. WHERE IT’S GOING: •
32% religion (used to be 51% in 19751980)
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15% education
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12% human services
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11% foundations
There are 1800 nonprofits of which 1200 have $0 assets. Those with $200,000$500,000 budgets number about 200.
SPOTLIGHT ON GIVING FROM SUE CHRISTOPHERSON (FOWLER & HAMMER) & DAVE SKOGEN (FESTIVAL) • Sue: she learned to work hard and be charitable from her parents. Giving is contagious. She wants to go home and feel like she did her best that day. •
Dave: has found giving to be joyful. We are all born takers. He has found a sense of belonging that is greater than himself by giving to capacity. It sparks change and makes a difference.
Dave: There is nothing like what is going on here in La Crosse. He learned from the Mathy’s and the Reinhart’s. It is much more fun to give than to earn.
COMPLETE YOUR DEGREE ON YOUR TIME ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE WITH VITERBO
The top 10 nonprofits in our area are hospital and family foundations. VOLUNTEER RATES 25% in 2015 (was 28% in 2004).
ADULT, GRADUATE, AND ONLINE OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, June 7 from 4–6 p.m. Viterbo University Reinhart Center Board Room Viterbo offers degree-completion, graduate, and online programs in nursing, business, and healthcare that are designed to fit busy work and family schedules.
Learn more at www.viterbo.edu/openhouse
Upcoming Events THE FORUM “FEDERAL UPDATE FROM RON KIND’S OFFICE”
The Forum
May 8 | 7:30 AM - 9 AM Kind staffer Brad Pfaff
will share issues and dynamics happening in Washington D.C. La Crosse Area Chamber
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT SHENANIGANS / CELEBRATIONS ON THE RIVER May 11 | 5:15 PM - 6:30 PM 2100 Dawson Ave | La Crosse, 54603 Join us for Business After Hours at Celebrations on the River! Open Bar + Complimentary Appetizers + Free Games at Shenanigans! Check out La Crosse’s fastest growing riverside wedding, banquet and special event venue. Now with an all-new 3 Seasons Room and Outdoor Patio overlooking the river!
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT MAYO CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM - FRANCISCAN HEALTHCARE AT BELLE SQUARE June 8 | 5:15 PM - 6:30 PM 223 3rd St. North | La Crosse, 54601
representatives that traveled to D.C. will share outcomes from that trip where the local delegation took local issues to the nation’s capitol.
Join Mayo Clinic as we showcase a unique
GROW: KEYS TO EMPLOYEE RENEWAL & ENGAGEMENT
care model that is designed to meet the
Join us Tuesday May 16th for a half day
needs of residents, visitors and workers
education event that will leave you feeling
downtown. Mayo Clinic Health System –
recharged and energized. Learn about the
Franciscan Healthcare at Belle Square will
elusive work life balance during a quick
offer convenient, affordable care that includes
moving presentation by Jon Fields of Effective
primary care, acute care and wellness services
Business Practices. The Terry Siebert of
with extended morning and evening hours,
Dale Carnegie Training will explore how to
including Saturdays.
make better use of common sense in the workplace. If you ever thought “That makes absolutely no sense” this session is for you! Visit www.lacrossechamber.com for more details and to register.
SAVE THE DATE
MONDAY AUGUST 28 @ THE LA CROSSE COUNTRY CLUB
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149TH Annual Celebration On March 6, nearly 500 business leaders gathered at the La Crosse Center to celebrate the Chamber’s 149th Annual Celebration. This event unites the region’s most influential business and community leaders for business-to-business networking and an elegant awards ceremony to celebrate our region’s most inspirational leaders and businesses. This year, the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce cast a strong vision for 2017 - a year filled with engagement, connection and purpose. Make sure to mark your calendars for March 5, 2018 for the Chamber’s 150th Annual Celebration! If you’d like to help us plan and execute next year’s event, consider joining our new Events Committee (see page 12 for more details).
Governor Walker Special Session Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker shares the upcoming budget proposals with members of the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce at a special session in March.
Honor Student Banquet Recap For the 57th consecutive year, the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation hosted the Honor Student Banquet, a community event recognizing the top five-percent of high school seniors from 11 area high schools. This year’s event honored 77 students.
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What’s Happening at the Chamber ADVOCACY COMMITTEE The Forum breakfast meeting continues evolving to include as many members as possible on as many issues as possible in our monthly public policy discussions over breakfast. We have shifted the time to 7:30 a.m. to give participants more time to arrive. We are working to bring special and timely topics to add to our elected leaders’ updates. Recently those topics included the PRAT, a special Forum event with Governor Scott Walker, and an update on the La Crosse Center renovation. Finally, starting in May, we will be alternating monthly updates from our elected officials to include our state legislators every other month and updates from our Federal offices (Rep. Kind, Senators Baldwin, and/or Johnson) or our local leaders in the interceding months. This new arrangement will provide our members with more thorough updates month-to-month with a wider range of office holders. FINANCE COMMITTEE The sale of the Chamber’s former building at 712 Main Street (La Crosse) and our lot at the northeast corner of 7th & La Crosse Streets (La Crosse) was finalized in March. The proceeds from these sales were used to pay off the mortgage on the Chamber’s new building on the northwest corner of 7th & La Crosse Streets. To celebrate, we held a mortgage burning ceremony after the March Board of Directors Meeting. The Chamber, at the time of printing, is seeking a part-time finance director (full position description available at www.lacrossechamber.com). BUSINESS OUTREACH COMMITTEE The Business Outreach Committee is actively interviewing and accepting new members to the committee. The current members are working on connecting Steve Bissen, Business Outreach Director, with two prospective businesses a month. Each month committee members continue to orient and welcome new Chamber members while connecting with current members looking to engage and share their feedback. JOIN OUR NEW EVENTS COMMITTEE If you’re looking for a great way to engage with the Chamber and your fellow members, consider joining our newly formed Events Committee! This group will meet to share advice, develop strategies and work to successfully execute the Chamber’s four signature events: Annual Celebration, Honor Student Banquet, Golf Outing and Business Expo. Help us shape the future of these events! If interested, please reach out to Jami Redenbaugh at jami@lacrossechamber. com with your name and contact information.
Compare Your Wages to Your Peers
The La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce is joining the Wage Survey service in combination with more than five Chambers of Commerce including Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Rice Like and Menomonie to offer you a snapshot of wages and change in wages for more than 150 common job areas in manufacturing, healthcare, financial institutions, non-profits and general business.
How to Participate: 1.
Complete the Survey ( visit www. lacrossechamber.com/grow/wage-survey/ ) to receive a discount on the purchased, completed wage survey.
2.
Purchase the list upon its completion.
This partnership was created because of its low cost to members and its history (18 years and running). The La Crosse Area Society of Human Resource Managers is also participating. More information including links to complete the survey are available on the Chamber website.
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Build a Career in La Crosse at IC System Depending on where
are always charmed by its beauty,” Tanner observed. “It’s a great
you work, going to
first impression. From the fine restaurants to walking in historic
work every day can
downtown La Crosse, there is a certain beauty that, for some
sometimes feel like,
clients, takes them back in time. They’re used to the hustle and
well, a job. IC System
bustle of a large city and not used to a ‘small town’ appeal this city
believes working with
has to offer.”
good people can make all the difference, and that a workplace should feel more like a positive, nurturing work environment - than a job.
Crosse community, and it shows. “When clients come to our office and meet our staff, they find that our staff is genuine. We
IC System is an accounts receivable management company with a
take pride in our work and have a close sense of unity. Those
22,000 square-foot branch office in La Crosse’s Center 90 building
characteristics don’t stop as you leave the building; it’s part of the
on Sand Lake Road. With over 100 employees and growing in the
community that we live in. We all share those same Midwestern
La Crosse customer service center, the potential for career growth,
characteristics and values. It’s who we are.”
development, and advancement is open to all employees. Just look at Tanner Kabat, who started with IC System ten years ago at the La Crosse office and now presides over the location as branch manager.
During the last decade, Tanner married and had three children with his wife, and built a career at IC System with the opportunities available to him. “This company has a very fastpaced environment, so things are always evolving which keeps
“IC System has been family owned since 1938 and has that feeling
things fresh and challenging. It’s a great place to work. Its core
when you walk in the door,” said Tanner. “After three generations
values of People,
of family ownership, the family is still very involved in the day-
Integrity, Performance,
to-day operations of the business. Despite IC System employing
Pride and Innovation
over 500 people, I’ve never felt like a number. Employees are truly
align with my own, and
valued as they are the lifeline of our business.”
because of that I’ve
Tanner has been with the La Crosse branch since its infancy,
been able to thrive.”
having joined with its second training class of employees back in
Start your career at
2007. He started as a customer service representative and from
IC System’s La Crosse
there, “I moved my way up the totem pole one notch at a time.
office by visiting
There are several other employees throughout the organization
www.ICSystem.com/
who can share similar stories, including my entire management
careers/, or contacting
staff in La Crosse.” But Tanner and his management staff remain
IC System at HR@
grounded. “Because most of the management staff started as
ICSystem.com or 651-
customer service representatives, we understand how decisions
481-6467.
we make can impact one of our employees, and we are very conscious of that.” IC System’s home office is located in St. Paul, MN. Even so, Tanner and his staff do not feel disconnected; rather, they feel engaged and empowered to shape their path. “Being in a branch office has created an environment in La Crosse that promotes innovation. Even though we are one company, at times we’re faced with different problems in La Crosse that may require a unique solution for our branch. The people here are empowered to come up with unique solutions, and we’ve had some pretty cool ideas that have been implemented in our branch.” Though the La Crosse office is primarily a call center, they receive regular client visits too. “As clients drop down from
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To be sure, Tanner and his staff are proud members of the La
the bluffs and overlook the Mississippi and La Crosse, they
Connecting Members to Members ALLERGY ASSOCIATES OF LA CROSSE
Photizo Group has recognized EO
TRUST POINT received the TeamWomen
welcomes Chet A. Tharpe MD to its medical
JOHNSON BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES
Corporate Wavemaker Award in recognition
staff. Dr. Tharpe is board certified in allergy
as a leader in managed print services. EO
of their involvement with women’s
and immunology, as well as internal
Johnson was one of 11 independent channel
organizations and for their internal
medicine. For appointments, contact 608-
partners worldwide that Photizo Group
advancement of women. Trust Point is
782-2027.
selected to participate in the 2016 Leaders
an independent trust and investment
Index for MPS Channel Partners.
management company serving La Crosse for
ALTRA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION is pleased
over a century.
to announce the promotion of Marcos
The FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER
Fredrick from Business Banking Sales
will present The Spirit of Golf: A Retreat
Plan your education and career
Manager to Vice President – Manager of
for Men and Women June 9-10.This retreat
advancement at VITERBO UNIVERSITY’s
Business Banking. In his new role, Fredrick
includes 18 holes of golf, time for personal
free Adult, Graduate, and Online Open
will be responsible for all sales, credit and
reflection and group discussions that link
House Wednesday, June 7 in Viterbo’s
operating functions within Altra Business
golf and spirituality, and an evening social.
Reinhart Center Board Room from 4-6 p.m.
Banking.
Registration details at www.FSCenter.org or
For more information email adultlearning@
608-791-5295
viterbo.edu, call 1-888-VITERBO or visit
After 19 years in business, we have changed
www.viterbo.edu/openhouse.
our name from COMPUTER TRAINING AND
GUNDERSEN HEALTH SYSTEM has opened
CONSULTING, LLC to COAST TO COAST
a new medical clinic in Holmen Square. The
Tracy Stewart has been named Vice
TRAINING. Same services, we just felt the
clinic offers a variety of services including
President for Academic Affairs at VITERBO
new name was better suited for what we
family medicine, women’s health, lab, x-ray
UNIVERSITY. Stewart has served as provost
do, providing application and business skills
and mammography. For an appointment
at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage
training from coast to coast.
call (608) 399-3091. More information at
since 2011. She will begin her duties as the
gundersenhealth.org/holmen.
leader of Viterbo’s academic
As millennials come to represent the majority of consumers and workforces,
LEGALSHIELD INDEPENDENT
it’s important to be prepared to capitalize
ASSOCIATES, Melissa Remis and Kevin
on their preferences and talents. Learn
Kadrmas are pleased to welcome Cathy
about the trends in your industry with DBS
Witzke, Joan Brandt, Lee Frazier, and Renelle
GROUP’S 2017 Commercial Construction
Roesler, along with Combined Insurance
Trend Report at http://dbsg.com/2017-trend-
agency reps, Mitchell Gault, Nathan Pastick
report/
and Jolene Huiss to the LegalShield team in
Amy J Stodola, an EDWARD JONES
La Crosse.
financial advisor in La Crosse, WI, recently
Liz Malott was promoted to Senior Vice
qualified for the Edward Jones second
President of Community Banking at
annual Women’s Conference in St. Louis.
MARINE CREDIT UNION. Malott joined
The conference recognizes successful
Marine in 2000 and will now oversee
female Edward Jones financial advisors,
training, champion talent management,
provided attendees with the opportunity
support Marine’s deposit business, and help
to network, hear from internationally
the organization improve communication
recognized speakers, participate in sessions
and efficiency.
programs July 1.
on performance excellence best practices and interact with firm leadership.
GUIDELINES FOR THE “CONNECTING MEMBERS TO MEMBERS” SECTION OF THE NEWSLETTER. Share your business developments with your fellow Chamber members. Submit items before the 10th of the month, no more than 40 words in length and limited to personnel news or changes, new ownership, merger or acquisitions, awards, change of location, expansions, remodeling, or sponsorship of community events. The Chamber reserves the right to edit items over 40 words in length. Submit your information to the Chamber at newsletter@lacrossechamber.com.
14
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