November 2014 by New North B2B

Business Intelligence for the New North

Supporting

D own Town

Champions of downtown who start businesses, invest in properties and volunteer to enhance the central city Well City, Well Region From the Publisher

The right thing to do Philanthropy

November 2014 | $3.95

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Business Intelligence for the New North

November Features 16

16 COVER STORY

Supporting Downtown

Champions of downtown who start businesses, invest in properties and volunteer to enhance the central city in New North communities

26 PHILANTHROPY

The right thing to do

Private businesses can be good citizens too, through volunteering and financial donations

30 MANAGEMENT

Writing to reach the masses

Regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professionals showcase knowledge and expertise in books

36 ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Global Entrepreneurship Week New North region technical colleges showcase entrepreneurship development programs with special events

Departments 4

From the Publisher

5, 41 Professionally Speaking 6

Since We Last Met

10 Build Up Pages 40 Guest Commentary 42 Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s News 47 Business Calendar 49 Advertiser Index 50 Key Statistics

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NNB2B | November 2014 | 3

From the Publisher

Well City, Well Region Oshkosh becomes second community in the region to gain Well City status, with Fond du Lac not far behind By Sean Fitzgerald, New North B2B publisher

Almost exactly a year ago in this space I shared the good news of the Fox Cities achievement of its Well City designation through Wellness Council of America. A remarkable feat in its own right, it was even more impressive that Well City Fox Cities was just the third community in Wisconsin to achieve such a lofty status in wellness behind Milwaukee and Racine, and was one of only 12 Well Cities from the entire United States. Recently Oshkosh was recognized by WELCOA as the fourth Well City in Wisconsin. And Fond du Lac is a bit more than a year into a three-year effort in an attempt to earn the Well City designation itself. If successful, it would become Wisconsin’s fifth Well City, since no other community is currently pursuing such a status through WELCOA. With a potential for 60 percent of the state’s designated Well Cities residing in northeast Wisconsin, and the potential to represent more than 10 percent of Well Cities nationwide, the New North region is emerging as a hotbed for successful, effective employer-sponsored wellness programming. An elite culture of wellness is a valuable characteristic the region can promote in attracting new businesses to the area, as well as an amenity employers can emphasize as they look to attract top talent. Employer-based wellness programs may have been a new concept to northeast Wisconsin employers a decade ago, but not so much anymore. A systematic approach to helping employees and their families lead healthier lives, wellness programs are a proven means of decreasing lost productivity by reducing sick leave, lowering group health insurance premiums, and ultimately having healthier, happier employees. The designation of Well City isn’t easy to achieve. The worksite health promotion program was created 23 years ago and challenges local businesses and community leaders to work together and engage entire communities in improving the health and wellbeing of their workforces. Well City status is only achieved when a minimum of 20 employers who collectively employ at least 20 percent of a community’s workforce become designated Well Workplaces within a three-year period. The Fox Cities achieved such a lofty status in 2013 when 44 employers ultimately achieved some level of Well Workplace 4 | November 2014 | NNB2B

recognition from WELCOA. Oshkosh earned Well City status this year by earning Well Workplace Awards at the following 20 employers representing more than 14,000 Oshkosh workers, including the level of recognition:

☤ ThedaCare, platinum ☤ Affinity Health System/Mercy Medical Center, gold ☤ Aurora Health Care, gold ☤ Bemis Inc., gold ☤ Bergstrom Automotive, gold ☤ Evergreen Retirement Community, gold ☤ Fox Valley Technical College, gold ☤ McClone Insurance Agency, gold ☤ Sadoff & Rudoy Industries, gold ☤ Silver Star Brands, gold ☤ University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, gold ☤ US Venture/Express Convenience Center, gold ☤ CitizensFirst Credit Union, silver ☤ City Of Oshkosh, silver ☤ Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh, silver ☤ Oshkosh Area School District, silver ☤ Oshkosh Corp., silver ☤ Winnebago County, silver ☤ Oshkosh Community YMCA, small business ☤ Gabriel’s Villa, small business Both the Well City Fox Cities and Well City Oshkosh initiatives are proving effective in that they’ve fostered an even broader culture of health and wellness across their communities. And the evidence – as highlighted annually in B2B’s Alla tua Salute! Corporate Wellness Awards – is supporting these efforts by documenting fewer chronic health concerns among employees and better control of health insurance premium rate increases year over year. The Well City Fond du Lac initiative is currently engaging a total of 28 employers in that community to earn Well Workplace Awards. Those employers have until August 2016 to garner that recognition in order for Fond du Lac to become Wisconsin’s fifth Well City. n www.newnorthb2b.com

Professionally Speaking

The new form I-9 “Replacement Rule”

If you have a particular labor/employment law question, forward it to Mr. Renning at info@newnorthb2b.com. If he responds to your email in a future issue, your name and company will be withheld to preserve your privacy. Professionally Speaking is a paid promotional spot in B2B.

by Tony Renning of Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. 920.232.4842 Reader Question: May an employer accept a receipt merely indicating that an individual has applied for a replacement Social Security card, driver’s license or passport?

for a new Social Security card because their previous card was lost, stolen or damaged. These receipts included the individual’s name and Social Security number.

Tony Renning: As you may recall, on March 8, 2013 the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a new Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. Employers are required to complete the new Form I-9 for all newlyhired employees to verify their identity and authorization to work in the U.S. The new Form I-9 contains more detailed instructions than previous forms, including detail as to how employers should handle receipts.

Social Security officials no longer provide receipts containing the individual’s name and Social Security number. However, the “Receipt Rule” permits individuals to present a receipt demonstrating the individual has applied for a Social Security card replacement. The individual then has 90 days to present the employer with the replacement card. If the individual fails to produce the replacement card within 90 days, the individual must be terminated. The “Receipt Rule” also applies to other documents that may be used to establish an individual’s identity and authorization to work in the U.S., including a driver’s license or passport.

Often, a Social Security card serves as an individual’s only available method to verify their identity and employment eligibility – if an individual is not able to produce documentation verifying their identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days, they must be terminated. Social Security officials historically provided receipts to individuals who applied

Employers are prohibited from accepting a receipt (for a replacement Social Security card, driver’s license or passport) where the employer has actual or constructive knowledge an individual is not who they say they are or not authorized to work in the U.S. Similarly, employers may not accept a receipt where the employment is expected to last less than

Sean Fitzgerald Publisher & President sean@newnorthb2b.com Carrie Rule Sales Manager carrie@newnorthb2b.com Kate Erbach Production Contributing writers Jeffrey Decker Robin Driessen Bruecker Lee Marie Reinsch Chief Financial Officer Vicky Fitzgerald, CPA

three days – employers should be cautious about accepting receipts where employment is expected to last less than 90 days. Employers presented with a receipt should record the document title on the Form I-9 and also note the document is a receipt, the receipt number, and last day the receipt is valid. When presented with the Social Security card, driver’s license or passport, the employer should delete reference to the information associated with the receipt on the Form I-9. For advice and counsel concerning the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) and, specifically, Form I-9, contact Tony Renning at (920) 232-4842 or trenning@ dkattorneys.com or any other member of the Davis & Kuelthau Labor and Employment Team. Tony Renning is a shareholder with Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. Mr. Renning provides counsel to private and public sector employers on a wide variety of labor and employment law matters. This article is intended to provide information only, not legal advice. For advice regarding a particular employment situation, please contact a member of the Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. Labor and Employment Team.

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NNB2B | November 2014 | 5

Since We Last Met

Since We Last Met is a digest of business related news occurring in the Greater Green Bay, Fox Cities, Oshkosh and Fond du Lac areas in the one month since the previous issue of New North B2B.

September 23 The Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau awarded a $100,000 tourism development grant to Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in the town of Grand Chute to expand its environmental center. The improved environmental center will feature a coffee shop, toddler play and learn facility, interpretive displays including live animals indigenous to the region, and enhanced ski and snowshoe rental area. It will also include a meditation deck. September 24 The University of Wisconsin Colleges and Lawrence University in Appleton announced a partnership allowing students from any two-year UW College to transfer credits more efficiently to Lawrence to earn a bachelor’s degree. Lawrence will provide specialized advising, registration, financial information and orientation opportunities for UW Colleges transfer students. Academic credits still will be transferred on a case-by-case basis. All UW College transfer students will be eligible for a merit-based scholarship from Lawrence up to $20,000 per year.

September 25 State Department of Transportation officials approved a $2,521,211 construction project at Outagamie County Regional Airport in Greenville to expand the general aviation ramp. The project will provide additional tie-down parking for aircraft and access to additional hangar space at the airport. The expanded ramp will also provide an interim destination and a gateway to the community for travelers and businesses visiting the Fox Cities. The Federal Aviation Administration is picking up more than $2.1 million of the total project costs, while both the state and Outagamie County will contribute a bit less than $200,000 each. Construction is scheduled to be finished later this year. September 29 The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved hiring Andrew J. Leavitt, vice president for university advancement at the University of North Georgia and chief executive officer of the University of North Georgia Foundation, Inc., as the next chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Leavitt begins his new post Nov. 1. Leavitt succeeds Chancellor Richard H. Wells, who retired in

offered a plan that included severance pay, a benefits package and assistance from an outside agency to help employees improve their resume, interviewing and networking skills.

2003 November 12 – Wisconsin enacted a law making its Technology Zone Tax Credit Program accessible to limited liability companies. The law will allow technology companies in the start-up phase to compete equally for over $35 million in tax credits. 2004 November 15 – A consortium of northeastern Wisconsin business, education, economic development and government leaders gathered in Green Bay to launch a collaborative effort to market and plan for the economic future of the region. That gathering would later be recognized as the first New North Summit. 2006 November 9 – Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac laid off about 100 salaried employees to improve efficiency. Displaced employees were

6 | November 2014 | NNB2B

2007 November 7 – Three additional automated external defibrillator public aid stations were established in downtown Appleton, located at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Harmony Café and Flanagan’s Stop and Shop. These stations join the 18 AED public stations in downtown Appleton unveiled in late September and can be used when someone suffers from sudden cardiac arrest. 2010 November 4 – Green Bay-based Northeast Wisconsin Technical College announced plans for two new programs – marine construction technology and marine engineering technology – both specifically designed to train the next generation of workers in the shipbuilding industry. The announcement is in response to the U.S. navy’s proposal to Congress to award a contract to Marinette Marine to build 10 new littoral combat ships, potentially creating 1,000 new jobs for the New North’s shipbuilding industry and thousands more for suppliers of Marinette Marine. www.newnorthb2b.com

August following nearly 14 years as the top administrator at the state’s third-largest university. Leavitt had served in his role at the University of North Georgia since 2009, having chaired the university’s strategic plan steering committee and led the merger of two philanthropic foundations to form a single foundation with more than $55 million in assets. October 1 The Outdoor and Action Sports division of VF Corp. was awarded up to $880,500 in state job creation and job retention tax credits as part of the $2.7 million project to expand its Jansport facility in Greenville. The 19,000-sq. ft. addition is expected to allow the company to add up to 70 jobs in the Fox Cities area once completed in December. The tax credits from Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. will be paid out over the next three to five years based upon the actual number of jobs created. October 3 The U.S. Department of Labor reported 248,000 jobs were created nationwide in September, lowering the federal unemployment rate to 5.9 percent. Employment increased in professional and business services, retail trade and health care. October 6 Lomira-based Grande Cheese Company announced plans to construct an 87,000-sq. ft. new corporate headquarters and

research center on Fond du Lac’s south side. Grande Cheese purchased 40 acres of land off of U.S. Highway 151 three years ago, and plans to eventually develop a campus that will include a manufacturing research pilot plant, an orchard, vineyards, vegetable gardens and a greenhouse. The company anticipates it will move nearly 175 employees from its current offices in Lomira once the Fond du Lac facility is completed in early 2016. October 8 Port of Green Bay officials reported 20 ships came through the port in September carrying just more than 250,000 metric tons of cargo, raising year-to-date cargo totals 12 percent above 2013. Port officials said the current pace of cargo traffic so far in 2014 is set to surpass last year’s record of 2.1 million tons of cargo for the entire shipping season. October 9 Oshkosh Corp. officials announced plans to lay off more than 300 employees from its defense segment operations in December in response to decreased US. military spending. The cuts will include between 250 to 300 hourly positions and about 70 salaried positions, with the majority of salaried positions being temporary employees, elimination of open positions and retirements.

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NNB2B | November 2014 | 7

Since We Last Met October 14 Officials from Sam’s Club announced plans to build a 136,455-sq. ft. store in Oshkosh on the site of the former Walmart store near the U.S Highway 41 interchange with State Road 44. Construction is expected for 2015. The blighted development site has had two different owners since the former Walmart building was demolished in 2007 after a new store was built on the other side of U.S. 41 in 2003. October 15 Astro Industries Inc. in Ashwaubenon was awarded up to $150,000 in state job creation tax credits from Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. to assist it with a 20,000-sq. ft. expansion of its manufacturing facility. The addition to the metal coating and finishing company will allow it to create 20 new jobs when it’s completed in early 2015. Front to back, we understand recent changes in tax laws, IRS procedures, investment strategies, compliance,

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October 16 The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership received a $60,505 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farmers Market Promotion Program to move its Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers Market to a new location on Main Street in 2015. The grant will also help expand educational and community market related activities. The market has outgrown its previous location at the Fond du Lac City/ County Building parking lot. October 17 State transportation officials reopened the State Road 47/ Richmond Street interchange with U.S. Highway 41 on the north side of Appleton after the interchange had been closed for reconstruction since February. The $4.2 million improvement project included raising the height of the bridge by 21 inches – the last bridge along U.S. 41 in Outagamie County to be raised. The project also included widening the bridge deck by another 11 inches and adding separated bike/ pedestrian lanes, as well as lengthening the turn lanes. October 18 The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reopened the County Road M/Lineville Road interchange with U.S. Highway 41 near Howard and Suamico in northern Brown County after the interchange had been closed for reconstruction since August 18. The improvement project included constructing four roundabouts, replacing the Lineville Road bridge over U.S. 41, constructing an additional travel lane on Lineville, and adding bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

Purchase these gift cards at any participating location! www.downtownoshkosh.com 8 | November 2014 | NNB2B

October 20 Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay will receive more than $1 million from the Federal Aviation Administration and more than $57,000 in state funds to purchase a new snow plow/broom vehicle and a new highspeed snow blower vehicle for its snow removal fleet. Brown County will also contribute $57,500 toward the acquisition of the new snow removal vehicles.

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October 21 Officials from Appleton-based ThedaCare announced plans to construct a new $44 million regional cancer center near its Encircle Health campus on the northeast side of Appleton. Architectural designs are still being developed for the proposed medical facility, but ThedaCare officials hope to begin construction next year with plans to complete the project in 2016. October 21 ACH Foam Technologies in Fond du Lac announced it will expand into an existing 40,000-sq. ft. industrial facility in the Fox Ridge Business Park on Fond du Lac’s south side in early 2015. It will be the second location for ACH Foam Technologies, a polystyrene manufacturer which currently operates a 110,000-sq. ft. facility in the city’s Rolling Meadows Industrial Park. But that facility is landlocked and unable to be expanded further. Company officials said the expansion could create up to 15 new jobs. The expansion into the new facility will be aided by a $250,000 loan from Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corp. October 21 Kimberly-Clark Corp. indicated it plans to cut nearly 1,300 positions from its global workforce during 2015 and 2016 as part of a restructuring strategy, but didn’t reveal details of where such job cuts may be made. The company did indicate a majority of the eliminated positions would be from its salaried workforce. The company employs about 58,000 people around the world, including nearly 3,300 across its Fox Cities manufacturing and administrative operations.

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October 21 The Green Bay City Council approved its support for a $4.5 million replacement to the deteriorating Olympic-sized swimming pool at Colburn Park, which would receive $3.5 million in funds from taxpayers if $1 million can be raised in private donations. The nearly half-century-old pool is beyond repair, and a private citizens group has set out to raise donations for a new facility. Preliminary plans for a new Colburn Park swimming pool include a new bathhouse, community room, new concessions and bleachers. October 21 Werner Electric Supply Co. of Neenah will construct a new corporate office and regional distribution center west of Appleton after the Town of Grand Chute Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a request to rezone 40 acres of vacant land on County Road BB west of its interchange with U.S. Highway 41 from commercial to industrial. Town officials also plan to create Grand Chute’s first tax incremental finance district on the site and spend nearly $3.5 million to develop the entire 40-acre property with street and other utility infrastructure during 2015. Construction of the new Werner Electric facility wouldn’t begin until later in 2015 and be completed and ready for operation in early 2016. n

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NNB2B | November 2014 | 9

Build Up Fond du Lac

1 2 3&4

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Build Up

Indicates a new listing

10 & 11

Fond du Lac 1 - 1210 W. Scott St., Fond du Lac Ultratech Tool & Design Inc., an addition to the existing industrial facility. 2 - 390 N. Rolling Meadows Dr., Fond du Lac Holiday Ford, an addition to the showroom at the existing automotive dealership. 3 - 859 W. Johnson St., Fond du Lac Panda Express, a new restaurant building. 4 - 775 W. Johnson St., Fond du Lac Panera Bread, a new restaurant building. 5 - 77 N. Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac Hampton Inn, a three-story, 73-room hotel facility.

6 - 235 N. National Ave., Fond du Lac Moraine Park Technical College, a 5,212-sq. ft. addition to the existing educational institution to improve the main entrance and student services. Project completion expected in November. 7 - 625 W. Rolling Meadows Dr., Fond du Lac Holiday Inn, a nearly 5,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing conference and banquet facility. Project completion expected in spring 2015. 8 - 55 Holiday Lane, Fond du Lac Holiday Inn Express, an 86-room hotel facility.

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Build Up Oshkosh

Indicates a new listing

Build Up

Oshkosh

9 - 191 W. Rolling Meadows Dr., Fond du Lac Love’s Travel Stop & Country Store, a travel center with a convenience store, two restaurants and a truck tire service center. Project completion expected in early 2015. 10 - 305 & 321 Camelot Dr., Fond du Lac Fond du Lac Regional Clinic South, a 50,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing medical clinic, as well as a separate 50,000sq. ft. building for an Agnesian Healthcare dialysis center. Completion of both projects expected in late 2014. 11 - 300 Block of Camelot Dr., Fond du Lac Grande Cheese Company, an 87,000-sq. ft. new corporate headquarters and research center. Project completion expected in early 2016.

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12 - 3500 N. Main St., Oshkosh Bemis Healthcare Packaging, a 110,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacting facility and office complex. Project completion expected in late 2015. 13 - 639 Witzel Ave., Oshkosh City of Oshkosh Public Works Building, a municipal operations facility and yard. Project completion expected in December. 14 - 2601 Badger Ave., Oshkosh Tube Fabrication & Color, a 7,500-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacturing facility. Project completion expected in January. General contractor is Frontier Builders & Consultants of Kaukauna. Projects completed since our October issue: • Bergstrom Kia, 3325 S. Washburn St., Oshkosh.

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NNB2B | November 2014 | 11

Build Up Fox Cities Build Up

Fox Cities

Indicates a new listing 1 - N1009 Craftsmen Dr., town of Greenville Maxcess Webex, a 2,000-sq. ft. addition for a crane lift and an interior remodel of the existing industrial facility. Project completion expected in November. General contractor is Frontier Builders & Consultants of Kaukauna. 2 - N850 County Road CB, town of Greenville Jansport/VF Outdoor Inc., a 19,432-sq. ft. addition to the existing industrial facility and offices. Project completion expected in December. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna. 3 - 3250 N. Mayflower Dr., town of Grand Chute TML Auto, a 1,177-sq. ft. addition to the existing automotive dealership and office. Project completion expected in December. General contractor is Frontier Builders & Consultants of Kaukauna. 4 - 2925 Victory Lane, town of Grand Chute Bergstrom Automotive Used Car Supercenter, a 42,474-sq. ft. body shop and car dealership office. Project completion expected in early 2015. 5 - W6400 County Road BB, town of Greenville Fox Valley Technical College Public Safety Training Center, a 93,000-sq. ft. training facility for police and fire personnel. Project completion expected in December. 6 - 2150 Holly Road, town of Menasha Azco Inc., a 9,456-sq. ft. addition to the existing industrial facility. Project completion expected in late fall. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna. 7 - 4001 W. Spencer St., town of Grand Chute Bay Area Granite & Marble, a 7,500-sq. ft. showroom and office. Project completion in January. General contractor is James J. Calmes & Sons Construction of Kaukauna. 8 - 835 W. Northland Ave., Appleton First National Bank - Fox Valley, a 4,200-sq. ft. financial institution branch office. Project completion expected in November. General contractor is Keller Inc. 9 - 324 E. Florida Ave., Appleton Einstein Middle School/Appleton Area School District, interior renovations and an addition to the existing school building to include a new cafeteria and commons and an expanded library. Project completion expected in November. 10 - 2224 N. Ullman St., Appleton Huntley Elementary School/Appleton Area School District, interior renovations and an addition to the existing school building to include administrative offices and a multi-purpose room. Project completion expected in November. 11 - 3925 Gateway Dr., Appleton Fox Valley Hematology & Oncology, a 60,000-sq. ft. cancer treatment facility. Project completion expected in summer 2015. 12 - 1400 Block of Evergreen Drive, Kaukauna Exclusive CPA, a new commercial office building. General contractor is Keller Inc. 13 - 222 Lawe St., Kaukauna Kwik Trip, an 8,777-sq. ft. convenience store and fuel canopy. 14 - 1506 S. Oneida St., Appleton St. Elizabeth Hospital, a five-story, 90-bed patient tower, as well as renovations to the cancer center and behavioral health. Project completion expected in December. 12 | November 2014 | NNB2B

www.newnorthb2b.com

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15 - N8770 County Road LP, Harrison Lake Park Sportzone, a 32,000-sq. ft. indoor athletic facility to include basketball and volleyball courts. Project completion expected in early 2015. 16 - 901 Appleton Road, Menasha Citgo, a 2,700-sq. ft. new convenience store and fueling station. Project completion expected in December. General contractor is Bayland Buildings of Green Bay. 17 - 420 7th St., Menasha Menasha High School, two separate additions totaling 46,603 square feet of educational space, as well as interior renovations to the gym, locker rooms and swimming pool. Project completion expected in summer 2015. 18 - 600 Racine St., Menasha Boys & Girls Club of Menasha, a 33,000-sq. ft. community www.newnorthb2b.com

center for children. Project completion expected in May 2015. 19 - 403 Third St., Menasha Third Street Market, a complete refurbishment of the former retail facility for a new grocery store. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna. Project completion in early 2015. 20 - 601 S. Commercial St., Neenah Galloway Company, a 5,488-sq. ft. railcar unloading facility. 21 - 417 N. Tullar Road, Neenah Country View Animal Hospital, a 11,000-sq. ft. animal care facility and offices. Project completion expected in November. Contractor is Bayland Buildings of Green Bay. Projects completed since our October issue: • Kolosso Automotive, 2445 W. College Ave., Appleton. • PolyFlex, Inc.. 311 Oak Grove Road, Kaukauna. • Fox Valley Wood Products, W811 State Road 96, Kaukauna. NNB2B | November 2014 | 13

Build Up Greater Green Bay area 1 2

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Build Up

Greater Green Bay area 1 - 11820 Velp Ave., Suamico Culverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant, a 4,000-sq. ft. new restaurant building. Project completion expected in January 2015. General contractor is Bayland Buildings of Green Bay. 2 - 2714 Riverview Dr., Howard Bellin Health, an addition and interior remodel of the existing health care clinic. 3 - 1620 W. Mason St., Green Bay Neufeld Enterprises, a new retail commercial building.

14 | November 2014 | NNB2B

Indicates a new listing

4 - 1010 S. Military Ave., Green Bay Broadway Pre-Owned, Broadway Hyundai and Broadway Ford, three separate dealership facilities. 5 - 857 School Pl., Green Bay Bay Valley Foods, a 25,000-sq. ft. addition and remodel of the existing manufacturing facility. Project completion expected in May 2015. 6 - 301 E. Main St., Green Bay KI Convention Center, a 30,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing convention center facility. Project completion expected in spring 2015

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7 - 100 E. Main St., Green Bay CityDeck Landing, a six-story, mixed-use development to include 76 residential units and 7,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor.

16 - Label Drive, Ashwaubenon Green Bay Packaging Inc., a 240,000-sq. ft. coated products manufacturing facility. Project completion expected in December.

8 - 617 S. Roosevelt St., Green Bay Bellin Health, a 5,400-sq. ft. addition and interior remodel of the existing health care clinic.

17 - 855 Glory Road, Ashwaubenon Truck Equipment Inc., a 73,033-sq. ft. truck service facility and offices. Project completion expected in late fall.

9 - 2730 E. Mason St., Green Bay Bank Mutual, a 500-sq. ft. addition and interior remodel of the existing financial institution office. Project completion expected in December.

18 - 810 Parkview Road, Ashwaubenon Astro Industries, a 19,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacturing facility. Project completion expected in early 2015. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

10 - 840 S. Huron Road, Green Bay Kwik Trip, a 500-sq. ft. addition and remodel of the existing convenience store and fuel station.

19 - 840 W. Ninth St., De Pere Ambrosius Sales & Service, a 1,440-sq. ft. addition to the existing retail store and repair shop.

11 - 2601 Development Dr., Bellevue Lakeland College, a 15,032-sq. ft. satellite educational campus. Project completion expected in early 2015.

20 - 900 Main Ave., De Pere Unison Credit Union, a 3,984-sq. ft. financial institution office. Project completion expected in December. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

12 - 839 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay Bank of Luxemburg, an 11,444-sq. ft. bank branch and office.

21 - 825 Pamela St., Wrightstown Farm Products LLC, a 4,000-sq. ft. manufacturing facility. Project completion expected in January.

13 - 2580 S. Broadway, Ashwaubenon Bay Towel, an addition to the existing industrial facility. 14 - 2626 S. Oneida St., Ashwaubenon CMT Ashwaubenon, a 7,767-sq. ft. multi-tenant commercial retail building. 15 - 2160 Packerland Dr., Green Bay Beautiful Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church, an addition to the worship space and an interior remodel to accommodate classroom space.

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22 - 100 Grant St., De Pere St. Norbert College Gehl-Mulva Science Center, a 150,000sq. ft. education and research facility to house the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Green Bay campus. Project completion expected in spring 2015. Projects completed since our October issue: • Titletown Brewing Co., 520 North Broadway, Green Bay. • Gordon Food Service (GFS) Marketplace, 2609 S. Oneida St., Ashwaubenon. • Gandrud Detail Shop, 750 Millennium Ct., De Pere. • Jack Schroeder & Associates, 2064 Allouez Ave., Bellevue.

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Cover Story

Supporting Downtown Champions of downtown who start businesses, invest in properties and volunteer to enhance the central city Story by Lee Marie Reinsch You know them. You have seen them. Maybe from afar, maybe from next door, maybe on Facebook. They are in our midst, these uber-accomplishers – they walk among us. But they are nothing like mere mortal human beings. They’re on boards and winning awards. They’ve got busy families and fulltime jobs. They own companies and shape lives. They’re active in not one cause, but five. Their energy seems to have no limits. Nor does their generosity. They donate, they volunteer, they pitch in. And these local mega-beings use their power and energy to better their downtowns. They may not run into burning buildings, but they do breathe new life into downtowns that otherwise might not be as successful. They are our downtown heroes.

16 | November 2014 | NNB2B

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Oshkosh

Do not tell Kris and Sarrah Larson to orchestrate a zombie apocalypse. They could do it. “When Kris gets an idea in his head, he finds a way to make it happen,” said Downtown Oshkosh Business Improvement District Manager Cassie Daniels. Since returning to their hometown a few years ago after restaurateurship in Madison, Kris and Sarrah Larson have led the movement toward a revitalized downtown Oshkosh. They started by launching Becket’s – along with partner, Chef Mike Buckarma – the popular riverside restaurant at the site of the former Park Plaza mall, and they haven’t stopped since.

Photo courtesy of Stolley Studio

A few years later, they purchased the former Wagner Opera House on North Main Street. Not only did they turn it into a hub of activity that includes a bicycle shop, butcher shop/grocery store, dance studio and apartments, but their own home as well.

WHO: Kris and Sarrah Larson WHERE: Oshkosh WHAT: Co-owners of Becket’s restaurant, www.beckets. com; owners of the former Wagner Opera House, which houses Winnebago Bicycle, Bodyworks Internationale and Ski’s Market; serve on boards for Wisconsin Restaurant Association, Growing Oshkosh, Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra and Oshkosh Gallery Walk. WORDS THEY LIVE BY: “We’re working to put things downtown that we’d like to see downtown.”

Filling a need for hands-on art as a social outing, Art Spot is a venture with Becket’s – it offers aspiring artists an evening of paint lessons with the accompaniment of beverages and appetizers. “They are all about filling niches that the community wants to see,” Daniels said of the Larsons. “If they feel like there’s something missing from downtown that (they) would love to see downtown, (they) will find a way to make it happen.”

“We’ve been trying to put things in there we feel belong there,” Kris Larson said.

Downtowns are the hearts of our communities, Kris Larson said.

The ball of wax started rolling when the Larsons, who are avid bikers, noticed a lack of bike-related shops downtown. “There used to be bike shops on Main Street when I was a kid growing up here but they’ve since moved out to the frontage road,” he said. “We found a guy we thought would be a good bike shop owner, built him out a space and put him in there.” Voila – Winnebago Bicycle was born.

“There’s more spirit and heart there, to us. It’s easy to say it’s selfish because I work there and live there, but … we’re working to put things downtown that we’d like to see downtown.”

Ski’s Market is the new kid on the block, having just opened in late October. Sarrah manages that. It specializes in locally produced meats, chicken, produce and bakery products, with meat cut and sausages made on site. It’s part of the family-owned, Stevens Point-based franchise, Ski’s Meat Market. “My best guess is that 10,000 to 15,000 people live in the central city these days. They’re lacking a grocery store in general,” Larson said. “(Ski’s) has everything you’d find in a grocery store, only with a 1920s market vibe.” Voila – Ski’s was born. Daniels said for people who live near downtown Oshkosh, a gallon of milk can often mean a five-mile round trip. “This is a great addition to our downtown,” Daniels said. “We’ve been looking for that for a while. We just couldn’t find the right company to do it.” The Larsons also helped the summer farmers market move from the city hall parking lot to the 400 and 500 blocks of North Main Street by providing storage for tents and tables. www.newnorthb2b.com

Historic image of Wagner Opera House

NNB2B | November 2014 | 17

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Appleton

For the last two years, since the resounding success of the first two Mile of Music events, Dave Willems’ name has been almost synonymous with downtown Appleton, according to Jennifer Stephany, executive director of Downtown Appleton, Inc. “You can’t talk about Dave without mentioning the Mile of Music – it’s huge,” said Stephany. “We’re calling it a game changer.” Mile of Music is a four-day weekend of original musical acts by performers from all over the country. Some 150 artists perform in parks, bars, restaurants and other venues in downtown Appleton. It differs from a largely outdoor festival such as Octoberfest in that most concerts are held inside private businesses. Willems said a big purpose of Mile of Music was to drive business downtown. “We have a lot of wonderful events that occur downtown, but what seemed to be lacking were events that actually put people into the businesses and give them a chance to purchase goods from the businesses and at the same time have a great experience,” Willems said. He said he had Austin’s South by Southwest festival in mind when he envisioned Mile of Music.

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“(Downtown Appleton) is probably a better footprint than most places, in that we have multiple venues in a walkable stretch where you can have people floating in and out and at the same time spending money on beverages and food,” he said. Most of the acts were free and were brought to town with the help of sponsorships from the local business community. Willems estimates that between 30,000 and 40,000 people attended over the four-day stretch. This year, Mile of Music reached the break-even status. Once the event is profitable, proceeds will go toward the Mile of Music Education Fund, Willems said. Educating the next generation is important to Willems. His firm, Willems Marketing & Events, launched a student marketing program two years ago with the Appleton Area School District that mentors dozens of students at any given time. WHO: Dave Willems WHERE: Appleton WHAT: Owner, Willems Marketing & Events; founder/ organizer of Mile of Music; serves or has served on Appleton Downtown Inc. committees and project planning task forces; helped launch the downtown farmers market, concert series, Art on the Town, Soup Walk and other events; strong advocate for the creative economy and the current place-making push. WORDS HE LIVES BY: “Put people into the businesses and give them a chance to purchase goods from the businesses, while at the same time having a great experience.”

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“They get some tutelage from us and a part-time advisor from the school district, and we bring in experts from the community, entrepreneurs and business people,” Willems said. Students learn how they can pursue a future in marketing whether it’s through technical college, a fouryear degree or just going on to use marketing as an extra skill, Willems said. Stephany called him a visionary who always keeps community needs in mind. “He’s always looking for partnerships and how do we directly impact, whether economically or culturally, the betterment of our community,” she said. “Dave is all about community. He’s very laid back and approachable, but by the time you are done talking to him, you are exhausted because of all the ideas he has,” Stephany said. For that reason, she keeps

a file on her desk called “Crazy Ideas from Dave.” Willems says the communities that have the strongest downtowns are the ones that nurture them. “They’re the ones that make sure the center, the heart, the core of their community is vibrant, that it’s being paid attention to, that there’s activity going on, and that have a strategic plan – it’s got a vision of what it wants to be,” he said. These communities also tend to be generous toward the non-profit organizations that need their help with things like homelessness. “Am I saying we’ve handled it? No, but we handle it better than most communities handle it,” he said. “We just believe that if we can continue to drive the middle of the community being successful, that it will impact all the rest of the community.”

Green Bay – On Broadway

When gold and silversmith Michelle Winter was growing up, she wasn’t allowed to hang out in the Broadway district of Green Bay. Too many bar fights and other unsavory elements lurked there. After she grew up and spent nearly a decade in Madison, she moved back to Green Bay. She and her then-husband and business partner Al Buch set up shop – The Gift Itself artisan jewelry store – a few blocks away from the Broadway district. It was 1993, and while the commercial strip on the west side

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Cover Story WHO: Michelle Winter WHERE: Green Bay WHAT: Silver and goldsmith, jewelry instructor, founder of The Gift Itself, 125 N. Broadway, and On Broadway, Inc. member for 21 years WORDS SHE LIVES BY: “Together, we can do anything.”

of the Fox River had made some progress since its rough past, it wasn’t quite the showpiece of updated and restored historic spaces it is today. “We had both lived through (developers) tearing down so many historic buildings on the east side,” Winter said. They didn’t want to see it happen on the west side. In 1995, they bought an old building on Broadway that was about to be razed, renovated it and made it the home of The Gift Itself. Other businesses did likewise. Broadway became first a Wisconsin Main Street district and then a Great American Main Street Photo by John Robbe designation. It’s now the site of the farmers market, Taste on Broadway and Winterfest and enjoys a reputation as a place to go for unique specialty shops and eateries. “We’ve got people on the board and volunteers from all over the city,” Winter said. “The amount of support is absolutely amazing. We have fabulous restaurants and places to shop.” Christopher Naumann, executive director of On Broadway, Inc., called Winter “one of our first and most passionate leaders.” “Michelle is one of our longer-term vested interests in the organization,” he said. “She was here long before the organization (On Broadway, Inc.) started; she was on the organizing board that helped bring the organization to birth.” Naumann credits Winter with being involved in the district’s public art installations and aesthetic touches. “She’s always been front and center to defend artist contributions and how they can be integrated into our district downtown in general,” Naumann said.

Even though she sold her business two years ago to a longtime employee and no longer owns property in the Broadway district, she remains active in On Broadway initiatives. “She helped establish a business that is still in the community, and she helped transition that business to the next owner, who is now taking that concept and running with it,” Naumann said. “She is still passionately involved in our leadership and in the decisions made in our organization and how we impact the district.” Winter now teaches jewelry techniques at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s Artisan Center in Green Bay’s Olde Main Street district on the east side of the Fox River. Even if Winter has left the Broadway district physically, she hasn’t left it emotionally. “There’s a feeling of family that the Broadway District has because we all started it together, because we all wanted to do something, we all wanted to save some buildings,” she said. “We wanted to create a walking district that people would really enjoy.”

De Pere

Sofas and chairs don’t get used much at the Hemauer household. With a blended family of eight kids, youth sports teams to coach, a business to run, historic properties to keep beautiful, the only chairs Scott Hemauer really uses are the kinds on committees. “I am not the kind of person that sits around and watches TV,” Hemauer said. “I always have to be building, restoring, doing things and being active.” In addition to his building at 113 S. Broadway on De Pere’s east side, Hemauer manages to restore vintage Rupp snowmobiles and motorcycles in what little free time he might have. Hemauer & Zurawski – an agency for Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. – is housed in a historic building on De Pere’s Broadway corridor. When he bought it, it didn’t look much like it does now.

WHO: Scott Hemauer WHERE: De Pere WHAT: Co-owner of Hemauer & Zurawski Financial; vice president and president-elect of Definitely De Pere; active in efforts to establish a business improvement district; involved with downtown activities such as the Soup Walk; involved in fundraising for the Riverwalk; 2010 Max Franc Business and Residential Award recipient. WORDS HE LIVES BY: “Everybody always says they’re too busy, but I always say if something is important enough to you, you’ll find a way to do it – you’ll find a way to make it work.”

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“He painstakingly restored it, and it’s been one of the absolute gems of the block,” said Allyson Watson, executive director of Definitely De Pere, Inc.

that block has been restored,” Watson said. “Scott is really passionate about keeping the heritage and character of the downtown.”

The building is now on the National Register of Historic Places, and the De Pere Historical Society gave it the Max Franc Business and Residential Award in 2010.

A few years ago, when asked to fundraise to build the De Pere Riverwalk, Hemauer didn’t think twice.

Why go through the bother of restoring it to National Register standards? “We decided that if we were going to do it, why not do it right, and have some place that is a destination, a showpiece, just something we’re happy to come to every morning,” Hemauer said. Others followed. “With his restoration, we have seen three other buildings on that block that have been restored, so a good chunk of

Fond du Lac

“Build it and they will come.” The phrase from the 1989 movie “Field of Dreams” gets used often enough, especially by aspiring retailers dreaming of starting specialty shops. But Fond du Lac developer Louie Lange says they’ve got it backward. It should be ‘Get the people there first, then build it.’ “Often small retailers come in and put shops downtown, which is great, but they don’t survive long enough – they don’t have deep enough pockets to get to the point where people truly change their habits to go downtown to patronize them,” said Louie Lange III, president of The Commonwealth Companies, a development, property management and landscape company. “If we already had people who were down there, the chances of success are going to be that much greater.” WHO: Louie Lange III WHERE: Fond du Lac WHAT: President of The Commonwealth Companies; board of directors for Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership; Fond du Lac Economic Development Corp. board. WORDS TO LIVE BY: “Getting more people downtown starts with housing.”

The entrance, top, and interior, right, of Trinity in Fond du Lac.

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“There was no other historic facility like that. It is unique in the Midwest to have that river access available to city residents, visitors, tourists, schools to do educational programs,” he said. “My wife and I always say there’s nothing you can’t get in De Pere.” He’s currently championing the effort to create a business improvement district in downtown De Pere to help fund improvement programming. That issue will come before the De Pere City Council later this November.

He’s observed big-box retailers building on the outskirts of cities because that’s where more people live – in suburbs, subdivisions and rural areas. “They don’t say if we put a McDonald’s downtown, then everybody would drive downtown. They say we will put it in this location because it has a high population density or traffic or whatever metric they use,” Lange said. Housing needs to lead the way in the redevelopment of downtowns, he believes. Too many downtown retail buildings are sitting vacant and need to be renovated. “If they put one or two or four units in their existing buildings, now we’re creating a population density,” he said. “By having a population density, those are the people who are going to take advantage of the small shops and stores downtown, those are the people who are going to restaurants.” He’s practicing what he preaches by adding

St. Peter’s Place Apartments

NNB2B | November 2014 | 23

Cover Story affordable housing near downtown and housing his companies there. In the last six years, Commonwealth has repurposed several old properties in Fond du Lac: ♦ Turning the former Trinity Lutheran Church into Trinity Restaurant and Hall, an upscale restaurant; ♦ Turning St. Peter’s Church into St. Peter’s Place apartments and office space; ♦ Plans to transform the former Wells Manufacturing building into The Garten Factory retail nursery and landscaping, opening in spring 2015; ♦ Plans to transform the former Retlaw Theater into office, retail and multi-family space; ♦ Turning a vacant retail property, formerly the Rent-It Center on Macy Street, into Riverside Senior Apartments, with Commonwealth Coffee Co. in the lower level. Commonwealth Coffee’s slogan is “coffee with a kickback.” It donates 10 percent to a nonprofit, with a new nonprofit beneficiary every quarter. “When you say downtown development, we rely on tons of people in this community, but if you had to point to one person, it’s Louie,” said Amy Hansen, executive director of Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership. “What he has done for our downtown is like no other.”

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In 2008 during the slumped economy, nobody was building much. “Louie was the one that got things going in downtown Fond du Lac,” Hansen said. “He took a leap of faith when other people weren’t necessarily investing by saying ‘I’m going to buy Trinity church and turn it into a restaurant.’” The Commonwealth Companies took on the Retlaw site partly because they’ve outgrown their current headquarters in St. Peter’s Place, but partly, too, by request of community leaders concerned about the property falling into disrepair. “It’s not about Commonwealth or about getting rich, he is just so generous,” Hansen said. Fond du Lac is working on developing Emergent Labs, a learning center and work space for emerging technology-based firms in the community. It needed seed money to get off the ground, establish a website, etc. “Louie said, ‘OK, I’ll give you $10,000 to get going,” Hansen said. Lange said he considers it an investment in growing technology-related jobs in Fond du Lac. “Why should Silicon Valley or California have a monopoly?” Chances of reclaiming lost manufacturing jobs are slim, so we need to invest in tech-related jobs, he said. “What (Lange) does here in Fond du Lac, he does because this is his city and he loves it, and he wants it to be a great community for his family and for all of us,” Hansen said. n Lee Reinsch of Green Bay worked 18 years at daily newspapers before launching her freelance business, edgewise, in 2007. www.newnorthb2b.com

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Philanthropy

Submitted photo

Employees from Alliant Energy in Fond du Lac help paint a fence for the newest Habitat for Humanity home build in Fond du Lac during United Way’s Week of Caring this past September.

The

right thing to do Private businesses can be good citizens, too

Story by Jeffrey Decker

Benjamin Franklin got it right: “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation and only one bad one to lose it.” Protecting long-term business relationships drives a multibillion dollar corporate citizenship industry, but smaller corporations rooted in northeast Wisconsin tend to do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. Returns and rewards are appreciated in schools and homes, and recent research again confirms kindness and responsibility help the company itself. “We live here year-round. We give back to the community,” says Tim Galloway, CEO of Galloway Company in Neenah. “We, and the rest of the corporate community, can make our whole community better. If we do that, we’re going to be stronger, we’re going to be healthier, we’re going to be happier.” Galloway’s 80 employees supply food and beverage manufacturers with dairy ingredients, and Galloway said the third-generation family-owned business makes its strongest 26 | November 2014 | NNB2B

impact by treating those employees well. “Our wages are good. It’s a union workforce,” he says, but being a good boss is only part of it. “There are people in our communities, oftentimes through no fault of their own, having challenges meeting the daily necessities of life.” How strong profits are each year impacts how much they donate that year to the arts and youth sectors, domestic abuse prevention, and family support. Employee contributions come from paychecks, but also from time and effort. “Our people know they are allowed time during the day to work on their outside civic or charitable activities,” Galloway explains, which can be serving on civic committees or campaigns. For management, it’s not just allowed, it’s expected, Galloway notes. And it’s a priority, he thinks, that makes his family’s company more attractive to new recruits, “clearly demonstrating that the company does live its values.” Such support and expectations make it easier for others to www.newnorthb2b.com

follow. A one-day event each year is all Galloway Company needs to have been a platinum supporter of the annual United Way Fox Cities campaign over the last 15 years. They don’t need to be on the banners and buttons since they don’t need public awareness of their products. Consumers never directly buy the ingredients they eat in another manufacturer’s dairy products. “We’re not a big supporter of advertising with our name on it. We really don’t care if our name gets out there at all,” Galloway noted.

Raising a profile

That’s rare, says Katherine Smith, executive director of the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College. “Companies with higher brand value and corporate reputation ratings have higher market-to-book ratios than companies with lower ratings,” she explains. According to a recent study authored by Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., when asked why they prioritize good corporate citizenship, 71 percent of companies put “enhanced reputation” in their top three reasons, and 45 percent listed employee retention in the top three. “Investors are hungrier than ever for environmental, social, and governance information,” Smith continues, “If not because they are making values-driven investments, then because they increasingly see this practice as a proxy for good management.” In a more specific examination, environmental performance reputation was found to be important for investment activity. Exclusive of philanthropy, the dollars spent by American companies on their citizenship programs rose 25 percent between 2010 and 2013, she says. “In 2013, 97 percent of companies reported having an operating budget dedicated to corporate citizenship,” she says. The focus, she says, is “the combination of how your company exercises its rights, privileges, obligations, and responsibilities – throughout all of its operations.” It can be assumed that investors might not reward good behavior, “But they are likely to punish for bad behavior,” Smith explains, adding, “Their reputation could act as insurance during a negative event.”

Good for morale

If something goes wrong at RGL, CEO Bob Johnson knows employees will alert him immediately. “Being a good company really does start with how we treat our people. I believe that really does have the biggest impact on the community,” he states. “We live out our people vision which, simply stated, that our people go home safe, healthy and fulfilled.” Safety at its warehouses in Neenah and the shipping operations based out of Green Bay earned the Wisconsin Safety Council’s recognition in 2012 and 2013. Acuity insurance praises RGL, too, with its Safe Truck Driving Award. “We’ve been selected five years in a row as one of a handful of www.newnorthb2b.com

NNB2B | November 2014 | 27

Philanthropy

Business goals What companies hope to accomplish through corporate citizenship

t Enhancing reputation

t Improving ability to retain employees

t Improving ability to recruit employees

t Attracting new customers

t Improving risk management

t Developing innovative new products and services

t Reducing waste in business operations

t Improving access to new markets

Mid-States Aluminum Corp. focuses all of its donations in Fond du Lac County. Further guidelines steer donations toward the youth and underprivileged, says Sue Roettger, vice president of human resources for the aluminum parts extruder in Fond du Lac.

“We have the yearly fundraising for United Way, teams that t Increasing customer intent to purchase participate in activities t Securing a sustainable supply chain such as Relay for Life, Big Brother/Big Sister Source: Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship bowling and Habitat for Humanity, along with food collections, carriers who get that award,” Johnson Christmas gift collections, toiletry affirms. collections, and school supply When the Leicht family founded the collections on site,” she elaborates. company 111 years ago, Johnson says “Many of our people volunteer their they started a strong tradition of giving own time but they also volunteer back. during company time for the United Way, on various boards, such as Fond “The Green Bay and Fox Valley areas du Lac Area Foundation, UW Fond have been very good to us,” he says, du Lac Foundation, YMCA Board of “We’ve gotten a lot of benefits from the Directors, Moraine Park Technical school system, the infrastructure, the College Board of Directors, and many, government and organizations. We not many more activities.” only work here, we live here. We raise our families here, so we’re committed Roettger says donations by employees to being involved.” to a 501(c)(3) charity are matched up to $250, and she helps make those An ongoing focus is the Ben’s Wish decisions as a member of the MidFoundation, making sure Brown States Aluminum Foundation. The County youth have nutritious food over company’s annual targets for charitable the weekend, where there is no school giving have gone up each year, and been lunch to depend on. Among many other met each year without fail. noble causes, RGL supports United Way each year by donating storage space.

Every bit helps

Fond du Lac Area United Way Executive Director Tina Potter says 34 percent of the organization’s 2013 donations came from corporate giving. “That was nearly $253,000,” she adds. Starting with Mercury Marine and Agnesian Health Care, the top ten corporate donors gave 23 percent of the total. Potter’s glad to help them have the biggest impact, identifying which of the 25 organizations they support with those donations have the greatest need. A “community assessment” does just that. “Under ‘Building a Healthy Community’ for the United Way, we fund a dental program for lower income children. We did not support that program as an allocation, but it did come out as a priority when we did the assessment, as did homelessness. So, consequently we support homeless assistance programs,” Potter explains. Potter helps make giving easier, too, “by stepping my foot into the door and convincing a corporation to set up an employee payroll donation plan,” she says. “That takes time. Companies are busy. It starts at the top.” Oshkosh Area United Way Executive Director Sue Panek agrees that backing a charitable decision with a little bookkeeping is extremely helpful. Employees trust management to find and run an important campaign, just as management trusts United Way to make each dollar count most. Panek explains, “We ask them if we can run an employee campaign, which is a very easy way to give. It comes out of

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their check each pay period, and all of the bookkeeping is done by their company.” As ever, hard work is needed as much as money. “Companies like US Bank, 4imprint, Bemis, all allow their employees, not only to give, but also to take time off work to volunteer,” she adds. She points to the UPS trucks and drivers collecting each year for the Oshkosh Community Back to School Fair, with clothing and school supplies donated by customers in the Shopko parking lot. At school, UPS employees return to guide parents through the fair to find much-needed school supplies for their children. “If you’re looking at what makes a good corporate citizen, it’s how they can have a positive impact on the community, but also something that fits their corporate culture.” It’s an entrenched concept that renews. “We are breeding good corporate citizens,” Panek explains, highlighting five years of free tax preparation by students of the UW Oshkosh College of Business on Saturday mornings during tax season. “Because of that, we’ve been able to help individuals receive $1.6 million in refunds. That’s at no cost to the individuals, and sometimes those returns cost as much as $400!” There’s always more that can be done and not everyone is as supportive as might be hoped. But Potter says she has yet to find a business in the Fond du Lac area that never supports any charitable cause.

A PLACE

YOUR

Submitted photo

Ruth Corning with Holiday Automotive in Fond du Lac, shows her support for the United Way.

“There have been times when I thought that myself, but then I find out they gave $10,000 to the school district!” she exclaims. n Jeffrey Decker is a business journalist and father based in Oshkosh.

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NNB2B | November 2014 | 29

Management

Writing to reach the masses Regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professionals showcase knowledge and expertise in books

Story by Robin Driessen Bruecker

There is no shortage of talented and knowledgeable business professionals across northeast Wisconsin. Many enjoy sharing what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned about starting or running and evolving a business with their peers, college students and entrepreneurs. Among the various ways to share information, authorship is the choice of some individuals whose knowledge and years of experience in their respective fields is sought by people worldwide. We spoke to a handful of these regional experts: Miles Anthony Smith of Green Bay has authored books on leadership, and Dr. John Toussaint, the former CEO of ThedaCare in Appleton, has been published in numerous medical journals and has co-authored books on streamlining health care delivery. Mark Burwell of Appleton, with 40 years of business experience, has written books about entrepreneurship, and Green Bay-based consultant Steve Van Remortel has published a book offering advice to business owners on growth strategy. They share their experiences and interest in writing.

30 | November 2014 | NNB2B

www.newnorthb2b.com

Name: Miles Anthony Smith, Green Bay

Generation flux

Smith, a Gen Xer with an MBA, said his mission is “to chart the course, pave the pathway, and light the lane for others to eclipse my own success in leadership.” His skills lay in general management across multiple disciplines for business and nonprofits alike, with a specialty in developing successful teams for product development and digital/content marketing that leads to revenue and profit growth. He is no stranger to career challenges, having found himself out of a job three times in the past, which adds to his insight on being in the job market.

Occupation: Director of vehicle donations and digital marketing, Rawhide Boys Ranch, New London Published books: Why Leadership Sucks: Fundamentals of Servant Leadership (2012), Becoming Generation Flux: Why Traditional Career Planning is Dead (available October 2014) and Recruiting Generation Flux (available 2015).

His first book, Why Leadership Sucks, arose from his own frustrations in leadership positions. What started out as a book primarily written for peers, family and friends, ended up connecting with a broad audience of those who wished to be in leadership or were frustrated or struggling with their own leadership role. “I wanted my wife, children, and team members at work to learn from my experience and hold me accountable to the leadership values I espouse,” Smith said. “I saw a need for sharing what I learned, so I could help other less experienced leaders go further faster by not making some of the same mistakes I made through the school of hard knocks.” And it is out of a similar frustration with his career that Smith wrote Becoming Generation Flux, he said. “I have personally struggled with the challenging new job market, and I know many other professionals who, since the dot-com bubble and more recent Great Recession, have wrestled with the sea change affecting organizations and how they respond to employment,” Smith said. Becoming Generation Flux is aimed at a broad audience at various stages in their careers – college students and recent graduates, those employed but uncertain, and those laid off, fired, downsized, underemployed, etc. – and facing a shifting job market with mixed feelings. Smith looks at the job market’s past, present and future, talks about the changes in career planning, and how to adapt and become resilient. Each of Smith’s books are or will be available online in audiobook, e-book and paperback formats where books are sold. Smith records and self-publishes his audiobooks in a simple home studio. Asked if being published has had an impact on his career, Smith replied, “The first book gave me enhanced credibility as a speaker, business leader, and thought leader and solidified the servant-leadership truths I hold dear. I expect the second and third books to similarly enhance those same areas but with more of a focus on career and recruiting advice.”

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NNB2B | November 2014 | 31

Management Name: Dr. John Toussaint, Appleton Occupation: CEO, ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value, Appleton Published books: On the Mend: Revolutionizing Healthcare to Save Lives and Transform the Industry, coauthored with Roger Gerard, Ph.D., chief learning officer at ThedaCare (2010); Potent Medicine: The Collaborative Cure for Healthcare, with Emily Adams, former journalist and author (2012)

Lean health care

Toussaint, an international health care expert, has had an impressive career that includes CEO and founder titles, international speaking engagements, articles published in numerous publications including the Wall Street Journal and the American Journal of Managed Care, and assorted awards from various groups including the Shingo Academy and The Association of Manufacturing Excellence. Now CEO emeritus at ThedaCare, Toussaint was instrumental in introducing the Toyota Production System’s lean business principles to health care in 2003. He continues to teach that business model to health care systems around the world. Toussaint founded and serves as CEO of the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value in Appleton, an education and collaboration center for health care and business leaders. With his intensive knowledge of health care workings and lean practices, Toussaint has authored two books and is working on a third. “I believe that codifying the learnings at ThedaCare and now around North America in many other organizations is critical to changing health care delivery,” said Toussaint, in citing his reason for publishing. Toussaint worked with CEO/editor James Womack of The Lean Enterprise Institute in Cambridge, Mass. for his first book. Womack encouraged Toussaint and co-author Roger Gerard to put the story of ThedaCare on paper, which he estimates has sold about 35,000 copies. Toussaint’s books are available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the TCHV website. Toussaint discovered becoming an author has an effect on his career and mission. “Womack told me I would be amazed at what a well-written book would do for the mission of our organization (and) he was right,” he said. “I am asked to speak all over the world and must turn down many requests every year.”

Sharing experiences

As founder and chief strategist of SM Advisors in Green Bay, Van Remortel has consulted with thousands of business and organizational clients across hundreds of industries. In 2010, he was named Business Person of the Year by the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce. To guide his clients, Van Remortel developed a profit-boosting process he named Stop Selling Vanilla Ice Cream. The process provides organizations the tools to wrap the right talent around a differentiated strategy, he said. It consists of five fundamentals – differentiation, tangible value, talent management, department/tactical plans, and plan execution. It’s all about strategy and talent. “I went away for a weekend of personal planning to figure out where we, as an organization, and I, as an individual, were going with this process that I created,” he explained. “How do we share it? How do we give it away to as many business leaders as possible?” 32 | November 2014 | NNB2B

www.newnorthb2b.com

Name: Steve Van Remortel, Green Bay Occupation: Business strategist Published book: Stop Selling Vanilla Ice Cream: The Scoop on Increasing Profit by Differentiating Your Company Through Strategy and Talent (2012)

He said more than 90 percent of all companies that implement the process experience an increase in sales and profitability in the first year. “The message I came away with that weekend in creating a life map for my future and a plan for our businesses was that instead of sharing Stop Selling Vanilla Ice Cream with a couple hundred companies we work with per year, I need to share it with 10,000 companies per year,” Van Remortel said.

Van Remortel began delivering his message via public speaking, which led to his first book, Stop Selling Vanilla Ice Cream: Increase sales and profitability by wrapping the right Talent around a differentiated Strategy, published in 2012 by Greenleaf Book Group. Soundview Executive Book Summaries named it a Best Business Book in 2013, which is available in hardcover and as an e-book from www. stopsellingvanillaicecream.com, Amazon.com and B&N.com. A workbook

and videos that accompany the book will be released later this year. Another book in the works will address “how you wrap your personal talent around your strategy/life map to optimize your life and achieve your professional and personal objectives,” said Van Remortel. Van Remortel’s goal in making Stop Selling Vanilla Ice Cream available in book form is so leaders can integrate it into their own business or organization with the goal of increasing sales and profitability and building a highperformance team. Those who buy the book are given a free behavioral assessment. Asked whether publishing his process has impacted his business, Van Remortel responded, “Big time! It’s totally changed my career. “It has had a significant impact on the growth of SM Advisors, our consulting firm. It has also had a significant impact on the speaking I do around the country,

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NNB2B | November 2014 | 33

Management

Name: Mark Burwell, Appleton Occupation: National director, Entrepreneur Hub/Urban Hope Entrepreneur Center, Green Bay

and it really has taken things to a whole new level. We are extremely blessed with the growth of SM Advisors, of the Stop Selling Vanilla Ice Cream speaking engagements, and the overall sale of the book. But even more importantly, it helped me accomplish my vision of sharing the process with thousands of leaders so they could implement the process on their own and experience unprecedented growth in sales and profitability.”

Entrepreneur evolves

Published books: Stepping Up to New Opportunities (2004); Evolutionary Entrepreneur: Going Beyond the Passion (2010); The Evolutionary Entrepreneur: The Path to Today … The Journey to Tomorrow (October 2014)

Burwell has 40 years of business experience, ranging from entrepreneur to nonprofit executive director to business architect consultant and CEO of Putzer’s Menswear Corp. Today he splits time between serving as an adjunct faculty member at Fox Valley Technical College’s Venture Center, owner/business architect of Evolutions Business Group, and as the national executive director of the E-Hub/Urban Hope Entrepreneur Center in Green Bay. Throughout his career, Burwell has established community models for entrepreneurship including economic gardening, and guided more than 2,000 entrepreneurs. He has lectured and consulted around the U.S. and Canada, Ireland and Russia, and had been named Small Business Person of the Year in Green Bay as well as Small Business Advocate of the Year for Wisconsin by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Burwell’s first book, Stepping Up to New Opportunities, a best-practices workbook for new entrepreneurs, has sold 2,800 copies. His second book, Evolutionary Entrepreneur: Going Beyond the Passion, has had more than 3,000 copies printed.

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“It was a book that has shared my insights and concepts from my 35 years as a successful entrepreneur, mentor, instructor, and business leader,” he said of his second book. The book was a local production, published through Evolutions Business Group with each stage of its layout and printing handled by area professionals. Copies are available through evolutionsgroup.com and at E-Hub/Urban Hope in Green Bay. A third book, The Evolutionary Entrepreneur: The Path to Today … The Journey to Tomorrow, is due out this month with book signings and a tour to follow. This sequel is a compilation of advice and methods from Burwell’s presentations and columns. Having publications of his own complements Burwell’s professional speaking, as it provides materials to give out to workshop and seminar participants as well as during consulting projects. Book sales to the general public also generate revenue for his nonprofit organization. n Robin Driessen Bruecker has been writing for magazines and marketing departments since 1995.

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Panel of region’s industry experts peer into the year ahead

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Entrepreneurship

l a b Gelnoeurship Week

r p e r t n E

-21 November 17

New North region technical colleges showcase entrepreneurship development programs with special events Story by Sean Fitzgerald, New North B2B publisher

Many business professionals associate entrepreneurship with four-year colleges and universities before thinking of the state’s technical colleges. That’s not for lack of programming or promotion on the part of the state’s tech schools. But as readers of B2B know, there are numerous resources from technical colleges in northeast Wisconsin to help every business owner on the spectrum of would-be entrepreneurs to owners of second-stage companies growing into a new level 36 | November 2014 | NNB2B

of organizational maturity. To emphasize these resources, a handful of technical colleges from across the state system have assembled worthwhile events for business owners during Global Entrepreneurship Week Nov. 17 to 21.

Entrepreneur education

When Karen Widmar learned of the technical college system’s call to showcase business ownership, she promptly assembled a unique one-day opportunity to cater to most entrepreneurs. As the director of the Entrepreneur Resource Center at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay and a www.newnorthb2b.com

former business owner herself, she recognized the educational programming at many gatherings of entrepreneurs tends to cater to businesses at just one point in their life cycle.

DOWNTOWN APPLETON

So she assembled a Business Success Summit scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 19 at NWTC’s Corporate Conference Center offering not one, not two, but three separate and distinct tracks targeting most entrepreneurs at various stages of development. Each track offers three sessions of learning. The first – the Launch Track – is geared toward would-be and start-up entrepreneurs all the way from those just considering starting a venture to those with annual revenues of $250,000. Second, the Grow Track, caters to those business owners with a bit of experience under their belt, are just starting to hire employees, developing systems and processes, and generating sales in a range from about $250,000 to $ 1 million. Lastly, the Thrive Track, offers sessions for those crossing over the entrepreneurial chasm to becoming second-stage companies. Many of the businesses participating in the Thrive Track have different concerns than start ups and early-stage firms. “They’re wondering ‘What’s next? How do I take my business global? How do I find my key management and put them in place?’” Widmar said. The day kicks off with a lighthearted keynote address from Madison-area stress management speaker Jason Kotecki discussing “adultitus” and lessons we learned in childhood that can help guide success in business and in life. A Taste of Entrepreneurship luncheon at midday features a sampling of foods prepared by northeast Wisconsin culinary entrepreneurs. Following lunch, the event features a presentation from Lisa Johnson, vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation for Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. She’ll highlight programs available through the state agency to help businesses grow. Widmar believes this discussion may be eye opening for many attendees. “I think a lot of small businesses think those programs coming out of Madison aren’t applicable to them,” she said. Johnson will promote the accessibility of such programs. Business Success Summit wraps up in the afternoon with remarks from branding and leadership consultant Ralph Heath discussing risk taking and learning from failure. Coupled with peer networking during breaks and an exhibit of vendors offering resources for entrepreneurs, the complete day should prove valuable and memorable to entrepreneurs in attendance. “This is really a national caliber conference coming to Green Bay,” noted Widmar. “When I look around at other activities (geared toward business owners) in the area, there really isn’t anything like this.” Registration for Business Success Summit is $65 for the entire day, but is only limited to 120 participants and those interested in attending must register by Nov. 12. Additional information and registration details are available online at newbizsummit.com. While many small business owners are reluctant to take a day away from the shop for an activity that doesn’t directly ring www.newnorthb2b.com

for the

Holidays Friday, November 14 • Date Night Downtown Saturday, November 22 • Family Day Downtown Tuesday, November 25 • Santa Scamper 6:00 p.m. • Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade 6:30 p.m. Saturday, November 29 • Small Business Saturday Saturday, December 20 • Holiday Fun Fest featuring Thrivent’s Avenue of Ice

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Event details at: appletondowntown.org

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NNB2B | November 2014 | 37

Entrepreneurship

Business Success Summit

Wednesday, Nov. 19 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. NE Wisconsin Technical College, 2740 W. Mason St., Green Bay www.newbizsummit.com

the cash register, Widmar emphasized this summit is a critical opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn, improve and grow. “You have to take the time to work on your business as opposed to always working in your business,” she said.

Leading the charge in job growth

Down the road at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, its well-established Venture Center put together a full week of activities highlighted by northeast Wisconsin’s first-ever Small Business Job Fair on Monday, Nov. 17. The event will feature as many as 40 small businesses from northeast Wisconsin looking for qualified talent to fill open positions, according to Amy Pietsch, director of the Venture Center at FVTC. “You hear an awful lot of talk about how small business are the backbone of the economy and about how they’re the one’s creating many of the new jobs,” Pietsch said. “So we wanted to give those businesses an opportunity to showcase the kinds of jobs they have available.”

Oftentimes small business employers are misunderstood for the kinds of positions, level of responsibility, and breadth of compensation they provide, Pietsch said. Job seekers mistakenly often equate large corporations and familiar business names with better, higher paying jobs. But that’s often a mistaken perception. Even though a number of smaller employers don’t have a fully staffed human resources department – or even a professional dedicated solely to HR – doesn’t mean they can’t pay as well or offer creative, competitive benefit packages. Pietsch said the fact that the job fair won’t have large, recognizable corporate employers there to steal the thunder and the job prospects away from smaller employers is attractive to many of the participating small businesses.

Small Business Job Fair

Monday, Nov. 17 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fox Valley Technical College, 1825 N. Bluemound Dr., Appleton www.fvtc.edu/venturecenter

“There’s a lot of excitement and enthusiasm when we’re talking to small businesses about this opportunity,” she said. Employers registered for the event so far represent a diverse mix of industry including technology, manufacturing, hospitality and business services. The morning job fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will also include two breakout sessions focused on how smaller employers can take a different perspective to attracting highly sought-after talent. One of those sessions, titled “More Employees Means More Change” presented by Tina Schuelke from Oshkosh-based Change Management Communications LLC, will discuss how small businesses can offer employment opportunities as competitively – or even more so – than their larger counterparts in employment. “I think being a bit fearless and creative (as a small employer) might lead to some options you wouldn’t expect,” Schuelke said. A second event that week on Wednesday, Nov. 19 will feature a Business Design Showcase at FVTC’s Oshkosh campus, in which past participants from its Business Model Design and Marketing Made Lean training programs will compete in three different categories of developing a business model. The event also includes a no-cost workshop geared toward business model design for anyone interested in developing strategies to drive sales in a small business. A final event on Friday, Nov. 21 is an invitation-only tour of rural small businesses in Waupaca County. There’s no cost or registration required to attend any of Fox Valley Tech’s events during Global Entrepreneurship Week. More information about all of its activities during the week is available online at fvtc.edu/venturecenter. n

38 | November 2014 | NNB2B

www.newnorthb2b.com

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NNB2B | November 2014 | 39

Guest Commentary

U.S. industrial renaissance How to fix the skills gap in the American manufacturing sector By Dick Resch

A few months ago the White House announced a $600 million investment in apprenticeship programs. The administration hopes to strengthen ties between community colleges and private companies – and equip workers with the skills needed to secure good-paying jobs in growing industries. This initiative could not come at a better time. Millions of Americans are unemployed. Yet in manufacturing alone, half a million jobs are going unfilled because firms cannot find qualified workers. That skills gap will only grow as the millions of Baby Boomers staffing our nation’s factories retire. The feds can’t address our nation’s shortage of skilled labor on their own. Private-sector firms – especially those in manufacturing – must also invest in training the next generation of workers. Indeed, without qualified staff fluent in the technology that runs today’s factories, manufacturers will not be able to survive. Modern manufacturing is more than pulling levers and navigating forklifts throughout a plant. Consider the workflow of, say, an engineer at a facility making chairs. In response to a new order, he’ll first use advanced mathematics to calculate the amount of steel that needs to be fed into the presser. He’ll have to choose the right combination of about half a dozen sheet types, each with a different weight, length and thickness. Then he’ll operate, monitor, and perhaps fix the quarter-million-dollar machine that assembles the chairs. Even a minor mistake can yield major damage – and massive repair expenses. Obviously, this requires an aptitude for mathematics and technology. Ironically, many folks with advanced college degrees would be lost in his place. For dozens of other skilled trade positions, including electromechanical maintenance specialists, injection molding technicians, and hand welders, the typical workday is similarly challenging. These workers are rewarded for their efforts and their aptitude. A skilled machinist makes about $60,000 a year. Master welders can take home upwards of $200,000 annually. With the potential for such high pay, why the dearth of skilled manufacturing staff? In part, it’s because aspiring 40 | November 2014 | NNB2B

workers don’t have the opportunity to develop the skills that lead to those lofty paychecks. Vocational programs have been dying in schools. Between 1987 and 2010, the share of students enrolled in at least one technical education course in California dropped from 75 percent to just 29 percent. The Los Angeles unified school district has eliminated 90 percent of its shop classes. Employers used to be able to bring inexperienced hires up to speed with on-the-job training. But as manufacturing has become more technologically sophisticated, the training needed to master a trade has grown too expensive and time-consuming for private industry to provide it. Fortunately, many manufacturers, technical schools, and local and state governments have teamed up to help narrow the skills gap. In Wisconsin, state leaders have included over $100 million for worker training in the 2013-15 budget. The Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship initiative has already enrolled more than 1,200 high school students. Another 500 will soon join them, thanks to legislation signed late last year by Gov. Scott Walker.

There’s a common perception that American manufacturing is in decline. Nothing could be further from the truth. Meanwhile, many of Wisconsin’s 9,400 manufacturers have partnered with secondary and post-secondary schools to offer hands-on apprenticeship programs. As part of an effort led by the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance, my company, Green Bay-based KI Furniture, has brought in more than 1,000 local students for plant tours and internships. Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry now contributes about $50 billion to the state’s GDP. Wisconsin’s manufacturers grew at the seventh-best clip in the nation between 2012 and 2013 – adding more than 13,000 jobs in the process. There’s a common perception that American manufacturing is in decline. Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, a shortage of qualified workers is holding American manufacturing back. Our nation’s public and private-sector leaders must invest in closing that skills gap. If they do, an American industrial renaissance will follow.

Dick Resch is CEO of Green Bay-based KI Furniture. www.newnorthb2b.com

Professionally Speaking

What is a Co-op?

by Daren Allen of Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative (CGHC) is proud to be cooperatively owned by the employers and individuals buying our insurance. But what does that mean exactly?

Professionally Speaking is a paid promotional spot in B2B.

855.532.2667

no reply when they asked their insurance company why. With significant help from community leaders and the federal government, these Wisconsin businesspeople led the charge to create a health insurance company that would put people first. This is similar to what Ben Franklin did back in 1752 when he founded the United States’ first cooperative to protect families that were losing homes to fire. That cooperative is one of the 48,000 cooperatives operating in the U.S. today.

A cooperative, often shortened to “co-op,” is a business that operates solely for the benefit of the individuals or businesses buying its services. Cooperatives are typically nonprofit, returning earnings over expenses to its members (i.e., the owners) in the form of refunds, lower prices or better services.

Cooperatives also have a unique governance structure that ensures consumer control. Every one of CGHC’s voting directors will have our insurance, elected by the entire community of members. The Board helps define the principles our company lives by, which include:

Cooperatives get their start by filling a common need in the community – to provide a service that is not being satisfied by a for-profit company. That is certainly the case for CGHC, which can trace its roots back to a group of small employers that got fed up trying to provide health insurance to their employees. Costs kept rising, and they got

v Open and honest communication, with an emphasis on listening; v Compassion for the needs of our members and support for those that help them;

Outagamie County Chapter

v Services and benefits that are responsive to members’ needs; v Financial responsibility and accountability; v 100 percent integrity; and v Community partnerships with those that support our mission. These are the reasons we are proud to be a locally-owned cooperative. If this sounds like something you want to be a part of, please visit our website at www. CommonGroundHealthcare.org or give me a call at the number below. Daren Allen is the Vice President of Business Development at Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative. For more information about CGHC or other health insurance matters, contact Daren at 855-532-2667 or visit CGHC’s website at www.CommonGroundHealthcare.org.

Wanted:

Presented by: Troy Beck – Financial Associate

v Continual improvement and awareness of what we need to work on to achieve excellence in all services;

Competitive and Motivated Outside Sales Representative

UniFirst is located in Neenah, WI and is currently seeking an outside sales representative to cover various areas of Northeastern WI with a strong work ethic, competitive drive, natural ability to persuade and lead and a college education. www.mwrestoration.com

Come celebrate with us

Primary Responsibilities include; cold-calling in person, from major corporations to small businesses. Running meetings with potential clients to analyze their needs and present solutions. Negotiate sales contracts and oversee account installations.

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Includes: food, game play, goodies and a goodie bag. $35 at the door • $220 for a table of 8

Call TODAY to register 920-422-1919. Registration and donations also accepted at www.CommunityBenefitTree.org. Cash, check, Visa/MC or PayPal accepted.

The Bar-Lynndale Kaukauna Coffee & Tea Green Bay Distillery Hu Hot Appleton Beer Factory Culver’s PRP Wine International Over 15 International Food Sponsors!

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UniFirst has been in the Uniform and Facilities Services business since 1936. We provide our customers with a wide variety of professional clothing and traditional uniform solutions, as well as facility service products. UniFirst was named to the “Platinum 400 List” by Forbes magazine, ranked as a “Top 100 Performing Company” by the Boston Globe and recognized as “One of the 25 best sales organizations” (As Rated by Selling Power Magazine).

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• NEW North B2B • Keller • East Wisconsin Savings Bank • Nature’s Pathways • Auto-Owners Insurance • American Digital Cartography, Inc. • 91.1 The Avenue

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For more information or to apply visit www.unifirst.com/careers. You can view an inside look at UniFirst and our CEO Ron Croatti through our episode of “Undercover Boss” by visiting the UniFirst website, or on YouTube.

NNB2B | November 2014 | 41

Who’s News

Incorporations

New North B2B publishes monthly new business incorporations filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Brown County

Wisconsin Graphics LLC, John C. Swanson, 412 Lois St., De Pere 54115. Ambrosius Outdoor Power LLC, Steven D. Nohr, 840 N. Ninth St., De Pere 54115. Crossroads Recruiting Services LLC, Kenneth Norman Smith, 637 N. Winnebago St., De Pere 54115. All Star Concrete Cutters Of N.E.W. LLC, Thomas G. Tennessen, 518 Brule Road, De Pere 54115. Sky Woman Beadwork And Supplies LLC, Sayokla Denise Williams, 225 Fort Howard St., De Pere 54115. Straight Futures Orthodontic Lab LLC, Brett Olm, 548 Red Bird Cir., De Pere 54115. Chatterhouse Brewery LLC, Terry Michael Taylor, 5675 Maribel Road, Denmark 54208. 20th Century Bar & Bowl LLC, Monica Ullmer, 631 Woodrow St., Denmark 54208. Flight Logistics Inc., Tiffany Wiebel, 1921 Airport Dr., Green Bay 54313. MDJ Janitorial Services LLC, Gonzalo Garcia Aguilera, 111 Joan Ave., Green Bay 54302. La Lil Tejana Mini Market LLC, Elizabeth Treto, 1270 Doblon St., Green Bay 54302. Mr. Sandman Hardwood Floors LLC, Joshua John Dinger, 645 Morris Ave., Green Bay 54304. Rock N Rodeo Trucking LLC, Edward G. Tordeur, 4259 Church Road, Green Bay 54311. Cover 2 Sports Bar And Lounge LLC, Jonathan Patton, 201 N. Washington St., Green Bay 54301. Studio 44 LLC, Jay A. Schillinger, 211 N. Broadway St., Green Bay 54303. Kingz Of Smoke BBQ Co. LLC, James Earl Edwards, Jr., 1270 Main St., Green Bay 54302. Remote Medical Imaging Interpretation LLC, Sean Kalagher, 2893 Mayflower Road, Green Bay 54311. CY Transportation Services LLC, Anthony L. Chang, 985 Ninth St., Green Bay 54304. Royal Flush Plumbing Service LLC, Andy Ambrosius, 1336 S. Oakland Ave., Green Bay 54304. Alliance Insurance Group LLC, James M. Mrotek, 3138 Market St., Green Bay 54304. Kitchen Relief Company, Johanna Schwiesow, 1120 S. Van Buren St., Green Bay 54301. Bayview Family Restaurant LLC, Belul Abazi, 1209 N. Military Ave., Green Bay 54303. Inspired Vinyasa Yoga LLC, Elizabeth E. Schumacher, 915 Redwood Dr., Green Bay 54304. Titletown Select Baseball Inc., Tabitha Wallenfang, 810 Marvin Lane, Green Bay 54311. WWJD Communications LLC, John K. Kaste, 1070 Harwood Ave., #4, Green Bay 54313. Learn 2 Move 2 Learn LLC, Michelle Vine, 1679 Westfield Ave., Green Bay 54303. Gaecke Law LLC, Jennifer Gaecke, 2701 Larsen Road, Green Bay 54313. Samurai Protection Agency LLC, Edward Thomas Annibale, 1847 Maplewood Ave., Green Bay 54303. Hollywood Nails & Spa LLC and Hollywood Beauty Supply LLC, Dung H. Nguyen, 807 S. Military Ave., Green Bay 54304. Moran Insurance Services LLC, Ryan Thomas Moran, 916 Regent Lane, 42 | November 2014 | NNB2B

Green Bay 54311. Knetzger Consulting, Training & Publishing LLC, Michael Knetzger, 4667 Willow Road, Green Bay 54311. Amora Home Care LLC, Patricia Edwards, 1330 Cherry St., Green Bay 54301. Capitol King Gyros LLC, Daniel Joseph Bacon, 1238 Porlier St., Green Bay 54301. Daily Care Hospitalists LLC, Shefiu Olanrewaju Shittu, 2919 Shelter Creek Ct., Green Bay 54313.

Fond du Lac County

Kettle Moraine Garlic Farm LLC, Susan Garbisch, N8950 Midland Dr., Campbellsport 53010. Bill N Dave’s Mobile Pressure Wash LLC, William Wrzesinske, 115 W. Scott St., Fond du Lac 54935. Guardian One Source Maintenance LLC, Brandi Alissa Wilson, N5768 U.S. Highway 45, Fond du Lac 54935. Mill Cafe LLC, Heidi Masini, 970 Meadow Lane, Fond du Lac 54935. Lawn Works FDL LLC, Michael J. Dudzinski, 113 Guindon Blvd., Fond du Lac 54935. Fondy’s Encore Cinema LLC, Timothy L. Luedtke, 835 W. Johnson St., Fond du Lac 54935. Kustom Keepsakes Photography LLC, Keesha Rose Nikkhah, W665 State Road 23, St. Cloud 53079. Windy Hill Specialty Farm LLC, Eric J. Mulder, 819 Grace St., Waupun 53963.

Oconto County

Fruitful Fitness & Yoga LLC, Cassandra Moeller, 6416 County Road E, Abrams 54101. Scott Fuelle Painting And Sandblasting LLC, Ann Marie Fuelle, 1859 Careful Lane, Little Suamico 54141.

Outagamie County

Bullfrog Spas Of Appleton LLC, Adrienne A. Rickman, 510 Van Roy Road, Appleton 54915. Volunteer Action Council Fox Cities Inc., Carol A. Bloemer, 2616 S. Oneida St., Appleton 54915. Jentle Massage LLC, Jennifer L. Rottier, 701 E. Roosevelt St., Appleton 54911. JMarkley Barbershop LLC, Jessica Lynn Markley, 123 W. Glendale Ave., Appleton 54911. Griese Construction Of The Fox Valley LLC, Johna Rae Griese, 6141 N. Rosewood Dr., Appleton 54913. Simply Devine Caters LLC, Brett Devine, 511 E. Marquette St., Appleton 54911. Timeless Tavern LLC, Derek Colt Brown, 612 W. College Ave., Appleton 54911. United Realty & Construction Fox Valley LLC, Sueanne Hartfiel, 930 S. Westland Dr., Appleton 54914. Attuned To You Therapeutic Massage By Nate LLC, Charles N. McBride, 611 N. Lynndale Dr., Appleton 54914. Great Dane Woodworks LLC, Stuart Paul Mikkelsen, 4401 N. Windingbrook Dr., Appleton 54913. Triple R Training And Fitness LLC, Richard Ronald Reinke, 441 Woodlawn Ct., Combined Locks 54113. Allscapes Landscaping & Snow Removal LLC, Richard Lee Semrow, 225 Elm St., Combined Locks 54113. CPS Lawncare And Snow Removal LLC, Chad Peter Smith, N3510 Hooyman Ct., Freedom 54913. Shearfully Yours LLC, Tina M. Haack, N4431 County Road E, Freedom 54130. Carter’s Carpentry LLC, Steven Sean Carter, 412 S. Pine Grove Lane, Hortonville 54944. Pahl Carpentry LLC, Matthew Pahl, 212 E. 10th St., Kaukauna 54130. Epic Marketing Enterprises LLC, Shawn Matthew Hermes, 49 Dutch Harbor Estates, Little Chute 54140. www.newnorthb2b.com

Winnebago County

Orbit Window Cleaning LLC, Terry Strickland, 1651 Plank Road, Menasha 54952. The Flow Yoga And Wellness LLC, Joan M. Ek, 208 Elm St., Menasha 54952. Northeast Wisconsin Watercolor Society Inc., Susan J. Atkinson, 1066 Green Acres Lane, Neenah 54956. Perio-Dental Implants LLC, Jeffrey L. Hesson, 244 E. Doty Ave., Neenah 54956. Stumps B Gone LLC, Brian William Smith, 402 E. Forest Ave., Neenah 54956. Indian Restaurant & Bar Inc., Paramjit Kaur, 770 Oak St., Neenah 54304. Patooties Photography LLC, Michelle Schneider, 2980 Lennon Lane, Neenah 54956. Dynamic Metalcraft LLC, Brandon C. Goerg, 9096 Center Road, Neenah 54956. Saturn Woodworks LLC, Todd Alan Reimer, 1452 Plains Ave., Neenah 54956. B&B Concrete LLC, Brian K. Besaw, 840 McKinley Ave., Omro 54963. Rustic Design By Matt And Chris LLC, Chris Barnett, 1854 Fairview St., Oshkosh 54901. Rob Electric LLC, Robert Rexford Reitz, 2195 Allerton Dr., Oshkosh 54904. All Clean Environmental Services LLC, Gregory James Harness, 4781 W. Breezewood Lane, Oshkosh 54904. Koeppl Farms LLC, Geraldine Lynn Koeppl, 4902 County Road S, Oshkosh 54904. Trusted Auto LLC, Gary L. Schmackle, 680 Olson Ave., Oshkosh 54901. Emberz Spa LLC, Jessica Rose Howie, 1145 S. Washburn St., Oshkosh 54904. Dr. Vinyl Of Fond du Lac 2 LLC, Justin James Farley, 2019 Mitchell St., Oshkosh 54901.

Great relationships start with the right people. Bill Bradley has joined the Bank First team, with a focus on the bank’s Appleton expansion. Bill joins Bank First with more than 15 years of high quality Wisconsin-based community banking service. You can reach Bill at (920) 609-3401 or email bbradley@ bankfirstnational.com.

Opening in Appleton in 2015!

Building permits

Member FDIC

B2B includes a monthly list of building permits (not to include residential projects) in excess of $400,000. Neufeld Enterprises, 1620 W. Mason St., Green Bay. $658,162 for a new retail commercial building. General contractor is DeLeers Construction Inc. of De Pere. September. Bellin Health, 2714 Riverview Dr., Howard. $1,796,500 for an addition and interior remodel of the existing health care clinic. General contractor is IEI General Contractors of De Pere. September 4. Kwik Trip, 840 S. Huron Road, Green Bay. $595,682 for a 500-sq. ft. addition to the existing convenience store and fuel station. Contractor listed as self. September. Memorial Presbyterian Church of Appleton, 803 E. College Ave., Appleton. $560,000 for an interior remodel of the existing church building. General contractor is Boldt Construction Co. of Appleton. September 15. Bellin Health, 617 S. Roosevelt St., Green Bay. $790,000 for a 5,400-sq. ft. addition to the existing health care clinic. General contractor is Miron Construction Co. of Neenah. September. WI Self Storage, 1117 W. Washington St., Appleton. $554,000 for an interior remodel of the existing warehouse facility and a buildout of the mezzanine level. General contractor is GreenBar Construction of Indiana. September 29.

Words to Profit by:

“

Our business is based on people’s personal lives. We’re shopping for them, walking their dogs, doing their laundry and personal errands. We’re in their homes and businesses, and they trust us. Being accredited by the BBB lets people know they can trust us; without that trust, we wouldn’t be in business. Janet Perret, Owner

”

Bring it! Errands and Delivery, LLC BBB Accredited Business since April 2014

New Locations Goodwill of North Central Wisconsin has opened a Donation Express facility at 1350 W. American Drive, Neenah. For more information call 920.968.6854. www.newnorthb2b.com

With Accreditation Comes Trust…With Trust Comes Customers

accreditmybusiness.wisconsin.bbb.org Better Business Bureau 920.734.4353 NNB2B | November 2014 | 43

Who’s News

Henrichs

Richlen

Smith

Yang

Secura Insurance expanded into additional space at 445 Calumet St. in Appleton. The company still maintains its corporate headquarters on Memorial Drive in Appleton, but the campus is at capacity and about 150 employees will be relocated to the new office.

Weiss

Mergers/ acquisitions

Business honors

Weina

Augelli

New Hires Goodwill of North Central Wisconsin hired Julie Henrichs and Wil-Michael Richlen as team leaders for its eastside Green Bay retail store; Becky Smith as a financial counselor for the Financial Information & Service Center in Menasha; Soua Yang as a team leader for its Grand Chute retail store; and Giles La Rock as the leader of creative services for Goodwill’s marketing team. Appleton-based ThedaCare added Dr. Nicholas Augelli as a cardiothoracic surgeon with Appleton Cardiology; Dr. Matthias Weiss as the oncology physician leader at ThedaCare Medical Oncology, providing specialty care in hematology. Dr. Vijay Chaudhary as a hematologist and oncologist; and Kay Weina as a certified nurse midwife.

De Pere-based ARMS (Automated Records Management Systems, Inc.) acquired Fox Cities Records Services of Appleton. ARMS is retaining two employees from Fox Cities Records. The acquisition is the fifth such merger for ARMS in the last five years.

Chaudhary

La Rock

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Alta Resources Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation received the 2014 Emerging Center Award from the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers during the organization’s recent conference in London. The award is designated only for entrepreneurship centers less than five years old and achieve significant milestones and accomplishments. Faith Technologies of Menasha was named Specialty Contractor of the Year by ENR Midwest, an industry publication covering building contractors in the Midwest. The magazine recognized Faith for its significant regional revenue growth of 79 percent during 2013, as well as its addition of 250 employees during the year. Faith Technologies also ranked No. 12 on Electrical Construction & Maintenance magazine’s annual Top 50 Electrical Contractors list for 2014 with total revenues of $356 million, up five spots from its ranking of No. 17 on the same list a year ago.

Prevea Health in Green Bay added Dr. Daniel Severance as an orthopedic surgeon; Dr. Katrina Severance as a family medicine physician; Dr. Maridine Co as a pediatric gastroenterologist; Dr. Emmanuel Gorospe as a gastroenterologist; and Dr. Jessica Isenhart as an optometrist for Prevea Eye Care. Unity in Green Bay hired Patricia Angelucci as a nurse practitioner. Ganther Construction/ Architecture Inc. in Oshkosh hired Mark Neubauer as a project manager and Kristin Westegard as controller. Neubauer has 22 years of construction experience. Westegard, a certified public accountant, was previously a project coordinator for a Fox Valley design and construction management firm. Appleton-based Catalpa Health hired mental health therapists Amanda Greening, Danielle Schmidt and Stephanie Diamond. The University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac hired Christopher D. L. Johnson as an assistant professor of philosophy. Johnson has taught religion at the University of Alabama, College of the Bahamas, and the University of North Dakota. Miron Construction Co., Inc. in Neenah hired the following

D. Severance

K. Severance

44 | November 2014 | NNB2B

Gorospe

Isenhart

Angelucci

Westegard

www.newnorthb2b.com

Greening

Schmidt

Diamond

new employees to its warehouse operations: Dan Bice as a heavy equipment mechanic; Andrew Garvey as a small engine/small tools mechanic; and Collin Hines and Brent McKerchie as warehouse laborers.

Johnson

Young

Yang

manager in the software and web development division. Consolidated Construction Co. Inc. in Appleton hired William Shardlow as a project director, Curt Begotka as a jobsite superintendent, and Lisa Carpiaux as a project assistant.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County hired Tammy Young as its executive director. Young previously worked 11 years as the director of programs and services with the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce.

First National Bank â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fox Valley hired Barry Wood as a mortage loan officer, Beth Meisel as a teller supervisor, Susan Rohde as a part-time teller and Patty Bowers as a teller for the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Appleton branch on Northland Avenue which will open next month. Wood will work from the Northland branch and has been in the mortgage industry since 2004, most recently at Amerifirst Mortgage. Meisel will also work out of the Appleton North branch and has several years of banking experience, most recently as a teller supervisor at Associated Bank.

Hand to Shoulder Center of Wisconsin in Appleton and Green Bay added Bao Yang to its therapy staff. Dr. Yang treats all finger, hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and shoulder injuries and conditions. J. F. Ahern Company in Fond du Lac hired Jace Hierlmeier as its executive director of fire protection. Hierlmeier has more than 20 years experience in both sales and operations, having most recently served as district general manager for Tyco/ SimplexGrinnell & TIS in Minnesota. He currently serves as secretary of the board of directors for the Minnesota chapter of the National Fire Sprinkler Association.

Faith Technologies in Menasha hired Curt Nassen as its director of information technology. Nassen has 15 years of IT experience, most recently working as director of IT for Coating Excellence International in Wrightstown.

Hierlmeier

Normington

Suttner Accounting Oshkosh hired David Lewis as an account director. He is a certified public accountant with more than 20 years of accounting experience.

Ministry Health Care hired Jeremy Normington as the president of Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. Normington previously served as chief executive officer for Moundview Memorial Hospital and Clinics in Adams-Friendship. He serves on the board of directors of Rural Wisconsin Healthcare Executives, and was a task force member of the Wisconsin Hospital Association Rural Health Initiative.

University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley in Menasha hired Christina Zitka as director of outreach and continuing education, Mary Beth Leopold as executive director of the UW-Fox Valley Foundation, Audra Hoffmann as an assistant professor of business and economics, and Erin DeMuynck as an assistant professor of geography. Zitka most recently served as a senior consultant for McDonald Schaefer Group in Milwaukee. Leopold previously served as the executive director of Rebuilding Together Fox Valley in Appleton and has more than 30 years of business development and fundraising experience. Hoffmann is a certified public accountant and most recently worked as an instructor at Concordia University and an accounting manager at Agnesian HealthCare in Fond du Lac. DeMuynck most recently worked as an instructor at the University of Illinois and has worked in economic development, agro-forestry and environmental education.

Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton hired Aaron Tomlinson as dean of its public safety division. Tomlinson has 20 years of law enforcement experience and most recently worked as director of law enforcement services at Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville and as a patrol sergeant for Monona Police Department. He currently serves as a master instructor trainer for the State of Wisconsin and an advisory committee member for various committees with the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Infinity Technology in Green Bay hired Adam Shepherd as a systems engineer and Robert McCarthy as an executive account

Sheperd

McCarthy

Wood

www.newnorthb2b.com

Meisel

Bowers

Nassen

Lewis

Tomlinson

NNB2B | November 2014 | 45

Who’s News

Zitka

Leopold

Hoffmann

Advanced Professional Services LLC in Appleton hired Amanda Crouse as a research and recruiting assistant and social media coordinator and Liz Moua as an executive search consultant with a specialty in healthcare. Moua has three years of recruiting experience. A-mazing Events LLC in Appleton hired Megan Vande Hey as an event coordinator. Candeo Creative in Oshkosh hired Leah Mann as a multimedia specialist focused on developing photography and videography for clients. Unitel in Appleton hired Haley Fehrenbach as a customer service representative and marketing assistant and Jeremy Resch as a service technician.

Fond du Lac-based Fox Valley Savings Bank promoted Steven Schmudlach to president. Schmudlach joined Fox Valley Savings Bank in 2011 as senior vice president and chief credit officer. He has more than 30 years of business banking experience, including serving as community bank president with M&I Bank

Demezas

46 | November 2014 | NNB2B

Crouse

Moua

responsible for its Fond du Lac, Oshkosh and Ripon locations and nine years as vice president with Firstar in Fond du Lac and Oshkosh. The University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac promoted both David Demezas and Valerie Mumm-Jansen to associate professors with tenure. Demezas teaches biological sciences and has been with UW-Fond du Lac since 2008. MummJansen teches world languages and has been with UW-Fond du Lac since 2008. She received the UW Colleges Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2013. First National Bank – Fox Valley promoted Laura Taylor to teller supervisor at its Neenah location. Taylor has been with FNB for two years as a teller in its Neenah branch. ThedaCare in Appleton promoted Mark Thiel to vice president of diagnostics with responsibility for imaging and labs throughout the healthcare system. He joined ThedaCare in 2000 as an occupational therapist.

Promotions

Schmudlach

DeMuynck

Mumm-Jansen

The Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton promoted Tyler Lee to front office manager, Gina Brempell to assistant front office manager, and Mark Kloehn to room division manager. Lee joined the hotel in 2011, while Kloehn joined the hotel in 1995.

Thiel

Taylor

Lee

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Business calendar

Certifications Angela Brumm, public and community relations manager with Ministry Health Care in Appleton, earned the Accreditation in Public Relations designation through the Universal Accreditation Board.

Business Calendar Brempell

Kloehn

Brumm

Menasha-based Faith Technologies promoted Greg Vanevenhoven to vice president of preconstruction - industrial. He joined Faith Technologies in 2010 and previously worked as a senior project manager.

Individual awards Brian Zoeller, vice president of safety and security at Neenah Foundry, was recognized as a Rising Star of Safety by the National Safety Council. He is one of two honorees from Wisconsin and one of 41 to receive the recognition nationwide during 2014. Julie Henderson, a professor of public relations at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, was named Outstanding Educator of the Year by Public Relations Society of America. Henderson is the faculty adviser to the UW Oshkosh Public Relations Student Society of America chapter, and previously served a twoyear term as the national faculty adviser for PRSSA.

New North B2B encourages businesses and organizations looking to attract interested persons to upcoming events to email info@newnorthb2b.com. For more events, log on to www.thenewnorthevents.com. November 4 Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Power Networking Breakfast, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the chamber offices, 300 N. Broadway, Ste. 3A in Green Bay. No cost for chamber members and $16 for nonmembers. To register or for more information, visit www. titletown.org or call 920.437.8704. November 5 Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Coffee Connection, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at The Spice Crate, 976 E. Johnson St., Ste. 800 in Fond du Lac. Cost to attend is $5. For more information or to register, call 920.921.9500 or go online to www.fdlac.com. November 5 A.M. Oshkosh, a networking event of the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, 7:45 to 9 a.m. at Aurora Medical Center, 855 N. Westhaven Dr. in Oshkosh. Cost to attend is

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NNB2B | November 2014 | 47

Business Calendar $2. For more information, call 920.303.2266 or visit www.oshkoshchamber.com. November 5 Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce presents The Event, annual business awards, 5 to 11 p.m. at Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, 333 W. College Ave. in Appleton. Cost to attend is $75. For more information call 920.734.7101.

November 11 Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Sales Club, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the chamber offices, 120 Jackson St. in Oshkosh. For more information, call 920.303.2266 or visit www.oshkoshchamber.com.

INC.

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CONSTRUCTION DELIVERED. Calmes Construction awarded

“Best Remodel” from the Green Bay Historical Preservation Society

November 11 Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Business Connection, 5 to 7 p.m. at Miron Construction, 1471 McMahon Dr. in Neenah. Cost to attend is $5 for chamber members in advance, $7 at the door or $20 for nonmembers. For more information or to register call 920.734.7101 or go online to www.foxcitieschamber.com. November 12 Soaring for Success speaker series presented by EAA, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at EAA AirVenture Museum, 3000 Poberezny Road in Oshkosh. Google executive Darren Pleasance will discuss harnessing the power of digital marketing to attract, grow and retain customers. Cost to attend is $35 and includes continental breakfast and a museum day pass. For more information or to register, go online to eaa.org/success. November 12 Women in Management – Fox Cities Chapter monthly meeting, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fox Banquets & Rivertyme Catering, 111 E. Kimball St. in Appleton. For more information or to register, go online to www.wimiwi.org or email questions to foxcitiesprogram@wimiwi.org. November 13 Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Social Hub, social media learning event, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the chamber office, 120 Jackson St. in Oshkosh. For more information, call 920.303.2266 or visit www.oshkoshchamber.com. November 13 “Protecting Yourself with Contracts,” a Morning Business 360 event presented by Epiphany Law, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Cambria Suites, 3940 N. Gateway Dr. in Appleton. No cost to attend. To register, call 920.996.0000 or email afredrick@ epiphanylaw.com. November 13 Women in Management – Oshkosh Chapter monthly meeting, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at La Sure’s Banquet Hall, 3125 S. Washburn St. in Oshkosh. Program is “Social Media & You.” For more information or to register, go online to www.wimiwi.org or email Patty at pshea@sheaelectricllc.com. November 13 Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m. at Calumet County Bank, W443 Veterans Ave. in Sherwood. For more information or to register, call 920.766.1616 or visit www.heartofthevalleychamber.com. November 17 Small Business Job Fair, presented by Fox Valley Technical College Venture Center and Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at FVTC, 1825 N. Bluemound Dr. in Appleton. For more information, go online to www.fvtc.edu/ venturecenter.

N2193 Bodde Road • Kaukauna, WI 54130 (920) 766-7940 www.JamesJCalmesConstruction.com 48 | November 2014 | NNB2B

November 18 Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Business Connection, 5 to 7 p.m. at Marian University, 45 S. National Ave. in Fond du Lac. Cost to attend is $5. For more information or to register, call 920.921.9500 or go online to www.fdlac.com.

www.newnorthb2b.com

November 19 Business Summit, presented by Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at NWTC Corporate Conference Center in Green Bay. Featured presenter is Jason Kotecki, author and consultant. For more information or to register, visit nwtc. edu/erc or call 920.498.7124. November 19 Workshop on using LinkedIn, presented by Stellar Blue Technologies, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Stellar Blue Training Studio, 1580 Lyon Dr. in Neenah. Presenters are Amanda Betts, marketing director, and Shelby Milock, social media strategist. To register, visit www.stellarworkshops.com. November 19 Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Hilton Garden Inn, 1015 Lombardi Ave. in Green Bay. No cost to attend for chamber members. For information, call 920.437.8704 or email members@titletown.org. November 20 Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Business and Breakfast, 7 to 8:30 a.m. at F.K. Bemis Conference Center at St. Norbert College, 100 Grant St. in De Pere. Cost is $20 for members and $40 for nonmembers. Presenters are Marc Perna, Dave

Advertiser Index

Alberts & Heling CPAs ⎮www.alberts-heling-cpas.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Appleton Downtown Inc. ⎮www.appletondowntown.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Bank First National ⎮www.bankfirstnational.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Bayland Buildings ⎮www.baylandbuildings.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Better Business Bureau ⎮www.wisconsin.bbb.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Borsche Roofing Professionals ⎮www.wiroofer.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Builders Exchange of Wisconsin ⎮www.bxwi.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Capital Credit Union ⎮www.capitalcu.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 CitizensFirst Credit Union ⎮www.citizensfirst.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative ⎮ www.CommonGroundHealthcare.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Commonwealth Companies ⎮www.commonwealthco.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Community Benefit Tree ⎮www.communitybenefittree.com . . . . . . . . . . 41 Competitive Strategies ⎮www.wemakesoftwarework.com. . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. ⎮www.dkattorneys.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership ⎮www.downtownfdl.com . . . . . . . . 29 Downtown Oshkosh ⎮www.downtownoshkosh.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Dynamic Designs ⎮www.dynamicdesignspulaski.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 EAA Soar for Success Speaker Series ⎮www.eaa.org/success . . . . . . . . 19 Epiphany Law ⎮www.epiphanylaw.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 First Business Bank ⎮www.firstbusiness.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 First National Bank ~ Fox Valley ⎮www.fnbfoxvalley.com. . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Fox Communities Credit Union ⎮www.foxcu.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Fox Valley Savings Bank ⎮www.FVSBank.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Guident Business Solutions ⎮www.guidentbusinesssolutions.com. . . . . 31

www.newnorthb2b.com

Brand and Vicki Meinke with Valley Insurance Associates. To register or for more information, visit www.titletown.org or call 920.437.8704. December 2 Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Power Networking Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, 300 N. Broadway Ste. 3A in Green Bay. No cost to attend for chamber members. For information, call 920.437.8704 or email members@titletown.org. n

Better Business Bureau New Members Businesses accredited through the Northeast Wisconsin office during September 2014 B & B Finishing, Birnamwood Dryer Vent Wizard of NE Wisconsin, Appleton GRP Mechanical, Omro Hietpas Homes, Little Chute J & B HVAC, Black Creek Keepers Landscapes, Neenah Richard’s Heating & Cooling, De Pere Steve Radaj Heating & Cooling, Montello Tuffy’s Auto Service Center, Appleton

Horicon Bank ⎮www.horiconbank.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 James J. Calmes & Sons Construction ⎮ www.JamesJCalmesConstruction.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Keller Inc. ⎮www.kellerbuilds.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Marian University ⎮www.marianuniversity.edu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Modern Business Machines ⎮www.360MyOffice.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 National Exchange Bank & Trust ⎮www.nebat.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Network Health ⎮www.networkhealth.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 NEW Building & Construction Trades Council ⎮www.newbt.org . . . . . . . 28 NWTC Business Success Summit ⎮ www.newbizsummit.com. . . . . . . . . 22 NWTC Corporate Training & Economic Development ⎮ www.corporatetraining.nwtc.edu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 OptiVision Eye Care ⎮www.optivisioneyecare.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Outagamie County Regional Airport ⎮www.atwairport.com. . . . . . . . . . . 50 R&R Steel Construction Company Inc. ⎮www.rrsteelconstruction.com. . 11 Sadoff & Rudoy Industries ⎮www.sadoff.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Security Luebke Roofing ⎮www.securityluebkeroofing.com. . . . . . . . . . . 24 Simply Snackin/Silver Creek ⎮www.silvercreekspecialtymeats.com . . . . 25 Spark ⎮www.startaspark.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 UniFirst ⎮www.unifirst.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 UW Oshkosh College of Business ⎮www.mba.uwosh.edu . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Winnebago County Solid Waste Management ⎮ www.co.winnebago.wi.us/solid-waste/container-rental-program. . . . 38 Wisconsin Economic Development ⎮www.Succeed.InWisconsin.com . . 25 Wright Advisor ⎮www.WrightAdvisor.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

NNB2B | November 2014 | 49

Key Statistics local gasoline prices october 19................... $3.14 october 12................... $3.24 october 5..................... $3.30 September 28.............. $3.33 october 20, 2013......... $3.33

existing home sales

september

homes sold median price brown cty .....................238 .................... $151,500 Fond du Lac cty .............91 .................... $113,150 outagamie cty .............191 .................... $159,000 winnebago cty ............187 ....................$132,000 WI Dept. Revenue Collections 1st qtr. FISCAL YEAR 2015

$2.73 billion 2.3% from 1st Qtr. Fiscal Year 2014

50 | November 2014 | NNB2B

If there are indicators youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to see in this space, contact our office at 920.237.0254 or email sean@newnorthb2b.com.

u.s. retail sales september

$442.7 billion 0.3% from August 4.3% from Septmber 2013

u.s. industrial production (2007 = 100) September

105.1

1.0% from August 4.3% from September 2013

air passenger TRAFFIC (Local enplanements) sept 2014 sept 2013 Outagamie Cty. ATW....................19,900 ......18,856 Austin Straubel GRB.................... 26,845 ....... 26,772

local unemployment august july aug â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;13 Appleton . ..... 5.9% ...... 6.9% ........7.9% Fond du Lac . . 5.9% ...... 6.7% ........7.4% Green Bay....... 6.4% .......7.3% ........8.1% Neenah ........... 6.4% .......7.1%.........7.6% Oshkosh ........ 5.6% ...... 6.3% ........7.2% Wisconsin ......5.1% ...... 5.8% ....... 6.4%

natural gas prices Prices for small businesses using less than 20,000 therms. Listed price is per therm.

october..................... $0.878 september................ $0.903 october 2013............ $0.628 Source: Integrys Energy

ism index Numbers above 50 mean expansion. Numbers below 50 mean contraction. september . . . . . . . 56.6 august . . . . . . . . . . 59.0

www.newnorthb2b.com

COMMUNICATION IS KEY TO ANY GOOD RELATIONSHIP

AT NETWORK HEALTH, WE LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN. We recently teamed up with people all over our state to share ideas and improve the health insurance industry. We heard ideas for better products and services from people from Racine to Green Bay and Milwaukee to Madison. We listened, and today Network Health is tailoring products and services for your unique needs.

cocreatewi.com 800-826-0940 HMO plans underwritten by Network Health Plan. POS plans underwritten by Network Health Insurance Corporation, or Network Health Insurance Corporation and Network Health Plan. Self-funded HMO and POS plans administered by Network Health Plan.

SAL-196-01-6/14

Controlling International Letter of Credits Reducing the Risks of International Transactions Mr. Reed Anderson, President of BDG International, Inc., will share his insights on International Letter of Credits: International Letter of Credits can be a fantastic tool to close new business when transaction values are too high to provide payment terms. Learn how to manage and control the creation and use of Letter of Credits so that your firm is reliably paid for the goods that are being shipped.

Date:

Wednesday, November 12, 2014 (Registration Deadline: October 29th)

Time: Location: Cost: Register:

7:30 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:30 am The Corporate Conference Center at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College $39.00 (Includes a light breakfast) newibn-loc.eventbrite.com

The Northeast Wisconsin International Business Network (NEWIBN) is an association for local companies to access current information on issues, practices and trends that influence all aspects of international trade.

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

If you are interested in sponsoring NEWIBN, contact Nancy Peters at petersn@fvtc.edu or 920-735-4844.