December 2014

Business Intelligence for the New North

Welding NEW connections Outreach program to Latino community could help quell the welder shortage in region’s manufacturing workforce

Economic Outlook 2015

Cover Story Pre-employment screenings

Human Resources

December 2014 | $3.95

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Business Intelligence for the New North

2015

December Features 20

20 COVER STORY

Economic Outlook 2015

Economic Outlook

While improvements continue, our panel of regional industry experts indicate northeast Wisconsin’s economy still hasn’t blasted back, yet

24 HUMAN RESOURCES

Always a good hire

Pre-employment screenings help employers make new hire, promotions with fewer regrets later

24

28 ELECTIONS

Elections 2014

Northeast Wisconsin results from Nov. 4, 2014 general elections

30 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Welding new connections

Outreach program to Latino community could help quell the welder shortage in region’s workforce

30

Departments 4

From the Publisher

5, 34 Professionally Speaking 6

Since We Last Met

10 Corporate Earnings 14 Build Up Pages 36 Who’s News 44 Business Calendar 45 Advertiser Index 46 Key Statistics

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NNB2B | December 2014 | 3

From the Publisher

Voting on minimum wage Referenda gives issue a small amount of limelight, but robs it of any rationality

by Sean Fitzgerald, New North B2B Publisher

As much of the battle cries surrounding the issue to increase the federal minimum wage were heard during the recent election cycle, many northeast Wisconsin business owners and professionals were probably unaware of the official polling on the matter occurring in a few of the region’s communities. I certainly was myself.

While non-binding in nature, advisory referenda on raising the state minimum wage to $10.10 an hour were supported overwhelmingly in Appleton, Neenah and Menasha. The separate referenda – the same question asked in each of the three cities – passed by more than a 3-to-2-margin in each community. The affirmation of each is a strong nudge toward each city’s common council to approve a resolution advocating for the state legislature to pass a $10.10 an hour minimum wage.

While only advisory here in the Fox Valley, more compulsory statewide ballot propositions to increase the respective state minimum wage were approved by voters on Nov. 4 in Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota.

This isn’t a new issue. In fact, it’s one that crops up about every three to five years. But it’s hardly an issue in which the majority should rule in determining any change of such economic magnitude.

Of course, who doesn’t want to get paid more? And what unsuspecting, uninformed voter wouldn’t support raising the minimum wage when asked such a question with no other context surrounding their decision?

What if the question appearing on the ballot asked, “Would you support the State of Wisconsin raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour if employers in your community had to lay off 10 percent of the collective workforce and one of your community’s 10 largest companies would close for good?”

What if the referendum question asked, “Would you support the State of Wisconsin raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour if the cost of nearly every item or service you purchased went up by 50 percent?” Would such a referendum still have been ratified by such a margin? Or even approved at all?

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The hefty costs associated with raising the minimum wage are often absent from the discussion by supports of this issue, which usually denigrate the conversation to “greedy business owners” and ‘heartless, ruthless slave drivers.”

What’s ‘good enough’ B2B readers have heard the argument on this page of the magazine before. Minimum wages in northeast Wisconsin in this day and age compensate workers for minimum job performance. Employers in the region can’t get away with paying the current minimum wage of $7.25 an hour – nor do they want to – for a good employee who meets or exceeds job expectations. Such an employee just wouldn’t last long on the job if their pay remained at the minimum wage – there are too many opportunities to go elsewhere and get paid more.

And there really aren’t that many heartless, ruthless business owners in northeast Wisconsin. We’ve all witnessed it ourselves – those business owners who actively make the lives and compensation of their valued employees miserable generally don’t last long in business.

And what unsuspecting, uninformed voter wouldn’t support raising the minimum wage when asked such a question with no other context surrounding their decision?

The current minimum wage is fair compensation for minimum job performance or for those just starting out in the workforce at an entry-level position with no other experience than shoveling snow and mowing lawns.

But supporters of a minimum wage hike argue their cause is not really about the minimum wage itself. The real social justice they’re attempting to advocate is that increasing the minimum wage would have an incremental affect bumping up all wages by an amount proportionate with the minimum wage increase.

Raising the minimum wage in northeast Wisconsin isn’t about sustaining working families or helping the region’s most impoverished workers get a leg up on becoming more self sufficient.

It’s about greed, and it would potentially be devastating to wellmeaning employers unable to raise prices to their customers.

Despite the arguments of East Coast academics boasting from their pulpits 1,000 miles away, raising the minimum wage in Wisconsin will lead to job cuts and closed businesses. n

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Professionally Speaking

The company holiday party: Liability anyone?

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: What type of liability is associated with holiday parties? How do employers minimize the liability?

Tony Renning: Many employers host holiday parties for their employees.

Employers should be aware there are a number of areas of potential liability associated with hosting a holiday party and take steps to limit their liability.

First, be careful if you require, or even encourage, attendance at the holiday party.

If hourly employees feel compelled to attend the holiday party, they may have an argument they must be paid for attending.

Make clear attendance is strictly voluntary.

Note, if the holiday party takes place during regular working hours, employees should be paid for their attendance, even if attendance is voluntary.

Second, there are risks associated with gift giving, especially where the employer sponsors a gift exchange. There is always

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

someone who buys a co-worker – and even more troublesome, a subordinate – something sexual or suggestive. Remind employees about what kind of gifts are appropriate – establish standards for the gift exchange.

Third, minimize the risk associated with providing alcohol. Wisconsin law imposes legal liability on anyone who procures for, sells or dispenses alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person. Employers may also be liable under Worker’s Compensation laws for an injury to an employee if the employee, at the time of the injury, was performing a service “growing out of and incidental to” his or her employment and the accident resulting in injury arose out of such employment.

In order to minimize liability, employers who elect to serve alcohol should provide nonalcoholic alternatives and food. Employers should also designate someone responsible to supervise the event, e.g., make sure individuals who have had too much to drink are not served more or do not drive.

Fourth, the use of alcohol does not excuse sexual comments, inappropriate jokes or offensive touching, hugging, dancing, etc.

Employers should remind employees in advance that the harassment policy applies to the holiday party. Employers should also respond proactively to inappropriate behavior, even if no harassment complaint is made.

For advice and counsel concerning the above, and other unique labor and employment law issues, contact Tony Renning at (920) 2324842 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 | December 2014 | 5

Since We Last Met

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.

October 23 Expera Specialty Solutions LLC in Kaukauna announced plans to move its corporate headquarters into the former Eagle Mill in downtown Kaukauna. The specialty paper manufacturer will work with Appleton developer Randy Stadtmueller on a multi-million dollar revitalization of the more than centuryold mill on the Fox River, which will also house the Kaukauna Public Library. Expera will receive a $1 million loan from Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. for the estimated 800 jobs it will retain or create in Kaukauna through the development. The company also operates a mill in De Pere, as well as mills in Wausau, Rhinelander and Mosinee.

October 28 Piping Systems Inc. in Hortonville was awarded up to $350,000 in state job creation tax credits from Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. to help with the 65,000-sq. ft. expansion of its industrial pipe fabrication facility, which is expected to create as many as 119 new jobs. The Village of Hortonville is also providing $550,000 in incentives to support the project. The company is experiencing record growth as a

2003 December 8 – Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law a measure that will provide an income tax credit to Wisconsin manufacturers equal to the sales tax they pay on energy used in the manufacturing process.

2005 December 8 – Northeast Wisconsin Collaboration of the Regional Economy, or NEW CORE, changed its name to The New North during the second annual Northeast Wisconsin Economic Summit in Oshkosh. The new brand name and brand marketing effort will be supported with the hiring of staff for the organization.

2006 December 20 – We Energies said it will sell its Point Beach Nuclear Plant to FPL Energy, part of a group which operates nuclear power plants in Florida, Iowa and New England. FPL Energy will agree to sell 100 percent of the plant output to WE Energies, and will employ all current employees at the 1,033-megawatt facility on Lake Michigan.

6 | December 2014 | NNB2B

result of its large customer base in the expanding oil, gas and energy sectors.

October 28 The Florida-based investment management group which owns the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in downtown Appleton placed the property on the auction block, which will open to bidders Dec. 1 through 3. The decision was expected by many as the investment group was awarded the 388-room hotel in late 2013 after it went into receivership, and the group proceeded to invest millions of dollars in upgrades during 2014 to prepare it for resale. The hotel is a critical component of the proposed $20 million Fox Cities Exhibition Center.

October 30 The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay received a $1 million scholarship gift from Dr. Herbert and Crystal Sandmire to help pay tuition for students who intend to pursue a career in medicine or related medical fields. Dr. Sandmire, an obstetrician and gynecologist, and his wife established the

2011 December 1 – The Fox Cities Convention Center Community Coalition proposed an $18 million to $23 million exhibit hall on an Outagamie County parking lot behind the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in downtown Appleton. The committee made a number of proposals for the facility, including: 18 communities in the Fox Valley should add a 3 percent hotel room tax to help finance the project; the county should sell its lot on W. Lawrence Street and possibly build a parking ramp at the Justice Center; the City of Appleton committed to preparing the site for construction, as it has in past projects, at a cost of about $5.3 million; and the Paper Valley Hotel would need to operate the facility to reduce costs and minimize the burden on taxpayers.

2013 December 15 – The Oneida Tribe of Indians met in general council and voted to dissolve Oneida Seven Generations Corp., the company created in 1995 to promote economic development for the Oneida. A petition seeking the general council vote on the matter indicated many tribal members were critical of the company’s operations, including a failed attempt to develop a trash-burning pyloric gasification electricitygenerating plant in Ashwaubenon and in Green Bay.

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Herbert F. and Crystal J. Sandmire Scholarship in 1987 and have contributed to the school every year for 46 straight years.

The gift comes as the region prepares to open the new Medical College of Wisconsin satellite campus that will be housed at St. Norbert College in De Pere, of which UW-Green Bay is a partner institution.

October 30 Baker Cheese Factory Inc. in St. Cloud was awarded up to $800,000 in job creation tax credits from Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. for a $7 million plant modernization project which is expected to create as many as 40 new jobs.

The Fond du Lac County string cheese manufacturer is implementing new equipment to make it more efficient and enable it to produce additional products, as well as developing a new wastewater treatment facility to help Baker Cheese expand its whey operations.

October 31 Kimberly-Clark Corp. officially spun off its health care business to create Halyard Health Inc. The company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Nov. 3 and is based out of Georgia. Kimberly-Clark shareholders received one share of Halyard Health common stock for every eight shares of K-C common stock. The new medical technology company holds a market-leading position in both surgical and infection prevention products and medical devices.

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November 1 The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reopened the Packerland Drive/ Cardinal Lane interchange with State Road 29 in Green Bay after the interchange had been closed for reconstruction since Sept. 2. The project included four roundabouts and was associated with the larger U.S. Highway 41/State Road 29 interchange construction project less than a mile to the east, which opened earlier in 2014.

November 4 Voters in the Ripon School District approved a referendum to borrow $29.1 million to construct a combined middle school and high school. The new school will replace two aging schools suffering from leaking roofs, outdated science labs, failing mechanics and walls too thick for wireless technology.

Voters also approved a second question authorizing district officials to continue to exceed state-imposed spending limits by $500,000 for another six years to update curriculum and technology and maintain facilities. Approval of both measures is expected to add another $1.23 to the district’s mill rate each year, or an additional $123 for every $100,000 of equalized property value.

November 4 Voters in the town of Buchanan in Outagamie County approved a measure increasing the 2015 tax levy by an additional $350,000 to help with road paving and maintenance projects. The nearly 23 percent increase to the

NNB2B | December 2014 | 7

Since We Last Met town’s total tax levy is expected to add another 59 cents to the town’s mill rate for next year, or an additional $59 for every $100,000 of assessed property value.

November 7 The U.S. Department of Labor reported 214,000 new jobs were created in October, edging the national unemployment rate down to 5.8 percent. Employment increased in food services and drinking places, retail trade and health care.

November 12 Oshkosh Corp. officials announced plans to build a new $80 million facility in Leon, Mexico to fabricate component parts for a variety of different vehicles and heavy equipment the company makes around the world. The new plant will employ an estimated 1,000 people. Company officials indicated the new Mexico facility will not take jobs from other facilities in the U.S., and pledged the new plant will not make defense related parts, a requirement in order to obtain U.S. Military contracts.

November 13 Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reported state farms and agribusinesses exported nearly $2.8 billion worth of agricultural products

to 138 countries during the first three quarters of 2014, a 17 percent increase over the same period in 2013. Wisconsin held its position as the No. 12 state for agricultural exports. Exports of dairy products were valued at $392 million for the first nine months of 2014, a 19 percent increase compared to the same period a year ago, ranking Wisconsin third among U.S. states in the export of dairy. Wisconsin ranks first among U.S. states exporting bovine genetics, whey, ginseng, processed sweet corn, mink fur skins and processed cranberries. Wisconsin ranks second in cheese exports.

November 18 The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands approved nearly $7 million in State Trust Fund Loans to finance various economic development projects in Green Bay and in neighboring Hobart. The Green Bay loan is for $2,845,904, while the Hobart loan is for $4,130,000.

November 19 Fond du Lac Convention & Visitors Bureau received a $39,550 Joint Effort Marketing grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to implement a comprehensive marketing strategy to support its 2-year-old “C’mon in” brand.

This is the third and final year of the project, and the marketing strategy will be developed from information uncovered during the first year of the project and related grant funding. n

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Corporate Earnings

Once each quarter, New North B2B runs a digest of quarterly financial reports from local publicly traded companies, or from out-of-the-area parent companies with significant operations in our northeast Wisconsin coverage area.

Associated Banc Corp.

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Income $49.0 million $44.4 million s 10% EPS 31 cents 27 cents s 15% The Green Bay-based financial institution reported its average loan balance grew by $495 million, or 3 percent, to $17.1 billion during the quarter, and have increased $1.4 billion on average, or 9 percent, from the third quarter of 2013.

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $5.4 Billion $5.3 Billion s 3% Income $562 million $546 million s 3% EPS $1.50 $1.42 s 6% The manufacturer of consumer paper and tissue products with significant operations in the Fox Cities announced a restructuring program in which it will trim nearly 1,300 jobs from its global workforce during 2015 and 2016. The restructuring aims to improve efficiency and offset the impact of stranded overhead costs resulting from the early November spinoff of its health care business, which is now Halyard Health.

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $3.7 Billion $3.6 Billion s 4% Income $531 million $452 million s 17% EPS $1.34 $1.01 s 33% The parent company of Miller Electric Manufacturing operations across the Fox Cities reported revenues from its welding segment grew by 5 percent during the quarter, with North American sales increasing 10 percent as a result of the strength in equipment sales to industrial and commercial customers.

Plexus Corp.

4Q 2014 4Q 2013 Revenue $666 million $568 million s 17% Income $26.5 million $24.5 million s 8% EPS 77 cents 71 cents s 8% The Neenah-based contract electronics manufacturer reported record fiscal fourth quarter revenue and record annual sales for fiscal year 2014 of $2.4 billion, up 7 percent from fiscal 2013 sales. For the full year, Plexus reported income of $87.2 million, or $2.52 per share, an increase from fiscal 2013 earnings of $82.3 million, or $2.31 per share.

Bemis Company Inc. VF Corp.

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $3.5 Billion $3.3 Billion s 7% Income $471 million $434 million s 8% EPS $1.08 97 cents s 11% The parent company of Jansport operations in the Fox Cities indicated it’s on pace for a record year of sales driven by continued growth in its Outdoor & Action Sports coalition – including Jansport operations – which increased receipts by 11 percent during the quarter to $2.2 billion.

10 | December 2014 | NNB2B

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $1.1 Billion $1.1 Billion t 2% Income $17.0 million $54.0 million t 69% EPS 17 cents 52 cents t 67% The Neenah-based supplier of flexible packaging reported record earnings of 61 cents per share for the third quarter when adjusted for the costs associated of divesting its pressure sensitive materials business segment, of which financials were reported as discontinued operations. The company signed an agreement to sell the business segment this past summer, and plans to close on the transaction during the fourth quarter. www.newnorthb2b.com

Brunswick Corp.

Humana Inc.

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $932 million $824 million s 13% Income $104 million $57.8 million s 81% EPS $1.10 61 cents s 80% The parent company of Mercury Marine operations in Fond du Lac indicated its marine engine segment, consisting of Mercury Marine, increased sales 11 percent during the quarter to $567 million compared with $511 million during the third quarter 2013. During the past quarter Brunswick sold off its retail bowling business and announced plans to sell its bowling products business as well.

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $12.2 Billion $10.3 Billion s 19% Income $290 million $368 million t 21% EPS $1.85 $2.31 t 20% The health and benefits company with extensive operations in the Green Bay area reported its earnings decreased for the quarter due primarily to investments in health care exchanges and state-based contracts, as well as higher specialty prescription drug costs associated with a new treatment for Hepatitis C.

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NNB2B | December 2014 | 11

Corporate Earnings

First Business Financial Services Inc.

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Income $3.6 million $3.6 million t 2% EPS 89 cents 91 cents t 2% The commercial-oriented financial institution serving Madison, Milwaukee and northeast Wisconsin recorded no net charge-offs for its third consecutive quarter. It also reported its net loans and leases grew for the tenth consecutive quarter to a record $1.0 billion, up 9 percent from the third quarter a year ago.

Oshkosh Corp.

4Q 2014 4Q 2013 Revenue $1.7 Billion $1.7 Billion t 3% Income $77.5 million $36.1 million s115% EPS 93 cents 41 cents s127% The manufacturer of specialty vehicles expected a 44 percent decrease in its defense segment sales as a result of dwindling sales to the U.S. Department of Defense. Those lost revenues were buoyed by increases in the company’s access equipment segment sales, which grew 20 percent to $933 million for the fiscal fourth quarter, and from its commercial segment, which increased sales 16 percent to $244 million. For the full fiscal year, Oshkosh Corp. reported earnings of $309 million, or $3.61 per share, on sales of $6.8 billion, compared with fiscal year 2013 earnings of $316 million, or $3.53 per share, on sales of $7.7 billion.

Appvion

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $201 million $203 million t 1% Income ($23.2 million) $6.5 million t457% The employee-owned producer of thermal papers reported net sales for its Encapsys segment increased by $4.6 million, or nearly 37 percent, for the third quarter. The company also resolved various pending disputes with its former owners over contractual obligations for costs associated with the Fox River clean-up and any future sites, with a total of $24.0 million for the Fox River Funding Agreement being charged as a loss during the third quarter.

12 | December 2014 | NNB2B

Dean Foods

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $2.4 Billion $2.2 Billion s 8% Income ($16 million) $415 million t104% EPS (17 cents) $4.35 t104% The dairy-based foods company with extensive operations in Wisconsin, including the Green Bay area, reported lower earnings due to the challenging dairy commodity environment. The average cost for raw milk during the quarter was $23.51 per hundred-weight, up 24 percent from the third quarter 2013.

Bank First

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Income $3.2 million $2.5 million s 28% EPS 51 cents 39 cents s 31% The Manitowoc-based financial institution with significant operations across northeast Wisconsin reported loan growth of $75 million, or 9 percent, from the third quarter 2013.

Deposits increased by $42 million, or 5 percent, during the same period.

Neenah Paper

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $231 million $214 million s 8% Income $13.6 million $11.4 million s 19% EPS 80 cents 68 cents s 18% The papermaker with significant operations in the Fox Cities reported record third quarter results for sales, operating income and earnings per share were driven by gains in its technical products segment, which increased revenues by 16 percent to $121.5 million.

Integrys Energy Group Inc.

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $1.2 Billion $1.1 Billion s 5% Income $83.3 million $38.1 million s119% EPS $1.02 47 cents s117% The parent company of Wisconsin Public Service Corp. operations across northeast and northcentral Wisconsin reported more than doubled earnings during the quarter from the August sale of its Upper Peninsula Power Company.

Integrys officials forecast full year 2014 earnings in the range of $3.52 to $3.62 per share with assumptions for normal weather conditions through the end of the year. www.newnorthb2b.com

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $3.0 Billion $2.6 Billion s 13% Income $62.2 million $14.7 million s323% EPS 31 cents 8 cents s288% The printing company with significant operations in the Fox Cities reported third quarter financial results improved largely due to the acquisitions of Consolidated Graphics and the North American operations of Luxembourg-based Esselte.

Alliance Laundry Systems

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $190 million $143 million s 33% Income $7.3 million $8.8 million t 17% The Ripon-based manufacturer of commercial and residential laundry equipment reported record first quarter earnings which included sales of about $72 million from Belgian laundry equipment manufacturer Primus, which Alliance acquired earlier in 2014. The company posted a foreign currency loss of more than $24.5 million during the recent quarter.

Blyth Inc.

3Q 2014 3Q 2013 Revenue $90.8 million $97.0 million t 6% Income ($9.0 million) ($9.1 million) s 1% EPS (55 cents) (57 cents) s 3% The parent company of Silver Star Brands operations in Oshkosh – formerly known as Miles Kimball Company – recorded a $116 million gain during the quarter from the spinoff of its ViSalus segment. The company’s catalog and Internet segment – which includes Miles Kimball operations – reported third quarter sales increased 2 percent to $30.0 million on the strength of its health, wellness and beauty products.

Without execution, they’re just numbers.

Let us do the math.

Coming to B2B in January 2015 Regionalism

The New North at 10 years

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NNB2B | December 2014 | 13

Build Up Fond du Lac

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Build Up

Indicates a new listing

8&9

Fond du Lac 1 - 1210 W. Scott St., Fond du Lac Ultratech Tool & Design Inc., an addition to the existing industrial facility.

5 - 625 W. Rolling Meadows Dr., Fond du Lac

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.

Holiday Inn, a nearly 5,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing conference and banquet facility. Project completion expected in spring 2015.

6 - 55 Holiday Lane, Fond du Lac Holiday Inn Express, an 86-room hotel facility.

7 - 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 December.

4 - 77 N. Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac Hampton Inn, a three-story, 73-room hotel facility.

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Build Up Oshkosh

10

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Indicates a new listing

Build Up

Oshkosh

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8 - 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 December.

9 - 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.

10 - 3500 N. Main St., Oshkosh Bemis Healthcare Packaging, a 162,790-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacting facility and office complex. Project completion expected in late 2015.

11 - 639 Witzel Ave., Oshkosh City of Oshkosh Public Works Building, a municipal operations facility and yard. Project completion expected in December.

12 - 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.

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Projects completed since our November issue: • Panera Bread, 775 W. Johnson St., Fond du Lac. • Moraine Park Technical College, 235 N. National Ave., Fond du Lac.

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NNB2B | December 2014 | 15

Build Up Fox Cities Build Up

Fox Cities

Indicates a new listing 1 - 719 Industrial Park Ave., Hortonville Piping Systems Inc., a 65,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing industrial facility. Project completion expected in spring 2015.

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 1,250-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 February.

5 - 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.

6 - 3925 Gateway Dr., Appleton Fox Valley Hematology & Oncology, a 60,000-sq. ft. cancer treatment facility. Project completion expected in summer 2015.

7 - 1735 Nixon St., Little Chute Shapes Unlimited, a 31,430-sq. ft. addition to the existing industrial facility.

8 - 930 Evergreen Dr., Kaukauna Exclusive CPA, a 2,564-sq. ft. commercial office building. Project completion expected in January. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

9 - 1101 Gertrude St., Kaukauna Kwik Trip, an 8,721-sq. ft. convenience store and fuel canopy.

10 - 1200 Maloney Road, Kaukauna Team Industries, a 29,140-sq. ft. addition to the existing industrial facility. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

11 - 222 Lawe St., Kaukauna Kwik Trip, an 8,777-sq. ft. convenience store and fuel canopy.

12 - 3200 E. Calumet St., Appleton Auto Zone, a new commercial retail building.

13 - 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.

14 - W5298 State Road 114, Harrison Countryside Auto Transport, a 7,260-sq. ft. addition to the existing service center.

Project completion expected in February. General contractor is James J. Calmes & Sons Construction of Kaukauna.

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 | December 2014 | NNB2B

www.newnorthb2b.com

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21 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 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. www.newnorthb2b.com

14

20 - 1050 Zephyr Dr., town of Menasha St. Mary Central Middle School, a new educational facility.

Project completion expected in June.

21 - 601 S. Commercial St., Neenah Galloway Company, a 5,488-sq. ft. railcar unloading facility.

Project completion expected in December.

Projects completed since our November issue: • Maxcess Webex, N1009 Craftsman Dr., town of Greenville.

• Fox Valley Technical College Public Safety Training Center, W6400 County Road BB, town of Greenville.

• Azco Inc., 2150 Holly Road, town of Menasha.

• First National Bank - Fox Valley, 835 W. Northland Dr., Appleton.

• Einstein Middle School, 324 E. Florida Ave., Appleton.

• Huntley Elementary School, 2224 N. Ullman St., Appleton.

• Country View Animal Hospital, 417 N. Tullar Road, Neenah.

NNB2B | December 2014 | 17

Build Up Greater Green Bay area 1&2 3

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22

Build Up

Greater Green Bay area 1 - 2455 Lineville Road, Howard Zesty’s Frozen Custard & Grill, a new commercial restaurant building.

2 - 11820 Velp Ave., Suamico Culver’s Restaurant, a 4,000-sq. ft. new restaurant building.

Project completion expected in January 2015. General contractor is Bayland Buildings of Green Bay. 3 - 2714 Riverview Dr., Howard Bellin Health, an addition and interior remodel of the existing health care clinic.

18 | December 2014 | NNB2B

Indicates a new listing

4 - 1620 W. Mason St., Green Bay Cellcom, a new retail commercial building.

5 - 1010 S. Military Ave., Green Bay Broadway Pre-Owned, Broadway Hyundai and Broadway Ford, three separate dealership facilities.

6 - 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.

www.newnorthb2b.com

7 - 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.

8 - 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.

9 - 110 S. Adams St., Green Bay Initiative One, a complete refurbishment of the 10,500-sq. ft. former commercial space for new offices.

10 - 617 S. Roosevelt St., Green Bay Bellin Health, a 5,400-sq. ft. addition and interior remodel of the existing health care clinic.

11 - 1820 Main St., Green Bay Fox Communities Credit Union, a new financial institution branch office. Project completion expected in May. 12 - 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.

13 - 840 S. Huron Road, Green Bay Kwik Trip, a 500-sq. ft. addition and remodel of the existing convenience store and fuel station. Project completion expected in January.

14 - 2601 Development Dr., Bellevue Lakeland College, a 15,032-sq. ft. satellite educational campus.

Project completion expected in February.

15 - 839 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay Bank of Luxemburg, an 11,444-sq. ft. bank branch and office.

www.newnorthb2b.com

16 - 2626 S. Oneida St., Ashwaubenon CMT Ashwaubenon, a 7,767-sq. ft. multi-tenant commercial retail building.

17 - Label Drive, Ashwaubenon Green Bay Packaging Inc., a 240,000-sq. ft. coated products manufacturing facility. 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 January. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

19 - 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.

20 - 2000 American Blvd., De Pere a new commercial office building.

21 - 825 Pamela St., Wrightstown Farm Products LLC, a 4,000-sq. ft. manufacturing facility.

Project completion expected in January.

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 November issue: • Bay Towel, 2580 S. Broadway, Ashwaubenon.

• Beautiful Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2160 Packerland Dr., Green Bay. • Truck Equipment Inc., 855 Glory Road, Ashwaubenon.

• Ambrosius Sales & Service, 840 W. Ninth St., De Pere.

NNB2B | December 2014 | 19

Cover Story

2015

Economic Outlook While improvements continue, northeast Wisconsin’s economy still hasn’t blasted back, yet

Story by Sean Fitzgerald, New North B2B Publisher

Various national economic indicators from stock market performance to consumer retail spending would suggest the economy is accelerating in the U.S as the end of 2014 nears.

Manufacturing come back

Equally, local indicators from existing home sales to unemployment rates to commercial and industrial construction paint a picture of a northeast Wisconsin economy that’s on its way back to pre-recession levels, but improving at a slower, more steady pace than much of the rest of the nation.

One reason is that larger OEMs have become much more cautious about big capital expenditures, largely because in this post-recession environment, their customers and shareholders are requiring them to be more efficient. As a result, many are outsourcing their small-run legacy products – those products that aren’t driving profits but are still requested by critical customers.

What do these trends mean heading into 2015? New North B2B spoke with a panel of northeast Wisconsin business leaders from various industries to share the trends they perceive within their own industries, as well as the larger economy in general. They offered plenty of optimistic perspectitives, but also shared some of the more stark realities defining the new post-recession recovery economy.

Overall, the region’s economy continues to tick upward. That’s positive, but it’s been slow and in many respects still isn’t near the economic performance of 2007 and 2008. Uncertainty still looms, and workforce constraints are forcing employers to take more substantial measures to become more efficient. The low-hanging fruit of waste and inefficiency existing in most firms five years ago has been rooted out.

20 | December 2014 | NNB2B

Performance Complete Metal Solutions in Little Chute is humming along. And so, too, are many of its customers, as well as many of its vendors further down the supply chain, according to Alex Kowalski, president and owner of the contract job shop for larger original equipment manufacturers.

“An industry trend has been the large OEMs are being asked to do more with less,” Kowalski said. “They still have to innovate to be competitive. So they’re using companies like ours.”

Since late summer, Performance Solutions has hired 27 new employees – brake press operators, laser cutter operators and welders – boosting its total employment Kowalski from just more than 50 employees to 82 employees as of late November. Kowalski recently invested a quarter million dollars in robotic welding equipment, and is preparing for another capital expenditure of $1.25 million for a powder coat paint system. www.newnorthb2b.com

Kowalski is budgeting for 34 percent topline growth for his company in 2015, based upon contracts Performance has already won for next year. He said many of his OEM customers are expecting at least 5 to 8 percent growth during 2015, particularly those manufacturers in the industrial, oil and gas, and aerospace sectors. He said many of his customers in the agricultural sector are projecting relatively flat revenues for the year ahead due to higher commodity grain prices.

Manufacturing was one of the first sectors to bounce back in the aftermath of the recession, said Mickey Noone, president of the northeast Wisconsin region for First Business Bank, though he said many of those gains have primarily been replacing revenues lost in 2009 and 2010. The commercial lender with offices in Green Bay, Appleton and Oshkosh published its annual First Business Economic Survey for Northeast Wisconsin in early December, and Noone revealed 64 percent of participating manufacturers are anticipating higher revenues for 2015.

Echoing Kowalski’s comments, most manufacturers aren’t necessarily planning capital expenditures to build or expand facilities, but are investing in equipment to automate more operations on the shop floor, Noone said. “A number of (companies) are just trying to improve their efficiencies.”

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Construction still recovering

Readers of New North B2B’s popular Build Up pages will have noticed a recent spike in the number of commercial and industrial projects occurring across nearly every community in our readership area. But business still hasn’t quite fully rebounded to pre-recession levels for most builders in the New North, primarily because it dropped off so far.

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New construction fell off by 60 percent in northeast Wisconsin from 2008 to 2009, but revenues have only come back by about 15 percent since 2009, said Dave Schultz, owner and president of Hortonville-based Borsche Roofing Professionals, citing state industry data from Associated General Contractors.

Clients have begun building again after gaining more confidence in the economy Schultz in the wake of Gov. Walker’s reforms in Wisconsin, Schultz said, but “it’s still not back to where it was in 2003 to 2007.”

Like manufacturing, construction firms pursued measures in efficiency during the recession in order to survive. Schultz said Borsche Roofing is currently doing the same amount of work as it was 10 years ago, but with half the staff it employed back then. “We’ve developed a number of techniques to do more with less,” Schultz said.

Though consumer inflation has remained relatively stagnant since the end of the recent recession, the cost of construction materials has increased sharply in recent years. Schultz said material costs have been going up nearly 20 percent a year for the past two years, with some products even tripling in cost over that time.

“If you look at the cost of construction materials over the last couple of years, it’s directly in relation to EPA requirements and the cost of energy,” Schultz said. www.newnorthb2b.com

NNB2B | December 2014 | 21

Cover Story Better on paper

Wisconsin’s legacy as a hotbed of paper making still rings true today, though it may look a bit different than it did a century ago. Though the products aren’t necessarily paper used to write on or for publishing books, innovative firms are giving identity to a Wisconsin paper industry dominant in food packaging, tissue and medical products.

Landin

Wisconsin employed about 52,000 people in the pulp and paper industries at the high water mark in 2000, and stands at roughly 31,000 in 2014, said Jeff Landin, president of the Wisconsin Paper Council.

He said his organization bases its dues on the employment numbers of its members, and has been able to gauge incremental growth of a couple hundred additional jobs in the industry statewide each year for the past few years.

Landin said that’s primarily because of the innovation occurring at many of the region’s papermakers, converters and other allied manufacturers, particularly in the specialty markets. “We’re not seeing the kind of neglect or mill closures that other parts of the country are experiencing,” Landin said.

And while Wisconsin paper companies aren’t investing in new mills or new paper machines, many are committing several million dollars in energy efficiency initiatives to upgrade their boilers in compliance with the federal Boiler MACT rules.

Speaking to B2B in mid-November following the general

elections, Landin indicated the results – hinting at sweeping wins by the right both in Congress as well as state government – put in office “individuals who generally place a more careful balance between business and regulation,” Landin said. He hopes the political climate in 2015 provides a more productive and reasonable regulatory environment which would allow the state’s paper industry to compete and thrive into the future.

Consumers still reluctant

The recession reminded those individuals who dealt with money responsibly why it was important to remain financially diligent. Of those who were ‘pound foolish’ before the recession, many learned difficult lessons and adapted their lifestyles to preserve what assets they could salvage.

Kate Thome of Thome Benefits Solutions in Neenah said she’s finding her financial advisory firm extremely busy with older individuals who have never done any formal financial planning before. Many are within just five years or less of retirement.

“There’s certainly a trend toward people saving for the future,” Thome noted. She said many of her clients still hold a high level of confidence in the economy, and as a result are delaying substantial personal purchases. Many are even delaying their retirements. “I’m finding people wanting to work longer than ever before. A number of my clients are talking about working until at least age 66 or 67,” Thome said. The driving factor to work past the traditional retirement Thome age has primarily been the skyrocketing

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costs of health care during the final years and months of one’s life and a desire to not burden one’s spouse with insurmountable debt after death.

In contrast to commercial real estate, Noone described the development of apartments and other multi-family housing across northeast Wisconsin as “booming.”

Another lesson from the recession, Thome noted, is that investors more widely recognize developments occurring in overseas economies do impact the economy here in the U.S., perhaps more so now than ever before. Individuals are learning to respond appropriately to such international crises as they pertain to their long-term financial plans.

Workforce issues

Discussion regarding skills gaps and workforce shortages has certainly become more prominent during the past three years, and all our panelists mentioned the issue as a top challenge.

Real estate still bubbling?

First Business Bank specializes in commercial real estate lending, and Noone said data generated by his financial institution indicates the market for office and retail space still has a way to go in its recovery.

“Commercial real estate has not fully bounced back in northeast Wisconsin,” Noone said. “It’s way off of what we see in (the bank’s) other markets like Milwaukee and Madison.”

Those landlords that did struggle with high vacancy rates or tenants who couldn’t pay rent were often “flushed Noone out of the system,” Noone said. Many of his commercial real estate clients still maintain rather depressed rent pricing in response to the wide availability of space during the recession. As more elite class A office space is beginning to fill across the region, Noone said there’s a conceivable bubble on the horizon.

Kowalski acknowledged he’s been fortunate filling open positions in the plant at Performance Complete Metal Solutions, but recognizes the skills his operations demand don’t require masters or journeyman-level aptitude.

Where that is a problem at other manufacturers, Noone said his customers in goods-producing industries are investing in automation when it makes sense, particularly if the prospect of finding qualified, skilled employees appears more difficult in the next few years.

Landin said the workforce shortage issue isn’t foreign to the paper industry, indicating its workforce demographics have kept talent development on the radar for some time.

“The paper industry is perhaps more pronounced,” Landin said. “This workforce is aging, and we’re going to see a mass exodus in the paper industry. We do need to have a lot more homegrown talent.”

To that end, the Paper Council has been collaborating with schools and local school-to-work programs through chambers of commerce to enhance the reputation of paper industry jobs as attractive career choices existing close to home. n

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NNB2B | December 2014 | 23

Human Resources

Always a good hire Story by Lee Marie Reinsch

Pre-employment screenings help employers make new hire,promotions with fewer regrets later

APPLICANT – Please complete the sentence as it most closely pertains to you: Taking personality quizzes makes me

a. Feel like bolting.

b. Wonder who the heck thought up this quiz?

c. Irrationally upset at being asked to answer random questions that have nothing to

do with the job for which I’m applying.

d. Apt to tell the quiz administrator to take a long hike off a short pier.

e. Realize I don’t want this crummy old job after all.

Good help is hard to find. Sometimes it seems like none of the applications in your inbox are worth your time. Other times, they all appear to exceed your wildest expectations. But who has time to meet with all of them? And how do you know whether the most credentialed candidate will jibe well with your company’s culture?

In the latter case, a magic tool to not only sift out the lumps but reveal traits not listed on a resume would be handy.

Abracadabra! The amazing b.s. detector

Employers have been screening potential employees since at least 2200 B.C. in China, when governments verbally quizzed prospective civil servants, according to authors Dana and Ellen Borowka in “Cracking the Personality Code” and their blog by the same name.

24 | December 2014 | NNB2B

Pre-employment assessment and screening tools as we know them have been around for nearly 100 years, since 1919 when the U.S. Army used the Woodworth Personal Data Sheet to eliminate recruits that might be prone to post-traumatic stress disorder, then called shell shock.

You’ve probably heard of the Rorschach Inkblot Test, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test or the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Employers use these tools in hiring decisions, granting promotions, weighing whether an applicant’s a good match for the company personality-wise as well as skill-wise, and understanding personalities for team building.

These tests, many of which have several versions for different industrial sectors, claim to be able to measure such things as a person’s work ethic, integrity, decision-making skills, cognitive www.newnorthb2b.com

ability, verbal skills and preferred work style, among other traits. With many, applicants answer questions or statements about themselves, with the guidance that there are no wrong answers but to answer with the first thing that pops into their minds.

“Ninety days later I was, unfortunately, saying goodbye to him,” Reid said. “It’s not funny, but it’s a lesson to be learned – those things are really very accurate.”

Listened to gut, kicked self later

“I haven’t met anyone yet who took one and said ‘This isn’t me, it’s way off base.’”

American Digital Cartography CEO Jim Reid listened to his gut twice in the last decade when hiring. Both times, he regretted it.

Other than those two flukes, Reid’s relied on the Florida-based behavioral-assessment company Omnia to help him at his Appleton firm.

“They can predict with a high degree of certainty of how this person will behave in a certain role,” Reid said. “It (the survey) will tell you ‘This person is good match,’ or ‘is not a good match,’ or ‘This one’s going to be a disaster.’”

Based in Tampa, Omnia claims to have processed millions of profiles in the last 29 years, with “93 percent accuracy.” Its electronic questionnaires purport to measure how comfortable the applicant feels with factors like overnight travel, quick decision-making, teamwork versus working independently, customer interactions, and dynamic situations versus routines, according to Reid.

One of Reid’s two exceptions was for a guy he knew.

“The profile said he’s not good with details, and I hired him anyway,” Reid said. He even overlooked the two spelling errors on his resume.

www.newnorthb2b.com

Reid says he’s taken several versions of the Omnia assessment himself and all have been ‘spot on.’

What if applicants answer how they think looks best to the employer? “If you think about it too long and try to outsmart it … there’s a whole bunch of questions that will trip you up,” Reid said. “There are questions that relate to this question, and the report will tell you ‘I think this person is trying to be deceptive.’”

‘Cheap investment’

Reid shares profile results with the new hires and uses them to smooth out potential rough spots.

“We say, ‘Here’s where it says it’s a great match and here are some areas where we might have some challenges – let’s keep this on our radar … (and) focus on these things that could be challenging for us,’” he said.

With Omnia, it’s free to take assessments, but employers pay around $125 to get the detailed analysis. That way, the employer isn’t paying for results of applicants not on the short list.

Before using Omnia, American Digital Cartography used psychologists and consultants. This cost significantly more, Reid said, thousands of dollars versus merely hundreds with Omnia.

NNB2B | December 2014 | 25

Human Resources “But when you think of hiring someone, if you’re thinking about making a bad hire, then $1,000 is a cheap investment to avoid a mistake,” Reid said.

Reinforcement for law enforcement

A lot can go wrong if law enforcement makes a poor hire.

Negative publicity and public distrust are probably among the least of concerns. Many agencies use consultant psychiatrists to weed out bad seeds.

Neenah Police Chief Kevin Wilkinson said he tells the psychiatrists the kind of candidate he’s looking for, based on descriptors of officers that have been successful.

“The doctor really has their own parameters regarding things like social adjustment, response to authority, dealing with conflict, and, of course, mental health issues like paranoia,” Wilkinson said. “We do sometimes ask the doctor to look into a specific concern if something has popped up during our interviews.”

He gave the example of alcohol use. “A candidate may have an incident or two involving alcohol, and we are concerned it may point to a bigger problem, rather than being excused as a poor decision of youth,” Wilkinson said. “We would ask the doctor to explore that further for us. They’re always very willing to do that.”

Green Bay psychiatrist Dr. Ursula Bertrand is semi-retired now but at one point consulted for 15 public-safety agencies. She’s been asked by banks, law enforcement and city personnel to

weigh-in on candidates up for promotion or applying for a new position.

“Often it’s the case that they have three they want to promote, and I would evaluate the three and give them my opinion as to whether they’re qualified or not qualified,” Bertrand said.

She bases her determinations on any of a number of assessment instruments, including the clinical interview. “For law-enforcement hires, there’s no shortage of research out there on what it takes to be a good law enforcement agent: be approachable and friendly, be reliable, have good problemsolving skills and good communication skills, be able to take charge of a situation,” she said.

She uses the law-enforcement version of the MMPI patterned on police populations, which tests for mental health and emotional stability, or the California Personality Inventory Police and Public Safety Selection Report, which tests for suitability, as well as what she calls collateral information about the candidate.

“When I evaluate police and public safety and law enforcement, I generally look at suitability: Are they suitable and are they emotionally stable for the job, and to carry a firearm?” Bertrand said.

She uses Myers-Briggs when employers want a better understanding of individuals for the purposes of team building.

She said her findings are taken into consideration in the hiring decision.

Legal considerations for hiring, assessments When is someone who’s not your employee an employee … and when is your employee not an employee? Seriously. It’s not a riddle.

“We can send him to the doctor and the doctor says there’s no way this person is getting out of that chair,” Renning said.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is rife with examples of employers getting slapped for overstepping their bounds. Just ask Tony Renning, attorney with the law firm Davis & Kuelthau in Green Bay and Oshkosh. He represents municipalities and companies in situations in which the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 comes into play.

He says three stages of the employment process are relevant to the ADA:

3. Employment, which is just as it sounds. Once a person is hired, employers can make disability-related inquiries, but only if they’re job-related and consistent with business necessity, Renning said. If an employee asks for a reasonable accommodation – say they can’t stand for eight hours and want a chair – the employer can ask for medical corroboration, but not the entire medical history if it’s irrelevant to the job.

1. Application, in which a person applies for a job and hasn’t been made an offer: “An employer cannot ask any disability-related questions or require medical exams … whether blood, urine, agility or polygraph,” Renning said. Lest an employer try to be sneaky and skirt the law by contacting people who know the applicant, that also violates the ADA.

When’s an employee not an employee?

Employers sometimes get hung up on the line between employment and conditional employment. If there’s an internal opening, employees applying are considered applicants, not employees, and the employer can’t ask for medical information until after they make an offer.

2. Conditional offer of employment, in which the applicant is given an offer upon the condition of their passing tests or screenings that all applicants for that position undergo: “We can ask disability-related questions and require medical exams. We can ask questions like ‘Are you able to perform your job with or without reasonable accommodation?’”

Renning said. “We can ask a pregnant person how she’s doing and when the baby is due. We make the offer on the condition that you can perform the job and you don’t present a threat to yourself or others.” He gave the example of someone in a wheelchair applying to be a firefighter who might pose a risk to others. The person might say it’s temporary.

Another sticky question: What counts as a medical exam or off-limits question?

26 | December 2014 | NNB2B

The courts use a few criteria for tests: Is it administered or interpreted by a health professional? Is it invasive? Is it designed to reveal a physical or mental impairment? Is it given in a medical setting? Is medical equipment used?

“Blood, urine, vision, blood pressure, X-rays and MRIs are considered medical examinations and … we can’t require them until we give that conditional offer,” Renning said.

www.newnorthb2b.com

“I find out about their strengths and weaknesses, but the person who hired me is the one who makes the decision,” she said.

Picking a winner

Employers looking to implement an assessment tool face dozens claiming they’re the best. To choose from the myriad, employers should first assess themselves – on what duties the job requires, what character traits they require in someone filling a particular job opening – and match not only the applicant but the test with those factors, according to Sarah DeArmond, associate professor of human resource management in the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh College of Business Administration.

HR majors at UW-Oshkosh learn about common assessments such as the Myers-Briggs and MMPI in conjunction with other more basic measurement tools, including those gauging job knowledge, performance, situational judgment, integrity or work samples. They also cover staffing and planning, employee relations and compensation.

DeArmond says some assessment instruments shouldn’t be the sole consideration in selecting candidates.“Assessments like Myers-Briggs shouldn’t be used in job selection – that is an inappropriate test to use for selection purposes, and it’s not good for predicting job performance,” she said.

The Myers-Briggs, which says people fall into any of 16 personality types based on four preferences, has its uses. “It’s fine to use for development purposes but should not be used for selection,” DeArmond said.

Pre-employment assessments seem to gain more acceptance every year they’re around, she said, but she warns that if employers purchase an assessment that’s ready to use “off the shelf,” they should make sure it makes sense for the job in question. Ideally, the assessment should be tailored to fit the company and position at hand.

“Anytime an employer is going through the selection process, they need to give consideration to the job and what it entails, what knowledge, skills and abilities are needed for those in that particular position,” DeArmond said.

A trend in recent years has been structured interviews versus non-structured interviews.

“If you do sort of an off-the-cuff interview, it’s a very poor predictor of future job performance,” DeArmond said. “If you add structure, it will do a better job of evaluating a job candidate.”

Giving structure means questions are planned in advance, job-related, asked of all applicants for a given position, and evaluated in a way that’s determined ahead of time.

When selecting applicants to place on a short list, subjective statements such as “John seems nice” should be qualified with what the applicant says or does that led to that opinion.

Do those small things and you’ll get a lot more out of the interviews, DeArmond said. n Lee Reinsch of Green Bay worked 18 years at daily newspapers before launching her freelance business, edgewise, in 2007.

CONSTRUCTION DELIVERED. One exception: Since illegal drug use isn’t covered under the ADA, blood or urine tests for illegal drugs aren’t considered medical exams, he said.

Personality assessments: Gray area for gray matter Not all assessments are created equal. Myers-Briggs and Omnia aren’t considered medical tests because they aren’t intended to uncover mental or physical disabilities or impairments, and medical personnel aren’t required to administer them.

Calmes Construction awarded

“Best Remodel” from the Green Bay Historical Preservation Society

But a test such as the MMPI, which is “a widely researched test for adult psychopathology,” according to the American Bar Association, is considered a medical exam. It’s created to “measure such traits as depression, hysteria, paranoia and mania.” Scores can be used to diagnose some psychiatric disorders.

In 2008, Rent-A-Center, Inc. had to pay more than $155,000 to resolve a 2002 case involving employees not promoted after taking the MMPI. “If it’s designed to determine whether someone has a mental disorder or impairment, it’s considered to be a medical exam,” Renning said.

- by Lee Reinsch

www.newnorthb2b.com

N2193 Bodde Road • Kaukauna, WI 54130 (920) 766-7940 www.JamesJCalmesConstruction.com NNB2B | December 2014 | 27

Elections

The following is a list of election results from New North B2B’s readership area during the recent Nov. 4, 2014 general elections.

Governor Scott Walker (R)

Mary Burke (D)

Robert Burke (L)

4 52%

47%

1%

Attorney General Brad Schimel (R)

Susan Happ (D)

Thomas Nelson (L)

4 52%

45%

3%

U.S. Congress District 6

(Includes southern portion of New North region, including Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and most of Winnebago counties) Incumbent Rep. Tom Petri (R-Fond du Lac) retired Glenn Grothman (R)

Mark Harris (D)

Gus Fahrendorf (L)

4 57%

41%

2%

District 8

(Includes most of the northern portion of New North region, including Brown, Calumet and Outagamie counties)

28 | December 2014 | NNB2B

Reid Ribble (R) Inc.

Ron Gruett (D)

4 65%

35%

www.newnorthb2b.com

State Senate District 1

(Includes 1st, 2nd and 3rd Assembly Districts) Frank Lasee (R) Inc.

Dean DeBroux (D)

4 62%

38%

District 19

(Includes 55th, 56th and 57th Assembly Districts) Incumbent Sen. Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) retired Roger Roth (R)

Penny Bernard Schaber (D)

4 57%

43%

State Assembly District 55

District 1

(Includes portions of Green Bay and eastern Brown County) Incumbent Rep. Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay) retired

Joel Kitchens (R)

Joe Majeski (D)

4 57%

43%

(Includes Neenah, town of Grand Chute and portions of Appleton and northern Winnebago County) Incumbent Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) retired Mike Rohrkaste (R)

Mark Westphal (D)

4 58%

42% District 57

District 4

(Includes Allouez, Ashwaubenon and portions of Green Bay, Hobart and Howard) David Steffen (R)

Chris Plaunt (D)

4 59%

41%

(Includes portions of Appleton and Menasha) Incumbent Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber (D-Appleton) announced non-candidacy Chris Klein (R)

Amanda Stuck (D)

46%

4 54% District 88

(Includes Bellevue, portions of Green Bay and eastern Brown County)

District 5

(Includes Kaukauna, Seymour, rural eastern Outagamie County and portions of Little Chute)

Incumbent Rep. John Klenke (R-Green Bay) announced non-candidacy

Jim Steineke (R) Inc.

Jeff McCabe (D)

John Macco (R)

Dan Robinson (D)

4 62%

38%

4 56%

44% District 90

(Includes Green Bay)

District 54

(Includes Oshkosh) Mark Elliott (R)

Gordon Hintz (D) Inc.

49%

4 51%

Eric Wimberger (R)

Eric Genrich (D) Inc.

37%

4 55% Shae Sortwell (I)

8% www.newnorthb2b.com

NNB2B | December 2014 | 29

Workforce Development

Welding NEW connections Outreach program to Latino community could help quell the welder shortage in region’s workforce

Story by Jeffrey Decker

Grants that pay for education are rare, and getting paid to learn is almost unheard of. But with manufacturing production stifled by a major welder shortage, a new initiative is finding students, paying for their training, and teaching more than connecting together pieces of metal.

The Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Hispanic Training initiative recruits students who otherwise may not consider welding as a career. Enrollees can see a $50,000 annual salary within easy reach if they can manage the life skills that separate hard workers from the unemployed.

Traditional technical college courses don’t focus on a student’s personal life, and two or four-year courses build the workforce of the future. Now, short-burst training aims for immediate change. It works. It’s a model that’s gaining support in Madison, and the state Department of Workforce Development awarded a $400,000 Fast Forward grant in May to pay for training.

The initiative’s total cost is more than $1 million, supported by a $400,000 grant from Illinois Tool Works – the parent company of Appleton-based Miller Electric Mfg Co. – and

30 | December 2014 | NNB2B

$220,000 from the Florida-based American Welding Society Foundation.

Feeding a hungry beast

American Welding Society Foundation estimates the nation will need 230,000 new welders by 2019. By 2016, vacant metal manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin is estimated to total 7,100, according to Manpower Inc. By 2021, the state will need 13,000 workers to reach full production capacity.

Employers frown as experienced workers retire and only a small pool of qualified job candidates are ready to replace them.

Expanding that pool is the goal of a consortium of manufacturers, economic development and job-placement groups, as well as the Advanced Manufacturing Alliance, formed in early 2013 at the invitation of Miller Electric

www.newnorthb2b.com

and captained by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin. They’ve brainstormed how to meet the demand for 400 new welders right now in Milwaukee, Green Bay, the Fox Cities and Wausau areas.

“Through this year and into the start of next year we’ll have 240 individuals trained in essential life skills, and 120 of those trained in welding, in partnership with the technical colleges,” said Jorge Franco, CEO of the state’s Hispanic chamber.

As to why his office is taking the lead, “Frankly, there were employers who have had great success with the strong work ethic that’s found in the Hispanic community. More and more employers were calling us and asking us to send workers to them to help fill their vacancies,” Franco recalled. In October, the Hispanic chamber opened its first office in Green Bay. The key is finding the unemployed and underemployed, what he calls “underutilized human capital,” and helping them step up into a new career.

“That’s the outreach,” Franco explained. “It’s very organized and substantial. Getting out in the community, even knocking on doors at times. We present in the faith community Sundays after church.”

It doesn’t hurt that the time-intensive training actually pays $10 per hour. Students have bills, and Franco would rather they earn money in the classroom than flipping burgers. It’s proven, he said, wherever someone works, he or she will go farther and achieve more if they have structured personal lives.

Half of those recruited don’t make it to the welding training, and that depends on a variety of key indicators used as criteria.

“Did they show up on time? Are they team players? How’s their work attitude?” Half go home, but they still benefit from the life skills they just got paid to learn, and from other perks.

“We actually provide a no-cost bank account to our trainees,” Franco said. “That helps reduce turnover on the job.

Another big challenge is finding affordable housing, to live “near where their new job is going to be.” The chamber helps in that regard, as well as with “affordable transportation solutions,” Franco said. “We negotiated with one of our partners, a network of auto dealerships, and we work to get students a $150 per month car payment.”

So much becomes possible with a higher salary. Franco said a student’s first job offers at least $15 per hour, and often it’s $18. That can quickly raise to $25 per hour and a total income of $50,000 per year. “You can usually be there in less than three years,” he said. “Pipe welders, in some cases, are earning more than $100,000 per year!”

Building the local economy

That’s a lot of money for one person, and a lot more being spent through the economy. Ed Panelli leads the global welding business of Illinois Tool Works, and said it’s not just manufacturers whose growth is stifled when there aren’t enough welders to meet demand.

“Assuming we have 13,000 job vacancies at $65,000 a year, at 5.5 percent state and local tax, and federal tax – in a 10year job cycle there will be more than $1.4 billion of lost tax revenue.”

“Manufacturers will suffer billions of dollars in lost revenue

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Workforce Development during that same period,” Panelli said. “In Wisconsin it’s exacerbated because we are all about manufacturing.

Wisconsin has more than 9,000 manufacturing firms, and 96 percent of those employ fewer than 250 workers.”

With so few workers and so many orders to fill, employers fiercely compete to lure skilled laborers away from each other.

Panelli refers to it as “cannibalization.” That demand, and seeing welding as a high-tech field, can overcome the stigma manufacturing jobs can get from an earlier layoff.

“I’m certain when you were growing up your mother and father didn’t say, ‘You’re going to be a welder,’” Panelli joked.

He hopes they might today, and Miller Electric is building a foundation for future training. “We’ve made over $1 million worth of equipment available for that purpose,” Panelli added.

The legislature approved $15 million for demand-driven education models in its last budget, said Scott Jansen, administrator of the Department of Workforce Development’s Division of Employment and Training, and responsive strategies are quickly being eclipsed by pro-active training.

“There’s over $50 million in state funding to build skilled workers. That’s a tremendous difference from the way things were done in Wisconsin. It was typically through federal programs. Now we’re focusing on these demand-driven models.”

With the Hispanic Training Initiative proving itself, its supporters are already planning to expand and scale up.

Businesses are adapting, too. “What employers are getting

better at doing is saying if students can get those initial competencies and credentials, when they get the hire they know it’s on them to develop those specialized skills,” Jansen said. Welding isn’t easy and it’s not the same everywhere.

“It varies by type of weld, speed of weld, gauge, are you in a horizontal or vertical position, or working aluminum...”

Jansen explained. His office monitors demand for those specific skills and builds a database so employers can find the right worker as orders ebb and flow.

Building beyond basic skills

Employers do understand they aren’t hiring fully trained welders, said Dean Stewart, dean of corporate training and economic development at Green Bay-based Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. “You aren’t getting a 2-year associate degree welder out of a six-week program,” he said.

Stewart oversees the instructors and program design, and said training must continue on the job. “In order to get a finished welder, it can’t stop with just this program.”

Some participants will continue learning English, as well.

Finding new students is all up to the Hispanic chamber but by no means are all students of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. In Wausau the Hmong community is specifically targeted, but so are Caucasians and everyone else. Stewart said many students do need help learning English, and that’s worked into each day’s three-hour life skills session.

“It’s English language-learning as part of their job skills,” he noted.

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Students at NWTC go through a six-week course, six hours a day, and six days a week, Stewart explained. They’ve already graduated two cohorts, one with 22 students and another with 14. The education makes a strong impact, Stewart related. As the first class graduated, students’ families looked on.

“One student’s wife and daughter were there and he broke down into tears and said, ‘I did this for you.’ It’s great to see the opportunities this is creating for them,” Stewart said. The second cohort was at the graduation, too, just as they were beginning their own training.

“ Fox Valley Technical College understood our needs and developed a program that worked for us.”

Luke Benrud Director of Operations Dura-Fibre

The initiative fills an urgent need, Stewart said, even as their traditional recruitment is “in overdrive.” Stewart said there’s a huge disconnect between the open positions and the available students. “We’re doing everything we possibly can to increase the amount of welding graduates in our programs. We have gone from graduating maybe 20 graduates a year out of the welding programs to almost 200, but that still isn’t satisfying the demand we see in the marketplace.”

At Fox Valley Technical College, welding training is underway at Appleton and Oshkosh campuses. Steve Straub, dean of manufacturing and agricultural technologies, said the second cohort of its Hispanic welder training initiative graduated in August.

“We started another cohort at the end of September and that cohort will finish up at the end of February,” he said, adding that this cohort is taking longer because it’s a night and weekend program. The search is on for the next two cohorts.

Students see four instructors during the course. “We would teach the blueprint reading and weld symbol class at the same time as we would teach the welding skills class,” said Straub. Class credits do apply for the central diploma and an associate’s degree from FVTC. Unlike the two-year program students, almost everything is paid for, including tuition and protective equipment. All students buy is their work boots.

Mark Jungwirth of Oshkosh graduated with FVTC’s second cohort this past August. He signed on after a chance encounter with an old friend on his way to an informational seminar. Now he’s welding tanker trucks at Brenner Tank in Fond du Lac. “What it boils down to,” he said, “is if you can handle eight hours of school a day, if you have the ambition to put your nose to the grindstone and go through the program, you can certainly learn a lot and come out with all the skills needed to have a career in the welding field.” Two students in his cohort didn’t make it. “If you missed more than a day, you were automatically cut,” he recalled.

Creating tanker trucks is much more satisfying than working in a machine shop like he’d been doing for the previous 18 months. It’s hard work and Jungwirth loves it. “This is the first weekend in six weeks that I’ve had two days off in a row. I’ve been working 46 to 48 hours a week for six weeks,” Jungwirth said. “I have money now that I don’t even know what to do with. I’m going to be giving a lot of holiday gifts to a lot of people this year!” n Jeffrey Decker is a business journalist and father based in Oshkosh. www.newnorthb2b.com

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Professionally Speaking Professionally Speaking is a paid promotional spot in B2B.

Exploring Production Resources with “Greater Good” Focus

by Margaret Winn of Lakeside Packaging Plus Manufacturing at year end provides opportunities for reflection on the business.

It’s in the still of those moments we cherish the new ideas and resources that percolate in our minds.

Often we are reminded to tend to the human side of business beyond the traditional tenets of daily production. We consider our community and significance outside of work.

I enjoy talking about what’s important for manufacturers, but also what’s meaningful.

Have they employed someone who made a turnaround in their lives? Do they partner with an organization for workforce development?

Is there an employee led cause for the “greater good?” Which issues are they most passionate about?

After I hear their stories, I share the story of

920.231.0870

Lakeside Packaging Plus. Many employers are not aware of the services we provide, or that we find opportunities for meaningful work for all individuals, regardless of their level of ability.

We employ passionate, enthusiastic individuals (associates) with diverse abilities. They have varying degrees of cognitive, mental or physical disability. Some participate in prevocational training and development. This involves assignments on light assembly, packaging, salvage and material handling work. Our associates are paid a wage commensurate with their productivity. They either work at one of our facilities or through community training sites.

At our production facilities in Neenah and Oshkosh, we provide approximately 300 associates with on-site employment opportunities. These associates help businesses supplement their own labor force for projects requiring hand labor and jobs not compatible with their normal production set-ups.

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We have been consistently recognized by our clients for providing an exceptional level of service and taking care of our associates.

As you prepare for 2015, consider the projects you perform that have hand assembly or light machining components. Could this be something a new workforce with diverse abilities perform? By stretching your repertoire of production resources, you are helping your team and the community at large at the same time.

Margaret Winn is CEO of Lakeside Packaging Plus (www.lakesidepackagingplus.com), a nonprofit organization providing meaningful projects, employment and activities that enrich lives of associates with diverse abilities. Their personcentered approach helps associates learn, gain new experiences and define their own measure of success.

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Professionally Speaking is a paid promotional spot in B2B.

It’s 10 p.m. Do you know where your retirement account is?

by Kate Thome of Thome Benefit Solutions 920.215.3262

Just as parents worry about their children, investors worry about their retirement accounts.

One way to help reduce your investment worries is by allocating your retirement portfolio in a variety of asset classes.

Owning a variety of securities in different asset classes helps minimize the effects one asset class has on a portfolio in the event that one asset class performs poorly.

Inflation is a risk from which you need to protect your financial assets. Over the short term, rising prices may go unnoticed. But over a decade or two, the impact can be significant. Assuming an average annual inflation rate of 5 percent, the purchasing power of $1 will shrink to about $0.38 over a period of 20 years.

Find the investment mix that works for you

Allocating your assets correctly can be critical to the success of your retirement portfolio.

To make this determination, you need to closely consider three things: • Analyze your retirement income cash flow. Learn which expenses are “needs” and which are “wants.”

• Determine your time horizon. Figure out when you will need the money and how long you anticipate needing the money to last.

• Identify your tolerance for risk. Find the mix of stocks and bonds with which you are comfortable.

• Evaluate your portfolio. Learn if your investments can meet your retirement income needs.

A financial professional can help you with these steps by performing a financial needs analysis. Once the review is complete, the

professional can make a recommendation on an asset allocation that meets your needs.

So stop worrying, and contact your financial professional today. He or she can help you make certain your portfolio is allocated appropriately for your retirement needs!

Kate Thome, Agent, LUTCF, ChFC RICP, Principal National and Principal Life Financial Representative, Princor Registered Representative. Principal National (except in New York) and Principal Life are issuing insurance companies of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392. www. thomebenefitsolutions.com While this communication may be used to promote or market a transaction or an idea that is discussed in the publication, it is intended to provide general information about the subject matter covered and is provided with the understanding that The Principal is not rendering legal, accounting, or tax advice. It is not a marketed opinion and may not be used to avoid penalties under the Internal Revenue Code. You should consult with appropriate counsel or other advisors on all matters pertaining to legal, tax, or accounting obligations and requirements.

Your Health Benefits: Small Employers Gain Control

by Daren Allen of Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative When it comes to providing quality health insurance to employees, employers have more options in 2015 than ever before.

Option 1: Traditional Purchasing. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) placed new requirements on small group insurers, such as the requirement to offer coverage for essential health benefits and free preventive care. Otherwise, any business can still purchase coverage for employees in the private market as before the ACA. This may be a good option for employers committed to providing health benefits to attract and retain workers. Our advice is to shop around for the coverage that’s right for you, as new plans are available in 2015 and options could change dramatically from year to year.

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855.532.2667

Option 2: Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is the government-run “exchange” for small employers. If you like the idea of providing health benefits but don’t want to make plan or network choices for employees, SHOP may be right for you. In SHOP, you can define your contribution (i.e., 70 percent of the lowest cost bronze plan) and then give your employees the freedom to choose any plan they want within a certain metal tier. Also, SHOP is the only way to access small business tax credits available to offset the cost of small employer health insurance contributions.

More information about SHOP is available on Healthcare.gov.

Option 3: Marketplace Considerations.

If you don’t offer health coverage, or you’re thinking of ending your plan, you’re not alone. Increasingly, smaller employers are ending health benefits when they know their employees are eligible for tax credits to purchase individual policies.

Employers should be aware of the tax and legal implications of this strategy, and they may wish to offer educational support to help employees with the transition. A trusted insurance agent or members of our staff can provide helpful advice. Also, our website (www.commongroundhealthcare. gov/employer) links to a quote engine that can help you understand any financial help your workers could access.

Employers should consider the financial, cultural and labor considerations that go along with any of the above options. If you want to talk through the implications, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Daren Allen is the Vice President of Business Development at Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative, a nonprofit, health insurance carrier governed by the employers and individuals that buy its insurance. Contact Daren at 855-532-2667 or visit CGHC’s website at www.commongroundhealthcare. org/employer.

NNB2B | December 2014 | 35

Who’s News

Incorporations

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

Brown County

Bestway Lean Consulting LLC, Cathlin Stuntz, 1781 Trotter Ct., De Pere 54115.

Lasslo, Lasslo & Garcia LLC, Stephen J. Lasslo, 1814 Grace St., De Pere 54115.

One AC Electric LLC, Andrew Brice, 1923 Paris Lane, De Pere 54115.

Elite Window Designs LLC, Susan Theresa Keyser, 3567 Old Military Road, De Pere 54115.

Construction Services of WI LLC, Tony Garvey, W1175 County Road EE, De Pere 54115.

Justin Starr Trucking LLC, Justin Starr, 3779 S. County Road T, Denmark 54208.

Written Dreams LLC, Brittiany Koren, 2717 Humboldt Road, Green Bay 54311.

Knowles, Calhoon & Associates LLC, Patrick W. Knowles, 2551 Continental Ct., Green Bay 54311.

Taqueria El Local LLC, Antonio Soto, Sr., 1615 University Ave., Green Bay 54302.

KCS Concierge Services LLC, Karen M. Culb, 1400 Crooks St., Green Bay 54301.

Marks Home & Yard Service LLC, Mark Novitski, 2654 Forestville Dr., Green Bay 54304.

Castle Art & Import LLC, Amy L. Wilde, 1418 S. Clay St., Green Bay 54301.

Alive At Night Lighting LLC, Thomas Peters, 200 Northview Road, Green Bay 54311.

Redbud Realty LLC, Julia G. Feltheim, 5007 Redbud Ct., Green Bay 54311.

Linck Trucking LLC, Robert Clarence Linck, Jr., 3170 Open Gate Tr., Green Bay 54313.

Essence of Dressage LLC, Nicole Perret, 3517 Nicolet Dr., Green Bay 54311.

Al’s Hamburgers LLC, Bill Lemke, 131 S. Washington St., Green Bay 54301.

Tonka Construction LLC, Brent Hendricks, 2265 Jesse Lane, Green Bay 54313.

Virant Law LLC, Jonathan Virant, 3040 Joy Lane, Green Bay 54311.

Ganz Financial Planning LLC, Jerrold Alan Ganz, 320 N. Broadway, Green Bay 54303.

Signs Plus LLC, Robert Allen Doney, 1784 Wedgewood Dr., Green Bay 54303.

Dorchester Salvage Co. LLC, Gordon Renn, 1250 Cornell Road, Green Bay 54313.

Hatch Architecture Studio LLC, Daniel Augustin Hatch, 2427 Oakwood

Ave., Green Bay 54301.

Elle Nails Salon LLC, Tuyet Van Thi Lam, 2352 Lineville Road, Green Bay 54313.

Arrowhead Trucking II LLC, Jamie Lee House, 3374 Belmar Road, Green Bay 54313.

Just Shoot It Video Productions LLC, Larry M. Kropp, 1537 Woodmont Way, Green Bay 54313.

Titletown Vapes LLC, James Richard Gorring III, 425 S. Military Ave., Green Bay 54303.

Mayday Reading Solutions LLC, Richard Bowers, 4625 N. Pine Tree Road, Hobart 54155.

Bay Lake Charters LLC, Adam William Cochart, 3126 Inverness Lane, New Franken 54229.

Fond du Lac County

Rose Garden Real Estate Services LLC, Sally Kay Uttech, W11557 Hemp Road, Brandon 53919.

Highland Restoration LLC, Charles J. Dineen, P.O. Box 122, Brownsville 53006.

Neighborhood Organics LLC, Jo Ann Gouin, 534 Highland Ave., Brownsville 53006.

The Essence Acupuncture & Massage Clinic LLC, Kim Keceli, 101 W. Main St., Campbellsport 53010.

Take Charge Recovery LLC, Marc Steven Roehl, N3008 Woodland Dr., Campbellsport 53010.

Wisconsin Zombie Outbreak Response Team INC., Dean A. Choate, 169 W. Arndt St., Fond du Lac 54935.

Siding & Trim Specialists LLC, Jeremy Alan Hanson, 871 S. Main St., #114, Fond du Lac 54935.

Hags Electric LLC, Thomas Lee Hagman, 1516 Shelley Ct., North Fond du Lac 54937.

Simply Wild Designs LLC, Rachel Wild, 1504 Fairlawn Ave., North Fond du Lac 54937.

Peebles Play & Stay Kennel LLC, Jennifer George, N7629 Redtail Lane, Malone 53049.

Grasshopper Construction LLC, Ellen Jean Geisler, 1024 Thomas St., Ripon 54971.

Wisconsin High School Forensic Association INC., Adam J. Jacobi, 620 E. Fond du Lac Ave., Ripon 54971.

Harmsen Tax Service LLC, Jacob G. Harmsen, N8245 Sales Road, Van Dyne 54979.

Green Lake County

Five Star Cleaning LLC, Joanna Schwartz, 316 Darling St., Berlin 54923.

Good Girls Realty LLC, Christine Marie Hess, W3191 Cypress Road, Berlin 54923.

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9 2 0 . 7 3 3 . 3 1 3 6 y 866.966.3928 y www.newbt.org 36 | December 2014 | NNB2B

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Outagamie County

Customizedteez Wis LLC, Ramez Aly, 1642 W. Evergreen Dr., Apt. 10, Appleton 54913.

Dental Decisive Strategies-Transitions LLC, James W. Tripp, 5490 W. Michaels Dr., Appleton 54913.

M&B Automotive LLC, Michael Lawrence Szafranek, 916 E. Northwood Dr., Appleton 54911.

Vanderweele Waterproofing LLC, Stephen R. Vanderweele, 1311 S. Lehmann Lane, Appleton 54914.

BPC Fabrications LLC, Brian Paul Christian, 3841 N. Lynndale Dr., Appleton 54913.

Mallard Lighting LLC, Mark J. Lesselyong, 1524 Alicia Dr., Appleton 54914.

Villagomez Cleaning Services LLC, Filiberto Villagomez, 3220 N. Country Run Dr., Appleton 54914.

Farr Delivery LLC, Jonathan David Farr, Sr., 335 S. Casaloma Dr., Appleton 54914.

Pete’s Auto Wholesale LLC, Peter Lloyd Berken, 3721 Rifle Range Road, Appleton 54911.

Stoney Springs Farm LLC, David M. McCarthy, W5678 County Road JJ, Appleton 54913.

Creative Juices Designs LLC, Alissa J. Jacoby-Henrickson, 234 Elm St., Combined Locks 54113.

J&S Flatwork LLC, Terry J. Schadrie, N4125 County Road E, Freedom 54130.

CCI Electrical Systems LLC, Brian Lee Schewe, N2326 Weatherhill Ct., Greenville 54942.

Dashar Farm LLC, Joel Borree, W6444 Greenville Dr., Greenville 54952.

Chef Jeff Igel LLC, Jeff Igel, N936 Fox Springs Dr., Greenville 54942.

Marks Family Farm LLC, Leland Marks, N2649 Winchester Road, Hortonville 54944.

Locks Candle Company LLC, Gregg Rogers, N1988 Van Rooy Ct., Kaukauna 54130.

A-OK Residential Services LLC, Anthony J. Seidl, 440 Wilbur St., Kimberly 54136.

Classic Landscaping & Design LLC, Millicent M. Lardinois, 730 E. Main St., Little Chute 54140.

Kara’s Kookies LLC, Kara L. Kramer, 300 W. Florida Ave., Little Chute 54140.

Beyond Quality Builders LLC, Jeffrey Vogt, 1180 Pleasant Valley Dr., Oneida 54155.

Wanted:

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.

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.

Benefits

include a competitive base salary, vehicle allowance, cellular allowance, benefits, profit sharing, monthly commission + bonus, established/protected territories and prospect database as well as additional rewards for President Club achievers.

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).

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.

Winnebago County

Fox Valley Tax Prep LLC, Patricia Kohel, 180 Main St., Menasha 54952.

J & J Graphics and Design LLC, Joshua James Westenberger, 710 Eighth St., Menasha 54952.

Parkside West Dental LLC, Thomas J. Fishel, 655 Deerwood Ave., Neenah 54956.

Bare Bones Brewery LLC, Daniel Dringoli, 477 Dalton Road, Neenah 54956.

Absolute Therapeutic Massage LLC, Kelley E. Drake, 7578 State Road 76, Neenah 54956.

Fire Escape Art Studio & Gallery LLC, Rebecca Evalyn Graf, 873 Jackson Ave., Omro 54963.

Retz-Way Farms LLC, Clair A. Retzlaff, 4924 County Road FF, Omro 54963.

Balanced Healing and Counseling Center LLC, Kristin Elizabeth Gage, 1391 Pheasant Creek Dr., Oshkosh 54904.

Fit Oshkosh INC., Tracey Robertson, 202 E. Tennessee Ave., Oshkosh 54901.

Goehl Technology LLC, Laura Gehling, 484 Sunnybrook Dr., Oshkosh 54904.

Busbi Data Services LLC, Kayla Marie Baehman, 90 Riverway Dr., Oshkosh 54901.

The New Woman of Wisconsin Magazine LLC, Lisa Jeanine Fox, 2880 Fox Tail Lane, Oshkosh 54904.

Adam Ritchie Trucking LLC, Adam J. Ritchie, 1823 Simpson St., Oshkosh 54902.

The Mobile Detailers LLC, Taylor Schultz, 1105A Wisconsin St., Oshkosh 54901.

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NNB2B | December 2014 | 37

Who’s News

We Make Software Work

Steve Engmann

Scott Loker

Tina Beck

Sage ACT! Sage 100 ERP Access & SQL Sage CRM Sage 50 Custom Programs Mobility Cloud Solutions

Building permits

B2B includes a monthly list of building permits (not to include residential projects) in excess of $400,000.

Shapes Unlimited, 1735 Nixon St., Little Chute. $900,000 for a 31,430-sq. ft. addition to the existing industrial facility. General contractor is Schuh Construction of Seymour. September 22.

Jackie Lingg

Christina Theobald

Contact us for new ideas, improved efficiency, integration, training and support.

Fox Communities Credit Union, 1820 Main St., Green Bay. $1,100,000 for a new financial institution office. General contractor is Smet Construction of Green Bay. October.

Zesty’s Frozen Custard & Grille, 2455 Lineville Road, Howard. $499,000 for a new commercial coffee shop. General contractor is F.O. Zeise Construction Co. of Green Bay. October 9.

Initiative One, 110 S. Adams St., Green Bay. $1,404,000 for a complete refurbishment of the 10,500-sq. ft. former commercial space for new offices.

General contractor is Rodac Development & Construction of Ashwaubenon. October.

Kim Engmann

No name listed, 2000 American Blvd., De Pere. $1,100,000 for a new commercial office building. Contractor is 1st Choice Builders Inc. of De Pere. October 17.

Bay Valley Foods, 857 School Pl., Green Bay. $2,000,000 for a 23,000-sq. ft. addition and remodel of the existing manufacturing facility. General contractor is Consolidated Construction Co. of Appleton. October.

920.993.1077 Appleton WI www.WeMakeSoftwareWork.com

Auto Zone, 3200 E. Calumet St., Appleton. $800,000 for a new commercial retail building. Contractor is G.A. Johnson & Son Co. of Illinois. October 24.

Boys & Girls Club of Menasha, 600 Racine St., Menasha. $4,900,000 for a 30,000-sq. ft. community center for children. General contractor is Miron Construction of Neenah. October 27.

Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Marian University School of Nursing, 30 S. Main St., Fond du Lac. $963,020 for interior alterations to the existing commercial office building to accommodate a nursing school. General contractor is C.D. Smith Construction Co. of Fond du Lac. November 3.

Name changes The Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce changed its moniker to the Greater Green Bay Chamber.

If you’re looking for an environment that offers independence, respect, dignity, safety & high-quality care, Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh is just the place.

Bethel Home Carmel Residence Eden Meadows Elijah’s Place Gabriel’s Villa Simeanna Apartments

Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh 225 North Eagle Street Oshkosh, WI 54902 P: (920) 235-3454 F: (920) 235-3644 www.lutheranhomes.com 38 | December 2014 | NNB2B

New Locations Omro Pharmacy opened a new location at 328 E. Main St. in Omro, the building which previously housed the former Horan’s and Hardees restaurants.

New North, Inc. moved its offices from De Pere to 600 N. Adams St. in Green Bay. WPS/Integrys continues to host New North, Inc., now on its main campus in downtown Green Bay. The organization’s phone number remains 920.336.3860.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin opened an office at Advance Business & Manufacturing Center located at 2701 Larsen Road in Green Bay. The office can be reached by calling 920.360.9124 or online at www.HCCW.org.

Badger Companies opened a new distribution center and showroom for its

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ladders and scaffolding equipment at 633 N. Military Ave. in Green Bay. More information is available online at www.badgerladder.com.

Starry Realty LLC moved into a newly renovated office at 112 N. Broadway in downtown De Pere.

Mergers/acquisitions Green Bay-based Employee Resource Center was sold by Lee Bouche to Steven Baue, who most recently was vice president of human resources and public affairs at Marinette Marine Corp. ERC has locations in De Pere, Appleton, Wausau, Stevens Point and Marshfield.

Green Bay Packaging Inc. acquired Great Lakes Packaging Corp. and Midland Container Corp. from MidCon Holdings LLC, which includes manufacturing facilities in Franksville and Germantown that make corrugated containers, pointof-sale packaging and point-of-purchase displays. MidCon employs about 230 employees.

New products/services Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership is hosting a weekly indoor market every Saturday from November through May at 90 S. Main St. in Fond du Lac, formerly the Antique Mall. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Saturday. More information is available online at www.downtownfdl.com.

Business honors

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Advance, the economic development branch of the Greater Green Bay Chamber, presented its 2014 Excellence in Business Award to N.E.W. Plastics Corp. of Luxemberg.

Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin presented the following 2014 Build Wisconsin Awards to northeast Wisconsin firms: Horizon Award to Barry Scholz, director of labor relations for The Boldt Co. in Appleton; General Contractor – New Construction to C.D. Smith Construction, Inc. of Fond du Lac for its Franciscan Center for Music Education & Performance project in Manitowoc, and to Miron Construction Co., Inc. of Neenah for its UW-Eau Claire Centennial Hall project; General Contractor – Renovation to Frank O. Zeise Construction Co., Inc. of Green Bay for its St. Anthony School fire restoration project in Oconto Falls; Design Build – Renovation to Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc. of Appleton for its Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel project in Oshkosh; Municipal Utility/Underground award to Miron for its Hoods Creek Sewage Attenuation Basin project in Racine; Heavy/ Industrial/Warehouse Construction to Miron for its Forest County Potawatomi Community Renewable Generation facility, and to Boldt for its Kaukauna Utilities Hydroelectric Power Plant project; Specialty Contractor – Electrical to Faith Technologies, Inc. of Menasha for its Plexus Manufacturing Solutions facility project in Neenah; Specialty Contractor – Mechanical to Hurckman Mechanical Industries, Inc. of Green Bay for its Outagamie Administration Building project in Appleton, and to Tweet/Garot Mechanical of Green Bay for its Appleton Alliance Church expansion project in Appleton; Specialty Contractor – Plumbing to Hurckman for its Foth Infrastructure & Environment corporate office project in De Pere, and to Tweet/Garot for its Lambeau Field South End Zone expansion project in Green Bay; Specialty Contractor – Exterior Finishes to H.J. Martin & Son, Inc. of Green Bay for its Cabela’s project in Green Bay; and Specialty Contractor – Interior Finishes to H.J. Martin for Cabela’s.

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.

101 City Center, Oshkosh BELLEVUE | ASHWAUBENON MANITOWOC | TWO RIVERS | MISHICOT FRANCIS CREEK | ST. NAZIANZ | KIEL PLYMOUTH | SHEBOYGAN

Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance presented the following Excellence in Manufacturing Awards at its recent annual meeting in Green Bay: Educational

Opening in Appleton in 2015!

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NNB2B | December 2014 | 39

Member FDIC

Who’s News

Hunt

Berkery

Sidhu

Partnership to Kondex Corp. of Lomira; Youth Apprenticeship Award to Pioneer Metal Finishing of Green Bay; Leadership Award to N.E.W. Plastics of Luxemberg; Brighter Image Award to KI of Green Bay; and Manufacturing Innovation to Johnsonville Sausage of Sheboygan Falls.

Shen

Milosavljevic

The Wisconsin Hospital Association Foundation, Inc. presented its 2014 Global Vision Community Partnership Award to HSHS St. Vincent Hospital, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and the N.E.W. Community Clinic for their collaboration in establishing the N.E.W. Community Dental Clinic at NWTC. Advance, the economic development branch of the Greater Green Bay Chamber, recently presented the following Manufacturing Awards of Distinction: Workforce Development Award to Fox Valley Metal Tech of Ashwaubenon; Small Company Award to Nicolet Plastics of Mountain; Medium Company Award to Winsert, Inc. of Marinette; and Large Company Award to Hatco Corp. of Sturgeon Bay. Kondex Corp. of Lomira was named a winner of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers’ AE50 Award for its new disc mower knife design. It’s the second consecutive year Kondex has received such recognition.

Shittu

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation presented Touchmark on West Prospect in Appleton with the Governor’s Exemplary Employer Award.

Touchmark was among six state employers receiving the first-time award recognizing commitment to employment practices for people with disabilities.

The marketing services department at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton received two gold medal awards for its magazine, Focus, and for the college’s website from the District 3 National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, an organization comprised of communications professionals from two-year colleges across the Midwest and Ontario.

Sharma

Garavet

McDougall Schick

New Hires Bayland Buildings Inc. of Green Bay hired Dean Hunt as its business development manager. Hunt has more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the Fox Valley.

The law firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C. in Green Bay hired attorney Molly Berkery. She advises clients on healthcare regulatory and compliance matters as well as healthcare-related labor and employment issues. Berkery previously worked as a postdoctoral legal fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

ThedaCare added Jimmy Sidhu, MD, as a cardiologist with Appleton Cardiology, Deepti Sharma, MD, as a family medicine physician with ThedaCare Physicians-Menasha, and Scott Garavet as system vice president for the cardiovascular, spine and orthopedics services. Garavet has more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, most recently at Aspirus health system in Wausau.

Prevea Health added Dr. Patricia McDougall Schick as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon for the Prevea Regional Orthopedic Center, and sees patients at Prevea Allouez Health Center; Dr. Jennifer Milosavljevic as an obstetrician/gynecologist at Prevea Allouez; Dr. Paul Shen as a cardiothoracic surgeon at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay; and Dr. Maryam Shittu as an internal medicine physician at Prevea St. Mary’s Health Center in Green Bay. Munroe Exhibits & Graphics in Neenah hired Joseph Scala as its sales and marketing manager. Scala has a wide range of business-to-business and consumer products during a more than 25-year career in sales and marketing management.

First Business Bank of Northeast Wisconsin hired Chad Van Handel as vice president of business development and Jerimiah Janssen as assistant vice president of business development. Van Handel and Janssen both have more than 10 years of commercial banking experience.

Scala

Van Handel

Janssen

40 | December 2014 | NNB2B

Haltaufderheid

Torreano

Peterson

Tam

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Business calendar

Haas

Mueller

Drobnick

Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity hired Cora Haltaufderheid as its executive director. Haltaufderheid most recently served as deputy executive for Brown County and before that served as chief operating officer for PMI Entertainment Group in Green Bay.

Bellin Health Surgical Associates in Green Bay added Dr. E. Ragnar Peterson.

Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company in Neenah hired Scott Murphy as its president and CEO. Murphy formerly served as an executive partner and principal in the insurance industry consulting group Triad Analytic Solutions. He also previously served as chief operating officer at GMAC Insurance.

Agnesian HealthCare added Clarence Tam, MD, as an ophthalmologist at its Fond du Lac Regional Clinic.

Insight Creative, Inc. in Green Bay hired Jen Haas as an account coordinator. Haas has two years experience in production and project management as account manager/producer at a video production company.

Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh hired Mallory Mueller as its registered nurse manager at Elijah’s Place in Oshkosh. Mueller has been working the past five years at Brewster Village long-term care center in Appleton. Prior to that she was a staff nurse at Bethel Home in Oshkosh.

Aurora BayCare added James Offord, MD as a general and vascular surgeon and will see patients at its Van Buren Street clinic in Green Bay.

Slagter

Kremers

Consolidated Construction Co. Inc. in Appleton hired Tim Rinn as manager of strategic markets.

Netsonic in Green Bay hired Adam Lybbert as a datacenter technician. Lybbert has more than five years of industry experience in the information technology field, having previously spent four years at a Minnesota wireless internet service provider.

Eyecare Place in Green Bay and Manitowoc added Dr. Ashley Torreano as an optometrist.

Mann

Oshkosh-based CitizensFirst Credit Union hired Karrie Drobnick as vice president of marketing, Dave Mann as chief financial officer, and Todd Slagter as vice president of legal and risk management. Drobnick was previously director of interactive strategy and development at Ameriprise Auto and Home in De Pere, as well as prior marketing roles at Envano in Green Bay and School Specialty in Greenville. Mann previously servd as vice president of finance at Eli Lilly Federal Credit Union. Slagter previously was an attorney for Di Renzo & Bomier in Neenah practicing primarily in estate planning, probate and trust administration, taxation, elder law and guardianships.

H.J. Martin and Son in Green Bay hired Kurt Kremers and Karen Siegrist for its residential design and sales teams. Kremers will work from the company’s Green Bay showroom, while Siegrist is the new assistant store manager for the company’s Neenah showroom.

Siegrist

Kikendall

Stellar Blue Technologies in Appleton hired Brian Kikendall as a web developer. Kikendall previously worked as a developer for a software development firm.

First National Bank – Fox Valley hired Erin Jensen as a commercial loan servicing lead, Nate Simonson as a personal banker, Sarah Johnson as a teller at the Appleton North branch, and Joyce Pindel as a business relationship manager at the bank’s Oshkosh branch. Jensen has eight years experience in commercial lending, including three years previously at FNB Fox Valley as a commercial loan portfolio specialist. Simonson also has eight years experience in the financial industry, most recently at Associated Bank. Pindel has more than 25 years experience in the banking industry.

Jensen

Green Bay-based Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling hired Andrea Rathsack as its new outreach coordinator.

Menasha-based Network Health hired Elena Kambitsi as vice president and general manager of its commercial division. Kambitsi Simonson

Neufelder

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Kundinger

Napientek

Prescott

Pindel

Johnson

NNB2B | December 2014 | 41

Who’s News

DeCoux

Frederickson

Anderson

previously served as senior vice president of consumer strategy and sales for a health care organization in Honolulu, and held prior health care leadership roles with Blue Cross.

The Karma Group in Howard hired Brian Prescott as associate media director.

Prescott spent the past 12 years working in Colorado Springs in media management roles on both the agency and client sides.

The Building for Kids Children’s Museum in Appleton hired Jarrad Bittner as its executive director and Michael Wartgow as its chief operating officer.

Integrity Insurance in Appleton hired Daniel Reichardt as its agency relations manager position. Reichardt most recently served as an agency relations specialist for Accident Fund Holdings in Michigan.

Green Bay-based Infinity Technology hired Brandy Napientek as creative director. She has more than 10 years of graphic design experience.

Kulbacki

Kilsdonk

Nelson

Promotions Breakthrough Fuel in Green Bay promoted Andrew Kundinger from senior manager for analysis to director of decision support. He joined Breakthrough in 2013.

Schenck promoted the following employees in its Appleton office: Benjamin Baker and Nicholas Vargosko to supervisor; Jonathon Brandt, Jaclyn Cropp, Katherine Fisher, Collin Hayes, Chad Janke, Jason Londo, Laura Osgood and Justin Schmitt to senior accountant; Kayla Krueger and Alicia Cross to associate accountant; and Nicole Hoerning to medical billing supervisor.

The following employees were promoted in Schenck’s Fond du Lac office: Tiffany Piper to manager; Ryan Kaufman and Nathaniel Logan to senior accountant; and Cathleen Griese, Emma Jung and Krista Resch to associate accountant.

Schenck’s Green Bay office promotions include: Krista Brassfield, Ryan Elliott, Melissa Enderby, Adam Mleziva, Wendy Mallo and Greg Pitel to manager; Andrew Branam, Andrea Kuss and Rebecca Meyer to supervisor; Tyler Ninneman, Elizabeth Kallies, David Schneider, Brittany Schuh, Katie Paplham, Kyle Pockat and Deedra Wesenberg to senior accountant; Lois Ullmer to associate accountant; and Abram Babler to information technology senior business consultant.

Seasons Greetings!

Wishing You Health and Happiness this Holiday Season and Prosperity in the New Year!

We appreciate you and your business and hope to see you in 2015!

NWTC Corporate Training and Economic Development Lisa Francour: 920-498-6911 • https://corporatetraining.nwtc.edu

42 | December 2014 | NNB2B

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Member FDIC

The Wisconsin Health Ministries of Ascension Health promoted former Affinity Health System President Daniel E. Neufelder to president and CEO of Ministry Health Care.

Consolidated Construction Co. Inc. in Appleton promoted both Jeremy Walker and Brian Gebauer to senior project managers; Paul Ver Voort and Chris Sievert to project directors; and John Meulemans to safety manager.

U.S. Bank promoted Dominic DeCoux from relationship manager to team manager for the Oshkosh and Fond du Lac commercial markets.

Menasha-based Gold Cross Ambulance Service promoted Mark Fredrickson to executive director, effective Feb. 1. Fredrickson began with Gold Cross 25 years ago as a paramedic and has been operations director since 2000.

Your Business Banking Partner.

Individual awards The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce presented the following individuals with awards during its recent annual celebration: Joyce Bytof Exceptional Mentor to Kathi Seifert, owner of The Katapult Group in Neenah; Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Jim Bere, co-founder and CEO of Alta Resources in Neenah; Athena Award to Margaret LeBrun, co-publisher and executive editor of Insight Magazine of Appleton; Gus A. Zuehlke Distinguished Service award to Walter S. Rugland for his efforts to develop a convention center in downtown Appleton; Young Professional of the Year Award to Jason Henderson, owner and principal at Orchard Financial in Appleton; and Champion of the Chamber Award to Dennis Jochman, partner and broker with Bechard Group in Appleton. Additionally, the following individuals were inducted to the chamber’s Business Hall of Fame: John Bykowski, retired CEO of Secura Insurance in Appleton; David G. Voss, Jr., president and CEO Miron Construction in Neenah; and Leota Ester, founder of Landmark Staffing Resources in Appleton.

Anna Anderson, senior sales manager for Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, received the MPI Supplier of the Year Award presented by Meeting Professionals International – Wisconsin Chapter.

Lindsey Kulbacki, a physician assistant at Bellin Health in Green Bay, was one of two people named Physician Assistant of the Year by Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants.

Young Professionals of Fond du Lac presented its 2014 Young Professional of the Year Award to Holly Brenner, vice president of strategic development and marketing for Agnesian HealthCare in Fond du Lac. The following four individuals, along with Brenner, received the 2014 Future 5 Award: R. Scott Blamey, co-founder of Emergent Technology Center and operations manager for wisnet.com; Dan Hebel, chief professional officer for Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac; Nick Nell, compensation, benefits and HRIS analyst for Mercury Marine; and Gina Popp, president and CEO of wisnet.com.

Rose Kilsdonk, digital marketing specialist at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, received the 2014 Rising Star Award from the District 3 National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, an organization comprised of communications professionals from two-year colleges across the Midwest and Ontario.

John M. Hintze

Vice President - Commercial Banking 920.426.6228 | jhintze@fnbfoxvalley.com

- Complex Loan Solutions - Cash Management Services - Local Decision Making - Personalized Service

Elections/appointments Dave Nelson, president and chief operating officer of Great Lakes Calcium Corp. in Green Bay, was appointed to the board of directors of the American Feed Industry Association. Nelson has been with Great Lakes Calcium for seven years.

fnbfoxvalley.com More Solutions. Better Services. Faster Decisions.

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NNB2B | December 2014 | 43

Business Calendar

Business Calendar

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.

December 9 Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Before Hours, 8 to 9 a.m. at the chamber building, 101 E. Wisconsin in Kaukauna. Limited to one person per industry.

Contact Kelli to register by emailing kclussman@heartofthevalleychamber.com.

December 9 Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Business Connection, 5 to 7 p.m. at Secura Insurance, 2401 S. Memorial Dr. in Appleton. No charge for members. For more information or to register, contact Pam at receptionist@foxcitieschamber.com.

December 2 Greater Green Bay Chamber Power Networking Breakfast, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the chamber offices, 300 N. Broadway, Ste. 3A in Green Bay. No cost to attend for chamber members. For more information, call 920.437.8704 or email members@ titletown.org.

December 10 Greater Green Bay Chamber Business After Hours, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Ramada Plaza Hotel, 2750 Ramada Way in Green Bay. No cost to attend for chamber members. For information, call 920.437.8704 or email members@titletown.org.

December 3 Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Coffee Connection, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at YMCA/Boys and Girls Club, 90 W. Second St. in Fond du Lac. For more information or to register, call 920.921.9500 or go online to www.fdlac.com.

December 10 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 foxcitiesprogram@ wimiwi.org.

December 4 Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m. at Uno Chicago Grill, W3254 Van Roy Road in Appleton. For more information or to register, call 920.766.1616 or visit www.heartofthevalleychamber.com.

December 9 Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Sales Club, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the chamber building, 120 Jackson St. in Oshkosh. No cost to attend for chamber members. For more information, call 920.303.2266 or go online to www.oshkoshchamber.com.

Blade-free

December 11 Morning Business 60, workshop and networking opportunity for small business owners presented by Epiphany Law, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Cambria Suites, 3940 N. Gateway Dr. in Appleton. No cost to attend, but registration is required by Dec. 6.

For more information or to register, contact Amanda at 920.996.0000 or afredrick@ epiphanylaw.com.

December 11 Women in Management – Oshkosh Chapter monthly meeting, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at

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La Sure’s Banquet Hall, 3125 S. Washburn St. in Oshkosh. For more information or to register, go online to www.wimiwi.org or email Lisa at lkoeppen@communityblood.org.

December 16 A.M. Oshkosh, a morning networking event from the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, 7:45 to 9 a.m. at Candeo Creative, 21B Waugoo Ave. in Oshkosh. Cost is $2. For more information or to register, call 920.303.2266 or go online to www.oshkoshchamber.com.

December 16 Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Business Connection, 5 to 7 p.m. at J. F. Ahern Co., 855 Morris St. in Fond du Lac. For more information or to register, call 920.921.9500 or go online to www.fdlac.com.

January 6 Greater Green Bay Chamber Power Networking Breakfast, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the chamber offices, 300 N. Broadway, Ste. 3A in Green Bay. No cost to attend for chamber members. For more information, call 920.437.8704 or email members@ titletown.org.

January 20 Labor Management Council of Northeast Wisconsin Semi-Annual Seminar, 8 to 11:15 a.m. at UA Local 400 Training Center, 2700 Northridge Dr. in Kaukauna. The seminar will focus on when to start collecting Social Security benefits as well as cultural diversity in the workplace. Cost to attend is $45. For more information or to register, go online to www.lmcouncil.org or call 920.882.7712. n

Advertiser Index

AdvantEdge Consulting ⎮www.advantedgesuccesscoaching.com . . . . . 34 Alberts & Heling CPAs ⎮www.alberts-heling-cpas.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Bank First National ⎮www.bankfirstnational.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Bayland Buildings ⎮www.baylandbuildings.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Borsche Roofing Professionals ⎮www.wiroofer.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Builders Exchange of Wisconsin ⎮www.bxwi.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Capital Credit Union ⎮www.capitalcu.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 CitizensFirst Credit Union ⎮www.citizensfirst.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative ⎮ www.CommonGroundHealthcare.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Competitive Strategies ⎮www.wemakesoftwarework.com. . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. ⎮www.dkattorneys.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Dynamic Designs ⎮www.dynamicdesignspulaski.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 First Business Bank ⎮www.firstbusiness.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 First National Bank ~ Fox Valley ⎮www.fnbfoxvalley.com. . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Fox Communities Credit Union ⎮www.foxcu.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Fox Valley Savings Bank ⎮www.FVSBank.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Fox Valley Technical College ⎮www.fvtc.edu/BIS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Guident Business Solutions ⎮www.guidentbusinesssolutions.com. . . . . 13 Ja Jora Olive Oil ⎮www.JaJoraOliveOil.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 James J. Calmes & Sons Construction ⎮ www.JamesJCalmesConstruction.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 J. F. Ahern Co. ⎮www.jfahern.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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Better Business Bureau New Members Businesses accredited through the Northeast Wisconsin office during October 2014 A Plus Roofing and Restoration, Menasha ACD Builders, Neenah AJR Construction & Remodeling, Valders Builders Group, De Pere C & C Services, Aniwa Eagle Carpet Cleaning, Eagle River Expert Automotive Services, Oshkosh GAP Financial Services, Pound Get a Pro, Appleton Hartman Painting, Waupaca Kiehnau’s Service, Baileys Harbor Line By Line Striping, Hortonville Menza & Zak Heating Cooling and Sheet Metal, Marinette Mercy Family Practice, S.C., De Pere Murray & Roberts CPA Firm, S.C., Appleton Murray & Roberts Valuation Services, Appleton Oconto Falls Heating & Cooling, Lena Saffran Construction, Oconto Salute the Troops, Fond du Lac Sheboygan Chiropractic Plus, Sheboygan TM Carpentry, Plymouth Tom Meiers Motors, Appleton Trust Construction, Green Bay Waldo Implement, Waldo Wisconsin Hydrographics, Sheboygan

Keller Inc. ⎮www.kellerbuilds.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Lakeside Packaging Plus ⎮www.lakesidepackagingplus.com. . . . . . . . . 34 Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh ⎮www.lutheranhomes.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Marian University ⎮www.marianuniversity.edu/apply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Network Health ⎮www.networkhealth.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 NEW Building & Construction Trades Council ⎮www.newbt.org . . . . . . . 36 NWTC Corporate Training & Economic Development ⎮ www.corporatetraining.nwtc.edu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 OptiVision ⎮www.optivisioneyecare.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Oshkosh Chamber Business Expo ⎮www.oshkoshchamber.com. . . . . . . 34 Outagamie County Regional Airport ⎮www.atwairport.com. . . . . . . . . . . 25 R&R Steel Construction Company Inc. ⎮www.rrsteelconstruction.com. . 33 Simply Snackin/Silver Creek ⎮www.silvercreekspecialtymeats.com . . . . . 7 TEC ⎮www.tecmidwest.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Thomas James Real Estate ⎮www.tjrsite.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Thome Benefit Solutions ⎮www.thomebenefitsolutions.com. . . . . . . . . . 35 UniFirst ⎮www.unifirst.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 UW Oshkosh College of Business ⎮www.mba.uwosh.edu . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Winnebago County Solid Waste Management ⎮ www.co.winnebago.wi.us/solid-waste/container-rental-program. . . . 13 Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. ⎮ www.Succeed.InWisconsin.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 YMCA ⎮www.ymcasofnewis.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

NNB2B | December 2014 | 45

Key Statistics

If there are indicators you’d like to see in this space, contact our office at 920.237.0254 or email sean@newnorthb2b.com.

local gasoline prices november 23................ $2.87 november 16................ $2.92 november 9.................. $2.95 november 2.................. $3.01 november 22, 2013.......$3.17

existing home sales

u.s. retail sales october

WI Dept. Revenue Collections october

$1.152 billion 3.7% from October 2013

september august sept ‘13 Appleton . ..... 5.4% ...... 6.0% ........7.4% Fond du Lac . . 5.2% ...... 5.9% ........6.7% Green Bay....... 5.9% ...... 6.4% ........7.6% Neenah ........... 6.0% ...... 6.4%.........7.3% Oshkosh ........ 5.0% ...... 5.6% ........6.6% Wisconsin ..... 4.7% .......5.1% ....... 6.0%

$444.5 billion 0.3% from September 4.1% from October 2013

u.s. industrial production

october

homes sold median price brown cty .....................229 .....................$147,000 Fond du Lac cty ...........120 ....................$135,400 outagamie cty .............197 ....................$134,900 winnebago cty ............ 174 .................... $124,700

local unemployment

natural gas prices

(2007 = 100) october

104.9

0.2% from September 4.0% from October 2013

air passenger TRAFFIC (Local enplanements)

oct 2014 oct 2013 Outagamie Cty. ATW................... 21,544 ......20,566 Austin Straubel GRB.................... 29,305 .......28,532

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

november.................. $0.768 october..................... $0.878 november 2013......... $0.761 Source: Integrys Energy

ism index Numbers above 50 mean expansion.

Numbers below 50 mean contraction. october. . . . . . . . . . 59.0 september . . . . . . . 56.6

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tecmidwest.com 46 | December 2014 | NNB2B

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TOM SCHARPF (920-379-0744) (tjr2216@aol.com) (www.tjrsite.com) ARE YOU CONSIDERING LISTING YOUR PROPERTY OR BUSINESS We Will Purchase Marketing Services For Your Property Or Business That Will Provide Nationwide Reach While Our Company Provides The Local Expertise

EXPECT THE BEST IN MARKETING SERVICES AND PERSONALIZED CARE® POSSIBLE SELLER FINANCING – Repriced $2,750,000

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110 Washington St /200 Ingersoll Rd, Winneconne

200 Tower Rd, Winneconne

(50,000 SF Setion Is Leased) (40,000 SF Section Is For Lease) 90,000 SF Building Is For Sale

Purchase 22,200 SF Building Or Lease (22,200 SF) (13,200 SF) (9,000 SF)

SOLD 2014

215 W. Murdock Ave., Oshkosh Restaurant and Real Estate

LEASED 2014

LEASED 2014

101 W. Waukau Ave., Oshkosh

2370 State Rd. 44, Oshkosh

14,000 SF Industrial Space

1,900 SF Office Suite

SOLD 2014

SOLD 2014

SOLD 2014

1375 Moreland St., Oshkosh

1335 Moreland St., Oshkosh

1315 Moreland St., Oshkosh

4 Unit Apartment Building

4 Unit Apartment Building

4 Unit Apartment Building

SOLD 2014

SOLD 2014

3434-3454 Jackson St., Oshkosh 31,000 SF Industrial Complex

SALE PENDING

S. Washburn St., Oshkosh

2350 State Rd. 44, Oshkosh

2.5 Acres of Commercial Land

1.5 Acres of Commercial Land