September 2016

Business Intelligence for the New North

Big Data, Big Gap

New master’s degree program in data science aims to ease the shortage of professionals trained to harness the power of business data

Growth Stimulus

Finance

Property Values Climbing

From the Publisher

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Business Intelligence for the New North

September Features 22

22 COVER STORY

Big Data, Big Gap

New master’s degree in data science aims to ease the shortage of professionals trained to harness the power of business data

30 FINANCE

Growth Stimulus

The SBA recently reintroduced its 504 Refinance program, which many believe will provide added capital for small businesses to grow

36 RETAIL

30

Voices & Visions

The modest storefront at Niemuth’s Southside Market in Appleton offers few hints at the unparalleled grocery selection within

Departments

V V

36 oices & isions

4

From the Publisher

6

Since We Last Met

12 Corporate Earnings 16 Build Up Pages 39

Growth Streaks

40

Professionally Speaking

42

Who’s News

48 Business Calendar 49 Advertising Index 50 Key Statistics

www.newnorthb2b.com

NNB2B | September 2016 | 3

From the Publisher

Property values on the rise again

Although slow, equalized property value is climbing once again in northeast Wisconsin communities

by Sean Fitzgerald, New North B2B publisher

There’s not typically much fanfare accompanying the annual release of the property value equalization report from the state Department of Revenue. It’s not the most attractive news story, and the information is rather mundane to most of us.

But the data unveiled in the report provides our local governing entities the basis from which to set our property tax rate for the coming year. Declining property values in the aftermath of the recession set the table for some tough decisions by elected officials in order to continue delivering the services taxpayers have come to expect while keeping the charge for these services affordable. That “charge” is the property tax businesses and residences alike are assessed each December and ultimately become due early the following year.

In the past few years, property values have been increasing once again, a trend that eases the burden on elected officials to lower taxes, hold tax rates steady, or at least assess modest increases without having to compromise services.

Those equalized property value increases vary from community to community and county to county. Statewide, property values increased 3.0 percent this past year to a total of $505.1 billion. That’s a healthy increase from the recent low-water mark of $467.5 billion recorded in 2013, but still down from 2008 figures of $514.4 billion.

That gain from 2013 represents an average growth of 2.6 percent per year, according to the non-partisan, not-forprofit Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, but it’s also sluggish growth compared to the average increase of 7.6 percent per year from 2000 to 2008.

Locally, every county composing the majority of our readership area experienced an increase in equalized property value from 2015, including the following: zOutagamie County, a 3.0 percent increase to $14.07 billion; zWinnebago County, a 2.1 percent increase to $12.33 billion; zBrown County, a 1.9 percent increase to $19.70 billion; and zFond du Lac County, a 1.6 percent increase to $7.18 billion.

Similarly, many of the principal communities across northeast Wisconsin enjoyed an uptick in taxable property value during the past year. A bit of data to consider: zAppleton, up 3 percent to $4.94 billion from $4.82 billion in 2015; 4 | September 2016 | NNB2B

zNeenah, up 3 percent to $1.99 billion from $1.93 billion; zDe Pere, up 2 percent to $1.94 billion from $1.90 billion; zFond du Lac, up 2 percent to $2.72 billion from $2.66 billion; zGreen Bay, up 1 percent to $6.08 billion from $6.01 billion; zOshkosh, up 1 percent to $3.78 billion from $3.74 billion; and zAshwaubenon, down 1 percent to $2.20 billion from $2.22 billion.

One recurring theme across the region shows commercial and manufacturing property value decreasing in many communities while residential property values increased at a modest rate. The exceptions to that trend were in Appleton and Fond du Lac, where value grew in all three property categories. In fact, Fond du Lac experienced a 5 percent rate of growth among its commercial properties, bucking a trend that’s hampered many communities.

Commercial property values were overwhelmingly down in communities across the region, partially representing a trend of businesses seeking reassessments for their properties they believed to be overvalued. This trend hit hardest in communities like Ashwaubenon – where total commercial property value exceeds that of residential value – which saw a 4 percent decrease in commercial property value, contributing to its overall drop in equalized property value from a year ago.

School district and technical college district property values need to be calculated separately because district boundaries aren’t cleanly defined along municipal boundary lines. Much of the K-12 school district data wasn’t available at B2B press time, but data from the Wisconsin Technical College System indicates property value growth here in northeast Wisconsin hovered in the range of 2 to 3 percent, including: vMoraine Park Technical College, up 2.7 percent to $25.51 billion from $24.83 billion in 2015; v Fox Valley Technical College, up 2.5 percent to $35.91 billion from $35.04 billion; and v Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, up 2.1 percent to $39.06 billion from $38.27 billion a year ago.

Despite the growth in each district, only Moraine Park still remains below its 2010 property value. For the next three years following, property values would decline almost unilaterally statewide, with 2013 recording the low-water mark for most counties and communities.

To keep an eye on growing property value across the region, monitor the Building Permits listing in B2B’s Who’s News department at the back of every issue. We go out of our way each month to bring readers information on large commercial and industrial development projects from the area. n www.newnorthb2b.com

Sean Fitzgerald Publisher & President x sean@newnorthb2b.com Carrie Rule Sales Manager x carrie@newnorthb2b.com Kate Erbach Production Contributing writers Rick Berg Chief Financial Officer Vicky Fitzgerald, CPA

1

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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.

July 21 Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. awarded five Idle Industrial Sites Redevelopment Program grants totaling $2.3 million to help communities redevelop abandoned industrial sites, including three from northeast Wisconsin.

Kimberly received $500,000 for the 90-acre former NewPage Paper Mill property along the Fox River which is entertaining a proposal for a $12 million mixed-use neighborhood with more than 60,000 square feet of commercial development and more than 800 housing units. Green Bay received $425,000 for the Larsen Green project in its Broadway District which is undergoing a $20 to $30 million redevelopment into upscale office, retail and multi-family residential housing. Lastly, Oshkosh received $375,000 to help reclaim the 27-acre former Jeld-Wen manufacturing site along the Fox River

2002 September 4 – Registration began for Wisconsin’s “Do Not Call” list, a new initiative that creates regulations for companies both in and out of the state which use residential telemarketing.

2003 September 10 – Gov. Jim Doyle unveiled his “Grow Wisconsin” initiative, an economic development plan aimed at improving job training, promoting high-tech industries, investing in manufacturing, implementing regulatory reforms and spurring more than $1 billion in public and private investment.

2006 September 1 – Mercury Marine announced plans to relocate its remanufacturing operations to a 115,000-sq. ft., $6 million facility in Oshkosh’s Southwest Industrial Park.

2006 September 21 – The New North received a $50,000 Growing Regional Opportunities in Wisconsin grant from the state Department of Workforce Development to enable the newly formed NEW Manufacturing Alliance

6 | September 2016 | NNB2B

for a mixed-use development that would include residential, commercial and office space, in addition to a grocery store.

July 22 Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson vetoed a controversial resolution from the county’s board of supervisors using the eminent domain process to purchase land in Appleton’s Northeast Business Park for a new sheriff’s office. The county board voted 17-11 earlier in the week to take the property on Goodland Drive through eminent domain even though the seller of the property had already accepted an offer from J. F. Ahern Co. of Fond du Lac to expand its Fox Cities field operations at the site and create more than 100 new jobs. The accepted offer from Ahern was reportedly $300,000 more than the county’s bid for the property.

to address a shortage of skilled manufacturing workers in northeast Wisconsin.

2010 September 1 – Businesses and households in Wisconsin are now required to recycle electronics rather than throw them into the garbage as Wisconsin’s E-Cycle law takes effect. Though many of the devices contain harmful lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and other heavy metals, they also contain plastic, steel, copper and glass that can be recycled.

2011 September 7 – The City of Appleton Common Council agreed to extend health care insurance benefits to same-sex domestic partners of nonunion employees. The benefit extension is estimated to cost the city an additional $100,000 annually.

2013 September 25 – The Interstate 43 Leo Frigo Bridge spanning the Fox River in Green Bay was closed to traffic indefinitely after one of the support piers upholding the bridge unexpectedly sank two feet. The heavily traveled bridge was closed to traffic until January 2014, with repairs costing close to $50 million.

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July 25 Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin announced plans to build a Fox Cities regional community/senior center on its campus in Menasha. Goodwill acquired three properties covering nearly 2.2 acres to the north of its campus for the proposed community center, which would fill in the void created by the closure of the Thompson Community Center in downtown Appleton this past spring. Goodwill officials did not indicate the proposed size and scope of the community center project or a timeline for construction. It plans to fund construction of the project through a community capital campaign, and it plans to manage the continuing operations of the facility with funding support from multiple sources.

July 26 Wisconsin’s Commissioner of Insurance approved a 3.19 percent reduction in worker’s compensation rates for employers in the state effective Oct. 1, 2016. The rate decrease – developed and submitted by the Wisconsin Compensation Ratings Bureau – reflect an average across all industries, though not every industry may see a rate decrease in premiums. Manufacturing as an industry group will see a worker’s compensation insurance rate reduction of 5 percent.

The change in worker’s compensation rates is expected to save Wisconsin employers $38 million during 2017.

July 27 The City of Oshkosh and Winnebago County officially opened the new Aviation Business Park at Wittman Regional Airport, an 80-acre light industrial park on the city’s south side aimed at attracting aviation businesses to the region.

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July 28 Officials from Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce and Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corp. announced plans to explore the possibility of combining into a single organization for economic and workforce development services. The groups indicated a consultant will be hired to help determine the feasibility of combining organizations, and expect to have some finding from the consultant by the end of October.

July 28 The state Department of Transportation approved a $165,000 environmental impact study at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport to help evaluate the proposed reconstruction and rehabilitation of the east service road. The state is paying $132,000 toward the cost of the project, while Brown County will contribute the remaining $33,000.

August 2 Both La Crosse and Grand Chute are out of the running among the communities the Milwaukee Bucks are www.newnorthb2b.com

NNB2B | September 2016 | 7

Since We Last Met considering to host its NBA Development League team, leaving Sheboygan, Oshkosh and Racine as the remaining finalists. Grand Chute retracted its interest in July after determining it likely wouldn’t be able to construct its proposed multi-use sports facility by fall 2017, while the Bucks were concerned that La Crosse is too far away from Milwaukee to serve its needs as a farm team. The Bucks have not identified a timeline for deciding which community will host the proposed team.

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August 2 Oshkosh-based Experimental Aircraft Association reported attendance at its 2016 AirVenture convention was about 563,000, up 1 percent from the 2015 event. The organization indicated more than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin, while the 891 commercial exhibitors at the event represented a 10 percent increase from 2015.

August 3 The City of Appleton Common Council approved up to $3.7 million in tax incremental financing for Encapsys to construct a 37,000-sq. ft. headquarters office, laboratory and plant in its Southpoint Commerce Park. The deal calls for the encapsulation technology company – which was spun off from Appvion in 2015 – to create at least $17 million in new property value. Encapsys has primarily been operating from former Appvion facilities in Appleton since August 2015 when it was sold to the Maryland-based private investment firm Sherman Capital Holdings LLC. August 3 The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. awarded a $241,397 Community Development Investment grant to the City of De Pere to help New Leaf Market renovate a downtown building for a 10,000-sq. ft. community-owned grocery store. The project includes mechanical upgrades to service the equipment in the store, renovate ceilings and the front façade.

August 3 The Fox Valley Technical College Foundation launched its Promise program fundraising campaign designed to provide free tuition and books for students planning to attend the college in fall of 2017. High school seniors in the college’s district who qualify for free or reduced school meals during the 2016-17 academic year and attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher during the year may become a Promise Scholar the following year at FVTC. The program aims to support 3,000 students over the next five years.

August 4 Officials from Green Bay Water Utility opened the new 12-mile pipeline from Ashwaubenon to Wrightstown, www.newnorthb2b.com

which delivers nearly 200,000 gallons of water a day from Green Bay’s lake water filtration system. Wrightstown previously relied on underground wells rich in iron for its water supply, which resulted in an overall substandard water quality. Wrightstown will pay about $140,000 a year to the Green Bay Water Utility for the access to its water.

Ashwaubenon, Hobart and the town of Scott in Brown County also receive drinking water from Green Bay. August 4 The City of Appleton opened its new 2.2-mile Fox Trot Trail through downtown and along the Fox River.

Blue fox paw prints dot the trail which includes 16 historical points of interest and is designed to show off Appleton’s history and riverfront.

August 5 The U.S. Department of Labor reported 255,000 new jobs were created in July, keeping the national unemployment rate relatively unchanged at 4.9 percent. Job gains occurred in professional and business services, health care and financial activities.

August 9 In a series of Congressional partisan primaries affecting northeast Wisconsin, Russ Feingold defeated Scott Harbach for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat representing Wisconsin. In the race for the Republican nomination for the state’s 8th Congressional District, political newcomer Mike Gallagher of Green Bay garnered nearly threequarters of all votes cast to defeat state Sen. Frank Lasee (R-Ledgeview) and Door County business owner Terry McNulty. In the race for the Democratic nomination for the state’s 6th Congressional District race, Sarah Lloyd of Portage captured 75 percent of the vote to defeat Michael Slattery of Maribel.

August 9 In a handful of partisan primaries for the Wisconsin legislature, two www.newnorthb2b.com

races set the stage to replace Sen. Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac), who decided not to run for re-election in the state Senate’s 18th District.

Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris of Oshkosh won the Democratic nomination on the ticket with 75 percent of the vote over John Lemberger of Oshkosh, while Dan Feyen of Fond du Lac won 56 percent of the vote to defeat Mark Elliott of Oshkosh for the Republican nomination to the ticket. In the race for the Republican nomination for the state’s 3rd Assembly District seat to replace retiring Rep. Al Ott (R-Forest Junction), attorney Ron Tussler of Appleton won a four-way contest by capturing 55 percent of the total vote.

August 9 The City of Green Bay Redevelopment Authority gave preliminary approval for a $16 million development to top the Cherry Street parking ramp with two floors of luxury apartments.

The plan for the 71-unit development still requires a lease agreement for 122 parking stalls in the ramp for residents, an undetermined amount of tax incremental finance support for the project, and final approval from the city’s common council. Developers hope to begin construction in spring 2017 and have the apartments open to residents by spring 2018.

August 10 The State of Wisconsin Building Commission offered its benediction for a nearly $5 million soccer complex at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Construction of the tournamentquality outdoor soccer complex is expected to begin in January and be completed in December 2017. A private fundraising campaign raised $4 million for the project, while the state will provide the remaining $984,000.

August 15 A partnership between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Marian University will bring a Northwoods League baseball franchise to the school’s Herr-Baker Field in Fond du Lac for the 2017 season. The team will

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NNB2B | September 2016 | 9

Since We Last Met become the 19th franchise in the amateur league composed of college baseball players, which includes teams from surrounding states and the other Wisconsin communities of Green Bay, Eau Claire, Grafton, Kenosha, La Crosse, Madison, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids. The franchise plans a community-wide effort to name the team in coming months.

August 15 The 275-bed Tech Village student housing development opened at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, offering campus-related student housing at the school for the first time. The four-story, 59-suite development is located a block away from the main campus building and was developed through a partnership with FVTC, General Capital of Fox Point and DeLeers Construction of De Pere. The apartments are fully furnished with Internet, Wi-Fi, cable television, kitchens, and all utilities, in addition to new furniture. Common area amenities include lounges and private study rooms, a community room with computer bar and fireplace, a fitness center and laundry facilities on each floor.

August 15 The Campbellsport Board of Education approved a $23.4 million school building referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot asking voters permission to build a 60,000-sq. ft. addition to the middle/high school building, demolish an outdated section of the building, and renovate much of the remainder of the facility. The new construction would house technology

education, science and math classrooms, as well as a new gymnasium. The building proposal is a scaled-down version of a $25 million referendum request that voters rejected in April 2015.

August 16 UW Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay launched a new nursing bachelor’s degree partnership aimed at preparing nurses for the workforce faster and at a potentially lesser cost. The Nurse 1-2-1 program begins this fall with 24 students who will take their first year of classes at UW Green Bay, then study for the second and third years at NWTC while earning an associate degree in nursing. Students would then return to classes at UW Green Bay for their final year – either on campus or online – with the ability to enter the health care workforce, begin caring for patients, and earning an income while completing their bachelor’s degree.

August 17 The City of Green Bay Common Council turned down a proposal that would have provided $2 million in excess Lambeau Field stadium tax revenues to city property owners through a rebate check. Under the proposal, checks of about $94 would have been sent to nearly 21,000 residential property owners in Green Bay. Council members opposed to the proposal felt such a rebate did not equitably distribute the funds, and opted to allocate the funds toward municipal infrastructure improvements. The city was notified late last year that it would receive $5.4 million as part of its share of the total $17.4 million surplus remaining after the 2015 expiration of Brown County’s half-percent sale tax used to fund Lambeau Field improvements since 2001.

August 17 The Town of Menasha Board of Supervisors and Village of Fox Crossing Board of Trustees both unanimously approved a 10-year border agreement that would eventually allow the remainder of the town on the east side of Little Lake Butte des Morts to be absorbed into Fox Crossing. All of the area on the west side of the lake formerly in the town of Menasha voted to incorporate into a village this past April. The border agreement also helps ensure that town residents continue to receive many of the services to which they were accustomed that are now provided by the Village of Fox Crossing.

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10 | September 2016 | NNB2B

August 18 Officials from the Village of Kimberly and the development firm Stadtmueller & Associates broke ground on the $12.3 million first phase of The Cedars of Kimberly on the site of the former New Page paper mill. The master plan for the 90-acre site along the Fox River includes a mixed-use neighborhood with commercial and retail spaces, various residential developments and parks and walking trails. The project was first proposed in 2013 and will likely be completed over several years through multiple phases of development. n www.newnorthb2b.com

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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.

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Income $46.9 million $47.9 million t 2% EPS 31 cents 31 cents Unch.

The Green Bay-based financial institution reported average loans grew $719 million, or 4 percent, to $19.6 billion from the first quarter, with three-quarters of the growth coming from commercial lending. Commercial lending growth was driven by general commercial lending, mortgage warehouse, and power and utilities.

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Revenue $3.4 Billion $3.4 Billion t <1% Income $525 million $480 million s 9% EPS $1.46 $1.30 s 12% The parent company of Miller Electric Manufacturing operations across the Fox Cities reported its welding segment – which includes Miller Electric – continues to face a challenging market environment and experienced an 11 percent decline in revenues from the segment during the quarter.

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Revenue $4.6 Billion $4.6 Billion t 1% Income $566 million ($305 million)s350% EPS $1.56 (83 cents) s347% The manufacturer of consumer paper and tissue products with significant operations in the Fox Cities reported organic sales rose 3 percent but were offset by foreign currency exchange rates which reduced sales 4 percent, resulting in the overall 1 percent decline in revenues. The company also delivered $110 million in cost savings.

Plexus Corp.

3Q 2016 3Q 2015 Revenue $668 million $670 million t <1% Income $26.1 million $23.8 million s 10% EPS 76 cents 69 cents s 10% The Neenah-based contract electronics manufacturer indicated it won 46 programs during the quarter representing $194 million in annual revenue when fully ramped into production.

Company officials projected fourth quarter earnings per share in a range of 76 to 84 cents.

VF Corp.

Bemis Company Inc.

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Revenue $2.4 Billion $2.4 Billion s <1% Income $51.0 million $171 million t 70% EPS 12 cents 40 cents t 70% The parent company of Jansport operations in the Fox Cities indicated its outdoor and action sports coalition – which includes Jansport operations – increased revenue by 2 percent to $1.4 billion. At the end of the quarter, the company announced plans to sell its contemporary brands – which includes 7 For All Mankind and Ella Moss – to Delta Galil Industries, Ltd. for $120 million.

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Revenue $1.0 Billion $1.0 Billion t <1% Income $50.9 million $65.6 million t 22% EPS 53 cents 67 cents t 21% The Neenah-based supplier of flexible packaging reported it’s still ramping up the workforce at its expanded Oshkosh health care packaging facility, and expects to begin showing a profit at the operation during the fourth quarter. The company also announced a restructuring program for its global packaging segment where its plans to close four facilities in Latin America by the middle of 2017, saving an estimated $16 million annually.

12 | September 2016 | NNB2B

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Brunswick Corp.

Oshkosh Corp.

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Revenue $1.2 Billion $1.1 Billion s 9% Income $108 million $118 million t 8% EPS $1.17 $1.25 t 6% The parent company of Mercury Marine operations in Fond du Lac indicated revenues in its marine engine segment increased 4 percent to $720 million, led by Mercury’s parts and accessories business and its outboard engine business.

3Q 2016 3Q 2015 Revenue $1.7 Billion $1.6 Billion s 8% Income $84.2 million $89.7 million t 6% EPS $1.13 $1.13 Unch.

The manufacturer of specialty vehicles reported a 36 percent increase in its defense segment sales to $264 million, as well as a 24 percent increase in its fire and emergency segment sales to $249 million driven by higher fire truck deliveries in the U.S. The company’s commercial segment sales decreased 2 percent to $288 million due to lower refuse collection vehicle sales.

Humana Inc.

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Revenue $13.7 Billion $13.2 Billion s 3% Income $311 million $431 million t 28% EPS $2.06 $2.85 t 28% The health and benefits company with extensive operations in the Green Bay area indicated its proposed merger with Aetna may potentially be delayed after the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit in July. In early August, both Humana and Aetna offered to sell portions of their respective Medicare Advantage assets to Molina Healthcare in an effort to assuage the DOJ’s competitiveness concerns.

Dean Foods

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Revenue $1.8 Billion $2.0 Billion t 8% Income $33.4 million $26.5 million s 26% EPS 36 cents 28 cents s 29% The dairy-based foods company with extensive operations in Wisconsin, including the Green Bay area, acquired Friendly’s ice cream business during June. Company officials indicated the second quarter 2016 average measure of raw milk costs was down 7 percent from last quarter and down 15 percent from a year ago to $13.53 per hundred-weight.

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Corporate Earnings

County Bancorp Inc. Bank First

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Income $3.8 million $3.4 million s 11% EPS 60 cents 54 cents s 11% The Manitowoc-based financial institution with significant operations across northeast Wisconsin reported noninterest income for the quarter increased 33 percent to $2.17 million as a result of the bank’s investment last year in the insurance agency Ansay & Associates LLC. The bank’s total assets reached $1.3 billion at the end of the second quarter, up 16 percent from the same time a year ago.

Neenah Paper

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Revenue $246 million $211 million s 17% Income $20.3 million $16.7 million s 22% EPS $1.19 97 cents s 23% The papermaker with significant operations in the Fox Cities reported revenues in its technical products segment increased 19 percent to $127 million, largely resulting from acquired sales. For the first half of fiscal 2016, the company reported revenues increased 15 percent to $488 million.

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Income $1.9 million $2.2 million t 12% EPS 30 cents 36 cents t 17% The Manitowoc-based financial institution with significant operations across northeast and central Wisconsin reported $2.4 million in expenses – or 25 per share after taxes – charged to its bottom line from its acquisition of The Business Bank, which was completed in May. The company was also added to the Russell 3000 Index in late June.

Appvion

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Revenue $174 million $166 million s 4% Income ($6.9 million) ($9.8 million) s 30% The employee-owned producer of thermal and carbonless papers increased sales on the quarter as a result of higher shipment volumes and favorable product pricing. The company’s thermal papers segment recorded a sales increase of 21 percent during the second quarter to $101 million, driving operating income in the segment of $4.9 million, up from a loss of $4.6 million during the second quarter a year ago.

West Corp.

WEC Energy Group Inc.

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Revenue $1.6 Billion $991 million s 62% Income $181 million $80.9 million s123% EPS 57 cents 35 cents s 63% The merged operations of WE Energies and Integrys Energy Group, the parent company of Wisconsin Public Service Corp., reported residential use of electricity increased 7.7 percent during the quarter, while consumption of electricity by small commercial and industrial customers increased by 2.2 percent.

R.R. Donnelley

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Revenue $2.7 Billion $2.7 Billion t <1% Income ($14.5 million) $43.5 million t133% EPS (7 cents) 21 cents t133% The printing company with significant operations in the Fox Cities indicated its earnings for the quarter included pre-tax charges of $130.3 million, primarily attributed to a lump sum pension settlement payment of nearly $97 million.

14 | September 2016 | NNB2B

2Q 2016 2Q 2015 Revenue $582 million $572 million s 2% Income $33.0 million $49.6 million t 34% EPS 39 cents 58 cents t 33% The enterprise communications service provider with extensive operations across the Fox Cities and Greater Green Bay areas reported its unified communications services segment revenue dropped 1 percent to $370 million, while its specialized agent services segment receipts decreased nearly 2 percent to $67.5 million. n

Better Business Bureau New Members Businesses accredited through the Northeast Wisconsin office during July 2016 Denmark Towing and Recovery, Denmark Jason Guelig Excavating, Mount Calvary Midwest Design Homes, Kaukauna O’Meara’s Irish House, Fish Creek Pacur, Oshkosh VL Automotive, Pulaski Wave Pointe Marina & Resort, Sturgeon Bay

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Fond du Lac 1 - 300 Seward St., Ripon Ripon College J.M. Storzer Center, an 88,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing athletic facility to include a fieldhouse with an indoor track, atrium, classrooms, locker rooms, fitness center and offices. Project completion expected in fall 2017.

2 - 1217 W. Scott St., Fond du Lac Blacksmoke Automotive, a new automotive dealership and repair shop.

3 - 1257 Industrial Pkwy., Fond du Lac Brooke Industries, an addition to the existing industrial facility.

4 - 723 W. Johnson St., Fond du Lac Noodles & Company, a 5,804-sq. ft. multi-tenant commercial building. Project completion expected in early 2017.

5 - 729 W. Johnson St., Fond du Lac Dunkinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Donuts, a 3,542-sq. ft. multi-tenant commercial building. Project completion expected in early 2017.

6 - 925 Forest Ave., Fond du Lac Jackson Kahl Insurance, a new commercial office building.

7 - 158 S. Military Road, Fond du Lac Church of Peace, a 7,900-sq. ft. addition to and renovation of the existing church building.

8 - 235 N. National Ave., Fond du Lac Moraine Park Technical College, an addition to the main entrance of the educational campus and various interior alterations.

9 - 1071 E. Johnson St., Fond du Lac Starbucks, a new commercial retail building. General contractor is Bayland Buildings of Green Bay. 10 - 545 W. Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac Mercury Marine, a 53,110-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacturing campus for a machining plant. Project completion expected in December.

11 - 100 Camelot Dr., Fond du Lac Excel Engineering Inc., an addition to the existing commercial office building.

Coming to B2B in October 2016 Downtown Heroes

Enthusiastic business owners who help central city retail districts thrive 16 | September 2016 | NNB2B

www.newnorthb2b.com

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Oshkosh 12 - 2303 Westowne Ave., Oshkosh Westowne Shoppes, a 21,200-sq. ft. multi-tenant retail and training building.

13 - 2510 W. Ninth Ave., Oshkosh Marsh Family Eyecare Center, a new optometry clinic.

Projects completed since our August issue: â&#x20AC;˘ Stainless Machining Technologies, 1330 Industrial Pkwy., Fond du Lac. â&#x20AC;˘ Big Rig Chrome Shop, 3735 S. Washburn St., Oshkosh.

14 - 324 Washington Ave., Oshkosh Oshkosh Community YMCA, a 55,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing community center and various interior renovations.

Take the first step toward a professional, quality built construction project...

Building Quality Communities Contact us or visit our Web site for a full listing of your local construction professionals.

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NNB2B | September 2016 | 17

Build Up Fox Cities

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2 - N987 Craftsmen Dr., town of Greenville Allied Mechanical, 52,500-sq. ft. addition to the existing industrial facility. Project completion expected in September.

General Contractor

COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURAL

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1 - 5325 W. Clairemont Dr., town of Grand Chute Harley-Davidson of Appleton, a 20,000-sq. ft. multipurpose building and riding academy. Project completion expected in December.

3 - W6390 Challenger Dr., town of Greenville Appleton International Airport, a freestanding 6,000-sq. ft. rental vehicle office and service building. Project completion expected in December.

4 - 4811 W. Michaels Dr., town of Grand Chute Fireline Shooting & Training, a 15,107-sq. ft. indoor firing range and retail shop.

Project completion expected in the fall. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

5 - 701 S. Nicolet Road, town of Grand Chute Kaldas Center for Fertility, Surgery & Pregnancy, an 11,290-sq. ft. medical clinic.

Project completion expected in late fall.

6 - 314 N. Appleton St., Appleton The Mission Church, a two-story, 4,115-sq. ft. addition to the existing church. Project completion expected in October. General contractor is Frontier Builders & Consultants of Kaukauna.

7 - 1025 W. Navitus Dr., town of Grand Chute Navitus Health Solutions, a four-story, 120,000-sq. ft. office building to expand the existing call center campus.

8 - 4321 N. Ballard Road, Appleton Thrivent Financial, a new data center facility on the existing insurance carrier complex.

Construction

9 - 410 E. Evergreen Dr., Little Chute Evergreen Power, a 14,000-sq. ft. small engine retail and repair shop. Project completion expected in September. General contractor is Frontier Builders & Consultants of Kaukauna.

Opening Day

10 - 1915 Freedom Road, Little Chute Tom’s Drive-In, an addition to the existing restaurant. Project completion expected in September.

11 - N410 Speel School Road, town of Buchanan Lamers Dairy Inc., a 4,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing dairy processing facility for warehouse, refrigeration and office space. Project completion expected in September.

General contractor is Frontier Builders & Consultants of Kaukauna.

12 - 1601 S. Covenant Lane, Appleton Covenant Christian Reformed Church, a 6,722-sq. ft. addition to the existing church.

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

(920)498-9300 baylandbuildings.com 18 | September 2016 | NNB2B

13 - 2905 E. Newberry St., Appleton Norka Inc., a 27,324-sq. ft. addition to the existing industrial building. Project completion expected in early fall.

14 - 400 E. North Island St., Appleton Neenah Paper Inc., a 45,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing specialty paper mill. Project completion expected in late fall. General contractor is Bayland Buildings of Green Bay. www.newnorthb2b.com

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15 - 473 W. Calumet St., Appleton Arby’s, a new restaurant building. Project completion expected in December. General contractor is CR Structures Group of Kimberly.

16 - 1445 McMahon Dr., Fox Crossing McMahon, a 20,000-sq. ft. addition to and renovation of the existing office building. Project completion expected in early 2017.

17 - Plaza Drive, Fox Crossing Community First Credit Union, a 120,000-sq. ft. corporate office campus. Project completion expected in late fall.

19 - 120 Main St., Neenah Plexus Corp., a four-story, 85,209-sq. ft. commercial office building to house the company’s design center.

Projects completed since our August issue: • Precision Paper Converters, 2600 Northridge Dr., Kaukauna.

• Ogden Development, 1517 County Road O, Neenah.

• Menasha Packaging Co., 1645 Bergstrom Road, Neenah.

• Aldi, 927 S. Green Bay Road, Neenah.

18 - 333 N. Green Bay Road, Fox Crossing ThedaCare Physicians, a 70,000-sq. ft. health care clinic for family practice, internal medicine and endocrinology. Project completion expected in late fall. www.newnorthb2b.com

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Greater Green Bay area 1 - 2809 Flintville Road, Suamico Saint Paul Episcopal Church, an addition to the vestibule of the existing church. Project completion expected in September. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

2 - 2550 Glendale Ave., Howard Dr. Rebecca Van Miller, an addition to the existing dental clinic. Project completion expected in the fall. General contractor is CR Structures Group of Kimberly.

3 - 2740 W. Mason St., Green Bay Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, a 67,760-sq. ft. addition to the existing Business and Information Technology Center and substantial interior renovations to the existing student life building. Project completion expected in late 2017.

20 | September 2016 | NNB2B

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4 - 2015 Shawano Ave., Howard Meijer, 192,000-sq. ft. retail department store. Project completion expected in summer 2017.

5 - 2231 N. Quincy St., Green Bay NEW Water/Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, a wastewater treatment and electrical generation facility. Project completion expected in 2018.

6 - 320 N. Broadway, Green Bay DDL Holdings/Titletown Brewing, an addition to the former industrial facility for a mixed-use retail development.

7 - 503 Main St., Green Bay Camera Corner, a 12,000-sq. ft. addition to the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s networking and audiovisual departments. www.newnorthb2b.com

8 - 304 N. Adams St., Green Bay Hotel Northland, a substantial overhaul of the existing 8-story building for a 160-room luxury hotel with two restaurants and a spa. Project completion expected in late fall.

24 - 2083 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon Heyrman Printing/Green Bay Blue, a 4,900-sq. ft. addition to the existing print facility. Project completion expected in September. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

9 - 835 S. Van Buren St., Green Bay St. Vincent Hospital, a three-story addition to the hospital.

25 - 1930 Bart Starr Road, Ashwaubenon Forever Dance Company, a 5,838-sq. ft. dance studio. Project completion expected in September. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

10 - 1901 Main St., Green Bay North Shore Bank, a 3,534-sq. ft. financial institution office.

Project completion expected in February. General contractor is CR Structures Group of Kimberly.

11 - 1911 Main St., Green Bay Arby’s, a 2,000-sq. ft. restaurant building. Project completion expected in the fall. General contractor is CR Structures Group of Kimberly.

12 - 2400 University Ave., Green Bay Festival Foods, an 80,000-sq. ft. grocery store.

13 - 2700 Block of N. County Road P, New Franken Harold Tauschek Excavating, an 8,800-sq. ft. shop and office facility. Project completion expected in October. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

14 - 900 Challenger Dr., Green Bay WG&R Furniture Co., an addition to the existing warehouse.

15 - 955 Challenger Dr., Green Bay EuroPharma, a 20,160-sq. ft. warehouse addition to the existing industrial facility. Project completion expected in September. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

16 - 900 Ontario Road, Green Bay American Prosthetic Components, a 14,268-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacturing facility.

17 - 1230 Ontario Road, Green Bay Seura, a 15,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacturing facility.

18 - 1160 Kepler Dr., Green Bay Aurora Baycare Medical Center, a two-story, 11,000-sq. ft. addition for cancer care and a separate four-story addition to the surgery center. Project completion expected in late 2017.

19 - 4200 Main St., town of Ledgeview BelGioioso, an addition to the existing cheese manufacturing facility.

20 - 2328 Costco Way, Bellevue Discount Tire, a 9,179-sq. ft. automotive and tire service center. Project completion expected in the fall.

21 - 2394 Costco Way, Bellevue Buffalo Wild Wings and Mattress Firm, a 9,742-sq. ft. multitenant commercial retail building.

22 - 470 Marina Lane, Ashwaubenon Residence Inn by Marriott, a 103-room hotel. Project completion expected in late fall.

23 - 845 Cormier Road, Ashwaubenon O’Reilly Auto Parts, a 7,453-sq. ft. commercial retail building. www.newnorthb2b.com

26 - 1267 Lombardi Ave., Ashwaubenon Hinterland Brewery, a two-story, 23,325-sq. ft. brewery and restaurant. Project completion expected in summer 2017.

27 - 1950 S. Ridge Road, Ashwaubenon Lodge Kohler, a five-story, 150-room hotel, restaurant and spa. Project completion expected in summer 2017.

28 - 1900 Block of South Ridge Road, Ashwaubenon Bellin Health Sports Medicine Clinic, a nearly 30,000-sq. ft. sports medicine facility. Project completion expected in summer 2017.

29 - 2282 S. Ridge Road, Ashwaubenon Kwik Trip Express, a substantial overhaul of the existing service station for a new convenience store and fuel station.

30 - 2340 S. Oneida St., Ashwaubenon McDonald’s, a 5,300-sq. ft. commercial restaurant building.

31 - 2654 S. Oneida St., Ashwaubenon Midwest Expansion, two multi-tenant retail buildings.

32 - 2221 Innovation Ct., De Pere American 3 Fab, a 51,840-sq. ft. metal fabrication shop.

33 - 1745 Suburban Dr., De Pere The Mail Haus, an addition to the existing warehouse facility.

Project completion expected in the fall.

34 - 601 Third St., De Pere St. Norbert College Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center, a nearly 50,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing athletic facility for a competition swimming pool and fitness center. Project completion expected in May 2017.

35 - 633 Heritage Road, De Pere Belmark, a three-story, 41,000-sq ft. addition to the existing Plant #3 for an office building, as well as a skywalk connecting to another building on the industrial campus. Project completion expected in February 2018.

36 - 1820 Enterprise Dr., De Pere Sierra Coating Technologies, a 33,615-sq. ft. addition to the existing industrial facility. Project completion expected in December. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

Projects completed since our August issue: • Dollar Tree, 1940 Main St., Green Bay. • Pediatric Dentistry Clinic & Family Dental Center, 2609 Development Dr., Bellevue.

• Ashwaubenon High School, 2391 Ridge Road, Ashwaubenon.

• Laser Form, 1010 Centennial St., Ashwaubenon.

• Festival Foods, 1724 Lawrence Dr., De Pere.

NNB2B | September 2016 | 21

Cover Story

Big Data, Big Gap New masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree program in data science through the UW System aims to ease the shortage of professionals trained to harness the power of business data Story by Rick Berg

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www.newnorthb2b.com

The promised payoff for all that data the business world has been collecting remains elusive for most companies – largely because there are relatively few people qualified to pull useful information from that massive collection of data.

A 2015 survey by researchers at M.I.T. found 40 percent of U.S. companies were struggling to find and retain data analytics talent, and Stanford University reported last year that its data science graduates were earning salaries above $200,000 – in large part because of the talent gap. Job-search website Glassdoor.com estimates the average data scientist salary is $113,000 nationally.

To help bridge that talent gap for employers, the University of Wisconsin System launched a master’s degree program in data science a year ago which includes UW Oshkosh and UW Green Bay among the six campuses engaged in the program. The concept for the program grew out of a series of 2014 meetings between educators and business leaders, said Erik Krohn, an associate professor of data science at UW Oshkosh.

“Many of our industry contacts told us that they had data analyst openings but didn’t have qualified applicants to fill them,” Krohn said. “They told us that many of the people filling those positions were partially-trained data scientists.

They were hiring people with computer science degrees who had little statistical knowledge or they were hiring statisticians with little programming knowledge.

“These new hires had to learn a new skill with varying levels of success. Instead of having to do on-the-job training for many of these new hires, they were looking to hire someone who had the whole package: a programmer who could do statistical analysis and could present the findings to his or her supervisors.”

“I’ve found that the only thing exceeding our need to analyze our data is the volume of data itself,” Miller said. “There are lots of people that can query data and generate reports on request. However, you really need someone that can see the possibilities within the data itself and find a meaningful way of telling its story. Without that, we aren’t able to take full advantage of what we have. Finding someone like that, that can utilize the tools, is very difficult.”

The new data science master’s degree program aims to provide such training.

“The data science master’s program will teach you how to harness the power of big data using the latest tools and analytical methods,” Krohn said. “Our program is interdisciplinary and we don’t just focus on one aspect of data science. Our curriculum has courses related to computer science, math, statistics, management and communication.”

“Our students have a wide range of backgrounds. This is one of the reasons we didn’t want to require a specific type of bachelor’s degree to get into our program,” Krohn said. “Any bachelor’s degree is sufficient as long as you meet some of our other prerequisites, such as a programming course and a database course. A good number of our students have a degree

Shane Miller, chief information officer at Green Bay-based Prevea Health, was one of those business leaders concerned about the shortage of talented and trained data scientists.

UW System Master’s Program in Data Science The 12-course, 36-credit University of Wisconsin online Master of Science degree in Data Science is designed to teach “how to harness the power of big data using the latest tools and analytical methods.” The program is a collaboration of the University of Wisconsin Extension and the six UW campuses in Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Oshkosh, Stevens Point and Superior.

Courses are taught by faculty from across the University of Wisconsin System. Prerequisite courses include elementary statistics, introduction to programming and introduction to databases.

On the Web University of Wisconsin System Master of Science degree in Data Science datasciencedegree.wisconsin.edu/ www.newnorthb2b.com

NNB2B | September 2016 | 23

Cover Story in an area you wouldn’t associate with data science. We would not want to exclude a qualified candidate just because he didn’t have a degree in statistics or computer science.”

The art of data science

Despite its name, data science is at least as much art as it is science, which is why human skills are needed to translate mountains of data into useful information. Gaurav Bansal, an associate professor of management information systems at UW Green Bay, said that a defining characteristic for a successful data scientist is curiosity.

“Curiosity is what separates humans from computers,” Bansal said. “The challenge of managing data is being able to slice it and dice it to learn from it, and computers can’t do that.

Computers don’t have curiosity.”

Not even all humans are able to display that curiosity, noted Jon Biskner, vice president of information technology at Green Bay-based Nicolet Bank.

“There are a lot of statisticians, a lot of people that work with data, but it’s not just statistics. You need to be able to relate that back to the business,” Biskner said. “You need the curiosity to asks questions about that data, to look for those correlation points and see where that leads. Yes, that’s data science, but it’s also an art.”

“The bigger the dataset is, the more potential there is that it’s hiding solutions to problems you may not even be focused on yet,” said Prevea’s Miller. “Having someone who can interpret the data and visualize it in a way that makes sense is

What is Big Data?

According to SAS, the North Carolina-based data management software firm, “Big data is a term that describes the large volume of data – both structured and unstructured – that inundates a business on a day-to-day basis. Big data can be analyzed for insights that lead to better decisions and strategic business moves.”

While the term “big data” is relatively new, the act of gathering and storing large amounts of information for eventual analysis is ages old.

The concept gained momentum in the early 2000s when industry analyst Doug Laney articulated the now-mainstream definition of big data as the three Vs: Volume. Organizations collect data from a variety of sources, including business transactions, social media and information from sensor or machine-to-machine data. In the past, storing it would’ve been a problem – but new technologies have eased the burden.

Velocity. Data streams in at an unprecedented speed and must be dealt with in a timely manner. RFID tags, sensors and smart metering are driving the need to deal with torrents of data in near-real time.

Variety. Data comes in all types of formats – from structured, numeric data in traditional databases to unstructured text documents, email, video, audio, stock ticker data and financial transactions.

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“Curiosity is what separates humans from computers. The challenge of managing data is being able to slice it and dice it to learn from it, and computers can’t do that. Computers don’t have curiosity.”

Your small business can’t afford to run on empty.

Gaurav Bansal, associate professor of management information systems, UW Green Bay a challenge. At the same time, you need people who can find the hidden correlations and opportunities within the data.

They need to find the solutions to problems that haven’t been identified yet.”

Bansal and Krohn said the program was designed to meet that critical need for multi-dimensional talent.

“The people we talked with at the beginning were very explicit about that fact that they were looking for individuals with analytical skills that combined statistics, programming and database management,” Bansal said. “They have to be able to find useful patterns in the data and make business sense of it.”

“Our industry leaders told us early in our designing of this degree that there are just not enough people who have the ‘whole package’ when it comes to data science,” Krohn said.

“There are many people trained in one or two areas of data science but there are very few people who are trained in all areas. The interdisciplinary approach to this degree is one of the strengths of our program.”

The program spans academic disciplines including courses on ethics, high performance computing and communications, as examples. Miller said health care organizations like Prevea have a critical need for individuals with cross-discipline skills and vision.

“Being able to understand what your data is telling you is critical,” Miller said. “Whether it’s related to cost cutting, standardizing care, improving quality or root cause analysis, your data can tell you a lot. However, partnering with other organizations with similar data can be a huge opportunity, allowing you to compare across organizations, states, countries or even the world. Clues can be hidden in your data and exposed when comparing it to others.”

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Facing the data challenges

Marco Vriens, La Crosse-based chief research officer for Ipsos MarketQuest and author of The Insights Advantage, said organizations like those his company serves face a wide variety of data challenges, including “what data to collect and analyze and how to analyze it, and then getting the firm to act on the data and insights it provides.”

The latter, he said, is often the biggest challenge. www.newnorthb2b.com

NNB2B | September 2016 | 25

Cover Story

Outlook for Data Scientists According to www.mastersindatascience.org, “Data scientists are big data wranglers. They take an enormous mass of messy data points (unstructured and structured) and use their formidable skills in math, statistics and programming to clean, massage and organize them. Then they apply all their analytic powers – industry knowledge, contextual understanding, and skepticism of existing assumptions – to uncover hidden solutions to business challenges.”

Data Scientist Salaries Glassdoor.com

Average Salary (2015): $118,709 per year Minimum: $76,000 Maximum: $148,000

PayScale.com

Median Salary (2015): $93,991 per year Total Pay Range: $63,524 to $138,123

Data Scientist Job Outlook

In an oft-cited 2011 big data study, McKinsey reported that by 2018 the U.S. could face a shortage of 140,000 to 190,000 “people with deep analytic skills” and 1.5 million “managers and analysts with the know-how to use the analysis of big data to make effective decisions.”

There are also some indications that the roles of data scientists and business analysts are beginning to merge. In certain companies, “new look” data scientists may find themselves responsible for financial planning, ROI assessment, budgets and a host of other duties related to the management of an organization.

WE MEAN

BUSINESS

One often-cited story in the world of data science involves the social media site LinkedIn, which in 2006 was growing but still struggling to maximize its growth. One recent addition to the team, a Stanford physics graduate named Jonathan Goldman, found patterns in LinkedIn’s data that he believed could dramatically accelerate its growth. However, The Harvard Business Review noted, “LinkedIn’s engineering team, caught up in the challenges of scaling up the site, seemed uninterested. Some colleagues were openly dismissive of Goldman’s ideas.”

Fortunately, the company’s top leadership gave Goldman the goahead to experiment with the data and Goldman ultimately launched LinkedIn’s “People You May Know” segment, which ignited LinkedIn’s growth trajectory skyward.

Miller noted that “healthcare is an industry that tends to change carefully, so it tends to be a bit late to the party in some areas, including analytics.

Healthcare creates a massive amount of data and we have just recently learned new ways we can use that data

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26 | September 2016 | NNB2B

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to improve the care our patients receive. Whether it’s looking at how care was provided and the resulting outcomes or how we can increase our capacity to see more patients while still providing the same high level of care, we need people that can see correlations and help our colleagues see them.”

The limits of automation

Much of the data management world touts the emerging technologies – both hardware and software – that help organizations manage their data, and some even suggest this evolution lessen the need for skilled data scientists. Miller doubts that will happen any time soon.

“This sounds like the standard ‘Will the computer or technology make your job obsolete?’ question. It’s difficult to answer in this case,” Miller said. “Looking at some of the cognitive learning capabilities out there, (computers) can already do a lot to identify the hidden links between causes and effects. However, currently we need to tell it what problem we are trying to solve. A good data science analyst will dynamically identify possible uses of the data and then be able to build visualizations that tell the story.”

Vriens agrees.

“I think the process will continue to be automated, but like with data analysis, it is very difficult to fully automate that,” Vriens said. “There are so many subjective choices that need to be made along the way that are context and business problem dependent.”

The promise delivered?

Used properly, Vriens said, data science holds the potential for companies to achieve “fast insights and real-time decision making,” but many remain reluctant.

Biskner said many businesses are reluctant to invest much in data science because they haven’t seen enough evidence that there’s a payoff.

“The technology part is easy,” Biskner said. “We’ve been collecting data for years, but what’s been missing for some people are the successes. People need to see those successes – the use cases that show what can be done.”

“I think we get closer to this all the time,” Miller said. “Like anything, most people stand on the shoulders of people before them and few make their own path and stand on new ground. As more new ground is uncovered, others can follow their lead and better understand how big data can be used to solve big issues.

“Making use of the data takes real focus and partnerships between the CIO/IT department and operations to understand the needs and produce valuable and actionable data. It takes vision to see data as a solution in industries like ours. If needed, take small steps so people can more easily follow you and build up a following before taking those bigger leaps.” n Rick Berg is a freelance writer and editor based in Green Bay.

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Enroll now. snc.edu/mba www.newnorthb2b.com

NNB2B | September 2016 | 27

Reaching New Heights “Form follows function – that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one...”

It’s a brilliant concept from a master architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, and a cornerstone of Frontier Builders & Consultants construction philosophy.

4The Kaukauna-based company truly connects with the philosophy that

form and function should be one as they combine creative design with existing and emerging design-build construction practices that transform their clients’ visions into solid structures. A integral part of that practice is a guaranteed hands-on approach.

“We look at every project as a new opportunity to work with and get to know our clients personally,” says Frontier Builders & Consultants Owner Jeff Stodola. “Buildings aren’t just construction projects to us. They are an extension of the relationship we create with our customers and a transformation of their goals and visions into a building that they can be proud of.”

That relationship is a pivotal part of Frontier Builders & Consultants construction process from beginning to end, according to Stodola. “New building construction and building additions can be a bit overwhelming for companies. Our approach is straightforward and easy to understand regardless of whether the client is in the manufacturing, commercial, health care, hospitality, faith-based or retail sector,” says Stodola.

“We work together with them to create solutions that address their operational and business needs. It’s really about establishing a comfort level and good working relationship.”

Prestige Auto Sales, Inc. - Brillion, 9,000 sq. ft. Building

Northland Labs - Ashwaubenon, 4,000 sq. ft. Addition

28 | September 2016 | NNB2B branded content / Frontier Builders & Consultants

www.newnorthb2b.com

Mod Tech Industries - Shawano 41,250 sq. ft. Manufacturing Building Addition

Breaking New Ground

24,000 sq. ft. Commercial Building

While business has been good in the Fox Valley area, Stodola points out that their crews will travel for the right projects like DreamPak, a liquid drink mix manufacturer out of New Berlin that recently broke ground on a new addition, as well as companies outside the state. “We are furnishing construction management services on a 22,000 sq. ft. office component to a manufacturing facility in Westfield, MA,” says Stodola.

Frontier Builders & Consultants and DreamPak representatives kick off construction on DreamPak’s 10,000 sq. ft. addition.

Whether in or outside Wisconsin, the Frontier Builders & Consultants team remains committed to bringing form and function together for their clients. “Frontier Builders was very helpful in suggesting ideas on our new addition that would improve areas of our workflow,” says Dave Waller, vice president of Rollmeister, Inc., a paper roll grinding and maintenance company out of Neenah. “The additional space is an important part of our future growth. They understood that and what we needed. We are very happy with how it came together. ”

Rollmeister - Neenah

13,655 sq. ft. Manufacturing Building Addition

Bringing Form and Function Together as One

FORM AND FUNCTION

Aislelogic - Saukville

Creative Construction with Experience Golden Harvest - Rhinelander, 7,000 sq. ft. Grocery Mart

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Finance

Growth

Stimulus The SBA recently reintroduced its 504 Refinance program, which many believe will provide added capital for small businesses to grow Story by Rick Berg

Green Bay-based WG&R Furniture has had an extended period of growth dating all the way back to the 1960s, but especially so over the past decade.

During that time the company opened new WG&R stores in Sheboygan and Fond du Lac; rolled out the Furniture Plus brand with stores in Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids and Stevens Point; added WG&R Sleep Shops in all its stores; and created the August Haven furniture specialty section in its Green Bay store.

That growth could have slowed considerably during the financial crisis of 2007 to 2009, when traditional business loans all but dried up, but WG&R President Jim Greene was able to use the U.S. Small Business Administration’s pilot 504 Refinance Program to refinance some of the company’s existing debt, freeing up capital for continued expansion and growth.

“There’s no question that lack of access to capital at that time would have been a huge constraint on our growth,” Greene said.

The 504 refinance program had been introduced as part of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 to help small businesses get access to capital, but it was allowed to expire in 2012. In those two years, nearly 3,000 small businesses applied for a total of $7 billion in refinancing.

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“It was a pilot program that was designed to provide shortterm relief through the downturn,” said Chris Allen, vice president of business services for Appleton-based Fox Communities Credit Union. “The 504 program itself has been around in various forms since the early (1980s). Historically the SBA 504 program was for ‘new money’ loans, as the program was designed to generate economic growth, with a strong focus on job creation.

“During the economic downturn, Congress authorized the SBA to expand this program to include refinancing of existing debt as a primary purpose of this program. This allowed financial institutions to partner with the SBA to restructure existing debt for small businesses and, in many cases, provide them with the cash-flow relief necessary to keep them viable through the downturn.”

Greene noted it as an appropriate act of government intervention.

“There is really no better way for government to help small business,” Green said. “The program reduced bank exposure, but it still required good underwriting, so it didn’t create winners and losers. It also ensured that the capital access created would be reinvested into the organization.”

Designed to free up capital

Fantastic 504 Refi Uses

3 Land Contracts

3 Subordinated seller debt coming due where the applicant is looking for a “take out.”

3 Evergreen line of credit that would benefit from a carve out, especially if the line of credit can be classified as “other secured debt.”

3 Debt which is cross collateralized or includes a lien on a personal residence the borrower wants released.

3 Variable rate loans the borrower is looking to fix for the long term.

3 Growing businesses where the line of credit needs don’t support the current balance sheet. 504 refi can help borrower access additional term working capital.

3 Strengthening a portfolio. Reduce industry concentration risk or free up lending capacity for borrowers nearing their legal lending limit with one institution.

SOURCE: Jason Monnett, vice president and senior loan officer, Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corp.

Though implemented more as a temporary emergency measure in the wake of the recession, the 504 Refinance program was relaunched as a standard, more permanent program late this past June.

“The reason SBA has historically not wanted to use the program to refinance existing debt is that they didn’t want to become a dumping ground for bad loans, thus shifting the risk from the financial institution to the taxpayer,” Allen said. “What we saw from the first incarnation of the 504 Refinance option was that, if structured properly, using the 504 to refinance existing debt can be a safe and effective tool.

We now have several years of data to support that the loans made under this program a few years ago are good performing loans. Thus the reason they brought it back again.”

“The program was really set up to allow borrowers to access the equity they had in fixed assets, such as equipment and real estate, to provide liquid capital, while minimizing the bank’s risk,” said Jason Monnett, vice president and senior loan officer in the Oshkosh office of Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corp.

Wisconsin Business Development – one of the SBA’s leading certified development companies in the country – helped with 140 refinance projects during the 2010-2012 iteration of the program, for a total of about $140 million in loans. Allen said Fox Communities’ experience was more limited last time, but he expects more participation this time around.

“With the first incarnation of the 504 refinance program, the window for participating in the program was very short because by the time they had the proper rules in place, there was only about a year to participate and we just didn’t have any projects that fit the mold at that time,” Allen said. “I do have a lot of experience with traditional 504s, though, and the

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Finance small businesses that participate in the program are generally very satisfied, as the program is designed to provide favorable financing for a longer period of time than is generally available in the marketplace.”

Monnett agreed that the 2010-2012 program took a while to get ramped up, largely because of the time required to establish rules and requirements. This time around, the rules are well established, he said.

Mark Maurer, vice president of business banking for Manitowoc-based Investors Community Bank, said he expects the 504 Refi program to be utilized more this time around.

“It did get off to a slow start last time around,” Maurer said. “There was some activity but not the activity everyone expected, but then it expired. The bugs have been worked out,”

Program benefits some more than others

Aside from meeting the basic requirement – owner-occupied property, loan being current for at least a year – some businesses will fit the profile of a good 504 refi candidate, said Steve Leaman, vice president of business banking at Horicon Bank in Fond du Lac. “I think the best opportunities are customers or prospects that have mortgages or equipment loans coming due in the near future, or those that have variable rate loans that could use the benefits of the 20-year or 10-year fixed-rate options,” Leaman said. “These fixed-rate options can help mitigate

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future interest rate risk while often producing immediate cash flow savings, which in turn should help allow businesses to further grow and expand. Access to capital is paramount to the small business owner, and for many borrowers the long-term fixed rates from the 504 program can have significant positive impact on the bottom line.”

Allen agrees the program will benefit some businesses more than others.

“There are two small business profiles that I think would benefit the most,” Allen said. “First, is a small business that has good growth prospects, but whose debt on their real estate or large equipment may not be structured correctly. The 504 refinance option will allow them to restructure their debt and provide some cash-flow relief so they can implement their growth strategy more effectively.”

“The second profile would be a small business that has a lot of equity tied up in their real estate or large equipment and need working capital to help with growth,” Allen added. “The 504 refinance option will potentially allow them to gain access to this working capital and get the cash resources they need to execute their growth strategy.”

Maurer said the ideal candidate for a 504 Refi loan is “a fast-growing company that needs to restructure its debt and preserve its capital.”

“The simplest and easiest way to finance a project is with a three-year balloon loan, but simplest and easiest isn’t always the best,” Maurer added. “There is more work involved with a 504 Refi loan, but it’s not onerous. And in the end you get a

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loan with long-term committed financing that’s very cash-flow friendly and recession-friendly.”

SBA 504 Refinance in a Nutshell Getting started

Most conversations about SBA’s 504 Refinance program will likely start with the company’s business banker, but will also likely include expert assistance from a certified development company such as WBD Finance.

Congress passed the 2016 Spending Bill which re-instated the U.S. Small Business Administration 504 Refinance program permanently as long as the 504 program is at zero subsidy.

“I think it’s important to start having the conversations today,” Leaman said. “Even though the program has now been made permanent, there are limits to the funds that are available. I think it’s important to sit down and take a look at their existing structure and to lay out the costs and the benefits of the program. What’s also interesting, unlike the traditional 504 loans, there are ways to include other business expenses, so it’s worth taking a look at the full picture to see how impactful a 504 refi could be.”

Eligibility

Monnett said the SBA has a 504 Debt Refinance Checklist that business owners can access “to make it easy to identify when a project is 504 Refi ready. Simply go down the list then make sure you can say yes to all of the applicable answers.”

Beyond that, he said, the business should work with its business banker and CDC to gather the documentation necessary.

“I think the program will ultimately become a very nice tool for small businesses and small business lenders,” Allen said.

“There are a couple of new requirements for the program that put a little more restriction on the use of funds, so this will hamper its efficacy initially, but the industry is voicing their opinions on what restrictions are not necessary and will limit the ability of the program to help. I’m confident SBA will take this feedback to heart and refine the program over the next few months and years, ultimately getting to a point where the program is another great SBA option for helping small businesses grow their impact on our economy.”

Maurer said the program’s best value is “helping a company structure its balance sheet for the long term. Instead of putting 20 to 25 percent of the capital into a project, it’s 10 percent. That preserves the capital of the company and that’s what’s needed to survive in today’s business world. There are always challenges. Whether the economy is doing well or not so well, there are always going to be curveballs being thrown at a company. This can help navigate them through those tough times.”

As a business owner, Greene said his experience suggests that the program can provide a significant boost for a growing company.

“I recommend it,” Green said. “It allows your bank to give you some additional lending capacity and allows you to borrow at a reduced rate, which can give you the ability to use that capital to continue your growth. The only drawback is that there is a little less flexibility in terms of adjusting the amortization schedule later on, but that’s offset by the favorable rates and the greater access to capital.” n

3 Borrower has been in operation for at least two years from the date of application.

3 Borrower tax returns verify there has been no change in ownership for the past two years.

3 Borrower will create or retain at least one fulltime employee for every $65,000 of 504 loan amount (based on 40 hour work week – for example, a $650,000 debenture would require at least 10 employees) or will meet an SBA Public Policy Goal (loan officer can provide assistance).

3 Borrower occupies 51 percent or more of project property at time of application.

Qualified Debt 3 Loan was incurred at least two years prior.

3 Loan has been current for past 12 months with no payment over 30 days past due.

3 Qualified Debt may consist of a combination of two or more loans.

3 At least 85 percent of original use of proceeds being refinanced was used to acquire a 504 eligible asset.

3 Loan being refinanced does not have an existing federal loan guaranty.

3 Loan being refinanced is not part of an existing 504 project.

Eligible Business Expenses 3 Expenses incurred but not paid prior to the date of the application and/or those expenses that will come due within 18 months.

3 Expenses incurred for “upkeep and maintenance” of the project property, or to purchase equipment. Upkeep and maintenance may include a new roof, repaving a parking lot, interior improvements such as flooring, redecorating, etc.

3 Borrower will certify funds will be used for business purposes and will provide evidence in support of certification (copies of invoices, payoff statements, etc.)

Ineligible Business Expenses:

3 Buy out of a partner; 3 Expansion of business (renovation of existing footprint is OK); 3 Business acquisition; 3 Pay off business debt in personal name.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration

Rick Berg is a freelance writer and editor based in Green Bay. www.newnorthb2b.com

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34 | September 2016 | NNB2B branded content / Camera Corner Connecting Point

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Retail

V V

oices isions &

A monthly conversation with New North small business owners, each shedding light on the local economy through the perspective of their industry sector.

His modest storefront on South Oneida Street in Appleton offers few hints at the unparalleled grocery selection within.

The sign reads “Meat, Liquor, Seafood,” and inside are the biggest steaks one can buy, hundreds of craft beers, and frozen foods that are downright exotic.

After leaving a career at Thrivent Financial in 2003, Niemuth and his wife, Louise, opened a market to give customers exactly what they ask for. Special orders and special cuts are expected and in high demand, with customers delighted for the variety and personal service larger stores often can’t offer. Niemuth’s also offers a strong lineup of cheese and sausages Wisconsin shoppers might expect, and a great many products cooked in the smoker right behind the wide deli counter. As Niemuth says, service is his specialty, and the meat business is in his bones.

How far do your customers travel?

We have regular customers from Two Rivers and Manitowoc for the seafood.

Some travel from Fond du Lac for the beer selection, and from Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids for our prime beef.

Richard Niemuth Niemuth’s Southside Market Appleton niemuths.com

I had a couple in last Christmas and one asked me if I had anything unusual in the store. I said, “I don’t know, is octopus, alligator or alligator brats, crawfish or rabbit, pheasant or quail unusual?”

Do folks enjoy a good octopus?

Octopi demand fluctuates. I stock baby and two-pounders but have filled orders for six- and eight-pounders. Swordfish is interesting in that the catch follows the phase of the moon. Full moon is when they catch the most.

Dark moons tend to have higher prices. We try to do fresh swordfish once a month depending on the price.

We keep 10 to 20 pounds of frog legs around with many being sold by the five-pound box. Bulk is cheaper than me packaging and pricing them individually. We also get fresh Florida frog legs, usually in February or March.

I often hear how surprised people are to see a selection like this in a smaller city. They never thought to see this variety north of Chicago.

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Where did you learn specialty retail?

I was born into the meat business. My father started the slaughter plant in Waupaca, Niemuth’s Steak and Chop Shop, in 1958 so he could feed his mink at his mink ranch. I worked in the meat department of four major grocery stores over a 10-year period in the 80s and early 90s. It was a great learning experience, in a different economy and with consumers with different expectations than now. The deli was nowhere near what we see today as far as selection. Fresh seafood was almost non-existent, but that is where I learned one of my most valuable lessons. I do different fresh seafood every day Tuesday through Friday.

One of the stores I worked in had fresh seafood but always the same stuff. If you watched people walk by the seafood case you could tell they had one of two thoughts: “How do I cook that? or “How long has it been there?” I solved both problems by having a chef on staff and by doing different seafood every day. That gives our customers the European market feel because they can get just what they need for today and know that something new will be available tomorrow.

How do you compete with large supermarkets?

Of course Big Grocery is a competitor, but I have things that they don’t. Fresh seafood, not “previously frozen,” except on a couple items.

With thick steaks, my normal cut is one inch thick and our cowboy rib eyes are usually two-and-a-half to three inches thick. Choice and prime graded beef cut thick, the way it should be. One of my Green Bay customers buys prime steaks here because we cut them the way they want.

The main reason you can’t find thick steaks, cold water or live lobster, prime beef or Chilean sea bass and many other items in the big stores is their size. How many hundred yards is it from the meat counter, or freezer door, to the checkout? Things can go missing in that distance.

I don’t monitor Big Grocery much on the meat side. The items I sell are of a far different quality than what they offer. When I do walk through, their prices are very close to mine. On beer, wine and liquor, we price competitively on the mass market stuff like domestic big beer, rail whiskey and vodka and box wines. They do have a quantity advantage on me on some liquors, but my advantage is in craft beer. I can get new stuff in when it is first released, where a big box store usually has to wait for a corporate office to approve and install an item taking several weeks sometimes.

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NNB2B | September 2016 | 37

Retail How has your selection changed over the years?

Beer is the biggest change, from the large industrial brewers to the small craft brewers. Some weeks I have 30 or more new beers coming in. Whiskey has been another growth area, again, with many small craft distillers coming to market and some high-end traditional whiskeys becoming impossible to get because of hoarders.

On the meat side we installed our own smokehouse two years ago and now make most of our own hams, bacon and sausage. We have five different hot sticks, with the Grimm Reaper being our hottest and most popular.

We also make venison sausage for deer hunters and smoke fish for the fishermen. For venison we make it in individual batches guaranteeing each hunter their own meat back.

Are there unreasonable requests from customers?

Customer buying is very diverse. We like to have a 60/40 split, or better, of food to alcohol. We do have an advantage in being able to offer a beer or wine recommendation to someone buying meat or seafood.

How do you market?

For my store, word of mouth is the best advertising. That’s why we try to offer the best products we can. I always tell customers that when you have 30 people sitting around the table, I want them to say, “Best meal ever, Mom!” We don’t have an active e-commerce presence at this time, but that is one thing that I am exploring because of the road construction that is scheduled for 2017 and 2018 in front of our store. We do post a blog on our website every week. There is also a virtual tour option so you can walk through our entire store and see what we are all about. n

We try our best to find unusual items that people ask for, but it’s an issue of demand. If I have to order 10 or 20 pounds to get something that someone wants a half pound or one pound of, then what do I do with the rest? It helps if you have family or friends that will help you buy the amounts I need to get something in.

Get the quality you expect and the flexibility you need with UW Oshkosh online programs.

Division of Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement (800) 633-1442

oce.uwosh.edu

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Growth Streaks

Northeast Wisconsin claims its spots on the 2016 Inc. 5,000 list Annual list of fastest growing private firms mentions a diverse sample from the region

2016 BUSINESS

Story by New North B2B staff Inc. magazine’s annual release of its sought-after Inc. 5,000 list of the nation’s fastest growing private companies was released in late August, and included four firms from our readership area, down from six a year ago and down from 10 companies in 2014.

The list measures a company’s gross revenue growth between 2012 and 2015 and stacks that measurement up against other privately-owned businesses in the United States. Wisconsin as a whole boasted a total of 53 companies on the list, down from 61 firms on the 2015 list. Here’s a look at the region’s accelerating companies making the Inc. 5,000 list for 2016 by order of rank:

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#3,843 Joining the list for its third year in a row, Vehicle Security Innovators of Green Bay (vsilocks.com), a security product provider for the transportation industry, made the list at No. 3,843 after being ranked at No. 3,305 in the 2015 listing. With a 3-year growth of 78 percent, VSI posted 2015 revenues of $11.1 million.

#4,197 #3,718 Inc. 5,000 mainstay Drexel Building Supply of Campbellsport (drexelteam. com) ranked No. 3,718 on the 2016 list following a showing at No. 4,024 in 2015. The building supply and home improvement retailer with locations in Berlin, Campbellsport, Kiel, Wrightstown, Sheboygan Falls and Brookfield has been named to the list a total of seven times since the Inc. 5,000 was launched in 2007, achieving its highest ranking at No. 311 in 2009.

The company reported 2015 receipts of $117.8 million, supporting its 3-year growth rate of 83 percent. Drexel Building Supply has more than 200 employees.

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Green Bay-based Cineviz made its debut to the Inc. 5,000 list at No. 4,197 with 2015 revenues of $3.9 million.

The experiential design company that engineers and creates engaging environments posted a 3-year rate of growth of 63 percent.

#4,659 Oshkosh-based Fox World Travel (gofox.com) was named to the prestigious list for its fourth consecutive year, clocking in at No. 4,659 with a 3-year growth of 51 percent after ranking No. 4,859 on Inc.’s 2015 list.

The travel management company recorded 2015 revenues of $22.3 million. n NNB2B | September 2016 | 39

Professionally Speaking

Professionally Speaking is a paid promotional spot in B2B.

Three Hand Conditions that Could Impact Employee Productivity

by Dr. Ben Zellner of Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists of Green Bay 920.430.8113 Whether it’s working at a computer, driving a commercial vehicle, or operating large equipment, full function of the hand and wrist is essential to many work-related responsibilities. This means over the years these areas could suffer from overuse, increasing the likelihood of developing a condition that could affect a person’s professional life.

One of the most well-known conditions is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which occurs when the median nerve becomes squeezed or compressed as it travels into the hand.

It causes pain and numbness in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. Symptoms might also include weakness and clumsiness of the hand that could reduce the ability to perform smaller movements and increase the likelihood of dropping things.

A second condition is De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis. Swelling of the tendons at the base of the thumb can cause pain and tenderness along the thumb side of the wrist. Symptoms are most often experienced while grasping or grabbing an object or when turning the wrist.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a third condition that could limit a person at work. When the ulnar nerve becomes compressed or stretched at the elbow joint, symptoms are typically felt in the hand and could include numbness, tingling, or pain in the pinky side. Additionally, people could experience a weakened grip or loss of finger coordination in activities like typing and buttoning clothing. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome could be caused by years of repeatedly bending the elbow or leaning on the elbow for long periods of time.

Splinting or bracing to allow the affected areas to rest and repair.

l

Taking anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and relieve pain.

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Modifying activities to avoid symptom aggravation.

l

The goal of any treatment plan is to relieve symptoms and restore function in the longterm so that patients can get back to work and back to life. Therefore, if symptoms stop responding to treatments or quality of life is significantly affected by pain and limited function, surgical options are available. Most of these surgeries can be performed in an outpatient surgical setting.

All three of these upper extremity conditions can be treated with non-surgical methods such as:

Ben Zellner, M.D., is a fellowship trained orthopedic hand surgeon who joined Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists of Green Bay in September 2016. To learn more about the hand and wrist care services available at OSMS, visit www.osmsgb.com.

NT s GE Need R U c For pedi o th Or

INJURED EMPLOYEE? When time is money, waiting weeks for an appointment isn’t good business.

Get superior care for your employees directly from an orthopedic physician.

Open Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm 2223 Lime Kiln Road • Green Bay Same Day MRI & Surgery if Necessary

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Professionally Speaking

Professionally Speaking is a paid promotional spot in B2B.

Coming Soon To Wisconsin: Public Benefit Corporations?

by Timothy J. Feldhausen of Davis & Kuelthau, s.c.

A recent push by organizations seeking to create sustainable business practices and encourage greater social responsibility by corporations could soon result in a change to Wisconsin’s business law structure. Wisconsin is one of the latest states to consider adopting legislation creating a new type of business entity commonly called a “benefit corporation.”

A benefit corporation is a for-profit corporation (but not a partnership or limited liability company) with specific additional purposes added to its Articles of Incorporation requiring certain specific public benefits to be considered by the board of directors and officers while acting on behalf of the corporation, in addition to maximizing profit. The wider purposes adopted by benefit corporations include

920.431.2225

serving the local community, environmental causes, employee well-being, and a wide array of other public benefits.

Since appearing on the U.S. legislative landscape in 2010, a total of 31 states have passed some form of benefit corporation legislation and many others are in the process of doing so. States enacting benefit corporation legislation have cited several benefits, including helping change the image of the corporate world, sustainable practices, and greater corporate transparency. It is likely only a matter of time before Wisconsin adopts some form of benefit corporation law to permit Wisconsin entrepreneurs to take advantage of these unique features.

If and when Wisconsin does create a separate class of benefit corporations, entrepreneurs will be able to create an entity which will enable them to attract investment from a growing class of investors who seek social and community benefits in addition to

monetary benefits. The flipside of this is that directors and officers of benefit corporations will be in uncharted territory with regard to the unique corporate governance issues involved in a benefit corporation. In any case, there will be a learning curve for how accountability of directors and officers in fulfilling a company’s socially-beneficial goals will be handled. New business owners will need to weigh carefully the advantages and disadvantages of the traditional versus the benefit corporation in determining the right entity for their new business.

Timothy J. Feldhausen is an attorney with the law firm of Davis & Kuelthau in Green Bay. His practice areas include complex business matters, including asset and stock purchase transactions, licensing, transportation, franchising and dealership issues. He can be reached at tfeldhausen@dkattorneys.com or 920.431.2225.

Easy ways the community can benefit from your estate

by Karlene Grabner of Oshkosh Area Community Foundation 920.426.3993

Each fall, a majority of people in the workplace are asked to participate in open enrollment for benefits like health care, retirement and life insurance. This is a great time to review beneficiaries for these and other types of assets, says Jeff Miles, personal risk advisor at McClone Agency in Oshkosh.

What many of us don’t realize is how simple it can be to designate a portion of our estates to causes we’re passionate about. Several types of assets can be designated for the community without getting an attorney or financial planner involved, simply by naming the Foundation as a beneficiary.

It all starts with a conversation with your significant other, Miles suggests. In most cases, a spouse must sign off on a change in beneficiaries.

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Some simple ways to designate assets to a charity include: Retirement plan: Retirement assets are among the highest taxed assets in any estate, which makes them a great candidate for charitable giving, Miles says. You can decrease the estate tax burden on your heirs by designating all or a portion of your retirement plan for charitable purposes.

Life insurance: By naming the Foundation as a full or partial beneficiary of an existing policy, any proceeds distributed to the Foundation will be exempt from estate tax and create a legacy in your name. Miles suggests buying a little more insurance than you need as a relatively low-cost way to increase the impact of your legacy.

Bank accounts: This includes cash and investments, which will be subject to federal and state estate taxes upon your death.

Many institutions offer a transfer on death designation that allows you to name a

beneficiary and avoid probate.

Health Savings Account (HSA): Your choice of a beneficiary makes a big difference in how an HSA will be treated after you’re gone. To be sure the balance does not become taxable income upon death, consider naming the Foundation as a beneficiary.

Request a Change of Beneficiary/Ownership Form from your account representative to review and change your designations. Simply list “Oshkosh Area Community Foundation” or a specific fund at the Foundation, as a beneficiary. For a full list of our funds, visit www.OshkoshAreaCF.org/donor_faf.cfm.

Karlene Grabner is the Donor Services Director with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation.

Grabner engages donors to build bridges between charitable interests and community needs. Reach her at Karlene@OshkoshAreaCF.org or 920-426-3993.

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Who’s News

Incorporations

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

Brown County

Instantcashforproperty LLC, Alexander Peck, 3574 Mighty Oak Tr., Green Bay 54313.

Sunrise Transportation LLC, Tru Vang, 735 E. Walnut St., Green Bay 54301.

First Quality Care Home LLC, Michelle Honzik, 1452 Lindale Lane, Green Bay 54313.

Drywall Consulting Services LLC, Mark Loch, 1191 Cottage Grove Ave., Green Bay 54313.

Caesar’s Palace of Green Bay LLC, Michael James Schwantes, 319 N. Broadway, Green Bay 54303.

El Tapatio Bar & Grill LLC, Louie A. Sutto, 1725 University Ave., Green Bay 54302.

Clean For You Professional Cleaning LLC, Eduardo Guzman, 1328 St. Claire St., Green Bay 54301.

Cleaning Professional Solutions LLC, Blanca G. Gonzalez Rodriguez, 1552 Ellis St., Green Bay 54302.

Lombardi Auto Mart LLC, William Thayse, 1545 Cornell Road, Unit 23, Green Bay 54313.

Zellner Landscaping LLC, Angeline M. Zellner, 2061 Hillside Lane, Green Bay 54302.

Tomchek Farms LLC, James Richard Tomchek, 14140 Velp Ave., Suamico 54173.

Fond du Lac County

On All Floors LLC, David Lauber, Jr., N1059 River Dr., Campbellsport 53010.

Dental Comfort Systems INC., Brenda R. Dejong, N235 County Road W, Campbellsport 53010.

Breezy Hill Beef Farms LLP, Matthew Baumhardt, 112 Pine St., Eden 53019.

Swept Away Office Cleaning LLC, Ilenia M. Escamilla, 550 Van Dyne Road, Lot 54, Fond du Lac 54937.

Yaya Sisters Boutique LLC, Yvonne Mack, W3667 Schuster Lane, Malone 53049.

Kraus Dairy LLC, Jacob Michael Kraus, W2320 Redwood Road, Mount Calvary 53057.

China One of Ripon INC., Feng Jiao Huang, 821 W. Fond du Lac St., Ripon 54971.

Adam’s Remodeling Services LLC, Adam Yeomans, 622 Watson St., Ripon 54971.

Peerless Well & Pump INC., Scott A. De Young, 1212 Storbeck Dr., Waupun 53963.

Outagamie County

Concierge Wealth Management LLC, Ellen Marie Klug, 1835 E. Edgewood Dr., Ste. 105, Appleton 54913.

Triple P’s Bar LLC, Paul A. Kastning, 1629 Rachel Lane, Appleton 54913.

Hi-Tech Business Furnishings INC., Brandon J. Taff, 1950 S. Van Dyke Road, Appleton 54914.

Shalhoub Marketing Group LLC, William J. Shalhoub, 1124 W. Ridgeview Dr., Appleton 54914.

Craig’s Blacktop Solutions LLC, Sara Lillge, 3600 French Road, #43, Appleton 54913.

Build-Rite Services LLC, Dennis Dean Shepherd, Jr., 1323 W. Hiawatha Dr., Appleton 54914.

Temporary Furnished Housing LLC, Scott J. Hrncirik, 407 W. Franklin St., Appleton 54912.

Rubisela’s Chicago Grill INC., Rubisela Salazar Villalpando, 110 S. Locust St., Appleton 54914.

Van Hoof & Schneider Law Firm LLC, Casey Schneider, 1419 S. Riverdale Dr., Appleton 54914.

Beautique Suites LLC, Tonya Conrad, 400 N. Richmond St., Apt. 326, Appleton 54911.

Oak Tree Textiles LLC, Christine Marie Armstrong, 907 W. Browning St., Appleton 54914.

Lemur Productions & Event Services LLC, Chris Robert MacEwen, 1630 Holland Road, Appleton 54911.

Trigger Action Sports LLC, George Butz, Sr., 1311 Colony Ct., Appleton 54915.

LeFevre Business Solutions LLC, Heather Lynn LeFevre, N1897 Swanee Cir., Greenville 54942.

Breathsaver Lifesaving Courses LLC, David Edward Henson, N1507 Forest Glen Dr., Greenville 54942.

T&D Electrical Services LLC, Todd R. Wilkes, W916 County Road CE, Kaukauna 54130.

The Tree Amigos LLC, Rick Dercks, N2317 Meadow Creek Ct., Kaukauna 54130.

Fulton Home Building And Remodeling LLC, Brent Fulton, 405 E. Pearl St., Seymour 54165.

Winnebago County

Bellaruth Studio LLC, Kelsey Lynn Kettner, 792 Winneconne Ave., Neenah 54956.

Appleton Motorsports INC., Kirk Ecklund, 6991 State Road 76, Neenah 54956.

Rosewood Homes LLC, Rhonda Elizabeth Ellenberger, 1150 Glenayre Dr., Neenah 54956.

McNiel Family Dentistry S.C., Mark McNiel, 250 N. Green Bay Road, Neenah 54956.

K Western Farming & Ranching LLC, Mariah Gaybrielle Vanderleest, 3375 State Road 116, Omro 54963.

investing in children is good for our economy Learn how at a FREE screening of the provocative documentary: Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of our Nation. www.raisingofamerica.org

Featuring Guest Speaker, Mark Tyler President, OEM Fabricators • Regent, UW System Chair, Governors Council on Workforce Investment

September 22, 2016 • 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Registration 7:00 – 7:30 a.m.

Oshkosh Convention Center • Continental Breakfast

Sponsored in part by Oshkosh Area United Way

42 | September 2016 | NNB2B

Please call 44º North at 426.1970 or email Lynn at lynn@fortyfournorth.com to RSVP www.newnorthb2b.com

Coats Farm LLC, Terry E. Coats, 4314 O’Reilly Road, Omro 54963.

Naturalfantasyart LLC, Richard David Wheatley, 763A Bowen St., Oshkosh 54901.

Kampo Heating LLC, Timothy J. Kampo, 7204 Clarks Point Road, Winneconne 54986.

North Shore Surgical Suites LLC, Jarod M. Dain, 203 S. 2nd Ave., Winneconne 54986.

Building permits

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

The Mission Church Inc., 314 N. Appleton St., Appleton. $490,000 for a 4,115-sq. ft. addition to the existing church. General contractor is Frontier Builders & Consultants of Kaukauna. July 6.

Festival Foods/University Avenue Center, 2400 University Ave., Green Bay. $8,000,000 for an 80,000-sq. ft. grocery store. General contractor is Rodac LLC of Ashwaubenon. July.

Pick’n Save, 2064 Lime Kiln Road, Bellevue. $598,829 for interior renovations to the existing grocery store. General contractor is Immel Construction Co. of Green Bay. July 7.

Pick’n Save, 1819 Main St., Green Bay. $510,682 for an interior remodel of the existing grocery store. General contractor is Immel Construction Co. of Green Bay. July.

City of Oshkosh Sewage Plant, 926 Dempsey Tr., Oshkosh. $569,280 for a 280-sq. ft. addition to the entrance and a renovation of the existing structure. General contractor is Capelle Bros. & Diedrich of Fond du Lac. July 8.

Seura, 1230 Ontario Road, Green Bay. $450,000 for a 15,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacturing facility. General contractor is Heyrman Construction Co. of Ashwaubenon. July.

Heyrman Printing/Green Bay Blue, 2083 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon. $540,000 for a 4,900-sq. ft. addition to the existing printing facility. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna. July.

American Prosthetic Components, 900 Ontario Road, Green Bay. $720,000 for a 14,268-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacturing facility. General contractor is Schuh Construction of Seymour. July.

McDonald’s, 2340 S. Oneida St., Ashwaubenon. $1,316,700 for a new 5,300-sq. ft. restaurant building. General contractor is McKee Associates of Madison. July 20.

Aurora Baycare, 2845 Greenbriar Road, Green Bay. $12,794,649 for a 4-story addition to the surgery center at the existing hospital. General contractor is Boldt Construction Co. of Appleton. July.

Relax.

We’ve got you covered.

For all your commercial, industrial, and institutional roofing needs.

Oshkosh Community YMCA, 324 Washington Ave., Oshkosh. $9,707,000 for a 55,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing community center and various interior renovations. General contractor is Miron Construction Co. of Fox Crossing. July 21.

St. Vincent Hospital, 835 S. Van Buren St., Green Bay. $2,500,000 for a 3-story addition to the existing hospital. General contractor is Samuels Group Inc. of Wausau. July.

Kwik Trip, 2282 S. Ridge Road, Ashwaubenon. $900,000 for a substantial overhaul of the existing service station for a new convenience store. Contractor listed as self.

July. www.newnorthb2b.com

866-799-0530 | N2971 Hwy. 15, Hortonville

www.wiroofer.com

NNB2B | September 2016 | 43

Who’s News

Suttner ACCOUNTING

Walmart, 2292 Main St., Bellevue. $400,000 for various interior renovations to the existing department store. Contractor is Prestige Contracting Inc. of Illinois. July 28.

Kaldas Center for Fertility, Surgery & Pregnancy, 701 S. Nicolet Road, town of Grand Chute. $1,500,000 for an 11,290-sq. ft. medical clinic. General contractor is C.D. Smith Construction Inc. of Fond du Lac. August 4.

New locations Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists of Wisconsin opened an Allergy & Asthma Center at 119 E. Bell St. in Neenah. The center is managed by Dr. Christopher Mjaanes. More information is available online at www.theallergyasthmacenter.com or by calling 920.969.1768.

Sports Gaming Association moved into the Advance Business & Manufacturing Center at 2701 Larsen Road in Green Bay. The office can be reached by calling 920.615.5369 or by emailing aaronl@sportsgamingassociation.com.

Pediatric Dentistry Clinic and Family Dental Center of Green Bay moved into a new office at 2609 Development Dr. in Bellevue.

Name changes Austin Straubel International Airport in Ashwaubenon changed its name to Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport.

Mergers/acquisitions Stephanie Geurts, CPA Partner sjg@suttnercpa.com 920.235.6789

Tax Planning & Preparation Financial Statements Bookkeeping/Write Up Payroll Services Visit suttnercpa.com/client services for a more complete list of services

Oshkosh-based Windward Wealth Strategies merged together with Caissa Wealth Strategies of Minneapolis to form a shared registered investment advisory. Each firm will continue to operate under its existing name and management.

Alwin Manufacturing of Green Bay purchased Rowley Tool Corp. in Green Lake, a manufacturer of punch press tooling, weld fixturing, assembly machines and special material handling equipment for the manufacturing industry.

Business honors Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Foundation presented nine companies from the state with a 2016 Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award, including Eden Stone Company, Inc. of Eden with an Environmental Stewardship honor and Fox River Fiber of De Pere with an Environmental Innovation recognition.

New hires Agnesian HealthCare in Fond du Lac added Taha El-Shahat, M.D. as a hospitalist at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac; Steven Sobeck, M.D. as an anesthesiologist at St. Agnes Hospital; Shahriar Alizadegan, M.D. as a vascular surgeon at Fond du Lac Regional Clinic; and Dr. Robert Bertram and Dr. Sarika Parikh, both as podiatrists at Agnesian Clinic Ripon and Waupun Memorial Hospital.

Quality ❘ Value ❘ Timeliness 44 | September 2016 | NNB2B

BayCare Clinic in Green Bay added Dr. Gerald W. Eckardt as a neurosurgeon and Dr. Katie Lloyd and Dr. Zechariah Spychalla as emergency physicians. Aurora Health Care in Oshkosh added Anthony Herrera, M.D. as a surgeon, Patricia Morales, M.D. as a family physician, Rafal Ciecierski, M.D. as a nephrologist and Nicholas Buss, M.D. as a cardiologist. www.newnorthb2b.com

Kowalkowski

Woodward

LaFrombrois

Grunewald

Hecht

The law firm von Briesen & Roper, s.c. added attorneys Frank W. Kowalkowski and William S. Woodward as shareholders in the firm’s Green Bay office and Benjamin D. LaFrombois as a shareholder in its Appleton office. Kowalkowski has particular experience in construction law and federal Indian law. He developed the curriculum for the Construction Law and Builder Qualifier courses at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay. Woodward has significant experience in business law, real estate law, and has particular experience representing automotive dealerships. LaFrombois practices business law and has significant experience in the management of private and public strategic initiatives, as well as the food industry. He previously served as vice president and general counsel for WOW Logistics Company in Appleton.

events manager. Doyle most recently worked at UW Green Bay as a university services program associate.

Miron Construction Co. in Fox Crossing hired Jeff Grunewald as a corporate trainer; Henry Hecht as a project manager; Michelle Tuley as a payroll professional; and Jared Ott as a project accountant.

Grunewald has 10 years of construction experience, having previously worked as a technology teacher in public education. Hecht most recently worked as a project engineer at Kiewit Infrastructure Co. in Omaha. Tuley previously worked at Tradesmen International in Milwaukee as an administrative assistant to payroll, while Ott served as a project accountant for an area construction company.

Homeless Connections in Appleton hired Samantha Uitenbroek as its volunteer and special events coordinator. Uitenbroek most recently worked in customer service and purchasing at Crane Engineering Sales in Kimberly.

Schenck SC hired Kristy Kolpack, CPA as a manager in the firm’s Appleton office. Kolpack has more than 10 years of public accounting experience, with a focus on federal and multistate taxation issues.

Kolpack previously worked as a tax director for a Big Four national accounting firm.

Tuley

Ott

Neenah-based First National Bank – Fox Valley hired Aaron Vosters as senior vice president of retail banking. Vosters has 18 years experience in the financial industry, most recently as a district manager at First Merit Bank.

Northern Electric, Inc. in Green Bay hired Katelyn Conard as an assistant project manager and estimator.

Menasha-based Network Health hired Coreen Dicus-Johnson as its president and chief executive officer. Dicus-Johnson most recently served as president of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare’s Central Market on the south side of Milwaukee, where she led Franklin and St. Francis hospitals, Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital and Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group. Prior to that, she held senior leader roles at Wheaton Franciscan in physician and revenue operations, payer contracting and payer relations.

University of Wisconsin Green Bay hired Douglas A. Hensler as dean of its Austin E. Cofrin School of Business and hired Jacob Depas as a development director. Hensler will also serve as special assistant to the chancellor for business partnerships. Hensler most recently served as provost of the Naval Postgraduate School in California. Prior to that role, he served as dean of the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University in Kansas. Depas recently served as a major gift officer at Carthage College in Kenosha.

Hensler

Depas

Appleton-based ThedaCare added Allison Stephenson as a family nurse practitioner in Oshkosh; Gregory W. Kirwan, D.O. as an orthopedic surgeon in Neenah; Patricia Martins as a nurse practitioner at Encircle Health in Appleton; and Anthony Marquis, M.D. as a hospitalist at both of its Appleton and Neenah medical centers.

H.J. Martin and Son in Green Bay hired Elizabeth Crain as a commercial interior sales and project management specialist, Breanna Reed as a designer, and Sam Sikorsky as an estimator in the company’s residential division.

Bayland Buildings, Inc. in Green Bay hired Brian Peters as a project executive serving the Fox Valley and Green Bay areas. Peters

Greater Green Bay Chamber hired Micky Doyle as special

Crain

Reed

www.newnorthb2b.com

Sikorsky

Kolpack

Vosters

Uitenbroek

Conard

NNB2B | September 2016 | 45

Who’s News

Koziczkowski

Schneider

Lowe

Hackbarth

Christensen

has more than 20 years experience in the construction industry, having previously worked for Omni Glass and Paint as a project manager and sales representative.

has been with Bayland four years and has 24 years experience in the construction industry.

Enlighten Financial LLC in Green Bay hired Kathy Fries as a manager. Fries has nearly 15 years experience in the banking industry, working for community banks and a larger regional bank on credit analysis, underwriting and loan review.

Thrivent Financial transferred Jason Lowe to its Oshkosh office as a financial representative from Joplin, Mo. Lowe has 27 years of business experience.

Oshkosh-based Omni Glass & Paint, Inc. hired Alan Poepping as its safety and risk manager. Poepping has 17 years of safety experience in heavy industrial, construction and waste management industries.

Consolidated Construction Company in Appleton hired architect Ken Koziczkowski to its design team. Koziczkowski has 24 years experience in building design with a particular focus on senior living environments.

Promotions Wipfli LLP in Green Bay appointed Pam Schneider to the role of firmwide talent and culture partner. Schneider has been a partner with the firm’s estate planning group since 2006, and will continue to serve as the firm’s director of estate planning.

ThedaCare in Appleton promoted Suzie Sokulski to director of cancer services and Laura Reed to chief operating officer. Sokulski has been with ThedaCare for 21 years and is a registered nurse by training. Reed has served as chief nursing executive with ThedaCare and will continue that role in addition to serving as COO. Fond du Lac-based Fox Valley Savings Bank promoted Angela Boehning to assistant vice president and director of human resources, Celeste Snyder to assistant vice president and chief credit analyst, and Steven Walber from vice president and chief credit officer of business banking to executive officer.

Bayland Buildings in Green Bay promoted Jon Mathu to project executive. Mathu

46 | September 2016 | NNB2B

First National Bank – Fox Valley in Neenah promoted Chad Hackbarth to commercial credit analyst. Hackbarth joined the bank in 2015 as a relationship banker.

Woodward Radio Group in Appleton promoted Heather Storm to music director for three of its stations – WKSZ/WKZY 92, 95.9 KISS-FM and WKZG 104.3 FM. Storm has been with Woodward for more than six years and has 10 years of industry experience.

McCarty Law LLP in Appleton promoted Kristy A. Christensen to partner in the firm. Christensen has been with McCarty since 2006 and leads the firm’s mediation practice.

Individual honors Jennifer Endries, academic dean at Rasmussen College in Green Bay, received the 2016 Nancy A. Felhofer Leadership Award from Management Women, Inc.

Coming to B2B in October 2016 Downtown Heroes

Enthusiastic business owners who help central city retail districts thrive

www.newnorthb2b.com

Invest in the next big thing.

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Recognized for its engineering excellence and innovation, energybank is expanding its presence in the LED market.

With successful installations at leading auto dealerships such as Mike Burkart Ford, David Hobbs Honda, Gandrud Auto Group, and Kolosso Chrysler; in manufacturing giants P&G, Kohler Engine, GE and other companies around the country, energybank has built a foundation for strong growth in the multibillion dollar LED market.

Offering a suite of patented products made here in Wisconsin and with an experienced team of professionals led by Neal Verfuerth – whose inventions and products are in use at 150 of the Fortune 500 – our future looks very bright, indeed.

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Governor’s New Product of the Year Engineering Excellence

Product of the Year Lighting Category

Award of Excellence – Innovation Wisconsin Chapter

energybankled.com © 2016 energybank logo is a trademark of Energy Bank Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Business Calendar

Business calendar

New North B2B encourages businesses and organizations looking to attract interested persons to upcoming events to email sean@newnorthb2b.com.

September 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.

September 7 Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Coffee Connection, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Annie’s Fountain City Café, 72 S. Main St. in Fond du Lac. For more information, call 920.921.9500 or email info@fdlac.com.

September 8 Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Social Hub, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the chamber building, 120 Jackson St. in Oshkosh. Topic is “Using Twitter to Grow your Business.” No cost to attend for chamber members. For more information, call 920.303.2266 or go online to www.oshkoshchamber.com.

September 8 Women in Management – Oshkosh Chapter monthly meeting, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at La Sure’s Banquet Hall, 3125 S. Washburn St. in Oshkosh. For more information or to register, go online to www.wimiwi.org or email Anne at anne@steinertprinting.com.

September 8 Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m. at Anduzzi’s Sports Club, 800 S. Washington St. in Kimberly. No charge for members.

For more information or to register, visit www.heartofthevalleychamber.com or call 920.766.1616.

September 13 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.

September 15 Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Business Connection, 5 to 7 p.m. at Thrivent Financial, 4321 N. Ballard Road in Appleton. For more information or to register, contact Pam at receptionist@foxcitieschamber.com.

September 15 Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce and Fox West Chamber of Commerce co-hosted Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m. at Appleton Yacht Club, 1200 S. Lutz Dr. in Appleton. No charge for members. For information or to register, visit www. heartofthevalleychamber.com or call 920.766.1616.

September 20 Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Business Connection, 5 to 7 p.m. at Grande, 250 Camelot Dr. in Fond du Lac. For more information, call 920.921.9500 or email info@fdlac.com.

September 20 Network Neenah, 5 to 7 p.m. at The Reserve Ballroom, 116 S. Commercial St. in Neenah. No cost to attend, but registration is preferred by calling 920.722.1920 or emailing info@neenah.org.

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT Register Online at www.oce.uwosh.edu

Lead instructor of the course: William Bowman, CPA, President & Senior Advisor of AEGIS Financial (Branch Manager RJFS)

Join us this fall for...

Morning Sessions: Thursdays from 9–11 Oct. 6–Nov. 10

UWO Appleton Executive Education Center

ARE YOU FINANCIALLY READY FOR YOUR FUTURE?

This course is designed for baby boomers & those approaching retirement.

YOU CAN DEVELOP A PLAN TO: • • • • • •

Assess your retirement income needs and how to meet your goals Understand your investment choices & how they may increase your returns Use federal tax laws to your advantage Make wise use of your employer-provided benefits Help protect yourself and your family from economic catastrophes Transfer your possessions to the next generation

Evening Sessions:

Tuesdays from 6–8 Sept. 27 – Nov. 1, 2016 UW Oshkosh Sage Hall

48 | September 2016 | NNB2B

A N

I N D E P E N D E N T

F I R M

- AEGIS Financial is an Independent Firm located at 530 N. Koeller Street Oshkosh, WI 54902, phone number is 920.233.4650.

- Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. - Investment Advisory Services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax advice. You should discuss any tax matters with the appropriate professional.

- Raymond James is not affiliated with the University of Wisconsin or von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

www.newnorthb2b.com

September 22 “Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of our Nation,” a screening of the documentary and discussion of the economic impact of investing in children, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Oshkosh Convention Center, 2 N. Main St. in Oshkosh. No cost to attend, but registration is preferred by calling 920.426.1970 or emailing lynn@ fortyfournorth.com.

September 22 A.M. Oshkosh, a morning networking event from the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, 7:45 to 9 a.m. at Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh, 225 N. Eagle St. in Oshkosh. Cost is $2. For more information or to register, call 920.303.2266 or go online to www. oshkoshchamber.com.

September 28 Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m. at The Bank of Kaukauna, 264 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Kaukauna. No charge for members.

For more information or to register, visit www.heartofthevalleychamber.com or call 920.766.1616.

October 4 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.

October 11 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. n

Our team helps businesses large and small to achieve their goals with financial solutions customized to fit their current and future needs.

Mike Dempsey

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For better banking, think First www.BankFirstNational.com www.newnorthb2b.com

Thank you to the advertisers who made the September 2016 issue of New North B2B possible.

Aegis Financial ⎮aegisfinancialplanners.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Appleton International Airport ⎮atwairport.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Bank First National ⎮bankfirstnational.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Bayland Buildings ⎮baylandbuildings.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Borsche Roofing Professionals ⎮wiroofer.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Camera Corner Connecting Point ⎮cccp.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Candeo Creative ⎮candeocreative.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Capital Credit Union ⎮capitalcu.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Consolidated Construction Company ⎮1call2build.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 CR Structures Group ⎮crstructures.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. ⎮dkattorneys.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Dynamic Designs ⎮dynamicdesignspulaski.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 energybank ⎮energybankinc.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 First National Bank ~ Fox Valley ⎮fnbfoxvalley.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Fox Communities Credit Union ⎮foxcu.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Fox Valley Savings Bank ⎮fvsbank.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Frontier Builders & Consultants ⎮ frontierbuildersandconsultants.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Guident Business Solutions ⎮guidentbusinesssolutions.com. . . . . . . . 8 James J. Calmes & Sons Construction ⎮ JamesJCalmesConstruction.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Kaldas Center for Fertility, Surgery & Pregnancy, S.C. ⎮ kaldascenter.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Keller Inc. ⎮kellerbuilds.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 McMahon Group ⎮mcmgrp.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Millennium Construction Inc. ⎮millenniumconstructionwi.com. . . . . . 31 Moraine Park Technical College ⎮morainepark.edu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 National Exchange Bank & Trust ⎮nebat.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Network Health ⎮meetnetworkhealth.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 NEW Building & Construction Trades Council ⎮newbt.org. . . . . . . . . . 17 NEW Business Summit ⎮newbizsummit.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 NWTC Corporate Training & Economic Development ⎮ corporatetraining.nwtc.edu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists of Green Bay ⎮ osmsgb.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Oshkosh Area Community Foundation⎮oshkoshareacf.org. . . . . . . . . . 41 Prevea 360⎮prevea360.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 St. Norbert College MBA program ⎮snc.edu/go/mbasnc . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Strang, Patteson, Renning, Lewis & Lacy ⎮strangpatteson.com. . . . . 26 Suttner Accounting ⎮suttnercpa.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 UW Oshkosh College of Business ⎮uwosh.edu/mba. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Verve, a Credit Union ⎮verveacu.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Village of Hobart⎮hobart-wi.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Winnebago County Solid Waste Management ⎮ www.co.winnebago.wi.us/solid-waste/container-rental-program. . . 7

NNB2B | September 2016 | 49

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

u.s. retail sales

Per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline.

local unemployment

july

august 21. . . . . . . . . $2.20 august 14. . . . . . . . . $2.20 august 7. . . . . . . . . . $2.21 july 31. . . . . . . . . . . . $2.21 august 21, 2015. . . . $2.82

$457.7 billion Unch. from June 2.3% from July 2015

Source: New North B2B observations

existing home sales

u.s. industrial production

july

(2012 = 100)

homes sold median price brown cty . .....................308 . ....................$164,900 Fond du Lac cty ............145 . ....................$142,000 outagamie cty ..............227 . ....................$143,000 winnebago cty . ............238 . ....................$140,000 WI Dept. Revenue Collections

June 2016 collections from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue were not released as of B2B press time.

july

104.9

0.7% from June 0.5% from July 2015 air passenger TRAFFIC (Local enplanements)

july 2016 july 2015 Appleton Int’l ATW.....................22,086 . ...... 22,081 Austin Straubel GRB..................... 27,263 . ...... 29,959

june may june ‘15 Appleton ........4.4% .......3.7% . ...... 4.3% Fond du Lac ....4.3% .......3.5% . ...... 4.9% Green Bay........4.5% ...... 4.0% . ...... 5.0% Neenah ............4.4% .......3.7%..........4.7% Oshkosh ..........4.5% ...... 3.9% . ...... 5.2% Wisconsin ......4.4% ...... 3.8% . ...... 4.8%

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

august....................... $0.353 july..............................$0.375 august 2015...............$0.378 Source: Wisconsin Public Service

ism index Numbers above 50 mean expansion.

Numbers below 50 mean contraction. july. . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.6 june. . . . . . . . . . . . . 53.2

Building Trust Since 1960

featuring Kaukauna High School

www.kellerbuilds.com 50 | September 2016 | NNB2B

www.newnorthb2b.com

Leadership Academy for Front Line Production Workers

Six tuesday sessions Sept 27 – Nov 8 The Academy’s six, four-hour courses include: Conflict Resolution Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Working as a High Performing Team

The Peer Leader Behavioral Based Safety Lean Overview

https://corporatetraining.nwtc.edu | corporatetraining@nwtc.edu | (920) 498-6373

Skills You Need for Results You Deserve!