JUNE 2015 The Active Voice Newsletter by Portage County Business Council, Inc.

06.2015 \\ PORTAGE COUNTY, WISCONSIN

upcoming EVENTS \\

PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL WELCOMES TODD KUCKKAHN AS INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SMALL BUSINESS X-CHANGE Wednesday, June 10, 2015 \\ 7:30 A.M. - 8:30 A.M. Portage County Business Council | Foundation Room 5501 Vern Holmes Dr | Stevens Point, WI 54482

» REGISTER

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Monday, June 15, 2015 \\ 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. Community Insurance & Associates 5474 Hwy 10 E Ste. 2 | Stevens Point, WI 54482

» REGISTER

BUSINESS-EDUCATION SUMMIT Wednesday, June 17, 2015 \\ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. MSTC, Stevens Point Campus 1001 CenterPoint Drive | Stevens Point, WI 54481

» REGISTER

WOMEN IN BUSINESS Thursday, June 25, 2015 \\ 11:15 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. SentryWorld Sports Center in the Grand Hall (upper level) 601 N. Michigan Ave | Stevens Point, WI 54481

» REGISTER

PCBC OFFICE CLOSED-HOLIDAY Friday, July 3, 2015 \\ ALL DAY Independence Day Observance

It’s been just about a week since I’ve started in my new position. My first order of business was a Board of Directors meeting. You might think a Board meeting might not be that exciting, however we heard some great reports from our partners about what is new in the community. There are, of course, challenges we all must face that impact us regarding the state budget and other facets of our business world. At the board meeting, there was news about workforce development strategic planning. A groundwater summit is leading to some SMART goals to address that issue. Several new businesses are up and running, or soon to be, throughout Portage County. UWSP admissions numbers for the fall are strong. Tourism continues to be a key component in our economy— smile and help when you see someone who appears “lost”! The golf outing season is in full swing (pun intended) and ours just happened. Thanks for your support! Attila Weninger, Stevens Point Schools Superintendent, gave a state of the schools report that was fascinating and impressive. What impressed me most, though, was the passion of those who shared their thoughts and challenges and the board members in the room who help direct us in our work. We have a strong purpose here. I’ve started my meetings with stakeholders to learn more about what you do and how the Portage County Business Council can be a leader in central Wisconsin. I’d welcome the chance to learn more about you, your business, your challenges and how PCBC can support the great things you do to make this part of the world a better place to live, work, pray, and play. Get out and enjoy our communities this summer in a way you never have before. Todd Kuckkahn Interim Executive Director Portage County Business Council, Inc. www.PortageCountyBiz.com 5501 Vern Holmes Drive | Stevens Point, WI 54482 P 715-344-1940 | F 715-344-4473 tkuckkah@portagecountybiz.com

member of the MONTH \\

Each month the Active Voice features a PCBC “Member of the Month” selected from a list of members that begins with the same letter of the alphabet.

POINT OF BEGINNING, INC. 5709 Windy Dr. Suite D Stevens Point, WI 54482 (715) 344-9999 http://www.pobinc.com

Point of Beginning, Inc. 5709 Windy Dr. Suite D. Stevens Point, WI 54482

Scott Groholski, RLS President, Point of Beginning, Inc.

DO YOU KNOW A LOCAL BUSINESS THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM MEMBERSHIP? CONTACT Mary Jo Monday 715-344-1940 \\ mmonday@portagecountybiz.com \\

THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

Headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin Point of Beginning, Inc (POB) is a multi-faceted Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Materials Testing, and Land Surveying firm. The POB team of professional Civil Engineers, Landscape Architects, Professional Surveyors, AutoCAD technicians, and administrative staff takes pride in their reputation of being a dependable partner to their clients. The work of POB for the last 14+ years has encompassed the educational, commercial, residential, transportation, municipal, and machine control markets throughout Wisconsin and neighboring states. The company’s backbone of true Midwest work ethic and personal involvement from start to finish Point of Beginning has the ability and talent to complete a vast array of site design and survey services. Whether the project is a twenty acre athletic facility, a half acre residential property, or a 5 acre medical facility POB can provide a firm foundation for every client’s construction site. Point of Beginning, Inc. is a local firm that has a deep appreciation of the local community and is partial to seeking like-minded, local, talented personnel that share an invested interest in the community to be part of the POB Team. Point of Beginning founder, Scott Groholski, RLS is a Mid-State Technical College graduate and continues to be a member of the Mid-State Technical College steering committee. Groholski has recently been awarded the 2014 Mid-State Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award recognizing him for his demonstrated value of technical college education through career advancement and continued support of the Wisconsin Technical College System. Throughout the course of Point of Beginning’s 14 year relationship with the Portage County Business Council the firm has sponsored and attended events such as Business on the Green. Founder, Scott Groholski, RLS is also a past recipient of the Portage County Business Council Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

business BRIEFS \\

AMBASSADORS SHOW THEIR SUPPORT

The Business Briefs column is an avenue to spotlight noteworthy business and professional accomplishments, recognition and awards among our Business Council members. Submit items of interest, in 100 words or less, to: admin@ portagecountybiz.com by the 24th of the month prior to the next newsletter issue.

On May 14, 2015 members of our Ambassadors Club attended the Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new office location of Applied Tech – Stevens Point. Their new office is located in the Noel Hanger at 4501 State Hwy 66, Stevens Point.

The Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP), the statewide association for Wisconsin’s 16 Community Action Agencies, recognized CAP Services’ Chai Moua with the Exemplary Community Action Staff Member Award at its annual meeting Wednesday, May 6, in Madison. Moua came to CAP Services in 2005 to coordinate CAP’s Refugee Family Strengthening (RFS) Program, which focuses on addressing domestic violence in the Hmong community. Moua helped organized the first ever “A Call to Hmong Men” summit for well-meaning men and address how they contribute to violence against women by being silent and being a bystander. Hmong men were encouraged to step out of “the man box” and hold other men accountable. Her advocacy efforts on behalf of the Hmong community and those affected by violence also extend to the state and national level. Moua has been involved in the review of the Abusive International Marriage Report, published by the Asian Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence. She was extensively involved in the review and editing of a Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault video documentary on the first ever gathering of advocates to talk about abusive international marriages. “Chai goes above and beyond in her work as an advocate for Hmong domestic violence survivors,” said CAP’s Melissa Randall, who nominated Moua for the award. “Her work continues to have a profound impact in our community and beyond. She not only organizes the community and advocates, she engages survivors to help create solutions.”

Investors Community Bank broke ground on a new 13,184 square foot office to be located in the Portage County Business Park at 5517 Vern Holmes Drive. Members of the Ambassadors Club took part in the Ground Breaking Ceremony, along with Mayor Wiza. Terry Schott, Regional Bank President, Central Wisconsin was the Master of Ceremonies. Congratulations to Investors Community Bank!

CAP Services is a private, nonprofit community action agency that has been helping low-income people in Marquette, Outagamie, Portage, Waupaca and Waushara counties attain economic and emotional selfsufficiency since 1966. For more information visit capservices.org. ------------------------------------------------------continue page 4

THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

business BRIEFS \\ Continued Duraclean Specialists in Plover, a leading cleaning and restoration business is celebrating its 30th anniversary of operations this year. Getting its start in the spare bedroom of the home rented by business owners and franchisees, Tammy and Al Jankowski, Duraclean has experienced continued growth and success over the years. After several location changes, Duraclean settled in its current location at 2801 Post Road, Plover, where it’s been since 2004. Serving both residential and commercial customers, Duraclean provides 24/7 cleaning and restoration services including carpet cleaning; smoke, fire and water restoration; janitorial services; mold remediation and a host of other services. The company is IICRC Firm certified, achieving the highest level of training in the cleaning and restoration industry. Employees continue their ongoing education and licensures with state-of-the-art equipment and systems. The Jankowski’s franchise has received numerous awards over the years. They are a ten time member of the President Circle within the organization and also a Franny Award recipient awarded by the International Franchise Association. The Jankowski’s continue to give back to the community supporting various activities and benefits for area churches, service organizations, schools and business organizations. “This community has been very generous to us, and we only see fit to give back what we can” states Tammy. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Duraclean, Plover is changing out all company vehicles to reflect a new look for the franchise. It will also include updates to its social media and website. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group is pleased to announce their Stevens Point office’s April 2015 Chairman’s Circle list: Tiffany Broecker, Todd Reilly , Betty Garski , Pete Meinholz , Laura Trzebiatowski, Team Northwood, and Point Realty Group . Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group is the number one real estate company in northeast Wisconsin and has 18 offices with over 450 sales professionals. Locally, the Stevens Point office is located at 5725 Windy Dr., Suite E in Stevens Point. They can be reached at 715-295-5005. More information on The Real Estate Group can be found at www.ColdwellHomes.com. BUSINESS COMMUNICATION SURVEY

An LGBTQ+ Diversity in the Workplace Conference will be held June 12th at the University of Stevens Point starting at 8 a.m. The conference is for top management, HR managers, managers, supervisors, teachers, employees and anyone who is interested in diversity in the workplace. Sponsored by the University of Stevens Point and CWIP (Central WI Pride Resource Network). For more information and to register, please email: cwipnetwork@gmail.com

THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

BUSINESS ON THE GREEN A SUCCESS!

» CLICK HERE TO VIEW SOME IMAGES FROM THE EVENT The Ambassadors Club of the Portage County Business Council thanks you for your participation in our 26th Annual Business on the Green Golf Outing held Monday, June 1, 2015. With 244 golfers participating and additional business representatives attending the 19th Hole Networking Dinner, the event provided a great environment to expand contacts.

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! DIAMOND LEVEL SPONSORS

GOLD (2) SPONSORS: ABR Employment Services AT&T Keller Inc Klasinski Clinic MADA Embroidery & Screen Printing Ministry Employer Solutions Pat’s CARSTAR Stevens Point Brewery Team Schierl Companies The Samuels Group

SILVER SPONSORS:

Commercial Roofing, Inc WoodTrust Bank

HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSORS:

DOUBLE GOLD (2) SPONSOR: Office Enterprises Inc

GOLD SPONSORS: Advanced Disposal Services Midwest Altmann Construction Company Anderson O’Brien Bull’s Eye Credit Union Central City Credit Union Comunity First Bank Del Monte Corporation Delta Dental of Wisconsin Donaldson Company Ellis Stone Construction Company Inc Figi’s Inc First Merit Bank K-tech Kleening Systems Point of Beginning Rettler Corporation Schulist’s Custom Cabinets Inc Sentry Insurance (3 Gold Sponsorships)

Skyward The Murphy Insurance Group LLC The Pineries Bank

Mark Motors Automotive Inc The Portage County Bank

LUNCH BAG SPONSOR: Comfort Suites

BEVERAGE SPONSORS: Mitchell’s Hilltop Pub & Restaurant Inc Regnier Consulting Group Inc Stone Innovations Inc US Bank

LUNCH SPONSORS: First Webber Realtors-Steve Lane & Seth Hornung Marshfield Clinic Members’ Advantage Credit Union Pointe Precision Inc

PUTTING CONTEST SPONSORS: Asociated Bank Wysocki Family of Companies

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS:

Advanced Neck & Back Care Center Adventure 212 AIG Travel Altmann Construction Company Inc Ambassadors Club Ameriprise Financial Services Inc Arbuckles Eatery & Pub

THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

BMO Harrris Bank Foursome and Diamond Sponsor of Event Arby’s Restaurant Associated Bank Atrium Senior Living of Stevens Point Big Apple Bagels BMO Harris Bank Broadway Rental Cars DBA Hertz Bushman Electric Crane & Sign Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum CliftonLarsonAllen LLP CN Railway Comfort Suites Cooper Oil Company DigiCopy Dolce Digital Imaging & Printing Duraclean Specialists Edward Jones Investments Emeritus at Oakridge FirstMerit Bank First Supply LLC Furniture & ApplianceMart Gamber Johnson LLC General Beer Grazies Italian Grill Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center Lakeland Overhead Door Ligman & Wille CPA LLC Marshfield Clinic Ministry Health Care Notable Impressions NRG Media Pat’s CARSTAR Pientka Auction Service Point Insurance Agency LLC Point Title LLC Portage County Gazette Portesi’s Italian Foods Prism Real Estate PuroClean Restoration Professionals Riiser Energy R-Stores River Cities Bank River Valley Bank Rockman’s Catering Rookies Sports Pub S.C. Swiderski Segmented Systems Manufacturing Sentry Insurance SentryWorld Sports Center Shulfer’s Sprinklers Landscaping & Garden Center Ski’s Meat Market Skyward Slumberland Furniture Stevens Point Country Club Team Schierl Companies The Bottle Stop Transcribing Dance Company US Bank Home Mortgage – Jake Heyroth Younger Enterprise Systems LLC WAOW-TV9 Wisconsin Public Service Corporation Wisconsin River Golf Club

Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foursome and Gold Hole Sponsor of Event

The Samuels Group Staff sponsor and greet golfers at the Stevens Point Country Club.

Members’ Advantage Credit Union Foursome and Gold Hole Sponsor of Event.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 06.15.15 \\ 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.

» CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE » CLICK HERE FOR A MAP

HOSTED BY:

Held at: Community Insurance & Associates 5474 Hwy 10E, Suite 2 Stevens Point, WI 54482 Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and door prize giveaways.

RSVP by Friday, June 12, 2015 No Cost to Attend A social event designed for and hosted by Business Council members to give business professionals an opportunity to network, share ideas, and have their facility seen by other members. The member host furnishes refreshments and hors d’oeuvres for the evening. A different Business Council member hosts Business After Hours every month. Members are welcome to co-host the event with another Business Council member. Members should call Karen Schanock at 715-344-1940 to book the month they are interested in hosting as early as possible.

THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

SMALL BUSINESS X-CHANGE 06.10.15 \\ 7:30 A.M. - 8:30 A.M. \\ PCBC FOUNDATION ROOM

» CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NO COST TO ATTEND. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST IS INCLUDED.

Small Business X-Change meets regularly throughout the year at the Portage County Business Council office. A roundtable series of meetings that allows business owners and their employees the opportunity to discuss pertinent topics, learn from local industry leaders and, most importantly, learn from each other. 7:30 A.M. - 8:30 A.M. in the Portage County Business Council Foundation Room

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:

Katy Bailey is an Internet Marketing Consultant at the Little Online Agency. She graduated with a BBA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. Katy has worked in the internet marketing industry for six years and has experience in blogging, copywriting, social media, content marketing and SEO. She loves helping small businesses stand out online.

TOPIC: “Effectively Measuring Your Social Media Marketing” Businesses are spending countless hours each week on social media marketing without an effective way to measure their efforts. It’s time to trade in “likes”, “shares” and “retweets” for more meaningful metrics that transfer back to dollars and cents. Learn how to effectively measure social media marketing while reducing the amount of time spent.

Katy Bailey, internet Marketing Consultant, The Little Online Agency, LLC

Key Points at this X-Change: 1. How to specifically measure marketing efforts to analyze the performance of their campaigns. 2. Which key performance indictors (KPIs) directly relate to their social media marketing goals. 3. How to get more time back in the day with free social media management tools.

Special THANK YOU to The Little Online Agency for their sponsorship of this program.

Now introducing R-Store’s new app! Visit www.riiser.com, your app store, or scan this QR code!

FREE item just for downloading!

FREE it

~Weekly Deals~ ~Random Rewards~ 7

THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

WOMEN IN BUSINESS 06.25.15 \\ 11:15 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. \\ SENTRYWORLD SPORTS CENTER IN THE GRAND HALL (UPPER LEVEL)

» CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Thursday, June 25, 2015 Presented by Sentry Insurance & SentryWorld Cost: $25.00 / Members $30.00 / Prospective Members

Stephanie Smith,

Assistant Vice President of Marketing of Sentry Insurance

11:15 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. SentryWorld Sports Center in the Grand Hall 601 N Michigan Avenue, Stevens Point

Join us for our June Women in Business as guest speaker Stephanie Smith presents “Advice I’d Give My Daughter”. A delicious plated lunch will be provided consisting of Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds on a large Leaf of Lettuce, with a Light Creamy Curried Mayonnaise Dressing accompanied by Fresh Fruit and Muffin, Coffee, Tea, Milk & Water and a delicious Pound Cake with Berries and Chantilly Cream for Dessert. (Vegetarian or Gluten Free Options available upon request)

Agenda 11:15 AM 11:30 AM 11:45 AM 12:10 PM

Registration and Networking Welcome Lunch Master of Ceremonies, Stacy Cole from 95.5 WIFC 12:15 PM Guest Speaker 1:00 PM Door Prize Giveaways and Closing

Special thanks to our Media Sponsor – Midwest Communications Radio Group

Stephanie will walk through her life and tell the audience her story. She, like most single mothers, worked hard to support her children and to be a role-model to her daughter. She encourages her daughter to be her best in order to get the best out of life. About our Speaker: Stephanie Smith was born and raised in the state of Washington. She is a graduate of Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow School of Communication with a major in public relations. She moved to Wisconsin to accept a position as PR Specialist with Wisconsin Assembly Republican Caucus. Stephanie joined Governor Tommy Thompson’s staff as Deputy Press Secretary, was promoted to Press Secretary and at the age of 26, she was the youngest gubernatorial press secretary in the nation. Stephanie then moved to Central Wisconsin, working for the United Way of Marathon County as Communication Director and then as Campaign/Communication director. After staying home for a year with three children under the age of three, Stephanie returned to work as Executive Director of the Northcentral Technical College Foundation. While working full time and as single parent, she then returned to school and earned an MBA through the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s executive MBA program. Stephanie started her career with Sentry Insurance in July, 2013 as Director of Corporate Communications and was named Assistant Vice President of Marketing in March 2014.

THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

For questions contact : Karen Schanock 715/344-1940 kschanoc@portagecountybiz.com

Mark Your Calendars for these future Women in Business Events: Thursday, September 24, 2015 To be held at Stevens Point Country Club Presented by Wisconsin Public Service Thursday, December 10, 2015 To be held at Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center Presented by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

SPRING CELEBRATION 2015 The first annual Spring Celebration was held on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at the Stevens Point Country Club. Over 120 people attended to network, support PCBCF programs, and recognize the individuals listed below. Excellence in Education LPC Alumni Excellence in Leadership Peggy Bach Paula Cummings, Portage County Planning and Zoning Martha Behrens Jenny Costello 2014-2015 Leadership Portage County Graduates Megan Dewall Tom Bertram, UWSP Kathryn Doar Vicki Carlson April Gosse Kassi Czahor, Ministry Medical Group Art Greco Lori Epstein, SPAPSD Josh Hames Benjamin Hall, SPAPSD Kathy Hansel Nicki Hintz, Community First Bank Kate Hardina Lisa Krueger, Sentry Insurance Beth Helgeson Steve Kunst, Portage County Planning and Zoning Lori Knepfel Lindsay Meyer, Investors Community Bank Julie Kolarik Maureen Miller, Portage County Susan Kollross Jenny Morrison, Delta Dental of Wisconsin Stacy Korger Amy Peterson, Jay-Mar Inc. Leann Krutza Jamie Phillis, Portage County Library Lori Lampert Jonelle Przybylski, UWSP Kristen Luteyn Jesse Suehs, SPAPSD Liz Peterson Ethan Tonn, Sentry Insurance Amy Randazzo Ariel Welling, Welling Kitchen & Bath Gail Roth Josh Wright, SPAPSD Bonnie Rufledt Katie Young, Anderson O’Brien Jeanne Shupe Shashank Srivastava Lauri Sroda Jami Stuettgen Janet Taylor Jeff Tepp Steve Treankler Thank you to our Spring Celebration Sponsors and Donors!!! Diane Tubbs Steve VanArk Spring Celebration Event Sponsors: Community First Bank, Delta Dental of Wisconsin, and Skyward Linda Vanderloop Joshua Wood Silent Auction, Door Prize and Raffle Sponsors: Associated Bank, Bill’s Pizza, Buffalo Wild Wings, ComBryant White munity First Bank, Dunham’s Sports, Duraclean Specialists, Emy J’s, Girls in Pearls Boutique, Leadership Ann Zdroik Portage County Alumni, Ministry Medical Group, Notable Impressions, Partners in Education, Point Insur-

ance, River Cities Bank, Rockman’s Catering, Skyward, Slumberland Furniture of Stevens Point, Staples, Stevens Point Area Cooperative, Stevens Point Area Public Schools, Target, Team Schierl Companies, Trigs, The Wooden Chair, and UW-Stevens Point.

Centerpieces created by: Boys and Girls Club of Portage County

THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

BUSINESS EDUCATION SUMMIT » CLICK HERE TO REGISTER The Business-Education Summit will be held on June 17, 2015 from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM at MSTC, Stevens Point Campus. This event is a follow-up to the April 1, 2015 BusinessEducation Form held at Sentry World. Based on input from that day and subsequent meetings with stakeholders we will focus our collective impact efforts on the following: Common Agenda: To prepare Portage County students to successfully transition from school to career through integrated community, business, education and career pipelines while working to meet local employer needs.

Business-Education Summit Agenda

Shared Measurement: • Increase the number of students and businesses involved in career exploration and employability skills development programs. • Increase the number of students and businesses involved in formal school-to-work programs (PIE co-ops, internships and youth apprenticeships). • Increase the number of individuals obtaining CTE Act 59 Industry Certificates and Certifications. • Increase understanding of and utilize career assessments (Work Keys, ACT, SAT, and Accuplacer) in a meaningful way. Mutually Reinforcing Activities: • Buy-in from stakeholders to work toward common agenda and shared measurements. • An asset map of organizations providing education, programs and services tied to the common agenda and shared measurements. • Form and utilize Career Cluster Advisory Groups. Continuous Communication: • Business-Education Forums (3 per year) • Annual Business-Education Summit • Active Voice Newsletter & PCBC/PCBCF Social Media Backbone Support: Portage County Business Council Foundation

8:00 – Welcome and Summit Overview 8:10 – Collective Impact Overview and Goals 8:20 – Overview of Future Wisconsin Workforce Needs 8:40 – Overview of Workforce Development Tools and Programs (Career Clusters, PIE Co-op, Internships, Youth Apprenticeships, Work Keys, ACT, SAT, Accuplacer, Employability Skills Certificate, Career Cruising) 9:00 – Overview of Career and Technical Education in Schools (K-12, MSTC, UWSP) 9:30 – Overview of Workforce Development from the Business Perspective (business from different career clusters) 10:00 – Career Cluster Roundtables – We will focus on answering the following questions: • Are the items on the Employability Skills and Youth Apprenticeship checklists comprehensive? What is missing from them? What is typically taught at school and on the job? • Where are there gaps between education and workforce needs in each career cluster? • How can we better bridge the gaps? • What is needed to work toward the common agenda and shared measurements? • Is there buy-in and support from those at the table to work toward the common agenda and shared measurements? Why or Why not? 11:45 – Wrap-up and Next Steps *Optional tours of MSTC and SPASH following wrap-up

Give back to the community while connecting with your future workforce through upcoming PIE Events. To volunteer contact Judy Rannow at jrannow@portagecountybiz.com or 715-344-1940.

THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

MAY LPC SESSION On May 21, 2015 the 2014-2015 LPC program wrapped up at the Lions Camp in Rosholt. The participants presented their group projects and participated in team building activities. They now join over 500 LPC Alumni. To learn more about the LPC projects completed this year, visit: https://leadershipportagecounty.wordpress.com/projects/.

NOW ACCEPTING 2015-2016 LPC PROGRAM APPLICATIONS Âť CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW

If you would like to learn more about Portage County, network with others and give back to the community while enhancing your leadership skills apply to be a participant in the Leadership Portage County program. For more information about the LPC program and to access the electronic application visit our website at: http://portagecountybiz. com/leadership-portage-county/.

For more information regarding Leadership Portage County, Partners In Education or Workforce Development contact Judy Rannow, Director of Workforce Development, at 715-344-1940 or jrannow@portagecountybiz.com.

THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS Mark your calendar for upcoming LPC Alumni Events: LPC Alumni Empty Bowls Bowl Painting Challenge + LPC Alumni Involvement Drive (June 24, 2015 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) Drop by the Portage County Business Council any time between 9-4 to paint a bowl (or two) for Empty Bowls while discussing ways to increase LPC Alumni involvement. We will see who paints the most bowls, who is the most creative and how many bowls total the LPC Alumni paint. Join us for this fun challenge while giving back to the community. To register, visit: http://business. portagecountybiz.com/events/details/lpc-alumni-empty-bowls-painting-challenge-2277. LPC Alumni On the Road (July 23, 2015 from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) Have you missed the LPC experience? Are you interested in visiting a neighboring community to learn about their strengths? If so, join us for LPC Alumni On the Road. We will take the LPC experience to a different community to learn more about what is going on around Portage County. This year we will be visiting Wisconsin Rapids. Cost is $50/person and includes transportation and program expenses. Register by visiting: http://business.portagecountybiz.com/events/details/lpc-alumni-on-the-roadjuly-23-2015-2289. Fall Picnic (October 2, 2015 from TBD) Holiday Social (December 17, 2015 from 5-7) Annual Meeting & Professional Development (February 2, 2016 from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM) LPC Alumni are encouraged to get involved by completing the LPC Alumni Involvement Opportunities form and returning it to Judy at jrannow@portagecountybiz.com.

SUPPORTING PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL FOUNDATION PROGRAMS Portage County Business Council Foundation’s Reality Shop, Spring 2015. Donation and Sponsorship opportunities available. All donations and sponsorships are tax-deductible as the PCBCF is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization. Contact Judy Rannow at: jrannow@portagecountybiz.com or 715-344-1940 for more information.

THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

2015 pcbc / foundation board of DIRECTORS \\

meetings & other DATES \\

Executive Board

JUNE 2015

Keith Pilger - President, Anderson O’Brien Ken Erler - Vice President, Sentry Insurance Sue Wille - Treasurer, Ligman & Wille CPA LLC Scott Glinski - Member at Large, Skyward Erik Carlson - Member at Large, Ellis Stone Construction Company Lisa Sobczak - Member at Large, ABR Employment Services Doug Ballweg - Member at Large, Delta Dental of Wisconsin Todd Kuckkahn - Interim Executive Director, Portage County Business Council

Board of Directors Tom Altmann - Altmann Construction Company Lorraine Avery - Associated Bank Dan Beighley - Wisconsin Public Service Corporation Patty Dreier - Portage County Executive David Eckmann - University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Jim Firminhac - WoodTrust Bank James Gifford - Portage County Board O. Phillip Idsvoog - Portage County Board Deb Marten - Marten Machining Cherrie Marti - Ministry Saint Michael’s Hospital Richard O’Sullivan - Mid-State Technical College Jeremie Pavelski - Heartland Farms Inc. Susan Placzek - SentryWorld Sports Center Tom Davies - Village of Plover Dawn Thrun - International Bank of Amherst Attila Weninger - Stevens Point Area Public Schools Mike Wiza - City of Stevens Point Ward Wolff - First Weber Group Realtors Robert Worth - The Worth Company (Director Emeritus)

8 Membership/Marketing Committee – 7:30 A.M., PCBC Office 10 Small Business X–Change 7:30-8:30 A.M., PCBC Office 15 Business After Hours- 5:00-7:00 P.M., Community Insurance & Associates 17 Executive Committee Meeting - 7:30 A.M. Anderson O’Brien 18 SalesNet Meeting – 11:45 A.M., PCBC Office

JULY 2015

3 Office Closed - Independence Day Holiday Observance 15 Executive Committee Meeting - 7:30 A.M. Anderson O’Brien 22 Board of Directors - 7:30 A.M. PCBC Office

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advertise with US \\ » CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO For questions, please contact Tonya at 715-344-1940 or tkowalsk@portagecountybiz.com.

PORTAGE COUNTY GIFT CERTIFICATES

Board Advisors

Purchasing Portage County gift certificates continues to be a successful way to “Buy Local”.

Sara Brish - Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Volker Gaul - Mid-State Technical College Dan Mahoney - Village of Plover Michael Ostrowski - City of Stevens Point

Portage County gift certificates make great gifts. Gift certificates can be purchased at area banks, credit unions, the Convention and Visitors Bureau or at our office. They can be used at any business with a Portage County address and are available in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $25, $50 & $100. The PCBC would like to thank everyone who participates for helping make the program successful. We would also like to thank BMO Harris Bank for their financial support of the gift certificate program.

the TEAM \\ they make things happen! PCBC / Foundation Staff

Email Addresses

The Active Voice

Todd Kuckkahn - Interim Executive Director Mary Jo Monday - Director of Member Relations Karen Schanock - Director of Programs & Events Judy Rannow - Director of Workfoce Development Kari Thompson - Business & Office Operations Director Tonya Kowalski - Administrative / Marketing Assistant

tkuckkah@portagecountybiz..com

Questions / Comments:

mmonday@portagecountybiz.com

Tonya Kowalski \\ tkowalsk@portagecountybiz.com

kschanoc@portagecountybiz.com jrannow@portagecountybiz.com kthompso@portagecountybiz.com tkowalsk@portagecountybiz.com

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PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL & FOUNDATION \\ 5501 VERN HOLMES DRIVE \\ STEVENS POINT, WI 54482 \\ P 715-344-1940 \\ F 715-344-4473

THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER