07.2013 \\ PORTAGE COUNTY, WISCONSIN
upcoming EVENTS \\
LEADERSHIP PORTAGE COUNTY
Small Business X-Change
» VIEW FULL LPC BROCHURE HERE » CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION
» REGISTER
Business After Hours Monday, July 15, 2013 \\ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm FLexible Fitness Solutions, Flexible Nutrition Solutions & Gemstone Senior Advisors/Trainers LLC 5501 EM Copps Drive | Stevens Point, WI 54482
» REGISTER SalesNet
Thursday, July 18, 2013 \\ 11:45 am - 1:00 pm Portage County Business Council, Foundation Room 5501 Vern Holmes Drive | Stevens Point, WI 54482
» EMAIL KAREN, TO REGISTER MAXimize Your Membership Wednesday, August 7, 2013 \\ 8:00 am - 9:30 am Portage County Business Coucil, Foundation Room 5501 Vern Holmes Drive | Stevens Point, WI 54482
» REGISTER
2013-14 Leadership Portage County August 23, 2013 - May 15, 2014 Applications due by July 26, 2013
» CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Leadership Portage County measures community involvement through four criteria: community awareness, advocacy, participation and leadership. LPC participants regularly report increased involvement in all four areas, including a significant increase in community leadership. The Portage County community is able to utilize the impact of Leadership Portage County by linking recent LPC alumni and their individual interests and skills with community leadership opportunities. Leadership Portage County (LPC) is funded primarily through participant tuition. LPC is committed to maintaining an affordable tuition and offering partial scholarships to encourage the participation of all who are interested, thereby supporting diverse participation. Leadership Portage County balances leadership skill development with a greater understanding of the issues and challenges facing Portage County, preparing participants for more active leadership roles. Leadership Portage County participants apply their individual strengths to effectively serve their businesses, organizations and communities.
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Portage County Business Council, Foundation Room 5501 Vern Holmes Drive | Stevens Point, WI 54482
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Wednesday, July 10, 2013 \\ 7:30 am - 9:30 am
THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE IS THE HIGHEST CALLING OF LEADERSHIP. - H.S. FIRESTONE
2013 - 2014 PROGRAM SCHEDULE Each full-day session (7:45 am - 5:00 pm) combines leadership skill development with exploration of community issues. Sessions are held at various businesses and public facilities which provides an inside look at Portage County. August 23 & 24, 2013 Opening Retreat September 19, 2013
Project Management
October 17, 2013
Productive Meetings
November 14, 2013
Valuing Diversity
December 19, 2013
Managing Conflict
January 16, 2014
Ethics & Values
February 20, 2014
Leading From Within
March 20, 2014
Consensus Building
April 17, 2014
Creative Problem Solving
May 15, 2014
Closing Retreat LPC Graduation 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
LPC still has openings for our 2013-14 sessions. What a great opportunity for you to participate in our 21 st program and to join the nearly 500 alumni in a personal, business, and community development experience like none other. Follow the link for an application and employer consent forms. LPC offers a great opportunity to develop leadership skills, make new business contacts and have some fun all at the same time. Here’s the 2012-13 class on the final day at the WI Lions Camp.
» BECOME AN LPC SPONSOR
Your business or organization can help support this respected, successful and effective program by becoming an LPC sponsor. For sponsorship opportunities contact Bill Christiansen at 715-344-1904 or fdn@portagecountybiz.com
SMALL BUSINESS X-CHANGE 07.10.13 \\ 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM PCBC - FOUNDATION ROOM » REGISTER
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN \\
> Continental Breakfast served > No cost to attend but the value of the information may be priceless!
>The difference between Private Health Exchanges and Public Health Exchanges. >The tax advantages to employees of a properly structured defined contribution health benefit. >The cost advantage and budget control advantages available.
TOPIC \\ PRIVATE HEALTH EXCHANGES - WHAT EVERY SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS TO KNOW presented by Brad DeBot & Harry Rice
SPONSOR \\
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS \\ This is a workshop led by Brad DeBot from AFLAC Insurance and Harry Rice of The Insurance Counselor. Brad and Harry have over 40 years of combined experience in providing employee benefits to businesses.
ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS X-CHANGE Private Health Exchanges are revolutionizing the way employers provide health benefits to their employees much as defined contribution (401k’s, 403b’s, etc) changed the way many employers provided retirement plans in the 70’s and 80’s. This presentation will explain win-win scenarios for employers and employees which are causing a lot of businesses to look at a defined contribution health benefit model rather than the typical defined benefit plans offered today.
business BRIEFS \\
the opportunity to discuss pertinent topics, learn from local industry leaders and, most importantly, learn from each other. This particular X-Change is targeted for small and medium size manufacturers, but every business is welcome.
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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.
The Stevens Point Area Public School District recognized the work of CAP Services’ Family Crisis Center with an award presented at the May 28 meeting of the School Board. The Community Service Recognition Award, presented by Superintendent Attila J. Weninger, acknowledged the contributions of the Family Crisis Center in meeting students’ educational needs and helping the District fulfill its mission to prepare each student to be successful. The Family Crisis Center serves youth at their domestic violence shelter and group home youth shelter, providing alternative living quarters when home is not a safe option. The partner program Sexual Assault Victim Services also provides educational presentations for students in the district. \\\\\ The Wisconsin chapter of the American Public Works Association has given the Abbotsford Eau Pleine Water Treatment Plant an APWA Project of the Year 2103 Honorable Mentions award. Ellis Stone Construction Company was the general contractor, the architect and engineering firm was Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. The plant can process up to 1 million gallons of water a day. Once the water completes the treatment processes it goes into a lagoon and wetland system where it is reused and settles back into the aquifer. The APWA‘s Awards Program was established to recognize outstanding public works professionals and projects.
Worzalla announced the startup of their recently acquired ManRoland Rotoman N five-color web press. “This is an exciting period of growth and expansion for Worzalla,” stated CEO Jim Fetherston. “The Rotoman provides muchneeded web capacity and allows us greater flexibility in the markets we serve.” Worzalla is in the final stages of an aggressive plan of investment in equipment, infrastructure improvements, and work flow efficiencies to support specific growth plans for existing customers and new markets. The Rotoman is the second web press to be commissioned at Worzalla in the past twelve months,” stated Kris Koch, Vice PresidentOperations. “We have also increased capacity in our finishing operations with the addition of case-making and folding equipment and a new casing-in line. “With these tools at our disposal we are in great shape as we enter our peak production season,” stated Koch. \\\\\ The Plover Area Business Association held their Annual Dinner on June 20th honoring Wal-Mart Supercenter as Business of the Year; Humane Society of Portage County as Non-Profit Grant Recipient and Sandy Lamb as Citizen of the Year. \\\\\
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A roundtable series of meetings that allow small business owners and their employees
THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
Mikhail Salienko of Compass Insurance Services recently completed a Producer Development Program offered by West Bend Mutual Insurance Company. Participants in the five-month program gained valuable knowledge to better service their clients in the ever-changing insurance industry. Mikhail is an Account Executive of Commercial Lines for Compass Insurance Services with over 10 years of insurance industry experience and an extensive background in workers compensation, general liability, and commercial auto. \\\\\ Laura West, CAP Services’ Jobs and Business Development coordinator, was recently promoted and will now serve as CAP’s Director of Business Development. In this role, she will oversee business development services in Marquette, Outagamie, Portage, Waupaca, Waushara counties and provide assistance in Wood County. CAP’s Business Development program provides services to start-up and expanding businesses, including business plan development, financing packaging that can include gap financing and one-on-one technical assistance. These services are provided free of charge to low-income entrepreneurs or to businesses that create livingwage jobs for low-income individuals. \\\\\
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES IN JUNE
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 07.15.13 \\ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM » REGISTER » MAP HOST \\
06.13.13 The Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for new corporate office & manufacturing facility of Ki Mobility, located at 4848 Industrial Park Road in Stevens Point. Flexible Fitness Solutions, Flexible Nutrition Solutions & Gemstone Senior Advisors/ Trainers LLC 5501 EM Copps Drive Stevens Point, WI 54482 Located on the north end of the Portage County Business Park off of Brilowski Road. Enjoy complimentary hor d’oeuvres, refreshments, and door prize giveaways. No Cost to attend! Pre-registration is appreciated. Please RSVP by Friday, July 12, 2013. \\\\\
06.13.13 Citizens Bank officially unveiled its new name and look on June 13th to FirstMerit Bank. The bank is located at 5597 US Hwy 10E in Stevens Point.
ARE UWSP INCOMING FRESHMAN PART OF YOUR CUSTOMER BASE? >> REGISTRATION FORM
COST \\
TO PARTICIPATE \\
Are you seeking a cost effective method of building awareness of your business with new freshman students and their parents?
$75 for PCBC members $145 for non-members *members must be in good standing with their membership dues
Then join the Portage County Business Council in welcoming future freshman at UWSP. This will be the only promotional mailing “welcoming incoming freshman” sent by the Business Council. The Business Council will not sell this list.
The “Welcome to UWSP” packet will allow Portage County Business Council Members to include a one page brochure or promotional flyer to help increase student foot traffic in their place of business.
>Fax back completed form to reserve space for your promotional material by Friday, July 19 >Submit approximately 400 promotional brochures/flyers to PCBC by August 9 (actual count determinded by July 15) >Limited to one 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper
QUESTIONS \\ Contact Karen at 715-344-1940 or kschanoc@portagecountybiz.com \\\\\
07.2013 \\ PORTAGE COUNTY, WISCONSIN
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a bit about OUR NEWEST MEMBERS \\
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. July features a business that begins with the letter “S”.
STEVENS POINT AREA NOON OPTIMIST CLUB
LPC
EO JOHNSON COMPANY \\ KIM KOHLBECK Stevens Point \\ 715-842-9999 \\ kkohlbeck@locknet-inc.com www.eojohnson.com Join Date \\ 04.25.2013
ABOUT EO Johnson Office Technologies is a leading technologies company, providing Managed IT Services, Managed Print Services, Document Management systems, print and document equipment, and pure drinking water systems. The company was founded by Emery O. Johnson in 1957 in Wausau, WI and today has offices in Wausau, Eau Claire and La Crosse, WI, Rochester, MN, and Cedar Falls, IA. The company is a market leader in its industry and headquartered in Wausau, WI.
GEMSTONE SENIOR ADVISORS / TRAINERS, LLC \\
715-345-2356 \\ www.optimist.org \\ paula@jhl.com Join Date \\ 04.30.2008
What they have to say \\ The Stevens Point Noon Optimist Club is a service organization that promotes positive youth activities throughout the Stevens Point Area. We have a variety of fundraisers and special projects that we do both in the schools and the community. Our projects are very diverse and cover a wide range of ages. Within the school system, we have a few different projects. We go to each of the elementary schools and give the third graders their own dictionary. We also have a Student of the Month program where a 6th grader from each school is chosen to win an award because of their Optimism. In addition we now organize and run the Freshman Formal dance which is an opportunity for the freshman from our junior high schools to experience a prom-type dance.
KELLY OPIOLA / LORI SCHULER Stevens Point \\ 715-340-4396 \\ gemstone.kopiola@gmail.com www.gemstonesenior.com Join Date \\ 05.07.2013
NETWORK SOLUTIONS OF WISCONSIN, INC \\ SAL CUOMO Wausau \\ 715-849-4900 \\ SalC@NSINetwork.com http://www.NSINetwork.com Join Date \\ 06/21/2013
DO YOU KNOW A LOCAL BUSINESS THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM MEMBERSHIP? CONTACT US! Mary Jo Monday 715-344-1940 \\ mmonday@portagecountybiz.com /////
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“Cardboard City” annual event organized by the Stevens Point Area Noon Optimist Club.
Within the community we support many different youth activities. We’ve got scholarships available for teens heading off to college, we support teams on youth sports leagues and fulfill donation requests from various area youth groups. Our biggest event of the year is always the Cardboard City. We build a “city” out of cardboard for the kids to play in and paint as an activity they can do free of charge at Art in the Park. The Portage County Business Council has been an essential part of getting our name into the community since we became a member. Many of our new donation requests are because of their directory listing. They also do an excellent job of promoting programs through press releases and social media. The reward of being a part of the Stevens Point Noon Optimist Club is wonderful. To see the children smile when receiving their dictionaries, shine when receiving awards, or a young child’s thank you when they get to play at the Cardboard City, is truly heartwarming. \\\\\
THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
WOMEN IN BUSINESS 06.27.2013 >>CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL IMAGES FROM THE EVENT
Great networking opportunity enjoyed by all.
L/R: Guest Speaker Paula Houlihan, Ambassador Jeff Ebel and Presenting Sponsor – Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group, Judi Erickson.
THANK YOU TO EVENT SPONSOR \\ Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group
L/R: Ambassadors Denny Rosenthal from The Worth Company and Nyra Lind from ABR Employment Services assist with registration.
Nearly 100 people attended our June 27th Women in Business Luncheon held at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center.
UPCOMING WOMEN IN BUSINESS EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE!
09.26.13 \\ 11:15 AM - 1:00 PM UWSP, DREYFUS UNIVERSITY CENTER - ALUMNI ROOM
WINES OF THE WORLD 10.25.2013 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
» REGISTER » REGISTRATION FORM PRESENTING SPONSOR \\ Arts Alliance of Portage County
OTHER WOMEN IN BUSINESS EVENTS \\
Join us on Friday, October 25th for our 12th Annual Wines of the World Event! Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center, 1001 Amber Avenue, Stevens Point, WI
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013
Join us on September 26, 2013 for Women In Business lunch! Follow the links above to register. Watch for more information about the event in our August newsletter edition. For questions contact Karen at 715-344-1940 or kschanoc@portagecountybiz.com
Presenting Sponsor \\ Wisconsin Public Service Corporation held at the BEST WESTERN Hotel & Conference Center with Rockman’s Catering. \\\\\
Join us for an international journey as we sample a selection of wines from around the world featured by The Bottle Stop. A taste-tempting array of fine cuisine prepared by the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center and Rockman’s Catering, a silent auction, a beer bar by the Stevens Point Brewery and soft live jazz music to complement the evening. Contact Karen Schanock with any questions at 715-344-1940 or kschanoc@portagecountybiz.com.
07.2013 \\ PORTAGE COUNTY, WISCONSIN
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PARTNERS IN EDUCATION (PIE) NEWS The Partners in Education Mission Statement reads; “To provide employability skills and develop career awareness opportunities for K-12 students in Portage and Waushara Counties through education, business and community partnerships.” Thank you to the 2012-13 business sponsors who helped to make this program possible.
2012-13 BUSINESS SPONSORS \\ Altmann Construction Amherst Telephone Batteries Plus Bull’s Eye Credit Union Community First Bank Dave’s Tap Cleaning D & D Automotive Delta Dental Donaldson Company Gamber-Johnson HO Wolding Inc International Bank of Amherst Lands’ End Ligman & Wille CPA Marshfield Clinic Paragon Farms Point Heating and Cooling Regnier Consulting RR Donnelley Sentry Insurance Skyward Soik Sales Terrell Arnold Team Schierl Companies Travel Guard WPS
2012-13 PLATINUM PIE INVESTORS \\
After a review by representatives of both the business and educational communities, the Partners in Education program has been revised for 2013-14. Following is a summary of the program.
SPREAD THE WORD
PIE online links are available to all staff. If requested, the Director of Foundation will introduce the PIE program to each school at a staff meeting early in the academic year.
NEW FACULTY & ACADEMIC STAFF SOCIAL This event brings business representatives and educators together to socialize and learn what each other does.
GOLDEN APPLE AWARDS PROGRAM This program recognizes excellence in education and honors educators for the great work they do preparing students for their future community roles.
HERE’S WHAT I DO Have PIE help you find guest speakers that tie your curriculum to the real world.
THE NEED TO READ Business and community members become readers who visit a school classroom, read a short selection to the class, give a brief personal account of the ways reading and learning have impacted their lives and career achievements, and respond to questions from the students.
SCHOOLS2SKILLS Through the Job Shadow Program, Business Tours and Informational Interviews students visit local businesses and learn about different careers while touring facilities and meeting directly with employees.
REALITY SHOP This interactive financial literacy program prepares students to budget and make informed financial decisions. Throughout the year in their classroom students learn the financial skills needed to succeed. They then put their learned knowledge into action during the Reality Shop with the help of business volunteers.
CAREER EXPLORATION DAY (CAREER EXPO) BECOME A PART OF PIE THROUGH SPONSORSHIP \\ Your business or organization can help support this respected, successful and effective program by becoming a PIE sponsor. For sponsorship opportunities contact Bill Christiansen at 715-344-1904 or fdn@portagecountybiz.com
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THE ACTIVE VOICE \\ PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
Students from Portage and Waushara school districts attend to meet with business representatives and learn about different career opportunities.
GET A JOB Help your students prepare for that next step through developing important interviewing skills. Human Resource Professionals come to your school and help students learn how to search for a job, complete applications, make a good first impression, what not to post on Facebook, etc. and how to be successful on the job. \\\\\
2013 pcbc / foundation board of DIRECTORS \\
meetings & other DATES \\
Executive Board
July 2013
David McHone - President , Central WI Management Services, LLC Susan Placzek - President Elect, SentryWorld Sports Center Sue Wilcox - Vice President, United Way of Portage County Jeff Peterson - Past President, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Sue Wille - Treasurer, Ligman & Wille CPA LLC Ken Erler - Member at Large, Sentry Insurance Keith Pilger - Member at Large, Anderson O’Brien Lori Dehlinger, Executive Director, Portage County Business Council, Inc.
04 - 05 Office Closed - Fourth of July 11 Ambassador Meeting - 8:00 am, PCBC - Foundation Room 17 Executive Committee Meeting - 7:30 am, CliftonLarsonAllen 18 SalesNet Meeting - 11:45 am, PCBC - Foundation Room 24 Board of Directors Meeting - 7:30 am, PCBC - Foundation Room 25 Ambassadors Visits - 4:00 pm, Sites: TBA \\\\\
Board of Directors Tom Altmann - Altmann Construction Company Doug Ballweg - Delta Dental of Wisconsin Lisa Bourget - Travel Guard, Inc. Erik Carlson - Ellis Stone Construction Company Kris Dragan - BMO Harris Bank Patty Dreier - Portage County Executive Scott Glinski - Skyward Andrew Halverson - Mayor, City of Stevens Point O. Phillip Idsvoog - Portage County Board Chair Lonnie Krogwold - Portage County Board Finance Chair Deb Marten - Marten Machining Richard O’Sullivan - Mid-State Technical College Bernie Patterson - University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Jim Petersen - Marshfield Clinic Dan Schlutter - Village of Plover Lisa Sobczak - ABR Employment Services Dawn Thrun - Ambassador Representative, International Bank of Amherst JoAnn Vosz - Community First Bank Attila Weninger - Stevens Point Area Public Schools Ward Wolff - First Weber Group Realtors Gary Wysocki - Paragon Farms Dave Worth - The Worth Company Robert Worth - Director Emeritus, The Worth Company
CONNECT WITH US ON...
Board Advisors
Portage County gift certificates makes 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.
Sara Brish - Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Dan Mahoney - Village of Plover Michael Ostrowski - City of Stevens Point Steve Smith - Mid-State Technical College
www.PortageCountyConnects.com The Portage County Business Council reminds you that Portage County Connects is your connection to insights, resources, and economic development news in Portage County.
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter - @PoCoBiz
advertise with US \\ » CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO For questions, please contact Sarah at 715-344-1940 or admin@portagecountybiz.com. \\\\\
BUY LOCAL Purchasing Portage County gift certificates continues to be a successful way to “Buy Local”.
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
Lori Dehlinger - Executive Director Mary Jo Monday - Director of Member Relations Karen Schanock - Director of Programs & Events Bill Christiansen - Director of Foundation Kari Thompson - Business & Office Operations Director Sarah Bosshart - Interim Admin. / Marketing Assistant
ldehling@portagecountybiz.com
Questions / Comments:
mmonday@portagecountybiz.com
Sarah Bosshart \\ admin@portagecountybiz.com
kschanoc@portagecountybiz.com fdn@portagecountybiz.com acctg@portagecountybiz.com admin@portagecountybiz.com
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter - @PoCoBiz Follow us on LinkedIn
PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL & FOUNDATION \\ 5501 VERN HOLMES DRIVE \\ STEVENS POINT, WI 54482 \\ P 715-344-1940 \\ F 715-344-4473 07.2013 \\ PORTAGE COUNTY, WISCONSIN
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