April Voice 2012

The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

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hiGh SChOOL ACAdEMiES

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April 2012 | Volume 25 | No. 4

An evening of honors and recognitions Manufacturing Dinner & Expo

By Paul Anthony Arco Ten years ago, Melba Bradberry, Judy Pike and Teresa Beach-Shelow founded a group called Women of Today’s Manufacturing (WOTM). The goal of the group was to provide mentoring and leadership to others within the manufacturing industry, especially young people.

“One of the reasons we started this organization was to raise money that would stay local,” said Bradberry, secretary and treasurer of S&B Jig Grinding. “We wanted to help the

Photos by Brian Thomas Photography

Bradberry, Pike and Beach-Shelow received the Manzullo Business Catalyst of the Year Award during the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s annual Manufacturing Dinner & Expo. community. Young people need that support, and it makes us feel good to be able to help them.”

Over the past decade, WOTM has focused on three areas – hosting eighth, ninth and tenth grade students each summer at the TECHWORKS Manufacturing Camp held at the EIGERlab; establishing the WOTM Manufacturing Scholarship Fund for area residents looking to begin or advance a career in the manufacturing field; and creating a member education expense reimbursement to help WOTM members to better themselves and further develop

their education, skills and abilities within the manufacturing industry.

“Through our efforts and fundraising we’ve been able to establish scholarships between $40,000 and $50,000 for graduating seniors to go out into the manufacturing world,” said Pike, CEO of Acme Grinding. “One of our first manufacturing camp students went on to earn an engineering degree from the University of Iowa. That is so exciting.

Ten years later, we’re still out there as a viable force in the manufacturing community.” more on page 3

Area manufacturers encouraged to participate in Made in Illinois program Visit us online at: rockfordchamber.com n online registration n keynote speaker video clips n event photos n list of Chamber events Questions? 815-987-8100

Join the Chamber’s Linkedin Group www.linkedin.com/e/gis/2544

As part of the national “Make it in America” campaign being undertaken by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, IMEC is launching a companion Made in Illinois program to showcase Illinois products to the public and provide an Internet-based forum for manufacturers to connect and generate business opportunities.

Illinois manufacturers can register for a free profile page to feature their products and services, share company news, and display pictures and videos.

Manufacturers can join IMEC in

the campaign by displaying the Made in Illinois icon on their websites or other promotional materials, and distributing a flyer at events and other activities that involve manufacturers.

IMEC also is developing a Made in IL Partner recognition page on the IMEC website and social media channels.

Manufacturers that join the campaign will have their logo added to the list of supporters.

For questions, contact Tucker Kennedy, VP-marketing and public relations at IMEC at 309-677-4633 or tkennedy@ imec.org or visit www.imec.org.

CONSTRUCTiON SEASON BEGiNS ON ThE TOLLWAY The Illinois Tollway announced that construction on the I-294/I-90 Tri-Level Bridge Project has begun.

Construction involves repairs on the flyover ramp bridges, including concrete beam, bridge deck replacement and structural repairs.

The Illinois Tollway now offers a Tollway Trip Calculator interactive map at www.illinoistollway.com, which highlights the route and location of each toll plaza with the corresponding tolls, once you select a specific start and end point and hit one button to calculate the tolls on your designated route. It also offers a view of Tollway Oases locations and access to lane closure updates for each of the tollway’s four roadways.

Toll rates are set to maintain and operate the roadways while repaying the bond debt. Rates for older portions of the tollway system average about six cents per mile for cars with an I-PASS. Rates on newer roadways are higher, because the cost of constructing roads has increased over time. It’s expected that rates on the Elgin O’Hare West Bypass will be about 20 cents per mile.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

STATE OF THE COUNTY

April 25 • Clock Tower Resort For more info, see page 28 iNTERESTiNG BiZ FACTS ■ Steve Jobs’ annual salary was $1, just enough to keep company health benefits.

■ All three founders of Apple worked at Atari before forming Apple.

■ Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, was a college drop out.

■ Dell’s first advertisement was made on the back of a pizza box.

■ Dell Computers was started by a 19 year old with only $1,000.

■ The founder of McDonald’s has a bachelor’s degree in Hamburgerology.

■ Yahoo! was originally called “Jerry’s Guide to the World Wide Web.” ■ Walt Disney World generates about 120,000 pounds of garbage every day.

Source: www.funfactz.com

April 2012 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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President’s Message VIEWPOINT

Rockford region not served well with map redistricting We will want in place a new process that empowers citizens, not legislators The 2012 Primary Elections are now complete, and we know more fully who are up for consideration in November for several key races on both sides of the aisle. In some cases, we already know who our next elected representative will be in certain districts.

Hopefully voters weren’t too confused through the primary process with the new districts that may have been added to their ballot. During the remapping of Illinois for both congressional and Illinois legislative districts, something significant happened to the Rockford Region that does not bode well for us for at least the next 10 years. Where Rockford previously tended to have large parts of the region in one congressional district, the 16th and one Illinois Senate District, the 34th, we now have our region split among at least two districts each that will call for far more active advocacy efforts by local organizations such as the Rockford Chamber to ensure

our voice is being heard and our region is being served.

Let’s start with the congressional districts, where we now have the region divided between the 17th district and the 16th district. Both of these districts look nothing like they previously were.

The 16th congressional district now runs from Indiana, around the collar Chicago counties, and up to the Wisconsin state line. The 17th district, previously centered around Moline-Rock Island, now adds portions of Peoria and Rockford to its district, which touches Iowa and Wisconsin. We now have to work to have the ear of both congressmen, who now represent the Rockford Region, and encourage them to work together on an agenda for Rockford to ensure our priorities are being met. Regardless of political party, it is tantamount that we have our two congressmen working in concert on our behalf. We as a region will have to regularly reinforce that need

to our representatives.

Similarly with the Illinois Senate, the 35th District has shifted east and south and the 34th District has shifted to have a larger representative portion of Rockford as well as to the north. While perhaps a lesser concern to a degree than the congressional districts, again there is a great need for the business community and other organizations to ensure our elected leaders for the Illinois delegation are working from the same playbook.

Rockford has been made an unfortunate pawn in the redistricting process, and its having been split by these various districts should be seen as a call to action for us to ensure we have collaboration among our elected leaders and hold them accountable for that collaboration.

In 2010, an active effort was put forth to call for a change in the process by which redistricting in Illinois occurs.

Einar K. Forsman Rockford Chamber of Commerce

For many years, legislative maps have been worked out by the two parties in a committee process; however, their ultimate boundaries often get set by the party in power. This had led to the creation of districts that make little sense in terms of regional representation, and also has been used as a tool to ensure member’s reelection or pit minority party members against each other.

Support for the Fair Map Amendment The Illinois Fair Map Amendment calls for a change to this process by instead having an independent commission draw future legislative maps—maps that will specifically be required to not favor one political party over another. While the process cannot be changed until the next census, we might find over the next 10 years that we will want in place a new process that empowers citizens, not legislators.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2012

Dinner & Expo Continued from front page

For their efforts, Bradberry, Pike and Beach-Shelow received the Manzullo Business Catalyst of the Year Award during the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s annual Manufacturing Dinner & Expo, March 21, at Giovanni’s.

“It’s important to promote manufacturing in our community,” said BeachShelow, owner of Superior Joining Technologies. “We have many people who work fulltime in manufacturing and spend time volunteering to make the community better and manufacturing stronger. It’s important to strengthen manufacturing as a whole, for both men and women.”

Sagar Patel, president of Aircraft Turbine Systems for Woodward, Inc., provided the keynote address.

The Manufacturing Dinner and Expo included more than 50 booths from area manufacturing and related services. The Manufacturer’s Council also hosted several high schools to promote manufacturing careers to area students. In all, more than 560 business leaders attended this year’s event.

“There was more feeling of passion and advancement within the manufacturing industry this year,” said Einar Forsman, president and CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. “Compared to last year, these manufacturing leaders are now fully running their shops, and looking to find qualified skilled workers.

Now, it’s a matter of order fulfillment rather than finding orders.”

The evening’s other big honor, Manufacturer of the Year Award, was presented to Specialty Screw Corporation. Founded in 1953, the locally owned company is a provider of products for the fastening and engineered component market. Specialty Screw, led by owner Russell Johansson, has incorporated lean technology and green initiatives throughout its company.

For example, in January, the company installed a solar photovoltaic system using locally manufactured solar panels that will generate up to 1.8 kilowatts of energy. Specialty Screw has earned many awards, including the Governor’s Pollution Prevention Award, the “Who’s Going Green Award,” and several other recognitions for service and quality.

“This is a wonderful achievement,” said Bill Conkling, vice president and

Chief Financial Officer for Specialty Screw Corporation. “We work very hard to satisfy our customer needs, to be innovative and to develop products that they will like. Our employees have worked hard and sacrificed during the recession. But we always kept our spirits up because we knew that the economy would come back at some point.”

The keynote speaker was Sagar Patel, president of Aircraft Turbine Systems (ATS) for Woodward, Inc., a global provider of energy control technologies.

In the past year, Woodward has received some of the largest engine controls programs in its history and is experiencing tremendous growth.

During his presentation, Patel shared the company’s long-range strategic and growth strategy, and keys to past successes. “Woodward has been an outstanding partner in this community,” Forsman said. “Sometimes we take for granted the kind of impact these companies have in our community, especially when it comes to jobs and long range planning that impact other local companies.”

The presenting event sponsor was QPS Employment Group. “I thought it was a fantastic evening,” said Jeff Joutras, regional vice president for QPS Employment Group, who attended the event for the first time. “It’s a great opportunity to meet the leaders in the industry. Most people I talk to are very positive and optimistic about their companies and what’s going on with the economy. I think we’re headed in the right direction.”

Supporting event sponsors included Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International; Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren P.C.; Rockford Bank & Trust Co.; CliftonLarsonAllen LLP; Thayer Lighting, Inc., and SVA Certified Public Accountants, SC. The manufacturing awards sponsor was Humana. n

Dr. Jack Becherer and Dave Morgan are recognized for their accreditation by NIMS.

Members exchange information about products and services at the Manufacturers Expo.

Business Looking Up for Area Manufacturers

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April 2012 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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Board Member PROFILE

Offering insight on manufacturing from a woman’s perspective What perspective do you offer to the Chamber board?

A viewpoint of manufacturing from a woman’s perspective, and what I can do to help Rockford to be a place where people want to live, work and raise their families.

Why is the Chamber important to business and the community?

The Chamber has helped K-I Machine understand why it’s important to work together in the community.

It helps small businesses like ours; providing resources that helps us stay in business and hire more workers in our community.

What is the name/current purpose of your business?

K-I Machine Tool & Production Inc., has been in business for 12 years. We are a CNC machine shop with lathes, mills, EDM and light assembly capabilities.

We specialize in custom machining, prototypes, low to medium volume production, tooling, and fixtures. K-I Machine has diversified into aviation, construction and the defense industries.

Somchan Thatsanaphon K-I Machine Tool & Production Inc.

companies by sharing information, and understanding what areas might need my help with my background in manufacturing.

What in your career has had the greatest impact on you?

Being able to work with my brother and learning to build a business -- one of the best decisions I have made in my life. This has brought new people who have taught me to be self-motivated and strong when it comes time to make the best decisions for our business. Being persistent makes dreams come true, if you want it.

If you could be or do anything else - what?

I love what I’m doing now.

What one word would you use to describe yourself?

Giver.

What are you most proud of?

My kids, family and our family business.

What is your business background?

What’s the one thing about you that few people know?

I am vice president of K-I Machine Tool & Production Inc., an ISO-90002008-certified CNC machine shop committed to providing quality parts and on-time delivery to customers.

My father is the eldest of 18 children.

I also get very nervous around a group of people during meetings.

What trend is most strongly impacting your industry?

What impacts small businesses like K-I Machine is when most of our work comes from one or two major customers, and they either leave town or downsize.

It’s very difficult to regain the same level of business with new customers as well as diversify into other industries. But this seems to be the trend, and makes it very challenging for a small businesses.

How do you think you impact the community?

Getting more involved, helping other

What are you are most thankful for?

The opportunity to come to this country and build a dream.

How do you typically spend your leisure time?

With my family, talking and sharing priceless moments while my children are young and full of energy

Anything else you’d like to share with Chamber members?

I would like to thank the Chamber for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the board.

Let your Voice be heard The Rockford Chamber of Commerce ­ elcomes and encourages submissions w for The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding ­publication. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 190 Rockford, IL 61101

For information about advertising contact Customer Service at 815-987-8100.

The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community (USPS 784-120). ISSN number 1086-0630, is published monthly by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, Illinois 61101.

Periodicals postage paid at Rockford, Ill. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2012

High School Academies Why will they be good for business … and for Rockford?

What do you look for in an employee?

Problem solving? Critical thinking skills? Technological literacy? The ability to communicate and work in a team environment? If you’re like most businesses, you probably would affirm all of the above, right? These are the skills the workforce desires, but are the majority of local high school graduates living up to those standards? According to many local business owners who struggle to find qualified employees, the answer is no, or at least, not yet. …

Recently, RPS 205 launched Readiness Rocks, five initiatives to move our school district forward by leaps and bounds.

One of those initiatives is “Career and College Readiness.” Under that initiative, our leadership team has developed tactics to help us better prepare our graduates for life beyond high school. One of those tactics is implementing High School Academies.

The concept is simple: to provide small learning environments in all of our high schools that teach core curriculum but also provide targeted learning opportunities in career paths that interest students. RPS 205 is working with Alignment Rockford to follow the basic structure already implemented, working and showing success in the Nashville school system.

School board members, district leadership and teachers have traveled to Nashville to observe and ask questions and find out if it’s the right solution for RPS 205. We are confident it is. We are so confident that we are preparing a feasibility study and soliciting parent, teacher and student input, while Jefferson High School teachers work with Hamilton Sundstrand employees to develop a prototype of an aerospace academy to illustrate how the concept will work in our high schools.

Employers Reaching Out Many employers in our community already have reached out to partner with us. There will be branding and instructional opportunities. We plan to present all of the information to the board with a hope to move forward in the fall.

If the school board approves it, we will begin at Jefferson by hiring an Academy Coach to oversee the development of the academies at Jefferson. Initially, we envision a gradual roll out of freshman academies at each high school, offering transitional support and guidance to incoming freshmen. After a year in the freshman academy, students will choose an academy in which they will spend the remainder of their high school experience.

Those academies will have themes based on student interest and need but may include arts, business, engineering, manufacturing, health, law and human

services. Once enrolled in their chosen academy, students are taught in smaller, more personalized learning environments, where they work together to solve real-life problems, using the latest technology and best practices. Area businesses will help students learn what’s going on in today’s business world and educate students on career options. Field trips and job shadowing will introduce students to work environments. Students will get a tremendous head start through internship opportunities, classes for college credit and certifications that can lead to quality jobs right out of high school.

Each academy will have a consistent team of teachers, guidance counselors and other support staff, which will meet regularly to discuss specific students’ progress and help support students on a more individual, personalized level.

Perhaps the best part of incorporating high school academies into our curriculum is that the investment will be cost neutral.

It will be entirely funded by grants, with additional support from private entities.

A Personalized Approach to School The way we view secondary education is changing. The academy model moves away from the traditional curriculum, towards a more personal, individualized approach, which better prepares students to move on to college or career.

The academy model may seem to be a good amount of work on behalf of the community, but it already has proven to be worth it in cities like Nashville. When students are able to see what they’re working toward, that oftasked question of “What’s the point?” disappears. Graduation rates improve and dropout rates decrease. That makes a huge difference in a local economy.

Dropout students are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice and prison systems. Those systems and other services are paid for with tax dollars that could be better used for educating our children and for economic growth.

There also is abundant empirical evidence that career academies boost student success after high school, whether in a career or in college. These well prepared graduates go on to become active, contributing adults enriching their communities, while improving the regional business climate. Local businesses will have a wellspring of competent individuals to add to their companies, and they’ll know exactly where to find them … RPS 205.

Dr. Robert Willis is interim superintendent of Rockford Public Schools.

The views expressed are those of Dr. Willis’ and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

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April 2012 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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Spring, the season of growth Four programs aimed toward accelerating small business investment

By Matthew Simpson, RAEDC Spring time is upon us! Temperatures are rising, the grass is growing greener, and flowers are blooming all round us. It is a season of growth. The state of Illinois has initiated a program to help companies do just that -- grow their business through increased access capital to capital. This program is called Advantage Illinois.

The Advantage Illinois program is intended to accelerate investments and ease the credit crunch for small businesses as a result of $78 million from the federal State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.

Advantage Illinois Programs Advantage Illinois involves three programs designed to encourage institutional lending to small businesses, and one program to leverage private venture capital in start-ups and highgrowth businesses.

Capital Access Program (CAP) helps businesses with various financing needs.

It is designed to encourage financial institutions to make loans to small and new businesses that do not qualify under conventional lending policies.

Participation Loan Program (PLP) supports businesses with projects that create or retain jobs and/or modernize their businesses to improve competitiveness. One component of the program is devoted to Minority/ Women/Disabled/Veteran-Owned businesses (MWDV PLP). The state purchases and subordinates part of the loan to help mitigate lender risk.

Collateral Support Program (CSP) establishes savings accounts or CDs that provide cash collateral support to lending institutions to enhance the equity and/or loan collateral levels of small business borrowers.

Invest Illinois Venture Fund Program (IIVF) is a new venture capital program to support young, innovative companies in Illinois that show high growth potential, can demonstrate their place in the market and already have other investors.

For more information on Advantage Illinois, visit www.ildceo.net/dceo/ Bureaus/Advantage+Illinois or call 800252-2923.

Matthew Simpson is business development specialist at the Rockford Area Economic Development Council.

EIGERlab’s CTeam:

Efforts demonstrate proven results EIGERlab’s Acceleration Process, dubbed the CTeam, was formalized mid-September, 2011. Since then, the team has met with numerous local companies; assisting with reaching their growth-related goals. The CTeam is comprised of professionals from the EIGERlab (E-L), the Rockford Area Economic Development Council, the Small Business Development Center and E-L’s executives in residence. Since each entrepreneur has different growthrelated challenges, including financial, legal and HR, the CTeam invites a unique group of local professionals, or “associates,” to assist.

The CTeam’s mission is to assist new and existing companies in the region using a collaborative, holistic approach to growth. Its core competency is matching who the client needs within our region, such as a CTeam associate, in order to accelerate their growth.

grow my business.” An associate in the

Businesses Meet With Success

existing, expanding companies that

The CTeam now has a proven track record. A recent CTeam presenter, who also is an E-L tenant, shared the following remarks, “Thank you for hosting the CTeam meeting this week. The panel that you organized was very appropriate! I look forward to implementing the feedback to help

legal arena who is a local professional chosen to assist the aforementioned entrepreneur commented, “Thanks for including me in the business review last month. I am interested in helping when appropriate. I love the format you have and the common good it provides. Keep up the great work, our community needs your help.”

Growing our own entrepreneurial business

is

much

more

cost-

effective than attempting to attract entrepreneurs

from

outside

our

region. According to the Edward Lowe Foundation’s website, “When it comes to generating new jobs, it’s existing companies — not new startups — that have the leading role. New startups often are billed as the stars of economic growth. Yet according to a paper by the Edward Lowe Foundation, it’s actually contribute most to U.S. job creation.

In fact, from 1990 to 2008, existing companies generated 71 percent more new jobs than startups.”

If you feel your company could benefit from meeting with the CTeam, please call 815-921-2054 to start a dialogue on how we can assist.

Rockforward!2 The Plan continues Marketing our hard-working labor force, convenient location and competitive value of doing business

By Mary Cacioppi, RAEDC The Rockford Region has funded our economic future through the Rockford Area Economic Development Council’s Rockforward! strategic plan.

We have successfully marketed our hardworking labor force, convenient location and competitive value of doing business to companies in Illinois, throughout North America and in Europe and Asia. We’ve also worked with companies and entrepreneurs in our own backyard to connect them with properties, resources and incentives to help their businesses grow.

Our investors showed bold leadership and kept moving forward in the face of a continued recession. Their long-range thinking keeps our region top-of-mind with companies looking to relocate or expand to a new market, and helps those already here to commit and grow.

But our work is not done. The ongoing

economic uncertainty threatens to stall or even reverse our region’s progress. That is why we are continuing our strategic plan for another three years with Rockforward!2 which builds on the successes from our first strategic plan and adapts the model for new economic realities.

Our plan continues the focus on helping to create and retain jobs, which in turn will bring wealth to all levels of the Rockford Region. We need the private and public sectors to stay at the table with us and continue to implement this plan.

As with the first Rockforward! plan, we will be data-driven and results-oriented, communicating a clear return on your investment.

The Plan is Focused on Five Priority Strategies ■ Targeted Marketing and Recruitment ■ Thriving Business Climate ■ Quality Connected Infrastructure

■ 21st Century Talent ■ Emerging Opportunities Fund Combined, these five strategies will have a tremendous impact on primary job growth, which will result in achieving our three-year goal of 4,500 new and retained jobs for the region.

Today’s economy presents both challenges and opportunities. Much work remains to be done.

We must continue to help local companies become global traders. We must promote the region’s compelling attributes to attract investment. We must enhance our region’s capacity for development. And, perhaps above all, we must continue to strive for excellence in our educational system. Together, we can build a better, stronger, more sustainable economy.

Together, we will connect, act and thrive.

For more information on becoming an RAEDC Investor, contact Mary Cacioppi, director of investor relations at 815-969-4259 or mcacioppi@rockfordil.com.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2012

2011 ‘Voice of the Customer’ Survey Some business growth, some areas for opportunity

The Rockford Area Economic Development Council released results from its eighth Voice of the Customer business retention survey. A total of 125 companies participated in on-site interviews, representing more than 26,272 employees in the region (15.8 percent of the workforce).

Many companies indicated using temporary staffing services to fill positions in order to create greater flexibility within the employment base and as a hedge against the risks of business uncertainty many companies indicated they continued to feel.

Although workforce needs increased slightly, employers in manufacturing industries continued to communicate challenges with finding individuals with appropriate skills to fill open positions. This was a reflection of the more technical nature of modern manufacturing, requiring individuals with higher skill sets.

Other Results from Surveyed Companies ■ Thirty nine companies (31 percent) projected increased market share/ total sales, 38 companies (30 percent) projected increased employment needs, and 32 companies (26 percent) expressed plans to expand.

■ Seventeen percent identified barriers to future expansion, including the attractiveness of the business climate in Illinois, concerns with the skill level and work ethic of the region’s younger workforce, and a negative perception of the K-12 public education system.

■ Many manufacturers indicated using websites to drive sales and customer service efforts. They posted videos, photos and drawings detailing capabilities and shared client testimonials to give prospective customers more information with which to make purchasing decisions.

■ Companies indicated that participating in trade associations seemed to be a great help in building important relationships, pursuing professional development and receiving timely information across industries – medical, aerospace, metal working or education.

■ The Latino population grew 67 percent in Winnebago County and 110 percent in Boone County since 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Many companies expressed that their workforce reflected this growth.

■ Education was mentioned as an area of importance by business leaders, who expressed a willing to support success in K-12 and interactions between K-12 and post-secondary education institutions.

■ More than 90 percent of the 125 companies indicated that they provided training. Of those, 54 percent were increasing training, 37 percent were maintaining training, and nine percent were decreasing training.

■ For manufacturing companies, more than 39 percent of training investment was spent in new job skills, 20 percent in remedial training and 41 percent on proficiency improvement.

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Data-driven decision making increases productivity Do your front-line managers know how to use data to separate opinions from facts? … describe a problem? … identify root causes? … make a case for a course of action? or validate improvement?

According to an article from the measurement standard: blog edition, “Businesses are more productive when they make decisions based on data, rather than experience or intuition.” Results of research led by Erik Brynjolfsson demonstrated that data-driven decisionmaking results in a five to six percent increase in productivity over decisions made by intuition or experience.

Brynjolfsson’s research results also reinforced that companies using data to make decisions has huge implications for competitiveness and growth.

Don’t Rely Just on Intuition Data-driven decision making is a concept that needs to be embraced and understood by all levels of management since many individuals in your business will benefit.

Persons responsible for maintaining performance, implementing improvements, and evaluating potential changes will benefit from Data Driven Decision Making.

In data-driven decision making there are two types of data that are anBernie Luecke alyzed: attribute RVC BPI and variable data. Any data measurements that are not quantified on an infinitely divisible numeric scale, which can include items like counts, proportions, ratios or percentage of characteristics are known as attribute data.

Attribute data typically is used to control various charts. The opposite of attribute data is variable data. This data type has real numbers in measurement and can be measured on a continuous scale.

If your business or company has traditionally relied on manager intuition and experience to make good business decisions, you still may be experiencing success in certain situations, but this can stall your growth and productivity process.

If you are looking for a resource to assist with data-driven decision making, the Business and Professional Institute has experts on staff who can customize a curriculum to meet your needs, please contact Bernie at 815-921-2067 or b. luecke@rockvalleycollege.edu.

New I-39 ad reinforces benefits offered to manufacturers The I-39 Logistics Corridor Association released a new I-39 ad and marketing banner that reinforces the benefits the corridor offers to manufacturers. It will be used as promotion through trade shows, mailings, handouts and placement on the I-39website www.i39logistics.com.

The corridor’s central location, abundant utilities, and crucial transportation links makes it a vital industrial hub and manufacturing center for aerospace, machine tools, alternative energy, heavy machinery, packaging and processing devices, automotive, agricultural equipment, fasteners, and more because of its concentration of metals companies as well as having produced many significant innovations.

Manufacturing Update is sponsored by RVC BPI

April 2012 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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PROFILE

Member Company Profile

RiverHawks Stadium is home to more than 300 baseball games a year.

Bryan Wickline

Play Ball! Rockford RiverHawks looks to make

a new impression on local fans

By Paul Anthony Arco Mike Veeck, son of the late Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck and a successful minor league baseball owner in his own right, coined the phrase, “Fun is good.”

That same philosophy could apply for the Rockford RiverHawks during the upcoming baseball season. “We’re really looking forward to this year,” said team president Bryan Wickline. “I can’t put it into words how excited we are.”

The independent minor league team kicks off the new season May 25.

There are plenty of changes in store for the RiverHawks this year. There’s a new logo, new uniforms, new website and a new attitude. “I want people to know that everything is different,” Wickline said. “It’s a new look, a new feel, and a new era for RiverHawks’ baseball.”

The RiverHawks are owned by Rock River Valley L.L.C., the ownership group that operates the Chillicothe (Ohio) Paints, a former Frontier League team that ceased operation in 2008. Rock River Valley Baseball moved that Frontier League membership to Rockford at the start of the 2011 season, replacing the former RiverHawks’ team that played in the Northern League. It was a rough start last season for the new ownership group, which also oversees another team in Chillicothe who plays in a collegiate wood bat league called the Prospect League. “It was July before we got our feet under us,” Wickline said of last year’s RiverHawks’ team. “Our employees didn’t know if there was going to be a team or a season. We took a hit, but we got through it.”

Following the season, Wickline and the front office staff got busy. For starters, they became better connected with the business community. They recruited Best Western Clock Tower Resort to serve as the team’s new host hotel. They reached an agreement with Maverick Media to broadcast nearly all games on 100.5 NTA FM. Wickline has joined several business organizations, including the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Ignite and Next Rockford, in hopes of having a greater presence within the community. “I believe that if we support the community,

it will support the RiverHawks,” said Wickline, who also is working to find a naming rights sponsor for the stadium.

Affordable Ticket Pricing The RiverHawks have restructured its ticket pricing – all tickets are $10 or less this season. For the first time, the team will offer discounts on military, senior and children tickets, as well as group outings.

“We’ve made it more affordable,” Wickline said. “I want it to feel like it has value.”

This year, the team has many promotional offerings planned, including Military Night, 50 Cent Hot Dog Night, and more postgame fireworks. The team also is working to improve concessions and food quality. “We have to do staple items correctly, like hot dogs and hamburgers,” Wickline said. “I want fans to have dinner here at the ballpark. It’s all part of the overall experience.”

Stadium as a Multi-Purpose Facility The team has big plans beyond this year. While RiverHawks Stadium is home to more than 300 baseball games a year, including 48 RiverHawks’ games and several amateur tournaments, high school and college baseball games, the organization will install artificial turf following the season, which could attract other activities, such as softball, soccer, football, and even concerts. “I want to make the stadium a multi-purpose facility, so the community can use it nine or 10 months out of the year, and not just three months,” Wickline said. “We can do that if we have turf.”

But first things first. The team will unveil a new slogan this season – “It’s more than baseball.” According to Wickline, winning is not the true measuring stick in minor league baseball. “We want to win, but it’s not the be-all and end-all,” he said. “Fans don’t remember the score, but they remember whether they had a good time. It’s about the experience. It’s supposed to be fun.”

ROCKFORd RiVERhAWKS Bryan Wickline, president 4503 Interstate Blvd.

Loves Park, IL 61111 815-885-2255 (BALL) www.rockfordriverhawks.com

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2012

FOCUS ON SAVVY AFTER 55

Get money smart!

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Taxes are on the move Ideas on how your portfolio can fight back While this may be a bit of an overstatement, there still is a lot of truth to it, for taxes are an enemy to you and your family when it comes to achieving your financial goals. The bad news is that the enemy soon may be getting stronger with parts of the tax code set to expire at the end of this year.

To make matters even worse, planning for this enemy has been made even more challenging by the lack of direction on future tax policy from Washington.

Consider just two years ago, when investors had to wait until very late into 2010 (Dec. 17 to be exact) to know what the rules were going to be heading into the next year, leaving very little time to implement any tax planning strategies. But there was at least some good news to come out at this time, as Congress passed an extension of a wide variety of expiring tax laws (in 2010) that resulted in at least some stability when it came to tax planning in 2011 and 2012.

At that time, President Obama and Congress agreed to extend certain provisions of the Bush tax cuts that centered on lower overall tax rates, preferable rates for long-term capital gains and dividends as well as a substantial reduction in the estate tax in the form of a larger exemption and a lower marginal tax rate. This created many opportunities for investors to reduce the impact of taxes to their portfolios and estates.

However, all of these changes once again are set to expire at the end of this year. Coupled with the uncertainty of this year’s Presidential election, investors once again are in the position of trying to make decisions on their portfolios in the face of a very uncertain tax future. They are, in essence, being forced to fight an enemy they cannot see.

Strategy to Diversify There is no way to accurately predict what will change and what will not when these changes expire at the end of this year, but it is hard to imagine the current tax environment getting any better. More likely, given the political rancor and fiscal challenges this country now is facing, the immediate future of the tax code will be to push taxes higher – not lower.

So what should the investor do to combat an enemy they cannot get their arms around? Consider diversifying your portfolio on the basis of taxes, as to improve your net portfolio return after-taxes. This is the new frontier of portfolio allocation and is the greatest weapon investors have to try and slay this enemy. This is a step that no longer can be set aside, as to ignore it is to pay taxes unnecessarily.

The questions you should consider for your portfolio are: ■■ What is the best way to reduce the tax drag on my portfolio’s returns?

■■ How will the coming changes in the tax code impact my portfolio decisions?

9

Scott Johnson Robert W. Baird & Co.

■■ What does a tax-efficient portfolio look like?

■■ What steps should I take to create a more tax-efficient portfolio?

Gary Love Once you Robert W. have answers to Baird & Co. these questions, you will have the framework in place to make the most informed decisions when it comes to the taxation of your investment accounts. This framework is vital to helping you maximize the benefits of these accounts to you and your loved ones – NOT THE IRS.

Keeping More in Your Pocket The bottom line is that your investment returns will go to one of two places – to you and your family or to the IRS. The goal of tax diversification is to maximize the returns that actually end up going in your pocket. This way, more of the wealth created by your hard work and sacrifice can go toward the fulfillment of your life goals, such as attaining a certain lifestyle in retirement, providing for your heirs, and contributing to the causes that are near to you. This is critical in the current environment, which will tax first and ask questions later.

It is our conviction that with proper asset placement and the utilization of the optimal tax planning strategies for your portfolio, you can significantly reduce what taxes you have to pay during both the accumulation and later during the distribution of the assets. For it is not how much you earn, but how much you keep (or your heirs keep) that will determine the success of your plan over the long haul.

To obtain the full white paper on this topic, contact 815-636-5229 or email thelovejohnsongroup@ rwbaird.com.

Scott Johnson, CFP®, CPWA® and Gary Love, CFP® are Certified Financial Planner™ professionals of The Love Johnson Group, Robert W. Baird & Co., Private Wealth Management. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily of Robert W. Baird and Company. Diversification does not guarantee a profit and does not ensure against a loss. Robert W. Baird and Company does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax or legal professional.

Investment Management Consultants Association is the owner of the certification mark “CPWA®” and the service marks “Certified Private Wealth Advisor,” “Investment Management Consultants Association,” and “IMCA®”. Use of CPWA® or Certified Private Wealth Advisor signifies that the user has successfully completed IMCA’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for wealth advisors.

The views expressed are those of Johnson’s and Love’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Rockford’s Money Smart Week (MSW) will take place April 21 to 28 and will offer a wide variety of free educational seminars, nearly 90 in total, on topics pertaining to all age groups and walks of life. Experts from more than 65 different partner organizations are volunteering their time and expertise to provide valuable information on financial topics for today’s consumer. From basic saving skills for kids to tips for the first-time homebuyer to coupon clipping to retirement planning, this week of free financial literacy classes has something for everyone. All programs are free to the community at different venues throughout Winnebago, Boone, Ogle and DeKalb counties.

For the savvy over 55 audience, here are some of the seminar topics that might be of interest: ■■ retirement planning -- before, during and after; ■■ senior living options; ■■ retirement concerns for Baby Boomers; ■■ maximizing your social security benefits; ■■ advanced funeral planning; ■■ veteran’s end of life benefits and resources; ■■ understanding Medicare; ■■ legacy planning; ■■ estate planning, and more.

Take advantage of this opportunity to become educated on topics that pertain to

your lifestyle and well being. The Rockford Register Star will feature a tabloid MSW calendar section on Sunday, April 15 and at rrstar.com. For a calendar listing of all of the events in the Rockford region, visit moneysmartweek.org, choose Illinois and select your county. Also visit the Money Smart Week Rockford Facebook page. For information, contact Lorna Cote, Rockford MSW2012 chair, MembersAlliance Credit Union, 815-226-2260, ext. 313, or lcote@ membersalliance.org.

Your Business Can Spread the Word About Money Smart Week!

Area businesses are being asked to spread the word about Rockford’s fifth-annual Money Smart Week by participating in two marketing efforts: Sign Me Up: Put information on your outdoor digital signage or marquee, such as “Get Money Smart – Free classes April 21-28” or “Are you Money Smart? Free classes 4/21-28, moneysmartweek. org”.

Project Green Light: Do you have outside lighting for your place of business? Light your building GREEN during Money Smart Week, April 21 to 28!

For more information, call Heidi Berardi, MSW marketing co-chair, at 815-484-1608.

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April 2012 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

FOCUS ON SAVVY AFTER 55

INSIGHT Guest Perspective

Maximizing your retirement distribution Getting the most out of your savings Building your business or professional career requires a lot of hard work and dedication. No less attention should given to the discipline and planning necessary to prepare for life when you leave the workforce.

Remember, you have taken a great deal of time and effort accumulating assets to support your lifestyle during retirement, so it is important to steward these assets properly.

In preparing for retirement, think about the lifestyle you would like to live throughout retirement, and how you plan to sustain it. In addition, consider the following items when planning for retirement: ■■ Avoid debt as you enter retirement ■■ Consider the age you actually want to retire ■■ Determine the best time to start taking Social Security benefits ■■ Formulate a budget as you near retirement that realistically looks at money coming in and going out, accounting for special expenses along the way. When planning for retirement,

ask yourself two key questions:

Keep Taxes in Mind

■■ Are you going to work part-time in retirement to provide additional income?

If so, for how long?

Invest in tax-efficient vehicles (such as index funds) in your taxable accounts and use less efficient investments in your tax-deferred (IRA, 401k) and tax-free (Roth) accounts.

Take advantage of down markets (like 2008) by selling stocks or mutual funds in your taxable account at a loss. As long as you wait 30 days before buying these investments back, you are able to carry this tax loss forward indefinitely in order to offset future capital gains. As you distribute your assets in retirement, this tax loss harvesting is one step toward reducing your future tax burden.

Investors also need to take the time to learn the differences between withdrawing money from taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts. Each of these account types has built-in tax characteristics that vary greatly. Traditionally, people tend to shelter money in tax-deferred retirement accounts until the IRS forces them to begin taking distributions at age 70½. As the account grows, however, one’s future required minimum distributions also will grow, potentially pushing your tax

■■ How well will other forms of income, such as pensions, Social Security, sale of business, or ongoing income from existing business assets (rental properties, etc.) offset your spending?

Most importantly, look at your investment portfolio and determine how it is going to work for you.

When determining your rate of withdrawal, be realistic. Generally, experts recommend not withdrawing more than four percent a year in order to provide reasonable assurance that a 65 year old will not outlive his or her savings during their lifetime. While this initial withdrawal rate is an important consideration, make sure inflation is accounted for (at least three percent per year). In order to combat the effects of long-term inflation, investors need to ensure that they hold enough equities (stocks) to provide for adequate portfolio growth.

bracket higher.

Grant W. Moore Savant Capital Therefore, Management beginning withdrawals from retirement accounts before the required distribution age of 70½ sometimes can prove to be the most directionally sound course of action.

The appropriate time for retirement financial planning extends beyond the traditional deadline of ending your “working career” – it lasts as long as you live and need income to pay your bills.

Prudent money management, before and after retirement, can have an impact for years after you leave the workforce. Since these matters often can be complicated, it is never too early, or too late, to speak with a trusted financial advisor.

Grant W. Moore, MBA, CFP®, CRPC®, is responsible for managing all aspects of the financial planning and investment process in the Rockford office of Savant Capital Management. For more information, visit www.savantcapital.com.

The views expressed are those of Moore’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2012

FOCUS ON SAVVY AFTER 55

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Cancer prevention and risks after 55

Integrated systems can offer information The #1 risk factor for cancer is age.

Cancer increases exponentially with increasing age. This almost is certainly due to a combination of factors, including breakdown in the immune system, as well as cumulative exposures to carcinogens in the diet, workplace and environment.

This is not restricted to cancer. Other ailments, like kidney failure, dementia and macular degeneration, are on the rise with the aging population.

If anyone knows how to stop aging, please share the information with me.

Similarly, if you discover the fountain of youth, please bottle it, and bring me a generous supply! I am skeptical that cancer can be eliminated. Cancer occurs in humans, animals and plants. Evidence of cancer even has been discovered in Egyptian mummies!

Things That Can Decrease Cancer Risk There are many common sense things that we can do to decrease our cancer risk.

These are things that our parents, doctors, teachers and others have told us all of our lives, and things that we almost certainly tell our own children: 1. Exercise and weight control.

This is especially important in the two most common cancers: female breast and male prostate. The diet recommended for cancer risk reduction is the same as that for diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, etc.: Reduce total calories, reduction of meat and milk products, and replacement with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, etc.

2. Smoking cessation. If not possible, the less the better.

3. Alcohol moderation.

4. Avoiding risky behaviors that increase our risk of acquiring human papilloma, hepatitis B/C, HIV, and other viruses. This includes minimizing other risk factors, such as excess sun exposure.

Dr. William R. Edwards SwedishAmerican Health System

5. Know your relatives.

Are there diseases that are more prevalent in your family than in the general population, which should be screened more intensively? There are an increasing number of genetic tests that can be performed in higher risk patients to determine genetic susceptibility, which might lead to preventive interventions.

6. Listen, read and attend seminars.

There is a tremendous amount of free and useful information from free public sources including the library; the Internet; television; physicians; nursing; cancer societies, and hospital and church programs.

7. Read labels. Follow instructions and use precautions when handling chemicals as mundane as weed killers.

8. Listen to your body. Unexplained, and especially progressive symptoms (pain, bleeding, a new lump, etc., the American Cancer Society’s seven signs) should prompt at least a telephone inquiry if not an examination.

9. Screening exams: Lower cost/low-tech: History and physical exam including, whole body skin check, mouth, lymph node, breast, and rectal exam.

Higher tech/higher cost: Mammogram, periodic colonoscopy, PSA. Future possibilities: Stool tests for cancer antigens/associated proteins, etc., which might detect cancer or precancerous lesions shedding genetic material into the mouth, throat, stomach and colon. This will help us better decide who needs more invasive testing, like a colonoscopy, as well as whom might avoid it.

William R. Edwards, M.D., is an oncologist with the SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center.

The views expressed are those of Dr. Edward’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

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April 2012 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

FOCUS ON SAVVY AFTER 55

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Enjoying the vintage years of life Why is it that we treasure “vintage” items? We collect them, we wear them, and we give them places of honor in our lives. Why can’t we do the same with people? Audrey Hepburn once said, “People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.”

Life is not about wealth, talent or beauty; life is about people.

This attitude never is more important

than when on the journey to find an appropriate living environment for our older loved ones. And, one’s chronological age is not directly opposed to the type of home they choose. Senior independent living communities are testimony to this.

No longer is the choice of senior living comparable to “Shady Pines” on the 1990s sitcom, The Golden Girls.

The best thing about “Shady Pines Rest

Home” was the fact that some of its residents burned it to the ground! And, although this was comic fodder for the series, senior living is so much more than the “rest home” of years passed.

“end up” in a skilled facility or assisted living does not prove true.

Embracing Retirement Years

The Gift of Shared History

There are living choices to meet the needs, desires and lifestyles of our older loved ones. Activity and lifestyle can be enjoyed and engaged at independent living communities, regardless of the age of the resident. At these establishments, some meals are provided, along with a list of high-end amenities. An independent living community is a place where the older adult can embrace fully their retirement years. Independent living communities are about choice and freedom. Choice to participate in trips, events and fine dining each night; freedom for the negotiating of household chores; cleaning, mowing, shoveling, all in an environment that values the history of its resident.

This type of living allows the resident to move from a house full of memorabilia to a new chapter in life filled with a legacy of memories. The obligation of home owning, housework and isolation are left behind. It is not about downsizing; it is about “right-sizing.”

As an added life benefit, when adult children don’t spend the time with their parents maintaining their childhood home, they have the time to truly engage and participate in their parents “golden years.” Independent living gives the older adult a purpose, with all services and amenities to help them live the lifestyle they have earned and deserve. The gift of time is priceless. Our seniors should live their retirement attending lectures, going on trips, dining out -- everything they enjoy in their earlier years. The right independent living community will embrace “The Graceful Art of Independent Living.” The community will honor its residents and acknowledge the demographic they serve.

Our seniors have such stories to tell.

Give yourself the gift of history. Sit down with that older person in your life and “treasure” all that they have to tell you. Is it really important that you have heard the story before? Or is it more important that the story transports them to a time of productivity and value? Ask questions now about their history, your history, embrace the knowledge they possess and give them your time … generously, unselfishly and sincerely. Let’s start engaging, embracing and loving all who are vintage, not just what is vintage. Ms. Hepburn had it right.

Finding a community with a sense of home Find a community where, upon entering the first time, there is a feeling of home, of friendship and of safety, of fellowship and community.

And, because independent senior communities function just as their own homes, they have the ability to contract for support services. The resident retains the choice of staying in their apartment through many medical challenges. Only 13½ percent of the adult senior population end their life cycle in nursing homes or assisted living. The presumed need that one will

Vinni Farrell Siena on Brendenwood

Vinni Farrell is marketing and development director at Siena on Brendenwood.

The views expressed are those of Farrell’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2012

FOCUS ON SAVVY AFTER 55

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Boomers and the fitness boom How to embrace exercise later in life Making up one-third of the U.S. population, Baby Boomers are changing the face of fitness.

They exercise more, on average, than the average person.

The savviest of this generation want to fight the effects of aging in an effort to look and feel good.

At FitMe Wellness, we have some members who say that they’re in better shape and feeling better than they have in years from the work that they’re doing at our health club.

So while the benefits to baby boomers are clear, why do many still struggle with exercise and want can be done to break down barriers to success? As the child of baby boomers, my personal view is that improving — not just maintaining — good health habits is critical in promoting a longer and more rewarding life.

Here are my top four tips for embracing exercise later in life: ■■ I’m a big believer in exercising in a controlled environment. People tend to

Greg Georgis FitMe Wellness

work harder and more effectively when they go somewhere to work. At health clubs members can pursue every aspect of improving their health, from cardiovascular exercise, to strength training, to core conditioning, mind/body connections, and nutritional education. It’s hard to replicate that breadth of resources at home, walking around the neighborhood, gardening, or on the golf course.

■■ Boomers, like everyone else, don’t want to feel like fish out of water. Nothing is more intimidating than going to a gym with loud, blaring music, and walking around looking at oversized muscle men and young women all dolled up.

It’s a rare facility that can accommodate members of all ages and fitness levels and make them feel welcome and comfortable. You’ll have to look around and see what works for you. more on page 14

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April 2012 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Rockford’s image is important for its success Good first impressions are key Recently I had the honor of representing Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful by speaking to IGNITE Rockford, a group of young professionals supported by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, on the upcoming Great American Cleanup™. This being our 25th year, I wanted to have many volunteers involved to repeat the tremendous success of last spring, when 1,700 volunteers picking up 50 tons of litter. My audience was courteous. I pictured myself as a young businessman years ago, looking for a little encouragement, and decided a story or two would be of more interest.

“Success comes in inches not yards.”

“If you have imagination and a sense of humor, you’ll go a long way.” “It’s the struggles in life that build character.”As they nodded in agreement, I turned my focus to image and the Great American Cleanup™. It was obvious by their manners and dress that this was important to them. I related a story of visiting friends who were restaurant owners in a large city. I was reluctant to get out of my car when I arrived because of all of the litter on the ground in front of the place. My dinner was great, but I did kindly mention the image problem. Strange as it is, I have never offended anyone by doing this. People appreciate being made aware. I have recruited many friends to the Great American Cleanup™ by networking in this constructive way.

It’s a great day in Rockford!

Frank Manzullo Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful

The point I was driving to my young audience was this: If you are going to make Rockford your home and a place to establish your career, image is everything. First impressions stick. You don’t get a second chance. The richness of a city is how it’s perceived. A clean city is a good city.

Join Us in Cleaning Up Our City I ask everyone in our community to join Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful and IGNITE Rockford in the Great American Cleanup™ on Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to noon. Cleanup materials will be furnished at 16 sites throughout Winnebago County. Filled bags of litter will be left curbside for later pickup. Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful is proud to work with Winnebago County and the City of Rockford to keep our community clean and beautiful. For registration information, contact Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful by April 20 at 815-6371343 or find a registration form at www. knib.org. Volunteering together, we can accomplish great deeds.

Frank Manzullo is Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup™ coordinator.

The views expressed are those of Manzullo’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

boomer fitness Continued from page 13

■■ Cardiovascular workouts are key in burning fat and keeping the heart strong. Studies show that nearly five million people a year are diagnosed with coronary heart disease. In fact, it is the number one killer among women. Maintaining a healthy weight and cardiovascular conditioning are primary factors in the prevention of heart disease.

■■ Strength training is a significant component of fitness, especially in women, for increased bone density.

Many older adults often die as a result of a fall. In fact, Physicians and Sports Medicine statistics report, “forty-percent of adults over the age of 65 fell at least once a year.” As a result, weight training is becoming a popular addition to many boomer workouts. Core strengthening and mind/body exercises such as Pilates and Yoga also can help with balance,

to keep you from falling in the first place.

And if those tips aren’t enough to get you started, think about prevention. Statistics show that 80 percent of older Americans reportedly suffer from back pain.

Exercising a few times a week can help with that chronic pain, not to mention, the pain endured from arthritis and orthopedic conditions.

So if you’re a boomer, I suggest you jump in on the latest fitness boom and stay active! You’ll not only feel good, you’re also more likely to bounce back from many physical setbacks.

Greg Georgis is owner of FitMe Wellness.

The views expressed are those of Georgis’ and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

It’s a great day in the Rockford Region, and the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau wants to make sure you enjoy it. RACVB recently launched several new marketing initiatives to help visitors and local residents find and enjoy all the great assets of our community.

New Weekly Podcasts A new weekly live podcast promotes many of the great things to do in the Rockford Region. RACVB’s marketing team partnered with Rockford College to create the online radio program hosted by RACVB staff.

The show, entitled “It’s a Great Day in Rockford with Bridget and Monica,” takes place every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m.

Each week it features a Rockford original restaurant, a local site or attraction, specials offered by the featured guests, Rockford trivia questions and conversation about things to do in the Rockford Region.

You can listen live by logging onto www. stream365.com or clicking the link located on our website at www.gorockford.com.

You also can catch previous podcasts available on our website; just look for the podcast icon on our home page.

Website Offers Comprehensive Calendar If you’re still looking for something to do, our website is a great resource.

Our community calendar is bursting with information and can help connect you with activities that fit your interests including theatrical performances, museum exhibits, festivals, fairs, sporting events, art shows, fundraisers, farmers’ markets and more.

Did you know there are more than 250 original restaurants in the Rockford Region and nearly 100 sites and attractions to keep you busy? Check them out on our website, which recently was recognized with an Illinois Excellence in Tourism Award at the Governor’s Conference.

If you need information on the go, head to the gorockford.com website and download our mobile app for the iPhone, android or Blackberry. It provides all the same information right at your fingertips.

Interactive Features RACVB recently added several new interactive features to its website, as well.

The site now features a virtual visitors guide to aid travelers looking for things to do in the Rockford Region. The guide is a replication of the current magazine-style visitors guide, and can be browsed online or downloaded for future reference.

A photo/video library allows visitors to see images and videos about the region and send virtual postcards from the website, or create their own virtual photo album.

Leisure Market eNewsletter and Blog

Monica Krysztopa Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

To promote our region throughout the Midwest, the marketing department creates several collateral pieces that highlight the best our region has to offer.

Our monthly Leisure eNewsletter and blog, edited by Bridget French, marketing manager, creates brand awareness for our region with photos, articles, specials and detailed information about what there is to do. Engaging and developing a loyal following of visitors is the goal of this communication piece.

Each week, we send out a What’s Happening page to keep our hoteliers and attraction partners up-to-date on the hottest events in town. With that information in hand, our partners are able to keep our visitors informed and out in our community exploring and appreciating our original restaurants, museums, attractions and events.

If you are interested in receiving our eNewsletter or our What’s Happening page, please contact Janet Jacobs at jjacobs@gorockford.com.

Honoring Tourism Employees The visitor industry in the Rockford Region supports nearly 3,000 local jobs.

Customer service is critical if we are to grow the tourism industry and increase the visitors and money that come into our community.

In February, RACVB launched a program to honor those visitor industry employees who go above and beyond in customer service. RACVB will present two “It’s a Great Day in Rockford” awards each month. Recipients can be front desk staff at a site/attraction or hotel, wait staff, sales staff, cleaning staff or any other visitor industry employee who takes customer service to the next level.

It’s A Great Day in Rockford award winners for February and March are: Susan Smolarek, director of sales, Best Western Clock Tower Resort & Conference Center; Kip Hartsfield, owner, Crimson Ridge; Debbie Hutchinson, sales & event specialist, Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort and Lexington Hotel, and Leticia Camarillo, administrative assistant, Chicago Rockford International Airport.

If you know someone you would like to nominate for this award, please send an email to mkrysztopa@gorockford.com or call our main office at 815-963-8111.

Monica Krysztopa is vice president of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The views expressed are those of Krysztopa’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2012

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Rockford College PERSPECTIVE

Electronic communication tools in a global marketplace From email to teleconferencing—using them properly is key

Lori Glawe Rockford College

Electronic communication dominates our personal lives today and has become increasingly prevalent in the workplace.

The benefits of electronic media are significant, from connecting distant customers and colleagues through videoconferencing to the rapid response time enjoyed when using email. Some negative trends have emerged over time as well and, although they are not insurmountable challenges to effective communication, alternative methods should be considered.

Videoconferencing – Closing the Distance Videoconferencing has allowed companies to reduce travel costs by connecting meeting participants from not only different locations across the country, but those in other countries as well. It provides face-to-face communication using inexpensive web cams, preserving the ability to build relationships through interactive and personal communication. Business travelers who have journeyed several time zones from home to meet with customers, vendors or employees also find they are better able to focus when not dealing with the brain fog that often accompanies long-distance jet lag. Yes, videoconferencing has provided a costeffective alternative to expensive travel, so why are companies still paying costly ticket, lodging and meal prices to send their employees overseas?

Relationships are stronger when built on more than just business. Imagine that you are on a videoconference with a customer for several hours, but your motion is limited to the small area in which the camera can capture your image. You will likely find that, although it is an improvement over using just the phone or email, the overall interaction is a bit stiffer and less dynamic. People also seem to be less inclined to venture off topic on a videoconference than they might if they were sitting in a room together, which may hamper brainstorming activities and building of relationships. It is the nature of personal interactions and the participants’ ability to connect that provide a basis for relationships.

That certainly does not mean that there is not significant value in the use of videoconferencing. The decision to visit versus videoconference (V3) should be like any other business decision.

Which method will provide the best return from this particular meeting?

Considerations should include both long- and short-term benefits, costs, incremental goodwill gained, and the existing nature of the parties’ relationships.

Email – Help or Hazard?

Another tool of electronic communication that is nearly indispensable in today’s global marketplace is email. It has replaced formal internal memos, letters, faxes and other hard copy correspondence methods. When done well, email can be an effective and expeditious communication tool with employees, customers, vendors, financing partners and the media. When not done properly, use of email can anger or confuse the receiving party, and in some cases, extend the time it takes to resolve an issue.

Most people today have found themselves in an email exchange that escalates negatively. Various people can perceive the meaning of the same email differently because voice tone and body language, both benefits of in-person communication, are absent. Often times, the exchange begins to go awry when one party perceives the other is displaying a flippant or insulting tone or is not sufficiently respectful. This effect is amplified when the parties do not already have an established relationship, be it professional or personal.

Because email is a rapid-fire communication form, users often do just that. They shoot back an email with the facts, as they see them, without much thought of how the information could be taken in a negative light. In other situations, respondents may reply with just part of the information requested. Then another exchange is needed.

It is best to avoid a negatively escalating exchange in the first place.

There are several things to think about when drafting an email in the workplace. For example, consider your audience, the level of respect and formality expected, whether all the pertinent information is included, and if proper grammar is used. A business correspondence should never look like a text to a friend!

An email exchange can escalate despite best efforts to avoid it, however, so it is good to have strategies to diffuse the situation quickly. Pick up the phone or, if you are in the same office, go see the other person before sending another email! Although it seems obvious, it is surprising how rare phone communication is becoming in the workplace. If an email trail begins to take a negative direction, verbal contact can save the recipient from additional frustration or anger and will help build the relationship so that future email exchanges may not become negative in the first place.

Conclusion Electronic tools are an invaluable part of our business communications toolbox today, but they are just that … tools! Use them to support the business direction, to assist in keeping appropriate parties informed, and to reduce exorbitant travel costs when it makes sense. Above all, be sure to use them appropriately and in conjunction with other communication methods.

Lori Glawe, SPHR, is a 2000 MBA graduate of Rockford College and an adjunct professor at Rockford College and Blackhawk Technical College. Email her at lglawe@ Rockford.edu.

The views expressed are those of Glawe’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

April 2012 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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IGNITE

Young Professionals

Building the bridge to a better future!

In recent years, mentoring has emerged as an effective response to the dilemma presented by at-risk youth. With a focused desire to assist in the restoration of our community, IGNITE is proud to say; we have taken an active role in rebuilding our community by serving as mentors to Rockford’s next generation of leaders.

The young professional (YP) mentor is both a friend and a role model who supports and encourages a younger partner in his/her academic and personal growth.

The mentor is also a guide who helps a young person make the difficult change from childhood to adolescence. This time of transition is especially important, for it is a time when young people are making decisions about how much — or how little— they can expect to achieve. Mentors and young people develop their relationships as they participate together in social, cultural, and recreational activities, community service projects, tutoring, or any of the many different activities that friends enjoy.

Since initiating a rally for mentors and increased community involvement in February 2012, IGNITE has strategically partnered with community organizations and businesses that allow us to work with *Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2011 **Source: Illinois State Report Card 2011

students from Kindergarten to College.

Future Leaders The Next Rockford/IGNITE Future Leaders Presentations began as an initiative of Next Rockford through Next Rockford’s Business Environment Team. Their focus is to identify and advocate for issues important to the business environment and economic development of the region.

The Future Leaders Presentations are an outgrowth of this commitment to retain some of our community’s natural talent.

“It was also determined that the presentations would be much more effective if the presenters were closer in age to the students. At that point, we worked with IGNITE to develop a partnership in which they would promote the opportunity to their membership to become presenters.

We feel this partnership is a terrific example of how our young professionals can work together to make an impact.” – James Patterson, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Program and Scholarship Officer

XL Academics IGNITE YPs have partnered with XL Academics, Inc. (XLA) to provide an online mentoring platform to area students and participate in XLA’s

Community Wide Mentoring Initiative.

Excell Lewis III, Owner of XL Academics, Inc commented, “Now young professionals of IGNITE have the ability to mentor students irrespective of their physical location, and in turn students are able to broaden their reach to alumni serving as mentors through the XLA website across a vast array of industries.

These connections will prove to have a lifelong impact.”

United Way’s IREAD initiative IGNITE backs United Way’s IREAD initiative to help ensure that children read proficiently by fourth grade.

■■ Students who don’t read proficiently by fourth grade are four times more likely to leave school without a diploma than proficient readers* ■■ In 2011, Nearly 41% of Rockford Public Schools third grade students were reading below standards, compared to the Illinois state average of 25%** IGNITE members have agreed to be trained as Reading Mentors. Mentors are matched with students until they complete third grade. Mentors will tutor 1 to 3 kindergarten students in reading for 20 minutes per student for as little as one hour per week.

Rockford Public Schools Jazz Keyes IGNITE IGNITE welcomes our newest engagement partner, the Rockford Public School District. IGNITE is excited about the district’s, “Readiness Rocks” program which incorporates; a focus on college and career readiness, a seven period day, 21st century learning environments, and preschool and college for all.

The mission of this partnership is for YPs to motivate kids to reach their full potential. IGNITE YPs will work with students in three distinct areas of need: arts and enrichment, tutoring and afterschool/ summer activity programs. Our primary goal is to inspire the youth by providing students with an adult with whom they can share their accomplishments, aspirations and obstacles.

To begin the transformation, Dr. Willis said, the community must see the vision and start slaying the negativity that comes with unemployment, violence, poverty, and feelings of hopelessness and despair.

Our community is in desperate need of young leaders to lay the pavement for the future generation. IGNITE is helping to build the bridge to a better future.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2012

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ROCKFORD ABOUT ROCKFORd GOLFS!

Club Hosts Charity Events

For Rockford business people, golf and golf playdays are part of businessrecreational activity for networking with clients and prospective customers.

Over the next five months we will feature member golf courses as well as golf, playday, and networking tips from the local professionals. For advertising opportunities in this section, contact Lynette Jacques at 815-316-4317.

The Mauh-NahTee-See Club:

By Paul Anthony Arco Those tough putting greens. Any golfer who’s ever played the Mauh-NahTee-See Club can tell you how difficult the small, fast undulating greens are for novices and seasoned golfers alike.

“You have to keep the ball below the hole,” said Ed Slattery, the club’s head golf professional for the past 23 years.

“With fast speeds during the summer, you really have to be careful as to where you miss the ball. You have to manage your golf ball very well on this golf course.”

It’s not just the greens that can wreak havoc on a particular round. There’s also the wind to consider. “Every time I play, it’s like a different golf course,” Slattery said. “When we get a good wind, some of our tough holes like Nos. 6, 10 and 13 are extremely difficult to play.”

But those challenging conditions are also what makes Mauh-Nah-Tee-See such a great golf experience, according to some of its members. Shawn Way joined the club 14 years ago. “It started with friends who were already members,”

a challenging, rewarding golf experience The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club in Rockford includes an 18-hole golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts and restaurant. said the CEO of Milestone, Inc. “The next thing I know, I’m playing the course every Saturday and my family is at the pool. It almost becomes a second home.”

The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club, 5151 Guilford Road, is a full-service facility that opened in 1926. It offers its 200-plus total members a swimming pool, tennis courts, restaurant and an 18-hole golf course. “It’s a laidback membership with a lot of genuine people,” Slattery said. “There’s a real family atmosphere here.”

Club Offering Trial Pool, Golf Memberships In an effort to increase membership, Mauh-Nah-Tee-See currently offers trial pool and golf memberships. “It’s a great

Make Time for Practice Let’s face it. When most of us golfers head to the practice range, the first thing we want to do is pull out the driver from our bag and let it rip.

“We like to pound the driver, but it’s a club you should only use 10 times a round, if you shoot a 90,” said Ed Slattery, head golf professional at The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club. “I don’t know why. It’s fun, I guess. But if you want to get better, the smart thing photo by Jim Orlando to do is practice short shots.”

Ed Slattery In May, Mauh-Nah-Tee-See will open a new short game practice area, which will be located behind the No. 8 green. The practice area will include a 20-yard approach fairway, a green and a bunker.

According to Slattery, golfers should practice shots from 50 yards or closer.

“Short game shots, including putting, should be 70 percent of your practice,” he said. “Most people have limited time to practice. If you have only 30 minutes to practice, use the entire time working on your short game. If you have 90 minutes, split it up and do a little bit of everything.”

Quality is much more important than quantity of practice, he added.

“People think that if they hit 100 balls a day they are going to get better,” he said. “But if you hit 90 out of 100 poorly, you won’t improve. You’re better off hitting 25 quality shots, and concentrating on good results.”

Slattery is available for lessons and custom club fitting for both members and non-members. For more information, call 815-399-0682.

way to ease into a full membership,” said Slattery. “We’re attracting younger members, which is a good thing for our membership program.”

Mauh-Nah-Tee-See is a hilly, treelined, bent grass course that features 6,419 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. Most of the course has narrow, dogleg fairways. “The greens are fast, but the trademark is the hilliness,” said Way. “There are blind shots, uphill shots and downhill shots that you have to learn to hit onto small greens. When I started, I was an 18 handicap and now I’m an eight. Mauh-Nah-Tee-See has made me a better player.”

One of the more popular holes is No. 3, a par five risk-reward hole. “You can lay up or go for it in two,” said Slattery.

The signature hole is No. 16 – a long par three over water that’s guarded by large trees. “It’s do or die and it’s all carry. It’s a fun hole.”

The course features four sets of tees, including gold, thanks to a PGA started program called Tee It Forward.

By playing from forward tees, golfers have the chance to play the course that is best suited for their skills and ability.

“It gives juniors, beginners and seniors a golf course and yardage that they can play and have fun with,” Slattery said.

“And it allows families to play together.”

Each year, Mauh-Nah-Tee-See hosts approximately 10 public golf outings that are held on Mondays, when the club is closed to members. Among the bigger outings are the OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Rock River events.

Most of the charity events are played in a scramble format, which helps make the day enjoyable for less experienced golfers. Participants have access to the entire facility, including the locker room, pro shop and driving range. A large banquet room that holds 300 people also is available. “The average player sees an outing here as an opportunity to play a course they wouldn’t normally get to play,” Slattery said. “We can do everything under one roof.”

Mauh-Nah-Tee-See has hosted the Illinois State Amateur, numerous Illinois PGA events, and later this summer, will hold the USGA MidAmateur qualifying event in August.

Each September, the club organizes the Invitational Match Play, an event featuring the top 16 players from local tournaments. Mauh-Nah-Tee-See has members who are considered some of the best amateurs in local golf, such as John Canova, Eric Burch, Matt Marinaro and former member Andy Shiels, who shot a 61 last year to break the club’s low-round record.

Shiels recently moved to Tampa, Fla. “Whenever one of our members plays well, it’s a source of pride for the entire club,” Slattery said.

ThE MAUh-NAh-TEE-SEE CLUB Michael J. VanSistine, general manager 5151 Guilford Road Rockford, IL 61107 815-399-0682 www.mntscc.org

April 2012 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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Issues to Watch LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 2012 Chamber Legislative Initiatives The Illinois Chamber of Commerce has initiated bills in the following categories:

Employer & Labor Issues Workers’ Compensation Injury (SB2521) Sponsor: Sen. McCarter (R-Highland) Amends the Workers’ Compensation Act by defining “accident” and “injury.” “Injury” includes the aggravation of a pre-existing condition by an accident arising out of and in the course of the employment, but only for so long as the aggravation of the preexisting condition continues to be the major contributing cause of the disability. An injury resulting directly or indirectly from idiopathic causes is not compensable. No longer allows an employee to choose in writing to decline their employer’s preferred provider program.

knowingly provide false, incomplete, or misleading information to any party to an unemployment security benefits transaction for the purpose of committing fraud and outlines possible penalties.

Unemployment Insurance Misconduct (SB2542) Sponsor: Sen. McCarter (R-Highland) In regards to insurance, misconduct need not be deliberate and willful when there is a violation of an employer’s reasonable rule or policy, in a provision determining eligibility for benefits after a discharge for misconduct.

Unemployment Insurance Vacation (SB2540) Sponsor: Sen. McCarter (R-Highland) Payments made pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement to an individual as vacation pay, vacation pay allowance, pay in lieu of vacation, or as standby pay during a period of shutdown for the taking of inventory or for vacation purposes shall be deemed “wages.”

Unemployment Insurance Minimum (SB2543) Sponsor: Sen. McCarter (R-Highland) With respect to any benefit year beginning on or after Jan.1, 2012, to be monetarily eligible for any benefits, a worker must have been paid wages of $4,290 or more in his or her base period by employers subject to the Unemployment Insurance Act and at least $2,145 of these wages must have been paid to him or her outside the calendar quarter in which he or she was paid the highest amount of wages.

Unemployment Insurance Fraud (SB2541/HB3775) Sponsor: Sen. McCarter (R-Highland) An individual that, for the purpose of obtaining benefits, knowingly makes a false statement or knowingly fails to disclose a material fact commits unemployment insurance fraud and requires a statement on the Department of Employment Security’s website and on specified forms stating that it is a crime to

Unemployment Insurance Requalification (SB2544) Sponsor: Sen. McCarter(R-Highland) An individual shall be ineligible for benefits for any week in a benefit year which begins on or after Jan. 1, 2013, unless, subsequent to the beginning of his immediately preceding benefit year with respect to which benefits were paid to him or her, he or she was reemployed and had earnings equal to or in excess

of his or her current weekly benefit amount in each of four calendar weeks that are either for services in employment, or have been or will be reported pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act by each employing unit for which such services are performed and that submits a statement certifying to that fact.

Employee Fee Recovery Act (HB3877) Sponsor: Rep. Zalewski (D-Chicago) If a former employee files two or more complaints with two or more separate state agencies against a single former employer and each complaint is dismissed, the former employer may petition the circuit court for an award of its attorney’s fees incurred to dismiss the complaints.

Taxation Net Operating Loss Restoration (SB3215) Sponsor: Sen. Garrett (D-Highwood) Restores the net operating losses taken away in 2011 for 2012 to 2014.

Enterprise Zone Extension (SB3253) Sponsor: Sen. Frerichs (D-Champagin) Extends enterprise zones for an additional 20 years.

Environment Expedited Permit Fee Invoices (SB3282) Sponsor: Sen. Clayborne (D-East St. Louis) Requires the IEPA to provide the permit applicant with an invoice that includes the total amount of the expedited fee and the number of hours agency staff spent on overtime to complete this project.

Economic Harm Rulemaking (SB3414) Sponsor: Rep. Silverstein (D-Chicago) Allows the IEPA to adopt an emergency rulemaking if it finds that a situation exists which reasonably constitutes a threat to the public interest, safety or welfare as well as economic harm.

Air Regulation Standards (SB3672) Sponsor: Sen. Rezin (R-Peru) Expands existing rulemaking authority that currently is used at the state level to adopt federal land regulations to a very narrow set of air regulations: ambient air quality regulations. When the U.S. EPA adopts certain federal regulations, the IL Pollution Control Board uses a

streamlined process to adopt those same standards at the state level.

Healthcare Healthcare Exchange (HB4574) Sponsor: Rep. Osmond (R-Antioch) Establishes the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange as an independent, nonprofit entity formed and organized under the laws of the state. Provides that the exchange shall be a public entity, but shall not be considered a department, institution or agency of the state. Deletes references to the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Legislative Study Committee and establishes instead the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Legislative Oversight Committee within the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

Provides that the governing and administrative powers of the Exchange shall be vested in a body known as the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Board and sets forth provisions concerning appointments, terms, meetings, structure, recusal, budget, and purpose. Sets forth provisions concerning enrollment through brokers and agents and producer compensation. Provides that the law shall be null and void if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the federal Affordable Care Act in whole or in part.

Procurement Contractor Clean-up Language (HB5915/SB3511) Sponsor: Sen. Althoff (R-Crystal Lake) Provides that the Procurement Policy Board shall provide written notice of an alleged conflict of interest to the contractor and that the contractor shall have 30 days to provide a written response to the notice and may request a hearing before the board.

Legislation also provides that a State contract shall include the general type of work to be performed by all known subcontractors and removes the requirement that a state contract shall include the expected amount of money each subcontractor will receive under the contract.

Visit the Illinois Chamber’s Grassroots Action Center at ilchamber.org/government-affairs-2/ grassroots-action-center.

Chamber Government Affairs Council to hear Rockford Housing Authority Strategic Plan at its April meeting At the regularly scheduled Government Affairs Council meeting on April 13th at Stockholm Inn, John Cressman, Executive Director of the Rockford Housing Authority, will address the group on the Authority Strategic Plan as well as outline various program and development activities. Interest members who would like to attend can call Heidi Garner at 815-316-4312 or email at hgarner@rockfordchamber.com.

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Community Events COMMUNITY Rockford Park District hosts its annual Skatin’ Down the Bunny Trail public ice skating session, 2 to 4 p.m., Carlson Ice Arena and Hippity Hop World, noon to 5 p.m., Sapora Playworld. Visit www. rockfordparkdistrict.org/iceskate or call 815-969-4069.

Rockford Park District hosts its free Community Egg Hunt at 11 a.m., rain or shine, ages 2 to 7, at Anna Page Park, 3201 Springfield Ave., Rockford.

Family activities from 10 to 10:45 a.m., in the Peter Cottontail play area.

Music by Super Stolie. Visit www. rockfordparkdistrict.org or call 815987-8800.

Tuesday, April 3

Monday, April 9

Sunday, April 1

The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center and the Go Global planning partners present Go Global V: Putting the Pieces Together Conference and Expo, April 3 and 4 at Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.

To register call 815-987-1740 or visit www.goglobal-itc.com.

The Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center presents a “Music On Main” concert, Artistry by Twos and Threes: Music for Viola, Violin and Flute, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Emerson House, 420 N. Main St., Rockford. Doors open at 5 p.m. Visit www.mendelssohnpac.org or call 815964-9713.

Wednesday, April 4

Tuesday, April 10

Northern Illinois Committee on Education presents Creating a Successful Culture in a School, part of its Dialogue for Change Spring 2012 Series, from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m., at the Rockford Public Schools #205 administration building, 501 Seventh St. Light supper, facilitated small group discussion and wrap-up. Seating is limited. Register early at niceconfer ence.org, “Request to Participate,” or call Chris at 815-636-3040.

Rosecrance presents a new workshop What Can I Say to Convince Them to Quit? for families dealing with substance abuse from 7 to 8 p.m., at Rosecrance Griffin Williamson Campus, 1601 University Dr. Visit Rosecrance.org/events or call 815-387-5607.

Womanspace presents the Lunch & Learn: World Religion Series, noon to 1 p.m., with a trip to Prashar Family Shrine. Advance registration

by April 2 for off-campus directions.

Email info@womanspace-rockford. org or 815-877-0118.

Thursday, April 5 Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful presents the fifth-annual Earth Day Awards Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Giovanni’s Restaurant, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.

Celebrity guest speaker, former NASA astronaut, Mark Lee. Visit www.knib. org or call 815-637-1343.

Friday, April 6 Rockford Public Library presents Conversational Spanish, April 6 and 13 from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Bookworm Bakery & Café, 6685 E. State St. Registration not required. Call 815965-7606.

Rockford Urban Ministries’ annual Good Friday Walk for Justice begins at 9 a.m., at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church parking lot, 412 N. Church St. Free. Walk 14 stations and pray for the city. Call 815-964-7111.

Saturday, April 7 Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, presents an Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for kids 9 and under. Eggs at 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. Call 815-963-6769 or visit www. discoverycentermuseum.org.

Center for Sight & Hearing hosts its Low Vision Group meeting from 10 to 11 a.m., at Keen Age Center, 2141 Henry Luckow Lane, Belvidere, for people with vision loss and family members. Contact Barb Schlomann at bschlomann@centerforsighthearing. org or 815-332-6821.

Wednesday, April 11 Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence presents Legally Speaking Information You Need to Know, with practitioners from Hinshaw & Culbertson and Sikich from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Regents Hall, Rockford College.

Call 815-394-4384 or KReam@ rockford.edu.

The Literacy Council kicks off its free Tutor Workshop at the North Suburban District Library, Loves Park.

Visit www.theliteracycouncil.org or call 815-963-READ.

Friday, April 13 Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center presents the Avalon String Quartet at 7 p.m., at 415 N. Church St., Rockford. Call 815-964-9713 or visit www.mendelssohnpac.org.

Saturday, April 14 Womanspace presents its annual Spring Luncheon 2012: Happy For No Reason from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford. Features author Marci Shimoff, co-author of six Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Call 815-877-0118 or visit www. womanspace-rockford.org.

Monday, April 16 Entré Computer Solutions presents a 2012 Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Domain Services technical class, April 16 to 20.

Contact 815-847-3124 or csoutar@ entrerock.com.

The Rosecrance Foundation presents Encore for Recovery at 6:30 p.m., at Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.

Features Tony- and Grammynominated pianist and singer Michael Cavanaugh in “The Songs of Elton John and More.” Call Lynne Vass, 815-387-5602.

Thursday, April 19 Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden presents Tree Planting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with Klehm certified arborists, John Moors and Edith Makra. To register visit klehm. org or call 815-965-8146.

Friday, April 20 Rockford Public Library presents its Black Cinema Discussion Series: The Bicycle Corps: America’s Black Army on Wheels from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Montague Branch Connie Lane Room, 2138 S. Winnebago St. Registration not required. Call 815-965-7606.

Saturday, April 21 Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, presents Kids in the Kitchen from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the Junior League of Rockford.

Healthy eating and active lifestyles for children. For more information visit www.jlrockford.org.

Super Shredders and the Better Business Bureau host a free Shred Fest behind the Barbara Olson Center of Hope, 3206 N. Central Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Limit five boxes of documents per person or business. Call 815-964-9275, ext.

236.

Tuesday, April 24 ZION Development Corporation hosts its Spring Banquet with social hour and silent auction at 5:30 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m., at Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort. Keynote speaker is Lisa Ramirez, U.S. Department of Education, Immigrant Education. Call 815-964-8280.

Lifescape Community Services presents What’s Happening to Medicare? with Dan Solo, Humana Insurance, from 2 to 3 p.m., at 705 Kilburn Ave., in Rockford. Part of Rockford’s Money Smart Week. Free.

No reservations required.

Wednesday, April 25 Rockford Public Library presents Turning 65-Get the Facts from 5:30

to 7:30 p.m., at the East Branch, Friends of RPL Community Room, 6685 E. State St. Part of Money Smart Week. Registration required.

Call 815-965-7606.

Ticomix, Inc., hosts a Lunch & Learn, Is the Cloud Right for Your Business Applications, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 5642 N. 2nd St., Loves Park. Free lunch for registered guests. Limited to first 18 registrations. Visit www.Ticomix. com/events or call 779-423-6200.

Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence presents Leadership Café on Employee Appreciation at noon at Burpee Center, Rockford College. Gerald Olson, owner, Leading Edge Consulting Group, will present. RSVP at least five days prior at 815-394-4384.

Friday, April 27 Ethnic Heritage Museum presents its Celebrate Our Heritage through Music fundraiser at 6 p.m., at Cliffbreakers. Call 815 962-7402 or visit www.ethnicheritagemuseum.org.

Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra presents Songs of the World with the Mendelssohn Chorale and Rock Valley Children’s Choirs, at 7:30 p.m., at 415 N. Church St., Rockford.

Call 815-964-9713 or visit www. mendelssohnpac.org.

Saturday, April 28 The Great American Cleanup in Winnebago County takes place from 9 a.m. to noon. Contact Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful at 815637-1343.

RAMP’s seventh-annual Boone County Wheel-A-Thon takes place at 9 a.m., at the Community Building, 111 W. First St., Belvidere. Visit www.

BooneCountyWheelathon.stayclassy. org or call 815-544-8404.

P.A. Peterson Center for Health presents It’s All About You from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Variety of vendors and tours of P.A. Peterson. Call 815-3998832 or visit www.LSSI.org.

Sunday, April 29 Barbara Olson Center of Hope presents Inspired to Paint 2012 “Celebrating Mothers,” its 10thannual art show and silent auction from 2 to 4:30 p.m., at Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford.

Call 815-964-9275.

Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, presents Powering Down from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring Robots: The Interactive Exhibition. Call 815-963-6769 or visit www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

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Business Briefs BUSINESS BRIEFS Rockford Memorial Hospital was the only local hospital named to U.S. News & World Report magazine’s list of Best Regional Hospitals for 2011-2012. It was recognized in six medical specialties: neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, urology, pulmonology, geriatrics and gastroenterology.

Rock River Environmental Services now is on Facebook with updates on the Winnebago landfill, its five hauling divisions, environmental services division, weather updates and more.

The Womanspace video, “A Morningstar Rising,” produced and submitted by COMTECH Corporation, won a Bronze Telly award. Visit www.womanspacerockford.org.

KMK Media Group, Inc., produced a video for law firm WilliamsMcCarthy as platinum sponsor of the Rockford Chamber’s annual dinner; highlighting its deep connections with Rockford.

KMK completed a traveling display for the Rock River Water Reclamation District showing the cogeneration process used to turn wastewater into electricity.

TBC Net, Inc., an IT solutions provider, was ranked among the 5,000 fastestgrowing private companies in the United States in Inc. magazine’s “2011 Inc. 500|5000.”

The Alliance® won a 2012 Silver ADDY® for its 2011 annual report, “Our Cooperativ,” at the AAF-Madison/ Milwaukee Area ADDY awards ceremony in February.

The Winnebago County RAMP office received three grants for $11,000 from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation, ComEd, An Exelon Company, and Nicor to implement lighting upgrades and new programmable thermostats.

Executives of Wipfli LLP and Eide Bailly announced the decision not to proceed with a proposed merger. They will operate as separate CPA firms.

Rockford real estate firm Orput Companies Inc., completed the sale of its single tenant net leased Advance Auto Parts property at 1535 W. Lane Road, Machesney Park.

Alpine Inn was chosen for the 2011 Best of Rockford Award in the hotels category by the U.S. Commerce Association.

Rockford RiverHawks Professional Baseball Club announced, in conjunction Maverick Media of Rockford LLC, its new flagship radio station at 100.5 NTA-FM. The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced that the Illinois Women’s Bowling Association’s

2012 State Tournament generated an estimated $1.5 million for area businesses over 10 weekends.

The Illinois K-8 Scholastic Chess Tournament returned after 15 years; generating an estimated $250,000 for area hotels, restaurants and retail outlets.

Northern Illinois University for the seventh summer will be the host site for the Rural Health Careers Camp, June 13 to 15, for rural high school students with a budding interest in the health professions. The camp is a partnership between NIU’s College of Health and Human Services, the National Center for Rural Health Professions at the University of Illinois in Rockford, and the Illinois Area Health Education Center in Polo, Ill. Rockford Park District’s free 2012 golf guide, Rockford Golfs!, is available at Park District customer service, golf courses, facilities and www. rockfordparkdistrict.org/golf.

Ethnic Heritage Museum in Rockford will host an exhibit in the Irish Gallery through November, “Mulligan Guard,” Part 2 Sesquicentennial Civil War. Visit www.ethnicheritagemuseum.org.

Northwest Quarterly magazine launched an improved website at www.northwestquarterly.com with photography, events calendars, news updates, interactive dining guide and more.

Rockford Art Museum’s 71st Young Artist Show is on display at 711 N. Main St., through Saturday, April 7.

The annual juried competition features exceptional artwork by students from schools within 50 miles of the museum, and is supported in part by Women’s Art Board and a grant from the Community Arts and Humanities Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.

Rockford RiverHawks Professional Baseball Club announced a four-year partnership with Best Western Clock Tower Resort & Conference Center as host hotel; guaranteeing more than 450 booked hotel rooms per year. The club announced a partnership with LaMonica Beverages, Inc., to bring Budweiser products to the stadium this summer.

SwedishAmerican Medical Group announced four of its clinics received Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Red Mango signed a franchise agreement for a new location at 1093 W. Lane Road at Machesney Crossing, route 173 and 251 (west of Lowe’s).

The first Red Mango location opened in Rockford at Spring Creek and Perryville less than a year ago.

Velasco & Associates won a silver ADDY award from District Six American Advertising Federation. The winning booklet, for client Applied Ecological Services, also won a local gold ADDY.

Willett, Hofmann & Associates opened a new office inside the Heritage Place Building, 1515 Fifth Ave., in Moline, Ill. Other offices are in Dixon, Rockford, Freeport, Joliet and Sterling, Ill., and Monroe, Wis.

Rockford Art Museum presents $5 Fix from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., on the fourth Thursday of the month with selfguided tours of the galleries.

Air Cargo World named the Chicago Rockford International Airport as the winner of the Air Cargo Excellence Award for a North American airport handling up to 399,999 tons of cargo annually.

Rosecrance awarded state certificates to 24 law enforcement officers from five area agencies who completed Crisis Intervention Team training on identifying and appropriately responding to individuals with mental illness. More than 250 law enforcement officers have been trained over eight years.

Comprehensive Community Solutions/YouthBuild Rockford will host an Illinois YouthBuild Coalition Weatherization Specialist Training Program, 16 weeks of instruction leading to nationally recognized credentials in weatherization and energy conservation. Visit www. youthbuildrockford.org.

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology awarded the SwedishAmerican School of Radiation Therapy with the maximum, eight-year accreditation status. The school offers baccalaureate and certificate programs for careers as radiation therapists.

The Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners received the Government Finance Officers Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting -- one of only 10 state and local governments in Illinois to receive the award.

Rockford Structures Construction Company was awarded the contract by the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners for the new Birds of Prey Exhibit at Atwood Center in Rockford. Construction is expected to be completed in July.

TheFranaGroup, a national healthcare consulting firm, announced a goal of reaching $1 billion dollars in benefits for clients by 2014. Under the Affordable Patient Care Act this year, notfor-profit hospitals are required to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment in their communities and provide strategic goals for reduction of health disparities.

All four RAMP offices have an Illinois Telecommunications and Access Corporation (ITAC) selection center; offering free amplified telephones.

No age or income restrictions. ITAC programs are required and governed by Illinois law. Visit www.rampcil.org.

KMK Media Group, Inc., completed a marketing mail piece for Beacon Operation Security Services on its protection services for visiting VIPs during the NATO summit in May, and sent to Chicago hotels and companies.

Winnebago County Housing Authority was designated a 2011 High Performer agency by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, based on condition of buildings and homes, financial and management operation, and occupancy.

Riverside Community Bank is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association and Visiting Nurses Association to provide bank employees with several in-person training sessions on the 10 warning signs of serious memory loss versus normal aging.

Banks in Illinois now are required to complete a training course to protect senior citizens from financial exploitation.

During a monthly ‘jeans day’ fundraiser, Blackhawk Bank raised and donated more than $1,400 to Beloit Meals on Wheels.

Miller Buettner & Parrott, Inc., recognized three of its clients for creating employee wellness programs.

The Vision award went to Specialty Screw Corporation, the Initiative award to South Beloit Community School District #320, and the Commitment award to Hononegah Community High School District #207.

Local technology firm Ticomix, Inc., achieved a Silver Midmarket Solution Provider Competency in the Microsoft Partner Network.

Submit your news!

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce ­welcomes and encourages submissions for The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community.

Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding ­publication. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2012

21

Regional, National Indicators THE ECONOMY U.S. Indicators

Midwest Manufacturing Output Increased

January, 2012

The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) increased 1.3 percent in January, to a seasonally adjusted level of 90.1 (2007 = 100). The Federal Reserve Board’s industrial production index for manufacturing (IPMFG) increased 0.8 percent in January. Regional output in January rose 9.0 percent from a year earlier, and national output increased 4.7 percent. Updated March 19, 2012

Consumer Price Index

 0.4 percent

Unemployment Rate

8.3 percent

Payroll Employment

 227,000

Average Hourly Earnings

 $0.03

Producer Price Index

 0.4 percent

Employment Cost Index

 0.4 percent (fourth quarter, 2011)

Productivity

 0.9 percent (fourth quarter, 2011)

U.S. Import Price Index

 0.4 percent

U.S. Export Price Index

 0.4 percent

Monthly Index

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unemployment Rates—Region, State, Nation Jan 2011

Dec 2011

Jan 2011

Rockford

13.5

12.3

14.1

 1.2

 0.6

Chicago

9.6

9.3

9.9

 0.3

 0.3

Illinois

9.9

9.3

10.1

 0.6

 0.2

United States

8.8

8.3

9.8

 0.5

 1.0

Source: U.S. Department of Employment Security

Change/Mo. Change/Yr.

% Change

Nov 11

Dec 11

Jan 12

Jan 11 - Jan 12

Chicago Mfg. Index

87.1

89.0

90.1



9.0

CFMMI-Auto

81.3

84.0

87.4



17.5

CFMMI-Steel

84.5

86.4

87.2



13.4

CFMMI-Machinery

86.6

88.9

89.9



11.11

CFMMI-Resource

91.1

92.4

91.6



0.3

National Index

92.4

93.8

94.5



4.7

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Population Clocks The world population has officially topped seven billion.

As of March 23, 2012: U.S.

313,232,359 Source: U.S. Census Bureau

World

7,002,326,661

April 2012 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

22

Member Category of the Month MEMBERSHIP

Members Caught on Digital ON DIGITAL

The following is a listing of Rockford Chamber members highlighted in a specific industry.

Air Cargo

Logistics Services

D B Schenker

Pierce Distribution Services Company UPS

Airlines, Airport General Mitchell International Airport Greater Rockford Airport Authority d/b/a Chicago Rockford International Airport

Automobile, Body Repairs, Painting Crash One Off Alpine Crash One Off Perryville

Automobile Dealers Anderson Dodge Anderson Nissan Anderson Toyota/Lexus of Rockford Fran Kral Inc. Gresty Auto Sales Hyundai on Perryville Lou Bachrodt AutoMall Lou Bachrodt Buick GMC Napleton Honda Rock River Ford, Kia, Mitsubishi

Automobile, Rental Value Plus Auto Rental and Leasing

Automobile, Repairs, Service, Towing Auto Body Specialist Inc. Auto Care Center Butitta Brothers Automotive CherryVale Tire & Auto Foltz Transmission Lou Bachrodt AutoMall Lou Bachrodt Buick GMC Marden Tire & Auto (Marden Distributors, Inc.) Mike’s Auto Service Thompson’s Transmissions Transmission World Tuffy Auto Repair of Rockford

Bus Charters Dixon-Meyers Bus Transportation Rockford Charter Coach

Fork Lifts Fleet Lift Truck Service

Motors Saco USA (Illinois) Inc.

Moving, Storage Action Moving & Storage, Inc. Christofferson Moving & Storage Two Men and a Truck

ParaTransit Rockford Mass Transit District/ Paratransit

Weight Watchers, 6282 E. State St., Rockford, held a ribbon cutting on Feb. 23.

Tire Dealers CherryVale Tire & Auto

Transportation, Services Rockford Mass Transit District UPS Van Galder Bus/A Coach USA Co.

Trash Hauling, Commercial & Residential, Roll-Off Rock River Environmental Services Rockford Transport Inc. Veolia Environmental Services

Truck Parts Distribution, Wholesale PACCAR Parts, A Division of PACCAR

Truck Repair Dedicated Fleet Services

Trucking CH Robinson Company, Worldwide, Inc. Chuck Brauer Trucking Inc. Howe Freightways, Inc. Shadow Trucking, Inc. Todd Transit, Inc.

Rock River Valley Pantry, 421 S. Rockton, Rockford., held a ribbon cutting on Feb 29. The pantry asked for donations of canned fruit and tuna fish for its “Have a heart, fill a cart!” event promotion.

Get to Know Your Ambassadors Name: Sam Bowers Company: Phones Plus of Janesville, Inc.

Listings for our loyalty categories are generated directly from the Business Directory based on the category designated by the member.

Member-to-member Loyalty Card Cut out and write your company name on the card below.

Give it to the member you are doing business with to show your support of member-to-member business.

Position: Technician and Sales Consultant How long have you been an Ambassador?

One month What do you like most about being an Ambassador? I truly enjoy connecting with individuals in the community and learning ways that I can help them grow their business.

Every person is unique, and I really enjoy learning new things. Though I am new to the area, I have learned that Rockford is a special place that I have fallen in love with. The community is great and there is tons of potential for this city. I am looking forward to what’s in store for the community.

May 2012 Special Section Banking/Financial Services For information on advertising, call 815-

987-8100

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2012

23

New Chamber Members MEMBERS Anderson Nissan

Buffalo Wild Wings

Glenwood Center Ltd.

Automobile Dealership 7920 N. Alpine Road Loves Park, IL 61111 David A. Kieffer 866-351-0622 www.driveandersonnissan.com

Catering 6275 E. State St., 61108 Vince Aumann 815-397-5649 www.buffalowildwings.com

Out-Patient Mental Health/ Counseling and Evaluation Children, Adolescents, Adults 2823 Glenwood Ave., 61101 Elise Cadigan 815-968-5342

APEXteriors, Inc. Insurance Restoration/Exterior Repairs. Roofing, Siding & Gutters 376 Prairie Hill Road, Unit F South Beloit, IL 61080 Amber Reid 815-624-2161 www.apexexterior.com

Four Corners Wellness Center A Wellness Center Addressing the Whole Person: Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritually through Counseling, Massage, Nutrition and Fitness Services 6392 Linden Road, 61109 Kevin Polky, CADC, LCSW 779-368-0060 www.kpcounseling.com

Membership Renewals Thank you to the members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber in March, 2012.

Knopp Construction Inc. General Contractor 5032 Bentree Court, 61114 Paul Knopp 815-282-5277

Meridian/Courier Meridian Meridian Provides Commercial Printing, Digital Color, Print On Demand, Promotional Products, Labels, Direct Marketing, POP, Posters, Banners, Labels, Decals & Digital Storefront Solutions. Order Online.

323 N. 2nd St., 61107 Bob Chanson 815-968-6644 www.meridian-direct.com

1st Step Mortgage Group, Inc.

Lynde Consulting

A-1 Lapping & Machine Co. Inc.

Maple Crest Care Centre

Ability Glass Service, Inc. Aikon Desktop Services

Marden Tire & Auto (Marden Distributors, Inc.)

Airgas North Central

McClure Engineering Associates, Inc.

Anderson Toyota/Lexus of Rockford

Meridian Promotions

Anderson Dodge

MetLife Bank

Ameriprise Financial

Metronor

Artale Wine Co.

Midland General Contractors, Inc.

Arthritis Foundation, Heartland Region - Northwest Illinois Office

New Zion Missionary Baptist Church

NTS Technical Systems

Next Rockford

Broadmoor Agency, Inc.

Oliver Close, LLC

Byron Forest Preserve/PrairieView Golf Club/Stone Quarry Recreation Park

Olson Aluminum Casting Ltd.

Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort

Pizza Hut - 11th Street

Coca-Cola Bottling Company

Pizza Hut - North Main

Coventry Health Care of Illinois

Ray King REALTOR

A Full-Service Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Engineering and Testing Facility 3761 S. Central Ave., 61102 Ellen Taylor 815-315-9250 www.nts.com

D Machine, Inc.

Residence Inn by Marriott/Rockford

Dickey Staffing Solutions

Restoration Cafe

Employers’ Coalition on Health (ECOH)

Rock River Ford, Kia, Mitsubishi

Foltz Transmission Frink’s Sewer & Drain Inc.

Pizza Hut - West Lane Rd (Rockford Pizza Inc.)

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

GCO Flooring Outlet

Rockford Data Management

General Mitchell International Airport

Rockford Foundries, Inc.

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois

Rockford Mass Transit District

Healing Pathways - Cancer Resource Center Healthy Balance Reflexology Hyundai on Perryville Imler Eye Clinic of Rockford, LLC JWHITWEB.COM Kantorei, The Singing Boys of Rockford Kryder Wood Products La Voz Latina Hispanic Resource Development Center

Rockford Mass Transit District/ Paratransit

Landmark Venue that Features World-Class Artists and Productions P.O. Box 4444, 61110 Beth Howard 815-968-9863 www.rccaconcerts.org

Rockford Metal Polishing Co. Family Owned Since 1977, RMP Specializes in Metal Polishing, Buffing, Mass Finishing, OD Tube Polishing and Bead Blasting Services 5700 Industrial Ave. Loves Park, IL 61111 John Gagliano 815-282-4448 www.rockfordmetalpolishing.com

Security Finance Small Loans and Tax Preparation Service 2233 Charles St., Ste. E, 61104 Andrew Mueller 815-227-0074 www.security-finance.com

SwingnSplash Creating Backyard Memories Through Pools, Hottubs and Playsets 2245 N. Central Ave., 61101 Christy Nausner 815-489-6100 www.swingnsplash.com

Taco John’s Serving Traditional Mexican Food — With a West-Mex® Twist 3007 N. Main St., 61103 Rita Jamahneh 815-282-5171 www.tacojohns.com

Tiba Properties LLC Property Management 1920 Clinton St., 61103 Mark Johnson 815-566-0507

March 2012 Member Anniversaries Thank you to the members who celebrate their anniversaries with the Rockford Chamber in April, 2012.

100+ Year Member

45-Year Member

Holmstrom & Kennedy, P.C.

Dickerson & Nieman Realtors

65-Year Member

25-Year Member

T K Group, Inc.

Eclipse, Inc.

Enders Flowers

Terra Creek Apartments

60-Year Members

15-Year Members

The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms

Hampton Properties (Leasing Office) Prairie State Legal Services, Inc.

TLC...the Learning Center, Inc.

Lindstrom Travel Winnebago County Medical Society Woodward

Triangle Metals, Inc.

55-Year Members

Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital

Meridian Promotions

Haldex Hydraulics Corporation Rockford Area Realtors

Rockford Rescue Mission Ministries Shogun Japanese Restaurant Sikich LLP

The UPS Store

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

Liberty Baptist Church

Wilson Electric Co.

LOESCHER & Associates, Ltd.

Zion Development Corporation

Lydia Home - Rockford

Providing Customized Services to Residential and Light Industrial by the Following: Cutting Energy Cost,

by Many Means Brian Casey 815-871-9506

Rock Valley College Students in Free Enterprise

G & O Landscaping Inc.

Greater Rockford Airport Authority d/b/a Chicago Rockford International Airport

NIS Energy

Rockford Coronado Concert Association

50-Year Members Rockford Mercantile Agency, Inc. Rockford Public Library Specialty Screw Corporation

10-Year Member 5-Year Members Mark Pack Inc. Singley Construction Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum

April 2012 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

24

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

1. Debbie Carlson

2. Dr. Thomas Wright

3. Dr. Brian Bear

4. Dr. Andy Blint

5. Eleanor Doar

6. Dr. Connie Vitali

7. John. J. Morrissey

8. Julie Bosma

9. Tracy Bonavia

10. Bob McCreath

11. Patricia Diduch

12. Nicole Engelbart

13. Rebecca Johanson

14. Rick Wiermanski

15. Kevin Heasley

16. Patrick Flesch

17. Kelly Vinje

18. Nate Roloff

19. Dr. Melissa Rohrbacher

20. Wayne Kim

21. Tammy Morris

22. Ken Strawbridge

Board Appointments UNION Savings BANK added Debbie Carlson (1) to its board.

Dr. Thomas Wright (2), chief medical officer for Rosecrance Health Network, joined the newly established Editorial Advisory Board of the Physicians Index for Ethics in Medicine.

Brian Bear, M.D. (3), Rockford Orthopedic Associates, Ltd., joined the editorial board of Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine, a quarterly journal for orthopedic surgeons. Andy Blint, M.D. (4), was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

RRVTMA (Rockford Tooling and Machining Association) welcomed its 2012 board: Matt Baker, president; Doug Mason, pastpresident; Glen Leasure, treasurer; Tom Busse, trustee; Jim Monge, alternate trustee; Casey Schwebke, alternate trustee; Ron Winkler, apprenticeship director; Eric Anderberg, legislative affairs; Jimmy Rozinsky, membership director; Jean Strain, program director, and Chip Swenson, public relations.

Leslie Erickson, part owner of Meg’s Daily Grind, was named to the Winnebago County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program board of directors.

Eleanor Doar (5) was named as chair and Connie Vitali, M.D. (6), as vice chair of the Rockford Health System board of directors. John J. Morrissey (7) was named as chair of the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation, and Julie Bosma (8) as first vice chair, all for two-year terms.

Tracy Bonavia (9), BMO Harris Bank, was named to the Healing Pathways-Cancer Resource Center board of directors.

Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful appointed Bob McCreath (10) as board president and Patricia Diduch (11) as secretary, and reappointed Steve Nailor as vice-president and Larry Swacina as treasurer.

New Hires, Promotions, Retirements Charlene Allen, LPN, was named site manager for Lifescape Community Services’ Brightside Adult Day Service

in the Longwood Building, 1055 E. State St., Rockford.

Eclipse Inc., appointed Dipender Manhas as business operations manager for its Pune India operations.

Meridian added Nicole Engelbart (12) to its customer service team, and Rebecca Johanson (13) to service its advertising/marketing accounts in northern Illinois.

Mary Roufa was named manager of community services and support, and Anne Fridh as director of performance improvement for Rosecrance.

Blackhawk Bank hired Rick Wiermanski (14) as vice president of credit and risk management.

Aqua-Aerobic Systems promoted Kevin Heasley (15) to director of project management; leading the application engineering, contract administration and project management teams.

Shane Heeren was promoted to

director of marketing and sales with Rockford Mutual Insurance Company.

Gordon Flesch Company hired Patrick Flesch (16); joining Kelly Vinje (17) and Nate Roloff (18) on the sales team.

Jennifer Forrester joined BizComm Consulting, Inc., as vice president overseeing new client development, contract negotiation and accounting.

Melissa Rohrbacher, D.O. (19), joined Rockford Health Physicians – Perryville, 3401 N. Perryville Road, specializing in family practice.

Christie Nicks joined FOX 39 News at Nine as anchor, replacing Kimberly Nelson.

Attorney Wayne Kim (20) joined Reno & Zahm LLP as an associate.

Tammy Morris (21) was hired as an assistant service advisor and Greg Stronczek as a Honda sales and leasing associate.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2012

25

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

23. Eve Whitaker

24. Carol Hartline

25. Wendy Howarter

26. Tracy S. Beard

27. Kevin M. Hrdlicka

28. Charles Ecker

29. Victoria Ulman

30. Sara Porter

31. Sherry Fink

32. Bonnie Gilmore

33. Mary Gubbe Lee

34. Rich Hartman

35. Jacob Jang

36. Peter Giolitto

37. Dr. Scott W. Trenhaile

38. Dr. Anthony Sorkin

Ken Strawbridge (22), former branch executive director at the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, joined the YMCA of Rock River Valley as its new group vice president.

Employee/Community Recognitions, Awards Matthew Sweet, staff accountant at Sikich LLP, completed and passed all four parts of the Certified Public Accountant examination.

Eve Whitaker (23), account administrator, Spectrum Insurance Agency, Inc., was licensed and certified for property, casualty, accident, health and life insurance with Wisconsin non-resident licenses.

WilliamsMcCarthy LLP partners Carol Hartline (24), Rockford office, and Wendy Howarter (25), Oregon office, was named to the 2012 Leading Lawyers Network.

Rosecrance accounting manager Richard Lovitt was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.

Tracy S. Beard (26), financial advisor at Savant Capital Management, earned a master of science in financial services degree from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pa. Kevin M. Hrdlicka (27), investment research analyst, earned

the Certified Financial Planner™ designation.

Remy Ugarte, senior at East High School, won Best of Show with “Chicago Rainday” at the 71st Young Artist Show: High School Division at Rockford Art Museum. Twenty-one schools submitted 966 pieces of artwork for consideration.

Alpine Bank gave Charlie Ecker (28), information technology technician, the Service to Internal Customers Service Star Award; Victoria Ulman (29), personal banker, the Service to External Customers Service Star Award, and Sara Porter (30), electronic banking officer, the Role Model Service Star Award.

The following Rosecrance staffers and the Stars of Light Theatre Troupe were honored for stellar service to those seeking treatment by the Rockford chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness: Sherry Fink (31), counselor; Bonnie Gilmore (32), manager; Barbara Frederickson, volunteer coordinator, and Mary Gubbe Lee (33), training/ volunteer coordinator and founder of the Stars of Light Theatre Troupe.

Jerry Paulson, executive director of the Natural Land Institute, received an award for years of service from 2006 to 2012 on the board of the

Prairie State Conservation Coalition.

Of GENERAL INTEREST

Rich Hartman (34), senior vice president of operations, RinglandJohnson Construction, maintained his LEED Green Associate designation in New Construction and Major Renovation.

Scott W. Trenhaile, M.D. (37), Rockford Orthopedic Associates, Ltd., will serve as program faculty at the 29th annual San Diego Shoulder Institute meeting in San Diego, Calif., in June. Anthony Sorkin, M.D. (38), co-authored a chapter, “Subtrochanteric Fracture Varus Malalignment/Nonunion” in the 2012 reference Prevention and Management of Common Fracture Complications.

WNIJ (89.5-FM) reporter Susan Stephens was named Best Newswriter and took first place in the Hard News Feature category in the downstate radio division of the Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters Association 2011 Journalism Excellence contest.

George J. Picha, senior partner, Picha, Salisbury & McCumber, LLC, was inducted a fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in March.

Keith Country Day School junior, Jacob Jang (35), was chosen from hundreds of applicants to play the bassoon at the 2012 Music for All Festival in the Honor Band of America in March at Butler University, Indianapolis.

Pete Giolitto (36), senior vice president – investment officer at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, was designated for the second year as a member of the firm’s Premier Advisors Program.

E. Thomas Carey, Pharm D, director of pharmacy services at SwedishAmerican Hospital, completed a speaking tour in Japan on the use of PhaSeal®, a “closed system transfer device” to decrease employee exposure to hazardous medications prepared in the pharmacy.

Gary Ainsworth, president, and Suzanne Ainsworth, vice president of sales & marketing, Service Security Technologies, Inc., attended the March meeting of the Illinois Electronic Security Association in Elk Grove Village, Ill. Jane Snively, executive director of Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, attended the weeklong workshop, “Exhibiting Skills: Exhibition Development for Informal Educators,” at the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, Calif.

April 2012 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

26

EVENTS

Upcoming Chamber Events April, 2012 Tuesday, April 3 Business Women’s Council presents Speed Networking, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road. Get your tennis shoes ready. Bring your business cards. Make new contacts. Sponsor is AAIM Employers Association.

Wednesday, April 4 Good Morning Rockford! The Girl Scouts turn 100. Help them celebrate with networking and breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m., at Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, 2820 McFarland Road.

Thursday, April 5 Open House/Ribbon Cutting, Pierce Distribution Services Company, 3836 S. Central Ave., 11 a.m. to noon.

Located in Southrock Industrial Park, off South Main Street in Rockford.

Sponsored by Alpine Bank and Leading Edge Hydraulics.

Forum on Manufacturing, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road.

Friday, April 6 Ribbon Cutting, Red Mango, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Machesney Crossings

Mall, 1093 W. Lane Road, Route 173 and 251 (just west of Lowe’s). Grand opening festivities include free yogurt for attendees, prizes and giveaways.

Tuesday, April 10 Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road. Contact Denise Wimmer, Alliance Insurance, denise@ flandersinsurance.com.

Wednesday, April 11 7:30 - 9 am Rock Valley College 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford

Breakfast Buzz:

The Man Behind the Mayor With Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey. Change of room location due to projected increased attendance. Park in lot

by WTC and PEC and follow signs to atrium.

Sponsor is McGladrey

Wednesday, April 11 Advantage Power Network Club, Franchesco’s Ristorante, 7128 Perry Creek Pkwy. Contact Teri Watts, Whitehead Inc., Realtors®, tlwatts@

whiteheadcommercial.com or Holly Hanson, The Business Edge Inc., coach@thebizedge.biz.

Advantage Club – Originals, various locations. Contact Stacy Wallace, LDR Construction Services, Inc., 815-8747066 or swallace@ldr4service.com.

Friday, April 13 Rockford Chamber Government Affairs Council Meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St. John Cressman, executive director, Rockford Housing Authority, will present RHA activities and plans. For information on how to join, contact Heidi Garner at 815-316-4312.

Tuesday, April 24 Rockford Chamber of Commerce and ThePensionSpecialists, Ltd., present a Symposium: How will 401(K) Emerge? from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Giovanni’s, Inc., 610 N. Bell School Road. Includes breakfast and lunch. Featured experts are Fred Reish, one of “The Best Lawyers in America;” Ted Benna, president of the 401(k) Association; Joel Radakovitz, president of ThePensionSpecialists, Ltd. (TPS), and Apollo Lupescu, vice president at Dimensional Fund Advisors. Supporting sponsors are: Blackhawk Bank; New York Life Insurance Company; Principal

Financial Group; Reno & Zahm LLP; SwedishAmerican Health System; Ticomix, Inc.; Williams-Manny, Inc., and Wipfli LLP. Endorsing sponsors are: EBANI, ICPAS-Northern Chapter and Rockford Area SHRM. Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road. Contact Denise Wimmer, Alliance Insurance, denise@ flandersinsurance.com.

Wednesday, April 25 Advantage Power Network Club, Franchesco’s Ristorante, 7128 Perry Creek Pkwy. Contact Teri Watts, Wednesday, April 25 11:30 am - 1 pm Best Western Clock Tower Resort 7801 E. State St., Rockford

State of the County Winnebago County Chairman Scott Christiansen will discuss the charge for county government at a time when the local economy appears to be recovering.

Supporting sponsors are: BMO Harris Bank (presenting) Humana (gold) Alpha Controls & Services; Ballard Companies, Inc.; and Larson& Darby Group (bronze)

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2012

27

EVENTS

Upcoming Chamber Events Whitehead Inc., Realtors®, tlwatts@ whiteheadcommercial.com or Holly Hanson, The Business Edge Inc., coach@thebizedge.biz.

Advantage Club – Originals, various locations. Contact Stacy Wallace, LDR Construction Services, Inc., 815-8747066 or swallace@ldr4service.com.

May, 2012 Tuesday, May 8 Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road. Contact Denise Wimmer, Alliance Insurance, denise@ flandersinsurance.com.

Wednesday, May 9 Advantage Power Network Club, Franchesco’s Ristorante, 7128 Perry Creek Pkwy. Contact Teri Watts, Whitehead Inc., Realtors®, tlwatts@ whiteheadcommercial.com or Holly Hanson, The Business Edge Inc., coach@thebizedge.biz.

Advantage Club – Originals, various locations. Contact Stacy Wallace, LDR Construction Services, Inc., 815-8747066 or swallace@ldr4service.com.

Thursday, May 10 11:30 am - 1 pm Radisson Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford

Celebration of Leadership Luncheon Sponsors are: PNC Bank (presenting) Chicago Rockford International Airport (supporting)

Friday, May 11 Rockford Chamber Government Affairs Council Meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St. The mission is to advocate for a better business climate for members by

Alpine Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Rockford College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

influencing economic and social policy.

For information on how to join, contact Heidi Garner at 815-316-4312.

BMO Harris Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Rockford Health System. . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Broadmoor Agency, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Rock River Valley Blood Center. . . . . . 12

Friday, May 18

First National Bank and Trust Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Tri State Alliance Summit: Creating Resilient Communities, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hotel Julien, 200 Main St. Dubuque, Iowa. Ribbon cutting for the TIGER I Complete Streets Project in the Historic Millwork District. Keynote

by Secretary Ray LaHood (invited).

Fitzgerald Funeral Home. . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Siena on Brendenwood . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois. . . . . . . 15

Small Business Development Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Monday, May 21 11:30 am - 6:30 pm Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club 5151 Guilford Rd., Rockford

Rockford Chamber Golf Classic Join golfers for fun, food, networking and golf. It is ROCKVEGAS Time!

Sponsors are: SwedishAmerican Health System (presenting) OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center (photo) General Mitchell Intl. Airport (Greens)

Tuesday, May 22 Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road. Contact Denise Wimmer, Alliance Insurance, denise@ flandersinsurance.com.

Wednesday, May 23 Advantage Power Network Club, Franchesco’s Ristorante, 7128 Perry Creek Pkwy. Contact Teri Watts, Whitehead Inc., Realtors®, tlwatts@ whiteheadcommercial.com or Holly Hanson, The Business Edge Inc., coach@thebizedge.biz.

Advantage Club – Originals, various locations. Contact Stacy Wallace, LDR Construction Services, Inc., 815-8747066 or swallace@ldr4service.com.

Chamber Board of Directors & Officers Executive Committee Chairman of the Board Mike Broski Entré Computer Solutions Chairman Elect Richard Walsh SwedishAmerican Health System Vice Chair Patti Thayer Thayer Lighting, Inc. Treasurer Larry Bridgeland Mid-City Office Products Immediate Past Chairman Pam Maher KMK Media Group

Directors Romero Bennett Blue Sky Insurance Agency, Inc.

Andrew Benson Benson Stone Company, Inc. Walt Boothe BMO Harris Bank N.A. Ryan Brauns Rockford Consulting & Brokerage Paul Callighan ComEd, An Exelon Company Joe Castrogiovanni Giovanni’s, Inc.

Advertisers Index ADVERTISERS

Paul McCann Stanley Steemer

Tim White Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

Pat Morrow Alpine Bank

Jennifer Wood Sikich LLP

Michael Mastroianni Rock Valley College

Mark Peterson CBL Associates Cherry Vale Peter Ricker Rockford Register Star Timothy Rollins WilliamsMcCarthy

J Chapman Maverick Media of Rockford LLC

Daniel Saavedra Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects

Rena Cotsones Northern Illinois University

Henry Seybold Rockford Health System

Darlene Furst Furst Staffing

Pat Shaw RSM McGladrey

Penelope Lechtenberg Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Somchan Thatsanaphon K-I Machine Tool & Production Inc.

Richard Zumwalt OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center

Ex-Officio Directors Janyce Fadden Rockford Area Economic Development Council Einar K. Forsman President & CEO, Rockford Chamber of Commerce John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Brian Thomas Photography, Inc. . . . . 26

Luther Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Lutheran Social Services of Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Rock Valley College, BPI . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Savant Capital Management . . . . . . . . 13

Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

McGladrey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

SwedishAmerican Health System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

MembersAlliance Credit Union. . . . . . . . 3

ThePensionSpecialists. . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Riverside Community Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Thayer Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Rockford Bank & Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Widmer Interiors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Rockford Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 27, 28

Van Galder Bus A Coach USA Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100 Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO....................................

Heidi Garner, Executive Assistant to the President..................

Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology.............

Lynette Jacques, Advertising and Sponsorship Executive.........

Vee Jevremovic, Manager of Education Programs and Events.. ..

Jazzminne Keyes, Ignite Director.......................................

Cyndie Landis, Financial Assistant.. ....................................

Joy Moriarty, V.P. Finance.. ...............................................

Stacy Mullins, Director of Events.. ......................................

Diane Navickis, Membership Development Manager...............

Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator...................

Valerie Tippitt, Membership Development Manager.................

Direct Line 815-316-4304 815-316-4312 815-316-4338 815-316-4317 815-316-4337 815-316-4335 815-316-4300 815-316-4316 815-316-4302 815-316-4315 815-316-4320 815-316-4336