April Voice 2015 by Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce

OLD CHICAGO PULLING FOR BEER

FORTY UNDER 40: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

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The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

“ILLINOIS READS” ANNOUNCES 2015 BOOK SELECTIONS

April 2015 | Volume 28 | No. 4

Manufacturers gather for annual celebration J&M Plating, John Ekberg takes home top honors By Paul Anthony Arco When John Ekberg was a student at Jefferson High School, he loved taking vocational classes. It paid off when he went to work with his family business, Circle Boring, a machine shop in Rockford that specializes in precision milling, boring and turning. Ekberg is the CFO of the company, which was founded in 1960. In addition to his hectic work schedule, Ekberg finds time to working with area high school students looking at a future in manufacturing. Over the years, Ekberg has been instrumental in the success of many

■ Identical, Scott Turow

PHOTOS BY BRIAN THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

(Above) Rick Morris, J&M Plating and (left) John Ekberg, Circle Boring, received the top honors at the manufacturing event.

community organizations that work to improve the education and training of the workforce in the Rockford area. Ekberg has served as the chairman of Jefferson High School’s EMITT (Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Trades and Technology) Academy Support team and contributed to Guilford High School’s EMITT program. “I love kids and manufacturing,” he said. “I was always taught to make things better. When I look at schools I see a lot of good there,

but they just need a little help. I see the kids responding really well. Rockford Public Schools is doing an amazing job. I’m just happy to do my part.” “John is a tireless advocate for the students,” said Judy Gustafson, College and Career Readiness Academy Coach at Jefferson High School. “He is a powerful spokesperson for the value of apprenticeship programs, job shadows, and all work-based activities which bring increased awareness and preparation to our EMITT students, especially those in manufacturing. We’ve been most Continued on page 3

NEW IN 2015:

Rockford Park District introduces Big Cup golf and FootGolf

Visit us online at: rockfordchamber.com ■ online registration ■ keynote speaker video clips ■ event photos ■ list of Chamber events Questions? 815-987-8100

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

The Illinois Reading Council and honorary chairman, Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White, announced the book titles for the 2015 ILLINOIS READS initiative. ILLINOIS READS is the yearly statewide project that promotes reading for Illinois citizens of all ages, beginning with read-aloud books for babies. Six books are selected for each age band, with particular focus on selections written by authors with ties to Illinois. The 2015 selections for adults are: ■ While Beauty Slept, Elizabeth Blackwell

Golf season is here! In March, Rockford Park District opened its golf courses, with daily operating hours to expand as weather conditions improve. Starting on May 1, Elliot Golf Course introduces two new golf experiences: Big Cup golf and FootGolf. Big Cup golf is played with 15-inch cups to save time, strokes and some of the pressure golfers often feel on the green. It will be offered after 2 p.m., on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with special couples nights on the second Saturdays of the month and Family Fun Days on Sundays. FootGolf, a new experience growing in popularity, combines soccer and golf.

The back nine holes will be made into a course of 18 FootGolf cups on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4 p.m. to close. It will be played with a regulation #5 soccer ball and shortened holes with 21-inch diameter cups, but with golf’s basic model of tee boxes, greens, bunkers, hazards and nine holes of play. Up to four players per group can play and can walk or use golf carts. Holes are roughly half the distance of a regular golf hole. Traditional golf will be available on the front nine at Elliot at all times, even when FootGolf is being played on the back nine. The two games will not be intermixed. Soccer or golf attire is recommended, but soccer cleats prohibited. Book a tee time at www.golfrockford. org or 815-YOU-PLAY (815-968-7529).

■ Monsters: The 1985 Chicago Bears and the Wild Heart of Football, Rich Cohen

■ Heroes are My Weakness, Susan Elizabeth Phillips ■ The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted, Elizabeth Berg

■ The Borrower, Rebecca Makkai Annotated booklists for 20132015, and suggested reading lists for kids of different ages can be found at www.illinoisreads.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

State of the County LUNCHEON

April 16 Clock Tower Resort SPONSORED BY

For more info, see page 30

WHAT SHOULD GOVERNOR RAUNER’S FIRST PRIORITY BE AS GOVERNOR? According to votes at the Rockford Chamber’s advocacy center, rockfordchamberadvocacycenter.org: Initiate Programs that Create Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33% Get Public Pensions Under Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 33% Fix the Fiscal Crisis for the Long Haul . . . . . . . . . 28%

Clean Up Illinois Government . . 6%

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIRED FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS? State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) (SB 700), filed new legislation which would require elected officials to take an eight-hour course at their own expense every two years, covering basic economic theories and the interaction between economic theory and governmental policy. The program would be established by the Econ-Illinois Council on Economic Education at NIU and approved by the Illinois Community College Board.

April 2015

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Chairman’s Perspective VIEWPOINT

Rockford needs all businesses to succeed As a resident and business owner in the Rockford area, one thing is abundantly clear to me: we all need one another in order to succeed as a community. Community businesses mean several things: more jobs, support for charitable organizations, participation in the advancement of our community, and industry expertise and resources that benefit us all. Whether it’s a two-person business or a Fortune 500 company, Rockford is blessed to have tremendous support in the business community. I think about Mary Jo and Charlie Hare, owners of SERVPRO of Rockford. Their small business specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage. In addition to doing great work, the Hares give back generously to the community – from the Ethnic Heritage Museum to the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois. Then there is Woodward, Inc. Woodward was founded in Rockford in 1870 and now headquartered in Fort

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says that when money is spent locally, it is re-spent, right here, seven times over. Collins, Colorado. But with its new 440,000-square-foot campus opening soon in Loves Park, Woodward remains a vital part of the local business scene. The company also gives generously to many local charitable organizations. Just as important, a big thanks goes to Woodward and its president and CEO, Tom Gendron, for getting the ball rolling on Transform Rockford. There are many people giving of their time, talents and money to support the effort to change the face of Rockford. At the annual Chamber dinner, I talked about Mrs. Fisher’s Chips, a staple in the business community. If you’re from the Rockford region, you know these chips. If you have a visitor from out of town, you insist that they

try these chips. If your child goes off to college, you send them a care package including these chips. We need to show that same love for all businesses, from our largest corporations to our smallest local shops. As we become global consumers, it’s sometimes easy to forget about the community businesses. In fact, small businesses are vital to the U.S. economy, according to the Small Business Administration. Small businesses who employ less than 500 people account for about half of all private-sector jobs, and 65 percent of new jobs created in the past 17 years. As a local small business owner myself, I know how difficult it can be to survive in today’s tough economy. That’s why I have challenged some of the local merchants to consider comparing their costs with internet companies. I don’t mind paying a little more in order to support my local business community rather than shopping online. It’s also important to utilize the experts we have right here in town.

Patti Thayer

I know Rockford Chamber Board Chairman firsthand of several situations where companies/businesses sought out-of-town consultants first rather than using qualified local professionals. In one case, an outside firm won the contract on a project that a local company also bid on. The perception, however, was the firm was better because they were from a larger city. That’s simply not true. Ultimately, the out-of-town firm ended up hiring the local guys to handle the work on their behalf. Studies prove that supporting community businesses has a positive economic, social, environmental, and governmental impact. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says that when money is spent locally, it is respent, right here, seven times over. I challenge you, Chamber members, to help keep all businesses thriving. Simply put, your support helps build our economy and strengthens our community.

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April 2015

Manufacturers Expo & Dinner (continued from front page)

fortunate at Jefferson to have such a committed, creative partner as John.” For his work, Ekberg was presented the Individual Business Catalyst Award during the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s Manufacturing Expo & Dinner on March 25. The event was held at Cliffbreakers Riverside Hotel & Conference Center. More than 520 people turned out to visit 50 booths from area manufacturing and related services. The Manufacturer’s Council also hosted several area high schools and middle schools to promote manufacturing careers to area students. “I love getting together with this group,” said Einar Forsman, president and CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. “Manufacturers are very optimistic. They get it and they love to come here and celebrate their success.” The evening’s other honor went to J&M Plating, Inc., who was named Manufacturer of the Year. The Rockfordbased company specializes in heat treat, plating and sorting. The company was started by Joe Morris in Belvidere in 1986, before moving to Rockford nine years later. J&M employs 130 people in its 180,000 square-foot facility and is now run by Joe’s sons, Mark, Rick and David. “What an honor,” Rick Morris told the crowd. “Thanks go to the men and women who punch the clock every day

and to having a bank that believed in us. We found that in Rockford Bank & Trust.” “Since its start nearly 30 years ago, J&M Plating has grown to become an industry leader in providing engineered solutions to the fastener and small stamping marketplaces,” said nominator Tom Budd, president and CEO of Rockford Bank & Trust. “They are constantly looking for ways to improve, innovate and provide the ultimate customer experience for their clients. Their philosophy – customers are their business partners – holds true for all J&M employees, as they work to strengthen business relationships and provide their customers with a greater competitive advantage.” This year’s award winners illustrate outstanding contributions to their industry and community. “The awards were both well recognized and well respected,” said Forsman. “John Ekberg

is well known, active and he puts passion behind everything he does. The same can be said about J&M Plating. They quietly go about their job and do it the right way.” Gregory Baise, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, was the keynote speaker. IMA is a statewide advocacy organization representing more than 4,000 member manufacturing companies and supportive industries. Baise spoke on the importance of manufacturing in Rockford, the state of the state of Illinois, and results from a poll conducted with Illinois voters. Baise said 25,000 manufacturing jobs will become available in the next few years due to retiring workers. It will be up to educational institutions, he said, to respond to filling those needs. “Manufacturing remains the backbone for states such as Illinois,” he said. “Rockford has always understood the

importance of manufacturing.” In addition to manufacturing, Baise shared with the audience findings of a recent IMA poll conducted with 500 registered voters. One of the biggest concerns remains workers comp, said Baise, who called the issue a job killer. “He knows we’re a manufacturing state and things like workers comp are a serious issue,” Forsman said. “It’s our biggest issue year after year after year and it has to be addressed. That alone will help encourage more investment in the area.” The Celebration of Manufacturing Expo & Dinner was presented by QPS Employment Group. Additional sponsors include FMA, Rockford Bank & Trust, Wipfli LLP, Savant Capital Management, Greenlee Textron, Thayer Lighting, Woodward and Weldstar Company. theVoice

April 2015

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Board Profile PROFILE

Beware the ‘Shiny Object’ syndrome Helping businesses grow their market share with radio I’ve been a media junkie since I was a kid growing up in the ’80s in Freeport. What do you want to contribute as part of the Chamber board? I would hope that someone would point at me and say, “He made a difference and made this a better organization and place.”

Why do you think the Chamber is important to business and the community? It provides a unified voice to help all businesses in the region grow their revenue and profitability and sustain that position in the future.

What is the name/current purpose of your business/ organization? Mid-West Family Broadcasting and our five radio station brands: B103, 104-9 The X, 95-3 The Bull, The Mighty 100.5 and La Movida 1330. We are here to create and serve a customer in the community, whether that customer is a listener, an advertiser or a fellow employee. Our purpose is to engage, entertain, deliver business growth results for advertisers, educate others about marketing and communications in 2015, be a solid citizen of our community, and deliver solid operating results as a locally owned company where that profit can be re-invested in local economic growth.

Mike Paterson Mid-West Family Broadcasting

What is your business background/responsibilities? As the general manager, I serve as the local managing shareholder for our business. I’m responsible for every piece of the local operation, from what songs are played, to making sure the snow is shoveled in our parking lot and the trash is removed from wastebaskets. I’ve been a media junkie since I was a kid growing up in the ’80s in Freeport watching local TV and listening to Jeff Wicker on WZOK. I’ve performed every job in the radio station — from business manager to DJ to digital media specialist. I’ve held media leadership roles in Madison, Milwaukee, Austin, Houston, Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul and St. Louis prior to returning to the region.

What trend is most strongly impacting your industry? The “Shiny Object” syndrome, where there are hundreds of new vehicles to market your product that are sexier than the “dinosaur” known as radio. Unfortunately, we spend a lot of time defending our medium against attacks and why it works in 2015, instead of talking about creative campaigns for clients to grow their business using radio. I actually find this energizing and a compliment, as these “upstarts” see the amount of advertising we garner and want to use our success as a way to grow their market share. My time as a digital specialist has taught me to beware of the shiny object.

What book, movie would you recommend right now and why? “Beating Goliath” by Art Briles.

Let your Voice be heard The Rockford Chamber of Commerce elcomes and encourages submissions for The w 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.

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April 2015

Member Profile PROFILE

By Paul Anthony Arco There’s no shortage of pizza and beer joints in Rockford. But Old Chicago likes to think it does things just a little bit differently than the rest. Founded in Colorado in 1976 by a few buddies who enjoyed kicking back with a good pizza and few libations, Old Chicago, named after a pinball game, is a corporate restaurant with 100 locations, including Rockford. Old Chicago prides itself not only on great food and atmosphere, but offers beer lovers 110 different selections of brew. “If you like good beer, we’re the ones to go to,” general manager Dustin Turner said. “We’re the beer authority.” Turner knows what he’s talking about. He started out as a server 12 years ago and became a bartender, before moving his way up to general manager of the popular Rockford restaurant. “This is a bar as much as it is a restaurant,” Turner said. “We have a good balance of customers who come in for the bar or to enjoy lunch or dinner. We’re here for anyone who’s looking for a fun atmosphere.” Old Chicago opened in Rockford in 1997. The closest Old Chicago restaurants are located in Madison and Peoria. Recently, Turner returned

Old Chicago

It’s not just about the pizza

customers feel more welcome,” Turner said. “We’re trendsetters — especially when it comes to promotions.”

Beer Tour, New Menu Items

Bartenders such as Erin Groves are trained in serving and monitoring alcohol consumption, as responsible drinking and a family-style atmosphere are important to Old Chicago. to town after helping open new Old Chicago restaurants in North and South Carolina. Fifteen more are slated to open later this year. Locally, Old Chicago has made plenty of subtle changes to freshen up its restaurant. The pool tables have been replaced with additional seating. The dining room chairs are new and the bar top will be refinished. A new 80-inchscreen television will soon join 15 others stationed throughout the bar and dining area. Turner has plans to touch up the patio in time for the busy summer season. “Anything we can do to make

Perhaps Old Chicago’s best known promo is the World Beer Tour. Customers vie for special prizes when they sample all 110 beers on the Old Chicago menu. If they complete the tour 10 times, customers become VIPs and are invited to special events and recognized with an engraved mug proudly displayed high above the bar. Old Chicago also hosts eight mini tours a year that are tied into holiday themes. Participants earn t-shirts and are eligible for the grand prize — a kegerator, which is a residential draft beer dispensing device valued at $800. The most popular beers are of the local craft variety including Ale Asylum produced in Madison and Goose Island from Chicago. “Gluten-free cider beers are popular and so are heavy beers like Stout,” Turner said.

OLD CHICAGO Dustin Turner, General Manager 6280 E. State St. 815-227-4040 www.oldchicago.com

Responsible drinking is of the utmost importance to Old Chicago. Customers are limited to four beers a day and all bartenders are specially trained in serving and monitoring alcohol consumption. “We want to create a safe, fun atmosphere for people of all ages,” Turner said. But let’s not forget about the menu, which includes pizzas like the Kick’n Canadian and the Italian Grinder; calzones and a number of salads. Italian nachos and pepperoni rolls are must-try menu items, as are jalapeno cheese pretzels and meatball sliders. Save room for dessert whether it’s a Big Cookie or homemade cheesecake. Old Chicago will launch a new menu this spring featuring different burgers, macaroni and cheese and spaghetti pie. Being a good bar/restaurant also means being a good community partner. Old Chicago and its 65 employees support a number of charitable organizations, including the Rockford Rescue Mission. Every year, Old Chicago donates more than $3,000 worth of toys to the Toys for Tots program. “We’re heavily invested into the community,” Turner said. “We care about everyone who walks through the front door.”

April 2015

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To be found or not to be found … That is the question! By Mark Podemski, RAEDC The Rockford Area Economic Development Council has invested in the development of an online tool to help companies locate regional suppliers that possess the necessary capabilities they may be looking for. As shown in the screen shot, suppliers can be identified via any combination of business sector, industry focus, specific capabilities, certifications or RAEDC investor status. Specific business sectors are based upon the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The industry focus helps to identify companies that have a service or product that is targeted at a particular industry such as aerospace. The capabilities field is a keyword search option that provides a great deal of flexibility and allows for unique capabilities to be located. This field is

arguably the most important field to ensure that information for your company is complete and accurate. The certifications section will assist in locating companies that have a specific industry or government certification (ISO, women-owned business, etc.). The RAEDC Investor field helps to differentiate companies in the region that support healthy economic development approaches. The selection tool integrates with our proprietary company database and is highly flexible. If searching wasn’t cool enough: There is an option to download a group of companies in Excel or PDF format. We do need your help to make sure your business is included in any qualified search. We have added a simple interface, “Request Database Change,” by which employees can request modifications and additions to the information included within the database, subject to review.

We want your company to be properly represented, so please search for yourself and review! This supply chain tool can be found quickly at rockfordil.com/ SupplyChainTool or in the dropdown menu under Grow Your Business Here. The initial population of this database focused on manufacturers, companies engaged in the aerospace market and RAEDC Investors. Use the “Request

Database Change” button if you don’t see your company listed. (Hint: you can put part of your company name in the capabilities field and the results will include companies that have those characters in their name). It’s a noisy world out there in cyberspace; your company needs all the help it can to be found. To be found or not to be found … that is the question you need to answer!

Take your business international with half-day seminar By Terrance Hall, RAEDC On April 16, the Illinois International Trade Center (ITC) will present an exporting program, in conjunction with UPS and the U.S. Export Assistance Center. This is an excellent opportunity for any company, especially manufacturers, to learn how to diversify with exporting; or for service professionals, such as bankers and attorneys to learn more for advising their clients in this realm of business. The benefits of exporting: Exporters tend to be more profitable. They fully engage their production capabilities, spread their risks, protect their domestic market and take advantage of factors that affect demand. Consider these facts: ■ Nearly 96 percent of consumers live outside the United States. ■ Two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power is in foreign countries. ■ Free trade agreements with 17 countries provide extraordinary exporting opportunities for U.S. businesses. ■ U.S. commercial service trade professionals, located in more than 75 countries, help U.S. companies explore new markets and find new customers. ■ Resources provided by the Rockford Area ITC and the local U.S. Export Assistance Center will help you through every step of establishing and growing an export program.

Whether your company has never exported before, or it already enjoys significant annual export sales, join us on April 16 to learn how: ■ You can assess your readiness, find international trade partners and navigate global logistics. The local U.S. Export Assistance Center and ITC will outline these resources. ■ The expertise, resources and technologies of UPS can help reduce the time and cost of getting your shipments to its international destination. ■ Local companies such as MCJ, Meridian and Monitor Technologies LLC are managing export programs – they will provide insight to their export strategies. What: Taking Your Business International When: Thursday, April 16; 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Where: Northern Illinois University–Rockford, 8600 E. State St. Cost: $25 per person; company group rates available. To Register: Go to www.rockfordil.com/ April16event or contact Bea Miller, Rockford Area Economic Development Council, bmiller@ rockfordil.com or 815-969-4255.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com April 2015

CPT certiﬁcation now offered at Rock Valley College Our region is in need of a skilled workforce, and Rock Valley College’s BPI is successfully addressing those needs. If we want to remain competitive in our marketplace and manufacturing niches, then we must make sure that our employers have a solid pipeline of qualified, skilled workers. As more veteran industrial workers retire it is crucial that we have someone with the appropriate skill set to fill the gap. The Business and Professional Institute has aligned itself with the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council to assist with preparing individuals to successfully fill these open positions. The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) is the nation’s leading industry-led training, assessment and certification organization focused on the core technical competencies needed by the nation’s frontline production and material handling workers. The nationwide MSSC certifications, based upon industrydefined and federally-endorsed national standards, offer both entry-level and

incumbent workers the opportunity to MSSC Beneﬁts to demonstrate that they have acquired the Employers Include: knowledge and skills increasingly needed in the technology-intensive advanced ■ A pipeline of skilled workers by manufacturing and logistics jobs of the embedding MSSC certification training 21st century. into schools.

National Manufacturing Certiﬁcation ■ Decreased recruitment costs by MSSC applies to all frontline manufacturing production jobs (6 million). It has developed a nationally portable certification for this workplace. Certified Production Technician (CPT): The CPT Certification addresses the core technical competencies of high skilled production workers in all sectors of manufacturing. MSSC awards certificates to individuals who pass any of its five production modules: safety, quality practices & measurement, manufacturing processes & production, maintenance awareness, and green production, and a full CPT Certification to those who pass all four core modules (Note: Green is not required for full-CPT certification.)

providing job candidates with industryrecognized credentials. ■ Elimination of remedial training costs by providing well prepared workers. ■ A new ISO standard in certificates; companies can use a common practice throughout their global operations. ■ Increased ROI for training, by targeting it against the gaps identified by the MSSC Diagnostic Tool. ■ An aid to attracting, motivating and retaining qualified employees. MSSC delivers these tools through a nationwide network of more than 1,300 trained instructors and 730 authorized assessment centers in 43 states and

Washington, D.C. To date, MSSC has given more than 89,000 assessments and issued more than 69,000 Bernie Luecke RVC BPI credentials. Rock Valley College is one of the 730 authorized assessment centers, and Bud Harezlak, MSSC CPT, BPI training consultant, one of the 1,300 trained instructors. For more information about the CPT certification for your employees, please contact Harezlak at 815-921-2068 or B.Harezlak@RockValleyCollege.edu. Note: Contents of this article were compiled from the Manufacturing Skill Standard Council website and marketing materials. Bernie Luecke is director, Rock Valley College Business & Professional Institute.

Giving manufacturers a competitive advantage with QRM Spend a day in a workshop that can help your company cut lead times, improve profitability and market share through Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM). Bill Ritchie, president and founder of Tempus Institute, will present Quick Response Manufacturing: MCT/Q-ROC Workshop on April 21, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford. Manufacturers face a growing trend. Customers increasingly request highly customized products at ever-shorter lead times. To respond to this challenge, companies that provide custom, low-volume products and services through non-repetitive processes are adopting the Strategy of Time through QRM to reduce lead times while eliminating waste such as expediting, excess inventories and high overhead. QRM provides a time-tested set of principles and tools to reduce lead time in all

phases of manufacturing and office operations and build a strong foundation for long-term growth. QRM has helped companies reduce lead times by more than 80 percent, reduce costs by 20 to 40 percent, and substantially increase market share.

Products to Market More Quickly The workshop will focus on two key components of QRM: Manufacturing Critical-Path Time (MCT) and Quick Response Office Cells (Q-ROC). MCT is a unique metric that shows the time required for a job to be processed through the entire enterprise. Q-ROCs are cross-functional cells that are implemented in the upfront areas of a business. Their implementation can save a significant amount of time and cost, leading to dramatic improvement in market share. Quick Response Manufacturing can

help companies bring products to market more quickly, while increasing profitability by reducing cost, enhancing delivery performance and improving quality. QRM’s strategic focus on reduction of total lead-time is ideally suited for companies offering high-mix, lowvolume, custom-engineered products, or any process that is non-repetitive. A key to QRM is its use of MCT as a single, unifying metric. Reduction of MCT reflects increased throughput, resulting in improvement of traditional operations and financial parameters. QRM was developed by Dr. Rajan Suri who founded the Center for Quick Response Manufacturing at the University of Wisconsin in 1993.

Experienced Instructor Instructor Bill Ritchie, a certified trainer in QRM, has more than 25 years’

experience in general management and operations. He began his manufacturing career with General Motors’ Delco Products in Dayton, Ohio, where he worked in material control, labor relations and production general supervision. He then ran several manufacturing operations before joining Textron Corporation as vice president of manufacturing at Cone Drive Gears and general manager of Union Pump. Ritchie led QRM implementations that drove significant reductions in cost and inventory, generating dramatic growth in profitability, cash flow and customer satisfaction. To register, visit www.rockfordchamber.com; click the events tab, or call 815-987-8100. Manufacturing News is sponsored by RVC BPI

April 2015

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Business Shorts WHAT IS AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION?

Senior Helpers

Senior Helpers not only offers in-home, non-medical assistance, but also customized in-home care programs. Our Senior Gems program, led by renowned dementia care expert, Teepa Snow, takes a positive approach towards Alzheimer’s and dementia care, focusing on what one can do rather than what one cannot do. Senior Helpers offers speakers to help those in the healthcare community stay informed on Alzheimer’s and dementia. We have been told that our continuing education classes and educational seminars not only inform but validate the day-to-day struggles family members encounter while caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s/dementia. Attendees often nod their heads in acknowledgement during class.

Did you know? Williams-Manny founder, Dwight Manny, was related to John H. Manny – the man credited with inventing the reaper? Williams-Manny

Williams-Manny’s founders have an interesting history rooted in the Rockford region. Henry “Hank” Williams founded the company at the age of 25, using his mother’s sewing machine as a desk. After finding success, he would eventually help the Rockford Park District purchase the land plot we now know as Sinnissippi Park. Our other founder, Dwight Manny, was related to John H. Manny – the man credited with inventing the reaper, and was represented by Abraham Lincoln in a copyright lawsuit. Manny won the case and funds were added to the legacy of Tinker Swiss Cottage when his widow remarried Robert Tinker.

New York Life Insurance Company - Chad A. DeMarre

Interesting fact about New York Life is we are having our 170th birthday this year. I have heard from my clients that I help educate within every aspect of their personal planning. This approach helps to bring the client through a path of self-discovery. This is extremely important when determining goals and solutions. I have always felt clients need to have knowledge about what they are doing in order to make the best decision, for them, as we move through the years together.

Did you know? In the late ’60s, a group of Rockford physicians approached the University of Illinois at Chicago offering to teach for free if UIC would open a campus in Rockford? University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford

In the late ’60s, a group of Rockford physicians approached the University of Illinois at Chicago offering to teach for free if UIC would open a campus in Rockford. By 1975, we graduated our first class of physicians. Forty years later, we still have more than 400 community physicians teaching for free! The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford offers quality medical education, provides exceptional healthcare to the community, and impacts the future of medicine through advanced research. It is internationally recognized as a leader in medical education and a collaborating center to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Pathways Employee Assistance Program

Pathways Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is the only remaining locally and woman-owned EAP in the greater Rockford area. Our counselors and staff live and work in our community as do our clients and client companies. We are uniquely aware of the issues facing our clients and our community in terms of economics, employment, housing, healthcare, education and opportunity. We know and trust the services to which we refer our clients. We provide businesses and clients the opportunity to spend their dollars locally. We think that makes a difference and so do our clients.

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April 2015

Business Shorts HOW DOES YOUR COMPANY UNIQUELY SERVE THE COMMUNITY?

Summit Radiology

Nothing thrills us more than having a patient approach our front desk to check in and ask … Why are you less expensive than other facilities? They look amazed as they take in the décor of our spa-like facility. You can see the enthusiasm as they pride themselves on doing their research. Even some smaller facilities charge separate fees, one for the scan and an additional for reading it. That’s correct, but Summit charges a global fee that includes both at one low price. Our reputation is built on the quality service we offer our referring physicians and the care our patients deserve.

Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity

Habitat’s service model is unique in that we have a mutual partnership with our homebuyer families — we count on them as much as they count on us! When we’re constructing a family’s home, we count on them to help build it. And after they close on their home, we count on them to make the affordable monthly payments that will help fund the next family’s house. In turn, our homebuyers count on us to make affordable homeownership something they can achieve to bring stability, health and a lifetime of financial success to their families.

Lifescape Community Services

We often hear stories like this: “When I visit mom, I notice she doesn’t have much in the fridge and what she has is expired.” “Dad used to participate in clubs and activities, now he just sits at home watching TV.” “My aunt is struggling to understand Medicare paperwork and mailings from the gas company.” As a non-profit organization, in 2014 Lifescape Community Services provided 247,759 nutritious meals to seniors, engaged more than 800 seniors in health and wellness classes and supported more than 4,000 older adults with Medicare signups, Benefit Access program applications and adult day service.

Rockford Ambulatory Service Center

Freestanding outpatient surgical facilities like Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center provide insurance companies lower contract rates for the same procedures performed in hospitals, such as ear tubes, tonsillectomies, cataracts, orthopedic and hernia surgery, as well as laparoscopic and cosmetic procedures. Patients pay a large percentage of medical costs through higher deductibles and their health savings plans. RASC has lower overhead, with more efficient staffing and focuses on cost containment without jeopardizing safety or quality. Out-of-pocket savings could start at 30 percent or more and rates for Medicare patients are 58 percent less for the same procedure.

Motivate Personal Physical Rehabilitation

We are one of Rockford area’s best kept secrets! Did you know that Rockford now has a one-of-a-kind pelvic floor outpatient therapy clinic? Previously, this type of care was only found in the Chicago suburbs and in Wisconsin at the large university hospitals. We possess the capability to treat both men and women here in our home town area using the same proven, high quality techniques. We have four skilled therapists working with your practitioners. We are dedicated to pelvic floor and whole body health approaches while providing one-on-one care. Offering free 15 minute consultations!

Put Your Business on Center Stage Would you like to submit a business short for an upcoming issue of The Voice?

Please contact editor@rockfordchamber.com,

and we’ll send you a questions or two to answer about your business.

April 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Volunteers key to Rockford Public Schools’ mission

We need you to give our students a promising future Volunteers for the Rockford Public Schools have brought more than $900,000 in value to our students, equivalent to 18 full-time employees. And that’s just this school year. We track both the number of our volunteers, and the hours they spend because these aren’t extras to us. They are critical components in the education of students in RPS 205. Let’s be frank: Our students and our community have some catching up to do. Only 20 percent of people in Rockford have a bachelor’s degree. Less than half of students in our district come to kindergarten ready for school. Our goal is college and career readiness for every student. Without help from volunteer partners — inside and outside the classroom — reaching that goal would be impossible. It would be impossible to thank all of these partners. So I’d like to hold up a few individuals and organizations to give a better idea of the exemplary work they do: ■■ The local chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers has worked for more than four years to encourage learning in the science, technology, engineering and math fields using a curriculum called “A World in Motion.” The program — which this year was embedded in all grade levels at Froberg Elementary School — is led by Tim Franckowiak, a senior engineer with UTC Aerospace Systems. He recruits, trains and schedules volunteers. He organizes supplies and distributes weekly lessons plans. He’s a fixture in the classroom. He devotes at least 15 hours a week to this standout STEM learning program. ■■ Most people in the community are familiar with Sharefest, the volunteer project that has led major summertime renovations at Rockford Public Schools since 2007. People may not be familiar, though, with the depth of dedication. One Wednesday night during the summer of 2013, no less than 400 volunteers showed up at Jefferson. It doesn’t matter how many times I see Sharefest’s work, I am inspired each time. Before the first day of school at Roosevelt last August, Sharefest Director Creig Day told WIFR-TV: “This place is just gonna rock.” Sharefest’s work rocks every year. ■■ Reading is the foundation of learning. I’m proud RPS 205 has two volunteer programs to help us reach our benchmarks -- and I’m proud of

people like Jackie Norem. Norem, who volunteers for the United Way of Rock River Valley’s IREAD program, doesn’t only mentor students, she spends her off-hours setting up IREAD recruitment tables at Schnucks, Barnes and Noble and City Market. The same dedication is seen in Bob Presman of the Rockford Reads program. For 13 years in this one-on-one mentoring program, Presman has been the man behind the mission, just as he was the man behind the microphone in local radio. Presman recruits hundreds of volunteers every year. ■■ Later this month, the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority will help us put on a STEM Summit at Rock Valley College. Integral to the summit is Dr. Lamata Mitchell, dean of communication at RVC. The contributions of Dr. Mitchell and her sisters in AKA are best summed up by an email I received last April about the summit from Russel Wade, a teacher at Lincoln Middle School. “I wanted to take a moment and express how impressed I was with the RVC experience. The students walked away excited about math and science and the possibility of attending college.” ■■ Last but certainly not least, Alignment Rockford has been shoulder-to-shoulder with us in the implementation of academies in our high schools. Alignment’s huge contribution is visible every year at our Academy Expo, where we allow high school freshmen to explore jobs to help them decide which academy to enter. Moving nearly 3,000 students through the expo at the BMO Harris Bank Center is a complicated job. It would be impossible without the help of 100 volunteers, all lined up by Alignment. Inspired yet? I hope so, for this column is also a call to action: We need you. If you are interested in helping our community close the gap — and helping our students achieve a promising and fulfilling future — please contact Marsha Sisney, supervisor in our community engagement department, sisneym@rps205.com. Thank you. Dr. Ehren Jarrett is superintendent of Rockford Public Schools. The views expressed are those of Dr. Jarrett’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

April 2015

IGNITE

Young Professionals

With spring, thoughts turn to outdoors Time to sign a team for IGNITE Cup 2015 I love the changing of the seasons. There’s something magical about the “firsts” each year. First bonfire and apple cider donut in the fall; first snow fall and sighting of Christmas lights in the winter; first day that pools are open; and, first time you hear the ice cream truck’s (annoying) song that plays all summer. But perhaps the most magical time is the welcoming of spring. I love driving home from work and seeing Perryville Path full of people out for an evening walk or run. I love seeing the flowers, trees and grass slowly become green until one day everything just pops full of life. Patios begin opening up and events consider outdoor space as potentially viable again. Our region seems to come alive as the weather warms. Everything about spring seems to point to a new beginning. From religion to nature, you can find the signs of new life absolutely everywhere. As we clear away the snow boots and the heavy sweaters, not only do our bodies feel lighter, but our minds and our attitudes

From new developments to renovations, cooperations and partnerships to contributions and ideas — Rockford is truly in a Renaissance period — a spring of it’s very own. do as well. Everything feels fresh and like new. I don’t think it’s much of a stretch to see that our city is in it’s own spring season. Life is popping up all over our region! From new developments to renovations, cooperations and partnerships to contributions and ideas — Rockford is truly in a Renaissance period — a spring of it’s very own. I am so proud of this great city, and while we have plenty of work left to do, the air is warm, the sun is beaming on our faces and everything is just about ready to bloom — so to speak.

While we’ve had our share of bad news over the years, I feel that the general attitude of Rockford is beginning to shift. Sure, I can crawl into some deep crevices also known as the “comment section” on any news site and find examples of people who seem to be in an eternal winter, but I hear so many positive dialogues that I can’t help but to be inspired, motivated, and hopeful. Rockford, I think it’s official: You’ve got Spring Fever. And I couldn’t be happier.

Join IGNITE Cup 2015 There’s still time to join us for IGNITE Cup 2015, presented by 1st Family Home Healthcare! IGNITE Cup is a summer competition between teams comprised of coworkers, friends or perhaps even new acquaintances vying for the IGNITE Cup. Events include bowling, mini-golf, a downtown Rockford scavenger hunt, field day, Frisbee golf, trivia night and a closing ceremonies event. Cost is $40

per individual Caitlin Ludwig IGNITE Rockford and includes a t-shirt. More information as well as a registration link can be found on our website, www.igniterockford.com. Only 15 teams (150 individuals) will be able to compete this year! Sign up before we sell-out! Caitlin Ludwig is marketing specialist at Blackhawk Bank and IGNITE REACH co-chair. Visit igniterockford.com.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Gold – 1st Family Home Healthcare Silver – Blackhawk Bank & Rockford University MBA Program Bronze – Wipfli LLP After Party Sponsors: Ticomix, Dr. Brenton Soltys, DDS, and First Northern Credit Union

April 2015 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Industry Trends/Career Building/Workforce Development

Rockford University PERSPECTIVE

Five factors to enhance job satisfaction Creating meaning at work

In thinking about possible topics for this column, I contemplated several ideas that could help a reader navigate his or her workaday world. I have plenty of experience in relationship-building and played an active role in helping raise and/ or receive millions in support of Rockford University. I understand the basic tenants of effective communication as they relate to reputation-enhancement and brandimaging, along with the improvement of stakeholder engagement. But somehow those seem too mundane and formulaic. After much hand-wringing, I happened to inadvertently look at myself in the mirror and realized ... I am getting old! The “Grand Canyon” that is formed beneath my chin is evidence. That must count for something. For years I have been looked to as a trusted and confident servant-leader.

Approaching 60 this fall, I have worked at the same company for more than 20 years in positions of increasing responsibility. The kicker is, I still have fun and have remained focused, creative and progressive, and I try to create an environment where others do the same! It could be just a personal predisposition, but I think it has more to do with my approach to work from a positive, yet balanced, mindset that allows me to quietly celebrate the successes while not getting too blown away by daily setbacks. What follows are five actions that upon reflection have been important to ensuring my personal, ongoing job satisfaction and productivity in the face of advancing age and length of service. You may want to adopt these if you find your personal activity waning. If you are in a position of authority you may want to think about how to create a work

TOP THREE THINGS EMPLOYEES WANT, BY GENERATION Millennials

Compensation/pay Job security Opportunities to use skills/abilities, relationship with immediate supervisor

Generation X

Job security Compensation/pay Opportunities to use skills/abilities

Baby Boomers

Opportunities to use skills/abilities Compensation/pay Job security

Veterans

Compensation/pay, communication between employees and senior management Overall corporate culture Opportunities to use skills/abilities, relationship with immediate supervisor, management’s recognition of employee job performance, feeling safe in the work environment, job-specific training Source: The Society for Human Resource Management

culture that incorporates these ideas. I believe these apply equally well for younger people at the earlier stages of a career. These ideas are not unique to me, I have just found them to be fundamental.

1. Get Up and Into Work Early This allows you the chance to prepare for your day — set things right. A perfect time to be proactive and strategic in your plans, before the onslaught of “fires” and “emergencies” flood your desktop. It lets people know that you are “open for business.”

2. Know the People You Work With and For Walk around. Engage in conversation with others at your workplace. You never know what someone may be up to that might affect or inform your work or the work of others. Everyone enjoys being valued. This is a great way to develop a relationship map in your head in order to maximize the human resources at your disposal. Besides, it’s fun. And don’t forget those you work for. In my case that is our students. If I am able to provide for them a new learning opportunity, it is a win-win for everyone. The better you know the human topography, the more effective you can be in facilitating positive results.

3. Leave the “Campsite” in Better Condition Than When You Arrived Adopting this Boy Scout mindset will compel you to innovate, to improve and to create efficiencies. Remain open to new ideas. Compel yourself to take

4. Marry Yourself to the Mission

Bern Sundstedt Rockford University

Don’t be afraid to fall in love with someone other than your spouse or partner. Who ever heard of persistent success without a 100 percent dedication to your company’s mission? Of course there are days when passionate frustration can get the best of you, but you can learn to use that passion to make good on lessons learned and move forward. Always advocate for progress at the highest level to which you have access.

5. Relish the Opportunity to Mentor Others Share your expertise. You are relevant. Others have been there for you, it’s time you pay it forward. Only by helping someone through a problem can you discover ways to do the same thing for yourself. Don’t be too stingy with your praise and always share credit. Sometimes it’s even best to ascribe full credit to another even though you have worked in the background. In his book, Working (1974), Studs Terkel wrote: “Work is about a daily search for meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as cash, for astonishment rather than torpor, in short for a sort of life, rather than a Monday-to-Friday sort of dying.” I believe we can create meaning and life at work. One more thing. It always helps to bring in donuts, unannounced. Bern Sundstedt serves as VP for institutional advancement at Rockford University.

advantage of professional development opportunities, so that you can stay abreast of current and new approaches to work. To behave otherwise is insanity.

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

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Industry Trends/Career Building/Workforce Development

April 2015

Education, training are keys to a strong workforce A study from Georgetown University a few years ago indicated that two-thirds of all jobs being created in the United States require some sort of training beyond high school. By Karen Brown, Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance Unemployment, at least as it is reported by the government, is down significantly since the height of the Great Recession and there is news every week about businesses opening or expanding in the Rockford area and needing to hire additional workers. The problem, however, facing many employers is that they are having trouble finding workers with the right skills to fill available positions. Having the “right skills” means different things to different employers. Sometimes it means they don’t have the math, reading or technology skills needed to do the job. Sometimes they don’t have the computer background necessary to be successful (or even to fill out the on-line job application). Or maybe it means they just don’t show up for work on time, call in sick repeatedly (or don’t call at all) or don’t work well with the other members of their team. One of the problems leading to this disconnect between jobseekers and employers is the educational attainment level of the community. Not only are college graduation levels locally below the national average, there is a large number of people locally who never finished high school or earned their GED. Recent estimates indicate there are more than 25,000 people in Winnebago County that fall into this category; either they fell behind in high school and gave up or quit school to go to work but now find it difficult to find employment with limited skills and no diploma. Recent changes in the GED exam, making completion more difficult and more expensive, have made the problem worse. Many people who would like to earn their high school equivalency are also discouraged by the realization that they are years from achieving the level of proficiency needed for the diploma. There are plenty of great job training programs available in the community, including the Techworks program at Rock Valley College, preparing individuals for careers in manufacturing, and programs offered by our region’s health care providers.

Not having a high school diploma not only creates a barrier to employment; it also is a barrier for people interested in securing needed additional training.

Updating Workers’ Skills A

study

from

Georgetown

University a few years ago indicated that two-thirds of all jobs being created in the United States require some sort of training beyond high school. That is certainly the case with the positions available in the Rockford area. A recent article by Edward Gordon, author of the book “Future Jobs: Solving the Unemployment and Skills Crisis,” also suggests we haven’t done enough to prepare our workforce. According

Gordon,

“we

have

largely ignored both updating worker skills and providing students with the education and training needed for 21st century careers.” The Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance and its partners involved in The Workforce Connection, offer programs for both employers and jobseekers. Not only can jobseekers get help with their job search, including resume,

interviewing

and

job

application assistance, they can also qualify for job training that would help them achieve the skills they need to become more employable. The Workforce Connection also offers

assistance

businesses,

including

on-the-job

training

programs,

special

training

opportunities in manufacturing and information technology, and assistance in recruitment and assessment of potential employees. A growing number of employers are using the WorkKeys assessments and the National Career Readiness Certificate offered by ACT through The Workforce Connection. On-thejob training programs reimburse wage costs for employers while new hires are involved in training. We want to take this opportunity to welcome your involvement with the local workforce system. The Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance exists to make sure that government funding for job training is invested wisely and meets the needs of the business community. We are here to make that connection between the people who need jobs and the people who have jobs to fill. Karen Brown is chair of the Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance. The views expressed are those of Brown’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

April 2015 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Industry Trends/Career Building/Workforce Development

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Investing in employees pays dividends How one organization develops its staff Happy employees are engaged, productive and take ownership of everything they do to promote your mission both inside and outside the office. As employers, many of us understand the importance of training and development for new employees, but in day-to-day operations we may lose sight of identifying opportunities for growth and advancement of our most tenured and valuable staff members. It was with that in mind that we implemented an employee development plan at the credit union. Our organization-wide initiatives are structured around three areas: training time, multi-functioning positions and mentorship.

Time Out to Train Training time is essential for staff members to refresh skills and to learn new approaches. The credit union is closed until 10 a.m. on Tuesdays to allow employees the opportunity to focus on training and professional development. During this time, employees can do sales training and product knowledge updates. Trainings can be virtual or in-person. Short meetings also are held to share successes and discussion on areas of improvement. In this meeting format, critical incidents and procedures could be discussed. When a problem arises, brainstorming

sessions are occasionally held to allow for feedback and participation from employees. Ideas from the brainstorming session are added to a list and distributed to the group, with the top three new efficiencies are voted on. Pros and cons of those efficiencies are reviewed at the next meeting and final decisions are pitched to the management team. With more participation, there is more “buy in” and investment from the staff, and with more facts, managers are more likely to change procedure. A training budget is established and selected participants attend external workshops and conferences that are relevant to career development. Key findings are shared with co-workers.

Cross Training Employees The credit union’s goal is to promote employees from within the organization. Employees are encouraged from day one to learn more about the job responsibilities of their co-workers and most have cross-department functional skills. Our branches are not “silos.” Tellers and FSAs are encouraged to work at other locations to build connections with all branch managers. This increases communication and creates opportunities for mentorship. Because employees are working at multiple locations, they are encouraged to

provide feedback, and best practices are implemented for consistencies throughout the workplace. Individual product sales are monitored and top sellers are given the opportunity to share “best practices” with other team members. All team members engage in some form of community outreach on a quarterly basis, and employees are encouraged to look for opportunities where they might wish to represent the credit union outside of the office. Many join professional associations and are active in opportunities that are offered by being a member of that association.

Future Leaders Program In late 2014, a new Future Leaders Program was implemented; an intensive, year-long program designed to improve an employee’s leadership competence and performance. Any full-time, non-officer employee in good standing can apply for the future leaders program. During his/ her year in the program, each participant will research a variety of challenges faced by various departments. Participants are paired with a mentor who will provide guidance and feedback. Professional

development Anita Countryman plans are Rock Valley Credit Union created and monitored throughout the program to ensure each participant is achieving his/her goals from the program. Monthly team meetings are held for up to three hours and one of 10 leadership competencies is reviewed. Examples include listening skills, running a meeting, conflict resolution, creating an enjoyable environment and coaching. Findings are shared with the rest of the staff about what they are accomplishing with the hope of developing the next generation of future leaders. Although participation doesn’t guarantee a wage increase or promotion, the experience should improve performance enough to put participants under consideration for future leadership positions. Anita Countryman is vice president human resources at Rock Valley Credit Union. The views expressed are those of Countryman’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

FIVE TIPS FOR RECOGNIZING SUCCESS Without proper rewards or recognition, a team can quickly become unmotivated. Incentives are essential, but each individual team member has his or her own wants and needs. It’s crucial to make sure that the recognition or reward you provide is congruent with achievement and personality. Keep a record. Pay attention to each success on your team and recognize individual efforts. Identify your top performers and reward their achievements accordingly. Make recognition sincere. Ensure that the recognition you are giving is coming from a genuine place and comes across as so. Be specific with your praise, as vague compliments come off as insincere. Match the reward to the achievement. It’s important to scale your rewards – better rewards for bigger accomplishments. If the same reward is given for minor and major successes alike, it can breed discontent and hurt motivation. Be spontaneous. When rewards become too predictable or expected, it diminishes their effectiveness. Provide top performers with a surprise lunch or gift card to their favorite store to keep them happy and engaged. Hold yourself accountable. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to keep your employees motivated and engaged. Put in the time to learn about each of your team members so that you know what incentives and rewards are most attractive to them. When the time comes, provide successful employees with recognition and rewards that are specific to them. Source: Dale Carnegie Training

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

April 2015

Tale of Two Rockfords not Uncommon

Economic Segregation Increasing Across United States By Alex Gary Often, when you ask someone their opinion of Rockford, their answer depends upon where they live. The northeast side of town contains large, newer homes near the area’s higher education offerings and growing retail sectors. Crime is lower and income is higher. Banks and grocery stores are within a couple of minutes. On the southwest side of town, streets have gaps in the rows of homes; vacant lots where houses used to stand. The closest large grocery store or full-service bank is more than a few minutes away, but you can find a pay day lender every couple of blocks. Nights often are disturbed by gun shots. A look at Census statistics shows just how different the makeups are in particular areas of the city. ■ In the 61102 ZIP code, which is southwest Rockford, 48.6 percent of the population is non-white, just 10.6 percent of the population, age 25 and above, has a bachelor’s degree and the median income is $32,441. ■ The 61104 ZIP code, which is much of downtown Rockford, has a median age of 30.3 years, just 7 percent of the population, age 25 and above, has a college degree, the percentage of retail workers is highest at 13.3 percent and the median income is $23,088. Contrast those figures to the 61114 ZIP code, which is Rockford’s far northeast side. That ZIP code has a median age of 49.4, according to Census estimates. The population is 86 percent Caucasian, and 43.4 percent of the residents, age 25 and above, have bachelor’s degrees. The percentage of health care and education workers is nearly twice that of manufacturing – 32 percent to 16.8 percent – and the median income is $66,603.

Segregated Cities Residents in 61114 have no real sense of what it’s like to live in 61104 or 61102, but that kind of economic segregation is becoming increasingly common across the United States. In March, researchers from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management released a study called “Segregated City: The Geography of Economic Segregation in America’s Metros.” Researchers looked at 359 metropolitan areas in the United States and looked at how people in those areas are segregating themselves by income, education and

Even with the marked divide highlighted by the Census estimates, Rockford actually is squarely in the middle in terms of economic segregation, according to the Toronto researchers. occupation. Researchers, unsurprisingly found that “it is not just that the economic divide in America has grown wider; it’s that the rich and poor effectively occupy different worlds, even when they live in the same cities and metros.” Even with the marked divide of Rockford highlighted by the Census estimates above, Rockford actually is squarely in the middle in terms of economic segregation, according to the Toronto researchers. The Rockford metropolitan area, which includes Boone and Winnebago counties, ranked 154th out of the 359 metros. In Illinois, the Decatur area was slightly more segregated, ranking 151st, while Peoria was less segregated, ranking 178th. What is interesting about the study is that when you look at the areas that are most economically segregated versus the ones that were the least, it is unclear if economic segregation hurts an area’s growth.

Helps or Hurts?

Transform Rockford building out leadership team In March, Transform Rockford introduced 28 professionals in the community that will build and lead teams in developing strategies to make the area a magnet for families of all kinds. The “spoke” leaders come from 18 different organization and include professionals from all three hospital systems in the area and the region’s two largest aerospace firms.

RENEWAL SEGMENT Education spoke:

Jean Harezlak, retired from Rockford University, has 39 years of service in public schools as teacher, principal and administrator. Anne Hammes, retired from OSF Saint Anthony Hospital, is president of Hunger Connection.

Safety spoke:

Kelly Davit is regional manager for The Alliance.

REFRAMING A 21ST CENTURY Jim Pirages is an attorney and partner COMMUNITY at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. Communications spoke: Sherry Harlan is an attorney for Leadership & Youth spoke: Paul VonDriska is a vice president at Bergstrom Inc.

Kathryn Pearce is manager of patient enhancement services for Rockford Memorial Hospital.

Health Lifestyles spoke:

According to the report, places such as Austin, Texas; Tucson, Ariz.; Columbus, Ohio, and Ann Arbor, Mich., were among the 10 most economically segregated cities in the United States. Those areas usually land on many “best places” to live lists. Austin has grown nearly 40 percent in population since 2000; Tucson has increased more than 16 percent; Columbus is up 14 percent, and Ann Arbor has added more than 7 percent since the millennium. The 10 least economically segregated metro areas were all smaller than Rockford, with Hagerstown, Md., the largest at 269,799, according to the most recent Census estimates. Even here, there’s no clear pattern whether being relatively un-segregated economically helps or hurt. St. George, Utah, has grown more than 54 percent since 2000 to 139,484 people in its metro area. But Bay City, Mich., has lost 1.3 percent of its population, falling to 107,633. The Rockford metro area has grown 8.9 percent since 2000, to 348,574 people.

Ian Linnabary is an attorney and partner at Reno & Zahm LLP.

Tom Myers is vice president of strategy and marketing for Swedish American Health Systems.

Living the Brand spoke:

Jessica Irons is a senior product planning analyst for Eclipse Combustion.

Wester Wuori is director of marketing Jim Elliott is Bergstrom Inc.’s president for Rockford Health System. of North American climate control FUNDING OUR FUTURE systems.

REVITALIZATION SEGMENT Physical Infrastructure spoke:

Planning spoke:

Einar Forsman is president and CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Joel Zirkle is manager of Fehr Graham’s Rockford office.

Barry Nelson is vice president of finance for Woodward Inc.

Stephen Casper is continuous improvement manager for Woodward Inc.

Funding & Alignment spoke:

Economy & Jobs spoke:

Willie Smith is director of finance for Ardekin Precision. Spitaman Tata is a continuous improvement manager for Woodward Inc.

Quality spoke:

Dan Parod is senior vice president of hospital and administrative affairs for Rockford Health System. George Lamoureux works for Bergstrom Inc.’s climate systems.

Alex Gary is a Transform Rockford volunteer. 61104

Hinshaw and Culbertson LLP.

ZIP codes

61102

61103

61107

61108

61109

61114

Population

19,691

24,378

18,345

30,695

29,642

27,845

14,358

Median age

34.2

38.7

30.3

43.1

39.4

37.2

49.4

White %

51.4%

72.9%

56.2%

83.4%

77.7%

79.1%

86.0%

% with bachelor’s

10.6%

16.5%

7.0%

34.8%

22.9%

12.4%

43.4%

Median household income

$32,441

$35,869

$23,088

$57,140

$46,718

$41,887

$66,603

Source: Census.gov

Linda Heckert is senior vice president of Northwest Bank. Eric Fulcomer is vice president of enrollment management for Rockford University.

SENSE OF PLACE Unity, Pride, Culture spoke:

Angelique Carter is an engineer for UTC Aerospace Systems. Derek Bergsten is chief of the Rockford Fire Department.

Family & Neighborhoods spoke:

Mike Brown is president of CEO of the YMCA of Rock River Valley. Anisha Grimmett is special projects manager for electric systems for UTC Aerospace Systems.

Arts & Recreation spoke:

Emily Keilback is chief advancement officer of Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois. Vint Buckwalter is director of finance at UTC Aerospace Systems.

April 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Accountable Care Organizations refocus the delivery of care Going from reactive to proactive As a nation, we are on a health care journey of affordability and equity too long delayed. The Affordable Care Act aims to expand health care coverage to 90 percent or more of U.S. citizens, but this could potentially cost in excess of one trillion dollars in the first 10 years. This is something we simply cannot afford. For U.S. health care reform to be politically successful, individually affordable and nationally sustainable, it must contain elements necessary to constrain cost growth. In fact, we may do little good and potentially much harm if we don’t change the delivery system’s ability to deliver high quality care at the lowest possible cost. If comprehensive health care reform is to succeed, the United States will need accountable care organizations (ACOs). ACOs are entities willing and able to implement organized processes for improving the quality and controlling the costs of medical care and be held accountable for results.

A Pioneer ACO In 2012, OSF Healthcare System, along with 32 other U.S. health care organizations, became one of the first Pioneer ACOs. The Pioneer ACO model is a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center initiative designed to support organizations with experience in providing more coordinated care to Medicare beneficiaries at a lower cost. The Pioneer ACO model is testing the impact of different payment arrangements in helping these organizations achieve the goals of providing better care to patients and reducing Medicare costs. The selected organizations were chosen for their significant experience offering this type of quality care to their patients, along with their willingness to take financial risk to achieve improved quality outcomes at a lower cost. The Medicare Shared Savings Program provides incentives for ACOs that meet standards for quality performance and reduce cost while putting patients first. We knew it would not be easy to get from where we were to where we wanted to go. However, OSF wanted to be part of the solution. Over the past three years we have been working diligently to modify our approach to how we care for those we serve across the Rockford region. So what have we done and what have we learned? We completely transformed how we deliver care. Our care model has changed to the use of team-based and coordinated care to increase efficiency, avoid redundancy, improve patient engagement and reduce costs. A team-based approach brings together talented caregivers to provide the best care outcomes possible. These care

Paula Carynski OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center

teams and other professionals consider the patient as an essential part of the team; working with them to provide the best care. Additionally, the incorporation of a common medical record across all levels of care, such as physician offices, hospital and home care, allows us to coordinate care across patient conditions, services and settings over time. We are driving a higher level of accountability with our care outcomes by tracking and reporting outcome measurements and using those results to make improvements where needed. Most importantly, through our locally unique partnership with Mayo Clinic, we have the ability to adopt “best practices” already developed and tested. Our physicians have access to their Mayo Clinic counterparts without any expense to our local patients. These are just two of several initiatives OSF is implementing as part of its commitment to the Pioneer ACO. For the patient it means a better focus on the quality of care, an improved patient experience and better results. Because of our success with the Pioneer ACO, OSF is fortunate to be a part of an ACO in collaboration with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS). Many of the same principals learned from our Pioneer ACO work will be applied to beneficiaries of the BCBS PPO who use OSF for their services. For our region, particularly the business community that provides health insurance for its workforce, it means hope for more control and, eventually, reduced health care costs as we reduce the length of hospital stays and improve care coordination. We are also working to reduce admissions and re-admissions and decrease emergency room visits. Finally, the successes of the ACO initiatives are applied to other types of insurance, including Medicaid, which will allow for the improvement of health care for individuals while controlling the cost of health care for society. The biggest lessons learned for our organization — and it’s something all of our local business partners can appreciate — is the ability to adapt to the rapid change around us. Through the use of innovation, risk taking and immense dedication from our employees, we have engaged in many process improvement initiatives that have transformed the way we deliver care, improve quality and reduce costs Paula Carynski is president of OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. The views expressed are those of Carynski’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

April 2015

In 2008, the Rockford Chamber launched the 40 Leaders Under 40 awards program to honor those movers, shakers and up-and-comers who make things happen. Here’s a look at what some of them are doing now!

(left) Jeremy DeWeerdt in 2008 had just taken over as (left) Brent W. Scott in 2008 was a commercial lead pastor of Rockford First Church. banking vice president at Chase in Rockford.

(left) Mary Cacioppi in 2008 was director of leasing for Walter Wayne Real Estate.

(above, right) “It was a great honor to be recognized (above, right) “It was a real honor to be recognized in by the chamber as a young leader. I was inspired and the inaugural class of 40 Leaders Under 40.” encouraged by all the young talent, ability and potential in the group of peers in the inaugural class.”

(above, right) [As an honoree], “I realized that young professionals can make a signiﬁcant impact in their community.”

Jeremy DeWeerdt

Where are you now? Still leading Rockford First Church. What would be the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during that time? There is no time for negativity. What advice would you give to those coming up in your industry? It is my belief that a person’s faith is the most important part of them. Therefore, do everything you can to clearly, positively and relevantly communicate that God has a great purpose and plan for each and every person. Do so with compelling communication and methodology. Who is your role model and why? Andy Stanley. Excellent leader, communicator and thinker. Any key turning points in your career or family? After three very challenging years, Rockford First turned a corner in 2010, and we began to see significant growth.

Brent W. Scott

Where are you now? I’ve been employed by Chase for 16 years in commercial banking, now as a senior vice president. What would be the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during that time? Enjoy this time of your life; there are many important events going on (while you are in your 20s and 30s). You don’t want to wake up and feel that you missed out on something. What advice would you give to those coming up in your industry? Don’t wait to be taught by someone. Take the challenge of learning upon yourself and know that … no matter how good you are, that you can always improve/get better at what you do. Who is your role model and why? I don’t have a specific role model, but value those who are able to have a balanced life, with strong family life and strong work ethic.

A FEW QUESTIONS FROM 2008 WE ASKED AGAIN … Name the adjective that best describes you.

What’s your hidden talent?

What do you like to do “off the clock”?

If you weren’t doing what you are now, what job would you want?

Persistent. Jeremy DeWeerdt Loyal. Brent W. Scott Organized! Some call it OCD, I call it CDO ... because I like things in order :) Mary Cacioppi Hang out with my family, ride my motorcycle and hunt. Jeremy DeWeerdt Spending time with friends and family and attending a lot of youth sporting events. Brent W. Scott

Barista. Jeremy DeWeerdt I can juggle and remember very unimportant things. Brent W. Scott

I would enjoy working in the athletic department at my alma mater (University of Missouri). Brent W. Scott I am so very blessed and fortunate to be doing exactly what I want! It is very fulfilling to help companies recruit talent to the area, and share the many wonderful assets of the community with them. Mary Cacioppi

Any key turning points in your career or family? My parents relocating to Florida for retirement on a full-time basis in 2009. I miss seeing them on a regular basis, but don’t blame them!!

Mary Cacioppi

What were you doing when you were chosen as a 40 Leader Under 40? Shortly after receiving the award, I was the senior director of investor relations at the RAEDC, and also served as the organizer/event producer of the inaugural TEDxRockford event. Where are you now? In 2014, I founded Choose Rockford, an organization that promotes the Rockford area in a variety of ways. We offer a recruitment assistance program with customized tours to individuals being recruited to the region. A few of our clients include Rockford Orthopedic Associates and SwedishAmerican Health System. We also are creating a website, ChooseRockford. com, for individuals relocating and current residents. We are in the process of launching Rockford.Photos, a stock photography website of quality of life assets. What would be the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during that time? I learned of the urgent need to attract young professional to our community. At the time I received the award, I was actively involved in IGNITE Young Professionals and Next Rockford, and served on the Business Retention and Expansion Solutions Team of the RAEDC. What advice would you give to those coming up in your industry? I would tell them to be actively involved in the community. There are so many organizations making a positive change and impact in the Rockford area, and so many ways for individuals to assist in those efforts.

April 2015

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Looking better, thanks to civic pride You can help, too

Chamber members know that beautification is good for business. Attractive spaces mean customers, employees and other key audiences feel better and perceive an area to be inviting, safer and more pleasant. The RACVB is proud to lead Forest City Beautiful, a multi-year beautification initiative to create and maintain beautiful landscapes in Rockford. The effort, in collaboration with the City of Rockford, began downtown and is designed to expand to the region’s gateways. Another key partner is Rockford Sharefest. Their amazing volunteers have done makeovers at Rockford Public Schools and helped the RACVB transform downtown for Stroll on State. This partnership will continue this summer as Sharefest and RACVB will install landscaping in downtown Rockford, along with other improvements. The Forest City Beautiful public/ private partnership aims to: ■■ Enhance civic spaces through landscape design and maintenance, ■■ Improve aesthetic design and safety with lighting and well-defined walkways, ■■ Incorporate public art, ■■ Heighten citizens’ and visitors’ experiences, and ■■ Provide unique sponsorship and marketing opportunities.

What’s Already Happened ■■ RACVB launched Forest City Beautiful with $80,000 from its boarddesignated Wendy Perks Fisher Fund for Innovation; City of Rockford committed $90,000; and Community Foundation of Northern Illinois presented a $25,000 grant. ■■ A landscape master plan has been created. ■■ 700-plus Rockford Sharefest volunteers improved 38,000 square feet of space. They planted 5,000-plus plants, and primed and painted 70 lampposts, traffic signals and streetscape planters.

John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

ments by the RACVB, City of Rockford and the CFNIL. And, due to the partnership with Rockford Sharefest, all donations are further maximized; 100 percent of donations go directly to plants, lighting enhancement, beautification and landscape maintenance.

‘Pride of Place’ Scott Sullivan, partner with WilliamsMcCarthy, said of the beautification efforts: “This initiative made a big impact on downtown Rockford in just its first year. The new flowerbeds, trees and other greenery help to instill a ‘pride of place’ that is so important to any vibrant community. From our vantage point on the Rock River at State and Wyman, all of us at WilliamsMcCarthy appreciate the important work of this public-private partnership and we say ‘thanks’ to the city, RACVB and donors and volunteers who made this happen. Our firm has had offices downtown for 83 years, is committed to downtown renewal and restoration, and salutes Forest City Beautiful as it continues to enhance our community’s quality of life in such an exciting way.”

Many Thanks to the Funding Partners Thus Far City of Rockford, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, David and Colleen Anderson, Holmstrom & Kennedy, Illinois Bank & Trust, Reno & Zahm, LaMonica Beverages, Coyle-Varland Insurance Agency, B&B Properties, Rockford Bank & Trust, Darrell and Bobbie Snorek, Wipfli, Inc., WilliamsMcCarthy, Urban Equity Properties and LawnCare by Walter.

To Help Forest City Beautiful If you would like to help beautify our community, please contact FCB cochairs David Anderson and Bill LaFever, danderson@springcreekpartners.com and bill@billdoran.com, or John Groh, jgroh@gorockford.com, 815-489-1656.

■■ City of Rockford began installing John Groh is president/CEO of the Rockford irrigation and electricity to nine Forest Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. City Beautiful civic spaces. The views expressed are those of Groh’s and do ■■ All sponsorship and donated funds not necessarily represent those of the Rockford are already matched, thanks to commit- Chamber of Commerce.

Former Fran Kral space before and after Forest City Beautiful makeover.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

April 2015

New Illinois Laws for 2015

Issues to Watch LEGISLATIVE Rauner begins IDOC and criminal justice reform

Here are some laws related to taxes and fees that have taken affect this year. For specific language of the laws, visit www.ilga.gov.

Ill. Gov. Bruce Rauner has set up a new commission to review and

TAXES AND FEES

taxpayers have paid an additional $320 million over the past five fiscal

Leasing “Use” Tax HB 2317/PA 98-0628 Beginning July 1, 2014, vehicles sold for purposes of leasing for longer than one year would be taxed at 6.25 percent of the gross receipts of the lessor. Currently, tax is paid at the initial purchase. The bill also requires the township or county collector to receive a request in writing from the property owner or taxpayer prior to sending tax bills via email. Medical Isotope HB 4687/PA 98-0728 Reduces the fees for shipping cobalt-60, a medical isotope, less than 100 miles. For trips less than 100 miles, the fee will be reduced from $2,500 per truck to $1,500 for the first truck and $750 for each additional truck in the same shipment. Cobalt-60 is used mainly in the cleaning and sterilization of medical supplies. Proponents say the current fees make shipping cobalt-60 prohibitively expensive. Public Adjuster Fees SB 2922/PA 98-0701 Caps the amount that public adjusters can charge in insurance settlements. Specifically stipulates that a public adjuster may not charge, agree to or accept any compensation, payment, commissions, fee or other valuable consideration in excess of 10 percent of the amount of the insurance settlement claim paid by the insurer.

address ways to reduce the state’s prison population. Illinois’ prison

population hovers at just shy of 50,000 inmates in a system that was originally intended to house no more than 31,500 inmates. Illinois

years in overtime costs, even as the security workforce for the state’s 25 correctional facilities has reached a near-record low. Source: State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) Tax Refund Rules HB 5564/PA 98-0925 Requires the Department of Revenue to develop rules on applying a refund due to estimated tax liabilities. Currently, the department may do this, but it is not a requirement. The bill allows a taxpayer to apply a refund due to their estimated tax payment. A taxpayer would make the election to apply the refund to their estimated taxes on their return. Visa Waiver Fees SB 3440/PA 98-1006 Authorizes the Center for Rural Health to collect fees for administering the J-1 Visa Waiver Program (for international medical graduates). The fees shall be deposited into the Rural/Downstate Health Access Fund and used to fund the J-1 Visa Waiver Program. It also authorizes the spending of funds in the Rural/Downstate Health Access Fund on programs for the medically underserved. Retailers Occupation Tax HB 3885/PA 98-1058 Makes changes with regard to the disclosure of return information as it relates to the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act, specifically

Top six tips about the home office deduction If you use your home for business, you may be able to deduct expenses for the business use of your home. If you qualify, you can claim the deduction whether you rent or own your home. You may use either the simplified method or the regular method to claim your deduction. Here are six tips you should know about the home office deduction. 1. Regular and Exclusive Use. As a general rule, you must use a part of your home regularly and exclusively for business purposes. The part of your home used for business must also be your principal place of business or a place where you meet clients or customers in the normal course of business, or a separate structure not attached to your home. 2. Simpliﬁed Option. If you use the simplified option, you multiply the allowable square footage of your office by a rate of $5. The maximum footage allowed is 300 square feet. This option will save you time because it simplifies how you figure and claim the deduction. It also will make it easier for you to keep records. This option does

not change the criteria for who may claim a home office deduction. 3. Regular Method. If you use the regular method, the home office deduction includes certain costs that you paid for your home. For example, if you rent your home, part of the rent you paid may qualify. If you own your home, part of the mortgage interest, taxes and utilities you paid may qualify. 4. Deduction Limit. If your gross income from the business use of your home is less than your expenses, the deduction for some expenses may be limited. 5. Self-Employed. If you are self-employed and choose the regular method use Form 8829 to figure the amount you can deduct. You can claim your deduction using either method on Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business. 6. Employees. If you are an employee, you must meet additional rules to claim the deduction. If you qualify, you claim the deduction on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions. Source: Internal Revenue Service

allowing limited amounts of this information to be shared with all municipalities. The information would include a business’s name, address, the net revenue distributed to a municipality requesting the information as it directly relates to their share of the various sales taxes, and a listing of all businesses within the municipality by account identification number. Currently this information can only be shared with certain municipalities.

Amazon Tax SB 352/PA 98-1089 Extends the definition of Illinois retailers to include a retailer who provides to potential customers a

code or other method to allow the retailer to track the purchases referred by that person. These can include, but are not limited to, Internet links, promotional codes sent through mail or handdelivered, or sent via broadcast. Housing Code Appeals SB 2829/PA 98-1105 Allows persons to recover reasonable costs, including court costs and attorney’s fees, if a court reverses a housing code hearing officer’s decision. Does not apply to Chicago. The court must find that the decision of the hearing officer was arbitrary and capricious or the municipality failed to file a record that is sufficient to allow the court to determine whether the decision of the hearing officer was arbitrary and capricious. The court could also award the municipality reasonable costs if the court finds that the plaintiff’s appeal is not reasonably well grounded in fact, is not warranted by existing law, or is not accompanied by a reasonable argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law. For specific language of the laws, visit www.ilga.gov.

April 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Membership: 101 101 MEMBERSHIP

Spring into Action!

THE ROCKFORD CHAMBER COUNCILS Providing opportunities for focused networking & professional development Business Education Council: Works to educate members on sound

business practices with monthly “Breakfast Buzz” seminars. Meets: Second Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m., at Rock Valley College’s Woodward Technology Center. Staff Contact: Vee Jevremovic, 815.316.4337

Government Affairs Council: Advocates for a strong and healthy business Environment through influencing of legislative, economic and social policy. Meets: Second Fridays, 7:30 a.m., at Stockholm Inn. Staff Contact: Einar Forsman, 815.987.8100

Multicultural Business Council: Hosts monthly meetings designed to

share information, discuss best practices, promote collaboration and foster business growth for minority professionals, business owners and managers. Staff Contact: Einar Forsman, 815.987.8100

Business Women’s Council: Meets monthly to foster networking and

education for women in business. Meetings are designed to help women shape their dreams, achieve professional goals and generate positive results in their lives. Meets: First Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., at Rockford Country Club. Staff Contact: Stacy Mullins, 815.316.4302

Manufacturers Council: Works to ensure manufacturing continues to play a vital role in the Rockford Region. Hosts manufacturing- related events and works to develop and improve a range of services for existing manufacturers. Open to manufacturers only. Meets: Steering committee, First Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m., at EIGERlab. Education & Outreach subcommittee, First Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m., various locations. Staff Contact: Vee Jevremovic, 815.316.4337 Ambassadors Club: This is the volunteer arm of the Chamber. Wearing traditional red blazers, Ambassadors serve as mentors to new members, and are active at grand openings, ribbon cuttings, open houses and Chamber events. Meets: Second Thursdays, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Staff Contact: Diane Navickis, 815.316.4315 IGNITE - Young Professionals Organization: Connect with local young

professionals, ages 21-45, who live, work, learn and play in the Rockford region! Our mission is to attract and retain young professionals to the Rockford region. For further details visit: igniterockford.com. Staff Contact: Customer Service, 815.987.8100

Public Education Council: The Public Education Council focuses on assisting the public education system in meeting the needs of the business community. The council aims to identify objectives for improving Rockford’s public education system to foster business growth and retention, and to support the Rockford Public Schools Board and Administration in achieving those goals. Staff Contact: Einar Forsman, 815.987.8100 Public Safety Council: During the Fall of 2013 the Rockford Chamber of

Commerce authorized the formation of a Public Safety Council. The primary mission of the Council will be to engage the business community in efforts to prevent and reduce crime in the Rockford area. The Council will serve as a conduit between the business community and public safety officials and other public officials to: Maintain an awareness of public safety activities; educate business community members on practices to prevent crime; receive, track and report on business community feedback on concerns associated with crime and public safety; and, conduct forums and training sessions to help the business community in addressing issues associated with crime and public safety. Staff Contact: Einar Forsman, 815.987.8100

Contact Diane Navickis at dnavickis@rockfordchamber.com to ﬁnd out more about member programs and opportunities!

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Membership Renewals Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in March, 2015. 23WIFR Gray Television, Inc. Above and Beyond Associates American Resource Management Group Ameriprise Financial Ameriprise Financial Anderson Dodge Anderson Nissan Anderson Toyota/Lexus of Rockford APEXteriors, Inc. Bella Luna Bakery Best Events Hospitality Group Boy Scouts/Blackhawk Area Council Byron Forest Preserve/PrairieView Golf Club Catalyst Business Solutions CIT Group Inc, Rockford Cliffbreakers Riverside Hotel & Conference Center Cord Construction Company Custom Concrete Ltd. Dickey Staffing Solutions Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Ltd. - Mulford Road Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Ltd. - Rockton Avenue Freeway Rockford, Inc., Subsidiary of Freeway Corporation Frink’s Sewer & Drain Inc. Giordano’s Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Golden Apple Foundation Gordon Food Service/GFS Marketplace GrahamSpencer Brand + Content Solutions H. C. Anderson Roofing Co. Inc. Hyundai on Perryville In Home Medical Group LLC Integra Business Systems, Inc. Kaney Aerospace Kantorei, The Singing Boys of Rockford Key Realty, Commercial & Industrial – Teri Watts, Broker Knopp Construction Inc. Konica Minolta Business Solutions L.K.G. Industries, Inc. Lee ‘n Sons Plumbing, Inc. Lindstrom Travel Marden Tire & Auto (Marden Distributors, Inc.)

McClure Engineering Associates, Inc. Midland General Contractors, Inc. Missman, Inc. Montel Technologies, LLC Morgan Stanley - The PCMW Group Next Rockford Nicholson Hardware Nicor Gas Northern Illinois Food Bank – Rockford Branch Northern Illinois Health Plan Northwest Community Center Northwest Quarterly Magazine Oliver Close, LLC Padgett Business Services Pierce Laminated Products, Inc. PTIPackaging Restoration Cafe Rock River Ford, Kia, Mitsubishi Rock Valley Credit Union Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Rockford Foundries Rockford Rescue Mission Ministries Rockford Woman’s Club/ Rockford Theatre Sam’s Club, A Division of Wal-Mart Stores Schmeling Construction Co. Sodexo Stateline World Trade Association, Ltd. Taco John’s - South Alpine The Carriage Homes of Park Hills VI Transit Van Shuttle University of Illinois Extension Winnebago County Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital Waldom Electronics Weldstar Co. Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Wilson Electric Co. YMCA of Rock River Valley YMCA - Camp Winnebago YMCA YMCA - Community Outreach YMCA YMCA - ID Pennock Family YMCA YMCA - Northeast Family YMCA YMCA - Youth Achievement YMCA Zimmerman & Walsh, LLP Zion Development Corporation

April 2015 Member Anniversaries Thank you to the members who celebrate their anniversaries with the Rockford Chamber in April, 2015.

75-YEAR MEMBER WilliamsMcCarthy LLP

65-YEAR MEMBER UNION Saving BANK

55-YEAR MEMBER Guyer & Enichen, PC

45-YEAR MEMBERS Larson & Darby Group Rock Valley College Wipfli LLP

40-YEAR MEMBER Pepsi-Cola of Rockford

April 2015

35-YEAR MEMBERS

Rock River Training Corp. Valley Expo and Display

15-YEAR MEMBERS

Eickman’s Processing Company Emeritus at Rockford

10-YEAR MEMBER

Rockford Charter Coach

5-YEAR MEMBERS Al’s Tree Planting Ongena Dental SWITS, Ltd.

Members Caught on Digital ON DIGITAL Ceremonial ribbon donated by SERVPRO of Rockford.

Northern Illinois Food Bank - Rockford Branch held a ribbon cutting on March 5 at 765 Research Pkwy., Rockford.

Academy Mortgage Corporation held a ribbon cutting on March 18 at 420 Financial Court, Ste. 110, Rockford.

April 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

1. Samuel J. Schmitz

2. Melissa Beatty

3. Natasha Ferguson

4. Rachel Parry

5. Heidi Berardi

6. Haley Jumapao

7. Leslie Roxworthy

8. Dr. Avi Domnitz-Gebet

9. Jeff Polsean

10. John Hedin

11. Anthony Mencarini

12. David Waddle

13. Don Banks

14. David Sobojinski

15. Rhonda Sunden

16. Carl Dumoulin

BOARD APPOINTMENTS Shelter Care Ministries elected officers for one-year terms in 2015: Elizabeth Holmertz, president; Mark Bonne, 1st vice president; Belinda Wholeben, 2nd vice president; Sandy Trotter, treasurer, and Pamela Hillenbrand, secretary. The Crusader Community Health board elected Luz Ramirez and Eddie Valdez as new board members. It elected David Ruffin, chair; Barbara Huffman, immediate past chair; Tracy Richter, chair elect; Todd Steffen, treasurer; Leon Hansen, operations chair, and Becky Alsing, program quality review chair. It recognized outgoing members Barbara Jackson and Jim Powers. Associate George Persekian, Wipfli LLP, was appointed treasurer of the Illinois Association of Museums. Goodwill Industries International board of directors elected Samuel J. Schmitz (1), president, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois, to serve on its board through June, 2017.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS Alpine Bank promoted three branch managers: Melissa Beatty (2) and Natasha (Tasha) Ferguson (3) to assistant vice presidents & branch

managers, and Rachel Parry (4) to assistant vice president & in-store branch manager. Rock Valley Credit Union hired Heidi Berardi (5) as vice president of sales and service. First Midwest Group hired Haley Jumapao (6) as a receptionist. V2 Marketing Communications hired Leslie Roxworthy (7) as communications specialist focusing on copywriting for web and print. Robert L. Head, Ph.D., president, Rockford University, announced he will retire June 30 this year; the date his current contract concludes. Rockford Health System welcomed pediatric neurologist Avi DomnitzGebet, D.O. (8) She has special interest in pediatric patients with autism and ADHD, seizure disorders, neurocutaneous disorders, headaches, developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injuries. The Greater Rockford Airport Authority hired Jeff Polsean (9) as economic development manager. Meridian hired John Hedin (10) as shipping/receiving manager, Anthony Mencarini (11) as an account manager, and David Waddle (12) as a project manager.

The Rockford Aviators announced that reigning Frontier League Rookie of the Year, Tanner Witt, was purchased by the Chicago Cubs. The Aviators signed Devon Rodriguez, rookie first baseman; Colby Holmes, right-handed pitcher; Greg Velazquez, utility player; Matthew Young, and Dae Kim to the 2015 roster. Outfielder, Jeff Kremer, announced his retirement from baseball due to an ailing shoulder injury suffered last season. Alpine Bank promoted Don Banks (13), David Sobojinski (14) and Rhonda Sunden (15) to senior vice president of commercial services, Carl Dumoulin (16) to senior vice president of ag and commercial services, and Brenten Witherby (17) to vice president of commercial services. Dr. Alex Stagnaro-Green will open the University Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy Clinic and will see referred patients at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford campus. Crusader Community Health appointed Dawn Mellish, M.D. (18), to chief medical officer. Chartwell Agency hired Deanna Jensen-Valliere (19) as relationship manager and Elizabeth Lazdins (20) as office manager.

Entré Computer Solutions hired Ross Vandehey (21) as set up and delivery; Russ Aurand (22) as service technician, Ryan Connor (23) as inside sales consultant; Michael Bright (24), Sean Connelly, Todd Reicher (25) and Rebecca Glon (26) as network engineers; Tiffany Holdcroft (27) as marketing manager/ graphic designer; Aaron McDonald (28) as NetMonitor help desk technician; Adey Khader (29) as software engineer, and Chris Peterson (30) as project manager. Winnebago County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) welcomed four new CASA volunteers; sworn in by Judge Francis M. Martinez on March 9: Stanford Hilton, Judy Mattson, Patricia Pfoutz and Kristina Steele. Savant Capital Management hired Allison Alexander (31) as financial advisor and Timothy B. Rogowski as chief information officer.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS Heartland Hospice named Jobina Smith (32), RN case manager, as its January 2015 Champion of Caring – Employee of the Month. Jacqueline Gommel (33), ASID, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C, registered

Continued on page 23

17. Brenten Witherby

18. Dr. Dawn Mellish

19. Deanna Jensen-Valliere

20. Elizabeth Lazdins

21. Ross Vandehey

22. Russ Aurand

23. Ryan Connor

24. Michael Bright

25. Todd Reicher

26. Rebecca Glon

27. Tiffany Holdcroft

28. Aaron McDonald

29. Adey Khader

30. Chris Peterson

31. Allison Alexander

32. Jobina Smith

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

April 2015

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

33. Jacqueline Gommel

34. Lisa M. Carter

35. Stephen E. Balogh

36. Scott C. Sullivan

37. Dr. Ann Gantzer

38. Dr. Srivani Sridhar

39. Mina Tanaka

40. Sen. Dave Syverson

41. Laurie Miller

42. Daneille Hediger

43. Elizabeth Samuelson

44. John Roegner

45. Amy Buzza

46. Nicole Wood

47. Brent Brodeski

48. Bruce Graham

(Continued from page 22) interior designer and LEEDaccredited professional, celebrated her 20th year as owner of Gommel Design. Lisa M. Carter (34), financial associate, Thrivent Financial, was one of 474, out of 2,300 representatives nationwide, to attend the Peak Performers conference as a Sierra Level qualifier for outstanding financial guidance to members. WilliamsMcCarthy partners, Stephen E. Balogh (35), civil rights, and Scott C. Sullivan (36), business litigation, were named among only five percent of lawyers in the 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers list. Two SwedishAmerican Health System employees received Women of Achievement Awards at the YWCA of Rockford’s Leader Luncheon in March. Ann Gantzer, Ph.D. (37), RN, NEA-BC, vice president of health and patient services and chief nursing officer, won the Business Award, and Srivani Sridhar, M.D. (38), the Promise Award. The Arnold P. Gold Foundation presented the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award to Mina Tanaka (39), student doctor, Rockford, and Amy Christison, faculty member, Department of Pediatrics, Peoria, both of University of Illinois College of Medicine. The Illinois Alliance of YMCAs named State Sen. Dave Syverson (40) (R-Rockford) its 2015 Legislative Hero, given to a member

53. Shirley Geiser

54. Bonnie Arrington

of the General Assembly who has helped to advance the YMCA’s mission. Laurie Miller (41), area senior vice president, Gallagher Miller Buettner & Parrott, won the 2015 Power Broker award by Risk & Insurance magazine in February for her work in decreasing pharmacy costs for 11 school districts in northern Illinois. She formed a consortium for prescription drugs, Illinois Benefits Educational Trust, which is expected to save $2.3 million over the agreement’s threeyear term. Comfort Keepers® named Daneille Hediger (42) as “Comfort Keeper of the Month” for February, 2015. Savant Capital Management employees earned certifications: Richard Bender and Elizabeth Samuelson (43), financial advisors, and Dominick Parillo, assigned planner, received the Certified Financial Planner certification. Scott Demler and Matt Armstrong, financial advisors, received the Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist designation. John Roegner (44), financial advisor, received the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designation. Amy Buzza (45) and Nicole Wood, (46) client services representatives, earned the Register Paraplanner designation.

Brent Brodeski (47), chief executive officer, Savant Capital Management, was named to Barron’s Top Financial Advisor List for the second year.

OF GENERAL INTEREST Dr. Philip Schalow, 1st Step Upper Cervical Care Center, displayed a poster presentation at the Upper Cervical Experience, “Upper cervical management of dystonia: a case report.” It has been accepted for publication in Topics in Integrative Health Care. Bruce Graham (48), James Rozinsky (49), Brandon Latino (50), Karina Leanos Sanchez (51) and Eve Whitaker (52), Spectrum Insurance Agency, attended a webinar on “Errors and Omissions Risk Management: Meeting the Challenge of Change” in February; receiving six continuing education credits. Shirley Geiser (53) attended a state-required ethics continuing education class by Servicemaster. Bonnie Arrington (54) received a certificate for a Pekin Insurance continuing education class, “Mysteries and Secrets Found in Commercial Lines.” Dr. Ramaswamy Kalyanasundaram, professor of microbiology and immunology, head of the biomedical sciences department and assistant dean for

research at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, returned from a five-month sabbatical in India, where he worked to eradicate lymphatic filariasis. Commonly known as elephantiasis, the tropical disease transmitted by mosquitoes is the second leading cause of physical disability in the world. Tim Seppelt (55), PT, DPT, Cert. SMT, Cert. DN of Belvidere Physical Therapy, Orthopedic and Sports Therapy Institute, completed the Spinal Manipulation Institute’s course, “Extremity Manipulative Therapy: Upper and Lower Extremity HVLA Thrust Manipulation.” Pearson chose Rockford homeowner Phillip Huffington, who will receive an $8,000 bathroom makeover as winner of its Facebook “Ugliest Bathroom” contest. Contestants submitted their bathroom photos for the grand prize. Theresa Wendhausen, CFMP, assistant vice president, branding and communications officer, First National Bank and Trust, and Jason Tonioli, CFMP, co-founder of Kadince, presented “Maximizing the ROI on Community Support” at the Illinois Bankers Association’s Opportunity Networking Education conference in East Peoria, Ill. Jayke Vallette (56), outside sales representative, Pro Com Systems, Div. of Ballard Companies, Inc., attended ASCOM Sales Training in Raleigh, N.C.

49. James Rozinsky

55. Tim Seppelt

50. Brandon Latino

56. Jayke Vallette

51. Karina Leanos Sanchez

57. Chris Zion

52. Eve Whitaker

58. Dr. Scott Trenhaile

Chris Zion (57), MFG, LLC, was chosen to attend the Oppenheimer Funds 2015 Wealth Symposium in Denver. Scott Trenhaile, M.D. (58), was selected as the sole presenter from the United States at the IRAMEA Arthroscopy Solutions Shoulder Master Forum ATSC at the National University Hospital in Singapore in February. theVoice

April 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Business Briefs BUSINESS BRIEFS expertise and $10,000 to provide more inclusive opportunities for children with disabilities when school is not in session.

Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members. OSF HealthCare is the largest health care system to partner in MATTER Chicago, a not-for-profit organization of entrepreneurs and industry leaders from health care IT, medical devices, diagnostics and biopharma, with a goal to create products and services that advance the health care industry. OSF HealthCare and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria will develop and operate a simulation space in Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center, a Chicago-based incubator for healthcare companies. LDR Construction Services, Inc., LDR Cleaning & Restoration earned a Better Business Bureau Complaint Free Award in 2014 for commitment to complete customer satisfaction and ethical business practices.

Community Foundation of Northern Illinois received a $7,200 donation for BandWagon 2 from Forest City Swing, a local group that teaches and hosts swing dancing events. CFNIL now has raised $70,000 of the $100,000 for the public portion of the BW2 campaign. Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced 11 more sports tournaments and two special events to take place in the Rockford area in 2015 and 2016, for an estimated economic impact of about $2.6 million. In 2014, 300 total events resulted in 102,721 room nights and an estimated economic impact of $16,122,000. American Advertising Federation of Northern Illinois presented its 2015 American Advertising (ADDY) Awards in February; awarding 16 gold ADDYs and 14 silver ADDYs from 54 entries received. “Best of Show” winners were: GinestraWatson Co., Best of Digital and Best of Show for its Seasons Hospice Foundation website; Rockford University, Best of Print, for its “Gala 2014 Building Lives and Opportunity” invitation, and SwedishAmerican Health System, Best of Broadcast, for its “Kids Say it Better” 30-second TV commercials. KMK Media Group completed a new website for Pearson, PearsonGuy.com, with a new design, blog and online service call scheduling. Rockford Health System received three ADDYs in February: two silver for the television commercial “The Place for Quality” and the direct marketing piece “Wishbook 2014 –

About 660 students from 27 area high schools competed in the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics High School Regional Mathematics Contest at Rock Valley College in February. The RVC Mathematics Department has hosted the regional since 1981.

Discovery Center Museum opened its new permanent exhibition gallery, Power of Electricity with features such as lightning bolts that respond to touch in a plasma globe. Participants can design and construct a wind turbine, launch aluminum rings propelled by a magnetic field, power lights and objects while experimenting with circuits, and play with filters that simulate clouds to show how solar power works. Well Wishes,” and a bronze for its Rockford Health Gala – Radiance Invitation. Remedies Renewing Lives received a $4,000 grant from Rockford Memorial Development Foundation to support the Remedies Capital Campaign, which will fund the Patient Care Clinic, and a $590 grant from Schneider Electric to purchase a multi-purpose locking cabinet for safely storing supplies in Remedies’ domestic violence shelter. Colorwave Graphics received in February a silver ADDY for a motorized retractable banner, “Indoor Food Truck Display,” installed in the cafeteria at the University of Nevada, Reno, and a bronze ADDY for a vehicle wrap for the Beloit Convention & Visitors Bureau, “Mobile Welcome Center.” Chicago Rockford International Airport received two awards in February. The Greater Rockford Airport Authority received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association for the 17th consecutive year, and the airport was one of 92 in the United States to receive an ANTN Digicast Excellence in Airport Training award by the American Association of Airport Executives. Rockford Park District was one of only 13 new organizations chosen to partner in the National Inclusion Project, which will provide training,

Montel Technologies will provide security technology solutions to the Chicago Public School District, as part of an estimated $46 million dollar a year agreement led by Sentinel Technologies for School Data Network and Security Upgrade Services. Work is expected to begin on July 1, 2015 and end June 30, 2018. GolfAdvisor.com ranked Rockford Park District’s Aldeen Golf Club and Practice Centre in Rockford as one of the top 50 U.S. Golf Courses in 2014 out of 2,500 U.S. golf courses eligible. Aldeen Golf Club ranked #34 out of 50 — the top-rated course in Illinois. Rockford Toolcraft, Inc., earned recognition from Meritor as the 2014 Stamping Supplier of the Year for dedication to outstanding quality and commitment to continuous improvement. Meritor, Inc., is an American company in Troy, Mich., that manufacturers automobile components for military suppliers, trucks and trailers. Blackhawk Bank received another 5-Star Superior Bank rating from Bauer Financial in January. Entrepreneur magazine recognized Comfort Keepers as the #1 Senior Care franchise network in the 2015 Franchise 500. Comfort Keepers ranked #57 among 500, and #1 in senior care. For the fifth year in a row, it received the World-Class Franchise™ certification from the Franchise Research Institute. Rockford Reachout Jail Ministry honored nearly 150 jail, juvenile center and community volunteers for teaching and encouraging more than 5,000 at-risk men, women, boys and girls inside the jail and juvenile center every year. Rock Valley College, financial services, received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report. It’s the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

RAMP received $10,084 from Kiwanis Club of Rockford for computers and telephones to expand its youth services programs. Kiwanis also awarded a $10,000 grant to Rockford MELD and a $10,150 grant to Discovery Center Museum for youth programs. Since 1988, it has awarded more than $1,182,000 in grants to organizations serving local and regional youth. Faculty and staff from Saint Anthony College of Nursing welcomed a delegation from Japan at its spring conference as part of its global partnership with Kyoto University. Heartland Hospice participated in the celebration of National Professional Social Work Month in March, with a theme of “Social Work Paves the Way for Change” selected by the National Association of Social Workers. MKE Sports & Entertainment unveiled a new website for the Rockford Aviators at www.RockfordAviators. com for fans to buy game tickets, shop for merchandise and see the upcoming game schedule. Tickets are on sale now. Chicago Rockford International Airport will host “Run the Runway,” with a 5k, 1-Mile and Kid’s Fun Run on June 5, leading up to AirFest 2015. New this year, the race will feature a unique opportunity to run with AirFest performers. Registration is open through May 27. Visit www.rockfordairfest.com. Rock River Valley Pantry received a $3,000 Margaret K. Aldeen Christian Ministry Grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois to buy healthy fruits and vegetables and more than 9,000 cans of vegetables and fruit for distribution in family grocery bags. Rockford Public Schools hired Chartwell Agency to develop a marketing and public relations campaign, “Our Kids Rock,” to highlight the achievements of current RPS 205 students and to emphasize why public school education is a good choice. Previous winners of Rockford Register Star Excalibur awards joined to make personal donations to Rockford Promise for student scholarships for the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at Rock Valley College. Funds will be maintained and distributed through the RVC Foundation. Rock Valley College for the 31st year hosted the Northern Illinois Regional Science Olympiad, a

Continued on page 26

April 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Business Briefs BUSINESS (Continued from page 24) hands-on event for high school and middle school students covering biology, chemistry, physics, earth science and engineering. Top high school and middle school teams will advance to the state tournament at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana on April 18. Saint Anthony College of Nursing inducted 19 nursing students from the college and Kyoto University, Japan, into The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) in March. It’s the only nursing chapter in Rockford. U.S. Bank was recognized in March by the Ethisphere Institute as a 2015 World’s Most Ethical Company®; for fostering a culture of ethics and transparency at every level of the company. University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford held Match Day on March 20, where graduates learned where they will spend the next three to six years of their medical training. Students from all 126 medical schools across the country heard their match results at the same time. Rockford Park District opened its Simply Spring Butterfly Exhibit through May 10 at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St. Call 815-987-8858 or visit www.nicholasconservatory.com for a list of events. The Young at Heart Festival hired KMK Media Group as its 2015 advertising agency of record for the ninth year in a row. United Way of Rock River Valley honored SwedishAmerican Health System with a Strong Neighbor Award in recognition of its neighborhood revitalization program, focused on Ellis Heights and Midtown District in Rockford. Since 2000, the health system’s foundation has constructed 26 new homes, renovated or improved more than 100 existing properties and renovated a two-building, 24-unit neighborhood apartment complex. Rockford Health System announced the creation of its Lung Center of Excellence with features such as low-dose CT scan screenings of the lungs for people at highest risk, navigational bronchoscopy, DaVinci robotic lung surgery, a lung program nurse navigator and promotion of smoking cessation. Colorwave Graphics, LLC, produced two 20-foot tensioned fabric displays for Kerry Ingredients & Flavours: one for SNAXPO in

Orlando and the other at CIFST in Canada. Colorwave completed a similar display for Pentair Beverage Systems’ exhibition needs. Rock Valley Credit Union will open two new high-tech branch facilities at the new Meijer stores opening in Rockford and Machesney Park later this spring. Estes Construction, Davenport, Iowa, retained Chartwell Agency to update its crisis communication/ response manual and develop a new field guide. Chartwell also will provide crisis communication training to its leadership team and onsite project staff. Rockford Park District and The First Tee of Greater Rockford merged to bring golf to thousands of 5-to 18-year-olds in the area, with outreach and school initiatives, targeting thousands of children in various summer programs, community centers, partner organizations and local schools. Mercy Health System and Rockford Health System announced its newly formed health system will be named MercyRockford Health System. The merger took effect in January and created a health system comprising five hospitals, more than 550 physicians, and 80 outpatient clinics to residents in more than 40 communities in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Associated Bank announced it is presenting sponsor of the Rockford Park District’s Annual Simply Spring: The Butterfly Exhibit at the Nicholas Conservatory & Garden, running through May 10. The national industry magazine, Becker’s Healthcare, named SwedishAmerican Health System on its “150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare” list based on nominations and research on benefits offerings, wellness programs, commitment to diversity and inclusion, professional development opportunities and promotion of employee satisfaction and work-life balance. 89.5 WNIJ received the 2015 Excellence in Media Award, given annually by The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Northern Illinois at the sixth-annual Get to Know NAMI open house in Rockford. Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois’ GoodTAXES volunteer income tax assistance sites and its 64 certified volunteers completed more than 1,215 returns and returned more than $1.6 million to communities through mid-March. theVoice

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

April 2015

Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

Saturday, April 4

Discovery Center Museum and Burpee Museum of Natural History hosts its annual Egg-stravaganza, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 711 N. Main St., Rockford. Egg hunts at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call 815-963-6769 or visit www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

Wednesday, April 8

Remedies hosts a Groundbreaking Ceremony, 11 a.m., for its new home, at 220 Easton Parkway, Rockford. Remedies launched a $2 million capital campaign and has raised $400,000. Land was donated by Sunil Puri and First Midwest Group. The new domestic violence shelter will have 62 beds, playground, kitchen, group rooms and community rooms for trainings and education forums.

Thursday, April 9

Children’s Home + Aid hosts its inaugural Champions for Children Luncheon to shed light on child abuse prevention, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Featured speaker is Kimberla Lawson Roby, NY Times best selling author and Rockford native. For more information, contact 815-720-2106.

Community Events COMMUNITY

Natural History, 711 N. Main St., Rockford. Events begin with registration at 5 p.m., on Friday and conclude with check-out at 8:30 a.m., on Saturday. Includes pizza, snack, breakfast, admission to both museums and hands-on activities. Register at web.extension. illinois.edu/bdo or call 815-2354125.

Saturday, April 11

Rockford Public Library presents a Live Program and Book Signing with children’s author and illustrator Marc Brown, creator of the “Arthur” series on PBS. The 45-minute program takes place at 9 a.m. and noon in the Sullivan Theater, Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford. Brown will autograph books from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m., in the lobby. Tickets must be purchased at www. rockfordpubliclibrary.org. University of Illinois Extension presents the University of Illinois Extension’s Youth Technology Conference, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Highland Community College, Building H, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport. Children, 13 to 16 years old, can make and program robots using Arduino, fly a drone, explore computer-aided design software, design an object in CAD and print with a 3D printer. Register by April 9 at web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw or call 815-235-4125.

Next Rockford hosts a General Membership Meeting, “Conversation on Downtown Development,” 7:30 a.m., at La Voz Latina, 730 N. Church St., Rockford. Generation X/Y welcome to attend. For questions contact Scott Anderson, sanderson@rustoleum. com or 815-904-2407.

Sunday, April 12

Friday, April 10

Tuesday, April 14

University of Illinois Extension presents Science Siesta, an overnight event for fourth to sixth grade girls, April 10 to 11 and April 17 to 18, at the Discovery Center Museum and Burpee Museum of

Barbara Olson Center of Hope presents its first Spring Tea, featuring a vintage fashion show, 1 to 3 p.m., at Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. Reservations at www.bolsoncenterofhope.org or 815-9649275. Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic presents its 10th annual Golf Night with Golf Conditioning: How to Prevent Injuries on the Golf Course, 7 to 8 p.m., at 1877 Daimler Road, Rockford. Free. Register at

815-398-3434 and www. hulsebuschiropractic.com.

Wednesday, April 15

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden hosts its fundraiser, Botanica 2015 – a gardener’s luncheon, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 2715 S. Main St., Rockford. Featured speaker is Melinda Myers, gardening expert and author specializing in Midwestern gardening. Register with Sarah Lambert, 815-965-8146. Judson University hosts its firstever Judson Shark Tank, culminating in a public finale with a winner chosen by a panel of judges, 7 to 9 p.m., at Thulin Performance Hall, Thompson Center, 1151 N. State St., Elgin. Visit www.create2015.org.

Friday, April 17

American Advertising Federation – Northern Illinois presents, “Inside Sports Marketing and Communications,” 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Katie’s Cup, for tickets visit niadfed.org.

Monday, April 20

Joe Bonamassa, a blues rock star and guitar players, will perform live, 8 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com, the Coronado box office or call 815-968-0595. Rockford Public Library presents Be Energy Smart! Apply New Technologies to Basic Energy Conservation with Jay Solomon, University of Illinois Extension educator, 1 to 2:30 p.m., main library auditorium, 215 N. Wyman St. RSVP to 815-986-4357 or http://web. extension.illinois.edu/jsw. Call 815965-7606 for questions.

Tuesday, April 21

Rockford Public Library presents Wealth Wisdom for Women with Northwestern Mutual, 4:30 to 5:45 p.m., east branch, Friends

community meeting room, 6685 E. State St. RSVP to Beth Thacker, 815-398-6636 or mbeth.thacker@ nm.com. Call 815-965-7606 for questions. Rockford Public Library presents Top Tech Tools to Manage Money, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., east branch, Friends community meeting room, 6685 E. State St. Presented by Traci Walsh, Family Credit Management. RSVP to Walsh, 815-484-1633 or traci.walsh@ familycredit.org. Call 815-965-7606 for questions.

Saturday, April 25

Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, celebrates National Astronomy Day, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free planetarium shows, star maps and glittery star crafts. Activities with admission. Call 815-963-6769 or visit www. discoverycentermuseum.org. RAMP hosts its tenth-annual Boone County Wheel-A-Thon at the Community Building in Belvidere, 111 W. First St. Registration, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.; Kids Fun Run, 9:30 a.m.; Wheel-A-Thon & 5K, 10 a.m., and Wheel-A-Thon & 5K award presentation and refreshments, 10:45 a.m. Register at www.classy. org/boonecountywheelathon.

Sunday, April 26

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center presents the Heritage Run to benefit Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the YMCA of Rock River Valley, with 10-kilometer and two-mile races at 1 p.m., at State and Wyman streets in Rockford. Free kids’ fun run at 12:30 p.m., and two-mile family walk. Registration, 4 to 6 p.m., April 24, at I.D. Pennock Family YMCA, 200 Y Blvd., Rockford; the day of the race, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at Stewart Square, 308 W. State St., or www.rockriverymca.org/ heritagerun. Call 779-774-4429.

April 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Regional, National Indicators THE ECONOMY U.S. Indicators February 2015 Consumer Price Index



Unemployment Rate

0.2 percent 5.5 percent

Payroll Employment Average Hourly Earnings Producer Price Index Employment Cost Index Productivity U.S. Import Price Index U.S. Export Price Index

      

295,000 $0.03 0.5 percent 0.6 percent (fourth quarter, 2014) 2.2 percent (fourth quarter, 2014) 0.4 percent 0.1 percent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Population Clock As of March 21, 2015

U.S. 320,549,357

World 7,231,798,315

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Unemployment Rates Region / State / Nation Oct 14

Nov 14

Dec 14

Jan 15

Rockford

8.4

8.1

7.8

Chicago

6.1

5.8

5.6

6.9

Illinois

6.3

6.2

6.3

6.1

United States

5.7

5.8

5.6

6.1

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Did you know? Illinois had the largest unemployment rate

decline in 2014. Thirty states from December 2013-14 had significant unemployment rate declines; the largest were in Illinois (-2.7 points) and Rhode Island (-2.5 points).

U.S. cities home to 62.7 percent of population comprise just 3.5 percent of land area A majority of the U.S. population lives in incorporated places or cities, although these areas make up only a small fraction of the land area, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The percentage of the population living in cities in 2013 was highest in the Midwest and West at 71.2 percent and 76.4 percent, respectively. DENSITY • Four places in Alaska are among the nation’s largest in land area, such as Sitka city and borough, with 2,870.4 square miles of land and 3.1 people per square mile. • Population density increased by more than 700 people per square mile in New York City and Washington, D.C., between 2010 and 2013. • Detroit, Mich., and Rockford, Ill., lost 180.7 and 130.9 people per square mile, respectively, between 2010 and 2013. • Modesto, Calif., and Spokane, Wash., increased in population size but decreased in density because of annexation of land area.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

New Chamber Members MEMBERS Welcome to new members who joined the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in March, 2015.

ABEL PLUMBING INC. Rockford’s premier plumbing company (commercial/residential) 2013 Harrison Ave., 61104 Adam Lester 815-708-6408 www.abelplumbinginc.com

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY Providing comprehensive cancer patient services and access to cancer resources. 4312 E. State St., 61108 Tammy English 815-229-1287 www.cancer.org

EIGERLAB - NIU EIGERLAB INNOVATION NETWORK 605 Fulton Ave., 61103 Dan Cataldi 815-965-3522 www.eigerlab.org

LEGION SERVICE PROVIDER Lawn maintenance and snow removal 6411 Edgewood Road Machesney Park, 61115 Sophia Rayner 815-980-8650

MEIJER ROCKFORD COMING SOON! Supercenter, grocery store and gas station 2013 McFarland Road, 61107 Shaun Bonner www.meijer.com

NDK Quartz crystal supplier to electronics industry 701 Crystal Pkwy. Belvidere, 61008 Ken Hennessy 815-544-7900 www.ndk.com

April 2015

NORTHERN ILLINOIS DIABETES COALITION Improving the quality of care provided for persons with diabetes. 1601 Parkview Ave., 61107 Greg Gargani 815-395-5703 www.northernidc.org/

Get to Know Your Ambassadors Name: Rick L. Peters Company: Central Printing Position: Account Executive How long have you been an Ambassador? 3 years What do you like most about being an Ambassador? I am a lifelong Rockford area resident and business owner. I want all of the

businesses in our community to prosper. I know that joining the Rockford Chamber of Commerce is a great way to get your business to thrive. It makes me happy to help the new chamber members get off to a good start by having a grand opening event with help from the Ambassadors team.

PROFORMA DIMENSIONS Advertising specialties, printers, embroidery, screen printing 1322 E. State St., Ste. 301, 61104 Rob Labak 815-398-0940 www.proformadimensions.com

PRO-XTERIORS Restoration and rooﬁng contractor 7117 Clinton Road, Suite 4, Loves Park, 61111 Amanda Berndt 815-877-2051 www.pro-xteriors.com

ROCKFORD ARMY SURPLUS (JD PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC) Re-Sale, clothing & accessories 2305 Charles St., 61104 David Bobik 815-708-8755 www.rockfordarmysurplus.com

ROCKFORD ART DELI Websites, logo design, posters printed, apparel created, original T-shirts 326 S. Third St., 61104 Jarrod Hennis 312-725-4723 www.rockfordartdeli.com

New tournaments, conferences come to region The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced 13 “big wins” in the sports and meetings markets for 2015 and 2016.

■ 2015 National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) Midwest Regional Championships ■ Chicago Invite 2015 ■ 2015 Rugby Illinois High School and Middle School State Championships ■ 2015 USA Rugby Midwest Regional Cup Tournament ■ 2015 National Softball Association North B State Championships ■ 2015 Midwestern Open Lacrosse Championships (Elite Tournaments LLC) ■ American – Motors Owners Association 2016 International Convention ■ Illinois Rural Water Association – Northern Conference 2015 ■ 2016 National Dart Association (NDA) Regional Tournament ■ 2015 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) Region II Showcase and ID (Identification) Camps ■ 2015 Illinois High School Association Girls State Bowling Finals ■ United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Girls Fast Pitch 14u “B” World Series ■ 2015 AABC Willie Mays 10U World Series

April 2015

EVENTS

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Upcoming Chamber Events APRIL, 2015 Wednesday, April 1

PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Daniel Saavedra, president, Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects, will present. Manufacturers’ Council Meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Rock Valley College Stenstrom Center, 4151 Samuelson Road, Rockford. Focus on the Education Committee.

Tuesday, April 7

Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St. Pam Maher, CEO, KMK Media Group, will present “Protect Your Brand … Protect Your Company … Protect Your Image.” Sponsored by Siena on Brendenwood. Business Roundtable with State Rep. Litesa Wallace, 2 to 3 p.m., at the E.J. “Zeke” Giorgi Center, 200 S. Wyman St., Rockford, (large conference room, third floor). A representative from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will give a short presentation on programs to decrease the costs of hiring and training. Please register; space is limited. Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Nick Nelson, Harvard State Bank, 815-887-9013 or nnelson@ thehsb.com. Wednesday, April 8 8:30 am - Noon Forest Hills Country Club 5135 Forest Hills Rd., Rockford

How to Manage

Problem Employees

Hire with confidence; fire without fear; tame toxic employees; put your team on the fast track to record-shattering success. Fourth person registered from a company attends free. To register a fourth person, call Stacy Mullins, 815-316-4302.

Wednesday, April 8 7:30 – 9:00 am Rock Valley College Woodward Tech Center, 3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford

Breakfast

BUZZ

Audrey Moon, WREX‑NBC 13, presents “Merging of Broadcast and Digital Media: How it relates to your business and advertising.” Sponsored by McGladrey.

Wednesday, April 8

Remedies Groundbreaking Ceremony & Celebration, 11 a.m. to noon, 220 Easton Pkwy., Rockford. Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford. Contact Teri Watts, Key Realty, Teriw1214@gmail.com. Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St. Contact Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@ rockfordcc.com.

Thursday, April 9 IGNITE After 5 at GreenFire Restaurant, Bar & Bakery, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford. Complimentary appetizers/ cash bar. Leadership Rockford Team Project, 5 to 9 p.m., benefitting 1st Tee of Greater Rockford, at joey c’ cucina * cocktails, 2583 N. Mulford Road, Rockford.

Friday, April 10

Government Affairs Council Meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Louis W. Kosiba, executive director, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, presents “Understanding IMRF and Illinois Public Pensions.” For information on joining, contact Heidi Garner, 815-316-4312. Leadership Rockford Team Project benefitting Lydia House. Join the Night of Many Dances, 6 p.m., at

Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Visit http://lydiarockford. org/night-dances/

Tuesday, April 14

Good Morning Rockford! at Rosecrance Ware Center, 7:30 to 9 a.m., 2704 N. Main St., Rockford. Hot breakfast and tour the new $8 million treatment center. Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Nick Nelson, Harvard State Bank, 815-887-9013 or nnelson@thehsb. com.

Wednesday, April 15

PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Kevin Polky, owner, KP Counseling LTD, will present. Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford. Contact Teri Watts, United Commercial Realty, Teriw1214@gmail.com. Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St. Contact Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@ rockfordcc.com.

Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Nick Nelson, Harvard State Bank, 815-887-9013 or nnelson@ thehsb.com.

Friday, April 17

Ribbon Cutting and Open House, Edward Jones-Michelle Bowman, 3 to 5 p.m., 2715 N. Main St., Rockford.

Tuesday, April 21

Quick Response Manufacturing: MCT/Q‑ROC Workshop, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford. Keynote speaker is Bill Ritchie, president and founder of Tempus Institute. Sponsored by Blackhawk Bank.

Tuesday, April 28

Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Nick Nelson, Harvard State Bank, 815-887-9013 or nnelson@ thehsb.com.

Wednesday, April 29

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford. Contact Teri Watts, United Commercial Realty, Teriw1214@ gmail.com.

Thursday, April 16 11:30 am – 4:30 pm Clock Tower Resort 7801 E. State St., Rockford

State of the County

Wednesday, April 29

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St. Contact Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@ rockfordcc.com.

LUNCHEON

Winnebago County Chairman Scott Christiansen will touch on creating a safer community, stimulating economic growth, protecting our green spaces and promoting tourism. Mimi Murphy, WTVO Eyewitness News anchor, will moderate.

Wednesday, April 29

PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Sarah Wolf, executive director, Discovery Center Museum, will present.

Sponsored by BMO Harris Bank (presenting); AT&T, Humana and SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health (gold), and Ballard Companies, Inc. (bronze).

Thursday, April 16

Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N.

Continued on page 31

Changes to Small Business Health Care tax credit Small employers should be aware of changes to the small business health care tax credit, a provision in the Affordable Care Act that gives a tax credit to eligible small employers who provide health care to their employees. Beginning in 2014, there are changes to the tax credit that may affect your small business or tax-exempt organization: Credit percentage increased from 35 percent to 50 percent of employer-paid premiums; for tax-exempt employers, the percentage increased from 25 percent to 35 percent. Small employers may claim the credit for only two consecutive taxable years beginning in tax year 2014 and beyond. For 2014, the credit is phased out beginning when average wages equal $25,400 and is fully phased out when average wages exceed

$50,800. The average wage phase out is adjusted annually for inflation. Generally, small employers are required to purchase a Qualified Health Plan from a Small Business Health Options Program Marketplace to be eligible to claim the credit. Transition relief from this requirement is available to certain small employers. Small employers may still be eligible to claim the tax credit for tax years 2010 through 2013. Employers who were eligible to claim this credit for those prior years — but did not do so — may consider amending prior years’ returns if they’re eligible to do so in order to claim the credit.

■■ SHOP QHP documentation or letter of

eligibility from SHOP, unless transition relief applies.

■■ Numbers of full-time and part-time employees

and numbers of hours worked.

■■ Average annual wages for employees.

■■ Employer premiums paid per employee, if

applicable.

■■ Relevant K-1s and other pass-through credit

information.

■■ Cost of coverage for each employee. ■■ Payroll tax liability — for tax-exempt

COMPLETING FORM 8941

organizations only.

Information to gather in completing Form 8941, Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums:

small employers.

■■ Pass-through credit info — for K-1s of other For more information visit IRS.gov/aca.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

April 2015

EVENTS

Upcoming Chamber Events (cont.) (Continued from page 30)

MAY, 2015 Tuesday, May 5

Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St. Michelle Petrie, BMO Harris Bank and Rockford Chamber board member, presents, “Joining a Board of Directors.” Sponsored by Siena on Brendenwood.

Wednesday, May 6

PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Jim Derry, president, Field Fastener, presents “Culture.” Manufacturers’ Council Meeting – Specialty Screw, 2801 Huffman Blvd, Rockford. 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Focus: Information/ Communications.

Friday, May 8

Government Affairs Council Meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. For information on joining, contact Heidi Garner at 815-316-4312.

Tuesday, May 12

Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Nick Nelson, Harvard State Bank, 815-887-9013 or nnelson@thehsb.com.

Wednesday, May 13

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford. Contact Teri Watts, United Commercial Realty, Teriw1214@ gmail.com. Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St. Contact Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@ rockfordcc.com. Wednesday, May 14 11:30 am - 1 pm Giovanni’s 610 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford

Celebration of

Leadership Luncheon

Speaker is Roberta “Bobbie” Holzwarth, partner, Holmstrom Kennedy PC, an area law firm more than a century old. Sponsored by PNC Bank (presenting); Associated Bank, McGladrey LLP, and SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health (graduation).

Thursday, May 14

IGNITE ‑ Lunch Outside the Box, noon to 1 p.m., Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St., Rockford. Speaker is Rudy Valdez.

IGNITE After 5 at The Olympic Tavern, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 2327 N. Main St., Rockford. Complimentary appetizers/ cash bar. Monday, May 18 Noon – Shotgun Start The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club 5151 Guilford Rd., Rockford

Rockford Chamber

Golf Classic Sponsored by SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health (presenting); Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP (gold); OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center (photo); and The Alliance (greens).

Advertisers Index ADVERTISERS

Alpine Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 BMO Harris Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Rockford Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . .14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28

Brian Thomas Photography . . . . 18

Rockford Health System. . . . . . . . 3

Broadmoor Agency, Inc.. . . . . . . . 9

Rockford University. . . . . . . . . . . 13

Comcast Business . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Rock Valley College. . . . . . . . . 7, 13

Dickerson & Nieman. . . . . . . . . . 11

Saint Anthony College Of Nursing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

First National Bank & Trust . . . . . 16 Illinois Bank & Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Klaas Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Thayer Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

McGladrey LLP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

United Way of Rock River Valley. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

MembersAlliance Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

UPS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

North American Tool. . . . . . . . . . 10

Van Galder Bus Co . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Rockford Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . 10

Workforce Connection. . . . . . . . . 14

Wednesday, May 20

PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Caitlin Ludwig, Blackhawk Bank, presents “OH, the Places I Didn’t Go: War stories from my 20s.”

Tuesday, May 26

Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Nick Nelson, Harvard State Bank, 815-887-9013 or nnelson@thehsb.com.

Wednesday, May 27

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford. Contact Teri Watts, United Commercial Realty, Teriw1214@gmail.com. Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St. Contact Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@ rockfordcc.com.

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100.............................................. Direct Line Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO.......................................... 815-316-4304 Heidi M. Garner, Executive Assistant to the President.................... 815-316-4312 Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology................... 815-316-4338 Lynette Jacques, Vice President, Member Investment. . .................. 815-316-4317 Vee Jevremovic, Manager of Education Programs and Events. . ........ 815-316-4337 Crystal Larson, Financial Assistant/Administrative Support. . ............ 815-987-8100 Joy Moriarty, Vice President, Finance........................................ 815-316-4316 Stacy Mullins, Director of Events. . ............................................ 815-316-4302 Diane Navickis, Member Relations Manager.. .............................. 815-316-4315 Mary Ann Suprenant, Membership Development Manager.............. 815-316-4336 Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator......................... 815-316-4320

Chamber Board of Directors & Officers EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

DIRECTORS

Chairman of the Board Patti Thayer Thayer Lighting, Inc. Vice Chair Richard Zumwalt Saint Anthony Medical Center

Send news releases and other

Jan Bowman TLC Construction Joe Castrogiovanni Giovanni’s, Inc.

Vice Chair Michele Petrie BMO Harris Bank

Do you have news to share?

Andrew Benson Benson Stone Company, Inc.

Dr. Rena Cotsones Northern Illinois University Rebecca Epperson Chartwell Agency Darlene Furst FurstStaffing

Treasurer Larry Bridgeland Mid-City Office Products Immediate Past Chairman Richard Walsh SwedishAmerican Health System

Ira Grimmett UTC Aerospace Systems Dr. Robert Head Rockford University Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home Jeff Hultman Illinois Bank & Trust

Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Henry Seybold Rockford Health System

Mike Mastroianni Rock Valley College

Patrick Shaw McGladrey LLP

Paul McCann Stanley Steemer of Rockford

Laura Pigatti Williamson Rockford Park District

Patrick Morrow Alpine Bank Amy Ott Chicago Rockford International Airport Mike Paterson Mid-West Family Broadcasting Mark Peterson CBL Associates Cherry Vale Tim Rollins WilliamsMcCarthy Dan Ross Williams-Manny Insurance Group

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS Einar K. Forsman President & CEO, Rockford Chamber of Commerce John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Michael Nicholas Rockford Area Economic Development

items of interest to the business community to:

The VOICE, Rockford Chamber of Commerce

308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101

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May 2015 Special Sections:

> Financial Fitness For information on advertising, call 815 987-8100