July Voice 2017 by Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce

TRANSPARENCY IN FANTASY GLASS PAGE 3

LOGISTICS SUBJECT TO CHANGE PAGE 12

The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

RECYCLING YOUR E-WASTE

Women

in Business

EXPO AND LUNCHEON Britney Lindgren is young, passionate and wants to make a difference for her community. For her efforts, Lindgren, co-owner of Rockford Art Deli, was named Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow during the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Expo and Luncheon. “This means people see the good things I’ve done, but also the potential to do more,” she said. “The fact that people are noticing is really nice. My goal has never been about recognition and awards. I want to help Rockford and my business grow and hope people see it and like it.

July 2017 | Volume 30 | No. 7

Honoring area’s women in business

Honorees: (1) Congratulations to Britney Lindgren, co-owner of Rockford Art Deli for being named Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow; (2) Kate Wirth of Lucette Salon and Spa, 2016 program graduate; (3) Yvonne Natalene Peterson, marketing director at Heritage Woods of Rockford is Woman Manager of the Year; (4) Patti Thayer, Einar Forsman and Linda Heckert congratulate Jean Crosby (2nd from right), managing partner and owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Realtors for Woman Business Owner of the Year. Photos by Brian Thomas Photography

This isn’t just about me. There are a lot of people who have helped make our business succeed.” The expo and luncheon are held every year to recognize women-owned and -managed businesses. More than 300 people turned out and more than 40 businesses were represented at this year’s expo, which was held June 22 at Giovanni’s. “We have a group of engaged women in this community, and they are outstanding,” said Einar Forsman, president & CEO of the chamber. “They are active and supportive of so many

organizations. It’s an impressive group and a tightly knit group.” In addition to Lindgren, two other business leaders were honored during the luncheon for their professional and personal contributions. The chamber recognized Jean Crosby, managing partner/owner for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate, as Woman Business Owner of the Year, and Yvonne Peterson from Heritage Woods of Rockford as Woman Manager of the Year. Continued on page 4

The City of Rockford announced a new partnership with Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful for the collection of electronic waste (e-waste) for Rockford residents. As of July 4, e-waste will not be accepted at the Kelley Williamson Mobil stations at 7250 E. State St., and 550 S. Rock Dr. E-waste less than 2-by-2 foot may be placed directly into residents’ blue recycling bins as a part of weekly waste collection. State law prohibits disposal of it into landfills. Starting July 8, also drop it off at KNIB’s Rockford Recycling Center, 4665 Hydraulic Road, 2 to 5 p.m., on Tuesdays, and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. E-waste includes computers, video game consoles, computer monitors, electronic mice, printers, scanners, televisions, digital converter boxes, electronic keyboards, cable receivers, fax machines, satellite receivers, videocassette recorders, digital video disc recorders, portable digital music players, small scale servers, DVD players and cellular phones.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Founders’ Day

BLOCK PARTY July 13 • West State & South Main Streets, Rockford For more info, see page 27 SPONSORED BY

PRESERVING NATURAL HABITATS

UPS is shifting 13 flights per week and a daytime package sorting operation to Rockford, leading to the hire of 250 more workers. Photo from ﬂyrfd.com

Visit us online at: rockfordchamber.com ■ online registration

UPS adds 250 jobs to its Rockford operation Investments to hub position it for growth By Barbara Connors

UPS

■ keynote speaker video clips ■ event photos

currently

employs

about

1,200 full- and part-time workers at its The capacity, size and proximity to

Rockford facilities with small packages

■ list of Chamber events

major markets in Illinois and Michigan

and

Questions? 815-987-8100

have

Rockford

by air, ground, sea or rail handled

operation for major growth in July. The

at its facilities at Chicago Rockford

global leader in logistics is set to hire

International Airport and freight at its

250 new positions for package handlers,

facility at 4733 Sandy Hollow Road.

Join the Chamber’s LinkedIn Group

positioned

UPS’

heavyweight

bulk

shipments

part-time supervisors and tractor-trailer

Growth has come as a result of UPS’

drivers. The jobs, which start on July

decision to shift 13 flights per week and Continued on page 14

15, will support an additional day sort.

In May, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Natural Areas Stewardship Act, which allows nonprofit conservation organizations, such as conservation land trusts, to conduct and apply for funding for stewardship and restoration projects on lands enrolled in the Illinois Nature Preserve System. Natural Land Institute, the area’s regional land trust, owns five of these preserves. The natural preserves are Harlem Hills Prairie Nature Preserve (Atwood tract), Winnebago County; Howard D. Colman Dells Nature Preserve, Winnebago and Ogle counties; Beach Cemetery Prairie Nature Preserve, Winnebago County, and Lyndon Prairie Nature Preserve, Whiteside County. The land and water reserve is Kyte River Bottoms Land & Water Reserve, Ogle County.

July 2017

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

President’s Message VIEWPOINT

llinois Chamber urges key reforms to state budget Transportation funding, workers’ compensation, tax issues addressed IIllinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch issued a letter on June 26 to lawmakers; calling on members of the General Assembly to incorporate key changes and additions in the budget plan proposed on June 14 by Republican caucuses and the Governor.

Dear Legislator While the Illinois Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the hard work of the Governor and General Assembly, the Chamber urges each and every legislator to work for a final resolution of the unprecedented budget impasse this week. I know that we all recognize the terrible toll the lack of a state budget has had on our employer community, our institutions and our reputation. The need for real reform of government and the Illinois jobs climate remains critical but, finally, meaningful progress on reforms and a balanced budget appear within reach. The Chamber believes that the framework for a budget resolution laid out by the Republican caucuses and the Governor on June 14 -- largely

built upon the package passed by Senate Democrats in May -- is the best framework available for a conclusion to the impasse. However, this framework is far from perfect, nor is it complete. The Chamber calls for the following changes and additions in order to support a final package: Omit the Unconstitutional Service Tax. SB 9, the most recent legislative proposal to tax certain services is unconstitutional. The Illinois Supreme Court, in the case of Fiorito v. Jones held unconstitutional -- for lack of uniformity, and for denial of due process and equal protection guarantees -- a prior attempt to impose a tax on a limited number of services. The recent amendment imposing a tax on a specific list of services (as opposed to all services) would immediately be subject to constitutional challenge. Stop the Road Fund Raid. Both Senate Democrat and Republican proposals would take $266 million out of the Road Fund and shift the bulk of it to Chicago area mass transit. While transit is a priority, this is an unprecedented use of the Road Fund and will result in

a $1 billion reduction in IDOT’s latest multi-year plan for roads and bridges. Include a Transportation “Bridge the Gap” Proposal. Transportation funding is set to fall off a cliff at the end of this construction season. The legislature can maximize the impact of modest increases in road fund revenues by bonding them. This would increase transportation funding over the next two years until a larger, more permanent fix to this problem is found. Pass a Clear Plan for Reducing the Bill Backlog. While the Chamber is an advocate for more efficiencies in government and greater respect for taxpayer dollars moving forward, the state simply must pay debts already incurred. Though not optimal policy, new bonding, backed by a dedicated revenue source, is the best way to jumpstart a return to fiscal sanity. Improve the Workers’ Compensation Reforms. While modest, the amendments to the workers’ compensation act contained in HB 4068 do represent incremental progress. However, the language related to “traveling employees” must be

strengthened Einar K. Forsman and new Rockford Chamber employer of Commerce penalties related to electronic filing must be reasonable. Rebalance the Tax Mix. Given the right package, the Chamber can support a major tax increase to help produce a balanced budget. However, the current tax package unduly burdens specific industries and ignores our largest job creator, small business. A final tax package should omit a decoupling from the Domestic Production Activity Deduction (a change impacting agriculture, manufacturing, technology and others), eliminate the unfair taxation of satellite and internet streaming services, and create a new incentive for small businesses to invest and grow in Illinois. The Chamber stands ready to work with all legislators and the Governor to find a resolution to the current budget crisis. The time for a resolution is now. Einar K. Forsman is president & CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

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July 2017

Member Profile PROFILE

It’s not a fantasy: It’s glasswork Home business reaches clients worldwide By Paul Anthony Arco There are gifts and then there are gifts that last a lifetime. That’s how Julie MacKay views her business. She is owner of Fantasy Glassworks, a personalized and engraving glassware company, based in her Rockford home. MacKay makes glassware including beer mugs, curved glass picture frames, crystal glasses, barware and stemware for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, holidays and other special occasions. “I enjoy the artistic aspect of my business,” she said. “Every day is something different.” The business was started by her father David in 1995, when he started doing side projects on the weekends. Any large orders typically required the help of his two daughters, Julie and Lyn. “Then I started doing his accounting,” Julie said. “I really enjoyed the business. When he passed on in 2004, I took over the business. Dad taught me well. We were close, and he was a really good teacher. Our styles complemented each other.” Lyn still helps her sister on a part-time basis. “In the broadest terms what I do is logoed glassware,” MacKay said. “There are many little steps in the process. A client

emails me their logo, I scan it, print it on transparency paper, move it from film to glass, run it through the sandblaster, wash it, and it’s ready to ship or be picked up.”

Clients Worldwide Fantasy Glassworks has clients all over the country as well as Germany and beyond. Many of her clients are military members, such as commanders in need of personalized gifts for their squadrons. MacKay’s workshop is located in her basement, where she sandblasts and pressure washes pieces all day long. Holidays tend to be her busy times. Most stocked items take about three days to complete; specialty items take a little longer. Her most popular items are whiskey glasses and beer mugs. “I’m never bored. There’s always something to work on. I’m not doing the same three or four pieces over and over. I’m doing things that I haven’t done in a while.” MacKay has plenty of stock artwork for customers to choose from if they don’t have their own ideas. “I work well with my customers. Many times we’ll come up with an idea together.” While she likes to work ahead, MacKay can always count on fielding last minute re-

Glassware artist Julie MacKay often works with customers to come up with an idea for a customized, engraved piece together. quests. “It’s usually grooms who need something last minute,” she said, laughing. “I usually get an urgent call, ‘I’m getting married in three days. Can I place an order?’” Since much of her business comes from online orders, MacKay has never met many of her customers, including Dr. Alex Huang, associate professor of pediatrics, pathology & biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. For the past eight years, Huang has ordered gifts from MacKay for graduates of his program. “I look at these pieces as a badge of honor,” he said. “They are tokens of congratulations. It’s a tradition. I still have mine from when I graduated. “When I work with Julie, I don’t worry about anything. She’s responsive,

pleasant and easy to work with. She takes care of everything and always goes out of her way to get the job done.” While she enjoys the creativity her job requires, it’s the relationships that MacKay cherishes the most. “I love it when people tell me the stories or reasons why they ordered a particular glass,” she said. “I love being part of their wedding or special day. I know that I’ve had a small part in their special occasion with something that I’ve created.”

FANTASY GLASSWORKS Julie MacKay, owner 1048 Franklin Place 815-964-2080 www.fantasyglassworks.com

July 2017

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Women in business (continued from front page)

“Yvonne has been a mainstay for years,” Forsman said. “Jean has a long history of ownership and is nationally known in the real estate industry. She is a solid business leader. And Britney is a young leader coming up who thinks out of the box.” “I am overwhelmed. It’s an extreme honor,” Peterson said. “I wear a lot of hats, and I want to help out wherever I can. I’ve had people say how much I mean to them. I had no idea. This award validates the work I’ve done.” Before the awards presentation, the chamber hosted a panel discussion featuring RAMP Executive Director Julie Bosma, Youth Services Network Executive Director Mary Ellen Commare and Rock River Valley Blood Center CEO Linda Gerber. The panel discussed a number of topics about working in the nonprofit sector and balancing work-life issues. The discussion was moderated by Anna Derocher, marketing manager for Fehr Graham. “These three ladies are amazing,” Derocher said. “They are not any different than someone who owns their own business. They’re people who’ve learned along the way. They want to focus not on being women, but being business leaders. The takeaways from their presentation were ‘be yourself, be assertive, be direct and be comfortable in your own skin’. Don’t take the credit and own your mistakes. Those are things we all need to hear over and over again.”

Prior to the luncheon, many business leaders visited the various booths to talk with representatives from different businesses and organizations, including TLC Construction, who saw steady traffic all morning long. “It’s important to support the chamber and women who are supporting other women,” said Jan Bowman, co-owner

of TLC Construction. “Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. A women’s perspective in remodeling is important.” Jennifer Stark, executive director of the Golden Apple Foundation, came out to network. “I loved the networking opportunity,” she said. “I wanted to celebrate women in our community in business. I met 40 business owners and

had the opportunity to tell them about my nonprofit organization. It was a good experience for me. We need to support each other and get involved.” The presenting sponsor of the expo and luncheon was Mercyhealth. Other sponsors were Northern Illinois Vein Clinic, OSF HealthCare, Northwest Bank of Rockford and PNC Bank. theVoice

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July 2017

IGNITE

Young Professionals

Full slate of activities in 2017 Reaching out to your organization IGNITE Rockford is busy and in the community this summer. The REACH team’s (the social committee) IGNITE Cup 2017 has kicked off and is half way through; we’ve done things like bowling, held a scavenger hunt in downtown Rockford, had a game night, among several others. Our After 5’s are a staple to young professionals, and we recently visited new Rockford addition, Owly Oop; everyone said it was a slam-dunk! We have a great social presence and really love getting out to local establishments to unwind. Our EDUCATE team (the professional development committee) has started the Lunch with a Leader series that has featured several leaders in the area including Mayor Tom McNamara, Jim

Pirages, Julie Bosma, Amy Morris and Patti DeWane. We’ve had a great time learning how these individuals have made it to this point in their careers and have learned a ton about the mistakes they’ve made, have seen others make, and lessons they’ve learned along the way. To say the series has been enlightening to those of us looking to move up and make a difference in our respective organizations would be an understatement. I have learned that there are young professionals in Rockford who are ready to lead and working toward bettering themselves each and every day. Lunch with a Leader has provided a forum for like-minded individuals to meet and hear about how to progress our careers.

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.

The Rest of 2017 The slate for the remainder of 2017 promises to be a good one, and we welcome any recommendation for leaders for our 2018 slate! The INVOLVE team (the volunteer committee) has worked to keep our membership active and engaged in the community. We now have more events that have an element of volunteering than we have had in a long time. We have spent time at the food bank, Rockford Rescue Mission, and others. We are constantly looking for young professionals who are looking to make a positive impact in our community through consistent volunteer activities. We held an earth day panel to discuss the Rockford area, our environment and ultimately how to leave it in a better place than when we got here. IGNITE would love your feedback on how we can make an impact, as we know not everyone shares the same interests and has different passions. We would love to work together to make the biggest impact we can for this city we call home, so please let us know if there is anything we can get involved with and help with. Overall, we have seen IGNITE grow

over the past several years Andrew and would love Hendrickson to make a lasting IGNITE difference to both young professionals and the community.

Reaching to Your Organization One thing we consistently hear is that businesses have some difficulty in attracting and retaining their top young professional talent in the Rockford area. This so happens to be our mission, to help attract and retain young professionals to the Rockford region. If there is anything we can be doing for your organization, please reach out to anyone on the IGNITE leadership team, whether that be introducing someone new to the area to favorite restaurants, hot spots or helping them get involved in the community through professional development or volunteering. We certainly have the resources to make a positive impact. As always, if there is anything we can do for you or your organization, please feel free to reach out! Andrew Hendrickson is president of IGNITE and an assurance supervisor at RSM US LLP.

July 2017

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Two new schools to be built in Cherry Valley, Rockford

Largest building renovation plan in the district’s history We’re building the first new schools in 20 years in RPS 205, and I can’t tell you how good that feels. I’m excited not just for the students, who will get state-of-the-art in school design, construction and efficiency — improvements that will allow great things in teaching and learning. I’m excited for what these schools illustrate about the power and potential of community partnerships — the great things that can happen when we work together.

We are confident we can join with our partners to create a

District and the Village of Cherry Valley allow us to demolish the schools and turn over the land to public entities, which will provide for the welfare and enjoyment of citizens.

Neighborhood Anchor Another set of partnerships will allow us to create a community school close to downtown. Thanks to $600,000 from the City of Rockford, $600,000 from Winnebago County and $200,000 from the private sector, we will acquire 48 homes and 14 acres of land for a new school near the current Kishwaukee School. Like the school in Cherry Valley,

school that’s an anchor to an

the building to replace Kishwaukee and

emerging neighborhood close

flexible and innovative learning spaces,

to downtown. I’m also excited and extremely grateful to the taxpayers of the Rockford Public Schools. Four and a half years ago, voters had faith in the district and overwhelmingly approved a $139 million building referendum. Then they signaled their support again, by an even greater margin. They truly believed in a “Better Schools, Brighter Future.” They put their votes — and their money -- behind it. The first school we will build is in Cherry Valley near Harrison Avenue and Perryville Road. It will be an 86,000-sq.-ft. school with four strands -- four classrooms per grade. It will replace White Swan, Cherry Valley and Thompson schools and be part of an effort to reduce our footprint and create bigger schools with more support for children. We are reducing our neighborhood zones from 28 to 21, and creating four early childhood centers from 13 early childhood sites. In this case, less is more. Establishing early childhood centers — as opposed to sites within a K-5 school -- means our youngest students learn with children their age, surrounded by educators trained in early childhood development. At the elementary level, fewer schools mean the fine arts and socio-emotional specialists who provide support for students can be dedicated to one school. They won’t lose valuable time traveling from school to school. When the new school in Cherry Valley opens in the fall of 2018, we can celebrate another big step forward: working with community partners. Agreements with the Rockford Park

Nelson schools will provide secure, plus plentiful green space. We are confident we can join with our partners to create a school that’s an anchor to an emerging neighborhood close to downtown. Whether

it’s

along

Kishwaukee

Street or in the eastern reaches of our district, we will not leave blight behind on our way to a bright future. All these plans allow us to be more efficient and effective with taxpayers’ money. We can invest in our best existing elementary sites and still commit to building two new schools. We can better serve students and families by putting the same number of educators and staff members who support educators in fewer, better buildings. It’s all part of the largest, most comprehensive

building

renovation

and improvement plan in the district’s history. We are most grateful to have received support from voters not once but twice — by a 65 percent margin in November 2012 and by a 74 percent margin in November 2014. As Dawn Granath, president of the Rockford Education Association, said at the groundbreaking in Cherry Valley: These projects will help students get the education they need in the 21st century. We know we are not doing it alone. I remain proud and grateful to do my part to deliver on our promise to voters and collaboratively build a new future. 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

July 2017

 Destination

ILLINOIS, USA

ADDING WEALTH TO THE REGION’S ECONOMY BY GROWING TOURISM

Forest City Beautiful enhances the community Program to branch out from downtown RACVB has lived by a mantra for the past few years as we market and showcase our great community. It’s a mantra that puts the focus on building up, reinvigorating and enhancing the city through a coordinated destination development approach that improves the quality of life for everyone. The phrase is simple: “A place people want to visit is a place people want to live.” This approach began in 2013 when we launched our first RACVB-produced festival Stroll on State. The success of Stroll catapulted the next endeavor, our Forest City Beautiful initiative. Launched in 2014, Forest City Beautiful has focused on creating dynamic streetscapes throughout the downtown core. The plan was conceived to help improve the parking lots and public spaces in the downtown to become more attractive and inviting for visitors and residents as they stroll. As we recognized that there was increased traffic downtown thanks to events like Rockford City Market and the construction of the UW Health Sports Factory, we felt it important to focus on these efforts to create an overall inviting experience. Additional beautification came from the amazing public art display featuring world-renowned artists, Boaz Vaadia and Hans Van de Bovenkamp. The popular sculptures were on loan to the community for two years and became a part of the downtown landscape. Sadly, our time with the sculptures had to end, and they were shipped to New York City this past May; however, our staff continues to explore future public art opportunities. Forest City Beautiful is supported by the generous donations of individuals and organizations in the community. RACVB seeded the initial three-year pilot program with $80,000 from its board-designated Wendy Perks Fisher Fund for Innovation and from an initial commitment of $110,000 from the City of Rockford. In addition to seed funding, more than $216,000 has been raised to support the multi-year beautification effort, including four large grants from the Northern Illinois Community Foundation. Along with monetary donations, there was a commitment

John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

from the community as more than 2,500 Sharefest volunteers gave their time and talents to this project in the summers of 2014 and 2015, and a partnership with the River District Association has helped to secure grant dollars for the program. As we enter year four of the program, the RACVB is excited to announce: ■■ A new downtown site is being improved as Lot 5 (southeast corner of State and Church Streets) will have landscape enhancements. The professionally designed space will include trees, perennials, annual flowers along with cement pads and electric for future up lighting enhancements and food vendors. ■■ Five outdoor, colorful bistro tables and chairs will become new additions to the downtown at Eddie Green Place and at Lot 4 next to the new Jimmy Johns. ■■ Twenty-nine new waste receptacles will be added to downtown along State Street between 3rd and Church Streets. Older waste receptacles will be repurposed on side streets downtown for added utilization. ■■ A new Beautification Recognition program will be launched soon — stay tuned! ■■ A planned expansion of the Forest City Beautiful program is in the works as we begin to branch out into the community. Built on the success implemented downtown, we hope to have plans in place to aid the Midtown District, South Main Street and the I-90/ State Street interchange area. Everyone wins when a city blossoms! Our recent Paint the Town Green fundraiser at Klehm Arboretum and Gardens helped to raise funds for this program, but we continue to need additional support. If your business is interested in learning how you can support these efforts, please contact me at jgroh@gorockford.com. John Groh is president/CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The views expressed are those of Groh’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Built on the success implemented downtown, we hope to have plans in place to aid the Midtown District, South Main Street and the I-90/State Street interchange area.

July 2017

R O C K F O R D

C H A M B E R

O F

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

C O M M E R C E

Small Business Enterprise Survey suggests millennials a highly entrepreneurial group By Barbara Connors

The urge to start one’s own business is alive and well, according to a study by America’s SBDC, showing that almost half of millennials intend to start their own business in the next three years. America’s SBDC, the association that represents America’s nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers, teamed with the Center for Generational Kinetics to find how different generations approach and perceive entrepreneurship and to gain insight into questions such as how familiar millennials were with SBDCs. The study and its corresponding white paper broke the results of an online survey, taken March 24 to 28 of this year, of 1,011 U.S. adults, 21 to 65, into three generations: baby boomers, generation X and millennials. It found that the entrepreneurial spirit was alive in all three generations, but particularly strong among the millennials. Among the millennials, it found: ■ More than half (57 percent) weren’t aware of Small Business Development Centers. ■ 61 percent of millennials believed the best job security would come from owning your own business, whereas 64 percent of

baby boomers thought there was greater job security in working for someone else. ■ Almost half (46 percent) considered financial stability a must before starting a business. ■ Three-quarters would be encouraged to start a small business if they knew where to go for help. ■ Millennials were more concerned than the Boomers and Gen X about making money vs. having fun. ■ Millennials had a high level of exposure to small businesses. The survey found that 38 percent had been a part of a new start-up company when it first began, and 26 percent have lived entirely off the income from a business they started. ■ Millennials appeared to have more knowledge barriers than boomers and generation Xers. They didn’t appear to know where to go for help to start or run a business and didn’t know how to start or run a business -- 83 percent needed to know where to go for help.

To learn more visit www.AmericasSBDC.org/ SBDCGenStudy.

About the SBDC The Illinois SBDC at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce oﬀers services free of

charge to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Rockford area, both chamber members and non-members. As a partnership between the Rockford Chamber and the Illinois DCEO, it operates out of NIU EIGERlab, NIU-Rockford, 8500 E. State St., and maintains an oﬃce at the chamber’s downtown location. For questions, contact Bo Boger, SBDC director, at 815-316-4301.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

July 2017

Rockford University PERSPECTIVE

Technology is driving an evolving economy

Growth generators, growth disruptors It probably doesn’t need to be said that technology is changing everything around us. From phones that never quite seem to leave your hand to multimillion-dollar solar arrays, technology is leaving an indelible mark on our society. It affects the way we eat, sleep, and yes, even the way we work. Technological advancement is speeding up the evolution of our economy, which is shaping both present and future career outlooks. Entire industries have been created only to disappear, just as fast. Some among us can remember when a video rental store was a novel, groundbreaking thing. In the near future, our kids may not even remember such stores ever existed! Examples of these changes are visible throughout our economy. In fact, you don’t have to look much farther than the local mall. Despite online stores and advances in digital advertising, retailers are facing an ever-increasing race to the bottom against online counterparts. “Brick and mortar” stores face stiff competition on both ends, with massive retailers like Amazon on one side, and boutique shops offering hand-crafted or handpicked items for premium prices on the other. Services like Blue Apron, Trunk Club, Dollar Shave Club, and many more, promise unique, premium quality items delivered to your door each month for a single price! It would be easy to dismiss these changes as a wonderful, if not kitschy, sign of the times. However, as they say in physics, every reaction has an equal and opposite reaction. For every dollar spent online, there is a dollar less that goes to local stores. That lost dollar turns into lower profit for retailers, less money for wages, and ultimately, fewer local jobs. Given the retail industry employs more people than any other (8 million retail salespeople and cashiers, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014), that lost dollar seems all the greater.

Impact on Jobs Of course, the retail industry isn’t the only changing industry. New companies such as Uber and Lyft have revolutionized the transportation industry. Seemingly overnight, they have become heralds of a new age, and a new economy. Anyone can use his or her own car to earn extra money! Drivers can work on their terms, whenever they want! However, much like the video store, will these jobs still exist in 10 or 20 years? If technology keeps advancing, most may not. It is no secret Uber and Lyft are working to

Cris Crane Rockford University

perfect truly autonomous, self-driving automobiles. This is not a question of “if,” but “when.” At some point over the next 10 to 20 years, we will have fully selfdriving cars. It will be glorious, and that is probably not an understatement. Regardless, a side effect of this coming transformation is modern society will no longer need people to drive vehicles. This shift will have huge implications for our workforce. In America, we currently employ more than 1.7 million people as taxi drivers and 1.7 million more as truck drivers (give or take, courtesy of the BLS). Taken to its extreme, 3.4 million people could lose their jobs and careers. These are just two amongst many examples of industries where technology is changing the employment environment. Innovations like these stand to reshape the job market for the next generation. Graduates starting careers today must be prepared to change careers, two or even three times. We have a chance, now, to prepare ourselves for the world, and the work, that is to come. If we are strong enough to come to terms with these changes, the solutions are there. For starters, we need to place a continued emphasis on education. There needs to be investment, both public and private, in retraining people to work in new fields.

Creating Agile Workers We need to work together with the employers of tomorrow to nurture the skills these employers will need. Traditional four-year institutions need to consider expanding adult and continuing education programs; as Rockford University continues to do. Two-year institutions should look at how to retrain current workers; building off their existing skill sets. We should look at new models of public/ private partnership, where appropriate. Through continued innovation, we can build the economy of the future. As a society, we need to stop hitting the rewind button to watch our achievements. Yes, there will be “winners” and “losers,” as there always are. With continued focus, however, we can recreate, and then expand, on the economic gains of the previous century. Cris Crane is help desk specialist at Rockford University. The views expressed are those of Crane’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

July 2017

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Guest Perspective INSIGHT

What is IoT?

Turning data into insights

CIT Trucks of Rockford wins the 2017 Mack Truck Masters Champion Title A team from CIT Trucks, Rockford, was named the international champions of the 2017 Mack Masters Champions competition. After completing two series of intense written tests and facing off against other professionals in various hands-on challenges, Jim Garner, service manager, Tim Stahl, shop foreman, and technicians TJ Stahl and Chris Zahara, received the title. Mack technicians from around the world gathered at the Mack Truck Academy in Allentown, Penn., to participate. Mack Masters recognizes technicians who demonstrate the skills, collaboration and problem solving to service today’s sophisticated trucks and maximize uptime for customers. Timed service challenges range from installation of a complete engine harness to troubleshooting a truck with multiple service codes.

What’s that on your wrist? Did you remember to shut the garage door? Is the check engine light on again? Your fitness tracker, smart garage door and new car are all part of an inter-network of connected physical devices called the “Internet of Things” (IoT). Let’s look big picture here. What if we could take the data these devices collect, store it in the cloud, analyze it, benefit from the useful insights, and predict or even prevent things such as equipment failure or a heart attack. Well, that is already happening today.

Who Uses IoT? Microsoft has reported that 79 percent of today’s manufacturing leaders are using IoT in their operations, with 82 percent of them reporting increases in operational efficiency and improved product quality as a result. MarketResearch.com reports the health care IoT market segment is poised to hit $117 billion by 2020. Whether for a manufacturing shop floor or a hospital critical care unit, turning information into insights can lead to improvements in virtually any process or piece of equipment. But how do you quickly and efficiently gather that data and create useful insights without disruption?

What are the Benefits? The City of Chicago has officially launched the “Array of Things” (AoT), which includes plans to install more than 500 nodes on downtown buildings, streetlights and light poles. The information will be uploaded to an opensource database that will allow scientists, engineers and researchers to develop data analysis tools and applications. The city was awarded a $3.1 million grant to support the development of AoT. From wind speed and walking patterns, to air quality and light intensity, Chicago will use AoT to become a truly smart city

by proactively Jason J. Smith addressing Wipfli LLP challenges such as urban flooding and traffic safety.

What are the Technologies? Near-field communication (NFC) tags, Raspberry Pi, SQL, Access databases, HTML, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth all are ways we can integrate with machines or access their data. The data can then be used across a number of platforms that have the power to instantly crunch numbers while correlating machine data with financial and other data. Pricing models are typically based on a licensing structure, with upfront costs for design, development, integration, implementation and data source connections. Many companies are offering “managed service” models with a fixed monthly fee approach. Make sure you select a solution and a pricing structure that align best with your needs, budget and expected outcomes.

What’s Next? We need to embrace technology, prepare for tomorrow and educate ourselves on IoT. Our children will be living in a world where IoT will impact their lives daily, and we are just now scratching the surface. IoT will impact decision-making and bring forth opportunities and new challenges in our world. Let’s work to understand IoT, the data it illuminates, and how it can affect and improve our daily lives. Jason J. Smith is manager, solutions – business development at Wipfli LLP, focused on technology and business applications for manufacturing, health care and construction. The views expressed are those of Smith’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

IoT devices exist in many aspects of personal and work environments.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

July 2017

From left to right: Mike Cobert, director, NIU EIGERlab, Center for Product Development; and Bob Kasprzak, regional vice president, and David Maaske, district director, both of SCORE.

SCORE returns to the Rockford Region

Counselors sought to help business startups By Sherry Pritz, NIU EIGERlab

“We understand that entrepreneurs are putting everything on the line,

NIU EIGERlab and the Small Business Development Center at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce soon will welcome a new service provider to the innovation/entrepreneurship ecosystem. At an event at NIU-Rockford in early June, a group of business leaders helped kick off an effort to re-establish a SCORE chapter to assist small business startups and expansions in the Rockford Region. NIU EIGERlab, with support from the Fox Valley SCORE, SCORE Regional (northern Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan) and SCORE national is advancing the effort. The present goal is to identify individuals in the community with an interest in being a SCORE counselor and helping to recruit counselors. SCORE has an impressive total of 11,000 volunteers in 320 locations in all 50 states. Their volunteers include 65 percent retired business owners and executives, 30 percent individuals still in the workforce and five percent below age 30, who provide special assistance with technology issues.

Kasprzak said. “They are leveraging

Sharing Knowledge

businesses.

Rockford’s business incubator, NIU EIGERlab, is our regional one-stop resource. The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Rockford Chamber of Commerce, along with the future SCORE chapter, will provide counseling at no cost at our East State Street location. SCORE clients will participate in NIU EIGERlab’s programming, such as the monthly Innovation Tuesday Meetups, which provide speakers on topics of interest including marketing, sales, financing and more. Additionally at NIU EIGERlab’s Center for Product Development, we can assist an entrepreneur who has an idea on a napkin with design, development, prototyping and commercialization of their product. SCORE Regional Vice President Bob Kasprzak said the best SCORE counselors combine a robust resume with an empathetic approach – taking the time to understand clients’ values and aspirations as well as their business development needs.

their assets and future. This is important work, and counselors have the ability to make a difference in people’s lives, but they have to put themselves in the clients’ shoes to do so.” SCORE offers traditional one-onone counseling, virtual counseling for those in remote areas and online “virtual conferences” to assist with a variety of small business owners’ needs including marketing,

sales,

financing,

hiring,

choosing a business location and more. Being a SCORE volunteer is a way to give back to your community, connect with business owners and pass on your knowledge to the next generation of entrepreneurs in your community. In 2016, SCORE mentors helped clients start 54,072 businesses. There is a selection of customer successes profiled at www.score.org, along with volunteers’ videos, which convey their rationale for assisting small businesses to achieve new levels of success in their existing For more information about NIU EIGERlab services, visit www.eigerlab. org or call me at 815-753-2192. Sherry Pritz is marketing & events coordinator/ business development at NIU EIGERlab Innovation Network/NIU-Rockford. The views expressed are those of Pritz’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

JOIN THE CADRE OF COUNSELORS The Rockford SCORE office will be supported by and housed at NIU EIGERlab, 8500 E. State St. There is a need for 10 to 15 counselors, and all counselors will be trained. We do have a core group who has elected to assist, so we’re well on our way to achieving the goal. Anyone who is interested in being a SCORE counselor is encouraged to call 815-965-3522.

Getting Places / Moving Things (Transportation & Logistics)

July 2017

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Guest Perspective INSIGHT

On the road to disruption

Change comes to all industries eventually. Is logistics next?

In their heyday, few would have bet against the ongoing market dominance of category behemoths Kodak and Blockbuster. We now use those companies as examples of the myopia that sends businesses to an early grave. Kodak saw digital coming but waited too long to get in the game. Blockbuster didn’t see Netflix or Redbox before it was too late to alter its real estate-laden business model. The list goes on. In fact, of Fortune’s top 100 US-based industrial companies in 1983, only 21 still made the list 30 years later. The rest had been acquired, dropped out of the rankings because of shrinking revenues or closed their doors. When new technologies disrupt an industry on a massive scale, some are caught off guard and lose relevance in

consumers’ determined rush to newer and better. Others see change coming, adapt and continue as leaders. Some wonder where the $750 billion logistics industry fits on the road to disruption. Already transformed in many respects, major forces, including four discussed below, are driving additional change.

Globalization and 3D printing While we communicate in near real time around the world, physical goods still need a network of planes, trains, boats and trucks to get from point A to point B. In the process, these goods often have to be stored and navigate complex customs and regulatory restrictions that vary from country to country. But sending digital instructions over the Internet to print a physical product on demand closer to the point of consumption creates a world of new opportunities and portends massive logistical changes.

eCommerce and crowdsourced delivery Modern logistics networks are built around density. The number of packages that can be delivered to a specific location and the distance between deliveries drive the cost equation. But the rules are changing as on-demand consumers want their goods fast and without paying for shipping. Enter the crowd-sourcing model, which allows a package to be picked up and delivered the same day by someone who was already going in the buyer’s direction. Does the economic need for density get trumped by consumers’ need for speed and the capacity of the crowd?

Urbanization and autonomous vehicles As major cities become more crowded, making an increasing number of deliveries in these dense areas will continue to be a challenge. Potential solutions include autonomous vehicles to make deliveries to individual drop boxes at night. Or unmanned aerial vehicles that can drop bundles of deliveries on urban rooftops for delivery the next morning. When you consider that most online orders are placed after 5 p.m., this model begins to look more attractive.

Sustainability The innovations noted above have sustainability at their core. 3D printing is reducing the need to move and store goods. Crowd-sourcing models are using existing assets and spare capacity from the crowd to deliver packages. Autonomous vehicles delivering packages in crowded cities at night may cut down on carbon spent at stop lights, in traffic jams or trying to find a place to park. Whether they do it preemptively or out

Alan Amling

of a sense of UPS survival, logistics companies will remake their business models to deal with disruption. In the words of management scholar Henry Chesbrough, “A better business model often will beat a better idea or technology.” UPS has had numerous inflection points in its history as it responded to changing marketplace conditions, including the ubiquity of the telephone and then the automobile in the early days of our company. Each time we have emerged a more nimble, customer-focused business. For the logistics industry, committing to new business models is especially daunting, not only from an economic standpoint, but also when you consider that consolidating deliveries from many shippers to many receivers has provided better service at a lower cost for more than a century. Some would argue, if it’s not broke, why fix it? Consumers, on the other hand, have a different argument. The Information Superhighway that gave consumers access to limitless amounts of knowledge about products and services has now merged with the My Way Highway, which consumers expect to deliver what they want, when they want it and at a price they can afford. Since revolutions never march in reverse, it’s safe to say that consumer expectations are not going to subside. Change comes to every industry at some point. All signs point to logistics being next. Alan Amling is vice president of corporate strategy at UPS. Reprinted with permission of Longitudes, the UPS blog devoted to the trends shaping the global economy. The views expressed are those of Amling’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

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Getting Places / Moving Things (Transportation & Logistics)

July 2017

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Airport expansion spurs economic growth New terminal, new ramp, new jobs

Mike Dunn Chicago Rockford International Airport

Inc., announced it would be running a cargo operation out of a 72,000-sq.-ft., ramp-side warehouse located at the airport. The cargo operation currently supports two daily flights from one of the world’s top cargo airlines with room to expand in the future. When you think about “getting places and moving things” in Rockford, you are sure to think about the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD). There is always activity at the airport, whether it’s a passenger flight to Montego Bay, an American Airlines 737 diversion from O’Hare, an Airbus arriving for flighttesting or a daily UPS cargo flight. RFD serves eight non-stop destinations: Cancun, Ft. Myers/Punta Gorda, Jamaica, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Punta Cana and Tampa Bay. This year, Apple Vacations, with service provided by Norwegian Air, has returned with a flight to Montego Bay, Jamaica. The last time RFD had service to Jamaica was in 2013. The addition of the international flights helped RFD see another year of increased passenger traffic. RFD saw an increase of 9,132 passengers from 2015 to 2016, with the top destination being Punta Gorda, servicing 44,588 passengers. Airport leadership will continue to proactively identify and seek out leisure passenger destinations.

Updates on the Terminal The terminal expansion continues to move along. When passengers arrive this September, they will enter through a different spot than they are used to, as Phase I of the terminal expansion is expected to be completed by this time. This phase of the expansion will include a larger entrance with new ticket counters. It also will include the reconditioning of jet bridge #4. The next phase of the $20-million, fourphase expansion will begin immediately following the completion of Phase I and will include the demolition of the current airline counter space and updates to the backroom baggage operations. The current counter space will then transform into new TSA checkpoints. The new 30,000-sq.-ft. addition will allow for more passengers to fly out of RFD. On the cargo front, business is booming with 922,690,000 pounds of goods being moved in and out of the airport in 2016, a nearly 16 percent increase over 2015. Last September, LGSTX Services

Preparing for More Growth And just this April, UPS announced that it was moving 13 flights a week to RFD in July from its Des Moines operation, which will create nearly 200 jobs for the region. In addition, construction of a new ramp that will allow for additional expansion of the RFD cargo operations will begin in August. There is a lot of exciting movement in the air, but none of it is possible without the diligence of the RFD Operations and Maintenance team. The spring and summer is a busy time for this crew, as much of their work needs to be completed in the warmer months. The airfield at RFD is re-painted each year using more than 8,000 gallons of reflective paint that is mixed with 40,000 pounds of reflective glass beads. These materials are used on about 80,000 square feet of pavement, which is equivalent to a 115-mile, two-lane highway. In addition, crack sealant is ordered by the semiload and more than 300 acres of grass is maintained. The team has been using CityWorks, a comprehensive public asset and work management solutions software designed for infrastructure, as well as land-based, location-focused activities. The software has a GPS component that allows the crew to keep a very close eye on the 17 million square feet of pavement that needs to be maintained. The organization and dedication of the Operations and Maintenance team was instrumental in the airport once again receiving a perfect score this spring by the FAA. Things are really moving forward at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. We hope you will continue to utilize this important asset in our community, whether you’re boarding a plane or working a job that makes sure everything and everyone gets to where they’re going. Michael P. Dunn is executive director of the Chicago Rockford International Airport. The views expressed are those of Dunn’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Getting Places / Moving Things (Transportation & Logistics)

July 2017

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Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Renovations to give new life to downtown bus transfer center Improving an anchor for downtown Rockford Public transportation is important infrastructure for many big cities, and the Rockford Mass Transit District facility in downtown Rockford is a critical access point for people who need to get from Point A to Point B. The RMTD site is bordered by West State, Winnebago, Mulberry and Court streets, near important buildings such as the Winnebago County Courthouse and the Winnebago County Justice Center. It is a busy area in a tight space with high traffic from buses, automobiles and pedestrians. Being that this transfer center is such a major focal point of downtown Rockford, it became clear in recent years that the more-than-30-year-old facility was in serious need of a facelift. RMTD chose Larson & Darby Group as the architect of record last fall to work on this project, and we are proud to be associated with one of the many initiatives that aim to improve the look and feel of downtown.

Brighter Facility There are many challenges that RMTD is looking to address with these renovations. The center’s main lobby

is dark, and heating and cooling of the building has grown more inefficient through the years. There are also too few bathrooms for the people transferring and waiting for buses at the site. This will be a multi-million-dollar renovation that will involve funding partnerships across federal, state and local levels. The space is only about 5,000 square feet, and our goal will be to make the changes without completely disrupting traffic all around the space. It is a thought-provoking project indeed, one that we are excited to take on. Larson & Darby and RMTD have had a good working relationship for many years. Our first job for them involved renovating the administrative facility at the same 520 Mulberry St. campus. We also worked on the paratransit facility just a few blocks away, then designed the east-side transfer center on Lyford Road. The goal for the downtown transfer center is to create a newer, brighter, cleaner and more functional space. The plan includes staining the outside masonry to give it a warmer feel,

cleaning up the metal panels around the top of the building, and adding planters around the site to make the overall look more welcoming. We are also working to improve functionality for the dispatcher station, giving the person more visibility by elevating the position higher above ground.

John Saunders Larson & Darby

Improving Traffic Flow Though not part of the project’s Phase 1, another goal will be to improve the flow of bus traffic. We are studying how the buses could maneuver differently around the site, and the longrange plan would mean the buses no longer need to back into their parking spaces. Future improvements also include new passenger information display systems (PIDS) that are easier to read and understand. Plans currently are being reviewed by the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the timeline of this project is dependent on the funding. RMTD has been proactive in the planning for this project to address as many issues as possible with the funding available so the changes will be useful

Joe Winklemann Larson & Darby

and effective for many years. The overall goal is to have construction completed by summer 2018. Working on the administrative offices nearly two decades ago taught us many important lessons about bus operations. Larson & Darby also has other transportation project experience, having done work for the Chicago Rockford International Airport and UPS. Because this downtown transfer center is such a high-volume area, we are pleased to improve the space for people who work there and for passengers who use it as a source of transportation. We hope the renovations will lift the neighborhood, and that residents will have a renewed sense of pride in the site because of this important investment by RMTD. John Saunders and Joe Winklemann are principals with Larson & Darby. The views expressed are those of Saunders and Winklemann’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

The renovated RMTD downtown bus transfer center will have new canopies near passenger drop-off areas, more comfortable seating and new interior lighting and surveillance cameras to improve building security.

UPS

(continued from front page) a daytime package sorting operation from Des Moines to Rockford. In April, UPS employees in Des Moines were offered new positions in the company’s air express network and customers in the Des Moines area were assured that the city will continue its nightly flight offering next day package delivery across the United States. “UPS is shifting the sorting operation to Rockford,” said Christine Hand, UPS Network Communications. “The company is in a highly competitive business and must operate as efficiently as possible to continue to be successful.”

In June 2006, UPS built its 70,000-sq.-ft. sorting facility, which can accommodate heavy freight, just west of the Rockford airport. As the second-largest North American hub since 1994, it moved almost one billion pounds of cargo in 2016. Union Pacific Railroad Corporation’s largest intermodal hub, Global Intermodal III, is 30 miles south of the airport and provides air to rail connection. Stretching across nearly 700 acres, the intermodal hub features warehouse and distribution facilities that bypass Chicago-area congestion, and has 15 tracks -- two for receiving and departing trains and 13 to sort cars by destination. Visit UPSjobs.com. theVoice

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

July 2017

When you heard the words “greatest leader in America,” who comes to mind? Is it Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos? Or perhaps a President or religious leader flashes in your head? I’m guessing you don’t think back to your favorite manager or a company leader you found inspiring. But why not? Why is the word “great” always associated with loud/famous/well-known? In the forthcoming article, Patrick Lencioni lays out the case for the greatest leader in America to probably be someone we don’t all know. Perhaps that great leader even lives in our community! Before you scoff at the idea, consider this: as we strive to be a Top 25 City by 2025, we have to start living and breathing greatness. We have to be

able to look ourselves in the mirror, take a deep breath and say why we’re awesome. No more modest Midwest nice. No more brushing off the idea that greatness could be in our “tiny” city. The greatest leader in America very well could be serving on our community boards, hiring our local talent and contributing to our local economy. And that is something to be proud of. A quick note before we jump into Lencioni’s thoughts. This article came from The Hub – a Table Group website dedicated solely to organizational health. If you enjoy it, consider checking it out! It’s chock-full of great information. Find it at https://www.tablegroup.com/hub. — Caitlin Pusateri, Rockford Chamber of Commerce

The greatest leader in America By Patrick Lencioni, The Table Group I have been asked on a number of occasions, by journalists and curious clients, whom I believe to be the greatest leader in America. And I usually respond with my own question, “Are you asking for the name of a famous leader?” This usually leads to a fair amount of confusion, until I explain that the best leader in the country is probably relatively obscure. You see, I believe that the best leader out there is probably running a small- or medium-sized company in a small- or medium-sized town. Or maybe they’re running an elementary school or a church. Moreover, that leader’s obscurity is not a function of mediocrity, but rather a disdain for unnecessary attention and adulation. He or she would certainly prefer to have a stable home life, motivated employees and happy customers — in that order — over public recognition. A skeptic might well respond, “But if this person really were the greatest leader, wouldn’t his or her company eventually grow in size and stature, and

“The truth is, our greatest leaders usually don’t aspire to positions of great fame or public awareness. They choose instead to lead in places where they can make a tangible, meaningful difference in the lives of the people they are called to serve.” become known for being great?” And the answer to that fine question would be, “Not necessarily.” A great company should achieve its potential and grow to the size and scale that suits its founders’ and owners’ and employees’ desires, not to mention the potential of its market. It may very well wildly exceed customer expectations and earn a healthy profit by doing so, but not necessarily grow for the sake of growing.

Is ‘Bigger’ Truly ‘Better?’ Unfortunately, we live in a world where bigger is often equated with better and where fame and infamy are all too often considered to be one and the same. And so we mistakenly come to believe that if we haven’t seen a person’s picture on the cover of Fortune or in a dotmatrixed image in The Wall Street Journal,

then they can’t possibly be the best. Consider for a moment those high profile leaders we read about in the newspaper and see on television. Most, but not all, of them share an overwhelming desire and need for attention. You’ll find them in all kinds of industries, but most prevalently in politics, media and big business. Look hard enough at them, and there is a decent chance you’ll discover people who have long aspired to be known as great leaders. These are the same people who also value public recognition over real impact. And based on my experience, you might also find that they’ll be more highly regarded by strangers and mere acquaintances than by the people who work and live with them most closely. The truth is, our greatest leaders

Leadership Development news is sponsored by Comcast Business.

Patrick Lencioni usually don’t aspire to positions of great fame or public awareness. They choose instead to lead in places where they can make a tangible, meaningful difference in the lives of the people they are called to serve. The challenges and consequences of their decisions are no less difficult or important than those of higher profile leaders, even if they don’t quite qualify for a cover story in TIME. Patrick Lencioni is the founder of The Table Group and the author of 11 books, which have sold over 5 million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages.

July 2017

The Rockford Region is more competitive The Rockford Region officially launches its Qualified Sites Program (QSP) and website. The program will be another marketing tool to help identify and promote our region’s building sites. The QSP program will be an integral component used to attract new business to the region and, as a result, create “sticky” jobs. By informing site selectors and brokers that key properties, industrial and commercial parks are development-ready, the region will more effectively move closer to the top of the list for major business attraction projects. This program will launch in partnership with the Regional Planning Council that will independently determine whether sites meet the criteria for inclusion. The Qualified Site Program combines national site selection standards and the region’s strengths and assets including: site availability, logistics, infrastructure and utilities. A QSP provides site selectors and brokers with reliable information on sites with characteristics that the industry

deems ready for development, allowing the nation to know what the Rockford Region can provide for investors. Having a qualified sites program will allow the region to compete at a higher level, as other states in the Midwest such as Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana have state-wide QSPs.

STICKY JOBS Talent Supply Chain — The Rockford Region has established nimble, industry-specific, and customized education-toworkforce pipelines ensuring the region has the skilled workforce essential to fulfilling the requirements of sticky jobs. —Nathan Bryant, president & CEO, RAEDC

The initial phase one of the QSP has

sites

located

throughout

the

Rockford Region’s communities and municipalities. By participating in the QSP process, developers — working closely with their local officials, utility

partners and EDOs – will be better prepared to market their property with site specific information and community data. With the current program, the area’s developers will have the assistance of the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning (RMAP) technical staff and its partner agencies in determining next steps and options for meeting all criteria. Sites that are seeking to become qualified should contact their regional economic development organization to discuss the process and qualifying criteria. “This program and website is foundational to the efforts to promote this region as a place to locate and grow businesses,” said Nathan Bryant, president and chief executive officer of RAEDC. “It will also focus efforts to ensure that our region’s sites are ready to meet the needs of site selectors, developers and employers from across the nation.” “I am proud of the collaboration between the RAEDC and RMAP that developed our QSP program. This program helps Winnebago County’s development sites stand out in a competitive environment,” said Winnebago County Chairman Frank Haney. “We now can quickly and clearly provide our best development opportunities to a national audience to attract outside investment.” As a part of the QSP program, RMAP will administer a qualifying process to ensure that sites meet industry standards for readiness and suitability. The QSP program is currently for undeveloped land in Winnebago County. Phase two development of the QSP will commence this summer adding other partners and counties from the region. “The QSP website is a result of RMAP’s evolution into a Regional Planning Council for northern Illinois. This complements our goal of working on projects that support a unified strategy for our region,” said Michael Dunn Jr., executive director of the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning. “We saw the challenge of creating this tool for the RAEDC as an opportunity to show interagency, and also a way to bring other counties into this regional partnership.” A key part of the program is the website, which provides details and locations of qualifying sites. The website was developed in partnership with Winnebago County, the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning and the Rockford Area Economic Development Council. Visit the website at www.RockfordIL. com/qsp or www.northernillinoisqsp.com.

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Welcome Anna Garrison, business development coordinator

Anna Garrison As business development coordinator, Anna supports the vice president of business development with project management and client assistance activities related to domestic and international business development efforts. A major focus of Anna’s role within the organization is the management of the CORE Conversation Program. Anna is responsible for assisting with the successful management of business recruitment and select expansion projects in the Rockford Region. Additionally, she assists in the continuous development and maintenance of relationships with corporate real estate executives, site selection consultants, national real estate brokers, prospective clients and local companies; with coordination of designated cluster activities with regional economic development partners; with planning and coordination of trade shows, marketing trips and special events to promote increased jobs and investment in the Rockford Region; with supporting the management of Foreign Trade Zone #176 (FTZ #176); and coordinates with key events focused on strengthening our region’s economic base for its existing employers. Anna earned her bachelor of arts cum laude from Carroll University. She grew up in Rockford and returned to the region following living in Chicago for several years. Anna joined the organization in 2017 with prior experience in marketing, communication and administration. Contact Anna at AGarrison@ RockfordIL.com or 815-9694261.

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July 2017

By Ashley Beaudoin, IMEC How do you create a competitive edge through your most vital asset – your employees? In today’s fierce marketplace, workforce is the most challenging business asset to attract and foster for growth. It requires a strong recruiting process to attract the right employees and a formal onboarding process to retain the good ones, but the culture of the organization and structure for staff development will define the success of your company’s workforce. Many organizations succeed by creating a workforce improvement strategy that focuses on the needs of their people, in tandem with the objectives of the company and the systems required to execute the strategy. How do you correlate the success of your workforce with the success of the organization? The four pillars of a high performing workforce will help you inspire success:

1. Create a culture that intentionally drives an engaged workforce. ■■ Reduce costs related to hiring and staff retention. In a highly competitive talent market, leaders must focus on generating an engaged workforce that will increase innovation and improve bottom-line performance. ■■ Understand the benefit of utilizing employee feedback and a review of the current workplace culture to foster new improvements. The voice of employees is critical for leadership to reveal problem areas and know what is working well. ■■ Identify the level of engagement within your team. The more engaged, the more likely they are to be more motivated, committed and focused than those who are disengaged. ■■ Implement a team-centric model. Leading companies have a culture that strays away from a traditional model and instead emphasizes a more sustainable model that incites collaboration and transparency among team members.

Leading companies have a culture that strays away from a traditional model and instead emphasizes a more sustainable model that incites collaboration and transparency among team members.

The four pillars of a high performing workforce Does your company culture help or hinder? 2. Be consistent and persistent with recruiting and onboarding. Recognize the skill and talent shortage. Recruitment is a top concern for many organizations because they are not prepared for newer generations entering the workforce and are unaware of helpful, available resources. Acclimate new team members appropriately. Fifty four percent of employees who go through an onboarding process feel they are more engaged within the company. In order to effectively onboard, create a system for new employees to become acquainted with the workplace, position and overall culture of the company. An organized process should begin as soon as the new hire accepts the job offer. Set standards for your onboarding expectations. On average, new hires have 90 days to prove themselves. In order to obtain the knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviors that are expected and required to perform specific roles, make new hires feel welcome and prepared.

3. Cultivate emerging leaders through training and career pathing Inspire a new generation of advanced leaders. Seventy percent of organizations fall short in developing executive teams focused on objectives outside of reduced cost. When creativity is absent at the top

level, employees are less likely to be invested in innovation and focus solely on productivity goals. Place emphasis on innovative action. Eighty eight percent of the workforce believes building an organization of the future is critical, but it takes more than talk; it requires action. Leadership personnel need to adapt to transformational elements and organizational technologies and set an example for commitment and success at the top. Create efficiency in your HR function. From 2016 to 2017, organizations have been stagnant in providing developmental programs for employees. A major contributor is the lack of productivity within human resources. Without an effective HR foundation, organizations cannot emphasize growth and transformation amongst the workforce. Address technologies well suited for your success. New digital organizational models continue to surface in the marketplace and organizations will require leadership to instill enthusiasm for innovation and identify factors of success for the new trend(s).

4. Establish recognition and reward-based performance management. Streamline your process for employee advancement. Ninety one percent of

companies who have properly implemented an effective performance management system have realized process efficiency for promoting individual employees. The systems facilitate enhanced performance reviews and create a structure for employee recognition. Keep performance management systems updated to foster effective processes. When performance management systems are reviewed and enhanced continually, 90 percent of organizations see a direct improvement with the level of employee engagement. As shifts in work expectations occur, so should the methods for how employees are recognized and rated on their performance. Provide employees with continuous feedback. Empowering individual employees to achieve their goals is crucial, but by providing on-going guidance on job performance you will create a system for surpassing the expectation. Incorporate mini goals or milestones to encourage employees through continuous achievement and reward. Ask the workforce for continuous feedback. Employee-driven improvements are proven to be significantly more effective for increasing team development and collaboration, as well as enhancing the performance of the individual. When you instill confidence in your people and systems to foster success, you create an organizational culture that works across departments to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Through this focus on productivity, you ultimately also enhance the growth and innovation objectives for the organization and set your company apart as a true leader in the industry and as an employer of choice. Ashley Beaudoin is technical specialist at IMEC. The views expressed are those of Beaudoin’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. Manufacturing News is sponsored by IMEC

July 2017

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the News IN Members THEin NEWS

1. Heather Kelley

2. Brenten WItherby

3. Michele Petrie

4. Kyle Kubatzke

5. Ellen Miller

6. Tina Flynn

7. Dr. Jason Klovning

8. Dr. Paul Batty

9. Jay Sandine

10. Jake Massetti

11. Sara Porter

12. Dr. Tabassum Nafsi

13. Sobhi Baghdadi

14. Brody Beyer

15. Keriann Kuehne

16. Theresa Walsh

17. Steve Schou

18. Stacy Wallace

19. Heather A. Bilodeau

20. Sheila R. Wunder

21. Kathy Velasco

22. Mark Whitney

23. Daymen Kaiser

24. Zach Oakley

of the Year, Jamie Nelson as Paratransit Operator of the Year and David McLain as Mechanic of the Year.

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

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Stacy Wallace (18), account executive, V2 Marketing Communications, completed training to become certified in Inbound Methodology and Inbound Sales Methodology through HubSpot.

Rockford Rescue Mission appointed Ronald Billy Jr., architect, Tyson & Billy Architects PC, and Char Remer, retired school administrator, to its board. Ian K. Linnabary, attorney, Reno & Zahm LLP, was appointed by Governor Bruce Rauner to a fouryear term on the Illinois State Board of Elections beginning July 1. Heather Kelley (1), principal, V2 Marketing Communications, was elected Lt. Governor of American Advertising Federation District 6 at the national conference in New Orleans.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS The Wintrust Bank commercial banking team in Rockford hired Brenten Witherby (2) as senior vice president and Michele Petrie (3) as president. Entré Computer Solutions hired Kyle Kubatzke (4) as an inside sales representative. Fehr Graham added Ellen Miller (5) to its Rochelle office. Rockford Mutual Insurance Company hired Tina Flynn (6) as a marketing coordinator. UW Health Surgery at SwedishAmerican welcomed general surgeons, Jason Klovning, M.D. (7), and Paul Batty, M.D. (8), FACS. The Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners named Jay

State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) welcomes Ian Linnabary and his family to the state capitol on May 23. Linnabary was confirmed as a member of the state board of elections. Sandine (9) as its new executive director after the current director Tim Dimke’s retirement. The Chicago Blackhawks hired Jeremy Colliton as head coach of the organization’s top minor league affiliate, the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs. Rockford Mutual Insurance Company hired Jake Massetti (10) as building maintenance/supply coordinator. Kyle Monroe joined The Alliance® as vice president of network development and provider relations. Alpine Bank promoted Sara Porter (11) to assistant vice president, digital solutions manager. Blackhawk Bank appointed Terri Moldenhauer as mortgage loan originator/banking center manager for its new full-service bank in Janesville; slated to open later this year. The SwedishAmerican Heart Institute will feature an expanded team of cardiologists. Joining Dr.

Andrew Kotis and Dr. Mukesh Singh and nurse practitioners Kim Christenson, Lisa Larson, Laura Padron and Elissa Russell are: Dr. Ian Goldberg, Dr. Rehmat Sheikh, Dr. Mazen Hadid and nurse practitioner Kelly Rasmussen. SwedishAmerican welcomed Tabassum Nafsi, M.D. (12), as pulmonary specialist. Savant Capital Management added Sobhi Baghdadi (13), financial planner; Brody Beyer (14), portfolio accountant; Keriann Kuehne (15), client services representative, and Theresa Walsh (16), business analyst/project manager, to its Rockford office. Steven L Schou, CFP® (17), joined Rockford Bank & Trust as vice president and business development and trust officer, wealth management.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS Rockford Mass Transit District named James Gladney as Operator

Rock Valley College business students Heather A. Bilodeau, (19) business administration, and Sheila R. Wunder, (20) accounting, received merit awards. The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor awarded Kathy Velasco (21), president, V2 Marketing Communications, with the 2017 Wilde About Humor Award and Mary Kay Morrison, with a plaque and gavel for two years as association president. Mark Whitney (22), physician assistant, Northern Illinois Vein Clinic, celebrated his one-year anniversary in May. The Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners awarded Carson Racich, senior, Harlem High School, with the 2017 Jane Lyons Memorial Scholarship. theFranaGroup and the Crusader Community Health Foundation awarded four $1,000 scholarships to Brandy Fields, Jackson State University; Michelle Harris, University of Cincinnati online; Paige Dobson, Rock Valley College, and Aviuna Howard, Southern Illinois University. Meridian named Daymen Kaiser

(continued on page 19)

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

July 2017

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

25. Fred Schneiderman

26. Reggie Wainwright

27. Cole Runkel

28. Cassie Alderks

29. Luann Varilek

30. Dr. John Meyers

31. Chris Owens

34. Chris Kelley

35. Brandon Latino

36. John O’Connor

32. Dr. Thomas Schiller

Continued from page 18 (23) as its May employee of the month. Six employees of Larson & Darby Group increased their ownership share in the firm: Sherry Gaumond, Tim Gaumond, Ged Trias, Joe Winkelmann, Burt Andrews and Chris Anderson and two became new shareholders: Raed Salem and Andrew Macklin.

33. Jack, Sharon Ward

OF GENERAL INTEREST Thomas Schiller, M.D. (32), MBA, FAAFP, medical director, SwedishAmerican BetterLife Wellness, presented at the NFP Benefit Planning Services Seminar at NIU Rockford in May.

Zach Oakley (24), operations manager, Chicago Rockford International Airport, received an accreditation in May from the American Association of Airport Executives. Fred Schneiderman (25), director of personal lines and underwriting services, celebrated 35 years with Rockford Mutual Insurance Company.

Jack D. Ward, partner, Reno & Zahm, LLP, will take a three-year sabbatical from the practice of law to oversee mission work in northern California for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with wife Sharmon. (33)

Jennifer Reisinger, Edward Jones, was recognized by Continental Who’s Who among America’s financial professionals in May. Rockford Park District employees Reggie Wainwright (26), maintenance specialist, and Cole Runkel (27), hockey coordinator/coach, were awarded platinum Medals of Valor for retrieving two girls who had fallen in the Rock River near Riverview Ice House in May. Cassie Alderks (28), PT, DPT, Rockford Spine Center, completed a specialized training course in Rosemont, Ill., through the Gray Institute. SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health, presented the Dr. Henry C. Anderson Quality individual

Eight employees of Larson & Darby Group increased their ownership share or became new shareholders. Back row, from left: Sherry Gaumond, Joe Winkelmann, Ged Trias, Tim Gaumond, Burt Andrews, Andrew Macklin, Chris Anderson and Raed Salem. Front row, from left: John Saunders, Bill Waldorf, Dan Roszkowski and Richard McClelland. award to Luann Varilek (29), BSN, RN. The Baby-Friendly Task Force received the team award. Dr. John Myers (30) received the inaugural Dr. Bill Gorski Mission Award. Chris Owens (31) completed all requirements to certify Entré Computer Solutions with CompTIA Network+.

The Alliance gave Health Transformation Awards to Wis. State Rep. John Nygren; Catherine DesRoches, OpenNotes; Miniature Precision Components; Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality, and Gundersen Health System.

Chris Kelley (34), V2 Marketing Communications, presented “To Boost or Not to Boost: Tips to Get the Most out of Facebook Marketing,” to SocialRock, Winnebago Buy Local! Todd Martinovich and Brandon Latino (35), Spectrum Insurance Agency, attended “Mysteries & Secrets Found in Commercial Lines” by Pekin Insurance in May. John O’Connor, (36) associate wealth manager, CYRS Wealth Advisors, attended the 2017 FI360 Fiduciary Conference in Nashville, Tenn., in May.

July 2017

Business Briefs BUSINESS BRIEFS

Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members. The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois awarded 154 scholarships worth up to $237,250 to local students, mostly graduating high school seniors in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties. Since 2000, it’s awarded $2,564,422 to local students. CFNIL currently is accepting applications for the Diane Thompson-Wells Memorial Scholarship for members of the Phantom Regiment. Visit www.cfnil. org. The Center for Sight & Hearing announced a new partnership with Kaye Eyecare of Huntley to extend low vision services to Kane and McHenry counties. The Fitness Lab at the Physical Education Center on Rock Valley College’s main campus is open to the public. Register online at RockValleyCollege.edu/CEOnline using these course codes: FIT 800 RV2 (July 2017) and FIT 800 RV3 (August 2017). Chicago Rockford International Airport passed its annual Federal Aviation Administration inspection with zero discrepancies or deficiencies and is in compliance with all of the requirements of 14 CFR Part 139, the Airport Certification Manual and the Airport Operating Certificate. This indicates that the day-to-day operations of the airport are effective and safe. KMK Media Group completed custom “message on hold” marketing for the internal phone systems at Rockford Map Publishers, Lenox Healthcare for Women and Infrastructure Defense Technologies. It was hired by Hospice Care of America as its advertising agency, and for the third year by the Rock River Valley Pantry to design marketing materials for its largest annual fundraising event, “Round Up for Hunger,” on Sept. 22 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center. The Rockford Park District held a dedication ceremony to celebrate renovations to Highland Park, 3011 Rural St., which were based in part on neighborhood feedback from 600 surveys. Through Labor Day, card-carrying, active-duty military personnel and up to five family members can get free admission to Discovery Center Museum as a part of the Blue Star Museums program. Visit arts.gov/ bluestarmuseums for a list of participating museums. Field Fastener received a premier supplier award from Trinity Industries, one of the industry’s largest rail car manufacturers, for exceptional service during 2016. Goodwill Industries of Northern

Illinois’ GoodGRADS Program held a ceremony in May for its first graduating class of seven students. The program began offering GEDlevel classes in January 2017 for students, 18 to 58 years old.

which has permeated cultures worldwide.

Magic Waters Waterpark opened with its new looping water slide on a 45-degree angle. Riders go from 0 to 37 mph in seconds. Other improvements include a remodeled Little Lagoon and new Tiki Taco Trailer with street tacos and snack options such as salsa and guacamole.

Associated Bank presented $10,000 in support of hunger-related Rock River Valley Pantry programs. It will be used to purchase gallons of 1% milk and canned vegetables for families.

Rockford Park District launched Operation Recreation with special discounts, events and programs for veterans, active members of the armed forces and families. Show your valid military ID at any Rockford Park District facility for a discount or visit a customer service location for an Operation Recreation discount card. Visit www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/ oprec for a listing of events. Rockford Area Arts Council received a $15,000 grant for ArtsPlace from the Community Arts & Humanities Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. The apprenticeship program for teens, 14 to 18, works under the direction of professional artists. Prairie State Legal Services, with free services to individuals with serious civil legal problems threatening basic needs, safety and rights, celebrated its 40th birthday on May 31. OSF HealthCare announced a $1 million contribution to the YMCA in Streator, Ill., to increase its health and wellness programs serving 9,000. Officials say the funds also will be used to finance a building expansion. SwedishAmerican Medical Center/ Belvidere received the University of Wisconsin Organ and Tissue Donation Excellence in Tissue Donation Award. In 2016, nine tissue donors saved and improved the lives of nearly 700 people. Through Aug. 28, 2017, blood donors will receive a coupon for a free medium fry and free medium beverage from participating McDonald’s when they donate at a Rock River Valley Blood Center donor center or blood drive on a Monday. Carz R’ Us hosted its annual art show in its lobby in June, showcasing student artwork from Harlem School District elementary schools. Discovery Center Museum opened its new, traveling multimedia exhibit, Hello from Japan! running through Sept. 3. Families can explore an immersive, child-sized Tokyo streetscape and Shinto park. Kawaii Central evokes the friendly feel of Japanese kawaii, an aesthetic and sensibility that emerged in the 1970s among Japanese school children and

Per Mar Security Services acquired Southlake Security in Griffith, Ind., expanding its security services and customer base in northwest Indiana.

Watercolor artist Malika Moine spent more than two weeks in Rockford painting familiar scenes and depicting area residents enjoying life in a calendar for 2018. Proceeds will benefit Forest City Beautiful, a Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Foundation project to plan, install and maintain public beautification spaces in downtown Rockford. The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois and NW HomeStart announced 13 non-profit and neighborhood-based organizations; recipients of the Neighborhood Grants Program in 2017. Winnebago County and Comprehensive Community Solutions, Inc., began a partnership to deconstruct or demolish blighted properties and train workers in deconstruction and reuse/recycling in 2015. Since June 2017, five full-time, trained deconstruction workers have completed 30 of the 31 blighted properties (22 deconstructed; eight demolished). Williams-Manny Insurance Group joined Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., an international brokerage and risk management services firm headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Ill. The current management team and associates will continue to operate out of the Rockford, Wheaton and Freeport, Ill., offices. Per Mar Security Services was named the 2016 Salient Regional Dealer of the Year for the Midwest Region. It also was named a Diamond Level Dealer with Salient for being one of the few selling more than $500,000 in equipment. Hayes Marketing Services, Inc., was selected by Miller Eye Center as its advertising agency of record to plan and implement brand-building programs. Chicago Rockford International Airport is participating in Allegiant Honors. U.S. active-duty military, retired military veterans, members of the National Guard, military reserve and their dependents are eligible for free services when flying Allegiant, including up to three pieces of checked baggage, one carry-on bag, one pet in cabin, courtesy boarding pass printing at the airport and free seat assignments, pending

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

availability. Active-duty military may board flights with priority boarding at no charge, and will not be charged a change or cancelation fee for a change in orders. Visit Allegiant.com/ military-discount. Rockford Park District celebrated renovations to Sinnissippi Park and dedicated a new playground in June. Project highlights include a new shelter, restrooms, shade structure, paths, lighting, landscaping and new Music Shell sound system. The Rockford Park District, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mercyhealth and Winnebago County Regional Tourism Facility Board celebrated the completion of the Indoor Sports Center expansion at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two. The event in June featured soccer superstars and Olympic gold medalists Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Tisha Venturini Hoch. Rockford Public Library held a rededication ceremony in June for the St. Angel Room at the Montague branch. The children’s reading room focuses on interactive play and reading skills and is supported by the Mr. and Mrs. Frank G. St. Angel Memorial Endowment Fund of the library’s foundation. For the second year, Goodwill ranked #1 on the annual World Value Index, according to people’s perceptions. It lead Amazon, Google, Kellogg’s, Microsoft and other Fortune 100 and 500 brands in public perception of its brand purpose or mission. The SwedishAmerican Foundation awarded 12 Caring for Our Community grants amounting to nearly $150,000 to local not-for-profit organizations that complemented its mission and vision to make the Rockford region a healthier and more secure place to live, work and raise families. The Mill Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to Rockford Rescue Mission in June for curriculum and equipment for its Child Care Center at Pitney Place. Staff Management, Inc., is among the first group of professional employer organizations in the country to be designated a Certified Professional Employer Organization by the Internal Revenue Service. As a CPEO, it must provide a bond to guarantee the payment of federal employment taxes, prepare annual audited financial statements and provide the IRS with quarterly attestations by a Certified Public Accountant that it has remitted all federal employment taxes. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden received a Level II Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum. Klehm now is recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of

(continued on page 21)

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

July 2017

Business Briefs BUSINESS BRIEFS

Continued from page 20 the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants. Associated Bank announced plans for a new, full-service branch bank at 2714 11th St., with updated architecture, full-service teller lobby and drive-thru banking with 24-hour, deposit-enabled ATM. Expected to open in November, it will replace the in-store branch at Schnucks, 3134 11th St. All employees will move to the new branch. KMK Media Group completed four video productions featuring Rockford Public Schools’ top senior class male and female athletes, and visual arts and performing arts students. The videos were shown during the end-of-year 2017 Academic All-Star Salute celebration at the Coronado Performing Arts Center. Visit kmkmedia.com/portfolio/tv-video. Tickets are available for Monster Jam®, Nov. 3 and 4 at the BMO Harris Bank Center, at the box office, 815-968-5222 or www. ticketmaster.com. Northern Illinois Vein Clinic relocated to the Perryville Place building at 2990 N. Perryville Road, Ste. 3400, Rockford.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced that the 2017 USA BMX Midwest Nationals hosted by Rockford BMX on June 16 to 18 drew more than 4,000 racers and fans; generating an estimated $252,000 for the region. Rockford Public Library launched the Read & Reward program. Rockford residents, ages 5 to 18, with a barred/blocked status can get a Read & Reward card to work off $5 or more in fines or fees. For details, visit the library’s page on Facebook. On July 1, WNIU 90.5 FM launched new programs based on a recent listener survey. Visit wniu.org for the new lineup. Rock Valley College received a $25,000 donation in June from the Fastener Education Foundation in support of its Cold Forming Training Center, which graduated its first class of cold header operators on May 25. Top automotive supplier Yazaki recognized Specialty Screw Corporation with an Environmental, Health & Safety Supplier Award in June. It was chosen from among Yazaki’s top 97 suppliers in North and Central America.

Everyone has

INFLUENCE

and the ability to create positive change. When you improve your leadership, you impact lives, churches, businesses, governments, schools and families. A worldclass event, The Global Leadership Summit is simulcast LIVE in HD to more than 550+ Premier Host Site locations in North America. HOSTED BY: Rockford Leaders @ Rockford University 5050 East State Street Rockford, IL

July 2017

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Community Events COMMUNITY Atwood Park, 2685 New Milford School Road. Groups of five or more should call 815-966-8747. Visit www. rockfordparkdistrict.org/atwood. No registration required.

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

JULY, 2017 Saturday, July 1

Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful hosts a Metals & Electronics Drive, 9 a.m. to noon, at Behr Iron & Metal, 1100 Seminary St., Rockford, and its recycle centers, 4665 Hydraulic Road, Rockford and 13125 N. 2nd St., Roscoe. Volunteers pre-register at www.knib.org or 815-637-1343.

Rock Valley College Computers and Information Systems presents Build a Computer & Code with Minecraft, 9:30 a.m., at Woodward Technology Center, room 1114, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford. Tickets at myrvc.org/ buildit. For questions, email Professor Chuck Konkol, c.konkol@ rockvalleycollege.edu.

Saturday, July 29

Tuesday, July 4

MELD at YSN July 4th CLASSIC will include the Alan Hutchcroft Memorial 8K Run, 7 a.m.; 2-Mile Run, 7:10 a.m., and Mile Fun Walk, 8 a.m., on North Madison Street. Proceeds benefit MELD programming at Youth Services Network. Registration at itsyour race.com.

Friday, July 7

University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford hosts a Wine Tasting, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Artale & Co., 6876 Spring Creek Road, Rockford. Benefits MERIT, an innovative program providing comprehensive child physical and sexual abuse evaluations. For questions, contact 815-395-5649 or prrockford@uic.edu. Friday Night Flix features the movie, “Sing,” on the north lawn of Davis Park in downtown Rockford. Gates open at 7 p.m.; movie begins at sundown (8:45 to 9 p.m.). For details visit www. facebook.com/FridayNightFlix. The River District Association and partners present Shop the Blocks, 3 to 8 p.m., with downtown Rockford sidewalk sales, alfresco dining, live music and parklets. Ethnic Heritage Museum presents the Grand Opening Weekend and Ribbon Cutting for Graham-Ginestra House, 1115 S. Main St., Rockford. Ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., on July 7; tours noon to 4 p.m., July 8 and 2 to 4 p.m., July 9. Visit ethnicheritagemuseum.org.

TEN

years

showcasing

area

businesses

Shop the Blocks takes place the first Friday of the month through September in downtown Rockford with temporary, interactive open-air “parklets;” tiny, popup parks with activities such as life-sized chess. The idea has extended to 160 cities in 35 countries.

Saturday, July 8

Discovery Center Museum hosts a Kids Identiﬁcation & Safety Seat Check, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with representatives from the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15. Climb aboard a Highway Emergency Lane Patrol truck, and get behind the wheel of a 26-ton Illinois Tollway snowplow at the Touch-a-Truck exhibit. Visit www. discoverycentermuseum.org.

Monday, July 10

Court Street United Church, 215 N. Court St., Rockford, hosts its annual Puppet Project, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 10 to 14. Concludes with a live performance on July 16, 10 a.m., at the church. Register at 815-9626061, the church’s office or visit courtstreetumc.org.

Tuesday, July 11

Metalcore band, In this Moment, performs its burlesque-like show, 7 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com, the BMO Harris or Coronado PAC box offices or 815-968-5222. SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health offers an express Childbirth Class for Busy Families, 6 to 8:30 p.m., at SwedishAmerican Hospital, 1401 E. State St., Rockford.

Classes also on Sept. 12 and Nov. 14. Rock Valley College, community and continuing education, hosts a Bus Trip and Tour of Wrigley Field. Departs from lot 10 at 7:30 a.m.; returns at 5:30 p.m. Register at RockValleyCollege.edu/ceonline using registration code: TRP 001 CUB.

Thursday, July 13

Midway Village Museum presents the second-annual Rockford Plate Gala, 5:30 to 9 p.m., at 6799 Guilford Road. The event transports guests to Rockford during the roaring 1920s. Visit midwayvillage.com or call 815-397-9112.

Friday, July 14

Alpine Kiwanis Club presents Brat Days, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., on July 14, and 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on July 15 at Edgebrook Center, the former Menards at North Second Street and Route 173, and the Kmart at East State Street and Mulford Road. Brats for Breakfast, 6 to 9 a.m., on July 14 (Menards location only). Large orders call 815-979-5249. Live entertainment schedule at www.alpinekiwanis-il.org.

Saturday, July 15

Rockford Park District’s Atwood Center hosts its free In the Outdoors: Odd-Colored Feathers & Hawks of Steel, 1 to 3 p.m., at 334-acre Seth B.

Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful hosts a Shred-It Day, 9 a.m. to noon, at Rockford Recycle Center, 4665 Hydraulic Road. Volunteers preregister at www.knib.org or 815-6371343.

AUGUST, 2017 Friday, August 4

The River District Association and partners present Shop the Blocks, 3 to 8 p.m., with downtown Rockford sidewalk sales, alfresco dining, live music and parklets. Friday Night Flix features the movie, “Finding Dory,” on the north lawn of Davis Park in downtown Rockford. Gates open at 7 p.m.; movie begins at sundown (8:45 to 9 p.m.). For details visit www.facebook.com/ FridayNightFlix.

Saturday, August 5

Registration is open for the 33rd annual State Street Mile, presented by SwedishAmerican, a division of UW Health. Races begin at 6 p.m., at 219 E. State St., Rockford. Register online at bit.ly/StateStreetMile. For questions call Rick Durso, 815-9857656 or visit facebook.com/ statestreetmilerockford.

Sunday, August 6

The Rosecrance Recovery 5K Walk/ Run takes place at 7 a.m., at Rosecrance Berry Campus, 8616 Northern Ave., Rockford. Visit rosecrance.org/recovery5k for details and sign up. For questions contact Betsy Liotus, eliotus@rosecrance.org or 815-387-1601.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Membership Renewals Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in May, 2017. McMAHON ABC Catering Ltd., A Better Choice Catering Meg’s Daily Grind Access Services of Northern Illinois Midwest Community Bank Accuride Wheel End Solutions Mrs. Fisher’s, Inc. Rockford Gunite Necchi-New Home Sewing Center, Inc. Airgas Next Rockford NFP, Inc. Alden Debes Rehabilitation North American Tool Corporation and Health Care Center Northern Illinois Chapter, National Alden Park Strathmoor Electrical Contractors Association Ameriprise Financial Northern Illinois Health Plan Aspire Financial Group Northern Illinois Optical Company Ameriprise Financial Northpoint Benefit Group Inc. Joan Kelley, CFP, CPA OSTI - Belvidere Physical Therapy Beggin Tipp Lamm, LLC OSTI - Byron Blount International (Parent Company OSTI - Edgebrook Physical Therapy of Woods Equipment) Caraotta Chiropractic Orthopedics P.C. OSTI - Poplar Grove Physical Therapy Per Mar Security Chem Processing, Inc. RAMP Cliffbreakers Riverside Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren P.C. Hotel & Conference Center Reno & Zahm LLP Comfort Keepers Comprehensive Community Solutions Ring Container Technologies Court Street United Methodist Rock House Kids Crown Machine, Inc. Rock River Valley Blood Center DeMuth Steel Products, Inc. Rock River Valley Blood Center Discovery Center Museum of Rockford Perryville Road Eickman’s Processing Company Rock Valley Culligan Fairfield Inn & Suites Rockford Consulting & Brokerage Fiberglass Innovations LLC Rockford Coronado Concert Association FIELD Rockford Heat Treaters, Inc. First Bank Financial Centre Rockford Map Publishers, Inc First Community Credit Union Rockford Network of Forest City Corporate Center Professional Women Forever Green, Inc. Rockford Process Control, Inc. Freed Plumbing, Inc. Rockford Spine Center Friends of the Coronado Rockford Tech-Systems, Inc. GinestraWatson Co. Rockford University Gitz-Meier Remodeling/Restorx Sandvik Coromat Co. Glenn Shepard Seminars SHAARS International, Inc. Global Spiritual Organization Smeja Foundation Goldie B. Floberg Center Gustafson’s Earthworks Inc. Sprinkmann Sons Corporation Harlem Community Center Staff Management, Inc. Heinzeroth Marketing Group Stateline Business Journal Hilton Garden Inn Stillman BancCorp N.A. Holiday Inn Express - Rochelle Sunset Funeral Home & HR Green Inc. Memorial Gardens Huntington Learning Center SupplyCore, Inc. Illumination.io The Atrium - Meridian Senior Living Ingersoll Machine Tools The Pregnancy Care Center Ipsen, Inc. The Salvation Army John Morrissey Accountants, Inc. Todd Transit, Inc. JP Electric, Inc. United Way of Rock River Valley Kilbuck Creek US Bank KMK Media Group, Inc. Vici Fitness Leading Lawyers Visions Lighting and Accessories Lifescape Community Services/ Widmer Interiors Community Kitchen, Inc. Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau LM Sheet Metal & Service, Inc. Woodward (Loves Park Campus) Macianos Pizza (Perryville Pizza, LLC) Woodward (Rock Cut Campus) Massage Envy Spa of Rockford

July 2017 Member Anniversaries Thank you to the members celebrating their anniversaries with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

45-YEAR MEMBER

10-YEAR MEMBER

30-YEAR MEMBER

5-YEAR MEMBERS

Northwest Bank of Rockford Midway Village Museum

20-YEAR MEMBERS

Crescent Electric Supply Company Sam’s Club, A Division of Wal-Mart Stores

15-YEAR MEMBERS

Historic Auto Attractions Rock River Valley Tooling & Machining Association

July 2017

Terrace Senior Apartments Beggin Tipp Lamm, LLC Benny Sons Body Shop Comprehensive Prosthetics & Orthotics Dry Otter Basement Water Proofing/Concrete Raising

Chamber Advantages CHAMBER 101

Why Join the Chamber? IT’S A GREAT BUSINESS STRATEGY! THIS MONTH WE HIGHLIGHT THE FINAL TWO

VALUE

Access to Member-Only Discounts Saves You Money “As a small business, the Auto Owners Insurance program has proven to be of great value to our bottom line. We receive far more savings from this program than the cost of our membership dues.” STEVE LAPP CAREFREE WINDOWS INC

VISIBILITY

Increased Exposure through our Publications, Websites, Social Media and Sponsorships “Chamber resources like The VOICE, BusinessDirect enewsletter and Community Guide & Membership Directory offer our non-proﬁt ways to access and engage with the Chamber community cost-effectively.” LAURA SPEER YWCA OF ROCKFORD

ROCKFORDCHAMBER.COM (815) 987-8100 ACCESS • ADVOCACY • CREDIBILITY EDUCATION • GROWTH • LEADERSHIP VALUE • VISIBILITY

July 2017

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Our City, Our Story returns SERIES REVIVES THIS MONTH WITH NEW STORIES By Alex Gary

Rockford sees personal incomes rise The real personal per capita income of the Rockford metropolitan area grew 4.4 percent from 2014 to 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, rising at a faster rate than Illinois and United States as a whole. Real personal income is a more complicated measurement from the BEA. It measures the real personal income of an area and adjusts it to the state’s regional price parity and national personal consumption index. In simpler terms, it’s the income of an individual or group after taking into consideration the effects of inflation on purchasing power. According to BEA data, the real personal per capita income of Boone and Winnebago counties rose from $38,485 in 2014 to $40,183 in 2015. The 4.4 percent increase from 2014 was greater than the 3.3 percent

increase experienced by the United States (growing from $42,523 to $43,925) and the 3.4 percent by the state of Illinois ($44,679 to $46,209.) In fact, the Rockford MSA tied for 80th best year-over-year increase out of 382 metropolitan statistical areas in the United States, and it was the 13th highest in the Midwest. The 2015 numbers are a continuation of an encouraging trend. Since 2008, the Rockford MSA real personal per capita income has outpaced the nation as a whole four times in the past seven years. A look at state data showed that the Rockford MSA gained about 2,200 jobs from 2014 to 2015. The largest gains were in leisure and hospitality (600 jobs gained), trade and utilities (600), retail trade (500) and manufacturing (400). — Alex Gary

% change

Fastest rising real personal per capita incomes in Midwestern MSAs Metropolitan Area

2014

2015

% change

Sioux Falls, S.D.

$49,899

$53,360

6.9%

Flint, Mich.

$34,699

$36,723

5.8%

Lawrence, Kan.

$36,035

$38,085

5.7%

Sioux City, Iowa-Neb.

$45,638

$48,093

5.4%

Rockford MSA % change

South Bend, Ind.-Mich.

$41,299

$43,751

5.4%

$36,996

Monroe, Mich.

$38,407

$40,444

5.3%

Real personal per capita income % change Illinois

Korona has been pursuing other projects for the past couple of years, but he is reviving the Rockford takes a lot of dings on series beginning July 18. The first the Internet, from lists where we rank near the bottom on things such episode will be about the tragic drowning death of James Harkins as education, taxes and crime, to social media where every negative is at Fairgrounds Pool in 1996 when magnified in the comments section. he was 7 and how a force for good grew from the tragedy. The Harkins Pablo Korona, a filmmaker who Community Memorial was started grew up in Rockford, launched an in 2004 to help pay funeral costs ambitious project back in the tail for poor families who have lost end of the Great Recession called children. It has evolved over time to “Our City, Our Story.” His goal was also hold a yearly banquet to honor to document the other side of the young community leaders and now community -- the unknown heroes, is giving college scholarships to the people striving to make the students of great promise. place better. You will be able to find the new He released 18 episodes, ranging episode and the ones to follow at from telling the story of a tailor www.ourcityourstory.com. who came from Italy to build a life in Rockford and a lady who left Alex Gary is communications manager of waitressing to start her own organic Rockford’s Thinker Ventures. farm for local restaurants to a local company whose work is so exacting The views expressed are those of Gary’s and do it builds the gears that power the not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Mars Rover. Chamber of Commerce.

Year

U.S.

2008

$41,055

2009

$39,376

-4.1%

$40,744

-6.1%

$35,819

-3.2%

Michigan City-LaPorte, Ind.

$38,592

$40,553

5.1%

2010

$39,622

0.6%

$40,743

0.0%

$36,179

1.0%

Mankato, Minn.

$42,743

$44,891

5.0%

2011

$40,762

2.9%

$41,609

2.1%

$36,634

1.3%

Detroit, Mich.

$42,456

$44,547

4.9%

2012

$41,714

2.3%

$42,816

2.9%

$37,351

2.0%

Muskegon, Mich.

$34,424

$36,103

4.9%

2013

$41,348

-0.9%

$43,572

1.8%

$37,540

0.5%

Bay City, Mich.

$37,434

$39,214

4.8%

2014

$42,523

2.8%

$44,679

2.5%

$38,485

2.5%

Battle Creek, Mich.

$35,552

$37,204

4.6%

2015

$43,925

3.3%

$46,209

3.4%

$40,183

4.4%

Rockford, Ill.

$38,485

$40,183

4.4%

$43,385

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

Jobs since the Great Recession

The United States has been on a steady climb since the Great Recession – but that progress still hasn’t really come to Rockford. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States has added 15.8 million jobs since April 2010, growing from 130.14 million jobs in April 2010 to a preliminary estimate of 146 million this April. That’s 12.2 percent more jobs since the economy bottomed out in 2010. In Winnebago County, we were making

similar progress but that trend has reversed itself over the past several months. The Rockford area bottomed out earlier than the United States. According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, employment hit the bottom of the Great Recession cycle in 2009 when just 124,425 were employed in April. By April 2016, that had grown to 132,027, an increase of 6.1 percent. It appears we’ve lost those

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis minimal gains. The state estimated that total employment for this April was 129,778, a 1.7 percent year-over-year decline. It isn’t just Winnebago County that’s struggling to continue to grow jobs. Employment in the state as a whole was estimated to be 6.14 million, down 0.3 percent from 2016. It marked the fifth time in the past six months that employment in Illinois was down year over year.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

July 2017

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

Northwestern Mutual held a ribbon cutting and open house on June 1 at 1252 Bell Valley Road, #100, Rockford.

Wintrust Bank held a ribbon cutting at June 14 at 6885 Vistagreen Way, Rockford.

Rockford Dermatology held a ribbon cutting on June 6 at 4338 Morsay Dr., Rockford.

2HB Solutions held an open house and ribbon cutting on June 14 at 1515 S. Meridian Road, Rockford.

Business After Hours with the Phantom Regiment took place on June 7 at Rockford University, 5050 E. State St.

Sosnowski/Szeto LLP held a ribbon cutting and grand opening on June 22 at 6735 Vistagreen Way, Suite 300, Rockford.

Safelite Auto Glass held a ribbon cutting on June 8 at 1803 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford.

The Chamber Ambassadors tour Crusader Community Health on Alpine as a part of its monthly luncheon in June. The networking and hospitality group visits a different Chamber member and tries food from different member restaurants each month.

July 2017

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SmithAmundsen OSHA alert Delay of electronic report rule The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a bulletin on June 27 announcing it would delay the compliance date for its rule, Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, which requires most employers to electronically submit their injury and illness data to OSHA. It proposes pushing the compliance date back four months, from July 1, 2017 to Dec. 1, 2017. The agency published the final rule on May 12, 2016, and has determined that a further delay of the compliance date is appropriate for the purpose of additional review into questions of law and policy. The delay also will allow OSHA to provide employers the same four-month window for submitting

data that the original rule would have provided. OSHA invites the public to comment by July 13, 2017 on the proposed deadline extension at www.regulations. gov, the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, or by mail or facsimile. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. Matthew Horn, partner, SmithAmundsen LLC

Six unwritten rules of business etiquette Did you know that and the email recipient. there was a thing such as This one is simple. business etiquette? SimDouble-check everything ilar to dining etiquette, to eliminate mistakes! these unwritten rules of Interpersonal behavior can help you Communication not only close the deal, but also leave a great imCome prepared pression on potential partwith talking points. ners/customers. From web Be sure that you have Joshlyn Ross communication to interan objective for every personal communication, meeting. This can be being aware of unwritten rules can accomplished by doing your research help you represent yourself as profes- to find out who will be in the room, sionally as possible. what their goals are and what you

Email Communication Use professional salutations. When building new relationships, it’s important that you keep your initial greetings professional. As such, it’s recommended that you limit the slang and keep it as professional as possible. For example, instead of “Hey Mike,” try “Hi Michael” in your first email. Be willing to alter as the relationship continues to flourish. Limit exclamation points, abbreviations and emoticons. Keep the email light but not too light that it’s full of additional marks. It can be taken as too jovial when the goal is to be professional. Double-check the subject line

hope to have accomplished. Also, it is recommended to come prepared with questions to ask, but not with the goal of dominating the entire question and answer section. Leave room for others to contribute as well. Silence all electronic devices. Simple, but very important! There’s nothing worse than a phone consistently going off in a business meeting. Arrive early. Being early can help you get a variety of things in order such as parking/transportation, menu options and spacing options. Taken from contributor Joshlyn Ross’ blog post at https://www.sba.gov on June 1, 2017.

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EVENTS

Upcoming Chamber Events JULY, 2017 Thursday, July 6

IGNITE Rivets Game, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., 4503 Interstate Blvd., Loves Park. Cheer on the Rockford Rivets as they battle the Lakeshore Chinooks.

Friday, July 7

Ribbon Cutting, Graham-Ginestra Home at Heritage Museum Park, 10 to 11 a.m., 1115 S. Main St., Rockford.

Tuesday, July 11

Ribbon Cutting and Open House, 4:30 to 7 p.m., at Century Plaza Business Center, 7210 E. State St., Ste. 102, Rockford. Ribbon cutting, 4:30 p.m.; open house, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 7:30 - 9 am NEW LOCATION Rockford University Burpee Center 5050 E. State St. Regents Hall, 2nd Floor, Rockford

Breakfast BUZZ

Jeffrey F. Joutras, CSP, QPS Employment Group, will present Strengthen Your Sales Performance! Sponsored by RSM US LLP.

Wednesday, July 12

Ribbon Cutting, noon, Club Pilates Chandan Place, 3065 N. Perryville Road, Rockford.

Northern Public Radio . . . . . . . . 10

Ribbon Cutting, 2 to 3 p.m., Cucina Di Rosa, 1620 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.

Blackhawk Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

OSF HealthCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Wednesday, July 26

Comcast Business . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Leader’s Toolbox Summer Workshop Series: Thanks for the Feedback: Delivering Effective Feedback, 8:30 to 10 a.m., at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Clarcor Pavilion, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford.

AUGUST, 2017 Tuesday, August 1

Business Women’s Council Speed Networking, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St., Rockford. Join us for great food and great connections! Some tips to get started: Bring business cards; Know what you want to say about yourself and your company; Have a few questions ready for the other person: What type of clients are you looking for? Who are your customers? Is there an opportunity where I may help your company? Sponsored by First Northern Credit Union.

Friday, August 4

Government Affairs Council Meeting, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Congressman Adam Kinzinger, 16th Congressional District of Illinois to speak at this event. Sponsored by AT&T.

Thursday, August 10 Thursday, July 13 4:30 - 7:30 pm Corner of West State and South Main Streets, Rockford

ROCKFORD CHAMBER

Founders’ Day

BLOCK PARTY Join us as the Rockford Chamber celebrates all of its members and thanks their founding members. This event promises some unique and fun twists this year. Wear your cowboy boots and hats, while you enjoy the band Bourbon Country and catering from Blue Line.

Brian Thomas Photography . . . . 21 C.H. Robinson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Honquest Family Funteral Homes with Crematory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Illinois Bank & Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Illinois Small Business Development Center. . . . . . . . . . . 8

The Future of Education Executive Education For information on advertising,

987-8100

Rockford Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . . 19, 22-24, 26,28 RSM US LLP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Thayer Lighting, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . 7

Larson & Darby Group. . . . . . . . . 12

UPS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Winnebago County Health Department . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Lyft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100.............................................. Direct Line

Harold “Bo” Boger, IL Small Business

Development Center Director.............................................................. 815-316-4301

Sue Boyer, Member Relations................................................. 815-316-4315 Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO.......................................... 815-316-4304

Heidi M. Garner, Chief Operating Officer.................................... 815-316-4312 Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology................... 815-316-4338

Lynette Jacques, Vice President, Member Investment.. .................. 815-316-4317

Doug Mark, Membership Development Executive............................... 815-316-4336 Stephanie Mathews, Administrative & Finance Assistant . .................. 815-987-8100

Stacy Mullins, Director of Events.. ............................................ 815-316-4302

Caitlin Pusateri, Vice President, Leadership Development................... 815-316-4337

Doug Rand, Accounting Manager/Controller............................... 815-316-4316

Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator......................... 815-316-4320

Chamber Board of Directors & Officers

Vice Chair Michele Petrie Wintrust Bank

Chamber 101 with Speed Networking, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Century Plaza Business Center, 7210 E. State St., Ste. 102, Rockford. Quarterly orientation for new members and new employees of member companies. Sponsored by MembersAlliance Credit Union.

Rockford Bank & Trust Co.. . . . . . 7

Klaas Financial Asset Advisors, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Tuesday, August 15

Rockford Mass Transit District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Ribbon Cutting, 4 to 5 p.m., KFACT Inc.’s New GIRLS Space, 227 N. Church St., Rockford.

Quartz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

IMEC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Ribbon Cutting and Open House, 4 to 6 p.m., Northern Illinois Vein Clinic, 6957 Olde Creek Road, Rockford.

AUGUST VOICE SPECIAL SECTIONS

call 815

Advertisers Index ADVERTISERS

Alpine Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Tuesday, July 18

Sponsored by Rockford University (presenting).

July 2017

DIRECTORS Andrew Benson Benson Stone Company, Inc.

Chairman of the Board Richard Zumwalt Z Resource

Jan Bowman TLC Construction LaVonne Brown Savant Capital Management

Vice Chair Dan Ross Williams-Manny Insurance Group

Paula Carynski OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Samuel J. Castree Staff Management, Inc.

Treasurer Amy Ott Boylan Catholic High School Immediate Past Chair Patti Thayer Thayer Lighting, Inc.

Joe Castrogiovanni Giovanni’s, Inc. Rena Cotsones Northern Illinois University Jean Crosby Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate Don Daniels SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health

Rebecca Epperson Chartwell Agency

Patrick Shaw RSM US LLP

Ira Grimmett UTC Aerospace Systems

Karl Swanson Rockford Bank & Trust Co.

Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory

Jon Thompson Butitta Brothers Automotive

Jeff Hultman Illinois Bank & Trust Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Kris L. Kieper Machajewski YWCA Northwestern Illinois Patrick Morrow Alpine Bank Mike Paterson Mid-West Family Broadcasting Mark Peterson CBL Associates Cherry Vale

Laura Pigatti Williamson

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

John Schuster Rosecrance Health Network

Let your Voice be heard Do you have news to share?

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 DEADLINE IS THE 15TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING PUBLICATION