September Voice 2011

Spec Expo ial Reg ional pullo ut in KARL J. JACOBS side!

CENTER UNVEILED The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

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SHINE A LIGHT ON ‘PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW’

September 2011 | Volume 24 | No. 9

Morrissey names city’s challenges for future New direction of Rockford Public Schools among the success stories at Mayor’s Business Luncheon

By Paul Anthony Arco Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey pulled no punches during his message to business leaders at the Mayor’s Business Luncheon, Aug. 10 at the Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center. A crowd of 430 turned out for the annual event, hosted by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

“You elect people to tell you like it is,

the good news and bad news,” said Mike Dunn, Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority Chairman. “I think the message was very clear today.

There are economic problems all around the country, and Rockford is clearly one of the epicenters.”

Morrissey spelled out several challenges facing the city, including budget concerns and staffing issues. The city is down more than 100 employees since 2008 and is at the lowest level of staffing per resident since 1980. The city is looking at a $6.6 million deficit next year if the City Council decides to fully fund its public safety pensions.

In addition, Rockford’s unemployment rate remains the highest metro in the state at 11.6 percent, and the city lost $73.8 million in Equalized Assessed Value from 2009 to 2010 — a 3.5 percent decrease. The projected loss this year is estimated at nearly $100 million.

Mayor Morrissey shares his frank perspectives with the business audience.

“The Mayor had a very sobering tone,” said Einar Forsman, president & CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. “The budget is a concern and the declining Assessed Value is a concern. He was very frank.”

Flexibility in Labor Bargaining The source of Morrissey’s frustration is the Illinois State Labor Relations Act that was passed in 1986, which he said, limits management rights when it comes to public safety unions, especially police and fire unions. “The system we have in Illinois is broken,” he said. “State lawmakers have continuously interfered in the bargaining process and dispute more on page 4

Rockford Chamber launches its first Green Expo Members speak on the growing sustainability movement

By Barbara Connors

Visit us online at: rockfordchamber.com ■ online registration ■ keynote speaker video clips ■ event photos ■ list of Chamber events Questions? 815-987-8100 Join the Chamber’s LinkedIn Group www.linkedin.com/e/gis/2544

In a nod to the growing interest in sustainability, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce this year has added a Green Expo as part of the Regional Business Expo 2011 on Sept. 22 at 1515 E. Riverside Blvd. “The Green Expo is a way to further promote the growth in this particular industry as well as those businesses with products and services that have adapted to meet this demand,” said Einar Forsman, president & CEO of the Rockford Chamber. “Many companies now only do business with others that have engaged in green practices. Others have been doing so purely for the long-term economic benefit

to their company, as well as protecting the environment.”

In the Rockford area, a number of organizations have ventured into going green by incorporating more energyefficient production processes and practices, by establishing their own environmental programs, by launching programs to help others in the community, Turn to pull-out section for more

The Rockford Chamber is rolling out a new series to shine a light on business leaders in the Rockford Region and asks, “Who, from your perspective, are business leaders who make an impact in their business or industry, or who positively impact the local business environment, or who seem to be involved in many success stories?”

In October, the Rockford Chamber kicks off its inaugural “People You Should Know” at a special reception and in a unique publication. Please nominate someone today by visiting www .rockfordchamber.com. The final date for accepting nominations is Friday, Sept. 9 at noon.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

2011 Regional Business Expo Former Sears Essentials/Kmart Location Thursday, September 22 UPDATE ON ATTRACTING NEW EMBRY-RIDDLE CAMPUS A news conference took place on Tuesday, Aug. 16 in the Chicago Rockford International Airport auditorium to update the Rockford-area community on the project to attract Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) to choose Rockford for its third residential campus. Melissa Barbee, Embry-Riddle’s campus director of academic support, announced that it has applied to the State of Illinois to add three new programs, doubling the institution’s curriculum. A bachelor of science in aviation maintenance, master of science in project management, and master of science in systems engineering could be added to the bachelor of science in professional aeronautics (in technical management) and master’s of aeronautical science programs.

Janyce Fadden, president of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council, reminded press conference attendees that the process to attract a business or institution typically is very long and that the successful efforts to attract UPS and the Lowes Distribution Center took four years each.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois announced a grand total of $2.8 million in scholarship endowments has been gathered for prospective Embry-Riddle students.

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President’s Message VIEWPOINT

Rockford business can advance our public school system Einar K. Forsman Rockford Chamber of Commerce

East High School needs math tutoring and mentoring As members of the business community, we know how important having a strong education is to develop our future workforce as well as grow and attract business.

We also know that there is a need for certain levels of reform in the public education system in order to have relevant curriculum to engage the students and meet the needs of rapid technology advancement in our daily lives and in the workplace. The business community has both a responsibility and an opportunity to be part of the solution in improving our education system.

When we reached out to you over a year ago with regard to the public education system, you made us aware of the qualities and abilities needed for employees joining your organization.

You shared with us the kinds of “job readiness” skills that were important as well as the technical skills that would be needed as part of

Mentoring programs that focus in certain specialties such as math have been shown to dramatically improve student test scores as well as increased engagement from the students as a result of the mentor relationship. the foundation for people to join your organization.

One of the more common technical needs was a growth in the skills of science, technology, engineering and math for students coming out of high school.

You also told us that you thought the business community had much to offer to help support the public school system and was willing to volunteer time to provide such support.

While there will be many opportunities for private sector support in the public schools, I want to make you aware of one initiative currently underway that needs the help of the business community right now.

Consider Volunteering to Tutor a Child Alignment Rockford’s Grades 9-12 Pathways Committee is in need of local businesses and community organizations to participate in a career mentoring/math tutoring program with 9th grade math students at East High School.

Volunteers will meet once each week with one or two students.

Mentoring programs that focus on certain specialties such as math have been shown to dramatically improve student test scores as well as increase student engagement. The tactic is to engage students in small groups to increase math comprehension and mentor students to show how math

concepts and education in general apply to life and work.

The vision of the Pathways Committee is that “all students will be engaged and prepared for placement in post-secondary education or training for employment.” This is the kind of vision that has been informally discussed over many years in the business community.

YOUR SKILLS ARE NEEDED! Your help is needed to begin achieving this vision. If you believe you have the skills or background to be a mentor, please contact Alignment Rockford to learn more about the “Invitation to Participate” at 815-654-4267. For more information or to volunteer please visit www.alignment rockford.com.

The deadline to apply as a volunteer is Sept. 9, 2011.

rockfordchamber.com theVoice September 2011

The Karl J. Jacobs Center for Science and Math is the second building on Rock Valley College campus to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Level Certification for sustainable and green design.

Rock Valley College unveils Karl J. Jacobs Center

By Paul Anthony Arco Hundreds of community members and well wishers turned out to tour the new Karl J. Jacobs Center for Science and Math on the Rock Valley College campus, and pay tribute to the man for whom the building is named.

Former Rock Valley President Karl Jacobs along with family and college officials marked the opening of the state-ofthe-art facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on Aug. 16. “It’s overwhelming,” he said. “I didn’t realize I made this enormous contribution. I’m happy for my family and children; I know they’re proud of their father.”

“This is a tremendous honor for my father,” added Erik Jacobs. “He’s had so much support from the community.”

The building has state-of-the-art technology and equipment, including six physical science labs, six life science labs, 12 classrooms, faculty offices, math lab space and student resource areas, and student study and lounge spaces. There is a large plaque bearing Jacobs’ likeness in the main lobby.

Jacobs served as president of Rock Valley College from 1969 to 1997. He worked to create many academic programs and building projects to serve the college as well as the region. “There are very few people who spend 28 years as a college president,” said Rock Valley President Jack Becherer. “He’s probably one of a dozen people in the nation who have done that.

While he was here, he made the college progressively stronger and stronger and stronger. He did that with humility, and without pretense and ego. He was the right person for the right time, and it was time for us to honor him.”

Focus on Technology, Science, Math, Going Green The $28.6 million project broke ground in May, 2010, and was completed on time and on budget, according to Dan Saavedra, a partner with Saavedra Gehlhausen, the lead architect on the project. “I’m still amazed we have such a fantastic jewel in our community,” he said.

“Working with the college has been a real pleasure. The administration and faculty was great to work with throughout the entire process. Overall, the project has been a tremendous success, something that our community should be proud of.

We’re proud to be a part of it.”

The Karl J. Jacobs Center for Science and Math uses green technology, and will be the second building on campus to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Level Certification for sustainable and green design from the United States Green Building Council. The Physical Education Center is the other.

“We’re thrilled with the results,” said Guy Gehlhausen, a partner with Saavedra Gehlhausen. “This is huge for the community. There is plenty of more on page 4

Let your Voice be heard The Rockford Chamber of Commerce welcomes and encourages submissions for The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 190 Rockford, IL 61101 For information about advertising contact Customer Service at 815-987-8100.

The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community (USPS 784-120). ISSN number 10860630, is published monthly by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, Illinois 61101. Periodicals postage paid at Rockford, Ill. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101.

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MEMBERSHIP Member Category of the Month

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

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center American Red Cross, Rock River Chapter Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary Golden Apple Foundation Smeja Foundation United Way of Rock River Valley

CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND DAY CARE Blackhawk Area Council of Boy Scouts of America YMCA of Rock River Valley Kids Club Playcare

COMMUNITY SERVICE A A R P Illinois Alpine Kiwanis Club Booker Washington Center Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Kiwanis Club of Rockford La Voz Latina Hispanic Resource Development Center Northwest Community Center Rock River Valley Pantry Rockford Promise Rotary Club of Rockford East/Cherry Valley Youth Services Network

EDUCATION, PROGRAMS, PRESCHOOLS, SCHOOLS, COLLEGES Benedictine University Byron Forest Preserve/PrairieView Golf Club/Stone Quarry Recreation Park CICS Rockford Charter School Organization Columbia College Concordia University of Wisconsin Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Galapagos Rockford Charter School Judson University Keith Country Day School Keller Graduate School of Management and DeVry University Kumon Math & Reading Center Legacy Academy Lydia Home - Rockford Montessori Private Academy Northern Illinois University

RX Tech Prep School Rasmussen College Regional Learning Academy Regional Office of Education Rock Valley College Rockford Career College Rockford Christian Schools Rockford College Rockford Lutheran School Rockford Public Schools, District #205 Saint Anthony College of Nursing University of Illinois Extension Winnebago County University of Illinois, Rockford, A UIC Health Sciences Campus Upper Iowa University Rockford Center

HUMAN SERVICES Access Services of Northern Illinois Barbara Olson Center of Hope Center for Sight & Hearing Comprehensive Community Solutions/YouthBuild Rockford GiGi's Playhouse/Rockford, LLC Harlem Community Center The Haven Network Lifescape Community Services/Community Kitchen, Inc. Lydia Home - Rockford Mosaic N A M I - Northern Illinois Northern Illinois Food Bank Rockford Branch Our Childrens Homestead Rockford Area Pregnancy Care Centers Rockford MELD Rockford Rescue Mission Ministries Rockford Youth Initiative The Salvation Army Shelter Care Stateline Youth for Christ Transitional Living Services Y W C A of Rockford

YOUTH EDUCATION Boys and Girls Club of Rockford Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center Phantom Regiment

ADDITIONAL SECURITY, PRODUCTS, SYSTEMS, ALARMS Per Mar Security

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

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

Challenges for future

there’s anyone in government that doesn’t have that opinion. But in order to do that efficiently, we have to have flexibility.”

cont from front page

There’s a Silver Lining

resolution process. I have great respect for the men and women who work for the police and fire departments, but I would be doing a disservice to our entire community if I wasn’t honest and I wasn’t direct.

“Since we can’t save money by reducing fire staffing, since we are bound to the manning levels in their contract, then, under our deficit allocation formula, we would be looking at a reduction of 49 fulltime Rockford Police Department personnel on top of the 23 sworn officers we’re already down. This is not something that I intend to see happen.

“My biggest concern is sticking our heads collectively in the sand and doing nothing. I don’t think we’ll do that, because there are people like me raising the issues.

We need to be willing to have tough conversations, because the problems are tough. If we ignore the problems they won’t go away, they’ll get worse.”

Ald. Tim Durkee, R-1, agreed. “These legacy costs are really a stranglehold on the economy,” he said. “Even as council members, our inability to properly staff the city as far as our public safety — it’s goofy.

That’s the best word I can come up with.

When the city council works with the police, fire and city services department, we want to adopt a best practice approach. We want to do the right thing. I don’t think

Not all was doom and gloom, however.

Morrissey highlighted many positives, including the work done by the RAVE Board and SMG, the growth of City Market, the continued pursuit of EmbryRiddle University, and the new direction of the Rockford Public Schools.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to partner with the city and the county,” said Earl Dotson, RPS’s executive director of communication and community empowerment. “We owe it to our community to show them we’re working together to make good things happen, not just for the kids, but for the community at large.”

Many in the audience were supportive of Morrissey’s message. “I think all government has to get a handle on these issues — pensions, spending, as well as addressing new revenue,” said Gary Love, vice president, The Love Johnson Group/Robert W. Baird & Co. “It makes a lot of sense to have intergovernmental collaboration. If you get a number of agencies going in the same direction, it will result in good things for the city and the region.”

The Mayor’s Business Luncheon was presented by BMO Harris Bank. Bronze sponsors were Clifton Gunderson LLP and AT&T.

Jacobs Center

sun. There’s also a large pendulum that hangs from the third floor and serves as an educational tool to demonstrate the earth’s rotation.

“Apart from the aesthetics and functionality of the building, which are extraordinary, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much on target they are here at Rock Valley, in terms of the national priorities – technology, science and math,” Jacobs said.

“Here in our community, with all the financial difficulties, we are meeting that challenge. It’s a tremendous move on the part of our board.”

cont from page 3 capacity for students. It will be a tremendous learning facility.”

The Karl Jacobs is completely heated and cooled by a geothermal system with 160 wells around the building that are 375 feet deep. The building has a greenhouse, outdoor rain gardens and green roofs that contain plant material to absorb heat.

Fritted windows regulate light and heat into the building based on the direction of the

Chamber Board of Directors & Officers EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman of the Board Mike Broski Entré Computer Solutions Vice Chairman Rich Walsh SwedishAmerican Health System Treasurer Larry Bridgeland Mid-City Office Products Immediate Past Chairman Pam Maher KMK Media Group DIRECTORS Teresa Beach-Shelow Superior Joining Technologies, Inc. Romero Bennett Blue Sky Insurance Agency

Andrew Benson Benson Stone Company, Inc.

Paul McCann Stanley Steemer of Rockford

Walt Boothe Harris Bank, N.A.

Patrick Morrow Alpine Bank

Ryan Brauns Rockford Consulting & Brokerage

John Oller PBC Linear, A Pacific Bearing Company

Paul Callighan ComEd

Mark Peterson CBL Associates CherryVale

Joe Castrogiovanni Giovanni’s, Inc. J. Chapman Maverick Media Rena Cotsones Northern Illinois University Darlene Furst Furst Staffing Penny Lechtenberg Hinshaw & Culbertson Mike Mastroianni Rock Valley College

Dee Premo Whitehead, Inc. Realtors Peter Ricker Rockford Register Star Tim Rollins WilliamsMcCarthy LLP

Patrick Shaw RSM McGladrey, Inc. Patti Thayer Thayer Lighting, Inc. Jennifer Wood Sikich LLP Richard Zumwalt OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS Janyce Fadden Rockford Area Economic Development Council Einar K. Forsman President & CEO, Rockford Chamber of Commerce

Dan Saavedra Saavedra Gehlhausen John Groh Architects Rockford Area Convention Henry Seybold & Visitors Bureau Rockford Health System President/CEO

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Rockford Chamber endorses Tollway Plan

Congressman Don Manzullo takes his turn in the F-35 cockpit.

F-35 Lightning II ‘flies’ at Hamilton Sundstrand

By Colleen Carroll, Hamilton Sundstrand Hamilton Sundstrand hosted Lockheed Martin and its F-35 Cockpit Demonstrator, Aug. 8 to 10. The company is one of 49 Rockford- and Chicago-area suppliers to the F-35 fighter.

From Rockford, Hamilton Sundstrand supplies the Electrical Power Generation and Conversion System, a variety of pumps and the F135 Engine Gearbox.

Other Hamilton Sundstrand locations supply the F-35 Engine Control Systems, Fire Protection and Overheat Detection System, and the Flight Actuation Control Electronics Module and Gun System Control Unit.

According to Rockford Site Executive Andreas Schell, president of Hamilton Sundstrand Electric Systems, the demonstrator visits only a limited number of locations each year. “We were honored that Lockheed Martin chose Hamilton Sundstrand to stage this demonstrator so that we could invite other suppliers, elected officials and community leaders to our facility to see, first-hand, the multirole capabilities of this critical aircraft.

“The F-35 is not only important to Hamilton Sundstrand, Lockheed and our suppliers, but is critical to the brave servicemen and women defending our country. The F-35 has the stealth, maneuverability, and superior technology – much of it made right here in Illinois — to support those who are keeping us safe, and I would urge everyone to become a supporter of continuing this vital program, in the face of Congressional defense budget discussions.”

F-35’s Critical Role in Nation’s Defense Lockheed Martin Vice President of F35 Program Integration and Business Development Stephen O’Bryan explained that, today, the services are flying aircraft that were designed during the Nixon Administration. The average age of a U.S. Air Force fighter is more than 20 years old. “In the commercial airline industry, they are reducing the types of aircraft in their fleets to simplify training, supply chain and maintenance, and to reduce costs,” said O’Bryan. “The F-35 accomplishes this for the military, while also transitioning its war-fighting capability to the next generation of aerospace technology.”

The F-35 is designed to replace a number of aging flight inventories, including the U.S. Air Force A-10s and F-16s, U.S. Navy V/A-18s, U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18s, as well as U.K. Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers.

In addition to a media conference and evening reception, Hamilton Sundstrand and Lockheed held five briefings for supplier companies and seven employee briefings so that each could try their hand at “flying” the aircraft that they help build.

Among those attending were Congressmen Don Manzullo (R-IL) and Bobby Schilling (R-IL), who spoke of the F-35’s critical role in our nation’s defense.

“The number one Constitutional function is defense of the American people,” Manzullo said. “The decisions that we’re going to be making in the next several months are obviously going to show the pre-eminence and importance of our aerospace manufacturing in this country.”

Schilling also emphasized the need for continued funding of the F-35 program as a means of defense for our nation, saying “If we can’t defend this great nation, nothing else will matter.”

The F-35 will be manufactured in three versions: a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variable for the U.S. Air Force, an aircraft-carrier version (CV) for the U.S. Navy, and a short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) version for the U.S. Marine Corps and U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.

Colleen Carroll is manager, Hamilton Sundstrand Communications, Rockford.

ROCKFORD SUPPLIERS TO THE F-35 LIGHTING II Visit www.f35.com to learn more about the F-35’s capabilities and to sign up for updates on the program’s status.

Bearing Headquarters Co. Clinkenbeard Excelsior Hamilton Sundstrand Jefco Screw Machine Products Littlestar Plastics Makerite Mfg. Co. Precision Masters Rockford Burrall Rockford Electric Equipment Wilson Tool Corp.

During its meeting on Aug. 23, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted overwhelmingly to endorse the proposed Illinois Tollway Congestion Relief and Capital Improvement Plan and associated toll increases to finance the improvements.

The vote followed the board’s review of a recommendation from the Chamber’s Government Affairs Council to endorse the proposal after a recap of the Illinois Tollway’s Public Hearing hosted at the Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center on Aug. 22.

The proposed improvements include lane expansion from two to three lanes in each direction between Cherry Valley and Elgin. From Elgin to the Kennedy Expressway the improvements include lane expansion to four lanes, with the fourth lane being dedicated to mass transit to facilitate greater movement of travelers. The project will be financed by a 35 cent increase in passenger rates for I-Pass customers as well as increases in passenger rates for non-pass holders.

Rates for trucking/freight are not impacted by this proposal.

“The Toll Authority has made significant investment in the road system that both directly and indirectly affect Rockford, and we support their strong track record,” said Rockford Chamber President & CEO Einar Forsman. “This is about transportation and congestion

improvements that help our region, but also generates much needed jobs for the construction industry.”

The comprehensive 15-year capital plan will complete the rebuilding of the 52-year-old system and commit nearly $12 billion in transportation funding to improve mobility, relieve congestion, reduce pollution and link economies across northern Illinois. The new capital plan for the Illinois Tollway will create jobs, stimulate local economies and provide the congestion relief customers want and need.

The Illinois Tollway is committed to ensuring that this region remains competitive with other major cities in the United States and around the world and unlocking the economic potential of the region for years to come. It is estimated that the construction projects will produce 120,000 permanent jobs for Illinois.

“The Chamber’s Government Affairs Council takes very seriously its role in representing the interests of business in this region,” said Ryan Brauns, chair of the Chamber’s Government Affairs Council. “We reviewed the Tollway Proposal thoroughly and felt that the proposed toll increase was fair, user based, and will go directly into infrastructure improvements that will help our broader region grow its economy.”

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New LinkedIn group an idea exchange for area manufacturers

By Matthew Simpson, RAEDC The RAEDC has taken to the professional networking site LinkedIn to connect with the regional manufacturing community. Occasionally, the RAEDC gets requests from organizations to suggest a company that can supply a part to strict specifications, or provide certain manufacturing services. Instead of attempting to sift through company names and trying to recall who has what capabilities, we would like to present these opportunities directly to you as they come to us.

The Rockford Area Manufacturers group (RAM) will provide the perfect platform to share these opportunities. RAM is a professional networking platform available through LinkedIn that will allow RAEDC to communicate directly to area

manufacturers quickly and effectively, thereby streamlining access to opportunities and information. The group is a peer-to-peer channel, as well, allowing manufacturers to exchange ideas, requests for services, and suggestions amongst themselves. This will aid in creating a more robust business climate in our region.

RAM Member Criteria ■ Have an account on the LinkedIn professional networking site.

■ Engage in manufacturing processes.

■ Operate your business in the greater Rockford area.

For more information, please contact me at 815-969-4258 or MSimpson@Rockford IL.com.

Photo by Joel Walter

Technical Center for the Arts Art students develop in technology environment

By Sherry Pritz, EIGERlab

Matthew Simpson is business development specialist at the RAEDC.

RREDD adds new staff member Thomas V. Bona joined the Rockford Region Economic Development District as client solutions coordinator. Bona will assist the RREDD and partner agencies – the RAEDC and Growth Dimensions for Belvidere-Boone County – with writing, research and marketing resources to attract and retain businesses in the region.

Bona has more than 10 years of experience as a Thomas V. Bona, RREDD newspaper reporter in Indiana and Illinois, covering client solutions coordinator government, transportation and business topics. He worked for three-and-a-half years as a business reporter for the Rockford Register Star. Recently he served as marketing, communications and public relations specialist for Chicago Rockford International Airport. Bona is a graduate of Goshen (Ind.) College, with a bachelor’s degree in communications.

The 2011 Technical Center for the Arts (TCFA) student residency at EIGERlab (E-L) resulted in collaborative partnerships and positive outcomes. The residency is an outgrowth of work completed at EL in 2010 by artistic collaborators Brian Gillis, assistant professor of art at the University of Oregon, and Mike Miller, chair and associate professor of visual arts at the University of Illinois-Springfield.

…students received assistance from mentors and technology professionals, office space, rapid prototyping time and materials, in addition to time and materials for casting a bronze or aluminum sculpture…

This year Matt Kennedy, a product design student at the University of Oregon, and Joel Walter, a sculpture student at the University of IllinoisSpringfield, were the first students to participate in the residency, and were chosen from a select group of talented students who applied for the program.

Invigorate the Dialogue The TCFA was created in 2010 to invigorate the dialogue between artists and technology professionals including programmers, machinists and rapid prototyping specialists.

Gillis and Miller were so impressed with the facilities and innovative spirit at E-L that, following meetings in the spring of 2011, they agreed that a new student residency program would be

launched in an effort to make industry collaborations available to emerging students in the arts. This was the initial offering of what will be an ongoing program.

Art Research Meets Engineering, Product Design The student residency program is a highly collaborative effort involving the two aforementioned colleges, E-L, the TCFA and Art Casting of Illinois (ACI). From the E-L, students received assistance from mentors and technology professionals, office space, rapid prototyping time and materials, in addition to time and materials for casting a bronze or aluminum sculpture offered as a grant from ACI. Harry Spell, director of TCFA said, “To create a macrocosm, it is often much more cost effective to begin with a microcosm as a test of effective design. So it has been with the first residency at the E-L of the TCFA. From the feedback received from all levels, including professorial, graduate and undergraduate, this primordial, microcosmic burst of energy has been resoundingly successful. The next step will be the test of scalability. This is as true in artistic research as it is with engineering and product design.”

Regarding desired outcomes, Gills said, “We hope that students take advantage of a period of dedicated research and development time to fully realize a project outside of institutional confines and within an environment that supports a similar ethos and is focused on the creation of new knowledge.”

Sherry D. Pritz is technical specialist at EIGERlab.

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IMEC Success Story: Alpha Star Tool and Mold, Inc. Family business gains professionalism with ISO certification

By Roger Shrum, IMEC Like other small manufacturers fighting to adapt to the economic downturn, Alpha Star Tool and Mold, Crystal Lake (Ill.), knew diversifying its customer base was key to survival. But the family-owned manufacturer of high-end precision tooling and molds quickly learned getting in the door with large companies required the credibility only ISO 9001:2008 registration could bring. So when trusted advisors recommended IMEC’s help, Alpha Star (www.alphastartoolandmold.com) took the plunge — and emerged with ISO 9001:2008 certification in hand just five months later.

According to Vice President Matt

“Representative Manzullo is a friend of manufacturing, and he wanted to help us,” Thurow said. “He tried to get us in the door with some potential new customers, including GE Aviation and Boeing, but he had a hard time because we weren’t ISO registered. So he and Pam encouraged us to talk to IMEC.”

Road to ISO Certification The relationship began with a preinvestigation audit, in which IMEC determined Alpha Star’s ISO-readiness.

Confident the company had the right processes and procedures in place, IMEC began searching for financial assistance that would enable Alpha Star to move forward with the project. Grant

“We appreciated that IMEC didn’t come in and throw out what we’d been doing successfully for 20 years. Some consultants want to change who you are. IMEC took the time to understand our business and adapt their processes to us.

They helped us do what we’re already doing even better.”

An Alpha Star Tool and Mold employee at work.

– Matt Thurow, vice president, Alpha Star Tool and Mold Thurow, Alpha Star is a “well-oiled machine” that’s highly respected in its industry. He credits his parents, who started the company in 1988, for a forward-thinking approach to running the business and for building a customer base that spans various markets — from consumer goods to laboratory equipment to products for aerospace and energy.

Still, the recession was a harsh reminder of the need to keep improving and diversifying — and it led Thurow to approach a local elected official for support. He invited U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo to speak at a meeting of the American Mold Builders Association, then to Alpha Star for a site visit.

Impressed with what he saw at the company’s Crystal Lake facility, the congressman introduced Thurow to Pam Cumpata, president of the McHenry County Economic Development Council, and offered to help make introductions to several large companies with operations in the area.

money was available through Southern Illinois University, but it had to be used

by June 30.

“This was in February,” Thurow said.

“IMEC told us they’d never completed an ISO 9001:2008 registration project in five months, but they were willing to give it a try. It seemed daunting but possible at the same time.”

Grant money in hand, the two organizations worked together to fasttrack the registration process, with a focus on updating Alpha Star’s paperwork to conform with ISO 9001:2008 procedures and mandates and teaching company leaders how to conduct internal auditing effectively.

“IMEC told us we were the most ISO-ready company they’d ever worked with,” Thurow said. “We were doing about 95 percent of what ISO 9001:2008 required already and just needed to tweak it to be in compliance.”

As part of the project, IMEC conducted an all-employee meeting with

Alpha Star Tool and Mold's leadership team meets with Congressman Don Manzullo and IMEC staff Roger Shrum and Eric Danielson.

Alpha Star’s 17 employees, walking them through what to expect and answering their questions. Thurow believes this meeting helped put his team at ease about the process and was a key step in gaining buy-in.

“We appreciated that IMEC didn’t come in and throw out what we’d been doing successfully for 20 years,” he says.

“Some consultants want to change who you are. IMEC took the time to understand our business and adapt their processes to us. They helped us do what we’re already doing even better.”

With IMEC’s help, Alpha Star

received its ISO 9001:2008 certification in early July — and Thurow is anticipating it will lead to significant new business opportunities within the next 18 months.

He’s also planning to turn to IMEC again in the next year or two to pursue ISO registration for the aerospace industry.

“We’re thinking long term and looking forward to working with Congressman Manzullo and others to reach out to larger companies,” he says.

“We know ISO 9001:2008 certification makes us look more professional in their eyes, and we have IMEC to thank for helping us achieve it so quickly.”

Manufacturing News is sponsored by IMEC

rockfordchamber.com theVoice September 2011

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Let’s get together Flexible networks aid economic development Coming together is easy. Staying together is hard.

Thinking about what’s happening in our community and economic development circles lately, I’d say – as a community – we are getting increasingly better at staying together. More and more, local organizations, in many cases with little in common, are breaking down barriers and forming new alliances to ensure our region’s future.

In most cases these are loosely knit networks that come together for a single purpose and then disband once the task is accomplished. In some instances, the alliances are more long lasting. In just about every case, the final objective results in an improved community.

John Groh RACVB

million for a scholarship endowment.

Community leaders chartered a flight to Florida to take their message directly to the university’s president. ERAU has yet to make a decision, but the community already has rolled out the red carpet.

The Rockford City Market is one of the region’s most recent collaboration success stories. Less than 18 months ago, the market consisted of about a half-dozen people, from several diverse organizations, gathered around a table with a hope and a dream. Now in its second season, the market draws nearly 3,000 people to downtown Rockford every Friday night, increasing

business

at

current

establishments and serving as an incubator

Rockford Casino Coalition The Rockford region is the closest it has ever been to landing a casino, and the jobs that would come with it. A bill before Illinois Governor Pat Quinn would grant the region a casino license. In June, RACVB worked with others to launch the Rockford Casino Coalition. The coalition exists to urge the governor to sign SB 0744. Supporters, ranging from arts to agriculture to building and trade organizations, have publicly shown their support at news conferences, via news releases and resolutions. All total, more than 30 groups and thousands of citizens have proclaimed, “We’re all in, Governor Quinn!” and that number continues to grow.

Joining together as part of the Rockford Casino Coalition has helped these groups communicate the strength and determination of the Rockford region regarding this issue. While, at the time of this writing, we don’t know what action the governor will take, we do know he’s receiving the message that Rockford wants and needs a casino.

While the casino coalition is the latest example of how our region is using flexible networks to spur community and economic development, it is not the first or only. A quick look at the last couple years shows several instances where our region has rallied and worked together to bring about growth.

Flexible Networks as Agents of Change When leaders learned Embry Riddle Aeronautical University was considering opening a residential campus in Rockford, the community rallied to pursue the opportunity. More than 150 public and private organizations displayed their support for the project. Businesses and individuals pledged a total of more than $1

for others.

The rumble of passenger trains draws closer thanks to the success of the Blackhawk Express Rail Coalition. More than 100 entities from throughout northwest Illinois, including construction companies, social service organizations, bankers, lawyers, realtors and more, united to show support for passenger rail service between Dubuque and Chicago through Rockford. Their collective voice was loud enough to encourage Governor Quinn to designate $60 million toward the return of passenger service. The Illinois Department of Transportation has selected a route, and service is projected to begin in 2013.

The Rockford School District has a new feel this year as elementary students begin attending zoned schools, a departure from the prior “controlled choice” system. The Rockford Chamber of Commerce and Next Rockford led a coalition of business and community leaders in a push for a new student assignment plan. The Zones Now Coalition brought the issue to the center of public attention and charted a new course for the future.

Growing Stronger Building a coalition doesn’t guarantee a win, but it makes our voice stronger.

Each time we join together, we learn a little more and do a little better. We’ve understood for years that together we’re greater than the sum of our parts. Now we’re putting that to practice.

John Groh is the president/CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the region’s chief ambassador and the agency charged with growing our economy by growing visitation to the region.

September 2011 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Improve quality of hires with background checks Know who you bring into your organization Chris Cluney

With

a

continued

challenging

economy, there is no shortage of

Basic Rules for Background Checks

applicants to choose from for almost any given position. The applicant pool is filled with qualified potential hires; however, it

Regardless of the type of information gathered, employers should follow some basic rules regarding background checks.

Employers must avoid conducting checks only on those applicants who have something they consider suspicious on their applications.

Steps to Follow

also has individuals with potential criminal records.

According to the Justice Department Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than 572,000 nonfatal violent crimes (including rape, robbery or assault) occurred against individuals age 16 or older while at work in 2009.

If a crime of this nature were to occur at your organization, the ramifications could mean the end of your business.

In addition to protecting your workforce, an Aberdeen Group study finds

that

organizations in

quality

■ Information obtained during a background investigation must be kept confidential and should only be distributed to the appropriate HR manager or hiring manager.

■ Keep all records under lock and key at all times.

utilizing

background checks showed a 60 percent improvement

■ Information sought in a background check should be job-related (i.e., the employer does not necessarily need a driving record for an employee who will be working as a data-entry operator at a computer all day).

of

hires.

Increasing the quality of a hire helps decrease turnover and saves money on training as well.

■ To avoid claims of discrimination, background checks must not be done on a selective basis. If background checks are conducted for a particular position, then all final candidates for that position should be subjected to a background check.

When conducting the actual background check, most organizations begin with a core background check. This includes a Social Security Trace, a state or county criminal search, and a federal criminal search.

The Social Security Trace will validate the applicant’s Social Security number and provide an address history, which will help you search any state in which the applicant has previously lived.

The state or county criminal search can be conducted by either running a database search or by ordering a physical search of criminal records. County records will be searched at the appropriate county courthouse and state records will be searched through the appropriate party, usually the state highway patrol.

The federal criminal search is a search

of all U.S. AAIM Employers’ Association Federal Courts, as federal and state crimes are charged and reported independently of each other.

The final step is to supplement the core check with any role or job-specific searches. Some examples are: motor vehicle reports for anyone driving for your organization; credit reports for anyone in an accounting function or with fiduciary responsibility; and educational verifications for any role which requires a degree.

Conducting background checks is an economical and easy way to help ensure the safety of your workforce and to provide your organization with a competitive edge.

Chris Cluney is AAIMCheck practice leader.

AAIMCheck provides background and reference checking and drug testing services. Contact him at 314-754-0219 or chris.cluney@aaimea.org.

Locally, contact Kathy Siedenburg at 815-2628058 or kathy.siedenburg@aaimea.org.

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

Help available for local businesses hiring new workers

By John Strandin, Boone & Winnebago Counties Workforce Investment Board Businesses considering plans to hire and train new employees don’t have to go it alone. The Boone and Winnebago Counties Workforce Investment Board has received a grant from the state to help train currently unemployed individuals in new positions. The On-The-Job Training program pays at least half of the wages (and sometimes a lot more, depending on the size of your company) for up to six months for newly hired workers. This is a win-win initiative for all involved.

We have heard for months that

businesses are having a difficult time finding workers with the skills needed to fill available positions. The great thing about this program is that new employees can get onthe-job training that is specific to the position they are filling.

“Workers receive the training most appropriate for the available jobs, and employers receive a subsidy to help cover the cost of the new employee during that time when he/she is least productive,” said John Phelps, Rockford Local Development Corporation — a huge supporter of on-thejob training. “The reticent employer now has a strong incentive to hire that full-time employee knowing that the training cost will be shared by the OJT grant.”

Training at Minimal Employer Cost This is not just another government program with lots of red tape and paperwork. There is some follow-up involved, but most of the busy work is done by our business representatives at The Workforce Connection. There is a catch — if you’re interested in the program, talk to us first. The OJT agreement has to be worked out before an eligible employee starts his or her new job. We can also help connect you with potential workers with a wide range of education and experience who are motivated to learn new skills.

This is not a new program. Numerous businesses have taken advantage of our on-

the-job training program over the years with great success.

“Ford Tool & Machining took advantage of the OJT program for the first time in March of 2011,” said Ginger Elsasser, HR specialist at Ford Tool & Machining, LLC. “Our first encounter has been very successful for both Ford Tool and our employee. This program allows the employee the ability to gain the experience and knowledge they need to perform the job, at minimal cost to our company.”

If you are interested in adding to your workforce using this program, contact Robert Jones, business account manager, The Workforce Connection, at 815-395-6619.

rockfordchamber.com theVoice September 2011

FOCUS ON HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS 11

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Reducing corporate medical care costs Roger L. Greenlaw,

We all are especially aware during these difficult economic times that medical care costs are rising beyond the reach of our present and future resources. Over the next nine years medical costs are projected to go up — from $2.6 trillion to $4.6 trillion.

Corporations and other payers face yearly double-digit increases in medical care costs and insurance premiums. Unions bargain for less increases in premiums and co-pays, while providers argue that the cost of delivering care is not keeping up with reimbursement. This system is broken in many ways, but unsustainable financial forecasts are driving opportunity that offers an immediate way forward; focused on selfinsured corporate payers.

Research documents that a therapeutic lifestyle change can prevent, arrest and often reverse common medical conditions. The same lifestyle can prevent, stabilize and often reverse Type II diabetes, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, overweight and loss of energy. This research has resulted in Medicare’s approval of the Ornish program for payment as of January, 2010.

Recent Ornish publications have shown arrest and reversal of early prostate cancer with the same lifestyle. These same principles are now taught by the Rockford CHIP program (Coronary Health Improvement Project), the Pritikin Longevity Center, and many other therapeutic lifestyle change programs throughout the country.

Healthy Employees Mean Savings The new healthcare laws allow corporate payers to offer HRA (health risk assessment) results-based premiums, co-pays and incentives (rewards and/or penalties), rather than the usual rewards for voluntary participation in wellness programs.

Research shows chronic disease accounts for 75 percent of our nation’s medical care bill. Furthermore, 20 percent of employees have 80 percent of the claims, and these seldom are the people who voluntarily participate in the wellness programs offered by the company. Yet these few claims raise the premiums for all employees.

Asking High-Risk Employees to Pay More Recent Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive Poll surveys show that 53 percent of Americans now think it is fair to ask those with unhealthy lifestyles to pay more for their health insurance (up from 37 percent only three years ago) — much like drivers with poor driving records can expect to pay more for auto insurance. The new laws allow a 20 percent premium differential for high-risk profiles until 2014, when it goes to 30 percent. Companies experience even higher indirect costs from

M.D. their unhealthy CHIP employees in terms of absenteeism or decreased productivity and creativity of employees.

Formerly, voluntary participation wellness programs offered an average ROI (return on investment) of $1.50 to $2.50 for each dollar invested.

The New York Academy of Medicine has published a Compendium of Community Health Programs that work and identified the Rockford CHIP Program as one of the best, predicting that such programs can offer ROIs of $5.60 for each dollar invested. WELCOA, Wellness Councils of America, has endorsed the Rockford CHIP program as a turnkey healthy lifestyle intervention for companies wanting to offer the new HRA results-based healthcare financing option.

New estimates for these programs show ROI approaching $5 to $10 per dollar invested, with results in a few months, rather than a few years.

Wellness: A Win-Win for All We now have our best opportunity yet to change the paradigm. People want to be healthy, contribute to their workplace, serve the community and live to see their families grow and prosper. The programs described above can be a win-win for all stakeholders.

The really good news is that research has proven that it is never too late to take charge of your health, and as we take advantage of these opportunities, the City of Rockford becomes a model for improving quality of life while controlling and reducing medical care costs. This could be a big factor in attracting businesses to our city. This is the year to initiate changes and return companies and people to health and vitality.

Roger L. Greenlaw, M.D., is a gastroenterologist and holistic integrative medicine doctor who teaches lifestyle change to prevent, arrest and reverse many common medical conditions.

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

RESOURCES TO CUT HEALTHCARE COSTS For more information on reducing your company’s expenses through CHIP educational programs and how to encourage employee healthier lifestyles, please contact: Dr. Roger Greenlaw at rgreen97@aol.com Jody Perrecone at jperrecone@CHIPhealth.com 815-316-6361 (Rockford CHIP program office) CHIPHealth.com WELCOA.com (Wellness Council of America)

12 FOCUS ON HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

Social Security adds new Compassionate Allowances conditions Social Security announced 12 new Compassionate Allowances conditions — diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits. The 12 severe heart diseases added bring the total number of conditions in the expedited disability process to 100. Overall, conditions primarily include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and a number of rare disorders that affect children.

The Compassionate Allowances initiative is one of two parts of the agency’s fast-track system for certain disability claims.

When combined with the Quick Disability Determination process, Social Security expects to fast-track nearly 150,000 cases.

New Conditions Aortic Atresia Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Recipient Eisenmenger Syndrome Mitral Valve Atresia Endomyocardial Fibrosis Primary Cardiac Amyloidosis Heart Transplant Graft Failure Pulmonary Atresia Heart Transplant Wait List - 1A/1B Single Ventricle Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Tricuspid Atresia For more information, visit www.ssa .gov/compassionateallowances.

September 2011 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Is your work space spine friendly?

Dr. Christopher Sliva

Many of us will experience some form of back pain in our lifetime. Some cases are more severe than others, and there are a variety of causes. A well known trigger to back pain can be your work environment.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 195,150 cases involving work-related injuries to the back in 2009. While many of these injuries are related to lifting and pulling, some could be the result of poor posture and a lack of ergonomics in your work space.

Take a look at your office space. Do you or your employees look comfortable?

Are desks and chairs at the right height?

Are you slouched in your chair or hunched over? A few small changes in the work space can go a long way towards helping you and your employees avoid excessive back and neck strain.

Here are the top things you should know to make sure your office set-up is good for your spine.

Rockford Spine directly in front Center of you at eye level. If using a laptop, consider getting an external monitor and/or keyboard. This will allow you to move each of these components separately to create a comfortable arrangement.

Workspace Ergonomics

■ Keep your feet flat on the floor and try to avoid crossing your legs.

Chair Essentials. Use a well-constructed ergonomic chair to help reduce fatigue and discomfort, increase your blood flow, and reduce the risk of injury to your neck and spine. Make sure your office chair has a good backrest that provides lumbar support, is not too high, and that you can rest your feet on the ground, can rotate and swivel, and recline -- sitting at a 100 to 110 degree angle is better.

Desk Details. Make sure your desk is stable and at a good height — 28 to 30 inches above the floor is suitable for most adults.

You also will want it to be large enough to accommodate your computer and a separate space for writing and other tasks.

Computer Set-Up. Since so much office work is done on computers, where your equipment is placed can make a difference in how your back feels when you are at work.

Try tilting the keyboard down and slightly away for better wrist posture. Make sure your mouse is close enough that you can use it with your arms relaxed. Place the monitor

Posture is Key You could have all of the latest technology and equipment, but if you’re not sitting properly, your spine will suffer. To avoid back pain, make sure to do the following: ■ Sit upright with your back and shoulders against the back of the chair.

■ Avoid holding your phone between your head and shoulder.

■ Don’t slouch.

■ Arms should rest lightly on the armrests to avoid circulatory problems or nerve pressure.

■ Relax your shoulders while typing.

Take Breaks Taking occasional spine breaks can help you avoid excessive strain. Stretch, take a short walk, get the blood flowing.

When you are at your desk, avoid staying in one position for a long time. Try switching between sitting and standing.

We can’t always prevent injuries and accidents in the workplace, but reducing some of the risk factors certainly can help.

Protecting your spine when you can will help keep you and your employees happy and healthy on the job.

Dr. Christopher Sliva is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon with Rockford Spine Center, 2902 McFarland Road in Rockford.

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

14 FOCUS ON HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

September 2011 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective PERSPECTIVE

Workplace wellness that benefits your bottom line How healthy is your company? I don’t mean the health of your balance sheet. I’m talking about the health of your employees.

Unfortunately, the cost of health care for organizations continues to be on the rise.

While provisions related to health care reform are responsible for some of the increases we see in premiums, there are several other contributing factors.

Nationally, there’s been an increase in utilization of health services. While the cause is not certain, studies suggest that during a down economy, we buy more health care because of additional stress. Increased unemployment and fewer hours at work have given people more time to finally make that doctor visit. Heightened awareness of the cost of health care creates a consumer perception that since they pay for insurance, they should make sure they’re using it.

Regardless of the reason, high health care costs will likely be another “new normal” for business owners. As discouraging as this may be, there are options available to help control and limit these increases.

Rocked by ‘Sticker Shock’ After health care reform passed just over a year ago, many business owners likely had ‘sticker shock’ when they received quotes for their 2011 health care plans. When faced with these increases, it’s important to remember that there are many choices out there. It pays to shop around for the best insurance carrier and plan-design for your employee population.

In addition, don’t underestimate the power of education. Admittedly, most of us purchase medical care differently than we do any other product or service. For example, when purchasing items like a car or new computer, most people will research and review different models and work to find the best deal. But when it comes to our health care, we seldom do this. In fact, most of us don’t even think that we can!

Most health insurance providers now have online tools and trained customer service representatives that can assist in comparing the costs of medical care and procedures among area physicians. This transparency of medical costs and provider quality is becoming easier to use and more robust with each passing year. Now all we need to do is get used to using it!

Implement Wellness Programs Another way employers can help address these costs is to implement a functional workplace wellness program. Workplace wellness programs can take many forms, from hosting simple activities related to healthy lifestyle choices to formal health risk assessments with programs and goals specific to employee health risks.

A few things to keep in mind relative to wellness in the workplace: Good health isn’t

Terri Burdick Blackhawk Bank

a switch we can turn on for overnight success. Good health is achieved by consistently making smart choices about what goes into our mouth and how much we move. Changing poor habits into good ones takes time to develop and produce results. A good rule of thumb for seeing real change is three years. A good wellness program cannot protect your claim experience from health misfortune, such as a serious illness or accident. Even with a great wellness program, there will be years when your costs increase.

Not all employees will embrace wellness programs. A good wellness program includes incentives and goals that encourage employees to willingly participate. Success of fellow employees increases participation over time. Be sure to celebrate individual success as appropriate. Such celebration will promote additional participation.

Pinpoint Key Employee Health Issues To help make sure your dedicated resources and wellness programs are effective, first identify the greatest health issues among your employee base. Start with encouraging optional health risk assessments so you can recognize key issues as well as establish a benchmark to measure the success of your program against. You can even reward employees for participating in the assessment. Then, design education and activities specific to those health areas where your employees are challenged. Each person is different: Some need to achieve a healthy weight, others need more physical activity or to stop smoking.

Rising health care costs obviously affect your employees as well. You can help them save money by offering a high deductible plan in conjunction with a Health Savings Account option. The popularity of HSAs has continued to grow in recent years. The new limits for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) make contributing to an HSA even more attractive. Starting in 2013, the reform will cap annual FSA contributions at $2,500 per year, when there previously was no maximum. HSAs are another option that can help employees get involved in their health care decisions.

Helping to improve the health of your employees not only reduces your bottom line by lowering health care costs; it also helps cut down on lost productivity from workers being out for health-related reasons. Health care should be approached as a partnership with employees. The more you can work together to improve and support healthy lifestyles, the less the cost will be for all.

Terri Burdick is senior vice president, administration & operations, at Blackhawk Bank.

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

rockfordchamber.com theVoice September 2011

SPECIAL INSERT: REGIONAL EXPO A

September 22, 1 to 7 pm | Former Sears Essentials Building | 1515 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park

Going Green cont from front page

and by manufacturing or selling energyefficient products. Below are stories from just a few.

Corporate Council Explores Green Practices The Natural Land Institute in Rockford formed two years ago a Corporate Council of regional businesses that explore green business practices, including energy-saving techniques, natural landscaping for corporate campuses, and new methods of conservation design. Participants of the Corporate Council meet quarterly to discuss topics ranging from improvements to public transportation systems, energy-efficient building design and construction, waste reduction and recycling, “paperless” office practices, and the use of native plants in landscape design.

“Companies that use natural landscaping, reduce waste, and recycle, save money by reducing labor, lowering energy costs, and lowering waste disposal costs,” said Jerry Paulson, executive director of the Natural Land Institute.

“Turning a business’ vacant lot into a prairie may cost more than planting a traditional bluegrass lawn, but it costs almost nothing to maintain the area once the prairie has been established. Native plants also absorb more rainfall, thereby reducing the risk of flooding. A green roof retains rainwater, helps to cool the building, and reduces wear and tear on the roof itself.”

Math at Rock Valley College (designed

by Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects), Lantow Lofts and Katie’s Cup coffee shop, and Freedom Field Renewable Energy.

The Natural Land Institute is a nonprofit organization that has lead in preserving and restoring more than 16,000 acres of natural land in northern Illinois since 1952. For more information and a list of Corporate Council member businesses, visit www.NaturalLand.org.

Rebates for Lighting System Retro-Fits Thayer Lighting, Inc., a full service lighting distributor in Machesney Park and a ComEd Trade Ally, has partnered with the ComEd Smart Ideas program, which provides rebates for companies that retro-fit old lighting systems to new highly energy-efficient lighting systems.

Mark Carlson, facilities engineer at First Evangelical Free Church, in Rockford, led his church through the retro-fit process with Thayer. “When we

Corporate Council on Tour The Corporate Council tours area businesses and buildings that have incorporated sustainable features into their day-to-day business practices.

Tours have traveled to locations like Specialty Screw Corporation, the McGladrey building built by CBros, the Karl J. Jacobs Center for Science and

Benson Stone Company, Inc., showroom after a lighting retro-fit using LED par lamps. Benson Stone went from 75 to 14 watts with brighter lighting and an 81 percent savings in electric consumption per bulb.

realized the products we were using were being discontinued, we contacted Thayer Lighting, Inc., which did an energy audit of our existing lighting system and prepared a proposal that incorporated the changes needed to meet the new standards, reduce our energy costs and qualify for the ComEd Smart Ideas rebates. We were so impressed with the numbers, we decided to move ahead on the entire project.

Through Thayer Lighting and Wilson Electric’s workmanship, the project was completed as scheduled and qualified for four additional rebates.”

To date, Thayer Lighting has retro-fit more than 15,000,000 square feet with energy-saving lighting.

Leading the ‘Donate Movement’ For 75 years, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois has been an entrepreneurial leader of the “reduce, reuse, repurpose” practice.

To combat electronic waste (or ewaste), Goodwill recycles computers and components through the DellReconnect partnership. Dell-Reconnect is a free drop-off program for consumers who want to recycle any brand of unwanted computer and computer accessories.

Donated electronic equipment is broken down into parts, such as metals, plastics and glass to be recycled by Dell partners.

Last year, Goodwill kept more than 300,000 pounds of computers and computer equipment out of area landfills.

“Goodwill has a decades-long history of recycling and repurposing unwanted household items and clothing,” said Sam Schmitz, president of Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois. “These unwanted items might otherwise end up in municipal landfills, thus reducing the life of the landfill and costing the tax payers higher fees. Not only does our model provide jobs and job training for those in need, our more on page B

B SPECIAL INSERT: REGIONAL EXPO

Going Green cont from page A “green” model helps reduce costs for municipalities and individuals, who are able to save on daily consumer products.”

To promote being socially responsible and green, the Goodwills nationwide have joined to launch the “Donate Movement,” a public awareness movement that focuses on the positive impact that donating has on people and the planet. Goodwill’s vision is for the “D” icon ultimately to become a universally recognized symbol stamped on donate-able items – similar to the recycling symbol.

“Goodwill is actively pursuing partners that will organically align with the Donate Movement,” Schmitz said.

“Just like there are items you recycle, there are items you ‘Donate’.”

In 2010, Goodwill diverted more than 5.5 million pounds of clothing, shoes, books and household items from area landfills by recovering the value in people’s unwanted material goods. For more information on Dell-Reconnect and the Donate Movement visit www.dell reconnect.com, donate.good will.org or call 815-987-6237.

September 2011 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Eco-Superior, Eco-Easy Trendwatching.com, a leading trend firm that scans the globe for emerging consumer trends, describes the green movement/sustainability as a top trend for 2011. Termed “EcoSuperior,” the trend is for governments, consumers and businesses to pursue more environmentally sustainable societies and economies. Conversely, the number of consumers actively seeking out “green” products appears to be reaching a plateau and mainstream consumers are questioning the value and efficiency of going green.

Eco-Superior describes organizations’ realization that it’s not enough just to say your product is green. To boost the value of green products in consumers’ eyes, products must be not only ecofriendly, but superior in every way to their “polluting” incumbents, such as superior in functionality, design and savings.

Trendwatching.com also identified the “Eco-Easy” trend, stating that serious eco-results will depend on products and processes becoming more sustainable without consumers even noticing it, and, if necessary, not leaving much room for consumers and companies to opt for less sustainable alternatives to begin with. This might mean forceful, if not painful, government intervention, or some serious corporate guts, or brilliantly smart design and thinking, if not all of those combined. Examples included thoroughly green buildings, complete bans on plastic bags and bottles and superstrict bluefin tuna quotas.

Rockford Regional Business Expo September 22, 2011 • Former Sears Essentials Building

rockfordchamber.com theVoice September 2011

SPECIAL INSERT: REGIONAL EXPO C

prior to the opening of the Regional Business Expo on September 22. Once a skeptic and now an outspoken proponent of LinkedIn, Wayne Breitbarth is passionate about helping business professionals—from entry level to CEO— learn how to combine their previous experience and relationships with this innovative tool in order to more successfully brand and market themselves and their businesses. Some of the topics of the workshop will include:

Regional Expo to feature LinkedIn expert for opening keynote /workshop Chamber also to feature special educational breakout sessions throughout expo Wayne Breitbarth, author of “The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success” will be the luncheon keynote/workshop

■ Use your unique experience and existing relationships to harness the full power of LinkedIn ■ Begin developing a strategy for how you can most effectively use LinkedIn to accomplish your goals ■ Create a profile that will allow people to find you ■ Successfully search for potential customers, contacts, etc.

■ Use groups to generate business opportunities ■ Effectively manage your time spent on LinkedIn Registration is $25 and space is limited. Please register at www.rockford chamber.com. Registration includes lunch and a copy of Wayne’s book. For more information about Wayne, go to www.powerformula.net.

Breakout Sessions for Regional Expo 2011 1:30 pm

Using Incentives to Motivate Healthy Behaviors Humana Stuart Slutzky – Chief, Product Innovation at HumanaVitality This program will explore the financial implications of unhealthy lifestyle choices and give attendees the tools to improve the health of their employees and their constituents' employees. Attendees will learn the importance of both corporate culture and incentives in driving employee healthy behaviors.

2:00 pm

It’s Not Who You Know; It’s Who Knows YOU. Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Monica Krysztopa – Vice President Networking allows you to continually meet new people and build relationships. Confidently expand your sphere of influence and grow your professional database of contacts with a simple and easy plan that you develop yourself.

2:30

Cloud Computing and Unified Communications TDS Wayne Taylor – Account Executive “Doing more with less” has become a necessity in today’s business environment. Today, small business can operate with all of the technology and resources of Fortune 500 companies at a fraction of the cost. In this session you will learn how to build efficiencies and leverage resources that will help your business run lean and grow quickly.

3:00

Are Your Media Relations Hot? If Not, Turn Up The Heat!

KMK Media Group, Inc. Pam Maher – CEO Are you in a relationship with the Media (or wish you were)? Discover the secrets of good media relations at this session.

3:30

401K for Small Businesses Savant Capital Management, Inc. Scott Laue – Financial Advisor Join us for this session and learn how to setup the ideal 401(k) plan design and find out how to encourage employees to take full advantage of all their retirement benefits.

4:00

Social Media in the Workplace Staff Management, Inc. Samuel J. Castree, Jr. – Sr. VP & General Counsel The use of social media in the workplace raises a number of very different issues. From an employment law perspective, what uses are permissible or impermissible? This presentation will explore legal and HR best practices surrounding this rapidly developing and changing subject.

Don’t miss this opportunity at the Regional Business Expo Thursday, September 22

September 2011 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

D SPECIAL INSERT: REGIONAL EXPO

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Get bottom line benefits in your business by ‘going green’ Applying Six Sigma principles to your initiatives can save some green What is in a title? As a business you are being bombarded with advertisements, technologies and seminar opportunities that say you should “go green.” So what does it mean, and how can you take continuous steps in your business to go green?

Many, if not all, are familiar with the documentation and procedural standards of ISO certification and the continuous quality

improvements that Six Sigma can bring to your business. So why not apply these same practices and principles to your go green initiatives?

Step 1: Get Intelligent About Energy In order to be able to make effective decisions on improving your energy and utility usage you must have benchmarking

data to know where you are starting.

Benchmarking involves knowing what your utility utilization is and where it is being consumed in your facility.

With the knowledge of where you are today with utility usages (electrical, gas/fuel, water and waste), you can take the next step in the go green process. To accomplish this step, you will want to contact a local professional engineering organization that can provide a facility assessment.

Step 2: What Does It Mean to “Go Green”?

The government and industry have several options for helping organizations understand what it means to go green. The government has a rating system that many of us have seen on consumer products we already have purchased called Energy Star.

Did you know that you can also get an Energy Star rating for your facility? This Energy Star rating is a positive confirmation of efforts that your organization has taken in the go green process. It provides internal and external recognition of your organization’s commitment to the environment and natural resources. For more information visit www.energy star.gov.

Also, industry has established an internationally recognized council, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). USGBC has, in turn, has created an internationally recognized rating system for business and government facilities called LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

By following LEED guidelines and principles, existing and new facilities can employ sustainable practices that allow the entire business operation to go green. For more information visit www.usgbc .org/LEED.

Step 3: Where In My Facility Can I “Go Green?”

Virtually every area of your business has the opportunity to go green, such as: ■ HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) ■ Lighting

Brent S. Bernardi Alpha Controls & Services LLC

■ New construction practices that meet LEED guidelines ■ Renovation practices that meet LEED guidelines ■ Supply chain partners that employ go green principles and practices ■ Waste management/recycling/water management

Step 4: What Results Can I Expect?

There are numerous benefits that your operation will realize from go green initiatives, both to your bottom line and sustainability, including: ■ Improved work environment ■ Improved productivity of personnel ■ Improved process productivity ■ Healthier work environment ■ The information you need to make effective investment decisions ■ Employees feel better about their employer ■ Customers feel better about their service or product supplier ■ Reduced consumption of our natural resources ■ Less pollution through reduced waste generation ■ Thorough understanding of where your energy dollars are being spent ■ Reduced utility costs immediately and going forward Now is the time to go green. There are many incentives and one of the most important is “rebate dollars” that utilities and the government are offering to organizations taking responsible steps. Join us as we all “go green” for our businesses, communities, environment, and most importantly, for future generations.

Brent S. Bernardi is president at Alpha Controls & Services LLC. Visit www.alphaACS.com or call 815-227-4000.

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

September 2011 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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PROFILE

Member Company Profile

Staff of family-run Rockford Electric Equipment include (left to right) Rob Wandell, Kent Beishir, Bernie Beishir, Steve Beishir, Don Beishir and Jeannette Hale.

Putting down roots Rockford Electric Equipment looks forward to celebrating 80 years in business

By Paul Anthony Arco To those who knew him, Sylvester Beishir is best described as a trendsetter.

“He owned the first electric golf cart in town,” said his grandson, Steve Beishir.

“He saw one in California, so he bought it, put it on the train and brought it home to Rockford. He also had the very first inground sprinkling system, central air and the first automatic garage door opener.

He was quite the innovator.”

Beishir also was a leader in business.

He was working as a motor repairman for

General Electric in St. Louis, when he decided to move to Rockford and open his repair shop on South Wyman Street in 1932. Eventually, he retired and sold the business to his son, Don, who built a new facility on Harrison Avenue, where the company remains today. Don and his wife, Betty, who served as secretary, ran the operation until 1985, when they sold it to their two sons. “Grandpa was a very proud man,” Steve said. “He was proud that his son and grandkids went into the business. To break away from General Electric was a huge risk.”

Four-Generation Family Business

Keeping the Motors REEC sells and repairs commercial and of Industry Running

industrial electric motors. “There are motors all around us – in elevators, factories, food processing plants, hospitals, shopping malls, water parks, restaurants, supermarkets, you name it,” said Steve, who co-owns the business with his brother, Bernie. “Motors come from everywhere. Often we work on a motor but we’re not sure of its application.

Motors are motors. We’ll fix it.”

Plenty has changed since the company’s early days. Today, REEC has a complete machine shop with state-of-theart equipment, such as a 100-ton hydraulic press, and 80-ton hydraulic pullers. The warehouse is stocked with new and rebuilt motors, from fractional to 150 horse power motors. Larger motors can be ordered and delivered the same day from Chicago and Milwaukee.

“When I started in 1964, we didn’t have the equipment we have now,” Steve said.

“We have cutoff machines, burn off ovens, stripping and winding machines. So much of it was done by hand before. We do our own welding, sandblasting, and metalizing.

It’s still hard work, but it’s much easier.”

REEC has a staff of seven, including a fourth-generation Beishir: Bernie’s son, Kent, 22, also works in the shop. The company serves a 60-mile radius, but occasionally receives orders from the East Coast. There are no service calls; all work is performed in-house. “We don’t repair window fans and washing machines, but we can work on anything that can fit through our doors,” Steve said.

New business comes mostly from word of mouth. There is no social media, advertising, not even a Web site.

Even the company’s retiring salesman wasn’t replaced. “Our work speaks for itself,” Steve said.

Over the years, there have been a couple lean times, including 9/11 when the phones stopped ringing for several months. “That was a frightening time,” he said. But the Beishirs persevered and have been on solid ground ever since.

Steve said there is tremendous satisfaction in helping another business get their machines up and running again.

“The president of the company will call us and can’t thank us enough,” he said. “To get that call makes it all worthwhile.”

And certainly Sylvester Beishir would be proud. His grandsons pay tribute to their late grandfather with a large portrait displayed in the lobby. “The day we hung his picture, we brought him down to see it.

There were tears in his eyes,” Steve said.

“He would be very happy with what we’re doing, and we’re proud to be a part of the Rockford community.”

ROCKFORD ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT CO. Bernie and Steve Beishir, owners 2010 Harrison Ave. Rockford, IL, 61104 815-398-4096

rockfordchamber.com theVoice September 2011

17

INSIGHT Guest Perspective

Safety in retirement: What does ‘safe’ really mean?

What does the word “safety” mean to you when you think of your retirement?

Is it more important to you to seek safety of principal or safety of income? Do you place more value on a stable dollar amount on your monthly account statement or on receiving an income check every month for the rest of your life? Will you be able to maintain your lifestyle if you never get a raise over the next 20 or 30 years?

The answers to these questions have a profound impact on how your retirement portfolio should be designed.

Traditionally, investors have considered a “safe” portfolio as one that does not lose principal over time. However, many retirees are coming to realize that what they mean by “safety” is a portfolio that will provide an income stream in retirement that will allow them to maintain their standard of living for as long as they live.

The transition from growing a portfolio over your working career to generating enough money from that nest egg to provide the lifestyle you desire in retirement could be the single most important financial issue of the baby boomer generation.

In this article, the ideas we discuss are designed to address both the need for investment growth in retirement, while acknowledging the potential risks of volatile markets to a distribution portfolio.

We believe that a disciplined wealth management process is the key to your success in overcoming these challenges.

We also assert that following your plan can help eliminate the emotional component of investment decision making and help you make better decisions.

Life Expectancy, Inflation Increases A lot has changed in the last 80 years as life expectancy has gone from about 60 years to almost 78 years as of 2007. The generation that now is entering retirement

will spend more time in their retirement years than any other group in history. Both longevity and increased activity will place more stress on the resources of these retirees to provide income throughout their lives. It is important to recognize that as these people retire, they still need to plan for a long-term investment horizon of 20 or 30 years — perhaps longer. This, in conjunction with fewer pensions and the questions facing Social Security, increases the significance of proper management of their retirement assets.

The second factor that will have an influence on the ability of baby boomers to enjoy their retirement years is inflation. Simply put, inflation is the rate of increase in the price of goods and services over time.

The rate of inflation over the past 100 years has averaged about 3 percent per year. However, with the recent actions of the Federal Reserve to increase the money supply and the increase in government debt, there is growing concern that the U.S. may experience a period where inflation rates exceed the historical average. The last time we faced out-of-control inflation over an extended period of time was the 1970s.

In fact, from 1970 to 1982, the average rate of inflation exceeded 8 percent, which more than doubled the cost of living in just 12 short years.

Should this happen again, it could have a dramatic impact on a retiree’s standard of living due to the inverse relationship of inflation with purchasing power. So, a portfolio designed for safety of principal only could have serious consequences in maintaining buying power and the standard of living throughout retirement.

On the other hand, many investors facing retirement do not realize that it is the sequence of their portfolio returns, not their average rate of return that could have the greatest impact on their ability to generate income over a long retirement period.

The mathematical reality is that if a retiree is taking distributions from a

Gary Love portfolio that experiences Scott Johnson The Love Johnson extensive downturns at the The Love Johnson Group Group beginning of the distribution period (i.e., soon after retirement) the average returns. They may not see the portfolio may never have a chance to catch need to properly diversify their portfolio. up. This is due to the fact that the retiree Some of these investors will guess right must sell a greater number of shares at and may have a long and prosperous discounted prices in a down market to retirement because their early market create their needed income, and the shares experience is positive. However, some of that are sold will never have a chance to these investors will experience such a recover when the market eventually does significant drop in their portfolio value at come back up. the beginning of their retirement that they No one can control how their may find themselves in the same position investments will perform within the first as the fearful investor with their portfolio five years of retirement. But because this is running out of life before they do. such an important time frame in the life of The reality is that there is no single a distribution portfolio, we recommend investment or asset class that is perfect for that retirees seek adequate protection for providing a retirement income that will their necessary income. A portfolio strategy last. So, developing a dynamic financial that meets these requirements can help the plan that takes into account new investor have the confidence that no investment opportunities, changing matter what happens to the markets their market conditions, appropriate diversineeded income will be available fication and your own personal risk throughout their retirement years. tolerances is the best way to combat both fear and greed and help create an income Fighting Fear, Greed stream that can go the distance.

In order to have this confidence we We believe that a disciplined wealth must deal with two of the greatest obstacles management process provides the we have observed to investor success. They foundation for successful retirement are fear and greed — and they are equally investing. Overcoming fear, along with a destructive to long-term effectiveness.

Because of fear, some investors will focus on generating an income that will never have a fighting chance to maintain meet your needs not only today, but their buying power because they will not throughout your retirement years, is the accept a decrease in their account value. approach that will best serve today’s baby They believe that safety of principal is the boomers.

most important ingredient to success in retirement. These investors have experienced a dramatic decrease in interest rates and thus income, but still are unwilling to accept market risks. Over time they will be faced with the fact that their buying power has eroded, and they must invade principal to keep up. Unfortunately, this cycle may deplete their portfolio during their lifetimes.

On the other hand, some investors will disregard market risks and base their retirement income only upon expected

Gary Love, CFP® and Scott Johnson, CFP®, CPWA®, are in Private Wealth Management at The Love Johnson Group. Call 815-6365229 or visit www.thelovejohnsongroup.com.

The opinions expressed are Love’s and Johnson’s and not necessarily of Robert W. Baird and Company. Robert W. Baird and Company does not provide tax advice.

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

September 2011 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

18

Rockford College PERSPECTIVE

The importance of a sound investment management strategy The importance of having a sound investment management strategy is never more apparent than in turbulent economic times, such as the present. Once the nerveracking shadow of stock market volatility has been cast, I hear many people express utmost despair in their struggle to steer their “financial ship” to a safe haven.

in the financial markets as a long-term investor. Once this has been established, there is another important question that must be answered: Should one hire a professional investment counsel or tackle the market on one’s own? I would strongly recommend that people without financial background seek the services of a licensed financial advisor.

Two Approaches to Investing

A Sound Long-Term Strategy

Along these lines, the most fundamental yet surprisingly underrated factors for success in the financial markets are having a systematic investment approach and exercising investing discipline. This implies embracing a multi-step approach consisting of a series of questions that need to be answered rationally.

First, one needs to decide whether to act as a trader or as an investor. These two roles differ fundamentally on their time horizon – the former being short-term oriented, the latter – long-term-focused. Approaching the market as a trader also is much less likely to be effective because it involves competing with powerful, technologically advanced proprietary trading firms, hedge funds and investment banks for very small and usually extremely brief opportunities for arbitrage and momentum gains.

It is not difficult to conclude that one stands a much greater chance of succeeding

In either case, the investment management methodology should follow the exact same progression of logical steps in order to be effective.

First, before investing any “risk capital” in the market, one needs to set aside sufficient funds for: a six-to-12 month emergency cushion; property, health and life insurance; and other fundamental needs such as a home, education and transportation. All of these provisions, along with details concerning family size and age, household income, debt, and inheritance, constitute the basics of a family financial plan, which is the starting point for a sound investment strategy.

Once a comprehensive financial plan has been drafted, the next step is to specify the investment objective for the portfolio. What is the primary financial goal and within what time frame does it need to be accomplished?

The most common investment goals include gener- ating sufficient funds for retirement,

for children’s college education, and for real estate purchases or renovations. The time horizon can range from a couple of years to 30+ years.

It is the investment time frame, along with the investor’s risk tolerance level, that will determine the choice of the investment portfolio’s asset allocation. This is an important step, as it is widely regarded that more than 90 percent of portfolio return volatility results directly from the selected asset allocation. The asset allocation simply stands for the distribution of portfolio capital among various assets classes – equity, fixed income, real estate, commodities, etc. The convention goes that the younger the investor and the longer the investment goal’s time horizon, the greater the exposure to riskier asset classes should be since, in case of a loss, there is ample time for capital recuperation.

Selecting Your Investment Vehicles Once the asset allocation has been determined, the next step is to select the investment vehicles for the portfolio. The experience from the last decades has revealed that passive, index-based mutual funds best serve the needs of long-term investors.

Investing in index mutual funds also is costeffective, as these instruments have very low expense ratios. An additional benefit of this type of investment vehicle is the diversifica-

tion of risk it provides, as it conDimitar Tanchev tains hundreds of Rockford College securities. This ensures that the portfolio return is achieved at the lowest possible level of risk for its nature.

Finally yet importantly, once the portfolio has been constructed, it needs to be tracked and rebalanced at least yearly, if not semiannually or quarterly. Portfolio rebalancing is of paramount importance for maximizing investment returns. It promotes the highly effective practice of “selling securities high and buying them low,” while at the same time ensuring that all portfolio asset classes and sub-classes remain within their preestablished target ranges.

Adopting and vigorously following the abovementioned investment approach would not guarantee investors against losses but would maximize their chances of financial success, as well as provide them with the everelusive peace of mind and sense of control during chaotic market intervals.

Dimitar Tanchev has a bachelor of arts in business management and French, and an MBA with a finance concentration from Rockford College. His private sector experience includes working as a portfolio management specialist and as a trader.

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

rockfordchamber.com theVoice September 2011

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IGNITE

Young Professionals

The wheels on the bus go ’round and ’round…

Looking at a nursery rhyme favorite in a new way Jim Collins, author of “Good to Great,” coined the phrase “get the right people on the bus.” Sure, his actual quote is a bit longer, but that’s the general idea. To be a successful organization, you have to surround yourself with the right people doing the right task to best utilize their time and talents.

Every time I hear this simple phrase, “get the right people on the bus,” I can’t help but think of the adorable little nursery rhyme we all grew up with. “The wheels on the bus go round and round … all through the town.” How many times have we sang that ourselves or with the tiny people in our lives? But, what if we apply Jim Collins’ phrase to our nursery rhyme? Whoa. We’ve got a whole new reason to sing!

The Right People in the Right Seats If we combine the two, we suddenly get a new catch phrase: “Get the right people on the bus so the wheels can go round and round … all through the town.” Now, I know you’ll want to take a moment to really relish in that brilliant new combination, but stick with me and read on.

I think Rockford should make this new song our new motto. It’s really all about the people. Sure, we’ve got problems.

We’ve got plenty of them. But I think the majority of our problems could be solved if we got the right people on the bus in the right seats. Our bus would be moving all through this town in no time!

Perhaps we can start with our individual organizations. Is your organization utilizing the talents of your people in the best way possible, or is there a better way for everyone to be on the bus? Perhaps there’s a way to think outside the box and switch up who has what seat on the bus. Maximizing employees’ talents not only will improve your organization but also increase employees’ happiness! Talk about a smooth ride!

After we address the issues in our own organization, perhaps we can go farther.

What about the board positions that you may hold? Are you really utilizing your talents or are you really just taking up space and a name plate? If you are going to commit the time to an organization, make sure it’s one that you’re passionate about and utilizes all the great talents you

offer. To reevaluate every now and then really is a win-win for all those on the bus.

Once we are able to get all the right people in the right seats on the bus, we can finally start cruising through this town.

There are so many great projects that have taken off as of late because the right people were in the right seats at the right time. City projects are taking off and becoming reality. Expansions are happening in our own backyard. What a great time to be on the Rockford bus!

So I beg of you … take a look at the bus you sit on. Are you being utilized in the

Caitlin Ludwig IGNITE

best possible way? We all have something to offer but sometimes we have to make a few tweeks here or there before we finally find that perfect seat.

Explore what small changes you can make to your life to ensure that you’re in the right seat on the right bus. After all, nothing beats a smooth ride with the windows down, the music up and everyone a happy bus rider.

Caitlin Ludwig is director of IGNITE. Learn more at igniterockford.com.

MEET THE PROFESSIONALS IN THE CORNER OFFICE Don’t miss our new event this September! On Sept. 22, IGNITE hosts its C-Suite Meet & Greet. This speed networking opportunity of sorts pairs young professionals with local C-Suites (CEOs/CFOs/ COOs as well as executive directors and presidents) from our community for a fantastic session on leadership.

The event takes place at the Hilton Garden Inn, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

– right before the Chamber’s Regional Expo! Come and have your 10 minutes with the boss – an opportunity to chat with 20 area leaders in small groups. Registration is $25 for IGNITE members/$35 for nonIGNITE members (includes lunch). For more information or to register, visit www.igniterockford.com and click C-Suite Meet & Greet.

September 2011 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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Member in the News IN THE NEWS

1. Audra Moncur

2. Adam Lied

3. Rita Weber

4. Jeffery J. Makeever

5. John F. Schuster

6. Lindsay Augustine

7. Becky Maggio

8. Heather Foulker

9. Jennifer E. Wood

10. Sheila A. Mathre

11. Mary Grimborg

12. Nancy Kolar

13. Dan Raasch

14. Steve Peppers

15. Dr. Shahina Jafry

16. Kathy Roos

17. Erik Valenza

18. Karl Arvidson

19. Rebecca Martinez

20. Tanya Peterson

21. Paulette St. John

22. Sarah Jeske

23. Dr. Anthony Sorkin

24. Dr. Brian J. Bear

named director of international tax services, and Sheila A. Mathre, CPA (10), director of state and local tax services, at Sikich LLP.

BOARD APPOINTMENTS Heather Kelley, owner and marketing strategist of Argyle Marketing, was appointed to the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ In Youth We Trust Program Committee.

Audra Moncur (1), Wipfli LLP; Adam Lied (2), WilliamsMcCarthy LLP, and Rita Weber (3), Rockford Public Schools #205, were appointed to the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center board of directors.

LDR Construction Services, Inc., hired Brian Morelock as project superintendent.

SwedishAmerican Health System announces recipients of the Employees’ Children Scholarship Program: Sharmine Berry, Alexa Devita, Matthew Friberg, Emily Gorman, Kailyn Miller, Catherine Norman, James Tammen, Samantha Thompson, Ariel Triplett and Megan Woodrow.

Rock River Valley Pantry appointed Michelle Murphy, U.S. Cellular, and G. Colin Hurka, MC Products, to its board for three-year terms. Officers elected were: Ken Walker, president; Diane Salas, 1st vice president; Amy Maavich, 2nd vice president; G. Colin Hurka, treasurer, and Beth BingerDunaway, secretary.

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. shareholder Jeffery J. Makeever (4) was named second vice president of the Winnebago County Bar Association. He will become president after two years.

Barbara Olson Center of Hope voted for the following board officers for 2011-2012: Kevin Rudy, president; Dr. Bradley Johnson, vice president; Joan Olson Greenberg, secretary, and Sherri Noel, treasurer. Other board members are: Dr. Kendall Boone, Nancy D’Angelo, Scott Dimke, Mike Hayes, Ryan Kralka, Luella LaBrant, Joe Licari, Melissa Miller and Mike Tolliver. Attorney

Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) receives the Friend of Agriculture Award at the Boone County Fair for 20 years of service in the General Assembly to the agricultural community.

Pete Savitski served two terms as president, and remains ex-officio.

supporting Winnebago High School athletes.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS

RAMP promoted Becky Maggio (7) to Boone County manager, and Heather Foulker (8), to DeKalb County manager.

Rosecrance Health Network hired veteran healthcare financial executive John F. Schuster (5) as Chief Financial Officer.

Orthopedic Rehab Specialists hired Lindsay Augustine (6), MS, ATC, a new certified athletic trainer

Jon Skorburg was appointed vice president and general manager for WQRF-TV, and community web portal Mystateline.com.

Jennifer E. Wood, CPA (9), was

Ipsen, Inc., promoted Mary Grimborg (11) to marketing manager, and Nancy Kolar (12) to director of human resources.

Five associates were promoted at Wipfli LLP, Rockford office: Erica Schau, Kalah Carson, Kris Garnhart and Kathy Sutherland were promoted to manager, and Sara Larson to senior accountant.

David Wagner joined Wipfli LLP, a CPA and consulting firm, as part of its insurance practice.

Dan Raasch (13) was named vice president and elected to the board of directors in June and Steve Peppers (14) as operations manager for Ballard Companies, Inc. Jack Pilcher joined Trekk Inc., as technical developer.

Board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Shahina Jafry (15) opened a new office at Aspen Counseling & Consulting, an affiliate of Rosecrance, to treat women experiencing emotional challenges due to pregnancy and menopause.

Riverside Community Bank added Kathy Roos (16) to its real estate financing team.

Erik Valenza (17) joined the

rockfordchamber.com theVoice September 2011

Member in the News IN THE NEWS for Judson University’s Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Program graduates.

25. Renea Ranguette

26. Megan Ostrowsky

Rockford practice of Kevin M. Heideman, CFP®, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., as a financial advisor.

Ralph Monge joined Rockford Rescue Mission as director of physical operations.

Thayer Lighting, Inc., hired Karl Arvidson (18) as an assistant project manager and Rebecca Martinez (19) as bookkeeper.

Tanya Peterson (20) was promoted to customer service manager at Meridian. Paulette St. John (21) and Sarah Jeske (22) joined the customer service team.

Jerry B. Cain, Judson University president since 1998, announced his retirement effective June 30, 2012.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS Scot Dobbs, a manager of Wipfli LLP’s tax practice, was awarded the Distinguished Media Service Award by the Illinois Certified Public Accountant Society.

Recipients of the Technical Center for the Arts at EIGERlab student residency for 2011 are: Matt Kennedy, University of Oregon product design student, and Joel Walter, University of IllinoisSpringfield sculpture student.

Anthony Sorkin, M.D. (23), of Rockford Orthopedic Associates, Ltd., was accepted for membership in the Foundation for Orthopedic Trauma.

Melissa Villanueva Garcia, M.D., was named Resident of the Year by the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford.

Amandeep Kaur, M.D., received the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Resident Teaching Award.

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren P.C., legal secretary and office manager Tauna Billups was named Legal Secretary of the Year by the Winnebago County Association of Legal Secretaries.

Christine Russo, was honored with the Ames Leadership Award at the special commencement ceremony

Fabricators & Manufacturers Association editors Kate Bachman and Eric Lundin won awards by American Society of Business Publication Editors: Bachman for Green Manufacturer magazine, Best New Publication; and Lundin for Best Technical Article, “Pulsed GTAW for Stainless Steel.”

Editors Dan Davis and Tim Heston won regional awards for best case history feature and best column.

OF GENERAL INTEREST John Groh, president/CEO, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, discussed the success of the social media campaign “Hideaway in Rockford” at Destination Marketing Association International’s 97th Annual Convention in New Orleans, in July.

Brian J. Bear, M.D. (24), Rockford Orthopedic Associates, Ltd., instructed hand surgeons and other medical professionals in the treatment of hand and upper extremity conditions at the Advanced Techniques in Reconstructive Elbow Surgery Conference by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand in Rosemont, (Ill.) in July.

Renea Ranguette (25), vice president of finance and college facilities, and Megan Ostrowsky (26), Beloit Center, Wingspan and Event Start coordinator, graduated from the Blackhawk Technical College Academy for Leadership and Development.

Michael Goldberg, executive director of the Coronado Performing Arts Center, will conduct a workshop, “Working With Commercial Promoters,” at the 24th annual Midwest Arts Conference in Minneapolis.

Julie Carlson, MSN, RN, APN, AOCNS, oncology clinical nurse specialist at the OSF Saint Anthony Center for Cancer Care, presented an oncology nursing workshop in Tegucigalpa, Honduras to oncology nurses and staff at three different hospitals.

Thayer Lighting, Inc., staff members Karl Arvidson, assistant project manager; Rebecca Martinez, bookkeeping, and Ryan Kelly, office manager, attended a one-day training on the Smart Ideas for Your Business program for ComEd Smart Ideas Trade Allies.

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September 2011 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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Regional, National Indicators Guest Perspective THE ECONOMY PERSPECTIVE Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) was essentially unchanged in June, at a seasonally adjusted level of 84 (2007 = 100). Regional output in June rose 7.1 percent from a year earlier, and national output increased 4.1 percent. Updated July 27, 2011 Monthly Index Mar 11

% Change

Apr 11

May11

Chicago Mfg. Index

83.7

84.0

84.0

CFMMI-Auto

75.5

76.3

75.3

CFMMI-Steel

79.7

81.2

82.6

CFMMI-Machinery

81.9

82.7

83.5

CFMMI-Resource

91.9

90.8

90.3

National Index

90.7

90.8

90.8

May 10 - May 11

7.1 7.0 17.3 12.4

0.4 4.1

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Unemployment Rates—Region, State, Nation June 2011 May 2011 June 10 Rockford

11.6

10.7

14.6

Chicago

10.4

9.8

10.6

Illinois

9.7

9.0

10.5

United States

9.3

8.7

9.6

Change/Mo.

0.9 0.6 0.7 0.6

Change/Yr.

3.0 0.2 0.8 0.3

Source: U.S. Department of Employment Security, July 28, 2011

U.S. Indicators July, 2011 Consumer Price Index 0.5 percent Unemployment Rate 9.1 percent Payroll Employment

117,000

Average Hourly Earnings $0.10 Producer Price Index 0.2 percent Employment Cost Index 0.7 percent (second quarter, 2011) Productivity 0.3 percent (second quarter, 2011) U.S. Import Price Index 0.3 percent U.S. Export Price Index 0.4 percent Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Want to be an effective board member?

In this country we treat being a board member much like many other fields of endeavor such as parenting and leadership.

We assume that if you have the desire to be one, and we know how to become one, then we will know how to be a good one.

Unfortunately, all around us we see examples of how this theory fails. Seldom have I ever met or worked with a board member who didn’t really care about the organization. They want to be a good board member. They just don’t know how.

Board Basics All involved in nonprofit board service should understand this basic information.

Boards exist to represent the ownership of the organization. This sounds like an easy concept, but look at any of your local nonprofit organizations. Who owns them? The people served by the agency, the donors and contributors, the board of directors? Determining ownership is not always as easy as it sounds.

The board has authority to direct the organization only when acting as a group. Many board members believe that they have a special power because they are a director. That is not true. An individual director has absolutely no power when acting on his/her own, unless that power is given to him in the bylaws. Therefore, an action is not a board action unless the board has decided that action in a board meeting.

Board members must support decisions made by the board. During the debate on the motion before the board, a board member can and should express any and all objections to the proposed action that the board is about to take. Once the board has made a decision, the board member is responsible for supporting that decision. Therefore, board members should not, outside of a meeting, talk against action taken by the board during a meeting.

The board’s function is to focus on vision. The job of the board is to be looking out at the horizon. The board should be focusing on where the organization should be in the future and set the path for how to get there.

The board oversees the executive director/CEO. One of the most important jobs of the board is to oversee the executive director, who in turn is charged with running the headquarters. The board’s job is not to micro-manage the staff and headquarters. In overseeing the executive director, the board only acts as a group and does not individually tell the executive director how to do his/her job.

The board must follow rules set by government, ownership and the board.

There are many sources of rules that the board must follow. They include the federal regulations that are placed on the board because of non-profit status, the state statutes of the state in which the

Nancy Sylvester

organization is Sylvester Enterprises incorporated, the bylaws and other governing documents. The board usually sets up its own set of rules on how it is going to conduct business.

The board must understand its relationship with staff. The subject of board functions verses staff functions and board/staff relationship is a hot topic for many boards. While a local association board may not have a staff, many of the members of that board may serve on other community boards that do have a staff. It is critical that board members understand the appropriate board/staff relationship.

Training Is Available and Affordable Anyone can learn the essential skills for good board governance, but no one should assume that because they serve on multiple boards or have served for several years that they are asking the right questions and making appropriate decisions.

Trained board members make for wellgoverned nonprofits. Well-governed nonprofits make for exceptional, sustainable organizations – organizations capable of adapting to funding shifts, staff transitions and changing environmental factors.

The Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE) at Rockford College offers an excellent Board Governance Training series every fall. This six-part series includes: ■ Basic Roles and Responsibilities ■ Ethics ■ Effective & Efficient Meetings ■ Fundraising Responsibilities ■ Reading & Understanding Financial Statements and Audits ■ Strategic Thinking and Planning This year NICNE’s Effective Governance series will culminate with BoardSource, a national organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to building effective nonprofits boards, offering a fullday workshop.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for all nonprofit boards and staff to invest in the future of their organizations and obtain the critical training to ensure effective governance, strong leadership and longterm sustainability.

Become a better board member. Get the training to ask the right questions and make the best decisions in support of your organization’s mission and future.

Nancy Sylvester is a professional registered parliamentarian, certified professional parliamentarian, professional speaker/trainer/ mentor and author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Robert’s Rules” and “The Guerrilla Guide to Robert’s Rules.”

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

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Community Events EVENTS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Rockford College kicks off its 2011 Leadership Certificate Program from 1:30 to 4 p.m., at Rockford College, 5100 E. State St., building. Visit www.rockford.edu /?NICNE or contact 815-394-4384 or KReam@rockford.edu.

Rockford Public Library hosts Latino Film Festival on Thursdays in September from 6 to 8 p.m., in the main library auditorium, 215 N. Wyman St. Registration not required. Call 815-9876633 for information.

Clifton Gunderson LLP and Willis present a Webcast, Practical Applications of Health Care Reform, at 1 p.m. Registration required at www.cliftoncpa .com/Resources/Events/Details/316. For questions contact 608-662-8679 or Kathy.Kiedrowski @cliftoncpa.com.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Ethnic Heritage Museum presents Ethnic Quilts of Southwest Rockford - Sesquicentennial Civil War Circa Quilts on Sundays (or special prearranged tours) from 2 to 4 p.m., through Sept. 30. Call 815-9627402 or visit www.ethnicheritage museum.org.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Rockford College kicks off a Faith-Based Leadership Certificate Program on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 4 p.m., at Rockford College, 5100 E. State St., building. Visit www.rockford.edu/?NICNE or contact 815-394-4384 or KReam@rockford.edu.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

The Barbara Olson Center of Hope hosts its sixth-annual Blood Drive for Rock River Valley Blood Center with the bloodmobile at the Center of Hope parking lot, 3206 N. Central Ave., in Rockford, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Appointments encouraged at 815-9649275.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 “Curtain Up!” – Rockford Arts & Entertainment 2011-2012 Season Kickoff Event takes place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford.

Admission is free. Call the Rockford Area Arts Council at 815-963-6765.

Savant Capital Management, Inc., hosts a Health and Wellness Roundtable: How to Achieve Happiness in Retirement at 6:45 p.m., at NIU-Rockford Campus, 8500 E. State St. RSVP to Linda Abramowicz at 815-227-0300 or rsvpRockford @savantcapital.com by Sept. 5.

Judson University hosts its firstever Architectural Symposium, featuring experts on architecture and urbanism in China on Sept. 8 and 9.

The event kicks off at 7 p.m., with a keynote from Gordon Gill, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architects, Chicago. To register visit arch.judsonu.edu/symposium.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

Rockford Park District Foundation presents Sip and Sail, a Cruisin’ on the Rock event on the Forest City Queen along the Rock River, with wine

by Artale Wine Company and hors d’oeuvres. Social hour at 5 p.m.; board at 6 p.m.; dock at 7:30 p.m. Reservations by Sept. 12 at 815-987-1632.

The first Screw City Beer Festival takes place from 1 to 6 p.m., at the intersection of State and Main streets in downtown Rockford, featuring more than 100 craft beers from 30 local, regional and national breweries. Tickets at www.screwscitybeerfest.com.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

Casey’s Pub, 7307 N. Alpine Road, and the Barbara Olson Center of Hope host an afternoon of fun, food and friends with food, games, pool, darts and raffles to support the Center of Hope from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets at 3206 N. Central Ave., Rockford, or call 815-964-9275.

BART (Bike For The Arts) fundraiser kicks off with a five-mile family fun ride, 10:30 a.m.; 35-mile ride, 8:30 a.m.; and 64-mile ride, 7:30 a.m., at Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford. Visit www.bikefor thearts.com for registration and information.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center presents a Music On Main concert, Belles in the Back, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Emerson House, 420 N. Main St., Rockford. Call 815-964-9713 or visit www.mendelssohn pac.org.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Caraotta Chiropractic Orthopedics, 4921 E. State St., offers all services for a $10 donation per person ($15 per family) at its 18th annual Better Health 4 Life special event for the Rockford Area Pregnancy Care Center, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Appointments must be schedule in advance at 815-398-4004 or www.orthochiro.com.

AAIM Employers’ Association Education Center presents Leadership Assessment: The Critical First Step to Transformation, part of its Leadership Webinar Series, from 1 to 2 p.m. Register at 800-948-5700 or www.eaconnect.com.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois hosts a Girl Scout Alumnae Garden Party from 1 to 4 p.m., at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford. Register at girlscoutsni.org/alumnae.html or call 800-242-5591, ext. 7210.

Rosie’s Birthday Club hosts its second-annual birthday party, Have Your Cake and Eat it 2, a fundraiser, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort, Rockford. Register by Sept. 10 at www.rosiebirthdayclub.org or 815-543-7700.

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center presents Consciously Nurturing the Heart of Healing, the Nursing Ethics Fall Conference, at 5 p.m., at Northern Illinois University Center, 8500 E. State St., Rockford. Tom Zuba presents “Consciously Nurturing the Heart of Healing,” at 6 p.m. Panel discussion, “Consciously Creating Balance,” at 7 p.m. Register by Sept. 7.

Call 815-227-2504 or visit www.osfsaintanthony.org.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Rockford Public Library presents Black Cinema Discussion Series: Waiting for Superman from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the Montague Branch Connie Lane Room, 1238 S. Winnebago St., and featuring speaker Geoffrey Canada, founder of the Harlem Children’s Zone. Registration not required. Call 815-965-7606.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

The Rockford Art Museum Greenwich Village Art Fair takes place at 711 N. Main St., on Sept. 17, 18 with 120 artists from across the nation, live music, children’s art activities, and gourmet marketplace. Visit www.rockfordartmuseum.org.

Rockford Park District hosts a Family Fun Day for the military and families at Lockwood Park, 5201 Safford Road, from noon to 5 p.m.

Space limited. Registration required at 815-987-8809 by Sept. 9. Visit www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/operation recreation.

Rockford Spine Center, 2902 McFarland Road, Suite 300, presents a free Community Health Care Talk on treating several common spinal disorders with Dr. Christopher Sliva from 9 to 11 a.m. Please RSVP to Krystal at 815-316-6873.

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center presents the 10th annual Children’s Health and Safety Safari from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to the community.

Child safety car seat inspection from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., State & Roxbury Center; free cholesterol and glucose screenings for adults. Call 815-227-2055.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., presents an Overnight Tour to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Depart at 8 a.m., Sept. 21; return 5 p.m., Sept. 22.

Register at www.klehm.org or call 815965-8146.

Veterans Memorial Hall presents The American Civil War, a lecture by Terry Dyer, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 211 N. Main St., Rockford. Dyer will touch on the veteran group formed after the Civil War, the Grand Army of the Republic, the modern day Veterans Administration and the local Veterans Memorial Hall.

Call 815-969-1999.

Barbara Olson Center of Hope, 3206 N. Central Ave., Rockford, presents a Sensory Processing & the Effects on Learning & Behavior workshop with sessions on Sept. 21, Oct. 19 and Nov. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Lunch included. Register at 815-9649275, ext. 233.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Rockford Public Library presents Paranormal Night at Camp Grant Museum and Restaurant, 1004 Samuelson Road, 7 to 9 p.m. Special guest, Mark Dorsett and full turkey dinner. Call Kathi Kresol at 815-9657606, ext. 682, or kkresol@rockford publiclibrary.org.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society presents the Light the Night Walk at Davis Park. Registration at 5:30 p.m.; walk at 7 p.m. (or sundown). Register yourself or a team at www.lightthenight .org/il or call Jennifer Ratkovic, Jennifer .Ratkovic@lls.org or 224-356-4115.

Alabet Craft Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tebala Shrine Center, 7910 Newburg Road. Free to public. Food and handmade items for sale. Call 815-9701592.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Black Belt Sales Skills Seminars with Joe Rosner, Best Defense USA, at Rock Valley College five Tuesday mornings at 8 a.m., starting Sept. 29.

Topics include cold-calling, sales presentation skills, closing skills, and handling objections. Register at 815921-3900 or visit www.rockvalley college.edu/cpe.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 The Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center presents Valentina Lisitsa, piano, part of its 2011-2012 concert season, at 7:30 p.m., at Court Street United Methodist Church, 215 N. Court St., Rockford. Call 815-964-9713 or visit www.mendelssohnpac.org.

September 2011 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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Get to Know Your Ambassadors Name: Kathy Siedenburg Company: AAIM Employers’ Association

Members Caught on Digital ON DIGITAL

Position: Regional Manager How long have you been an Ambassador?

Five months What do you like most about being an Ambassador? It is a pleasure welcoming new businesses at ribbon cutting events and greeting current and prospective members at Chamber-sponsored events, which could include Good Morning!

Rockford; Business After Hours; expos, and other special occasions.

The opportunities will be invaluable to learn more about members’ core businesses, the services members bring to the Rockford area, as well as the long-range networking advantages as an Ambassador to expand my business base.

Networking with current Rockford Chamber members and prospects, enjoying great conversations, laughing, and strategizing about current business initiatives, and future endeavors at these events also is vitally important to me. On behalf of AAIM Employers’ Association, thank you for the opportunity to represent the Rockford Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador. I proudly wear the “red jacket.”

THE VOICE ONLINE NOW ON ISSUU™

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Click on advertisements of interest to go to company Web sites to learn more and interact quickly.

Visit www.rockford chamber.com to experience the new Voice!

Lakeshore Title Agency, 4053 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park, held an afternoon ribbon cutting on Aug. 18.

rockfordchamber.com theVoice September 2011

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Business Briefs BUSINESS BRIEFS issue which included $3,050,000 for park improvements.

Woodward, Inc., announced that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share for shareholders of record as of Aug. 18, 2011. Woodward reported financial results for its third quarter of fiscal year 2011 including net sales of $438.5 million; an increase of 23 percent from $356.4 million in the third quarter of last year.

The Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center launched its Mendelssohn Music Network, a community for local music performers, teachers, students and music lovers with networking, education and performance opportunities.

Woodward, Inc., signed an agreement with General Electric Company, through its GE Aviation business unit, to develop and supply the fuel system, air management, and actuation hardware for the GE Passport 20 engine and NG34 technology development program.

A ribbon cutting ceremony in July marked the opening of Rockford Park District’s third skate park, free to ages 5 to 18 enrolled in programs at Washington Park Community Recreation Center, 3617 Delaware St., and offering hands-on training.

KMK Media Group, Inc., completed a brochure, including a digital version, targeted to African Americans for the Winnebago County Health Department which highlights the benefits of the health department’s workplace wellness screenings and immunization programs. KMK developed a marketing brochure for the Rockford Police Department on its community policing initiative.

The American College of Radiology designated OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

Discovery Center Museum formed a partnership to launch an innovative after-school and family-focused science and literacy educational effort, LEAP Into Science. The pilot program is part of the 21st Century Community Learning Center After School Achievement Program in 10 Rockford Public Schools and is funded as part of a $1.176 million dollar National Science Foundation grant nationwide.

Wipfli LLP ranked fifth nationwide in total assets under management in a survey of 186 CPA firms offering financial planning and investment advisory services and conducted by Top Firms by AUM, a supplement to the industry magazine, Accounting Today.

Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Rockford College now offers a Faith-Based Leadership Certificate Program, a nondenominational offering for faith-based leaders and laity interested in building their management and leadership skills.

YouthBuild Rockford, a yearlong comprehensive youth and community development program for out-of-school, unemployed 16 to 28 year olds, celebrated the graduation of its 16th class in August.

Several organizations with local emergency food and shelter programs in Winnebago County will share a $201,084 federal grant through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The United Way of Rock

Danfoss Power Electronics hosted a groundbreaking for a new logistics facility, in cooperation with developer Venture One Real Estate and design build contractor Meridian Design Build.

Danfoss logistics operations are being moved offsite to create more manufacturing capacity at the current 4401 N. Bell School Road facility.

Thayer Lighting, Inc., completed more than 15,000,000 square feet of energy-saving retrofit conversions for all sizes. As a ComEd Trade Ally Partner, Thayer educates businesses on energyefficiency initiatives and can handle retrofit conversions from initial energy audits through design, installation, disposal management of replaced products and all necessary paperwork.

For a second year, Stillman Bank employees and friends took part in a Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity build on two neighboring houses in northwest Rockford, including getting roofs in place.

River Valley will administer funding and reporting. Last year, the grant was $303,109.

Judson University celebrated the graduation of more than 60 from its master of arts in organizational leadership program in August. The program for working professionals meets one night per week for six weeks, and can be completed in 16 months.

The Barbara Olson Center of Hope launched Project Leisure in August, a program geared towards helping families without day services for their teens and adults with disabilities, and providing a social outlet for skill-building and socializing with peers.

Sikich LLP introduced a subscriptionbased human resource and consulting service matching the client with a human resources professional with more than 12 years experience, who becomes part of the client’s HR team.

PR Etc., oversaw the ribbon cutting activities for the GFS Marketplace store opening in Racine, Wis., in June.

Blackhawk Bank awarded four ‘A Team’ $1,000 scholarships to students who achieved academic excellence in one or more subjects in Machesney Park/Roscoe, Beloit, Belvidere and Rockford.

The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced that after a two-year absence, the U.S. Youth Soccer Region II Olympic Development Program Boys’ Camps will return to Rockford in July, 2012 and 2013, at

Sportscore Two. The camps will draw 1,900 players and coaches to the area each year from 13 Midwestern states; generating an estimated $1.4 million annually for area businesses.

Rockford MELD hired Argyle Marketing to develop a corporate Web site and social media strategy for its branding and fundraising efforts.

KMK Media Group, Inc., developed and designed a newsletter, Smiles, to be sent to volunteers, donors and friends of GiGi’s Playhouse/Rockford, LLC, and a new Website for Infrastructure Defense Technologies at www.infrastructure-defense.com.

Technology specialist and software reseller Ticomix, Inc., based in Rockford, opened its newest regional office in White Plains, NY, focused on IT Service Management software products HEAT® and ITSM®, by FrontRange Solutions.

Healing Pathways-Cancer Resource Center started a new, free support group for caregivers, “Caring for the Caregiver,” meeting weekly on Tuesdays at 10 a.m., at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2821 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Caregivers of cancer survivors are welcome.

The Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners chose Rockford Structures Construction Company, Machesney Park, to install a new speed slide and repair and replace items on the original body slides at Magic Waters Waterpark. In November, 2010, the board approved proceeding with a bond

Morning Star Village employees participated in The Salvation Army Paint-A-Thon for the second year.

Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., hosts exhibits through Nov. 9: Garibaldi Guard Part I Sesquicentennial Civil War; The Secret Life of Sarah E?; Made in Africa, and NI Quilt Fest. Open Sundays 2 to 4 p.m. Call 815-962-7402 to arrange group tours. theFranaGroup, a national healthcare consulting firm, secured a $650,000 federal grant for GraceMed, a federally qualified health center in Wichita, Kan. Eventus was selected to oversee planning and implementation of the Preview Celebration for the Nicholas Conservatory & Garden on behalf of the Rockford Park District Foundation.

Rockford Christian Schools, 1401 N. Bell School Road, held a ground breaking ceremony on Aug. 19 on a $4 million, 25,000-square-foot LEEDcertified Science, Technology and Humanities Center. It will house a 178seat distance learning auditorium, technology labs and advanced science and physical science laboratories, a multimedia center with green room, additional art studios, and a roof top environmental studies classroom and wind turbines for supplying power and studying alternate sources of power.

Crusader Community Health held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of its fourth location, Crusader Community Health Loves Park, 6115 N. Second St. A $4 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant supported the building of the 13,660-square-foot, LEED Silver clinic with 18 exam rooms, four dental operatories, dental lab, two procedure rooms, children’s play area and patient learning center.

September 2011 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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MEMBERS New Chamber Members

ALPINE HOME AIR PRODUCTS Providing Residential, Heating, Air Conditioning & Indoor Air Quality Products 1002 22nd St., 61108 800-865-5931 www.alpinehomeair.com

ALPINE INN A Value Hotel/Motel Offering Clean & Comfortable Lodging for Visitors to the Region, Workers & Extended Stay 4404 E. State St., 61108 Kathryn Haun 815-399-1890 www.alpineinnrockford.com

BLAKE OIL COMPANY Petroleum/Lubricant Marketor & Distributor Serving North-Central Illinois Offering High Quality Products that Allow our Customers to Profit More P.O. Box 309 Kirkland, IL 60146 Michael Glendenning 815-522-3521 www.blakeoil.com

RADISSON HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER Hotel with Conference Center and Restaurant 200 S. Bell School Road, 61108 Mark Stefanic 815-226-2100 www.radisson.com/rockfordil

ROCKFORD APARTMENT ASSOCIATION An Organization that Provides Education and Advocacy for Owners of Residential Rental Property P.O. Box 2502 Loves Park, IL 61132 Paul Arena 800-722-6676 www.rockfordapartment association.org

SINNISSIPPI APARTMENTS INC. Association 815-227-0928

GFI METAL TREATING INC. Heat Treating 1531 Preston St. Rockford, IL 61102 Jason Breuer 815-968-0094 www.gfimetaltreating.com

LR HARRIS & ASSOCIATES Property Preservation, Maintaining Vacant, Foreclosed and Abandoned Properties P.O. Box 4541, 61110 Laurenzo Harris 815-997-6431

OCTOPUS CAR WASH Car Wash and Car Detailing Services 3708 E. State St., 61108 Matt Bethune 815-399-0219 www.octopuscarwashes.com

OCTOPUS CAR WASH Car Wash and Car Detailing Services 602 Kishwaukee St., 61104 Jason Bethune 815-964-7466 www.octopuscarwashes.com

POPCORN PARLOR, INC. Offering Dozens of Varieties of Handmade Gourmet Popcorn, 24 Flavors of Soft Serve Ice Cream, Candy, Gifts and More 1641 N. Alpine Road., Ste. 101, 61107 Brian Wolf 815-543-8828 www.thepopcornparlor.com

THE JIM FELTS AGENCY (ALLSTATE) Allstate Offers a Full Line of Insurance, Auto, Home, Life, Business Insurance 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Ste. 121, 61109 Jim Felts 815-397-6050

USA LASER IMAGING INC. Copiers 5155 Torque Dr., Unit 2 Loves Park, IL 61111 Ross Boyer 815-316-8000 www.usalaserimaging.com

VITAS INNOVATIVE HOSPICE CARE Providing End-of-Life Care for Adult and Pediatric Patients with Life-Limiting Illnesses 580 Waters Edge, Ste. 100 Lombard, IL 60148 Steve Linder 630-495-8484 www.vitas.com/illinois

W. W. GRAINGER, INC. Leading Broad Line Supplier of Facilities Maintenance Products, Helps Local Businesses Maintain, Repair and Operate Their Facilities 5862 Harrison Ave., 61108 Robert Gatz 815-229-0313 www.grainger.com

Membership Renewals Thank you to the members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber in July.

ATI Physical Therapy Auto Body Specialist Inc. Best Western Clock Tower Resort & Conference Center, Home of CoCo Key Water Resort Blackhawk Bank Boys and Girls Club of Rockford C. G. Group Inc. CICS Rockford Charter School Organization Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Concordia University of Wisconsin Cool-Heat Supply, Inc. Corporate Services, Inc Court Street United Methodist Dale Carnegie Training Emery Air, Inc. Employee Benefit Association of Northern Illinois Energy Dynamics, Inc. Ethnic Heritage Museum First Northern Credit Union First Rockford Group Forest City Gear Co. Gleason Cutting Tools Corporation Gordon Flesch Company, Inc. Greenlee Textron Hair Cuttery - Perryville Road Hair Cuttery - Mulford Road Helen Hill Communication Heritage Woods of Rockford Historic Auto Attractions Honest Pest Control Inc. HR Capital Management Consultants Ingersoll Machine Tools Interiors LLC J & M Plating, Inc. JMB Business Funding Johnny Pamcakes Kelce & Company Kiwanis Club of Rockford Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden LLL Society Lynde Consulting Manpower Mary Kay Cosmetics

Midway Village Museum Montessori Private Academy Morgan Building Maintenance Inc. MP Heating & Cooling Inc. National Cooperative Rx Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center Northern Illinois Metal Finishing NyClo Screw Machine Products Parker Hannifin Corporation Passages Hospice Paul Davis Restoration (JRD Construction) PIP Printing/Mencarini Enterprises R.K. Dixon Company RAC Adjustment Company Raymond James & Associates Reel Pro Video Rock River Valley Tooling & Machining Association Rockford Association for Minority Management Rockford Electric Equipment Company Rockford ETTCO Rockford Heating & Air Conditioning Rockford Linear Actuation, Inc. Rockford Local Development Corporation Rockford MELD Rockford Nursing & Rehab Rockford Urological Associates, Ltd. Rogers Brothers Galvanizing Shade Aire Decorating Spectrum Insurance Agency, Inc. State Farm Insurance— Solomon Foley The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Illinois Chapter Tovar Snow Professionals Tri-B Hardware & Supply Unlimited Services Value Plus Auto Rental and Leasing Vision Mortgage Group Westminster Presbyterian Church WineShop at Home Womanspace, Inc.

September 2011 Member Anniversaries Thank you to the following members who celebrate their anniversaries with the Rockford Chamber in September, 2011.

25-YEAR MEMBER

10-YEAR MEMBER

Provena St. Anne Center

Nelson Fire Protection

15-YEAR MEMBERS

5-YEAR MEMBER

The Pension Specialists, Ltd. Thayer Lighting, Inc.

Ashley Furniture Homestore

October Focus on

Insurance Companies to Serve You Law Firms to Serve You For information on advertising,

call 815- 987-8100

rockfordchamber.com theVoice September 2011

EVENTS

Upcoming Chamber Events SEPTEMBER, 2011

Wednesday, September 21

Tuesday, September 6

IGNITE LOTB: What DISC Profile Are U? noon to 1 p.m., Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort, 700 W. Riverside Blvd. DISC is like a Cosmo quiz for your professional life. Sponsored by McGladrey.

IGNITE Breakfast & Business: Entrepreneur Edition - From The Pros (Non Profit), 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road. Dan Hinz, founder of Grassroots Church, will talk about beginning a non profit and the importance of work/life balance.

Breakfast included. Sponsored by McGladrey.

Friday, September 9 Rockford Chamber Government Affairs Council Meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St. Dr. Robert Willis, superintendent of District 205 and cabinet leaders will outline actions to date and discuss the beginning of the school year, 2011-2012.

Tuesday, September 13 Advantage Club – Superstars, Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road.

Contact Anthony Mencarini, PIP Printing, anthony@piprockford.com.

Wednesday, September 14 Breakfast Buzz: Top Sales Secrets, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road. Sponsored by McGladrey.

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

Advantage Club – Originals, alternate locations. Contact Karla Fernet, Healthy Balance Reflexology, Kfernet555@hotmail.com.

Thursday, September 15 Ribbon Cutting/Open House, Ameriprise Financial, 6735 Vistagreen Way, 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m.; live remote with Aaron Wilson, WROK, from 5 to 6 p.m. Please bring donations (peanut butter, cereal, tuna, veggies, pasta, etc.) for a “Fruit for Kids” food drive for the Rock River Valley Food Pantry.

Monday, September 19 Java Jive: Community Development: The Tough Spots, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Katie’s Cup, 502 7th St. Facilitator Brad Roos, Zion Development Corporation, will lead a discussion on tough local issues.

Sponsored by Rockford College.

Presented in part by Katie’s Cup.

Tuesday, September 20 Chamber 101 with Speed Networking, 7:15 to 8:30 a.m., Whitehead Inc., Realtors®, 839 N. Perryville Road. A quarterly orientation for new members – and new employees of existing member companies. Sponsored by MembersAlliance Credit Union.

Thursday, September 22 1:00 to 7:00 pm Former Sears Essentials/ Kmart location in Loves Park 1515 E. Riverside Blvd.

Regional Business Expo 2011 This premiere networking event and business expo kicks off with Wayne Breitbarth, author of the new book, “The Power Formula for LinkedIn, Success: Kick Start Your Business, Brand and Job Search.”

New this year is the green expo corridor and educational seminars, and returning favorites are regional taste and a speed networking session.

Presenting sponsor is TDS Gold sponsor is Humana

Thursday, September 22 IGNITE C Suite Meet & Greet, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 7675 Walton St. Join local leaders for a speed networking event including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, executive directors and presidents.

Lunch included.

Tuesday, September 27 Advantage Club – Superstars, Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road.

Contact Anthony Mencarini, PIP Printing, anthony@piprockford.com.

Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening, Pizza Hut, 3329 S. 11th St., 10 a.m.

Wednesday, September 28 Advantage Club – Originals, alternate locations. Contact Karla Fernet, Healthy Balance Reflexology, Kfernet555@hotmail.com.

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

OCTOBER, 2011 Tuesday, October 4 Business Women’s Council meets monthly to foster networking and education for women in business.

Meetings are designed to help women shape their dreams, achieve professional goals and generate positive results in their lives. Council meets 1st Tuesday of the month.”

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Advertisers Index ADVERTISERS Alpine Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Blackhawk Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Broadmoor Agency, Inc. . . . . . . . . .24 Brian Thomas Photography, Inc. . . 16 Delta Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Disabiltyworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Goodwill . . . . . . .Special Section D Humana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 IGNITE . . . . . . . .Special Section D IMEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Leading Lawyers Network . . . . .28 McGladrey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Northwest Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 OSF Center for Health–Rock Cut . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Peterson Meadows . . . . . . . . . . .11 Riverside Community Bank . .10, 17 Rockford Area Economic Development Council . . . . . . . . .6

Rockford Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . .21, 24, . . . . . . . . . . .Special Section C, D Rockford Health System . . . . . . .22 Rockford Health System The Women’s Center . . . . . . . . .19 Rock Valley College . . . . . . . .7, 12 Rosecrance Ware Center . . . . . .12 Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 SwedishAmerican Health System .13 Thayer Lighting . . .Special Section C Van Galder Bus A Coach USA Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Van Matre HealthSouth . . . . . . . . .14 Widmer Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Williams-Manny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Williams McCarthy . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Winnebago County Health Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100

Direct Line

Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .815-316-4304 Heidi Garner, Executive Assistant to the President . . . . . . . . . .815-316-4312 Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology . . . . . . .815-316-4338 Lynette Jacques, Advertising and Sponsorship Executive . . . .815-316-4317 Vee Jevremovic, Manager of Education Programs and Events . .815-316-4337 Cyndie Landis, Financial Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .815-316-4300 Caitlin Ludwig, Director of Ignite! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .815-316-4335 Joy Moriarty, V.P. Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .815-316-4316 Stacy Mullins, Director of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .815-316-4302 Diane Navickis, Membership Development Manager . . . . . . . .815-316-4315 Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . .815-316-4320 Valerie Tippitt, Membership Development Manager . . . . . . . . .815-316-4336

Tuesday, October 4 IGNITE Breakfast & Business: Entrepreneur Edition - Planning, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road. SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Businesses, talks about programs on planning your business. Breakfast included.

Sponsored by McGladrey.

Tuesday, October 11 Advantage Club – Superstars, Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road.

Contact Anthony Mencarini, PIP Printing, anthony@piprockford.com.

Wednesday, October 12 Breakfast Buzz: Effective Marketing Campaigns, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road. Sponsored by McGladrey.

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

Advantage Club – Originals, alternate locations. Contact Karla Fernet, Healthy Balance Reflexology, Kfernet555@hotmail.com.

Friday, October 14 Rockford Chamber Government Affairs Council Meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles

St. For more information on how to join Government Affairs Council, contact Heidi Garner at 815-316-4312.

Thursday, October 20 5 to 7 pm Rock Valley College Karl J. Jacobs Science & Math Center 2201 N. Mulford Rd. Rockford, Illinois

People You Should Know In October, we will recognize our inaugural “People You Should Know” at a special reception and in a unique publication.

Supporting sponsor is McGladrey Presenting sponsor is Reno & Zahm LLP

Tuesday, October 25 Advantage Club – Superstars, Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road.

Contact Anthony Mencarini, PIP Printing, anthony@piprockford.com.

Wednesday, October 26 Advantage Club – Originals, alternate locations. Contact Karla Fernet, Healthy Balance Reflexology, Kfernet555@hotmail.com.

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