November Voice 2014 by Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce

The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

INTEGRATED HEALTH SYSTEM

VILLAGE GREEN: 49 YEARS OF MAKING ROCKFORD PRETTY

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November 2014 | Volume 27 | No. 11

2014 People

GET READY TO ENROLL IN SHOP COVERAGE

You Should Know

By Paul Anthony Arco Kevin Polky never dreamed he would be considered a person that the Rockford community should know. “It’s a big surprise,” he said. “I’ve always tried to help people behind the scenes.” But Polky’s good work in the community has caught the attention of others. He is the founder and president of KP Counseling, Inc., and Four Corners Wellness Center and has more than 20 years of experience working with

PHOTOS BY BRIAN THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

The 2014 class of People You Should Know were introduced at the unveiling celebration on October 23. For more photos from the event, visit www.rockfordchamber.com. individuals, families and organizations. He is a licensed clinical social worker, certified alcohol and drug counselor, and certified school social worker. He conducts workshops, seminars and serves as a consultant to large and small businesses, schools and churches. He volunteers with many local schools and churches teaching adults and youth classes on a variety of psycho-socialspiritual material. “I can’t imagine doing anything else,” said the former competitive bodybuilder. “For me, it’s a dream job. I enjoy being able to help people who are stuck. Most people aren’t as broken as they think. They’re average people who have a problem that requires attention.”

Diverse Honorees For his efforts, Polky was named as one of 20 People You Should Know, who are leaders recognized by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. A crowd of more than 350, including past participants, turned out for the chamber’s fourth-annual celebration, held Oct. 23 at Prairie Street Brewhouse in downtown Rockford. “It’s important to pause and celebrate,” said John J. Morrissey, a principal of Morrissey Family Business, who was one of the 20 honored. “There are plenty of folks in this community who make a difference. When something goes well, let’s take the time to celebrate.” Continued on page 15

Rockford area manufacturers participate in national celebration of Manufacturing Day

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

ROCPAC ENDORSEMENT FOR WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF see page 3

By Patricia Lee, FMA On Oct. 2, nearly 40 Rockford area manufacturers hosted more than 570 students from 18 area schools for the third-annual Manufacturing Day celebration. They joined more than 1,650 manufacturers across North America that hosted well over 50,000 visitors in this national event. Local governments – Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Roscoe and South Beloit -- issued proclamations declaring Oct. 2 as Manufacturing Day, while the governor declared October as Manufacturing Month in Illinois. Of the 103 events held in Illinois, almost 40 percent took place in the Rockford region. This represents 100 percent year-over-year growth from 2013. The complex scheduling of events and schools was coordinated by the Rockford Chamber and RAEDC, with the assistance of volunteers from IMEC, local manufacturing, Rock Valley College and District 205. Every

group of students was able to visit three different area manufacturers, learning about their operations and the varied careers they offer. Following a morning of tours, all students gathered at Rock Valley College for lunch where they learned about the manufacturing training options that are available here in Rockford. Congratulations to everyone who participated in making this event possible. Rockford’s Manufacturing Day celebration was preceded by a special public showing of the full-length feature documentary, American Made Movie, held on Sept. 30 at the Nordlof Center. This showing was open to the community and made possible by Superior Joining Technologies. Use of the Nordlof Center Theatre was donated by the Rockford Public Library. This movie shows the positive impact of domestic manufacturing jobs on both the national Continued on page 3

Starting Nov. 15, businesses will be able to enroll in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace entirely online, including completing an application, choosing coverage and enrolling. To enroll in SHOP coverage, businesses must have 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees and meet certain other requirements. Visit www. healthcare.gov/small-businesses/ employers/. For questions or to enroll by phone, call 800-7067893 (TTY: 711), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (eastern time).

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Healthcare Industry UPDATE LUNCHEON

Nov. 20 • Giovanni’s SPONSORED BY

For more info, see page 30

CITY NOTED FOR ITS CRAFT ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM The Craft Entrepreneurship Program between the City of Rockford and the global online marketplace Etsy was shortlisted as one of nine notable achievements and named the Place Marketing Award 2014 laureate on the theme of Place Attractiveness, Partnership, Collaborative and Responsible Marketing at the Place Marketing Forum. The forum, the largest conference in France dealing with territorial marketing, took place in Aix-en-Provence, Oct. 16 to 17. The selection committee identified the Craft Entrepreneurship Program in a three-step selection process among 30 cases of more than 400 achievements in place marketing (economic development, tourism, residential, urban regeneration projects, cultural, sporting events, etc.) in Europe and America.

November 2014

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The nine most important facts about the 2014 election

Editor’s note: This article is an edited version of the complete article appearing on www.vox. com. By Ezra Klein On Nov. 4, 2014, Americans — well, a fraction of them, at least — will go to the polls to vote in the midterm election. The likely outcome of this election is that Republicans will win the Senate and make gains in the House. This will happen even though Republicans are less popular than Democrats in national polls. It will happen, in part, because this election is something of a perfect storm for Democrats. Here’s what you need to know to understand the 2014 election.

1) Midterm elections favor Republicans The simple backdrop to the 2014 election is that turnout in midterm elections favors Republicans and turnout in presidential elections favors Democrats. The Republican coalition is older and whiter than the Democratic coalition.

And the people who turn out to vote in midterm elections are older and whiter than the people who turn out to vote in presidential elections. Though these numbers give Republicans an advantage in midterm elections, they are not necessarily decisive. Democrats won both the House and Senate in the 2006 midterm election, for instance.

and the Senate — Gallup found President George W. Bush’s approval rating was 42 percent. Obama’s approval rating right now, according to Gallup, is 41 percent. That’s a huge problem for Democrats. No wonder the Washington Post found that “Democratic candidates are keeping their distance from” Obama.

2) Midterm elections favor minority parties

4) Democrats have no chance of taking back the House

One reason Democrats did so well in the 2006 midterm election is that there was a Republican in the White House. “One of the perennials of American politics is that the president’s party loses seats in midterm elections, especially in the House of Representatives,” writes political scientist Eric McGhee. “Only three midterm elections in the last century featured a seat gain for the president’s party in the House: 1934, 1998, and 2002. Of those, the largest was 9 seats in 2002.”

It is basically impossible for Democrats to win back the House until after 2020. The reasons are threefold, as Andrew Prokop has explained. First, geography has a GOP bias. Democrats tend to live in more densely packed, urban districts. Republicans tend to live in more broadly spread-out, rural districts. That makes it easier to draw maps that efficiently disperse Republicans across many districts. Democrats cluster together in a way that leads them to “waste” a lot of votes on candidates who were going to win anyway. Second, gerrymandering has a GOP bias. In most states, politicians get to draw congressional boundaries. This is done after every Census, so the last time it was done was after the 2010 Census — which followed the 2010 election, where Republicans swept into power in state legislatures across the country. The result was some pretty epic gerrymanders. In Ohio, for instance, Democrats won 52

3) Barack Obama is unpopular Elections are, as a rule, a referendum on the incumbent president. And Barack Obama is not a popular president. In August of 1998 — shortly before Democrats unexpectedly picked up seats in the midterm election — Gallup found President Bill Clinton’s approval rating was 65 percent. In August of 2006 — shortly before Republicans partly lost both the House

percent of the House vote in 2012. But they only got four seats to the GOP’s 12: And that gives Republicans a third advantage in the House: the power of incumbency. All else equal, incumbents have an advantage over challengers. “On average, an incumbent in 2012 ran five percentage points ahead of a nonincumbent candidate from the same party in a similar seat,” John Sides and Eric McGhee of the Monkey Cage wrote.

5) Republicans are very likely to win the Senate in 2014 Unlike in the House, where every seat is up for reelection, only about a third of the Senate is up for reelection in any given cycle. In 2014, the third of the Senate up for reelection is the third of the Senate that won their seats in 2008. And since 2008 was a very Democratic year, that means Democrats are caught defending many more seats than Republicans. Of the 36 seats up for reelection in 2014, Democrats control 21 of them. Republicans only control 15. So Republicans have many more opportunities to win seats than Democrats do. That’s one reason why pretty much every major forecaster is currently projecting that Republicans will retake the Senate in 2014. The New York Times gives them a 67 percent chance. The Washington Post gives them a 61 percent chance. “The most likely outcome Continued on page 5

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November 2014

Manufacturing Day (continued from front page) and local economies. An inspirational message for the several hundred attendees, it reinforced the reasons to support local companies. Mayor Larry Morrissey opened the event with comments about Rockford’s commitment to the Maker Movement and other manufacturing initiatives that support new company development. Dozens of other showings of the movie took place in cities around the country.

Event is Growing Across the United States, Manufacturing Day activities doubled in comparison with 2013. Along with the growth in number of events came significant growth in media and governmental attention. Accompanied by Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, President Obama made his first visit to a Manufacturing Day event, choosing Millennium Steel in Princeton, Ind. He issued a proclamation that, in part, stated: “On national Manufacturing Day, more than 1,600 American manufacturers will open their doors and take up the important work of inspiring our young people to pursue careers in manufacturing and engineering. Today’s science, technology, engineering and math graduates will power the next chapter of American production and

innovation, and harnessing their potential is an economic imperative.” “When our manufacturing base is strong, our entire economy is strong. Today we continue our work to bolster the industry at the heart of our nation. With grit and resolve, we can create new jobs and widen the circle of opportunity for more Americans.” (Read all proclamations at mfgday.com/proclamations.) Manufacturing Day is a Rockford invention, conceived by the president and CEO of FMA, Ed Youdell. FMA’s national co-producers are NAM, NISTMEP and the Manufacturing Institute. Three years ago this concept seemed like a pipe dream, but the way it has been embraced by manufacturers and educators around the country now makes it a solid tradition. The truth is that people (students or adults) can’t know about what they can’t “experience.” If the manufacturing community keeps making its facilities available and open – even one day each year – and reaches out to invite people in to see for themselves what modern manufacturing is really like, we will see a reduction in the skilled labor shortage in this sector. Officially Manufacturing Day is the first Friday in October. But it can be any day in October that a company or a city chooses to celebrate it. It’s not too soon to start making plans for 2015! Visit mfgday.com for more information. Patricia Lee is director of marketing at Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. (FMA).

ROCPAC Endorses Caruana for Winnebago County Sheriff The Rockford Chamber Political Action Committee (ROCPAC) is endorsing Gary Caruana for the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Race and encourages votes to vote for Caruana on Nov. 4th. ROCPAC had a chance to hear both candidates’ perspectives at the September meeting of the Chamber’s Government Affairs Council, and in its own private interview sessions with Caruana, and Bob Springer, the challenger in this election. Both candidates are vying to fill the Sheriff’s slot, replacing retiring Sheriff Dick Meyers. “We were very pleased to meet with both candidates and hear their views,” said ROCPAC Chairman Steve Nailor, “Both have excellent qualifications, but at the end of the day we felt

that Gary Caruana’s combination of business and public safety experience was significant.” To quote from Mr. Caruana’s website: “Through my extensive management experience at UPS for 26 years, combined with my former duties as a Police Officer on the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department for 8 years, I feel truly confident in my skills and knowledge base to provide the immediate leadership to make a difference.” ROCPAC is political action committee of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and raises its funds independently from the Chamber. Chamber member regular dues revenue are not used to support the activities of ROCPAC.

November 2014

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Rockford University announces creation of Puri Business School Rockford University announced on Oct. 3 at a special reception the creation of the Puri Business School (PBS), funded through a $5 million contribution by Sunil Puri, founder and president of First Midwest Group (formerly First Rockford Group). The university’s first named school commemorates Puri’s lifetime commitment to the university. The 1982 Rockford University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accounting became an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2013. “The liberal arts education I received at Rockford College significantly contributed to my success, and the Puri Business School is my way of paying it forward,” Puri said at the reception held on his birthday. The PBS Economics, Business and Accounting (EBA) programs and ancillary business-related activities (undergraduate and graduate) will be held in the 28,ooo-sq.-ft. building, also donated by Puri, just east of the main campus entrance at 5100 E. State St.

Program Offers Experiential Learning Puri was born in Bombay, India and immigrated to the United States in 1979 to attend what was then called Rockford College. “From the minute he stepped on this campus as an undergrad more than 35 years ago, a fire sparked inside him that still burns bright,” said university president Robert L. Head.

“As a dedicated trustee and tireless advocate for Rockford University, he has had occasion to and has proudly promoted and protected the interests of our university; for that we are most grateful.” Puri said the school goes deeper than an act of a donation; it’s about creating a program for students in the region that goes above and beyond standard curriculum. Students of PBS will receive expanded academic and practical application experiences including student experiential learning, internships, travel courses, service learning and conference presentations. His vision is not only to graduate accountants and business managers, but also entrepreneurs and business leaders that can assist in the economic revival of the region.

Rockford University opened Puri Business School with a special ceremony on Oct. 3 attended by several Illinois politicians, including Sen. Dick Durbin. Shown is Sunil Puri (class of ’82), far right, with members of his family, Bharat (class of ’96), Sonal (class of ’06), Tanuj, Pravin and Suman Puri.

Puri Business School Business programming and business-related classes at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Within the PBS will be the disciplines of the Economics, Business and Accounting (EBA) Department. Majors, minors and areas of concentration: accounting, economics, business, public policy and finance, business, management, marketing, general management, human resource management, public and notfor-profit management, entrepreneurship and project management. Also housed under the EBA curriculum are: The Northern Illinois Center for Non-profit Excellence (to become Rockford University Center for Nonprofit Excellence on Jan. 1, 2015), Leadership Development and the Adult Accelerated Degree Completion programs. Visit rockford.edu.

Let your Voice be heard The Rockford Chamber of Commerce elcomes and encourages submissions w for The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 190 Rockford, IL 61101 For information about advertising contact Customer Service at 815-987-8100. The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community (USPS 784-120). ISSN number 1086-0630, is published monthly by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, Illinois 61101. Periodicals postage paid at Rockford, Ill. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101.

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November 2014

Nine facts (continued from page 2) involves the Republicans winning about the six seats they need to take over the Senate, give or take a couple,” writes Nate Silver.

6) Republicans are very likely to lose the Senate in 2016 Though Senate Democrats are in bad shape this year, they’re not particularly concerned. That’s because they’re pretty sure that, even if they lose the Senate in 2014, they’ll win it back in 2016. The 2016 Senate map is even more favorable to Democrats than the 2014 Senate map is to Republicans. The 2016 election puts the Senate class of 2010 up for reelection. And 2010 was a very good year for Republicans — which means the 2016 election will leave Republicans defending a ton of seats. As of now, it looks like Democrats will be defending 10 seats to the GOP’s 24, and doing it amidst the more favorable demographics of a presidential election.

7) The average age on the Supreme Court is 68 Because Congress is currently gridlocked and because a GOP takeover of the Senate is likely to be reversed in 2016, it’s common to see people argue that the 2014 election doesn’t much matter. Silver, for instance, called it “the least important election in decades.” And it may well be! Or it could be one of the most important midterm elections in decades. The Supreme Court is currently divided 5-4. But Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 81. Antonin Scalia and Anthony Kennedy are both 78. Stephen Breyer is 76. If Republicans take control of the Senate in 2014 then they’ll have substantial veto power over any efforts President Obama might make to fill a vacancy that could reshape the Court. But if Democrats hold the Senate and Antonin Scalia unexpectedly retires, then the 2014 election might end up swinging control of one of America’s three branches of government, with untold consequences that will reverberate for decades. For that matter, today’s Supreme Court is the direct result of George W. Bush’s contested election. If Al Gore had won the presidency in 2000 and reelection in 2004, then William Rehnquist and Sandra Day O’Connor would likely have been replaced by Democrats, and Supreme Court jurisprudence in the years since would be very different.

8) 36 states are holding gubernatorial elections this year The House and Senate get most of the attention in midterm elections. But 36 states are also choosing who will be their next governor. That matters for state politics, obviously. For most people in most states, the person sitting in the governor’s

chair probably matters more than who represents them in Congress. But if you’re a political junkie who only cares about national elections, then you should still keep an eye on the governor’s races: presidents tend to be plucked from the governor’s mansion, not from the House or Senate. Right now, Republicans hold 29 governorships to the Democrats’ 21. But of the 36 seats up in 2014, Republicans are defending 23 and Democrats are defending only 13. That gives Democrats an edge, but it comes amidst the unfavorable climate of the midterm election. As such, Democrats aren’t likely to make big gains.

9) Local elections are really important The biggest bias in election coverage isn’t towards Republicans or Democrats or even towards conflict and sensationalism. It’s towards national elections rather than local elections. This is partly a question of resources: it’s a lot easier for a news organization to cover national politics than local politics. And part of it is that the media covers elections as the culmination of the bloodsport of American politics, and local elections don’t really count towards that. But insofar as elections are about making and changing the laws that affect people’s lives, local (and state) elections are wildly underemphasized. The major decisions around infrastructure, education, and criminal justice policy are made at the state level. The decisions around zoning, occupational licensing, and the management of many public services are made at the local level. For most Americans, these decisions will be as or more consequential than anything the federal government does. Moreover, turnout is so low in state and local elections, and people have so little information, that individual voters are much more powerful at the state and local level than they are at the federal level. This November, hundreds of cities will be choosing new mayors and new city councilmen — and that’s to say nothing of superintendents, county executives, comptrollers, and all the rest. These elections matter, but national political parties and the national media devote a whole lot less time and resources into making people feel like they matter. So while you’re obsessively tracking the national polls in September and October, take some time out to learn about who’s running for what in your city. Ezra Klein is an American journalist, blogger, and columnist. He is most known for his former work as a blogger and columnist for The Washington Post, as well his ongoing work as a contributor to Bloomberg News and MSNBC. For the complete article, visit http:// www.vox.com/2014/8/27/6053039/the-mostimportant-facts-about-the-2014-election. The views expressed are those of Klein’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

November 2014

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Lessons from supplier symposiums: Be ready to win Mike Cobert, EIGERlab’s Center for Product Development, assists Raegan with her new hand.

Thank you to EIGERlab’s Center for Product Development By Sherry Pritz, EIGERlab

and discovered that it is a service offered locally at the EIGERlab. After searching for a solution for over two years, Katie and Scott are elated for their daughter, and already are noticing her confidence-level growing. The Highland Elementary School first grader chose her prosthetic to be printed in her school colors. Raegan shared, “Other little kids will think my new hand is awesome!” EIGERlab’s assistant director, Mike Cobert stated, “It is always exciting and challenging to help companies solve problems with their innovative products. However, it is not nearly as rewarding as the smile on Raegan’s face when she put her new additive manufactured [3D printed] hand on for the first time. It is priceless!”

Not unlike other precocious first graders, Raegan Reynolds has a smile that lights up a room with her mesmerizing blue eyes. What makes Raegan ever so slightly different from her peers is her birth defect — her right hand did not fully develop. Raegan’s parents, Katie and Scott, have been pursuing all avenues in order to help Raegan with her challenge. “Insurance pays for only one prosthetic over the course of a lifetime, and we agreed that decision should be made by Raegan when she is an adult,” Katie said. After learning how Boylan assisted other children with 3D printed prosthesis, Raegan’s Aunt Beth contacted them to see if they could assist Raegan. Much to the family’s dismay, they learned that Boylan Sherry Pritz is marketing coordinator/business could not. Beth then Googled 3D printing development at EIGERlab/Rock Valley College.

By now, we’ve all heard of The Boeing Co. Aside from a muchpublicized search for a location to assemble a new line of 777 widebody airliners, in which Rockford was considered a finalist, Boeing long has been a globally recognized brand with commercial and defense aerospace sales totaling more than $86 billion. Equally as recognizable is Lockheed Martin, a global security, aerospace and information technology company with 2013 sales totaling more than $45 billion. Both Boeing and Lockheed Martin held supplier symposiums in Rockford this year, hosted by Congressman Adam Kinzinger. They join an impressive list of companies that have brought representatives to the region with the goal of fostering existing relationships with current suppliers and establishing new partnerships with exceptionally capable Rockford area companies. Other companies that have held supplier symposiums in Rockford over the past four years include Navistar, Nippon Sharyo, GE Aviation, Woodward and Talgo America. “For some of the companies, this was a starting point and for others it was building and expanding an already existing relationship with Lockheed Martin,” said Mark Podemski, vice president for development, Rockford Area Economic Development Council, at the most recent supplier symposium for Lockheed Martin. “Overall, becoming a supplier to an international company such as Lockheed Martin is a process similar to a journey – it takes time to reach that destination. We are proud that Lockheed Martin recognizes the Rockford Region and its companies as a place to explore business opportunities. Rockford’s unique strength is the presence of diverse companies at all levels of the supply chain, including assembly, inspection, testing, repair and software.” After Boeing ended its search for a new location to build its 777, many economic development, education, and civic leaders were left wondering — what if Rockford had not finished as a finalist for Boeing’s new site? What if our community finished in first place and Boeing decided to begin operations here? What would it take to ensure their success in our region? Similarly, many local companies that attended this year’s supplier

symposiums walked away with a much clearer understanding of what it takes to become a successful supply chain partner with a global company like Lockheed Martin or Boeing. Would you be prepared if Boeing knocked on your door?

Preparing to Win International Standards Certifications such as ISO 9001 and AS 9100 can add credibility and demonstrate that your products or services meet the expectations of customers. For most small businesses, these certifications are often viewed as a luxury or a way to set a company apart from the competition. But to be a direct supplier to Boeing or Lockheed Martin, they’re almost certainly a must. And although attaining these certifications takes investment, there are programs like Trade Adjustment Assistance through the U.S. Department of Commerce that can help you with the costs and technical hurdles.

Access to Capital and Cash Flow If you have a sales opportunity that would result in a significant increase in revenue but also would require your company to add staff or additional capital equipment, there are programs such as Advantage IL that can help secure much-needed capital.

Doing Business with the Government A very large percentage of the sales for the companies mentioned above are accredited to government contracts. Positioning yourself as a qualified supplier to these government contracts can be very profitable. One organization with far less name recognition than Boeing (but just as good at what they do) is the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) through Rock Valley College. PTAC can help you better understand what kinds of government compliance issues these potential customers deal with and therefore how to better position your company to win their business. For more information on the resources mentioned in this article, contact Terrance Hall, business development specialist, Rockford Area Economic Development Council at thall@rockfordil.com or 815969-4258.

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November 2014

Aircraft interiors specialist flies through AS9100C audit By Amy Fitzgerald, IMEC

PCI expands its global clinical services business with international acquisitions Packaging Coordinators Inc., (PCI) held a ribbon cutting on Oct. 17 for its new, 93,000-sq.ft. Rockford clinical storage and distribution facility near the Chicago Rockford International Airport at 5775 Logistics Parkway. The new state-of-the-art facility features expansive storage at controlled room temperature and Cold Chain storage capacity for the storage, global distribution and returns management of investigational drug products for clinical studies around the world. The facility is a DEA-registered site for Schedule II-V Controlled Substances. “Clients trust PCI with lifesaving medicines,” said Bob Misher, senior vice president of PCI Clinical Trial Services. “These ongoing investments in our clinical trials business continue to allow us to grow our presence in this market and at the same time keep our focus on the significant importance of each package we prepare, and each shipment of investigational study material we manage. These medicines are literally lifesaving for patients around the globe, and we appreciate the gravity of our responsibilities as well as the trust with which our clients have extended to us.”

Recent Acquisitions PCI’s Rockford business comprises about 1,500 employees at nine facilities. The company has grown in the past couple of years with the acquisition of AndersonBrecon Inc. (formerly Rockford-based Anderson Packaging Inc.) in May, 2013. This year, it acquired Penn Pharma, Tredegar, United Kingdom, in August and Biotec Services International (Biotic), Bridgend, Wales, United Kingdom, in September. PCI comprises 16 facilities across North America and Europe, including Rockford, and employs more than 2,900 associates, supporting therapies destined to more than 100 countries worldwide.

Jumping straight to AS9100C registration without first completing ISO certification was a bold idea. Setting a goal to complete the process in less than a year was an even bigger challenge. But with IMEC’s support, Davis Junction-based Skandia Inc., sailed through its audit on the first attempt. An aircraft interiors specialist, Skandia supports the business aviation industry — mainly private aircraft customers like Boeing, Bombardier, Cessna and Gulfstream. Because aviation is a highly regulated industry, with customers located worldwide, the company must comply with multiple, global regulations. According to Jeff Vardell, Skandia’s quality assurance manager, there’s been a big push for standardization in the aviation industry recently. “Certification gives our customers confidence and peace of mind,” he said. “Without it, they have to conduct extra survelliance and audits, which requires time and money. With it, we’re more attractive as a supplier.” That’s a key reason Skandia decided to pursue AS9100C registration. As the primary quality management system for the aerospace industry, it includes all of ISO 9001’s standards along with aerospace-specific quality and safety criteria. With limited AS9100C experience on staff, however, Skandia decided to reach out to a third party for support in preparing for the registration audit. “We could have spent the money to learn the standard ourselves and go through a trial-anderror process to get it right, or we could turn to a professional instead,” Vardell said. “For us, the return on investment associated with using IMEC’s expertise was a no-brainer.”

Three Phase Process

Skandia Inc., is an aircraft interiors specialist that employs 70 and provides soundproofing solutions, foam and upholstery supplies, flammability testing and certification, and foam fabrication. IMEC walked the company’s entire management team through the AS9100C standard in detail — proved to be the most valuable part of the project. “Internally, we can talk about the importance of quality all day long, but IMEC brought credibility to the table,” he said. “They were able to explain to each manager how the standard applied to their department, which was instrumental in helping us get buy-in.” With these three phases complete, the company was ready for its formal AS9100C registration, first completing a preliminary audit and then the full audit about a month later. In total, from the time Skandia began working with IMEC until receiving certification, the process took about 10 months — faster than the one-year goal the company had set for itself. “Most consultants recommend you get ISO certification first before moving on to AS9100C, and they tell you to expect to fail the audit the first time or two,” Vardell said. “We skipped right over ISO and set ourselves a nearly impossible deadline, but we were confident. Internally we had a very dedicated team, and externally we knew we’d have the support we needed from IMEC.” That support was instrumental in giving the Skandia team the confidence to complete the audit. “Could we have done it without IMEC? Sure. Would we have been done in 10 months? Absolutely not,” Vardell said. “Why go it alone when you have access to a resource that’s readily available and reasonably priced? IMEC combines a familiarity with AS9100C standards with expertise in the manufacturing industry. They’re confident and sure — and that instilled a sense of confidence in us.”

IMEC and Skandia tackled AS9100C preparation in three key phases. During the first phase, gap analysis, IMEC conducted a mock audit of every department -- reviewing processes, identifying gaps and detailing non-compliance issues and how to address them. Next was a twoday internal auditor training session to teach Skandia’s quality team how to identify and audit processes. After fixing these gaps, Skandia moved on to phase three: management review training. According to Vardell, this training — in which Amy Fitzgerald is marketing manager at IMEC.

Manufacturing News is sponsored by IMEC

November 2014

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Giovanni’s owner reflects on RACVB’s 30 years Tourism as economic development Joe Castrogiovanni, co-proprietor of Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center founded 37 years ago, thinks that the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s 30th anniversary is “quite monumental, and what they’ve accomplished in Rockford is amazing.” As a board member of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Castrogiovanni understands the economic impact of the nearly $320 million that visitors spent in Winnebago County in 2013. He acknowledges that tourists who come here do so in part because of the marketing efforts of the RACVB. “Giovanni’s has benefited from the RACVB’s work. Especially in recent years after we added Alchemy and the Woodsmoke Room with our artisan pizzas and live music, we now get lots of visiting tournament teams and bowling leagues that come with their families and friends. We see a lot of revenue from what the RACVB does.” But it’s more than that. You have to look at the entire community. What does an organization like the RACVB do for all the businesses here? When the RACVB is on their game, we have hotels that are full, also movie theatres and other businesses in our community. Everybody benefits. These visitors shop, they have free time to go to Midway Village, Magic Waters, grocery stores and definitely the malls. The RACVB is not just about filling the hotels and restaurants, their work helps the entire community. All these visitors are filling up at the gas stations,” he said. “The RACVB is a well-oiled team. I wish John Groh and his staff all the luck in the world so we can all continue to benefit,” he added.

John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

economic development strategy. Under longtime director Wendy Perks Fisher, the RACVB became known as one of the country’s top destinations for amateur sports, and the number of hotels on East State Street grew from three in 1984 to 19 hotels today. RACVB has partnered with organizations to help improve the quality of life for residents as well as to attract visitors. Some of the successes include the development of Davis Park and Sportscore Two, and the restoration of Shumway Market and Memorial Hall.

Next 30 Years As remarkable and valuable as tourism growth in Winnebago County has been, particularly with $320 million in additional annual revenue, future growth must be even stronger as competing communities want what we have, visitors. This spring, the RACVB will host a series of “Big Ideas Learning Labs” for tourism industry partners. We want to find new ideas and new ways of partnering to promote the region so we can all continue to enjoy success. I encourage Chamber members to save the date of Tuesday, May 5 for the RACVB Annual Luncheon. We will have a nationally known authority on the power of hospitality as a keynote speaker and introduce the newest inductees to the Tourism Hall of Fame. Thanks for being part of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, a key partner in growing the region’s tourism industry and adding $320 million annually to the local economy.

Visionary Leaders Saw Tourism as Economic Development

John Groh is president/CEO at the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

On Sept. 27, 1984, visionary community leaders made the bold decision to pursue tourism as an

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

Joe Castrogiovanni, Chamber board member and co-proprietor of Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, calls the RACVB’s 30th anniversary “quite monumental.”

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

November 2014

$$$ WALLETHUB RATES

RICHEST STATES

With the richest one percent of Americans capturing 95 percent of postrecession growth, the leading personal finance social network WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2014’s Richest and Poorest States. To identify the states with the highest and lowest net worth, WalletHub ranked the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on income, GDP per capita and federal taxes paid per capita. Illinois ranked 18th overall. Visit wallethub.com.

Richest States

Poorest States

T-1 . . . . . District of Columbia

42 . . . . . Maine

Overall Rank

T-1 . . . . . New Jersey

43 . . . . . Montana

T-3 . . . . . Connecticut

44 . . . . . Arkansas

T-3 . . . . . Maryland

45 . . . . . Idaho

5. . . . . . . Massachusetts

46 . . . . . Kentucky

6. . . . . . . Alaska

47 . . . . . New Mexico

7. . . . . . . Minnesota

48 . . . . . South Carolina

8. . . . . . . Delaware

49 . . . . . Alabama

T-9 . . . . . California

50 . . . . . West Virginia

T-9 . . . . . Virginia

51 . . . . . Mississippi

Some Key Stats

✪ The percentage of households earning less than $24,999 a year in Mississippi is two times higher than in Alaska.

✪ The percentage of households earning between $50,000 and $99,999 a year in Utah is 1.4 times higher than in District of Columbia.

✪ The percentage of households earning between

$100,000 and $199,999 a year in Alaska is three times higher than in Mississippi.

✪ The percentage of households earning $200,000 or more

per year in the District of Columbia is six times higher than in Mississippi.

✪ The GDP per capita of the District of Columbia is five times higher than of Mississippi.

✪ The federal taxes paid per capita in the District of Columbia are 11 times higher than in Mississippi.

✪ Blue states are wealthier than red states. Blue states have

an average rank of 18.41. Red states have an average rank of 34.25. (1 = wealthiest).

Hacked email accounts expose businesses to fraud Scammers are hacking into company email accounts and fooling employees into sending vendor payments to con artists. Urgent emails are sent that appear to come from a company executive telling the recipient to change invoice payment procedures for a vendor instructing them to wire money straight to a bank account specified in the email. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning managers and employees not to fall for these fraudulent emails because the money wired will end up in the hands of a scammer. “This scam is particularly hard to catch because scammers use names and emails of actual vendors and company executives,” said Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau. “However, whenever someone wants a wire transfer to be done, it’s important to respond to these emails cautiously. Employees should double check the authenticity of the email before making such a transfer.” There are a number of different ways that this scam operates. In a different version, scammers hack into the vendor’s email account and send messages to their contacts. The instructions are the same: instead of paying as normal, they are instructed to respond to future invoices with a wire transfer into the scammer’s bank account. In other versions, the email account is not actually hacked. The scammers either use software to

disguise their email address or create a new address that looks nearly identical.

Ways to Avoid the Scam ■ Establish a multi-person approval process for transactions above a certain dollar threshold. ■ Get the word out in your office. If your colleagues or employees know about the scam, they will be more likely to spot a suspicious email. ■ Be extra careful with wire transfers. Wire transfers and increasingly prepaid debit cards are scammers’ preferred methods of payment. Always confirm that any request for a wire transfer is from an authorized source. ■ Double-check email addresses. Scammers may use email addresses that look very similar to those used by the actual business, such as jsmith@ xyzbusiness.com instead of jsmith@ zyxbusiness.com. ■ Be suspicious of requests for secrecy. Speak to the executive on the phone or in person to confirm changes in payment information. If you still have doubts, speak to another senior executive. ■ Slow down. Scammers pressure you to take immediate action so you don’t have time to think it through. Take time to verify any request, even an urgent one. For more tips, visit www.bbb.org.

November 2014

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

If the ACT exam is in your student’s future … Make sure you know how it’s changing! When I recently spoke to students at Jefferson High School and Keith Country Day on “Acing the ACT,” many were unaware of upcoming changes to the test. The thought of taking the ACT (or the SAT) strikes fear in many students. The recently announced changes to this test warrant the attention of even the best and brightest students, to ensure that they achieve the test score reasonably expected of them. The ACT score is one of five criteria generally cited by college admissions officers in making their decision. There are significant hurdles to doing well on the other four criteria: ■■ High school GPA. Most students take the ACT in their junior year, i.e., there already is a cumulative GPA for the first two years of high school. It will take a lot of effort to improve a student’s GPA in the junior year, considering the various demands on a student’s time and attention. ■■ Recommendation Letters. Recommendation letters are influenced by the students’ performance in the school, and how well the counselor knows the student’s interests, potential and achievements. ■■ Extracurricular Activities. Extracurricular activities that will influence the admission decision require more than mere participation. A leadership role generally is required, and these roles can be difficult to attain. ■■ Essay. The essay wherein the student is expected to impress and delight the admissions officer is obviously harder said than done.

ACT ‘Rules of Engagement’ The ACT score can be improved by a dedicated effort to learn the subject matter being tested. Additionally, there are many tried and true techniques to help students overcome test anxiety and/or poor time management skill – the two most frequently cited impediments to achieving a high score. A student can request the ACT organization delete a “bad” score so that the colleges he or she applies to are not even aware of the score. None of the other criteria cited above allows for a “fresh start.” The recently announced changes to the ACT compel the student to know the “rules of engagement” well. As an example, there may be up to four (instead of three) questions on probabilities in math and paired passages may be presented whereby students are required to comprehend, compare

Ron Liu Huntington Learning Center

and contrast two passages in order to correctly answer a set of questions. On the SAT, the changes are even more extensive. Among them, points will no longer be deducted for wrong answers and the required essay will become optional in 2016. If no points are being deducted for wrong answers, a student should guess if he/she is unsure of the answer. There are techniques to help improve the chance of guessing correctly. Equally important, this change will impact how much time a student should spend on attempting to answer a question. Specifically, the conventional wisdom of spending no more than one minute per question on the math section of the ACT (where a student is allowed 60 minutes to answer 60 questions) certainly is not that meaningful, as some of the questions will require more than one minute to compute the correct answer. The ACT also announced a change in the order of difficulty on the math test, which renders the old wisdom of concentrating on the first 40 or so questions obsolete and potentially disastrous for the unknowing. Attempting to achieve a higher score on the ACT is similar to trying to run faster; practicing on the track may help, but it does not assure one gains speed. Re-taking the ACT appears to work the same way. The ACT reported on its website that about 57 percent of the students who repeated the test gain one point. Of the remainder, about 20 percent lose a point upon re-taking the test, hence the need for supplemental help, e.g., through ACT Exam Prep tutoring. It is well known that higher ACT score leads to better college choices and scholarship options, which can impact the student’s earning potential when he/she enters the workforce. The above discussion is equally pertinent for students considering taking the ACT or the SAT. If there are questions about how these tests are different, visit their respective websites. Ron Liu is regional director of Huntington Learning Center, with a program to help raise students’ ACT test scores. Call 815-395-1011. The views expressed are those of Liu’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

November 2014

A plan we can live with Final plan to be revealed next year The best news is: You will be able to read it on a page. We’re doing a strategic plan in the Rockford Public Schools. You know the drill: Get everyone together for two or three days, write the plan, sell the plan and hope for the best. That’s not what’s happening at RPS 205. Our process for updating our five-year plan is different. It’s comprehensive. It’s inclusive. It will be done in digestible chunks. And, most importantly, our final product will fit on a page. We will be able to live the plan. All of our reporting systems and the work we do as a district will align to our strategic priorities. We will move from a district that’s trying to do too many things to a district that really sets priorities and really places an emphasis on what’s most important to our longrange improvement. The strategic plan team is made up of 55 people, including teachers, central office administrators, parents, students, bargaining unit leaders, principals, non-certified staff and community members. Ken Scrivano and Tim Rollins represent the School Board.

Plan on One Page The Readiness 2020 process began in September with what’s called an environmental scan, a survey and a system assessment to guide the strategic plan team. These steps involved unprecedented access to our schools. A team from the non-profit Consortium for Educational Change visited nearly half – 20 of 47 – of our schools, talking to small focus groups. More than 1,000 people were interviewed, including employees in

every department in our district office. An online, seven-question survey was widely distributed. The strategic team members reviewed the data in a retreat in midOctober. They will meet again this month for a vision retreat and again in December to set direction. During the final meeting Jan. 8, the team will produce its plan on a page. After that, it will be presented to the School Board for acceptance. People who have enjoyed the Transform Rockford movement will recognize the process. You do the work, you share the work and you make sure everyone has a chance to weigh in. We couldn’t get enough people in the room to do this in one step – or in the twoor three-day time period of traditional strategic plans. What’s the best way to raise student achievement and advance student learning? For our strategic plan, we have set up the collaborative structures to give us those answers. Our system will be aligned around points of emphasis in a way that I don’t think it ever has been. We are taking an honest look at where we are now. We are broadening our perspective about where we want to go. And then we are doing the work to get there. The best news is: You will be able to read it on a page. If you are a teacher, parent, student, staff member or community member, you will know what your role is in providing the highest quality of education to Rockford Public Schools students. Dr. Ehren Jarrett is superintendent of Rockford Public Schools. The views expressed are those of Dr. Jarrett’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

twenty people you should know

—— 2014 —— twenty people you should know

November 2014 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Forward by Einar Forsman, President/CEO Rockford Chamber of Commerce

ALMOST ANY SUCCESSFUL PERSON WILL TELL YOU THEY HAD HELP “GETTING THERE.” But getting help is only part of the equation. Study the work habits, the talents, the perseverence of a successful person and you’re just scratching the surface. In this year’s edition of our One publication, we offer a glimpse into the lives of our twenty success stories. The 2014 class of People You Should Know are people who have given their time, talent and provided leadership in many different ways, from their own business dealings to support for worthy causes in the Rockford area. The photo shoot this year was at Riverfront Museum Park. The weather cooperated and we were afforded access to the various locations inside and out: The Discovery Center, Northern Public Radio, The Rockford Dance Company, Rockford Symphony Orchestra, The Rockford Art Museum and Burpee Museum. Thank you to the gracious staff of Riverfront Museum Park! And, please enjoy learning more about our 2014 People You Should Know in their featured profiles in our One magazine. I think you’ll agree with me, we have many talented people in our city!

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

November 2014

Rick Bastian

twenty people you should know

Kris Kieper

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Blackhawk Bank

President/CEO, YWCA of Rockford

Rick Bastian has spent more than 45 years in banking. He supports and sponsors many manufacturing organizations including the Manufacturers Alliance of the Rock River Valley, Women of Today’s Manufacturing, the Rock River Valley Tooling and Machining Association and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s Manufacturer’s Council. For his efforts within the manufacturing community, Bastian was honored with the 2011 Manzullo Individual Business Catalyst of the Year award.

Kris Kieper oversees the YWCA of Rockford, an organization that strives to create opportunities for women’s growth, leadership, and power, and works towards eliminating racism and social injustice. Kieper served in the Army in the late 1980s and early 1990s, in a variety of roles including working on special assignments for the Army Inspector General. In her spare time, she serves as trustee for the Village of Winnebago.

Karen Brown

Caitlin Ludwig

Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center

IGNITE Rockford/Blackhawk Bank REACH Committee Co-Chair/Marketing Specialist

Karen Brown is a busy person. As vice president and chief operating officer for OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, she is responsible for several areas of the medical center including human resources, marketing, food services, rehabilitation, laboratory and others. Brown is also passionate about the community. She has served on a variety of boards including the Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance, YWCA of Rockford, The Discovery Center and Transform Rockford.

Caitlin Ludwig is a key player in helping Rockford become one of the top 25 places to live by 2025. Since IGNITE Rockford’s launch in 2008, she’s worked diligently in attracting and retaining young professionals through social, career and volunteer opportunities. In 2010, at only 24, she became IGNITE’s executive director, increasing membership from roughly 200 to 250.

Jim Derry

Daniel Malaney

President, Field Fastener

Chief Engineer, Electric Systems, UTC Aerospace Systems

Jim Derry was working in sales in Minnesota, when he moved back to Rockford where he and his brother, Bill, bought Field Fastener Supply. The industrial distributor of fasteners has 900 clients from 15 countries, and has averaged 19 percent annual growth in the past two decades. It was named one of “America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies” by INC 500/5000 magazine for four straight years.

Daniel Malaney knew he wanted to be an engineer during college after participating in the co-op program at UTC Aerospace Systems. As a company leader, he believes in giving back. He’s been chairman of the UTC Aerospace Systems’ United Way Workplace Campaign, and recently became chairman of the steering committee for the Joint Institute for Engineering & Technology, Aerospace.

Rebecca Cook Kendall

John J. Morrissey

Executive Director, Rockford Health Council

Principal, The Morrissey Family Businesses

Under Rebecca Cook Kendall’s leadership, the Rockford Health Council has developed several studies to identify healthcare gaps, which area healthcare organizations have used to leverage funding and develop strategic plans to serve the community’s needs. Another of Kendall’s passions is mentoring the next generation. She’s raised scholarship funds for organizations such as the Rockford Association of Minority Management and the Junior League of Rockford.

John J. Morrissey is a principal of The Morrissey Family Businesses, which includes John Morrissey Accountants, Staff Management, Market Dimensions, and MPower HRIS Solutions. Morrissey helps manage nearly 50 employees who work with hundreds of regional area clients. A Rockford native, Morrissey left for 17 years, working for various Fortune 500 companies before returning home. In addition to his work, he’s active in various community and professional groups.

twenty people you should know

Thomas Muldowney

November 2014 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Kevin Polky

Chairman of the Board, Savant Capital Management

Owner, KP Counseling LTD

In 1986, Muldowney launched a company called Savant Planning Group, now Savant Capital Management, as its sole financial advisor. Barron’s called Savant “one of the U.S.’s top teams for financial advisory organizations.” The firm now manages assets of $4.1 billion for 3,500 clients. Muldowney now serves as chairman of the board for both Savant and Rockford University.

Kevin Polky owns KP Counseling LTD and Four Corners Wellness Center. The two businesses serve about 300 clients a week in individual or group counseling in areas that include family counseling, primary psychiatric disorders, trauma, addiction, grief and loss issues. In his therapy, Polky often looks for the strengths within a client and urges that they be used to overcome obstacles.

Ricardo Oceguera

Luz M. Ramirez

Editor, El Sol de Rockford Ricardo Oceguera is the editor of El Sol de Rockford, a free weekly Latino newspaper that is distributed in Boone, Winnebago, and Ogle counties and southern Wisconsin. As editor of a small, two-person operation – his sister handles graphic design – Oceguera wears many hats – reporter, photographer, videographer, and sales. Oceguera, who is married and has two children, was recently named the 2014 Latino Father of the Year by the Ethnic Heritage Museum.

For years, Luz Ramirez has strived to offer a higher level of services to a diverse Latino population. She returned to Rockford after college, where the need for bilingual teachers was great. She grew in 16 years from part-time kindergarten teacher to director of the Family Resource Center to a cabinet-level executive reporting directly to the superintendent.

Daniel G. Saavedra

Patrick O’Keefe Communications Manager, Transform Rockford Patrick O’Keefe became aware of the Transform Rockford movement when the organization began hosting its community visioning sessions to gather feedback from the Rockford region. O’Keefe was suited as a volunteer for the communications team; providing advice and guidance on media relations, communication and team building. Now he’s working full time for Transform Rockford as its communications manager.

President, Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects Dan Saavedra is president of a successful architectural firm, Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects, which he founded in 1991. Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects has designed and developed many well-known buildings including Anderson Japanese Gardens Visitor’s Center, SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center, and many churches. In 2013, Saavedra Gehlhausen was named in the Top 500 Hispanicowned businesses in the U.S.

Paulina Sihakom

Dan Parod Senior Vice President, Rockford Health System Working in the health care profession in his hometown brings satisfaction to Dan Parod, who is senior vice president of hospital and administrative affairs for Rockford Health System. When he’s not working, Parod can be found volunteering through his children’s schools and athletic teams.

one

Executive Director, La Voz Latina

event

One Magazine and Rockford Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 2014 “People You Should Know” award recipients at a special reception, sponsored by OSF Healthcare. More than 350 guests enjoyed appetizers and drinks in the ballroom of the Prairie Street Brewhouse near downtown Rockford. Chamber President Einar Forsman, Paula Carynski of OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Patti Thayer, incoming Chamber Board Chairman, and Mike Broski, Chamber Board Past Chairman announced the awards and recognized each of the 20 recipients. To see more photos from the One event, go to rockfordchamber.com.

Market Executive, PNC Bank Paulina Sihakom is making positive changes both in the Rockford community, as well as for members of her village back in Laos. She pairs employers with job seekers and assists families to find child care. She volunteers as an interrupter and she organizes a clothing drive to benefit children in her native village. She also leads a hat and glove drive at PNC Bank to help local children.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

November 2014

Jeff Simonic Air Division Manager, UPS Jeff Simonic joined UPS 21 years ago for a part-time night job to supplement his income as a tool and die maker. Today, Simonic is the division manager of the second largest air hub in the UPS transportation service industry. Under Simonic’s leadership, the Rockford facility has been named the top-ranked air hub in the country for three straight years based on safety, service and production.

Matthew Simpson Community Impact Manager, United Way of the Rock River Valley Matthew Simpson is community impact manager for United Way of the Rock River Valley. His job involves connecting with residents on ways to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. He is also a member of the Master Builders Masonic Lodge, vice president of the Wabongo Leadership Council, and a member of the Transform Rockford visioning team.

Kathy Velasco President, V2 Marketing Communications In 1995, Kathy Velasco opened her own marketing agency, Velasco and Associates. Two years ago, she teamed up with Chris and Heather Kelley, owners of Argyle Marketing, to form V2 Marketing Communications, a Rockford-based firm that specializes in advertising and marketing. V2 Marketing Communications was recognized last year by United Way as a Business Volunteer of the Year, and this year was named the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year.

Mike Webb Producer and Managing Director, Starlight Theatre For the past 30 years, Mike Webb has been the only producer and director of theater that Rock Valley College has known. He started out as a volunteer in high school, building sets for Starlight productions. As a graduate student in college, one of his theater professors predicted the Rockford native would have a thriving career as a New York director. But Webb shunned the bright lights of the big city and returned home to oversee Starlight Theatre.

20 Twenty People

twenty people you should know

(continued from front page)

The recipients represent various industries including banking, nonprofit, business and healthcare. The honorees were chosen for their civic, economic and cultural contributions to the Rockford area. “Each year, this event continues to grow with excitement,” said Einar Forsman, president and CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. “What’s unique about this year is that there are many unfamiliar faces among our nominees, who come from many different backgrounds. What they have in common is that they’re passionate about whatever it is they’re doing, and they take it very seriously.” Patrick O’Keefe was honored for his years of community service. The Rockford native started as a teenager helping at the Rockford Art Museum, and hasn’t slowed down. He’s helped a number of organizations, and recently took a position with Transform Rockford after volunteering with the grassroots group for nearly a year. “I hope I represent a great number of people who work hard to help our community,” he said. “It’s incumbent on those of us who want to make a difference in our community – to serve, volunteer and get out there. Tonight I look out there and see all these wonderful people doing remarkable things and should be respected for it. I know we have challenges, but with the great people in this community, we’ll get there.”

The chamber will distribute a special magazine to members that proﬁles each of this year’s recipients. One of the honorees, Caitlin Ludwig, is a marketing specialist for Blackhawk Bank and coordinator of IGNITE, an organization whose mission is to attract and retain young people to Rockford. The group is more than 400 strong. “There are opportunities here for young people,” said Ludwig. “They can lead a successful life here and we want to play a role in that journey. When I came to Rockford out of college, I had no friends here. IGNITE introduced me to a city that I’m absolutely passionate about. I have purpose here, and I love that.” In the next few weeks, the chamber will distribute a special magazine to members that profiles each of this year’s recipients. Next year’s People You Should Know celebration will be significant when the 100th nominee will be recognized. “People tell us how thrilled they are by this event,” Forsman said. “They say it’s one of the greatest recognition events we can do for the hardworking people of our community.” The reception was presented by OSF Healthcare. Hospitality sponsors were United Way of Rock River Valley and SwedishAmerican Health System. Business sponsor was The Alliance. theVoice

November 2014

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Rockford’s ranking per Money Magazine By Alex Gary

Daniel Saavedra: Transforming infrastructure DANIEL SAAVEDRA

By Alex Gary Daniel Saavedra came to the Rockford area 30 years ago to spread his architectural wings and win a wife. Saavedra met Diana when the two were going to college in Saavedra’s native Colombia. Diana was from Milledgeville and returned to the area in 1983. Saavedra, who had earned his degree in architecture, followed her a year later, reaching Rockford on Oct. 27, 1984. “Most architects in Colombia dedicate their careers to residential architecture,” said Saveedra, who remains married to Diana. “I wanted to do more commercial and institutional work.” When Saavedra arrived he didn’t know a word of English. Still, he managed to get himself a job with a firm in Dixon before going to work for noted Rockford architect C. Edward Ware. In 1991, when Ware moved his office to Chicago, Saavedra and Guy Gehlhausen chose to stay in Rockford and open their own firm, Saveedra Gehlhausen Architects. “When we opened, the development of East State Street was just starting to happen,” Saavedra said. “The development of Rockford as it moved East was done in a very messy way. The municipalities allowed developers to do whatever they wanted because they wanted the revenues. That has come at a great cost. Now, we are having to make infrastructure repairs that should have happened when the developments started, which is the way it’s done everywhere else in the world.” In the long list of issues Rockford needs to tackle, perhaps infrastructure isn’t at the top for most. But, when Transform Rockford organized, Saavedra saw an opportunity to be part of a solution to the problems that have been created over decades. The goal of Transform Rockford is to turn the area into a top 25 community by 2025. Transform Rockford tapped Saavedra to be one of several speakers

on Oct. 13 when the group updated the organization’s vision statements. The list of speakers included Rockford University President Robert Head and Mike Brown, president and CEO of the YMCA of the Rock River Valley. The original vision statements were announced in July after more than 3,000 people attended 51 public meetings last winter and this spring. The statements then were tweaked after input from the community. The focus remains improving area education, creating a crime-free culture and fostering a diverse and healthy neighborhoods. Transform Rockford Executive Director Mike Schablaske said the vision statements are important because it gives the area a clear vision of what needs to be accomplished by 2025. The speakers also laid out the next step in the process, identifying leaders from business, the public, nonprofit and faith groups to head teams to research and define strategies to cure the area’s ills. The goal is to have those leaders in place by mid-November. Saavedra doesn’t know if he’ll be a team leader, but he said he’s ready to do whatever is asked of him. “What I like is that this movement is truly coming from the community. It’s not being pushed by a political party or the government,” said Saavedra, who has six people working at his firm. Saavedra Gehlhausen has designed more than 100 churches over the years as well as such noted local projects as the main building at Anderson Gardens, the SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center and the Karl J. Jacobs Center for Science and Math at Rock Valley College. “We need to come together today in order to establish what will happen to this community in the next 25 years,” said the 55-year-old Saavedra, who has a daughter, Alexandra. “I may not be here to see it, but my kids will.” Alex Gary is a former business writer who now is a Transform Rockford volunteer.

The reason Transform Rockford was created was highlighted again in October by the release of two reports – one list the Rockford region would like to be on and another in which the area would dearly love not to be included. In October, Money magazine released its annual “America’s Best Places to Live” list. Researchers and writers for the magazine began by looking at nearly 800 communities in the U.S. with populations between 50,000 and 300,000 people. They immediately cut the list to 537 cities by eliminating cities where either the education or median household income was too low. Money then compared the cities on a wide variety of attributes ranging from wealth and median home values to things such as museums within a certain radius and air quality. Rockford didn’t even make the initial cut. One of the Money researchers verified by Twitter that we were eliminated because our median household income was too low. The final 50 listed a lot of cities that are familiar to the area. Wealthy Chicago suburbs Naperville and Bolingbrook were on the list at No. 33 and No. 38. Franklin, Tenn., the city which J.L. Clark parent CLARCOR Inc. chose to leave Rockford for last decade, was No. 42. And Boulder, Colo., the city Transform Rockford held up as one for Rockford to emulate when it comes to healthy lifestyles, was No. 23. Since Rockford didn’t make the initial cut to 537, the numbers Money used to compare cities was unavailable on its website. So it’s impossible to see where we rank favorably and where we need to do the most work, at least in Money’s eyes. That’s frustrating because some of the criteria Money uses, such as cost of living, restaurants, public golf courses, museums, even ski resorts within 100 miles, are categories in which Rockford might have done well. “Rockford does compete well from a quality of life standpoint, with our parks, museums and golf courses,” said John Groh, head of the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “If you go back to the Misery ranking last year, the premise of our campaign is that we fully recognize the area has challenges we have to overcome. That withstanding, this is still a great

place to live. Is it frustrating? I don’t know, it just is.” Also in October, Stanford University in California, released a new report, called “Underwater America,” which ranked cities on the percentage of mortgages in which home owners owe more than the house is now worth. It’s not a new area of study. A Florida-based company called Lender Processing Services has been tracking the underwater mortgage problem for several years and it reported that in the second quarter of 2013 the Rockford area actually had the largest percentage of underwater mortgages in the nation. Ocala, Florida was second. In the Stanford study, which looked at full year 2013 data, Rockford ranked 22nd with 36 percent of its mortgages having negative equity. The list was topped by Hartford, Connecticut, with three cities from New Jersey and two from Michigan following. According to Stanford, three Rockford ZIP codes, 61101, 61103 and 61104, are among the 395 hardest-hit ZIP codes in the nation. To be fair, Rockford isn’t the only Illinois city struggling with a vast number of homeowners trapped in the situation. Joliet was 13th on the list with 40 percent of its home owners under water. Elgin was No. 19 and Aurora was right ahead of Rockford at No. 21. Unlike other rankings, the Stanford study had a purpose. The researchers called for public policy changes to stimulate the housing market. Those included: Government sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should reduce the principal on underwater mortgages to current market values. If loan holders are unwilling to reduce principal, they should allow the loans to be purchased by publicly-owned entities that are willing to reduce the principals. Municipalities should use “reverse eminent domain” to acquire mortgages to restructure them to fair and affordable terms. Municipalities should “use all options” to turn vacant, foreclosed homes into affordable housing.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

New Faces / Familiar Faces

November 2014

Rockford Health System, Mercy Health System to form integrated health system Mercy Health System and Rockford Health System announced on Oct. 27 a merge to create a multiregional health system of five hospitals, more than 550 physicians, and 80 outpatient clinics and other service sites for more than 40 communities in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. The new health system has not been named, and it’s not anticipated that there will be any regulatory barriers to creation of the new system. The new system will continue to operate as a not-forprofit organization with a charitable mission to provide excellent medical care close to home. “By thoughtfully aligning our organizations, Mercy Health System and Rockford Health System will create a regional system that honors our existing legacies while strengthening both systems for the future,” said Javon R. Bea, Mercy Health System president and CEO. “This dynamic partnership will provide our patients with outstanding, coordinated care that encompasses nearly every medical specialty and is delivered conveniently and close to home.” “The Board of Directors of Rockford Health System has engaged in a thorough and active process to identify a strategic partner for the future,” said Gary Kaatz, Rockford Health System president and CEO. “We are excited to find that excellent partner in Mercy Health System. By joining together, we expand our opportunities to innovate, take advantage of synergies, explore economies of scale, recruit excellent providers, improve community health and effectively respond to healthcare reform. Our two systems have tremendous similarities in our focus on clinical excellence, patient safety and demonstrated quality outcomes.” Kaatz continued, “Rockford Health System is impressed by Mercy’s nationally recognized physician

Multi-regional Health System Coverage Area

On Oct. 27, Rockford Health System President and CEO Gary Kaatz announces details of the merger with Janesville, Wis.-based Mercy Health System. Looking on is Mercy Health System President and CEO Javon Bea. partnership model that includes more than 400 employed physicians. Mercy has managed large, multi-specialty physician group practices for more than two decades. The advanced physician and clinical protocols they have developed not only benefit patient care but also position the organization for success under an Accountable Care Organization model of care.”

to serve as CEO of Mercy Health System. Mercy Health System and Rockford Health System will both maintain their respective names. No changes are being made to the names of the organizations at this time. The assets of the charitable foundations of the two organizations will remain separate, to be used to support the facilities and operations where the gift was made.

Bea to Lead Overall System

About the Health Systems

The Mercy Health System and Rockford Health System executive team will work in close collaboration to ensure a smooth transition. Mercy Health System’s Bea will lead the system, which will operate under a newly formed parent company. A nine-member board of directors that includes Bea, four representatives from Rockford Health System and four representatives from Mercy Health System will guide its operation. Rowland J. McClellan will serve as the parent board chairperson. Rockford Health System’s Kaatz will continue to report to the Rockford Health System board and Javon Bea as CEO of the parent company. Bea will continue

Founded in 1883, Mercy Health System is a notfor-profit, vertically integrated, multi-specialty health system serving more than one million individuals through its 70 facilities in 24 southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois communities. Rockford Health System is the largest and most comprehensive health system serving northwestern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, providing nearly 1 million patient encounters a year through Rockford Memorial Hospital, Rockford Health Physicians, the Visiting Nurses Association, and Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital.

November 2014 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

New Faces / Familiar Faces

Member Profile PROFILE

Village Green has upgraded its East Riverside store to include a large atrium filled with natural light, 25-foot ceilings, and other features such as cobblestone walkways.

Village Green Home and Garden Celebrating 49 years in business By Paul Anthony Arco When many residents are looking for ways to beautify their home, they turn to Village Green Home and Garden, a longtime staple in the Rockford area. “Beautiful outdoor living is our focus,” said general manager Jessica Salisbury. Original owners Larry Smith and Bill Swadley were college roommates who decided to open the popular garden center in 1965 on Center Terrace near Colonial Village. Three years later, they opened a second location on North Main Street, and in 1980 they built a new building on East Riverside Boulevard to replace the Center Terrace facility. Smith is now semiretired and Swadley passed away in 2009. The East Riverside store is the flagship location for Village Green, which has twice won an industry merchandiser of the year award. It sells more than 600 plant varieties – from hanging baskets to geraniums – many of which are grown at the North Main location. The East Riverside store also has more than 110 patio sets on display, making it one of the largest casual furniture showrooms in the Midwest. According to Salisbury, who serves on the board of directors and retail counsel for the International Casual Furniture Association, outdoor furniture accounts for nearly 43 percent of the company’s revenue, with garden supplies, plants and indoor furniture making up the rest. “We have high-end quality products including our patio furniture, but we also have great values, especially in plant material,” said Salisbury. “What sets us apart is our service, knowledge and quality.”

A Destination Business Salisbury started working at Village Green in 1999 as a high school student. She worked the cash register, watered plants – whatever was asked of her. Salisbury went on to Kishwaukee College where she earned a degree in greenhouse management. She was promoted to general manager at the age of 25. “I fell

in love with the job and the industry,” she said. “I can be working with customers, changing out displays or attending a buying show. No two days are the same.” Despite a strong reputation, Village Green has endured many challenges, especially during a difficult economy. “What we sell is a luxury,” said Salisbury. “People don’t need plants, and they don’t always need patio furniture. We’re definitely a destination business.” In order to attract more customers, Village Green has expanded its marketing efforts to include southern Wisconsin and Chicago. Social media is becoming a vital part of marketing. It’s working: Salisbury said sales are up over the past two years. Village Green has also upgraded its East Riverside store to include a large atrium filled with natural light, 25-foot ceilings, and other features such as cobblestone walkways. Plants, accessories and other amenities surround the casual furniture throughout the store. The busiest times for the stores are early spring; end of summer, thanks to a clearance sale; and mid-November to December, when customers shop for Christmas trees, poinsettias and holiday decorations. In the future, Village Green plans to offer additional product lines and plant material, as well as introducing special events and monthly seminars, whether it’s grill demonstrations or classes on beautification. “We’re constantly trying to give our customers the newest and most unique offerings available,” Salisbury said. “We’ve appreciated our loyal customers for the past 49 years. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their support.”

VILLAGE GREEN HOME AND GARDEN Owner: Larry Smith; General Manager: Jessica Salisbury 6101 E. Riverside Blvd., 815-877-9559 2640 N. Main St., 815-877-7027 www.villagegreenrockford.com

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

November 2014

Business Shorts

Quick insights into Chamber member businesses

WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS STAND OUT? Grease Monkey™ Grease Monkey™ centers offer a fast and friendly maintenance service for your vehicle. Grease Monkey’s certified technicians are hometown automotive service professionals who provide the services you need to keep your car or truck running smoothly. From brake service, to radiator and transmission service, oil changes and more, visit one of the nearby locations in Rockford, Loves Park, Belvidere, Sycamore and Beloit. Grease Monkey™ service teams pride themselves on a “less hassle, more hustle” service experience to get you quickly and safely back on the road. Fleets are always welcome! Grease Monkey™ proudly supports the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. What really sets Reinhart’s Rockford office apart is a distinction in intellectual property law. Open since 2005, the practice works with independent inventors, educational institutions and businesses of all sizes to develop customized solutions for intellectual property protection. Reinhart’s team handles disputes involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and unfair competition. All of this has led to some impressive accolades, including earning a 2014 “Best Law Firms” national ranking in Patent Law from U.S. NewsBest Lawyers. Reinhart’s attorneys are also active in the state’s professional communities, serving as members and leaders of legal and bar associations, as well as on several boards.

Summit Radiology Summit Radiology has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR). We are proud to announce that we are one of only two places in the state of Illinois with this accreditation. In order to receive this elite distinction, Summit was accredited by the ACR in computed tomography in the chest module, and underwent a rigorous assessment of its lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure. Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths. We will screen adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

HAS YOUR BUSINESS EVER BEEN UNDER ANY OTHER NAME? Illinois Bank & Trust Riverside Community Bank, a subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA, Inc., will change its name to Illinois Bank & Trust, and will merge with sister bank, Galena State Bank and Trust Co. The new name will be implemented in November for the Riverside locations and in January for the Galena locations. The goal of parent company, Heartland Financial USA, Inc., is to operate one bank charter per state. Heartland currently has 77 banking locations in 57 communities in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas and Missouri and loan production offices in California, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington and Nebraska.

Put Your Business on Center Stage Would you like to submit a business short for an upcoming issue of The Voice? Please contact editor@rockfordchamber.com, and we’ll send you a questions or two to answer about your business.

New Faces / Familiar Faces

November 2014 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

New Faces / Familiar Faces

New Chamber board members slated The Chamber’s nominating committee, headed by board member Mike Broski, presented a slate of nominees for the Chamber Board of Directors at its Oct. 28 meeting. In announcing the slate of candidates, Chamber President Einar Forsman noted that there were many qualified candidates for each position on the board. “We’re confident those members nominated will represent the Rockford area business community with distinction.” New board members recommended for nomination for a three-year term to begin Jan. 1, 2015 are:

■■ Dr. Rena Cotsones, Northern Illinois University, third term ■■ Patrick Morrow, Alpine Bank, third term ■■ Patrick Shaw, McGladrey, Inc., third term ■■ Rick Zumwalt, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, third term

■■ Mike Paterson, Mid-West Family Broadcasting

Mike Broski, Entré Computer Solutions, and Jennifer Wood, CPA, will complete nine years of service on the board on Dec. 31, 2014, the maximum permitted under the current Chamber bylaws. The board will vote on the nominating committee’s recommendations at its Nov. 25 meeting. For more information about the board nomination process, contact Einar Forsman at 815-316-4304. The following were voted on at the September board meeting to be elected as an officer for the coming two-year term, to begin Jan. 1, 2013 and expire Dec. 31, 2014:

■■ Ira Grimmett, UTC Aerospace Systems

■■ Treasurer: Larry Bridgeland, Mid-City Office Products

■■ Tim Honquest, Honquest Family Funeral Home With Crematory

■■ Vice Chairman: Michele Petrie, BMO Harris Bank

■■ Rebecca Epperson, Chartwell Agency ■■ Dr. Robert Head, Rockford University ■■ Dan Ross, Williams-Manny Insurance Group

For additional three-year terms, the following individuals are recommended for reappointment under our bylaws:

IGNITE

Young Professionals

Young professionals get INVOLVE-d Introducing QUOTE Rockford

“Rockford?! You’re moving there?! Don’t you know Rockford has been on Forbes list of most miserable cities to live in for the last several years?!” This was the general consensus of my dental school classmates during our last semester at Marquette, whom I had told I was going to practice in my hometown with my father. I won’t lie to anyone, with most of my high school friends moving away, I was a bit anxious about moving back to Rockford. However, what I found after returning home after eight years was quite the opposite of what I was expecting. I did have a few friends left in Rockford, and I joined leagues like kickball, bowling, and most recently, softball. However, being a new dentist in Rockford, I wanted to get my name out and network with other new young professionals in the area. So naturally I turned to my generation’s most valuable tool: the Internet. I Googled “young professionals, Rockford, Illinois,” and the result was promising as it introduced me to IGNITE. I attended my first event last October and was immediately hooked. I offered to become more involved and volunteered as a committee member with REACH, the social branch responsible for holding After 5 events. As many read in last month’s VOICE column by Caitlin Ludwig, the committee also set up an amazing summer-long competitive events series called IGNITE Cup that has had outstanding participation. In addition to fun competitive events, like trivia night, a scavenger hunt, and field day, each team had the opportunity to earn points through volunteerism and attending community and cultural events in the area. This led to the next phase of my participation in the organization.

Two-Step Approach to Community Outreach Alpa Patel, another REACH team member, asked if I wanted to be her cochair for IGNITE’s newly restructured team, INVOLVE. This team previously had issues finding its exact niche within the organization for several years, and she and I (and our committee) were able to restructure the vision and goals of INVOLVE. Our first meeting included a round table discussion to determine an idea of who we wanted to be and what we wanted to accomplish. The main vision that we have is community outreach in five separate areas: Education, Community Building, Public Relations, Positive Branding and Socioeconomic Awareness. As a team, we decided to accomplish our community outreach vision through

Brenton B. Soltys, D.D.S. IGNITE

Quarterly Updates on Topics of Engagement in Rockford, or QUOTE Rockford. Each quarter, our team is setting up a two-step approach to gain the interest of young professionals to participate in community outreach events. The first part is an educational program. A speaker vested in a particular area of concern is invited to talk to us about issues that are occurring in the Rockford area. The second part is the engagement aspect of community outreach, where we volunteer at an event connected to that particular education program.

Community Building The first topic we decided to address was community building. On Sept. 20, Anita Rummage from Circles of Learning and Tim Rollins from the Rockford Public Schools spoke to a group of about 15 young professionals interested in engaging in community building at educational facilities in the area. After the presentation, volunteers helped with facilities upkeep at both Circles of Learning and Montessori Elementary School. For the first event of this newly formed committee, it was a great success. The next QUOTE Rockford event is based around the socioeconomic aspect of our community outreach. As it is being held in November, we wanted to focus it on veterans in our community. Wednesday, Nov. 5 is the educational program. A group of veterans and Pat Ambrose, executive director for the Veterans Drop In Center, will meet with young professionals and discuss the climate of past and current day re-integration into society when troops return from service. The engagement aspect of this QUOTE event is assembling a team to participate in the second-annual 5K run to raise funds for the Veterans Drop In Center on Nov. 8. We’re anticipating this event to be another success. I’ve had a wonderful experience living and practicing in Rockford since I returned from school. I’ve met many good friends through IGNITE since joining and have explored much of what the region has to offer. I’m proud to be a part of introducing other young professionals to community outreach opportunities that exist in Rockford, and we have only scratched the surface. For more information, igniterockford.com.

please

visit

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

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

November 2014

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Raising the level of board engagement

Six points to consider in evaluating the status of your organization’s board involvement Some of the time-honored accolades given to organizations are “focused,” “effective,” and “fiscally responsible.” In addition to these, we should add “relevant,” “innovative,” “visionary,” and finally “engaged.” To determine the level of board engagement your organization has, you must look at (1) the design and makeup of your board, (2) the level of respect and teamwork that exists among board members (3) the design and process of your meetings, (4) the training process you have put into place, (5) the evaluation procedures the board uses, and (6) the current success level of your organization. Let’s begin with number 1. Many boards add new board members casually, almost as an afterthought when a current member leaves the board, sometimes unexpectedly. Often the new recruit is a friend or colleague of a current board member, with similar ideas and values. No thought is given to what the current board needs, or where the gaps are in skill or expertise areas

or demographics. This can be a serious mistake. Board-building needs to be a planned activity of the appropriate committee, with skill, interest and demographic matrices in place, and if it is not, the board can end up to be very homogeneous and unbalanced. Number 2. If you have successfully built your board using the matrices suggested above, one risk is that board members will not understand the value other board members bring with them. Teamwork and respect must be expected and fostered for full engagement and the achievement of the board’s potential. Discussions should center on issues that are critical to the mission and strategic plan of the organization, with respect given to each individual and his or her ideas. Trust is a critical factor. Number 3. The way your meetings are conducted has a lot to do with the level of engagement your board members feel. If you often lack a quorum, or if your meetings are rambling, unfocused, not time-limited

and full of decisions that staff should really be making, it is not surprising that your board members would disengage and wonder why they are there in the first place, or worse yet, not show up. Other common mistakes include reading reports that have been included in the board packet, rehashing every committee report, and expecting rubber-stamp responses to pre-determined decisions. In order to have full involvement in discussions, it is a good idea to have several (or all!) board members receive facilitation training or occasionally bring in an outside facilitator. Number 4. When you bring on new board members, is there an active, preplanned training program in place for them? If not, you are probably wasting about six months of their potential, and setting them up to be disengaged from the start. It often takes that long for new members to understand the dynamics of the board (even if they have prior experience on other boards) and to feel comfortable contributing. To get members engaged from the beginning, make sure they are properly trained and oriented, and make sure to ask them directly for input during their first several meetings. Number 5. Too many boards fail to do regular and appropriate selfevaluations. This should include each individual board member as well as the board as a whole. If there is no accountability, it is easy to disengage. There are various evaluation instruments available from Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE), so there is no need to create a new one. And there should be serious discussion about the results after they are compiled. Periodic retreats

Rhonda Arends

and creative NICNE activities can also help. Number 6. When your organization is in a very successful phase, it is much easier for board members to be engaged. The potential problem times are when you are in a time of crisis, a time of change, or a time of inertia. Crisis management can produce quick reactionary decisions that are not well thought-out as they relate to the future or the mission of the organization. Change management can lead to people wishing for the way things used to be, and withdrawal when they are not. Inertia management is tougher to identify and control. When business as usual becomes the norm, engagement suffers. Assumptions need to be challenged but board members can easily feel threatened or uncertain during these times. The board culture should embrace innovation and fully support board members as they make the journey from a traditionally functioning board to a redefined, re-energized and fully engaged board. These changes will never just happen! They must be thoughtfully and purposefully integrated into your board culture with buy-in from all board members. This process takes planning, work and energy but will pay off in increased effectiveness and vibrancy of your board for years to come. Rhonda Arends is a consultant for the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence. The views expressed are those of Arends’ and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

November 2014

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Issues to Watch LEGISLATIVE New Laws for 2014

Here are some laws related to children and families, gaming, election issues, energy/utilities and ethics and transparency that have taken affect this year. For specific language of the laws, visit www.ilga. gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Redeploy Illinois HB 2401/PA 98-0060 Allows Cook County to participate in the “Redeploy Illinois” program, and have access to “Redeploy Illinois” funds. Twenty-eight counties currently participate in the program, which provides financial incentives to keep youth in the local community rather than commit them to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Foster Parents HB 2659/PA 98-0249 Allows foster parents and relatives who are caregivers to challenge the Department of Children and Family Services’ (DCFS) placement of a child or children. Defines a foster parent to include a relative selected by DCFS to provide care for a minor. Also allows relatives who have been foster parents for a child to have input in a return home decision. Child Support HB 2473/PA 98-0417 Clarifies that persons who repeatedly fail to obey court-ordered child support can be jailed for contempt of court. In 2012, P.A. 97-0848 (HB 5434) enacted protections in response to people being jailed as a part of collection efforts. Proponents cast it as preventing people from being incarcerated for unpaid debts, but neglected to recognize that body attachments are issued for contempt of court, not for failing to pay debts. HB 2473 fixes one of the unintended consequences of P.A. 97-0848 (HB 5434). Adoptions HB 2809/PA 98-0455 Simplifies legal language related to foreign and interstate adoptions by Illinois residents, by ensuring that Illinois’ policies mesh with federal guidelines, and by providing changes to the adoption appeal process. Divorce HB 2992/PA 98-0462 Authorizes a right of first refusal to

care for a minor child (or children) when the parent who has “parenting time” (i.e. time with the children) will use substitute childcare for the child (or children). Such an agreement could be reached via arbitration, collaborative law or a judicial decree. For example, if a divorced parent would need to send a child to day

care or a babysitter, the other parent would have a right to instead take care of the child during that time.

GAMING

Electric Charity Raffle Games HB 1140/PA 98-0111 This legislation attempts to clarify that electronic charity raffle games are not considered a video game under the Video Gaming Act. In some towns, players pay bartenders to add credit onto the game machines and then cash out the winnings — designated charities receive a percentage of the money. Currently these machines are legal under the Illinois Raffles Act.

Expansion of Charitable Games HB 996/PA-0377 Expands the Charitable Game Act to: Credit Report Increase the number of games which HB 3380/PA 98-0486 an operator can manage from four to Allows the guardian of a minor child 12; Expands the maximum number of or a person with disabilities to events that may be held in any one request a security freeze on the credit location to one per month (currently report of the minor child or person eight per year); Increases the with disabilities. A court order would maximum bet from $10 to $20 on a be required for the security freeze if house-banked game; Increases the the minor is 18 or older. size of potential cash winnings by a single participant from $250 to $400; Abused and Neglected Children Clarifies that an unlimited SB 1207/PA 98-0487 amount of noncash prizes may Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Act, changing the term “subject be awarded to a single winner; Allows a municipality to of a report” to “perpetrator” in provide 48 (rather than 16) several areas. Also clarifies the time charitable games nights a year period granted to the subject or on its premises; Increases the perpetrator to request that a report tax paid to five percent of net be removed or a hearing held if the proceeds of the charitable state does not take action. games (currently 3 percent of the Child Protection gross proceeds); Gives the Gaming SB 1686/PA 98-0532 Board the discretion to contract with Modifies the definition of more than one independent outside “unfit person” to allow the testing laboratory to do the use of any nine-month examination of gaming machines and period to show that a parent associated equipment. is not making reasonable progress to correct problems ELECTION ISSUES that are needed before the 17 Year-Olds Vote in Primary child is returned to the home. HB 226/PA 98-0051 This will give flexibility in the Allows a 17-year-old who period of time that the will be 18 years old by the parent’s behavior is being general election to vote in monitored so that the the preceding primary Department of Children and election. Family Services and ENERGY/UTILITIES prosecutors won’t have to wait for a second nine-month period to pass Water Rate Hikes before seeking to have the parent HB 576/PA 98-0191 declared unfit and proceeding to Spells out notice requirements for adoption. water and sewer utilities with greater than 15,000 total customers when a Guardians rate hike occurs. SB 1565/PA 98-0568 Allows for the termination of a short-term guardianship of a minor at the conclusion of specified judicial proceedings. The termination of such guardianships must be in the best interest of the minor child. All parties, including the short-term guardian, must be notified if the court vacates a short-term guardianship.

Electric Aggregation HB 1745/PA-0404 Makes it clear that county electric aggregation only applies to unincorporated areas and does not apply to city areas that have already adopted aggregation via referendum.

Utility Market Settlement Services SB 105/PA 98-0554 Creates new Market Settlement Services for electric utilities with rules and regulations that allow an electric utility to provide unbundled power to large retail customers (400 KW or over) that are not served by that electric utility. An electric utility (ComEd or Ameren) providing a Market Settlement Service shall be permitted to recover its reasonable and prudent initial implementation and start-up costs from these customers. Exelon Decision Cleanup (SB 2243/PA 98-0583): This would return the treatment of electricity, water and gas and their producers to the pre-Exelon decision status quo and not subject electricity, water and gas to the imposition of sales tax.

ETHICS AND TRANSPARENCY Lobbyist Disclosure HB 2943/PA 98-0459 Requires that lobbyists that have another lobbyist as a client must disclose the name and address of the ultimate beneficiary of their lobbying efforts. Also provides that expenditure reports must include the ultimate beneficiary of the expenditures made if one lobbyist has another lobbyist as a client. In recent years it has become increasingly common for lobbyists working on major issues to contract with other lobbyists to assist them. This can create a confusing and difficult to decipher chain, where a lobbyist “A” lists that he or she is lobbying on behalf of lobbyist “B,” who in turn is registered as lobbying on behalf of lobbyist “C.” Without following that chain, it can be difficult to determine what clients of lobbyist “C” are actually also the clients of lobbyist “A.” To read more about legislative issues, visit www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs. asp.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

November 2014

Rockford University PERSPECTIVE

Enhance your leadership through networking, board participation No one leader has all the knowledge or experience to be highly effective alone. Instead, effective leaders build complex networks of smart and connected individuals who are able to enhance and complement the leader’s knowledge, skills and abilities. Networking is a powerful tool with endless rewards, both professionally and personally. It helps you build long-term relationships and friendships, it pushes you to talk to people you don’t know, thus increasing your self-confidence; and it helps you become visible in the community. Networking also can be rewarding to your career – knowing the right people at the right time, and coming to mind when they have a need or a vacant position can open the door for new job opportunities or business partnerships. Networking helps the leader share knowledge, learn new ideas, gain others’ perspectives, give and receive referrals, and listen to the advice from experienced peers.

Follow Your Passion One of the easiest ways to expand your network is by joining a board. Besides all of the benefits of networking listed previously, joining a board of directors can give you a personal satisfaction of giving your time and expertise to an organization that has a need, particularly if it’s a not-for-profit organization’s board. There are a variety of boards available to choose from, but the most rewarding experiences will come from joining one that supports something you care about, resonates with you, or affects you or someone you love. If your passion is working with the homeless, look into joining the board of Rockford Rescue Mission or Carpenter’s Place. If you have friends or family members with special needs, there’s GiGi’s Playhouse or Mosaic. If you have an interest in helping animals, try Paws Human Society or Noah’s Ark Pet Sanctuary. If helping children or teens in need is what interests you, there’s Kids Around the World or Youth Services Network. There are so many others to choose from, but the point is to find something you are passionate about and want to make a difference in, volunteer to learn more about the organization, and make it known you would like to join their board. This is the most rewarding way to expand your networking capabilities while making a positive contribution to an organization in need. It also helps you refine your leadership skills and expand your experiences doing something outside of your “regular” work.

Tina Anderson Rockford University

Time, Treasure, Talent Most not-for-profit boards want three things from board members: time, treasure and talent; therefore there are some “costs” to joining a board – time and money. Before you join a board, be sure to consider the time commitment required between board meetings, committee meetings and fundraising events. Most boards also expect some sort of financial contribution to the organization, whether it’s in the form of outright cash gifts or gifts-in-kind. Be sure to research the expectations of being a board member before you join to ensure your resources match their needs. Once you decide on an organization, it is time for the networking to begin. You should find out who are current and past board members and reach out to them in order to determine if you’d be a good fit. Talk to staff members and volunteers to get their perspective of the organization, the board and how everyone works together. Learn the organization’s mission and vision in order to make sure it’s the right fit for your passion and beliefs. Volunteer for the organization, become an advisory member, or join a committee to see if this really is the organization for you. Joining the board of a not-for-profit organization can benefit everyone involved – you professionally and personally by expanding your network, the organization by receiving your contributions of time, talent and treasure, and your peers on the board by sharing your knowledge, talent and passion. Remember that networking is not very effective if it is only done in selfinterest. Networking is most effective when people see you are a passionate leader who cares about a cause and can get things done. This is the most rewarding way to network and more effective than just attending professional and social events. Leaders need to have robust networks. A great way to develop one is through matching your passion to a specific organization. You AND the organization you are supporting will be glad you did. Tina Anderson, CPA, CIA, MBA, is vice president and chief financial officer at Rockford University with more than 17 years of accounting experience primarily in not-forprofit organizations. She teaches in Rockford University’s BSMS adult accelerated program. The views expressed are those of Anderson’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

November 2014

Forsman to chair Lifescape, IACCE boards Rockford Chamber President Einar Forsman has been appointed Board President for Lifescape Services and the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE). In addition, Forsman has joined the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Lifescape Community Services is the largest agency serving the needs of older adults in northwestern Illinois. Its mission is to promote independent living and enhance the quality of life for individuals. This is accomplished by providing affordable nutrition and other services, with an emphasis on the aging population. Services include Senior Assist, Brightside Adult Day Service, and Nutrition Services, Meals on Wheels, and Health and Wellness. IACCE is the professional association in Illinois for Chamber Executives. IACCE works to promote leadership development and professional growth for chamber of commerce executives, as well as strengthen the business voice in Illinois by encouraging adoption of a common legislative agenda across chamber organizations. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce works to promote and support the interests, success and prosperity of our members and the Illinois Business community. Their mission is to lead and serve members as well as the entire Illinois business community. They serve to be a credible, highly regarded and effective business advocate, which will enable the Chamber to serve as the unifying voice of the Illinois business community.

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation 1. Publication Title: The VOICE of the Rockford (2) In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: Business Community 2. Publication Number: 784-120 3. Filing Date: 09/27/2013 4. Issue Frequency: Monthly 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 12 6. Annual Subscription Price: $25

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 3,159 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 3,189 (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS®:

7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Average No. Copies Each Issue During Rockford, IL 61101-1104 Winnebago County. Preceding 12 Months: N/A

8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters No. Copies of Single Issue Published or General Business Office of Publisher: Nearest to Filing Date: N/A Same as above. (4) Requested Copies Distributed by Other 9. Publisher: Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Mail Classes Through the USPS (e.g. 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL First-Class Mail®): 61101-1104. Average No. Copies Each Issue During Editor: N/A Preceding 12 Months: N/A Managing Editor: Doug Hessong, No. Copies of Single Issue Published same as above. Nearest to Filing Date: N/A 10. Owner: Rockford Chamber of Commerce c. Total Paid and/or Requested Distribution Complete Mailing Address: 308W. State St., [Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)]: Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101-1104. Average No. Copies Each Issue During

1. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Preceding 12 Months: 3,434 1 Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Nearest to Filing Date: 3,458 Mortgages, or Other Securities. d. Nonrequested Distribution (By Mail and Full Name: N/A Mailing Address: N/A Outside the Mail) 12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit (1) Outside County Nonrequested Copies organizations authorized to mail at special Included on PS Form 3541: rates.) The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt Average No. Copies Each Issue During status for federal income tax purposes: Has Preceding 12 Months: N/A Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A 13. Publication Title: The VOICE of the Rockford (2) In-County Nonrequested Copies Included Business Community on PS Form 3541: 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data: Average No. Copies Each Issue During September 2014 Preceding 12 Months: N/A 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: Chamber No. Copies of Single Issue Published members and distribution sites in the Nearest to Filing Date: N/A community. a. Total Number Copies (Net Press Run): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 6,000 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 6,000 b. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Outside-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541:

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Get to Know Your Ambassadors Name: Chase Cain Company: Goldie B. Floberg Center Position: Development Director How long have you been an Ambassador? Since August, 2014 What do you like most about being an Ambassador? I enjoy being an ambassador because I can connect with other individuals and

share my organization’s experiences with the community. Many of the members have a lot of wisdom and can share their own personal experiences. Being an ambassador has been a great experience!

Membership Renewals Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in September, 2014. 1st Step Chiropractic, S.C. 3GM Consulting LLC A-1 Dry Cleaners & Laundry Anpec Industries Ashley Furniture Homestore ATS Medical Services, Inc. Bergstrom Inc. C. G. Group Inc. Chartwell Agency CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Colorwave Graphics, LLC ComEd, An Exelon Company ComElec-East, Inc. Community Bank of Rockford, A Division of The Harvard State Bank Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Cream City Scale LLC Cremation Society of Illinois Cronies Grill Crystal Precision Drilling, Inc. DeVry University and Keller Graduate School of Management Ethnic Heritage Museum Friends of the Coronado Gary W. Anderson Architects Header Die & Tool, Inc. Heritage Aero, Inc. Holiday Inn Express Home Environment Center of Rockford, Ltd. Humana Instant Jungle, Inc. Ken McEachran Agency, Ltd. Kiwanis Club of Rockford Lowe’s Distribution Center #1440 Maciano’s Pizza Columbia Parkway Maculan Chiropractic Clinic

Metallic Bonds, Ltd. Minuteman Press Nelson Fire Protection Northern Illinois Optical Company Northern Tool Sales NRG-Rockford Personal Finance Co. Peterson Meadows Phelps Industries, Inc. Rasmussen College Riverfront Museum Park Rockford Apartment Association Rockford Cemetery Association, Greenwood Cemetery & Crematorium Rockford OMS Rockford Rigging, Inc. Rockford Toolcraft, Inc. Rockform Carbide Manufacturing Roy Gayle Pony Baseball Softball Saco USA (Illinois) Inc. Security First Title Company Spider Company Inc. Stewart & Associates, Inc. T6 Broadband Thayer Lighting, Inc. The Alliance the groundUP s.s.i. (gUs, inc) The Literacy Council The Pension Specialists, Ltd. Tree Care Enterprises Inc. United Association of Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Local Union 23 Van Galder Bus/A Coach USA Co. Wesley Willows Winnebago County Bar Association Winnebago County Schools Credit Union

November 2014 Member Anniversaries Thank you to the members who celebrate their anniversaries with the Rockford Chamber in November, 2014.

(3) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail (e.g. First-Class Mail, nonrequestor copies mailed in excess of 10% limit mailed at Standard Mail® or Package Services rates):

20-YEAR MEMBER

5-YEAR MEMBERS

Winnebago County Recorder

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A

15-YEAR MEMBERS

CMM & Associates COMTECH Multimedia Marketing Crimson Ridge Estate Condos North

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 276

4) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail (Include pickup stands, trade shows, showrooms, and other sources):

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 269

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 1,850

Alpine Kiwanis Club Judson University Olsson Roofing Company Inc. Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. SuperSuds Car Care Center

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

November 2014

THE ECONOMY

Energy Savings for Small Businesses

Regional, National Indicators

U.S. Indicators September 2014 Consumer Price Index



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

0.1 percent 5.9 percent

      

248,000 $0.01 0.1 percent 0.7 percent (second quarter, 2014) 2.3 percent (second quarter, 2014) 0.5 percent 0.2 percent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

■ Efficient indoor/outdoor lighting. ■ HVAC upgrades.

Region / State / Nation May 14

June 14

July 14

Aug 14

Rockford

8.9

9.4

Chicago

7.2

7.1

6.8

6.3

Illinois

7.5

7.1

6.8

6.7

United States

6.1

6.2

6.3

Source: U.S. Department of Employment Security

Population Clock As of Oct. 22, 2014

World 7,200,092,260

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

New Chamber Members MEMBERS

CARTRIDGE WORLD ROCKFORD

Provider of high-quality replacement ink & laser toner cartridges, printer service and mobile device & cell phone repairs. 6139 E. State St., 61108 Erik Nelson 815-316-7722 www.cartridgeworldrockford.com

improvement in safety training & related assistance for general industry with an authorized industry trainer P.O. Box 457 Winnebago, IL 61088 Brent Bryden 815-742-0513

ROCKFORD ROASTING COMPANY

Roasting, brewing, and serving of fresh, seasonal artisan coffees. Baked COMPAK, INC./ACTION goods, sandwiches, chocolates and PACKAGING Providing just-in time delivery, general other beverages served. 206 N. Main St., 61103 packaging, kitting and advanced mil Lucretia Ristin spec packaging for military 815-290-9591 government contracts. www.rockfordroasting company.com 1139 Alton Ave., 61109 Kyle Hultgren 815-399-2699 www.compak-pkg.com

ComEd Smart Ideas for Your Business® is offering small businesses a full-service option to help lower their electricity usage and costs. By participating in the Small Business Energy Savings (SBES) program, Full-Service option, small businesses can get free energy assessments and instant incentives through qualified SBES Trade Allies to offset the costs of recommended energy-efficiency projects. Choose an Energy Expert. A qualified SBES Trade Ally, a contractor trained on the processes and procedures of ComEd Smart Ideas®, will walk the small business through the process. Get a Free Energy Assessment. The Trade Ally will visit the business to identify energy-saving opportunities. The business will receive a report, including recommendations for improvements and available instant incentives to offset the efficient equipment and installation costs. Recommendations may include: ■ Free energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

Unemployment Rates

U.S. 319,125,465

ComEd Full-Service option

SAFETY SOCKET LLC

Manufacturer of standards, specials and aerospace fasteners. 49 Prairie Pkwy. INTERACTIVE SAFETY Gilberts, IL 60136 SOLUTIONS INC. Jessica Dishman A workplace safety resource company 224-484-6222, ext. 135 providing affordable, employee www.safetysocket.com development & continuous

■ Refrigeration equipment upgrades. For more information about Smart Ideas for Your Business®, including applications and incentive amounts, visit ComEd.com/BizIncentives or contact 855-433-2700 or SmartIdeasBiz@ComEd.com.

Ford Motor Company fund names Rockford Public Schools a Ford Next Generation Learning Community Rockford Public Schools announced it has joined 16 other educational communities in the nation to be named a Ford Next Generation Learning Community. The distinction celebrates RPS’ high school redesign, which began with the rollout of the Academy model in 2010. RPS will work toward becoming a Model Community by 2016, so Rockford can host visitors from other communities hoping to start career academies in their schools. The vision for the College and Career Academies of Rockford is that every high school student graduate from RPS ready for college and/or a career. High school career academies are a proven national model in which students learn in a career-centered or interest-themed environment to make learning more relevant and engaging. Ford Next Generation Learning is nationally recognized for its unique approach to transform existing public high schools into career academies where students learn their academics through the lens of a potential career. “We are excited to expand our collaboration with Rockford to design and implement scalable and sustainable systems that provide students with the skills needed for success in college, career and life,” said Cheryl Carrier, executive director, Ford Next Generation Learning. Leaders from RPS and the Rockford community were guided

by Alignment Nashville, a Ford Next Generation Learning Community, to redesign RPS high schools. “We thank Ford Next Generation Learning for recognizing the hard work our staff, students and community partners are doing in Rockford,” said RPS Superintendent Ehren Jarrett. “Nashville was the first community to receive a Model Community designation, and we hope to follow their lead. And just as we’ve learned from Nashville and the Academies of Nashville, we hope other districts can learn from us.”

With this recognition, Rockford will: Receive ongoing guidance and technical assistance from the Ford Next Generation Learning leadership team as the community works to implement its plan. Join the Ford Next Generation Learning community national network and access best practices and practical solutions from other participating communities through peer-to-peer mentoring, online resources, webinars and program institutes. Leverage the Ford Next Generation Learning designation to encourage economic development for the region to help demonstrate Rockford’s commitment to prepare students for high-wage, high-skill jobs in the community.

November 2014

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

News INMembers THEin theNEWS

1. James Hansberry

2. Kristen Mattingly

3. David Sobojinski

4. David K. Adkins

5. Laurie Zawislak

6. Stephanie Oleston

7. Sherry Thompson

8. Pamela Timmons

9. Jennifer Girard

10. Taylor Stanton

11. Nancy Salsbury

12. Brent Brodeski

13. Dr. Marie Walker

14. Nikki Smith

15. Ramona McLester

16. Stephanie Opon

BOARD APPOINTMENTS James Hansberry (1), executive vice president, Rockford Bank & Trust, was elected to the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois board of trustees for a four-year term. Einar Forsman, president & CEO, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, was appointed board president for Lifescape Community Services and the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. He also joined the Illinois Chamber of Commerce board.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS Michael Moss was named as president/COO of Rj Link International, Inc. Kristen Mattingly (2) joined Ignition Studio as a web developer. Two Men and a Truck®, Loves Park, promoted Marcia Keough to operations manager. Alpine Bank welcomed David Sobojinski (3), vice president commercial banking.

Illinois appointed Laurie Zawislak (5) to scheduler. Orthopedic and Sports Therapy Institute hired Stephanie Oleston (6), ATC, as its new occupational medicine specialist. Bridgeway Inc., (formerly Illinois Growth Enterprises IGE) hired Sherry Thompson (7) as regional manager of janitorial services at its Loves Park location. Upper Iowa University welcomed Pamela Timmons (8) as center director. John Oller is engineering manager at Rj Link International Inc.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS Jennifer Girard (9) and Taylor Stanton (10), University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, were two of 21 medical students to receive an American Medical Association Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow Award and a $10,000 national scholarship.

David K. Adkins (4) was appointed president of Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc., and its subsidiary, Blackhawk Bank.

Nancy Salsbury (11), Spectrum Insurance Agency, completed the exam for “Elements of Risk Management” toward her CISR designation, and passed five examinations on all phases of the insurance management business.

Comfort Keepers of Northwest

Brent Brodeski (12), CEO, Savant

17. Anwuli Onwuta

23. Bruce Graham

18. Kerry Schaible

24. Bradley Gummow

19. Kelly Weber

25. Tom Custer

20. Bonnie Arrington

26. Chris Weber

Capital Management, received the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award from Rock Valley College at the New Student Convocation ceremony in August. Dr. Marie Walker (13), physiatrist, Rockford Spine Center, was voted as favorite preceptor for the second year in a row by the University of Illinois College of Medicine family practice residents. Joseph Bucci, fourth grader, Seth Whitman Elementary, was cast as Tom of Warwick in the 2014/2015 National Tour of Lerner & Loewe’s CAMELOT at Coronado Performing Arts Center on Oct. 16. Nikki Smith (14), CNA, was named Comfort Keepers’ Rookie of the 3rd Quarter, Ramona McLester (15) as Comfort Keeper of the 3rd Quarter and Stephanie Opon (16) as September Comfort Keeper of the Month.

architecture, at the 36th annual NAACP National Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competition in Las Vegas in July. Kerry Schaible (18), CLU, financial advisor, completed the two-day Advanced Estate Planning School with Northwestern Mutual. Kelly Weber (19) earned her Long Term Care license.

OF GENERAL INTEREST Bonnie Arrington (20), Nancy Salsbury (11), Phil Thompson (21) and Warren Zeigle (22), Spectrum Insurance Agency, attended the Pekin Insurance tri-annual agents meeting in Loves Park. Bruce Graham (23) attended the Pekin Insurance Annual Chairman’s Conference in Galena, Ill., in September.

Margie Hennig, membership director, Northeast Family YMCA, Loves Park, accepted the 2014 Outstanding Membership Director of the Year by the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs at a conference in October in Normal, Ill.

Bradley Gummow (24), managing director – investment officer, Gummow Wealth Advisory Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, attended the annual Barron’s Top Financial Advisors Summit hosted by Barron’s magazine in September in Orlando.

Former Larson & Darby intern Anwuli Onwuta (17), a 2014 graduate of St. Charles East High School, won the gold medal,

Stephanie Lammi, KMK Media Group, delivered a presentation on social media at the 521 Roundtable, a group of local small business owners in Rockford.

21. Phil Thompson

27. James Meisch

22. Warren Zeigle

28. Chris Kelley

Tom Custer (25), 1st vice president, and Chris Weber (26), financial advisor, Morgan Stanley, attended the Regional Retirement Forum – Small Business Retirement Plan Opportunities in October in Chicago; and James Meisch (27), branch manager, the Legg Mason’s Investment Advisor Forum in October in New York. Chris Kelley (28), principal, V2 Marketing Communications, attended INBOUND 2014 in September in Boston. Hosted by HubSpot, it attracted more than 7,500 marketing and sales professionals from around the world.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

November 2014

Business Briefs BUSINESS BRIEFS Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members. Field, a global fastener distributor, was named one of 18 America’s Safest Companies by EHS Today with 776 consecutive days without a recordable workplace injury. University of Illinois College of Medicine is among 10 medical schools that will make up a pilot cohort to test medical students’ readiness for residency and patient care without direct supervision. The Association of American Medical Colleges implemented the Core Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) for Entering Residency. Wipfli LLP closed its offices on Sept. 18 and associates volunteered as a part of the company’s 10th annual Community Day. Rockford associates volunteered at Rockford Riverfront Museum, Discovery Center Museum and Rockford Dance Company. SwedishAmerican Health System is the first hospital in Rockford to offer the positron emission tomography (PET) infusion system, the MEDRAD Intego, at its Regional Cancer Center, which enables clinicians to prescribe a minimum accurate and acceptable dose for each patient. SwedishAmerican also was named a 2014-2015 Consumer Choice Award by National Research Corporation in the Oct. 13 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine. The Friends of the Coronado Foundation launched Reach for the Stars 25, an access initiative for younger audiences at the Coronado Performing Arts Center. Fifty tickets will be available free-of-charge to individuals 25 years or younger to music performances, musicals and dance performances, in-person, on the day of the performance. Visit www.coronadopac.org. Savant Capital Management was recognized for the seventh consecutive year with two certifications by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence: an Investment Steward certification for adhering to global standards of fiduciary excellence and a CEFEX certification as an investment advisor for its services in ERISA plans, 403 (b)/church exempt, eleemosynary, personal trusts and high net worth individuals. V2 Marketing produced a television commercial and capital campaign materials for Harlem Community Center to promote its new Hand ‘n Hand Child Care Center.

The Rockford Area Chapter of Credit Unions announced that credit unions have reached and surpassed 100 million memberships nationwide – equating to one in every three Americans, based on data collected from credit unions and compiled by Credit Union National Association in its Monthly Credit Union Estimates. Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois held a grand opening in October for a new Goodwill store at 1430 E. Algonquin Road, Algonquin, Ill. Business Advisors Group, LLC, moved to its new location at 1641 N. Alpine Road within Edgebrook. Rosecrance opened the Rosecrance Mulberry Center, 605 Mulberry St., in downtown Rockford, a program for area residents in need emergency services and short-term housing in response to psychiatric crises. Funding came in part from a $1.5 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center, in conjunction with UW Health and its University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, established the new UW Health Multispecialty Surgical Oncology Clinic, which provides cancer patients with access to a number of UW Health specialists. Chartwell Agency was hired by La Voz Latina to oversee event logistics and media relations for its Annual Recognition Banquet in September at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Conference Center. Williams-Manny Insurance Group set up a life insurance cooperative between Winnebago County and the Rockford Public School District, which will result in cheaper insurance for both parties and is slated to save taxpayer dollars.

OSF Healthcare System (OSF) and Mendota Community Hospital (MCH) signed an affiliation agreement that will result in MCH joining OSF pending approval from the Illinois Health Facilities & Services Review Board. MCH is expected to join OSF next spring. Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Patriots Gateway Boxing Club welcomed world-class boxing with Saturday Night Fights, featuring 10 to 12 fights, in October at The Lombardi Club. In Dec. 13 to 14, the Illinois State Silver Gloves Tournament will be held at the boxing club, with competition among more than 125 boxers, boys and girls, ages 8 to 15. First National Bank and Trust awarded Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois a $500 check from a series of free electronic recycling events held at the three bank branches that securely disposed of 32,108 pounds of electronic devices. McMAHON’s project team received ACPA’s 25th annual Excellence in Concrete Pavement Award for the 2013 STH 96/Main Street project in the village of Little Chute, Wis. Rosecrance added detoxification services at its Griffin Williamson campus for teenagers who enter treatment, in response to the growing trend of opiate abuse. The organization is the first to receive such a license in Illinois and will allow it to provide medically monitored detoxification services to adolescents. Rosecrance also has one of the state’s largest adult detoxification programs at its Harrison campus. PS Designs & More, Inc., designed promotional materials for the Children’s Home + Aid Holiday Showcase House, to be open on Nov. 8 and 9 at 3914 Eaton Dr.

Remedies Renewing Lives received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation and a $15,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to expand the Teen Dating Violence Prevention programs offered to schools in Winnebago and Boone counties.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services funded six clients in seven states of theFranaGroup, including $500,000 in PatientCentered Medical Home grants, a $212,454 Navigator grant and $1,468,814 in combined Expanded Services funding from the Affordable Care Act.

SwedishAmerican Health System started in October its second year of the Exploring program, offered by Irving, Tex.-based Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America, to help area youth explore medical careers.

Rockford MELD’s administrative office has moved to 107 N. 3rd St., Rockford. The new phone number is 815-963-6353 (MELD). Program staff and the MELD at Trinity House homeless shelter address have not changed.

SwedishAmerican Medical Center/Belvidere celebrated five years of service to the Belvidere community with an event in October at the Belvidere Community Building.

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden received the 2014 NonProfit Beautification Award by the Rockford Area Gardeners of America in recognition of its status as an outstanding horticultural and

floral site serving Rockford and northern Illinois. Williams-Manny Insurance Group created a shared life insurance cooperative plan between Boone County, the City of Belvidere, the Belvidere School District and the Belvidere Park District with the goal to lower cost for all four entities and save taxpayers money. The Greater Rockford Airport Authority (GRAA), in partnership with international Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider AAR, broke ground on a new hangar facility on the grounds of Chicago Rockford International Airport. Wood Dale (Ill.)-based AAR will pay the airport $400,000 a year to lease the space. The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District unveiled its public identity and the adoption of its new name, Forest Preserves of Winnebago County (FPWC). Rockford Memorial Hospital was named one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery by Healthgrades for the first year and received the Spine Surgery Excellence Award for the third year in a row. The hospital also was named among the top five percent in the nation for overall pulmonary services and received the Pulmonary Care Excellence Award for the second year. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center was named a Women’s Choice Award® recipient as an America’s Best Hospital for Cancer Care. For the first time, the Rockford Park District received a 2014 Governor’s Sustainability Award from Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center’s Sustainability Award ceremony and technical symposium in Chicago for the Sinnissippi Riverfront Park Renovation project. The award recognized the transformation within Sinnissippi Riverfront Park, which included construction of Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens topped with a green roof, Eclipse Lagoon and Tea House, new parking lot with “living wall,” new boat dock, and low maintenance landscaping, bioswales and rain garden features. Employees from Williams-Manny Insurance Group in Rockford attended the Applied Net conference in Orlando; held by Applied Systems, Inc., which provides insurance agencies with software and technology solutions.

November 2014

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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

Bisconti Computers Inc., hostsed a ribbon cutting on Sept. 25 at 3065 N. Perryville Road, Ste. 117, Rockford.

The Greater Rockford Airport Authority hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 16 for the AAR Jet Repair and Maintenance Facility to be located at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. Anticipated completion date is late 2015. (Pictured left to right) Governor Pat Quinn; U.S. Senator Dick Durbin; David P. Storch Chairman and CEO of AAR CORP.; Paul Cicero, Chicago Rockford International Airport Board President; Mike Dunn, Chicago Rockford International Airport Executive Director; and Tom Myers, Chicago Rockford International Airport Board Vice President. Edward Jones hosted a ribbon cutting and open house on Oct. 14 at 7479 Walton St., Ste. 1, Rockford.

Transit Van Shuttle hosted a ribbon cutting on Oct. 21 at 220 S. Madison St., Rockford. Dry Creek Estate Winery hosted a ribbon cutting and open house on Oct. 28 at 8877 Stateline Road, South Beloit.

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management hosted a ribbon cutting on Oct. 22 for its grand reopening at 6958 Spring Creek Road, Rockford (inside the Bank of America building) to accommodate its growth and new financial advisors.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

November 2014

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

Saturday, November 1

Discovery Center Museum presents Dia De Los Muertos – Day of the Dead, 1 to 4 p.m., at 711 N. Main St., Rockford. Call 815-963-6769 or visit www.discoverycentermuseum.org. The Sing-a-Long Sound of Music will have showings 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. For tickets visit ticketmaster.com or call 815968-0595. Shelter Care Ministries hosts the annual Gathering of Friends, 2 to 5 p.m., with open house tours of four Shelter Care locations, presentation and light refreshments. Ends with a 4 p.m., event at the Jubilee Center, Court & Park Streets in downtown Rockford. Contact jjohnson@sheltercare.org or call 815-964-5520.

Sunday, November 2

Discovery Center Museum presents Smashing Pumpkins, 1 to 4 p.m., at 711 N. Main St., Rockford. A giant trebuchet will transform participants’ pumpkin porch décor into parking lot projectiles. Call 815-963-6769 or visit www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

Monday, November 3 EIGERlab hosts the area’s first 80/20 Boot Camp, along with Management Resource Group and Profit Enhancement Solutions, Nov. 3 to 4 at Anderson Gardens, Rockford. Meals provided. RSVP to SPritz@ EIGERlab.org or call 815-316-6357.

Tuesday, November 4

Rock Valley College presents a Poetry and Prose Reading with Dr. David Pink, English professor, as a part of its First Tuesday Lecture Series, 6 p.m., at the Student Center atrium, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford. Visit rockvalleycollege.edu/ FirstTuesday or call 815-921-4009.

Thursday, November 6

Third Day, a Christian rock band, will perform An Evening with Third Day

Community Events COMMUNITY

at 7 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. For tickets visit ticketmaster.com or call 815-9685222. Charles Schwab invites the community to a one-year anniversary celebration at 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 801 N. Perryville Rd., Rockford. RSVP to Mark Gerard at 815-209-0055 or mark.gerard@schwab.com. Advantage Club Originals, Rockford Chamber networking group, presents its 5th Annual TP Tower, 7 to 9 a.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn, 7675 Walton St., Rockford. Toilet paper and diapers collected will benefit Care Source, Rockford Rescue Mission and other area non-profit organizations. Includes hot breakfast and mini tradeshow with members of the Advantage Club Originals.

Friday, November 7

Friends of Rockford Public Library hosts a First Friday Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the main library, Patron Lounge, 215 N. Wyman St. Call 815-966-2721. SwedishAmerican Health System presents its annual Puttin’ On The Glitz fashion show/luncheon at Giovanni’s 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, with holiday fashions modeled by local television news anchors, hospital professionals and individuals whose lives have been touched by cancer. A fundraiser for Regional Cancer Center oncology patients and families. RSVP by Nov. 4 to 815-961-2496.

Saturday, November 8

Pianist Jeffrey Biegel and the Mendelssohn Chorale join the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, 711 N. Main St., for nationally acclaimed composer and Rockford native Jake Runestad’s “Dreams of the Fallen - A Musical Response to War.” For tickets, call 815-965-0049 or visit rockfordsymphony.com. Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence presents Nonprofit Board Training with nationally recognized governance expert, Dr. Susan Whealler Johnston,

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Rockford University, 5050 E. State St. Visit www.rockford. edu/?NICNEPrograms.

Children’s Home + Aid hosts its Holiday Showcase House, Nov. 8 and 9, at 3914 Eaton Dr. Rooms will be decorated in holiday theme by local design talents. Tickets are available at www. childrenshomeandaid.org.

Tuesday, November 11

Entré Computer Solutions presents TechX Technology Expo, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Clock Tower Convention Center, 7801 E. State St., Rockford. Presented with Hewlett Packard, the expo includes more than 25 vendors, two keynote addresses and more than a dozen breakout sessions. Complimentary, but limited to business owners, top-level managers and information technology managers. Registration required at www.EntreTechX.com or 815399-5664.

Thursday, November 13

Rockford Public Library presents Finding Grants for a Non-Profit Organization, 2 to 3:30 p.m., main library, second floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. Spaces are limited. Registration required at 815-965-7606. Next Rockford hosts a General Membership Meeting, 7:30 a.m., Chicago Rockford Airport Authority auditorium.

Friday, November 14

In This Moment, an American alternative metal band, will perform live at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, at 7 p.m. Special guests 12 Foot Ninja, Starset and 3 Pill Morning. For tickets visit ticketmaster.com, or call 800-745-3000 or 815-968-5222. Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence presents a free 10th annual Nonprofit Dialogue with Rockford University President Robert L. Head, Ph.D., 8:30 to 10 a.m. Register by Nov. 12 at www.rockford. edu/?NICNEPrograms.

Severson Dells Nature Center presents music by Chastity Brown, 7 p.m., at 8786 Montague Road, Rockford. Call 815-335-2915.

Saturday, November 15

Rockford Public Library presents Fresh and Local: Ancient Grains, 2 to 4 p.m., east branch, Friends Community Room, 6685 E. State St. Local food expert offers tips, including grains to use in gluten free diets. Registration required at 815-965-7606. The Literacy Council presents a special workshop with local author, book coach and editor Kelly Epperson, 9 a.m. to noon at Taylor Company, 750 N. Blackhawk Blvd., Rockton. Reservations at 815-9637323, ext. 11 or www. theliteracycouncil.org

Tuesday, November 18

Upper Iowa University hosts an Open House, 4 to 6 p.m., for its 15 B.A. degrees and three M.A. degrees at 1161 Tebala Blvd., Rockford. Bring transcripts. Contact 815-332-1414 or timmonsp12@ uiu.edu.

Wednesday, November 19

RAEDC hosts its 2014 Annual Meeting & Dinner at Giovanni’s Restaurant, 610 N. Bell School Road. Networking, 5 to 6:30 p.m.; dinner and program, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Keynote speaker Dr. Caralynn Nowinksi, UI Labs, will discuss the new Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute’s work to create a manufacturing innovation hub in northern Illinois. Register online at rockfordil.com or by email, tjohnson@rockfordil.com, by Nov. 7.

Friday, November 28

Discovery Center Museum presents Leftover Science, Nov. 28 to 29, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at 711 N. Main St., Rockford. Turn cranberries into chemistry; find out what happens to whipped cream dropped in liquid nitrogen. Festive arts and crafts. Call 815-963-6769 or visit www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

November 2014

Membership: 101 101 MEMBERSHIP

When was your last Chamber Check-up?

EVENTS

Upcoming Chamber Events NOVEMBER, 2014 Tuesday, November 4 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Forest Hills Country Club 5135 Forest Hills Rd., Rockford

Business Women’s Council Have you ever wondered what the difference is between radio, print and television advertising? Which would be better for your company? Lisa Chatfield, Ad Vice Marketing, will present.

Here’s a checklist to see if you are overdue!