2019 Annual Dinner program

ANNUAL WDINNER

2019

5 pm 5:45 pm 6:30 pm

8 pm

Check- In, Networking & Cash Bar Dinner Program & Awards Networking & Cash Bar

PRESENTED BY:

OCTOBER 10, 2019

HILTON GARDEN INN, RIB MOUNTAIN

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THIS EVENING’S SPEAKER Barry Alvarez, legendary Badger football coach and Director of Athletics at the University of Wisconsin, will share a keynote presentation on ‘Achieving Perennial Success.’

THIS EVENING’S SPONSORS

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Port Washington • Green Bay • West Bend • Manitowoc • Mosinee • Appleton • Madison • Burlington Cedarburg • Marshfield • Franklin • Oshkosh • Stevens Point • Eau Claire • Chippewa Falls • Chetek Menomonie • New Richmond • Bloomer • River Falls • Augusta • Eagle River

PASSING OF THE GAVEL

T

his has been a remarkable year for the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce. It has been a year of growth and change focused on strengthening the community and our individual members.

First and foremost, the Chamber led the creation of an Economic Development Strategic Plan for our region. Two years ago, we began the discussion of an economic plan.

We committed to an action-oriented plan that would not sit on a shelf. The strength and success of the plan lies in the Dr. Jeannie Worden ownership of the plan by business and industry, education, Northcentral local government and community-based organizations. Thank you to the many people that provided leadership and will Technical College continue to do so in the future.

It has been my honor to serve as the Chair of the Chamber over the last year. I would like to thank the members of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors for their leadership, time and dedication. Thank you also to Dave Eckmann for his leadership. We are fortunate that Dave is the President/CEO of the Chamber as he is truly committed to the Chamber’s mission and is a true advocate for our community. I have enjoyed working with Dave sideby-side over the last year.

Thank you also to the Chamber staff. Your roles have changed over the last few years. You have met the challenge and served our membership with the utmost professionalism.

In addition, I would like to thank the organization’s large roster of volunteers who put in countless hours of time to help the Chamber and its membership succeed.

I am looking forward to another great year for the Chamber and I am delighted to pass the gavel to Darrell Lentz. Under his leadership, the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce’s membership will continue to grow and thrive.

Respectfully, Jeannie Worden, Ed.D., SPHR 2018-2019 Chairperson

RECEIVING THE GAVEL

M

y years serving on the Board of the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce have been a wonderful experience. I have gained a tremendous respect for and built a stronger relationship with our community.

There are always changes and challenges in our environment, but the Board of Directors are united to ensure we continue on a path to progress and prosperity for our community.

Darrell Lentz Aspirus

Working together, as Dr. Jeannie Worden mentioned in her ‘Passing of the Gavel’ piece, is vital for success. The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce is prepared to be a leader and catalyst to meet the demands of our business environment.

I would like to thank Dave Eckmann for his leadership and progressive thinking. I would also like to thank the entire staff of the Chamber for their work, as well as recognize the commitment of the Chamber’s ambassadors and volunteers. These individuals dedicate so many hours to support our organization’s mission and vision.

In closing I would also like to thank the Executive Committee of the Board for their support and specifically Dr. Jeannie Worden for her guidance and inspiration.

It is a privilege to serve in this capacity and give back to a great community.

Thank you, Respectfully, Darrell Lentz 2019-2020 Chairperson

Our name doesn’t say it.

100 years does.

Marshfield Clinic Health System is built on 100 years of providing specialty care to Wisconsin communities. We’re here because you deserve the best, close to home. Oncology, pediatrics, surgery, primary care — we have it right here in Wausau and Weston.

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AWARDS

HISTORY

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Founded on March 11, 1912, a report in the next day’s newspaper stated, “With an earnestness and enthusiasm unprecedented in local movements of this kind, the citizens of Wausau to the number of five hundred or more met last night in the civilization of a society having for its object the promotion of the welfare of the city.”

Chamber volunteers serve our membership in a variety of ways. This award recognizes a special member of this volunteer group.

RUDER WARE INNOVATOR AWARD IN MEMORY OF G. LANE WARE Created to honor G. Lane Ware and to recognize outstanding individuals who personify the spirit of entrepreneurship, this award is given to an individual who demonstrates excellence in the way they conduct business.

PAST RECIPIENTS: 2015 Brian Gunning 2016 Kevin Eichelberger 2017 Trena Loomans 2018 Ron and Loreen Glaman

In its early years, the Association, as it was then called, focused on appointing a committee to ‘look after entertainment of visitors and do what we can to secure other conventions for Wausau,’ developing plans to make Wausau a ‘greater buying center,’ forming a committee to make Wausau safer from fire, and developing new industrial prospects.

The organization devoted many of its resources to retaining and attracting new businesses to the area. It also promoted tourism, raised money for improving the road between Wausau and Merrill, and encouraged better relations between the city and surrounding communities.

In May 1916, the organization changed its name to the Chamber of Commerce, reflecting a broadening of interests. In 1999, the Wausau Chamber of Commerce became known as the Wausau/Marathon County Chamber of Commerce. In 2003, the Chamber adopted the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce name and in 2019 the name was changed to Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce.

While the name may have changed, its mission and goal has remained a constant.

Today, as in 1912, the Chamber works to make the whole region a better place by building business success.

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OFFICERS

2019-2020

Darrell Lentz Aspirus Chairperson

Michael Loy North Central Health Care

Nicole Williams QPS Employment Group

Dr. Jeannie Worden Northcentral Technical College

Chairperson Elect

Treasurer/Secretary

Immediate Past Chairperson

Dave Eckmann, Ed.D. Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce President/CEO

Mission

Robin Hegg Incredible Bank

Jack Hoogendyk Hope Life Center

Director at Large

Director at Large

The purpose of the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce is to strengthen our member businesses and enhance our community by building business success.

Vision

We are the region’s indispensable source for business connections, opportunities, and solutions.

Proudly supporting our communities We are committed to providing the electricity and natural gas that you depend on and believe in investing in the growth and well-being of the communities we serve.

wisconsinpublicservice.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2019-2020

Dawn Bernatz Church Mutual Insurance Company

Keri Anne Connaughty CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

JoAnn Draeger Nicolet National Bank

Thomas Felch J & D Tube Benders Inc

Ted Fox Ameriprise Financial - Cornerstone Advisors

Tom Frank Greenheck

Rebecca Frisch Marathon County Conservation, Planning & Zoning

Bill Gleason Honorary Member

Cory Heckendorf Wisconsin Kenworth

Keith Hilts Wausau School District

Al Lancaster WSAW/WZAW

Paul LaPree Miron Constructon Co Inc

Yengyee Lor Faithful Consulting LLC

Craig Timm Domtar Paper Co LLC

Cory Tomczyk IROW Shredding Recycling & Consulting

My incredible?

A great roast on a cold afternoon.

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we’re hands-on, too. Anything we can do to help. That’s what makes us your IncredibleBank .

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Ivan Araya Condor Coffee Company Wausau, WI

A family-owned bank with deep community roots and nationwide reach.

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STAFF

Sharon Baumann Special Projects Manager

Dave Eckmann, Ed.D.

James Gabower

Renae Krings

President/CEO

Membership Economic Development Manager Development Specialist

Stacy Livernash

Brian Otten

Judy Pitek

Sue Wokatsch

Programs & Events Director

Marketing Manager

Member Relations Manager

Finance Director

Contact Us

Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce, 200 Washington Street, Suite 120 Wausau, WI 54403 | 715-845-6231 | WausauChamber.com

www.systechwi.com JANESVILLE • KENOSHA • MADISON • MERRILL • NEENAH • NEW BERLIN

AUDIO VISUAL • DATA CENTER • LIFE SAFETY • NURSE CALL • ONSITE SERVICES • SECURITY SYSTEMS • STRUCTURED CABLING • WIFI/DAS

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Our People ARE OUR POWER AUDIO VISUAL • DATA CENTER • LIFE SAFETY • NURSE CALL • ONSITE SERVICES • SECURITY SYSTEMS • STRUCTURED CABLING • WIFI/DAS

Our People ARE OUR POWER

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715-370-3400

PAST BOARD PRESIDENTS/CHAIRS 1912-1913 1914 1915-1919 1920-1922 1924 1925 1926-1929 1930-1932 1933-1934 1935-1936 1937-1938 1939-1940 1940-1941 1941-1942 1943-1944 1945-1946 1947-1948 1949-1950 1951-1952 1953-1954 1955-1956 1956-1957 1957-1958 1959-1960 1961-1963 1963-1965 1965-1966 1966-1967 1967-1968 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973-1974 1974-1975 1975-1976 1976-1977 1977-1978 1978-1979

M.C. Ewing Otto Mueller W.W. Albers Dr. Joseph Smith W.H. Thom R.E. Puchner H.L. Geisse John A. Kleinheinz Guy K. Gooding A.M. Van Douser Dr. J.H. Kolter Allen Abrams M.H. Montross William H. Burhop R.A. Tinker Paul T. Tobey W.G. Whyte M.H. Montross Hobart G. Beck W.A. Koch A.C. Keene William McCormick Ralph Larson S.F. Staples R.P. Tinkham George C. Landon Glenn Stevens Thomas P. Hudson Clyde Schlueter Robert Wylie Dr. A.W. Hoessel Ralph Mirman John W. Ullrich Harvey H. Scholfield Herb Terwilliger Robert V. Jones T.A. Duckworth Ronald Westgate William Arvold Gordon Baker, MD

1979-1980 1980-1981 1981-1982 1982-1983 1983-1984 1984-1985 1985-1986 1986-1987 1987-1988 1988-1989 1989-1990 1990-1991 1991-1992 1992-1993 1993-1994 1994-1995 1995-1996 1996-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019

John F. Prange John A. Slayton G. Lane Ware Ralph K. Schlitz Sr. John A. Schoeneman Dwight E. Davis William B. Sampe Laurin Jorstad Harry Colcord Konrad T. Tuchscherer Gene Davis Jr. Marv Lilley Don Grade Barbara Hunger Lon Roberts Gary Freels Jim Van Eyck David Eisenreich Ann Lucas Thomas Dunn Bob Wagman Dean Dietrich Scott Brainard Joanne Leonard Pat Puyleart Robert Reinertson Frederick Lundin Hugh Jones John Laehn Scott Pagenkopf Hooshang Zeyghami Randy Balk Sid Sczygelski Dr. Lori A. Weyers Marco Espinoza Melissa Kampmann Don Bohlin Cory Heckendorf Dr. Jeannie Worden

FOR NEARLY 100 YEARS WE’VE BEEN DOING OUR BEST TO HELP THE AREA GROW. Thank you to the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce for doing the same

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EST. 1920

Worldwide leader.

Chamber supporter.

Thank you, Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce, for another great year!

We began operations as a small local business 72 years ago in a sheet metal shop in Schofield. Today, we are the worldwide leader in manufacturing energy-efficient air movement, control and conditioning equipment that keeps building occupants comfortable, productive and safe. A long list of local suppliers and area business partners — all fellow Chamber members — have greatly contributed to our success.

And that’s why we’re delighted to sponsor tonight’s annual dinner.

MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE AWARD

2016, 2012, 2004

WAUSAU REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 2016

FANS | ENERGY RECOVERY | DEDICATED OUTDOOR AIR SYSTEMS | MAKE-UP AIR | LAB EXHAUST | DAMPERS | LOUVERS

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