Annual Dinner 2017

105th

Annual Dinner

5 pm

6 pm 6:30 pm

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

PRESENTED BY:

SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 | HILTON GARDEN INN

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THIS EVENING’S SPEAKER Wisconsin’s Chief Economist Dennis Winters is this evening’s speaker. Winters will discuss how the region is positioned to compete in the global economy.

Winters is the Chief Economist for the State of Wisconsin as well as the Director of the Bureau of Workforce Information and Technical Support & Labor Market Information Director for the state with the Department of Workforce Development.

THIS EVENING’S SPONSORS

PASSING OF THE GAVEL

W

hat an incredible year for the Chamber!

The 2016-2017 program year included a record-breaking Business EXPO, a regional Talent Summit, a huge Women’s Leadership Conference, a new Manufacturing Excellence Awards program and much more.

Don Bohlin Wisconsin Public Service Corp

We have taken several big steps forward to help Chamber members succeed. Whether your business is large or small, we have worked to understand the everyday issues you face.

This understanding will continue to lead to programs that address these issues and add value to your membership.

The growth of a more inclusive Workforce Hub is a great example of the Chamber listening to the concerns of our members and acting on these concerns as the great community convener, a role uniquely tailored to this organization.

I am looking forward to another great year for the Chamber under the leadership of Dave Eckmann, Cory Heckendorf and the entire Board of Directors.

I’d also like to acknowledge the Chamber’s capable and enthusiastic staff and the organization’s large roster of volunteers. Without these folks, the Chamber would be unable to deliver the indispensable opportunities that members have come to expect.

Respectfully, Don Bohlin, 2016-2017 Chairperson

I

would like to begin by thanking the individuals who made the last year for the Chamber possible. I would like to thank Don Bohlin for his time and effort as our Board Chairperson over the last year. I would also like to thank all of the other Chamber volunteers along with Dave Eckmann and the rest of the Chamber staff who moved this organization forward in a positive direction.

With a year of hard work under Dave’s new leadership, the Chamber has set a positive and clear path forward and we Cory Heckendorf saw substantial growth in many events, including Small Wisconsin Kenworth Business Week, the Manufacturing Excellence Awards, and the Women’s Leadership Conference. We also have the new hype Immersion program starting in September with 15 individuals in our first program.

Many of you were involved in the Chamber strategic planning process and offered valuable opinions and insight into what you believed was needed to better position this organization to help the business community. We have taken that advice and built an awesome strategic plan which will add value to each membership.

We will work hard to make sure that businesses of all sizes will be supported by the Chamber and that membership value is maximized for all. We appreciate your support and look forward to succeeding as one business community.

Respectfully, Cory Heckendorf, 2017-2018 Chairperson

MEMBER BENEFITS Advocacy Commitment to the Region Credibility Economic Development Education

Exclusivity Information & Marketing Networking Recognition & Service Talent Development

Caring for the Entire Family For more information or for assistance in choosing a primary care provider, call the Aspirus Customer Contact Center at 715.847.2380.

ASPADS-022

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

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.

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

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

OFFICERS

2017-2018

Cory Heckendorf Wisconsin Kenworth Chairperson

Dr. Jeannie Worden Northcentral Technical College Chairperson Elect

Darrell Lentz Aspirus Treasurer/Secretary

Don Bohlin Wisconsin Public Service Corp Immediate Past Chairperson

Dave Eckmann Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce President/CEO

Mission

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

Al Lancaster WSAW/WZAW Director at Large

Craig Timm Domtar Paper Co LLC Director at Large

Vision

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

Working with you to create a secure financial future 200 Washington St., Suite 280 Wausau,WI 54403 715-842-1916 hermeningfinancialgroup.com

Offices in Eau Claire – Manitowoc – Stevens Point Wausau – Wisconsin Rapids Securities offered through First Allied Securities, Inc. | Member FINRA/SIPC

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2017-2018

Dawn Bernatz Church Mutual Insurance Company

Cole Bruner Buska Wealth Management LLC

Thomas Felch J & D Tube Benders Inc

Rebecca Frisch Marathon County Conservation, Planning & Zoning

Bill Gleason Retired

Kim Fischer Central Beer Distributors Inc

Ted Fox Ameriprise Financial - Cornerstone Advisors

Tom Frank Greenheck

Robin Hegg River Valley Bank

Jack Hoogendyk Hope Life Center

Karen Katz Paul LaPree EO Johnson Business Miron Constructon Technologies Co Inc

Michael Loy North Central Health Care

Alfred Nakhla Associated Bank

Tammy Pestka Ansay & Associates

Scott Stefan Office Enterprises Inc

Jeff Zriny MCDEVCO Inc

Nicole Williams QPS Employment Group

Your Business. Better.

We’re more than the technologies that power your business. We’re the people that create solutions, solve problems, and help you work smarter.

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BUILDING WITH INTEGRITY SINCE 1928

Wausau (715) 804-0830 Burlington (262) 539-3100 www.scherrerconstruction.com

STAFF

Sharon Baumann

Dave Eckmann

James Gabower

Lukas Lindner

Member Relations Manager

President/CEO

Membership YEA! Program Development Manager Manager

Stacy Livernash

Brian Otten

Judy Pitek

Ciana Rose

Sue Wokatsch

Programs & Events Director

Marketing Manager

Member Relations Manager

Talent Development Assistant

Finance Director

Contact Us

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

Renae Krings Talent Development Manager

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

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

1978-1979 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

Gordon Baker, MD 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

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WISCONSIN MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR WINNER: 2004, 2012, 2016 MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE AWARD, WAUSAU REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 2016

Worldwide leader.

Chamber supporter.

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

We began operations as a small local business 70 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. Thank you, Chamber staff, volunteers and members for making this a great place to do business.

FANS | ENERGY RECOVERY | PACKAGED VENTILATION | MAKE-UP AIR | KITCHEN VENTILATION LAB EXHAUST | DAMPERS | LOUVERS | COILS

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