July 2014
Member News NORTHSTAR Health System (NHS) will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Wausau-based Aspirus health system on July 1, 2014. Aspirus has offered to retain all current NHS staff members. Based in Iron River, MI, NHS includes a 25-bed critical access hospital; clinics in Iron River and Crystal Falls; and award-winning home health and hospice services. Becher-Hoppe Associates, Inc., a Wausau-based Engineering and Architecture firm, announces the election of Michel V. Kowal, PE, to the American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin (ACEC WI)/Wisconsin DOT (WisDOT) Liaison Committee – Executive Subcommittee. ACEC WI is comprised of volunteer principals from member firms who work to design and protect Wisconsin’s future with professional engineering solutions. The WisDOT Liaison Executive Subcommittee directs all subcommittees towards fulfilling ACEC’s mission. Becher-Hoppe Associates, Inc. announces the election of Randy Van Natta, PE, to the American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin (ACEC WI) Board of Directors. ACEC WI is comprised of volunteer principals from member firms who design and protect Wisconsin’s future with professional engineering solutions. Randy also mentored 37 future engineering leaders as class advisor to the 2013 and 2014 Future Leaders Institute, a career development series designed to promote successful industry leadership. Cellcom announced that it will offer the iPad Air with Wi-Fi + Cellular and the iPad mini with Retina display with Wi-Fi + Cellular at its retail locations throughout Northeast and Central Wisconsin, as well as Upper Michigan, starting June 5. Cellcom will offer these new iPads with a range of attractive data plans that will allow customers to connect to its fast 4G LTE network with download speeds averaging 5-12 mbps. For more information on iPad please visit www.apple.com/ipad. Rick Clements, co-owner of Clements Insurance Agency along with his wife, Debra Clements, has been elected Treasurer for the Professional Insurance Agents
of Wisconsin’s (PIAW) Board of Directors. PIAW is the third largest professional insurance agents association in the nation, representing over 630 agencies and 3,400 licensed agents in Wisconsin. The Photizo Group has recognized EO Johnson Business Technologies as a leader in Managed Print Services (MPS). EO Johnson was one of 13 independent providers that Photizo Group selected to participate in the 2014 Leaders Index for MPS Channel Providers, based on demonstrated leadership in MPS. This is the second consecutive year EO Johnson has been selected for the Index. The Leaders Index for MPS Channel Providers is a collection of hand-selected, independent MPS providers from around the world that are regarded as the gold standard in managed print and document services. Two of Ellis Stone Construction Company’s projects received awards at the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association (WRMCA). The Mid-State Technical College (MSTC) Center for Sustainable Energy Technology (CSET) building in Wisconsin Rapids project received an award in the Insulating Concrete Form category. The Copps Market in Stevens Point was an Ellis design/build project and received an award in the Decorative Commercial category. Globe University-Wausau welcomes a new Community Manager to campus. Heather Holzem comes to Globe with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and has a background in non-profit fundraising and radio broadcasting. Part of her role will be assisting career services by helping students find jobs. She is also responsible for the social media, networking, and blogging for the campus. Greenheck announced today the establishment of two new Schofield campus facilities, the Robert C. Greenheck Innovation Center and the Bernard A. Greenheck Education Center, to honor its founders and industry pioneers, Bob and Bernie Greenheck. “These facilities will recognize the Greenheck brothers’ vision, determination, and sound, admirable business values
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Member News
forming the foundation for our phenomenal worldwide growth as a leader in the non-residential air movement and control industry. We are proud to call Schofield our home and are thrilled to honor our founders with these world-class facilities in this community,� said Jim McIntyre, president and CEO of the Greenheck Group. Ho-Chunk Nation has secured a grant to study the feasibility of a public transit service that serves members, employees, and other central Wisconsin residents. The goal of this study is to provide the Nation with the information to generate alternative methods of reducing our impact on mother earth. To accomplish this goal, the Ho-Chunk Nation and MSA Professional Services, Inc., is requesting your assistance by having you complete a short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ GNNKDV2. All survey responses are due no later than Wednesday, July 16, 2014. Anyone with questions can contact Heather Redebew at heather.rebedew@hochunk.com or by calling 715-284-9343, Ext. 1280. Darlene Vlietstra, CAP, executive assistant at Aspirus Clinics Inc., has achieved the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) designation from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Vlietstra is a member of the Wausau Chapter of IAAP. The prestigious CAP designation certifies that an individual carries a high level of knowledge and mastery of the administrative support profession. To attain the rating, an individual must meet prescribed requirements for education and work experience, and pass a comprehensive examination covering such subjects as economics, accounting, business law, human resources, office systems and technology, business communication, organization and management.
Janelle Christensen, CAP-OM, sales administrator at County Materials Corporation, has been elected president of the Wausau Chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) for the year beginning July 1, 2014. Other officers elected include: Sonia Miller, workflow consultant at OptumRx, as vice president; Kelly Boyd, CAP-OM, administrative assistant at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, as secretary; and Lynn Kosina, CAP, senior administrative assistant at Peoples State Bank, as treasurer. Ann Dahlke, CAP-OM-TA, senior administrative assistant at UMR, has been elected president-elect of the Wisconsin Division of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) for the year beginning July 1, 2014. Dahlke is a member of the Wausau Chapter of IAAP. Sheila Rovang, CAP-OM, assistant to the CEO at Aspirus, Inc. has achieved recertification of the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) rating from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Rovang is a member of the Wausau Chapter of IAAP. The prestigious CAP designation certifies that an individual carries a high level of knowledge and mastery of the administrative support profession. To attain the rating, an individual must meet prescribed requirements for education and work experience and pass a comprehensive examination covering such subjects as economics, accounting, business law, human resources, office systems and technology, and communication. Kathleen Ruenger, CAP-OM-TA, administrative assistant at Aspirus, Inc., has earned the Technology Applications (TA) specialty from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).
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Member News Ruenger is a member of the Wausau Chapter of IAAP and is the second IAAP member in the Wisconsin Division to earn this specialty. The prestigious CAP designation certifies that an individual carries a high level of knowledge and mastery of the administrative support profession. To attain the rating, an individual must meet prescribed requirements for education and work experience, and pass a comprehensive examination covering such subjects as economics, accounting, business law, human resources, office systems and technology, business communication, organization and management.
Management Recruiters International, Inc. is pleased to announce Management Recruiters of Wausau ranks in the top 25% of all offices worldwide. The Wausau office focuses in the banking, finance, information systems, and our local marketplace. Scott Olson, Account Executive, CSAM (Certified Senior Account Manager) attended MRI’s Midwest Regional Conference held in Chicago. Scott’s focus is in the banking industry in the Midwest. The Wausau office is located at 3309 Terrace Court. Laurie Prochnow, President, has owned and operated the business in Wausau for over 20 years.
Ann Dahlke, CAP-OM-TA; Lynette Hieronimus, CAP; Robin Krause, CAP-OM; and Sheila Rovang, CAPOM attended the Wisconsin Division Annual Meeting of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) held in Eau Claire, WI on May 1617, 2014. All four women are members of the Wausau Chapter of IAAP.
Children in the Marshfield area have more than a million reasons to celebrate after the 9th annual Steven Meissner Memorial “Fore the Kids” golf event surpassed the $1 million mark for pediatric needs at Marshfield Clinic and in the community. A full field of 150 golfers participated. This year’s event raised $134,675, bringing the nineyear total to $1,150,241. The Steven Meissner Memorial Classic was created in memory of Steven Meissner, who was killed in a car accident in 2005. The goal of this event is to provide and improve education, health, family and the overall well-being of children’s lives.
Angela Harris-Weiss, CAP, credentialing specialist at Ministry Medical Group, and Nancy Kowalski, CAP, social media support supervisor at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, have achieved recertification of the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) rating from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Both women are members of the Wausau Chapter of IAAP. The prestigious CAP designation certifies that an individual carries a high level of knowledge and mastery of the administrative support profession. To attain the rating, an individual must meet prescribed requirements for education and work experience and pass a comprehensive examination covering such subjects as economics, accounting, business law, human resources, office systems and technology, and communication. M3 Insurance has named Mark Meeks its Wausau Market Leader. Mark will focus on driving sales, recruiting talent and facilitating M3’s community involvement and leadership opportunities throughout the Wausau area. In addition, Mark will continue to serve as an Account Executive within M3’s Education & Government practice group. “As M3’s offices and agency as a whole continues to grow, it’s critical that we develop and nurture business and community relationships and further expand the M3 brand throughout the state,” said Sean LaBorde, Executive Vice President of Sales at M3.
For the second consecutive year, Ministry Saint Clare’s Hospital in Weston is one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s “100 Great Community Hospitals,” a list based on hospitals’ quality of care and service to community. According to Becker’s, the 100 Great Community Hospitals have fewer than 550 beds and minimal teaching programs. The listing includes facilities that are independent or part of larger health systems. Ministry Saint Clare’s is joined on the list by Calumet Medical Center, Chilton which is also part of the Ministry Health Care system. In total, 12 Wisconsin Hospitals were named Great Community Hospitals by Becker’s. Ministry Health Care and Ministry Medical Group are pleased to welcome Family Nurse Practitioner Kristine Doemel who recently joined the Hospitalist Department at Ministry Saint Clare’s Hospital in Weston. A boardcertified family nurse practitioner, Doemel provides highquality healthcare services similar to those of a physician. She is a registered nurse with advanced education and clinical training. Along with clinical services, Doemel focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling – guiding patients to make smarter health and lifestyle choices
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Member News On Thursday, June 05, 2014, a member of the Ministry Health Care staff received a call from a patient who had been receiving collection letters from a company identified as NCC Common Wealth that claimed to be collecting on debts for Ministry hospitals. The letter indicated a phone number of 570-347-1115. A quick internet search turned up a number of scam alerts related to this firm along with a very poor rating from the Better Business Bureau. Ministry Health Care does not use this firm for any kind of revenue collection or billing processing. Should you receive a call from NCC Common Wealth regarding a patient bill please contact Peggy Schley, Ministry Health Care Collections Manager at 920-628-9675. Northway Communications wants to remind everyone that as of February 2014, the use of hand-held mobile telephones and mobile electronic devices while driving is prohibited in Wausau – no person shall operate a motor vehicle while using a hand-held mobile telephone or mobile device. Because of this change, Northway Communications wants to help everyone stay safe on the road and avoid a citation by offering a FREE Jabra Bluetooth Headset with every phone purchase. Northway Communications is an agent for Cellcom. Office Enterprises, Inc. (OEI), the region’s most complete office solutions provider, has partnered with Cornerstone Information Technology (CSTONE) in Wausau, a provider of information technology services and products. With this partnership, CSTONE will be owned by OEI and Seth Sierk. Cornerstone Information Technology, founded by Seth Sierk, is a business IT services provider specializing in offering quality Network Management, Managed IT Services, and digital media services. The employees of these divisions will also transition and all existing CSTONE staff will remain. Seth Sierk, will remain as an owner and the President of CSTONE. He will continue managing day-to-day operations. Shelley Rowe, who has been with The Samuels Group for just over three years, was recently promoted to Marketing Manager; she previously held the Marketing Communications Specialist position. As Marketing Manager, Rowe will lead business market development, market research, and competitive analysis, as well as follow company and department strategic direction
for promotion and advertising. She will also develop, design, and oversee all company marketing materials to ensure consistency and corporate branding standards. In addition, The Samuels Group would like to congratulate her on receiving her Bachelor of Science, Marketing degree from Upper Iowa University this past month. United Way of Marathon County is pleased to announce the addition of Tara Glodowski to their staff as the Associate Director of Affinity Groups. Tara will be working with both United Way Emerging Leaders and Women in Action groups and is excited to meet and get to know the members. Tara has more than 10 years of experience working in several area non-profits and is excited to join the staff at United Way. The Wausau School District won a $14,586 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) grant through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for its Computer Science in STEM Education project. The grant, one of only 15 awarded throughout the state, will benefit students at Wausau East and Wausau West High Schools. This one-time grant opportunity was made possible through the 2013-2015 state budget. Grant awards were based on a needs assessment with measurable objectives to increase college and career readiness activities for students. The Wausau School District received a “Read to Lead” grant in the amount of $44,761. Governor Scott Walker and State Superintendent Dr. Tony Evers made the announcement in June and noted that only 7 of 214 applicants were awarded grants. The grant was made possible through the state of Wisconsin’s Read to Lead Task Force, whose members include educators, parents, business representatives, politicians, and reading experts from diverse backgrounds. For more information please visit http://read.wi.gov/Home. The Wausau School District’s Director of Special Education Tammy Nyen was awarded the Wisconsin Council of Administrators of Special Services (WCASS) Region 7 Administrator Award for all she does to support the education of students with special needs. Region 7 of WCASS is comprised of Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) areas 9 & 12.
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Ambassador of the Month Meet Jamie Potter
The Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Jamie Potter as the July 2014 Ambassador of the Month. Jamie has been serving our members as an Ambassador for more than five years. Jamie states, “My whole life has revolved around sales of one kind or another.” After college, Jamie served as the Community Development Director at UCP while also supporting the employment department. She then worked for Eastbay as an Employment Coordinator before transitioning into the role of Marketing Director for Dairyland Pizzas, overseeing 14 Papa John’s store locations. Jamie then became the Director of Sales for Stoney Creek Inn and the Grand Lodge before stepping into the role of Account Executive – a.k.a. “Sales Guru”at Sunrise Broadcasting-ESPN/WXCO in 2011.
Jamie Potter
Added Jamie, “Every position [I’ve held] was fast-paced, focused on helping customers, and requiring lots of energy. I thrive on seeing an opportunity and then taking it to help a customer. It’s the same with being an Ambassador: Truly the best part is to be of service to the members. Whether it is introducing a member to someone who can be a future client for them or helping them find a resource to grow their business, the Chamber has a lot to offer!” Congratulations, Jamie, and thank you for your continued work with our members!
Volunteer Spotlight Meet Gretchen Kray
Gretchen Kray is a Chamber volunteer and the Director of Product Management for Wausau Coated Product, the company that brought her to the Wausau region in 2002, and she has loved the area ever since. Gretchen has been very involved as a volunteer for the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce for the past four years. In addition to her many activities outside of work she joined the Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2010 and has served as the Programs Committee Chairperson for the past two years. She also was the emcee for the 2012 Small Business Week “SPARK Innovation” program and is a 2014 graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Excellence program. On a personal level, she has enjoyed getting to know many community members through coaching girls’ basketball at Newman High School, teaching the Junior Achievement program, and coaching various sports through the YMCA. She recently joined the Board at the Center for Visual Arts, and is learning how a non-profit functions.
Gretchen Kray
When asked what her favorite part of being a Chamber volunteer is, she says that, in contrast to her work at Wausau Coated dealing with customers and vendors around the world, the Chamber gives her an opportunity to keep “in touch” locally and to give back to the amazing Wausau community she calls her home. Being a volunteer has also allowed her to be a leader, work with some incredible people, and have a little fun too. Plus, the Chamber staff are amazing people. They make the volunteer experience very rewarding!
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