In this issue . . .
SEPTEMBER 2015
Member News Ribbon Cuttings Member Profile New Members Chamber News
New Year Brings New Opportunities
A
By Aaron Kapellusch, President/CEO
s our Annual Meeting draws near, it reminds me that it’s important to reflect on some of the things that we have accomplished together as a Chamber over the past year. We have listened very closely to your feedback and understand that Workforce Development issues remain the primary challenge for most businesses in our region. The Chamber is, and will continue to be, deeply entrenched in this battle for the attraction and retention of talent to our region. The recently formed Workforce Hub initiative has assembled many stakeholders, including educators and business sector representatives, to identify key issues and develop a solid plan. This spring, again with the collaboration of many community partners, the Chamber lead an effort to promote Wausau as America’s Best Community. Wausau was honored as a quarterfinalist in this competition with a $50,000 award. This was paired with a required $15,000 offered by two of our generous foundations (the Community Foundation of Northcentral Wisconsin and the Judd Alexander Foundation).
A grand prize of $3 million is still up for grabs as we move into the planning stages of our project. While the money for a noteworthy project is wonderful, it’s the notoriety of being named one of America’s Best Community which is invaluable in attracting people to our region. Our E3YP group has grown into a force in connecting young professionals already in the Wausau Region to our community. Through a mix of networking and educational programs, and through the successful hosting of the statewide YPWeek last spring, E3YP is among the Chamber’s most important initiatives. As always, we have worked to bring you interesting and relevant educational opportunities through our programming this year. Most of the topics that were a focus of our programers were a direct result of feedback received from members. We held over 110 educational and networking events this year and attendance at these events continues to increase year-over-year. While we close the book on another great year, look for even more exciting, innovative and noteworthy initiatives from the Chamber in 2016. And we’ll recap the year in more depth at our Annual Meeting which will be held on Monday, Sept. 21 at The Grand Theater. I hope to see you there!
www.wausauchamber.com
Member News
How to Submit Member News • Visit WausauChamber.com and log into the Member Information Center • In the navigation on the left, select ‘News Releases’ • On that page, choose the ‘Start a New Release’ button in the upper right-hand corner • Enter your information and press ‘Submit’
Submissions must be reviewed before they are posted on the website, so please allow one to two business days for it to appear on the Member News Page. If you haven’t joined the online Members-Only Information Center, now is the time. Visit the registration page and start using your benefits immediately!
Technical details
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ONLINE:
View Chamber Member News
All-new artworks on view through November 29 Franklin & 12th St. / Wausau, WI 54403 715.845.7010 / www.lywam.org
Follow Us Weekly blog Woodson Wanderings
Tuesday - Friday First Thursday of each month Thursdays during Birds in Art Saturday - Sunday Closed Monday and Thanksgiving
9 am - 4 pm 9 am - 7:30 pm 9 am - 7:30 pm Noon - 5 pm
Always FREE Admission Barry Gunderson, Four and Twenty (detail), 2015
Learn more about
Birds in Art
Chamber News
Coming up on our calendar: Sept. 16: E3YP On the Move: The Art of Coffee
Sept. 16: Coffee Talk: Marathon Co. Economic Update Sept. 18: Best Practices in Talent Attraction & Development Workshop Sept. 18: Nothing But Networking Sept. 21: Chamber Annual Meeting Sept. 24: Business PM: Grand Lodge Waterpark Resort
Tim Patrick and his Blue Eyes Band
Oct. 6: Lean Office Administration Workshop
Live music and more planned at Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting is coming up on Monday, Sept. 21 and will feature live music by Tim Patrick and his Blue Eyes Band at The Grand Theater. There are a limited number of seats still available at this event, so register today! Also, an online auction is underway. Bid on great items here.
Oct. 8: E3YP On the Move: Black Violin Pre-Show Party Oct. 22: Business PM: Aspirus Clinics/System Technologies at the Westwood Conference Center Connect with people who will either be or help you meet your next customer. Quality networking time with food, drinks and prizes. For more information or to register for these events, visit wausauchamber.com.
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY
As a firm that has been dedicated to helping Wausau-area businesses succeed for over 85 years, Wipfli is proud to support the Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting. Wausau office partners: Maria Bruggink Todd Hagedorn Kim Heller Kevin Janke
Brian Knoll Keith Koszarek Tom Krieg Mark Kruncos
Bill LaBrake Kathy LaBrake Tami W. McCann Scott Nelson
Dan O’Leary Jeff Stubbe Mike Vesel
www.wausauchamber.com
Wausau Office: 715.845.3111 wipfli.com
Ribbon Cuttings
New School
A ceremony was held on Thursday, August 27 at the new ONLINE: Acton View Recent Academy Ribbon location in Cuttings and Wausau. Ground-
breakings
To view more photos and video from ribbon cuttings and other Chamber events, ‘like’ our Facebook page and follow our Twitter account.
Help us Welcome the Newest Chamber Members! Support the regional economy do business with members.
Chase Outdoors
Luoma Design Dickey’s Barbecue Solutions Pit Panda Express
Seek Careers Wausau World Market
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Member News Ellis Construction project superintendent Jeff Glodoski is celebrating 35 years with the company. Glodoski entered the carpenter’s apprenticeship program at Ellis upon graduation from SPASH. His training and experience in all facets of construction prepared him for his current role of project superintendent, which he has held for over 31 years. Glodoski was the project superintendent for the construction of the Marathon County Courthouse remodel.
including care, treatment, and services; environment of care; leadership; and screening procedures for the early detection of imminent harm was evaluated. On-site observations and interviews also were conducted. The Village of Weston is looking for concession stand operators at the Weston Aquatic Center. The Concession Stand was opened in 1999 as part of the Weston Aquatic Center. The Aquatic Center is owned by the Village of Weston and operated under a lease agreement. After 12 successful years of operation, the current concession stand operators, Chad and Deb Ferge, have decided to move onto other hobbies and pursuits. The Village has developed an RFP with information about the Aquatic Center’s operating financials, and what a prospective operator would need to know to present the Village with a proposal.
North Central Health Care has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. North Central Health Care underwent a rigorous on-site survey in June 2015. During the review, compliance with behavioral health care standards related to several areas,
FREE Business Exposure Opportunity - We Want to Hear from You! Please submit your stories and photos to Brian Otten at botten@wausauchamber.com.
Use of the stories will be at the discretion of the WRCC and may be shortened to fit the appropriate platform. Only stories from members in good standing with the WRCC will be used. The information you submit may be used in the Chamber marketing materials, The Business News and on social media.
9TH ANNUAL
Hoofbeats of the Heart FUNDRAISER & FAIR Saturday, September 26, 2015 8am—3pm
Multi-purpose Building #2 Marathon Park Wausau, WI
Free A dmissi on
FOOD, FUN and SO MUCH MORE! ●
$4 All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast - (Kids 4 & under eat FREE)
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Hair Braiding with Kathy, Officer Jaeger and “Layla,” Therapy Dogs International Demos
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Lunch Specials, Baked Goods
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Meet Mini Therapy Horses “Buddy & Snickers”
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Vendor Booths & Exhibitors
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Badger 4-H Petting Zoo
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50/50 & Gift Basket Raffles
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H2Extreme Bounce Houses, Kid’s Activities
Stable Hands is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. All proceeds benefit Stable Hands Equine Therapy Center. www.StableHandsTherapy.com
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Member News Member Profile: Yach’s Body & Custom, Inc
Yach’s Body & Custom, Inc. celebrates their 60th anniversary at a ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Watch more here. ABOUT THE BUSINESS: Yach’s Body & Custom is a third generation, family-owned auto body and repair business. We serve with a focused mission operating by our core values of integrity, quality, accountability, teamwork and attitude. OPENED: September 1955 CHAMBER MEMBER SINCE: 1971 THE STORY ABOUT THE BUSINESS YOU REPEAT MOST OFTEN: After my Grandfather, Henry Yach, passed away unexpectedly in 1969, my Dad assumed the leadership and ownership roles at Yach’s Auto Repair. He changed the name to Yach’s Body & Custom Shop. He did this at only 23 years of age as he was engaged to be married and while also responsible for a widowed mother and four younger siblings at home. In 1971, when things were starting to look up, he received ‘a suspect inspection’ by the State of Wisconsin notifying him that his wood frame, dirt floor shop did not meet code. He was forced to rebuild or shut the business down. He was 25 years old, married and a new father and did not have enough money to rebuild. He met with what he thought was his last customer.
A group from Yach’s Body & Custom, Inc walked in the 2015 Labor Day parade in Wausau. Dad thanked him for his business and mentioned that this customer was going to be his last. That same customer immediately told my dad’s fate to his own father. Later that day, the gentleman called my dad to offer to build him a new shop. My dad joyfully and gratefully accepted and we moved to our current location at 906 Tulip Lane. MOST FAMOUS PERSON THAT HAS VISITED YOUR BUSINESS: Congressman Sean Duffy. CHAMBER HIGHLIGHT: Earning the 2011 Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award.
ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL: I am married to my lovely wife Emily and we have four children, one If you’d like to have son and three your business daughters featured in our ranging from monthly Member 20-months Profile, to 9-yearscontact Brian Otten old. I am at botten@wausau passionate chamber.com. about serving people, spending time with my family, waterskiing, and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I love serving and living in our great community and look forward to raising our family here.
BEST RECENT READ: Choosing to Cheat: Who Wins when Family and OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Work Collide by Andy Stanley 2011 Fender Bender Magazine Executive of the Year for Henry Yach DREAM JOB WHEN YOU Jr., multiple Best Auto Body shop WERE GROWING UP: Being a awards, Third Generation Succession, test driver for Car & Driver Magazine. Henry Yach III was a 20 Under 40 FAVORITE SNACK: Homemade Award Recipient in 2013. nachos
www.wausauchamber.com
Chamber News
ICYMI:
(In Case You Missed It) More than 60 of the region’s young professionals assembled on Wednesday, Sept. 9 to learn about generational differences in the workplace at an E3YP Elevating Your Future program. Thanks to Eric Roesler for speaking and Church Mutual for hosting and sponsoring this program.
For more information on E3YP visit:
Grants Available for Hiring to Support Global Growth For small and midsize Wisconsin companies website by Sept. 30, 2015, and IIP will For more information pursuing global growth, a new program gives help interested companies determine contact Kathy Heady them the opportunity to work toward this whether the program suits their needs and of WEDC at 608expansion while also helping to build the how to structure the internship to provide 210-6841 or kathy. global business skills of the state’s labor force. maximum benefit for both the company heady@wedc.org, and the student intern. The Partnerships for Global Talent or Maj Fischer of Program, an initiative of the University IIP will determine which companies will IIP at 608.261.1359 of Wisconsin-Madison’s International receive funding, and will then publicize or mhfischer@ Internship Program (IIP) with funding from these internship opportunities on the UWinternational.wisc.edu. the Wisconsin Economic Development Madison campus and accept applications Corporation (WEDC), provides up to from students. Working in coordination $4,000 per intern. Each participating with IIP, companies will interview student company may receive funding for up to two interns to applicants in January and make their final selections. assist with global growth. Internships can be located The program is open to Wisconsin companies with 500 in Wisconsin with an international focus of work, or at or fewer employees. Companies in Wisconsin’s driver overseas facilities of Wisconsin companies. industries, including advanced manufacturing; aerospace; Applications are now being accepted from companies that bioscience; energy, power and control; food and beverage; wish to hire interns for the summer of 2016. Companies and water technology will be given preference in the can submit an initial expression of interest via the IIP program’s selection process.
www.wausauchamber.com
nnual AM eeting 103rd
SEPTEMBER 21, 2015
Space is limited! Register today! SILENT AUCTION: Bid on a variety of great items online with new items added next week!
Presenting sponsor:
Premier sponsor:
Corporate sponsors:
Supporting sponsors:
Entertainment sponsor:
Chamber News
Nothing But Networking returns this month Want to grow your network in the business community? Now you can! Introduce and promote your business to other members through Nothing But Networking. This popular program is held bi-monthly and invites each attendee to share up to a two-minute elevator pitch about their business to the group. Participants are encouraged to bring business cards, brochures, products to share, samples and/or promotional items to place at each seat. Additional time is available following the program in order to collect contact information from those you wish to continue networking with. Only one attendee per business is permitted at each session and each business is only allowed to attend a maximum of one session per quarter. New members are
offered early registration one week prior to the general membership. The maximum session size is 30 attendees, so register today to guarantee your spot at the table!
Cellcom: Connect your Car with Delphi Connect For the mobile worker and many small businesses, vehicles are a key to livelihood and success. Intelligently connecting to a vehicle can help monitor the health of a vehicle and create business efficiencies to contribute to the bottom line. Delphi Connect is a 4G LTE modem with GPS that plugs into a vehicles’ OBD-II connector port and sends vehicle data to the cloud. The information is compiled in an easyto-use dashboard accessible from an Internet browser or smartphone app. A mobile worker or small business owner can use the Delphi Connect system to monitor vehicles, track recent trips or receive alerts for specific event information. Notable features for businesses include: • Live Tracking - track up to 10 vehicles on a map with updates every 5 seconds of vehicle location, speed and heading. • Recent Trips - automatically save all the trips taken in a vehicle and the trip details, including start/end locations, distance traveled and engine idle time. In addition to viewing the route a vehicle took on a map, trip details can be exported to a spreadsheet, making mileage and
expense tracking more efficient than ever. • Geo-fencing - allows users to create up to 6 boundaries per vehicle on a map and be alerted anytime a vehicle enters or exits a specified area. • Alerts – gives useful event and status information to an account owner, such as geo-fence crossings, speeding, high engine RPM, low battery and vehicle motion (only when parked). Alerts can be emailed or sent as text messages. • Health - automatically assesses a vehicle’s performance like why a check engine light is on – and translates trouble codes into useful descriptions that help businesses and vehicle owner’s make better repair decisions. Delphi Connect can also serve as an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot. It works on almost all vehicles sold in the US since 1996 and is ideal for the mobile worker who needs to stay connected, detail their mileage and know their vehicle is in top shape. Delphi Connect can also be used for a small business with a fleet of ten vehicles or less. For more information on Delphi Connect or vehicle monitoring solutions for larger fleets, visit Cellcom.com.
www.wausauchamber.com