In this issue:
New Investors 2
Scholarship Funds Raised 5
News Flash 5
Workforce Paradox 10
Legislative Dialogue 11
Officers Chair, Kirk Kallio, Waupaca Foundry Chair-Elect, William Lipschultz, Alter Metal Recycling Vice Chair / Secretary / Treasurer, Jerry Tiffany, Tiffany Complete Estate Planning Past Chair Paul Shrode, Fox Valley Technical College
Directors Steven Bandy Abacus Investments Deborah Domask American Family Insurance Chris Enslin, Recover Health Erin Helgeson, Waupaca Ale House R. Michael Jungers III A.J. Holly & Sons, Ltd Lisa Krueger, Best Western Plus Grand Seasons Allyce Lees, The Paint Store Scott Neumann Neumann’s Piggly Wiggly Paul Singh, Waupaca BP Amoco
Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 2/1/2014 Volume 2, Issue 2
Connect...Collaborate...Cultivate
Staff President: Terri Schulz
VP of Operations: Kathy LeClair
VP of Tourism: Jeff Anderson
Information Services: Lynn Tolle
VP of Sales: Tom Weiss
The largest attendance in history attended the Waupaca Area Chamber of
Commerce Awards Ceremony on Tuesday (1/28/2014) braving the sub-zero
weather and winds. “We were a little worried that the cold would keep people
away,” commented Chamber President, Terri Schulz, “but that was sure not the
case.” Awards included Project Facelift, Rising Star, Service Award, and Large
and Small Business of the Year. Chamber members voted for the winners in
each category.
The Facelift Awards are presented to new or existing businesses that improve
the appearance of their business by relocating or upgrading a current location
inside or out. Award winners this year are Adventure Outfitters, LLC; Ministry
Medical Group Chain O’Lakes Clinic; First National Bank; Foundations For
Living, Inc.; Hansen’s; Waupaca Hometown Pharmacy; Mills Fleet Farm; Paca
Pub & Grill; Rhythm & Brews; and
Riverside Medical Center –
Rehab Services.
The Grand Facelift Award, which
recognizes major improvements
to a local business, was
presented to Mills Fleet Farm for
their complete makeover of their
existing 29,000 square foot
building and turning it into a
130,000 square foot building, all
done while remaining open and
doing business. The project included
a new power source, heating and cooling system, sprinkler system, lighting,
restrooms, loading docks, inside storage and new office space, plus the
addition of about 100 parking spaces. Store Manager, Randy Paur, accepted
the award saying that Mills Fleet Farm was honored to accept the award and
how many local businesses were used to complete the project. And how they
really appreciate the support the community gives to Fleet Farm.
2013 Awards Announced
Continued on Page 2
Terri Schulz, WACC President and Randy Paur,
Manager Mills Fleet Farm
Thank you to these
2014 President’s Club
Sponsors
Supporting the Chamber
above and beyond.
You are Stars!
Contact The Chamber if your business is interested in becoming a President’s Club Sponsor. 715-258-7343
Waupaca Foundry First National Bank Faulks Bros. Construction
The Service Award is designed to recognize a Chamber Member, who has devoted significant time to the
Chamber, its mission and goals. This year’s nominees were Giles Bellin, Northstar Promotions; Anita
Olson, Embellishments and Julie Thompson, Community First Credit Union. The
2013 recipient is Julie Thompson who was raised to volunteer in her community
and followed in the footsteps of her parents Fred and Marrian Manel. She served
on the Chamber Board of Directors not only once but twice, from 1987 to 1992
and 2011 to 2013. In 1989 she served as the Chair (Title back then was
President) of the Board of Directors. During that time the Chamber started
Strawberry Fest, and the Christmas
Tour of Homes, applied for City Room
Tax funds for the first time and was
granted $10,000; and was on the
search for a new Chamber office
building. She has served on many Chamber committees
including the Ambassadors, Appleton Christmas Parade,
Tourism Promotion and Wintervergnügen committees. And
she continues to serve and chair the Chamber Golf Outing
Committee. 2013 Chair of the Board, Paul Shrode, noted that
Julie exemplifies this award by always having positive things to
say about the Chamber, volunteering when needed and
always
showing
her support.
The Rising Star Award goes to a young business (1-5
years in operation) that provides a service while
enhancing and enriching the community and
demonstrates economic growth. Nominees for the
Rising Star included Amazing Cleaning Service,
Futurity First, and
Loop Communications and this year’s winner, Little
Fat Gretchen’s the popular café operated by
Gretchen Halverson.
Welcome New Investor
LegalShield Independent Associate Dave Walker E3143 Ebbe Lake Road Waupaca WI 54981 715-258-7132 Legal insurance/assistance and identity theft monitoring/restoration plans for you, your family, your business and your employees.
Julie Thompson
Gretchen Halverson, Little Fat Gretchen’s and Terri
Schulz , WACC President
Continued on page 3
It was always Gretchen’s dream to have a restaurant in downtown Waupaca. She loves to cook and
bake or as her mom would say concoct things. And one day in 2012 it all came together. The name
comes from her childhood; the interior of the restaurant is because she loves the 50’s era which
includes lots of chrome and to her chrome means clean and neat. She has kept the menu simple but
will make anything you ask for as long as she has the ingredients in the kitchen. And notes that
breakfast is served all day and that as many local, fresh seasonal items are used as possible. In just
over one year she has grown to 16 employees and has plans for expansion of the kitchen and
refurbishing the basement for storage.
The Small Business of the Year is to
recognize a business which demonstrates an
economic enhancement to the area; provides
service to the community; and enhances the
community image and enriches community
life. They must employee one to twenty
employees and be in business 5 or more
years. This year’s nominees were The Green
Fountain Inn, Fletcher’s Jewelry, Futurity
First of Waupaca, Marvin Metals, TLC
Signs, The Paint Store, and Waupaca
Dental Excellence. The recipient is voted
on by the Chamber investors. And this year
there was a tie, so two awards were
presented to The Green Fountain Inn and The Paint Store.
The Green Fountain Inn started twenty years ago when they purchased a private home along with
three other buildings. They upgraded the whole house with plumbing, heating, air conditioning,
ceilings, refinished floors and installed four private baths on the second floor. Then in 2000 they
renovated the kitchen to become a licensed restaurant kitchen. From there they opened the Back
Door Bakery, and eventually transformed that into the Secret Garden Café. Today they are open for
lunch and fine evening dining. They host cooking classes, business meetings and private parties,
murder mystery dinners and girlfriend getaways. Cindy Oerter, original owner accepted the award
and asked her former partner Patricia Vaux to celebrate in the award too. Cindy also noted that she
was so happy to share this year with Tedd & Allyce, the Paint Store.
Terri Schulz, WACC President, Cindy Oerter, Owner Green
Fountain Inn; and previous partner Patricia Vaux.
Terri Schulz, WACC President, and Allyce
and Tedd Lees, Owners The Paint Store
Continued on page 4
The Paint Store opened their doors in 1998 on the corner of Union and Washington Streets. They
quickly outgrew that space and added on to that building but it still was not enough. So they
purchased the old senior center and remodeled it from top to bottom. Since they made the move
eight years ago, they continue to add products to meet the demands of their growing client base,
this past year they added art supplies. Their goal is to make a difference in the Waupaca area.
Allyce and Tedd both are very active in the Chamber and the community. Serving on the Chamber
Board and committees, participating in the HR Network, the Waupaca King and In-between retailer
group, the ThedaCare Waupaca Plunge,
the International Encaustic Artist state
chapter, WisWax Panel and host a bible
study on site every Tuesday evening.
Allyce and Tedd accepted the award and
were very pleased to share the moment
with Award Recipient Cindy Oerter, The
Green Fountain Inn.
The Large Business of the Year criteria is
the same as the Small Business of the
Year however they must employ twenty-
one or more employees.
The two businesses nominated were
Centerline Machine and First National
Bank. And the award went to First National
Bank who has been a member of the
community since 1885 and over the past 128 years has grown to 11
branches, eight in Wisconsin and three in Texas. It is the 20th largest bank in the state of Wisconsin.
They strive to offer a comprehensive line of banking services to both consumers and businesses.
Currently they employee 140 people and have over $800 million in assets. They are committed to
the communities that they
serve not only monetarily but
they also have many
employees who are very
involved in various community
organizations. President
Archie Overby was present to
accept the award along with
many bank employees.
Gold Sponsors
First National Bank
Neuville Motors
Silver Sponsor
Faulk’s Bros. Construction.
Platinum Sponsors
Archie Overby, President First
National Bank, Terri Schulz
Foundations for Living: Is looking for volunteers for their Community Clothes Closet. Duties will include sorting clothing, stacking
shelves, and customer service. If interested contact them at 715-942-2725.
Waupaca Breakfast Rotary Club: Presents a Night of Romance, Friday, Feb. 14, Waupaca Ale House with dancing, chocolate fountain and a rose for each lady. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Chamber office or from a Rotarian.
AT&T: Presented an Innovation and Investment Grant to Fox Valley Technical College to support expansion of the Pro-Seed Small Business Design, Plan and grow program. The program is to encourage, support and provide training to Waupaca County Entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Have something new happening at your Business? Drop Terri an email at [email protected] and let her know. She is happy to share it in the Chamber Newsletter and on the Chamber Facebook page.
$2372 raised for Chamber
Scholarship Fund
As a part of the Awards Ceremony, a
Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffle were
held to raise funds for the Chamber’s
Greg Wehmeyer Memorial Scholarship
Fund. Many Member Investors and
outside the area businesses and
organizations donated items which were
combined to make some outstanding
packages. From 5 to 7pm on Tuesday
evening the attendees enjoyed jotting
bids down until the final call to end the auction. Twenty-one packages raised $1982 and the 50/50
raffle raised $390.
The WACC awards the Greg Wehmeyer Scholarships to Waupaca High School Seniors furthering
their education. The criteria for the award includes that the applicant must be a Waupaca High
School senior accepted to any technical or four year college. The applicant must have an affiliation
with the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce. This affiliation can be through a parent who owns
or is employed by a member in good standing, or through the applicant’s own employment by a
member in good standing. The scholarship will be awarded based on financial need and a desire to
continue his or her education, not necessarily on academic performance.
Board Changes Committee Names
In an effort to better reflect what the Chamber
Committees work on, the Board of Directors have
renamed a number of committees.
Political Strategies is now Business
Advocacy
Business Enhancement is now Business &
Workforce Development
Member Support remains as Member
Support
Tourism & Promotion is now Tourism Council
To see what the goals of these committee are for
2014 click here. If you have an interest in
serving on a committee please contact the
Chamber office. 715-258-7343 or
Member Investors Celebrating
February Anniversaries.
Congratulations!
Send your Anniversary date to
[email protected] to be recognized.
Anniversaries to Celebrate!
February 25: Paca Pub & Grill
March 25: Premier Community Bank and Waupaca Ale
House
April 22: Neuville Motors
May 20: Knight Berry
June 24: Waupaca Breakfast Rotary Club
July 22: Chain Bar & Grill
August 26: Waupaca Area Chamber
September 23: Waupaca Buyers’ Guide, County Post West
October 28: Waupaca Curling Club
November 18: Theda Care at Home
Reserve your date for 2015 by contacting
2014 Schedule
Premier Community Bank 1941
Bauernfeind Business Technologies 1960
Harvey Dental 1980
Sew N Sew 1997
Social Web Dzine 2004
United Country - Udoni & Salan Realty
Group
2005
Plane Guys Aviation LLC 2006
Tiffany Complete Estate Planning 2006
Property Caretakers 2010
Collect Auctions, LLC 2011
East Side Mobil Express, LLC 2011
Restorative Healing Touch, LLC 2011
Wild West Campground & Corral 2004
February
Business After 5
Your Host: Paca Pub
106 N Main St, Waupaca
Come and enjoy the new
dining area.
February 2014 Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce
221 S. Main Street, Waupaca, WI 54981 - Phone 715-258-7343 - Fax 715-258-7868
Office Hours: 8:00a - 5:00p Monday - Friday
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
2 3
4 Business Advocacy Committee Mtg 8:00a Chamber Conference Rm
5 RSB3 8a Johnson’s Waupaca Woods Restaurant
6 LEADS Network 1 7:30a Breakfast 8:00a Network, Comfort Suites Business Day in Madison, Monona Terrace
7 Member Support Committee Mtg 7:30a Chamber Conference Rm
8
9
10 11 Board of Directors Mtg 7:30a Chamber Conference Rm Strawberry Fest Committee Chamber Conference Rm 4p
12
13 LEADS Network 2 12:30p Chamber Conference Rm
14
15
16
17 Legislative Dialogue Breakfast Best Western Bridgewood, Neenah, 7:30a
18
19
20 LEADS Network 1 7:30a Breakfast 8:00a Network, Comfort Suites
21 Investor Orientation 8a, Chamber Conference Room
22
23 24
25 Business After 5 Paca Pub
26 27 Tourism Council 7:30a Chamber Conference Rm LEADS Network 2 12:30p Chamber Conference Rm Business & Workforce Development Committee Mtg 5p Chamber Conference Rm
28
Reminders: 1. The deadline for the newsletter advertisement submission is the 15th of each month. 2. The Board of Directors usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month. 3. Business After 5 usually takes place on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Note: The Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-secular organization. Holidays listed are legal holidays and are posted for business convenience only.
Educational Opportunities
A Strategy for Change: Did I get the business re-sults I hoped for in 2013? Do I know what will im-prove my results in 2014? Am I addressing the things that keep me up at night? What do I need to do differ-ent? If these questions resonate for you as a senior executive, Fox Valley Technical College invites you to consider another, are you willing to invest two hours of your time to get some answers to those questions? Feb. 6, 7:30-10:30a. Click here to Regis-ter
Supervisory Leadership 1: Offers guidance for aspiring or new leaders and pragmatic recom-mendations for leaders who seek to develop strong teams and drive outstanding results. Explore different leadership styles and discover your own unique style. Understand the transition into leadership and how your role and responsibilities are defined. Feb. 11&12. Supervisory Lead-ership II provides succinct skill sets in coaching and developing employees. Communicating clear and specific expectations to your employees is critical to operational effectiveness. Learn how to overcome resistance to performance assessments, how to establish job expectations and how to conduct coaching sessions. March 11 & 12.UWGB Business Solutions. Click here to register.
Fusion 2014 CEO –CIO Symposium, March 5&6, Fluno Center, Madison. More info at http://www.fusion2014.com/
Brazil Business Summit: Doing Business in Brazil: Challenges and Opportunities for Midwest-ern Companies, Feb. 19, Fluno Center, UWM, Madison. More info at http://ocr.wisc.edu/brazil-2/
To bring workforce and business issues closer to home, WMC is teaming up with the Wisconsin Technical College System to bring the conversations to local communities in February and March.
Wisconsin continues to battle the workforce paradox – high unemployment, yet employers desperately seek-ing qualified workers.
The WMC Foundation and WTCS, in partnership with the 16 technical colleges, will highlight current work-place solutions in every district.
In addition, WMC will provide an early preview of a new initiative to establish a 20-year strategic plan for the state called – Future Wisconsin.
How will Wisconsin deal with the workforce paradox, global factors, business competitiveness, quality of life issues, and technological improvements?
With an emphasis on demographic challenges that will face the state, WMC will review the research done in 2013 and plans for 2014, culminating in an economic summit in December.
Program agenda for this series will cover:
College President Address
Future Wisconsin: A Strategic Plan for the State
Solving the Workforce Paradox
Feb 19 – Fox Valley Technical College, AppletonFeb 19 – Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton
Mar 3 – Northcentral Technical College, WausauMar 3 – Northcentral Technical College, Wausau
Mar 13 – Mid-State Technical College, Wisconsin Rapids
For more information on this seminar series including dates, locations and registration, click here
ONLINE REGISTRATION
Cost is $20 if you are a member of WMC and/or your local chamber of commerce. Non-member cost is $30.
Contact Susan Nyffenegger at (608) 258-3400 with any questions or concerns.