February 2015
Our Community Team By Aaron Kapellusch, President/CEO
One thing I’ve learned after five months of parenting is that it requires much patience, humor, humility, and understanding. As much as I would like things to be fair and equitable between my wife and me in the segregation of duties in caring for our daughter, I think we have come to the understanding that we both have our own individual strengths, but as a team we find a way to take care of what needs to be done. We are really focused on making sure she is healthy, happy, and knows she is loved. The Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce (WRCC) is just one part of the total community team here in Northcentral Wisconsin. We recognize there are countless organizations working hard to make sure this place we call home is the best community it can be, and we all have an important role to play. This year at the WRCC, we want to renew our commitment to our community partners, and be of assistance where we can. There are a lot of new
In this issue . . . • • • • • •
Member News Featured Member Ambassador of the Month Ribbon Cuttings/Groundbreakings New Members Volunteer Spotlight
developments taking shape at the WRCC, from our Workforce Hub initiative to bring education and business together to discuss workforce development issues, to a renewed presence of complimentary partners at the WRCC Aaron Kapellusch office with the addition of Marc Violante, from the Wisconsin Procurement Institute and Progressive Partners in Agriculture taking up residence in newly remodeled office suites, previously used as a Builder’s Exchange Room. Recently, we also partnered with the DC Everest Area School District to bring The Young Entrepreneur’s Academy (YEA). This is an exciting partnership that will allow a select group of students to participate in a year long journey into starting their own business. We continue to partner with Northcentral Technical College on a regional sales training initiative, The Authentic Salesperson, an in-depth, 13-week introspective look at relationship-based selling. We are all a stronger team when we can find ways to help each other. If there is a way you feel that the WRCC can work with you on an initiative, please feel free to reach out to me anytime. 715-848-5946 or ak@wausauchamber.com
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Member News
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Featured Member Olive Garden Italian Restaurant Gives Back By Krissy Sloma, Service Manager at the Olive Garden in Wausau Olive Garden started opening in 1982; there are now over 800 store in multiple countries. We have been named one of Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to work for, four years in a row. Olive Garden offers a Genuine Italian Dining Experience with fresh, simple, delicious Italian food, complemented by a great glass of wine in a comfortable home-like setting, welcomed by people who treat you like family, because “We Are All Family Here”. The Olive Garden in Wausau employs an average of 90 people with both full-time and part-time positions. We have extensive training in each area of the restaurant and take pride in living up to our worldwide health standards. We educate team members and promote from within—which can open the door to management positions. The Olive Garden exchanges employee incentives with other businesses in the form of gift cards and coupons. We enjoy being able to reward their employees. This is just one way the Olive Garden is involved in the Wausau community. Members of the staff participate in Adopt-A-Highway four times per year, cleaning up garbage on their one mile stretch of highway. Gift baskets with Olive Garden goodies are often donated for raffles and door prizes for fundraising events. Through the International Empty Bowls Project, Olive Garden donates to soup kitchens in the region. We also participate in the Darden Harvest program, in partnership with the Salvation Army, donating high-quality food items to The Neighbors’ Place. The Olive Garden has beer called “Veteran Beer.” The Veteran Beer Company, based in Chicago, employs only United Stated Veterans. In addition,
50 percent of the proceeds go back to Veterans— most of it going to the Wounded Warrior Project. Perhaps you have experienced a “Hospi Run?” Armed with our famous salad dressing, jumbo salads, and breadsticks, the Hospi Run is a program that provides lunch to local businesses that make a difference in the community. We have happily served lunch to Armed Forces Agencies, Fire and Police Departments, Humane Society of Marathon County, The Women’s Community, and local chapters of several national organizations. During a Wausau Region Chamber Business AM, we connected with a representative from Blessings in a Backpack, and we instantly wanted to help. The Olive Garden worked with them to get them a $1,000 community grant. Not only does the Olive Garden support the community and partner with several members of the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce, but it is also very proud to be a Chamber member.
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Ambassador of the Month Congratulations Sue Kersemeier Sue Kersemeier is the Regional Sales Manager for K-tech Kleening, a business she and her husband started over 40 years ago. She also serves as the VicePresident of K-tech Charities, which is in partnership with K-tech Kleening. As a strong supporter of the community, K-tech purchases enough food to feed 400 families and with the help of volunteers pack food boxes to take to those in need.
with new and existing businesses in the Wausau region. Sue enjoys working with other business leaders and sharing the experiences of past and current practices. She looks forward to the future Sue is on the Board of Directors for the Pink Ribbon changes in the world of Central Wisconsin Cancer Golf Event and was business. Sue Kersemeier President of the South Area Business Association for two terms and on their Board for 15 years. Sue was As a wife, mother, and grandmother, Sue says “my honored as the Ambassador of the Year and Citizen greatest honor is my husband of 52 years, three of the Year for the South Area Business Association. grown children; Laurie, Michelle, and Craig along with seven grandchildren. She also takes great pride As a Chamber Ambassador for the past 15 years, Sue in the Wausau community and her involvement has has enjoyed the opportunity to represent an image been an integral part of her family and their business of professionalism and integrityÂ; along with working and will continue to be for generations to come.
Take a Look at Businesses Who Have Had a Recent Ribbon Cutting or Groundbreaking! www.wausauchamber.com
SAVE THE DATE TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 - 7:30 am - 1:15 pm Women’s Leadership Conference Authentic Leadership for Professional Women
fluence, e a Person of In Keynote: Becom ip Coaching omen’s Leadersh W , O E C , er ill Jo M
Join us for this conference to feel inspired and discover your highest level of personal and professional development. You will hear a variety of information, perspectives, and strategies concerning various dimensions of leadership development. Not to mention a great opportunity to build your professional network!
Westwood Conference Center 1800 Westwood Center Blvd
Member $65 Online Early Bird thru February 25 $70 Early Bird thru February 25 $75 Starting February 26 Prospective Member $85
Register Today at wausauchamber.com!
Help us Welcome the Newest Chamber Members! Support the regional economy do business with members. On-Q Collision Center Thomas Industrial Supply Accent Business Solutions The UPS Store #6619 AAA Insurance Wausau Flying Service, Inc.
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Volunteer Spotlight Meet Kelsie Bolz Kelsie Bolz is in an Account Executive with Remedy Intelligent Staffing. She started her career with Remedy in La Crosse, WI as a Recruiter and shortly after transitioned into a sales role. After working in the La Crosse market for almost two years, Remedy decided to open a new office in Wausau. She jumped at the opportunity to move back to Central Wisconsin since this is where she grew up. She was born and raised in Medford and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Kelsie enjoys volunteering for the Chamber because of its great reputation and strong impact on the Wausau Region. As soon as she found out about the Chamber’s new initiative, E3YP, she immediately wanted to become involved and help in whatever way she could. Kelsie supports the mission of E3YP and truly understands the need to attract and retain young professionals to the Wausau Region.
As a very active Chamber member, Kelsie is involved as a Chamber Ambassador and is on the E3YP Steering Committee, E3YP Marketing Action Team, and the E3YP Ambassador Action Team. She also volunteers for Central Wisconsin Kelsie Bolz Society of Human Resource Professionals (CWSHRM) as the College Relations Director and is a member of SPAHRA (Stevens Point Area Human Resource Association). On top of everything else, Kelsie has been hard at work planning her June wedding and finding the time to go snowshoeing, hunting, and gardening. She also enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Matthew, and their Labradoodles, Jack and Josie.
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