Member to Member News

Our members stay very busy, and often have exciting news to share! Here are a few pieces of member news from the past few months highlighting local business growth and accomplishments. If your business has something to share, send your press release to tasha@chippewachamber.org to be placed in next quarter’s newsletter.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin is proud to announce the promotion of Cherity Germain to Operations Director. Cherity started with the agency as an intern from CVTC in 2013. Since then she’s held various positions with the agency such as Customer Relations Specialist and most recently, Office Manager.

Blain’s Farm & Fleet has been named by Forbes magazine as one of “America’s Best Mid-Size Employers” for the fifth year in a row. This year, Blain’s Farm & Fleet was ranked as the #1 Wisconsin based Retail and Wholesale company. This title reinforces Blain’s reputation on a national level as a company that provides excellent employment opportunities. Being honored for a fifth year in a row places Blain’s Farm & Fleet in an elite group of companies that consistently demonstrate excellence in their commitment to their employees.

Chippewa Valley Technical College, with consortium partners Mid-State, Northwood and Western technical colleges, has been awarded a $4.9 million Strengthening Community College Training grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Key activities for CVTC will be to hire a rural outreach coordinator, a part-time virtual reality and telehealth technician, and the instruction of several K12 healthcare academies, Schmidt said. Additionally, health care faculty from throughout the region will work to publish an open educational resource (OER) medical terminology textbook for students in several postsecondary health care programs.

Chippewa Valley Technical College’s drone training was selected by the FAA for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Collegiate Training Initiative program or the UAS-CTI. “Our UAS certificate is designed to give students a solid foundation in understanding unmanned aerial vehicle system technologies, capabilities, regulations, safety, and legal responsibilities.” said Shawn Creviston, CVTC drone certificate instructor.

Mason Companies, Inc recently won the Regional Impact Award at the Momentum West Wisconsin Annual Luncheon & Economic Development Awards Program.

First Bank of Baldwin is now Pillar Bank! Visit them at their new Chippewa Falls location or on the web at www.pillar.bank.

Prevail Bank is pleased to announce that Brenda Knutson has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing. She brings over 30 years of management experience, including 13 years in the banking industry and 8 years in direct marketing experience to the position.

Royal Credit Union (Royal) announces Jay Brettingen as VP Commercial Loan Officer. In this position, Brettingen’ s responsibilities include developing business relationships and delivering financial expertise with client-centric solutions to business Members. Brettingen brings over 30 years of business banking experience to Royal.

Brettingen attended the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration – finance. Brettingen is active in the community and was previously a board member for Feed My People Food Bank and the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic. Outside of work you can find Brettingen actively traveling, hiking, golfing, curling or fishing.

Valley Sports Academy is excited to announce that Phase 2 of its 4 Phase plan will begin this spring at its Lake Hallie, WI location. Phase 1 included Valley Sports Academy’s 116,000 square foot state of the art training facility, raising the bar for field sports training in the state of WI and the Midwest. Phase 2 is an attached Arena facility that will include: a 3,500-4,500 top-load spectator Arena, full sheet of ice, suites for enhanced and VIP experience seating, state of the art atmospheric effects designed by youth organizations, dedicated Sports Medicine facility, a small pool for rehabilitation and small group lessons, and a restaurant that will have a view of the outdoor spaces planned for Phase 3.

Wisconsin Farmers Union announces Jackie Boos as their new Facilities Director. Boos will be overseeing the redevelopment of their 128 River Street asset.

The YMCA of the Chippewa Valley Barracudas Swim Team took 1st place in Overall Team and 1st place in Overall Female Team at the Wisconsin/Upper Michigan YMCA State Swim Meet this past weekend at Schroeder YMCA in Brown Deer, Wisconsin. 5 individuals will also be heading to the 2023 YMCA National Swimming Championship Meet in Greensboro, North Carolina, the week of April 3 to compete one final time this season.

Chamber Golf Outing

Spend the day networking with fellow Chamber members at our Annual 9 Hole Scramble Golf Outing!

Prizes * On-Course Games * Cookout Dinner

11:30 PM Registration

1:00 PM Shotgun Start

4:00 PM Cook Out

Contact tasha@chippewachamber.org for more information or to sponsor!

When it comes to your to-do list, put your future first.

To find out how to get your financial goal on track, contact us for a complimentary review.

Nicholas A Docksey, AAMS® 706 North Bridge Street 715-723-8588

Paul A Murry 16949 County Highway X 715-720-8849

Kelsey R Nicolai 224 N Bridge Street 715-861-1036

Ted Oeffler, AAMS® 2751 Commercial Blvd Ste 2 715-723-2117

Debi Waldusky, AAMS®, CRPC® 345 Frenette Dr Suite 5 715-726-8923

Aaron L Widiker, AAMS® 2029 County Hwy I 715-720-6105