Exploringtrades the
Photo courtesy of Wanzek
Community Builders
Community Builders are businesses committed to enhancing our community by investing in our programs and initiatives.
MISSION
The Chamber promotes economic growth and prosperity for business and its members through leadership in advocacy, education and engagement
VISION
The Chamber is the leader in ensuring the growth and prosperity of our regional business and members
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Establish the region as a full-service metropolitan marketplace.
• Be a bold voice for business through strong thought leadership and a rich policy agenda.
• Build a place of belonging to best serve members’ interests.
Board of Directors
Committee Chairs
Chamber Staff
Jim Parsons Executive Vice President @FMWFJim
Rademacher Vice President of Talent and Workforce @FMWFMason Darren Dunlop Vice President of Corporate Partnerships @FMWFDarren
Shannon Full President/CEO @FMWFShannon Cale Dunwoody Public Policy Specialist @FMWFCale
Bernt Eidsmoe Graphics & Multimedia Specialist @FMWFBernt
Alyssa Lakoduk Leadership Development Specialist @FMWFAlyssa
Tyler Fischbach Vice President of Communications @FMWFTyler
Malinda Olhoft Engagement Support Specialist
Katherine Grindberg Vice President of Public Policy @FMWFKatherine
Shane Olmscheid Engagement Strategist @FMWFShane
Kayla Koehmstedt Content Marketing Specialist @FMWFKayla
Tracy Powell Vice President of Events @FMWFTracyP
THE BRIDGE (USPS 124-430) is published monthly by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber. For each issue received, $3.50 of membership dues are applied toward subscription of the newsletter. Periodicals Postage Paid at Fargo, ND 58102 and at additional mailing offices. Publication No. 124430. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Bridge, PO Box 2443, Fargo, ND 58108-2443; 218.233.1100. Printed by Forum Communications Printing
A note from the President
This month’s Bridge focuses on our region’s workforce, which is by far the number one challenge we are facing. Our community, stakeholders, organizations and diverse leaders must continue to collaborate and bring representation and innovative solutions to the table. The Chamber will play a lead role in identifying a systematic approach and process that will allow our program-rich environment to be successful.
As we look forward to the next year, talent and workforce will be a major focus of The Chamber. We will kick that off with our Annual Celebration on October 12, and I invite you to join us as we set the vision for the future of our organization and region.
As you browse this month’s issue of The Bridge, you will see vital initiatives and talent pipelines that are already underway and advancing our community, thanks to the disruptive mindset and courageous will of many. Although we are lifting up skilled trades this month, our workforce challenges and opportunities are not limited to one area or industry. To have a vibrant and robust economy, we must be able to educate, train, attract and retain talent in every facet of our industry-diverse landscape.
I am very excited that Fueling Our Future leadership has approved an action-based master talent plan, giving us major and actionable steps to take to enhance our immediate and future talent pipelines.
Shannon Full President & CEO Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce
Mason Rademacher Selected for U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced Mason Rademacher, vice president of talent and workforce of The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, was selected to participate in the fifth cohort of its premiere business leadership program. The Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and trade associations with resources, access to experts, and a network of peers to build their capacity to address the most pressing education and workforce challenges.
“I’m extremely excited to learn and build a network of workforce development and education leaders
from all across the country,” says Rademacher. “The greater Fargo Moorhead West Fargo metro has tremendous opportunities before us and I’m looking forward to learning what more our region can, and should, be doing to ensure we are even more successful.”
“We created the Business Leads Fellowship Program in response to the needs of our state and local chamber partners,” says Cheryl Oldham, Senior Vice President of the Center for Education and Workforce. “They, better than anyone, see the critical link between education and economic development, and we are glad to be able to support them as they take on this critical leadership role in their community.”
Following a competitive application and selection process, Rademacher was selected along with 34 other state and local chamber executives and association leaders to participate in the fifth class of this program. The yearlong program, which concludes in June 2022, will cover the entire talent pipeline, including early childhood education, K-12, higher education, and workforce development.
Upon completion, Business Leads Fellows will join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s dedicated network of 200 chambers of commerce and statewide associations from around the nation who regularly engage on education and workforce initiatives.
OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE //
NDSCS Career Innovation Center
The Career Innovation Center (CIC), located in Fargo, will provide a collaborative education and training solution to meet our region’s workforce needs. Within the CIC, NDSCS will implement training and academic programming alongside our area school districts to provide career awareness events for elementary students, career identification and preparation activities for middle and high school students and training spaces for NDSCS students and trainees. Academic programming and training options will be related to: construction, information technology, health science, manufacturing and engineering, business, arts and communication, transportation, and agriculture.
Ignite FMWF is our region’s newest workforce initiative designed to drive continued success for our business community.
Through the combination of a regional relationship development strategy and a robust technology platform, Ignite FMWF is a community-based approach to developing an exceptional workforce and talent infrastructure. With this fully integrated workforce system of awareness, exploration, training and development, our businesses will be able to meaningfully engage with their current and future talent pipelines.
Moorhead High School Career Academy
Moorhead Area Public Schools is innovating its approach to education and will be changing the landscape for future generations of students. The career academy and upcoming new high school will provide more relevant and personalized student programming by implementing small learning communities and career pathways across both campuses. Each student will discover their passions, explore their options, work toward industry certifications and gain real world skills. This will help our students thrive in whatever post-graduation path they choose.
Key Features
• An integrated live job board
Be an early Ignite FMWF Adopter
Ignite FMWF will provide your business with additional opportunities to directly connect with your immediate and future talent pipelines. At no cost to your business, you’ll be able to:
• Post jobs and internships
• Increase your organization’s visibility
• Directly connect with students through skill-based volunteerism
• Directly connect to the workforce in our greater FMWF region
• Access high-quality video training
• More than 1,200 video career cards
• Skill-based volunteerism opportunities for businesses and employees
• Resume-building tools
• A library of training and education opportunities for students and job-seekers
• A mobile application
There is no cost for your business to join this platform.
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Let’s get started North Dakota. We’ve got big plans for you.
150,000
PLUMBING
What does your business do?
Dabbert Custom Homes offers not only built-to-suit homes, but also move-in ready homes and rental opportunities. We also develop residential communities in the area. Our company takes pride in delivering an experience to the client that is unmatched. Exceeding our client’s expectations while building them a beautiful home created from their vision is our main focus.
How do people prepare themselves to work in your industry?
Our team consists of many different backgrounds. Our designers and project managers have a college background in their fields. The individuals who primarily work on new home sites have an intensive background in construction. When we are looking for new team members, we search for a positive attitude and motivation, and train on site.
The new NDSCS Career Innovation Center will also provide a great opportunity for individuals interested in attending schooling for various trade careers.
What are some challenges your business is currently facing?
How can the community and business leaders help?
The biggest challenge we have faced is the material availability and lead time.
Workforce shortage in this industry is another challenge we have faced. The community and business leaders can help with this by communicating the career opportunities in the trade industry to our local high school students.
Why is your work so important to the FMWF community?
The work our company does is important to the community because we are always promoting growth. By developing land into beautiful communities we are creating an area for people to live.
We are proud members of the FMWF Chamber and love being able to work with so many people in the community to make a positive impact.
What does your business do?
Legacy Plumbing is your local & trusted plumbing professional. We specialize in service & remodel plumbing. We are a flat rate transparent plumbing company that understands the importance of communication. Raising the bar of trade excellence and perfecting the customer experience is the Legacy way.
What types of jobs/career opportunities exist at your business?
We are always looking to add talent to the Legacy team. We are a team first company so we are looking for passionate professional plumbers who fit our culture and are committed to our customer promise. We want our team to have long successful careers, so we offer the most rewarding pay structure in the business. Our plumbing professionals train continuously and aim to master their craft resulting in tremendous customer retention.
How do people prepare themselves to work in your industry? People can prepare for this industry by attending trade school. Individuals can also just jump into the trades and gain a ton of on-the-job training.
What are some perks to working in this field?
Plumbers develop a depth of general construction knowledge, create lifelong trade relationships and can also start a fantastic career without taking on large amounts of debt. Our plumbers aren’t stuck behind a desk; they are solution minded individuals and go home each day with a great sense of achievement.
Why is your work so important to the FMWF community?
We help maintain the heath and safety of homes, businesses and our overall community. We have experienced many water issues in the region, such as overland flooding, expanding and contracting of pipes in the winter months and low water table basement battles. As our area’s amazing growth continues, everything needs to be serviced and maintained to keep FMWF the best community it can be for all residents and local businesses.
The Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead (HBA) was founded in 1956 to nurture a thriving, innovative and diverse housing industry in our community.
Today, approximately 750 local businesses affiliated with the homebuilding industry are HBA members. They receive professional, developmental, marketing and advocacy support daily, and the association works continuously to create and deliver the opportunities and resources required for members, the industry and, ultimately, the entire community to thrive.
HBA members are vital to the overall economic wellbeing and quality of life in our community because their services support the basic human need of shelter, a place to call home. HBA supports keeping housing attainable and the industry responsible for building those homes. The Association develops and executes events and services dedicated to workforce development, education, advocacy and its own distinction as the go-to authority for media and marketing.
Workforce development and education have always been paramount to the association but the urgent and increasing need for skilled labor concerns every facet of the economy.
HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
Cultivating the housing industry
A four-year degree does not guarantee success or employment, so HBA has developed multiple programs for students to experience the trades, determine whether the trades are a suitable career for them and then set a career path to success. Home Builders Care of F-M Foundation, a charity administered by HBA, fills that gap by organizing and supporting events and financial support throughout the year that promote the homebuilding industry to students as young as five years old.
HBA and its members have contributed more than $1 million to the Career Innovation Center currently under construction in south Fargo. North Dakota State College of Science is working alongside local school districts and industry professionals to provide academic programs and experiential training for students essential to building a skilled workforce.
The Herdina Camp provides a twoweek course for high school students to experience the construction industry. Working side-by-side with professionals, we introduce students to the trades, enlighten them to unrecognized skills and interests and help them understand the innumerable opportunities that accompany a career in construction.
Despite the urgent need for skilled workers, HBA does its part to strengthen and retain skilled workers by offering training and educational seminars that ensure employees understand issues and have the knowledge to prevent and overcome challenges.
Enrolling in HBA also provides members representation on federal, state and local levels of government and the association advocates effectively for legislation and policies favorable to keeping housing affordable, benefitting the end buyer. HBA also works with multiple entities to ensure public officials recognize the impact of their decisions. For example, the property tax exemption for homebuyers and builders would have lost all utility had HBA not partnered with The Chamber to stop well-intended but poorly drafted legislation.
Not only does HBA connect with government, it hosts landmark networking opportunities such as the Red River Valley Home & Garden Show and the Spring and Fall Parade of Homes events. These opportunities allow HBA members, homebuyers and homeowners to get know each other and develop the relations that are essential for every community to thrive.
Why is your work so important to the FMWF community?
As a two-year open enrollment college, M State is uniquely positioned to respond quickly to fill changing labor market needs as they arise. With demand for skilled workers growing – and expected to keep growing -- throughout the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo region, M State is prepared to fill an essential role in meeting the needs of both business and industry and of students seeking well-paying, high-demand careers.
More than 90 percent of M State graduates choose to live and work in the college’s communities, meaning M State alumni have a long-term and significant impact on business, industry and the future of communities throughout the region.
What does M State offer students who may be looking into the trades?
Students in our technical and trade programs get hands-on training in highly specialized skills using state-of-the-art equipment that prepares them to move seamlessly into the workforce. Courses combine problem solving, communication skills and applied technology, making M State graduates highly sought out by regional employers. Placement rates for our graduates are an impressive 91 percent.
What types of related jobs/career opportunities exist in our community?
M State’s Career Services office is seeing increased calls for workers from a host of businesses and industries whose workers are trained by M State, including healthcare and dental, transportation, construction management, electrical and plumbing. The number of job openings in these fields typically exceeds the number of program graduates, and many students have job offers well before graduation.
What might a typical process or timeline look like for a student wanting to go to school and then work in a certain field?
Each year, more than 800 M State students graduate with certificates, diplomas and degrees in programs that can be completed in six months to two years. Many programs offer the flexibility of online classes to meet the needs of students, and we offer more than a dozen short-term programs that can be completed in a year or less to give workers the skills and experience to move ahead fast in their current job or into a new career.
What does your business do?
Marvin is a family-owned and operated window and door manufacturer headquartered in Warroad, MN where the company was founded in 1912. We build windows and doors designed for how people live and work by imagining new ways to develop healthier and happier spaces.
What types of career opportunities exist at your business?
There are a variety of career paths and opportunities at Marvin. In Fargo, some of these careers include engineering, human resources, maintenance, production supervisors, forklift operators, trainers, and production associates.
At Marvin, we promote career development and opportunities for advancement internally. Our tuition assistance program encourages fulltime employees to go back to school if they are interested in pursuing a degree or certification.
How do people prepare themselves to work in your industry?
A career in manufacturing is rarely linear and there are many paths someone could take to pursue a career at Marvin. Soft skills are often more important than a specific skillset, education or work history. We train new employees and have developed a robust safety and training program for both onboarding and continuous education.
Marvin will be hosting events in the community throughout October to celebrate Manufacturing Day. If you are curious about learning more about manufacturing, join us at our West Fargo facilities (1512 9th St NE) on October 14th from 4-7 p.m. for tours, on-site interviews, and complimentary fall treats with hot cider.
We are excited for the future growth of Marvin. In early 2022 we will be opening a new Distribution Center in West Fargo. Marvin will continue to invest in the community while partnering with other local businesses and non-profit organizations.
What does your business do?
We are a full-service automotive facility. We provide auto, light & medium truck and diesel repairs to all makes and models of vehicles. We have a full service autobody facility as well that provides auto glass, chip repair, body work, collision work, and custom restoration projects.
How do people prepare themselves to work in your industry?
For the technical positions, a lot of people in those areas go to some sort of trade school for 1-2 years with a degree in a specific area. From there, they enter the workforce in an apprentice type or above role and learn how to apply the skills they learned in school at the workplace. We also have an inhouse apprenticeship program that we take people that have interest in the field and train them instead of them going to trade school to allow them hands on learning while earning a wage as well.
What are some perks to working in this field?
The automotive field is very rewarding. You get to work in a
MATT’S AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE CENTER
Keeping commuters safe
field that is changing daily and has very complicated and complex technology in it. The automotive field is a community of peers working together to improve the industry and that is exciting. You get to take things that are broken and make them work again, and you get to see satisfied guests as the result of the work you do. You also get to be involved in a business that keeps the entire world moving.
interest in this great industry. Most automotive shops are looking for help, so if you know someone who has interest in the field, please encourage them to get involved.
What are some challenges your business is currently facing? How can the community and business leaders help? There is a large shortage of skilled workers in most trades, but the automotive industry is really hurting. For every one tech that comes into the field, five are leaving, and the workforce is getting older and we need young people to have
Why is your work so important to the FMWF community?
The work we do keeps our friends and neighbors safe on our roads and provides a stable and fun work environment for our team members. It has been our mission to give each guest a great experience and to set a new standard for automotive repair.
The Dakotas Chapter of the National Electrical Contractor Association (NECA), located in Fargo, is one of 119 NECA Chapters throughout the United States. Founded in 1901, NECA is the voice of the $171 billion electrical construction industry bringing power, light and communication technology to buildings and communities across the U.S.
It recognizes the need for qualified skilled workers—apprentices and journey workers—to keep the industry workforce pipeline flowing.
“During the 10-year period between 2018 and 2028, employment of electricians is projected to grow 10% faster than the average for all occupations,” said Curt Kasper, Career Development Manager at Dakotas Chapter NECA. “Nationwide, 7,000 electricians join the industry each year, but 10,000 retire.”
There is a great need for skilled workers across all the trades.
DAKOTAS CHAPTER NECA
The voice of the electrical construction industry
DAKOTAS JOINT APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING
More than 70 years ago a joint training program sponsored by NECA, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) was formed to train the best electrical workers for the industry.
The Dakotas Chapter NECA and its local IBEW partners offer the apprenticeship training program at seven training locations in North and South Dakota: Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, Minot, Williston, Sioux Falls, and Rapid City. “If you qualify for our apprenticeship program, there is no cost for tuition, however there is a nominal book fee,” Kasper said.
The apprenticeship consists of a five-year program with classroom learning and on-the-job training. The goal of apprenticeship is to earn your journey worker license after you complete the apprenticeship. Apprentices must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job work experience and 900 hours of classroom learning.
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME AN ELECTRICIAN?
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be a high school graduate or have a GED
• Completed one full year of high school or post high school algebra with a C or better grade
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test
• A friendly attitude and willingness to learn
• An electrician’s job involves cooperation and teamwork
“You get a tuition-free electrical education, but you have to have some skin in the game, too. You have to show up every day ready to go to work safely, you have to dress properly, you have to work hard,” he said.
For more information: dakotasneca.org or dakotasjatc.org
STRATEGIC BUSINESS INSIGHTS FROM ALERUS
GOING BACK TO BASICS FOR BUSINESS CAPITAL
Capital is a catalyst. It is a necessary ingredient for a business to launch, grow, make an acquisition, transfer ownership, or weather challenging times. Lenders play a crucial role in helping businesses achieve their goals –and there are lots of things businesses can do to make the process smoother and more effective.
Whether amid economic uncertainty or in flush times, it’s always smart to start with the fundamentals of good credit: how to qualify for it, how to borrow it, and how to use it. Finding capital starts with a good partner who can guide you every step of the way.
Talk to your banker earlier rather than later
It’s important to explore financing at the same time you are considering purchase agreements, ownership stakes, equipment investments, or other strategic discussions. What you are doing, how you finance it, and how you structure a deal can have a major impact on the bottom line because of tax impacts or loan terms.
Pay attention to the “5 C’s” lenders and investors look for
Character, capacity, capital, collateral, and conditions are the things that indicate if your business is a strong candidate for credit – and they are also things you need to work on every day. Pay debt on time, don’t take on too much debt, keep a cash reserve, keep assets in good condition, and borrow intelligently for good reasons, and you’ll have a much easier time raising needed capital.
Refresh your business plan so you can be open to opportunities
The key idea here is to think about how your business would appear to an outside party. Are your books balanced? Do you have a good business plan? Are your goals realistic? Especially during the COVID-19 era, businesses should update their business plans and projections and keep their balance sheet clean. This can position you well to get capital if an opportunity comes up, and streamlines the process if you are ready to sell.
Focus on investments that pay long-term
dividends
When rates are low, high-impact investments become more affordable. In manufacturing that might mean automation, or in other businesses it might mean upgrades to computer platforms, enterprise resource planning software, and other sophisticated tools to improve efficiency. Your banking advisor can help you judge if an investment is worth it.
Don’t be shy asking for help or advice
Business capital is complex, and it’s not something most business owners need to deal with on a daily basis. It’s worth building a relationship with an advisor who knows banking and finance, the same way you do with legal experts and accountants so you can move quickly and correctly when opportunity arises.
Whatever your need for capital may be, a business advisor at Alerus is ready to help you. We have a long history of helping businesses through all stages of development and all kinds of transformations, and our professionals will get to know you and your goals so they can recommend and help execute the best financial solution. Reach out today and learn how we can help your business.
We really started in the event space, producing event recap videos, concerts, festivals, and touring gigs. Fast forward to today, we now have five full-time employees and have worked with four fortune 500 companies. Our growth strategy remains the same: develop quality connections with meaningful thought leaders in the industries we are looking to move into. We are hyperintentional about the people we partner with, basing everything off of our value system. We also realize we are not experts at everything in life, so we find some awesome partners to help us in those areas! We now offer the highest quality video production available, as well as a beautiful way to deliver that content: social media ad campaign creation and management.
WHAT’S MOST REWARDING ABOUT YOUR WORK?
It is rewarding to see our clients grow and succeed, to be a part of that journey, and to share victories with the people who share our values and goals! Enjoying life’s riches is only meaningful to us when we are surrounded with the people we love and care about.
HOW ELSE IS OFF COLOR INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY?
We encourage our employees to take part in local organizations that will better our communities and themselves. Taking Dale Carnegie courses, learning personal skills, mentoring in nonprofit organizations, and finding ways to become leaders in all aspects of their lives.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT DOING BUSINESS IN FMWF?
“This area has the small town feel but the big city opportunities that allow a business like ours to grow. The PEOPLE! The people here are the best that I’ve found in the entire country. In my time spent touring 48 states and Canada with music artist NF, and my hundreds of flights, I always come back here. Time and time again it’s because of the amazing people. They are so accepting and willing to help, listen, and cheer you on,” says Owner/CEO Jay Evans.
WHAT’S A SURPRISING OR FUN FACT ABOUT YOUR COMPANY?
We are one of three companies in North Dakota that own a RED Digital Cinema camera, which are prominently used to film Hollywood blockbuster movies.
WHAT GOALS DO YOU HAVE AS A COMPANY GOING FORWARD? WHAT CAN THE COMMUNITY EXPECT TO SEE FROM YOU?
Our main goal is to get more involved in every way we can. We want to be thought leaders and become individuals that leave a massive impact on this region. Not just by our work, but by changing lives along the way with our thoughts and actions. If we can inspire one person to take control of their life, or take that chance, or get introduced to someone who can change their life, then we will have been successful. Not only leaving our legacy but helping others do
the same. The community can expect to see us continuing to push the boundaries of creativity while making the Upper Midwest known for creativity and innovation.
We are so grateful for everything that this community has done for us by believing in us and giving us an opportunity. We are so excited for what the future has in store and can’t wait to keep leaving our mark!
BUSINESS
What was your reaction to winning at this year’s ChamberChoice Awards?
Our team was thrilled to be one of the finalists for the ChamberChoice Business of the Year Award. It was both a surprise and extreme delight to be named the 2021 Business of the Year. Our talented team members are passionate and committed to doing their best work, and the announcement was an exciting way to recognize the contributions of our entire team.
What does the award mean to you and the organization?
It’s been an incredible year at Enclave as we celebrate a decade in business and move to our new home office in West Fargo. To be business of the year celebrates our team and fuels our drive to reimagine spaces with the goal of enhancing the communities we serve.
In your own words, briefly share your organization’s history, how you’ve grown throughout the years and what you offer the community today.
In 2011, Co-Founders Austin Morris and Ben Meland were a two-person start-up with a desire to grow their business by a single project each year. Since then, they have grown to a fully integrated development, construction and management company with more than 100 team members in three markets specializing in multi-family, commercial, industrial and retail spaces across the Midwest. Today, Enclave has completed more than 70 builds and manages more than 4,500 apartment
homes. Through the support of the community, sound fiscal management and a mindset that continues to challenge the status quo, the team has set large goals which we’ve been able to achieve.
Through every interaction, we start by thinking of space differently than before, maximizing value through ingenuity, and ensuring a timely, budgetminded delivery. This approach has allowed us to truly create spaces that inspire people to do their best work and live their best life.
What makes your organization so important for the community?
As placemakers, our focus is centered around the talents of our team and contributions to community that result in enhanced places to live, work and visit. As an organization, it starts with the quality of the work we do and extends to modeling good corporate citizenship by dedicating our time, talent and treasure to the communities in which we live and work. As we’ve continued to grow, this has always been at the core of who
Enclave is called to be, and it’s been incredible to see the impact we’ve made through the growth of our team.
What values are most important to the organization? What do you believe in?
At Enclave, we value people for who they are and take an immense amount of pride in relationships with our team members, clients and partners. Putting it simply, we care for each other. We always do the honorable thing, we encourage true autonomy among employees, and we promote innovation within our team and our partners to deliver an exceptional product and experience. It’s why our four foundational values are: Care for Each Other, Do the Honorable Thing, Be Empowered and Promote Innovation.
What does a typical day look like at Enclave?
Whether you’re working in the field on a construction site, or in a leasing office, or fulfill a role in IT, HR or accounting at our home office, a typical day at Enclave is fast-paced and people-based. Our team members each bring a unique perspective to their role, while being united by the drive to accomplish something great. All team members are empowered to seize opportunities and trust that they will have support to continue breaking new ground.
Any fun or touching stories from your work you want to share with us? How else are you involved in the community?
In 2021, Enclave launched our Giving Hearts Day campaign with a year-long Down Home partnership announcement. Throughout the year, we’ve committed $50,000 to support the mission of Down Home and support individuals in our community emerging from homelessness. Our team stepped up and volunteered their time to organize the Down Home warehouse, write thank you notes and helped with family move-ins, in addition to holding a donation drive in May as part of the non-profit’s Good Night Sleep Challenge. Our aligned values and desire to enhance the communities in which we live was complemented by the talents of our team who create inspiring spaces for others to live, work and play.
What is one thing you most want others to know about you? Anything else you’d like to mention: We feel very fortunate to be able to call this region home. It’s an incredible place to raise a family, start a business and so much more. The generosity of the community, strong economy and accessible business network have undoubtedly contributed to Enclave’s success. We are extremely grateful for the support our community provided us, and are committed to its continued vitality.
What does the award mean to you and the organization?
This award validates the great team assembled here at Cardinal IG. It’s a reflection of how 300+ individuals born on five separate continents, in 34 different countries, practicing several different religions, raised under different cultural norms, speaking many first languages can rally together around a shared value-set and work as one cohesive team to accomplish a common mission.
In your own words, briefly share your organization’s history, how you’ve grown throughout the years and what you offer the community today.
We built the plant in 1998 to supply Marvin Windows with glass and grew rapidly, expanding the plant in 2001, 2003, 2005, and most recently 2021. We didn’t have a masterplan to build such a diverse team; since we hire using a non-biased approach and base hiring decisions on the bestqualified applicants, before we knew it, we had built quite a diverse team. Our thought process was: Does this person have the will to do the job? Can we train this person the necessary skill? Will this individual be a good teammate? Will they show up for work every day? If we could answer these questions to the affirmative, they’d get the job.
What makes your organization so important for the community?
Our story is important. Organizations who might be anxious about potential challenges that might come with building a diverse team can look to
Cardinal IG as a successful case study. While we might sound and look different from each other, we all share similar needs and desires. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or where you are, we all desire a workplace where we have an opportunity to learn and grow our skills, feel connected to & valued by those around us, and understand how our work impacts the greater mission.
What values are most important to the organization? What do you believe in?
Our Plant Values are Family, Safety, Teamwork, Excellence, & Respect. Six years ago, we conducted an exercise to refresh our plant values. All of our teammates were asked, through an anonymous, computerized survey, what their personal values are, what values they believe make Cardinal IG special, and what values they desire in their optimal workplace. These five values—Family, Safety, Teamwork, Excellence, & Respect—overwhelmingly rose to the top. We all agreed that this was a pretty good value-set and committed to holding each other accountable
to these values. Ever since then, all candidates who apply to Cardinal IG take a similar values survey, and we use the results as one of the indicators as to whether they’d be a good fit within our team. We’ve found that if a candidate’s personal values mesh well with our Plant Values, they’ll integrate onto our teams more seamlessly. The very first thing we do in our onboarding process is training on our plant values. New teammates then have immediate ownership & stewardship of our Plant Values, just as the initial team that developed them do. Each of our five values applies to diversity & inclusion, especially the values of Family & Respect.
What does a typical day look like at Cardinal IG?
The first thing we do is a daily safety huddle to ensure we’re centered around safety. The team leader then summarizes the plan for the day, and we all get after it!
Any fun or touching stories from your work you want to share with us? How else are you involved in the community?
Our team has been involved with the United Way for many years, and for the past twelve or so we’ve had 100% participation in our annual United Way campaign. Our team has also been asked on occasion to talk to others about our experience with diversity & inclusion, which we’re always happy to do.
What are your long-term goals and vision for Cardinal IG?
Our Cardinal IG Company vision is to be the most admired glass company in the world—admired for our integrity, the way we take care of our customers and our people, and for the positive, lifechanging, life-lasting experiences we create.
What is one thing you most want others to know about you?
We are aggressively growing our team in order to keep pace with customer demand. If you think you have what it takes to be a valued member of our winning team, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible!
The Human Aspect of Human Space Flight
Thursday, November 4 | 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Delta by Marriott
The Chamber is excited to bring this special event to our members and community in November. Join us to hear from two inspiring former NASA astronauts with local ties who will share lessons learned and challenges overcome as they’ve journeyed through life and space. Attendees will be inspired to learn how we can all overcome our personal and professional challenges.
BUSINESS TRAINING
Mind your Mind and It will Mind Your Business
Wednesday, October 20 | 11:30 to 1 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott Moorhead and Livestream
We take the classes, we hire the coaches, we attend the workshops. We tell ourselves that when we learn enough or know enough, we will be growing and our businesses will follow suit. But if we are honest with ourselves, chasing training and learning doesn’t always produce the results for the bottom line. If you’re looking for alternatives to traditional training events, Jodee will have insights to point you in a different direction than you may have believed you needed to go.
EGGS & ISSUES
Law Enforcement: An Evolving Environment
Tuesday, October 5 | 7:30 to 9 a.m. Courtyard by Marriott Moorhead and livestream
Crime has consistently been front and center in the news, both locally and nationally. Is crime on the rise or have policing incidents become more heavily observed?
As our region continues to grow and evolve, it is vital that the police force stays ahead of the curve. With a nationwide push for policing reform, a heightened coverage of criminal activity, and our continued growth, it is important to understand our region’s policing landscape. Attendees will discover how the national and state narratives, as well as potential policy changes, impact our local police force and what steps are being taken to reduce crime and promote public safety in our metro.
YPN Business Tour - Marvin
Wednesday, October 13 | 4:30 to 7 p.m. 1616 43rd Street North Fargo
YPN members only | FREE but registration required
Join us as we tour our local Marvin location. Founded in the Midwest, Marvin is a family-owned company focused on putting people first. YPN is excited to see the facility and learn about this great organization whose service area extends far beyond the valley! Spots are limited.
Local expert Jeff Bumgarner will walk us through the national policing trends, and our local law enforcement leaders will provide insight into our metro’s plan for reducing crime and bolstering public safety.
Looking Toward the Future
Tuesday, November 2 | 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Courtyard by Marriott Moorhead and livestream
It’s no secret that our region has recently seen a lot of success! With the diversion being fully funded, career academies well on their way in both Cass and Clay counties, and the metro gaining national recognition, many are wondering what’s next. The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo metro must continue to grow, evolve and innovate.
Hear from past Chamber Legacy Leaders as they look toward the future and share their excitement for what’s to come.
PROFESSIONALS OF COLOR
Discuss, Connect & Reflect
Wednesday, October 13 | 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Virtual
Join us for what is sure to be a great Discuss, Connect & Reflect as we dive into one of the latest episodes of The Diversity Gap podcast. Our conversation will revolve around the 45-minute episode, “Racism is the Problem–What Equity and Justice Require of Us with Tamice Spencer”.
Networking Before 9
Friday, October 22 | 8 to 9 a.m. | Virtual
Join this virtual networking event to grow your personal and professional networks; make sure to invite someone to join this conversation too! Throughout the 60 minutes, you’ll be able to connect with multiple individuals and get to know everyone on the call – we look forward to you joining us.
Jodee Bock BNG Team
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK
Leaving Your Lane
Tuesday, October 26 | 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Avalon Events Center and livestream
WOMEN CONNECT
Have you heard the phrase, “Stay in your lane”? According to Merriman-Webster, the phrase “Stay in your lane” is a rebuke or advice against those who want to express a thought or opinion about a subject they’re not an expert on, or perhaps don’t have a lot of experience with. I’m not a fan of this phrase. I want you to know that it’s OK to leave your lane and try new things. I’ll share some stories about how I’ve left my lane at work and at home...and how it’s changed my life.
Negotiate Like You Mean It
Tuesday, November 23 | 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Avalon Events Center and livestream
Small negotiations are woven through the fabric of our lives, personally and professionally. Negotiations require listening to others carefully, and observing their actions and reactions. Understanding which issues are the most important to your client or colleague is critical in developing a solution that is acceptable to both parties. With a clear understanding of the other person’s desires, you can partner to develop a solution that builds trust and lasting relationships.
Business After Hours
Sally Erickson Microsoft
Katie Munion
Bethany Berkeley
Dale Carnegie Training of ND & NW MN
VOICES OF VISION
On Wednesday, August 25 we hosted Admiral William McRaven for the 11th annual Voices of Vision event. McRaven, a retired four-star admiral, 37-year veteran of the United States Nay and former Chancellor of the University of Texas System, shared impactful lessons and insights on authority amidst turmoil and instability; the force of teamwork and personal initiative; resilience in the face of opposition; and the unconditional importance of never giving up.
Attendees were challenged and encouraged to accept responsibility, be creative within the rules, take control of their circumstances, and maintain focus during times of conflict. They were inspired to apply McRaven’s diligence, courage and risk management strategies to their lives and implement tools to help them be successful not only within their organization, but also to reach new levels of achievement.
WOMEN CONNECT
Beth Nelson encouraged August Women Connect attendees to live fully alive. She drew from her own experiences and those around her as she discussed the important of experiencing real joy, surrounding ourselves with authentic people and having more influence and impact with the people who matter most.
BUSINESS TRAINING
Sisters-in-law Michelle Kommer and Martha Velasco Suarez (real life sisters) joined together to present a session on the most common mistakes employers make and how to avoid them. Attendees included business owners, office managers, HR professionals and more who left with actionable takeaways to take back to their businesses.
RELIABLE CONNECTIVITY, A RESPONSIVE TEAM, AND A PARTNER YOUR BUSINESS CAN TRUST.
As a commercial account executive in Fargo, Valerie Schwantes is dedicated to matching each customer’s unique needs with the right tools and services for their business.
Call Valerie today at 701-364-1304 for a free consultation.
EGGS & ISSUES
Attendees of the September Eggs & Issues session heard an education update from superintendents and presidents from across the metro, representing both public and private schools. They discussed growth trends in the schools, plans for expansion, goals for the future and student activities and involvement.
With widespread growth across our metro, a high level of education is essential to fulfilling workforce demands. We recently connected with school leaders from Northern Cass Public School and DGF Public schools to learn how teaching styles and classroom activities have changed due to the pandemic; plans for this school year; and a general overview and update on enrollment numbers, district growth and long-term plans.
Northern Cass is a 400 square mile rural school district serving students in the communities of Arthur, Argusville, Gardner, Grandin, Hunter and Erie. The district is seeing record enrollment with 685 learners in the district.
DGF Public Schools consists of three communities in Minnesota: Dilworth, Glyndon and Felton. Together, these schools are home to just under 1600 students.
Looking toward the future, both districts have implemented creative strategies and believe many educational opportunities will emerge. Northern Cass is excited for
learners to be engaged in internships, job shadows and presentations in alignment with their chosen pathway. According to superintendent Cory Steiner, he envisions a change in the layout of the school year. “I envision this happening by breaking down the school year into six-week-long mini courses, tying student passion areas to standards, such as science fiction and English or fantasy football and math.
High-school learners could spend as much as half the day at internships, jobs or college classes. It is time to rebuild a new system of education which finally values learners as individuals who can change the world.” The district hopes that in doing this, learners will graduate
choice-ready while developing the skills necessary to become generous, kind and loving human beings.
DGF has always had a strong bond between staff, students, communities and stakeholders. They’re excited to use these bonds to solidify partnerships, which in turn will create additional opportunities for students. The district is also in the process of laying out a clear, strategic plan which will encompass everything from buildings and grounds to student achievement. DGF is also excited about having access to the Career Academy in Moorhead. Through a partnership with Moorhead Public Schools, DGF students are able to attend the Academy which opens up countless possibilities. When students exit the DGF School District, they will leave with a skillset that will allow them to continue their educational path onto a successful career. To read the full story, visit fmwfchamber.com/blog
Welcome to the following businesses who joined The Chamber in August! We thank each of them for their support in our mission and
their
and community. Please consider doing business with Chamber members first.
Vesta Real Estate Brokered by eXp
701.261.8730
Real Estate
Through a high level of service, Vesta Real Estate strives to go beyond the transaction. Your mission is our vision; Let’s get moving!
Thryv thryv.com
Business Services
Our end-to-end client experience platform for growing small business helps you get the job, manage the job and get credit. Reach more customers, stay organized, get paid faster and generate reviews anytime, anywhere and on any device.
Prairie Heights Community Church prairieheights.com
Churches - Synagogues
Prairie Heights exists to connect those apart from God with Christ and a church family.
Mountain State Financial Group
msfg.us
Financial Institutions
We’re a proactive lending firm offering all types of residential mortgage solutions to real estate professionals and individual home-buyers. We honed our expertise in the world of corporate banking and finance, and embrace the entrepreneurial energy and focus that come with running our own business. We take pride in the firm we’ve created and are committed to giving our clients the attention, knowledge and follow-through they deserve.
Blue Cypher Bookkeeping bluecypherbooks.com
Accounting - Accounting Services
We are a bookkeeping firm designed around our firm belief that finances don’t have to be scary, confusing, and stressful. By embracing technology and improving internal processes around the day-to-day tasks, we bring a higher level of quality bookkeeping. We are certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisors and specialize in accounting for service-based businesses and nonprofit organizations in the United States.
Lyman Executive Search LLC
lymanexecutivesearch.com
Consultants
We will find the best people to fill your company’s critically important roles. Our firm takes pride in providing excellent solutions to your C-level executive and board member recruitment needs.
American Family Insurance - Tanner Bittner Agency LLC
amfam.com
Insurance
Insurance provider for American Family Insurance. We specialize in home, auto, life and business insurance.
Twin Peaks Fargo twinpeaksrestaurant.com
Restaurants
The Ultimate Sports Kitchen.
Messiah Lutheran Church messiahfargo.com
Churches - Synagogues
Our mission is to be messengers of God’s grace. We seek to connect people with the heart of God through worship, education, fellowship and service.
Congrats to these members for celebrating the following milestone Chamber anniversaries!
5 YEARS
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Sign Badgers
T. F. Powers Construction Co.
10 YEARS
5foot20 design lounge
Alliance Management Group
BeMobile - Verizon Authorized Retailer
Fargo Brewing Company
Gehrtz Construction Services, Inc.
Metro Tournament Committee
Mezzaluna
OK Tire Store, Inc.
Rhombus Guys Pizza
Taco John’s
Tronsgard & Sullivan Dental
Wingate by Wyndham
15 YEARS
BeMobile - Verizon Authorized Retailer
Courts Plus Community Fitness
Fargo Tractor
Games Galore Party Rental
Titan Machinery - Ag Division
Titan Machinery - Construction Division
Titan Machinery - Shared Resource Office
20
YEARS
Altel - Alternative Telecom, Inc.
Eide Bailly Technology Consulting
F-M Human Resource Association
InterOffice
25 YEARS
Girl Scouts - Dakota Horizons
Alerus Performance Earns Spot
Among Top 10 Banks in U.S.
Alerus is pleased to announce Bank Director magazine has named it the #9 overall performing bank out of the 300 largest publicly traded U.S. banks. Bank Director’s annual Bank Performance Scorecard ranks publicly traded banks based on their previous year’s performance using five metrics that reflect a bank’s profitability, asset quality, and capital adequacy. Metrics include return on average equity, return on average assets, tangible common equity to tangible assets, nonperforming assets, and net charge offs. Metrics are compiled and calculated by Piper Sandler & Co., using data from S&P Global Market Intelligence.
BCBSND receives SQM First Call Resolution Improvement Award
Fargo, N.D. — Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) is proud to announce they are the recipient of SQM’s 2020 Contact Center Industry Customer Experience Awards of Excellence. SQM’s FCR Customer Experience awards are considered the most prestigious and sought-after in the North American contact center industry, and they recognize organizations that have demonstrated excellence for Customer Experience (CX), Employee Experience (EX) and FCR Best Practices.
Town & Country Credit Union Named in Top 200 Healthiest Credit Union List
Town & Country Credit Union recently received an A+ financial health grade and was named one of the Top 200 Healthiest Credit Unions in America for 2021. DepositAccounts.com, a subsidiary of LendingTree, analyzes financial institutions nationwide and publishes the Top 200 list for healthy banks and credit unions
each year. DepositAccounts.com evaluates the financial health of every federally-insured bank and credit union in the United States once per quarter. To determine ranking and recognition, each institution is graded on a number of factors including capitalization, deposit growth and loan-to-reserve ratios. Town & Country Credit Union
CHI Friendship is a nonprofit
received a ranking of #162 out of 200 in the Top Healthiest Credit Unions list, one of only three North Dakota credit unions to make the list.
Nurturing Abilities, Achieving Dreams.
get involved with CHI Friendship by volunteering, donating and/or applying for employment
Email your company or people news to us at thebridge@fmwfchamber.com or visit fmwfchamber.com/member-news
NEW HIRES & PROMOTIONS
Apex Engineering Group
Chloe Anderson, Graduate Engineer
Colin Carpenter, IT Manager
Zach Kubas, Graduate Engineer
Appareo
Paul Akin, Test Technician
Cameron Hagen, IT Help Desk Specialist
Brandon Koster, Senior Engineer, Embedded Software
Patrick Murphy, Product Software Engineer
Connie Rodriguez, Manufacturing Assembler
Audubon Dakota
Amanda Booher, Communications Coordinator
Meghan Carter, Engagement Coordinator CCRI, Inc.
KyLee Bartholomay, Options Residential Coordinator
Julia Dwyer, Mental Health Practitioner
Ashley Hirchert , Direct Support Professional
Grace Hudson, Independent by Design Residental Coordinator
Caylie Layne, SLS Residential Coordinator
Natalie Pieper, HR Generalist
EPIC Companies
Edwin Degges, Art Coordinator
Cindy Dennison, Accountant
Sarah Kounovsky, Office Intern
Jarett Mari, Financial Analyst
Nathan Wilm, Finance Intern
KOUNOVSKY MARI
WILM
AKIN
CARTER
PIEPER
HAGEN
DENNISON
Essentia Health
Dr. Awais Aslam, Hospitalist
Dr. Ruela Campagnoli, Retina Surgeon
Dr. Brian Grondahl, Interventional Cardiologist
Dr. Stephanie Grondahl, Pediatric Hospitalist
Dr. Samual Lindemeier, Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Mark Rostad, Hospitalist
Kayla Sorenson, Nurse Practitioner
Fargo Jet Center
Darren Hall, VP of Business Development
Whitney Myers, Customer Service Supervisor
Nick Syverson, Flight Instructor
Jon Wutzke, Charter Pilot
First Western Bank & Trust
Cheryl Landsem, Senior Credit Analyst
Jacob Rued, Fraud Investigator
Michael Schaefer, VP Ag Lender
NetCenter Technologies
Kenny Molina, Low Voltage Technician
Clyde Ripplinger, Purchasing Manager
Orange Property Management
Kortney Emeterio, Eastern Area Manager
Roers
Ronda Klubben, Executive Assistant
Paige Krodel, Property Ambassador
Brenna Lachowitzer, Marketing Coordinator
Sterling Management, LLC
Amber Gillespie, Senior Financial Accountant
Casey Kelly, Financial Accountant
Maria Reinhiller, Construction Project Coordinator
Cellina Rufty, Director of Investor Relations
ASLAM
SORENSON
CAMPAGNOLI HALL
GRONDAHL
MYERS
GRONDAHL
SYVERSON
LINDEMEIER
WUTZKE
ROSTAD
LANDSEM
RUED SCHAEFER EMETERIO KLUBBEN
MOLINA RIPPLINGER
REINHILLER
RUFTY
GILLESPIE KELLY
KRODEL LACHOWITZER
PROMOTED
Town & Country Credit Union
Danielle Johnson, Branch Manager
Village Family Service Center
David Newman, Director of Development
West Fargo Public Schools
Nicole Nelson, Curriculum Coordinator
Widmer Roel
Eric Bucholz, Senior Tax Associate
Krista Emineth, Tax and Client Accounting Service Manager
Nick Evin, Audit Supervisor
Tanner Sakrismo, Audit Manager
Troy Steele, Senior Tax Associate
OTHER NEWS
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties
Amber Carlton, Real Estate Agent - Named 2021 REALTOR® of the Year by The Fargo Moorhead Area REALTORS® (FMR)
Maureen Bartelt , Broker and Real Estate Agent - Elected as the Vice President of the Fargo Moorhead REALTORS® (FMR).
Flint Group
Madison Hausauer, Public Relations Manager - Earned a certificate in crisis communication from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
AGRIBUSINESS
PROGRAM SPONSOR
SUPPORTING SPONSOR
Choice Bank
EDUCATION
PROGRAM SPONSOR
MILITARY AFFAIRS
PROGRAM SPONSOR
PUBLIC POLICY
PROGRAM SPONSOR
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
AE2S
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
Bremer Bank
Cass County Electric Cooperative
Essentia Health
First International Bank & Trust
Moore Engineering, Inc.
MWC Advertising of Fargo Moorhead
Sanford Health
Xcel Energy
JOHNSON NELSON NEWMAN
EVIN
EMINETH
STEELE SAKRISMO
Program & Event Sponsors
Thank you to all of our sponsors that make The Chamber’s regular events and programs possible.
BUSINESS TRAINING
PROGRAM SPONSORS
EGGS & ISSUES
PRESENTING SPONSOR
WOMEN CONNECT
PROGRAM SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
Forum Communications Printing
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
WEX Health, Inc.
EVENT PRODUCTION SPONSOR
PROGRAM SPONSOR
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
Bremer Bank | Choice Bank
Cornerstone Bank | First Western Bank & Trust
Houston Engineering | KLJ Engineering
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Moore Engineering
MWC Advertising of Fargo Moorhead
ROERS | Ulteig
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
EVENT PRODUCTION SPONSOR
LEADERSHIP FMWF
PROGRAM SPONSORS
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK
PROGRAM SPONSOR
SUPPORTING SPONSOR
Gate City Bank
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
Advanced Business Methods | Bell Bank
Bremer Bank | Choice Bank
Eventide Senior Living Communities
First Western Bank & Trust | Gate City Bank
Microsoft | M State | Office Sign Company
Otter Tail Corporation | Rasmussen University
Sanford Health | Vogel Law Firm | WDAY
Western State Bank | WEX Health, Inc.
EVENT PRODUCTION SPONSOR DESSERT SPONSOR
PROFESSIONALS OF COLOR
PRESENTING SPONSORS
PROGRAM SPONSOR
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
Dawson Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency
Essentia Health | Midco
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber
Post Office Box 2443
Fargo, North Dakota 58108-2443
fmwfchamber.com
Tuesday, October 12 | Noon to 1:30 p.m. | Delta by Marriott
Join us for an uplifting afternoon as we set the vision for the future of The Chamber and our region, celebrate all that we have accomplished together and honor our Legacy Leader, Mark Nisbet. We will also be unveiling a significant talent & workforce initiative for our region. We’ll see you there!
Share your favorite moments at the event with hashtag #FMWFCelebrate
Learn more and register at fmwfchamber.com
CELEBRATION VIDEO PRODUCTION PARTNER
CORPORATE SPONSORS
Alerus | Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota | Cass County Electric Cooperative Choice Bank | Cornerstone Bank | Dawson Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC company Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau | First International Bank First Western Bank & Trust | Minnesota State University Moorhead MWC-Advertising of Fargo Moorhead | Western State Bank
PRODUCTION SPONSOR