Business Leader Summer 2015

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Multigenerational local companies featured

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Good morning Eau Claire!

We’re happy to be here.

We may be new to Eau Claire, but we’ve been around Wisconsin for a long time. So you can expect big things from us. Like building area businesses, and a healthier community together.

Stop by for a cup of coffee and say hello.

3947 Oakwood Hills Parkway, Eau Claire • 552-5557 800-908-BANK (2265) • Bremer.com Member FDIC. © 2015 Bremer Financial Corporation. All rights reserved.

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♦ June 15, 2015

4 COVER STORY

Page

SUMMER 2015 ➤ Guest Columns ���������������������� Pages 10 & 13 ➤ Book Review ���������������������������������� Page 12

Family-run businesses abound.

➤ Briefcase ������������������������������� Pages 22 - 25 ➤ Crossword ������������������������������������� Page 26

Page

14

➤ Calendar ������������������������������ Pages 27 - 29 ➤ By The Numbers ���������������������������� Page 30

Page

Community leaders featured.

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18

16 FEATURE STORY

Graphic Artist ~ John Balgaard _________ Sales Director ~ Kathy.Hayden@ecpc.com ________________ Magazine Advertising & Distribution Coordinator ~ Catie.Carlson@ecpc.com

Editor ~ Liam.Marlaire@ecpc.com 715-833-9215 or 800-236-7077

T

he all-night study sessions, early-morning alarms and lengthy athletic trips are over.

At least for now.

Thousands of high school students are turning a page in their lives by graduating this month. Some will be taking jobs, others will travel and most will take on another round of schooling in the fall.

The immediate responsibility for many will be to obtain gainful employment for the summer months. Even more immediate are the countless graduation parties that dot the landscape in June.

College is not for everyone but statistics show, for the most part, that it does pay dividends. A recent Bloomberg Business story highlighted the following results from a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco: ➤ Those with college degrees earned about $20,300 more annually over the past 40 years than those without.

COMMUNITY PROFILE

➤ Business Directory �������������������������� Page 17

Chippewa Falls company growing.

➤ New college graduates earn $5,000 to $6,000 more per year when they start out compared with high school graduates. The gap widens to $25,000 after 15 years. ➤ The jobless rate earlier this year was 2.7 percent for college graduates, while it was 5.4 percent for high school graduates.

This is not to criticize those who opt to start their careers right after high school or choose to follow another path.

But it does show that, despite rising tuition rates and the resulting sticker shock suffered by parents, a college education more often than not does pay off.

Regardless of their specific plans for the future, here’s wishing good luck to all 2015 graduates. In another four years – likely five or more for many – hopefully many will once again be draped in a gown and sliding a tassel to the left side of their caps.

Published four times per year by the Leader-Telegram advertising department. Copyright 2015 Eau Claire Press Co., 701 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire, WI 54701. All rights reserved. 800-236-7077. www.leadertelegram.com

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COVER STORY

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eeping family and work lives separate is easier said than done for owners of the many family-owned businesses in the Chippewa Valley.

While the lines between personal and professional may blur in these entrepreneurial families, they don’t mind.

Business is a way of life for many family-owned businesses, and for some of those families it has been that way for generations.

Sterling Water in Eau Claire, the Markquart auto dealerships in Lake Hallie, Thaler Oil Co. in Chippewa Falls and Wieser Concrete near Ellsworth are among the dozens of multigenerational operations in the region where business is a family affair.

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As a third-generation “Culligan man,” Sterling Water owner Bret Tangley is proud to be following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and yet still eager to put his own stamp on the family business: water.

While the Eau Claire-based Culligan franchise still uses some of the same filtration tanks that were considered state-of-the-art when his grandparents W. Sterling and Jo Tangley co-founded the company in 1949 in Ellsworth, Bret said most of the technology used by the business has changed dramatically, becoming much more automated and less laborintensive.

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Culligan franchise after a company representative walked into the store one day and told him about opportunities in the water industry. Sterling wrote a $50 check for the franchise and moved his family to Ellsworth, where he began with 10 accounts.

In 1972, Sterling’s son Peter, who worked in the business from a young age, combined with his wife, Karol, to start their own Culligan dealership in Altoona serving mostly Eau Claire, Dunn and Chippewa counties. Four years later Peter and Karol formed a partnership with Peter’s sister Paula and bought the Culligan franchise in Pierce County from their parents. They later added Culligan of Stillwater, Minn., and incorporated into one

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COVER STORY

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Bret, now 47, started working part time for the company in 1982 at age 14. He worked in sales, delivery, service and management before buying the company from his parents in 2008.

“I grew up in it,” said Bret, who has presided over continued growth, in part the result of a series of acquisitions.

The company now serves more than 30,000 customers out of locations in Eau Claire, Wausau, Waupaca and Sauk Center, Minn. It has 53 employees.

“Everything has gotten bigger and more complex, but there is still much that hasn’t changed,” Bret said.

One constant has been the company’s core mission — providing customers with clean, pure water.

Other central company tenets that have survived the generations are philosophies emphasizing the needs of customers over the needs of the business and the inclusion of employees in company strategizing and decision-making. Bret believes the latter approach has contributed to the company retaining some employees that once worked for his grandpa.

“Our values haven’t changed in a long time,” Bret said.

He never had much doubt that he would work in the family business.

“It was really important to my parents that I have the opportunity to take over the business if I wanted it,” Bret said, “and I imagine it was the same for my grandparents and my dad.”

As for the future, Bret said it’s too early to know if his kids, at ages 13, 10 and 6, will be interested in someday carrying on the family torch.

“I would really like to see that happen, but my kids haven’t been around it as much as I was. Times have changed,” Bret said. “We’ll see what happens.”

along ●

As the third generation of Markquarts in the car business, Dave and John Markquart have a lot of family history to draw upon in formulating strategies for their dealerships in Lake Hallie.

Dave, for instance, was just 10 when he started cleaning parts bins for his father’s dealership. His wage: 10 cents an hour.

More than four decades later, he proudly declared, “I’ve done every job in the dealership.”

And he always enjoyed the business and never wavered from his desire to sell cars for a living.

“You grow up with that around the dinner table,” Dave said.

See page 6 June 15, 2015 ♦

| 5

COVER STORY

from Page 5 At 55, Dave now owns 75 percent of Markquart Motors.

He also owns Skeeter Boat Centers in Chippewa Falls and Ramsey, Minn.

“We’ve grown to be the third-largest Skeeter dealer in the country in seven years after starting from scratch,” he said.

John, 54, owns the other quarter of Markquart Motors and 100 percent of Markquart Toyota and From left, Charlee, John, Dave and Lee Markquart pose recently at one of their Lake Hallie dealerships. Staff photo by Dan Reiland Markquart Lube-NWash. His son Charlee and waxing the floors as a 10-year-old. He recalls also is involved in the business. getting paid about $5 for his labor.

The brothers are proud to be carrying on the legacy Fifty-two years later Steve presides with his started by their late grandfather, Ed Markquart, who younger brother John over a sprawling energy began his family’s involvement in the industry by business that includes 14 Express Mart convenience becoming a Mobil Oil jobber in Jackson, Minn., in stores, serves customers within a 50-mile radius of 1931, and launching an auto franchise in 1946. His son Lee bought a struggling local Pontiac, Oldsmobile Chippewa Falls and employs 150 people.

The Thaler Oil story began in 1955 when George and Cadillac dealership and moved his family to Eau Thaler bought a floundering oil business and was Claire in 1970. The company then had 10 employees the sole employee supplying 28 fuel oil customers. and $2.7 million in annual sales.

The firm supplied Shell gas stations in the 1960s, Lee added franchises and built it into the region’s expanded into convenience stores in the ’70s and largest dealership before officially retiring in 2014 diversified into propane in the ’80s. after 70 years in the auto industry.

George’s Depression-era upbringing had a lasting Overall, the Markquart companies had 278 influence on him, inspiring a strong work ethic employees and $149 million in sales in 2014. and an appreciation of the value of a One of Lee’s central beliefs — that good people dollar. are essential to the company’s success — meant the “He never spent any more money dealerships always placed a high priority on treating than he had to,” Steve said of his employees well. As a result, even in an industry father. “He taught me that you take known for high turnover, 72 workers have been with only calculated risks in business, that the business for at least 10 years. if you keep it cheap your mistakes are “That makes it easier to run businesses as they not so expensive.” grow and get more complex,” said Dave, whose Steve Thaler Those values carry on at Thaler wife, Michelle, stars in the dealership’s TV and radio Oil, which still maintains its headquarters in the commercials. original location at 310 S. Main St. in Chippewa As for working with family, Dave said the Falls, through the late owner’s sons.

Markquarts always have found a way to work out “He always made me work, so that instilled a any differences that arose, in part due to their belief in strong work ethic in me too and gave me a sense of written agreements.

“You have to have open communication and be able value,” Steve said of his father.

Through it all, Steve said he never really to talk it out,” he said. “Being involved in a family considered a different career. business is great if everybody can work together.”

“I worked in the business starting at a very young ● ● age and I enjoyed it,” he said. “I went to college and Steve Thaler’s career at the company that bears graduate school with the idea that I always wanted his name started inauspiciously with him washing to work here.”

Fueling growth

â—?

Family Affairs Here is a list of many of the multigenerational, family-owned businesses based in the Chippewa Valley: Action City/Metropolis Resort, Asher Lasting Exteriors, Baker Jewelers, Benedict Refrigeration Service, Chilson Motors, Chippewa Trails Tours, Chippewa Valley Airport Service, Christensen Florist, Coldwell Banker Brenizer, Donnellan Real Estate, FullerSpeckien-Hulke Funeral Home, Garbers Electric Motor Repair, Gordy’s County Market, Govin’s Barber Salon, Greater Midwest Mercantile, Haselwander Realty, Hometown Variety & Crafts, Hovland’s Heating-Ventilation-Air Conditioning, Huebsch Services, Julson Auto, Ken Vance Motors, Keyes Chevrolet, Klinger Farm Market, Korgers Furniture and Decorating, Larson Cos., Lasker Jewelers, Leader-Telegram, Leinenkugel Brewing Co., Mahler Family Dentistry, Market & Johnson, Markquart Motors & Markquart Toyota, Martell Tire & Auto Service, Marten Transport, May’s Floral, McDonough Manufacturing, Menards, Micon Cinemas, Morgan Music, Mouldy’s Archery and Tackle, Muldoon’s Mens Wear, Nels Gunderson Chevrolet, Osseo Ford Sales & Service, Phillip’s Shoes, Plank Enterprises, Pleasant Valley Tree Farm/ Pleasant Valley Properties, Premium Lawn Service, Re/ Max Real Estate Group, Senn Blacktop, Siker’s Furniture, Silver Spring Foods, Smith Funeral Chapel, Southworth Chevrolet, Sterling Water, Thaler Oil Co., Tru-Lock & Security, Ted’s Pizza, Toycen Motors & Bloomer Ford, Walker Auto, Weaver’s Country Store, Weiser Concrete Products, West Hill Bar, Woods and Water Real Estate, Zacho Sports Center.

â—?

Beyond just business concepts, George taught his sons that family is the most important thing in life, so that principle guides Steve, 62, and John, 47, as they run the company together, even though it’s not always easy separating business and family roles. “You have to get along, and you have to spend a lot of time working,� Steve said. “We got through all that, and I feel fortunate to have gotten to work with my father and now my brother.�

Though some experts would advise family-owned businesses to draft formal agreements to designate responsibilities, that’s never been the Thaler way. They rely more on an unwritten understanding among family members and rarely have had a problem. “We just kind of always had this idea that we’re going to do what’s best for the company,� Steve said.

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in stone â—?

On its 50th anniversary, Wieser Concrete Products still manufactures the concrete septic tanks that were the first products made when Joseph Wieser moved his family from La Crescent, Minn., to 120 acres of land 10 miles east of Ellsworth to start a fledgling company.

But little else beyond the last name of the owners, the core product and the location of the corporate headquarters remains the same.

After a series of acquisitions and additions, Wieser Concrete Products now has about 150 employees out of five locations. With additional facilities in Menomonie, Fond du Lac, Portage and Roxana, Ill., the company is a pillar of the concrete business in the Upper Midwest.

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from Page 7 In addition to septic tanks, Wieser Concrete Products now makes manure storage systems, bunker silos for the agricultural industry, median barriers and pavement slabs for highways, burial vaults for military cemeteries and hundreds of other products.

After guiding the growing company for 33 years, Joseph sold it to sons Mark, Andy and Dan in 1998. That sale came 12 years after he sold control of a Williamsburg, Iowa, concrete operation to his daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Roger Maxwell, who still operate that location as Wieser Precast.

Andy Wieser, 48, president Wieser Concrete recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Its leadership team includes, from left, Dan (corporate secretary), Andy (president), Mary (Joseph’s wife), Joseph (past of Wieser Concrete Products, president) and Mark (executive vice president) Weiser. Contributed photo. said the succession went pretty smoothly. members from two generations still work for Wieser Concrete “The hardest part isn’t so much the generation taking over; Products. it’s the generation letting go,” Andy said. “When I look at our Andy, who started working for the family business at 16, said business and how dad built it up and made it grow, it was tough he wouldn’t have it any other way. “My desire all along was to for him to let go. It was his heart and soul.” end up in the business,” he said.

Joseph pulled back gradually and now is not very involved, Andy and Mark manage the company, with Mark working out although his sons still tap his expertise on various aspects of the of the Portage location and focusing on commercial products and business at times.

Andy staying in the main office and handling agricultural items.

For the next generation taking the reins, Andy said it’s “It goes smoothly because we know and understand each important for them to prove themselves to earn the respect of other so well,” Andy said, adding with a chuckle, “and the unrelated employees. distance helps.”

“It’s a lot better if you come through the ranks and earn it,” As for the future, the brothers aren’t sure which of their 10 kids Andy said. “There’s not many jobs in this place I haven’t done, will be interested in possibly taking over some day, although and I think that helps. We’re pretty much hands-on.” they like the idea of continuing the family tradition.

Adding to the family business legacy, Andy’s son Drew started “There is a lot of opportunity for these kids if they want to managing the Illinois plant at age 23 and Andy’s other three grab a hold of it and take it,” Andy said. children also either work for the company or intend to. Mark and Lindquist can be reached at 715-833-9209, 800-236-7077 or eric.

Dan also have sons who work at the business. In all, 10 family lindquist@ecpc.com.

●

777567 6-15-15

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♦ June 15, 2015

●

Succession Planning David Kochendorfer is a consultant with UW-Eau Claire’s Small Business Development Center, part of the statewide SBDC network managed by UW-Extension to support entrepreneurs and business owners through no-cost, confidential consulting and educational programs.

Following are his edited responses to questions about succession planning for family businesses:

Can you offer suggestions as to effective ways to overcome or get around those kinds of problems?

The best way to overcome potential issues in succession planning is utilizing a third party expert to assist in developing your plan to meet the needs of the owner or multiple owners. There are several questions that need to be addressed in developing a succession plan and it is important for the owners to understand their options from both a financial and nonfinancial perspective.

What are some basic keys to planning for a smooth business succession for family-run operations?

Do family-run businesses in particular face potential power struggles or conflicts unless a plan is written down and agreed upon?

Throughout my career in working with privately held companies and consulting, it is essential to understand what each owner’s goals are from both a personal and business perspective. Once this is known a plan can be developed to achieve their goals. It is important to understand the various options available to owners for accomplishing their goals and the financial/tax implications.

A written succession plan that is signed by the owners will reduce the probability of power struggles within a business, although it may not completely eliminate them. The succession plan needs to clearly state the rules and these rules need to be agreed upon, followed and enforced by the owners.

What are some common problems that family-run businesses run into regarding business succession?

All of that said, does the transition from one generation to the next usually go OK?

There are several issues that can occur which can be resolved by understanding the owner’s goals from a personal and business perspective and developing a plan prior to having a change in ownership event occur.

The more owners in a business typically the more difficult it becomes to reach a consensus for succession planning. A few examples of issues that may occur due to the lack of a succession plan or an incomplete plan are: differing opinions on the value of the business; owners having different needs and times of wanting to exit the business; not having a succession plan and a tragedy or health issues occur with an owner; or determining what to do with the business such as selling, hiring a nonfamily member to run the business or having a sibling run the business and then determining which sibling is interested and capable of running the business.

The success of a business from one generation to the next is dependent on several factors as there are some businesses that continue to thrive through several generations while others do not successfully make the transition. A key success factor is first having a complete succession plan and then honestly answering the following three questions: • Is there someone in the next generation who wants to run the business?

• Do they truly get the job responsibility and authority of running the business?

• Do they have the capability to run the business?

— Compiled by Eric Lindquist

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June 15, 2015 ♦

| 9

CEO SPEAK

Leader r o victim?

Delegation, time management keys to being the former “Leadership is a mindset that shifts from being a victim to creating results. Any one of us can demonstrate leadership in our work and within our lives.”

Robin S. Sharma,

author, speaker and leadership expert

A

By Jeff West s the leader of your business or organization, do you ever catch yourself thinking, “This place would fall apart without me.”? If so, do you ever think about the ramifications of that statement? Do you feel beat up by your customers and competition? Do you often feel disappointed in your employees? If any of these resonate I’d like you to consider that you’ve made yourself a victim of, instead of being the leader of, your business.

Signs that you’ve become a victim include being overwhelmed by your to-do list and constantly fighting fires. If you feel like you never have enough time to get everything done and are always being pushed and pulled by circumstances and other people’s needs, welcome to the victims club!

I know, this actually sounds quite demeaning, doesn’t it? I mean, I’ve got a business to run here and this guy writes an article that tells me I’ve made myself a victim. It’s OK; not the first time I’ve heard that.

But if somewhere deep inside that little voice is saying, “We might have accidentally joined this club,” read on for some ideas on what’s actually going on.

Leadership means taking responsibility for your business results. All of them. The victim is constantly blaming circumstances beyond his or her control for the business’s problems. The competition is brutal or the poor economy is killing us or I can’t find the funding I need are just a few examples of victimhood.

The interesting thing is that being a leader or being a victim is a choice!

Victims live from the outside in, constantly reacting to whatever fires pop up. They let the day-to-day world decide their agendas and how they use their time. It’s a purely reactionary way of living with the primary focus being on survival. The leader, however, lives from the inside out. Their day is spent working on the big goals of their business or organization, never losing sight of their dreams and why they’re in business to begin with.

So how do you go about leaving the victim club and becoming a leader? It’s all about how you manage your time. Time is the one constant.

Both the successful business owner and the struggling one are given the same amount. How we use it is up to us and critically important to the success of our business. Following this through, using time wisely comes down to what we give the biggest priority to during our days.

The victim doesn’t prioritize. Victims are constantly hopping from one thing to the next with little thought given to how important the task is to the big-picture success of the business. In our TEC and Business Partner 10 |

Jeff West is the owner of Bear Down (beardowninc. com), an executive and executive team coaching company based in Eau Claire. He was a founder and CEO of Silicon Logic Engineering. He also currently chairs the local chapter of TEC (The Executive Committee) and Business Partners, a forum for small-business leaders.

West can be reached at 715-559-2195 or jeffatbeardown@gmail.com.

♦ June 15, 2015

peer groups we talk a lot about whether someone is working on their business or working in it. As author Steve Chandler says, “Victimization is surrendering choice to circumstance.”

When challenged on this I often hear, “I know I should be doing a lot of things different, but I just can’t find the time.” Think of it this way: can’t find the time = can’t find the will. Time management requires courage and boldness. It means prioritizing the things you should be working on and refusing to be distracted by the things you shouldn’t be.

If you believe you’re not spending enough time working on your business, here are some things to consider to free up the time to do it: ● Delegate more. We often feel delegating means we’re no longer in charge and we’ll lose control. Baloney. Delegating the tasks they shouldn’t be working on is one of the things real leaders have perfected. ● Make a daily task list for yourself of the things (no more than three per day) you should be working on. Check each one to make sure it fits the “working on my business” criteria. Then protect your time vigilantly so outside distractions don’t drag you back ‘in’ your business. ● Hire capable people. If you’re going to free yourself to spend time on the things you need to, you’ll need good people to delegate to. I know the labor market is tight right now and finding the right person is tough.

How’s that for one of the things you should be spending time “working on” for your business? Figure out ways to attract the kind of employees you want. Be creative. It will be time well spent as you’ll be able to give them more and more responsibility. ● Hold others accountable. Once you’ve delegated tasks to others, don’t let them pile the tasks back on your desk. Mentoring them to make solid decisions is another great example of working on your business.

Constantly deciding for them drags you back into your business.

You have a choice. If you let the outside world control you and your schedule, don’t be surprised when you get home at night feeling exhausted and fatigued. You feel like you worked really hard all day but don’t feel like you accomplished much.

Or you can spend your time on high-return activities following your passions and dreams. Once you become the leader of your business or organization rather than the victim of it, you create something special.

You’re the person who created it! It wasn’t due to anything external, or luck. You’ll be energized and so will the people around you. Your customers, employees, family and friends will notice. People want to be around and help people who are enthusiastic.

Being a victim or being a leader is simply a matter of choice.

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| 11

Book Review

Organizational approach Author’s strategy for prioritizing not necessarily for everyone

By Terri Schlichenmeyer The Bookworm

I

t’s no wonder that sometimes you’re cross.

Your schedule is overloaded and so is your memory: phone numbers, grocery needs, calls to return, client wants, prospects to call on, arguments to make. Blink, and there’s a new restaurant to try. Blink, and it’s time for that meeting. How can you possibly be expected to remember everything?

Write this down: “Listful Thinking” by Paula Rizzo.

Every day, sometimes before you even get out of bed, your mind races, thinking about the tasks you need to finish. When you forget something or you have to squeeze more into your day, that can be stressful.

Rizzo says that learning the art of listmaking can help. By creating a list system that works for you, tasks can be prioritized and ideas remembered, you’ll more easily focus on immediacies and you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when you check off what The Bookworm is Terri you’ve finished.

Schlichenmeyer. Terri has To get started, know been reading since she what kind of list you was 3 years old and never need. What you’ll add to goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in a packing list, say, will be Wisconsin with two dogs different than what you’ll and 12,000 books. want to remember for work. Pros-and-cons lists are perfect for decisionmaking, while lists of restaurants you want to 12 |

♦ June 15, 2015

Title: “Listful Thinking: Using Lists to Be More Productive, Successful and Less Stressed.”

Author: Paula Rizzo.

Pages: 228.

Publisher: Viva Editions (c.2015).

visit someday can be more informal. Remember that lists and checklists are very different things.

Next, decide where you’ll put your list, so it best serves its purpose. For a “fun list,” a pocket-sized journal may be perfect. Rizzo says she keeps a spiral-bound notebook for ideas at work. You can go digital or plaster the walls with sticky-notes.

Whatever works for you – and “you know yourself better than anyone can” – the first step is to “just write it down.”

Get the task out of your head and onto paper, then organize and prioritize. Be realistic, and rewrite the list if you feel overwhelmed or hate messiness.

As issues occur, you can add them to your list; conversely, you’ll feel good when you eliminate tasks and see your progress. Finally, before you leave work for the day, write a new list for tomorrow, so you won’t stress about forgetting things. Refresh it first thing in the morning. Your day will thank you.

As someone whose life is run by scraps of paper, I was eager to see what was inside “Listful Thinking.”

I was pleased ... and I was puzzled.

Rizzo has “glazomania” (a passion for listmaking) and it shows in this enthusiastic book filled with ideas and suggestions. What you’ll find here is easy to understand, approachable and methodical.

On the other hand, there are some odd points made here – things that probably won’t fly at work: wasted time on repeated list re-writes, making lists of frivolous things to do on break, and not answering phone calls without prior appointment are just a few of the head-scratchers I found. I could make a list ...

Still, the hopelessly overwhelmed will surely find help inside “Listful Thinking,” and it could get new employees up to speed quicker. If you’re on top of your game or already know how to make lists, though, just cross this one off.

Guest Column

Retirement,

succession plans

Andrew Cooper is a financial adviser with Edward Jones in Eau Claire.

He can be reached at 715-833-3986 or andy. cooper@edwardjones.com.

Both are “must haves” for business owners

By Andrew Cooper Edward Jones

I

f you own a business, you may well follow a “do-it-now” philosophy — which is, of course, necessary to keep things running smoothly. Still, you also need to think about tomorrow — which means you’ll want to take action on your own retirement and business succession plans.

Fortunately, you’ve got some attractive options in these areas. For example, you could choose a retirement plan that offers at least two key advantages: potential tax-deferred earnings and a wide array of investment options. Plus, some retirement plans allow you to make tax-deductible contributions.

In selecting a retirement plan, you’ll need to consider several factors, including the size of your business and the number of employees. If your business has no full-time employees other than yourself and your spouse, you may consider a Simplified Employee Pension, or SEP, plan or an owner-only 401(k), sometimes known as an individual or solo 401(k). Or, if your goal is to contribute as much as possible, you may want to consider an owner-only defined benefit plan.

If you have employees, you might want to investigate a SIMPLE IRA or even a 401(k) plan. Your financial adviser, working with plan design professionals and your tax adviser, can help you analyze the options and choose the plan that fits with your combined personal and business goals.

Now let’s turn to business succession plans. Ultimately, your choice of a succession plan strategy will depend on many factors, such as the value of your business, your need for the proceeds from the sale of the business for your retirement, your successor and how well your business can continue without you. If your goal is to keep the business within the family, you’ll need to consider how much control you wish to retain (and for how long), whether you wish to gift or sell, how you balance your estate among your heirs and who can reasonably succeed you in running the business.

Many succession planning techniques are available, including an outright sale to a third party, a sale to your employees or management (at once or over time) or the transfer of your business within your family through sales or gifts during your life, at your death or any combination thereof.

Many succession plans include a buy-sell agreement. Upon your death, such an agreement could allow a business partner or a key employee to buy the business from your surviving spouse or whoever inherits your business interests. To provide the funds needed for the partner or employee (or even one of your children) to purchase the business, an insurance policy could be purchased.

Your estate plan — including your will and any living trust — should address what happens with the business, in case you still own part or all of it at your death. The best-laid succession plans

may go awry if the unexpected occurs.

All these business succession options can be complex, so before choosing any of them you will need to consult with your legal and financial advisers.

Whether it’s selecting a retirement plan or a succession strategy, you’ll want to take your time and make the choices that are appropriate for your individual situation.

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June 15, 2015 ♦

| 13

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Community supporter Longtime restaurateur makes habit of giving back

By Pamela Powers, Menomonie News Bureau

A

MENOMONIE

s a group of school children takes a tour of a Culver’s restaurant recently, owner Gary Theelke jokes about how one time a young boy eating with his mother asked if Theelke was the mayor of Culver’s.

“Now I tell people I am the mayor of Culver’s,” Theelke said, laughing.

Much like a mayor, Theelke, who is known in Menomonie as Gary T, is all about the community and giving back to the residents who support his franchise business.

Theelke, who has owned Culver’s in Menomonie for 16 years, tries to give donations to school groups and other organizations, whether it be a day care seeking cups and caps for playtime or school groups benefiting from a percentage of an evening’s sales. He has helped raise money for the fire department, the local food shelf, book programs for children and the list goes on and on.

“It is in my heart,” Theelke said of helping the community whenever possible. “Without the community supporting me I wouldn’t have the opportunity to support the community. One of my employees asked me: ‘Don’t you know how to say no?’ I said ‘No I don’t.’”

Loren Gifford of Menomonie, who has known Theelke since the 1980s, said Theelke has a great personality that draws people into his business.

“He is loved by most everybody in the community,” The most popular food items are the butter burger Gifford said. and the custard, Theelke noted.

Theelke credits the employees at Culver’s for his “People come here young and old for comfort food,” success as well. Six of the employees have been with he said. Each year after the Menomonie High School him at Culver’s since it opened. One of them is Mary homecoming parade, the king and queen come for a O’Meara of Menomonie, a prep cook. free meal at Culver’s.

“I think he is absolutely wonderful,” she said of “It’s kind of moving that what you’ve done or do is Theelke. “He is so fair. He really cares for his employremembered and repeated,” Theelke said. ees. If it weren’t for Gary and the other employees Theelke has earned many rewards for his comhere I would be retired.” munity support. In 2012, he was named the Greater Theelke, 64, whose wife is Terry Linzmeier, started Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce’s Distinhis first job at the age of 10 with a weekend paper guished Citizen of the Year for his model dedication route for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in Waseca, Minn. to the community. In 2004, Culver’s was awarded the He used his money to buy school clothes bechamber’s Small Business of the Year award. cause his family had limited income.

UW-Stout has recognized Theelke for His mother raised him and his his community support as well, two siblings alone, Theelke and he has received the cham& said. ber’s Business Friend to At age 14 he started Education award. He also ●G ary Theelke got the nickname Gary T, which he used for his first restaurant, from Bill Grambo of Menomonie. working at Madsen’s is a Lion’s Club member ● T heelke’s nickname in high school was “Tilks.” He said if he ever opened Super Valu in Mankato, and serves as a board another restaurant he would use the name “Bumpa T’s,” which is what his Minn., bagging rotten member for the chamber grandchildren call him. ● T heelke believes in saving his change. He bought his first bike and his first potatoes. and Boys and Girls Club set of golf clubs with spare change.

“I guess I never exof Menomonie. ● “ A quart jar of change is about $100,” he said, noting he has pected anybody to give me “He is a fantastic comsaved change every day since he was young. “That way I anything,” he said. “I knew I munity member,” said chamknow I have some money. I break a dollar bill whenever I can.” had to go earn it.” ber CEO Michelle Dingwall.

In 1984 he moved to Menomonie “He supports everything. I think to become the manager at Don’s Suhis generosity has spurred similar busiper Valu. He held that position until 1990 when he nesses to do the same thing.” opened a 1950s-style restaurant – Gary T’s in MenoThe staff at Culver’s in Menomonie is also friendly monie. Theelke returned to Don’s Super Valu from and makes customers feel like a part of the commu1994 to 1998 after Gary T’s closed. nity.

He started Culver’s in 1999 after Don’s Super Valu “Gary sets the bar for that,” she said. “He is a great was sold to Leever’s Foods, which brought in its own person to have in the community.” management. Leever’s Foods has since closed and the Theelke expects to continue working at Culver’s as building has been razed in downtown Menomonie. long as possible. In his free time he enjoys golfing and Part of the site is for a CVS/pharmacy. A mixed housfishing, and taking a Canadian trip each year to do the ing unit is being built on the other part. latter. He also loves to travel, visiting he and his wife’s Theelke chose the Culver’s franchise because the seven children in five different states. company’s philosophy of good food, good service, Powers can be reached at 715-556-9018 or pamela. cleanliness and caring for employees fit his own beliefs. powers@ecpc.com.

Odds Ends

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June 15, 2015 ♦

| 15

FEATURE STORY

Advanced Laser Machining lauded for expanding reach

By Chris Vetter, Chippewa Falls News Bureau

A

CHIPPEWA FALLS

dvanced Laser Machining has added 15 new jobs this year, and the company is expecting to see its total sales grow from $17.5 million in 2014 to $22 million.

The Chippewa County Economic Development Corp. honored Advanced Laser Machining on May 29, naming the firm the 2015 “Business of the Year.”

John Walton, company president, was thrilled with the award.

“We couldn’t be more honored,” Walton said.

“We hope to make Chippewa proud.”

The company – located alongside Highway 178 and Chapman Road on the east side of Chippewa Falls – broke ground on a 34,000-square-foot addition last August.

“We moved into the manufacturing (wing) in February and the offices in April,” Walton said.

“We’ve added 15 jobs since the expansion, and

we’re not done.”

The company now employs 110 workers, he added.

Charlie Walker, CCEDC executive director, praised the company.

“Advanced Laser was two gentlemen coming together with a dream,” Walker said. “They had the largest expansion project of any quadrant in Chippewa County. They are a major exporter.

We’re glad to see manufacturing continue to grow.”

The company provides precision metalfabricating services, including punching, forming, welding and assembly with the use of lasers.

Customers range from construction firms to aviation, defense and communication companies.

“We’re more into contract manufacturing and point-of-use products – when we’re done, they are ready to use,” Walton said.

Staff photo by Chris Vetter John Walton, president of Advanced Laser Machining in Chippewa Falls, stands in front of the new wing at the company’s plant on Cashman Drive in Chippewa Falls. ALM was named Business of the Year by the Chippewa County Economic Development Corp.

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ALM has worked with local companies such as Silicon Graphics International and Cray, as well as on a military deal with Oshkosh Corp.

The $4 million expansion project included purchasing new equipment that comprises about 50 percent of the company’s overall costs, Walton said.

Advanced Laser Machining was founded in 1996 by Walton and chief technical officer Rod Tegels, and the company has grown quickly. In 2011, it had 50 employees, and that figure jumped to 85 in 2012.

“We hired a professional business manager – it made the difference between being a mom-and-pop and a growing organization,” Walton said.

Gov. Scott Walker attended the groundbreaking last August, where he praised ALM’s growth, saying the firm is an example of how to add good-paying jobs in the state.

“You do it by empowering companies to invest,” Walker said at the groundbreaking. “This is the kind of business that reflects the positive job growth.”

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. provided the company with up to $94,700 in tax credits for the project. Those credits are contingent upon ALM creating 27 jobs over the next three years and retaining 96 existing jobs.

Vetter can be reached at 715-723-0303 or at chris.vetter@ecpc.com.

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June 15, 2015 ♦

| 17

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Hyping health LSU grad making mark in workplace wellness

D

By Courtney Kueppers, Leader-Telegram staff

espite being only 29, Celestee Roufs has a full resumé and has headed a department at Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire since October.

Prior to becoming the health promotion manager at Group Health Cooperative, the Louisiana State University graduate worked as a personal trainer at a weight loss center and was a cross-fit gym manager in the southeast region of the country.

Roufs and her husband “took the northern plunge” last summer when he accepted a job at 3M in Menomonie. The couple and their German Shepherd enjoy being active in their new community, Roufs said.

In college Roufs was an NCAA Division I volleyball player, so her love for physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle comes naturally, she said. However, she and her staff try and share their love for a balanced life with the employees of many Eau Claire companies through Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire’s worksite wellness program.

The worksite wellness programs are customizable to fit each company’s needs, Roufs said. But most start with employees filling out a health risk assessment form, followed by a one-on-one meeting with one of Group Health’s six health coaches. From there the focus is all about what the employee is ready to change in his or her life to become healthier, Roufs said, noting that varies greatly from person to person.

Celestee Roufs coordinates workplace wellness programs for Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire.

The nonprofit health plan serves more than 70,000 members in western and central Wisconsin, according to its website.

“I do a lot of organization between major employers,” Roufs said of her job. “Although we are dealing with their employees, worksite wellness is not the focus of their employment; that’s my job.

My job is to make sure that (worksite wellness) is almost as hands off as possible.”

A happy customer Although Roufs has been in her current position for less than a year, the department has worked with the city of Eau Claire on worksite wellness for more than seven years.

Dale Peters, the director of human resources for the city, said worksite wellness has helped save heaps of money.

In 2007, the city of Eau Claire was facing a 57 percent increase on their wellness premium. At that time they partnered with Group Health to attack the cost of their claims. In the last seven years they have seen great success, Peters said.

“The program is successful because of our employees,” he said. “Our employees understand the value and cost of health insurance and are stepping up to the plate to help control the cost.”

Roufs said success stories like this are the highlight of her job. However, it’s not just the health of other companies’ employees Roufs is concerned about. Within Group Health Cooperative Roufs has suggested some changes such as having a fruit basket in the office, which has cut down the companies’ vending machine purchases, she said.

Roufs applauded Group Health for valuing wellness. Company employees are encouraged to take two wellness breaks during their workday. It’s common to see employees out on walks, Roufs said.

“I love Group Health Cooperative. The culture here is fantastic,” she said. “The push for wellness here isn’t even a push; it just happens.”

involve as many drastic changes as people often think.

For starters, Roufs recommends swapping out coffee and soda for water. She suggests people drink 64 ounces of water a day. She also suggests people snack on things such as fruits and vegetables and find little ways to increase their physical activity, noting just 30 minutes of walking a day will suffice.

Joanna Schneider, a health coach in Roufs’ department, said Roufs takes wellness seriously and makes sure people are getting up and moving throughout the day, noting that kind of motivation is positive for everyone.

Kueppers can be reached at 715-8339203, 800-236-7077 or courtney. kueppers@ecpc.com.

Getting started

Roufs and the other health coaches acknowledge that getting started on the road to being healthier can be very daunting for a lot of people. However, she said it doesn’t need to

join the conversation

Coaches’ Corner features our own Health Promotion Coaches.

Posts and topics range from exercise and fitness to healthy eating, stress management and much more.

777726 6-15-15 777763_6-15-15

June 15, 2015 ♦

| 19

10 ADVERTISE reasons why you should

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER!

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♦ June 15, 2015

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10 777958 6-15-15

- Guest Article -

The Key Factor in Business Succession Success?

Planning.

By Regina Butler– Ruder Ware, LLSC

The statistics are familiar . . . and daunting. According to the Family Business Institute, only about 30 percent of family businesses survive beyond the founder’s generation, 12 percent make it to a third, and only 3 percent of all family businesses operate into the fourth generation or beyond.1 Researchers have found that the key factor underlying this statistic is a lack of planning.2 In a 2014 survey of family businesses in the U.S.

by PricewaterhouseCoopers, 74 percent of family businesses plan to keep the business in the family, but fewer than a third reported having a “robust and documented succession plan for senior roles.”3 There is no apparent lack of awareness surrounding this issue.

Rather it’s that the planning process and the numerous issues it raises – issues related to fairness and the commitment and ability of likely successors – are among the most difficult issues for business owners to face. Many families take a “hear no evil, see no evil” approach.4 As one individual noted, “It would give me a lot of satisfaction to be able to see the next generation take over, but it’s hard to let go. I’m not sure the next generation has the dedication to put in the hours it takes. It’s the most difficult thing to do, trying to figure out if the next generation is capable of running the business.”5 Senior generation family business members also struggle to determine how to balance the longterm success of the family business with a desire to fairly divide up their assets among members of the next generation.

Avoiding the issue won’t make it go away, however, and the earlier a business owner puts a well-

considered plan in writing, the better he or she can prepare for an orderly transfer of the business. A well-considered plan is one that lays the groundwork for a governance structure that will guide the family business through the inevitable ups and downs of transition. It is this structure that will reduce uncertainty and maximize the business’s value over the long-term.6 Peter Gordon, a fifth-generation member of the family that owns Glenfiddich whisky, Hendrick’s gin and other spirits, recently authored a book highlighting some of the most well-known and successful family businesses worldwide.7 The families interviewed, which included the owners of Lavazza and McIlhenny Tabasco, overwhelmingly reported the importance of sound corporate governance.8 By establishing key aspects of a business’s governance structure, succession planning offers an opportunity for families to address potential issues and conflict areas before they create problems that threaten the longevity of the business.

One example of this might be a policy outlining the requirements (e.g. education, outside experience) for younger family members who wish to join the family business. The importance of such policies lies

not in their particulars, but in clearly establishing and communicating expectations from one generation to the next.

Communication and transparency are the other critical aspects of a succession plan. Yet, in a 2007 survey of family businesses, one-in-three respondents reported having no knowledge of the senior generation’s transfer plans.9 Early communication regarding succession allows the family time to resolve potential tensions before the actual transition takes place. As one commentator noted, “[t]he greatest threat to the long-term survival and success of any family business has less to do with what’s going on outside with customers, competitors and technology, than it does with what’s going on inside with relationships among the key players, especially among family members.”10 Communication among family members regarding the crucial issues of succession is of key importance in maintaining and strengthening those relationships.

Succession planning is critical to the future of any business – but particularly the family business. Rather than avoiding the topic of succession planning, owners should view it as an opportunity for family members to build a shared vision for the future of the company.

Attorney Regina Butler, Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.

1. Family Business Institute, Inc., “Succession Planning,” (available at: http://www.familybusinessinstitute.com/ index.php/Succession-Planning/).; 2. Id.; 3. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, “Professionalize to optimize: US family firms are no longer winging it,” US Family Business Survey (2015) (available at: http://www.pwc.com/us/en/cfodirect/industries/private-company/2015-family-business-survey.jhtml).; 4. Id. at 31.; 5. Id. (quoting Roger Williams, president of a third-generation sausage company that bears his family name).; 6. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, “Playing their hand: US family businesses make their bid for the future,” US Family Business Survey (2012) (available at: http://www.pwc.com/us/en/private-company-services/publications/2012-family-business-survey.jhtml).; 7. Gordon, Peter. Family Spirit: Stories and Insights From Leading Family-Owned Enterprises (Chronicle Books, 2015).; 8. Sullivan, Paul, “Families Find the Principles That Keep the Business Going,” New York Times, May 15, 2015.; 9. Family Business Institute, Inc., “Family Business in Transition: Data and Analysis” at 2 (2007) (available at: http://www.familybusinessinstitute.com/index.php/family-business-resources/).; 10. Hoover, Dr. Edwin, Getting Along in Family Business: The Relationship Intelligence Handbook.

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June 15, 2015 ♦

| 21

briefcase Foreclosures down in Chippewa Valley

current brewery and taproom at 320 Putnam St. in Banbury Place. Brewery owners Theresa and Leos Frank said they planned to remodel the building into a German Czech beer hall on the main level with the brewery in the basement. The couple said they plan to open the new taproom in fall at the new location and then work on opening a restaurant there too.

Foreclosure filings declined in the first four months of the year for Eau Claire, Chippewa and Dunn counties compared with the same period of 2014, according to California-based home data provider RealtyTrac.

The three counties combined had 180 properties receive filings, which include default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions. That was 11.8 percent fewer than in the first four months of last year.

Visitor spending up in Wisconsin

Arts center funds back in budget

A planned $40 million downtown Eau Claire arts center got approval in late May for a $15 million state grant from the state government’s budgetwriting committee and was further bolstered by a $1 million pledge from OakLeaf Medical Network-affiliated physicians.

The Joint Finance Committee’s 12-4 vote to include the grant for the Confluence Project in the 2015-17 state budget came three weeks after the same group had voted against awarding the arts center the money through general purpose revenue. The state grant still faced budget deliberations in the full state Legislature in June.

Chamber award-winners announced

MEP Associates and Greener Grass Systems earned 2015 Small Business of the Year awards from the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce.

Other award-winners were: JAMF Software, Community Development; Melissa Wilson, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Outstanding Young Professional; Mike Rindo, UW-Eau Claire, Public Employee of the Year; Mary Glassbrenner, Group Health Cooperative, Top Membership Salesperson; Sara Antonson, Boys & Girls Club of the Chippewa Valley, Woman of Achievement; Marianne Klinkhammer, Gator Garb Promotions, and Glassbrenner, Ambassador of the Year; and Nick White, Career Development Center, Chamber Volunteer of the Year.

New inductees in the chamber’s Business Hall of Fame were: Jack Bartingale, Bartingale Mechanical; Don Litchfield, Litchfield Motors; Dick Cable, Northwestern Mutual Life/Community Foundation founder; the Orrin H. Ingram family, Empire Lumber Co. (late 1880s); and the Wood family, Wood Motor Co. & Aviation.

Lazy Monk relocation clears hurdle

The city of Eau Claire voted to sell riverfront land that previously was the site for a home furnishings showroom at 97 W. Madison St. for $180,000 to Lazy Monk Brewing so the brewery and taproom could grow and add a restaurant.

The former showroom is about triple the floor space of Lazy Monk’s

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MADISON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; For the first time in four years, every Wisconsin county had a rise in visitor spending in 2014, the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department of Tourism said.

Travelers contributed $18.5 billion to Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy last year, up 5.5 percent from the year before, according to a state tourism report. Visitor growth topped 102 million in 2014, an increase of 7 million since 2010.

Jackson County saw the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest percentage increase in visitor spending at 11.8 percent. That number jumped from $32.2 million in 2013 to $36.1 million last year. Chris Hardie, executive director of the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce, attributed the increase to additional construction and industrial projects for nearby fracking sand mines and natural gas pipelines.

Dane, Milwaukee, Sauk, Waukesha and Brown counties saw the highest direct visitor spending.

Visitors last year contributed $346.2 million to Eau Claire Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy, an 8.2 percent increase compared with 2013. Tourism supported 4,055 jobs in the county, which saw direct visitor spending rise 9.8 percent to $214.8 million.

In Chippewa County, the total was $127 million, 2.2 percent more than in 2013. There were 1,313 jobs attributed to the industry last year, and direct spending increased 0.1 percent to $77.6 million.

Dunn County generated $79.1 million in tourism revenue in 2014, 7.5 percent more than in the previous year. The industry was credited with 864 jobs, while direct visitor spending rose 8.8 percent to $46.4 million.

Xcel Energy seeking rate hikes

Infrastructure needs and renewable investments could fuel a rise in consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; energy bills next year.

Xcel Energy filed a rate request with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin looking to raise electrical rates 3.9 percent and natural gas rates 5 percent. The former is roughly in line with past requests, while the latter is significantly higher than in recent years.

An audit will be conducted in the summer, followed by hearings in October. A final decision by the PSC is expected in December. The new rates would be implemented Jan. 1. â&#x2013; For the llth straight year, Xcel Energy was named the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top utility wind energy provider by the American Wind Energy Association, a national trade group. In 2014, wind energy made up about 16 percent of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy supply. Currently, Xcel Energy has 5,794 megawatts of wind power in its portfolio, enough to meet the energy needs of nearly 2.9 million homes. According to a new AWEA report, Xcel Energy is the first U.S. utility to exceed 5,000 megawatts of wind. Only nine countries in the world, in addition to Texas, Iowa and California, have more than 5,000 megawatts of wind capacity.

Unemployment rates decline in April

Jobless rates in April declined in all 72 counties in the state compared with both the previous month and year-ago period, according to preliminary, seasonally unadjusted data from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

County rates last month ranged from 2.9 percent in Dane to 11.3 percent in Menominee. The Eau Claire metro area, which consists of Eau Claire and Chippewa counties, saw its rate improve to 3.9 percent from 5 percent in March and 5.1 percent in April of last year.

briefcase The rate in the city of Eau Claire was 3.5 percent in April, down from 4.2 percent the previous month and 4.5 percent a year ago. Among the state’s 32 largest municipalities, Fitchburg had the lowest rate (2.9 percent) and Racine the highest (6.9 percent).

Ashley Furniture founder given degree

HIGH POINT, N.C. — High Point University recognized the lifetime achievements of Ron Wanek, founder of Arcadia-based Ashley Furniture Industries, and his contributions to business and philanthropy with an honorary doctorate at the university’s commencement ceremony.

Wanek started manufacturing furniture with 35 employees in 1970. Ashley is now among the world’s largest furniture manufacturers and retailers.

At HPU, Wanek is a philanthropic investor and a mentor to students. The R.G. Wanek Center at HPU is named for him and his wife, Joyce. In 2012, Ashley opened a manufacturing and distribution facility in Advance, N.C., that has more than 900 employees.

Wanek’s son, Todd, is the company’s president and Wanek CEO.

Income up for Wisconsin credit unions

Eau Claire-based RCU saw its income rise to $5.3 million in the first quarter that ended March 31, according to the National Credit Union Administration.

The result was 5.4 percent higher than in the first quarter of last year.

RCU and Educators of Racine are the state’s fifth-largest credit unions, each with $1.6 billion in assets.

Menomonie-based WESTconsin Credit Union’s income rose about 18 percent to $3.2 million. The credit union has $973 million in assets.

Wisconsin’s 156 chartered credit unions saw their combined income rise 21.6 percent.

Intel, Cray partnering on project

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Intel announced that the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne Leadership Computing Facility awarded Intel Federal, a wholly-owned subsidiary, a contract to deliver two next-generation supercomputers to Argonne National Laboratory.

The contract is part of the DOE’s multimillion dollar initiative to build state-of-the-art supercomputers that will be five to seven times more powerful than today’s top supercomputers. Intel was selected as the prime contractor and will work with Seattle-based Cray, which houses much of its operations in Chippewa Falls, as the system integrator and manufacturer of the next-generation high-performance computing systems for the ALCF.

Earnings, revenue increase at Presto

Eau Claire-based National Presto Industries reported earnings of $8.1 million, or $1.17 per share, for its first quarter that ended April 5.

The results compared with earnings of $4.7 million, or 68 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Sales rose 16.7 percent to nearly $101 million in the latest quarter.

Sales rose 23.6 percent in the company’s defense segment and 20.3 percent in housewares/​small appliances. The absorbent products segment had a 4.6 percent decline.

In other earnings news: ■ MONDOVI — Marten Transport reported a first-quarter profit of $10.2 million. The company said it had net income of 30 cents per share.

A year ago Marten earned $5.3 million, or 16 cents per share. Earnings,

adjusted for nonrecurring gains, came to 24 cents per share. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The temperature-sensitive truckload carrier posted revenue of $161.3 million, a 1.2 percent increase, in its latest three-month period.

■ HUTCHINSON, Minn. — Hutchinson Technology Inc., which has a plant in Eau Claire, reported a net loss of $9.7 million, or 29 cents per share, on net sales of $62.4 million for its fiscal second quarter that ended March 29.

HTI lost $8.7 million, or 31 cents per share, in the year-ago period on sales of $60.7 million. Compared with its first quarter, shipments of suspension assembly for disk drives declined 17 percent to $101.1 million. At latest count, the company had 495 employees in Eau Claire.

Coborn’s expands into western Wisconsin

St. Cloud, Minn.-based Coborn’s Inc. acquired Marketplace Foods and its four grocery/liquor stores in western Wisconsin.

The four Marketplace Foods stores are in Menomonie, Hayward, Rice Lake and St. Croix Falls. The stores will continue to operate as Marketplace Foods, with their current leadership and employees, according to a news release.

Coborn’s is an employeeowned grocer with 50 stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois that operate under the Coborn’s, Cash Wise Foods and Save-A-Lot banners.

Interactive state map developed

MADISON — The Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association and Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. unveiled a new interactive map at LocatelnWisconsin.com that identifies more than 100 state business and industrial parks with gigabit broadband availability.

The Gigabit Business Park mapping project identifies parks that are capable of providing broadband service of 1 gigabit per second or more. The map indicates whether a business park has l Gbps, lO Gbps or lOO Gbps. There are currently around 130 business and See page 24 June 15, 2015 ♦

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briefcase from Page 23 industrial parks on the map, which will continuously be updated as new sites are identified. The map includes several locations in the Chippewa Valley.

A gigabit broadband connection is 100 times faster than average Internet speeds.

Chippewa Valley Bean Co. recognized

MENOMONIE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A Menomonie bean companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s international booming business has garnered a state accolade.

Chippewa Valley Bean Co. exports nearly 60 percent of its total sales of dark red kidney beans to 18 countries, almost doubling that figure from just two years ago. The family-owned and operated company specializes in the growing, processing and marketing of kidney beans. The company is the largest processor and exporter of dark red kidney beans in the U.S. Chippewa Valley Bean Co. recently was recognized by Gov. Scott Walker, receiving one of three 2015 Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Export Achievement Awards. The other two were given to Gamber-Johnson of Stevens Point, which makes docking stations and mounts for such objects as law enforcement squad cars, and Prevention Genetics of Marshfield, which specializes in genetics sequencing and testing.

Attorneys celebrated for service

The State Bar of Wisconsin recently recognized Gary Bakke and Robert Walter of Bakke Norman Law Offices for 50 years of service to their clients and communities.

Bakke has served as State Bar president and continues in active practice, representing clients in business and family law matters. Walter ran his own law practice before joining Bakke Norman in 1990. He continued to

represent local individuals and businesses, while also serving as a Dunn County Court Commissioner until retiring in 2006. He currently serves as a Dunn County board supervisor.

Bakke Norman has locations in New Richmond and Menomonie. â&#x2013; Attorneys John Richie and Dana Wachs of the Eau Claire law firm Richie, Wickstrom and Wachs were recognized by the State Bar of Wisconsin for 30 years of service. Richie has lived in Eau Claire since 1985. His wife is a teacher in the Eau Claire school system and he regularly participates in issues that affect public schools and universities. Wachs is a lifelong resident of Eau Claire. He is a member of the state Assembly as well and his wife, Beverly Wickstrom, also is a lawyer and partner in the firm.

The firm also announced it has opened a new office at 393 Red Cedar St., Menomonie. The attorneys specialize in personal injury, workers compensation and Social Security cases. The firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main office in Eau Claire is at 101 Putnam St.

In other news

â&#x2013; SLINGER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A Minnesota home care company announced plans to hire hundreds of employees who lost their jobs when a Wisconsin longterm care nonprofit ceased operations at 11 locations. International Quality Homecare said it would hire at least 500 GeminiCares workers. It also said it would expand into Wisconsin to maintain home care and other services with GeminiCares workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; clients. More than 700 employees were out of work when GeminiCares closed sites in Slinger, Adams, Hayward, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Marinette, Neillsville, Reedsburg, Stevens Point, Whitehall and West Bend on May 31. â&#x2013; AUGUSTA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Unity Bank announced the acquisition of branches in Fairchild and Neillsville from Nicolet National Bank of Green Bay. Unity will assume about $38 million in deposits and $13 million in loans. Terms

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briefcase of the sale were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year. Unity Bank currently has locations in Augusta and Fall Creek.

■ The Women’s Business Conference in April brought around 450 people to The Plaza Hotel & Suites. The event, which featured 104 exhibitors, is put on each year by Western Dairyland Community Action Agency and Western Dairyland Business Centers. Western Dairyland provides services in Eau Claire, Chippewa, Dunn, Jackson, Pepin, Trempealeau and Buffalo counties. Visit womensbusinessconference.com for details about the annual event.

■ CHIPPEWA FALLS — A historic three-story building in downtown Chippewa Falls is undergoing major renovations and will reopen in November. Tim Fries, owner of Fries Financial Group, acquired the building at 11 E. Central St. in February. He plans to convert the lower two floors into office space for his business, and have the third level available for commercial use. Each floor is nearly 4,000 square feet in size. Fries’ blueprints show he plans to tear out a portion of the second floor and install a balcony, opening up the space into a two-level, openlobby atrium.

■ Kurz Industrial Solutions, a Fox Valley electrical motor distributor and service company, announced plans to build on Eau Claire’s north side to serve its customers in the region. The company expects to open a new industrial building this fall in the city’s Gateway Business Park. Initial plans called or 16,000-square-foot industrial building and 2,700-square-foot office space.

■ A new Transportation Safety Administration program was implemented at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. The TSA Precheck program allows air travelers who have registered ahead of time to retain their belts, shoes and leave laptop computers in their bags. The effort is part of the agency’s revamping of airport security checks. For more information, or to enroll in the program, visit tsa.gov/tsa-precheck. The program costs $85, which covers enrollment costs for five years. More than 140 airports in the U.S. have the program.

■ Three local professionals founded a new consulting and employment firm, The HSBS Group. Scot Vaver, a lecturer at UWStout, Brian Oenga, a professor at UW-Stout and lawyer, and Heather Rothbauer-Wanish, a business owner and college instructor, are partners.

HSBS Group provides small business and international business consulting, career consulting and student placement services. Visit thehsbsgroup.com for more information.

■ Picanha - The Brazilian Steakhouse, 5020 Keystone Crossing, closed in May but reopened as The Front Porch. Mark Reams, owner and general manager, said most staff members were retained. Gary Goldsmith remained head chef and Adam Kazort continues to manage the front of the house.

■ CHIPPEWA FALLS — Marykay and John Mcllquham announced the sale of Autumn Harvest Winery and John Mcllquham Orchard to John’s cousin and his wife. Chad and Jean Mcllquham of Chippewa Falls took over the business before opening day on May 1. Marykay and John launched Autumn Harvest Winery 10 years ago. The orchard was started in 1924. Marykay will stay on as a wine-making consultant for a year.

■ CHIPPEWA FALLS — Owner Rob Brown remodeled the Wissota View restaurant and tavern. The project, which was scheduled to be finished in May, included doubling the size of the building and adding a large rooftop patio.

■ MENOMONIE — The UW System Board of Regents voted to allow UW-Stout to offer an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. The program begins this fall, and plans call for the program to enroll 200 students after five years. UW-Stout already offers 82 percent of the required engineering curriculum through its computer engineering, manufacturing engineering and plastics

engineering programs. The university also offers an engineering technology program.

■ FALL CREEK — The village was awarded a $225,000 Transportation Economic Assistance grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to contribute to the design and construction of a new municipal street, Brickyard Street. The project will provide access to and from a new 45,000-square-foot production and warehouse facility in Fall Creek Business Park East. Greenwood Packaging is finalizing plans to commit nearly $12 million in capital investment to complete the expansion project, which will create 45 new jobs averaging $21.88 per hour.

■ CVS/pharmacy opened a new location in Eau Claire at 2200 Brackett Ave. The store measures 13,255 square feet. It’s the 49th store in Wisconsin for the Woonsocket, R.I.-based chain, which has more than 7,800 locations in the U.S. LAKE HALLIE — Dan Marcon is building the Marc-On Shooting Indoor Range, Pro Shop & Training Center at 4089 124th St. in an industrial area of Lake Hallie. Marcon anticipates the 9,600-square-foot building being ready to open to the public in October.

■ Midwest Select Insurance Group opened a fifth location in Woodbury, Minn. The business, which is an insurance enrollment firm that represents health insurance companies, also has offices in Eau Claire, Mosinee, Milwaukee and Indianapolis. Christopher Dooley is a partner in the business who hails from Eau Claire and operates the firm’s location there.

■ ALTOONA — Citizens Community Federal named Mark Oldenberg executive vice president. In his expanded role, Oldenberg provides leadership for the accounting, compliance, security/ vendor management and marketing departments while maintaining responsibilities as the bank’s chief financial officer.

■ Eau Claire Automotive opened a used car lot and service area at 2019 S. Hastings Way. Michael Keil owns the dealership, which has its core operations at 3100 Mall Drive in Eau Claire.

■ WOODVILLE — OEM Fabricators named Abby Klatt of Hudson to the role of human resources director and a member of the firm’s leadership team. Klatt, a UW-Eau Claire graduate, first joined OEM as a college intern in May 2010.

■ Bret Tangley of Eau Claire-based Sterling Water was named president of the Water Quality Association, a national nonprofit based in Lisle, Ill. Tangley is a certified master water specialist and has held numerous positions on the WQA executive committee of the board of governors.

■ A new Dollar General store is under construction at 2530 Birch St. in Eau Claire. The grand opening is tentatively planned for late summer, according to company officials.

■ A new restaurant, The Classic Garage, opened at 2111 Third St. The diner features a 1950s theme.

■ Market & Johnson, a general contractor with locations in Eau Claire and La Crosse, recently opened a third location at 651 Hayward Ave. N. in Oakdale, Minn. The new location serves clients in the St. Croix Valley and eastern Minnesota.

■ The Brewing Projekt, a brewery taproom inside Building 3 of 2000 N. Oxford Ave., recently opened. Eric Rykal is the head brewer.

■ A Taco John’s restaurant closed on Water Street after more than 30 years of operation. A news release from Northland Management Services said the site has been sold to John Mogensen for a major development planned for part of the 200 block of Water Street.

June 15, 2015 ♦

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1. Most in-demand bachelor's degree, according to Forbes.

3. CF chamber treasurer.

4. Key state budget group.

6. Rhode Island-based biz with new presence in Chippewa Valley.

8. Five Star specialty.

9. "A __ that makes nothing but money is a poor __." Henry Ford.

10. Believed to be a leading indicator of a sector, industry or market.

11. Head of CF-based Wisconsin Farmers Union.

14. Banbury Place vinyl dealer.

15. First O in COO. 17. Brian Doudna organization Wisconsin __ __ Association.

18. Local downtown art display.

19. Lake Wissota Business Park tenant.

20. Elk Mound provider of inflatables.

21. Ladysmith's Indeck Energy product.

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2. App for storing and sharing presentations.

5. Menomonie chamber board president.

7. New slogan of CCFBank (Citizens Community Federal).

12. Park Falls-based fishing equipment provider.

13. Michelle Malkin best-seller.

16. Area supercomputer maker's CEO. 22. Speech training organization.

23. Bankruptcy for family farmers.

24. UW-EC commencement speaker.

25. Tax collector for Wisconsinites.

26. Spring Valley tourist attraction.

27. Menomonie provider of vocational rehabilitation services.

28. Key new market for HTI. 29. UW-Stout business department chair.

30. They make up Eau Claire MSA.

June, July Ongoing: MENOMONIE - The second phase of the Leadership Academy will be at UW-Stout’s Memorial Student Center on June 23, Aug. 25, Sept. 22, Oct. 20 and Nov. 17. The program is 8 a.m. to noon each day except Aug. 25, when it will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit tinyurl.com/ ojfvesr for more information.

■ Vendor applications, which are due July 7, are available for Summer Fest and the International Fall Festival in downtown Eau Claire. Visit tinyurl.com/pdk4sqa for details about the events and vendor information.

June 16: ALTOONA — The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Hall of Fame Luncheon will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Eau Claire Golf and Country Club, 828 Country Club Lane. The seventh class of inductees is made up of Jack Bartingale, Dick Cable, Orrin Ingram, Don Litchfield and the Wood family. The cost is $25 for both chamber members and nonmembers. For more information or to register, visit eauclairechamber.org or call 715-834-1204.

■ Also on June 16, an informational meeting about a trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi on April 1-9 of next year will be at 5 p.m. at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, 101 N. Farwell St. The chamber is partnering with Central Holidays to offer the trip. Discounted pricing is available for reservations made before Aug. 30. For more information visit eauclairechamber.org or call 715-834-1204.

■ Also on June 16, the program “Start a Small Business in 8 Steps” will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost is $29 and scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals. For more information or to register, visit successfulbusiness.org, call 715-836-7511 or email info@successfulbusiness.org.

June 17: CHIPPEWA FALLS — “June Dairy Days Dinner” will be from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. The event celebrates local farmers. The cost is $6. For more information contact the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at 715-723-0331 or info@ chippewachamber.org.

June 18: MENOMONIE — The workshop “Hiring and Recruiting Team Members” will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dunn County Job Center, 401 Technology Drive E. The speaker is David Kochendorfer of Achieving Results. Visit dunnedc.com for details.

June 20: CHIPPEWA FALLS — The 12th annual Leinie Lodge Family Reunion will be held. Visit leinie.com or call 715-723-5557 for more information.

June 22: CHIPPEWA FALLS — The annual Wine & Dine will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Main Pavilion in Irvine Park. The event is a fundraiser for the Community Foundation of Chippewa County. Call 715-723-8125 or email info@yourlegacyforever.org for more information.

June 23: The webinar “Mission Driven Marketing” will be from noon to 1 p.m. The cost is $15. For more information visit successfulbusiness.org, call 715-8367511 or email info@successfulbusiness.org.

June 25: The program “Adobe Photoshop: Basic” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 209A at the Chippewa Valley Technical College Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. The cost is $99. For more information or to register, visit cvtc.edu/ continuing-education.aspx.

June 30: The Lunch & Learn program “Word of Mouth Gone Viral - Marketing Your Business Online” will be from noon to 1 p.m. at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, 101 N. Farwell St. The presenter is Ann Pearson, CEO of Impressions Review Managing. The cost, which includes lunch, is $20 for chamber members and $40 for nonmembers. For Pearson more information or to register, call 715-834-1204 or visit eauclairechamber.org.

CALENDAR July 9: The webinar “Website Basics” will be from noon to 1 p.m. The cost is $15. For more information visit successfulbusiness.org, call 715-836-7511 or email info@successfulbusiness.org.

July 14: The program “Mechanics of Starting a Business” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost is $29 and scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals. For more information or to register, visit successfulbusiness. org, call 715-836-7511 or email info@successfulbusiness.org.

July 15: The webinar “Business Plan Basics” will be from noon to 1 p.m. The cost is $15. For more information visit successfulbusiness.org, call 715-836-7511 or email info@successfulbusiness.org.

July 16: MENOMONIE — The workshop “Retaining Your Winning Team” will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dunn County Job Center, 401 Technology Drive E. The speaker is David Kochendorfer of Achieving Results. Visit dunnedc.com for details.

■ Also on July 16, the program “Microsoft Excel: Basic” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 241 at the Chippewa Valley Technical College Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. The cost is $99. For more information or to register, visit cvtc.edu/continuing-education.aspx.

July 20-24: The program “SolidWorks Beginner Training” will be from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day at the Chippewa Valley Technical College Manufacturing Education Center, 2322 Alpine Road. The cost is $94. For more information or to register, visit cvtc.edu/continuing-education.aspx.

July 21: The program “Marketing 360 Workshop: A Comprehensive Examination of YOUR Small Business Marketing Plan” will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost is $99. For more information or to register, visit successfulbusiness.org, call 715-836-7511 or email info@ successfulbusiness.org.

July 22: The annual “Business Community Downtown Wellness Walk” will be from noon to 1 p.m. in Eau Claire. Contact Scott Rogers of the Eau Claire Area Rogers Chamber of Commerce at 715-858-0616 or rogers@eauclairechamber.org for more information.

July 28: The Lunch & Learn program “Joint Employment and the Flexible Workforce” will be from noon to 1 p.m. at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, 101 N. Farwell St. See page 28

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CALENDAR

July, August, September

from Page 27 The presenter is Thea Jenson, a safety and workers’ compensation supervisor who covers Wisconsin, Minnesota and Florida franchises for Manpower. The cost, which includes lunch, is $20 for chamber members and $40 for nonmembers. For more information or to register, call 715834-1204 or visit eauclairechamber.org.

■ Also on July 28, “Recent Trends in Banking Fraud,” a free program in the Wegner CPAs’ Nonprofit Roundtable Series, will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Eau Claire South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court.

The presenter is Lisa Woernpel of Monona State Bank. For details contact Corinn Ploessl at 608-442-1922 or corinn.ploessl@wegnercpas.com.

■ Also on July 28, the program “Adobe InDesign: Basic” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 209A at the Chippewa Valley Technical College Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. The cost is $99. For more information or to register, visit cvtc.edu/continuingeducation.aspx.

July 28 and 30: The program “Business QuickBooks” will be from 6 to 9 p.m. each day at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost is $99 and scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals. For more information or to register, visit successfulbusiness.org, call 715-836-7511 or email info@ successfulbusiness.org.

Aug. 4: BLACK RIVER FALLS — Free training for those interested in selling at local farmers markets will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. Water St. Participants will learn how to become successful vendors at the farmers markets in Arcadia, Whitehall and Black River Falls. For more information visit

Eau Claire’s Premier Business Lunch Destination Our features start at less than $10

28 |

♦ June 15, 2015

successfulbusiness.org or call 715-985-2391, ext. 1211.

Aug. 6: The program “Microsoft Excel: Intermediate” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 241 at the Chippewa Valley Technical College Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. The cost is $99. For more information or to register, visit cvtc.edu/continuing-education. aspx.

Aug. 6-7: MENOMONIE — The Midwest Craft Brewers Conference will be held in the Memorial Student Center at UW-Stout. The event will provide information for those in the craft brewing industry. Visit uwstout.edu/profed/midwestcraftbrewers.cfm for more information.

■ Also on Aug. 6-7, “The Global Leadership Summit” will be broadcast at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 123 W. Hamilton Ave. Call 715835-5073 for more information.

Aug. 10-14: The program “SolidWorks Intermediate Training” will be from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day at the Chippewa Valley Technical College Manufacturing Education Center, 2322 Alpine Road. The cost is $94. For more information or to register, visit cvtc.edu/continuingeducation.aspx.

Aug. 11: The program “Business Plan Basics” will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost is $29 and scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals.

For more information or to register, visit successfulbusiness.org, call 715836-7511 or email info@successfulbusiness.org.

Aug. 12: The program “Microsoft Outlook: Effective Email Management” will be from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 241 at Chippewa Valley Technical College, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. The cost is $50. For more information or to register, visit cvtc.edu/continuing-education. aspx.

■ Also on Aug. 12, the program “Microsoft Outlook: Time Management, Calendars and Tasks” will be from 1 to 4 p.m. in Room 241 at the Chippewa Valley Technical College Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. The cost is $50. For more information or to register, visit cvtc.edu/continuingeducation.aspx.

Aug. 20: Junior Achievement’s 19th annual Golf Outing begins at 11 a.m. at Wild Ridge Golf Course, 3905 Kane Road. Former Green Bay Packer LeRoy Butler is a scheduled guest. Call 715-835-5566 for more information.

Aug. 25: The webinar “Mission Driven” will be from Butler noon to 1 p.m. The cost is $15. For more information visit visit successfulbusiness.org, call 715-836-7511 or email info@ successfulbusiness.org.

Sept. 8: The program “Start a Small Business in 8 Steps” will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost is $29 and scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals. For more information or to register, visit successfulbusiness.org, call 715-836-7511 or email info@ successfulbusiness.org.

Sept. 10-11: The Supervisor Training Program “Learning to Lead” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Metropolis Resort and Conference Center, 5150 Fairview Drive. For more information visit uwec.edu/CE/, call 866-893-2423 or email ce@uwec.edu.

Sept. 15: The webinar “Stress Free Recordkeeping 101” will be from noon to 1 p.m. The cost is $15. For more information visit successfulbusiness.org, call 715-836-7511 or email info@ successfulbusiness.org.

Sept. 15 and 17: The program “Business QuickBooks” will be from 6 to 9 p.m. each day at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost is $99 and scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals. For more information or to

September register, visit successfulbusiness.org, call 715-836-7511 or email info@ successfulbusiness.org.

Sept. 16: The annual “Social Media & Marketing Conference” will be from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Florian Gardens, 2340 Lorch Ave. Visit eauclairechamber.org or call 715-834-1204 for details.

Sept. 17: INDEPENDENCE — Free training for those interested in selling at local farmers markets will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Western Dairyland, 23122 Whitehall Road. Participants will learn how to become successful vendors at the farmers markets in Arcadia, Whitehall and Black River Falls. For more information visit successfulbusiness.org or call 715-985-2391, ext. 1211.

Sept. 22: The 16th annual Age of Opportunity Job & Volunteer Fair will be from 9 a.m. to noon at Oakwood Mall, 4800 Golf Road. The event is intended for mature workers (55 and over) looking for full- or part-time employment or volunteer opportunities. For more information contact Scott Rogers at 715-858-0616.

■ Also on Sept. 22, “How to Prepare Your 990 for Success,” a free program in the Wegner CPAs’ Nonprofit Roundtable Series, will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Eau Claire South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court. The presenters are Maribel Kruepke and Yigit Uctum of Wegner CPAs. For details contact Corinn Ploessl at 608-442-1922 or corinn. ploessl@wegnercpas.com.

■ Also on Sept. 22, the program “Mission Driven: Linking Mission to Strategy” will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost is $29 and scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals. For more information or to register, visit successfulbusiness.org, call 715-836-7511 or email info@ successfulbusiness.org.

CALENDAR Sept. 25: The program “Finding and Attaining Grant Funding for Your Nonprofit” will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Banbury Place, 800 Wisconsin St. The presenter is Jeremy Miner, director of grants and contracts in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at UWEau Claire and president of Miner and Associates.

The program also will be held Sept. 24 at the Hudson Hospital and Conference Center, 405 Stageline Road. For more information visit uwec.edu/CE/ or call 866-893Miner 2423 or email ce@uwec.edu.

Sept. 28: An open house will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Chippewa Valley Technical College Energy Education Center, 4000 Campus Road.

Visit cvtc.edu for more information.

Sept. 29: The program “Affordable Care Act Update - What Employers Need to Know Now” will be from 10 a.m. to noon at The Plaza Hotel & Suites, 1202 W. Clairemont Ave. There is no cost for chamber members; it’s $25 for nonmembers. For more information call 715-834-1204 or visit eauclairechamber.org.

■ Also on Sept. 29, an Entrepreneurial Training Program will be from 6:30 to 9:15 p.m. at UW-Eau Claire. For more information contact the UW-Eau Claire Wisconsin Small Business Development Center at 715836-5811 or ETP@uwec.edu.

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Business Meetings Company Outings Daily Business Lunch Specials Breathtaking Views in a Natural Setting • Weddings • Class Reunions • Friday Night Fish Fry

www.wildridgegolf.com • 715-834-1766

June 15, 2015 ♦

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$283 billion

159

Gross state product in Wisconsin as of November of last year, according to Forbes.

Number of students at UW-Eau Claire when it opened in 1916 as the State Normal School at Eau Claire. That number grew to 10,902 by the fall of 2013.

51.6

People per square mile in 2010 in Dunn County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The ratio for the state as a whole was 105 people per square mile.

1933

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Year that Chippewa Falls-based distributor General Beer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Northwest was founded. The company is a fourth-generation family business.

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Helping our clients build community around every corner.

When our client Market & Johnson built 200 Riverfront Terrace it was an achievement for their company and the entire Chippewa Valley.

We advise many successful companies, like Market & Johnson, because we, too, believe in the further development and progress of where we live.

Ruder Ware plans on being a continuing contributor not only to our areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business development, but also to the overall future of our community.

When it comes to navigating your tomorrow, let us help you today.

eau ea au cl clai claire laire re | w wausau ausa au sau rruderware.com uder ud derwa ware re.com com visit our blogs at blueinklaw.com

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