April 2012

Firefighters

of Northeast Wisconsin Our 2nd annual initiative helping small business owners put out fires

To be or not to be social Human Resources

U.S. 41 update for 2012 Transportation

April 2012 $3.95

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Fox Cities: 920-734-1800 Oshkosh: 920-231-2400 Green Bay: 920-435-5442

www.newnorthb2b.com

new north b2b April 2012

20 26

30

Features

32

20 COVER STORY ❘ Firefighters of Northeast Wisconsin 2012 ❘ Our 2nd annual initiative helping small business owners 26 HUMAN RESOURCES ❘ To be or not to be social ❘ Local employers who’ve embraced a pro-social media climate 30 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ❘ Back in the Saddle ❘ Highlights from the most recent New North Entrepreneurial Index 32 TRANSPORTATION ❘ US41 project update 2012 ❘ A snapshop at the details of the improvements underway this season

Departments

On our Cover

4 From the Publisher 5 Professionally Speaking 6 Since We Last Met 10 Corporate Earnings 12 Build Up Pages 19 Pierce Stronglove 34 Who’s News 39 Business Calendar 40 Advertiser Index 41 Guest Commentary 42 Key Statistics

Bright, red firetrucks to the rescue for small business owners always putting out fires.

NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 3

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Calling all healthy employers

Our leading corporate wellness awards continue growing bigger and better

Sean Fitzgerald New North B2B Publisher 4 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

Looking back, it still surprises that the concept of company-based wellness programs was foreign to a number of employers seven years ago when New North B2B magazine launched its first Alla tua Salute! Awards recognizing excellence in the arena of actively improving the health of employees.

Perhaps even more surprising, though, is the notion that seven years later – in 2012 – employer-based wellness programming remains a foreign concept to too many small business owners and managers.

As we prepare to launch our 7th Annual Alla tua Salute Awards in our coming June 2012 edition, we recommit ourselves to the goals of sharing simple, no-cost, low effort ways of improving the health of your employees, all the way to recognizing examples of northeast Wisconsin companies who invest heavily in the health and well-being of their employees.

Whatever the level of financial and human resource commitment, these programs are aimed at improving the health of employees, ideally resulting in a decreased use of health care, decreased chronic illnesses, and an overall reduction in health care costs – both to the employer and to the employee.

Here’s five quick examples we’ve shared with readers over the past six years of how to create a well workplace with little time, effort and financial resources: 1. 4imprint of Oshkosh placed bottles of hand sanitizer and bottles of vitamin C tablets at each of the entrances to its building.

Employees and visitors alike are invited and encouraged to use each when entering the company’s headquarters.

2. Fond du Lac-based Sadoff & Rudoy Industries – after recognizing its employees lacked a desire to wear seatbelts – staged random surprise checkpoints at the entrance to the parking lot when employees arrived to work at the beginning of their shifts. Beltedin employees received $25 cash on the spot.

Seatbelt use among the company’s employees climbed from 50 to 62 percent from 2007 to 2008.

3. The staff at Integrated Community Solutions in Ashwaubenon asked its break room vending machine supplier for healthier food choices to replace the parade of candy bars and bags of chips that seem to dominate snack time.

4. Appleton-based WOW Logistics recognizes employee mental health is as critical as (and often complements) physical health,

and provides a series of benefits to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. One of those steps is by offering periodic breaks during the week for employees to engage in cognitive activities such as crosswords and other brainteaser puzzles.

5. Faith Technologies in Menasha makes oatmeal available in its break and lunchrooms at no cost to employees.

In addition, health risk assessments can cost as little as $40 per person and provide a wealth of baseline data for an individual to track and manage their own health. A number of local employers use HRAs on an annual basis to gauge the success of their wellness efforts and shift focus to specific areas of concern. Miles Kimball Company in Oshkosh, now elevated to emeritus status in our wellness recognition initiative, has more than a decade of companywide HRA data at its disposal.

Does your company show remarkable accomplishments in its wellness programming?

Do you have a creative solution – like one of the above – to brag about?

There’s still a little more than a month remaining until the deadline to nominate your company for New North B2B’s 7th annual Alla tua Salute! Awards recognizing excellence in corporate wellness efforts across the region.

Aware that companies of various sizes have different resources at their disposal for conducting wellness efforts, we recognize companies in three separate categories of size based on number of employees. We also have a separate category for those wellness programs that are less than two years into their journey and can’t possibly have the experience of a well-seasoned wellness program, but still come out of the gates sprinting with unprecedented drive and innovation.

The deadline for consideration in this year’s awards is May 7. For more information or for a nomination form, go online to our Web site at www.newnorthb2b.com and click the shiny apple on our home page. Winners will be announced and profiled in our June edition.

Despite your company’s budget and commitment of time toward wellness, there’s a litany of simple, easy-to-implement ideas your company can incorporate into a wellness plan with little cost. Stay tuned to our June issue for even more ideas from northeast Wisconsin employers who’ve taken an innovative approach to their wellness programming.

Perhaps one of those ideas could come from your company? www.newnorthb2b.com

PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING

Fair Labor Standard Act Compliance

by Davis & Kuelthau, s.c.

Tony Renning

920.232.4842

If you have a particular labor/employment law question, please forward your question to Mr. Renning at info@ newnorthb2b.com. If he responds to your email in a future issue, your name and company will be withheld to preserve your privacy.

Reader Question: What can I do to identify and correct mistakes as to my wage and hour practices?

Tony Renning: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which prescribes standards for minimum wage and overtime compensation, affects most private employment. The FLSA requires employers to pay employees who are not otherwise “exempt” at least the federal minimum wage and overtime pay of one and one-half times the regular rate of pay. Every employer covered by the FLSA must also keep certain records for each covered, non-exempt employee. There is no required form for the records, but the records must include accurate information about the employee and data about the hours worked and wages earned.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has announced that it is taking an aggressive stance against wage and hour violations.

The risk of high-exposure wage and hour

Sean Fitzgerald

Publisher & President

sean@newnorthb2b.com

Carrie Rule

Sales Manager

carrie@newnorthb2b.com

Kate Erbach Production

Contributing writers

Cheryl Hentz

Chief Financial Officer

Vicky Fitzgerald, CPA

claims is, therefore, greater than ever.

Accordingly, now is the time to conduct a review of your practices: • Is every “non-exempt” employee paid the required minimum wage? The current FLSA rate is $7.25 per hour.

• Is every non-exempt employee paid the required overtime? Ensure all overtime hours are identified and properly paid.

• Are non-exempt employees accurately recording all work time? Pay special attention to whether employees are recording things like pre- and post-shift work.

• Can we prove all our exempt employees meet the requirements? Salaried employees are not necessarily exempt.

• Do we have all required posters displayed?

Employers concerned that they could be vulnerable to a DOL audit should review their practices to uncover any er-

NEW NORTH B2B is published monthly

by WINNEBAGO B2B LLC for $20 per year or $3.95 for a single issue. A single complimentary subscription is offered to all members of the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce, Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce.

Printed by Digicorporation, 120 Lake St., Neenah, WI 54956 POSTMASTER: send address changes to: WINNEBAGO B2B LLC 923 S. Main St., Oshkosh, WI 54902.

Bulk-rate postage paid at Oshkosh, WI. Reproduction of any contents of NEW NORTH B2B without express written permission of its publishers is strictly forbidden. The appearance of any advertisement or product information does not constitute endorsement of any product or service by WINNEBAGO B2B LLC. Copyright 2012.

Contact us: P.O. Box 559, Oshkosh, WI 54903-0559 • 920.237.0254 www.newnorthb2b.com

rors. When conducted in conjunction with legal counsel, the review can help employers discover and rectify any mistakes they have made related to FLSA compliance.

For counsel as to wage and hour issues, contact Tony Renning at (920) 232-4842 or trenning@dkattorneys. com or any other member of the Davis & Kuelthau Labor and Employment Team.

Tony Renning is an attorney in the Oshkosh office of Davis & Kuelthau, s.c.

(219 Washington Avenue). Mr. Renning provides counsel to private and public sector employers on a wide variety of labor and employment law matters. This article is intended to provide information only, not legal advice. For advice regarding a particular employment situation, please contact a member of the Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. Labor and Employment Team.

Green Bay

Fox Cities

Oshkosh

Fond du Lac NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 5

SINCE WE LAST MET

Since we last met Since We Last Met is a digest of business related news occurring in the Green Bay, Fox Cities, Oshkosh and Fond du Lac areas in the one month since the previous issue of New North B2B.

February 22

February 23

The Oshkosh Area Board of Education approved nearly $3.3 million in budget cuts for the 2012-2013 school year by eliminating automatic pay increases to faculty for years of teaching experience and accumulating graduate credits as well as by increasing employee health care insurance contributions from 12 to 15 percent. Other changes include decreasing cash payments to retirees by 50 percent, and increasing middle school class sizes to 27 students.

February 23 J.M. Smucker LLC in Ripon was awarded up to $300,000 in economic development tax credits through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. to reimburse it for job training programs as it plans a significant investment to retool its plant.

The tax credits will be distributed over three years and will allow the foods manufacturer to train its 118 current employees and add four fulltime positions.

County executives from Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago counties reported its shared tri-county recycling operation generated a $4 million surplus for 2011 as a result of high commodity prices for paper, plastic and metal. In addition, tonnage processing at its facility increased nearly 6 percent year over year to 52,800 tons. County officials pledged to invest additional resources into future capital needs and to create a financial stabilization fund. In addition, each county will use a portion of the surplus to either defray curbside collection costs, provide rebates to their customers, or to stabilize tipping fees.

February 23 The U.S. Postal Service unveiled a realignment plan that would close its central Wisconsin mail processing and distribution facility and consolidate its operations with the facility in Green Bay. The postal service said it’s too early to determine how many jobs would be transferred to or created in Green

UW Oshkosh College of Business

MBA Information Sessions The MBA information sessions will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. and last approximately 75 minutes. Reservations are appreciated.

Green Bay

Oshkosh

Appleton

Stevens Point

Wednesday, April 2 MBA Graduate Education Center 333 Main Street, Green Bay Monday, April 3 Holiday Inn Select, Menasha Room Hwy 41 and College Avenue

Tuesday, April 10 UW Oshkosh, Sage Hall 2224 No permit required in Lot 7 Thursday, April 11 Holiday Inn, Trillium Room 1001 Amber Ave. (off Hwy 10)

Maps, parking information and the online reservation form can be found online at http://uwosh.edu/cob/graduate.

For more information, call

(800) 633-1430

www.mba.uwosh.edu The UW Oshkosh College of Business is accredited by AACSB International, the premier business school accrediting body, a distinction of quality earned by less than 10 percent of business schools worldwide.

6 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

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SINCE WE LAST MET Bay. There is no target date for the move, but the earliest it could occur would be late May. U.S.P.S. has experienced a 50 percent drop in first-class mail nationwide during the last 10 years. It’s suffered a $25 billion loss over the last six years, and a $3 billion loss during the fourth quarter 2011.

February 27 Affinity Health System, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and ThedaCare collaborated to create Catalpa Health, a joint endeavor providing outpatient child and adolescent behavioral and mental health services in the Fox Cities. As a standalone entity, Catalpa Health will employ about 21 providers and 15 support staff that will provide services including: individual and group therapy, neuropsychological testing, medical management and prevention services for local public schools. Inpatient behavioral and mental health services will continue to be provided by St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. A facility search is currently underway and Catalpa Health is expected to be fully operational by the beginning of 2013.

proposed industrial park would have to lease the land for their facilities from the county.

March 1 The Green Bay Packers organization reported it sold more than 268,000 shares at $250 each during its most recent stock offering, generating $67 million dollars to help fund stadium improvements to Lambeau Field. Through five public stock offerings during its more than 90-year history, the franchise now totals more than 360,000 part-owners.

March 1 The Wisconsin Department of Transportation began work on the second stage of the $45 million reconstruction and expansion of the eight-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 41 in Win-

February 27 The Town of Harrison in Calumet County received judicial approval that it met the statutory requirements for its incorporation petition to advance to an incorporation review board with the state Department of Administration. Harrison officials began the process in 2011 to incorporate about 4.6 square miles of the town in its densely populated northwest portion into a village of nearly 7,400 residents. The City of Menasha Common Council passed a resolution on Feb. 24 indicating a willingness to annex the area of Harrison being considered for incorporation.

February 27 The 4th quarter 2011 Industrial Market Trends Report from Appleton-based Grubb & Ellis / Pfefferle indicated the industrial vacancy rate in Green Bay declined from 5.6 to 4.2 percent during the second half of 2011. That figure ranks it among the top 20 percent of markets in the country with the tightest industrial real estate vacancy rates, largely as a result of Green Bay having a majority of industrial/warehouse space that is owned as opposed to leased. During the same period for the last six months of 2011, the same report indicated the vacancy rate in the Fox Cities and Oshkosh industrial real estate markets was virtually unchanged, decreasing from 12.8 to 12.7 percent. Average lease rates remained fairly steady during the period at about $3.50 per square foot for industrial and warehouse facilities.

February 28 The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors rejected a plan to buy nearly 81 acres near Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh to create an aviation-related industrial park. Opponents of the purchase took issue with the nearly $19,000-peracre cost after the land had been appraised at a value between $12,000 to $15,000 per acre. City of Oshkosh officials still hope to pursue the development, and still need the county’s involvement because Federal Aviation Administration rules only allow through-the-fence access to airport facilities on county-owned land. Businesses that would be attracted to the

2005 April 4 – The Wisconsin Department of Transportation permanently closed the U.S. Highway 41/State Road 175 interchange on the south side of Fond du Lac. The closure is part of a $19.3 million project constructing the new U.S. 151 bypass to the south and east of Fond du Lac, including a new diamond interchange with U.S. 41 about a quarter mile from the recently closed interchange.

2006 April 15 – Results of a hydrology study conducted for the City of Fond du Lac indicate the city’s existing aquifers should be able to supply drinking water to meet consumption demands for the next 20 years. The results of the study will help determine the fate of a $32 million plan to remove radium in the water supply.

2008 April 11 – Plexus Corp. announced plans to construct an $18 million corporate headquarters building on the site of the former Glatfelter paper mill in downtown Neenah.

The four-story, 94,000-sq. ft. building along Neenah’s waterfront will house 325 employees.

The City of Neenah budgeted $5 million to raze the mill, clean up environmental contamination, and prepare the site for development.

NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 7

SINCE WE LAST MET nebago County between the U.S. Highway 45 and Breezewood Lane interchanges. The project involves widening northbound US 41 from two to three lanes. Southbound US 41 on the same stretch was reconstructed and expanded during 2011. Stage two construction is expected to be complete in November.

March 5 State Rep. Karl Van Roy (R-Howard) announced he will not seek a sixth two-year term to Wisconsin’s 90th Assembly District. Van Roy, 73, was first elected to the post in 2002 following a career in the restaurant industry. While in the legislature, Van Roy served as chair of the Assembly Committee on Homeland Security and State Affairs and the Assembly Committee on Small Business.

March 5 The Wisconsin Department of Transportation began work on the $57 million project to reconstruct the U.S. 41/Main Avenue interchange in De Pere and expand U.S. Highway 41 to six lanes between Orange Lane and Glory Road in Brown County. The project requires closing the Main Avenue interchange for a two-month stretch between August and November. Improvements include installing two roundabouts on Main Avenue at the interchange ramp terminals. The entire project is expected to be complete by June 2013.

March 6 Executives from Gogebic Taconite said they were dropping

plans for a $1.5 billion iron mine in northern Wisconsin after legislation to improve the state’s mining regulatory climate died on the floor of the state senate. The proposed mine was poised to create thousands of jobs in Iron and Ashland counties as early as mid-2013. Opponents of the compromised legislative bill argued it made the procedure for challenging state regulators’ permitting decisions too difficult, and also jeopardized the environment.

March 6 The Wisconsin Department of Transportation approved a $111,000 project for design work to reconstruct portions of the air carrier and commercial service apron at Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay. The project is needed to replace aging sections of pavement on the commercial service apron where aircraft are parked, loaded, refueled and boarded. The state contributed $88,800 toward the cost of the design project, while Brown County will contribute the remaining $22,200.

March 7 State Treasurer Kurt Schuller, a former restauranteur from Eden, filed candidacy papers for Wisconsin’s 53rd Assembly District, where incumbent Dick Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh) announced he would not seek re-election. Schuller was elected state treasurer in November 2010 after campaigning on a platform to work to abolish the position. He’s been actively pursuing his campaign pledge with the state legislature.

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SINCE WE LAST MET March 7 The City of Neenah Common Council approved $400,000 in tax incremental financing to support a nearly $4 million office and retail development proposed by BTS Properties on the west end of downtown. Developers plan to construct two buildings totaling 20,000 square feet near the redeveloped former Glatfelter paper mill site near Wisconsin and Main streets. The proposed development requires demolishing the former Rapid Printing shop, the former Glatfelter engineering offices and Under the Dome Sports Bar & Grill. Construction could begin later this year or in early 2013.

March 8 The state Department of Workforce Development reported Wisconsin employers created 15,700 jobs in January, dropping the state’s unemployment rate to 6.9 percent, its lowest level since December 2008. Gains occurred in several sectors including manufacturing, construction, professional and business services, leisure/ hospitality and retail.

March 19 The Village of Kimberly hired former Village of Suamico Administrator Adam Hammatt as its next chief executive, taking over for retiring Rick Hermus, who is the first and only person to hold the office since Kimberly created an administrator position in 1987. Hammatt became administrator for the City of Elroy in Juneau County in 2008 before taking a similar job in Suamico in June 2010. He resigned from the job unexpectedly after less than a year with no public explanation.

kee County against the brokerage firm to recoup what it had invested.

March 20 The Wisconsin Department of Transportation began construction on the $4.2 million project to reconstruct the Lombardi Avenue interchange at U.S. Highway 41 in Green Bay. The project involves reconstructing Lombardi Avenue between Wood Lane and Argonne Street, as well as constructing additional turn lanes on entrance and exit ramps connecting to U.S. 41. The interchange will remain open during the project, and the work is scheduled to be completed by August.

March 21 The Brown County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to use a portion of the increment from increasing the Green Bay area hotel room tax from 8 to 10 percent toward the proposed $19.5 million expansion of the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay. The plan still requires the approval of the Green Bay Common Council, which is expected in April, and would pave the way for the existing 44,000-sq. ft. convention center to be expanded to nearly 70,000 square feet, making it the fifth largest convention facility in the state and giving it the ability to attract larger events. Construction would begin by late 2013 and take about a year to complete. The additional increment from the increase in the region’s hotel room tax would be used to enhance marketing efforts for the region through the Green Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

March 19 The Wisconsin Department of Transportation began work on the $54 million project to reconstruct the U.S. 41/WIS 21 interchange near Oshkosh, which involves rebuilding the interchange so that State Road 21/Oshkosh Avenue passes over the top of U.S. Highway 41. The project also includes construction of four roundabouts on State Road 21 and the reconstruction and expansion of U.S. 41 between Witzel Avenue and the Lake Butte des Morts Causeway. Throughout the project, access to and from U.S. 41 at WIS 21 is closed to traffic, and WIS 21/Oshkosh Avenue is closed between Washburn and Koeller streets. The reconstructed interchange and overpass is expected to reopen by Nov. 15, while work on the expansion of U.S. 41 will continue through July 2013.

March 19 The Kimberly School District – along with four other Wisconsin school districts involved in a 4-year-old lawsuit regarding complex retirement investments that lost all their value – reached a settlement with St. Louis-based Stifel Nicolaus & Co. that relieves them of $154 million in debt borrowed to pay for the investments and provides a $13 million payment to the five school districts. Kimberly school officials indicated the settlement covers the district’s $5 million loss on the investment. The school districts argued they were fraudulently induced into buying the investments in 2006, and after they failed in 2008, the five districts filed a joint lawsuit in Milwau-

NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 9

CORPORATE EARNINGS

Once each quarter, New North B2B runs a digest of quarterly financial reports from local publicly traded companies, or from out-of-the-area parent companies with significant operations in the Fox Valley.

Neenah Paper

Revenue Income EPS

4Q 2011 $166 million $7.7 million 47 cents

First Business Bank 4Q 2010 $160 million $6.8 million 43 cents

s 3% s 13% s 9%

The papermaker with significant operations in the Fox Cities reported full fiscal year receipts climbed 6 percent to $696 million, while adjusted earnings grew 30 percent from $1.47 per share during fiscal 2010 to $1.91 per share in 2011. During the quarter, the papermaker acquired the premium fine paper brands of Wausau Paper Corp. for $21 million, which is expected to provide annualized revenues in excess of $100 million.

Integrys Energy Group Inc.

Revenue Income EPS

4Q 2011 $1.1 Billion $38.7 million 49 cents

4Q 2010 $1.3 Billion t 12% $71.7 million t 46% 91 cents t 46%

The parent company of Wisconsin Public Service Corp. operations across northeast and northcentral Wisconsin experienced full fiscal year earnings of $227 million, or $2.87 per share, compared to 2010 full year income of $221 million, or $2.83 per share, driven primarily by increased margins in the electric utility segment as a result of rate increases effective in January 2011. The natural gas utility segment saw a decrease in earnings and sales volumes as a result of the warmer weather throughout 2011.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.

Revenue Income EPS

4Q 2011 $2.7 Billion ($327 million) ($1.78)

4Q 2010 $2.7 Billion Unchanged $27.0 million t 1,360% 13 cents t 1,470%

The printing company with significant operations in the Fox Cities recorded a $484 million non-cash impairment charge during the fourth quarter which contributed to the substantial slide in earnings both for the quarter and the fiscal year 2011 loss of $123 million, or a loss of 63 cents per share. That compares with fiscal 2010 earnings of $222 million, or $1.07 per share. Annual revenues grew 6 percent to $10.6 billion during fiscal 2011

Income EPS

4Q 2011 $2.4 million 90 cents

4Q 2010 $598,000 24 cents

s 299% s 275%

The commercial-oriented financial institution serving Madison, Milwaukee and Northeast Wisconsin reported full fiscal year income of $8.4 million, or $3.23 per share, up significantly from fiscal 2010 earnings of $941,000, or 37 cents per share. Bank officials said non-performing assets declined from $40.2 million to $24.0 million, a drop of 40 percent, from the end of fiscal 2010 to the end of fiscal 2011.

Appleton Inc.

Revenue Income

4Q 2011 4Q 2010 $206 million $204 million s 1% ($11.7 million) ($7.8 million) t 50%

The employee-owned producer of thermal papers reported full fiscal year 2011 sales increased 1 percent to $857 million, with revenues from its thermal papers increasing nearly 9 percent over fiscal 2010 receipts. To accommodate challenging market conditions and decreased demand during the fourth quarter, Appleton reduced paper production and inventory through a combination of machine slowdowns and temporary production curtailments, particularly at its Ohio mill.

School Specialty

Revenue Income EPS

3Q 2012 $85.3 million ($104 million) ($5.54)

3Q 2011 $89.9 million t 5% ($20.2 million) t 416% ($1.07) t 418%

The Greenville-based supplier of educational products recorded a noncash impairment charge of $107.5 million during the quarter for goodwill and non-amortizable intangible assets, contributing to its sharp decline in earnings. The company reported gross profit declined 7 percent during the quarter to $30.6 million.

Alliance Laundry Systems

Revenue Income

Fiscal 2011 Fiscal 2010 $458 million $426 million s 8% $23.4 million $22.6 million s 4%

The Ripon-based manufacturer of commercial and residential laundry equipment reported its sales in the United States and Canada grew by nearly 7 percent during fiscal 2011 while its revenues elsewhere around the globe climbed nearly 10 percent compared to fiscal 2010 sales.

10 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

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It takes more than 100,000 nails to finish the average construction job. But, it takes only one construction company to deliver an exceptional finished product, down to the last nail.

CONSTRUCTION DELIVERED.

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NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 11

BUILD UP FOND DU LAC

3

2

1

Build Up Fond du Lac 1

- 1155 S. Military Road, Fond du Lac, Rolling Meadows Development, renovation of a former nursing home and an addition to the fourth floor for a 101-room hotel and conference center. Project completion expected in July.

3 - 1061 E. Johnson St., Fond du Lac, Kwik Trip, a new convenience store, fuel station and fuel station canopy.

2

- 325 Tompkins St., Fond du Lac, Saputo Cheese USA, an addition to the permeate dryer building of its milk specialties division.

12 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

www.newnorthb2b.com

BUILD UP OSHKOSH

4

5 6&7

C - Indicates a new listing

8

Build Up Oshkosh 4 - 600 Block of Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, a five-story, 340-bed residence hall.

5 - 310 Ohio St., Oshkosh, ImproMed, a two-story, 10,684-sq. ft. office addition. Project completion expected in April. General contractor is R.J. Albright Inc. of Oshkosh.

6

- 1210 S. Koeller St., Oshkosh, U.S. Cellular, a new retail building.

7 - 1250 S. Koeller St., Oshkosh, T.J. Maxx, a new retail strip center development.

8 - 3365 S. Washburn St., Oshkosh, Bergstrom Used Cars, a new retail automotive dealership.

Projects completed since our March issue: • Basic American Medical Products, 336 Trowbridge Dr., Fond du Lac. • Muza Metal Products, 606 E. Murdock Ave., Oshkosh.

• Olive Garden, 1190 S. Koeller St., Oshkosh.

• Evco Plastics, 450 Ripple Ave., Oshkosh.

NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 13

BUILD UP FOX CITIES Build Up Fox Cities

The Build Up department of New North B2B includes a monthly two-page spread identifying significant commercial and industrial construction projects ongoing in the Fox Cities area.

C - Indicates a new listing

1 - 2693 W. Grand Chute Blvd., town of Grand Chute, Appleton Alliance Church, a 105,300-sq. ft. addition to the existing church campus.

2

- 3335 N. Lynndale Dr., town of Grand Chute, Our Shepherd Child Care and Family Ministry Center, a 13,500-sq. ft. addition to the existing child care center. Project completion expected in May.

3 - 2690 W. Lawrence St., town of Grand Chute, Kolosso Chrysler Jeep, a 7,100-sq. ft. addition to the existing automotive dealership to expand the body shop. Project completion expected in May. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

4 - 2551 Northridge Dr., Kaukauna, Classic Gears and Machining, a 19,504-sq. ft. addition to the existing industrial facility. Project completion expected in May. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

5 - 1801 Progress Way, Kaukauna,

C G&G Machining, a new 37,120-sq. ft. manufacturing facility. Project completion

14 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

expected in October. General contractor is James J. Calmes Construction Co. of Kaukauna.

6 - 1700 Stephens St., Little Chute,

Heartland Business Systems, a remodel and 30,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing office building. Project completion expected in April. General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

7 - 2220 Bohm Dr., Little Chute, B&L Properties, a 5,000sq. ft. industrial building with offices.

8 - 1700 Nixon St., Little Chute, Poly Flex, a 54,000-sq. ft. manufacturing facility. Project completion expected in June.

General contractor is Keller Inc. of Kaukauna.

9 - 130 W. Main St., Little Chute,

Little Chute Windmill Inc.,

a windmill and village visitor center.

10 - 558 Carter Ct., Kimberly, U.S. Venture, a 12,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing office building. Project completion expected in April. General contractor is Keller Inc.

11

- 101 Main St., Neenah, Affinity Health System, a two-story, 31,400-sq. ft. medical clinic building.

Projects completed since our March issue: None

www.newnorthb2b.com

BUILD UP FOX CITIES 2

4&5

1

6 thru 8

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3 10

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Take the first step toward a professional, quality built construction project...

Building Quality Communities Contact us or visit our Web site for a full listing of your local construction professionals.

9 2 0 . 7 3 3 . 3 1 3 6 y 866.966.3928 y www.newbt.org NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 15

BUILD UP GREEN BAY Now, more than ever —

really

Manufacturing^ Matters!

One day designed just for busy manufacturers

LEARN. CONNECT. CELEBRATE. Tracks for executive and operations staff

New Features Panels of leaders, experts and manufacturers who have approached issues creatively, including: f Improving Wisconsin’s Talent Supply with Reggie Newson, Daniel Clancy and Jim Morgan f State Government Listening Post”staffed by representatives of the WEDC, DNR, DSPS and DOT on-hand to answer your specific questions

Build Up Green Bay The Build Up department of New North B2B includes a monthly twopage spread identifying significant commercial and industrial construction projects ongoing in the Green Bay area.

C - Indicates a new listing

1

- 1325 Cornell Road, Howard, SMT Machine & Tool, a 25,450-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacturing facility.

Project completion expected in May.

2 - 1966 Velp Ave., Howard, Vandervest Harley-Davidson, a 32,451-sq. ft. addition and renovation of the existing retail building.

3 - 1230 Hurlbut St., Green Bay, Oneida Energy Gasification, a 70,000-sq. ft. pyrolytic gasification electricity generation plant.

4 - 1077 W. Mason St., Green Bay, Tower Clock Surgery Center, a new ambulatory surgery center.

f Meeting the Challenges of Food Safety featuring Wisconsin food processing executives f Quick Response Manufacturing presentation and discussion by executives who use QRM

www.manufacturingmatters.org Register Now! Wednesday, May 9, 2012 Frontier Airlines Center, Milwaukee

5 - 315 N. Washington St., Green Bay, Watermark, a sixstory, 70,000-sq. ft. mixed-use development which will house Hagemeister Park restaurant and Children’s Museum of Green Bay. Completion expected in April.

6 - 2851 University Ave., Green Bay, Milo C. Huempfner Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic, a new 192,000-sq. ft. outpatient clinic for veterans services. Project completion expected in the spring of 2013.

7

Morning Keynote

Afternoon Keynote

former CEO of Bucyrus

President and CEO of

and special consultant for

Generac Holdings Inc.,

business and workforce

awarded Wisconsin

development for Wisconsin

Manufacturer of the Year

Tim Sullivan

Aaron Jagdfeld

- 1330 Bellevue St., Bellevue, KI, a 100,200-sq. ft. addition to the existing manufacturing facility. Project completion expected in June.

8 - 100 Grant St., De Pere, St. Norbert College Michels Commons, an addition to the existing student commons and cafeteria. Project completion expected in May. 9 - 1511 Lawrence Dr., De Pere, Grand Central Station, a new convenience store and fuel station. Project completion expected in June.

Projects completed since our March issue: • Menard’s, 2300 Woodman Dr., Howard.

• Keith’s Hair Center, 904 S. Military Ave., Green Bay.

B2B.indd 16 1

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www.newnorthb2b.com

BUILD UP GREEN BAY 1

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It’s coming... the 7th Annual Corporate Wellness Awards

Alla Tua

SALUTE!

Nominations due by May 7, 2012. Send your nomination by mail to: New North B2B, P.O. Box 559, Oshkosh, WI 54903 or email: sean@newnorthb2bcom.

NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 17

AROUND THE BOARDROOM

4.6

Title: Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business Author: Erik Qualman Publisher: Wiley (November 2010) Pages: 320 List Price: $16.95 Why Buy: In Socialnomics, Erik Qualman offers a fascinating look at the impact of social media on business to reveal what the future holds and how businesses can best take advantage of it. He explores how social media is changing the way businesses produce, market, and sell products, as well as how social media eliminates inefficient marketing tactics and middlemen.

The percent of licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, in Wisconsin who are male, according to a recent statewide survey of nearly 15,000 LPNs. Source: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

QUOTEWORTHY

legislation will enable Gov. Walker to claim victory of his policy to reign “Such in public employee wages and benefits... Allowing Gov. Walker to make such a claim just before the recall election will prove detrimental to recalling him...

A letter sent from leadership of the teachers unions in Madison, Kenosha, Green Bay and Racine this past March to officials of the Milwaukee Public Schools teachers union, urging it to rescind its request for assistance from state governent to help save 200 education jobs in the city.

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18 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

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AROUND THE BOARDROOM

A

Fluffocation

s long as I’ve known my psychologist friend, he’s been thoroughly convinced most people are stupid.

While it strikes me as cynical, his opinion often comes to mind as I read so much of the ambiguous “filler” content populating today’s marketing communications.

I’m not referring to content developed for the benefit of beginners – first-time moms and beginner investors, for example – they’ll need all the primary, useful and valuable information they can get.

I’m also not referring to the usual good practice of KISS (keep it simple, stupid) which is a harsh way of remembering how content written at a second-grade level can also be more accessible and engaging, as well as elegantly respectful of the reader’s time.

No, no, no… I’m talking about content-starved Marketeers who want safe filler so they appear fresh and new without putting themselves “out there.” They waste readers’ time with safe but obvious content, like one of those just-add-CoolWhip-to-Jell-O recipes.

Example: “If it’s still too chilly to linger outdoors on the first day of spring, whip up an indoor picnic instead… just lay a blanket on the living room floor.”

Another: “A postcard sent from your hometown has its own kind of whimsy… Pick up a few from a visitor center to keep on hand as notes or unique cards.” (Ya, or just send a basket of fried cheese curds. That’ll clog up your contents!)

This isn’t thought-driven content; it’s task-driven fluff. It’s not writing. It’s typing whose lack of utility loses readers fast.

Think before you distribute content that demonstrates little more than a need to fill space.

Still another example of needless content: Telling readers things they already know. This approach goes beyond the

breach of disrespecting the reader by its desperate, insecure and presumptuous attempt to demonstrate understanding of what the reader thinks or feels, like this gem: “As a healthcare administrator, you’re focused on improving patient satisfaction, growing ROI, forging stronger physician partnerships, engaging employees more fully, and creating positive community perceptions.”

With that many responsibilities, administrators certainly have neither time nor patience to read marketing communications that don’t immediately present a solution or benefit related to their pain points. ZAP! A better hook line could go something like this: “Our Patient-Centered Outpatient Care improvement solutions consistently deliver increased efficiency, reduced wait times, better patient outcomes, and increased market share at hundreds of hospitals and health systems, including 69 percent of all Magnet® hospitals in the U.S. Safe in its ambiguity, this kind of content sounds helpful and valuable until you realize you haven’t learned a thing. Take this list of items you’ll need to wash your car, please: • Car • Hose • Car soap • Bucket • Sponge • Brush for scrubbing the wheels and tires (optional) • Several towels for drying • Vacuum cleaner with hand-held attachments • Window cleaner • New air freshener or air freshener spray (optional) Why not take your car into a carwash and save Lake Winnebago, the Fox River and Green Bay from that polluting runoff? And while we’re at it, let’s stop tainting our communications with counter-productive content. It’s not as safe as some think.

Behind the façade of Mr. Stronglove is an advertising professional wielding strategic and conceptual stealth in all forms of media (except book jackets). Send comments (or crisp twenties) to piercestronglove@gmail.com. To submit work for review, it must be attached as a PDF in Adobe format with no other attachments.

NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 19

COVER STORY

Firefighters of Northeast Wisconsin 2012 Our 2nd annual initiative helping small business owners from the constant effort of putting out fires

Story by Sean Fitzgerald New North B2B publisher

Being a small business owner is a lonely proposition.

We know – we’re singing to the choir.

20 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

www.newnorthb2b.com

COVER STORY B2B readers are wrought with those warriors from the front lines of the battle of commerce, not only generals in leading the sales and service of their companies’ niche source of revenue, but in paying employees, determining advertising strategies, fixing I.T. issues, making coffee and cleaning toilets. Yes, being a small business owner requires a master’s degree in the hard knocks of business, and there’s rarely a degree or fraternity that can prepare one for the ups and downs experienced on a day-to-day basis.

While small business owners are often the masters of their own domain – be it in carpet cleaning, network troubleshooting, marketing or retail – it’s rare that they’re often also experts in the arts of budget management and reading profit and loss statements. Those small business owners who recognize they weren’t born to be all things to all businesses – and invest the time and other resources into improving their all-around skill sets – have the greatest opportunity to continue to grow their operations for years of success.

That’s the goal of our Firefighters of Northeast Wisconsin initiative: to provide a forum for those existing business owners who feel as if they’re constantly putting out fires to move beyond the problem-solving phase of their business and advance into the growing and planning phase of their company.

In its inaugural year in 2011, New North B2B’s Firefighters initiative helped two northeast Wisconsin businesses overcome their challenges to grow to the next level of success. IT Connexx, a Green Bay-based regional I.T. consulting firm, and its sister company, DVM Connexx – which provides I.T. solutions specifically to the veterinary industry on a national scope – were stifled by intertwined personnel, office space and internal systems confusion. Another company – Appleton-based Action

Painting & Carpet Care – suffered from a variety of financial issues due to the lack of a well-developed budget, defined policies and procedures, as well as having fallen behind on employee payroll tax payments and reporting.

To the rescue Lending assistance to these business owners are two of the region’s leading business consultants and strategists.

Both Steve Van Remortel and his team from SM Advisors in Green Bay, as well as Gary Vaughan and his team from Guident Business Solutions in Appleton, volunteered their time and expertise to help IT Connexx and Action Painting put out the fires and begin thinking about the future of their businesses.

They’ll do the same this year, working one on one during the next four to five months with two small business owners from northeast Wisconsin looking for assistance turning the next corner on the development of their business. Along the way and wrapping up with a capstone article in our September 2012 edition, B2B will follow up every month with each of our business owners and their strategy coaches to gain some perspective into the progress they’ve made, and to share their ideas and strategies with readers.

As illustrated in his work with Action Painting a year ago, Vaughan firmly believes that every decision a business owner makes is a financial decision. He recognizes that many of the so-called “fires” owners experience in their business are often rooted in dilemmas with cash flow. Vaughn works directly with clients to use their financial documents – their monthly profit and loss statements and their balance sheets – as tools for improving their financial outlook.

Last year, Van Remortel helped the owners of IT Connexx and

Firefighters of northeast Wisconsin

The consultants Gary Vaughan Founder, owner and president Guident Business Solutions LLC, Appleton www.guidentbusinesssolutions.com Vaughan launched Guident in February 2009 after spending his entire career teaching – both in the classroom and in business. Having previously spent many years as a business owner himself, Vaughan realized many business owners lacked fundamental skills such as understanding financials, human resource practices and management skills, as examples. His organization’s proprietary Guident 360° Assessment Program enables business owners to holistically address their business needs.

Vaughan has professional experience in a variety of industries, including retail, petroleum, manufacturing and academics. He is a senior adjunct instructor for Concordia University of Wisconsin; an instructor of financial analysis, budgeting and cost controls at Fox Valley Technical College; and a lecturer in economics and entrepreneurship at Lawrence University.

Steve Van Remortel Founder, owner and president SM Advisors, Green Bay www.smadvisors.com Van Remortel launched SM Advisors in 1999 following a career either leading or owning manufacturing, distribution and service companies. He holds a master’s degree in strategic management, as well as earned accreditation as a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst.

SM Advisors has completed more than 500 planning processes in over 250 businesses across the country from start up companies to those with annual revenues in excess of $4 billion. The firm focuses on the two fundamentals of business – strategy and talent – and guides organizations in developing a differentiated strategy and building a skill-set aligned team to execute the plan.

As a thought leader on strategic planning and talent management, Van Remortel has written articles for a variety of newspapers and periodicals. His book Stop Selling Vanilla Ice Cream is slated for publication later in 2012.

NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 21

COVER STORY DVM Connexx successfully and amicably sever the conjoined organization into two separate, completely independent business operations. Firmly believing that strategic management needs to be part of successfully moving any business forward, Van Remortel and his team from SM Advisors (for “strategic management”) have completed more than 500 planning processes in more than 250 businesses across the country. In each case, he worked with those businesses to develop a differentiated strategy and build a skill-set aligned team to execute that strategy. From his perspective, many struggling firms can be salvaged if they develop and effectively execute a well-planned strategy.

Regarded as a thought leader on strategic planning and talent management, Van Remortel has grown a bit of a following around the region and nationally for his proprietary Stop Selling Vanilla Ice Cream process which he uses with clients to develop a differentiated strategy. A book he’s authored of the same title is slated for publication later in 2012.

Turning the corner to profitability The entrepreneurial experience for LuAnn Vander Zanden and Bridal Elegance & Formalwear retail shop in downtown Kaukauna has been anything but a wellchoreographed plan in running and building a business.

Despite the variety of challenges that have fallen in her lap and obstacles she’s had to clear along the way, she’s been in business for 13 years and is still driven to achieve even bigger goals with her business.

PROFILE

Company:

Owner:

Location: Year started:

Employees: What it does:

Web site:

Bridal Elegance & Formalwear LuAnn Vander Zanden Kaukauna 1999 6 Retailer of bridal gowns, bridesmaid gowns, prom gowns, tuxedo rentals, shoes, bridal jewelry, wedding accessories and attendant gifts www.valleybridalelegance.com www.valleytuxedos.com

“I’m hoping to have a record-breaking year this year where I can take a vacation, get a new car, and not have to keep putting money back into the business,” Vander Zanden said. “The drive is there, and I’d eventually like to have a second store.”

The path to business ownership wasn’t exactly the journey she set out on earlier in life during her 23-year career as a senior business analyst with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Appleton and its forerunner, Aid Associations for Lutherans.

A good friend who was a partner in a bridal shop in Kaukauna encouraged Vander Zanden to help out on a part time basis on weekends, evenings and special bridal shows. When her

Let the Name Calling Begin!

Call Me “Over Achiever”

I’ve been called an “Over Achiever” all my life.

With four children, a job I love, and involvement on multiple boards and committees, I’ve learned the art of prioritizing.

Aside from my family, my clients come first; I always work over and above what they expect from a builder to help them achieve the building they need to grow and expand their businesses. My love of construction and passion for this community are the reasons I strive to achieve beyond anyone’s expectations.

I am a face of Keller, and whatever you choose to call me, I hope to show you that I will do my best to get your project completed on time and within your budget. I am an Employee Owner, Project Manager, and Design/Build Expert. But don’t just take me at face value, call today and experience for yourself the difference that is Keller, Inc.

Construction Excellence Since 1960

1.800.236.2534 l www.kellerbuilds.com Offices in the Fox Cities, Madison, Milwaukee & Wausau 22 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

Kip, AKA “ Over Achie ver” Project Ma nager Co-Owner See Kip’s work at the following local businesses: Baye Dentistry, Van Zeeland Manufacturing, Veronica Tovar D.D.S., Apple Creek Orthodontics, The StoneYard, Players Choice, Innovative Machining & CountrySide Vet Services to name a few.

A

FACE of Keller

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friend’s partner suddenly disappeared and inexplicably abandoned the business, Vander Zanden and her friend decided to open a bridal shop business of their own.

They searched for a building, and in May 1999 opened Bridal Elegance in its current location in downtown Kaukauna with 12 dresses and five employees. Vander Zanden would continue her fulltime job at AAL and work in the shop evenings and weekends, while her friend and now-business partner would run the day-to-day operations of the store.

The venture appeared to be running smoothly for more than five years until Vander Zanden’s partner approached her in late 2004 and said she was leaving the business within a week. Vander Zanden scrambled to learn how to do payroll, learn the nuances of the bookkeeping software, figure out the employee scheduling and develop relationships with lenders and vendors.

It was quite a change of pace – Vander Zanden had been the “hands-off” of the two partners since the outset of Bridal Elegance, and finally found herself thrust into the role as the sole owner and operator. The buck stopped with her and no one else. She persevered, and continued to work fulltime at Thrivent until March 2005, when Vander Zanden finally stretched her schedule too thin that she needed to resign in order to salvage the investment in her business.

In the months that followed her partner’s departure, Vander Zanden would learn bills weren’t being paid to vendors, payroll taxes and associated reporting wasn’t made to the IRS, and funds were missing from certain cash accounts in the business.

“It was a struggle at the time,” Vander Zanden said. “We’ve come a long way since then.”

Indeed she has, having not only kept Bridal Elegance going – but growing – all the while cleaning up a majority of the financial and tax issues that hindered the company during the past eight years.

She now boasts an inventory of more than 350 bridal gowns, an even greater amount of bridesmaid gowns, mother-of-thebride/groom dresses, a second floor dedicated to prom gowns, a tuxedo-rental enterprise and a full line of bridal and wedding accessories. It’s a one-stop-shop for betrothed couples and their families, and the six employee-staff at Bridal Elegance is as professional as they come.

GET OUT OF YOUR

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TNT ADVENTURE! Opening June 2012 3-hour and 6-hour TEAM BUILDING events for groups of 15 or more to include: Obstacle Course Challenge for all levels of fitness Healthy Eating seminar Kettlebell Instruction by RKC Level II instructor

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Tuxedo rentals are a unique business center which represents substantial income for Bridal Elegance in Kaukauna.

TNT Adventure is an affiliate of TNT Fitness Results Functional Fitness Gym: www.tntfr.com Check out www.kettlebellsfromhome.com for real-time class kettlebell instruction.

NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 23

COVER STORY But she still faces additional complications.

Vander Zanden owns the downtown Kaukauna building which houses her business, and it requires a substantial amount of time, work and money. The historic 110-year-old building certainly preserves a good deal of traditional charm that suits her wedding and formal wear business, but the trade-off has been a host of unpredictable and often costly repairs.

In the months that followed her partner’s departure, Vander Zanden would learn bills weren’t being paid to vendors...and funds were missing from certain cash accounts.

During the past six years, she’s put on a new commercialgrade roof, replaced exterior windows on the second floor, installed a new heating and cooling system, and repaired the exterior walls where brick began to fall.

Vander Zanden said she struggles with decisions about where and how to advertise her business, how much to spend, and how to determine if she’s receiving a return on her marketing investment.

She also does little to project and plan her expenses in advance, both in the short-term as well as throughout the year.

“I feel I don’t have a grasp on how to figure out a budget,”

®

Presents:

she said. “I’d like some training in that regard.”

Lastly, while Vander Zanden has grown the business and taken care of correcting its financial obligations and building maintenance, she’s done so at the expense of herself and her family – she hasn’t taken a paycheck since the business opened. Her children have grown up and entered college, and her supportive husband has been carrying most of the family’s financial responsibilities.

Vander Zanden said she’s driving a 1997 Chrysler. She’s ready for a new car. She’d like to take a vacation this year, and said it’s about time she takes a paycheck. She’s hoping Vaughan and his team from Guident Business Solutions can help her learn to budget, spend her marketing dollars more effectively, and develop a more predictable financial stability.

Capitalizing on growth opportunities Caramel Crisp & Café’s Chanda Anderson has consistently built up her downtown Oshkosh destination since opening it four years ago.

Anderson took a textbook approach to launching her company, writing a well-thought out business plan, financing nearly all of her capital costs with her own savings or with operating revenues along the way, and climbing the ladder of business success slowly, waiting to become sure-footed on each wrung she climbs onto before advancing to the next. Like Vander Zanden, Anderson has also never taken a paycheck since starting her business – not because she hasn’t been able to do so – but simply because she’s chosen not to, rather

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COVER STORY PROFILE

Company:

Owner:

Location: Year started:

Employees: What it does:

Web site:

Caramel Crisp & Café Chanda Anderson Oshkosh 2008 10 Retailer of caramel corn, flavored popcorn, café, bakery, ice cream parlor and gift shop www.caramelcrispcafe.com

taking any earnings after all the rest of her expenses and returning those proceeds back into the business.

Caramel Crisp had been an institution in downtown Oshkosh since 1933, but had closed and reopened on a few occasions under a handful of different owners. Anderson’s own mother had purchased Caramel Crisp 25 years ago, and eventually closed it earlier last decade.

Anderson reopened the business in 2008 as a place to quell a sweet tooth with a take-home or gift bag of flavored popcorn, as well as providing a café with a light menu of sandwiches and soups. It’s since evolved into a bakery, ice cream parlor and gift shop, and is regarded as one of the downtown’s leading destinations for a mid-afternoon treat, boasting some of the most creative flavors of warm, fresh cookies. Her gift tins of flavored popcorn have evolved into popular holiday season presents, so much so, that she and another employee were often running ragged in a cramped gift prep area to fill orders.

“It was incredible that I was that lucky during the holiday season last year, and that we continue to be so lucky,” Anderson said.

An ongoing expansion will allow Caramel Crisp more space for its gift shop as well as for preparing gift tins and gift bags of confections.

But Anderson faces other barriers to her business reaching its full potential. With limited capabilities in her kitchen, her café’s menu offerings have been limited, but are a staple for many during the lunch hour. She wonders to what degree she

could capture more of the breakfast market by expanding her menu during the morning hours.

“If I could even grow my morning business by 10 percent, I’d be happy,” she said.

On the flip side, Anderson has debated expanding her hours of operation in the other direction, extending her early evening closing time by providing an upscale dessert and wine bar as a nightcap destination for patrons of many of the arts and entertainment events occurring in downtown Oshkosh during the evening. But such a decision would accompany a host of other issues – extended staffing, obtaining a liquor license, and concerns about clashing with the unsavory side of nightlife drunkenness.

She’s also considered expanding into a line of artisan breads, a way of generating greater efficiency from her bakery which sits idle at least 16 hours each day.

Lastly, Anderson goes back and forth about opening a second location of Caramel Crisp & Café. The business model is ripe to be replicated, and she’s been courted by downtown organizations across the region to open her “next” location in their community, but Anderson has been reluctant, noting it would take even more time from her already busy schedule.

Currently she’s not looking to expand, and turned down an opportunity to open a second location in The Outlet Shoppes at Oshkosh last holiday season.

Anderson is hoping Van Remortel and his team at SM Advisors can help her create a strategy for managing the growth of her Caramel Crisp’s offering without overwhelming herself or her customers.

Bags of caramel corn are popular for customers to pick up on their way home from work.

NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 25

HUMAN RESOURCES

social

To be or not to be

Local employers who’ve embraced a pro-social media climate in the office Story by Cheryl Hentz

26 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

As social media sites and social networking have exploded in recent years, there’s been increased discussion as to whether employers should encourage, or at least allow some access to such sites in the workplace. Or should they keep employees away from social media altogether during the workday? A number of experts lean toward employers encouraging and permitting at least some use. Many employers don’t seem to be heeding that advice, however.

According to a recent study by East Coast-based international law firm Proskauer Rose LLP, 25 percent of businesses do not allow social media use by their employees while at work, while 27 percent allow certain employees access to social media and social networking sites. In another study by placement firm Robert Half Technologies, 54 percent of companies who responded said they banned their employees from accessing social networking sites at work. They cited a loss of productivity as the primary reason for the prohibitive policy. Others believe their brand and corporate image could be damaged if their employees were to use, or misuse, social media at work.

www.newnorthb2b.com

HUMAN RESOURCES Advantages to social media use at work As a local technology and social media guru, Jeff Hayes works with companies to align their technology with their business operations. The principal of Neenah-based AlignTech Solutions, he agrees with the various survey results showing most companies are avoiding social media and its use by employees, but said most companies could benefit from some type of social media involvement. Those that aren’t, Hayes said, are doing themselves a disservice in most cases.

“Companies that are good at hiring people are usually good at understanding where people’s strengths and passions lie.

Those are the ideal people, not just to hire, but also to have engaged in social media, even while they’re at work,” Hayes said. “They’re more likely to say very positive things about the company, they’re more likely to enjoy their job and do excellent work for the company and, therefore, for the company’s clients.”

There are various advantages to allowing social media use at work. Among them, increased productivity, greater job satisfaction and the ability to leverage employees’ networks.

Despite employer fears about productivity loss, that same Robert Half study referenced earlier showed just the opposite – 70 percent of employees who use social media at work are more productive than those who are prohibited from using it.

Because of the fact that social media allows people to connect with so many others simultaneously, allowing employees to do some social networking at work could expose that business to its employees’ followers, giving the company a lot of

free advertising, as well as additional resources to find solutions to problems that arise.

“If you want to be a subject matter expert, you can no longer rely on one or two sources for your information,” Hayes continued. “You really have to go out there and see what’s being said around the world and, to me, (social media) is a way to do that. It’s not only a way to communicate to the rest of the world what’s going on in your mind or in your life, but also to absorb certain types of information.”

70 percent of employees who use social media at work are more productive than those who are prohibited from using it.

Dana VanDen Heuvel, founder of The MarketingSavant Group in Green Bay and a facilitator for the New North Social Media Breakfast Series, sees a variety of companies using social media to express a position of thought leadership, especially among other businesses.

“Yes, you can share sales, deals, promotions and such with customers, but on the flip side, on the B2B side, they’re using these channels to express their unique points of view, their differentiation, and to share content and deliver interesting information on educational topics that position them as a trusted

NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 27

HUMAN RESOURCES Guidelines for developing social media policies Employers should consider adopting a social media or networking policy.

That policy should include the following, according to Tony Renning, a partner and labor and employment attorney with Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. in Oshkosh.

At a minimum, the policy should include a couple of points: It should address the misuse of social media or networking – whether it’s on duty or off duty – and it should specifically and clearly say that, depending on the circumstances, misuse of social media or networking would be grounds for discipline up to and including discharge; It should state that when employees use company computers, Smartphones, iPads, and other company-owned communications technology, or even if the employee is using their own home computer or other devices to log into the company network, they have no right to privacy; It should state that employees are prohibited from engaging in illegal activity, including trademark or copyright infringement, and that if such violations occur, the employer will cooperate with the agencies or authorities handling the investigation.

advisor or expert, or at least a valued resource,” VanDen Heuvel continues.

Skyline Technologies, an IT consulting company with offices in Appleton and Green Bay, encourages its developers to use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and various blogs on a regular basis.

“A big part of our branding initiative for about the last two years has been to position our people as thought leaders in our industry,” explained Michele Yahr, Skyline’s marketing manager. “The people that work here are all extremely intelligent. They’re highly certified. They’re educated and trained.

So we want to make sure that they’re out speaking, helping out in their communities and doing the best of branding for us by doing those things. Part of that is social media.”

Skyline’s employees are encouraged to have their own personal blogs for expressing political opinions and other things of a more personal nature than on their professional accounts, and they’re encouraged to include a statement in their bio indicating their opinions are not necessarily the company’s or that of their customers.

Because it’s a technology company, Skyline’s use of social media – especially by its employees during the workday – is unlike most other companies. Still, VanDen Heuvel says “For companies to become a more social business they need to embrace social media and its concepts, and use that as they would any other tool, like Lean principles, as a core tenant in their business.

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Lastly, Renning said it’s critical to follow up by actively communicating and implementing the policy.

“I also think there’s an obligation on the part of the employer to provide some training so that employees not only understand the policy, but understand the consequences of violating that policy,” Renning says. “Also, it doesn’t do any good for the employer to have the policy and to have shared it with the employees if they’re just going to turn the other way when there is a violation. It needs to be enforced.”

- by Cheryl Hentz

28 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

Please consider stopping in, calling or emailing our team!

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HUMAN RESOURCES Pitfalls to avoid from social media at work Of course, like everything else in business, those amenities perceived as an advantage often have the potential for downside risk. Plenty of pitfalls could be attributed to social media use among employees, but nearly all can be avoided if properly managed in advance.

According to Tony Renning, partner and a labor and employment attorney with Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. in Oshkosh, the pitfalls to allowing and limiting the use of social media in the workplace include the disclosure, even unintentionally, of confidential information or trade secrets, as well as the unauthorized use of trademarks, or trademark or copyright infringement.

In addition, social media sites could be used by unhappy employees to post negative comments about the company, and there’s always the possibility of someone taking advantage of a good thing and spending too much time on social media.

To manage these potential dilemmas, Renning said it’s critical for employers to have a sound social media policy in place and to thoroughly communicate it with all staff.

Restricting employees’ use of social media – both on the job and in their personal time – has its own pitfalls, depending on the kind of work the employer does. For public sector employers, trying to restrict someone’s use of social media during work time seems appropriate. But when they’re at home they should be able to express themselves politically, for example.

“Employees have a First Amendment right to be able to express their opinions, so employers should be careful to what extent they’re trying to regulate their employees,” Renning said. “The other issue that comes up in either the public or private sector relates to the National Labor Relations Act. An employee that’s out there criticizing their employer on social media who’s (on the clock) is probably improper. But if they’re on their own time, on their own computer, they may have that right.”

On the human resources side of your company, employers need to be careful using social media tools like LinkedIn for recruitment purposes, guarding against using certain information found on any applicant’s social media sites. In other words, if you can’t elicit certain information about age, marital status, race, etc., in a personal interview, you can’t purposely seek out that same kind of data on social media pages either.

When you look at the big picture, social media is really no different than any other form of electronic communication that employers have already accepted and embraced, such as Internet use and email. If they use the same kind of common-sense approach to social media that they did with those other technologies, and have a social media policy in place, employees will, in most cases, act responsibly and professionally. If companies want to compete in a global economy, social media is one more way to get attention from a global audience.

Cheryl Hentz is a freelance writer from Oshkosh with nearly 30 years of professional writing experience. In addition to individual and corporate writing, her articles cover a variety of topics including business and economic development, government and politics, family pets and animal rights, minority and women’s issues, finance and education. She can be reached at 920.426.4123, via email at cheryl.hentz@gmail.com, or through her blog at www.cherylhentz. blogspot.com.

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NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 29

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Back in the saddle Gains in new business incorporation and in intellectual property creation highlight region’s Entrepreneurial Index

Story by Sean Fitzgerald, New North B2B publisher After reaching five-year lows in a variety of entrepreneurial measurements in northeast Wisconsin during mid to late 2010, the region began to demonstrate signs of progress into 2011.

That was according to the most recent results of the New North-UW Oshkosh Entrepreneurial Index released late last year and the first update of results since the index made its debut in late 2010.

The index – an idea born out of the New North Small Business & Entrepreneurial Council and the Small Business Development Center at UW Oshkosh – is based on similar national metrics gauged by the Michigan-based Kaufman Foundation for Entrepreneurship and tracks the region’s activity in new business formation, intellectual property creation, innovative worker employment and access to capital.

30 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

According to the most recent index results, new business formation in northeast Wisconsin has been trending positive since reaching a five-year low during the second quarter 2010, increasing from nearly 700 newly incorporated businesses at that time to almost 1,900 during the second quarter of 2011.

The two-month moving average for the index appears to be on track to return to more typical levels experienced in 2005 and 2006, said Bob O’Donnell, director for UW Oshkosh’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the impetus behind the creation of the index.

“It looks as if we could be returning to what could be defined as ‘normal,’” O’Donnell said of the most recent results.

Similarly, intellectual property creation in the region has been steadily rising since reaching an almost five-year low in the fourth quarter of 2010. The measurement of the total

www.newnorthb2b.com

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT number of patents and trademarks granted in the New North region has been consistently above 200 for each quarter of 2011 after slipping down to nearly 180 during the last quarter of 2010.

While those figures represent positive news coming out of the national and global recession, perhaps the most alarming trend surfacing from the most recent index results is the rapid decline in innovative worker employment in the region. By the fourth quarter of 2010, all of northeast Wisconsin’s gains in that category during the years from 2005 to 2008 had evaporated. By the end of 2010, innovative worker employment – those people employed in one of four technical industries as defined through the North American Industrial Classification System – had slid to about 20,000 workers in the New North region, down from the 2008 peak of nearly 21,700 workers, representing a loss of more than 7 percent.

“That just took a nosedive. And that’s not recovering,” said O’Donnell. “I think it’s going to have a major impact in the long run as well.”

Access to capital in the region – a measure of the total value of loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration originating in New North – had returned to more consistent levels during the last year of roughly $25 to $40 million each quarter after spiking to $120 million during the fourth quarter 2010.

That sharp increase in SBA lending in the region reflected a series of temporary changes to lending practices supported through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – the so-called federal stimulus package of 2009 – which eliminated many of the application fees and increased the guarantee levels on SBA-backed loans. Those temporary enticements for businesses to borrow expired at the end of 2010, fueling much of the rush.

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TRANSPORTATION

1

1-Lakeview Drive Bridge Construction

Schedule: August through

December 2012

• Reconstruction of Lakeview Drive overpass • Lakeview Drive at US 41 will be closed during construction

Brown County 2-New Shawano Avenue and Packerland Drive Schedule: March through November 2012

• Construction of new Shawano Avenue, located north of the existing WIS 29 facility, along with ramps connecting Packerland Drive (County EB)

2 3

4-Lombardi Avenue (County VK) Interchange

Schedule: March through September 2012 Cost: $4.2 million

4

• Reconstruction of Lombardi Avenue interchange

3-Mason Street (WIS 54) Interchange

Schedule: February through August 2012 Cost: $29 million

• Reconstruction of the interchange and replacement of the Mason Street Bridge • The Mason Street interchange, bridge and Mason/Taylor Streets intersection closed in February and will reopen in August 2012

US 41 Mainline

Schedule: Orange Lane to Glory Road – March 2012 through June 2013 9th Street to Larsen Road – September 2011 through October 2012 Larsen Road to Memorial Drive – August 2012 through August 2014 Cost: $57 million • Reconstruction of the US 41 mainline, including construction to replace box culverts along the mainline and the 9th Street bridge • The completed US 41 mainline will have three lanes of traffic in each direction

32 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

5

5-Main Avenue (County G) Interchange Schedule: March through November 2012

• Reconstruction of Main Avenue interchange; expand and improve park and ride lot • The entire interchange and Main Avenue, including access under US 41, will be closed to traffic with no access to or from US 41 for 60 days between August and November

www.newnorthb2b.com

TRANSPORTATION

Construction Projects for 2012 Winnebago County

US 41 Mainline Paving

Schedule: US 45 to Breezewood Lane - April 2011 through June 2013

Witzel Avenue to US 45 - August 2011 through July 2013 Length: 8 miles Cost: $45 million • Reconstruction of the northbound lanes of the US 41 mainline • The completed US 41 mainline will have three lanes of traffic in each direction

6-US 45 Interchange

Schedule: August 2010 through August 2012 Cost: $31 million

6 7

• Completion of the interchange to provide free-flow movements between US 41 and US 45 • The northbound entrance and exit ramps at US 41 and the northbound flyover ramp to US 45 will be closed until July 2012

Lake Butte des Morts Causeway

Schedule: September 2011 through September 2013 Length: 2 miles Cost: $54.2 million • Construction began in September of 2011 on three new bridge structures on the new southbound lanes west of the existing roadway • Two lanes of traffic will remain open in both directions, but lanes and shoulders will be narrow

7-WIS 21 Interchange

Schedule: August 2011 through November 2012 Cost: Part of the $54 million causeway project • Reconstruction of the existing interchange and roundabouts on WIS 21 and ramp ends • This interchange is closed to traffic from March through November

For information on the US 41 major project, please check the project website: http://us41wisconsin.gov/overview/about-the-project/2012-construction-schedule NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 33

WHO’S NEWS Incorporations New North B2B includes a monthly list of new business incorporations filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

Brown County

David Denis Gallery LLC, David Denis, 125 Lorrie Way, De Pere 54115.

Li’s Panda Buffet Inc., Zhen Xiao Li, 310 N. Wisconsin St., De Pere 54115.

The Blind Shop LLC, Russell A. Van Rite, 3684 Packerland Dr., De Pere 54115.

Mojito Touchless Cash Solutions LLC, William Michael Dorsch, 230 Beau Rivage Ct., De Pere 54115.

Sustainable Fiber LLC, Steven Herman, 1387 Bingham Dr., De Pere 54115.

Epic Retail Services LLC, John E. Frawley, 2200 Dickinson Road, Ste. 1B, De Pere 54115.

Northeast Wisconsin Waterproofing LLC, Gerald R. Drewiske, 4814 Glenmore Road, De Pere 54115.

Alliance Metal Fabricating LLC, Jeffrey A. Geyer, N6372 County Road E, De Pere 54115.

K&K Benefit Solutions LLC, Dean Michael Raasch, 733 St. Mary’s St., De Pere 54115.

Dollar Hill Equestrian Center LLC, Glauco Roberto Brandini, 2690 Dollar Road, Green Bay 54311.

Brad Prentice Insurance Agency LLC, Brad Prentice, 1679 E. Mason St., Green Bay 54302.

Jennie Elizabeth Designs Inc., Jennie Sykes-Schwenk, 1114 S. Clay St., Green Bay 54301.

Cardinal Aviation LLC, Gary L. Fairchild, 2140 Hutson Road, Green Bay 54303.

Future Tech Communications LLC, George L. Porod III, 1162 Grignon St., Green Bay 54301.

Eclipse Massage LLC, Patience M. Carlson, 790 Hansen Road, Green Bay 54304.

GTS Contracting & Remodeling LLC, Sean Thomas Gestrich, 4584 Algonquin Trail, Green Bay 54313.

Glide N.E.W. LLC, Nicholas A. Dokolas, 3477 Blackwolf Run, Green Bay 54311.

New North Carpentry Inc., Roy C. Kurowski, 2774 Saint Ann Dr., Green Bay 54311.

Jacqueline Ann Invitations LLC, Jacqueline Ann Franklin, 4659 Swan Road, Green Bay 54311.

Affordable Quality Construction LLC, Brian Berry, 2048 Hillview Dr., Green Bay 54302.

Aegis Safety Management Consulting LLC, Jamie Allen Strohmeyer, 2781 Durham Road, Green Bay 54311.

Packerland Attorney Services LLC, Jessica Gering, 1227 12th Ave., Green Bay 54304.

Royalty Pet Foods Inc., Kevin A. Burkel, 1049 Lombardi Access Road, Green Bay 54304.

Honeybadger Distillery LLC, Carl Wesley, 2948 Shawano Ave., Green Bay 54313.

LeanKlean LLC, Lisa Michelle Van Remortel, 1841 S. Ridge Road, Ste. A1, Green Bay 54304.

Smokey’s on the Bay LLC, Jeff Tilkens, 3919 Lloyd St., Green Bay 54311.

G&L Pilot Car Service LLC, Gary Robert Cravillion, 2210 Patty Lane, Green Bay 54304.

East Mason Auto Sales LLC, Mike Strainis, 2870 Crosshaven Ave., Green Bay 54313.

Wisconsin Financial Associate Team LLC, Pamela Schott,

34 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

2301 Riverside Dr., Ste. 5, Green Bay 54301.

Skylight Gallery LLC, Anthony Rockey, 305 S. Broadway St., Green Bay 54303.

Heating & Cooling Works LLC, Clifton C. Devroy, 514 Floral Dr., Green Bay 54301.

Lion Gate Technology LLC, James L. Mueller, 1500 Ravine Dr., Green Bay 54313.

Admiral Asset Management LLC, Teresa Rosengarten, 301 N. Adams St., Green Bay 54301.

American Cabinetry LLC, Neal Allen Carlton, 480 Robert Lane, Green Bay 54311.

Dent Away LLC, Michael J. Pagel, 2213 Sunny Lane, Green Bay 54313.

Pine View Dental Care West LLC, Brian Wackwitz, 1415 W. Mason St., Green Bay 54303.

AMI Hydraulic Components Corp., Kelley T. Krouth, 2325 Pamperin Road, Green Bay 54313.

Four Winds Restorative Justice LLC, Robert Miller, Jr., 4784 Creek Valley Lane, Oneida 54155.

Acme Anvil Co. LLC, Jeffrey Meixelsperger, 946 Oakmont Ct., Oneida 54155.

Top of the Hill Pizza LLC, Shaun Clarmont, W135 Service Road, Oneida 54155.

Arms & Archery LLC, Thimiot S. Lindgren, 3997 St. Francis Park Dr., Suamico 54313.

Key Global Trade and Investments LLC, Timothy Raupp, 172 Golf Course Dr., Wrightstown 54180.

Fond du Lac County

Mueller Farms of Lomira LLC, Mark J. Mueller, N11058 County Road AY, Brownsville 53006.

Miller Logistics Inc., Crystal L. Miller, W1083 Lake Dr., Campbellsport 53010.

Bill Braatz Painting LLC, Bill Braatz, N4085 Edgewood Lane, Eden 53019.

Compass Surveying LLC, Jeffrey S. Butzke, 611 Kingswood Ave., Fond du Lac 54935.

Diane Rieder, CPA, LLC, Diane Rieder, N9271 Meyer Ct., Fond du Lac 54937.

Share Fine Art Galleries LLC, Benjamin A. Braunberger, W5747 Lost Arrow Road, Fond du Lac 54937.

Dana’s Knitting Room LLC, Dana A. Wilson, W7901 County Road T, Fond du Lac 54937.

Jam Chocolates LLC, Maria L. Graef, 868 W. Scott St., #FF 301, Fond du Lac 54937.

Technical Resources and Consulting Inc., Michael J. Riegert, 56 Westfield Cir., Fond du Lac 54935.

Diane Coffen Employment Agency LLC, Diane Coffen, 363 3rd St., Fond du Lac 54935.

Holiday Ford LLC, Michael R. Shannon, 390 N. Rolling Meadows Dr., Fond du Lac 54937.

Law Office of Timothy E. Hogan LLC, Timothy Edward Hogan, W3399 Skylane Dr., Malone 53049.

Graceful Way Farm LLC, Kevin Doll, W1349 Kohlmann Lane, Mt. Calvary 53057.

Help 2 Organize LLC, Phyllis Ninneman, 318 Chapleau St., North Fond du Lac 54937.

Huth Appraisals LLC, Gerald F. Huth, W9096 County Road AS, Oakfield 53065.

Kicking Bear Apiaries LLC, Ellen J. Geisler, 1024 Thomas St., Ripon 54971.

L&M Vending LLC, Eric Heiden, 44 Parkway Terrace, Lot 15D, Ripon 54971.

Silver Creek Landscaping LLC, Michael Patrick Heinig, 712

www.newnorthb2b.com

WHO’S NEWS Metomen St., Ripon 54971.

Butz Tire LLC, Terrance J. Butz, 933 Main St., P.O. Box 257, St. Cloud 53079.

Hillside Autos LLC, Joshua Zweifel, W665 State Road 23, St. Cloud 53079.

Enchanted Florals LLC, Mary A. Forstner, 101 South St., P.O. Box 165, St. Cloud 53079.

Mitchell Motorcycle Transport LLC, Robert J. Mitchell, 301 W. Main St., Waupun 53963.

Green Lake County

Native Shores Nursery LLC, Jack D. Shead, N2375 State Road 49, Berlin 54923.

Oconto County

Executive Support LLC, Tracy Heather Herdman, Ph.D., 5458 Norway Woods Lane, Abrams 54101.

Outagamie County

Mailor Eggroll Express LLC, Mailor Lor, 2303 S. Oneida St., Ste. D, Appleton 54915.

Texas Farm Products Company, Kim McGownd, 1617 Kernan Ave., Appleton 64114.

Valley Premium Homes LLC, Christian Bruce Gall, 4401 N. Marshall Heights Ave., Appleton 54913.

Tuomisto Papertech LLC, Martti Vilho Antero Tuomisto, 4717 N. Brookridge Lane, Appleton 54913.

Kraft Law Offices LLC, Peter Johann Kraft, 2500 E. Enterprise Ave., Unit B, Appleton 54913.

Lisa J. Blohm Insurance Agency LLC, Lisa J. Blohm, 2575 W.

Brewster St., Appleton 54914.

Westby Designs LLC, Alan Kent Westby, 2521 N. Mason St., Appleton 54914.

Shane’s Budget Auto Repair LLC, Shane D. Green, 2021 E. Glendale Ave., Appleton 54911.

CPW Engineering and Manufacturing LLC, Daniel Lee Wagner, 5200 Greenville Dr., Appleton 54913.

Oldenburg Financial Group LLC, Chadwick Oldenburg, 519 E. Parkway Blvd., Appleton 54911.

Trio Golf & Development LLC, James W. Snyder, 3226 N. Shawnee Lane, Appleton 54914.

M.F. Cleaning Services LLC, Jeni Flores, 1200 E. Northland Ave., Appleton 54911.

Laird Farms LLC, Steven K. Wieckert, 3033 W. Spencer St., Appleton 54914.

Affordable Computer Repair LLC, Jason W. Cheng, 2783 W. Hiawatha Dr., Appleton 54914.

Jack’s Burger Shack LLC, Jack C. Welch, N9629 Patti Ct., Appleton 54915.

First Team Wealth Management LLC, Michael R. Verstegen, 422 Hidden Ridges Way, Combined Locks 54113.

Voet Computer Training & Consulting LLC, Beth Voet, 105 Oakridge Ct., Combined Locks 54113.

Folgore Security International LLC, Robert Wallis, N1268 River Dr., Greenville 54942.

Duke’s Tree Farm LLC, Daniel Draheim, N614 Greendale Road, Hortonville 54944.

Back Again Furniture and Oddities LLC, Sandra Mildred Dowling, 209 W. Bath St., Hortonville 54944.

Lake Effects Art Creations LLC, Barbara J. Hidde, W9401 Givens Road, Hortonville 54944.

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Law Office of Luanna H. Marko LLC, Luanna H. Marko, 680 Tarragon Dr., Unit 10, Kaukauna 54130.

Huebner Farms LLC, Robert K. Huebner, W732 County Road KK, Kaukauna 54130.

Kramer’s Moving Service LLC, Brandon Clifford Kramer, 2000 Welhouse Dr., Kaukauna 54130.

Wisconsin Association For Home Health Care Inc., Badger Bay Management Company LLC, 563 Carter Ct., Ste. B, Kimberly 54136.

Hearanow Records LLC, William Curl, 713 S. Railroad St., Apt. 6, Kimberly 54136.

Innovative Inventory LLC, Donald W. Vanden Heuvel, 201 E. Kennedy Ave., Kimberly 54136.

Angry Badger Storage LLC, Joseph Dengel, 715 Lori Lane, Little Chute 54140.

Winnebago County

Talent Solutions LLC, Katharine Ruth Lett, 5019 Washington St., P.O. Box 228, Butte des Morts 54927.

Hometown Home Inspections LLC, Michael James Pfankuch, 4556 Grandview Road, Larsen 54947.

Indivo Salon LLC, Susan Mercier-Grade, 714 Appleton Road, Menasha 54952.

AIM Reusable Packaging LLC, Thomas Stafford, 1414 Lakeshore Dr., Menasha 54952.

St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church Ltd., David Skarsten, 473 7th St., Menasha 54952.

Running Mind Marketing Inc., Lisa Pierson, 445 Broad St., P.O. Box 133, Menasha 54952.

NE Wisconsin Realty LLC, Amber Schaffer, 2989 Georgetown Place, Menasha 54952.

DrXercise LLC, David Lawrence Brown, 880 S. Oneida St., Menasha 54952.

Jake Davel Art and Design LLC, Jacob J. Davel, 856 S. Commercial St., Neenah 54956.

Handi-Capability.com Inc., Monica Peterson, 312 Stanley Ct., Neenah 54956.

Aspen Restaurant Group LLC, Jeffry Scott Maroszek, 120 N. Lake St., Neenah 54956.

N.E.W. Floors LLC, Kent Zaretzke, 241 Fourth St., Neenah 54956.

Fox Valley PC Geek LLC, Scott Hughes, 129 Gruenwald Ave., Neenah 54956.

Square One Construction LLC, Kenneth Wayne Kerley, 1509 S. Commercial St., Neenah 54956.

Griffin Fabrication LLC, Todd R. Stimac, 2414 Industrial Dr., #D, Neenah 54956.

Arc Restoration and Cleaning Inc., Jesse Chase, 1496 North St., Neenah 54956.

Rushford Meadery and Winery LLC, Shane Coombs, 4324 Springbrook Lane, Omro 54963.

Environmental Equipment Sales LLC, Danny J. Schloss, 835 Harborview Ct., Oshkosh 54901.

Fox Valley Soccer Training LLC, Matthew Alan Callahan, 3197 Bellfield Dr., Oshkosh 54904.

K. Decker Builders LLC, Keith G. Decker, 4614 Red Fox Road, Oshkosh 54904.

Krystal Klear Marketing & Design LLC, Krystal R. Maloney, 5046 Island View Dr., Oshkosh 54901.

Distinctive PC LLC, Scott Briggs, 1527 W. Bent Ave., Oshkosh 54901.

Sustainable Treatment Processes LLC, Daniel Patrick Sexton, 3244 Leonard Point Lane, Oshkosh 54904.

Schachtner, Jahnke and Associates Inc., Jeffrey A. Jahnke, 1107 Twin Harbor, Winneconne 54986.

www.newnorthb2b.com

WHO’S NEWS Building Permits B2B includes a monthly list of building permits (not to include residential projects) in excess of $400,000.

Rivervision Partners/ Hagemeister Park Restaurant, 325 N. Washington St., Green Bay. $500,000 for a build out of the restaurant, bar and meeting room space. General contractor is Paul Johnson Construction LLC of De Pere. February 23.

Appleton Alliance Church, 2693 W. Grand Chute Blvd., town of Grand Chute. $5,591,302 for a 73,944-sq. ft. third phase addition to the existing church campus. General contractor is Boldt Construction Co. of Appleton. February 23.

U.S. Oil Co., 1124 N. Broadway, Green Bay. $800,000 for two 30,000-gallon butane tanks. Contractor listed as self. February 27.

New businesses Get Connected Counseling, LLC opened at 5497 Waterford Lane, Ste. A in Appleton by Cherie Lindberg. The mental health counseling office is lead by four counselors and one bodyworker. Many of the services the counseling center provides are covered by health insurance or employment assistance programs. More information is available by calling 920.750.6120 or going online to getconnectedcounseling.com.

New locations Child Care Resource & Referral, Inc. moved its agency to 1001 W. Kennedy Ave., Ste. A in Kimberly.

The northeast Wisconsin franchise for PODS (Portable On Demand Storage) moved its climate controlled storage center to 201 S. Pearl St. in Green Bay in the KK Integrated Logistics Building.

Mergers/ acquisitions Mike Shannon Automotive Inc., the parent company for Holiday Automotive dealerships in Fond du Lac, purchased Service Motors Ford in Fond du Lac. The sales and service operations of the Ford dealership have been relocated to the Holiday Mazda location at Highways 41 and 23, along with about 30 employees from Service Motors.

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Awards and honors earned by individuals are listed separately in the Who’s News section of New North B2B. The Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce presented the following awards to organizations during its recent annual meeting and dinner: Thilmany Papers, Kaukauna, Large Business Achievement Award; St. Paul Elder Services, Kaukauna, Cornerstone Award; Badger Sport Park, Appleton, Small Business of the Year; Guident Business Solutions, Appleton, Emerging Enterprise of Year; and Bace, Inc., Little Chute, Rising Star Award.

Northeast Wisconsin’s American Advertising Federation-Fox River Ad Club presented the following awards at its 2012 Addy’s event: Best of Show to Arketype, Green Bay, for its Austin Straubel International Airport 2011 campaign; Judges Choice to Arketype for its “Ouch! Bullying Hurts” poster; Judges Choice to David E. Jackson Studios, Appleton, for its Element Mobile – Spark Advertising photo campaign; and Judges Choice to Arketype for its Freedom House Ministries “See Me” video.

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NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 37

WHO’S NEWS

Ralofsky

Reynebeau

Hathaway

New hires

Cherne

CitizensFirst Credit Union in Oshkosh Kevin J. Ralofsky as its chief executive officer. Ralofsky most recently served as CEO of Vacationland Federal Credit Union in Sandusky, Ohio. Other previous professional experience includes being a management consultant in financial services and medical fields, as well as serving as a vice president of commercial lending with larger banks in the Cleveland area. He is founder of ChatterYak!, a credit union service organization that provides social media consulting services to credit unions across the country.

Miron Construction Co., Inc. in Neenah hired James Lawson as an industrial project manager. He has worked in the construction industry for four years, most recently as a heavy equipment operator for an oil and gas construction company in Detroit.

Denu

Hughes

Iverson

Evergreen in Oshkosh hired Suzanne Last as a purchasing specialist and Kari Reynebeau as its fitness and aquatic center manager. Last is responsible for purchasing, miscellaneous accounting functions and inventory supply control. Reynebeau develops aerobic, strength and aquatic programming for residents, staff and the community.

BrownBoots Interactive Inc. in Fond du Lac hired Sara Hathaway as an account executive and Alyssa Riegert as a graphic designer. Hathaway most recently served as the executive director at an area non-profit organization. Riegert is responsible for concept development of marketing materials and producing online materials.

Skyline Technologies, Inc. in Appleton hired Angie Hiltunen as its human resources manager and Ed Luck as a management consultant to its enterprise portals team.

Hiltunen previously worked at School Specialty as the corporate HR director. She has 13 years of HR generalist experience. Luck is working closely with the portals and SharePoint team to launch and lead Skyline’s new Office365 initiative. He has more than 20 years experience in the IT industry with an emphasis on technical sales and Cloud computing solutions. Luck most recently worked for a Milwaukee-based IT organization as its senior manager of technical solutions.

Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP hired Nate Cherne, Kayla Denu, Adam Hughes, Ashley Iverson and Tori White to its Appleton office as staff accountants.

White

Omnni Associates in Appleton hired Ray Smith as an engineer. Smith has more than 20 years experience working for the Brown County Highway Department, most recently as operations and engineering manager. As a certified

38 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

Riegert

Hiltunen

Luck

bridge inspector, Smith will also provide bridge inspection services.

WOW Logistics in Appleton hired Jamie Hess as an operations engineer. Hess has eight years experience in the warehousing and logistics industry, most recently as manager of supply chain engineering and parcel operations for Genco.

National Exchange Bank & Trust in Fond du Lac hired Karri Klemm as its marketing coordinator focusing on advertising, consumer education, promotional materials and the Bankers Promoting Financial Literacy program. Klemm has eight years experience in the graphics and marketing industries.

Corporate Network Solutions, Inc. in Appleton hired Taylor Otto as a hardware technician.

Tom’s Cabinets Inc. in Kaukauna hired John Lindeman as an installer and Kayla Braun as a designer. Both previously worked for Brown County Cabinets.

Promotions The Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley promoted Chris Lashock to client services coordinator. Lashock will be supervising all client related programs for ESFV (services, Street Outreach and prevention) and will also be the ESFV community liaison for partner agencies relating to client services. Lashock has been with ESFV since 2005 and has served as a building house supervisor, case manager, client tracking specialist, and most recently with its Street Outreach Program.

Appleton-based WOW Logistics promoted Peter UptonRowley to logistics engineer. Upton-Rowley joined WOW Logistics in 2003 as a warehouse forklift operator and has since served as an operations coordinator, distribution center manager and as a financial analyst within the accounting and cheese financing departments.

National Exchange Bank & Trust in Fond du Lac promoted the following five employees: David Kramer to chief financial officer; Ryan Gebhart to vice president; Cindy Mueller to vice president; Julie Roth to vice president; and Lavonne Held to operations officer. Kramer joined the bank as the controller in 1991. He has 40 years of banking experience. Gebhart joined National Exchange Bank in 2001 in the Fond du Lac office credit department.

In 2005 he moved to the bank’s Mt. Calvary office to focus on loans. Mueller joined the bank’s Eden office in 2005 as an assistant vice president. She has more than 30 years of banking experience and handles loans, operations and

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BUSINESS CALENDAR

Hess

Klemm

customer service duties. Roth started with the bank’s Campbellsport office in 1991 and serves personal loan needs in the area. Held joined National Exchange Bank in 2010 and has more than 25 years of banking experience.

Jet Air Group in Green Bay promoted Al Timmerman to chief executive officer from COO, and promoted Joe Megna, Sr. to general manager of the maintenance division and Joe Saunders to director of operations for Jet Air’s flight department.

RGL Holdings, Inc. in Green Bay promoted Nate Shillington to director of business development and operations support. He is responsible for business development, pricing, start up and operations improvement for Leicht, Checker Logistics and RGL Specialty companies.

Individual awards Bonita L. Graff, an independent financial advisor at Provident Financial Consultants, LLC in Oshkosh, was recognized among the “Top 50 Independent Broker/Dealer Women Advisors” as ranked by Registered Rep magazine for total assets under management.

Shirley Triest-Robertson, an advance practice palliative care nurse for St. Mary’s and St. Vincent hospitals in Green Bay, received the 2011 American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award in the electronic media category for a book she co-edited, Advanced Oncology Nursing Certification Review and Resource Manual: Instructor’s Resource. The CD-ROM covers 20 advanced oncology nursing topics.

The Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce presented its Business Person of the Year Award to Kay Abel, owner of Abel Insurance & Associates in Kaukauna. The award recognized Abel’s dedication to her clients, church, school district, alumni association, community groups and trade association.

Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries named Scott Bushkie of Cornerstone Business Services, Inc. in Green Bay as its 2011 Member of the Year. Bushkie serves on the board of the organization and has served on numerous committees since 1998.

Elections/appointments Nick Mueller, a project manager at The Boldt Company in Appleton, was elected president of the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance. Mueller previously served two years as secretary on WGBA’s board of directors.

Otto

Upton-Rowley

Kramer

Gebhart

Business calendar New North B2B encourages businesses and organizations looking to attract interested persons to upcoming events to send an announcement to: New North B2B, Attn: Who’s News, P.O. Box 559, Oshkosh, WI 54903.

For more events, log on to www.thenewnorthevents.com.

Mueller

April 4 Coffee Connection, an event from the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Fond du Lac County Historical Society - Blakely Museum, 336 Old Pioneer Road in Fond du Lac. Cost to attend is $2. For more information or to register, call 920.921.9500 or go online to www.fdlac.com.

April 10 Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Sales Club, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the chamber building, 120 N. Jackson St. in Oshkosh. No cost to attend for chamber members. For more information, call 920.303.2265 or go online to www.oshkoshchamber.com.

April 17 Fond du Lac Job Fair, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Marian University’s Sadoff Gymnasium, 45 S. National Ave., Fond du Lac. Cost for an exhibitor booth is $300. If you’d like more information about having a booth at this event, go online to www.fdljobfair.com.

Roth

Held

April 17 Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Business Connection, 5 to 7 p.m. at Country Inn, 77 Holiday Lane in Fond du Lac. Cost to attend is $2. For more information or to register, call 920.921.9500 or go online to www. fdlac.com.

April 24 Leaderfest 2012, a daylong event for all young professionals in northeast Wisconsin, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Fox Hills Resort, 250 Church St. in Mishicot. Networking opportunities, inspirational speakers and breakout sessions focusing on professional development topics. Cost to attend is $89 per person. For more information or to register, go online to www.leaderfest2012.com.

May 3 Leading With Integrity, a seminar and luncheon event from Excellence In Leadership, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oshkosh Convention Center, 2 N. Main St. in Oshkosh. Keynote speaker is Steve Stanley, partner and owner of Huntington

Timmerman

Triest-Robertson

NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 39

BUSINESS CALENDAR Creek capital, discussing contemporary leadership of organizations in the wake of corporate corruption nationally during the past decade.

Cost to attend is $40 per person or $290 for a table of eight. For more information or to register, call 920.223.0517 or go online to www.eilgroup.org.

May 8 Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Sales Club, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the chamber building, 120 N. Jackson St. in Oshkosh. No cost to attend for chamber members. For more information, call 920.303.2265 or go online to www.oshkoshchamber.com.

May 9 Manufacturing Matters, a daylong conference and exhibition from Wisconsin Manufacturers Extension Partnership, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Frontier Airlines Center in Milwaukee. Keynote speakers are Tim Sullivan, former CEO of Bucyrus International in South Milwaukee and a consultant to the state for business and workforce development issues, and Aaron Jagdfeld, president and CEO of Generac Holdings Inc. in Waukesha. Cost to attend is $395. For more information or to register, go online to www.manufacturingmatters.org.

May 22 “Tweet N Eat,” a lunch event from Propel, the young professionals organization in Oshkosh, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Renewegy, 3650 Jackson St. in Oshkosh. A presentation and tour from executives at Renewegy, a high-tech wind turbine manufacturer. Cost to attend is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers, and includes a box lunch.

For more information or to register, call 920.303.2265 or go online to www.propeloshkosh.com.

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40 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

Better Business Bureau New Members

Businesses accredited through the Northeast Wisconsin office during February 2012 Al Huss Auto, Kaukauna All-Timate Flooring, Green Bay Custom Kreations Inc., Seymour Eric Von Schledorn Ford Inc., Random Lake Medical Transcription Service Inc., Green Bay Mill-Tech MFG LLC, New London N.E.W. CertiRestore LLC, Green Bay O’Rourke Tax Service Inc., Oshkosh Professional Heating & Air Conditioning of Green Bay Inc.,

Green Bay SBS Plumbing Inc., Oshkosh Schadrie Poured Walls, Freedom Temmer Construction & Development LLC, Appleton Wisconsin Motors Sales and Service LLC, Appleton

Advertiser Index Bank First National www.bankfirstnational.com.................................. 28 Bouwer Printing & Mailing www.bouwerprinting.com.......................... 18 Builders Exchange of WI www.bxwi.com....................................... 36 Capital Credit Union www.capitalcu.com........................................ 42 CitizensFirst Credit Union www.citizensfirst.com . ............................ 27 Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. www.dkattorneys.com..................................... 5 Digiprint www.digiprint.biz............................................................ 11 First Business Bank www.firstbusiness.com. ...................................... 2 First National Bank ~ Fox Valley www.fnbfoxvalley.com. ................... 37 Fox Valley Technical College www.fvtc.edu.bis. .............................. 37 Guident Business Solutions www.guidentbusinesssolutions.com.............. 9 James J. Calmes Construction www.JamesJCalmesConstruction.com.... 11 Keller Inc. www.kellerbuilds.com. ................................................... 22 KI www.ki.com. ......................................................................... 35 Legal Shield www.biewer.prepaidlegal.com. ....................................... 40 Manufacturing Matters www.manufacturingmatters.org........................ 16 Moraine Park Technical College www.morainepark.edu..................... 31 Network Health Plan www.networkhealth.com . ................................ 43 NEW Building & Construction Trades Council www.newbt.org.......... 15 Oshkosh Area Economic Development www.oshkoshchamber.com. .... 29 Outagamie County Regional Airport www.atwairport.com. ................ 14 Rhyme www.rhymebiz.com........................................................... 25 Sadoff & Rudoy Industries www.sadoff.com................................... 12 TEC www.tecmidwest.com. ............................................................ 24 Thomas James Real Estate www.tjsite.com................................... 44 TNT Adventure www.tntfr.com. ..................................................... 23 Tri City Glass & Door www.tricityglass-door.com.................................. 8 UW Oshkosh College of Business www.mba.uwosh.edu..................... 6 Village of Little Chute www.littlechutewi.org....................................... 8 Winnebago County Solid Waste Management www.co.winnebago.wi.us/solid-waste/container-rental-program. ..................... 36 www.newnorthb2b.com

GUEST COMMENTARY

Don’t buy the hyperbole WI DNR could have sited an iron mine while protecting the environment

Cathy Stepp Secretary, WI Department of Natural Resources

As the debate on the mining bill raged, we all heard the hyper political language about the environmental harm that would result from any iron ore mine. It was very difficult for me to sit back and watch. I was ever hopeful that calmer heads would prevail considering the $1.5 billion investment and the thousands of resulting jobs that the state could have welcomed while the environment is protected.

Unfortunately, I was wrong. This issue became just another political piñata with some senators clearly displaying that politics is more important than getting things done for Wisconsin citizens. I wish it wasn’t true, but unfortunately in the end the motivation to not allow a potential success for Governor Walker appears to be what really killed the bill.

The debate even degenerated with some suggesting that the state Department of Natural Resources lacked the expertise to site a mine. I think it is time to set the record straight and to recommend that we need to have a higher dialogue on environmental issues if we expect to move forward as a state.

The days of scare tactics should be over. We can have disagreements and debates. There are legitimate differences in opinion on the environment and lots of other issues. Can’t we have these discussions without the fearmongering?

As for the particulars of the mining bill, the amendments made by the Joint Finance Committee were all positive amendments that provided the DNR even more tools to successfully site a potential iron ore mine.

Many of the amendments had fingerprints from the bill proposed by Senators Schultz (R-Richland Center) and Jauch (D-Poplar).

The end bill was a result of lots of reasonable compromises. Unfortunately, Senators Schultz, Jauch and other senate Democrats were not willing to compromise. It was their way or the highway. As we saw, Gogebic Taconite took that highway out of the state unfortunately.

Lets face the facts. Mining is one of the most regulated, if not the most regulated, industries in the world. This mining proposal would have had to garner DNR approval, Army Corps of Engineers Approval, federal Environmental Protection Agency approval, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service approval and to meet the water quality and quantity stan-

dards established downstream on the Bad River Indian Reservation.

With all of these approvals, do we really buy into the “pollution-goes-wild” fear mongering. How can mines be sited in Michigan and Minnesota? Are we incapable of learning from their successes and their shortcomings?

It is also a fact that a mine would change the landscape. This is not in dispute. The bill that was reviewed by the Legislature recognized this fact. The bill did not change any of the off-site environmental protections. It did, however, recognize that the ore body is located where it is.

As a result, some flexibility is needed to change the landscape to get at the ore deposit. Recognizing this fact, this bill required that the mining company avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands and navigable waters. If such impacts could not be avoided, mitigation at a rate of 1.5 acres to 1 acre was required. It is important to note that under current mining law, no such mitigation is required. I believe this is an improvement to current mining law – don’t you?

As you know, such flexibility leads to lots of speculation about what could occur. It is easy to play those kinds of games. However, this is not a game. In the end, don’t we trust the regulating agencies to do their job? On my travels throughout the state, I have found that most of the citizens of the state trust the DNR to do its job. Why don’t Democrat state senators?

Sec. Cathy Stepp was named to her cabinetlevel post by Gov. Scott Walker in February 2011. She served as a state senator for the Racine area from 2002 to 2006, but most of her professional experience has been in the private sector as a homebuilder. In 1998, she was appointed to the Natural Resources Board, where she served for three years.

While in the legislature, she was chair of the Senate Job Creation Committee and co-chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Guest Commentary in New North B2B is offered by invitation of the editor, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Winnebago B2B, LLC or its staff. To inquire about writing a Guest Commentary article in New North B2B, contact the editor at info@newnorthb2b.com.

NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012 l 41

KEY STATISTICS Per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline.

$3.94 March 18 $3.88 March 11 $3.78 March 4 $3.72 Mar. 25, 2011 $3.52 March 25

Source: New North B2B observations

February

698,000

1.1%

from January

34.7%

from February 2011 February

0.4%

February

$407.8 billion

1.1%

from January

6.5%

from February 2011 (2007 = 100)

February

96.2

Unch.

from January

4.0%

from February 2011 (Manufacturers and trade)

January

$1,569 billion

0.7%

from January

from December

from February 2011

from January 2011

5.5%

7.6%

Appleton Fond du Lac Green Bay Neenah Oshkosh Wisconsin

Jan. Dec. Jan. ‘11

8.6% 8.4% 9.8% 8.7% 7.3% 7.6%

7.7% 7.5% 8.8% 7.7% 6.5% 6.6%

9.5% 9.5% 11.2% 9.8% 7.9% 8.5%

Prices for small businesses using less than 20,000 therms.

Listed price is per therm.

$0.806 February $0.800 Mar. 2011 $0.912 March

Source: Integrys Energy (Numbers above 50 mean expansion. Numbers below 50 mean contraction.)

February January

52.4 54.1

If there are indicators you’d like to see in this space, contact our office at 920.237.0254 or email info@newnorthb2b.com.

42 l NEW NORTH B2B l APRIL 2012

www.newnorthb2b.com

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Tom Scharpf Real Estate, LLC 920.379.0744

1 DocK & 3 oVErhEaD DoorS

tjr2216@aol.com www.tjrsite.com

GrEaT WESTSIDE LocaTIoN

fIrST fLoor offIcE coNDo

3675 N. main Street, oshkosh

2850 Universal Street, oshkosh

600 S. main Street, oshkosh

For lease 25,000 SF of warehouse/mfg. space and 3,000 SF of office space 1 acre of land for expansion

For sale or lease, 6,370 SF office building with a basement Separate heated garage with bathroom

For sale 2,950 SF office condo Open office space, private offices, conference room, lunch room 1,100 Sf of basement storage

1 DocK & 2 oVErhEaD DoorS

SharED TrUcK ramp

aBoUT 15 acrES of EXcESS LaND

2009 Jackson Street, oshkosh

2909 Green hill court, Vinland

5850 State road 76, Vinland

For sale 20,609 SF building Floor plan includes offices/showroom/warehouse Great corner location

For lease 2,600 SF or 5,200 SF Each unit has a showroom/office 18’ ceiling heights & overhead doors

For sale or lease 11,500 SF restaurant/bar 3,000 Sf of basement storage

LaND for SaLE Green hill court, Vinland - Zoned Industrial 2.73 acres - Price $95,000 Price per acre $34,798 Behind Trades & commerce Square Jackson Street, oshkosh - Zoned c2 2.88 acres - 125,452 SF Price $349,000 - $2.78 PSF or purchase 1/2 acre lots starting at $79,900 Just south of Snell road 3098 Jackson Street, oshkosh - Zoned m1 1.65 acres - 71,874 SF Price $199,900 - $2.78 PSF corner location Jackson & fernau

2308 Jackson Street, oshkosh - Zoned c2 .64 acres - 27,878 SF - Price $299,000 - $10.72 PSF corner location Jackson & Smith 2316-2324 Jackson Street, oshkosh - Zoned m1 & c2 1.11 acres - 48,351 SF - Price $495,000 - $10.23 PSF Directly to the north of 2308 Jackson Street 2601 S. Washburn Street, oshkosh - Zoned m3 4.92 acres - 214,315 SF - Price $1,950,000 - $9.09 PSF frontage just off hwys 41 & 44 State road 44 & hwy 91, oshkosh - Zoned m3-pD 2.47 acres - 107,593 SF - Price $425,000 - $3.95 PSF Located at signalized corner

all sites advertised are approximate acres and approximate square footage.

Some sites have buildings on them.

Tom Scharpf ❘ 920.379.0744 ❘ tjr2216@aol.com ❘ www.tjrsite.com