2018 Annual Dinner program

106th

Annual Dinner

5 pm

6 pm 6:30 pm

Check- In, Networking & Cash Bar Dinner Program & Awards

PRESENTED BY:

SEPTEMBER 13, 2018

STONEY CREEK HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER, ROTHSCHILD

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THIS EVENING’S SPEAKER Mike Nichols will discuss the importance of free markets, the state of Wisconsin’s labor force and more.

Nichols is the President of the Badger Institute in Madison and previously served as a senior fellow at the institute and worked as a syndicated newspaper columnist.

THIS EVENING’S SPONSORS

Your best health.

Your best self.

A lifetime of care fit to your family.

Finally, care that’s in tune with the unique rhythm of your family. So you don’t just feel better. You live better.

Inside and out. Day in, day out.

Find the provider who’s perfect for your family at aspirus.org

ASPADS-051

PASSING OF THE GAVEL

W

hat an incredible year for the Chamber!

The 2017-2018 program year included our first graduating class of the new Immersion Project, another record Business EXPO, and the largest Women’s Conference to-date. In addition to those accomplishments the staff finished the five-year Accreditation process as well.

We have taken several big steps forward to help Chamber members succeed. Whether your business is large or small, we have worked to understand the everyday issues you face.

Cory Heckendorf The collaboration on the economic development plan with the Wisconsin Kenworth region’s business leaders, the Chamber, and MCDEVCO is an exciting joint venture that will strategically set up the area for years of success and prosperity.

I would like to thank the everyone who made the last year for the Chamber possible, I truly enjoyed being the board chairperson and working together with all to help this great community continue to succeed.

I’d also like to thank Dave Eckmann and the Chamber’s enthusiastic staff who are always willing to go the extra mile for their members. In addition, I would like to thank the organization’s large roster of volunteers who put in countless hours of time to help the chamber and it’s members succeed.

I am looking forward to another great year for the Chamber under the leadership of Dave Eckmann, Jeannie Worden, and the entire Board of Directors.

Respectfully, Cory Heckendorf 2017-2018 Chairperson

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Agriculture & Food Processing Dealerships Government Health Care Hospitality & Retail Manufacturing & Distribution Not-for-Profit Organizations Real Estate & Construction Trucking & Logistics

Visit schencksc.com for more information.

715-675-2351 schencksc.com

RECEIVING THE GAVEL

I

would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people that have contributed to the success of the Chamber.

Thank you to the Board of Directors who have spent numerous hours providing leadership to the Chamber related to our mission of strengthening member businesses and enhancing our community. Thank you to Cory Heckendorf for his leadership of the Chamber Board of Directors this last year.

Dr. Jeannie Worden I would also like to thank the other Chamber volunteers along Northcentral with Dave Eckmann and the rest of the Chamber staff who Technical College moved this organization forward in a positive direction. Your leadership and dedication has been extraordinary.

As a community, we know that if our businesses are strong, we are strong. To that end, the Chamber focused its work on talent development, business advocacy, convening members and providing professional resources to assure the continued the vibrancy of our business community. We know our work is not done. We look forward to an exciting year of new opportunity as we embark on a strategic plan designed to bring all stakeholders together to develop a blueprint to guide economic development activity in our region.

I am honored to serve as the Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors. Thank you for your support of the Chamber as we move forward together.

Respectfully, Jeannie Worden, Ed.D., SPHR 2018-2019 Chairperson

AWARDS

HISTORY

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Founded on March 11, 1912, a report in the next day’s newspaper stated, “With an earnestness and enthusiasm unprecedented in local movements of this kind, the citizens of Wausau to the number of five hundred or more met last night in the civilization of a society having for its object the promotion of the welfare of the city.”

Chamber volunteers serve our membership in a variety of ways. This award recognizes a special member of this volunteer group.

RUDER WARE INNOVATOR AWARD IN MEMORY OF G. LANE WARE Created to honor G. Lane Ware and to recognize outstanding individuals who personify the spirit of entrepreneurship, this award is given to an individual who demonstrates excellence in the way they conduct business.

PAST RECIPIENTS: 2015 Brian Gunning 2016 Kevin Eichelberger 2017 Trena Loomans

In its early years, the Association, as it was then called, focused on appointing a committee to ‘look after entertainment of visitors and do what we can to secure other conventions for Wausau,’ developing plans to make Wausau a ‘greater buying center,’ forming a committee to make Wausau safer from fire, and developing new industrial prospects.

The organization devoted many of its resources to retaining and attracting new businesses to the area. It also promoted tourism, raised money for improving the road between Wausau and Merrill, and encouraged better relations between the city and surrounding communities.

In May 1916, the organization changed its name to the Chamber of Commerce, reflecting a broadening of interests. In 1999, the Wausau Chamber of Commerce became known as the Wausau/Marathon County Chamber of Commerce. In 2003, the Chamber adopted the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce name.

While the name may have changed, its mission and goal has remained a constant.

Today, as in 1912, the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce works to make the whole region a better place by building business success.

OFFICERS

2018-2019

Dr. Jeannie Worden Northcentral Technical College Chairperson

Darrell Lentz Aspirus Chairperson Elect

Michael Loy North Central Health Care Treasurer/Secretary

Cory Heckendorf Wisconsin Kenworth Immediate Past Chairperson

Dave Eckmann, Ed.D. Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce President/CEO

Mission

Jack Hoogendyk Hope Life Center Director at Large

Nicole Williams QPS Employment Group Director at Large

The purpose of the Wausau Region Chamber is to strengthen our member businesses and enhance our community by building business success.

Vision

We are the region’s indispensable source for business connections, opportunities, and solutions.

BUILDING WITH INTEGRITY SINCE 1928

Celebrating over 90 years of world-class building construction!

Wausau

Burlington

www.scherrerconstruction.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2018-2019

Dawn Bernatz Church Mutual Insurance Company

Cole Bruner Buska Wealth Management LLC

Keri Anne Connaughty Schenck SC

JoAnn Draeger Nicolet National Bank

Thomas Felch J & D Tube Benders Inc

Ted Fox Ameriprise Financial - Cornerstone Advisors

Tom Frank Greenheck

Rebecca Frisch Marathon County Conservation, Planning & Zoning

Bill Gleason Honorary Member

Robin Hegg River Valley Bank

Al Lancaster WSAW/WZAW

Paul LaPree Miron Constructon Co Inc

Yengyee Lor Faithful Consulting LLC

Alfred Nakhla Associated Bank

Tammy Pestka Ansay & Associates

Craig Timm Domtar Paper Co LLC

Jeff Zriny MCDEVCO Inc

Your Business. Better.

We’re more than the technologies that power your business. We’re the people that create solutions, solve problems, and help you work smarter.

844.365.4968 | eojohnson.com

STAFF

Sharon Baumann Special Projects Manager

Dave Eckmann, Ed.D.

James Gabower

Renae Krings

President/CEO

Membership Talent Development Development Manager Manager

Stacy Livernash

Brian Otten

Judy Pitek

Sue Wokatsch

Programs & Events Director

Marketing Manager

Member Relations Manager

Finance Director

Contact Us

Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce, 200 Washington Street, Suite 120 Wausau, WI 54403 | 715-845-6231 | WausauChamber.com Browse and share photos and videos from the Annual Dinner in one place, in real-time!

1. Download ‘grouve’ from the App Store or Google Play 2. Sign up for an account 3. Join a grouve and enter the code W A U C O C 4. Take photos and videos

Furniture

Mailing

Web design

Digital Signage

715.359.1234 | theoeigroup.com

PAST BOARD PRESIDENTS/CHAIRS 1912-1913 1914 1915-1919 1920-1922 1924 1925 1926-1929 1930-1932 1933-1934 1935-1936 1937-1938 1939-1940 1940-1941 1941-1942 1943-1944 1945-1946 1947-1948 1949-1950 1951-1952 1953-1954 1955-1956 1956-1957 1957-1958 1959-1960 1961-1963 1963-1965 1965-1966 1966-1967 1967-1968 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973-1974 1974-1975 1975-1976 1976-1977 1977-1978

M.C. Ewing Otto Mueller W.W. Albers Dr. Joseph Smith W.H. Thom R.E. Puchner H.L. Geisse John A. Kleinheinz Guy K. Gooding A.M. Van Douser Dr. J.H. Kolter Allen Abrams M.H. Montross William H. Burhop R.A. Tinker Paul T. Tobey W.G. Whyte M.H. Montross Hobart G. Beck W.A. Koch A.C. Keene William McCormick Ralph Larson S.F. Staples R.P. Tinkham George C. Landon Glenn Stevens Thomas P. Hudson Clyde Schlueter Robert Wylie Dr. A.W. Hoessel Ralph Mirman John W. Ullrich Harvey H. Scholfield Herb Terwilliger Robert V. Jones T.A. Duckworth Ronald Westgate William Arvold

1978-1979 1979-1980 1980-1981 1981-1982 1982-1983 1983-1984 1984-1985 1985-1986 1986-1987 1987-1988 1988-1989 1989-1990 1990-1991 1991-1992 1992-1993 1993-1994 1994-1995 1995-1996 1996-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018

Gordon Baker, MD John F. Prange John A. Slayton G. Lane Ware Ralph K. Schlitz Sr. John A. Schoeneman Dwight E. Davis William B. Sampe Laurin Jorstad Harry Colcord Konrad T. Tuchscherer Gene Davis Jr. Marv Lilley Don Grade Barbara Hunger Lon Roberts Gary Freels Jim Van Eyck David Eisenreich Ann Lucas Thomas Dunn Bob Wagman Dean Dietrich Scott Brainard Joanne Leonard Pat Puyleart Robert Reinertson Frederick Lundin Hugh Jones John Laehn Scott Pagenkopf Hooshang Zeyghami Randy Balk Sid Sczygelski Dr. Lori A. Weyers Marco Espinoza Melissa Kampmann Don Bohlin Cory Heckendorf

FOR NEARLY 100 YEARS WE’VE BEEN DOING OUR BEST TO HELP THE AREA GROW. Thank you to the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce for doing the same

wausau | eau claire | green bay ruderware.com visit our blogs at blueinklaw.com

EST. 1920

WISCONSIN MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR WINNER: 2004, 2012, 2016 MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE AWARD, WAUSAU REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 2016

Worldwide leader.

Chamber supporter.

Thank you, Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce, for another great year!

We began operations as a small local business 70 years ago in a sheet metal shop in Schofield. Today, we are the worldwide leader in manufacturing energy-efficient air movement, control and conditioning equipment that keeps building occupants comfortable, productive and safe. A long list of local suppliers and area business partners — all fellow Chamber members — have greatly contributed to our success. And that’s why we’re delighted to sponsor tonight’s annual dinner. Thank you, Chamber staff, volunteers and members for making this a great place to do business.

FANS | ENERGY RECOVERY | PACKAGED VENTILATION | MAKE-UP AIR | KITCHEN VENTILATION LAB EXHAUST | DAMPERS | LOUVERS | COILS

greenheck.com