Business Leader | Fall 2016

FFAALLLL 22001166

More salaried Plus:
workers will
be eligible for ■ UW-EC’s
College of
OVERTIME
PAY tBuurnsisn5es0s

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model boat
enthusiast

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2 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

FALL 2016 Pg 4 COVER STORY

➤ Guest Columns �������������������������� Pages 8, 19 Companies prepare for overtime law change. COMMUNITY PROFILES
➤ Book Review ���������������������������������� Page 18
➤ Honor Roll of Business ���������������������� Page 27 Pg 10 Pg 12 Pg 16
➤ Briefcase ��������������������������������� Pages 33-36
➤ Crossword ������������������������������������� Page 34 Engineer lauded by New equipment Co-op’s revenues grow
➤ Business Directory ������������������������� Page 35 hobby group. boosts filter factory. under manager.
➤ Calendar ���������������������������������������� Page 37
➤ By The Numbers ����������������������������� Page 39 FEATURE STORY

Graphic Design & Layout ~
J_o_h_n_B_al_g_aa_rd_
Magazine Advertising &
Distribution Coordinator ~

[email protected]

Editor ~ Pg 22

[email protected] College of Business looks back on 50 years.

715-833-9204, @ADowd_LT

As I labored on a Sunday to finish a lengthy article about overtime, eligibility’s effects for this issue of Business Leader, which also
the irony was not lost on me that I’d have to really manage the week’s features a variety of articles.
hours to end at 40.
UW-Eau Claire’s College of Business is celebrating its golden
The federal law changing on Dec. 1 means that many salaried anniversary, which is a good time to revisit its origins and look at 50
workers — about 4.2 million — will likely have to start doing the same. years of change.

Supervisors, managers and other salaried workers impacted Profiles of Kuss Filtration of Bloomer and the Menomonie Market
by the upcoming change to U.S. labor laws will likely be asked to Food Co-op both show how leadership contributes to a culture that
put in standard workweeks, a departure from the flexibility they’d fosters growth.
traditionally had when it came to their hours.
Michael Zaborowski finds that making and racing high-speed
For these workers there are the obvious benefits of getting paid remote-control boats are fun pursuits when his workday is done at
overtime for putting in extra work or being able to enjoy more free Realityworks.
time if their employer enforces a strict 40-hour week.
Local investment expert Adam Mohr has an insightful column of the
But businesses that relied on these employees to troubleshoot ups and downs that the S&P 500 has taken after presidential elections.
problems via phone on weekends, travel to training sessions and
represent their company at events may need to rethink how those are Also packed into this issue are expert leadership advice, a book
done in compliance with the changing overtime law. review, recaps of some recent business developments and a look
forward at events and classes for the business community in the
Local experts gave plenty of insight into expanding overtime Chippewa Valley.

Published four times per year by the Leader-Telegram advertising department. Copyright 2016 Eau Claire Press Co., 701 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire, WI 54701. All rights reserved. 800-236-7077. leadertelegram.com

COVER STORY Overtime
work

Companies have until December to prepare for change affecting
4.2 million U.S. employees

AABy Andrew Dowd, Leader-Telegram staff
historic change to U.S. overtime law impacting 4.2 million workers coming on Dec. 1 led
hundreds of businesspeople in western Wisconsin to seek Deborah Marshall’s advice.
The human resources expert from business consulting and accounting firm Wipfli’s
Eau Claire office got her 75-minute spiel on the law change down pat for the numerous
seminars, webinars and trade group meetings that booked her.
“It’s huge, it’s a big deal,” she said of the change that will increase the number of salaried workers
eligible for overtime pay.

While not as sweeping as new health insurance and record-keeping requirements put on employers
from the Affordable Care Act a few years ago, Marshall said the impending overtime change is
significant.

She called the U.S. Department of Labor’s final rule issued on May 18 a “bold move” as it doubled
the salary level it takes for employees to be exempt from overtime law.

Since 2004, employees that earned more than $455 a week in salary — $23,660 for a year of 40-
hour workweeks — would not get overtime. On Dec. 1, that threshold increases to $913 a week —
amounting to a $47,476 annual salary.

Bryan Symes, an attorney specializing in employment and labor law at Eau Claire’s Ruder Ware
office, said most people, even those in management, would likely agree some kind of adjustment was
in order. The current threshold had fallen about $600 below the federal poverty line for a household
income needed to support a family of four.

Like Marshall, Symes also started educating area employers in spring about what the impending
law change means to their businesses.

4 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

Many employers are prepared for the overtime change, Symes than the increased threshold to qualify for overtime, he said,
said, as it was widely publicized both in the news and a hot topic noting that his company keeps competitive with the labor market.
among human resources professionals. For employees with lower salaries, Larson said paying them
“It was a much-anticipated change,” he said. overtime for the few hours they work over 40 a week is an option
Marc Freedman, executive many are considering in the
director of labor and law policy for hospitality industry.
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Getting ready Marshall believes retail

said the sudden increase to salary For businesses not already preparing for the change companies will have their overtime
threshold is “excessive” and will be in overtime law or are in the process of doing so, compliance plans well in place
“highly disruptive” to employees before switching their focus to the
and employers. here are key steps Deb Marshall and Bryan Symes holiday shopping season.

And despite the efforts to recommend are undertaken before Dec. 1: “Most of the retail industry

educate employers about the fast- • Communicate to employees that you’re working on this. will have this taken care of by
approaching change, he said some • Review work roles and responsibilities. Thanksgiving,” she said.

probably didn’t get the message • Verify exemption status based on duties While the potential to impact

yet. performed. profit margins is a worry for
“There are a lot of employers businesses, the law change has the
• Identify employees at or below new threshold. potential to be more damaging
who don’t know this is coming and • Track employees’ time.
they’re going to have to deal with it • Review and update overtime and timekeeping for employers that don’t get their
in short order,” Freedman said in a revenues from selling stuff.
phone interview. policies and procedures.
Among the workers affected by
the rule change nationwide, the • Train managers and supervisors in new procedures. Nonprofit squeeze
Department of Labor estimates • Decide on redistributing workloads and hiring
68,838 are in Wisconsin.
additional employees. to employees. Most people think of typical for-
• Communicate changes profit businesses — large and small

And based on the makeup of the — when it comes to the overtime
change, but Freedman said the
Eau Claire area economy, a notable amount of those employees U.S. Chamber also has been stressing the impact on nonprofit
and their workplaces are in our area.
“Nonprofits, hospitality and retail are the ones that will be hit organizations.
“They are quite literally trying to figure out how to absorb the
hardest by this,” Marshall said. increased cost of this rule,” he said.

Affected businesses With little ability to raise more revenue, Freedman said many
Businesses in those fields, particularly shops, hotels and nonprofits will be considering a reduction in services they offer
and in some drastic situations, if they stay open at all.
restaurants will likely find a way to comply with the law while “We’re literally talking about the groups that are the fabric
also not cutting into their bottom lines. of local communities,” he said, citing groups including the Boy
“That’s absolutely expected and that’s part of the fallacy of this Scouts of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
regulation,” Freedman said. Western Dairyland Community Action Agency — a private,
While some salaried workers who have historically worked nonprofit agency that provides programs helping lower-income
over 40 hours a week may be expecting a windfall, he cautioned individuals in Eau Claire, Buffalo, Jackson and Trempealeau
that they may instead be just working fewer hours. counties — has been preparing in advance for the overtime law
Strategies businesses will likely employ include changing change, but still has some worries.
salaried employees to a comparable hourly wage, limiting hours “We have been preparing for this change for over a year,” Anna
of those workers to 40 a week, potentially shifting some duties Cardarella, Western Dairyland’s executive director stated in an
between workers and other ways to effectively keep staffing costs email.
even. The organization is using the strategy of switching 45 impacted
“I think it will end up being cost-neutral,” Marshall said. salaried employees to hourly rates of pay. Staff in the Head
Symes doesn’t believe that will be universally possible for all Start program already switched when the school year started,
businesses and some will absorb higher labor costs, but he agrees Cardarella said, and affected workers in other programs will make
they will pursue that cost-neutral goal. the same transition by Dec. 1.
Some jobs expected to be affected by the law include “We are still concerned with how this will affect our budgets,”
supervisors and managers at restaurants and hotels. Caradarella said.
“With high overhead expenses and punishing profit margins, Many Western Dairyland employees work outside a traditional
yes, hospitality in general is expected to be affected by the workday, she said, at parent events, trainings, client meetings and
changes to the overtime rule,” Tom Larson, president of Larson other activities in addition to their regular duties.
Companies, said in an email statement. Even with more than a year of preparations, Caradarella noted
His Eau Claire-based company manages numerous restaurants some worries remain about potential unforeseen effects of the
and hotels, including Eau Claire’s Holiday Inn and Johnny’s overtime rule change on the agency’s work.
Italian Steakhouse, and the recently opened Staybridge Suites in “There is some uncertainty — especially with our mid-level
Altoona. management who we rely heavily on,” she said.
Larson’s general managers already are paid higher base salaries
See page 6

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 5

from Page 5

COVER STORY Making a plan Aside from keeping an eye on personnel costs and
morale, Marshall said employers should also work on their
Both Marshall and Symes said there is no one-size-fits- policies for managing overtime.
all approach for employers faced with the overtime law
change. Preventing overtime
“It’s sort of a case-by-case basis,” Symes said. Workers gaining the ability to get overtime will likely be
But there are a few things that all affected employers
should do before Dec. 1. in supervisory or managerial roles, but they’ll need to curb
One of the first things to do is educate employees on the their urges to check-in when they’re out of the office.
impending change and assure them that your business is “They’re going to have to change their habits,” Symes
said. “That same behavior might result in overtime
working on it. compensation.”
The next key step for employers is getting an idea of
how much their employees making salaries less than Supervisors who have to troubleshoot problems while
outside the office will now need to make sure that time is
$47,476 are actually working.
“We’re telling employers to track employees’ time now accounted for, Freedman said.
so when we get to December, you’re going to have a better “All that time now has to be captured,” he said.
Managers who have traditionally checked their emails
idea on how to deal with this,” Marshall said. on weekends using a company-issued smartphone may
One of the outcomes that Symes and Marshall are
expecting to see is more people working on an hourly rate. even find that device taken away as employers clamp
“I have no doubt you’ll see some significant amount of down on work time that now must be accounted for,
employees pushed from Freedman added.
Technology also can
salaried into the hourly Nationwide numbers help control overtime
bucket,” Symes said.
For employers switching costs and ensure
salaried employees to • The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that compliance with the
hourly pay, Marshall said 4.2 million workers in the U.S. will be affected law change, Marshall

it’s not as simple as taking by the Dec. 1 overtime law change. said, referencing an

their current salaries and • Of the salaried workers that will qualified for article from the Society

dividing them by 2,080 overtime starting Dec. 1, an estimated 1.5 for Human Resource
Management.
hours for the year. Finding million have minor children at home. That online article says

out how much they truly • The new rule will give overtime to about employers may want

work is necessary to build 19 percent of the 22.5 million U.S. salaried to limit remote access

likely overtime into their workers who are currently exempt from it. employees can have
hourly rates.
In addition to the fiscal to company software
to within work hours,
impacts of the law change,
there’s also a potential emotional toll with some workers. monitor when employees check email and even eliminate
“There’s sort of a morale issue with being hourly versus technology that could lead to off-the-clock work.
salaried,” Symes said. Symes cautioned that getting caught for not abiding by
the Fair Labor Standards Act, which the new overtime rule
Marshall agreed that the status and scheduling is a part of, can be costly for companies.
flexibility that comes with being salaried is often seen
as a perk. That’s another reason why employers need to Lawsuits that stem even from employees contesting
communicate switching their pay from salary to hourly, if even a small amount of pay can end up leaving companies
that’s their strategy. with a significant level of exposure as class action cases
often have high attorneys fees, he noted.

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Schrader, D-Ore., who wants the new threshold to be incrementally

Potential for change Not coveredwtwmtbtytetccuD1tsahahhhhpohnr,uepekiieeeerernMeaaOF“TBBWTTdllswpeenellcnrEtisrtlraohhhssnanioostaubbheehahgesahhntaeeir.erefewgeerhrlofeiiecttoousaffdelsdU4utdm’nh’peterfhelltssMehss0smeeddeliecr.eshaoat.teevtSwdwsicotdtsihhalmonrawwnue.-lmlp,s—riehietnl,taCrarmpnsMsodpoiitreeebvDlloalhhechspslllanaawbhueiwafeyoaeraaaerdrbbdnyicormtilLomloaymconieeedlsejeulttnu.utjaarxghnleeahhdseha$brk1ubotspncpanstdelehe5deetertotiyatkldetedm1hlevoroaijrldtaUrneceuoceg,shrtemeait0tiFwetdtinaass.isirrrarflhsro0Snoortditeryaeautltepengit0e.esntnhicoslthslhmdeossatcCuiaaithibithcenadiayhorngndrwhrooohbtytrentofeuemahooynelneatytitddodsutvpheilhilehmithalshesDlffur’nemdhoarefwnlo,vyeabpetrb”ulltgweaahreesetoneeUirehcttttihdllaefoeh.ruemehr.lao.erefr.bwerSrevtlosreeiuorasr..erkecablamehefildedsyaaiwj.nncuptodhgespmtereromso••To•••oeienmmthvevrsLSCOhEaa ab m on2eeelmfeoncnpxyure0dutrtrroeetagshlldo2itseeteoool.riaMcri0emsdsdmeeynrafuta.ipifisopdnieatneartiovUervhecyeeeiiatdgaesvwseeel.rlnct1Seecsarspipsnctdy8o.taetn-wu,oiririeleRtlrmrbcoepoapnetiratehcoytvferfascshterpheehteenerhpriyti.rnase—sarihlseiepsnusKnspiitnjeirnoorjioiltscoosuogefteioep.hibonhbnerananlrlorstean.ssaanaad,m.tlnld—ewssasbwduen,sipuhnscsstieesoli.suhclsvionlctbadeuapaoatpdthenenohhsdnnlvhosdeaeeiCS““ebdestineanfssII.irxs“awCsroogfn’c,ttnaeedOnmwEiothyciadmn’tmtjtOetvuourewaechcniieeuecrscysspatnhoottrxt2poe.cc:tdmtmtprcam0rhriuh7ofkhmtisneea1rneenanp,acanonpn5lekrgt’tlmlenu-ttmasglrie,8Risenria,eanetMmu3nce$gxtgdl.ttt3ehlsgfpo4eshyaeao-tiane,ech9rr7erncrtsttcssic2iemho,atlhto,4ph0omyaanacar47rerlnaecansle,6ftlngua,tpyaosscderntaahhwdrabiEiedru$ynaned4tigwshtto7hhf.atim,odot4eesEslfbsivcFasmcnirtooceutoa’7poyaresd,chDsawruinetn6stprtSTSTupFedulhaaDiepttrsedloycmphhcrtriopmib-ceedec@,onhecoaJRfemoeo”aldep.uameenodrclaobtetreuDle1nUladMerl.divccstifylpynaogaenisdcp1tohmesoea.on.unmdn,haleSc.tcAreirannitpgatn.rbvas.eetmrhlcahatepdscitrsnmglCe’ohtm—edinahatitsolbotrmmc”SeohstmosdoadbyH.paehscy”asa,slvaipfeanroalhstietihioalem@lreottrhvdhamsdcssersriuesorpwA2peieoaarsbj.—taisihput”e0idoitfeDhDeWtthdwmeeo1scosiretda’eaao.tbo9hssehayrooneiorsbr“awn.mtluasaeCeurhydheBlelTsshtnkt’daaslstaooeashedhao_cfrrhgthiwsicmofineasa“rsLlefeipalaree.aaarnslnnT,alsmnccfrbcdldpegaobibetheleigbio,mgesyivnip”luiadngetaelnpsioaetantsiftheilrdgeanT“nornlryeghnedaertuelwardcaoeheottodstbeoitit,fineyasnvth.bnb”taigeeeedeunrd.t

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September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 7

CEO SPEAK

Changing Jeff West is the owner of
reality Bear Down (beardowninc.com),
an executive and executive
Business leaders with imagination, team coaching company based
vision can change the landscape in Eau Claire. He was a founder
and CEO of Silicon Logic
“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.” Engineering. He also currently
chairs the local chapter of
PLUTARCH, Greek biographer, essayist TEC (The Executive Committee)
and Business Partners, a
forum for small business
leaders. West can be reached
at: 715-559-2195 or
[email protected].

By Jeff West We can ask for help from others, thereby expanding our view by
How well do you think you deal with reality? adding different perspectives. However, others’ perspectives are not
guaranteed to be any more infallible than ours.
We often talk as though we’re dealing with reality, right? Would it
surprise you to know that this never happens? Lee Thayer offers this advice in his excellent book “Leadership:
Thinking, Being, Doing”:
What’s in our head is not reality. We filter input the world gives us and
convert it into something that has meaning to us. “Arguments on whether something is true or not is, most often, a
waste of time. It’s not about, ‘Which interpretation is the true one?’ but
That meaning is based on multiple factors. Our background, ‘Which interpretation is going to get us where we want to go?’”
experience, culture, education, etc. give each of us our own unique view
of reality. All of these things make up the mental models we have that Creating new worlds
create our virtual reality.
We each try to understand the world based on the mental models we
Have you ever met anyone you agree with 100 percent of the time? create. Leaders, however, create alternative worlds. New worlds.
Probably not. So when you have disagreements who’s view of reality is
correct? Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than facts.”
Whose imagination and whose facts?
Reality’s limitations The person who becomes the leader is the answer to those questions.
Think about Steve Jobs; he lived in the same world we did pre-iPod,
I know this may sound like a philosophical argument but there’s really iPhone, iPad. Where did they come from? His imagination!
nothing philosophical about it. It’s as practical as one can get. Where did Mickey Mouse, full-length animated movies and Disney
World come from? Walt Disney’s imagination!
Understanding this concept is critical if you want to become an Frederick Smith, founder of FedEx, only received a C on a paper while
effective leader. By not coming to grips with it, you’ll forever be at a attending Yale. The paper outlined an overnight delivery service based
disadvantage to those who understand it. on a hub-and-spoke model using new technology called computers. He
received a C because his professor said that while it was an interesting
The world is a blank canvas. It’s not until we start adding the paint of idea it needed to be feasible to get a higher grade.
our own biases and beliefs that we create something that has meaning to Is your imagination up to the task? What do you imagine for your
us. business? Do you have the passion and drive to create a new reality?

So when we talk about reality – or our interpretation of reality – it’s Start with a vision
limited to the way our own minds work. We might wish it to be some
other way, but I’ll bet you’ve already experienced how much the world Once you get over the idea the world is somehow obligated to behave
cares about your wishes. The world’s social, technological, economic and as you believe it should, the insight that you’re the artist with the blank
political complications are things we can understand only in the way we canvas will appear.
think based on who we are. Who among us has a strong grasp of all the
complexities of the economy or society? By acknowledging that you don’t know it all or even a fraction of a
fraction of it all, create a vision of what your business would look like if it
Trap of entrenchment was running at its very best.

So if our sense of certainty on something doesn’t necessarily mean Then begin putting plans in place and track if they get you closer
we’re right and how you happen to see a certain situation doesn’t to your image or not. If they do – great! If not – you need to figure out
obligate things to really be that way, what do we do? where your plans are out of sync with what the world is really doing.

The most popular answer is to find others who believe what we You can never know what will happen in the future if you do “X.” You
believe. There’s comfort in agreement. can only speculate. Measure and learn from your victories and failures
and adjust yet again.
But does that really do us any good though?
Whole civilizations have disappeared, going to the bitter end believing Real leaders create the reality they want from their vision of the future.
they were right based on the reality they created. Many companies have What reality do you want to create?
suffered a similar fate. Senior leadership believes the strategy they’ve
implemented is correct and in line with reality only to watch helplessly as
the world passes them by without as much as a nod.

8 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

6 TUESDAY, OCT 18
11:30am - 3:30pm
E.C. Indoor Sports Center
3456 Craig Road, Eau Claire, WI
$5 Adults  under 12 free with paid adult
FREE Admission with Student I.D. or Military I.D.

Visit more than 150 exhibitors!
Network with hundreds of area business professionals.
Research new career opportunities at the job fair
See new products and learn about new services!
Enter to win fantastic prizes at each booth!
Attend free educational seminars!

For more information,
visit www.eauclairechamber.org
or call the Chamber office at 715-834-1204.

Sponsored by:

Coordinated by:

814729 9-26-16

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 9

COMMUNITY PROFILE Boats

are his
balance

Michael Zaborowski displays an outboard tunnel hull model boat he designed at Half Moon Lake. Zaborowski, a mechanical engineering
technician at Eau Claire-based Realityworks, recently was inducted into the International Model Power Boat Association’s Hall of Fame.

Photos by Marisa Wojcik

Realityworks technician spends off-hours designing and racing

remote-controlled watercraft

WBy Eric Lindquist, Leader-Telegram staff and growing the sport, along with his unique ability to be
hen Michael Zaborowski first guided a an ambassador for the IMPBA, that makes him a deserving
remote-controlled model boat around Mill addition to the IMPBA Hall of Fame,” the article stated.
Pond in Owen as a high school student in
1979, he had no idea how far the hobby Zaborowski, 53, who also is active in the Western Wisconsin
would take him. Modelers Association, called it an “incredible honor” to be
Thirty-seven years later, Zaborowski is still directing model named to the Hall of Fame for his longtime hobby in which he
boats in circles around bodies of water, but the difference is has raced in multiple size, hull and power classes. The boats he
the Eau Claire resident is now an internationally recognized prefers to operate typically peak at about 60 mph as they speed
designer and racer of the small crafts capable of reaching clockwise around buoys in one-mile races.
speeds as high as 80 mph.
“The biggest thing is that RC boating is as much a driver’s
Zaborowski’s contributions to the hobby were recognized game as it is a tuner’s game. You really have to do your
in August when he was inducted into the International Model homework in all aspects of the sport if you expect to have
Power Boat Association’s Hall of Fame. success,” he said. “For me, being a mechanical person, it’s a
great fit.”
He joined the organization in 1994 as a boat racing
enthusiast looking to take his hobby to a new level and Work-play balance
certainly was successful in that regard, having won 17 national
championships, three world championships and three masters Zaborowski is one of those fortunate few who is able
championships. to pursue a hobby and career that complement each other
perfectly. 
A recent article in the IMPBA’s Roostertail newsletter
pointed out that Zaborowski has been an innovator of model As a mechanical engineering technician for Eau Claire-based
boat designs and accessories for more than 20 years and has Realityworks, Zaborowski uses many of the same skills at work
designed boats in multiple classes. that have propelled him to the front of the pack in model boat
racing.
“While his GrimRacer designs are well known, it is Mike’s
enthusiasm for model boating, his dedication to promoting He noted that he follows a similar process when designing
10 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

boats as when he designed the company’s RealCareer Weld Defects Pursuing his passion
Kit, which is used to train welding students about the most common
defects that can occur when welding and how to correct them. The Despite his success, Zaborowski’s model boating journey has
process begins with building a prototype to a set of specifications taken a few unexpected turns. 
and then progresses to making molds, building prototypes from the
molds and adding labels, instructions and packaging. The biggest came in 1988 when the 1982 graduate of Owen-
“Most of it has to do with being driven to design and driven to Withee High School moved his family to Eau Claire and temporarily
understand — the want to know and need to know,” Zaborowski left his hobby in his wake.
said. But four years later, while he was working in the former Hobby
Master shop on Eau Claire’s north side, a group of enthusiasts
As a result of the obvious
crossover between avocation and visited the store and started talking up
vocation, Zaborowski said Realityworks model boat racing, reigniting Zaborowski’s
president Tim Boettcher has been passion for the hobby. Before long he was
incredibly supportive of his modeling back on the water, diving fully into racing
habit. and the IMPBA.
“I think he knows that what drives me
during the evenings will help me during Zaborowski estimates he has built
the day,” said Zaborowski, who also is several hundred model boats — about 25
involved with remote-controlled airplanes of which still hang on his garage wall — in
and helicopters. One of Michael Zaborowski’s boats, a sport 40 hydroplane, his “career.” He also has sold the rights to
sits on the water recently at Half Moon Lake. Model racing some of his designs.
Boettcher said Zaborowski, who he boats typically range from about 28 to 50 inches long.
called both a “cool dude” and a “product From 2005 to 2015, he even took a job
designer at heart,” is responsible for the designing model boats for a company in
mechanical designs of all Realityworks Illinois before returning to Realityworks,
products, including parts of the company’s where he had worked for eight years
well-known infant simulators. before trying the full-time plunge into his
hobby.
“He has the uncanny ability to take a simple thought and turn While Zaborowski first was drawn to
that into something you can actually touch, feel and experience,” the technical side of model boat racing, he has learned to relish the
Boettcher said. “Realityworks is all about bringing reality to life, and opportunity to meet and learn from other enthusiasts.
Mike helps us do that in numerous ways.”
“Now I have friends from all over the country and the world from
model boating,” he said. “It’s an amazing sport.”

Contact: 715-833-9209, [email protected], @ealscoop on Twitter

BUSINESS LOANS
& SERVICES

814888 9-26-16

FOUNDATION

September 26, 20H16O M♦ EBUL OSIANNESSS LEADER | 11

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Pure Kuss Filtration’s 110,000-square-foot plant is located on the west side of U.S. 53 in Bloomer.
Photos by Chris Vetter.

production

Kuss Filtration’s Bloomer plant lauded for upgrading machinery, growing workforce

By Chris Vetter, Leader-Telegram staff Govardhan became plant manager three years ago.
BLOOMER
Since then, the company has invested $1.5 million
K uss Filtration has seen its business
expand after the filter-manufacturing into the factory, including a new $450,000 filtration
firm integrated computer software
systems into its production line, testing system, a new roof valued at $350,000 and
speeding up production while also
improving the finished units. several pieces of equipment with sensors and data

Plant manager Jay Govardhan said the company management technology.
now produces 20 million filters annually in the
Bloomer plant. While the company has added the

The filters are for all types of machines with new machines, Govardhan is quick
engines, ranging from cars (GM, Ford and Chrysler),
motorcycles (Harley-Davidson), boats (Mercury to add they did not eliminate jobs.
Marine), agricultural (John Deere) and construction
(Caterpillar) equipment, lawn mowers (Briggs & Rather, the company’s workforce has
Stratton) and snowmobiles (Polaris).
increased 15 percent in the past three
“Nine out of 10 cars in the U.S. and four of five
in Europe have a filter made by Kuss,” Govardhan years, now sitting at 220 employees.
said.
Integration of the computers
12 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016
Govardhan and a faster production line was a
necessity, he said.

“High-speed manufacturing is the only way

the U.S. manufacturer can beat the rest of their

competition,” he said.

Ben Rubenzer, technical
business manager, shows
off the manufacturing line
at in the Bloomer factory
that produces 20 million
filters annually.

Lynn Woodruff works on
a nano clipper machine,

which makes filters at
Kuss Filtration.

As Govardhan walked through the plant, he showed they are using robotics and automation to improve
off the variety of large and small filters, pointing out all their company,” said CCEDC executive director Charlie
the different pieces and materials that go into making Walker. “You are seeing the movement toward smart
each unit. In all, the company makes 900 different filters manufacturing. We were impressed with their huge
at the Bloomer site. capital investment.”

In May, the Chippewa County Economic Development The 110,000-square-foot plant, located on the west
Corporation honored Kuss Filtration as the county’s side of U.S. 53 in Bloomer, was constructed in 1965, and
“business of the year” because of its increased workload, opened as Nelson Industries. Cummins Inc./Fleetguard
capital investment and growing workforce. purchased it in 1996. In 2011, the company was spun off

“They are leading the edge in manufacturing, in how See page 14

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 13

Kuss Filtration from Page 13

● 110,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in and became part of Ohio-based Kuss Filtration, which
Bloomer, opened in 1965. traces its roots to 1949. Along with the Kuss Filtration
plant in Findlay, Ohio, there are three facilities in
● 220 workers, up 15 percent in the past three Europe and one each in Asia and South America.
years.
“This is the biggest location and the highest revenue
● P roduces 20 million filters annually. generator,” Govardhan said.
● A bout 900 different filters manufactured in
Govardhan, 36, is a native of Bombay, India. He
Bloomer. moved to the United States and earned his master’s
● C lients include GM, Ford, Chrysler, Harley- degree in industrial engineering at Oklahoma State.
He joined Cummins Inc./Fleetguard, working there
Davidson, Caterpillar, Polaris, Mercury Marine, for more than 10 years. After working in plants in
Briggs & Stratton. Nashville, Tenn., and Fridley, Minn., he became part of
Kuss Filtration when it spun off.
WE ARE It’s a
TURNING celebration! Walker said the changes under Govardhan’s
leadership are noticeable, saying the company ramped
FRIDAY, SEPT. 30 up quality as it integrated the computer systems.
Beer. Brats. Cake. Walker added the company has seen a reduction in
turnover — a good indicator that workers are happy.
Music by Troppo
Big Band Jazz Orchestra. Govardhan said one reason for the improved
production is he is a visible manager, walking the
5:00–8:00 pm production floor daily and making sure the employees’
needs and concerns are addressed.
Schneider Hall, UW-Eau Claire.
All are invited. Contact: 715-723-0303, [email protected]

RSVP facebook.com/uweccob/events

815346 9-26-16

For businesses that just need 814471 • 9-26-16
to get down to business.

You need to stay on top of your goals. We want to
help. Our business banking experts will prepare
you for what’s ahead.

Bremer.com
800-908-BANK (2265)
Member FDIC.
©2016 Bremer Financial Corporation.
All rights reserved.

14 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

- Guest Article -

HUEBSCH
SERVICES
CELEBRATING

Gratitude is both large Vaudreuil says, “Of course, the business that Most recently, Huebsch made the decision
and sincere we are in changes and it is the ability to adapt to invest in a large scale Solar Photovoltaic
that allows this company to continue. My System. The investment made today will set
It’s a very exciting time at Huebsch Services 92 year old father still comes in and asks me up the company for the next generation.
in Eau Claire, WI. “We are thrilled to be what I am working on that might be our next This fall, a 100 KW solar system consisting of
celebrating 125 years of service at Huebsch. future business.“ 350 panels was installed on the roof of the
We could not have done it without our For more than 12 decades, Huebsch has Wisconsin facility. It is estimated to provide
dedicated employees and loyal customers”, consistently placed client interests above 20-30% of all electricity they consume.
says Jim Vaudreuil, great-grandson of their own, whether it is for laundry service
founder John Huebsch and current CEO or cleaning supplies. It’s not only about Optimistic about the
of Huebsch. Huebsch spent the months first impressions, it’s also about lasting future
of August and September hosting special relationships – relationships built upon a rare
125-year anniversary celebrations for its legacy of trust, caringly achieved over 125 Huebsch is excited to build on its rich
dedicated employees and loyal customer years within the laundry service industry. history with continuous improvement and
base. The events focused on the company’s Jim says, “We are fortunate to have fantastic innovation. They see a bright future ahead
rich history and shared its vision for the long time employees who are loyal to the with many special services. Huebsch is
future. Mary Steinke, Huebsch General company and really care about each other pleased to start offering Red Carpet Service
Manager says, “I was thrilled to organize the and our customers. The values established to help its customers create that WOW factor
125 year employee anniversary celebration. when the company was founded are the for their customers. Beautiful custom red
This gave us a great opportunity to show our values we still live and work by.” floor carpets and stantions can be rented for
employees how much we appreciate all they grand openings and other special events.
do. We hosted a BBQ lunch with games and Sustainability is a priority In addition, Huebsch will be offering Floor
prizes while the kids enjoyed the bounce on many levels Safety Consulting to ensure its customer’s
house. Everyone had a great time and it was floors are safe for their employees and
fun meeting our employees’ families.” Today Huebsch serves over 6,000 customers customers limiting liability from expensive
in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, La Crosse, slips and falls. Huebsch also offers patent
Huebsch business has Rice Lake, Winona, Minneapolis, Saint pending ”Customer Focused Production”
continued to evolve Paul and surrounding areas. Since their (CFP) a production process utilizing UHF radio
humble beginning, they have been deeply frequency tags ensuring uniform accuracy
Huebsch Services, a multigenerational family committed to innovative and sustainable upon delivery. Another new addition is
owned business, was established in 1891 business practices. As a Clean Green Certified Filter-Aire TM Hand Dryers, which are a great
to meet the needs of a growing lumber company, Huebsch pursues all avenues way to eliminate paper waste and go green
community in West Central Wisconsin. of water, chemical, and energy reduction at the same time. The Filter Aire delivers
Huebsch brothers started a tradition out of options. Huebsch even has a formal system speed and filtered air at up to one-third
necessity that when a shareholder leaves the they learned from their Swedish friend the cost. Huebsch’s business continues to
company or retires, he sells his shares to the Gunnar Andreen called, WECO (Water, evolve as they look forward to creating a
other owners and carries a note receivable. Electricity, Chemicals, Oil) initiative. It is a remarkable future through innovation and
This allowed the company to remain closely methodology for tracking progress they strong relationships with customers and its
held which means that the company and are making to reduce their consumption of dedicated team of employees.
owner goals and objectives are parallel. Jim natural resources.
Article submitted by Huebsch Services 814723 9-26-16

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 15

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Menomonie Market Food Co-op general manager Crystal Halvorson enjoys working to help people get healthy, sustainable food that also supports local
producers. Since she began leading the co-op 2004, it has moved to a new location and experienced a massive increase in revenue.

Organic growthPhotobyPamelaPowers

Manager oversees turnaround at Menomonie co-op, which opened larger store last year

ABy Pamela Powers, Leader-Telegram staff really learned quickly how hard it is to farm.”
While in college during the early 1990s, she was
MENOMONIE
scoop of fat-free ice cream forgotten an HIV test counselor and would travel to taverns
in a dish when she was in college frequented by high-risk populations. She would
changed Crystal Halvorson’s view of encourage people to get anonymous testing to help
food. prevent the spread of the disease that causes AIDS.
“It didn’t melt into a liquid,” she
When she was in her mid-20s Halvorson returned
said. “That was my ‘aha’ moment to start thinking about to her hometown of Eau Claire and managed Mike’s
what I was eating and what was in my food.” Smokehouse, which her parents, Richard and Kathleen
Halvorson, owned at the time.
Halvorson, 42, who lives in rural Elk Mound with her
husband, Bill Hogseth, and their two sons, ages 5 and 3, In 2004, she was hired as the Menomonie Market Food
is the general manager of the Menomonie Market Food Co-op’s general manager. At the time the co-op had 500
Co-op, a position she has held since 2004. members and about $700,000 in sales, Halvorson said.

The Memorial High School graduate earned degrees “We were bleeding money,” she said. “The co-op was in
at UW-Madison in genetics and bacteriology. She was debt and not even close to being profitable.”
accepted as a premedicine student, but instead opted
to go work on a farm raising vegetables in the Mount Still, joining the co-op felt like the perfect fit for
Horeb area, working nights as a sleep researcher at the her matching her interest in managing and a retail
University of Wisconsin Medical School to pay the bills. environment committed to healthy foods, Halvorson said.

“My experience in college is you don’t have to have “It has these values I love: being cooperative and
a prestigious career to help people,” Halvorson said. “I

16 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

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● I n the 1990s, Crystal Halvorson was an HIV test counselor Available Lease/Rental
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● S he is the daughter of a butcher. “I have mad knife skills,”
Halvorson said, laughing. “I can quarter a chicken in no 2008 Freightliner M2 106 NEW 2015 Isuzu NPR Box Van
time flat.” Cummins ISC / 285HP, Allison 3000 6.0 Gas / 297HP, Aisin Auto,
● In college she worked at a paper mill in Eau Claire and 6-Spd. Trans., A/R Susp., 12,000lbs.
learned to drive a forklift. Spring Susp., Hydraulic Brakes,
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“The first few years were a challenge,” Halvorson said. MBE/450HP, 8LL Trans., Spring Susp., Mercedes 900 / 330HP, 10-Spd.
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$5 million this year, Halvorson said.
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Last year the co-op opened a new store, 814 Main St. E.,
with 6,500 square feet of retail space and roughly 13,300 Abbotsford, WI Chippewa Falls, WI Marshfield, WI Plover, WI Wausau, WI
square feet total, which includes space for community
education. The site was 4½ times the space the co-op had at 715-223-6361 715-835-6138 715-406-4266 715-344-2931 715-845-2244
its former site, 521 E. Second St.
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“It is awesome,” said Halvorson, who was one of the co-
founders of the Eau Claire cooperative Just Local Food in Heat and cool your
2003. “It is really about the community wanting to support institution affordably
something that feeds them back.”
commercial
Halvorson said members make the Menomonie Market plumbing,
Food Co-op. When raising money for the new building, $1 heating
million was raised in six weeks selling $500 shares to support & cooling
the co-op.
• Heating &
Becca Kleist, the co-op’s outreach and education Air-Conditioning
coordinator, said Halvorson is great to work with. Installation, Inspection
& Repair
“She is very organized and approachable,” Kleist said.
“You can just tell her heart and soul has been poured into this • Plumbing Installation
place.” & Service

Patrick Pesek-Herriges, who serves on the co-op’s board of 814884 9-26-16
directors, said Halvorson is a tremendous asset to the co-op.
ask us for a quote
“She is extraordinarily efficient,” he said. “She is very
smart, quick witted. She is great at leading people. People 1710 Truax Blvd | Eau Claire | 715-839-0707
like her. She is one of the most empathetic people I have
every met.” September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 17

For the future, Halvorson believes the co-op could look
at more locations in the Chippewa Valley and provide even
more community education, but she said those decisions are
ultimately up to the co-op’s board of directors.

Started in 1974 the co-op began as a food buying club for
those who wanted specialty or organic foods. The food co-op
was the first Menomonie grocery store to carry organic foods,
gluten-free foods and locally produced food.

The co-op employs 43 people.
Contact: 715-556-9018, [email protected],
@MenomonieBureau on Twitter

BOOK REVIEW

Mid-grade fill-up

Solid advice, good format Title: “The Full Tank Life.”
are high points in average Author: Ben Tankard.
inspirational guide dragged Pages: 208.
down by repetition and filler Publisher: FaithWords/
Hachette (c. 2016).

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

AThe Bookwormagain. attention to detail can make time slip out of your fingers
t the end of the day, you’re out of gas. faster than you might realize.
There’s nothing left in your reserves, not a
drop. You’re done, wondering if this is as far Try to keep Inspiration in your life. Find people who
as you’ll ever go but somehow open to new can support you, and put yourself in their company as
suggestions. So read “The Full Tank Life” by much as possible. Find a mentor, and then be a mentor to
Ben Tankard. It might just rev your engine someone else.
Imagine this: You’re driving down the highway on
Take advantage of Networks to maintain your outlook
your way to somewhere important, when you glance at and to boost your business and personal life.

the gas gauge and, oh boy, it’s almost on “E.” That’s what Finally, remember the most important part of the Full
Tank Life: You! Always be genuine. Do your best with
your life may be like but Tankard says you can boost whatever you have at the moment. Work around any
roadblock you might find. And above all, don’t listen to
your inner fuel with his “Full Tank Life” method. Since naysayers: if your tank is full, you can do this.

it’s easy to do, you can start now. As faith-based business/inspirational books go, “The
Full Tank Life” is OK. Not sterling, not great, but not
It’s all about D-E-S-T-I-N-Y, he says. horrible either; just OK.

Begin by discovering your Dream. Get personal; this Author, pastor and “Renaissance man” Tankard has a
good premise here, but – though his advice is solid – it is
is your dream, not what similar to a lot of other books.

someone else wants for you. He offers personal anecdotes to illustrate his points,
but those tales often seem to be elevated, which could
Imagine it. Write it down. smack of boasting.

See yourself in your dream, There’s a good amount of repetition here too, and the
lengthy Bible teachings sometimes feel like filler.
then take steps to be in the
To the good, however, the information offered is rock
right Environment to achieve solid. The book is written in an easy step-by-step format
(although Tankard says you don’t have to read it that
that dream. way). And there are helpful worksheets included with
each chapter, which allow readers to sort through their
Tell yourself every day that thoughts and ideas.

you’ll have what you want. The audience for this book, I think, is the reader with a
totally blank slate or the businessperson who’s hit pause
Say it aloud and make it for just a minute. If you are neither, though, “The Full
Tank Life” may only leave you empty.
positive. That will help train

your Subconscious to see

The Bookworm is Terri your path as a decision, not a
Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been
reading since she was 3 years choice.
old and never goes anywhere Learn to see Time in a
without a book. She lives on a
hill in Wisconsin with two dogs different way. Don’t waste it,
and 12,000 books. of course, but don’t rush to use
it, either. Haste, impatience,
not prioritizing, and a lack of

18 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

GUEST COLUMN

Election economics
Democratic president, split Congress
showed best returns for stock index
Adam Mohr is a managing partner of River Prairie Wealth Partners, a private
By Adam Mohr wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services. He specializes in
River Prairie Wealth Partners building and protecting multi-generational wealth as well as helping clients
recreate their paycheck at retirement. His office and home are in Altoona.

E very four years I am asked by clients to comment lost 4.3 percent under Republican presidents.
on how their investments will perform if (fill in the If you’re holding your breath until it’s all over before
blank) is elected.
making any moves within your portfolio, consider that the

This year has proved no exception. S&P 500 historically posts its weakest returns in the first

While I have as little insight on this as I do in predicting year of the four-year election cycle.

who will win the Super Bowl, I can offer a lesson in history Since 1929, the S&P 500 has achieved on average a mere

that has provided us some interesting facts on what 1.58 percent gain in a president’s first year in office. In the

happens when finance and power collide. third year in office and after the midterm elections is where

With that said, I believe some historical context can the markets start to really improve. Interestingly, since 1939

be useful if taken with a healthy degree of skepticism. If there has never been a down year in the third year of a four-

nothing else, feel free to use as entertaining water cooler year term, with the S&P 500 up, on average, by 5.5 percent.

discussion. Going back to 1933, when a sitting president is up for

Perhaps the most common belief is that Republican re-election, the S&P 500 has averaged a 13.7 percent election

presidents have a more positive influence on the stock year return. This can generally be attributed to more clarity

market. Begrudgingly to many, this myth is not entirely about the policies already in place and the likelihood those

true. policies will remain in place.

Looking at total returns for the S&P 500 during Finally, it turns out the stock market has an uncanny

presidencies since 1945, it is clear that U.S. stocks have ability to predict who will win the presidency.

performed better overall when a Democrat was the Historically, if the stock market posts positive returns in

president. The average annual gain between Democratic the three months leading up to the election, there is an 86

and Republican presidents is 9.7 percent and 6.7 percent, percent likelihood that the incumbent or incumbent party

respectively. will take the White House.

However, it would be a mistake to conclude that stock For instance, in the 22 presidential elections since 1928, 14

returns were higher simply because a Democrat held the were preceded by gains in the three months prior. In 12 of

presidency. those 14 instances, the incumbent (or the incumbent party)

To muddy the waters, the statistics change depending on won the White House.

the party makeup of the presidency and Senate. In seven of eight elections that followed three months of

Consider the following: stock market losses, incumbents were ousted.

• In the years 1901 to 2016, the S&P 500 Index was up 8.6 The bottom line is that uncertainty creates volatility.

percent per year (total return on average) under Democratic Whether it’s wars, terrorist attacks, pandemics, or yes,

presidents and Republican-led Congresses, more than election years, investors have proven throughout history to

three times the 2.4 percent annual return achieved under be spooked by the unknown.

Republican presidents when both houses of Congress were The simple truth is that U.S. presidents can’t legislate bull

controlled by Democrats. and bear markets, and policy decisions made by the Senate

• When both the White House and Congress were run by aren’t always directly correlated to market performance.

the same political party, the S&P 500 gained about 7 percent However, as the long-term market average return

per year. indicates, stocks have performed positively when time and

• When Congress was split — one party controlling the perspective are brought into consideration.

House and the other leading the Senate — the S&P 500 Election cycles will come and go — but fundamentals still

gained 10.4 percent under Democratic presidents and rule the day and will carry investments over the long haul.

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 19

- Guest Article -

Take the Hacker’s Bullseye
off Your Back — Outsource
with a Managed Security
Service Provider

If you’re a hacker do you choose a Fortune 500 company with a team of IT security engineers or a small business with no IT protection?
Hackers have created breaches in high profile companies like Home Depot, Target and J.P. Morgan — but the headline grabber for small
to midsize companies is this from Wired.com, “71% of cyberattacks occur at businesses with fewer than 100 employees. The average
data breach for those businesses is $36,000.”

Are you feeling the pressure to secure protect from security breaches. Outsourcing with a • Capacity foresight to protect against under or
your network? managed security service provider (MSSP) offers the overestimated investment in IT infrastructure.
benefit of tapping into an entire team of security
You have good reason for that uneasy feeling tapping at engineers dedicated to securing your network and • Robust internal compliance, backed by an annual
your subconscious. According to CSOonline,“The reality anticipating threats before they happen. audit provided to current and prospective clients
is that small and midsize enterprises are more attractive for review.
targets because they tend to be less secure and because Choosing an MSSP — who can you trust?
automation allows modern cybercriminals to mass • A strong knowledge of, and experience dealing
produce attacks for little investment.” Industries like banking, healthcare and other, non- with, real-world security trends.
regulated, businesses are asking questions like:
Hackers can no longer be regarded as basement Who can I trust to accurately assess the current status Choose an MSSP that shares information. They should
dwellers. Today they’re far more organized and are of my security? Where are the holes? What’s missing? be your go-to experts on all things security. Expect
often connected to crime groups. Breaches damage If compromised, where do I go from here? implementation only after you fully understand all
business brands, customer relationships and cost the details of their security recommendations.
thousands of dollars to fix. A quality managed security service provider should
perform two basic services: Take the hacker bullseye off your back.
No matter what your size, closing the security gap is
critical — not just for your company but the vendors, 1. Device security management. The good news is — you are not powerless against
contractors and business partners who could be the“bad actors”and you can mount a substantial
breached through your system. The shortage of IT 2. Continuous monitoring. defense. Expertly skilled, managed security
security specialists in the pipeline make hiring difficult. professionals now have the innovation required to
Most gravitate to larger companies that can pay bigger Security analytics, threat intelligence, security offer high-performance, cost-effective security that
salaries. remediation, incident response, compliance can adapt to changing risk environments, even when
services and loss prevention are other services that unexpected traffic occurs.
General IT and IT Security Engineers may be provided. A good MSSP will ask many questions
are not the same. and make no recommendations until an in-depth Choosing a security partner is worth considering.
analysis of your business model is done — making You’ll breathe easier knowing you’re minimizing
Most generalists in IT are not trained to handle sure they have a clear picture of your organization threats, saving on costs that you would incur in the
today’s complex security issues. Hackers can break and customer needs. event of a breach and getting reliable, flexible and
through firewalls, infect machines and use phishing scalable benefits that meet the needs of your
schemes to access passwords and Social Security MSSPs are not equal. business now and into the future.
numbers. They can also gather up personal customer
information in databases or infect systems with Look for a partner that offers: by: Peter Kujawa, President/COO – Locknet® –
ransomware and lock all files, rendering them EO Johnson Business Technologies &
unusable until the ransom is paid. • Flexibility to make adjustments based on your Kris Kilgard, Locknet® Sales Manager –
budget situation. EO Johnson Business Technologies
Like doctors who specialize in medicine, IT security
engineers are“specialists”trained to prevent and • Adaptability to take into account as much existing 814734 9-26-16
IT infrastructure as possible.

• Scalability expertise to plan for growth or reduction
in your organization’s size.

20 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

What matters to your business?

Streamlining Security Service

Streamlining helps things flow smoother and faster, while improving efficiency — it’s all
about economizing and optimizing. EO Johnson helps businesses streamline by providing
seven key business technology solutions from one business relationship.

Q Managed Print Services Q Document Scanning & Conversion
Q Locknet®Managed IT Services Q Production Print Systems/Wide Format
Q Secure Document Management Q Multifunction Copiers/Printers
Q Business Process Improvement

814731 9-26-16

844.365.4968 | eojohnson.com

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 21

FEATURE STORY

In its early years, the Department of Accountancy was taught entirely by men and its students also mostly male. By 1980, the College of Business had 62 faculty
members and 48 percent were female. Forty-three percent of business students were female in the 2015-16 academic year, according to university statistics.

Taking care of business for 50 years

Early students, longtime teachers reflect on golden anniversary of college that
prepares Blugolds for the corporate world

By Andrew Dowd, Leader-Telegram staff

Just 23 years old and right out of grad school, Roger Selin The College of Business traces its roots back to a letter
had a case of stage fright he wanted to overcome while written in 1955 by William R. Davies, president of what
embarking on a career as an was then called the Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire.
accounting teacher at UW-Eau He’d written to the Board of Regents of the Wisconsin State
Claire. Colleges that there is a need for “many commercial graduates
The stage fright never with more education than can be secured in a vocational
totally went away, he said, but school.”
he found a love of teaching at In the following years, the university added more
the university that lasted for business-centric classes and majors that fell under the
decades. Department of Economics. The university formed the School
“I thought I would last one of Business in 1966 (renamed College of Business in 1994),
year and I ended up teaching offering bachelor’s degrees
50 years,” said the professor in accounting and business
emeritus. administration. Around the
After a lengthy career same time, the university
of teaching thousands of was constructing several
students, Selin retired in new buildings, including
December and the 74-year- Schneider Social Science Hall,
old now splits time between Recently retired Professor Roger Selin which opened in 1967 and
his home in Eau Claire and a stands next to a photo of himself in became home to the School of
cabin in Minnesota. his younger years teaching Business.
accounting. Selin taught accounting Majors offered at the school
Reflecting on his 1966 move for 50 years at UW-Eau Claire, winning
to Eau Claire, Selin said “it’s the university’s Excellence in Teaching included comprehensive
the best life decision I’ve ever Award in 1974 and 2005. public accounting, industrial
made.” and government accounting, Students walk in front of Schneider
He had arrived at a precipitous time for teaching business finance, management, Social Science Hall in the year it
marketing, risk management opened, 1967. That academic building
classes as the university was on the cusp of starting its has been home to UW-Eau Claire’s
College of Business, an institution celebrating its 50th and insurance, business College of Business since then.
anniversary this year as the university marks its centennial. administration and office
••• administration in 1969.

22 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

While it still occupies the same building, the students in He taught the bedrock of accounting — a mathematical model
UW-Eau Claire’s business programs, technology found in the about a half-millennium old — to students without incorporating
classroom and methods for teaching have changed through the technology.
decades.
Knutson agreed that the mechanics of accounting have shifted
••• from pencil and paper to computers and barcodes. But a computer
Dennis Knutson graduated from UW-Eau Claire as an is simply a tool, he said, and cannot teach accounting.
accounting major in 1966 and remembers his classmates were all
men. “The nuts and bolts of learning the accounting process are really
“One big change was in my class there were no women in no different,” he said.
1966,” he said of accounting courses he took.
Returning to teach at UW-Eau Claire during a few stints •••
in the 1970s and the latter part of his career from 1987 until Other business classes have changed their methods for teaching
his retirement last spring, he noticed the gender mix change to foster a team approach among students, apparent in the way
dramatically. In the 1960s, women still gravitated toward several classrooms were remodeled in Schneider Hall.
becoming teachers, secretaries and nurses, but Knutson said that’s “Where traditionally you would see rows of desks, these are
changed as more women have entered the workforce, gone to more clusters of students sitting at a table,” Vaughan said.
college and taken an interest in accounting and business.
He’s noticed women have been the majority of some classes he’s
taught and the faculty is more evenly mixed by gender.
By 1980, nearly half of the School of Business faculty members
were female. And 43 percent of College of Business students were
female last year.

•••

Tom Hilton teaches his information systems class in the Cargill Collaboration
Center, an active-learning classroom opened in 2007 at the College of Business.
Instead of traditional rows of seats, the classroom features movable furniture so
students can organize themselves in groups to solve problems.

Interim Dean Timothy Vaughan welcomes the newest class of freshmen on Sept. 2 The College of Business pioneered active-learning spaces
to the College of Business. at UW-Eau Claire in 2002 by creating the Hormel Team Lab, a
classroom where students are seated at tables where they can
Technology’s influence on the business world also found its work together on projects instead of listening to a standard
way into the curriculum and classroom. lecture.

By 1984, the dramatic effect that computers and technology “Students need a teacher to guide them, but the best kind of
have on businesses was reflected by a change of departments teaching is when you learn to figure things out,” Vaughan said.
within the School of Business to include management information He added that the ability to problem-solve teaches them how to
systems. think, as opposed to memorizing the answer to problems that
could become obsolete over time.
The internet was fairly new when Timothy Vaughan arrived
at Eau Claire in 1997 as an assistant professor, but it has since “In real life it’s not always the way the textbook is presented,”
become integral to how business is taught and its curriculum. he said.

The College of Business started offering distance learning Faculty also keep up on current events involving businesses,
classes in 1998 via two-way video. Online classes have since Vaughan said, so they can incorporate them into lessons on ethics,
multiplied, enabling students to take classes at a time and place decision-making, regulation and other topics in the curriculum.
that fit their lives. The entire program to get a master’s degree in
business administration can be taken via online courses. “Everyone tries to keep their classes current,” he said.
For him, that meant illustrating supply chain issues for
And starting in 2009, the college instituted a requirement that businesses by referencing recent problems Samsung has had with
undergraduate business students bring laptop computers with its smartphone batteries.
them to campus. Vaughan is teaching one class this fall while he’s also serving
as the College of Business’ interim dean for a year. He took on the
Although technology seeped into many business classes, there leadership role on July 1 and expects most of his time leading the
were some stalwarts who relied on the traditional tools to teach college will be devoted to re-accreditation to keep a distinction the
fundamentals. College of Business has held since 1980.
UW-Eau Claire is among only 5 percent of business schools that
“You give me a blackboard and white piece of chalk and I’m in are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools
heaven,” Selin said. of Business, Vaughan noted. Standards set by the association
require that accredited colleges have high-quality, cutting-edge

See page 24

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 23

UW-Eau Claire’s College of Business traces its beginning to a letter that led to the

W.R. Davies, The university’s School of Business Master’s program Business Advisory School of Business
president of the Department of moves from developed Council formed to celebrates 25th
Wisconsin State Economics becomes Schofield Hall into for business improve contacts anniversary.
College at Eau the Department a new building, administration with between the school
Claire, writes to the of Economics and Schneider Social first graduates in and the business
Board of Regents Business. Courses in Science Hall. December 1976. community.
about the need accounting, business
for commercial law, economics and
graduates with more finance are taught
education than there.
they could get at a
vocational school.

Regents allow School of Business Business programs Signaling the International
two new majors established now include importance of business emphasis
at Eau Claire — a under Norman public accounting, computers and created along with
teaching major in Olson. Bachelor’s business finance, technology in exchange programs
business education degrees programs management, business, the School so Eau Claire
and a liberal arts in accounting marketing, risk of Business creates students can study in
major in business or business management and a department named Denmark, England,
administration. administration insurance, business Management and Wales and Japan.
become available. administration, Information Systems.
industrial and
governmental
accounting, and
office administration.

from Page 23 Bill Mitchell teaches a shorthand class at the university.
curriculum; faculty members that are current in their fields; and the owner pitches in and he was using a level to check drainage.
assessment of student outcomes.
From his classroom window, Selin saw his former student and
Vaughan, who has previously taught at four other universities, told his class “now that’s business.”
said he noticed a difference in students and faculty that not only
kept him here, but also convinced three of his four children to Through the years, Steve Senn kept up with the college by
become Blugolds after they tried out other schools. serving on its panel of local industry advisors.

“For whatever reason, the students at Eau Claire have a A longtime member of the Business Advisory Council for the
tremendous work ethic,” he said. College of Business, Steve Senn recently stepped aside from his
post on that board to let younger entrepreneurs including JAMF
Along with that is faculty’s focus on helping students, Vaughn Software co-founder Zach Halmstad serve on that panel.
said, adding that professors are good about keeping their office
doors open on Schneider Hall’s fourth floor. In addition to the Sept. 30 celebration, there also is a 50th
anniversary fund drive for the College of Business to solicit
••• donations for scholarships, general operations and programs that
Alumni are welcomed back to the university on Sept. 30 for the alums would like to give to.
College of Business’ golden anniversary bash.
It’s a party that alum Steve Senn of Eau Claire is excited to Contact: 715-833-9204, [email protected], @ADowd_LT on Twitter
attend.
“The college of business has always been a wonderful
institution,” he said.
Nearing 70 years old, Senn recently retired from the family
business, Senn Blacktop, and handed duties down to his nephew
Darrin.
The lessons he learned at UW-Eau Claire in the late 1960s are too
many to count, Steve Senn said, and it laid the foundation for his
career as CEO of the family business he ran with brother Greg.
“You build a base and something you work from,” he said.
Steve Senn also served as an example his former accounting
professor used to illustrate how leaders need to be hands-on when
it comes to their business.
Senn recalled working on a construction project in the 1980s
around Zorn Arena on campus. In a small family company, even
24 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

institution that has been educating students and adapting to the times for 50 years.

School of Business Hormel Team Lab College implements Blugold Sales College of
renamed to the — the first active laptop computer Team wins first Business
College of Business. learning classroom at requirement for place at Florida celebrates its
the university — is undergraduates. State University’s 50th anniversary
created in Schneider ROTC program International as UW-Eau
Hall as group work becomes part of the Collegiate Sales Claire observes
plays an increasing College of Business. Competition. its centennial.
role within the
college.

Business education First distance First Great Major in Blugold Sales Team
and secretarial learning classes via Northwoods Sales international business takes first place at
administration two-way video are Warm-Up collegiate added to college’s National Collegiate
majors discontinued. developed. sales competition degree offerings. Sales Competition.
hosted by UW-Eau
Claire. Health Care
Administration
program becomes
part of the College of
Business.

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September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 25

The Ellefson Group, LLC Emily E-mail: 888-683-8001
Rich E-mail:
Confidential Business & Commercial Brokerage [email protected]
[email protected]
Visit www.ellefsongroup.com for more property data

Rich Ellefson Emily Fisher There is a difference between a
residential broker and
Broker Agent commercial broker!
715-235-8001 715-235-8001
Call us to find out this important
difference.

Listings

1230 N Broadway St 403 Gabriel Ct 1120 Broadway St, #3 Health and Fitness Business
Menomonie Menomonie Menomonie Opportunity Located in
West Central
Wisconsin

Beautiful 3 unit building income Multi-purpose pre-engineered steel
producing, corner lot on Broad- building located within 1 mile of inter- Storefront retail space with great
state access.
way Street. High traffic count! visibility on a high traffic street.

Bldg Size: 12,128 sf Bldg Size 13,100 sf Unit Size 1,637 sf
Site Size: 23,087 sf Site Size: 43,982 sf

Established Tavern and Restaurant for Sale Did you know… E4583 County Rd C
On Beautiful Lake Wapogasset Downsville
When selling a business you want to get
Turnkey business opportunity, located in Amery, the right broker. Confidentiality is the Industrial heated shop space with 2 restrooms,
including all personal property key to this process, sellers don’t always office, storage mezzanine and overhead doors.
and equipment. want customers and/or competitors to
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Bldg Size: 2,880 sf

For Lease: 2707 Wilson Street Coming Soon! Medical Office Space For Lease.
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Multiple use building suitable for commercial, industrial, warehouse or

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Land for Sale– Bordering Golf Course
Bldg Size: 11,129 sf 71 Acres bordering city of Menomonie

221 Bridge Street For Lease: 1700 Tainter Street Potential residential and multiple family development opportunity.
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Unit C Size: 994 sf

Bldg Size: 1,920 sf Unit F Size: 867 sf 814820 9-26-16

26 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

Honoring Businesses in the Chippewa Valley for over 130 years.

Welcome

H to the
on20o1r6 Roll of Business

The businesses listed on the following pages are proud of the history they’ve formed
with the Chippewa Valley and they want to share it with you. They know first hand
how difficult it is to open and operate a successful business year after year.
We salute these businesses for their years of service to the Chippewa Valley.

Congratulations to them all!Somehavebeenhereaverylongtimeandothersarejustbeginning.
Years in business are provided by the businesses represented.

158 YEARS 114441YYEEAARRSS 137 YEARS 135 YEARS

Connell’s Family (1(188772-2001153)) Providing information and
Orchard Est. 1858 marketing services to
U.S. Bank
HONEYCRISP - Apples, 65 area locations Chippewa Valley readers
Pumpkins & Squash, 715.839.6318 and businesses.

Apple Donuts & Bakery, usbank.com Leader-Telegram • Leader Printing
Jams, Jellies and Pure The Country Today
Member FDIC
Local Honey. Live, working
observation bee hive.

Raspberries, pick your own.

715-723-5889 815118 9-26-16
Open Daily 9-6
WWEAEGKEONND 19372 Cty Hwy OO, 715-833-9200
RIDES Chippewa Falls
800-236-8808
815233 9-26-16 leadertelegram.com

814490 9-26-16 815231 9-26-16

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER 8|1522072

Honor Roll of Business 128 YEARS 128 YEARS
131 YEARS 129 YEARS
of caring Eau Claire has been the home of My
McDonough Manufacturing Co. Place
for our community. since 1888, producing quality Bar
sawmill machinery for sawmills in
Specializing in 112 Railway • Augusta, WI 54722 Eau Claire and the world over. 406-408 Galloway St
what matters most. Downtown Eau Claire

Bus: 715-286-2271 815114 9-26-16

stjoeschipfalls.com www.LampertLumber.com 2320 Melby St. 114 YEARS 815190 9-26-16
Eau Claire, WI 54703
814258 9-26-16 815225 9-26-16 715-723-4649
815116 9-26-16
126YEARS127 YEARS 125 YEARS www.pedersonvolker.com
It all began on 118 YEARS
October 7, 1889 Keeping Your Image 100 YEARS
when the first two Neat and Clean 815110 9-26-16
HOSPITAL SISTERS Since 1891 Eau Claire
came to Eau Claire. 101 YEARS
3605 White Ave Chris R. Larson
814257 9-26-16 (715) 835-3101 1-800-666-3101 A Family Tradition President/Owner
in fine diamonds since
112 YEARS www.huebsch-services.com Ray A. Larson Jr.
1915 Past Owner - Retired
815112 9-26-16 100 years in
3rd Generation wisconsin
106 YEARS Downtown Menomonie 1916-2016
815042_9-26-16
Your Locally Owned Established 1910 715-235-2220 94 YEARS
Community Bank
HVAC, Plumbing, 815102 9-26-16 10954 E. Melby St
Chippewa Falls 715-723-4461 Temp Controls Chippewa Falls
Eau Claire 715-839-8642 94 YEARS
northwesternbank.com 715-835-3169 715.832.1691
“Serving the 715.723.7592
Member FDIC 815108 9-26-16 www.bartingalemechanical.com Eau Claire area
AUTO TOP SHOP LLC since 1922” www.hovlands-inc.com
96 YEARS 815105 9-26-16 Automobile Upholstery, Automobile 815038 9-26-16
Carpeting, Truck Cushions Rebuilt, Truck 815203
95 YEARS Accessories, Zippers-Sales, Repairs,
Burn Damage Repairs, Convertible Tops,
CLIFF INDUSTRIAL Boat Covers, Canvas Repairs

Serving Northwestern Wisconsin Since 1920 3703 Oakwood Hills Pkwy, Leather Interiors
Eau Claire, WI 54701 Seat Heaters
GENERAL MACHINISTS
715.832.3407 715-E8au3C5la-i3re388
Repair Specialists Mill & Lathe Work
Production Manufacturing- Builders of Special Machinery 815040 9-26-16

Grinding Gears-Belts-Pulleys-Chain
Large CNC Bearings-Sprockets-Couplings

INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & CASTERS wipfli.com
613 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire

715-835-8314

815283 9-26-16 815333 9-26-16

28 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

82 YEARS Honor Roll of Business

Serving Eau Claire 81 YEARS 78 YEARS 77 YEARS
Since 1934
815186 9-26-16
Conveniently located
in Putnam Heights. 24-HOUR SERVICE Family owned STUDENT TRANSIT G EAU CLAIRE, INC.
www.kurthheatingandcooling.com & operated –
LIQUOR MART Four generations Proudly Serving the
301 E. Clairemont 715-723-2211 and counting! Eau Claire Area
Since 1939
715-835-8737 815028 9-26-16 1003 Harlem St, Altoona
715-834-3191 3339 Fehr Road
815036 9-26-16 72 YEARS
1-800-944-3604 Eau Claire, WI 54701
74 YEARS 72Years of providing www.benedictrefrigeration.com
Tires & Services (715) 839-5116
FURNITURE to local 70 YEARS
communities. 815171 9-26-16
2 MILES EAST OF Durand 300 W Prospect St
CHIPPEWA FALLS 68 YEARS
(715) 672-8300
ON HWY J Eau Claire 3014 Mall Dr Serving the Chippewa Valley
for over 68 years.
715-723-1444 (715) 834-4106
Red Wing 1511 W Main St WWW.MARTEN.COM “Innovative Construction
ECONOMYFURNITURE.US Solutions, Since 1948”
(651) 388-1141 815026 9-26-16
815285 9-26-16 Offices in Eau Claire, La Crosse
815147 9-26-16 65 YEARS and Oakdale MN
67 YEARS
66 YEARS Plumbing - Water 715-834-1213
better water. Systems
pure & simple. Big, Tall, Short or Small... www.market-johnson.com
WE FIT THEM ALL Thank you to the
Sterling Water, Inc. Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls 814806 9-26-16
715-834-9431 Thank you Western Wisconsin for
(800) 444-9431 making our 65 years so successful. areas for your patronage 6655 YYEEAARRSS

www.culliganh2o.com www.muldoons.com BOHL & PROULX An
PLUMBING INC. Eau Claire
815141 9-26-16 1506 S. Hastings Way, Eau Claire Business
715-832-4795 Since 1951
62 YEARS 715-832-3502 715-723-9655 596 Cameron Street
1-800-942-0783 (715) 832-6638
815145 9-26-16
Quality Clothing Since 1950 815138 9-26-16
Ce6le0braYtinEg A60 RYeaSrs!
814804 9-26-16 www.1supply.com

61 YEARS 60 YEARS

LOCALLY OWNED & THREE GENERATIONS
OPERATED SINCE 1955 OF CONTINUOUS
John & Steve Thaler CARING SERVICES
LP Gas • Tanks • Gasoline
Fuel Oil • Bulk Lubricants We’re honored to have

Office: 715-723-2822 served communities in
Or 1-800-472-0019
Cell: 715-829-5510 the Chippewa Valley FUNERAL CHAPEL
for 60 years! AND CREMATORY
310 Main St
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 Est. 1956 • Funeral Director Erin Smith
815328 9-26-16
814802 9-26-16 814799 9-26-16 Offering Onsite Cremation &
Pre-Planning Services
ALTOONA 715.832.1400
CHIPPEWA FALLS 715.723.8514 715-832-1141 • SMITHFUNERALEC.com

CVOSM.COM 815455 9-26-16

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER 8|1522094

Honor Roll of Business 58 YEARS
59 YEARS 58 YEARS 58 YEARS
BUILD WITH CONFIDENCE. . . .
PUB We have been doing commercial BUILD WITH WALTERS BUILDINGS There’s no home like
painting and wall covering the one you own
2812 London Road for the past 57 years. Agricultural • Equestrian
Suburban • Commercial Wilbert Statz
715.831.1300 We appreciate your continued support. Home Builder LLC
800-225-2591
More than pizza. HAGEN Custom Builder • Remodeling
We serve traditions. www.waltersbuildings.com
DECORATORS, INC. Since 1958
814797 814794 9-26-16
9-26-16 Pleasant St. 715-835-4321 715-834-3362
55 YEARS
www.hagendecorators.com 1913 Skeels Avenue
815131 9-26-16 Eau Claire, WI 54701 815303

56 YEARS 56 YEARS 9-26-16

52 YEARS

1498 S. Hastings Way Prairie Pointe Rehab Suites 815019 9-26-16 Practice est. 1961 2625 Morningside Drive
Eau Claire, WI River Pines Long Term Concierge Care Second Generation Eau Claire
715-832-1185
Syverson Rehab and Health Steven B. Mahler, D.D.S. 715.832.5085
GovinsBarberSalon.com Edgewood Assisted Living 605 E. Clairemont Ave. www.brotoloc.com
815287 9-26-16 Willowbrook Assisted Living
Woodlands Memory Care Eau Claire 814788 9-26-16
52 YEARS
School-Age Childcare (715) 834-2174 48 YEARS
1225 Truax Blvd Adult Day Services
Eau Claire, WI 54703 814790 9-26-16 Julson’s Auto Service
Independent Living Apartments
www.ervsmith.com 51 YEARS L.L.C.
3410 Sky Park Blvd., P.O. Box 287
• 715.836.8360 Eau Claire, WI 54702 Nick Gardow is proud to continue Jim & Steve Julson
• 1.800.472.8838 715.832.3003 the Sparkle Wash franchise
SINCE 1968
“Because we care, our customers www.graceluthfound.com 815017 9-26-16 serving Eau Claire for 38 years. Complete Auto and
become our friends”
52 YEARS Sparkle Wash is your leader in LT. Truck Service
815129 9-26-16 asset protection & property appeal
Proudly serving 1505 Western Ave.
48 YEARS Our Members for since 1965 Eau Claire, WI 54703
715-832-4270
52 Years sparklewash.com/eauclaire (715) 834-5832
Free Estimates • Fully Insured
48 YEARS 815015 9-26-16
814785 9-26-16
47 YEARS
47 YEARS

Your Independent Dealer
Ray’s Metal Work LLC

Thank you to our clients & An Experience That Will Ruth E. Harris M.S., Director
their pets for letting us serve you Leave You Smiling CHILDREN • ADOLESCENTS • ADULTS

for the last 47 years. 715.834.6603 One-on-One Educational
Services for Reading,
2135 N. Clairemont 815458 9-26-16 Hillsidedental.com Learning Disabilities &
Eau Claire, WI 54703
William Hutchinson, DDS Attention Deficit Disorders
715-834-7538 Tom Breneman, DDS
Pam Hansen, DVM 715-834-2754
715-962-3601 Nate Meyer, DVM Lonnette Breneman, DDS 814780 9-26-16 or call 1-800-773-2605 815270 9-26-16
Duane Vollendorf, DVM Christopher Johnson, DDS 2600 Stein Blvd., Eau Claire, WI
Heating & Air Conditioning Kathleen Nowak, DVM northwestreadingcliniclimited.com
24-hr Service & Free Estimates Karen Trott, DVM
815205
814783 9-26-16

30 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

47 YEARS 45 YEARS Honor Roll of Business
45 YEARS 42 YEARS
FSAerSvTic&eRaEnLdIASaBleLsE
Tilden Auto
& Towing

Plumbing - Heating 301 N. Farwell St. 814777 9-26-16 Owned & Operated Since 1971 Building Lasting Relationships,
Air Conditioning Eau Claire by LaVerne “Bud” Schreiner One Customer at a Time
11988 County Hwy. B
715-839-0707 or 715-834-7707 Chippewa Falls VISIT OUR SHOWROOM!
1-800-307-9000 715-288-6421 2309 W Cameron St, Eau Claire
www.wiersgalla.com 1915 Talen St.
Menomonie See Me for Your Used 888.GoAsher
814273 9-26-16 715-235-3468 Car & Towing Needs! www.GoAsher.com

www.superiorautobodyinc.com 814942 9-26-16 814792 9-26-16

Not affiliated with Tilden Towing
or Awesome Towing

42 YEARS 41 YEARS 40 YEARS 40 YEARS

WESTERN WISCONSIN UROLOGY

CELEBRATES 41 Years

SERVING THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY

Full Service Tire & Mechanic Facility.
Tires, Brakes, Oil Changes

Alignments & Wheel Polishing
Commercial & Consumer Vehicles

617 W. Clairemont Ave. 3217 STEIN BLVD, 1102 Menomonie Street 1018 E. Prospect St.
Eau Claire, WI 54701 EAU CLAIRE Eau Claire, WI 54703 Durand, WI 54736
715-839-5175
uwhealth.org 715.835.6548 715-835-7555 715-672-5659
WWW.EAUCLAIREUROLOGY.COM
815120 9-26-16 814516 9-26-16 Open April - mid September
814271_9-26-16
815324 9-26-16
39 YEARS 39 YEARS 39 YEARS0000814271_9-26-16_WesternWIUrology_HR1x2-25_AM
38 YEARS

THE COUNTRY TODAY

“The Newspaper That Cares St. Joseph’s Hospital Enriching people’s 814514_9-26-16 Specializing in Lawn, Landscape,
About Rural Life” Chippewa Falls, WI lives with meaningful Lighting, Irrigation Solutions,
Pest Control & Window Cleaning
1-800-236-4004 814254 9-26-16 employment and
development Since 1978
www.thecountrytoday.com 35 YEARS opportunities. www.greenoasis.co

785945 9-28-15 manpower.com 814269 9-26-16

36 YEARS 35 YEARS 33 YEARS

814512 9-26-16 Michael J. Bloss BRENIZER, REALTORS®
Owner
Thanks to all
• Mattresses • Bedroom Furniture • Futons • of OUR Customers,
• Airbeds • Dining/Living Room •
Clients & Family
901 W. Clairemont Ave for making us West
Eau Claire, WI 54701 Central Wisconsin’s

Phone: 715.839.0466 #1 Homeseller
Coldwell Banker
Website: pmsleepcenter.com Brenizer, Realtors

814963 9-26-16 715-835-4344
715-723-5521
715-235-8443

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER 8|1532016
815291 9-26-16
814267 9-26-16

Honor Roll of Business 32 YEARS 32 YEARS
33 YEARS 32 YEARS
Commercial, Industrial & Residential, Friendly, Dependable Service
electrical work, and control work. 2749 Alpine Rd. • Eau Claire
24 Hour Service
715-834-6044
• Siding: Vinyl, Steel, www.bandbelectric.com • Landscape Management or Toll Free 1-888-834-6044
Seamless Steel & LP Smartside 1303 Western Avenue • Design & Installation
• Irrigation Services Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5
• Soffit & Fascia Eau Claire, WI Sat. By Appointment
• Seamless Gutters www.ever-greenservices.com Mark J. Deutschlander - Owner
7158-3823-126-716676
• Steel Roofing 814510 9-26-16 Locally Owned and 814263 9-26-16
• Window Replacement & Trim 31 YEARS Operated Since 1984
29 YEARS
• Fabric Awnings Serving the Chippewa Valley 814934 9-16-16
• Decks & Room Additions 1727 Western Ave.
• 3- or 4-Season Sunrooms ST. JOSEPH’S 29 YEARS Eau Claire
855 Industrial Drive, Mondovi, WI Home Health
John’s Sewing 715-835-0761
715.832.6062 717515.7.27167.37448855 Center
1.800.726.3485 northsidepethosp.com
www.libertyexteriors.com 814265 John L. Webber
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32 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

Honor Roll of Business BRIEFCASE
18 YEARS 16 YEARS
Regional Business Fund makes growth
NEED STEEL? loan program to address financing gap

By the Inch or by the Pound The Regional Business Fund created a new loan program for
companies that have established themselves for at least two years and
Call need additional financing to grow.

• On-Site Document Destruction Elk Mound Companies with at least $250,000 in annual sales and plans to
• Affordable and Confidential 715-879-5559 grow can now apply for up to $60,000 at 4 percent interest to ramp
up inventory, purchase equipment or many other uses, according
www.shredawayusa.com River Falls to a news release from the fund, which is available to west-central
715-425-1138 Wisconsin businesses.
715-835-0811
Daily Deliveries “The applicants must have a detailed business plan outlining a
814497 9-26-16 Small or Large Quantities clear growth strategy,” fund manager Beth Waldhart said in the news
release.
www.steeltowne.com
814245 9-26-16 The new growth loan program is in response to financial
institutions and businesses that say there is a gap in financing for
Ce1le5brYatinEgA15 RYeaSrs! 15 YEARS companies that “have a few years under their belts,” she said.

We’re honored to 814242 9-26-16GENERAL CONTRACTOR • BUILDER The new loan program fits between the Regional Business Fund’s
have served communities 814237 9-26-16 existing microloan program used by startup companies and its
in the Chippewa Valley 715-829-0875 revolving loan fund, which provides significantly larger financing
packages.
for 15 years!
Businesses in Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Polk
1000 OakLeaf Way • Altoona and St. Croix counties are eligible to apply for help from the nonprofit
800.635.6197 • oakleafsurgical.com Regional Business Fund.

13 YEARS 815331 9-26-16 For more information go online to rbfinc.org.

12 YEARS Hewlett Packard Enterprise deal pending
for $275M acquisition of SGI
General Contracting Want to
• Commercial include your Business technology company Hewlett Packard Enterprise
• Industrial successful announced Aug. 11 that it will buy SGI — a supercomputer maker
business next with a manufacturing facility in Chippewa Falls — for about $275
715-514-4172 year? million.

www.rhomconstruction.com Call Edie Palo Alto, Calif.-based Hewlett Packard Enterprise views the
715-833-9239 or deal as a way to strengthen its spot in the growth markets of high-
814239 9-26-16 Heather 715-830-5840 performance computing and data analytics, according to a news
to find out how! release.
10 YEARS
815208 “Together, HPE and SGI will offer one of the most comprehensive
Eau Claire suites of solutions in the industry, which can be brought to market
Ace Hardware more effectively through HPE’s global reach,” Jorge Titinger, SGI CEO
and president, said in the news release.
2618 Birch Street
Eau Claire, WI 54703 SGI employs 1,100 people worldwide between its corporate
headquarters in Milpitas, Calif., the Chippewa Falls facility at 100 N.
715-836-7788 Cashman Drive and offices in Tokyo, Paris and Winnersh, England,
according to the company’s website.
814235 9-26-16
Pending regulatory approval, the deal is expected to close between
November and January — HPE’s first quarter of its 2017 fiscal year —
according to the news release.

Cobblestone Hotel & Suites opens in
downtown Chippewa Falls

The 45-room Cobblestone Hotel & Suites, 100 N. Bridge St., opened
in mid-September at a location that previously was the Plaza building
in downtown Chippewa Falls.

Owner Brian Wogernese, president of Neenah-based Cobblestone
Hotels, said the hotel’s first floor features a restaurant, bar, exercise
room and pool. The building’s three other floors each have 15 guest
rooms.

A state Department of Tourism analysis estimates the hotel will
have a $2.4 million annual economic impact on the city between
money spent on lodging and visiting local businesses.

See page 36

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 33

CROSSWORD 1
4
2
3

5
6

7

9 8
11 10

14 12
13
18 15 16
19
17
22
20
21

23 24
25
26

27

28
29

Answers on Page 38 30

EclipseCrossword.com

ACROSS DOWN
4. Wisconsin fund facing shortfall of nearly $1 billion. 1. R ecent $250,000 donor to the Confluence Project.

5. A contract that provides a death benefit but no cash build-up or investment component. 2. Dunn County EDC chairman.

6. Independence-based community action agency celebrating a half century. 3. Altoona-based bank closing four Walmart branches in mid-November.

7. R etiring chamber of commerce president/CEO. 9. Location of Dunn County’s first commercial solar farm.

8. L arson Cos. hotel under construction in Rice Lake. 12. Newly opened residential design studio at 2403 London Road.

10. Recently shuttered for-profit college chain. 13. N ew executive director of the Dunn County Historical Society.

11. Programs director at CF chamber of commerce. 15. N ew WEDC program for technology-based startups and early-stage businesses.

14. Current Malcolm Gladwell bestseller. 16. N ew southwest-style restaurant coming to Eau Claire.

18. T wo-day contest approaching for local entrepreneurs. 17. World’s 25th-most valuable sports franchise, according to Forbes.

19. Sparta-based ag company planning new location in Chippewa Falls. 20. D ata startup co-founded by UW-Eau Claire alumni sold to NBC Sports Group.

22. EC provider of print, IT services that’s expanding this fall with building addition. 21. L ocal loan program, frozen for most of 2015, that’s off to banner year in 2016.

25. “ If you’re not a __ __, you should get the hell out of business,” Ray Kroc, 23. Minnesota-based company closing a plant in Augusta with 50 workers.

McDonald’s founder. 24. O shkosh event that drew a crowd of 563,000 this year.

26. President of WEDC’s board of directors. 27. N o. 20-ranked school in the world for the number of millionaire alumni it produces.

28. Work uniform supplier that’s celebrating 125 years in business.

29. Top sellers for Chippewa Falls-based Leinenkugel’s brewery.

30. A tlanta airport that’s the world’s busiest.

34 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

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September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 35

BRIEFCASE

From page 33 Wisconsin gets B+ on industrial report card
Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector got a B+ grade from an annual
The hotel is expected to produce 20 to 25 permanent jobs. report that issues report cards for every state in several areas impacting
The city of Chippewa Falls sold the land to Wogernese’s company, the health of their industries.
WHG Cos., for $500,000 in October 2015. The Plaza building was
demolished in March 2015. The Manufacturing and Logistics Report prepared by Ball State
University’s Center for Business and Economic Research measured
Startup 48 contest is Oct. 14-16 in Eau Claire manufacturing health by income reported by employees, how those
A 48-hour contest that will give aspiring local entrepreneurs a chance wages compare to other sectors and the portion of the state’s workforce
to create a startup company will be Oct. 14 to 16 at JAMF Software, 215 that is in manufacturing.
Riverfront Terrace.
The report created by the Muncie, Ind., university also gave
Participants of all ages will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas Wisconsin a B+ in its human capital. In logistics, the state earned a B
for products — primarily tech-based — and form teams interested in and then a B- in sector diversification.
developing their ideas.
Wisconsin got C grades for its fiscal liability gap, global reach,
Over the two days, those teams will create a product ready to be productivity and innovation.
introduced to market and present them to a panel of judges, including
business owners, experienced entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Lowest marks came in tax climate and worker benefit costs, where
the state got Ds on its report card.
Check-in for Startup 48 starts at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, and the
weekend-long event will culminate on the evening of Sunday, Oct. 16, For more on the report, go online to conexus.cberdata.org.
with a panel of judges picking the team that developed the best product.
City hires business specialist
With the short window to create a product, most ideas will likely The city of Eau Claire hired Ray French in June as the new business
center around Web services, apps and technology, according to Startup assistance specialist in its Economic Development Division.
48’s website. The winning team will get a prize package intended to
help further their idea. French previously worked as a management analyst in the city
administrator’s office in River Falls.
Participants of all backgrounds are welcome, including developers,
software coders, designers, marketers, financiers and business owners. French is a UW-Eau Claire graduate and he served as student body
president in 2007-08. He has a law degree and master’s degree in public
Early-bird ticket prices are $75 for the general public or $35 for administration from Hamline University (St. Paul).
students until Sept. 30. Prices then increase to $95 for the general
public and $45 for students. For more information or to register, go to French can be reached by phone at 715-839-4914 or by email at ray.
startup48.co. [email protected].

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815060 • 9-26-16

36 | BUSINESS LEADER ♦ September 26, 2016

October - December CALENDAR

Oct. 4-6: Wisconsin Economic Development Association Fall Nov. 3-4: How to Influence Without Direct Authority, a seminar
Conference, The Lismore Hotel, 333 Gibson St. Info/registration: in UW-Eau Claire’s Supervisory Management Certificate
tinyurl.com/h9ra3ds. Program, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. both days, Holiday Inn South, 4751
Owen Ayres Court. Cost: $600. Info/registration: tinyurl.com/
Oct. 6-7: Building Leadership Skills Through Communication h7hjnrt.
and Listening, a UW-Eau Claire seminar for the Supervisory
Management Certificate Program, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. both days, Nov. 9: iPad Tips and Tricks class, 8 a.m.-noon, room 227, CVTC,
Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court. Cost: $600. Info/ 620 W. Clairemont Ave. Cost: $59. Info/registration: tinyurl.com/
registration: tinyurl.com/h98p9y6. j56vcoa.

Oct. 11: Business Plan Basics, 6-9 p.m., Western Dairyland Nov. 10: Secure and Cost Effective Credit and Debit Card
Business Center, 418 Wisconsin St. Cost: $29, scholarships Payment Processing class, noon-1 p.m., Western Dairyland, 418
available for income-eligible individuals. Info/registration: Wisconsin St. Cost: $15. Info/registration: SuccessfulBusiness.org.
SuccessfulBusiness.org.
Nov. 12: Start a Small Business in Eight Steps, 9 a.m.-noon,
Oct. 13: Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Western Dairyland, 418 Wisconsin St. Cost: $29, scholarships
Candidates Forum, 6:30-8 p.m., Casper Conference Center, available for income-eligible individuals. Info/registration:
Chippewa Valley Technical College, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. SuccessfulBusiness.org.

Oct. 13: Microsoft Outlook: Effective Email Management course, Nov. 17: Microsoft Outlook: Integrated Time Management class,
8 a.m.-noon, room 27, CVTC, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. Cost: $49. 8 a.m.-noon, room 27, CVTC, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. Cost: $49.
Info/registration: tinyurl.com/j56vcoa. Info/registration: tinyurl.com/j56vcoa.

Oct: 13-14: Supervisor Training: Orientation, Time Management Nov. 17-18: Supervisor Training: Employee Evaluation and
and Delegation, a seminar in UW-Eau Claire’s Supervisory Performance Management, a seminar in UW-Eau Claire’s
Management Certificate Program, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. both days, Supervisory Management Certificate Program, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court. Class also will be both days, Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court. Class also
taught Oct. 20-21 at Citizens State Bank, 375 Stageline Road, will be taught Dec. 8-9 at Citizens State Bank, 375 Stageline Road,
Hudson. Cost: $600. Info/registration: tinyurl.com/z5upqjg. Hudson. Cost: $600. Info/registration: tinyurl.com/j2sywyo.

Oct. 18: 2016 Business Expo & Job Fair, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Eau Dec. 1-2: Basic Project Management: Implementing Initiatives, a
Claire Indoor Sports Center, 3456 Craig Road. seminar in UW-Eau Claire’s Supervisory Management Certificate
Program, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. both days, Citizens State Bank, 375
Oct. 25: Food Entrepreneur Roundtable Discussion with Forage Stageline Road, Hudson. Cost: $600. Info/registration: tinyurl.
founder Tricia Cummins, noon-1 p.m., Suite 212, Building 13, com/hphwoox.
Banbury Place, 930 Galloway St. Cost: $15. Info/registration:
SuccessfulBusiness.org. Dec. 6: LinkedIn 101, 8 a.m.-noon, room 103, CVTC, 770
Scheidler Road, Chippewa Falls. Cost: $59. Info/registration:
Oct. 25: Microsoft Access: Nuts & Bolts class, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., tinyurl.com/j56vcoa.
room 103, CVTC, 770 Scheidler Road, Chippewa Falls. Cost: $104.
Info/registration: tinyurl.com/j56vcoa. Dec. 8: Microsoft Excel Advanced class, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.,
room 103, CVTC, 770 Scheidler Road, Chippewa Falls. Cost: $104.
Oct. 26: ISO 9001: 2015 Transition Strategies for Your Info/registration: tinyurl.com/j56vcoa.
Organization, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Northwoods Room, UW-Stout
Memorial Student Center, Menomonie. Cost: $219 by Oct. 5, $269 Dec: 8: Mechanics of Starting a Small Business, 1-3 p.m.,
after, discount for three or more people from same organization. Western Dairyland, 418 Wisconsin St. Cost: $29, scholarships
Info/registration: tinyurl.com/z2xcp5d. available for income-eligible individuals. Info/registration:
SuccessfulBusiness.org.
Oct. 28: Microsoft Excel Intermediate class, 8:30 a.m.-3:30
p.m., room 149, CVTC, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. Cost: $104. Info/ Jan. 11: Microsoft Excel Basic class, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., room
registration: tinyurl.com/j56vcoa. 103, CVTC, 770 Scheidler Road, Chippewa Falls. Cost: $104. Info/
registration: tinyurl.com/j56vcoa.
Nov. 3: Business Quickbooks class, 6-9 p.m., Western Dairyland,
418 Wisconsin St. Cost: $99, scholarships available for income-
eligible individuals. Info/registration: SuccesfulBusiness.org.

northwesternbank.com Member
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FDIC 814469 • 9-26-16

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 37

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814240 • 9-26-16

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38 | BUSINESS LEADER E L DJ AC KS ON I N T E RN AT I O NA L

EclipseCrossword.com

STAY A NIGHT, A WEEK,
A MONTH, OR A YEAR

By the
NUMBERS

$813 millionwas the Eau Claire Fully-Equipped Kitchen • Complimentary Buffet Style Breakfast and
metropolitan area’s Self-Service Laundry Room • Pet Friendly • “The Social” Evening
record level of exports Reception • The Pantry • Fitness Center • Pool and Whirlpool •
last year, according to the federal Department of Commerce. The Courtyard with Backyard Seating Area, Fireplace and Fire Pit
total was a $15 million increase over 2014. Merchandise export
categories included computer and electronic products, machinery, 1515 Bluestem Blvd, Altoona, WI 54720 814740 9-26-16
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13.6% moreconstructionprojects
started in Wisconsin — not LCSOEOCRMAVMLICEER!CIAL
including homes — in the
first six months of this year
when compared to the same
time in 2015, according
to the state chapter of
the Associated General
Contractors of America.
22.5 million
Boxx Sanitation can take
salaried workers are exempt from overtime in the U.S., but 19 care of your company’s
percent of them will gain overtime eligibility on Dec. 1, according to trash and recycling services
Department of Labor estimates. in a cost-concious, customer
focused way that is tailored to
80% of area businesses responding meet the demands of a small start-up or a large business.
to Eau Claire Area Chamber of
Commerce’s July survey rated the
local economy between “moderately
strong” and “very strong.”

25% of area employers that replied to
the Chamber’s July survey said
workforce shortage is a concern to
them — a considerable increase
from previous years.

815085 9-26-16

September 26, 2016 ♦ BUSINESS LEADER | 39

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