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Published by APG Media of Wisconsin, LLC, 2019-12-05 14:11:35

Business Leader | Summer 2016

Business Leader | Summer 2016

Keywords: businesses

SUMMER 2016

Under attack!

Is your business safe
from cybercrime?

SPONSORED BY

The Ellefson Group, LLC
& EG Valuation, Inc.
PRSRT STD
US Postage

PAID
Permit #203
Eau Claire, WI

BUSINESS LOANS
& SERVICES

806431 6-13-16

What matters to your business?

Document Security
Productivity

“ Before we implemented a Document Management system it was taking our employees time to
find files. That was unproductive time. With Document Management in place, employees can access
files quickly anytime they need to. The files will always be there, regardless if another employee is
also retrieving them. It has been such a positive change for us — a night and day difference in terms
”of productivity.
— Rob Weber, IT Manager – Eau Claire Energy Cooperative
Eau Claire Energy Cooperative provides electricity and related energy services to over 10,000 members.

844.365.4968 | eojohnson.com
One Business Relationship.
Seven Business Technology Solutions.

807370 6-13-16

2 | ♦ June 13, 2016

SUMMER 2016 Pg 4 COVER STORY

➤ Guest Columns ������������������������ Pages 10, 11 Local firms deal with growing online threats.
➤ Book Review ���������������������������������� Page 12
➤ Business Directory �������������������������� Page 17 FEATURE STORY
➤ Briefcase ��������������������������������� Pages 18-24
➤ Crossword ������������������������������������� Page 26
➤ Calendar ��������������������������������� Pages 27-30
➤ By The Numbers ������������������������������ Page 31

Graphic Design & Layout ~ Pg 8
_Jo_h_n_B_al_g_aa_rd_
Sales Director ~ Eau Claire engineer earns award from business group.
K_a_t_hy_.H_a_y_d_en_@_e_c_pc_.c_o_m_
Magazine Advertising & Pg 14 Pg 16 COMMUNITY PROFILES
Distribution Coordinator ~
Chippewa Falls businesses Millennial workers inspire
[email protected] surpass 100 years. regional transit discussion.

Editor ~

[email protected]
715-833-9204, @ADowd_LT

Allow me to introduce myself. pages, writing editorials, reading political columns and taking letters to the editor.
For the past decade, I’ve been reporting primarily on local government for the His unofficial duties have included forwarding emails and phone calls to me,
Leader-Telegram.
This winter I was asked to cover the business beat instead. answering my occasional questions on local businesses and giving advice on coverage
The offer was a bit surprising at first because my work so far had squarely focused for the paper and this publication.
on public affairs ... or so I thought.
After filing through a few articles I’d recently written on Eau Claire’s redevelopment I helped Liam out with some of the work in the spring issue of Business Leader,
efforts, new construction and loan programs for businesses, it dawned on me that but is my first one as editor. It did bring back memories of when I previously worked
many of the stories I’d done were connected to both the public and private sectors. on other seasonal special publications of the Leader-Telegram.
I’d also sat through meetings that praised collaborations between government
and business, seeing them as a way to improve public sector efficiency and promote My inaugural issue of Business Leader turned into a pretty diverse slate.
continued economic recovery from the recession. It’s highlighted by a story on the growing problem of cybercrime, including ways
And I’d often filled in for the old Leader-Telegram business editor, Liam Marlaire, that data thieves target local businesses and how to protect against online thievery.
on day-to-day stuff when he was on vacation. Another story is on the longevity of 21 businesses in Chippewa Falls that all
One of the most frequent questions I’ve gotten since heading up our business have more than 100 years in the community. Changing workforce demographics are
coverage in March has been “Where’s Liam?” making Dunn County consider how millennial-age workers will impact commuting.
He’s still in the office but has moved onto serving as the Leader-Telegram’s And an engineer involved in several prominent projects in the Eau Claire area
editorial editor. His days are now spent cobbling together the newspaper’s opinion talks about how she became interested in the field and wants others to consider it too.
Between those stories and more in this issue, I hope you find something that
relates to your business, gives added insight into our region or simply helps you
unwind between appointments.

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 Under
attack

Pete Nohelty, RCU’s chief information officer, stands next to servers at the credit union’s corporate data center. Financial institutions are major targets of cyberattacks not only because of the financial data

kept there, but also the wealth of personal information on their systems. RCU not only uses software to fend off these attacks, but also tests employees to make sure they aren’t inadvertently letting hackers

into the credit union’s computer system. Staff photo by Steve Kinderman

Businesses fend off growing threat of online crime

By Eric Lindquist, Leader-Telegram staff yourself. The government doesn’t help at all,”
Oldenberg said. “The government provides
To avoid becoming a crime victim, it police to help stop bank robbers but does
used to be that businesses only had nothing to help against cybercriminals. And
to worry about crooks breaking in the frankly, that’s more of a threat right now than
front door, sneaking in the back door or somebody walking into CCF Bank with a gun.”
hiding merchandise under their coat.
But in today’s digital age, the greater concern Dane Deutsch, president of DCS Netlink,
is often hackers trying to gain access to money, a Rice Lake-based IT company providing
confidential data or trade secrets via the wires that cybersecurity, network and cloud services
connect companies’ computers to the Internet. to clients across Wisconsin and eastern
“As a bank, we are under attack all the Minnesota, couldn’t agree more and believes
time,” said Mark Oldenberg, executive vice the threat from cyberattacks is widely
president and chief financial officer of Citizens underestimated.
Community Federal Bank in Eau Claire. “Every
single day there are cyberattacks, ranging from “Most people think the greatest threats
pretty basic to quite sophisticated.” facing our nation are chemical, biological or
Oldenberg recently attended a business nuclear weapons, but that’s not true anymore,”
roundtable event in Eau Claire with U.S. said Deutsch, who has conducted several
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and asked about cybersecurity seminars in recent years. “Our
the possibility of businesses getting some greatest threat is cyber, and this is the first
government help to ward off this increasingly time in our history where our military and our
serious threat. government can’t protect us. We must protect
“It’s like you’re out there fending for ourselves.”

4 | ♦ June 13, 2016

Testing security target for hackers, who recognize that banks have
That’s why many companies take cybersecurity so treasure in the form of valuable data as well as cash.

seriously. “We have been able to keep our data protected,”

Eau Claire-based credit union RCU, for instance, Oldenberg said, noting that the bank still has had

has taken several steps to limit the potential for it to to pay a price to issue new debit cards to customers

become a victim of cybercrime. whose information got out through data breaches at

In addition to deploying the usual firewalls, other companies.

malware scanners and anti-virus software, the Weak link

“ ”ssarffbpttuaihroeaennernny“TS“gleeiasydlladiPWoruhtoocnineseftgwelccPfgeicaeokaypoace’icrtiptrveanebvonotioo,osedlleeyekrgmhe.uirssr,iNhn”eesnnetapsthameseomrgosNabtdceeahiinpureaoetfiieaeeuydnlrrnnhaollaaoits,twtdentayrciyuuyRollluhy,eatysnrnCyResyoeddotssUsCssrfio,wtetcyaaoUionlhitig’ouirdsssd’carest.ikkcssstcyshboohlbewieuninefeettrigsnftsfuoshiaesnpskchutpfeureaocinairpccrpsdiimepotI hoeysnrfeuiasasndifyotshfsui,etoosaiablfnontnuetuatgcnyoa totiscwaeafwdechtfmviiosalmecoo.iao’ennciveirdrlskt.ens iisntttosogo,nbaenctpioac nhoosrrycDteoammaootffewlmehppelcsosleaup,ipiswnanctiJtoatekkiahsgenrereicynesh.aassk,’ngtalcssleicdleoTexticknhnpncoiaenkecmrernatesertienptrntdtrsaouiaetimsthtnpsaetetiaairncedcrchangth.ylmae,mbidttrewheaemnrentostaateh.rutttpenrrakoctnuenuuhTku,rgoomsssaeshreuipfttaitnaeviatsUlbinlyneededparygeWnevuetcfrJ,eaauhcaanit-ansnctaEasnccinotdigkknihtaonnndaeguerttTggooifssoaiesCoecssvnabmtroatlrose,ehamvcimtfprcaiaiiiraktllmrtaelohuln’yaessyterses

been able to stop them very quickly,” Nohelty See page 6

said. “We have all kinds of notifications and alerts

and people on guard. It’s not like we can’t be

compromised, but we certainly have plenty of things STAY A NIGHT, A WEEK,
we do to stop that from happening.” A MONTH, OR A YEAR

CCF Bank also tries to be proactive in preventing

successful attacks on its database, which lately even

have included forms of ransomware in which hackers

attempt to gain access to an entity’s computer system,

encrypt the data and then demand a payment by

a certain deadline to get the data back. Some U.S.

health care organizations and school districts have

acknowledged making such payments in recent

months, according to media reports, but the Eau

Claire Police Department indicated it hasn’t had any

reports yet of local organizations falling victim to

ransomware heists. Fully-Equipped Kitchen • Complimentary Buffet Style Breakfast and
Self-Service Laundry Room • Pet Friendly • “The Social” Evening
CCF Bank attempts to avoid such a fate by hiring Reception • The Pantry • Fitness Center • Pool and Whirlpool •
third-party experts to test its defenses, having IT staff Courtyard with Backyard Seating Area, Fireplace and Fire Pit
remain vigilant about keeping protective software

up-to-date and training staff throughout the bank

on good cybersecurity protocol, Oldenberg said. The

bank also sends fake phishing emails to employees

and conducts “social engineering” testing in which 1515 Bluestem Blvd, Altoona, WI 54720 805760 • 6-13-16
individuals call employees pretending to be customers staybridgesuites.com/altoonawi
in an attempt to access personal data. (715) 830-0800

The efforts are necessary because banks are a big

June 13, 2016 ♦ |5

from Page 5

“If you want to be safe, the secret is not to should extend to offers claiming the computer

click on anything,” unless you call the person user has just won something such as a free cup

COVER STORY who appears to have sent the email and ask if of coffee, Nohelty said, pulling out this classic

they really sent it, Tan said. “Always assume bit of consumer advice: “If it sounds too good to

that anything that’s clickable could be very be true, it probably is.”

dangerous.” Still, Deutsch said people fall for such scams

Tan, who teaches courses on computer all the time. A particularly common one that

security, has heard about enough damage from routinely snags people involves a Microsoft

successful phishing expeditions over the years logo popping up on a computer screen with a

that he said he won’t even open an attachment message asking users to call a number on the

sent by his wife. screen to solve a problem.

Hackers know a lot of people are wise to their “The problem is Microsoft doesn’t do that,”

ways but also recognize that if they send their Deutsch said, so it’s really just another way for

sham emails to enough people, they still can make cybercriminals to trick people into giving out

a lot of money even if only 1 percent of recipients personal information.

click on the corrupt attachments, Tan said. “We’re all potentially vulnerable,” he said,

“because when you connect to the Internet,

Faked out anyone in the world can connect to you.”

Even a sophisticated, professional Vigilance urged
organization such as the Milwaukee Bucks

can be caught in a clever phishing scam. The Deutsch advised CEOs to take ownership of

National Basketball Association franchise cybersecurity and not rely exclusively on IT staff

revealed in mid-May that it was the victim to take care of the problem.

of a serious financial data breach in which While Deutsch said companies are well

players’ Social Security numbers, compensation advised to rely on the best anti-virus programs

figures, dates of birth and home addresses were and IT protocols possible, he stressed that those

disclosed to an unknown party. steps won’t protect an organization 100 percent

The scammer requested the data from the if a single employee clicks on the wrong link.

Bucks via email through a spoof email address Social engineering emails can be quite well-

impersonating team president Peter Feigin, and crafted, he said, mentioning a recent one he

an employee provided the information without received from someone who addressed him

realizing by his correct

the request name and title,
came from a made reference
fraudulent to a legitimate
source, the job opening at his
firm and provided
“team said in a a tainted link
purporting to be a
statement.

”Bob McCoy,
When you connect to the Internet,
anyone in the world can connect to you.

Dane Deutsch

president of résumé.

the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Some scammers even take their phishing to

said his staff also learned the hard way about another level by following up with phone calls

the vigilance necessary after the organization’s to add validity to their email claims, he said.

email was hacked last fall when an employee This practice is sometimes known as vishing, or

clicked on a phishing email. voice phishing.

“It created all sorts of problems for that In a completely different form of electronic

computer and we had to do some work to fully scam attempt, RCU recently learned a

recover,” McCoy said. “We are very sensitive to suspect was using social media to pose as an

that now, and we don’t open a lot of things.” intermediary between members who might

A ban on clicking on unexpected email links be seeking loans and the credit union. While

6 | ♦ June 13, 2016

RCU officials aren’t aware of any financial or data losses Featured in this article
incurred as a result of the plot, they worked with the FBI
and Secret Service to try to catch the person but haven’t Deutsch McCoy Oldenberg Tan
heard if any arrests were made in the case, Nohelty said.
Meet, Stay,
At UW-Eau Claire, Tan said, officials recently found And Play
out an unauthorized user essentially stole computer
time on the campus system in an attempt to generate 7 Flexible Meeting Rooms • Groups Up To 300 • 807308 6-13-16
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With a lot of people around the world making their Emily Thompson at 715.852.6000 Ext. 434
living off stealing money and data through cybercrime
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almost impossible for ethical companies and individuals
to stay ahead of the attackers, Deutsch said. 5150 Fairview Drive | Eau Claire, WI 54701
MetropolisResort.com/Events/Meetings
“The problem is the bad guys are getting badder
faster than the good guys are getting gooder,” Deutsch
quipped. “If you haven’t been a victim of anything bad
on the Internet yet, it’s only a matter of time.”

An official from one Chippewa Valley high-tech
organization said cybersecurity is a huge issue but
declined to comment on the record out of fear of
becoming a target for hackers.

“Just being mentioned in an article about cybersecurity
could put a bull’s-eye on your back and be like a
challenge to hackers to try to shut your network down,”
the official said.

Unfortunately, all of the precautions companies must
take today to guard against hackers cost money. But local
executives consider it a necessary cost of doing business
in the digital age.

“It is costly. There is no question about it,” Nohelty
said. “But the cost of what it would be if we let our
members down is far higher than what we would ever
spend to build good quality security and to put a shield
as best we can in front of those cyberthreats. We think it’s
a good investment.”

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

June 13, 2016 ♦ |7

FEATURE STORY League of
her own

Staff photo by Marisa Wojcik
Disa Wahlstrand, Ayres Associates vice president of engineering services for its Wisconsin offices, stands in front of the brick plaza on Riverfront
Terrace in Phoenix Park. She’d worked on the downtown Eau Claire park, one of several prominent projects seen around the city that not only
showcased her engineering talents, but also an ability to address needs of the public, local government and businesses. Wahlstrand was recognized
this year with the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce’s Woman of Achievement award.

Ayres employee recognized for achievements in her field, community

DBy Andrew Dowd, Leader-Telegram staff
isa Wahlstrand’s high school career aptitude test suggested she become a teacher, minister or
psychologist.
So she opted to become an engineer.
“One of the biggest reasons was a lot of people said ‘women don’t do engineering,’” she said.
That suggestion was not always made outright, she recalls, but subtly when her teachers
wouldn’t challenge girls in classes such as math and science as much as they did the boys. But
those just happened to be her favorite subjects.

“I always liked math and science,” she said.
After graduating from Eau Claire Memorial High, Wahlstrand got her bachelor’s degree in physics from
Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Paul.
“It helps me look at the big picture instead of only being caught up in the details,” she said of her liberal arts
education.
In some of her college classes, she recalls being the only female student in the room. The gender mix did
improve somewhat as she went for her master’s in civil and environmental engineering from the University of
Iowa.
Since graduating, she’s distinguished herself as a civil engineer — a career field that’s 22 percent female —
rising in the ranks of a local firm and becoming a prominent member of the Eau Claire community.
Earlier this year, she was honored as the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce’s Woman of Achievement for
2016.
“Disa not only has made a name for herself in the field but has also excelled in it,” a co-worker wrote when
nominating her for the award.
8 | ♦ June 13, 2016

Familiar face “She knows her audience and communicates very well,”
Wahlstrand began working in 1995 for Ayres Associates Howie said.
in Eau Claire, spending 10 years as project engineer,
followed by a decade managing the local municipal Challenges involved in growing Mayo’s Eau Claire
services group in the company’s Eau Claire offices. campus a few years ago included rerouting a street and
Engineering usually deals with problem solving, managing runoff on land right along Half Moon Lake.
Wahlstrand said, but she found her career has increasingly
involved working with people — clients, local government Wahlstrand was up to the task and the five-story Luther
and the general public. Building completed in 2010 has a picturesque view of the
“It’s fun, I like it a lot,” she said. lake and Carson Park.
She became a familiar face to Eau Claire officials, often
representing Ayres Associates at meetings on the county’s Changing role
new jail or downtown revitalization projects that the Since her promotion last year to vice president of Ayres’
company had a hand in. engineering services in Wisconsin, she found herself
“I’ve always been impressed with her working less on projects, but more as a team leader —
knowledge, level of detail and promptness overseeing a growing number of employees spread across
in getting details through,” said Mike the state in Eau Claire, Green Bay, Waukesha and Madison.
Schatz, Eau Claire’s economic development
administrator and executive director of “It keeps changing,” she said of the new job.
Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. Outside of the office, she advocates for more students —
Like Schatz, Wahlstrand also worked on boys and girls — to consider jobs in science, technology,
high-profile projects that required a balance engineering and math — aka STEM careers.
of the general public’s needs with those of Schatz There’s a shortage of those students in the workforce, she
said, which is an issue exacerbated by the country’s need to
businesses. improve its infrastructure.
She was a leader in the design of Phoenix Park — once a Walshtrand also is a volunteer in the community,
blighted piece of industrial land in Eau Claire’s downtown, currently involved in Junior Achievement, Bob’s House
which was completely transformed about a decade ago into For Dogs and occasionally helping out at the Eau Claire
a popular riverfront spot. Montessori school that her daughter attends.
The project had a lot of people offering their ideas on Contact: 715-833-9204, [email protected], @ADowd_
how the land should be laid out between a city park and LT on Twitter
land for private development, including RCU’s corporate
headquarters. Late in the planning, there were even public We believe a funeral should reflect the beliefs
debates that moved the credit union office building farther of the person honored. Whether you’re
back from the waterfront to provide for more parkland and planning a traditional funeral or a unique one,
a road. we will assist you every step of the way.
“Most people are very pleased with how Phoenix Park Contact us to find the option right for you.
worked out,” Schatz said. The park itself has won four
awards and attracted more neighboring developments, 44 E Columbia St • Chippewa Falls • 715-723-4649 • pedersonvolker.com
including JAMF Software, numerous apartment buildings
and storefronts.

Along the river
Mayo Clinic Health System, which has expanded its
Chippewa Valley facilities in recent years, is among long-
term Ayres clients that Wahlstrand has worked with.

“She’s got a really solid knowledge of how things get
done and can help us through the process,” said Gordon
Howie, Mayo Clinic Health System’s regional director of
facilities and construction in northwest Wisconsin.

Wahlstrand does civil engineering — laying the
groundwork for buildings. The job includes coordinating
projects, handling zoning issues, addressing environmental
concerns, developing site plans and setting sections of
clients’ land for stormwater retention.

Among her talents is taking the complicated engineering
lingo and explaining projects in general terms for
laypeople, but having the technical details available for
those who want them.

June 13, 2016 ♦ |9

CEO SPEAK

Leadership Jeff West is the owner of
thinking Bear Down (beardowninc.com),
an executive and executive
Challenge inherent biases to team coaching company based
improve, innovate your business in Eau Claire. He was a founder
and CEO of Silicon Logic
Engineering. He also currently
chairs the local chapter of
TEC (The Executive Committee)
and Business Partners, a
forum for small-business
leaders. West can be reached
at 715-559-2195 or
[email protected].

“Great men are they who see ... that thoughts rule the world.”

RALPH WALDO EMERSON, essayist, poet

ABy Jeff West confirms our beliefs and ignore information that challenges them. I
t the end of my previous column I asked you to give know, our tendency is to look at the other person with astonishment
some thought to what the common theme was among the and wonder how they could have missed something so obvious.
leadership qualities that were discussed. The answer was
not so subtly hidden in the question: thought. The point is, we all create our own reality based on our
If you think about it you’ll realize everything we do initially background, upbringing, education, culture, etc.
begins with a thought.
You have the option to challenge your thinking at any time, to
As a matter of fact we can’t have an emotional response about become more self-aware.
anything unless we’ve first had a thought. It happens so frequently
during our day and so quickly we rarely give it the attention it Spend some time and think about what you would like your
deserves. company to be like. What’s your purpose?

Great leaders have this figured out. They know the difference Then start paying attention to your thoughts. Do they bring you
between being a puppet to their thoughts, being controlled by them, closer to your vision of the company you want or do they send you
versus being the master of their mind. down the wrong path? Do your thoughts inspire you or do they
leave you in a state of self-doubt, fear and worry?
When we let our thoughts rule us we typically spend our day in
reactionary mode. We let ourselves be offended by our customers, Great leaders know they don’t have all the answers. They don’t
our employees, our vendors or our competition. We often make let their ego drive their thoughts. Instead they realize the value of
mountains out of molehills, play the victim and walk around like others’ perceptions and experiences. Great leaders know the people
emotional time bombs. closest to the front lines of their business often know way more
about what’s really going on than they do.
Great leaders are proactive in their thoughts. Instead of letting
their thoughts and emotions control them they take charge of their Great leaders challenge everything! They especially challenge
thinking to create the reality they want. conventional wisdom and false truths that have been held as real
within their organization.
Great leaders are mindful of their thoughts and every action they
take because of them. By doing so they achieve significant results They know that anything can be improved, everything can be
within their organization and within their lives. They know the reimagined and many things can be eliminated.
actions they take based on their thoughts are a matter of choice, not
some predestined process they have no control over. To do these things they willingly subject their business logic to
brutal assault. In doing so they often find what they thought was
If you’re a little skeptical think about this: How many times have running well was in fact flawed, with room for improvement.
you and someone else witnessed the exact same situation but came
away with a completely different interpretation of what happened? Great leaders surround themselves with the smartest people they
can and ask them to poke holes in their theories or beliefs. They’re
How can that be? constantly challenging their thoughts!
Researchers call it cognitive bias. Cognitive biases are predictable
patterns of thought and behavior that lead you to draw incorrect You have a choice. You can limit your viewpoints, your
conclusions. knowledge, your thoughts, or you can expand them. You can accept
This doesn’t mean we’re always wrong in our interpretation of the status quo, or you can demolish it.
what happened. It just means it’s highly likely we’ve only processed
part of it with our personal biases filtering out a lot of things we end You can follow other companies’ best practices, or you can lead,
up missing. We all have these biases yet rarely notice them. innovate and use your team’s immense ability to devise creative
Confirmation bias is when we tend to look for information that solutions that will be the best practices others will look to follow.

Real leaders don’t limit themselves, but more importantly they
refuse to let their thoughts control them and refuse to limit those
they lead.

10 | ♦ June 13, 2016

GUEST COLUMN

Don’t keep family in the dark
about your plans

By Andrew Cooper Andrew Cooper is a financial adviser with Edward
Jones Investments in Eau Claire. He can be reached at
YEdward Jones Investments
ou might work diligently at building a financial 715-833-3986 or [email protected].
roadmap for your retirement years and a
comprehensive estate plan. But you can’t just your behalf if you are unable to do so.
create these strategies — you also have to • Estate executor: An executor is the person or entity you
communicate them.
Specifically, you need to inform your spouse and your name in your will to carry out your wishes. An executor
grown children what you have in mind for the future — has a variety of responsibilities, so you’ll want to
because the more they know, the fewer surprises they will choose someone who is honest and capable of dealing
get down the road. with legal and financial matters. Again, you could ask
a grown child to serve as your executor, but, to avoid
Let’s start with your spouse. Ideally, of course, you and potential conflict of interests among your children,
your spouse should have already communicated about you might want to go outside the family. Talk with an
your respective ideas for retirement and have come to an attorney about how best to name your executor.
agreement on the big issues, such as when you both plan • Status of will and living trust: Assuming you have
to retire, where you’ll live during retirement, and what you already drawn up a will, share it with your grown
want to do as retirees (volunteer, travel, work part time and children. The same is true with a living trust, a popular
so on). estate-planning tool that may allow your survivors
to avoid going through the time-consuming, public
But what you both might have let slip through the cracks and expensive process of probate. A will and a living
are some important specifics related to financing your trust will obviously contain a great deal of information
retirement. your children should know about — so take the time
to explain your thinking when you created these
You’ll need to answer several questions, including these: documents.
• When will you each start taking Social Security? You want to enjoy a comfortable retirement, and you
• A re there strategies for maximizing both of your Social want to leave a meaningful legacy through your estate
plans.
Security payments? To help accomplish both these goals, you need to include
• When will you need to start tapping into your your loved ones in your arrangements — so open those
lines of communication.
respective retirement accounts, such as your IRA and
401(k)? And, once you do start withdrawing from these A public 18 hole golf course for
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June 13, 2016 ♦ | 11

BOOK REVIEW

Top of your game

Advice for honing job skills Title: “Think Like
works at all levels an Entrepreneur,
Act Like a CEO.”
SBy Terri Schlichenmeyerthings worse? Author:
Beverly E. Jones.
The Bookworm Pages: 224.
Publisher:
ometimes, your job is everything you Career Press
want it to be. (c. 2016).

At other times, your workweek feels like running your “own little enterprise.” Prepare for
it’s ballooned-to-bursting — especially becoming an entrepreneur by first becoming an
when you’re overloaded, overly-irritated “intrapreneur.”
and overwrought, which seems to be
happening more and more lately. Learn to listen; it’s the number-one “super career skill.”
Ask your boss about expectations. Ask your co-workers
So how do you deal with thorny for work tips. Resist the urge to talk about yourself and
workplace situations without making just listen.
“Think Like an Entrepreneur, Act Like a
Know your personal brand and add “leadership”
CEO” by Beverly E. Jones might help. to it. Learn how to network the proper way and do it
everywhere you go. Practice accepting compliments
Sixty years ago, back when your grandfather brought graciously, know when to give kudos and say “thank
you,” and learn how to smart-brag.
home the bacon, the way to get ahead was to be loyal to
Get rid of “up-talking” and complaining about your
The Company. Working at the same job your whole life physical ailments. Pay attention to the things you say to
avoid unfair ageism or sounding too immature.
was common then, but now, says Jones, it “seems quaint.”
Learn how to manage your manager and handle
Today’s employees can expect to have a very non- impossible co-workers. And know when to move on
because you can love work again – even if it’s at a
linear career that could take them to multiple cities and different job.

workplace cultures. For that, When you’re having problems at work, there’s a short
list of things you can do: you can grit your teeth, take
you don’t need loyalty as antacids, bonk your head on your desk … or read “Think
Like an Entrepreneur, Act Like a CEO.”
much as you need adaptability
For mind and body, that last tip is probably best
and resilience. The good news because Jones really does offer soothingly civil, workable
ideas that can make your life and your career better, both
is you can learn both. in the short and long term.

Take, for instance, your first What’s in this book are things you can do today,
whether you sit in a cubicle or corner office — though
day on the job: Jones says not you may be surprised to note that many of Jones’
recommendations are habits you already have, but just
to assume anything. Instead, need to refine.

plan for that first-day-worst- There’s no reason you must read things in order in
this helpful, can-do book, so feel free to bounce around
day and be prepared to “work the chapters. Read a little here, absorb some there and
“Think Like an Entrepreneur, Act Like a CEO” might be
like crazy” to establish and everything you need it to be.

nurture a good impression on

The Bookworm is Terri your boss and co-workers.
Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been
reading since she was 3 years Since “every organization
old and never goes anywhere of any significant size is
without a book. She lives on a a collection of smaller
hill in Wisconsin with two dogs
and 12,000 books. operations,” cultivate the
attitude of a CEO.

Act as though you’re

12 | ♦ June 13, 2016

Attorney Kevin Wolf, - Guest Article -
Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.
WITNMHNDRAIOONNCUGAUGGLMHEITMEGIGNEOATNOTTDION
By Attorney Kevin Wolf & Attorney Steve Anderson – Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.

Attorney Steve Anderson,
Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.

The winner in a business dispute isn’t always the party with the best case. Sometimes, all potentially relevant hard copy and electronic
who can win depends on which party has the better pre-litigation document documents. If those documents are no longer
management policy. available and if they became unavailable AFTER a
In today’s litigious world, every business is at risk for being sued (or having to sue). At the company had a reasonable expectation that the
point a business can reasonably anticipate it may become involved in litigation, the law dispute might go to litigation, the company could be
requires it to suspend its routine document retention/destruction policy and put in place sanctioned by the Court. In litigation, this is called
a ‘litigation hold’ to ensure the preservation of relevant documents. In the litigation spoliation of evidence and the sanctions for spoliation
context, this raises some questions. can obliterate an otherwise winnable case. Sanctions
can include fines or orders to pay the other side’s
• Does the business have a document retention/ exactly right. But, if the e-mails documenting what costs in trying to find the non-preserved evidence.
destruction policy? was done were permanently deleted, they may be left Or, the Judge can order that the jury will be told they
with“he said/she said”as the only hope of proof. can assume the missing evidence would have been
• Has the business thought about what kind of In addition, once it is known that a business dispute damaging to the company that cannot retrieve the
records the business generates? This includes may be headed to litigation, the law requires the evidence and that it would have been favorable to
hard and electronic copies of work files, business take action to make sure documents the opposition. The Judge can even go so far as to
reports, invoices, financial records, contracts, relating to the dispute are preserved - they cannot be prevent a party from presenting portions of its case
correspondence, e-mails, text messages, and actively or accidently destroyed. This means making or even order judgment in favor of the other side!
other electronic records. sure that employees who may have documents In other words, a case can be lost, not because the
related to the dispute know they cannot throw business wasn’t right, but solely because it didn’t take
• Are the electronic records stored on a server, away or permanently delete documents until the appropriate action to preserve evidence.
or individual laptops, cell phones, or other dispute is over. This means making sure backup
electronic devices? systems don’t automatically overwrite potentially Two simple steps can make sure this won’t happen.
relevant documents. And, it also means making
• Do company employees know how long they sure if laptops crash or are repurposed within an First, every business should develop a document
should keep records? Should they permanently organization, potentially relevant information from
delete records? Which records? And, how often those laptops is preserved. management/destruction policy that is tailored to
should they permanently delete those records? The need to preserve isn’t just because the business
may need the documents to prove its case. In the business. Second, businesses must make sure
If a business doesn’t know the answers to these litigation, the other side has a right to examine
questions, then it is not prepared to contest a business that if they are contemplating initiating litigation or
dispute. A business owner may know in his/her heart
of hearts that his/her employees did everything anticipate being sued, they take steps to prevent hard

copy and electronic documents from being destroyed,

and all of the people in the organization who have

the ability to destroy what could be vital evidence, are

made aware of the need to preserve. 807309 6-13-16

June 13, 2016 ♦ | 13

COMMUNITY PROFILE Cent1ury cl0ub 0List of 100-year-old businesses in Chippewa Falls keeps growing

By Chris Vetter, Leader-Telegram staff
CHIPPEWA FALLS
Pete Sokup proudly He acknowledges it is possible there are others out
there. He also says some of the origin dates could be
displays a plaque wrong – Chippewa County Abstract and Title Co. is
listed as being founded in 1904, but Schuh suspects
on the outside wall it is even older than that.

of his business that “The one thing about history is you can dig a little
deeper and find you didn’t have all the information
announces Sokup’s the first time around,” he said.

Market was Schuh had the plaques ordered in 2012, and he’s
pleased to see so many of the businesses have them
founded in 1891. displayed prominently.

Sokup said it “It’s a big milestone,” he said. “I think it’s pretty
rare for a town our size to have this many.”
means a lot to him
Tim Mower is now co-owner of Mower Insurance,
that the business which formed in 1871, and was originally known as
the Frank Hughes Agency.
has been in the
“We’re on our fourth generation now,” Mower
community for said. “My grandfather became a partner for a dollar,
then he bought the business when the original owner
more than 100 left to become postmaster general.”

years. Mower said he doubts many people realize
the business — which provides insurance for
“It’s great — commercial, personal and agricultural customers
and is licensed in 28 states — has reached a century
it our fourth Photo by Chris Vetter in existence.
generation,” said Pete Sokup, owner of Sokup's Market, stands by a plaque on the
56-year-old Sokup, outside wall of the store that proclaims the business was founded in “We’re proud of being around that long,” Mower
who is now owner 1891. It is one of 21 businesses in the Chippewa Falls area that have said. “It’s neat, with the history of the community.
been in existence for at least 100 years. We’re lucky — once we gain a customer, we’ve kept
them a long time.”
of the store. “People in this community really
Mower said the business, which has 13 employees,
support us well, not just in Chippewa, but the whole started in downtown Chippewa Falls in the Empire
Building, at the corner of North Bridge and Spring
area.” streets. It is now located on Highway 124 at the
south end of city limits.
In July, Sokup will have owned the business for
Schuh said that when he compiled the list, he
21 years. It was founded in 1891 on Bay Street and purposely left out government entities, churches and
independent farms. His list does include Klinger
moved in 1894 to its present location at 624 N. Bridge Farms, but he explained he added them because they
have a retail business in addition to farming.
St. He takes pride in how the business has lasted.
Other companies on the list include the Chippewa
“We know all our customers — so many by their Falls YMCA. Schuh said the organization began in a

first names,” Sokup said. “So, there is a camaraderie

when they come in.”

Jim Schuh, vice president of the

Chippewa County Historical Society,

created a list of 21 businesses that

have been in operation continuously

in the city for at least 100 years.

He researched old directories and

newspaper clippings to compile the

master list. Schuh
“It’s been a real variety of ways we

came up with this information,” Schuh said. “I think

100-year anniversaries are important and should be

celebrated. Their longevity should be recognized.”

14 | ♦ June 13, 2016

Mower Insurance Agency originally was known as the Frank Hughes Agency when it formed in 1871 in Chippewa Falls. Centennial businesses in the Chippewa Falls area
Contributed photo.
1. Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. (1867)
building downtown, above where Foreign 5 is located now, 2. Chippewa Herald (1870)
long before it built its facility near the Northern Wisconsin 3. Mower Insurance (1871)
State Fairgrounds. 4. Eagle Point Mutual Insurance (1879)
5. Chippewa Falls YMCA (1883)
The list will be expanding soon — Johnson Monument 6. St. Joseph’s Hospital (1888)
was founded in 1917, and Connell’s Orchard was founded 7. Sokup’s Market (1891)
in 1924, Schuh said. 8. Premium Waters (1893)
9. Northern Wisconsin State Fair (1897)
Contact: 715-723-0303, [email protected] 10. Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel (1902)
11. Chippewa County Abstract and Title Co. (1904)
12. Klinger Farms (1904)
13. Mason Shoe Company (1904)
14. Northwestern Bank (1904)
15. James Sheeley House (1905)
16. Wiley Law (1907)
17. Xcel Energy (1910)
18. Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce (1911)
19. Phalen & Popple Plumbing & Heating (1911)
20. Edward Rutledge Charities (1912)
21. Hanna Rutledge Home for the Aged (1913)
Source: Chippewa County Historical Society

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June 13, 2016 ♦ | 15

COMMUNITY PROFILE tGoetthteinjgob

Growing millennial workforce prompts Staff photo by Pamela Powers
Dunn County Transit manager Kent Conklin believes that partnerships are needed to create an intracity bus
deeper look into public transit route connecting Eau Claire, Menomonie and River Falls. College campuses and the millennial generation are

By Pamela Powers, Leader-Telegram staff driving up interest in public transit.
MENOMONIE
Conklin said he sees intercity routes growing, but it will take
Instead of a lonely commute, a growing part of the U.S. financial partnerships to make it happen.
workforce has more interest in letting someone else do the
driving. Conklin and Amundson recently spoke at a forum sponsored
by Momentum West on transportation challenges the Chippewa
Public transportation is definitely something millennials Valley faces, including the maintenance of roads.
want, said Nick Amundson, director of research for JAMF
Software, which has an office building in downtown Eau Claire. Road disrepair
Craig Thompson, executive director of the Transportation
“They value experiences versus possessions; they value being
able to get to a Twins game or to a concert in Madison,” he said. Development Association of Wisconsin, who spoke at the

Millennials would prefer not to drive, Amundson said, they forum, said the Wisconsin Taxpayer’s Alliance rated the state’s
would rather be a passenger and work or engage on social
media while traveling. roads at a D grade.

Millennials — people born in the ’80s and ’90s — are a The U.S. Department of Transportation
growing presence in the workforce, filling in gaps left behind as
baby boomers retire. By 2025, millennials will make up about fact sheet by the American Society of Civil
44 percent of the U.S. workforce, based on a Wall Street Journal
review of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Engineers rated the state’s roads as the third

The generation’s growing prominence and their views on worst in the nation for roughness, he said.
transportation have inspired talks about intercity public transit
in the Chippewa Valley. And the average replacement cycle for

Dunn County Transit manager Kent Conklin said it may county roadways is 200 years, according to a
take up to 10 years, but he thinks a bus will connect Eau
Claire, Menomonie and River Falls, due in large part to those survey by the County Highway Association —
communities all having university campuses that contribute to
ridership. far less than the average road lifespan of 30 to Thompson

With UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout and UW-River Falls in the 40 years.
area, he said there eventually will be a drive for an intercity
transit connection. “That’s a problem,” Thompson said.

Conklin said for an intercity route to work, it would require Yet the main funding for maintenance through user fees and
planning, a connection to the Twin Cities metro area and local
partnerships between counties, cities and college campuses in gas tax is not keeping up with the funds needed for roads.
the Chippewa Valley.
The state vehicle registration fee is $75 annually per car.
There would also need to be regular service — probably
hourly service — to make it work, he said. Wisconsin’s gas tax is 32.9 cents per gallon, but more fuel

He figured there would need to be 10 to 20 service hours efficient cars on the road means less of that will be collected.
daily on weekdays at an estimated cost of $167,890 to $335,780.
The state and federal government would pick up about 57 The average Wisconsin driver is spending about $28 a month
percent of those costs with the rest coming from fares and
support from cities on the route. in gas tax and registration fees toward roads, far less than our

A route connecting Menomonie and Eau Claire had been tried neighbors, Thompson said. On average Minnesota drivers pay
a few years ago, but didn’t see enough demand to continue.
$43 a month, Iowa $41 and Illinois $34, excluding highway tolls.
Conklin attributed the demise of that intercity route — which
began in fall 2013 and ended in early 2015 — to not enough Increasing user fees and gas taxes will have to be looked at to
local support and limited availability.
improve roads over the next budget cycle, he noted.

Every penny of gas tax generates about $32 million a year,

Thompson said. For every $10 increase in registration fees it

generates $32 million.

Many companies who rely on the roads support increases

in user fees and fuel taxes but not tolls, said Todd Gilbert,

president of Valley Cartage of Lake Elmo, Minn., a family-

owned trucking firm.

“User fee and fuel tax increase is a major part of the

solution,” he said at the forum. “We need the roads repaired.”

Contact: 715-556-9018, [email protected],

@MenomonieBureau on Twitter

16 | ♦ June 13, 2016

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June 13, 2016 ♦ | 17

BRIEFCASE

The 112-room hotel is affiliated with DoubleTree by Hilton and
features a coffee shop, restaurant and bar.

• Next up will be the Staybridge Suites hotel in Altoona’s River
Prairie development, which is scheduled to open soon.

The extended-stay hotel features 135 rooms, each including a full
kitchen.

• The Oxbow Hotel is scheduled to open later this summer in
downtown Eau Claire.

Formerly the Green Tree Hotel & Suites, this complete renovation
of the property will have 30 guest rooms, a restaurant and amenities
intended to complement the area’s arts, entertainment and outdoors
recreation.

• And in Chippewa Falls, that city’s downtown will get a 45-room
Cobblestone Hotel & Suites, which is slated to open in August.

The Lismore hotel opened in early May in downtown Eau Claire. Staff photo by Marisa Wojcik Frac sand industry declines in region

Five hotels opening in Chippewa Valley A local boom in mining sand used in U.S. hydraulic fracturing
operations in recent years has slowed dramatically, as shown by several
The Chippewa Valley is gaining five hotels this year — adding 412 plants announcing cutbacks.
guest rooms to the local market.
• Fairmount Santrol filed documents with the state Department
• The first to open was Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, a 90-room of Workforce Development in April indicating it would eliminate 55
hotel located near the North Crossing and U.S. 53 interchange on Eau workers at facilities in Menomonie, Maiden Rock and Hagar City.
Claire’s northeast corner.
• Superior Silica, a subsidiary of Emerge Energy Services, notified
That hotel, which includes an indoor pool, fitness room and meeting DWD in March it was permanently laying off 69 employees, including
rooms, opened in late April. some who already had been laid off temporarily. The layoffs affected
sites in New Auburn, Prairie Farm, Chetek, Barron and three in
• Second was The Lismore hotel — a complete overhaul of the Clayton.
former downtown Ramada Convention Center — which opened in
early May. • Unimin Corp. told DWD in March it would shut down its frac sand
mining operation in Tunnel City and lay off 65 workers.
100+ Sales
Trucks, Service • Wisconsin employment through Superior Silica peaked at 420
all Makes, Parts people, including subcontractors, but has now plummeted to about 70
Available Lease/Rental as the company rides out the industry slowdown, said Sharon Masek,
at all Finance manager of mine planning and industrial relations for Superior Silica in
Times! Towing the state.

Masek said that falling oil prices have led the company to the job cuts
and Superior Silica is “running lean again.”

• Marty Lehman, president of Badger Mining Corp., said his
company elected not to restart its industrial sand mine in Alma Center
this spring, forcing it to lay off employees.

749A-16 2008 Int’l 4300 Cold Plate 3171-15 2015 Isuzu NPR Box Van Financial institutions dig into River Prairie
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• Chippewa Falls-based Northwestern Bank held a groundbreaking
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When it opens, this Altoona branch will replace an existing location
at 2901 Mall Drive in Eau Claire.

• WESTconsin Credit Union got its site building plan recently
approved by the Altoona City Council. The Menomonie-based credit
union plans to break ground this summer and open the new Altoona
branch in April, according to a company news release. This will be
WESTconsin’s 15th office providing full financial services.

299A-15 2009 Int’l 4300 804A-16 2009 Int’l 8600 Day Cab Citizens Community Federal seeks new CEO
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Air Brakes, Dual 50 Gal. Tanks Air Slide 5th, Dual 80 Gal. Tanks opportunity.

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in a news release that Schaefer is resigning as CEO on July 29.
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Emily Ellefson EG Valuation is a commercial appraisal firm that has served By specializing in the following areas, we are able to best serve
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June 13, 2016 ♦ | 19

BRIEFCASE

From page 18 converted to run on natural gas, which the utility is looking to do in the
Midwest as well.
Schaefer will aid the bank in the transition to a new CEO. A
committee already has been formed to find a new The Minneapolis-based company has been rotating its annual
CEO and Jon Bruss, CEO of Fortress Partners Capital meeting around its territory in recent years. Xcel last held its annual
Management, is assisting with the identification of meeting in Eau Claire — the company’s headquarters for its Wisconsin
an interim CEO and finding candidates to succeed operations — in 2013.
Schaefer.
Schaefer declined to discuss his new job until his About 86 percent of the company’s nearly 508 million shares of
new employer makes a public announcement on his common stock were represented at this year’s meeting.
hiring.
The bank’s executive management team formed An election at the meeting rejected a proposal from Gerald
during Schaefer’s tenure is expected to continue the Schaefer Armstrong, a shareholder from Denver, who wanted an independent
company board chairman, as opposed to the current practice of the
strategic plan developed by the departing CEO and the bank board. CEO, president and chairman all being one person.
“The board is confident that this plan will be executed without
interruption,” the news release stated. Ayres Associates expands in Florida
In the past two years, the bank posted record high earnings, Schaefer
said, adding that there’s still room to grow. TAMPA, Fla. — Engin­ eering and architecture firm Ayres Associates,
After a couple of months as a hired consultant in the wake of CCF which is headquartered in Eau Claire, announced recently that it is
parting with former CEO James Cooley, the bank appointed Schaefer as acquiring The Ash Group.
its leader in January 2010.
Schaefer has been a company president or CEO in Eau Claire for the The Ash Group’s Tampa location becomes Ayres’ 13th office
last 21 years, starting with Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo Bank) and nationwide and its fourth in Florida, according to a news release.
then serving as leader of Silver Spring Foods from 2000 to ’09.
Janice Sands Ash started the The Ash Group in 1993 and positioned
Mondovi trucking company wins lawsuit the firm strongly in the Gulf Coast area, providing subsurface utility
engineering, site civil engineering, utility design and coordination.
KANSAS CITY — A U.S. District Court judge in Kansas awarded
Marten Transport $2.5 million in damages last week in a case where an Ayres will provide services from its existing office at 8875 Hidden
advertising firm used the Mondovi-based trucking company’s name River Parkway, Suite 200, in north Tampa as well as from the former
and trademarks. Ash Group office, 5802 Benjamin Center Drive.

“Trademark infringement awards of this size are not an everyday Ayres also has offices in Jacksonville and Titusville.
occurrence,” stated Marten’s attorney, Harry Van Camp of the
Wisconsin law firm DeWitt Ross & Stevens. Airport shuttle sells to Virginia firm

A jury decided in Marten’s favor against PlattForm Advertising, A Virginia company bought Chippewa Valley Airport Service in
a business that had once done online advertising for the trucking late May, according to a news release from Wipfli Corporate Finance
company’s jobs. After Marten ended its relationship with PlattForm, Advisors.
the advertising firm kept using the trucking company’s name and
trademarks on websites without its aut­horization, even after a 2013 The Eau Claire-based shuttle service with transportation to
cease-and-desist letter, according to a news release from DeWitt Ross & Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is now owned by Goome
Stevens. Transportation, a family firm from Richmond, Va.

Even after Judge John W. Lungstrom approved the award to Marten, Bob and Dan Pekol had owned the shuttle business, which started in
the news release stated that both plaintiff and defendant are expected to 2007, according to the news release.
still present motions on the case.
The shuttle has service from Eau Claire, Menomonie, Baldwin and
Xcel holds annual meeting in Eau Claire Hudson to the airport.

Xcel Energy outlined its future with dwindling use Certification signals growth for company
of coal power plants as the utility has increased its
use of natural gas, windmills and other “carbon-free” Adhesive products developed and made in Eau Claire recently
sources of electricity. gained independent certification for use in drinking water systems,
About 100 people gathered for the annual which prompted the manufacturer to announce it is entering a growth
shareholders meeting on May 18 at The Florian phase.
Gardens in Eau Claire.
“We all know the energy industry is changing,” Xcel NSF International’s certification of the RubberMAX Thread Beast and
CEO, President and board Chairman Ben Fowke said, Thread Devil products in March are an important part of growth plans
“and we’re embracing it.” Fowke for Adhesive R&D, 4603 Anderson Drive, according to a company news
release.
Coal still is a big part of Xcel’s power — it was used
in 43 percent of the electricity bought last year by its customers in the “It is a very important designation for our company, and especially
Midwest and Southwest U.S. — but Fowke said that will shrink down our customers with products in drinking water applications,” Adhesive
to about 20 percent or less by 2030. R&D president and founder Kevin Rosenberg stated in the release.
Building more wind farms, solar arrays and expanding use of
natural gas were among the ways he mentioned that the company is The company, founded in 2002, develops, manufactures and markets
reducing its use of coal. An old Xcel coal plant in Colorado recently was anaerobic adhesives and other products for industrial uses including
pumps, motors, fire protection equipment, air compressors, valves,
engines and appliances.

Rice Lake firm joins Project SEARCH

RICE LAKE — Rice Lake Weighing Systems is the first
manufacturing business in Wisconsin to take part in Project SEARCH, a
program that provides workplace training for local young adults with
disabilities.

20 | ♦ June 13, 2016

BRIEFCASE

Venture Unlimited of Shell Lake will lead the local program in Brewers to meet in August at UW-Stout
conjunction with local school districts and the state Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation Services. MENOMONIE — The second annual Midwest Craft Brewers
Conference will be Aug. 1 and 2 at UW-Stout.
Cincinnati, Ohio-based Project SEARCH has more than 400 worksites
across the U.S. and five internationally. The conference will include speeches from prominent craft brewers,
sessions on industry trends and a contest challenging participants to
Project SEARCH’S website lists 14 other Wisconsin businesses make a beer that includes cucumber as an ingredient.
that host the program, including the Wal-Mart distribution center in
Menomonie. Home and craft brewers as well as beer industry representatives
from Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois,
Gordy’s buys Cabin Stop in Hayward store Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Nebraska will gather at the Menomonie
campus.
CHIPPEWA FALLS — Gordy’s Market recently bought the Cabin
Stop building in Hayward from Northern Lakes Cooperative. Tours of Rush River Brewing in River Falls and Lazy Monk Brewing in
Eau Claire will be part of the conference.
The sale closed March 31 and Gordy’s is in the process of turning it
into one of its stores, with that transition expected to be complete by Menomonie businesses Log Jam Bar and Eatery, Lucette Brewing
mid-June. Company and Raw Deal Brewing will be locations for conference socials.

“We will offer fresh produce, meat, bakery and deli products at low For more information on the conference, go to uwstout.edu/profed/
prices with family-friendly service, in addition to the great variety of mcbc, call Anna McCabe at 715-232-2793 or email her at mccabea@
beer, wine and spirits that the Cabin Stop currently carries,” Jeff Schafer, uwstout.edu.
president of Gordy’s Market, stated in a news release. “We look forward
to getting to know our customers and surrounding organizations, and Monk’s opens in Oakwood Mall area
playing an active role in the Hayward community.”
Monk’s Bar & Grill, 3560 Oakwood Mall Drive, held its grand
Gordy’s Market will partner with Northern Lakes Cenex Fuel Station opening in early May.
for its gas rewards program that awards fuel discounts for buying The Wisconsin-based restaurant chain has four other locations,
certain groceries. including two in Wisconsin Dells and one each in Sun Prairie and
Middleton.
Hayward Family Restaurant, Beauty Nook and Coop Pharmacy Monk’s Eau Claire restaurant opened in the remodeled building that
— tenants of the Cabin Stop building — will not be affected by the previously housed Northwoods Brew Pub & Grill, which moved to
transition. Osseo.

See page 22

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June 13, 2016 ♦ | 21

BRIEFCASE

From page 21 Under the terms of the agreement, Royal will assume about $35
million in total assets. Pending customary closing conditions, including
Downtown deli changes hands regulatory approval, the acquisition is expected to occur in the second
half of 2016.
Smiling Moose Deli, 329 Riverfront Terrace, is now under new
ownership by a couple who run three North Dakota locations of the Once the agreement is finalized, RCU plans to service the acquired
franchise. assets and liabilities out of Capital Bank’s existing branch at 1020 Rice
St. in St. Paul.
Liza McLean and Nathan Everson also hope to open additional
locations of the deli in coming years throughout the Midwest, according Capital Bank will retain ownership of its 14 other bank locations in
to a news release. rural Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota.

A grand re-opening celebration for the Eau Claire restaurant — which Presto subsidiary inks contract
changed some decor and expanded its menu — happened in May.
Eau Claire-based National Presto Industries announced its wholly
Charitable pizzeria wants to sell business owned subsidiary, AMTEC Corp., signed a supply agreement with
Chemring Ordnance to provide 40mm high-velocity cartridges and
An Eau Claire wood-fired pizzeria that opened in 2012 with the certain compon­ ents for a Chemring commercial foreign military
philosophy of donating 51 percent of its profits to charity is for sale. contract.

Started by a group of more than 20 investors, Fired Up Pizza, 4653 The value of the agreement is about $99 million, with deliveries
Keystone Crossing, is looking to sell the business to a family or group beginning this month and extending through March 2018. Work in
interested in keeping it going. support of the supply agreement will be performed at AMTEC’s facility
in Janesville.
The pizzeria has a lease that expires April 30, 2017, but there are
options to extend through building owner Commonweal Development. National Presto operates in three business segments: housewares/
small appliance, defense and absorbent products. Visit gopresto.com for
EC’s RCU plans to expand across border more information.

Eau Claire-based RCU recently announced it has entered into an Financial experts merge practices
agreement to buy Capital Bank’s St. Paul location.
ALTOONA — Area financial advisers are merging practices in
“We are pleased to announce the planned acquisition of Capital Altoona, adopting the new name of River Prairie Wealth Partners, 2423
Bank which will provide more convenient access to our values-driven Rivers Edge Drive.
company in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area,” Rudy
Pereira, RCU’s president and CEO, stated in a news release. The name change recognizes the merger of Mohr, Kolinski, Noe &

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22 | ♦ June 13, 2016

BRIEFCASE

Associates in Altoona with Minton Financial Services of Eau Claire. The Work already has begun to convert the former Farmer’s Store building
firm can be found online at riverprairiewealthpartners.com. into the thrift shop that will sell household items, clothing and other
supplies, according to the Eau Claire-based charity.
One of the firm’s partners, Adam Mohr, has attained the status of
Ameriprise Financial private wealth adviser, which is only given to the • Eau Claire attorney Michelle F. Achterberg, a former associate at
top 12 percent of advisors affiliated with Ameriprise. Guelzow Law Offices, has opened her own law practice.

Women’s magazine sold in Eau Claire Achterberg Welch Law Office, 310 Pinnacle Way, Suite 100, focuses
exclusively on civil litigation, including family, employment, personal injury
Eau Claire-based women’s magazine Queen of the Castle recently and small business law.
changed hands.
Her practice will remain affiliated with Guelzow to do co-counsel on
Chris Herzog and Sarah Stokes sold the business to former real estate complex personal injury and product liability cases.
agent and local businesswoman Kathleen Walton.
Hiring updates
A news release from the Stokes+HERZOG advertising agency stated • Eau Claire-based MEP Associates, an engineering, commissioning and
that the staff and operations of the magazine will remain the same consulting firm, continued boosting its ranks and reach with new employees
under its new ownership. in its Madison and Eagan, Minn., offices.

In other news The company recently announced the hiring of CAD/Revit technician
• A health care industry publication included OakLeaf Surgical Hospital Kyle Ramsden, mechanical engineer Bill Talbert and campus energy market
in Altoona among its list of “150 Great Places to Work in Health Care.” leader Mike Walters to the Madison office. Electrical designer Ibsa Ali,
mechanical designer Ashley Roggeman and mechanical engineer Hang
The editorial team at Becker’s Healthcare decided the list based on Thao joined the Eagan office.
nominations and recognition of hospitals, health systems, surgery centers,
physician practices, medical groups, consultants, health care staffing MEP grew its workforce by 50 percent — rising from 60 employees to 90
companies and other businesses tied to the health care industry. — in the past year.

Criteria included workplace excellence, employee benefits, wellness • The founder of Eau Claire-based carpet cleaning and restoration
initiatives, professional development, diversity, fostering a work-life balance company Chem Master, 3407 E. Hamilton Ave., is returning to the business.
and creating a sense of community among workers, according to a Becker’s
Healthcare news release. Jeff Rye, who founded the business in 1981 and sold it in 1995 when he
moved to Florida, has returned to the Eau Claire area to own and run the
• Eau Claire-based Charter Bank ranked among the top 100 performing business.
banks in the U.S., according to industry research firm SNL Financial.
• Xcel Energy in Wisconsin named BJ Rauckman as its senior director for
Competing with banks with assets below $1 billion, Charter won the distribution operations, making him responsible for Xcel’s gas and electric
distinction based on profitability, asset quality and growth during 2015.
See page 24
• Eau Claire-based SDS Architects recently announced it has been
awarded contracts to work on a couple government building projects in Heat and cool your
Wisconsin. institution affordably

An addition and remodeling to UW-La Crosse’s Recreational Eagle commercial
Center and remodeling of a municipal center in the Adams County town of plumbing,
Rome are both being designed by SDS. heating
& cooling
SDS also completed its design work with Valley Vineyard Church of
Chippewa Falls, which has begun building a new church since its last • Heating &
building was ruined by fire in 2015. Air-Conditioning
Installation, Inspection
• A storage company with locations in Eau Claire and Menomonie has & Repair
become home to the largest rooftop solar project in the state.
• Plumbing Installation
SunPeak installed the solar panels — expected to offset 16 percent of the & Service
company’s annual electricity — atop Central Storage & Warehouse’s facility
on Madison’s east side, according to a news release. 807222 6-13-16

• A Dunn County store has added U-Haul moving vehicles and supplies ask us for a quote
to its offerings.
1710 Truax Blvd | Eau Claire | 715-839-0707
Brothers County Mart of Downing, 517 Main St., now offers U-Haul
trucks, trailers, towing equipment, rental moving items and in-store box
pickup.

• BROOKFIELD — A telecommunications company with an Eau Claire
branch is growing through a recent acquisition of three other Wisconsin
firms.

OwnersEdge, a holding company based out of Brookfield, bought Green
Bay-based BAYCOM, TourGuide Solutions and BAYCOM Cellular.

OwnersEdge is the parent company of CC&N, which has an Eau Claire
office in Banbury Place, 800 Wisconsin St.

• MENOMONIE — Auth Consulting & Associates has opened a new
location at 36353 Main St. in Whitehall. Ron Jasperson, a professional land
surveyor, will lead the new office. He has more than 25 years of surveying
experience. Visit authconsulting.com for more information about the
business.

• Hope Gospel Mission is opening a new Bargain Center this summer in
Mondovi.

June 13, 2016 ♦ | 23

BRIEFCASE

From page 22 The bank has locations in Chippewa Falls, Cornell, Thorp, Boyd and Eau
Claire.
distribution design, construction, operations, maintenance
and emergency repairs in Wisconsin and Michigan. • MENOMONIE — WESTconsin Credit Union’s board of directors and
Rauckman is a professional engineer with 26 years of its officers are staying the same after recent elections.
experience in the utility industry, including 18 years with
Xcel. Board members Lynn Brantner and Colleen Mensing were re-elected to
• HUDSON — Phillips-Medisize appointed Richard three-year terms at the annual membership meeting on April 14. At a recent
Even as general manager of BioPharma and its medical board meeting, leadership positions were elected with all officers, including
Chairman Dave Maves, staying in their positions.

campus in Menomonie. Accolades
Even previously worked at Nypro Healthcare, a
division of Jabil, and has 32 years of experience in medical Rauckman • Chippewa Valley Technical College recognized a Bloomer business,

and biopharma device markets, according to a company news release. the president of a butter company and a nurse during an April 7 alumni
gathering.
• MENOMONIE — WESTconsin Credit Union named Pennie Peterson Processed Metal Innovators of Bloomer won CVTC’s proven business
as vice president of WESTconsin Realty.
Peterson, who has been a WESTconsin Realty agent partner award for several programs it runs in conjunction with the technical
college.
since 2011, replaces recently retired Dalene Crandall. Greenwood-based Grassland Dairy’s president, Trevor Wuethrich,
• OSSEO — United Bank added Jennifer Moen to its
business banking team, which serves all six bank locations received the CVTC Alumni Association’s distinguished alumnus award.
Stephanie Roth, a surgical nurse at OakLeaf Surgical Hospital in Altoona,
in western Wisconsin. was honored with the title of outstanding recent alumni.
Moen has more than 20 years financial experience,
primarily in retail, businesses and trusts. • An Eau Claire-based electrical contractor won recognition for its
exemplary workplace safety record from a state trade association.
Based in Osseo, United Bank has locations in Eau Peterson B & B Electric, 1303 Western Ave., was among 15 companies to get the
Claire, Strum, Eleva, Ettrick and Mondovi.
• Patty Johnson, an Eau Claire native, joined Hall gold award from Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin for
performing at least 10 percent better than average industry safety statistics.
Realty Group, 4319 Jeffers Road. • Natasha Plank-Ottum, CEO of Plank Enterprises of Eau Claire, was
Johnson’s career had been in nursing education, but
she recently launched into real estate and works alongside recognized for a program she helped create that aids employers in choosing
health care plans, managing costs and complying with mandates.
broker and realty company owner Robin Hall. The Alliance, a cooperative of employers that selffund their health

Leadership roles plans, gave Health Transformation Awards to Plank-Ottum and four other
business leaders on May 12 at its annual seminar in Madison.
• An employee of Eau Claire-based Realityworks • MINNEAPOLIS — Xcel Energy won it’s 12th consecutive annual
will be part of a 10-person team reviewing the National Johnson
Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences Education. recognition as the top wind energy producer in the U.S. from a clean energy
group.
Realityworks senior field account manager Diane Ross, who holds a The American Wind Energy Association awarded Xcel with the
master’s degree in secondary education, began serving in late April on
the expert panel tasked to review, revise and set new U.S. standards for distinction on April 12.
• WAUSAU — EO Johnson Business Technologies, which has an Eau
parenting, human development and early childhood education. Claire office at 1505 Prairie Lane, won an ethics award from the Wisconsin
• Bob McCoy executed an option to extend his employment as Eau Claire
Area Chamber of Commerce president to Dec. 31, 2017. Better Business Bureau.
The Wausau-based company won the Torch Award on May 17 in the
Other employment announcements made during the chamber’s April category for businesses that employ 51 to 500 people.
board meeting included the hiring of Chelsea Erickson as the organization’s
new graphic designer/staff assistant and Peter Hienz, a UW-Eau Claire • Phillips-Medisize facilities in Menomonie and Phillips won 2015
Wisconsin Corporate Safety Awards.
student, will serve as the legislative intern during the next school year. Matt Jennings, company chairman and CEO, noted that one or more of
• Eau Claire-based credit union RCU re-elected three board members to
new three-year terms during its annual meeting on April 26. Phillips-Medisize’s facilities have received the award for the past 11 out of
14 years.
Jennifer McDonough, Doug Olson and Stuart Schaefer were re-elected. Phillips-Medisize was among 15 companies to get the award in mid-May
Olson was elected board chairman at the same meeting.
• John Sackett, director at RCU in Eau Claire, was elected to a full three- at the Wisconsin Safety and Health Conference in Wisconsin Dells.
The awards are co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Safety Council and the
year term on the Credit Union National Association’s board of directors. state Department of Workforce Development.
Sackett had been serving as CUNA’s District 4, Class C board member since
June 30 after the previous person representing credit unions in the Midwest • MENOMONIE — Two truck drivers based out of the Walmart
Distribution Center, 6100 3M Drive,
retired. recently were recognized for traveling
• Kevin Renley, a vice president at Eau Claire construction firm Market &
Johnson, has been named to the board of directors for Junior Achievement three million accident-free miles on
the road. The company presented Carl
of Wisconsin’s Northwest District. Ziehlke and Dave Bonjour each with
Junior Achievement is a nonprofit organization that educates
schoolchildren about entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work- keys to the newest truck in Walmart’s
fleet — the 2017 Western Star — during
readiness through hands-on programs. a ceremony on May 25 in Menomonie.
• CHIPPEWA FALLS — Northwestern Bank recently named two new
members to its board of directors. Ziehlke has driven for Walmart since Bonjour Ziehlke
Bradford J. Colbert III, a Chippewa Falls native and financial consultant, April 1993 and Bonjour since June 1992.
Both men achieved the safe driving
and Jerry Bauer, founder of Eau Claire website design company JB Systems, milestone in September.
joined the board.

24 | ♦ June 13, 2016

The Ellefson Group, LLC Tammy 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 Tammy DeGraw There is a difference between a
residential broker and
Broker Broker Associate commercial broker!
715-235-8001 Talk/Text: 612-834-2798
Call us to find out this important
difference.

Listings

1202 N Broadway St 403 Gabriel Ct 1120 Broadway St, #1 18 Hole Country Club
Menomonie Menomonie Menomonie Golf Course in
West Central
Wisconsin

Beautiful 6 unit building income Multi-purpose pre-engineered steel Finished 6-office suite with 2 break
producing, corner lot on Broad- building located within 1 mile of inter- rooms, and storage area. Great
way Street. state access. visibility on a high traffic street.

Bldg Size: 3,040 sf Bldg Size 13,100 sf Unit Size 3,200 sf
Site Size: 10,990 sf Site Size: 43,982 sf

Established Auto Body Business for Sale Did you know… Office Space for Lease
West Central Wisconsin
When selling a business you want to get Multiple offices for lease. Located near
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For Lease: 2320 Wilson Street For Lease: Hometown Plaza
Menomonie 9th Street E., Menomonie

Main level has training conference rooms, 2 offices, kitchen, and 3

restrooms. Lower level consists of 3 restrooms, kitchen, 2 open areas and 2 Units for Lease of 3,425 sf and 7,200 sf
Anchors are Dick’s Fresh Market and Ace Hardware
an unfinished storage room. Second floor is a 4 bedroom/2 bath apart-
Land for Sale
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Bldg Size: 8,538 sf

657 N. Main Street Commercial Hwy
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Great location for industrial owner/ 3 acre parcel zoned commercial
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user or development opportunity. NEW Baldwin Area Hospital and
I-94 access.
Site has a multiple use bldg.

Bldg Size: 5,625 sf

Site Size: 3.674 acres

June 13, 2016 ♦ 807593_6-13-16

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CROSSWORD 4 12
6 5
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10 14 9
7 13 16 12
8
17 19
11
15

18 21
20 23
22

24

25
26

27

28 29
30

Answers on Page 30

EclipseCrossword.com DOWN

ACROSS 1. Wisconsin ranks eighth in this area, according to Forbes.
2. Touted biz magazine.
3. CF provider of implements for building log furniture. 4. Interim UW-Eau Claire College of Business dean.
5. Subject of new online certification course at CVTC. 7. Osseo cable TV channel installer.
6. Tess Oral Health specialty. 8. A bout 90 percent of these Fourth of July items originate in China.
10. V erizon Wireless slogan that’s among the best ever, 9. E mployers of 1.2 million Wisconsin workers in 2010, according to

according to BusinessInsider.com. SBA.
15. Current top-selling Steve Case book. 11. Award-winning Facebook film.
17. Boyceville ethanol producer. 12. GGP on stock ticker.
18. No. 4 recipient of Wisconsin exports last year. 13. “Timing, perseverance and 10 years of trying will eventually
21. App developed in Middleton to help clear driveways.
22. New local airport eatery. make you look like an __ __,” Biz Stone, Twitter co-founder.
23. R ed and white beverage logo recognized by about 14. Elk Mound vehicle seller.
16. Banbury Place online book seller.
94 percent of the world’s population. 19. MIS in long form.
25. Local plan commission chair. 20. West Central Workforce Development Board executive director.
27. Menomonie H.S. business and marketing teacher. 24. RANWW president.
28. Wisconsin BBB Ethics Award finalist. 26. The M and O in Spring Valley-based MOSES.
29. Menomonie container provider.
26 | 30. Longtime CF retirement campus.

♦ June 13, 2016

CALENDAR

June 21: ALTOONA — A luncheon will honor 2016 inductees 2612 S. Hastings Way - Eau Claire

into the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business 715-834-7118 | eclawn.com

Hall of Fame from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Eau Claire Golf & Hours: M-F 8 am-5 pm; Sat 8 am-2 pm

Country Club, 828 Clubview Lane. The new inductees are $400

Gustav Lange, founder of the Lange Canning Company; Virgil INSTANT REBATE ON
ALL QUEST FRONT STEER
Dufeck of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative; Charlie Grossklaus
Offer valid 6/30/16
of RCU; and Raymond Theisen of Consumers Co-op. The
0Serial No. 312,000,000 & above
luncheon costs $25 to attend. Register online by June 21 at %
monthly interest for
eauclairechamber.org. 42 MONTHS*

June 16: An introductory class on Microsoft Excel will On Purchases of $1500 or more on Exmark Equipment
with your Exmark credit card made between now and
be from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in room 222 of the Chippewa exmark.com 10/31/2016. A $125 Promotion Fee will be charged. 807364
42 Equal Monthly Payments required. 6-13-16
On all mowers. Limited time offer.

See dealer for complete details.

Valley Technical College Business Education Center, 630 W.

Clairemont Ave. Attendees will learn about the basics of the CLIFF INDUSTRIAL PROVIDES MACHINE

spreadsheet program. The cost is $104. Register online at REPAIR SERVICES INCLUDING:

cvtc.edu/continuing-education/seminars-training/business- • Blade Sharpening
• Hardfacing
training.aspx. • Spray Welding
• Shaft Rebuilds
June 28: Challenges of having an aging workforce will be the

subject of a noon Lunch & Learn presentation at the Eau Claire

Area Chamber of Commerce, 101 N. Farwell St. Presenters

will discuss an anticipated 75 percent increase in workers 65 We also offer small part manufacturing,
industrial supplies, tooling and fixturing.
or older in the labor force by 2050. The luncheon costs $20 for

chamber members or $40 for nonmembers. Register online at Give us a call at 715-835-8314
for more info. Ask about our
eauclairechamber.org or call 715-834-1204. FREE Pickup & Delivery!

June 28: The first in a series on creative problem solving Eau Claire, WI

and innovative thinking will be taught at UW-Eau Claire. 806227 6-13-16

Entrepreneurship instructor Ann Rupnow will teach “Adding

Value to Your Organization with an Entrepreneurial Mindset”

from 8 a.m. to noon on campus. Following classes in this series

will be on July 20, Aug. 24, Sept. 21 and Oct. 26. The entire five-

part series of classes costs $300. For more information on the

classes, including registration, go to uwec.edu/CE/programs/

innovation-series.htm.

June 29: The first of three sessions of the “Leadership Beyond

Management” course will be 8 a.m. to noon

in room 3314 of Centennial Hall at UW-Eau

Claire. The following sessions will be at the

same time and place on July 20 and Aug. 24.

Check-in and breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. prior to

each session. Jean Davidson, a coaching and 806385 6-13-16

consulting professional from the Twin Cities, Davidson 2495 Commercial Blvd. Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
will be teaching the course intended for mid-
715-738-1897
level managers, supervisors, small business
E401 Menomonie St. Elk Mound, WI 54739
owners, team leaders, human resources managers and training
715-879-4888
supervisors.
23942 Senty Dr. Independence, WI 54747
Prior to the course, registrants will need to complete the
715-985-3197
Insights Discovery self-awareness assessment. Participants also

are expected to do an hour each week of online discussions

and readings throughout the course. The course costs $999 per

person, which includes all materials. The registration deadline

is June 15. independencestatebank.com

June 29-30: Improving your financial skills with better

planning and analysis will be taught during this two-day Member Serving Independence, WI &

See page 28 FDIC surrounding communities since 1897
807248 6-13-16

June 13, 2016 ♦ | 27

CALENDAR July - August

From page 27 during a daylong seminar in Eau Claire. Scott

workshop in Eau Claire. David Steenstra, professor of Lester, a management professor at UW-Eau
management at Ferris State University in
Big Rapids, Mich., will teach “Improve Your Claire, will teach “Mentoring for Professional
Business Financial Savvy” from 8:30 a.m. to
5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn South, 4751 Owen Impact” from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday
Ayres Court. The workshop is intended for key
decision makers, senior accountants, human Inn South, 4751 Owen Ayres Court. There is
resources directors, financial officers and
upper management. The fee is $850 per person. Steenstra a $300 fee for the workshop, which includes
Register online at uwec.edu/CE/programs/
improve_your_business_financial_savvy.htm. materials and lunch. This seminar is an elective Lester
in the supervisory management certificate
July 12: “Business Plan Basics” for small businesses,
entrepreneurs and aspiring business people will be taught program. To register, go to uwec.edu/CE/
from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Western Dairyland Business Center,
418 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire. The cost is $29, with materials programs/mentoring-professional-impact.htm.
included. Register online at SuccessfulBusiness.org or call
715-836-7511, ext. 1171. Aug. 9: BLACK RIVER FALLS — Entrepreneurs and aspiring

July 12: Skills to use the computer program QuickBooks for business owners can learn to “Start a Small Business in Eight
business merchandising will be taught over two evenings.
Steps” in a 1 to 4 p.m. class at the Black River Area Chamber
“QuickBooks for Merchandising” will be 5 to 9 p.m. on
July 12 and July 19, both nights in room 239 of the Chippewa of Commerce, 120 N. Water St. The cost is $29, which includes
Valley Technical College Business Education Center, 620 W.
Clairemont Ave. During the two-day course, attendees will class materials. Register online at SuccessfulBusiness.org or
learn to chart accounts, prepare inventory, establish payroll,
analyze records and transactions, and prepare financial call 715-836-7511, ext. 1171.
statements. Cost: $125. Register online at cvtc.edu/continuing-
education/seminars-training/business-training.aspx. Prior Aug. 12: Applications are due for Downtown Eau Claire
basic knowledge of QuickBooks is recommended.
Inc.’s annual Jump-Start Downtown Business Competition.
July 19: CHIPPEWA FALLS — An intermediate class on
Microsoft Excel will be 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in room 103 of Businesses planning to open in downtown Eau Claire or
Chippewa Valley Technical College’s Chippewa Falls Campus,
770 Scheidler Road. Cost: $104. Register online at cvtc.edu/ relocate there can compete for awards by submitting a 30-page
continuing-education/seminars-training/business-training.
aspx business plan and application. The top prize is $5,000 cash

July 20: The annual Business Community Downtown to be used as start-up capital, a DECI media package, brand
Wellness Walk will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Eau
Claire. The free event will feature three walking routes with development strategy session with JB Systems and a free year
highlights including the Eau Claire River, Phoenix Park and
Sculpture Tour Eau Claire. Chamber members who register of Web hosting. Submit plans and applications to Downtown
are eligible for door prizes. Registered attendees also will
receive a commemorative button that makes them eligible for Eau Claire, Inc., P.O. Box 5148, Eau Claire, WI 54702. For more
deals at participating downtown businesses. Register online at
eauclairechamber.org. The rain date will be July 27. information, go online to downtowneauclaire.org.

July 20: The second class in a series on creative problem Aug. 15: The 28th annual United Way golf tournament
solving and innovative thinking will focus on turning ideas
into reality. Jessica Carter, founder of Greater Than Creative, starts at 7:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Lake Wissota Golf. The
will present “Creativity: Finding the Balance between
Originality and Value” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the UW-Eau Claire tournament’s format is a five-person scramble. There will be
campus. For more information in the five-part series of classes,
go to uwec.edu/CE/programs/innovation-series.htm. an 11 a.m. buffet luncheon. Following the tournament, there

July 27: Managers, supervisors and business owners can will be a cocktail party, silent auction and awards dinner at the
learn how to create mentoring programs for their workplaces
golf course’s clubhouse. Register online at uwgcv.org/golf or

call 715-834-5043.

Aug. 17: Managing the differences within a multi-

generational workforce will be the subject of a daylong

seminar in Eau Claire. Nicole Schultz, associate

professor at UW-Eau Claire, will teach “Finding

Strengths in Generational Differences” from

8:30 to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn South, 4751

Owen Ayres Court. There is a $300 fee for the

workshop, which includes materials and lunch.

This seminar is an elective in the supervisory Schultz
management certificate program. To register,

go to uwec.edu/CE/programs/strengths-in-generational-

differences.htm.

Aug. 18: Junior Achievement of Wisconsin will hold its 20th

annual golf outing for the Northwest District at 11 a.m. at Wild

Ridge and Mill Run golf courses in Eau Claire. Golfers can play

nine holes at Mill Run or 18 holes at Wild Ridge. Former Green

Bay Packers player Frank Winters is scheduled to attend. After

golf, there will be a dinner at 5 p.m. It costs $175 to golf at Wild

Ridge, $85 for Mill Run or $50 to just attend the dinner. There

also are business sponsorship opportunities for the holes. To

28 | ♦ June 13, 2016

CALENDAR SLCOEOCRMAVMLICEER!CIAL

register, call 715-835-5566 or email [email protected]. Boxx Sanitation can take
care of your company’s
Aug. 18: An advanced class on Microsoft Excel will be trash and recycling services
in a cost-concious, customer
taught from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in room 222 of the Chippewa focused way that is tailored to
meet the demands of a small start-up or a large business.
Valley Technical College Business Education Center, 620
807164 6-13-16
W. Clairemont Ave. Cost: $104. Register online at cvtc.edu/
Eau Claire’s Premier and Award-Winning
continuing-education/seminars-training/business-training. Business Lunch Destination

aspx. Our features start at less than $10

Aug. 24: The third class in a series on creative 807307 6-13-16

problem solving and innovative thinking

will focus on improving communication

and strategic risk taking. Ben Richgruber,

executive director of the Eau Claire Regional

Arts Center, will present “What Parachute?

Jump!” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the arts center, 316 Richgruber

Eau Claire St. For more information in the

five-part series of classes, go to uwec.edu/CE/

programs/innovation-series.htm.

Aug. 24: A dinner accompanied by live music will be

served on the Grand Avenue footbridge, which overlooks

the Chippewa River in downtown Eau Claire. “A Grand

Evening on the Bridge” is sponsored by Downtown

Eau Claire, Inc. For more information, go online to

downtowneauclaire.org.

Sept. 7: MENOMONIE — Area businesses will introduce

themselves to incoming UW-Stout students from 5 to 7 p.m.

at the Johnson Fieldhouse. “Meet Menomonie” is a chance

for area businesses to connect with freshman and transfer

students. The event includes prizes, food and games. For

more information, visit menomoniechamber.org or email

[email protected].

Sept. 8-9: Supervisor training will be

taught in this two-day seminar in Eau Claire.

UW-Eau Claire professor Scott Lester and

professional effectiveness consultant Bob

Pecor will lead “Supervisor Training: Learning

to Lead.” The class will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4

p.m. on both days at the Holiday Inn South, Pecor
4751 Owen Ayres Court. This is a core seminar

in UW-Eau Claire’s supervisory management certificate

program. There is a $600 fee for this seminar, which includes

materials and lunch. Register online at uwec.edu/CE/

programs/supervisor-training-leadership.htm.

This seminar also will be taught on Sept. 22 and 23 at

Citizens State Bank, 375 Stageline Road, Hudson.

Sept. 13: An eight-hour introductory course on

QuickBooks will be taught from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 13

and Sept. 20 in room 149 of the Chippewa Valley Technical

College Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont

Ave. Attendees of the two-day course will learn how to set

up the program for use at a startup company. Cost: $125.

Register online at cvtc.edu/continuing-education/seminars-

training/business-training.aspx.

See page 30

June 13, 2016 ♦ | 29

CALENDAR September

From page 29 solving and innovative thinking will be hosted by an Eau

Sept. 15-16: HUDSON — Meaningful self-appraisal, Claire-based business. Scott Jameson, vice president of
emotional intelligence and the art of delegation will be taught
at a seminar that counts toward UW-Eau Claire’s supervisory sales and marketing for Realityworks, will teach “Fostering
management certificate program. Stacy Shapiro, president of
her own consulting and training firm, will teach “Emotional a Culture of Creativity and Innovation in the Workplace”
Intelligence and Empowerment” from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at
Citizens State Bank, 375 Stageline Road, Hudson. This seminar at the company’s offices, 2709 Mondovi Road. For more
costs $600, which includes course materials and lunch. To
register, go to uwec.edu/CE/programs/supervisor-training- information in the five-part series of classes, go to uwec.edu/
emotional-intelligence.htm.
CE/programs/innovation-series.htm. The final class will be
Sept. 20: Entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners can
learn to “Start a Small Business in Eight Steps” in a 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 26.
class at the Western Dairyland Women’s Business Center, 418
Wisconsin St., Eau Claire. The cost is $29, which includes class Sept. 28-29: MENOMONIE — The Manufacturing
materials. Register online at SuccessfulBusiness.org or call 715-
836-7511, ext. 1171. Advantage Conference & Technology Showcase begins at

Sept. 21: The fourth class in a series on creative problem 8 a.m. at UW-Stout. The two-day conference

is a forum for manufacturers from across the

region to learn best practices and participate in

hands-on breakout sessions. James McIntyre,

CEO of Greenheck Group, and Lt. Gov. Rebecca

Kleefisch are the keynote speakers of the

conference. For more information, go to www. Kleefisch
uwstout.edu/profed/mfg/.

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