Welcome to the Eau Claire Chamber Blog

Sadly, one in eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. Of more than 123,000 women in a 60-mile radius of HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals who are eligible for mammography screenings, fewer than 25 percent are anticipated to receive those screenings. 

A mobile mammography bus is the best way to provide advanced imaging to women who may not have the opportunity to travel for this type of service, especially those who live in rural areas.
 
HSHS hospitals in Green Bay, Sheboygan and Oconto Falls, in partnership with Prevea Health in those communities, have been providing mobile mammography services since 2018. It’s the goal of the western Wisconsin division of HSHS, which includes HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals, to bring a similar life-saving bus to our communities in western Wisconsin permanently. This will be accomplished through the HSHS Sacred Heart Foundation and HSHS St. Joseph’s Foundation, which have begun raising support for this important project.
Later this month, community members will have the chance to tour the mammography bus from eastern Wisconsin as it makes its way to visit the communities of Rice Lake, Ladysmith, Cornell, Menomonie, Mondovi and Arcadia.
 
The goal of the two hospitals’ foundations is to fund the purchase of a similar mobile mammography bus in 2020 and begin offering mobile mammography services at Prevea Health clinics in rural areas of western Wisconsin.
 
“Early detection continues to be the best defense against breast cancer,” said Ken Brown, director of imaging services for HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals. “The ability to take this technology to women outside of the medical facility and to their location will increase the opportunity for women to access screening mammograms easily.”
 
Community members are encouraged to check out the mobile mammography bus at the dates and times below:
 
June 24:
Cornell: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Cornell Area Care Center, 320 North 7th Street, Cornell
Ladysmith: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Prevea Ladysmith Health Center, 1101 Lake Avenue West, Ladysmith
 
June 25
Chippewa Falls: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Prevea Chippewa Falls Health Center, 2509 County Highway I,
Chippewa Falls
Rice Lake: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Prevea Rice Lake Health Center, 1051 West Avenue, Rice Lake
Menomonie: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Cardinal Glass, 2200 Stokke Parkway, Menomonie
 
June 26
Mondovi:  8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Prevea Mondovi Health Center, 250 State Road 37, Mondovi
Arcadia:  11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Prevea Arcadia  Health Center, 945 Dettloff Drive, Arcadia
 
HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital and the Wisconsin Parkinson Association are partnering to host a free educational community event June 21 from 9 a.m. to Noon at Lismore Hotel Eau Claire, 333 Gibson Street. Join us to learn about Parkinson’s symptoms, treatment and more. Whether you’re affected by this disease, or are a care partner, friend or family member, or a professional in the Parkinson community, you’ll have your questions answered! The event is free, but registration is required by calling 414-312-6990 or register online here.
 
Wisconsin Job Market Expected to be Among Strongest in Nation as U.S. Employers Report the Most Optimistic Outlook in 13 Years
·         For the coming summer months of July-September, hiring heats up in Construction, Durable Goods Manufacturing, Nondurable Goods Manufacturing, Transportation & Utilities, Wholesale & Retail Trade, Financial Activities, Professional & Business Services, Education & Health Services, Leisure & Hospitality, and Government.
·         Overall prospects look bright for jobseekers as U.S. hiring intentions hit 13-Year-High.
·         Double-digit Outlooks reported in all 50 states, according to the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.
·         Nationally, Strongest Outlooks reported by employers in West (22%) and Midwest (21%).
 
U.S. employers are reporting the strongest nationwide hiring intentions in 13 years at +21%, according to the Q3 2019 ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) Employment Outlook Survey.* The last time the survey of more than 11,500 employers reported an Outlook as high as +21% was in Q3 2006. Among survey participants, the Wisconsin area employment outlook is the second best in the nation.
 
“At a time of record low unemployment and employer optimism at levels we haven’t seen since the mid-2000s, we need to do more to connect people to jobs if we’re going to sustain economic growth,” said Becky Frankiewicz, President of ManpowerGroup North America. “With such strong competition for talent, skilled workers are choosing when, where and how they work. We find jobs for 275,000 workers every year and know flexibility, access to childcare and clear career paths are especially attractive benefits to women and men. To find and retain top talent, the best companies are offering holistic benefits packages with accelerated training programs and opportunities to learn, earn more and move up so employees have the skills for jobs today and tomorrow.”
 
Among employers surveyed, 35 percent plan to hire more employees from July through September. This number is offset by the 1 percent that plan to reduce payrolls, while 62 percent of employers expect to maintain current staff levels and 2 percent indicate they are not sure of their hiring plans. This yields a Net Employment Outlook* (NEO) of 34%.
 
"Wisconsin employers have reported a stronger hiring pace compared to Q2 2019 when the Net Employment Outlook was 22%," said Lisha Akers, spokesperson for Manpower, a ManpowerGroup brand. "Compared to this time last year, hiring activity has remained stable when the Outlook was 32%.”
 
Summary of Results for Wisconsin
View complete Q3 2019 U.S. survey results: Manpowergroup.us/MEOS
 
 *The Net Employment Outlook (NEO) is derived by taking the percentage of employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting from this the percentage of employers expecting a decrease in hiring activity.
 
Across the United States, employers in all 13 industries report double-digit hiring intentions, suggesting continued strength in the labor market at a time when open jobs have outnumbered unemployed U.S. workers for 13 consecutive months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For the coming summer months of July-September, hiring heats up in Construction, Durable Goods Manufacturing, Nondurable Goods Manufacturing, Transportation & Utilities, Wholesale & Retail Trade, Financial Activities, Professional & Business Services, Education & Health Services, Leisure & Hospitality, and Government. Job prospects in Information and Other Services remain unchanged.
 
“Our ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey is the most extensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind,” said Chris McKay, spokesperson for Experis, a ManpowerGroup brand. “As technology and automation continue to transform the world of work, it’s important to learn from the past to ensure a great future. That’s why our findings from each quarterly MEOS combined with our insights into the World of Work and rich suite of innovative workforce solutions are so vital for every employer.”
 
U.S. Hiring Plans by Industry Sectors, Regions and Metro Areas/States
·         Nationwide, employers in all 13 industry sectors expect to add staff in Q3 2019. The strongest Outlooks are reported in Professional & Business Services (+28%), Leisure & Hospitality (+27%), Transportation & Utilities (+25%), Wholesale & Retail Trade (+24%) and Construction (+21%) followed by Government (+20%), Mining (+19%), Durable Goods Manufacturing (+18%), Financial Activities (+17%) and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing (+16%).*
·         Both the West (+22%) and the Midwest (+21%) have the strongest regional Outlooks in the country and the highest reported Outlooks in 11 and 18 years, respectively. Hiring prospects in the South (+20%) are close behind with employers in the Northeast (+19%) not far behind.
·         Employers in Maine (+34%), Wisconsin (+34%), Alaska (+33%), North Dakota (+32%), and West Virginia (+32%) report the strongest Outlooks nationwide. Of the 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas, the strongest job gains are expected in Charlotte, N.C., (+37%), Grand Rapids, Mich. (+36%), Madison, Wis. (+34%), Columbia, S.C. (+33%), Milwaukee, Wis. (+33%) and San Jose, Calif. (+33%).
  
MARCO EARNS SPOT AS A CORE TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER IN WISCONSIN
Thanks to organic growth, high customer satisfaction and recent acquisitions, Marco has become a staple in Wisconsin. The technology provider offers comprehensive services, including copier/printer, Managed Print Services, Managed IT, voice, carrier services, audio/video and data solutions.

Marco entered the Wisconsin region in 2011 - with a single office in Eau Claire - and Marco built its Wisconsin footprint from that first office and only three employees. Today, the company has seven offices across the state and 139 employees.
“Starting and growing Wisconsin was an exciting risk. I’m so grateful for our clients who put their trust in us early on and believed in us when we were still the new kids in town,” said Kevin Schmidt, Marco Sales Director.
In 2011, Schmidt moved his family from the Twin Cities to Eau Claire, leaving an established sales role to take a chance with his future. “Moving our family was risky; I left behind a great job, but I believed we could grow in our new region,” said Schmidt.

And grow the company they did. Since venturing into Wisconsin, Marco has integrated six businesses, including Enterprise Systems Group, Northeast Photocopy, Hadley Office Products and the most recent Accent Business Solutions. “I still remember walking in the room when we first acquired Northeast Photocopy. I was excited but also a little nervous,” Schmidt said. He explained his team had a strong game plan, but wondered about the culture fit, comradery, role shifts and how everyone would work most efficiently together.

Schmidt and the other Marco members didn’t need to worry; the teams immediately connected. “We had a lot of fun integrating. In fact, we grew sales and delivered their highest producing year! Being our first major acquisition in the state, this team really set the example to our employees who came in later acquisitions that they can be a part of something special.” Schmidt added that many of the staff have secured prominent roles and developed their Marco careers.
After Marco acquired Hadley Offices Products’ copier group in Wausau, they also experienced exceptional organic growth. In 2018, Marco placed an additional 632 copiers in the field to new customers in the Wausau area alone.

To read the complete story about Marco, click here>>

9th Floor Gives Patients New View on Life

What do patients on the top floor of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital see? Along with a remarkable view of Eau Claire and the beautiful Chippewa River valley, a renewed quality of life comes into focus.

The 9th floor of the hospital is home to inpatient physical rehabilitation services. Here, individuals faced with a life-changing injury or illness work with therapists and nurses to rebuild function and regain independence.

After initial treatment for a major injury or illness, such as a stroke, traumatic brain injury, heart attack, or other major medical event, hospitalized individuals take a crucial step on the road to recovery when they begin rehabilitation. At HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital’s Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation Center, the only one of its kind in western Wisconsin, the team that includes rehabilitation therapists, nurses, a physiatrist and a social worker creates an individually tailored therapy regimen to prepare each patient to return to life at home.

“By offering our patients an intense rehabilitation program of three hours of therapy, five days per week, we increase their chances of making meaningful recoveries and enjoying good quality of life,” says Jamie Wright, RN, CNRN, BSN, nursing manager of rehabilitation services at HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals. “They receive physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as other services such as wound care, respiratory therapy and spiritual care as needed.”

THERAPY IN MOTION

At the Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation Center, rehabilitation therapy takes place in several morning and afternoon sessions in patients’ rooms or the center’s gym, which houses a variety of physical therapy equipment to help individuals rebuild their strength. One of the gym’s newest additions is the Bioness Vector System – a harness hung from the ceiling that supports patients as they practice walking. Watch the video below to learn how patients can recover more quickly and safely with the Bioness equipment.

The gym also features a dedicated occupational therapy space complete with a kitchen for practicing ways to navigate indoor environments.
 
EVERYDAY TRANSFORMATIONS 

Two of the most challenging conditions to overcome – stroke and traumatic brain injury – can leave patients with significant functional deficits. For rehabilitation therapists and nurses, those cases often become the most rewarding.
 
“People come to us at their lowest levels, and we teach them how to live again by helping them relearn the basic skills we take for granted,” Wright says. “Life might not be the same as it was before, but we can help them enjoy it. That’s why we do what we do.”
 
Click here to learn more about the Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation Center at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, or call 715-717-4361.

     The Eau Claire law firm of Weld Riley S.C. is pleased to announce John Behling, a partner with the firm, has been elected to serve as president.

As part of a planned transition, the previous president and firm founder, Steve Weld, is stepping down from the presidency. Weld will continue to co-chair the labor employment law section for the foreseeable future at the firm and plans to continue to represent numerous clients.

"This is a great honor and I'm very proud to lead this firm into the future. Steve has set a great example and we'll continue to provide our clients with the very best legal representation for decades to come,” attorney Behling said.

Behling practices in the areas of Frac Sand, Mining and Minerals, Government Relations and Administrative, Cooperative, Municipal & Environmental law. John is currently the President of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and was previously an aide to Governor Tommy Thompson in both Wisconsin and Washington.

While in the Thompson administration, Behling was the Governor's policy advisor on labor, employment and regulatory issues. Behling was appointed to serve in the office of the Secretary at the Department of Commerce. In that role, he assisted businesses working to expand or relocate in Wisconsin. Behling is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in political science and economics. He also attended Georgetown University of Economics and received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

"John has been serving as the Vice President in the firm for more than a decade and is well versed in the practical aspects of running a 21st century law firm. He is the right choice and I'm happy to know the firm is in great hands for the future," Steve Weld commented.
 
     Attorney Daneille Strong has been awarded a Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

"I am incredibly humbled to have been selected to receive the Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award. To stand amongst the other honorees was inspiring,” Strong said.

According to the university, the Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award acknowledges the special achievements and great promise of alumni who are within 15 years of their graduation from UW-Eau Claire.

Strong was the first in her family to graduate college. After attending UW-Eau Claire and receiving her degree in criminal justice in 2005, Strong earned her law degree from Hamline University School of Law. While in law school, Strong earned a summer clerkship at Weld Riley, S.C., where she was then hired full time after graduation and has practiced for the past 10 years. She was elected shareholder in 2014, and her practice focuses on creditors’ rights, collections and foreclosures, and worker’s compensation defense.

In addition to her legal practice, Strong has been active in the Eau Claire community, both professionally and personally. She was named Outstanding Young Professional by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce in 2017, and has spearheaded fundraising drives for the area’s homeless children program. She has also volunteered as Membership Advisor for UW-Eau Claire’s chapter of Alpha Xi Delta for 10 years.

Strong added, “My time at UW-Eau Claire was both fulfilling and motivating; it gave me not only memories but a future. I am proud to represent both the motto of “Excellence” and “the Power of [AND].”

     Paul Rudersdorf, president and CEO of Security Financial Bank (SFB), is pleased to announce that Melody Sheehan has been appointed senior credit officer for the bank. With this promotion, Sheehan will be responsible for the development and enforcement of the credit quality of the loan portfolio and the credit culture for the bank.
 
“Melody is an asset to Security Financial Bank, and her knowledge and expertise will be instrumental in leading SFB to a new level,” Rudersdorf said. “We congratulate her on this well-deserved promotion and look forward to watching her continued success."
 
Sheehan, who has been with SFB since 2011, most recently served as the director of credit and loan administration before her promotion. She has 16 years in the financial services industry.
 
Sheehan received a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and is currently enrolled in the Graduate School of Banking. 

     HSHS Sacred Heart Foundation and HSHS St. Joseph’s Foundations are excited to announce that Charter Bank has gifted $400,000 to help fund a mobile mammography bus that will travel to rural areas and outlying clinics to bring much-needed imaging services to women in those areas.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous gift from Charter Bank,” said Andrew Bagnall, president and CEO, HSHS Western Wisconsin Division, which includes HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals. “Because of our mission, we have an obligation to create better access to high-level mammography services, resulting in earlier detection which saves lives.”
 
A mobile mammography unit is the most effective way for HSHS to provide advanced imaging to women who may not have the opportunity to travel for this type of service. The mobile mammography bus is expected to serve at least 2,500 women annually in our outlying communities.
 
“Charter Bank is committed to the health and well-being of this region,” said Paul Kohler, president and CEO, Charter Bank. “We know that early detection saves lives, and we know that there are women who are not currently accessing this screening. We want to be part of the solution to provide more birthdays, more anniversaries, and more celebrations.” 
 
Of more than 123,000 women in a 60-mile radius of HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals who are eligible for mammography screenings, fewer than 25 percent are anticipated to receive those screenings. According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. This would mean that 12,000 women in our area will potentially miss early detection and either have or develop breast cancer, but wouldn’t make this discovery until it has developed to an advanced stage.
 
“Early detection continues to be the best defense against breast cancer,” said Ken Brown, director of imaging services for HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals. “The ability to take this technology to women outside of the medical facility and to their location will increase the opportunity for women to access screening mammograms easily.”
 
The mobile mammography unit is scheduled to begin operation in spring 2020 and will make regular visits to communities with Prevea Health clinics, including Rice Lake, Ladysmith, Cornell, Menomonie, Mondovi and Arcadia. 
 
Both hospital Foundations are currently looking for additional donors for this project. For more information, visitwww.sacredhearteauclaire.org/Giving or www.stjoeschipfalls.org/Giving.

     There is always a great need for whole blood from healthy donors. It’s a valuable resource that’s in short supply. To help bridge that gap, HSHS St. Joseph’s and Sacred Heart Hospitals are hosting American Red Cross blood drives at the two hospitals. 

On June 21, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital is hosting a blood drive, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in McDonald Hall, 2661 County Hwy I, Chippewa Falls. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter “St. Josephs” (no apostrophe).

One June 27, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital is hosting a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Rotunda, 900 West Clairemont Ave. Eau Claire. To schedule an appointment, call 715-717-4074 or visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter “Sacred Heart Hospital.” 

Eligible donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health and feeling well.

     Paul Kohler, president and CEO of Charter Bank, Eau Claire, will serve as the 2019-2020 chair-elect of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA).
 
The Wisconsin Bankers Association is the state’s largest financial industry trade association, representing nearly 235 commercial banks and savings institutions, their nearly 2,300 branch offices and 23,000 employees. Kohler will serve as the chair of the association in 2020-2021.
 
Also serving as officers on the WBA Board are: Chair Mark Meloy, CEO of First Business Bank, Madison; Vice Chair Ken Thompson, president and CEO of Capitol Bank, Madison; and Past Chair Dave Werner, president and CEO of Park Bank, Milwaukee.
 
Joining the board for three-year terms are: Alvaro Araque, executive director – market director banking, JPMorgan Chase Bank, New Berlin;Mark Erickson, regional president, MidWestOne Bank, Osceola; Timothy Kotnour, president & CEO, State Bank Financial, La Crosse; and Mark Wierman, president, Ixonia Bank. James Chatterton, president, National Exchange Bank, Fond du Lac was selected to serve the one-year unexpired term left vacant by Thompson’s selection as Vice Chair.
 
Those continuing their terms on the board are: Christopher Del Moral-Niles, executive vice president/CFO, Associated Bank, Green Bay;Donna Hoppenjan, president & CEO, Mound City Bank, Platteville; Jerry Jacobson, president, Northwestern Bank, Chippewa Falls; Daniel Peterson, president/CEO, The Stephenson National Bank and Trust, Marinette; Thomas Reil, president, Waldo State Bank; Scot Thompson, president/CEO, Denmark State Bank; and Tom Van Pelt, president/CEO, Citizens State Bank, Hudson.

     Proposals to bring passenger rail service back to parts of western Wisconsin will be the topic on “The West Side” at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 3 on 88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls.
 
Host Dean Kallenbach welcomes three members of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, which has been exploring options for developing a passenger rail line between Eau Claire and the Twin Cities.  Those guests are Scott Rogers, governmental affairs and workforce director at the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, who chairs the coalition; Mark Quam, who also represents Wisconsin in a nationwide organization called the Rail Passengers Association; and Rob Kreibich, the director of the New Richmond Chamber of Commerce.  Also joining the conversation will be Jim Coston, executive chair of Corridor Rail Development of Chicago, which has been working with the WCWRC in developing the passenger rail plans.

What a beautiful day to open the new 4 Seasons of Fun trail at the Altoona Elementary School!  

​How does the change in season impact your organization?  Depending on the nature of your business, you might depend on seasonal employees to get you through the summer.  Or, you might struggle through the warm months to fill the gaps left by those who use much of their vacation time to enjoy the beautiful weather.  Regardless the type of employee you’re looking for, Manpower has the experience to find you the people you need to fill the gaps.
​
STILL IN NEED OF SEASONAL EMPLOYEES?

WISH YOU HAD AN EASY BUTTON FOR STAFFING COVERAGE?
​

Let Manpower find candidates with the skill sets and work style your organization requires!  Contact one of our Chippewa Valley offices today! 

Eau Claire Manpower
715-835-2299
www.applymanpower.com
1119 Regis Court, Suite 100
Eau Claire, WI 54701
 
Chippewa Falls Manpower:
715-861-5303
www.applymanpower.com
475 Chippewa Mall Drive
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

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​Congratulations to the following individuals who have graduated from the Leadership Eau Claire™ program.
​
LEC Class of 2019
Joseph Abhold
Scott Ableidinger, Jamf
Lynn Barrie,  Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Inc.
Jenna Bauer, Wipfli LLP
Jessica Bierman, Realityworks, Inc.
Adam Bragee, EO Johnson Business Technologies
Kelly Buchholtz, Mayo Clinic Health System - Luther Campus
Kurtis Burton, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Trish Campbell, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Travis Christman, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital
Ryan Erickson, Commonweal Development Corporation
Laura Eysnogle, Wendel
Tricia Friederichs, Rhom Construction LLC
Dawn Gast, Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire
Matthew Goethe, Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott
Bob Grinde, CCFBank
Reidar Gullicksrud, Bauman Associates, Ltd.
Nik Hanko, Royal Construction, Inc.
Steve Hoecherl, Ayres Associates
Jesse Jaskowski, Hoeft Builders, Inc.
Mike Kelash, Nohre & Company, S.C., CPA's
Adam Kinnard, Royal Credit Union
John Lahti, Miron Construction Co., Inc.
Kasey Lemke, Market & Johnson, Inc.
Luisa Lewis, BMO Harris Bank
Greg MacLeod, Hutchinson Technology, Inc.
Kelly Mechelke, Regis Catholic Schools
Sommer Miller, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital
Michael J. Muehlbauer, Wells Fargo
Jason Munz, Trust Point
Michael Olson, PESI, Inc.
Amanda Parkinson, Feed My People Food Bank
Scott Polenz, Marshfield Clinic - Eau Claire Center
Kallie Robb, Xcel Energy
Sarah Ross, Huebsch Services
Ashley Smetana, Dove Healthcare - South Eau Claire
Marisa Stanley, Eau Claire City-County Health Department
Emilu Starck, Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.
Karen Stellpflug
Jenessa Stromberger, City of Eau Claire
Dave J Usher MD,  ReforMedicine,S.C.
Jordan Van Proosdy, Peace Church
Amie Winters, Children's Museum of Eau Claire
Anne Woolever, Regional Enterprises for Adults and Children, Inc.
Tyrel Zich, Xcel Energy

As part of the program, the class completed five community service projects for area non-profit organizations. To read more about the projects, click here.  If your organization would be interested in submitting a group project proposal for next year’s class, click here. 

Thank You!
Thank you to the many volunteers that make this program possible. We truly appreciate all your support.

Executive Committee
Chair Kristin Schmidt, M3 Insurance
Vice Chair Nick White, Associated Bank
Alumni Chair Jeff Stevens, Chestnut Consulting

Curriculum Committee
Sara Antonson
Ally Clark Peterson, Girl Scouts of the Northwest Great Lakes
Heather Costley, Mayo Clinic Health System
Luke Hanson, Eau Claire Economic Development Corporation
Margo Keys, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Greg Leonard, Eau Claire County
Renee Liming, Bauman Associates, Ltd.
Wayne Marek, Eau Claire Children’s Theatre
Stavroula McCormick, REALiving
Mike McHorney, Children’s Museum of Eau Claire, Inc.
Steve Nick, City of Eau Claire
Shelly Olson, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Julie Poquette, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Carrie Ronnander, Chippewa Valley Museum
Chris Seelen, Ruder Ware, LLSC
Michael Strubel, Marshfield Clinic Health System
Kari Tatu, DaVinci Therapeutic Massage
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Charter Bank is proud to announce and welcome Brittany Strand as Human Resources Generalist. She assists with a variety of HR topics such as recruiting and onboarding, assisting with employee questions, benefits administration, payroll processing, and any HR related projects for all Charter Bank locations, serving as a resource to both employees and the bank. 

“Brittany comes to Charter Bank with a variety of valuable skills and experiences,” states Jerrilyn Parr, Vice President/Human Resources of Charter Bank. “We are excited to have her join our team as we continue building a top-notch team to serve our employees and customers.”

Strand is not a new face to Charter Bank as she spent some time here as a temporary employee covering another employee’s leave of absence.  Strand began her career at the Medicine Shoppe working in Human Relations, Compliance and as a Pharmacy Technician.  Most recently, Strand worked at Hutchinson Technology as a recruiter and Leave of Absence Administrator. She helped with various HR projects such as employee training, testing and implementing a new HRIS system, and document redesign. 

“Charter Bank is a great company because of its people. I’m really excited to be a part of this organization and have the opportunity to not only work with everyone here, but also have an impact on the company and our community,” states Strand.

An Osceola, WI native, Strand and her husband Nick, enjoy spending free time with family, friends, and pets.  They also enjoy spending time boating or floating on the river and visiting local wineries and breweries.
 
The Eau Claire United Soccer Club is pleased to announce a partnership for its annual soccer tournament. The Eau Claire Invitational Tournament, Presented by Scheels, will be held June 7-9, 2019, at the Eau Claire Soccer Park and Bollinger Fields.

Scheels is joined by an impressive list of sponsors that includes Jimmy John’s, CCF Bank, Chippewa Valley Vein Center, Ken Vance Motors, Larson Orthodontic Specialists, Market & Johnson, Tractor Central, Weld Riley, Heritage Rentals, Kwik Trip, Prevea Health, WESTconsin Credit Union, Hoeft Builders, Mancino’s, Schleis Flooring and Toppers Pizza.

As the United’s main fundraiser, tournament proceeds help to fund player scholarships, coaching certifications, training equipment and lower overall fees for all players with the club. “The mission of the Eau Claire United Soccer Club is focused on giving local soccer players the chance to get involved with and learn to love soccer,” said President Shamus Funk. “Generous sponsorships from Scheels and several other local businesses helps the club provide these opportunities by funding player scholarships and coach training that support the athletes' development to their highest competitive levels.”

While typically drawing around 100 teams a year, 2019 has seen a significant boost. So much so, the club closed registration with 130 teams committed by April 13th. “This is one of the largest weekend events the city hosts annually,” said Boys Team Director Doug Morosky. “It has an economic impact of greater than $1 million over two-and-a-half days of activity. The impact is greater than just hotels. as food/beverage, transportation, entertainment and grocery are all impacted with 1,000's of out of town 

Congratulations to Hope Gospel Mission on the opening of it's new Hope Renewal Center for Men.  This new facility will serve the homeless, addicted and needy here in western Wisconsin. 

Congratulations to Cody and Molly Filipczak on their beautiful new location at ​6176 Sandstone Rd!

Congratulations to Jack Kaiser and Patti Cigan of Banbury Place on their partnership with Royal Credit Union in presenting the Uniroyal Tire Factory Gallery, a new self-guided exhibit celebrating the history of this Eau Claire icon.