Welcome to the Eau Claire Chamber Blog

Royal Credit Union announced the resignation of President & CEO Rudy Pereira effective April 14, 2017. Pereira is leaving Royal to join Premier America Credit Union in Chatsworth, CA where he will serve as president & CEO. The move will allow Pereira and his family to return home to Southern California. Premier America is similar to Royal in size, $2.5B with more than 100,000 Members. Pereira joined Royal in December of 2011 and is the third CEO to lead the credit union since it was created in 1964. Royal’s Board of Directors is working on transition and succession plans. Details will be announced as they are finalized.

Physician assistant Michael Sciotto recently joined the Emergency Department at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Sciotto earned his master’s degree in the physician assistant program from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He received bachelor degrees in psychology, biology and painting at the University of North Florida-­Jacksonville, as well as an associate degree in emergency medical services from Florida State College of Jacksonville. He previously served as a paratrooper and combat medic with the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Army National Guard. He is a certified flight paramedic and firefighter.
Prior to joining Mayo Clinic Health System, he was an emergency medicine instructor of at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Jacksonville, Florida.

WESTconsin Credit Union’s 77th Annual Membership Meeting Dale Dahlke, Todd Leipnitz and Jerry Wolf were re-elected to the Board for another three-year term. At a recent Board Reorganizational Meeting, the following individuals were elected as officers: chairperson – Dave Maves, vice Chairperson – Jerry Wolf, secretary – Lynn Brantner and treasurer – Rita Lunderville.

​Jad Roeske, M.D., recently joined the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Department at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. For the past seven years, Roeske has been providing care to patients in Family Medicine at Mayo Clinic Health System – Oakridge in Osseo, as well as seeing patients in Urgent Care and the Emergency Department. He will continue to see patients part time in Osseo until he transitions full time to Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine later this year. Roeske completed medical school at UW-Madison and completed his residency at the University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and Eau Claire Family Medicine Clinic. 

Physician assistant Melanie Jandrin recently joined the Cardiology Department at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Jandrin earned her bachelor’s degree in human biology at UW-Green Bay. She earned her master’s degree in physician assistant studies at UW-La Crosse. Previously, Jandrin worked as a physician assistant at Winona Health in Winona, Minnesota. Jandrin is board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant and certified in basic life support and advanced cardiac life support.

Northwestern Bank announced the addition of Jane Johnson to the Northwestern Bank team. Johnson is an assistant vice president of residential lending and will help customers with all their mortgage lending needs.
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Photizo Group has recognized EO Johnson Business Technologies as a leader in managed print services (MPS). EO Johnson was one of 11 independent channel partners that Photizo Group selected to participate in the 2016 Leaders Index for MPS Channel Partners, based on demonstrated leadership in MPS. This is the fourth year EO Johnson has been selected. The Leaders Index for MPS Channel Partners is a collection of hand-selected, independent MPS partners from around the world that are regarded as the gold standard in managed print and document services. Photizo Group classifies this index of elite providers from across North America, Europe, Africa, and Australia as a lens to view the current landscape of MPS.

United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley will hold its annual Chippewa Valley Spirit Awards on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at The Florian Gardens in Eau Claire. The event recognizes the businesses and individuals who generously support the education, financial stability and health of the community. Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council (WDEOC) will receive the Nonprofit Excellence Award for their work as an advocate for low-income individuals and families in Eau Claire County, as well as Buffalo, Trempealeau, Jackson counties. Dan Robinson, director of Sojourner House, will be presented with the Senn Award for his excellence and achievement as a nonprofit professional in educating the community on the issues surrounding homelessness and encouraging others to make a difference. Mary Steinke, general manager for Huebsch Services, will be honored with the Humanitarian Award for her volunteerism and dedication to United Way and many other organizations throughout the community. The Spirit of the Chippewa Valley Award, the highest honor given by United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley to a business, will be presented to Northwestern Bank for their long-standing support and dedication to United Way and the Greater Chippewa Valley. Other awards to be given include: the Day of Caring Award, presented to the United Way Emerging Leaders Society for their generosity of time and efforts during United Way’s largest single volunteer event; the Keystone Award, presented to Tara Monson of Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company for her enthusiastic efforts as a United Way employee campaign coordinator; and the Outstanding Emerging Leader Award, presented to Kristin Schmidt of M3 Insurance for her initiative, leadership and volunteerism as a member of the United Way Emerging Leaders Society.

Two long-term Low Voltage Contractors employees have been promoted to key positions. Jim Oelhafen, a 15-year employee with LVC in the service sales department was promoted to service sales supervisor. As a member of the LVC service sales team, Oelhafen has concepted several key programs that have led to the remarkable growth of that division. In that time the sales team in the division grew and now he will work on training and development with that team of five to continue building our service department. Danielle Heino has been with LVC for 11 years serving as our purchasing agent. As we have grown, Heino has taken on additional responsibility that came with increased size and need to support our operation. She has been promoted to the newly created positon of procurement specialist. In addition to leading the Purchasing position, she will be leading the team in the warehouse and will be working to improve our accuracy, logistics and efficiencies.

​Haselwander Companies, Inc., a 52-year-old established Eau Claire-based real estate, home building, land development and hospitality business owned by Neil and Greg Haselwander, will bring Princeton Valley, a golf and restaurant facility, under their management after being previously leased. Princeton Valley is located on Eau Claire’s North East side and features a full-length nine-hole golf course with four sets of tees, a complete golf driving range, chipping and putting practice facility and will include full service restaurant and bar. Princeton Valley will add to the Haselwander hospitality management portfolio, which already includes the AmericInn Hotel and the new Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott both in Eau Claire. Princeton Valley will employ 30 people and will officially re-open to the public in late March.

The law firm of Weld Riley, S.C. is announced that Attorney Christopher B. Gierhart has joined the firm. Prior to joining the firm, Gierhart represented numerous clients in various civil actions, including collection (debtor and creditor), eviction, personal injury, contract, insurance coverage disputes, adverse possession and partition. Gierhart also has represented local municipalities in a variety of legal matters, including representation at meetings, advising on compliance issues, and prosecution of citations. He has assisted clients on personal and commercial real estate transactions, including preparing and reviewing purchase agreements, lease agreements, and closing documents. In 2012, Gierhart earned his juris doctorate from UW-Madison. He has been admitted to the Wisconsin Bar Association, U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin. He is also a current member of the Tri-County Bar Association and was a director for the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce.

Physical therapist Katie Geisdorf recently joined the Physical Therapy Department at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Geisdorf earned her doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. She has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from UW-Eau Claire. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and is certified in basic life support and CPR. Her professional interests include orthopedics, manual therapy and aquatic therapy.

Mayo Clinic Health System also recently welcomed physician assistant Tiana Jansen in its Emergency Medicine Department in Eau Claire. Jansen earned master’s degrees in public health and physician assistant practice from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. She received her bachelor’s degree in English at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. Jansen is certified in advanced cardiac life support and CPR. She is certified by the National Committee on Certification of Physician Assistants. Her professional interests include trauma, rural public health and women’s health. 
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A new fund at the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation will provide exciting artistic opportunities for students at Flynn Elementary School. The Artist in Classroom endowed fund was established by two Eastside Hill citizens in order to provide support for an artist to share her/his art and technique with Flynn Elementary students and faculty over the course of an entire semester. Each year, there will be a Call for Artists who are interested in sharing their craft in the classroom setting. Applicants will be reviewed and selected by the art teacher. Currently, available funds will provide for one artist in an academic year. The long term goal is to increase the fund to provide an artist for both the fall and spring semesters of the academic year. For more information, you can visit the ECPSF website at www.ecpsfound.org. 

WESTconsin Credit Union recently welcomed Brice Medin as senior business loan officer. Medin will be servicing business at WESTconsin’s new Altoona office that is presently under construction and opening this April in the River Prairie development. Until then, he is temporarily working between the company’s Menomonie – Downtown and Eau Claire offices. Medin’s professional background includes more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, most recently in Menomonie with Bremer Bank, NA where he specialized in commercial lending for 10 years.

The Oxbow Hotel and The Lakely was recently the winner of three categories during Downtown Eau Claire Inc.’s (DECI) 9th annual Downtown Eau Claire Awards ceremony. Recognition was received in each of the categories in which they were nominated for, including: Best Business, Best New Business and Best Renovation. The ceremony, held at The Lismore Hotel, included a total of eight categories. Other winners included:  Outstanding Achievement Award to John Mogensen, Member of the Year to Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild, Volunteer of the Year to Paul Brandt, Best Event to New Year’s Eve Gala & Light Up Eau Claire Best New Development to Haymarket Landing.

After six months of planning, a Leadership Eau Claire™ project team assigned to the development of a Public Arts Council at the request of the city manager for the City of Eau Claire, has developed a governing structure for the new organization. The governing body of the Eau Claire Public Arts Council will consist of nine voting members who will direct the selection, placement, maintenance, relocation and deaccessioning of artwork acquired through the public art program and is responsible for the selection and logistical management of public art projects.  The Executive Board shall consist of individuals with a strong interest in the arts, a formal professional background or employment in the arts, and/or experience with community-based organizations. Interested applicants may apply by requesting an application from Allison Shepard at artsmadepubliceauclaire@gmail.com   Priority will be given to applications received by March 8, 2017.

The Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation announced this year’s Golden Apple Awards Honorees. Golden Apple Honorees are nominated by their peers to receive grant funding to use in their schools, sponsored by generous area businesses. Honorees included: Chippewa Valley Montessori Charter School honors Jeremy Harrison, kindergarten-6th grade teacher; DeLong Middle School honors Sarah Binder, special education teacher; Flynn Elementary School - Joann Waldhart Adams, third grade teacher; Lakeshore Elementary School - Melinda Wright, physical education teacher; Locust Lane Elementary School - Mike Peplinski, fourth grade teacher; Longfellow Elementary School - Tom Dahl, physical education teacher; Manz Elementary School - Becky Linderholm, English learning teacher; Meadowview Elementary School - Katie Engel, school psychologist; Memorial High School - Erin Layde, biology and life science teacher; McKinley Charter School - Megan McCrackin, competency component teacher; North High School - Renee Morehead, family/consumer education teacher Northstar Middle School - Michelle Olson, sixth grade and English learning teacher; Northwoods Elementary School - Cheryl Moss, special education assistant teacher; Prairie Ridge Early Learning Center - Melinda Daubitz, Headstart assistant; Putnam Heights Elementary School - Dayna Smith, school secretary; Robbins Elementary School - Heather Kapanke, guidance counselor; Roosevelt Elementary School - Jason Wendtland, fourth grade teacher; Sam Davey Elementary School - Mary Uelmen, special education assistant teacher; Sherman Elementary School - Tim McManus, second grade teacher; and South Middle School - Scott Faris, science teacher.
 
Junior Achievement recently welcomed Beth Waldhart, assistant vice president of business banking at Charter Bank to Junior Achievement Board of Directors. Waldhart brings 15 years of lending experience to the bank with the last nine years at Regional Business Fund, Inc., an economic development financing program for business expansion and start up. There, she managed the non-profit organization and partnered with financial institutions to provide financing to many businesses throughout the Chippewa Valley and beyond.
 
Blugold Radio announced today a crowdfunding effort to raise money to finance a new studio space. Donations will pay for construction, ventilation, and sound dampening. The new studio will be located near the main desk of the McIntyre Library on the UWEC campus. Interested contributors can learn more on the station’s website, BlugoldRadio.org.
 
Wisconsin Philanthropy Network (WPN) is spearheading Endow Wisconsin, an exciting initiative designed to enhance individual and corporate support at each of Wisconsin’s 19 nationally accredited community foundations, which includes The Eau Claire Community Foundation. Proposed as a tax credit, Endow Wisconsin encourages donors to keep dollars in Wisconsin by providing a valuable incentive for Wisconsinites to share a portion of their hard-earned assets with their hometown communities. Adoption of the tax credit has the potential to raise significant dollars for use in Wisconsin while requiring only a modest investment from the state. For more information about Endow Wisconsin and its potential benefits for the Eau Claire area, you can write to info@eccommunityfoundation.org or call the ECCF office at (715) 552-3801.