Welcome to the Eau Claire Chamber Blog

​For the second consecutive year, the Eau Claire City of Eau Claire Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has been named a Gold Medal Finalist in Class IV (for agencies with a population of 30,001- 75,000). The Gold Medal Award is the highest honor and most prestigious award in the parks and recreation industry. Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities across the U.S. that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation. For more information go to www.eauclairewi.gov/pr.

The law firm of Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci, S.C. is pleased to announce Attorney Benjamin D. Ludeman has joined the firm. Ludeman practices with the firm’s Business, Frac Sand, Mining and Minerals and Labor and Employment Sections. He received his undergraduate degree from UW- Eau Claire, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He received his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law where he graduated with honors. While in law school, Ludeman clerked for the firm and then worked for Hennepin County in its child support and civil divisions. The Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci Law Firm was formed in 1991 and is comprised of Litigation, Labor and Employment, Business, Estate Planning, Real Estate and Government Relations Sections.

Physician assistant Amy Nikolai recently joined the Orthopedic Center at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Nikolai received her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from UW-Eau Claire. She earned her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Des Moines University in Iowa. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Martin Dental, an Eau Claire-based spa dentistry office, recently launched a newly-designed website. The website, designed to align more closely with the practice’s image, offers existing and prospective patients information about the practice, descriptions of the team members, and methods for requesting appointments. The site is also mobile-friendly to accommodate the multitude of users navigating with smart phones and tablets. While reviewing the new site, users may also notice the badge listing Martin Dental as the winner for Best Dentist as voted by readers in The Best of the Chippewa Valley Volume One Reader Poll. 

Discussed the office space that will be vacated by the EDC on October 31, 2015 after partnering with the Chamber in shared office space for over 30 years.  The Chamber will work to find a compatible tenant.  Please contact the Chamber if you know of any organization.

The Chamber Executive Committee signed a new lease with Cigan Properties for five years with a five year renewal.  The previous lease was to signed by the Chamber and EDC.

The Chamber will not be sponsoring a trip to Dubai.  However, Central Holidays will still conduct the trip on April 1-9, 2016.

The Young Professionals reports they had 92 at the Murder Mystery Extravaganza celebrating 12 years.  They are also starting a QRT (Quick Response Team).  If a member is recruiting a young professional they can contact the Chamber the members of the QRT will quickly meet with the candidate and show them around town and address questions.

The Board Received a report from Bruce Josten, US Chamber, on what is happening in Washinton, DC.

The Board will conduct the Strategic Planning in December to establish a new three-year Strategic Plan and a one year Business Plan.

The Nominating Committee will meet in November to select candidates for the Board for April 1, 2016-March 31, 2019.  Ballots will be send the ballot electronically to the main contact of each Chamber member business.

The Chamber purchased the office equipment from the EDC for the three offices that they occupied.

The Chamber will use a new company to sell and produce the official Eau Claire City Map.  Village Profile will have a representative selling.  The Chamber distributes 10,000 maps every 17-18 months.
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The Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance (three Chamber Executive Committees) will meet to begin to develop issues for the Chippewa Valley Rally on January 27, 2016.

Royal Credit Union was named a recipient of the 2014 Gold Million Dollar Lender Award, which is presented each year to lenders who have partnered with, and made a significant contribution to, supporting Wisconsin rural residents looking to become homeowners through the USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing (GRH) Program. In fiscal year 2014, Royal Credit Union utilized $4 million of GRH program funds by financing home purchases to help moderate income families in Wisconsin. Nearly 3,300 families across Wisconsin were able to purchase a home last year through the GRH loan program, totaling nearly $414.6 million. The Million Dollar Lender Award is given at three levels Silver, Gold and Platinum, based on the total amount of funding utilized by the lender. Silver level disbursed more than $1 million, Gold level disbursed more than $2 million and Platinum level disbursed more than $5 million during the past year. 

Royal Credit Union (RCU) also recently received the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) 2015 Community Credit Union of the Year Award. RCU was named the 1st place winner in the more than $250M in assets category. The award recognizes credit unions that embody credit union ideals, get involved in their community and meet the needs of their own diverse member-bases. Each credit union applicant is judged on three criteria: Member Impact, Community Impact and Financial Impact.
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Marco was named by Great Place to Work® as one of the best small and medium workplaces in the United States on their annual 2015 Best Small & Medium Workplaces list, published today in Fortune magazine. Ranked #14, this is the second consecutive year Marco has received this honor. Divided into two categories, Small (25-250 employees) and Medium (251-999 employees), the list has recognized companies with exceptional workplace cultures for the past 11 years.

Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. (NasdaqGM: CZWI) (the "Company"), parent company of Citizens Community Federal N.A. (the “Bank”), has entered into a purchase agreement with Central Bank of Golden Valley, Minnesota, to purchase certain assets from, and assume all deposit liabilities of Central Bank’s Rice Lake and Barron branch banking operations pending regulatory approval. The transaction is expected to be finalized in our second fiscal quarter of 2016.

Terri Nordin, M.D., has been named director of the new Mayo Clinic Family Medicine Residency Program in northwest Wisconsin. Nordin will lead the Mayo Clinic Family Medicine Residency Program planned to open in July 2017 with the first class graduating in 2020. She will work with other Mayo Clinic physicians and staff in and around Eau Claire to recruit and train high-caliber residents. During the course of their three-year training, the physician residents will see patients at Mayo Clinic Health System sites in Eau Claire, as well as in rural sites in the Barron, Bloomer, Menomonie and Osseo areas. Mayo Clinic also is collaborating with HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital and Marshfield Clinic for residents to receive training at their facilities. Nordin received her bachelor’s degree in family and consumer science studies from Iowa State University in Ames. She earned her medical degree from the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, where she also completed a research fellowship. She completed her family medicine residency and clinical fellowship in maternity care and served as an assistant professor at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Starting in December, patients at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire will have another option for removing cataracts — a laser. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery provides precise and bladeless corneal incisions, reducing possible flap complications associated with traditional cataract surgery, as well as a more reliable result from the procedure. Traditionally, surgeons manually perform the corneal incision and then remove the old lens, replacing it with a new one. Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire is the first Mayo Clinic site in the nation to offer femtosecond laser services.

Physician Assistant Aimee Nelson recently joined the Emergency Department at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Nelson earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo in New York. She received her master’s degree in physician assistant studies at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. She is certified in emergency medicine and as an emergency medical technician. Her professional interests include emergency medicine, emergency medical services and pre-hospital care.

Three HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital colleagues have recently earned advanced certifications: Mary Enerson, RN, and Andrea Falkner, RN, both in the hospital’s inpatient rehabilitation department, recently earned their Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) accreditation. The CRRN accreditation is certified by the American Board of Nursing Specialties. Nurses who achieve this credential demonstrate knowledge, experience and commitment to excellence in comprehensive care for people with physical disabilities and chronic illnesses in all specialties and settings of rehabilitation. Tracy Mateus, RN, in the hospital’s surgical services department, recently earned her CNOR accreditation. CNOR certification is the documented validation of the professional achievement of identified standards of practice by an individual registered nurse providing care for patients before, during and after surgery. Nurses who attain this certification demonstrate their dedication to providing excellence in perioperative care.

​Thanks to all our Chamber members who attended the 2015 Business Expo & Job Fair. With more than 2,000 people attending, it was another great success thanks to the support of all our sponsors, exhibitors, Committee members and volunteers. Thank you to Dan Everhart of L&M Mail Service for chairing the Business Expo & Job Fair Committee again this year.

A special thank you to the following:

Media Sponsors: Leader-Telegram, Mid-West Family Broadcasting (WAXX and WAYY) and WEAU 13 News.
VIP Reception Sponsors: Bank Mutual, Ruder Ware, Spectrum Business and Wipfli with catering by Mega! Co-op
Beverage Sponsors: General Beer Northwest, Infinity Beverages Winery & Distillery and Park Ridge Distributing, Inc.,  
Seminar Sponsor: Manpower
Parking Lot Shuttle Provided by: Trubilt Collision Center
Exhibitors’ Lounge Sponsors: Five Star Telecom, L.E. Phillips Career Development Center, Loffler Companies and Rhom Construction  
Bag Sponsor: Adecco
Lanyard Sponsor: Marshfield Clinic
Printing Sponsor: REALiving
In-Kind Sponsors:

• Badger Truck
• Huebsch Services
• Steamatic of Western Wisconsin
• Sterling Water - Culligan

VIP Reception Door Prize Sponsors and Winners:

• Framed original abstract “Layers of Life” by Hoffman donated by B-Framed Galleries – Michelle Heinzen, Bremer Bank
• Cargo carrier donated by Curt Manufacturing – Herb Hardebeck
• Notebook computer donated by Heartland Business Systems – Pat Quinn
• Two cases of wine with your custom label donated by Infinity Beverages Winery & Distillery – Linda Biddle, Photo Card Specialists, Inc.

Committee Members: Chair Dan Everhart, L&M Mail Service; Brandon Adkins, Investment Council; Tom Bachmeier, Xcel Energy; Lori DeMotts, Market & Johnson; Darrell Duval, Complete Insurance Services; Gretchen Hudacek, Associated Bank; Jodi Kruger, Mid-West Family Broadcasting; Terry McHugh, WEAU 13 News; Rollin Nelson, Impact Advertising; Jane Norby, True Compass Life Coaching; Cory Wiese, CliftonLarsonAllen; and Amy Wolfe, Trubilt Collision Center

Volunteers: Denni Backstrom, Steamatic of Western Wisconsin; Luke Benedict, Benedict Refrigeration; Nels Bodway, The Source House; Ashleigh Bridgmon, WEAU 13 News; Kimberly Bunce, Summit Commercial Fitness; Dan Ekblad, Castle Insurance; Mary Glassbrenner, Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire; Michelle Harris, Charter Bank Eau Claire; Scott Hoffmann, Wisconsin Independent Network, LLC; Kris Javurek; Susie Jennings, Simply Marketing Just 4 U, LLC; Dave Johnson, EO Johnson Business Technologies; Julie Kalpinski, Royal Credit Union; Vanessa Klemish, Klemish & Johnson, LLC; Marianne Klinkhammer, Gator Garb Promotions; Maria Lane, Marine Credit Union; Joe Larson, Boy Scouts of America, Chippewa Valley Council; Michelle Larson, Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center; Jackie Leavesseur; Nicholas Mohr,  Rohm Construction; Andy Neborak, Eau Claire Express Baseball; Christian Peterson, Heartland Contractors; Danielle Pilkin, Danielle Pilkin Promotions; Laura Schick, Flex-Staff; Daneille Strong, Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci, S.C.; Michael Strubel, WEAU 13 News; Andy Tyriver, Applied Data Consultants; Kurt Van Roy, BMO Harris Bank; Joey Vance, WEAU 13 News; Kristine Voller, Royal Credit Union; Angela Welch, Lake Wissota Golf & Events; and Melissa Wilson, Chippewa Valley Technical College
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And thank you to Amy Peterson-Foss of the Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center for all her help!

Tina Theisen has been named 2015 Realtor of the Year by the Realtors Association of Northwestern Wisconsin. Theisen has been a realtor since 2005 and is broker and co-owner of RE/MAX Real Estate Group in Eau Claire.  This award recognizes Theisen’s leadership as outgoing president of the RANWW, her service to the Realtors Association Board of Directors and her commitment to promoting the real estate industry and protecting home owners’ rights.

Luke Kempen, director of the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Eau Claire, has been awarded the 2015 America’s SBDC State Star Award for Wisconsin.  The State Star Award acknowledges Kempen’s work helping small business owners start, improve and grow their companies.  Over the past two years, with his leadership and direct assistance, clients served by the SBDC in Eau Claire generated more than $23 million in business capital, added 92 jobs and started more than 44 new business enterprises.    
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Heartland Contractors, a leading provider of residential and commercial construction is giving back to the community with monthly donations to charitable organizations. These organizations were chosen to receive donations from Heartland Helps for the month September: 2015 Baja 1000 Support, Jaycee Show Fund-EC, Boys & Girls Club- Men Who Cook Benefit for Scott Vehrenkamp, Chippewa Family YMCA Rock the Dome. To have your organization considered for October, please submit to info@heartlandwi.com.

Karen Konz has been hired as the new program director for Girls on the Run of the Chippewa Valley (GOTR). Konz, who recently retired from the state of Wisconsin, will help shape girls lives through GOTR and also have time to set and challenge new personal fitness goals. 

Christopher Jorgenson, director of UW-Eau Claire’s Women’s & LGBTQ Resource Center, is UW-Eau Claire’s recipient of the UW System’s Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ People. With the involvement of 10 student interns from diverse areas of academic study, Jorgenson leads the planning of programs and events throughout the academic year. Under Jorgenson’s leadership, the Women’s & LGBTQ Resource Center was named 2012 Organization of the Year by the Fair Wisconsin Education Fund.

Dr. Dandrielle Lewis, assistant professor of mathematics, is UW-Eau Claire’s recipient of the UW System Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award. Lewis, who joined UW-Eau Claire’s faculty in 2011, has served since that time on the Advisory Board of the UW System Women and Science Program. The program’s mission is to attract and retain more women and minority students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by promoting systematic changes in the ways that science and science education are regarded and carried out within the UW System. Since 2013, Lewis also has directed UW-Eau Claire's Sonia Kovalevsky Math Days for high school and middle school girls, a program to encourage girls to pursue higher education and careers in STEM through exposure to STEM opportunities, workshops and panels, and networking opportunities with prominent women who use STEM in their careers.

EO Johnson Business Technologies has received the CompTIA Managed Print Trustmark™, a respected industry credential that signifies its adherence to best practices for technology service delivery and customer interaction. The Trustmark was developed by CompTIA, the non-profit association for the information technology industry, in collaboration with industry experts and leaders to identify businesses that have made a commitment to the highest levels of integrity and sustained quality service. The Trustmark is designed specifically for technology businesses offering on premise print services via a managed services business model.

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital announced the leadership appointments of Josh Rizzo and Brandy Sikkora. Rizzo has been appointed as director of philanthropy for St. Joseph’s Hospital. Rizzo previously served as interim director of philanthropy for the hospital, and prior to that, as philanthropy specialist for the hospital. Prior to joining St. Joseph’s Hospital, Rizzo served as development coordinator for Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity. Sikora has been appointed as director of volunteer services for St. Joseph’s Hospital. Sikora previously served as manager of volunteer services for the hospital, and prior to that, as guest services representative for the hospital. Prior to joining St. Joseph’s Hospital, Sikora served as a manager at 29 Pines.

The Partners of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital received the 2015 Wisconsin Award for Volunteer Excellence (WAVE Award) by the Partners of Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA), for the Dementia Friendly Business Initiative. The award was presented in Madison at the Partners of WHA Annual Convention. The Dementia Friendly Business Initiative was created last July to show a high level of public awareness and understanding of dementia. Chippewa Falls businesses and their employees have since been trained to help serve those who may have a form of dementia. The initiative is a collaboration between the Partners of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Chippewa Health Improvement Partnership, Chippewa Falls Main Street and a Chippewa County dementia coalition. The Partners provided funding for materials and trained volunteers to educate businesses on customer service techniques to assist those with dementia.

Physician assistant Erin Spritzer recently joined the Orthopedic Center at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Spritzer holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from UW-River Falls. She earned her a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. Spritzer is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and Physician Assistants Orthopaedic Surgery. Previously, Spritzer worked as a physician assistant in orthopedic surgery at Integrated Medical Services in Goodyear, Arizona, and at Mayo Clinic Health System in Owatonna, Minnesota.

Cheryl Rihn, infection prevention manager for HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals, recently earned her certification for Infection Control from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. An internationally-held credential, approximately 6,000 infection control professionals worldwide have achieved this voluntary certification. Rihn has served as infection prevention manager for both hospitals since June 2013. Prior to that, she served as infection prevention specialist for HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital. Rihn also previously served in nursing roles at both hospitals.

​Holiday Inn Eau Claire South was awarded the IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) 2015 Newcomer Award as one of the best properties to join the IHG system within the last year as a new development property. Holiday Inn Eau Claire South was recognized during the 2015 IHG Americas Investors and Leadership Conference where only four Holiday Inn Hotels in the Americas were selected to receive the award. Award recipients needed to consistently demonstrate the highest standards of quality and customer service as compared to all Holiday Inns in North America. Holiday Inn Eau Claire South is ranked 17th overall out of 758 full-service Holiday Inn Hotels in North America for highest standards and overall guest satisfaction. Holiday Inn South had an overall guest satisfaction rating of 90.97.
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Dr. Cheryl Lapp, professor of nursing at UW-Eau Claire, recently received the 2015 Suzanne Van Ort Award for Creativity and Scholarships from the College of Nursing and Health Services. Lapp received the award for her development of a University Honors Program course titled Empathy Enhancement for the Helping Professions, which uses an innovative teaching strategy focusing on theater applications. 

Registered nurse Christine Boe has been named inpatient director of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Boe will be responsible for operations of the Family Birth Center. Boe has worked as nursing supervisor in Surgical Prep & Recovery at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Previously, she worked at Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center in OB-GYN, gastroenterology, hepatology and central pharmacy. Boe completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Winona State University in Minnesota. She is working toward her master’s degree in nursing management and organizational leadership at American Sentinel University in Aurora, Colorado.

​Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP (Baker Tilly) has announced Kim Shult as the location leader for the firm’s satellite office in Eau Claire. Shult, a partner in the firm’s public sector practice, has been with Baker Tilly since 1996 and was named partner in 2014. In her role as Eau Claire location leader, Shult will have responsibility for staff development, client satisfaction and office management. Shult is a graduate of UW- Eau Claire. She is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, participated in the Chamber’s Leadership Eau Claire™ Class of 2014 and serves on the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild Board of Directors.

Badgerland Printing USA, Inc., a Western Wisconsin-based company, recently hired Mike Isaksson as the organization’s new vice president of sales. Isaksson brings more than 30 years of printing experience, most recently serving as executive vice president of Horizons Business Solutions, a full-service business services company specializing in mergers and acquisitions in the printing industry. Isaksson is excited to utilize his past experiences with Badgerland’s existing and new customers. With capabilities that include printing on paper, plastics, wood, metal, and almost any substrate, the company can meet a wide array of marketing printing needs.
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EO Johnson Business Technologies has been named a 2014 GreatAmerica Prestige Dealer by GreatAmerica Financial Services. The award recognizes EO Johnson’s strong ethical foundation and business practices. GreatAmerica recognized EO Johnson because of the company’s leadership qualities and long-term vision. GreatAmerica is a nationwide provider of commercial equipment and technology financing.

Michele Ries, Ph.D., recently joined Behavioral Health at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire as a clinical neuropsychologist. Ries earned her doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis in neuropsychology, along with her master’s degree, from the University of Memphis in Tennessee. She completed a fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at UW-Madison. She continued her work in neuroimaging research at UW-Madison for the next six years and has published 26 peer-reviewed empirical manuscripts, review articles and book chapters on brain and behavioral changes that result from Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury and epilepsy. Prior to joining Mayo Clinic Health System, she worked as a clinical neuropsychologist in the Dean Health System in Madison. 

Certified nurse-midwife Margaret Landry has joined Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Landry received her bachelor’s degree in nursing at tUW-Eau Claire and her master’s degree in nursing-midwifery at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. She is certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives. Before joining Mayo Clinic Health System, Landry worked at Gundersen Health System and Keil Clinic, both in La Crosse.

Mayo Clinic Health System nurse practitioner Vicky Buhr has been selected to participate in the Leadership Program of The American Association of Nurse Practitioners. AANP is the largest national professional membership organization for nurse practitioners of all specialties. The 12-month program, in its second year, is designed to develop the next generation of nurse practitioner leaders through initiatives that will provide a broad vision of the role in the current and future health care environment. Nurse practitioners selected for the program are serving in clinical, administrative or educational roles, and demonstrate the potential to assume roles of increasing national leadership within AANP and throughout the nation.