March 23, 2023

ThedaCare becomes Fox Cities Chamber’s second Platinum-Certified Employee Friendly Workplace

Cindy Bacskai (left), ThedaCare President and CEO Dr. Imran Andrabi, Maggie Lund, and Lynn Detterman (right) are presented with the Platinum EFW certificate by Chamber President and CEO Becky Bartozek and the Director of Economic Development Eric Broten.

The Fox Cities Chamber has certified ThedaCare as a platinum-level Employee Friendly Workplace (EFW), the highest level of this award a company can attain. They are only the second company to reach the platinum level, and the first Fox Cities healthcare provider to achieve EFW certification.

“We are pleased to earn this platinum-level Employee Friendly Workplace recognition, and believe it reflects our commitment to both our team members and communities,” said Maggie Lund, Chief Human Resources Officer at ThedaCare. “It validates that we are living our mission, which is to improve the health and well-being of our communities by empowering each person to live their unique, best life. This includes our team members."

“Our team members are the heart of our organization, and ThedaCare is striving to enrich the lives of our employees and the patients they serve,” Lund said. “All of our many benefits and programs are part of our dedication to create a culture where our team members can thrive on the job, and in their communities.”

Read the full news release on ThedaCare's certification here.

Chamber Quick Poll

Amtrak is looking to extend service to Appleton with trains running between Green Bay and Milwaukee, with options to also go on to Minneapolis and Chicago.

If Amtrak does expand, how often would you ride?

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Last Week's Quick Poll Results

What generation makes up the LARGEST percentage of your workforce?

Millennials - born 1981 to 2000 - 33.7%
Generation X - born 1965 to 1980 - 28.4%
Baby Boomers - born 1946 to 1964 - 15.8%
It’s split evenly - 12.6%
Generation Z - born 2001 to 2020 - 9.5%

Your Business Advocate Blog

Legislature in session this week

Both the State Senate and Assembly met this week to pass legislation on a variety of topics.

The Assembly met on Wednesday to consider legislation focused on public safety. One of those bills included establishing the statutory framework to implement the constitutional amendment related to bail reform should that pass on April 4th. Additionally, two other bills included increasing penalties on reckless driving and mandatory minimum sentences for illegally possessing a firearm.

Also on Wednesday, the State Senate met to confirm a series of Governor Evers’s cabinet appointees. Among those was WEDC Secretary Missy Hughes, Insurance Commissioner Nathan Houdek, and Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers.

In addition to the appointments, the Senate passed legislation to expand the availability of epinephrine pens and increase penalties for carjacking.

Read the full blog post here.

Jon Turke

Vice President of Government Affairs

jturke@foxcitieschamber.com.

Future 15 award nominations are now open!

The Fox Cities Chamber and its PULSE Young Professionals Network have opened nominations for the 13th annual class of Fox Cities Future 15 Young Professionals! These young professionals should live and/or work in the Fox Cities, be currently employed, active in community service, and 40 years of age or younger. Nominations are open now through April 14.

Applications are also open for the 2023 Fox Cities Young Professional of the Year, an honor selected among past Future 15 classes. Nomination forms are here and past Future 15 honorees are listed online.

Nominate for Future 15

Nominate YP of the Year

RGL Logistics named PULSE Champion of Young Professionals

Lincoln Spencer (left), Emily Fochs, Carley DeGrand, and Casey Stanke (right) of RGL Logistics are presented with the PULSE Champion certificate.

RGL Logistics has been named a PULSE Champion of Young Professionals (YPs) by the Fox Cities Chamber. This designation recognizes employers who pledge to provide support and a positive work environment for YPs within their company.

The culture at RGL Logistics is one that captivates and retains young talent. Leadership and teammates alike are supportive, invested, and helpful toward each other, pushing YPs to explore, learn, and grow.

“As YPs, you have a voice at RGL Logistics and the leadership embraces our views, thoughts and suggestions,” said Carley Degrand, Sales and Marketing Coordinator at RGL Logistics. “The company size allows for a community feel with flexibility and understanding. It feels personal and everyone is there to help others."

Read the full news release on RGL Logistics' certification here.

Club Car Wash opens new location in Neenah

View photos from the ribbon cutting

Grow Seminar Series: Social Media Marketing for Businesses

The Chamber is kicking off a new Grow Seminar Series with a focus on Marketing in 2023. This is a free, member exclusive series. The first seminar is a panel presentation on 'Social Media Marketing for Businesses' and is being held April 12 from 8 - 9:30 AM at Community First Credit Union.

Our social media panelists are:

Brad Cebulski, President/Owner, BConnected: “Applying Social Media Tactics to YOUR Organizational Goals”
Cameron Wengrzyn, Vice President of Marketing, Employment Resource Group: “Let’s Get Engaged”
Karri Bedor, Founder/Marketing Coach, GoldenLink Training Coaching and Marketing: “Low Cost Facebook Ad Strategies”

Fill your summer positions at the Future Fox Cities Career Expo

Register for the Future Fox Cities Career Expo and find the future of your workforce - the expo has almost 500 high school students attending, so this is also a great opportunity to showcase your available seasonal positions!

Employers can provide information about career-based learning opportunities available, such as job shadowing, company tours, internships, summer employment, part-time employment, school-to-work pathways, youth apprenticeships, and more!

Inspire a future career, connect with a potential employee, and show your support for Fox Cities students at the Future Fox Cities Career Expo on April 18-19th.

New microgrant fund of New North to support ethnic, diverse businesses

New North Inc., in partnership with The Business Council and the Ethnic & Diverse Business Coalition, has established a microgrant fund designed to provide funding to non-profit organizations located in the New North region that support ethnic and diverse businesses in their startup or growth phase.

The application for grants up to $20,000 – for initiatives or events taking place prior to Dec. 31, 2023 – is now available here. The application deadline is April 30, 2023.

What we're reading

Wisconsin Assembly approves parole commission bill

Kwik Trip growth could fuel need for new distribution center

Home prices fell in February for first time in 11 Years

Chamber Member News

Very rare and historically significant Cody Stone Jewelry to be exhibited at Fox River Mall.

The Appleton International Airport will host the Pulling for Honor fundraiser on Saturday, September 16.

Registration now open for New North Summit, June 8 at Lambeau Field.

Livability.com Names Appleton a Top 25 Best Place to Live in the Midwest.

People Making Headlines

McClone Insurance continues its rapid pace of strategically adding talent with five new hires announced: Michael Xiong, Medicare specialist; Jason Plaster, client risk analyst coordinator; Stacy Clark, senior account executive; Ashton Holzman, personal lines business development executive; Tommy Farrell, employee benefits risk advisor.

Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of four new team members: Joe Harvey, Kit Kouveras, Logan Burton, and Justin Smith.