October 6, 2022

2022 Future 15 and YP of the Year announced

Congratulations to the 2022 Fox Cities Future 15 and Young Professional of the Year! These outstanding individuals are receiving the honor based on their professional dedication, strong sense of vision for the future of the Fox Cities, and personal commitment to philanthropy in the community they call home.

Vaya Lauren Jones – Social Determinants of Health Lead & District 10 Alderperson – ThedaCare and City of Appleton
Kristen Gondek – Executive Director – People of Progression
Nick Ross – Advocate – Diverse & Resilient
Mike Slowinski – Superintendent – Kaukauna Area School District
Jacob Martin – High School Band Director – Kaukauna Area School District
Katie Kleman – Product Specialist – Miller Electric
Meghan Cash – Community Resource Unit Supervisor and Public Information Officer – Appleton Police Department
Amanda Chavez – Owner and Publisher – Go Valley Kids (Wisco Fam)
Tom Lee – IT Supervisor – SECURA Insurance Company
Elizabeth Blohm – Marketing Manager – Miron Construction Co., Inc.
Scott Jensen – Sales Manager – Hosking Insurance Agency, Inc.
Seth Merrill – Director of Business Development – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Joshua Hopkins – Behavioral Health Officer – Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office
Jennifer Busch – Senior Service and Program Specialist – Community First Credit Union
Teresa Knuth – Commercial Real Estate Advisor – NAI Pfefferle

The 2022 Young Professional of the Year is Ryan Lonergan, Veteran Advocate, Podcast Host of Fragout Podcast, and owner of Wisconsin Veteran, LLC. All honorees will be recognized at a banquet on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 6-9 p.m. at the Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel in Neenah. Tickets and table sponsorships are now available.

Purchase tickets

Chamber Quick Poll

On Nov. 8, who do you plan to vote for in the Wisconsin Governor race?

Tony Evers

Tim Michels

Last Week's Quick Poll Results

'Tis the season! What is your favorite fall drink to get your day started?

Coffee - 35.7%
Apple Cider - 13.9%
Pumpkin Spice - 10.4%
Chai Tea - 13.0%
Hot Chocolate - 12.2%
Other - 14.8%

Chamber members learn how to Grow with Google

Grow with Google kicked off on a high note on Tuesday. Our first in–person seminar saw a packed room listening to Google guru Dave Meyer talk about how businesses can get found online, as well as marketing to your customers. Participants raved about the program as well as the venue, Community First Credit Union. The Chamber will be holding quarterly in-person Grow with Google seminars, and monthly webinars in between. Watch for more details on this and how you can access free Google resources online.

Inspiring young women to look at STEM careers

Science is cool. So are Technology, Engineering, and Math. And when our community rallies around getting girls excited about STEM, the results really rock! The Fox Cities Chamber hopes to inspire more young women to look at STEM careers during Smart Girls Rock! on Wednesday, November 2.

This day-long, interactive mentoring event is being hosted by Walbec Group this year and will connect the Fox Cities science and tech community with girls in area high schools to inspire their interest in STEM careers and provide academic and career planning guidance. Sponsorship opportunities are still available; email jwickersham@foxcitieschamber for details. Read more.

MSA Professional Services Ribbon Cutting & Open House

Congratulations to MSA Professional Services on their ribbon cutting and open house at their new Appleton location!

View photos from event

New Leadership Fox Cities class begins

The 2022-23 Leadership Fox Cities program, sponsored by Bergstrom Automotive, is now in session. Please join us in welcoming members of the newest class:

Brittney Bachorz
Beau Bernhoft
Andrea Bierbrauer
Len Borruso
Eric Broten
Vanessa Cagal
Nicole Casner
Sara Clark
Jacquelynn Connell
Karen Crisler
Rachel Curran
Anthony Custard
Adam Dorn
Heather Earl
Amanda Elliot

Todd Freeman
Andrew Gast
Gabriel Grahek
Brandon Gries
Jolene Kamp
Monjot Kang
Jessica Klingberg
Tyler Krowiorz
Heather Landreman
Kelsey Lutzow
Anne Mares
Chris McDaniel
Amber Nelson

Terra Niemczyk
Kari Prentice
Sheng Riechers
Philip Riley
Hope Schaefer
Craig Schott
Billie Sherman
Meghan Sherwood
Jacquline Smedberg
Melissa Smith
Jennifer Van Thiel
Randy Williams
Paige Zoelk

Learn more about the class here and the program here.

3 of the top 8 'Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin' contenders are Chamber members!

Voting opened this morning for the top 8 products, and will be open until Tuesday, Oct. 11. There are 3 Chamber members in the mix, so support your community and go vote!

Pierce Manufacturing, Inc.
Plexus Corp
Ariens Company

New North pitch contests

New North Inc., as part of its efforts to support entrepreneurism in the region, is holding pitch events during Startup Week in Wisconsin, Nov. 14-18, with winners advancing to a regional pitch event in early Dec.

Entrepreneurs within the New North who are interested in participating are asked to upload their pitch ideas here. The deadline to do so is Oct. 31.

Free Webinar on Automation, Systems & Technology - Pulse Survey Findings

The findings from WMEP's recent Fall 2022 pulse survey focused on manufacturers plans for, and perceptions of Automation, Systems & Technology in their organizations. Register.

What we're reading

Wisconsin Celebrates October as Manufacturing Month

Businesses added 208,000 jobs in September, better than expected, ADP reports

‘It’s time to focus’: WHO calls for action on worker mental health

Chamber Member News

Lakeland Care Inc. recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month with its first All Abilities Job and Resource Fair.

The 8th annual BRAs of the Bay event, presented by Plastic Surgery & Skin Specialists by BayCare Clinic, will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 13, at the Resch Expo, 840 Armed Forces Drive, Ashwaubenon.

Jewelers Mutual Group announced it has been once again included on Deloitte’s Wisconsin 75™.

Valley Transit is celebrating the 15th anniversary of VT Connector, a supplemental microtransit service that helps fill gaps in its traditional fixed-route bus service.

People Making Headlines

Michael W. Itagaki, MD, an interventional radiologist, has joined BayCare Clinic Radiology, one of northeastern Wisconsin’s most advanced and experienced radiology teams.

McCarty Law LLP, a top law firm in Northeast Wisconsin, has hired Sadie Dupont as an attorney for its business and corporate law practice. In her role, Dupont will focus primarily on business law matters such as business formations, contract drafting, and mergers and acquisitions.

22 local Boy Scouts will be awarded Heroism Award on October 18 at Lambeau Field Atrium for their courageous action during train derailment.