Chamber Connection

Join us Friday 7:30-8:30am for networking and all the latest announcements and news from the local business community. Don't forget to bring $1 and your business card for a chance at door prizes!

Bolton & Menk Celebrates 30 Years

Congratulations and thank you to Jared Voge, Kris Paulson, and Chuck DeWolf on 30 years of membership! Bolton & Menk got its humble start 75 years ago and has flourished into one of the largest multi-regional engineering firms specializing in public infrastructure solutions. The Bolton and Menk team is made up of planners, engineers, designers, technicians - real people helping build safe, sustainable, and beautiful communities.

Pictured representing the Chamber Board and/or Diplomats Committee are President James Miller, Shelly Bormann (Goodwill Easter-Seals), Jeff Martinka (United Prairie), Suzanne Hass (Allstate), Jon Schmidt (DATASuccess, Inc), Carla Kahle-Miller (Design West Ltd), Andrew Kveene (Edward Jones), Terri Wood (Woody's Trucking), and Dan Jacobs (Marcus Construction).

Bethesda North Pointe Celebrates Addition & New Pool

Congratulations to Bethesda on the ribbon cutting of the North Pointe addition completed by TerWisscha Construction, Inc. The ceremony celebrated the new saltwater pool, exercise rooms, and apartment expansion. Pictured representing the Chamber are Jesse Hulscher (TerWisscha Construction), Mitch Ashburn (Edina Realty), Suzanne Hass (Allstate, Board Chair-Elect), Jon Rambow (Rambow, Past Board Chair), Michelle Haefner (Bethesda President/CEO), Dustin Kotrba (Christianson PLLP, Board), Lisa Groff (Lake Region Bank), Sam Quam (Bethesda Vice President of Operations), Jeff Jensen (West Central Technology), Chamber President James Miller, and Kris Gulbrandsen.

Pheasants Forever Celebrates 10 Years

Congratulations and thank you to Larry Kleindl, Kevin Ochsendorf, and Lee Thompson of Kandiyohi County Pheasants Forever Chapter #2 on ten years of membership! Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs. Since 1982 Chapter #2 has created over $8 million in local habitat and conservation projects! Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 5th for the Annual Banquet at the Willmar Conference Center. Funds raised benefit our local habitat. PF is also looking for new Board members.

Also pictured are Chamber President James Miller and Diplomat Jeff Martinka (United Prairie).

Business Education Network

The Business Education Network (BEN) and the Willmar Senior High welcomed Willmar Community Education in November. Students learned about many great opportunities including a lifeguarding class that they may choose as an elective in the spring.  

Zero Hour is the first hour every other Wednesday for students to catch up on tests or missing work. Those that do not have work to catch up on are in the commons area until classes start. This provides a great opportunity to showcase the fantastic businesses in the Willmar Lakes Area. If you would like to connect with students, please contact Jennifer Lindquist at BENCoordinator@willmarareachamber.com.

neXt Cheer on the WarHawks

neXt members and their families enjoyed cheering on the Willmar WarHawks from the VIP Deck last Saturday night. They were also featured as West Central Steel's Family of the Game, and contributed to the 680 stuffed animals that were donated during the Salvation Army Teddy Bear Toss.

Chamber Chat

Thursday mornings on Open Mic, Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. On December 5th James was joined in studio by Rick Dahle of Appliance and Home Center. Tune in this Thursday to hear from Tina Giernet of Truly Home Real Estate. Chamber Chat is also available on Spotify.

Chamber Investor Job Board

Hiring? Don't forget to login to ChamberMaster to post your openings on the Chamber Job Board! Job postings will be shared weekly in the e-newsletter that reaches 1,500 people as well as on the Chamber website. Please contact the Chamber if you have any questions.

• Allied Grain - Facility Superintendent / Superintendent Trainee

• Anez Consulting - Part-Time Office Assistant

• CentraCare - EMT, Paramedic

• Citizens Alliance Bank - Branch Manager and Lender - Echo, Core Application Specialist, Customer Service Representative, Insurance Agent, Loan Admin Clerk - Clara City, Loan Admin Clerk - Granite Falls, Loan Officer - Granite Falls, Loan Servicing Specialist - Howard Lake, Marketing Supervisor, Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, Teller, Teller - Granite Falls, Teller - PT - Howard Lake, VP Ag/Commercial Loan Officer, Risk Manager, Project Manager, Automation Specialist

• Dooley's Petroleum - Bulk Fuel Dispatcher, Help Desk L1, Safety and Process Control Manager, Bulk Fuel & Propane Driver

• Green Lake Lutheran Ministries - Housekeeping Specialist

• Haug Implement Co - Truck Driver, Technicians & Mechanics, Set Up Mechanic, Small Engine Mechanic

• Healthy Fusion - Healthy Bartender

• Heritage Exteriors - Carpentry Foreman

• JD Kreps - Administrative Assistant

• JR Business Solutions - HR & Marketing Coordinator

• Marcus Construction - Carpentry Field Coordinator

• Minnesota Department of Human Services - Child & Adolescent Psychologist, Special Care Dentist

• Minnesota Department of Transportation - Account Clerk Senior

• Northern Radiator - Willmar Warehouse Associate

• Ridgewater College - Dean of Technical Instruction

• Southwest Initiative Foundation - Entrepreneurship Program Manager

• Southwest West Central Service Cooperative - Behavior Therapy Assistant

• TerWisscha Construction - Accounts Payable Specialist

• West Central Sanitation - Senior Accountant , Entry Level Lube Technician, Diesel Heavy Truck Mechanic, Local Route CDL Truck Driver

• Willmar Electric - Electrical Journeyman - Marshall and Willmar, Project Engineer

• Willmar Public Schools - Interventionist

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, December 11 1:30-3:00pm - MN Chamber Round Table at Heritage Bank
• Thursday, December 12 at 10:00am - Chamber Chat with Truly Home Real Estate
• Friday, December 13 at 7:30am - Chamber Connection at Christianson PLLP
• Friday, December 13 at 12:00pm - Ambassador Meeting at Ziegler CAT
• Monday, December 16 at 11:30am - 50 Year Membership Milestone at Insurance by Strehlow
• Monday, December 16 at 12:00pm - Diplomats Committee Meeting
• Tuesday, December 17 at 7:00am - Executive Committee Meeting
• Tuesday, December 17 at 12:00pm - CVB Board Meeting