News from Your Chamber

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

This e-newsletter is brought to you by Chairman's Circle member:

This e-newsletter advertisement is sponsored by Dave Baker for House.

ADVERTISE IN THE E-NEWSLETTER

One top banner ad is available every week in the Chamber e-newsletter. Reach over 1,500 people for just $125! Ads are on a first come, first served basis, and are also available in the body of the e-news for $100. Partner level members and up receive one complimentary e-news insert per year.

Please email jtanner@willmarareachamber.com to reserve your space.

Join Us for Chamber Connection

Join us Friday 7:30-8:30am in the TWC Client Experience Center located at 1520 Willmar Ave SE, Willmar for networking and all the latest news and announcements from the local business community. Don't forget to bring $1 and your business card for a chance at door prizes!

TerWisscha Construction, Inc.

Edward Jones - Jeanne Ashburn Celebrates 10 Years

Congratulations to Financial Advisor Jeanne Ashburn, AAMS, CRPC and Amy Doyle of Edward Jones on ten years of membership with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber! Jeanne has been in the financial industry since 2007, and works closely with CPAs to estate planning attorneys to help her clients reach their financial goals. Pictured are Chamber Diplomats Jeff Martinka (United Prairie), Shelly Bormann (Goodwill), Chamber President James Miller, Andrew Kveene (Edward Jones), Suzanne Hass (Allstate Insurance), Tracy Lundy (Lake Region Bank), Adrian Salinas (Universal Kutz), and Jessica Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis).

Edward Jones

Kensington Insurance / Nesbit Agencies Celebrates 10 Years

Congratulations to Julie Anderson and Nathalie Johnson of Kensington Insurance/Nesbit Agencies on ten years of membership with the Chamber! Kensington Insurance/Nesbit Agencies provides you with personalized coverage for the specific needs of your business or family. Nathalie is bilingual helping to serve the Spanish speaking population. Nesbit Agencies recently purchased Kensington Insurance, and in 2026, it will be known solely as Nesbit Agencies. Also pictured are Chamber Diplomat Adrian Salinas (Universal Kutz), Chamber President James Miller, Tracy Lundy (Lake Region Bank), Jeff Martinka (United Prairie), Andrew Kveene (Edward Jones), Shelly Bormann (Goodwill), Suzanne Hass (Allstate), and Jessica Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis).

Kensington Insurance / Nesbit Agencies

The Fortress Celebrates 5 Years

Congratulations to The Fortress on five years of membership with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber! The Fortress is a 30 bed, men’s, faith-based, restoration abstinence based program, whose center of focus is Jesus Christ. If you are struggling with addiction to gambling, sexual immorality, alcohol, or drugs, The Fortress is a safe place to find refuge from the storm. Pictured are Chamber Diplomat Jessica Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis), Chris Myers, Damion Franklin, Jonathon Potillo, Brent Waldemarson, Joseph Jacobson, Diplomat Jeff Martinka (United Prairie), and Rick Blekestad.

The Fortress

Calling Young Leaders!

Mark your calendar to join us for our annual kick-off - Olympics style! Bring a friend or come on your own to try your hand at modified javelin, archery, mental gymnastics, and discus. No Olympic skills or RSVP necessary. This is event is free and open to the public.

Zero Hour at Willmar High School

The Business Education Network (BEN) and the Willmar Senior High welcomed Lake Region Bank and Conway, Deuth, and Schmiesing to the high school on September 11th. The students were able to learn more about these two fabulous organizations that are a part of our community. Zero Hour is the first hour on Wednesdays at Willmar High School. This time is scheduled every other week 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 at 9am. This gives us the opportunity to showcase all the fantastic businesses right here in the Willmar Lakes Area. If you would like the opportunity to connect with the Willmar High School students, please reach out to Jennifer Lindquist-the program coordinator for BEN-at BENCoordinator@willmarareachamber.com to schedule your date to attend.

Classroom to Career Presenters Needed

We are so excited to announce that the BEN program is beginning to schedule the Classroom to Career, formerly called C.E.O. in the classroom, presentations for many school districts in our region for this upcoming school year. The Classroom to Career presentation is a 45 minute PowerPoint that has already been created to present to 8th grade students that begins the conversation of the many job/career opportunities that exist right here in the Willmar Lakes Area.

The mission of the BEN program is:

To develop our community’s future workforce by providing students with a deeper understanding of career opportunities and aligning skills with current workforce needs; engaging employers directly with students, education and training providers; and better aligning programs and curriculum to the realities of the West Central Minnesota and overall MN economy.

If you would like to learn more or become a presenter for this school year, please email the BEN Coordinator at: BENCoordinator@willmarareachamber.com

Free Educational Opportunity

Chamber Community 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.