Last Chamber Connection of the Year!

Join us Friday 7:30-8:30am in the Heritage Bank Community Room 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!

Insurance by Strehlow Celebrates 50 Years

Congratulations and thank you to Norm Strehlow, Andy Jacobson, Tina Renne, and Beth Daniel of Insurance by Strehlow on 50 years of membership! Insurance by Strehlow was founded in 1956 by Charles Strehlow. In 1980, Norm purchased the agency and relocated it to its present location the following year. Andy Jacobson and Sara Lieser are the current agency partners. The Insurance by Strehlow agents are licensed with more than 85 years of combined experience providing personal and business insurance solutions. 

Pictured representing the Chamber Board and/or Diplomats: Jon Schmidt (DataSuccess), Sam Quam (Bethesda), Shelly Bormann (Goodwill Easter-Seals), Christina Williams (R&J Tours), Jessica L. Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis), Steve Gardner (Willmar Electric), Chamber President James Miller, Suzanne Hass (Allstate), Carla Kahle-Miller (Design West Ltd), Tracy Lundy (Lake Region Bank), Jon Rambow (Rambow), and Jeff Martinka (United Prairie).

State Chamber Visits with Area Business Leaders

The Minnesota Chamber's policy team visited with local business leaders at Heritage Bank last week to gather input on what's important to employers and employees ahead of the 2025 legislative session. A multitude of topics were discussed: ESST, Paid Leave, mandates, taxes, and other challenges facing the business community. They also toured Nova-Tech Engineering.

Business Education Network

The Business Education Network (BEN) facilitated Classroom to Career presentations to 8th grade students at the Willmar Middle School in November. Each presenter talked about their educational decisions that led them to their career, skills that are needed in the workforce, and qualities businesses look for in employees. The students appreciated the business professionals sharing a bit more about what happens on their jobsite and how they can make choices to prepare themselves to be on track to enter the workforce. Thank you to these businesses for taking time to educate our future workforce: Stephanie Jensen (Central MN Jobs and Training Services), Bradley Pederson (Christianson PLLP), Riley Cronen (CDS), Robin Kopel (Jennie-O / Hormel), Tami Jo Lieberg (Kandiyohi County), Adrian Salinas (Universal Kutz Barbershop), Taylor Marcus (Marcus Construction), Debi Brandt (United Community Action Partnership), James Miller (Willmar Lakes Area Chamber), and Kathryn Haase (Willmar Public Schools).

Chamber Chat

Thursday mornings on Open Mic, Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. On December 12th James was joined in studio by Tina Giernet, Beck Venosdel, and Brianna Kowalczyk of Truly Home Real Estate. Tune in this Thursday to hear from Jonathan Marchand with United Community Action Partnership. Chamber Chat is also available on Spotify.

Chamber 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

• City of Minneota - Police Chief

• 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, Sales

• Heritage Exteriors - Carpentry Foreman, Project Manager

• JD Kreps - Administrative Assistant

• JR Business Solutions - HR & Marketing Coordinator

• Lake Region - Commercial Lender

• Minnesota Department of Human Services - Special Care Dentist, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

• Minnesota Department of Transportation - Account Clerk Senior

• Northern Radiator - Willmar Warehouse Associate

• Ridgewater College - Dean of Technical Instruction, Customer Service Specialist - Intermediate

• 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 - Project Engineer

Upcoming Meetings & Events

• Tuesday, December 17th at 12:00pm - CVB Board Meeting at the Chamber
• Wednesday, December 18th at 9:00am - Business Education Network Meeting at the Chamber
• Thursday, December 19th at 10:00am - Chamber Chat on KWLM
• Friday, December 20th at 7:30am - Chamber Connection at Heritage Bank Plaza
• Friday, December 20th at 8:00am - Leadership Perspectives at MNDOT Conference Room