Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Thank you to our Chairman's Circle investors:

Embrace Change | Drive Momentum | Champion Growth

Join the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber for networking, prize drawings, and all the latest news and announcements from the local business community. The event will take place on Friday, December 5th 7:30-8:30am at Kensington Bank (2800 1st St S, Willmar). Don't forget to bring your business card for a chance at door prizes. $1 will be collected from each attendee to benefit our Nonprofit of the Month: Salvation Army.

Congratulations and thank you to Ingrid Moulton, Shon Giernet, Marcus Kendall, and Jon Anderson of Total Glass Inc. on 10 years of membership and support of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber!

Total Glass Inc. is a family-owned business with 30+ years of experience delivering quality products, reliable service, and exceptional care. Serving Redwood Falls, Olivia, and Spicer, they offer comprehensive residential, commercial, and auto glass services. Known as “The Glass Man,” Shon and his team provide top-tier craftsmanship in glass repair and replacement.

Representing the Chamber: Jan Ruby (Little Crow Ski Team), Jeff Martinka (United Prairie), Andrew Kveene (Edward Jones), Terri Wood (Woody's Trucking), President/CEO James Miller, Suzanne Hass (Allstate Insurance), Tracy Lundy (Lake Region Bank), Carla Kahle- Miller (Design West), Jon Rambow (Rambow), and Shelly Bormann (Goodwill Easter-Seals).

On November 10th, the Business Education Network presented Classroom to Career to the 8th grade students Willmar Middle School.

Classroom to Career gives business professionals the chance to connect with students, discuss local career paths in the Willmar Lakes Area, and highlight how the choices they make in high school can shape their future opportunities.

The program empowers students to see that their future educational goals are within their control through the decisions they make today.

A big thank you to: Amy Birkland (Ridgewater College), Debi Brandt (United Community Action Partnership), Kathryn Hasse (Willmar Public Schools), Brian Heinen (TerWisscha Construction), Stephanie Jensen (Central MN Jobs and Training Services), Brian Kelpe (Jennie-O), Tami Jo Lieberg (Kandiyohi County Community Corrections), Adrian Salinas (Universal Kutz Barber Shop), and Jami Tanner (Willmar Lakes Area Chamber) for presenting and inspiring the next generation!

The Minnesota Chamber Foundation's Whitney Harvey also sat in for some of the presentations.

Congratulations and thank you to Christian Ochsendorf, Donald Jurek, and Gina Pientka of SouthPoint Insurance Agency on 5 years of membership and support of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber!

SouthPoint Insurance Agency provides comprehensive coverage options across all lines of insurance, partnering with multiple carriers to offer quality protection at competitive rates. Their dedicated team works one-on-one with every client to deliver personalized solutions for auto, home, health, life, or business insurance needs.

Committed to long-term relationships, SouthPoint ensures your information remains secure and private—something larger nationwide companies can’t always guarantee. Trusted throughout the community, their experienced agents are ready to help.

Representing the Chamber: Jeff Martinka (United Prairie), Jan Ruby (Little Crow Ski Team), Andrew Kveene (Edward Jones), Amy Evink (Mick Quinn State Farm), Terri Wood (Woody's Trucking), Jon Rambow (Rambow), Lexi Kopacek (Christianson CPAS and Consultants), Tracy Lundy (Lake Region Bank), and Shelly Bormann (Goodwill Easter-Seals).

The Chamber Ambassadors visited the Campus Ministry Center in November to learn about the impactful work they are doing to build community and support Ridgewater College students. Chaplain Jeff Schmitz shared that they are currently on track to serve 14,000 meals this school year. Campus Ministry Center also offers a food pantry along with household supplies, hygiene products, and more to support students in various ways.

They currently face challenges including limited fellowship and dining space (capped at 60 people), a small kitchen, and insufficient bathrooms—all of which restrict their ability to host the campus community. To address this, they envision a 2,500-square-foot expansion that would create a more welcoming, functional space for their growing ministry. Friends of Campus Ministry is seeking investors to help bring this vision to life.

The Business Education Network is looking to expand its Advisory Board. BEN was created 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 MN and overall MN economy. The group meets monthly to discuss the most effective ways to bridge schools and business communities. There are many great ideas and actions arising from this group of leaders. We would love to have you join us in building a better future for our community and workforce. Please email Jennifer Lindquist at BENCoordinator@willmarareachamber.com for more information.

Last week, Chamber President James Miller encouraged consumers to support local businesses during the busy holiday shopping season.

Hiring? Make sure to log in to ChamberMaster to post your positions on the Chamber Job Board. Job postings are shared in the weekly e-newsletter that reaches over 1,600 people as well as on the Chamber website, and occasionally on social media. This is a complimentary service offered exclusively to Chamber members.

Central Minnesota Christian School - Director of Finance and Human Resources

Dooley's Petroleum - Bulk Fuel & Propane Driver, Field Service Technician, Fuel Transport Driver

ESS - Substitute Teacher, Substitute SpEd Paraprofessional

Haug Implement - Ag Equipment Sales, Service Technician, Professional Truck Driver, Cleaning and Customer Service Assistant

Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment - Advance Dental Therapist, Special Care Dentist, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Northern Radiator - Administrative Assistant, Purchasing Agent

West Central Sanitation - Driver Trainer / Operations Supervisor

December 4 at 9:00am - Leadership Perspectives - Government and Media

December 4 at 10:00am - Chamber Chat on KWLM

December 4 at 1:30pm - BlueCross BlueShield Membership Milestone

December 5 at 7:30am - Chamber Connection at Kensington Bank

December 5 at 12:00pm - Public Policy Meeting at Heritage Bank

December 6 at 7:10pm - neXt WarHawks Game at the Civic Center

January 27 - Business After Hours at Glacial Ridge Curling

January 29 - KCEO Gala at Willmar Conference Center

February 3 - New Year, New Challenges: Navigating Workforce Shifts and Paid Leave

February 12 - Community Leadership Celebration at Willmar Conference Center

February 26 - Partners in Ag Innovation Conference at MinnWest Technology Campus

April 23 - Student Job Fair & Career Expo at the Willmar High School

May 14 - Business After Hours at Max's on the Green hosted by SDN Communications

June 22 - Aggie Open at Island Pine Golf Club

July 25 - Rock the Dock at Zorbaz on Green Lake

August 3 - Golf Classic at Eagle Creek Golf Club