Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Thank you to our Chairman's Circle investors:

Embrace Change | Drive Momentum | Champion Growth

As we enter this season of gratitude, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our generous investors and dedicated volunteers who help make the Willmar Lakes Area a vibrant place to live, work, play, and do business. Your commitment strengthens our community, and we are truly grateful for your continued support. Wishing you, your team, and your loved ones a joyful and restful Thanksgiving!

Congratulations and thank you to Brent and Deb Ringler and their team: Jesse Meyer, Curt Person, Blake Smith, Austin McClain and Andy Peterson on 10 years of membership and support of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber!

Founded in 1986, JMD Manufacturing, Inc. is a full-service manufacturer and job shop located in Willmar. By combining the various manufacturing processes it offers, the company can produce everything from individual piece parts to fully completed products and equipment. With more than three decades of machining and fabrication experience, JMD works with a wide range of materials, including stainless steel, mild and specialty steels, aluminum, copper, brass, and plastics. The company serves a diverse array of industries—from agriculture to aerospace and everything in between.

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

On November 7th, the Business Education Network presented Classroom to Career to the 8th grade students at MACCRAY Public Schools.

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: Debi Brandt (United Community Action Partnership), Riley Cronen and Andrew Miller (Christianson CPAs and Consultants), and James Miller (Willmar Lakes Area Chamber) for presenting and inspiring the next generation!

Congratulations to Open Door Christian Church on the new Pioneer Kids' Church addition at their beautiful George Lake campus!

This past weekend, Open Door welcomed community members for an unforgettable Grand Opening Celebration & Family Outreach with Blitz Ministries. The high-energy event was filled with games, interactive fun for all ages, and a powerful message of hope for our community. We’re excited to see the incredible impact this new space and ministry will have in the years ahead!

Representing the Chamber: President/CEO James Miller, Dustin Kotrba (Christianson CPAs and Consultants), Dan Jacobs (Marcus Construction), and Jeff Jensen (West Central Technology, Inc.).

The Chamber’s Agri-Business Committee toured Clean Chickens & Co.’s new Happy Halal facility, a state-of-the-art sheep and goat processing plant located in the Willmar Industrial Park. The facility helps meet the growing need for halal meats in Minnesota and nationwide. Thank you to Greg Wierschke for an educational experience!

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, neXt members heard from three inspiring leaders—Kami Anez (Anez Consulting), Tyler Gehrking (Lakeland Media), and Heather Thompson (Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP – CDS). Each shared their personal stories of career pivots, resilience, and the importance of staying authentic along the way.

Special thanks to CDS for their generous hospitality and for supporting the development of young professionals in our community!

Join neXt for a family-friendly night of hockey, networking, and fun! Cheer on the Willmar WarHawks from the VIP Deck, connect with fellow young professionals, and enjoy great food, drinks, and camaraderie. Don’t miss this exciting evening that scores big on community and connections!

Thursday mornings on Open Mic, Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. Last week, James was joined in studio by Jon Marchand - Community Services Manager at United Community Action Partnership.

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

Employment Plus - Poultry Farm Laborer

ESS - Substitute Teacher, Substitute SpEd Paraprofessional

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

Headstart Hatching - Hatchery Manager

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

Northern Radiator - Chief Financial Officer, Administrative Assistant, Purchasing Agent

Southwest West Central Service Cooperative - Physical Therapist or Physical Assistant Long-Term Substitute

West Central Sanitation - Driver Trainer / Operations Supervisor