Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Thank you to our Chairman's Circle investors:

Embrace Change | Drive Momentum | Champion Growth

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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, November 21st 7:30-8:30am at Bethesda StoneRidge (1205 Willmar Ave SE, 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: United Community Action Partnership.

Congratulations and thank you to the entire team at Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP for 40 years of membership and support of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber and area-wide business community!

CDS is a certified public accounting firm founded in 1985, providing a full range of accounting, tax, auditing, payroll, and consulting services tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients. Recognized among the top 25 CPA firms in Minnesota, CDS operates offices in Willmar, Benson, Morris, Litchfield, and St. Cloud–Sartell.

At CDS, client care is the highest priority. The firm is guided by meaningful core values—integrity, quality, collaboration, innovation, and kindness—which shape its actions every day as it delivers high-quality services that strive to exceed client expectations. Click the image above to discover the passion, dedication, and values that have defined CDS since 1985.

CDS is also heavily invested in the communities it serves. Through active volunteerism and support for numerous initiatives that strengthen and enhance local communities, the firm demonstrates its ongoing commitment to making a positive and lasting impact beyond its professional services.

Representing the Chamber: Jan Ruby (Little Crow Water Ski Team), Andrew Kveene (Edward Jones), Shelly Bormann (Goodwill-Easter Seals), Tracy Lundy (Lake Region Bank), Brittany VanDerBill (B. VanDerBill Consulting), Jon Schmidt (DATASuccess), Jeff Martinka (United Prairie), and President/CEO James Miller.

Congratulations and thank you to Jayline Nezarez and her entire team at the 2nd Street Kwik Trip in Willmar for 5 years of membership and support of the Chamber!

Kwik Trip is a family-owned convenience store chain headquartered in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and has been serving the Midwest since 1965 with quality food, fuel, and friendly service across more than 850 locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and nearby states. The company is highly self-sufficient, running its own bakery, dairy, kitchens, food-safety lab, distribution center, LP plant, blow-mold facility, transportation fleet, and even a health clinic—allowing 80% of the products on its shelves to be produced, delivered, and sold directly by Kwik Trip. Its mission is to “serve customers and communities better than anyone else by treating customers, co-workers, and suppliers the way we would like to be treated, and by making a positive difference in someone’s life.”

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

Congratulations and thank you to Nick Aacker and his team at Goodness Coffee Company for 5 years of membership and support of the Chamber!

Nestled along bustling 1st Street in Willmar, Goodness Coffee Company offers a warm, inviting haven where natural light, the scent of fresh brews, and soft conversation create an atmosphere of comfort and community. Visitors step into a cozy space filled with the aromas of expertly roasted coffee and baked goods, where each cup is crafted with care from high-quality beans sourced from renowned growers around the world. Alongside its specialty drinks, the shop serves delicious pastries and savory options, all reflecting the same dedication to quality. More than a café, it serves as a gathering place for meeting friends, connecting with colleagues, or simply pausing for a peaceful moment. Guests can also book the shop’s coffee trailer for special events or swing through the convenient drive-thru to support local while on the go. With its commitment to exceptional flavor, welcoming ambiance, and meaningful connections, Goodness Coffee Company offers an experience designed to uplift, satisfy, and keep guests coming back.

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

Join us for a high-energy Lunch + Learn on non-traditional career pivots and the power of resilience! Hear from three incredible local leaders who prove that success isn’t always a straight line — it’s built through grit, growth, and bold new beginnings. Don’t miss this chance to recharge your mindset and reignite your career inspiration!

Thursday mornings on Open Mic, Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. Last week, James was joined in studio by Becky and Trisha from ESS which provides K-12 education management solutions to ensure #EveryDayCounts.

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 - Electrician/Sales, Part Time Delivery Driver, Building Maintenance Tech/Carpenter, Electrical Assembler, Electrical Engineer, Poultry Farm Laborer

ESS - Substitute Teacher, Substitute SpEd Paraprofessional

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

Headstart Hatching - Hatchery Manager, Industrial Maintenance Supervisor

Northern Radiator - Chief Financial Officer, Administrative Assistant

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

West Central Sanitation - Driver Trainer / Operations Supervisor

Tuesday, November 18 at 12:00pm - neXt Career Pivots Lunch + Learn at CDS

Tuesday, November 18 at 5:00pm - Ambassador Social at Jake's Pizza

Thursday, November 20 at 7:30am - Board Meeting at the Chamber

Thursday, November 20 at 10:00am - Chamber Chat with UCAP

Thursday, November 20 at 12:00pm - Ambassador Meeting at Campus Ministry

Friday, November 21 at 7:30am - Chamber Connection at Bethesda StoneRidge

Saturday, November 22 at 1:30pm - Ribbon Cutting at Open Door Christian Church

Monday, November 24 at 10:00am - Ag Tour at Happy Halal