Wells County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter
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February Member of the Month:
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ProFed Credit Union Receives February Honor
ProFed Federal Credit Union has built a reputation of trusted financial services and has been part of the Wells County community since 1976. As a not-for-profit financial institution, ProFed returns their earnings to members in the form of dividends and lower rates. They are committed to providing individual care to those they serve, and support the community through involvement with the Bluffton Street Fair, Family Centered Services, United Way, Chamber of Commerce, Wonderland of Lights at Ouacbache State Park, Parlor City Christmas, and BRRR Fest to name just a few. “We feel it is important for a business to be involved in the community and for our employees to be involved. We live and work here and we need to put into practice our support and do what we can to help,” said Randall.
Randall explained that when members walk into ProFed Credit Union she and her staff want them to have an excellent experience and feel like they have their best interest in mind. “We will do the best we can for them to feel welcome, make a point to know them by name and establish a relationship. It is very important that they feel comfortable to come to us with questions or concerns they have so we can be of assistance.”
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Michelle McIntosh
1350 W Main St, Bluffton
260.589.3173
michellem@swissvillage.org
Retirement, Senior Living, Retirement Community
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Thank You to Our Gold Member!
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Click
HERE
to view the album
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Welcome to the Community Kelley Renn
New Store Manager at Bluffton Lowes
I was raised in a small town of Berrien Springs, MI where I started my career in the stock market. I worked 18 years in the financial industry and helped produce over 20 million in profits and our firm managed over 1 billion in client assets. The last 10 years of my career I managed a brokerage firm of 9 brokers. In early 2012, I decided to make a career change due to burn out of working for Wall Street.
I started a new chapter of my life with Lowe’s Store #46 of Benton Harbor, MI in mid 2012 as a part time We-team associate. I worked my way from DM of Millwork, ASM of Plumbing/Electrical, ASM Admin, ASM Service to SMTP graduate.
I'm the baby of my family, have 2 older brothers Kevin and Kirk and my parents are both deceased. I am single and have no children. I have 3 wonderful nephews which the youngest is named Knute, after the late coach of Notre Dame; Knute Rockne. Oh yes, big Irish and Chicago Cubs fan. In my free time I enjoy playing and watching sports, love college and Pro football, going to Chicago, working out, traveling, relaxing and spending time with family and friends.
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Welcome to Groups Recover,
Amber O'Daniels!
Amber O'Daniels started her journey to being a mental health counselor while stationed in Buffalo, NY with the United States Navy. While serving, she obtained two Bachelors degrees and almost a third! However, she was in her final trimester with her lovely daughter Evelyn. She completed a degree in psychology and a second degree in sociology simultaneously, while pregnant, earning Summa Cum Laude for both degrees. After she completed her bachelor's degrees she went on to complete her Masters in Mental Health Counseling, graduating with honors, at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, IN.
Amber is also a retired Petty Office from the United States Navy and during her time she was advanced to First Class Petty Office in four years, only 1% of all active duty enlisted military members have achieved this rank in such a short period of time, and earned four Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Ribbons for completing over 1,200 hours of volunteer service. During her time in the military she also created g.l.a.s.s. (gay lesbian and support sailors association) in Battle Creek, MI and spoke at the base in Chicago, IL on the first celebrated military pride event.
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Certifications and Awards:
Medically Assisted Treatment Certification
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Masters in Mental Health Counseling
Bachelors of Psychology
Bachelors of Sociology
Associates in Psychology
Federally Certified Sexual Assault Advocate
Meisner Acting Coach and Teacher
Autism and CP Behavioral Specialist
Trauma / First Responder counselor
Various military awards and achievements
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Amber has been an advocate for those who have been under-served for over 20 years and joined Groups on November 4, 2018 to help the growing number of persons who suffer from substance abuse disorder. Since being at groups she has obtained her MAT certification, her ANSA certification, and launched the TeleHealth program allowing her to provide intakes for the entire state of Indiana. Amber believes that addressing the totality of the population she serves will ensure a reduction of recidivism and successful amelioration of substances leading to substance abuse disorder. She believes in the population she serves and hopes one day to work herself out of job and see the current opioid epidemic end.
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New Physician Joins Family LifeCare
(Berne, Indiana) – Family LifeCare is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Mark Meyer, to our team of clinical professionals as Hospice Associate Medical Director. He will join our medical team on June 1, 2019. Dr. Meyer will assist Dr. Edmond Bendaly, Chief Medical Officer, with the continued growth of our diverse organization. Dr. Carol Butler will continue to provide Associate Medical Directorship. Deb Fiechter, Nurse Practitioner, will work closely with Dr. Meyer in providing clinical care to our palliative care and transitional care programs. Lisa Cotten, Physician Assistant, rounds out our clinical team.
Dr. Meyer is a native of Flora, Indiana and brings over 34 years of experience in Family Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, along with Hospice Medical Directorship to our organization. Dr. Meyer graduated from Indiana University and completed his family practice residency at IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He then completed a fellowship in Geriatrics at Philadelphia Geriatric Center and Temple University in Philadelphia. During his Geriatric fellowship he practiced palliative medicine.
Dr. Meyer works as a Family Medicine Physician in Peru, Indiana and is associated with Dukes Medical Group (part of the Lutheran Hospital network). Prior to joining Dukes Medical Group, Dr. Meyer practiced 12 years in Indianapolis before he and his wife Kathy (a New Castle IN native) returned to his home town of Flora to practice 17 years in Carroll County. Dr. Meyer states, “We are excited and amazed, with this opportunity, that once again we will be serving an area of our roots.”
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JOHNLOZ NAMED FARM MANAGER OF THE YEAR BY HALDERMAN REAL ESTATE AND FARM MANAGEMENT
Halderman Real Estate and Farm Management hosted their bi-annual company meetings followed by an awards dinner for all area representatives. The annual awards are based upon each individual’s gross production during the year. Farm Manager of the Year went to Rick Johnloz of Bluffton, IN. He earned this award by continuing to increase his farm management portfolio for both his existing and new clients.
Johnloz covers several counties in Indiana including; Wells, Adams, Blackford, Jay and portions of Allen and Huntington. He manages acres in Wabash, Grant and Deleware counties as well. His objective is to provide professional farm management services to his clients including; timely reports, good records, farm budgets, and higher net income while improving their farmland investment.
“This award demonstrates the growth Rick fostered throughout his 35 year career managing farms in eastern IN. His reputation and quality work for our clients led some of them to expand their holdings as well as refer him to others who can benefit from our services” stated Howard Halderman, President of Halderman Real Estate and Farm Management. “His community leadership in Bluffton and Wells County is valuable to our firm, his work and the industry. We are proud to recognize Rick for all his efforts for our landowner’s.”
Halderman Farm Management Service and Halderman Real Estate Services have provided service to landowners throughout Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and 11 other states since 1930. In addition to the main office staff there are 23 representatives throughout Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. Together they manage 258,000 acres comprised of 650+ farms. These are owned by absentee landowner clients ranging from individual farm owners to large institutions.
In addition to farm management services, representatives work together to sell over 175 tracts of land each year, totaling over $70 million in revenue and appraise 650 farm properties
If you have a farm real estate need or question, Halderman Real Estate and Farm Management can provide comprehensive proposals at no charge. Contact Rick Johnloz at 260-827-8181 or reach him via e-mail rickj@halderman.com
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First Merchants jumps to #2 on Forbes list of top U.S. banks for 2019
Muncie-based company recognized for growth, profitability and asset quality
Muncie, Ind.
– Forbes
has released its
2019 list of “America’s Best Banks,”
and for the second straight year, one of Indiana’s legacy financial institutions sits near the top. First Merchants Bank, the largest financial services holding company in Central Indiana and second largest in the state, was ranked by Forbes as the country’s second best bank.
“We are extremely proud of this achievement as it speaks to the financial strength of First Merchants clients and vitality of the communities we serve,” said First Merchants CEO Michael C. Rechin. “We are successful when our clients are successful, and every single one our 1,700 employees plays a key role in making that happen. My teammates deserve all the credit.”
Forbes ranks the top 100 largest banks based on 10 metrics related to growth, profitability, capital adequacy and asset quality. Metrics include return on average tangible equity, return on average assets, net interest margin, efficiency ratio and net charge-offs as a percent of total loans.
First Merchants, ranked fourth in Forbes’ 2018 grading of the country’s 100 largest banks, once again ranks ahead of peers like JPMorgan Chase, Fifth Third Bancorp and Citigroup.
Forbes reporter Kurt Badenhausen highlighted data points that indicate First Merchants continues to be positioned for high performance:
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Don't Miss These Exciting Events
All Are Welcome to Attend!
Click on the title to register or for more information
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Tuesday, March 5 from 8:30am to 11am
Arts, Commerce & Visitors Centre
Thursday, March 7 from 12:00 to 1:00pm
Arts, Commerce & Visitors Centre
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
Thursday, April 15: 9am to 11am AND 1pm to 3pm
WANT TO SEE WHAT THE EVENT IS ALL ABOUT....
CLICK HERE
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
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Thank You to Our Gold Member!
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Community Events
Click on any event for more information
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FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
Enter by March 25 to Expand Your Possibilities
Does your business have an amazing story to share? FedEx wants to hear it. The FedEx Small Business Grant Contest recognizes and rewards unique small businesses with grants up to $50,000.
Entering the contest is a chance to promote your business and get your fans excited to spread the word about you. It’s also a chance to become part of something bigger: a close-knit group of finalists and winners who support and share ideas with each other.
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Applications Being Accepted for the 2019-2020 Year
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?
Anyone who wants to improve their leadership skills, develop stronger communication skills, and focus on creating a network of peer-mentor-business relationships. Our desire is that these individuals would then make a life-long commitment to community service, mentor new leaders, and make a positive impact in the workplace.
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As an employer
are you looking for a leadership training program for your employees?
As a working professional,
do you need a program that will enhance your career, teach you principles of leadership and help make a difference in Wells County?
YOUR SOLUTION...
the Wells County Leadership Academy offers participants solutions to the fast-paced ever-changing needs of business and industry in the 21st century.
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Examples of what a business could offer:
10% or 15% off any item
Buy One Get Two Free
Half Price service with purchase of service
Free Drink with purchase of a meal
Free appetizer with purchase of lunch or dinner
25% off regular rate of item
Call or Email Erin with ideas:
260.824.0510 ext 2
eprible@wellscoc.com
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New Program Chamber is Rolling Out in 2019
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCREASE YOUR BUSINESS AMONG CHAMBER MEMBERS WHILE ALSO TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SPECIALS OFFERED TO YOU?
If so, we invite you to participate in our
Chamber Member2Member Incentive Program
, which allows our members to offer a discount or other benefit to fellow members and/or take advantage of incentives offered on products and services that they use every day.
The CHAMBER MEMBER2MEMBER Incentive Program
offers Chamber members and their employees the opportunity to:
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Save money when making purchases at participating Chamber merchants
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Stimulate new business through increased exposure and word-of-mouth referrals through Chamber member companies and their families
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Encourage Chamber members to patronize their fellow member’s business
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