Tuesday, March 29, 2022
This e-newsletter is brought to you by Chairman's Circle member:
Project Turnabout is inviting you to our FREE Lunch & Learn for Trauma Informed Care on Friday, April 1st at our Project Turnabout Willmar Campus (309 7th Street NW Willmar). Register through EventBrite by clicking the link below OR call Megan Harms at 320.564.4911 x1772. THIS IS A FREE TRAINING!

*This advertisement is sponsored by Project Turnabout.
Congratulations Leadership Perspective Graduates!
Congratulations to the 2021-2022 Leadership Perspectives Graduates: McKenzie Alvarado (Jennie-O), Sara Chapin (Willmar Electric Service, Corp.), Kelly Collins (AgCountry Farm Credit Services), Liz Dyrdal (VantagePoint Marketing Consultants, LLC), Amanda Erickson (Lake Region Bank), Justin Erickson (Willmar Electric Service), Scott Erickson (Willmar Police Department), Brooke Fischer (Christianson PLLP), Craig Gertsma (Minnesota Department of Transportation), Matt Grave (Willmar Fire Department), Angie Gregory (Mick Quinn - State Farm Insurance Agent), Amanda Halverson (Bremer Bank), Jennifer Halverson (Kandiyohi County), Shawn Hanson (Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP), Lonnie Hoffman (Minnesota Department of Transportation), Hallie Johnson (Carris Health), Shawn Johnson (Christianson PLLP), Gina Jones (Marcus Construction), Jeff Miller (Ridgewater College), Shelly Munyon (Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce), Alec Saunders (CDS Financial Services), Kelsey Sommerville (Home State Bank), Jennifer Studemann (Lake Region Bank), Ashley Veeder (Kandiyohi Power Cooperative), Andrea Weiss (Jennie-O), and Amber Willis (AgCountry Farm Credit Services).
Chamber Connection
There will be no Chamber Connection this week. We are still looking for hosts for select Fridays throughout the 2022. Contact Jami to inquire further or to reserve your Chamber Connection date!

Why host a Chamber Connection?
  • Educate local leaders about your business
  • Increase exposure of the goods and/or services you offer
  • Promote an upcoming event or milestone
  • Make connections with local business people and community leaders
  • Show off your facility
Congratulations Leadership Award Recipients!
Thank you Outgoing Board Members
Thank you to retiring Chamber Board members Alana Ziehl (Kandiyohi County Food Shelf), Todd Ahrenholz (JD Kreps Financial Group), Paul Kuehneman (Jennie-O), and Zack Mahboub (West Central Interpreting Services, LLC; not pictured) for their service to the area-wide business community! Past Chair Paul Kuehneman is pictured on the right receiving a plaque of recognition for his service with 2022 Board Chair Jared Voge (Bolton & Menk).
CEOs Visit Area Learning Center
The Business Education Network (BEN) recently presented CEO in the Classroom to the students at the Area Learning Center (ALC). Thank you to the following businesses for once again allowing their employees to give their time to help educate our future workforce: Christianson PLLP, Employment Plus, Heritage Bank NA, Teresa Holwerda - State Farm Agency, United Way of West Central Minnesota, West Central Steel Inc, and Willmar Public School District. 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. If you would like to be a presenter for future presentations or create your own business introduction presentation, please contact the Program Coordinator Jennifer Lindquist at bencoordinator@willmarareachamber.com.
DATASuccess, Inc. Celebrates 10 Years
Congratulations to Jon Schmidt of DATASuccess, Inc. on 10 years of membership! Jon is a member of the Diplomats Committee and a Chamber Connection emcee. Thank you, Jon, for your outstanding leadership in the community! DATASuccess, Inc is an on-site PC sales and service provider for home and business. Originally founded in Big Lake by CEO Kevin Thompson, the business expanded to Willmar in 2012 with their office on the beautiful and historic MinnWest Technology Campus. Pictured with Jon are Diplomats Dean Bouta (Coordinated Business Systems), Tracy Lundy (Lake Region Bank), Kathryn Mueller (Christianson PLLP), Mary Warszynski (Employment Plus and General Mailing), Christina Williams (R&J Tours), Carla Kahle-Miller (Design West Ltd), Suzanne Hass (Allstate Insurance), Jessica Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis), Shelly Bormann (Goodwill-Easter Seals), and Jon Rambow (Rambow).
West Central Minnesota Area Job Fair
First Dollar: Emporia Suits & Alterations
Congratulations to Sean Yang and Addy Moua of Emporia Suits and Alterations on their First Dollar! Emporia Suits and Alterations is a men's clothing store offering suits, tuxedos, formal accessories, and clothing alterations. They specialize in wedding gown, prom, suit, tuxedo, and formal wear alterations, and are conveniently located in Plaza One on First Street in Willmar. Pictured with Sean and Addy are Chamber Ambassadors Amanda Erickson (Lake Region Bank), Kami Anez (Anez Consulting), Sam Quam (Bethesda), Kris Gulbrandsen, Doug Kuehnast (United Prairie), Dawn Stahl (United Prairie), and Dan Hubbard (On The Run Promotions).
Student Job Fair & Career Expo
Coming Up This Week
Tuesday, March 29th at 12:00pm - Golf Classic Meeting at Green Mill
Wednesday, March 30th - Membership Milestone at State Farm Insurance - Melissa Radel
Thursday, March 31st - Red Carpet Meeting at Green Mill
Friday, April 1st - Public Policy Meeting at Heritage Bank Community Room
Stay Connected with YOUR Chamber!
www.willmarareachamber.com
chamber@willmarareachamber.com
 (320) 235-0300