Wells County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter
#WeLoveOurMembers
Engage. Impact. Connect.
December Member of the Month:

Bill’s Roofing & Siding is based out of Ossian and have been in business for 70 years.

Larry Connett explained that his father, Bill, started Bill’s Roofing & Siding in 1951 in Ossian. Larry had three other brothers, Bill Jr., Larry, and Richard, and each one worked the business with their father. Bill passed in 1987 and over the years the brothers retired; however, Larry continued to own and run the business.

In February of 2019 Jonathon Lee bought the business from Connett. “I worked for another roofing company and learned the in’s and out’s regarding sales, insurance adjustments, building and manufacturer codes, and regulations,” said Lee. “Larry’s son approached me about purchasing Bill’s Roofing and I was absolutely interested.”

Lee knew the reputation and the history of Bill’s Roofing & Siding and wanted to give everything he could to live up to the expectations that was built by the Connett brothers and Bill for the past 70 years. “People have such a high trust level with this company and Larry teaches me something every single day,” said Lee. “Larry and his family have built a legacy within the Wells County area and Larry knows everybody by building relationships, which is the area I needed to grow, even though I am from Wells County.”

Brian & Missy Behining
610 W Washington St, Bluffton
260.824.4649
info@antiqueenginerebuilding.com

Chill Out
Troy Krinn
260.307.1430
backyardlawn@yahoo.com

Jeff Adams
3804 E SR 218, Bluffton
260.438.9001
jaadams58@hotmail.com

Andy Yergler
340 E Dustman Road, Bluffton
260.273.8821
andyyergler@gmail.com

Jonathon Skordos
534 E South Street, Bluffton
260.580.7164
jskordos@fortwayneknockerball.com

GPS-Goetz Pool Service
Jon & Tracy Goetz
260.413.1646
jongoetz@gmail.com

Jennifer Leas
5817 Coventry Lane, Fort Wayne
260.449.1130
jennifer.leas@lhcgroup.com

Alicia Hill
260.414.1299
alicia@runhardrestwell.org

Mike Grant
197 E Morse St, Markle
260.758.3193
mike.grant@markleindiana.com

RSVP ASAP
Jim O'Donnell's 2022 Economic Forecast
Thursday, January 13, 2022
7:30am to 9:00am
Arts, Commerce & Visitors Centre

Breakfast will be provided
$10 - Chamber Members
$12 - General Admission

Jim O'Donnell's annual economic prognostication has become a community favorite! Come hear Jim's thoughts on what happened in 2021 and what will likely make an impact on the economy in 2022. O'Donnell serves as Emeritus Executive-in-Residence and the Luke J. Peters Professor of Business and Economics at Huntington University. He's also the author of several books on investments and life.
Business After Hours
Sprunger Title
Tuesday, January 18th
105 N Main Street, Bluffton

4pm Networking & Refreshments
4:30pm Presentation & Prizes

Sprunger Title is excited to be a new member of the
Wells County Chamber of Commerce.

Please join us at their Bluffton office to meet the team, learn about the services offered, and grab a snack from some local vendors.

Chamber Bucks Give-A-Way is at $525.
ALL Chamber Members are entered to win, but YOU Must be PRESENT to Win!
AdamsWells HR Group Luncheon
Managing Their Whole Self with Jamie Nau

Thursday, January 20th
12:00pm to 1:30pm

Arts, Commerce & Visitors Centre
211 Water Street
Bluffton, IN

Join us as Jamie Nau with Grow Nau will present how to explore SIMPLE changes that can immediately improve your teams’ experience and help attract (and keep) top performers!

The workplace used to be a compartmentalized separate part of our lives. In today’s excessively connected environment, it is nearly impossible to expect our team members to “leave it all at home” in order to perform well at work.

As employers and managers, it is essential that we adapt to the current environment and labor market shifts. Great benefits are no longer sufficient to bring great talent in the door. We must create an environment where our top performers can thrive and others want in.

To retain our best employees and attract more team members like them, we must understand each team member as a whole human being and create an environment in which they can thrive. For most managers and businesses, this can be as simple as shifting your mindset and communicating differently. 

At our January 20th luncheon, we’ll explore a few simple changes you can make to adapt to the current environment and manage your employees as whole humans, as they have come to expect. 
  1. A holistic framework through which to think about your team members, 
  2. Tools for more effective communication, and 
  3. Performance management techniques that yield results in our current environment.

$10 Per Person
Lunch will be provided
Thank you to Trine University for sponsoring our speaker!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES THAT HELD A
RIBBON CUTTING!
Landmark Recovery
MidWest America Federal Credit Union
ProFed Credit Union
BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP

The Purdue Extension Service is offering a “Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing” workshop here in Wells County. This is a two-part program, planned for January 25 and February 22, at the Wells County Community Center (4-H Park, in Bluffton.)
First Bank of Berne donates to Wells County Foundation

Bluffton, IN – First Bank of Berne’s Bluffton office recently made a donation to the Wells County Foundation in the amount of $5,000. At the check presentation were First Bank of Berne’s President Kent Liechty, Bluffton Branch Manager Erica Bennett, Parks Superintendent Brandy Fiechter, and Mayor John Whicker.

First Bank of Berne’s donation will go toward the completion of the north end of Bluffton’s Interurban trail from Walmart to Lancaster Park. The Interurban trail has been a long-term goal for the City of Bluffton for well over a decade. The community’s quality of life as well as health and safety benefits is tied to the number and quality of the trails and parks in the area.

Contributions in support of the Interurban trail are tax-deductible and may be directed to the Wells County Foundation, Inc. Contact the parks department 260-824-6069.
Dr. Harry Brickley Farm Foundation