Annual Report 2017-18 from Our Leaders
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ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 FROM OUR LEADERS MESSAGE FROM THE 2017-18 BOARD CHAIR KELLY HANSEN Typically, the Chairman’s message focuses on the Chamber’s accomplishments over the past year…and once again, there are many. But I would like to take this opportunity to look ahead at how we can work together to shape our region’s future. Vision North Iowa Diligent implementation of the Vision North Iowa Strategic Plan is essential to the growth and success of our region. A top priority of the steering committee is alignment of resources and improved communication to avoid duplication of effort. The Chamber has volunteered to help lead the People, Place & Prosperity goal. You’ll be hearing more about this as we work to increase the educational attainment levels of our workforce; Kelly Hansen champion placemaking projects to create needed community amenities for workers and their families; and POET Biorefining-Hanlontown strengthen existing partnerships between employers, educational institutions, workforce development entities, Chairman of the Board 2017-18 and economic development organizations. River City Renaissance Project As the operator of a business that depends upon the economic vitality of North Iowa and relies upon this region to recruit and retain qualified workers, I continue to support this project. Last November, when voters overwhelmingly chose pro-downtown project candidates and cast a favorable vote of 75% on the two project ballot measures, almost seems a distant memory. Certainly, everyone thought we’d be further along by now. State and city officials and project partners remain committed to this project. The greater risk is to do nothing. If we stop investing in our community, we will continue to lose population and drive young workers away. The cost of government services is sure to continue rising over time, and if there are fewer of us to pay for them—then taxes will need to go up. I’m enthusiastic about both Vision North Iowa and the downtown project. Let’s focus on our future and continue to work diligently on both of these efforts to retain qualified workers, improve our amenities, increase our tax base, and attract new members to our community. MESSAGE FROM THE 2018-19 BOARD CHAIR RODNEY HUBER As the CFO in a family-owned local business, I know the importance of growth. And it doesn’t happen automatically. Growth requires planning, innovation, and hard work. Current demographics in the North Iowa region are concerning. It’s time to pull together to GROW…our population, our future workforce, our average incomes, and our educational attainment levels. In the upcoming year, the Chamber will be doing its part to implement a new and aggressive strategic plan for North Iowa known as Vision North Iowa. This prosperity agenda is grounded in the recognition that the Chamber has a distinctive role to play in the economic vitality of our region that will require innovation, partnerships, and programming. During these challenging times, we will work effectively and partner regionally to compete globally. Let’s get started! Through your membership, the Chamber will continue to be your voice for business and community progress. I look forward to serving in the year ahead. Rodney Huber Huber Supply Company MISSION Chairman of the Board 2018-19 The mission of the Chamber of Commerce is to promote progressive community and economic development to benefit Chamber members and the North Iowa region. SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR TURNING LEAF COUNSELING Cody Williams, LMHC Turning Leaf Counseling is the recipient of the Chamber’s most prestigious award for 2018. The Small Business of the Year is selected annually from nominations submitted by Chamber members. The selection committee considers the business owner’s philosophy, achievements, volunteer service, and overall impact on the community in making the award. The honoree is also nominated for the Small Cody Williams, LMHC Business Administration state award and for national recognition from the US Chamber of Commerce. Turning Leaf Counseling Business Philosophy Cody Williams believes that through creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, the counseling staff can empower individuals to take responsibility for their lives and develop the understanding and strength necessary to make good decisions and cope with some of life’s hardest situations. By recruiting the highest quality staff, Turning Leaf Counseling provides optimum mental health care while serving a growing number of clients. Noteworthy Achievements In the past year, Turning Leaf Counseling has grown its practice by seven therapists and one nurse practitioner, resulting in a 200% increase in clients. The firm also employs multiple therapists with specific training in Parent/Child Interaction Therapy, a technique that teaches parenting skills and strengthens family relationships. Turning Leaf is the only organization in the area that provides this specialized service. Turning Leaf has expanded its capacity to serve more than 500 clients per week, and has served over 2,500 individuals since the 2017 expansion. TLC believes in serving the whole community with patients ranging in age from two years old to senior citizens. Its counselors and support staff are passionate about creating significant positive change in the mental health of North Iowa’s youth and believe the adolescent years are a critical window in which mental health can be promoted and addressed. This strategy leads to healthy and strong adults and families. In addition to operating a successful practice, Cody Williams and his staff have established on-site professional school counseling in nine North Iowa school districts; increasing access to services for students while decreasing the stress on families from transportation hassles and school/work absences. Recently the practice has partnered with Good Shepherd, for “aging in place” mental health services. To further assist the community, therapists participate as needed with teen suicide screenings and help empower children from the child crisis intervention center. Cody is also a member of the core team involved in the Cerro Gordo County Family Preservation Court, volunteering his time weekly to help keep families together Turning Leaf Counseling is the 29th local business to be recognized with this annual award. Former Recipients: 2002 Ken Petersen Builders 2017 Central Park Dentistry, PC 2001 Sound World 2016 Window World of Mason City 2000 Design Lighting Center 2015 Huber Supply Company 1999 River City Ready Mix 2014 North Iowa Oral Surgery 1998 Midwest Roofing 2013 Haas Chiropractic Clinic 1997 Henningsen Company 2012 Boxes Unlimited & Packaging Center, Inc. 1996 Express Personnel Services 2011 Cabin Coffee Company 1995 Van Horn Auto Parts 2010 Hawkeye Autobody 1994 Latham Furniture 2009 Woodharbor Doors & Cabinetry 1993 Hovland Enterprises 2008 Larry Elwood Construction 1992 Godfather’s Pizza 2007 Harley Davidson of Mason City 1991 Hardees Restaurant 2006 Heartland Asphalt 1990 Stoyles Printing Services 2005 Varied Industries Corporation (Vi-Cor) 2004 Moorman Clothiers 2003 Metalcraft BOSS OF THE YEAR MARK HEWITT For more than 20 years, Mark Hewitt has been the cornerstone of Clear Lake Bank & Trust. With his quick wit, accessibility, and dedication to empowering his team, he is a leader that makes the employees proud. Mark’s management style is consistent. He believes if the bank takes care of its employees, they will take care of the customers. To Mark, caring for the employees means getting to know them. That’s why he interviews every single job candidate and takes each new hire out for breakfast. Every. Single. Hire. Mark Hewitt Clear Lake Bank & Trust Co. Mark is emphatic that CLB&T employees are his number one concern…even above shareholders. He fiercely advocates for promoting and filling positions from within whenever possible. Employee development and career growth, employee wellness, work-life balance, and fostering strong community connections are important to Mark—and he makes sure the bank subscribes to these values every day. As a testament to Mark’s leadership and effectiveness at connecting with everyone on the CLB&T team, his nomination form was accompanied by more than ten letters of support from staff members—each detailing what Mark means to them professionally and personally. Congratulations to Mark Hewitt on his selection as Boss of the Year! We salute you! Dalena 2014 ٠ Farmer Corporate Gorkom, Van Dennis 2015 ٠ Union Credit CENT Chizek, Matthew 2016 ٠ Vision One Mahaffey, Michael Former Recipients: 2017 2010 ٠ Society Cancer American Englin, Heather 2011 ٠ Protein Cargill Swanson, Troy 2012 ٠ Iowa Greater of Scouts Girl Murphy, Diane 2013 ٠ USA Media Alpha Barz, Protein Cargill Berg, Daryl 2007 ٠ Dentistry Park Central Lala, Jay 2008 ٠ Heinz Kraft Michel, John 2009 ٠ Surgery Oral Iowa North Juhlin, Todd Dr. & Hogg Lyell Dr. Bank Citizens First Maakestad, Gregg 2005 ٠ Service Intervention Crisis Ingham, Mary 2006 ٠ DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS SCOTT & SUSAN MOORMAN “Moorman’s” is a household name in North Iowa. Since Scott and Susan Moorman made Mason City their home in the early 1980s, they’ve befriended hundreds of people and help to dress thousands more. As previous winners of the Chamber’s Small Business Award, Scott and Susan have grown their business from a men’s clothing store to a men’s and women’s clothing store with locations in both Mason City and Ames. Their downtown location on the Federal Avenue Plaza is highly visible. However, Scott and Susan were selected for the Distinguished Citizen Award to honor them for all the things they do behind the scenes to help make North Iowa a better place. Scott and Susan frequently work as a team, so when they lend a hand to an organization or a project, those efforts receive a double benefit. Both are active members of the Sunrise Rotary Club and the Scott & Susan Moorman First United Methodist Church. They continue to be active supporters of Mason City Youth Hockey—an organization that each of their three sons (Justin, Parker, and Conner) participated in from Mites to Mohawks—and they are huge supporters of the River City Renaissance project.