2013-2014 98th Annual Report Vision. Leadership. Advocacy. The mission of the Mason City Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote progressive community and economic development to benefit Chamber members and the North Iowa region. Chairman’s Message This is a great time to be in North Iowa! When it comes to creating economic growth and good jobs, local leadership is the key. A growing body of research supports the assertion that pragmatic leaders at the local level can take on issues that Washington will not, or cannot, solve. We’re doing our best to do just that. With our Chamber partners and key stakeholders, we continue to emphasize the benefits of worksite wellness, the importance of a skilled workforce, and the role community development plays in economic development. Take a look around. Locally, we are experiencing a renewed spirit of pride and accomplishment. This summer, we hosted the WHO Tractor Ride, RAGBRAI, and the pyrotechnics convention. Our visitors gave North Iowa high marks, and many are planning return visits. Kim Pang Chambers play a pivotal role as drivers of America’s economy by helping to create and sustain the local ecosystem Diamond Jo Casino-Worth County 2013-14 Chairman of the Board for innovation, competitiveness, and productivity. We will continue to work for an environment where free enterprise creates jobs and prosperity. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I offer sincere thanks to all our members. It is because of your support that we can accomplish so much. Thank you for your continued investment in the Chamber and in our community. Looking Ahead... As you read this report, you’ll learn about the many accomplishments from the past year. Special thanks to Kim Pang for leading the charge! We’ve already begun forging ahead with ambitious new priorities. Earlier this week, the chamber board held a planning session and determined the areas to focus upon in the upcoming year. We are committed to serve the North Iowa region by modeling best practices, making effective use of our resources, planning for sustainability, and providing a return on investment for our members. Next year, we’ll establish a program of work to: • Establish collaborations to build the capacity and quality of our labor force. • Embark upon community development initiatives to build the infrastructure and amenities necessary to attract and retain residents and companies. We’re ready for the next BIG idea! • Cultivate relationships with elected officials and staff to advance our shared goals of job creation, economic growth, and a business climate conducive to success. Bob Klocke First Citizens National Bank We have every reason to be optimistic. Thank you for your membership investment and thanks also to my board 2014-15 Chairman of the Board colleagues for their time and commitment. I look forward to serving in the year ahead. Phone 641.423.5724 www.masoncityia.com [email protected] Fax 641.423.5725 Thank You Executive Board Annual Meeting Sponsors! Kim Pang Bob Klocke Todd Kirkpatrick Gary Hall Chairman of the Board Chairman - Elect Treasurer DVP Business Diamond Jo Casino- First Citizens National Bank Clear Lake Bank & Trust Iowa State University Extension Worth County Traci Rohrer Holly Eichmann Steve Noto DVP Community DVP Workforce DVP Government Affairs & Membership Express Employment Stoney Creek Hospitality Wells Fargo Bank Professionals Corporation Chamber Board Stewart Anderson Sherry Becker Dave Bergan Brian Janssen Pam Klukow Thank You Wal-Mart SuperCenter NIVC Services Armour-Eckrich Meats Allied Purchasing Century 21 Preferred Annual Meeting Vendors! Jerry Knoll Tara McLaughlin Dr. Paul Manternach Howard Query Hawkeye Auto Body Country Inn & Suites- Mercy Medical Center- Globe Gazette Arby’s Worth County North Iowa Cabin Coffee Country Meadow Place Culligan Water Conditioning Diamond Jo Casino Scott Smith Julie Valencia Chad Wickman Joel Yunek Mercy Medical Center- Kaplan University Northern Cedar Yunek Law Firm PLC Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa North Iowa Service Hy-Vee East - Deli Jimmy John’s Chamber Staff Kraft Foods Perkins Restaurant & Bakery Rib Crib BBQ & Grill Robin Anderson Allyson Krull Tanner O’Brien Gary Lindgren Sharon Lindgren Mikki Baker Whiskey Creek Woodfire Grill President & Chief Marketing & Leadership Program Director Membership Membership Services Service & Operations Executive Officer Development Director Development Director Director Director Phone 641.423.5724 www.masoncityia.com [email protected] Fax 641.423.5725 Small Business of the Year: North Iowa Oral Surgery Dr. Lyell R. Hogg, DDS & Dr. Reda Taleb, DMD Drs. Lyell Hogg and Reda Taleb are the recipients of the Chamber’s most prestigious award for 2014. North Iowa Oral Surgery serves clients within an 80 mile radius of Mason City. Remarkably, these highly-trained and accomplished professionals chose North Iowa as a place to make their homes and grow their business. Professional Background Dr. Hogg is a native of the Isle of Whithorn, a small fishing village in southwestern Scotland. He began dentistry studies at the University of Glasgow, and then transferred to the University of Iowa where he received a dental degree in 1995. Dr. Hogg was admitted to the highly-competitive oral surgery program and spent four additional years in residency training with the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the UI Hospitals and Clinics. Following rigorous training and practicum, Dr. Hogg was board-certified in 2001 and passed recertification in 2011. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. In 2010, Dr. Hogg received the Boss of the Year Award from the Mason City Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Lyell Hogg Dr. Taleb was raised in a small town of Salamieh, Syria. His dream of a better life through higher education led him to the U.S. He completed a BS degree in Chemistry at Wayne State University in Detroit. The following year, he was admitted to the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health where he received a dental degree in 2008. A very proud day for Dr. Taleb was May 4, 2007, when he became an American Citizen. In 2012, Dr. Taleb completed the Oral Surgery program at the University of Minnesota. He has received the American Association of Oral Surgery Student Award, the American Association of Oral Pathology Student Award, and the Association of Oral Medicine Award. Business Philosophy NI Oral Surgery strives to provide every patient with a caring, friendly, and professional approach to each procedure. They have invested in the latest technology to bring state-of-the-art medical hardware and software to the practice. Specialized technology enables them to perform “virtual surgeries” using dental implant replicas to plan the actual procedures. According to Dr. Hogg, “It has revolutionized how we place implants.” The entire staff lives and works by the office motto:Making the world a better place...one smile at a time. Dr. Reda Taleb North Iowa Operations The firm has made a significant investment in North Iowa by building a state-of-the-art facility last year. The brick and stone Neo-Prairie style building is a wonderful complement to Mason City’s architectural heritage. The new building provides more than double the space of their previous location in Forest Park Clinic. The entire office has been designed for visual appeal and for efficiency. Surgery rooms, for example, include a separate door for surgical assistants to enter and leave unobtrusively. The office was only the second dental surgery practice in the state to have an iCAT scanner when the system was installed. Understanding that dental phobias are commonplace, “scary” instruments are carefully concealed from wary patients in beautiful cabinetry until they are needed for a procedure. The office includes five surgery rooms and two additional rooms for minor procedures; a large recovery area; special areas for dental implant consultation and education; and a clerestory that brings natural light into the building and houses the building’s mechanical system. The Small Business of the Year is selected annually from nominations submitted by Chamber members. The selection committee considers business philosophy, achievements, volunteer service, and overall impact on the community in making the award. 2013 Haas Chiropractic Clinic 2001 Sound World 2012 Boxes Unlimited 2000 Design Lighting Center 2011 Cabin Coffee Company 1999 River City Ready Mix 2010 Hawkeye Auto Body 1998 Midwest Roofing 2009 Woodharbor Doors & Cabinetry 1997 Henningsen Co. 2008 Larry Elwood Construction 1996 Express Personnel Services 2007 Harley Davidson of Mason City 1995 Van Horn Auto Parts 2006 Heartland Asphalt 1994 Latham Furniture 2005 Varied Industries 1993 Hovland Enterprises 2004 Moorman Clothiers 1992 Godfathers 2003 Metalcraft 1991 Hardees Restaurant 2002 Ken Petersen Builders 1990 Stoyles Printing Services Phone 641.423.5724 www.masoncityia.com [email protected] Fax 641.423.5725 Boss of the Year 2014: Dalena Barz KGLO, KLSS, KIAI, KRIB, KYTC - Mason City - Digity Communications There are good bosses. There are great bosses. But according to her staff, Dalena Barz is neither. She’s an extraordinary boss. Unlike some managers who have their office in a private area, Dalena prefers to be visible to everyone who comes through the front door: visitors AND employees. She has a knack for making people feel welcome and appreciated. The employee who nominated Dalena for this honor delivered the form with a pair of rose- colored eyeglasses attached. Apparently, there are times when Dalena has been told to “take off the rose-colored glasses and see what is happening in the real world.” However, Dalena’s team sees those “rose colored glasses” as one of her greatest strengths. She sees the positive in people and in situations. She not only believes in possibilities, she is able to communicate her vision. Not surprisingly, Dalena has led her team down a path in which many seemingly impossible things have been achieved.