Official Publication of Grand Forks - East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce

THEApril 2015

(701)772-7271 (701)772-9238 Fax info@gochamber.org www.gochamber.org

202 N. 3rd Street Grand Forks, ND 58203

Shark Tank

Chamber Shark TankChamber Shark TankThursday, May 7th

6:30 to 8 p.m. Emcee’d by Bruce Gjovig

Empire Art Center - Back stage Pizza &

cash bar will be available

Hal Gershman Owner of Happy Harry’s Bottle ShopsMargaret Williams Dean UND School of BusinessPhil Gisi President and CEO Edgewood Management Group LLCMatt Winjum Co-owner, Rhombus Pizza Joy Hagen Ruffing It Doggie Daycare, Big Bully Backhand, Scentsy

If you have a relatively new business or business concept “Go Into the Tank”. Participants will have 1 minute to make their pitch on what their biggest business challenge or opportunity is. Then the Sharks will ask a few questions and offer their advice.

At the end of the night the Sharks will select three participants with the best presentation, business opportunity or potential.

Three cash prizes will be awarded to the winners.

$500 1st place $250 for 2nd and 3rd place.

Interested in pitching your concept to the sharks?

barry@gochamber.org

Go into the Shark Tank and Win People are encouraged to attend, watch and learn from the presentations and the interaction with the Sharks. Have fun and learn about some great business concepts.

The event is FREE to attend. Pizza will be available for purchase along with a cash bar.

It is FREE to attend, but RSVP’s are required as space is limited.

Interested in attending the event?

info@gochamber.org

Attend The Shark Tank and Learn

Meet The Sharks

Our Sharks have diverse backgrounds along with tremendous business and entrepreneurial experience...and they don’t bite!

Sponsored by:

Bush Foundation Innovation Grant

Chamber Shark TankWe have all seen the popular TV Show “Shark Tank”. The Cham-ber will feature its own version of Shark Tank this year on May 7th and October 8th. New businesses (less than 2 years old) and individuals with a business idea are encouraged to “go into the tank” and share their business opportunity with the “sharks”. Presenters will compete for cash prizes provided by the BUSH Foundation Innova-tion Grant that The Chamber and Community Foundation received.

Chamber Members are encour-aged to attend the event and learn from the presenters and the sharks who will offer business advice to each of the participants and select the winners.

Legislative Agendas Moving ForwardFunding for Infrastructure at the UAS Business Park at Grand Forks Air Force Base (Grand Sky) con-tinues to be a top priority for the Chamber this legislative session. This funding will provide a big boost to the fledgling UAS indus-try and will help diversify our lo-cal economy. We remain optimis-tic the funding necessary to move the business park forward will be included in the final state budget despite the major reduction in oil revenue.

Unfortunately complete funding for several of the other top com-munity priorities will likely need to be postponed a legislative ses-sion or two until additional rev-enue is available. The Chamber and Team Grand Forks coalition of the City, Country, EDC, Chamber and UND are continuing to communicate the case for funding for these impor-tant projects too in preparation for future funding that may become available.

Staff

Barry Wilfahrt President/CEO

barry@gochamber.org

Lisa Swanson Vice President of Operations

lisas@gochamber.org

Kimberly Strom Program/Event Director

kimberlys@gochamber.org

Carla Younce Finance Director

carlay@gochamber.org

Emberly Lietz Membership Director

emberlyl@gochamber.org

Rena DeSautel Administrative Coordinator

info@gochamber.org

OfficersChair: Kristi Magnuson Nelson

Hugo’s/Hugo’s Wine & Spirits Chair-Elect: John Oncken - True

North Equipment Past Chair: Chris Wolf

Alerus Financial Secretary: Ron Galstad

Galstad, Jensen, McCann PA Matt Walkowiak - Ground Round Amy Haagenson- Brady Martz &

Assoc. P.C. Barry Wilfahrt

The Chamber - GF/EGF

Directors

Josh Brown - Thompson Insurance Dan Dahl - Dahl Funeral Home

Tom DiLorenzo - UND Kellee Fisk - Altru

Pete Haga - City of Grand Forks Bonnie Haley - Bon Voyage Travel

Brady Hansen- Verizon Wireless, BeMobile, Inc. Jason Heintz - Scheels

Kenny Holweger - Kenny’s Music Curt Kreun - GF City Council

Pat McLean - Clear Channel Comm. Bob Moore - River Cinema

Tom Rosendahl - Dakota Supply Group Brian Rydell - Rydell Auto Center Cheryl Swanson- Alerus Center

Klaus Thiessen - GF Regional EDC

Sr. Military Advisor to the Board

Colonel Paul E. Bauman - GFAFB

Chamber News

Grand Forks Messages Delivered During Grand Forks DayBusiness and community leaders traveled to Bismarck for Grand Forks Day at the Legislature in early March to meet with the Governor, Commerce Secretary, ND University System Chancel-lor, head of the ND Department of Transportation, and the Bank of North Dakota President.

The group made presentations on the Grand Sky UAS Park, water projects, 42nd underpass and a 47th street interchange housing and infrastructure funding needs and information on majors Uni-versity projects and UND funding.

701.235.1121 • 888.526.112116 South 16th Street • Fargo, NDwww.knightprinting.com

Spring Into Action!Spring Into Action!Spring Into Action!Grow your business with fresh printing

2

Cont. on pg 12

BeMobile invites all Chamber Members and their employees to join them for a fun Business After Hours. Enjoy the fun and take advantage of great networking

opportunities. You might even win $1000 in our progressive cash drawing! We’ll draw the name of one Chamber Member business. If someone from that organization is

present, they win!!Business After Hours is a great time to network, catch up with friends, coworkers and clients in a fun and

casual way. Spread the word and plan to attend the next Business After Hours.

• Free Admission• Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, drink tickets &

cash bar• Great Door Prizes

• Progressive cash drawing is at $1000!

Thursday, April 16, 20154:45pm - 7:00pm

2100 S. Columbia Rd, Grand Forks

Hosted by

BeMobile

Membership RenewalsThe following businesses know the value of their Chamber Membership and have renewed their membership in The Chamber - GF/EGF. Please visit them for your purchasing needs.

Ameriprise FinancialBadman Design

Bethel Lutheran ChurchFM Redhawks

Forks FreightlinerGospel Outreach MinistriesGrand Forks Blue Line Club

Greenberg Realty - Lynda & Tom Hartmann

Gregory J. Norman Funeral ChapelHampton Management

Heritage Highland IHeritage Highland IIJewelry on the Run

King’s Walk Golf CourseMarco, Inc.

Sanford HealthStan’s Electric, LLP

TIAA-CREF Financial Services - Scott Roche

Wells Fargo Bank (Columbia Road)

Chamber News

3

Advanced Leadership WorkshopBuilding and Enhancing Effective Leadership Skills

Advanced Leadership Workshop Tuesday, May 12 2015

8:00am - 5:30pm Alerus Center

If there is one condition that describes our lives today it is “stressed out”. We are overworked, overextended, overwhelmed, and overloaded. This session will explore: • What stresses you out• Mental strategies to combat stress• Solving problems• Using humor to combat stress

10:00am - Time Mastery Presented by trainer Jennifer Johnson

Are you struggling to keep up with work? Are you being asked to do more with less? Do you have a list of to-dos you will get to “someday?” This session will explore: • Indentifying priorities• Proactive planning & scheduling• Tools to help get a handle on your

time• Saving time by aligning and

automating tasks• Setting boundaries• Managing interruptions• Dealing with distractions

8:00am - Ice BreakerPresented by facilitator Gwen Klawon

8:45am - Managing Stress Presented by trainer Tootsie Gaspirini

1:00pm - Team Accountibility Presented by trainer Terri Horpedahl

Cultivating higher levels of accountabil-ity at work seems to be a topic on orga-nization’s agendas these days - because most businesses know there is a link between the results they achieve and the level of accountability being carried out throughout the organization. Supervi-sors have a tremendous opportunity to create a culture of accountability and eliminate the barriers to achieving the desired results. This session will explore: • Unproductive vs. productive idea

conversations• Goal: Create synergy• Putting the pieces together• Avoid goal setting mistakes• Goal setting for results• Adding accountability to ensure

results

4:00pm - Networking Social Presented by facilitator Gwen Klawon & Rick SandwickHors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar available.

12:00pm - Lunch Provided

Tuition: $160/Chamber Member

$195/Non MemberGraduates of The Chamber’s Leadership

Training Program receive a 10% discount. When registering, indicate the year you took the course and your discount will be applied.

(Tuition covers training, materials, snacks, lunch, Certificate of Completion and an hors d’oeuvres

networking social after the workshop)

Space is limited. To register to attend this workshop,

contact The Chamber: 701-772-7271

or lisas@gochamber.org

Please Provide: Names and email addresses of all

attendees you are signing up. *If any are a graduate of the Leaders for Life

Leadership Training Program, please indi-cate this and the year they took the program

so the discount may be applied.

The Chamber’s Leadership Committee has designed a day of training and exercises that will give you the advanced tools you need to

be the best leader you can be.

If you are in a managerial or supervisory role in your organization, whether it is managing

other employees or volunteers, you will benefit from this day of training designed

specifically for you.

This workshop is geared towards: Graduates of The Chamber’s “Leaders for Life”

Leadership Training Program~or~

Those in a leadership position within their company or organization,

Facilitator:Gwen Klawon

UND College of Engineering & MinesGwen is a graduate of the leadership training

program and has facilitated it for the past 7 years.

Presented by:

Sponsored by:

Advanced Leadership WorkshopBuilding and Enhancing Effective Leadership Skills

Advanced Leadership Workshop Tuesday, May 12 2015

8:00am - 5:30pm Alerus Center

If there is one condition that describes our lives today it is “stressed out”. We are overworked, overextended, overwhelmed, and overloaded. This session will explore: • What stresses you out• Mental strategies to combat stress• Solving problems• Using humor to combat stress

10:00am - Time Mastery Presented by trainer Jennifer Johnson

Are you struggling to keep up with work? Are you being asked to do more with less? Do you have a list of to-dos you will get to “someday?” This session will explore: • Indentifying priorities• Proactive planning & scheduling• Tools to help get a handle on your

time• Saving time by aligning and

automating tasks• Setting boundaries• Managing interruptions• Dealing with distractions

8:00am - Ice BreakerPresented by facilitator Gwen Klawon

8:45am - Managing Stress Presented by trainer Tootsie Gaspirini

1:00pm - Team Accountibility Presented by trainer Terri Horpedahl

Cultivating higher levels of accountabil-ity at work seems to be a topic on orga-nization’s agendas these days - because most businesses know there is a link between the results they achieve and the level of accountability being carried out throughout the organization. Supervi-sors have a tremendous opportunity to create a culture of accountability and eliminate the barriers to achieving the desired results. This session will explore: • Unproductive vs. productive idea

conversations• Goal: Create synergy• Putting the pieces together• Avoid goal setting mistakes• Goal setting for results• Adding accountability to ensure

results

4:00pm - Networking Social Presented by facilitator Gwen Klawon & Rick SandwickHors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar available.

12:00pm - Lunch Provided

Tuition: $160/Chamber Member

$195/Non MemberGraduates of The Chamber’s Leadership

Training Program receive a 10% discount. When registering, indicate the year you took the course and your discount will be applied.

(Tuition covers training, materials, snacks, lunch, Certificate of Completion and an hors d’oeuvres

networking social after the workshop)

Space is limited. To register to attend this workshop,

contact The Chamber: 701-772-7271

or lisas@gochamber.org

Please Provide: Names and email addresses of all

attendees you are signing up. *If any are a graduate of the Leaders for Life

Leadership Training Program, please indi-cate this and the year they took the program

so the discount may be applied.

The Chamber’s Leadership Committee has designed a day of training and exercises that will give you the advanced tools you need to

be the best leader you can be.

If you are in a managerial or supervisory role in your organization, whether it is managing

other employees or volunteers, you will benefit from this day of training designed

specifically for you.

This workshop is geared towards: Graduates of The Chamber’s “Leaders for Life”

Leadership Training Program~or~

Those in a leadership position within their company or organization,

Facilitator:Gwen Klawon

UND College of Engineering & MinesGwen is a graduate of the leadership training

program and has facilitated it for the past 7 years.

Presented by:

Sponsored by:

Chamber News

6

My Payroll HR Ribbon Cutting

2015 Insure Forward/Bank Forward

Chamber Golf Classic

2015 Insure Forward/Bank Forward Golf ClassicThursday, May 28, 2015

King’s Walk$125/golfer

$460/team of 4 Registration & Driving Range - 10:30am

Lunch - 11:00amShotgun Start - 12:00noon

Awards Reception & Steak Dinner - After Golf

Your registration includes:*4 Person team scramble, cart included

*Team prizes in 3 flights*Commemorative tournament gift

*Free driving range opening at 10:30am*Lunch before golf

*Post golf awards ceremony*Steak Dinner after golf

*On course games and giveaways* Contests – Door Prizes & More!

$10,000 Hole-in-One ContestSign up soon, don’t wait!

The Golf Classic is

Filling Up Fast!

Limited Spots Remain,

sign up soon!

Hole Sponsors:Alerus Center

Arvig Co.Dahl Funeral Home

Galstad, Jensen & McCannGround Round

Hugo’s Family MarketplaceHugo’s Wine & SpiritsKapstone Container

MarcoND Mill & ElevatorSanford Health

S & S Promotional Group Steamatic of the RRV

Wells Concrete Widseth Smith Nolting

Xcel Energy

Game Sponsors:InsureForward/BankForward

AE2SAltru Health System

BeMobile, Inc. EAPC Architects

ICON Architects Engineers Lithia Ford Lincoln Riverview Health

Sleep Inn & Suites Truyu

Contact Lisa Swanson at lisas@gochamber.org

to reserve your spots.

Limited golf spots remain, sign up soon to avoid waiting list.

Reservations not cancelled 5 business days prior to event will be billed.

Chamber Ambassador Ribbon Cuttings

To schedule a ribbon cutting for a new

business, new location or remodel, contact Emberly at

emberlyl@gochamber.org

7

Chamber News

Thrifty White PharmacyLisa Lussier1395 S Columbia Road STE CGrand Forks, ND 58201(P) 701-746-1800(P) 888-746-1800LLussier@thriftywhite.comwww.thriftywhite.comWe are a pharmacy chain fully owned by our employees. We are committed to the communities we serve and believe that our services and products must exceed the expectations of our customers.

Also Creative, IncJustin Auch216 S 3rd StGrand Forks, ND 58201(P) 701-732-0789(P) 218-779-4432justin@alsocreative.comwww.alsocreative.comWe understand and appreciate the importance of doing things the right way. We build custom web and mobile apps with a best-prac-tice approach yielding well-docu-mented and stable applications.

MODEKay Derry801 42nd St. S. Suite B Grand Forks, ND 58201(P) 701-757-4277mode104@shopmodestore.comwww.shopmodeStore.comMODE specializes in designer clothing at closeout prices, while maintaining a boutique environ-ment. As the “Home of the $40 Designer Jean,” MODE’s focus is finding perfect jeans for every woman.

Grand Cities Painting and DrywallMike Whitmore3005 Cherry StGrand Forks, ND 58201

Welcome New Members!(P) 701-330-3340grandcitiespaintinganddrywall@gmail.com Bright BrushesAmanda RengstorfPO BOX 5723Grand Forks, ND 58206(P) 218-791-3443brightbrushes@gmail.comwww.brightbrushes.comBright Brushes specialize in paint-ing and wine parties. Our goal is to hear people say “I can’t believe I created this!” It is all about our customers having fun, expressing creativity, and taking home a paint-ing they are proud of.

Velata-Nicole KringstadNicole KringstadGrand Forks, ND 58203(P) 701-739-4488nicolesfondueforyou@gmail.comwww.nicolekringstad.velata.usVelata started out with fondue chocolates and cheese dip and has since expanded into other quality kitchen products to help gather your friends and family back around the kitchen table.

Quotable Kids Speech & Language Clinic PLLCAndrea Volk2600 Demers Avenue, STE 106Grand Forks, ND 58201(P) 701-739-KIDSquotablekids@gmail.comwww.quotablekidsspeech.comQuotable Kids offers quality, evi-dence-based speech and language services to children from birth to age 21. Our service locations include outpatient clinics in Grand Forks and Grafton and intervention in the child’s natural environment.

Occupational Development CenterMargie Flanagin1424 Central Ave NEEast Grand Forks, MN 56721(P) 218-773-0992(P) 701-740-2153(F) 218-773-0992mflanagin@odcmn.comwww.odcmn.comODC, Inc. is a nonprofit business that has proudly provided their communities with quality, depend-able services since 1971 by provid-ing job opportunities for individu-als with developmental and other employment barriers.

Lux CommunitiesTrisha Myklebust325 7th St. South STE 300Fargo, ND 58103(P) 701-478-4310(P) 701-318-0198trisha@luxcommunities.comwww.livewithlux.comHere at Lux Communities, we want your leasing experience to be top notch. Our housing specialists are well trained and understand the importance of finding the perfect unit that meets all of your individual wants and needs.

Dunn Bros CoffeeRussell Shimek4571 S. Washington St. SGrand Forks, ND 58201(P) 701-739-1580rshimek@outlook.comwww.grandforks.dunnbros.comWe like to refer to ourselves as the coffee company for those who care. After all, you can get coffee anywhere, but you have to seek out great coffee. And only Dunn Brothers sets the Bold Standard for quality.

True North Equipment Business After Hours

Membership Drive Captains Meeting

Membership Drive Captains Meeting

March Brown Bag Seminar

True North Equipment Business After Hours

March Ambassador Meeting

True North Equipment Business After Hours

True North Equipment Business After Hours

March Ambassador’s Meeting

March Brown Bag Seminar

True North Equipment Business After Hours

True North Equipment Business After Hours

Business Briefs

Holte Joins Wells Far-go Home Mortgage Mercedes Holte recently joined Wells Fargo Home Mort-

gage, a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and the nation’s lead-ing retail mort-gage provider, as a home mortgage consultant in its downtown Grand

Forks office.

Holte has more than 5 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, she served as a mortgage loan originator at US Bank in Grand Forks.

“We are excited to have some-one of Mercedes’ background join our organization,” said Jeff Buum, Branch Sales Manager for offices in Eastern North Dakota/Minnesota. “Mercedes has extensive knowledge of the mortgage financing in-dustry and the North Dakota/Minnesota real estate market.

I’m sure she will have an im-mediate impact on our ability to better serve our customers when, where and how they want to be served.”

Kelsey Johnson Joins SmartSearch Kelsey Johnson was hired as a Web Design and Inter-net Marketing Specialist for SmartSearch, An Arvig®

Company. John-son earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Com-munications and Marketing from Minnesota State University Moor-head. She recent-

ly earned her Google AdWords Certification.

Kovarik Recognized as Top Performer Ken Kovarik, Media Con-sultant for SmartSearch, An Arvig® Company was recog-nized as the Top Performer for Directory Sales in 2014. Rich

Richter pre-sented the award. Ken received a trip for two to the Riv-iera Maya in

Cancun Mexico and $1,000 in spending money.

Nasset Promoted at AE2S AE2S has promoted Bobby Nasset, PE, to the position of Operations Manager of the firm’s Dickinson, ND office.

Nasset has ten years of expe-rience in civil and structural

engineering, in-cluding the design and construction management of municipal and pri-vate development infrastructure. He also has ex-perience leading the design and

implementation of large-scale domestic and international en-

YOUR Full Service Financial Partner

35 HEALTHIEST CREDITUNION IN AMERICA!TH

As recognized by DepositAccounts.com in October 2014

1215 N 42nd St | Grand Forks, ND 58203 | Ph: 701-746-98453351 32nd Ave S | Grand Forks, ND 58201 | Ph: 701-772-9960

428 Bygland Rd SE | East Grand Forks, MN 56721 | Ph: (218) 399-0324FEDERALLY INSURED

BY NCUA

Business LoansChecking Accounts

SEP IRAsMerchant Credit Card

ergy infrastructure projects for both renewable and conven-tional energy generation and power transmission.

“Bobby is exceptionally client-oriented,” said Brett Jochim, PE, AE2S Chief Operating Of-ficer. “Not only does he have a strong technical background, he’s also very passionate about serving the best inter-ests of clients. That combi-nation has proven to be very valuable as we expand our services in southwestern North Dakota.”

Nasset’s recent work includes serving as Project Manager on the Roers West Ridge De-velopment in Dickinson and the High School/Event Center Off-Site Infrastructure proj-ect in Watford City; as well as Project Engineer on the Water Treatment Plant Expansion project in New Town, ND.

Nasset holds a Bachelor of Sci-ence degree in Civil Engineer-ing from North Dakota State University.

Custom Aire Receives Award Custom Arie, Inc. has been named a National ABC Excel-lence in Construction Eagle and Greener Tomorrow Award winner by the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. for its work on the UND Gore-cki Alumni Center.

The Eagle Award is the highest level attainable in the program and recognizes excellence in the Mechanical Commercial Specialty Contracting catego-ry. Custom Aire received on of only three Greener Tomorrow Awards granted in the nation for this year’s competition, which acknowledged their sustainable building initiatives made on the project.

With sincere gratitude, Custom Aire say’s “thank you” to those involved in the success of the Gorecki Alumni Center project. The high honor of receiving these awards would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of those involved.

Business Briefs

Acme Tools Names HR Recruiter Acme Tools today announced Christine Knutson has been

named a human resource recruiter for Acme Tools. She will be re-sponsible identi-fying, recruiting and interviewing candidates to join the growing Acme

Tools organization.

Knutson brings recruiting and human resources experience to Acme Tools. She graduated from Northland Community and Technical College in 2008. Knutson was most recently a recruiting coordinator for Amazon.com in Grand Forks. EAPC Opens Sioux Falls Branch EAPC Architects Engineers, an award winning design consult-ing firm, has opened a branch office in Sioux Falls, SD.

EAPC President and CEO Alan Dostert said they are excited to bring their services and ex-pertise to Sioux Falls. “Sioux Falls is a thriving, vibrant community of which we are happy to be part of and we look forward to working with businesses who seek our de-sign services. It is our distinct pleasure to bring 48 years of experience to Sioux Falls and the surrounding regions of South Dakota.”

Leap Chear, ar-chitect and em-ployee of EAPC for nine years, is the office manager for the downtown Sioux Falls office.

Altru’s Carl-

son Earns Certification Shannon Carlson, manager of Altru Clinics in Roseau, Warroad and Greenbush, has earned the distinction of board certification in health-care management as a Fel-low of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).

The FACHE designation signi-fies expertise, experience and commitment to continuing education and professional de-velopment, as well as health-care management experience, passing an examination, refer-ence checks, and community and civic involvement.

Carlson received a bachelor’s degree in business adminis-tration from Mayville State University. He also received a master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota and is a licensed nursing home administrator in Minnesota. Carlson serves on the board of Oak Crest Senior Center and is vice chair at Moe Lutheran Church, both in Ro-seau, Minn.

Marco, Inc. Purchases

11

Home Place Thrift StoreHome Place Thrift StoreHome Place Thrift Store 701-795-9704

1811 S. Washington, Grand Forks, ND1811 S. Washington, Grand Forks, ND www.prairieharvest.netwww.prairieharvest.net

Call us to pick up your donations! * Furniture * Appliances * Electronics* Furniture * Appliances * Electronics

* Household Items * Clothing * Books* Household Items * Clothing * Books

All Proceeds Benefit:All Proceeds Benefit:

Nebraska Company Marco, Inc., a leading technol-ogy services provider in the United States, announced to-day that it has purchased Bet-ter Business Equipment (BBE), a copier and printer company located in Omaha, Nebraska.

This purchase allows Marco to further expand its geo-graphic footprint nationally and provide technical services in the state of Nebraska. This is the 12th acquisition that the company has completed over the past two and a half years. In October of last year, Marco purchased Illinois Valley Business Equipment in Peru, Bloomington and Peoria, Il-linois.

Since 2009, the company has grown from 270 employees to over 890 employees and now has 42 locations nation-ally. Fifty-five percent of that growth has come through Marco’s existing customer base and forty-five percent has been through acquisitions.

“Our acquisition strategy is to buy similar companies in locations where Marco doesn’t already have a presence,” said Marco CEO Jeff Gau. “We look forward to continuing BBE’s commitment to satisfying their clients and expanding the business IT services we can offer them.”

Hospice of the RRV Of-fers Free Grief Classes Hospice of the Red River Val-ley will offer educational work-shops for adults and youth who have recently experienced the death of a loved one.

Journeying Through Grief is a free series of grief classes for adults. The sessions will focus on understanding the grief process, common grief reac-tions, taking care of yourself while grieving and embracing memories. Journeying Through Grief will be held at the follow-ing location and time:

• April 9 and 16 from 1:30-3 p.m.

• Sacred Heart Catholic

ity and safety—through their work the Barnes County North School and that’s why I’m honored to award them with an Excellence in Construction Eagle Award in the Electrical: Commercial - Less than $2 million category,” said 2015 ABC National Chairman Pame-la Volm, president of Annapolis Contracting, Inc., Annapolis, Md.

The Excellence in Construc-tion awards program is the industry’s leading competition, developed to honor innovative and high-quality merit shop construction projects. The award honors all construction team members, including the contractor, owner, architect and engineer. The winning projects, selected from entries submitted from across the nation, were judged on com-plexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, comple-tion time, workmanship, inno-vation, safety and cost.

Altru Announces New Surgical Services Man-ager Altru Health System is proud to announce Sabina Laughlin has accepted the position of manager of surgical services. In this role, Laughlin is re-sponsible for the daily opera-tions of 16 operating suites spread throughout Altru Hos-pital, Altru Specialty Center and Truyu Aesthetic Center.

Laughlin has worked in Al-tru’s surgery department since 2000 and has held many positions, including surgical technologist, circulating RN, patient care coordinator and, most recently, patient care supervisor.

Laughlin received associate degrees in applied science in surgical technology and reg-istered nursing from North-land Community & Technical College in East Grand Forks, Minn. She is a member of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses.

Church, 200 3rd St. NW, East Grand Forks

• Pre-registration required; call (701) 740-5247

Youth Journeys is a free, day-long grief program designed for youth, ages 6-18, who have experienced the death of a loved one. The day is led by grief specialists, and includes exploring what grief is and feelings associated with grief, along with identifying sources of support and methods of self-care. Portions of the day include parent or guardian participation. Youth Journeys will be held at the following location and time:

• Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

• The Fargo office of Hospice of the Red River Valley—1701 38th St. S., Fargo, use west door

• Pre-registration required by April 13; call (800) 237-4629

For more information or to register, call (800) 237-4629 or email jennifer.messelt@hrrv.org. To view the complete spring 2015 grief class sched-ule, visit: http://www.hrrv.org/grief/spring-2015-class-es/.

Bergstrom Electric Re-ceives Award Associated Builders and Con-tractors (ABC) announced that Bergstrom Electric Inc.’s work on the Barnes County North School project in Leal, N.D., has earned the company an Eagle Award in the Electri-cal: Commercial - Less than $2 million category of ABC’s Excellence in Construction Awards. Bergstrom Electric President Cliff Moen and Gen-eral Manager/Vice-President Steve Mundahl received the award March 5 during the 25th annual Excellence in Construc-tion Awards celebration in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

“Bergstrom Electric and their team truly embraced the values of ABC and merit shop construction—innovation, qual-

Chamber News

12

Chamber News

13

Chamber Logo Sign in Board RoomIn an effort to highlight the chamber brand, a new sign of the chamber logo was installed in the Chamber Board room last month.

We hold many meetings and several news conferences in the board room each year and the sign will serve as an excellent backdrop.

Community Profile/Membership Directory Ready for DistributionLook for your copy of the new chamber membership directory and community profile to arrive in mail soon. You will note the publication has a whole new look and feel. The new magazine for-mat was completely rewritten by Pulitzer Prize winner and former GF Herald publisher, Mike Jacobs. It reads more like a story about our region than the “just the facts jack” approach most chamber directories take.

The publication is used by local realtors and HR departments as they recruit new businesses and residents to our community. It is also available at most local hotels to visitors to our community.

Chamber members are listed by category for ease of use by visi-tors to our community.

We would like to thank all of the advertisers who make this quality publication possible!

Colocation Concept Shared at BGEAProviding local entrepreneurs with shared office space with access to Wi-Fi, a copy machine and shared services is a fairly new concept that is catching on across the country.

Brandon Baumbach who has been working with a group of partners for more than a year, shared their concept for colocation space in Grand Forks with the Chamber Business Government Education Alliance last month.

Ideally, startup companies, “lone eagle” entrepreneurs and “en-core” professionals could all share space and benefit from the syn-ergy created by having all these entrepreneurs working in the same location. Finding the right location has been the one obsta-cle for the venture but the group is aggressively looking at several functional spaces to open coloca-tion space in Grand Forks/East Grand Forks.

Soon, 60 volunteers will reach out to en-courage others to “Branch Out With The Chamber” during The Chamber’s annual Spring Membership Drive, beginning April 14th. Ten teams of 6 will call on busi-nesses who are not currently chamber members to share the benefits of joining. All 60 volunteers represent businesses

like yours who are already chamber members! CLICK HERE to view the team. If you know of a business they should visit, let us at The Chamber know by contacting Emberly at em-berlyl@gochamber.org .

The strength of The Chamber GF/EGF is due in part to our members. Your Chamber is “The Voice of Business” working to Inform, Promote, Advocate, Connect and Educate our members and community.

During the drive, volunteers will have fun com-peting for prizes donated by Chamber Mem-bers. They are taking time from their day to promote The Chamber because they under-stand how important it is for their business to be a member and want to share the opportu-nity with others.

CLICK HERE for a current list of contributors who have donated prizes our volunteer “flight crew” is eligible to win for participating. If you are interested in donating a prize, contact Emberly emberlyL@gochamber.org or 701-772-7271.

Thank you to everyone involved!

Branch Out With The Chamber 2015 Membership Drive

Branch Out With The Chamber2015 Membership Drive

Cont. from pg 2

Say Goodbye to Spaghetti

Test Marketing

Are you questioning your marketing plans? Frustrated with results?

Wondering if you should dive into digital?

The days of the old spaghetti test of throwing something out there and hoping it sticks are long gone. It’s time to trim the waste by targeting your dollars for results. This Target Marketing Brown Bag session will help you identify your

prospective customers and strategies to better reach them.

Presented by: Linn Hodgson, Sr. Account Manager & Brand Builder at Ad Monkeys

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

11:30am – 1:00pm The Chamber Board Room

$20/person ~ Member (Includes Lunch) $30/person ~ Non-Member (Includes Lunch)

Seating is limited. Sign up soon! Reservations can be made at 772-7271 or email

info@gochamber.org with the names of those attending. RSVP deadline is April 14, 2015.

Reservations not cancelled 3 days prior to event will be billed.