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

Page2Chamber Supports Land Fill

Page 32009 Board of Directors

Page 3New Members

Page 5January BBB Tip

Page 5A Message From Your NewChair

Page 6 & 7A Month In Pictures

Page 8 & 9Business Briefs

Page 10January Brown BagSeminar

Page 11January Business After Hours

Page 12January Calendar

Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009

2009 Annual Meeting and Dinner Monday, January 26, 2009

Alerus Center 5:30pm ~ Social 6:15pm ~ Dinner & Program

Please join us as: ♦ Jerry Youngberg, 2008 Board Chair officially passes the gavel to 2009 Board

Chair, Rick Duquette ♦ A recap of the year is given and the 2009 program of work is announced

♦ The prestigious Henry Havig Award Winner is announced ♦ Special Enter tainment by Jarrod Schell

2009….Relevance, Advocacy, Value

$45/person or reserve a table of 8 for $324

~Dinner~ Peti t Pain Rolls ~ Creamy Cucumber Salad ~ River’s Edge Rib-Eye ~ Redskin Mashed

Potatoes ~ Green Beans Amandine ~ Raspberry Chocolate Mousse

$45/person or reserve a table of 8 for $324.To reserve your tickets, contact The Chamber at 772-7271, info@gochamber.org or

online at www.gochamber.org.Cancellations not made 3 business days prior to event will be billed.

OfficersChair: Rick Duquette

City of Grand ForksChair-Elect: Barb Schultz

Ideal Aerosmith, Inc.Past Chair: Jerry Youngberg

First Realty of GFFSecretary: Scott Roche

Great Plains Financial GroupChris Semrau

Ralph Engelstad ArenaThane Bergh

American Federal BankBarry Wilfahrt

The Chamber - GF/EGF

Directors

Pat Berger - United Way of GF/EGF

Andy Byron - United Valley Bank

Jim Galloway - JLG Architects

Kristi Hall-Jiran - CVIC

Kent Hanson - NCTC

Jeff Jasperson- Canad InnsCurt Kreun - GF City Council

Sonia Lajimodiere - The Lighting GalleryBryan Lee - Gateway Storage

Monica Musich - Valley Dairy Stores

Linda Pierce -Crary Homes & Real Estate

Jim Richter - EGF EDHA

Tim Sayler - Altru Health System

Steve Swanson - AE2S

Klaus Thiessen - GF Regional EDC

Greg Weisenstein - UND

Sr. Military Advisor to the BoardColonel John Michel - GFAFB

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CCCCChamber Updatehamber Updatehamber Updatehamber Updatehamber Update

At a public hearing hosted by the NorthDakota Department of Health last month,Chamber President Barry Wilfahrttestified in favor of the Rye Townshiplandfill location.

According to Wilfahrt, “from a chamberof commerce perspective the location is

Chamber SupportsLandfill Location

The Chamber is sponsoring an intergov-ernmental retreat on January 30th. Theevent will be held at Shooting Star Casinoin Mahnomen from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

State Senator LeRoy Stumpf, StateRepresentative Bernie Lieder and USRepresentative Collin Peterson have beeninvited to participate along with EastGrand Forks, Polk County and East GrandForks School District officials.

With so many budget issues facingMinnesota we expect some very gooddiscussion. You are welcome to join us inMahnomen for this retreat.

To sign up for the half day retreat,contact the chamber office at 701-772-7271 or info@gochamber.org.

Northwest MinnesotaIntergovernmentalRetreat Set for January30th

Grand Forks Counties 15 legislators havebeen invited to participate in SaturdayForums again this legislative session.The forums will be held in the CouncilChambers of Grand Forks City Hall andare set for :

Saturday, January 24Saturday, February 14Saturday, March 14Saturday, March 28Saturday, April 11

All forums begin at 9:30am and end at11:00am. The public is invited to attendand ask questions of your legistators.Legislators will provide a brief overviewfollowed by questions and answers fromthe audience. Attending these forums is agreat way to become informed andinvolved.

Legislative Forums toStart January 24th

Earlier today Grand Forks Mayor MichaelBrown and County Commissioner JohnSchmisek announced the formation of aBase Enhancement Community Initiative.The purpose of this committee will be toput forth a unified front on base enhance-ment with the department of defense,federal and civil agencies and the generalpublic.

According to 2008 Chamber BoardChairman, Jerry Youngberg; “formation ofthis overarching group has been a goal ofthe chamber all year.” “The Chamber,along with others, have been workingbehind the scenes for months to helpcoordinate the effort to bring all of thegroups working on the future of the basetogether in one unified group so aconcerted joint effort can be made to seeknew opportunities for the base.”Youngberg will also take over as theChamber’s Military Affairs CommitteeChairman in 2009.

Base Enhancement Committee FormedLooking ahead, the immediate committeepriority will be encouraging and support-ing the growth of the UAS mission,including training, research and develop-ment, the encouragement and develop-ment of complementary and compatibleuses for parts of the base infrastructureand space by non military entities. Thelong range priority will be to make surethe next generation tanker, the KCX,continues as a part of the GFAFB future.

Many of these opportunities arecontingent on the availability of airspacefor UAS training. The process ofdesignating this airspace began last fallwith environmental scoping meetingsand will be a top priority.

Representing The Chamber on the groupwill bePresident, Barry Wilfahrt. Incom-ing Chamber Board Chairman, RickDuquette will also be on the committeeas City Administrator.

important because of its relative proxim-ity to our two communities. Every mileyou truck garbage adds labor, fuel andequipment costs, about half of which ispaid for by business.”

Chamber Board Members SteveSwanson, AE2S and Scott Roche,Investment Centers of America, alongwith East Grand Forks Council President,Dick Grassel, also spoke in favor of theproposed Rye Township location.

CCCCChamber Updatehamber Updatehamber Updatehamber Updatehamber Update Staff

Barry WilfahrtPresident/CEO

barry@gochamber.org

Lisa SwansonVice President of Operations

lisas@gochamber.org

Cathy AndringaMembership Relations Director

cathya@gochamber.org

Corrina SachnoProgram Coordinator

corrinas@gochamber.org

Carla YounceFinance Director

carlay@gochamber.org

Jennifer WalshAdministrative Assistant

info@gochamber.org

Mission Statement

“The Chamber of Commercecreates an environment

that encourages businesssuccess while enhancing the quality of life in our region.”

202 N. 3rd StreetGrand Forks, ND 58203

PO Box 315East Grand Forks, MN 56721

(701)772-7271(701)772-9238 Fax

info@gochamber.orgwww.gochamber.org

3 www.gochamber.org

Heartland PaperArlin Fetting2890 30th Street NorthGrand Forks, ND 58203www.heartland-paper.com

Raizins – Dance ClubArlen RyggP.O. Box 5114Grand Forks, ND(701)741-2678

Welcome New Members

Spalon TamaagiThe Ambassadors held a ribbon cuttingat the Open House celebration at newchamber member, Spalon Tamaagi.

Ribbon Cuttings

Mr. Sandless - FlooringTom Karel859 7th Ave NEThompson, ND 58278(701)757-2040

2009 Board fo Directors for Your ChamberWe would like to welcome the returning and new members of the Board of Directors for your chamber for 2009.

Your 2009 Board of Directors:

Rick DuquetteBoard ChairCity of GF

Jerry YoungbergPast Chair1st Realty of GGF

Barb SchultzChair ElectIdeal Aerosmith

Scott RocheSecretaryGreat PlainsFinancial

Chris SemrauVice ChairREA

Thane BerghVice ChairAmericanFederal Bank

Barry WilfahrtChamber President/CEO

Pat BergerUnited Way ofGGF

Monica MusichValley DairyStores

Jim RichterEGF Ec. Dev. &Housing Auth.

Jeff JaspersonCanad Inns

Tim SaylerAltru HealthSystem

Steve SwansonAE2S

Klaus ThiessenGF RegionEDC

Curt KreunGF City Council

Sonia LajimodiereThe LightingGallery

Not Pictured

Bryan LeeGatewayStorage

Greg WeisensteinUND

Kent HansenNCTC

Kristi Hall-JiranCVIC

Jim GallowayJLGArchitects

Andy ByronUnited ValleyBank

Linda PierceCrary Homes &Real Estate

Your 2009 Executive Committee:

Col John MichelSr. Military Advisor to the BoardGFAFB Commander

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Thank You for Renewing Your MembershipThe following businesses know the value of their Chamber Membership and have renewed their membership in The

Chamber - GF/EGF. Please visit these businesses for your purchasing needs.

1st Realty - Jerry YoungbergAAA ND, Grand Forks BranchAaltos, Canad InnsAatrix SoftwareAce HardwareAdvance Electric, Inc.Advanced Business MethodsAg CountryAgri ValleyAlerus FinancialAltru Health FoundationAmerican Federal BankAmerican Federal Bank - GFAmerican Tire SouthAmericas Best Value InnAnderson, J.A. DDSApplebee’s - EGFAxis Clinic, P. C.BacTee Systems, Inc.Baukol Builders, Inc.Bergstrom Electric, Inc.Best Buy Co., Inc.BetaSeedBlue Cross/Blue Shield of NDBlue Stone PhotographyBorder States Electric Supply Co.Bosh EnterprisesBrady, Martz & Associate, P.C.Bremer BankBridgeford, Charles. DDSBritton Transport, Inc.Bun LoungeCF IndustriesC.L. Linfoot CompanyCamrud, Maddock, Olson & Larson Ltd.Canad InnsCancer Center of North DakotaCareer OptionsCarter MacDonagh, P.L.L.P.CD CommunicationsCentral Michigan UniversityChoice Financial, S. WashingtonChoice Financial GroupCitizens Community Credit UnionCity of East Grand ForksCole Paper CompanyComfort KeepersCommunity Bank of the Red River Valley -10th Ave.Community Bank of the Red River Valley -Columbia Rd.Community Bank of the Red River Valley -EGFConlin’s FurnitureConstruction EngineersCountry Inn & SuitesCPS, Ltd. Engineering/Land SurveyingDakota Boys and Girls RanchDakota Carrier NetworkDakota Food EquipmentDakota Supply GroupDanks, KeithDaydreams SpecialitiesDeaton’s Mailing Systems, Inc.Dennie’s Delivery, Inc.Development Homes, Inc.

CCCCC

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Dianne MondryDr. Maxine RasmussenDrees Farming AssociationDrees, Riskey & Vallager, Ltd.Driscoll’s Auto ServiceEAPC Architects EngineersEast Grand FloralEconomic Development & Housing AuthorityEdwardJones - Mark LarsenEdwardJones - Matt OdenbachErlandson, Steve DDSEvergreen InsuranceFert -L-LawnFirst Class MortgageFirst Liberty Federal Credit Union-GFAFBFirst Liberty Federal Credit UnionForks EquipmentForks Lath & PlasterForum Communications PrintingForx Rentall & Mini Stor-AllFriends of the Campbell LibraryGarden Valley Telephone CompanyGerloff, GregGF Abstract & Title CompanyGF Clinic PharmacyGF county AgenciesGF Foundation for Education, Inc.GF Regional Airport AuthorityGF Welding & Machine Co.GFK Flight SupportGirl Scouts-Dakota HorizonsGrand Cities MallGreat Clips for Hair - UNDGreater Grand Forks Fair & Exhibition Inc.Greenberg Realty - Stacey GalstadHappy Harry’s Bottle Shops-Gateway Dr.Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops - 32nd Ave.Heyer Engineering P.C.Hilton Garden Inn, Grand Forks/UNDHOAK MediaHoliday Inn ExpressI.C.S., Inc.Independent School District 3595Innes Construction CompanyJ&G LandscapingJ.S. Home InspectionJenny Craig Weight Loss CentreJob Service NDJoe Black’sKeith’s Lock & Key ShopKentucky Fried ChickenL & M Meats & SausagesLakes & Prairie Child Care Resource &ReferralLaser SystemsLeighton BroadcastingLighting Gallery, Inc.LM Glasfiber, Inc.Lunseth Plumbing & HeatingMarco Inc.McDonald, James S. DDSMcDonald’s Gateway DriveMcDonald’s S. WashingtonMcFarlane Sheet MetalMcKinnon CompanyMerry Maids

Midcontinent CommunicationsModern Auto Body, Inc.Mutch Oil Co. of GF, Inc.Nord, John DDSNoridian Mutual Insurance CompanyNorth Dakota Ballet CompanyNorth Dakota Eye ClinicNorthern Bag & Box CompanyNorthern Plumbing SupplyNorthwood Park TownhomesOdney/Lignite Energy CouncilPepsi Americas, Inc.Petcetera Animal ClinicPolar CommunicationsPrairie PublicPremium Waters, Inc.Priority Title, LLCPro Transport & Leasing, Inc.PS DoorsR&R Contracting, Inc.Red River AutoRed River Farm NetworkRed River State Recreation AreaRiddle’s JewelryRiver Cinema 12RML Trading, LLCRobinson ExcavatingRyan Potato CompanyScott’s Express, Inc.Scott’s Music Stores, Inc.Senske & Son TransferSertoma Club of Greater Grand ForksSettle InnSimonson Lumber & HardwareSt. Vincent De PaulStamart Truck StopState Farm Insurance - Gary BelanusState Farm Insurance - Kevin KoubaSteamatic Total Cleaning & RestorationStone’s Mobile Radio, Inc.Super One FoodsSuper TargetSwingen Construction CompanyTaco JohnsThe ExponentThompsons USA LimitedTitan MachineryToshiba Business SystemsToucan International MarketTubs of FunTurfworks LLCUS Food Service - GFG DivisionValley Bone & Joint ClinicValley Memorial HomesValley Oral & Facial SurgeryVigen Construction Inc.Vilandre Heating, Air Conditioning & PlumbingVillage Family Service CenterWakefield Hearing CenterWaste ManagementWebster, Foster, and WestonWells Fargo BankWhalen’s Moving & StorageXcel EnergyYMCA Family CenterZimney, Foster, P.C.

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CCCCChamberhamberhamberhamberhamber News News News News News

I hope your holidays were a special time forall of you. This is going to be an excitingyear for our Chamber of Commerce, and I amvery honored to have the opportunity to beyour Chair. I am also honored to be workingwith many returning and new Board ofDirectors. Thank you for your commitment. Ilook forward to working with each one ofyou. I also want to thank our CommitteeChairs as they continue to provide leader-

ship and guidance to our Chamber. Finally, I look forward toworking with our exceptional Chamber President and staff.What a fantastic group of people! We are very blessed to havethem.

A couple of months ago we had our Chamber Planning meetingand it was a special day for me. I had the chance to meet manyof you and to hear what is important to you in our Chamber ofCommerce. We also had the chance to sit back and think for awhile about where we want to go, what our priorities are, andwhat makes sense for us as a community. The ChamberPresident, the Board of Directors and I will be sharing thosepriorities and our plan of action for you in the next few weeks.These plans will continue to place the Chamber in a leadershiprole on key issues affecting the Chamber membership and ourregion.

Again, I look forward to the upcoming year and working witheach of you. We have challenges, but we also have theChamber team in place that can meet those challenges. Being aChamber member means each one of you are part of that team.

-Rick DuquetteBoard Chair

Welcome to 2009!

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Once again our region has a tremendousamount at stake during the upcoming legisla-tive sessions, both in St Paul and in Bismarck.

Minnesota Event – The Chamber will onceagain lead a delegation to the annual meetingof the Minnesota Chamber in March and meetwith Senator Stumpf and RepresentativeLeider in St Paul to talk about issues ofimportance to East Grand Forks, Northland

College and the business community.

North Dakota Event – The Chamber will begin a new tradition in2009. The Chamber will organize Grand Forks Day at theLegislature in March. The date has not been finalized but plansinclude a meeting with Governor Hoeven, Chancellor Goetzalong with the Commissioners of Commerce and Transportation.The day will be designed so participants can make it a one daytrip, heading to Bismarck in the morning and returning to GrandForks late in the day.

With budget cuts in Minnesota we have much to protect whilein the budget surplus in North Dakota will mean great opportu-nity for UND, the community in general and the potential forproperty tax relief.

.

Trips to St. Paul and BismarckPlanned

-Barry WilfahrtPresident/CEO

Small business owners are always looking for ways to setthemselves apart from their competitors and awards andrecognition from a third-party are a great way for a company todifferentiate itself from the competition. Unfortunately, BetterBusiness Bureau warns, some “awards” are all about makingmoney – rather than acknowledging outstanding companies –and small business owners need to be on the lookout for vanityaward scams.

All too frequently vanity pitches for “Who’s Who”-typepublications, biographies or nominations for awards or specialmemberships have a catch to them. In some cases, honoreeswho receive such e-mails, letters and calls are not chosen by aselect committee, as they are often told, but are plucked offmailing lists or have had their e-mail addresses harvested fromWeb sites.

“There are many legitimate awards given out every year—suchas local and national BBB Torch Awards—that small businessowners can be proud of,” said Barb Grieman, interim president ofthe BBB of MN and ND. “But some awards, which seem to havemerely pulled recipients out of the phone book, offer praise thatis ultimately empty and not worth the plaque the company’sname is etched on.”

BBB January Small Business Advice:Don’t Believe Every Award YouReceive

BBB Continued on pg 12

A Month in PicturesA Month in PicturesA Month in PicturesA Month in PicturesA Month in Pictures

December Business After Hours - RML

Trading at Eagles Crest

December Business After Hours - RML Trading atEagles Crest

Leadership Graduation at the Holiday Inn

Leadership Graduation at the Holiday Inn

December Business After Hours - RMLTrading at Eagles Crest

A Month in PicturesA Month in PicturesA Month in PicturesA Month in PicturesA Month in Pictures

MAC Breakfast at the Canad Inns

Leadership Graduation at the Holiday Inn

December Business After Hours - RML Trading

at Eagles Crest

Leadership Graduation at the Holiday Inn

BBBBBusiness Briefsusiness Briefsusiness Briefsusiness Briefsusiness Briefs

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Alerus Financial Promotesand HiresAlerus Financial is proud to announce theaddition of Kelly Foley to their IT team asBusiness Information Analyst.

Foley is responsible forgenerating reports andproviding data analysisof information.

Prior to joining Alerus,Foley worked as aNetwork Administrator atVaaler Insurance for 18

years. She holds a Business Administra-tion degree from the University of NorthDakota where she majored in informationmanagement. She and her husband,Daryl, live in Grand Forks with their twochildren.

Joshua Parrill has joined Alerus Finan-cial as an Auditor II at its Banksouthlocation on Columbia Road.

Parrill is responsible forthe development andexecution of internalaudits for the functionalareas of Alerus Finan-cial and communicatingfindings to the appropri-ate persons. Addition-ally, he assists with

company-wide projects and leadinginternal audits on behalf of the auditdepartment.

Parrill joins Alerus with 6 years experiencein the financial industry. Previously, hewas a bank compliance auditor for EideBailly, LLP. Parrill holds a Bachelor ofBusiness & Public Administration degreeform the University of North Dakotawhere he majored in financial managementand minored in information systems. He isa coach for the Grand Forks SpecialOlympics and lives in East Grand Forkswith his wife, Emily.

Alerus Financial isplease to welcome DanWaind as Lead PersonalBanker at its Expresslocation in downtownGrand Forks.

Waind is responsible forleading the sales

activities of the branch to include coach-ing and mentoring employees. Hemaintains in-depth knowledge of all retail

products and services, and expands thecustomer base through cross selling andreferral techniques.

Previously, Waind worked as a GraduateTeaching Assistant in the entrepreneur-ship program at the University of NorthDakota. He graduated from UND with aMasters of Business Administrationwhere he focused on entrepreneurialfinance and also received a Bachelors ofBusiness Administration with a doublemajor in entrepreneurship and marketing.Waind is on the Board of Trustees for theDakota Venture Group and lives in GrandForks

Alerus Financial is pleased to announcethe promotion of Marianne Rivard toDeposit Operations Supervisor.

Previously a DepositOperations Specialist,Rivard is now respon-sible for the dailyoperations of thedeposit operations team.Additionally, shemaintains IRS reportingand compliance, serves

as a project resource for new products orenhancements, and provides customersupport.

Rivard has more than 25 years of bankingexperience, 22 of those with Alerus. Sheis a graduate of the North Dakota Schoolof Banking and certified as an AccreditedACH Professional. She and her husband,Dale, live in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.They have four grown children.

Lisa Pulst has accepted additionalresponsibilities at Alerus Financial toinclude managing the administrativeservices team.

Pulst will continue tolead the recordsdepartment in additionto now leading theadministrative servicesteam including wordprocessing, photocopy,and mail services.

Pulst joined Alerus in 2000. She attendedMayville State where she majored incomputers and mathematics. In 2006,Pulst received a Records ManagementCertificate from the University of NorthDakota. She and her husband, Kevin, livein Grand Forks with their two sons.

AE2S Hires New StaffAE2S (Advanced Engineering andEnvironmental Services, Inc.) has hiredMelissa Cassanelli as a Special ProjectsEngineer in its Grand Forks, ND office. ACrookston, MN native, Mrs. Cassanelliearned her Bachelor of Science degree inElectrical Engineering at the University ofNorth Dakota. Previous to joining AE2S,she was an Energy Manager at the GrandForks Air Force Base. Prior to working forthe Air Force, she was employed by theArmy Corps of Engineers as a StudentEngineer where she worked on the GrandForks Flood Control Project.

At AE2S, Mrs.Cassanelli will beresponsible for monitor-ing environmentalregulatory develop-ments, providingcontent for AE2S’informational newslet-ters The Update and

The Source, assisting with the Red RiverValley Water Supply Project, and support-ing a variety of other technical andfinancial projects.

AE2S has hired Nikki Jehs as an Ac-counting Clerk in its Grand Forks office.Ms. Jehs’ addition will allow AE2S to meetthe expanded accounting needs of thecompany as it grows to meet the increas-ing demand for AE2S’ services. AE2Sspecializes in water, wastewater,stormwater, municipal, geomatics, instru-mentation and controls, and financialservices in the Upper Midwest. AE2S hasoffices located in Grand Forks, Bismarck,Fargo, and Williston, ND; Minneapolisand Moorhead, MN; and Great Falls, MT.

Ms. Jehs is a native ofGrand Forks. She earneda Bachelor’s degree inAccounting from theUniversity of NorthDakota. Previous tojoining AE2S, sheworked as an Accoun-tant at Franchise

Concepts Unlimited. At AE2S, she willhandle Accounts Payable, as well asassisting with payroll and variousaccounting projects.

AE2S has hired Jay Bushy, PE as a ProjectEngineer in its Grand Forks office.Originally from East Grand Forks, MN, Mr.Bushy earned a Bachelor of Sciencedegree in Civil Engineering from the

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CCCCChamber Nehamber Nehamber Nehamber Nehamber Newswswswsws

University of NorthDakota. Prior to joiningAE2S, Mr. Bushy wasProject Engineer for theUS Army Corps ofEngineers – St. PaulDistrict in its GrandForks Resident Office.At the Corps, he worked

on the Grand Forks/East Grand ForksFlood Control Project, which included theRiverside Dam, English Coulee Diversion,and Grand Forks Phase 3 and 4 Levees.

Mr. Bushy has more than 15 years ofengineering experience, including civil andmunicipal engineering, as well as specificexperience working on large flood controlprojects. At AE2S, he will be initiallyworking on the Red River Valley WaterSupply Project for the Garrison DiversionConservancy District.

AE2S has hired MarkLambrecht, PE as aSenior Project Managerin its Grand Forks office.He is a former Partnerand Project Manager atCPS, Ltd and served asSenior Project Engineer,as well as Assistant

Director of Public Works, for the City ofGrand Forks. He has more than 30 yearsof experience with civil engineeringprojects, specializing in municipal engi-neering and land development.

At AE2S, he will initially be working onCity-Wide Street Improvements for theCity of Rugby, ND and Wastewater LiftStation Improvements for the City ofCavailer, ND.

Originally from Grafton, ND, Mr.Lambrecht earned a Bachelor of Sciencedegree in Civil Engineering from theUniversity of North Dakota. He isregistered as a Professional Engineer inNorth Dakota and Minnesota, and as aProfessional Land Surveyor in NorthDakota. He is joining AE2S’ Geomaticsgroup, which encompasses municipalengineering, surveying, mapping, and GIS.He will be responsible for assisting clientswith municipal and development projects.

Altru Welcomes Dr. ZellerAltru Health System, Grand Forks, ND –Altru Clinic-Crookston welcomes Dr.Darrell Zeller, Ob/Gyn, to the community.

Dr. Zeller currentlyprovides services atAltru Clinic-Main inGrand Forks, and willnow be delivering thoseservices to Altru Clinic-Crookston on a visitingbasis. He is a medicalschool graduate of the

University of Kansas School of Medicine.Zeller has over 30 years of experience andis board certified in obstetrics andgynecology. He is a member of theAmerican College of Obstetricians andGynecologists as well as the Society ofPelvic Reconstructive Surgery.

WSN Welcomes BrennaWidseth Smith Nolting recently welcomedHeidi Brenna to its Grand Forks architec-tural team. In her position as projectmanager, Brenna’s responsibilities includeproject management, project design,specifications, estimates, client develop-ment, and contributions to furtherdevelop the firm’s architectural practice.

Brenna has six years ofexperience in a varietyof projects includingoffice, commercial,justice, multi-familyresidential, buildingrenovation, historicpreservation, down-

town redevelopment, and religiousfacilities.

New Officers for NDAHRAA new slate of officers will head theNortheastern Dakota Area HumanResource Association (NDAHRA), GrandForks, ND in 2009. The Chapter is anaffiliate of the Society of Human Re-source Management, SHRM. The newofficers include:

President - Tami Haugen, Black GoldVice President - Kelsey Roth,Amazon.comSecretary - Deb Abar, AltruTreasurer - Kim Anderson, CommunityBankMembership/Recruiting Director - StacySchlieman, The RalphCertification Director - Angela Cook,Acme ElectricLegislative/Special Projects - BritaniBecklund, Amazon.comCollege Relations Chair - Susanne Straus,UND Alumni AssociationWorkforce Readiness Director - Kathy

Jones, UND Management DepartmentDiversity Advocate - Michele Thiel, SEISHRM Foundation Representative - JenLukach, EcolabNewsletter/Web Page Director - GwenOlson, Bremer BankPast President/Member-At-Large -Michelle Burt, Minnkota Power

NDHARA meets the 3rd Thursday of eachmonth at the Speedway Restaurant (emailtamih@blackgoldpotato.com for moreinformation). NDAHRA was establishedto serve human resource professionalsthroughout northeastern North Dakotaand northwestern Minnesota.

Bremer Promotes RipleyBremer Bank announces the promotion ofSadie Ripley to a business banker in GrandForks. Ripley was previously a retailrelationship manager at Bremer in GrandForks.

Prior to joining Bremer in2004, Ripley worked atRed River ValleyCommunity Actionserving as a marketexpress coordinator anda safe community’scoordinator. She has abachelor’s degree in

business administration from the Univer-sity of North Dakota. Ripley is an activevolunteer with Safe Kids Grand Forks as acoalition member and certified childpassenger safety technician.

Marco Hires BoutwellMarco has recently hired Jason Boutwellas an account manager for its expandingFargo and Grand Forks offices.

Boutwell has been withOttawa, Canada-basedMitel Networks for thepast seven years as aregional sales manager.He was a consistentmember of thePresident’s Club and ledMitel U.S. in total

revenue achievement four times, includingthree of the past four years. A NorthDakota State University alumnus, Boutwellwill focus on providing Marco’s clients inEastern North Dakota and NorthwestMinnesota with Mitel voice communica-tion solutions to enhance their businessperformance

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CCCCChamber Newshamber Newshamber Newshamber Newshamber News

Member Referrals Made ByThe Chamber In 2008:

New Resident PacketsDistributed By The Chamber

In 2008:

239 Total for December: 2

40,000+ WebpageViews in One Month!

www.gochamber.org lists all our Chambermembers and people are finding you there!Some of the categories visited and number ofviews received from December 4th to January4th were:

Abstractor/Architects/Engineers 2105Hotels & Motels 1421Restaurants 1026Realtors 984Contractors & Construction 981Financial Institutions 886Non Profit Organizations 795Automotive Supplies & Service 765Agriculture/agribusiness 751Attorneys 746Insurance Agencies 739

More Ways YourChamber Is Working

For You:

Total for December: 40

Total for December: 0

A Chamber & SCORE Brown Bag Seminar

Wednesday, January 21, 200911:30am – 1pmThe Chamber

Lunch is provided$15/members … $25/ non-members

To register, contact The Chamber at 772-7271 orinfo@gochamber.org.

Reservation deadline is January 20th.Seating is limited, sign up soon.

Reservations not cancelled 3 business days prior to theevent will be billed.

This brown bag is presented by:Dr. LaVonne Fox, OTR/L & Dr. Anne M. Haskins,

OTR/LDrs. Fox & Haskins are assistant professors in theDepartment of Occupational Therapy at UND with

experience teaching in the area of work-place health.

771

Steps to Building a Healthier You at Work!

*Do you often feel fatigued?*Do you ever experiencetightness in your neck and

shoulders?*Are your hands sore at the

end of a workday?*Do you feel as if you cannever get all of your work

done?A growing body of literature suggests that there ismuch we can do to enhance productivity, prevent

work-related injury, and improve our overall health.Discover simple steps to beginning a healthier you in

the workplace! Topics Areas Covered:Workplace exercise, stress management, evaluating

your workstation.

Certificates of Origin SignedBy The Chamber In 2008:

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Health and Wellness InThe Workplace

Health and Wellness InThe Workplace

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The Hilton Garden Inn invites all Chamber Members and employees to their exciting BusinessAfter Hours event. Stop in...enjoy the fun and take advantage of great networking opportunitieswhile you are there. You might even win $1300 in our progressive cash drawing! We’ll draw thename 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 casualway. Spread the word and plan to attend the next Business After Hours.

Thursday, January 22, 20094:45pm - 7:00pm

Free AdmissionComplimentary Hors d’oeuvres & Beverages ~ Great Door

Prizes ~ Progressive cash drawing is at $1300! ~NO RSVP Needed

Hosted by:

Hosted by Hilton Garden Inn

The ATHENA Award actively supports and celebrates theATHENA mission of supporting, developing and honoringwomen leaders, inspiring women to achieve their full potential—creating balance in leadership worldwide. The ATHENA Awardhonors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of

personal and profes-sional accomplishment,who excel in theirchosen field, devotetime and energy to theircommunity in a mean-ingful way, and forgepaths of leadership for

other women to follow.The ATHENA Young Professional Award honors emergingleaders who strive toward the highest levels of personal andprofessional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field,devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way,and serve as a role model for young women.

Nomination deadline is Tuesday, March 3rd at 4:30pm. Pleasedrop-off or mail nomination forms to The Chamber, 202 N. 3rdSt., Grand Forks, ND 58203.

For more information, please email Corrina atcorrinas@gochamber.org or call 772-7271. You can also visit the

Nominations Now Being Accepted for the Annual Athena and Athena YoungProfessional Award

ATHENA website, www.athenafoundation.org. Nominationforms are also available for download on The Chamber’s website,www.gochamber.org

The ATHENA and ATHENA Young Professional Awards will bepresented on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at Rydell GM Auto Center.Social~5:30pm, Program~6:15pm. Registration is $15/person.

2007 Award winner, Lillian Elsinga, 2008 YP Awardwinner, Dr. Lavonne Fox, Connie Mondry-Rydell AutoCenter and 2008 Award Winner, Bonnie Peterson atlast year’s awards reception.

12

Jan 1st

Closed New Year’s Day

Jan 5th

10:30am Ribbon Cutting (H & R Block)

Jan 9th

7:30am Past Board Chairs (COC)

Jan 13th

7:30am Agribusiness (AAltos)

Jan 14th

7:30am BGEA (COC)12:00pm Adult Leadership (TBD)

Jan 15th

12:00pm Finance (COC)

January 2009 Chamber CalendarJan 16th

8:00am Executive Committee Meeting (COC)

Jan 20th

11:30am Ambassador Meeting (Suite 49)4:30pm CATS Committee Meeting (COC)

Jan 21st

11:30am Brown Bag (COC)12:00pm Athena Meeting (Blue Moose)

Jan 22nd

8:00am MAC Meeting (COC)4:30pm BAH (Hilton Garden Inn)

Jan 23rd

7:30am BOD Meeting (COC)

Jan 26th

5:30pm Annual Dinner (Alerus Center)

BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington reportsthat local businesses have been receiving e-mails claiming thecompany has won the “Best of…” award for businesses intheir community. Business owners are told that a plaque hasbeen created to mark the honor and is available for $80.00. Thecompany, US Local Business Association, has a Washington,DC, address that appears to be a drop box, and according totheir Web site, the only way to contact the company isthrough Web e-mail. No phone number is listed. When askedby the Portland Oregonian newspaper how it choosesrecipients for its awards, US Local Business Administrationrepresentatives would not provide any details. Businessowners in other states such as Maryland, Indiana and Arizonaalso report being contacted by US Local Business Associationpersonnel.

To distinguish a reputable biographical directory or businessaward from those of little or no value, BBB offers the followingadvice:

Always check the organization out with BBB first.BBB Reliability Reports are available for free atwww.thefirstbbb.org and provide information on the numberof complaints the business has received, as well as whetherattempts were made to resolve any problems.

Keep an eye out for red flags.Some signs of a scam include receiving an award that youdidn’t apply for and if the award Web site lacks phonenumbers, an address and other basic details on the organiza-tion giving the award.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.An organization offering a reputable award will not hesitate toanswer in-depth questions about their program including howmany businesses are honored every year, how honorees arechosen and exactly why specific businesses were chosen.

Know what you’re paying for.With less than scrupulous awards schemes, the company istypically trying to make money by peddling books or plaques.

BBB Continued from pg 5

Associate Sponsors Ralph Engelstad Arena ~ GF Region EDC ~ GGF Young Professionals

Corporate Sponsors

Business Sponsors

Thank you to our 2009 Annual Dinnerand Meeting Sponsors!

While having to spend money in order to receive an award can bea red flag, it isn’t always the sign of a scam. In some casesbusinesses must pay a fee in order to submit an entry to anawards program. If the company is to be honored at a gala event,there are usually sponsorship opportunities—such as purchasinga table for attendees—to help offset the cost of the event.

For more small business advice you can trust, and more informa-tion about the ND and MN BBB, visit www.thefirstbbb.org.