Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

It's tough to beat a summer full of Leaders Lab profiles. Today we're learning about Amanda Schwengler of Sun Country Airlines! What's a fun fact about Amanda? "My first job out of college was a project manager at a salt mine 1600 ft below Lake Erie. My current job is at a commercial airline where I spend a lot of time in the sky. I went from far below the earth, to far above the earth." Learn more: https://mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

Next up in our series of Leaders Lab participant profiles is Evan Schoenecker of Ames Construction! What's a piece of advice that has most impacted Evan's leadership journey? "Be the leader that you never had." Read more about this year's class here: https://mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

Starting the week on the right foot with a profile of Michael Roane of Holmes Murphy! What's something super interesting about Michael? "I lived in Tanzania, Africa for two years running five different safari lodges!" https://mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

We like to end the week on a high note. The best way to do that is with another Leaders Lab profile! Today we're featuring Tyler Petzel of Abdo! What's Tyler's favorite thing made in Minnesota? "I enjoy smoking various meats raised locally in southern Minnesota." Read more about Tyler and other members of this year's class here: https://mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

Next up in our Leaders Lab profiles, we're featuring Paget Pengelly of Xcel Energy! What's a piece of good news that's happened to Paget in the last year? "Personal great news is that I got married! On June 24th my husband Alex and I were married in Excelsior where we live, and it was such a fun day." Read more here: https://mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

We had an INCREDIBLE Women in Business Conference yesterday on bridging the generations in politics and business. The event featured a powerhouse lineup of speakers including: Sharon Sayles Belton of Thomson Reuters, Allison Housley of K2 & Co, Jeanne Crain of Bremer Bank, Junita Flowers of Junita’s Jar, Jill Kaufenberg of Chopper Mill, KiJana Jones of Lip Esteem, LLC and Jen Hellman of Goff Public! Thank you to these speakers, our guests, and of course our sponsors - like CLA - for a Women in Business Conference to remember!

Starting the week off the best way we know how: with another Leaders Lab profile! Today we have Tyler Parks of SJE! What's a piece of good news that's happened to Tyler in the last year? "I was informed that I am being promoted which is amazing as I will get to learn new skills and will be able to help shape and grow my department." Read more here: https://mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

It's almost FOOTBALL SEASON! That means it's time for our annual VIP event at Minnesota Vikings training camp! Join us on July 31 to get an up-close Vikings training camp experience featuring: The best seats at training camp in a shaded tent

Complimentary food, wine, beer and other beverages

A look at the 2024 Minnesota Vikings including first round picks J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner

Register here: https://member.mnchamber.com/events/Minnesota-Vikings-Training-Camp-Experience-2024-1093632/details

Meet Jaime Nelson: Works at Infinity from Marvin, dual US and Canadian citizen, and part of our 2024 Leaders Lab class! Learn more about Jaime and other members of this year's class here: https://mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

Great news, it's time for Follow Our Friends Friday! Say hi and follow some of our newest members to welcome them to the Minnesota Chamber: Distinctive Iron | EOS Worldwide | Mesabi Metallics | Miromatrix Medical Inc. A United Therapeutics Company | Solventum | Sweet Harvest Foods | Think Mutual Bank | Xena Therapies

Our next Leaders Lab profile features Nick Lind of Minnesota Power an ALLETE Company! What's a piece of good news for Nick in the last year? "My brother got married and my sister-in-law is expecting this summer, so I get to be an uncle to another niece or nephew!" Read more about Nick and other members of this year's class here: https://mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

We recently wrapped up our final Statewide Policy Tour stops of the summer! These conversations with business leaders around the state are critical in hearing how decisions by policymakers impact Minnesota employers and employees. THANK YOU to all of our attendees, and of course to our final three hosts including Custom Alarm, Van Meter, MDI, Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, Hibbing Area Chamber of Commerce and Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce!

NEW: Today, the Minnesota Chamber is announcing The Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest!

Does your company make something cool that showcases our state's innovation? Learn more and submit your product starting today!

➡️ mnchamber.com/CoolestThing

Starting the week off right: with a Leaders Lab profile featuring Alexander Knox of Miller Manufacturing! What's a fun fact about Alexander? "[I'm a] backpacking enthusiast. Spent seven days in Denali national park backpacking, camping and packrafting though the Alaskan backcountry. I'm always in search of the next adventure." https://mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

From Trucks, Parts, Service: Rihm Family Companies tackles alternative powertrains and sustainability at customer event https://www.truckpartsandservice.com/alternative-power/article/15678787/rihm-kenworth-holds-customer-event-to-educate-on-alternative-powertrains

"The event kicked off with comments from Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Patrick Deal, who told of three businesses within the state that have started down their sustainability journey and are seeing benefits. Deal says sustainability has unquestionable environmental and societal benefits, but investing in it shouldn’t be solely done for marketing reasons. When executed well, he says sustainable solutions also can drive bottom-line success. He says sustainability can drive efficiency, increase access to capital and reduce risk in the future."

Rihm Kenworth holds customer event to educate on alternative powertrains RIhm Kenworth and Rihm Family Companies hosted its first ever Driving Toward a Sustainable Tomorrow customer event regarding battery electric and hydrogen vehicles. Read more on TPS.

Happy Independence Day from the Minnesota Chamber! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Heading into the holiday the best way we know how: another Leaders Lab profile! Today we're featuring Mike Karbo of API Global! What's a piece of good news that's happened to Mike in the last year? "My wife and I were excited to welcome our first child Amelia this January! We are truly blessed to have our bundle of joy and hope one day to learn what sleep is again." https://mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

In our Leaders Lab era! It's tough to beat another Leaders Lab session during a Minnesota summer. Our cohort completed their third session last week and had a fantastic time learning from our hosts and presenters like UnitedHealthcare, Bell Bank, Minnesota Waste Wise, Dem-Con Companies, LLC, WSB and Gardner Builders!

BIG news: We're headed to Upsher-Smith on July 24 for our latest Behind the Business event! https://member.mnchamber.com/events/Behind-the-Business-Series-Upsher-Smith-Laboratories--1093617/details

Upsher-Smith is an American pharmaceutical company based in Maple Grove. Founded in 1919, they offer a diverse array of generic and branded products to help manage a wide variety of condition, from high blood pressure and high cholesterol to migraine headaches and seizure disorders. Upsher-Smith has stayed true to their Midwest roots while building a global portfolio.

Register today to get a behind-the-scenes look at this innovative company! https://member.mnchamber.com/events/Behind-the-Business-Series-Upsher-Smith-Laboratories--1093617/details

Today's Leaders Lab profile features Jill Kammerer of OneDigital! What's special about Jill's hometown of West St. Paul? "I loved being in a city just on the cusp of our state's Capitol. West St. Paul is very community-oriented. Growing up, I loved partaking in city festivals and parades. I would often represent my school pride at events by dancing with my teammates at community events." Read more: https://mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

Did you know: July 1 marks the start of new laws in Minnesota, including updates to the non-compete ban and a new retail delivery fee. To help your business navigate new laws effectively, the Minnesota Chamber is your trusted partner with updated labor law posters. Ensure your business is in compliance with July 1 law changes: https://mnchamber.com/blog/how-labor-law-posters-can-keep-your-business-compliant-laws-change

Starting the week with another Leaders Lab profile! Today we have Sam Johnson of Gardner Builders! What's a piece of good news that's happened to Sam in the last year? "This last year I took an amazing trip to Denver with a big group of friends. We were able to hike in the mountains, do some whitewater rafting, see a show at Redrocks, and experience the city of Denver. I love going to a new city and exploring how each city has its own culture." Read more: https://mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

Absentee voting for the August primary begins TODAY! Click here to learn more about early voting:
https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/

We had an amazing time this week at our 27th annual golf tournament, this year held at the BEAUTIFUL Windsong Farm Golf Club! Thank you to all of our golfers and sponsors; and congrats to our winners from Insperity! See you all next year!

Keeping our Leaders Lab summer going with a look at Scott Jensen of Granterion! What's Scott's favorite thing made in Minnesota? "Bongards Premium Cheese block is my favorite dip of choice for a good party. A close second would be an ice-cold Summit Brewing Company EPA at a Minnesota Twins game." https://www.mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

Starting the week out right: with another Leaders Lab profile! Today we're learning about Samantha Hanson of Giant Voices! What's something super interesting about Samantha? "I have a sub-set of synesthesia, in which I assign numerical values to letters. It is a little odd but a fun party trick. It is something I have done subconsciously since I was about 8 or 9 years old. Go ahead, ask me what number your name is, and I will geek out (and probably weird you out)!" Read more: https://www.mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

More Leaders Lab profiles? You got it! Today we're highlighting Ryan Greenwaldt of C&A Pro Skis! What's Ryan's favorite thing made in Minnesota? "C&A snowmobile skis of course! Other than that, Arctic Cat - Snowmobiles and Polaris Inc. products!" Read more about Ryan and other members of this year's class here: https://www.mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

As we gear up for our third Leaders Lab session next week, we're delivering a daily dose of participant profiles! Today we're featuring Teresa Fay of DigiKey! Where did Teresa grow up and what's special about her hometown? "I grew up in Baudette, Minnesota, the 'Walleye Capital of the World.' Baudette is located in Lake of the Woods county which borders Canada and is home to the Northwest Angle - the northern most point in the contiguous United States." Read more about our class here: https://www.mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles

Next up in our 2024 Leaders Lab profiles, we're featuring Bryan Ethridge of Wells Fargo! What piece of advice has most impacted Bryan's leadership journey? "Surround yourself with people that are more experienced or intelligent than yourself. Absorb as much knowledge as you can and allow yourself to go along for the ride." Read more: https://www.mnchamber.com/blog/2024-leaders-lab-participant-profiles