Member News Archives | Page 2 of 23 | Greater Green Bay Chamber

Rep. Rivera-Wagner Names Robyn Y. Davis J.D. as Hometown Hero Award Recipient

State Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner announced today that Robyn Y. Davis, J.D., President and CEO of Brown County United Way, has been selected as the recipient of the Hometown Hero Award, an honor bestowed by the Wisconsin State Assembly to residents who have made an extraordinarily positive impact on their communities.

“Robyn Davis embodies what it means to be a hometown hero,” said Rep. Rivera-Wagner. “Her leadership is rooted in collaboration, innovation and a deep belief that every person deserves the opportunity to thrive.”

Trained as an attorney and seasoned across law, retail management, ministry and nonprofit leadership, Davis brings a unique, cross-sector perspective to community problem-solving. Since 2017, Davis has served as President and CEO of Brown County United Way, guiding the organization through a period of historic growth, including its 100-year milestone of service. Under her leadership, Brown County United Way has mobilized the community to strengthen its impact by investing in individuals, improving community systems and advocating for societal policy changes. The work she and the team have done has resulted in expanded partnerships and securing major bipartisan investments to better meet community needs, so all can thrive.

A respected social entrepreneur and community advocate, Davis has led efforts focused on data-driven solutions, equity and long-term community resilience. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous state and national honors, including the Athena Leadership Award and Titan 100. She continues to serve on numerous boards and advisory councils while mentoring the next generation of leaders through her leadership platform, The Valiant Leader.

“The strength of our community is a direct reflection of leaders like Robyn,” Rivera-Wagner added. “Green Bay is stronger because of her service.”

Rep. Rivera-Wagner will formally present the Hometown Hero Award to Davis on January 20 at 1 p.m. in Madison in front of the full Assembly.

Fox Communities Credit Union Announces Promotions to AVP, Regional Branch Managers

Fox Communities Credit Union is excited to announce that we have promoted the following Regional Branch Managers to the position of Assistant Vice President, Regional Branch Manager.

Tara Birling
Karen Dietzen
John Hessenthaler
Nicole Karnopp
Tricia Villarreal
Amanda Zeinert

This leadership team began their journey as Senior Branch Operations Managers—responsible not only for leading their individual branches and supporting daily member needs, but also for driving cross-functional projects and contributing to committees across Fox. As Fox evolved, so did their roles. We redefined expectations, refreshed responsibilities, and introduced a new leadership model—one that asked them to dive deeper into branch operations, engage more meaningfully with teams, and lead a hub of branches.

Tara Birling
Karen Dietzen
John Hassenthaler
Nicole Karnopp
Tricia Villarreal

“Their leadership is essential to guiding our retail-branch team members, fostering collaboration across teams throughout Fox, and driving key initiatives, reporting, and growth within the retail-branch network. The scope of their responsibilities is vast –and so is their influence. These leaders play a pivotal role in everything from coaching, goal setting, promoting products and services, and deepening the member experience, while overseeing branch operations and cultivating a positive work environment.” said Tommie Preslaski, Chief Experience Officer at Fox Communities Credit Union.

With over 88 years of experience, Fox Communities Credit Union proudly serves more than 139,000 members across 22 Wisconsin locations. As a member-owned financial institution, Fox prioritizes people over profits, ensuring members receive exceptional service and support. With a dedicated team of over 500 professionals and assets exceeding $3 billion, Fox is well-equipped to meet the financial needs of members. Fox is featured as one of Wisconsin’s Leading Credit Unions in Forbes and Fortune. The 2025 Community Choice Awards voted Fox Best Credit Union in the Fox Cities and the Best in Financial Planning in Green Bay and Oshkosh. Fox is also a Gold-Certified Fox Cities Employee Friendly Workplace and is recognized as a top workplace and community partner by several respected organizations. Learn more about the Fox difference at foxcu.org.

Winterfest on Broadway Cancelled Due to Extreme Cold Temperatures

The team at On Broadway, Inc. has made the difficult decision to cancel Winterfest on Broadway presented by Green Bay Packers GiveBack and the Candy Land Scavenger Hunt presented by Fox Communities Credit Union, scheduled for this Saturday, January 24 as a result of the forecasted extreme bitter cold temperatures. The decision was made in the interest of all those involved in the event, including the animals, and those who would be attending and making memories with us.

Event organizers have been discussing the impending forecast for over a week and consulted with the local office for the National Weather Service to get a complete picture of the impending cold temperatures, per standard procedure. Additionally, the team weighed and discussed the many aspects of the event that would be affected in any way by the event being cancelled.

The safety of everyone involved—participants, staff, and attendees—is our top priority,” said Mary Rhode, vice president of marketing and communications for On Broadway, Inc. “Our goal is to deliver a high-quality experience for guests while also ensuring positive outcomes for our vendors, retailers, food trucks, and Broadway District businesses. When extreme cold and dangerous wind chills begin to interfere with programming, it becomes necessary to make difficult decisions like this.

Events like Winterfest on Broadway are done in part to support the many small businesses that make up the Broadway District during what can be a difficult time of year for them. We encourage the community to brave the chilly temps this weekend and stop out to support those amazing small businesses, whether for shopping or dining.

On Broadway, Inc looks forward to curating additional community events in the coming months and
our 2026 event listing can be found on our website.

Getting Organized in the New Year Can Improve Productivity and Your LIfe. GOodwill NCW Can Help

The arrival of a new year, for many, means new goals. Millions make New Year’s Resolutions, as the turning of the calendar can signify a fresh start. One way to start with a clean slate is to get organized. It just so happens that January has been declared “National Get Organized Month”, and Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (NCW) is ready to join in and help individuals embrace it. Did you know there are plenty of benefits to decluttering your life? Here are a few:

Reducing stress: According to Anthem, “Living in clutter can cause stress, feeling overwhelmed, depression, anxiety, problems with personal relationships, and more. When you declutter, you are alleviating the disorganization in your environment and also in your mind.”

Increasing productivity: Visual clutter decreases your focus and hampers your ability to concentrate on your work which can prevent productivity. When your environment is disorganized, you tend to feel lazy and unmotivated. Cleaning up clutter is a great way to regain concentration.

Saving time: Think of how much time you’ve spent looking for a specific item. Being organized can eliminate frantic searches, saving minutes, and maybe even hours. Also, decluttering means there’s less to clean. Less dusting and organizing equals more time.

Community impact: Once you declutter, what do you do with those items you don’t need anymore? Donate to Goodwill NCW. Donating gently used items creates more room in your home and helps those in our community start fresh by supporting programs that teach job skills that can put them on a path to sustained employment and improved financial stability.

“When you declutter and donate to Goodwill NCW, you’re not only clearing space for yourself, but you’re also making a huge local impact,” said Chris Talton, vice president of donated goods retail operations. “For example, the average donation of gently used items provides about 3 hours of job training. That can be life-changing”.

To start decluttering, find a Goodwill NCW store HERE

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About Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (Goodwill NCW)

Goodwill NCWis a nonprofit organization with a mission of Elevating People by Eliminating Barriers to Employment. We provide pathways to those underserved, underrepresented or disadvantaged who have a goal of building job skills that lead to sustained employment and improved financial stability. We see people for who they are and believe in the power of work, within our retail stores and workplaces throughout our community. We are proud of the life-changing impact we make in our communities and to our planet with the help of our donors and shoppers. Learn more at goodwillncw.org

Farmer Roundtables Return to Kaukauna and Oshkosh this FEbruary

Farmers, agricultural landowners, and conservation professionals are invited to attend the 2026 Farmer Roundtables, a pair of one-day events focused on soil health, conservation practices, and protecting water quality across the Fox-Wolf Basin. Attendees will leave with practical ideas they can apply on their own operations, regardless of size or system.

Hosted by the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, the Farmer Roundtables will take place February 4 in Kaukauna and February 5 in Oshkosh. Both locations will offer the same agenda, allowing attendees to choose the event closest to them.

The events are designed to support peer learning and open conversation, bringing farmers and conservation staff together to share practical experience and discuss what is working in the field.

Event details

Kaukauna Farmer Roundtable
February 4, 2026 | 9:30 AM–4:00 PM
Van Abel’s of Hollandtown, Kaukauna, WI

Oshkosh Farmer Roundtable
February 5, 2026 | 9:30 AM–4:00 PM
Brighton Acres, Oshkosh, WI

Registration:
$20 for farmers and agricultural landowners
$50 for conservation staff

Advance registration is required, including for those planning to pay at the door.

Paired keynote speakers

The 2026 Farmer Roundtables will feature a paired keynote that connects national soil health strategies with local application.

Rick Clark, a fifth-generation farmer from Indiana, will open the day by sharing his systems-based approach to regenerative farming and long-term soil health.

Clark will be joined by Steve Hoffman, Founder and Managing Agronomist at InDepth Agronomy. Hoffman has decades of experience working with Northeast Wisconsin farmers and understands the region’s unique challenges, including heavy clay soils, high manure loads, and short growing seasons.

Together, the speakers will explore how soil health systems can be adapted to local conditions using real-world case studies, management strategies, and practical examples that work in Northeast Wisconsin. Clark will return later in the afternoon to close the event with a keynote wrap-up before the networking happy hour.

Program highlights

Farmer panel focused on real-world experience
Lightning Talks from local farmers and conservation staff
Structured time for discussion and peer learning
Networking happy hour at the end of the day

Lightning Talk topics include NRCS standards, long-term conservation decision-making, grazing systems, and cover cropping strategies.

About the Farmer Roundtables

The Farmer Roundtables are regional events that bring together farmers, landowners, agronomists, and conservation professionals from across the Fox-Wolf Basin. The goal is to support soil health and water quality through shared learning, practical insight, and collaboration.

Learn more and register

Registration ends January 28^th. Visit fox-wolf.org/farmer-roundtable to register or learn more.

To register by phone or ask questions, contact Tim Burns at tim@fwwa.org or (920) 840-0104.

About Fox-Wolf

The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring water resources in the Fox-Wolf River Basin. We unite communities, businesses, and individuals to ensure clean water and healthy ecosystems for future generations.

Fox Communities Credit Union Announces Melissa Harper as Assistant Vice PResident of Mortgage Processing & CLosing

Fox Communities Credit Union has promoted Melissa Harper to Assistant Vice President of Mortgage Processing & Closing. Harper started at Fox as a Mortgage Loan Processor.

As AVP of Mortgage Processing & Closing, Harper will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and influence over the Mortgage Loan Processing & Closing functions. This includes driving operational excellence, ensuring compliance, and contributing to strategic initiatives related to the Mortgage Loan Processing & Closing Teams.

“I am excited and appreciative of the chance to lead in the role of Assistant Vice President of Mortgage Processing & Closing. In this capacity, I will continue to prioritize delivering exceptional experiences for our members, team member growth and development, and strengthen collaboration between all our mortgage teams. With member experience being our top priority, I will continue to work to enhance efficiency and uphold the highest standards across the industry. I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the future growth and success of Fox,” said Harper.

Fox Communities Credit Union Announces Jared Anderson as Director of Cards

Fox Communities Credit Union has promoted Jared Anderson to Director of Cards. Anderson’s previous position at Fox was Business Intelligence Analyst.

The Director of Cards is a dual-function leadership role responsible for both the strategic development of cards and the operational oversight of card services within the Member Payment Systems department. This role ensures regulator compliance, drives product innovation, supports team development, and maintains high service standards across card operations. Anderson will also leverage data analytics and cross-functional collaboration to optimize performance and member experience.

“I am honored to step into the role of Director of Cards and excited by the opportunity to lead both the strategic development of our card programs and the operational excellence of card services. I look forward to supporting our talented cards team as we drive performance, strengthen vendor partnerships, and enhance the member experience. Together, we will continue delivering secure, innovative, and meaningful card solutions that empower our members and advance sustainable growth for the credit union,” said Anderson.

Element Announces Two LEadership Promotions to Support Strategic Growth

Element, a fully integrated marketing agency located in De Pere, Wis., is excited to announce two promotions within the leadership and account services teams. These changes are part of the agency’s ongoing strategic expansion, designed to support the company’s integrated approach to marketing and deliver strong results for new and existing clients.

Katie Bramschreiber, who recently celebrated a decade with Element, has been promoted to Director of Integrated Strategy. In this role, Bramschreiber will lead the development of integrated marketing strategies for clients and help drive agency growth. This role is pivotal in driving cross-department collaboration and amplifying measurable results. Her previous experience as an account executive and leading the account services team positions her to align insights, creativity, and strategy to build lasting partnerships for clients.

Liv Upstone has been promoted to Client Services Manager. In this role, Upstone will lead and grow client relationships and manage the account services team. Her previous experiences as both an account manager and brand manager uniquely position her to excel at both strategic marketing and leading the team to elevate the agency’s client relationships.

“Element’s formula for success is to connect strategy, creative, and data into one brand experience. Businesses don’t just need another vendor for their marketing. They need a partner willing to immerse in their brand and deliver results that matter. We’re thrilled for Katie and Liv to lead this charge for our clients,” said Nikki Peroutka, president of Element.

These two promotions mark an important step as Element continually develops and sharpens its strategic focus and commitment to client success. With Upstone and Bramschreiber in these new leadership roles, Element will continue to strengthen and grow its presence, supporting national and global businesses based throughout the Midwest.

For more information about Element, visit www.goelement.com.

Announcing the NEW Manufacaturing Alliance’s 2026 All Stars

The Northeast Wisconsin (NEW) Manufacturing Alliance is pleased to announce its 2026 All Stars awards. This marks the 18^th year of the annual awards featuring local manufacturing employees nominated by Alliance member companies. There are also two All Star Mentor award winners that are outstanding examples of employees who strengthen their workforce or provide outreach to schools or the community. The winners are spotlighted in a career exploration magazine. The digital version includes hyperlinks to three-minute videos highlighting each award winner.

Manufacturing offers prominent careers, and the NEW Manufacturing Alliance All Stars have been promoting that since the first issue in 2009. More than 350,000 magazines have reached the hands of students in Northeast Wisconsin high schools and technical colleges, as well as their instructors and manufacturing leaders. Over the last eighteen years, 200 manufacturing employees have been spotlighted in the publication.

The 2026 All Stars Magazine cover features Elizabeth, a quality engineer at W.E. Hoban Company in Green Bay. When asked what she likes working in manufacturing, ‘The job is a lot more hands-on than it would be elsewhere.’

All Star Award winner Levi Lesperance, a maintenance technician at Sargento shares what he enjoys most about his job, ‘ I enjoy that every day is something different and a new challenge.’ He added, ‘I appreciate that Sargento is staying on top of new technology to drive innovation and make our lives easier.’

2026 All Stars Magazine features winners from the following companies: Georgia-Pacific, Great Northern Packaging, HUI Manufacturing, Nercon Conveyor Systems, Nicolet Plastics, Nueske Meats, Rockline Industries, Samuel Pressure Vessel Group, W.E. Hoban Company

The All Stars are manufacturing employees between the ages of 18 – 36 years of age. All Star Mentors can be individuals of any age.

To view the 2026 All Stars online publication https://online.fliphtml5.com/apnek/nynf/index.html#p=1 or www.newmfgalliance.org.

The NEW Manufacturing Alliance is a group of manufacturers working together with educational institutions, workforce development boards, chambers of commerce and state organizations to promote manufacturing throughout Northeast Wisconsin.

Green Bay Innovation Group to Host 5P Expo February 24th in Green Bay

A Green Bay-based business consortium supporting the Great Lakes Region’s Packaging, Paper, Plastics, Printing, Pulp (5P) and the Converting industries will host an Expo on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Green Bay Innovation Group will present the 5P Showcase Expo, bringing together industry experts and highlighting leading innovations in the 5P Industries, converting, and food packaging. Registration is now open to attend or exhibit at the 5P Showcase Expo on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at Oneida Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay.

Industry Leaders to Speak at Event

In addition to 95 exhibitors on the Expo floor, print and packaging industry leaders will speak at the event. The morning presenter will be Laura Bix, PhD, who leads the Packaging HUB – Healthcare, Universal Design and Biomechanics at the Michigan State University School of Packaging. Prof. Bix will present “Making the World Safer with Packaging” at 9 a.m. Sun Chemical, a leading provider of inks and pressroom products, color materials and advanced materials, will feature three presenters for the 1 p.m. informational session. Rick Stokes, Vice President – Market Management at Sun Chemical, will present “Current Trends in the Printing and Packaging Markets.” Stokes has been in the packaging industry for 34 years, working in manufacturing, sales, and marketing for a wide range of adhesives, coatings, and inks.

Kim Barham, Sun Chemical Business Development Executive, and Steve Howell, Sun Chemical Advanced Application Specialist, will present “High Speed Printing is HERE!” Barham and Howell both have been in the printing industry for 30+ years.

95 Exhibitors Featured at the Expo

The 5P Showcase Expo will feature 95 exhibitors displaying innovations in products and services. The Expo is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Oneida Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay, followed by a free, onsite networking event from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Registration is Open for Expo on Feb. 24, 2026 Registration is now open at GreenBayInnovationGroup.com. Pricing for the 5P Showcase Expo is $50 to attend and $1,000 to exhibit. A limited number of exhibitor booths are still available, so register today at the Events tab of the Green Bay Innovation Group website. For more information, contact Marty Ochs, 608-698-3333 or martinpochs@gmail.com.

Category: Member News