Newsletter

November 2016
Cover
Story
Building Blocks for Success:
Giese Sheet Metal Co., Inc. and
Kariden Wine Company
The First 100 days:
What Should The New
President Tackle First?
Mayor Roy Buol on
Diversity & Inlusion

The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
announces One and Done. With this campaign
we want to engage current members by having
them refer at least one new member that is not
currently affiliated with the Chamber. With
your referral you will be entered to win prizes
in our monthly drawing You win, the Chamber
wins and area businesses win!
Where Business Belongs
www.dubuqueChamber.com
563.557.9200

Table of Contents
2 One and Done
3 index
4 Cover Story
7 Getting to Know a Ceo
8 Around the water cooler
10
14 Priorities@work
16 New to the Chamber Team
18 Building Blocks for Success
20 Chamber Calendar
Roy Buol on Diversity and Inclusion
Visit us online at
www.dubuquechamber.com
10
12
18
2016
November
4
2

Over 200 attend The Dubuque

Area Chamber’s 7th Annual

Over 200 atend the
The Dubuque Area Chamber
of Commerce recently
held its 7th Annual Diversity
Summit. The Chamber,
along with event sponsors
the City of Dubuque and
Inclusive Dubuque, had a
prestigious line up of
experts who presented on
the many facets of diversity
to a crowd of over 200
attendees.
From the Summit’s beginning
in 2010 to today, seeds
have been planted and we
are beginning to see the
results of our labor. There
are so many pieces to this
diversity puzzle. No longer
is this just a race conversation.
LET’S CONTINUE TO
educate
OURSELVES, OUR
EMPLOYEES, OUR FAMILIES
AND OUR FRIENDS TO
embrace
differences.
We must also broaden our
scope and remember our
different cultures, personalities,
creativity, generations,
veterans, orientation and so
much more. Not only must
our communities be inclusive,
but also our places of
work.
Presenters
work
Garrison Wynn
Opening Keynote
Inclusion + Tolerance = Success
Dr. Shirley Davis
Keynote 2
Inclusion 2030: Megatrends
Quentin Hart
Lunch Keynote
Mayor of Waterloo, Iowa
The Diversity Summit
encourages everyone to
empower their employees
to bring their ideas to the
table. We must remember
to ensure that everyone
feels part of the team,
confirm everyone understands
office culture and
make sure they understand
employee needs and
cultures as well.
“If this Diversity Summit
taught us anything, it’s this;
10 years from now your
community, your organization,
your businesses will
look totally different than
they do today,” said Chamber
Vice President Barry
Gentry. “Let’s continue to
educate ourselves, our
employees, our families and
our friends to embrace
differences. Let’s grow
stronger together.”
The Chamber has prepared
a diversity toolkit full of
engaging activities and
resources that can be a
useful part of your organizations
effort in becoming a
more inclusive place. You
can find the toolkit on the
Chamber website www.dubuquechamber.com/events/signature-events/diversity-summit/.

C-Suite
SERIES
See it as they “C ” it
Join us for the C-Suite Series where
you will meet the Dubuque area’s
most successful leaders at this new
monthly gathering. This is a chance
to gain insight and perspective from
presentations given by people at the
top of their field that will include
their career story, best practices and
leadership philosophy.
This event will featuring Gretchen
Brown, CEO of Stone Hill
Franciscan Services, on Monday,
November 21st at the Holiday Inn
Dubuque/Galena.
For more information please
contact us at office@dubuquechamber.com
or visit us on the web
at www.dubuquechamber.com.
Where Business Belongs
www.dubuqueChamber.com
563.557.9200

As a business owner,
what issue do you feel
elected President shou
during their first 100 da

our newly
ld focus on
ys in office?
jodi Stricker
Owner, Zazou’s Bridal Boutique
National Security and Foreign Relations is always a top priority. Speaking strictly as a business owner; I hope
to see our newly elected President craft policies that ensure a pro-business climate where more jobs can be
created and wages can grow; ultimately expanding the domestic economy. It will be a monumental task to
balance a tax friendly environment for businesses while managing and reducing our country’s debt. Regardless
of who our next President is, I have faith the American Spirit will be as strong as ever and together we
will continue to thrive.
Luke Hoffman
President/CEO, Higley Industries
I think the newly elected President should focus on the unemployment/underemployment rates by incentivizing
large and small businesses to create jobs in local economies and put people back to work. Putting
fellow Americans to work in quality jobs with quality compensation will help move the needle forward on
other social issues when the immediate needs at home are met.
Jason Henkel
Owner, Jason Henkel Designs
Great question. It is difficult to have a wholistic answer to a question like this, with many issues close to my
heart coming to a head. Answering as a small business owner, I would like to see some steps taken towards
a more business friendly system using policies to increase opportunities and income to be used in help local
economies flourish.

Mayor Roy Buol weighs in on
Diversity
and
Inclusion
In an ever-changing world, full or of
unique and diverse people, we are
looking to find ways to make our communities
and business more inclusive.
Dubuque Mayor Roy Buol shares his
thoughts on how the Dubuque Area
Chamber of Commerce is helping to
create an atmosphere of acceptance
and an opportunity for community
members to be a part of this movement.

CHAMBER: Mayor Buol, with
the City’s plans in regards to
diversity and inclusivity how
do you feel the Chamber
brings value to those goals?
Justine Paradiso of the Dubuque
Area Chamber of Commerce
interviews Mayor Roy Buol at the
new Cottingham and Butler Plaza.
Mayor Buol: Diversity and
inclusivity are critical to
Dubuque’s economy. Today in
the Dubuque area, there are
over 80 companies who have
an international presence.
And it’s actually over 100, if
you include those companies
whose customers, in turn, sell
their products overseas.
Seventy-seven of these companies
have overseas locations.
Every day, we have
people working in the global
marketplace who choose to
call Dubuque home. In addition,
our institutions of higher
learning have students from
over 26 countries living and
studying here. Creating a
welcoming global community
where everyone can pursue
the American dream will
separate healthy cities from
failing cities. And it is proven
that healthy caring communities
attract business investment,
which in turn provides
market rate jobs.
The Chamber’s early leadership
in creating the Diversity
Summit is a perfect example
of creating a program that
supports an inclusive community.
It is also a valuable
resource for local businesses
who are competing for employees
in a global marketplace.
CHAMBER: We know you
applaud partnerships. Please
speak on how the City, Chamber
and many others are partnering
together to make Dubuque more
inclusive?
Mayor Buol: When we talk
about making Dubuque more
inclusive, there is one program
that stands out among the rest
and that is Inclusive Dubuque.
Inclusive Dubuque is a model
program to bring business,
community, and institutions
together to address issues of
inclusivity and creating a welcoming
community. Their vision
is to have an informed, equitable
and inclusive community where
all people feel respected,
valued, and engaged. This program,
which now has over 60
network partners from the
public and private sector, is
helping build community
dialogue among diverse groups
to create better understanding
among residents toward our
goal of creating a more inclusive
community. Working
collectively, the peer-learning
network partners are committed
to supporting an equitable
and inclusive culture to meet
the economic and cultural
needs of our diverse community.
The network works collaboratively
to eliminate bias in our
community. While this goal
would be difficult for a single
organization or individual to
achieve, each network member
contributes to an effective
outcome. The early and active
participation of the Chamber
adds great value.
CHAMBER: Explain how young
professionals can contribute as
it relates to sustainability, diversity,
inclusivity and other community
involvement?
Mayor Buol: The Chamber’s YP
Dubuque has proven through
countless initiatives, such as
Community Days of Caring and
others, that they are positively
impacting our Dubuque.
Healthy communities are those
in which residents feel connected
and these activities are
connecting young professionals
to the community. In Dubuque,
there are countless ways in

which young professionals can
and should become engaged.
They are our future leadership
and we need them at the
table helping to design
Dubuque’s future. One very
timely way young professionals
can contribute is by participating
in “Imagine Dubuque,”
our process to create a new
comprehensive plan for our
community. They can visit
ImagineDubuqe.com to
download the app, share
input, and learn about
upcoming events. Another
great way to contribute is to
volunteer for one of the City’s
31 boards and commissions,
which play a vital role in local
government and are a great
stepping stone for further
public service. A third way to
be more involved is to participate
in City Life, our free
citizen’s academy which provides
in-depth information on
City services and programs.
Finally, good government
requires a variety of perspectives
and we need young
professionals to run for public
office.
CHAMBER: As you know, the
Dubuque Area Chamber of
Commerce was the first 5 Star
Chamber in Iowa. We feel a
large part of that accreditation
derives from our annual
Diversity Summit. Can you
share your thoughts on the
Summit’s importance?
Mayor Buol: The Chamber’s
Diversity Summit is a one-day
event that is both interactive
and informative. The summit
brings in knowledgeable
speakers to address issues of
race and equity in a way that
informs and engages participants
in understanding cultural
norms and helping us look
at a situation through a different
lens. The Diversity Summit
also helps to reinforce the
vision of Inclusive Dubuque.
CHAMBER: How do you feel
area businesses and the community
can improve diversity
and quality for Dubuque’s
future?
Mayor Buol: Get engaged!
Encourage the business community
to contribute time,
talent, and treasure to strategic
initiatives and programs
like Inclusive Dubuque that
use a collective impact model
to create an informed, equitable,
and inclusive community
where all people feel respected,
valued, and engaged. Area
businesses can share their
experiences and insights and
best practices from their
industry to inform these
efforts. They can also be
supportive of their employees
participating in volunteer
activities and organizations
whose purpose is to improve
the quality of life in
Dubuque. As I mentioned
earlier, sharing their ideas in
the Imagine Dubuque process
is critical so that we
develop a plan for our community’s
future that truly
represents our community.
CHAMBER: What 3 things do
you wish could magically
appear to help achieve City
goals?
Mayor Buol: In order to
answer this, I think we need
to first ask ourselves another
question: What has made
Dubuque the community it is
today? It is about having a
shared vision at all levels,
committing resources to that
vision, and community
engagement and buy-in at
every level along the way.
CHAMBER:What is the best
and worst advice you have
ever been given in your life?
Some of the best advice I
hold close is that integrity is
doing the right thing, even
when no one is watching,
and character is how you
treat others who can do
nothing for you.

CHAMBER: What book are you
currently reading?
Mayor Buol: Vince Flynn’s,
Mitch Rapp Series which
includes 14 books.
CHAMBER: If you could have
coffee with anyone, dead, alive
or fictitious, who would they be
and why?
Mayor Buol:
1. My mom and Grandma/Grandpa
Harms-I would
like to tell them that their
many sacrifices, on my behalf
are paying dividends. I was
truly blessed.
2. My wife Deborah,you can
never spend too much time
with the person who completes
you! A beautiful person
inside and out!!
CHAMBER: As an elected
official, what advice would you
give someone looking to run for
any sort of office or elected
position?
Mayor Buol: You must engage
citizens as partners.

Chamber
Priorities@work
Election Results
Iowa
US Senate Iowa
*Charles Grassley (R / Inc.) 923,280
Patty Judge (D) 546,974
Charles Aldrich (L) 41,609
US House Iowa District 1
*Rod Blum (R / Inc.) 206,273
Monica Vernon (D) 176,447
IA Senate District 50
*Pam Jochum (D) 18,282
John Hulsizer Jr. (R) 10,602
IA State House District 57
*Shannon Lundgren (R) 8,990
Tom Stecher (D) 8,227
IA State House District 58
*Andy McKean (R) 9,044
Jessica Kean (D) 6,290
Dubuque County Supervisor
Dave Baker (D) 23,022
Curt Kiessling (R) 22,813
Dubuque Soil & Water Conservation District
Board
Three seats available
*David Ruden (i) 12,650
*Melvin Wilgenbusch (i) 11,027
*Jeff Schmitt 8,238
Jack Smith 8,091
Jeffrey Reiter (i) 7,543
Craig Reber 6,404
Ryan Peterson 6,271
Candidate Breakfast Hosted by the
Dubuque area chamber of commerce
A handful of candidates running for local and federal office were
present at a forum hosted by the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
on October 7 at the Holiday Inn Dubuque/Galena. Around
fifty attendees heard from candidates running for everything from
State Legislature to County Sheriff. The Chamber hosts the event to
give people a closer look at the candidates.
Among the candidates at the breakfast were State Senator Pam
Jochum, County Supervisor Jay Wickham, County Auditor Denise
Dolan, and Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Kennedy. Also in attendance were
Shannon Lundgren, Tom Stecher, Dave Baker and Curt Kiessling.
To the right are local results along with the breakdown of Dubuque
County voters in the Presidential election.
ISU Outreach and Extension Dubuque County
Council
Four seats available
*Lou Ann Krapfl (i) 14,802
*Bill Watters (i) 14,048
*Matt Simon 12,032
*Lindsay James 11,723
Christopher Dean 8,724
Ron Calonder (i) 7,881
Illinois
Jo Daviess County State’s Attorney
*John Hay (R) (i) 7,475
Ronald Leinen (D) 3,620
Jo Daviess County Board District 16
*Robert Heuerman (R) (i) 382
Elaine Schlichting (D) 216
Wisconsin
Assembly District 49
*Travis Tranel (R) (i) 15,057
Jesse Bennett (D) 11,344
Lafayette County District Attorney
*Jenna Gill (R) 4,832
Kate Findley (D) (i) 2,532

Senator Ernst meets with the chamber and business representatives
The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce and community members were honored to host a dinner
with Senator Joni Ernst on October 7, 2016. Chamber President and CEO Molly Grover and Vice
President Barry Gentry along with Stacey Hines, Jake Schneider, Rick Dickinson, Dr. Liang Chee Wee &
John Tallent were among the dinner guests for this informal information sharing dinner. Multiple
topics were discussed including thoughts on what the business community would like to see
happen in the upcoming year.

new at the
Paige Klostermann
Business Success Manager
Hometown: Born and raised in Dyersville, Iowa
Graduated in May 2012 with a Bachelor’s
Paige Klostermann
Wartburg College. Graduated May 2016 with M.S.
Business Success Manager
Hometown: Born and raised in Dyersville, Iowa
Graduated in May 2012 with a Bachelor’s
Business Success
Wartburg Manager. Paige College. is responsible Graduated May for growing 2016 with the M.S. Chamber’s
membership through recruitment, client referrals, membership upgrades and conversions, and
Hobbies/Interests:
out with family and friends. Business Success
Pets: Manager. No pets Paige of is my responsible own, but my for family growing has the 2 dogs, Chamber’s Bella and Andi and 2 cats, Nike and MJ
Favorite membership place through you’ve recruitment, visited: Sedona, client AZ referrals, (Red Rocks) membership upgrades and conversions, and
Place you would like to visit: Hawaii
Hobbies/Interests:
would out with they family be? and friends.
1. Pets: Arnold No pets Palmer of my own, 2. Tiger but my Woods family has 23. dogs, Jordan Bella Spieth and Andi and 2 cats, Nike and MJ
Favorite place you’ve visited: Sedona, AZ (Red Rocks)
Place you would like to visit: Hawaii
Paige fortson
Government would they be? Intern
Major: 1. Arnold Palmer 2. Tiger Woods 3. Jordan Spieth
School: Loras College
Graduated: 2016
Paige fortson
Government Intern
Government Other Jobs: Server Intern at Red Robin
Major: Pets: Cat named Patrick Swayze
School: Hobbies/interests: Loras CollegeMovie nights, traveling, playing with my cat
Graduated: Dream job: 2016
Government Intern
1. Other Bernie Jobs: Mac Barista at Starbucks 2. Drake and (the a server rapper) at Red Robin 3. Emily Dickenson
Pets: Cat named Patrick Swayze
Hobbies/interests: Movie nights, traveling, playing with my cat
Dream job:

Justine Paradiso
Hometown: Preston, Iowa (45 minutes South of Dubuque)
Graduated in May 2009 from Clarke (College)
Justine Paradiso
Hometown: Preston, Iowa (45 minutes south of Dubuque)
Graduated in May 2009 from Clarke (College)
the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) for area students.
Spouse: Just got married to AJ Paradiso on July 2.
Pets: 6-year-old calico cat named Lucy
Hobbies/Interests:
Favorite the Young place Entrepreneurs you’ve visited: Academy Montego (YEA!) Bay, for Jamaica area students.
Place Spouse: you Just would got married like to visit: to AJ Paradiso on July 2.
Pets: 6-year-old calico cat named Lucy
Hobbies/Interests:
would they be?
1. William Shakespeare 2. Eleanor Roosevelt 3. Jane Auste
Favorite place you’ve visited: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Place you would like to visit:
andrew grossklaus
Government would they be? Intern
Major: 1. William Shakespeare 2. Eleanor Roosevelt 3. Jane Austen
School: Loras College
May 2019
andrew grossklaus Government Intern
Government Other Jobs: Stocker Intern at G.F.S Marketplace
Major: Hobbies/interests:
Dream School: job: Loras CEO College of a Non-profit
May 2019
Government Intern
Other Jobs: Stocker at G.F.S Marketplace
Hobbies/interests:
Dream job: CEO of a Non-profit
1. Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World 2. Steve Jobs, Founder of Apple 3. Pope Francis
1. Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World 2. Steve Jobs, Founder of Apple 3. Pope Francis

Building Blocks for S
Been around the block
Giese Sheet Metal Co., Inc.
Giese Sheet Metal Co., Inc. was started by Edwin Giese
Sr., in 1923. We had a chance to sit down with management
at Giese and learn a little more about the company
today.
How long have you been in business? 93 years of
dedicated service.
Number of employees: 35
Hours of operation: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday; 24-7 After Hour Services
What does your company do and what need does this
meet in the community?
Giese Sheet Metal Co., Inc. is a local HVAC contractor
specializing in industrial, foundry and commercial HVAC
system fabrication and installation. Giese Sheet Metal
can meet any custom metal fabrication need. Giese’s
technicians are experts in the maintenance and service
of HVAC systems of any size. Giese’s workforce is made
up of people who live in and support the Dubuque
community. Giese Sheet Metal completes numerous
projects around the Dubuque community annually. We
guarantee our projects are completed with the quality
craftsmanship that makes them last.
Why is it important to your company to be Chamber
members?
The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce is invaluable
to Giese Sheet Metal because it gives us a social avenue
for economic growth. They bring development to the
Dubuque Community which creates business opportunities
for Giese Sheet Metal. The Chamber provides us
access to markets we would not have been able to
access on our own. They facilitate opportunities to
network with other local members to expand our reach
within the Dubuque community. .

uccess
new kid on the block
Kariden Wine Company
Ashley Higginbottom, owner and operator, started the
Kariden Wine Company in 2016. With only 3 months of
business under their belt Dubuque is toasting to the
great value and convenience of what Kariden has to
offer. We had a chance to interview Ashley as our New
Kid on the Block this month.
How many years have you been in business?
This is a brand-new business that was started in August
of 2016.
How many employees do you currently have?
Ashley is the sole owner and currently the only employee
at the wine shop.
What are your hours of operation?
The current hours of operation are Sunday through
Tuesday, 1 – 9 p.m. and closed Wednesday through
Saturday.
What does your company do and what need
does this meet in the community?
Kariden Wine Company sells inexpensive wines
under $15. The store also does special wine
requests. Kariden Wine will help the wine lovers in
the community save money on wines for holidays
or any day by buying by the case at a reasonable
and affordable price.
Why is it important to your company to become
Chamber members?
I have heard from multiple sources that the Chamber
is great with helping small businesses market
their company and they have a good reputation in
the community. Being a new business, I need help
publicizing my business and I knew being a Chamber
member would go a long way to helping me
achieve that goal.

November 15
November 18
November 21
November 16
B2B Referral Group
Chamber Power Boardroom Hour
Hotel 8:30am Julien - 9:30am Dubuque
7:30am - 8:30am
4:30pm - 7:00pm
Get To Know A CEO
Chamber Boardroom
8:30am - 9:30am
YP Symposium
Hotel Julien Dubuque
11:30am - 6:00pm
November 17
November 24
B2B Referral Group
Chamber Boardroom
8:15am - 9:15am
Thanksgiving Day
Dekker Pfab Computer Services
4:30pm - 5:00pm
November 26
Small Business Saturday
November 18
Power Hour
Hotel Julien Dubuque
7:30am - 8:30am

November 21
November 28
November 24
Get To Know A CEO
Chamber Boardroom
8:30am - 9:30am
Cyber Monday
Thanksgiving Day
November
November
29
26
B2B Referral Group
Chamber Small Business Boardroom Saturday
8:30am - 9:30am
November 28
4:30pm Cyber - 5:00pm Monday
December November 1 29
B2B Referral B2B Referral Group Group
Chamber Chamber Boardroom Boardroom
8:15am 8:30am - 9:15am - 9:30am
Hammer Law Firm PLC
4:30pm 4:30pm - 5:00pm - 5:00pm
December 6
Decmeber 7
Decmeber 7
December 8
December 8
B2B Referral Group
Chamber Boardroom
8:30am - 9:30am
B2B Referral Group
Chamber Boardroom
8:30am - 9:30am
B2B Referral Group
Chamber Boardroom
8:30am - 9:30am
B2B Referral Group
Chamber Boardroom
8:15am - 9:15am
B2B Referral Group
Barnstormers Chamber Bar Boardroom & Grill
4:30pm 8:15am - 5:00pm - 9:15am
YP Merry Mix ‘N Mingle
Barnstormers Bar & Grill
5:30pm 4:30pm - 8:00pm - 5:00pm
YP Merry Mix ‘N Mingle
5:30pm - 8:00pm
and more please visit our calendar at
www.dubuquechamber.com/events/
December 6 1
B2B Referral B2B Referral Group Group
Chamber Chamber Boardroom Boardroom
8:30am 8:15am - 9:30am - 9:15am
Hammer Law Firm PLC
4:30pm - 5:00pm