Speaker Biographies
Marcia Arneson, Sacred Heart Hospital
Marcia Arneson is a Wellness Facilitator, Tar Wars Coordinator, Community Needs and Benefit Expert, as well as the Director of the Center for Healthy Living at Sacred Heart Hospital, where she has worked for 18 years. Marcia designed and implemented a worksite wellness program which has been successfully launched in many local businesses. Marcia was the first-ever recipient of the Friends of Sacred Heart Hospital “Commitment to Community Award” and is an avid speaker on the topic of stress management, life balance, health, and wellness.
Christopher Brooke, WESTconsin Credit Union
Christopher Brooke is a Senior Business Loan Officer with WESTconsin Credit Union. For 12 years, he has been assisting individuals and businesses in the Chippewa Valley with achieveing their personal and business financial goals. Christopher is active with the Kiwanis International Noon Club of Eau Claire, Junior Achievement, and serves as a judge for Downtown Eau Claire’s Jumpstart competition.
Shelly Cedarblade, Woo! Social Media Marketing
Shelly Cedarblade is the Owner and Chief Social Media Strategist at Woo! Social Media Marketing. She helps small businesses connect with their clients and customers by making social media manageable and understandable.
Mindy Dale, Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci SC
Mindy Dale is an attorney with Weld, Riley, Prenn and Ricci, S.C. She practices in the areas of public and private sector management labor law, employment law, municipal, school, and administrative law. She is a graduate of Indiana University and Indiana University School of Law. Dale is admitted to practice in the Federal and State Courts in Wisconsin and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Linda DeVries, Wipfli, LLP
For over 20 years, Linda has dedicated her career to human resources, learning, and development. She has worked primarily in the healthcare and hospitality industries, working specifically in workforce engagement through employee development. Currently, she is instrumental in Wipfli’s corporate university, WipfliU.
Pat Dillon, MBA Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network
As a Consultant for the Center for Technology Commercialization, formerly the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network (WEN), Dillon assists startup and existing companies with funding and growth opportunities; assessing the commercial viability of technologies and products; developing strategic business and marketing plans and competing for federal research and development funding through SBIR/STTR programs with a concentrated expertise in defense and medical technologies. Ms. Dillon has assisted hundreds of companies over the years with more than 50 companies winning more than $35M in SBIR/STTR funding. Dillon has over 24 years of public-private sector knowledge and experience in federal grants and contracts, entrepreneurship and innovation, and technology commercialization. Ms. Dillon earned a MBA and BS in Business Administration from Winona State University. Ms. Dillon is also a Commander in the United States Navy Reserve with more than 35 years of service.
Lisa Geist, Nohre & Co
Lisa Geist spent 10 years of her accounting career in public accounting with a local CPA firm and worked in the private sector for a large property management and real estate company. She now specializes in tax, construction, and general services. Lisa has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and an accounting degree from UW-Eau Claire.
Char Gurney, West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
Char Gurney is the Economic Development Fund Manager for West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and Regional Business Fund, Inc. Char has experience within the banking industry and gained economic development experience while working for the City of Eau Claire’s Economic Development Division. She holds a Bachelor of Administration degree in Finance from UW-Eau Claire and is certified as an Economic Development Financial Professional through the National Development Council.
Cindy Hangartner, Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci SC
Cindy Hangartner is an attorney with Weld, Riley, Prenn and Ricci, S.C. She advises clients in estate planning, probate, tax, and business and corporate law with an emphasis on non-profit organizations. Hangartner has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Luther College. She earned her law degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and earned a Master’s Degree in Taxation from the University of Denver.
Ben Holmen, Ben Holmen Web Development LLC
Ben Homen has been developing and managing websites for over a decade. He works with businesses of all sizes, but has a particular passion for developing websites as an integral part of small businesses.
David Hopkins, Woita & Associates Inc.
David Hopkins helps clients accumulate, preserve, protect, transfer, and distribute their retirement assets. His goal is to help clients throughout their lives, always keeping their goals, needs, and objectives as the focal point of his practice. David is a member of the Wisconsin Home Builders Association, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley, and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
Cheryl Jordan, SBA
Cheryl Jordan started working for SCORE in 1976 and four years later became an employee of the U.S. Small Business Administration, where she works as the Business Development Specialist for the Federal Certification and the WOSB Women’s Contracting Program. She has worked for Small Business Administration, over 28 years.
M. Laurie Klinkhammer,
Spangler, Nodolf, Bruder & Klinkhammer, LLC
Laurie Klinkhammer is an attorney that practices in the area of estate administration and estate planning, including complex trust issues, special needs planning, guardianships, cabin trusts, farm succession planning, contested probates and trusts, financial and healthcare powers of attorney, marital property issues, and other probate proceedings. Laurie has a Bachelor Arts in Anthropology/Archaelogy from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law.
Michelle Madl-Soehren, Nicolet College
Michelle Madl-Soehren has developed curriculum and delivered training sessions specifically related to personnel issues, professional development, small business development, and entrepreneurship. She has served as Nicolet’s Business Development Outreach Specialist and has taught as an adjunct instructor in the Business Management, Supervisory Management, Marketing, and Social Science programs for the Wisconsin Technical College System. Michelle has a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science from Mount Mary College and a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior from Silver Lake College.
Amanda Mouttaki, Mouttaki Consulting LLC
Amanda Mouttaki is a social media consultant and writer. She has published her own website and has worked with businesses and non-profits to help craft their social media experience. Amanda has an MBA in Project Management and strives to combine her educational training with the principles of social media.
Erin Nutter, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Erin Nutter is a Food Safety Supervisor with the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. She supervises eight inspectors who license and inspect a myriad of food establishments, including farms and food processors, warehouses, dairy plants, milk tankers, and any other company involved in the manufacture, processing, and storage of food.
Jay Peterson, Western Dairyland EOC, Inc.
Jay Peterson is a Business Development Specialist for Western Dairyland in Eau Claire. Jay has worked as a small business consultant, engaging with clients and helping to establish and grow businesses throughout the United States. Jay earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from UW-La Crosse and an MBA from the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business.
Linda Pophal, Strategic Communications LLC
Linda Pophal is a marketing communications, PR, and social media specialist with experience helping organizations develop awareness for their products and services. She owns Strategic Communications, LLC, and works with clients to evaluate, develop, and implement their marketing efforts. Pophal has written many articles and has been featured in national trade publications. She is the author of several books, including: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Strategic Planning, The Essentials of Corporate Communications and PR, and Marketing with the End in Mind.
Arlene Radtke, Chippewa Valley Toastmasters
Arlene Radtke is an education and professional development facilitator that has delivered numerous presentations and workshops. After retiring from the Eau Claire Area School District, she joined the Chippewa Valley Toastmasters to enhance her communication and leadership skills.
Laurel Robertson, Fired Up Pizza Co
Laurel Robertson is a Certified Personal Chef through the United States Personal Chef Association. Through her business, Dinner’s On, LLC, she offers cooking classes, personal chef services, and corporate and personal consulting services. In February 2012, she joined the Fired Up Pizza Co. team as the Executive Chef. Robertson has appeared on “Discover Wisconsin” and the Science Channel’s, “How it was Made.”
Mike Schatz, City of Eau Claire
Mike Schatz is the Economic Development Director for the City of Eau Claire and has been employed with the city for 27 years. Schatz won the Frederick Pearce Award from the Wisconsin Economic Development Association for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Economic Development. He has also been twice-recognized as the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Public Employee of the Year.
Rod Schultz, CVTC (retired)
Rod Schultz is a retired educator from Chippewa Valley Technical College. He has been teaching insurance pre-licensing and continuing education classes since 1983. Schultz currently teaches insurance courses at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College and Northcentral Technical College. He has published six textbooks about insurance and has his own school for insurance licensed through the State of Wisconsin.
Joan Sosalla, UW-Eau Claire
Joan Sosalla is the Director of the Educational Opportunity Network, a state-grant funded program from the UW System that assists adults in learning about their career and life goals. Joan also has her own business as a Life Coach. Joan has a Bachelor of Science in Communications Disorders from UW-Eau Claire, a Masters Degree in Learning Disabilities from UW-LaCrosse, and a PhD in Educational Administration from UW-Madison.
Mary Stabenow, Nohre & Co
Mary Stabenow began her accounting career in 2003, specializing in audit and taxation. Since 2011, Mary has worked at Nohre & Co., S.C. and continues to specialize in the audit and taxation areas. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant, Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Committee, Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce Health and Wellness Committee, and Clear Water Kiwanis Finance Committee.
Jennifer Thompson, Wipfli LLP
Jennifer Thompson has ten years experience working with commercial, not-for-profit, and benefit plan clients. She performs data analysis, including WipfliWatch for clients, as part of internal control assessments and with forensic engagements.
Mary Trimmier, SBA
Mary Trimmier is a Business Development Specialist who works with lenders, businesses, and business associations to understand SBA lending and the resources that support small businesses. Mary is the liaison for the Women’s Business Centers, coordinates the SBA awards program, and markets the programs to the northeast portion of Wisconsin. Mary is a graduate of UW-Green Bay.
Aina Vilumsons, Wisconsin Procurement Institute
Aina Vilumsons has worked with the Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) since 1997 and has served as Executive Director since 2000. The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI), a non-profit organization established in 1987, is an outgrowth of then Congressman Les Aspin’s efforts to help Wisconsin businesses win federal contracts, especially defense contracts.
She is the current serves on the Executive Board of WPI, as President of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Contract Management Association, as Secretary for the Great Lakes Chapter of the Society of American Military Engineers, and as a Board Member of the Wisconsin Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
Prior to coming to WPI, Ms. Vilumsons she was the General Manager of a Department of Defense contractor, Business Analyst for a large Milwaukee based manufacturer and Trust /Investment Analyst. Ms. Vilumsons received her BS degree from the University of Minnesota and her MBA from Marquette University.
Rose Vincent, Offbeats Violin and Guitar Studio
Rose Vincent has a B.M. in Violin Performance and currently co-owns Offbeats Violin and Guitar Studio in Eau Claire with her husband, John Vincent. They both work in fine instrument sales, teaching, and instrument restoration. Rose and her husband also perform as the John and Rose Band, a 5-piece roots-country group.
Barb Weisenberger, Chippewa Valley Toastmasters
Barb Weisenberger, a legal secretary for the Enright and Wilcox Law Offices, is a 2006 graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. She is a member of Chippewa Valley Toastmasters and has earned her Advanced Communication Gold Award as a competitive speaker.
Paul Woita, Woita & Associates Inc.
Paul Woita has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Paul is passionate about working with his clients to help ensure they reach their personal and financial goals. He is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, a distinguished honor for those in the financial industry. Paul is an active member of the Eau Claire YMCA, Wisconsin Home Builders Association, and National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
