Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce

The next generation of aerospace professionals will have an incredible opportunity to dive in to the industry thanks to the generosity of a local business.👏 Ringland-Johnson Construction, one of the top industrial and commercial construction firms in the Midwest, has generously donated funds to sponsors students from McHenry County College to attend the upcoming Midwest Aerospace Conference on October 17th. Recognizing the continued interest in aerospace careers and the growth of the industry in our region, these students will have the opportunity to connect directly with potential future employers. Thank you, Ringland-Johnson Construction!

Congratulations to these and other members in the news for your new hires, promotions, and exciting business news! 🎉 We’re proud to celebrate your growth and success as you shape the future of Rockford’s business community! • Nicole Landreth was promoted to co-director of Womanspace. • Rock Valley Credit Union appointed Brian Fischer as VP of member experience. • YWCA Northwestern Illinois (YWCA), welcomed Amy Seyller as the new director off Fund development. • Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office Attorney J. Hanley announced that Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Lesner was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for his efforts to keep impaired drivers off Illinois streets. He received MADD’s Hero Award at a ceremony in Springfield, Illinois. • Geronimo Hospitality Group announced that Melita Jensen, general manager of Bessie’s Diner, was named one of the Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. • Chartwell Agency hired Dani Hartmann as a communications specialist.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders—this is your opportunity to be part of the conversation driving growth and innovation in Rockford! 🗣 Join us for the 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬𝘁𝗵. This is your chance to hear from the Mayor as he delivers a keynote address outlining strategic initiatives that will shape the future of our vibrant business community. Don’t miss out on insights, networking opportunities and the chance to collaborate with like-minded professionals. Registration is still open - but spots are limited! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gmspWFQv #rockfordillinois #rockfordbusiness

Spine and Body Renewal Honors 21-Year Legacy with a New Name, New Ownership and Expanded Services. ✨ After 21 years as Upper Cervical Care Center – Rockford and 1st Step Chiropractic, a NUCCA chiropractic office, is excited to announce their new name: Spine and Body Renewal. The change marks a new chapter for the practice while honoring its long-standing tradition of gentle, patient-centered care established by the late Dr. Philip Schalow. Dr. Hannah Orem, who worked alongside Dr. Schalow for the last 10 years, has taken over ownership and expanded the practice to include occupational therapy, all while maintaining the gentle chiropractic techniques the community has come to trust. “The decision to change the name was made thoughtfully, as we wanted to honor Dr. Schalow's incredible legacy while also representing the growth and future of our practice,” said Dr. Hannah Orem. “I am grateful to have practiced with Dr. Schalow, and I am excited to carry forward the gentle, precise approach that defines our care, now under a name that represents our continued commitment to serving our patients.” ✂️Grand Re-Opening & Ribbon Cutting✂️ To celebrate this transition, Spine and Body Renewal will host a grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 17 at 3:00pm at our office at 4350 Morsay Drive, Rockford, IL. The event will include a patient appreciation day filled with special activities, giveaways, and an opportunity to meet the team, including Dr. Hannah Orem, her brother Gabriel Orem, OTR/L and their staff. They are a proud member of Miracle Mile Rockford, and are committed to contributing to the growth and health of our community.

𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗔𝗖𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰!🤝 Matchmaking continues to be one of the main attractions of Midwest Aerospace Conference (MAC2024) and this year will be bigger and better than ever! This year the conference will feature exclusive supply chain matchmaking sessions for attendees, providing a unique opportunity to directly connect with influential aerospace leaders. 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 - 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬! The goal: to provide Rockford-area companies access to more prime contractors with the intention to increase sales. Partnerships are a primary component for the growth of small businesses, and by bringing this ecosystem together through this annual event they can help support non-traditional business engagement and open the door to new opportunities. Recognized as a leading aerospace hub, Rockford has the opportunity for exponential growth in the industry. How can you be a part of this? By attending MAC2024! The conference will offer endless educational and networking opportunities for those looking to grow and develop in the aerospace industry. Are you in? ✈️ Register today: https://lnkd.in/eY4ByctN #MAC2024 #MidwestAerospaceConference #midwestaerospace #gorockford #rockfordillinois #aerospace

Congratulations to these organizations who celebrated their ribbon cuttings this month! ✂️ We're thrilled to see the growth and innovation they will have in our community! • On September 16, 2024 Marshmallows HOPE celebrated a ribbon cutting opening doors to new possibilities and new beginnings. Marshmallow’s Hope is lighting the way for a brighter, more hopeful future for everyone who visits. Their mission is to offer a lifeline to individuals and families who need it most, providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive. • Woodward, Inc. members in Loves Park, IL celebrated the completion of our aerospace Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility on September 16. The event commemorated completion of the $55 million project to transform the site into a world-class facility that will meet growing demand for aircraft fleet fuel controls aftermarket services. • Ignite Change Solutions celebrated the grand opening of their new location at 5301 E State St, Suite #315B in Rockford with a ribbon cutting on September 24, 2024. #RibbonCuttings #RockfordWorkforce #GoRockford #RockfordIL

𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲: Danfoss “At Danfoss we have a mission to focus on sustainability, which applies not only to our products but to our world and our community at large,” said Julie Newell, head of Supply Chain North America for Danfoss Drives. “We take a lot of pride in what our company manufactures and how we’re giving back to the community and contributing to sustainability.” With an emphasis on energy-efficient and sustainable technologies, Danfoss specializes in climate and energy engineering solutions. It provides products and services for a wide range of industries, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and industrial automation. Founded in Denmark in 1933, Danfoss is a privately held company that employs 42,000 people worldwide — 450 in the Rockford region. It has 100 factories in 20 countries and serves customers across the globe. Its Loves Park facility, a division of Danfoss Drives, manufactures variable frequency drives (VFDs) and other electronic motor control solutions. The products are designed to optimize energy efficiency and control the speed of electric motors used in various applications across industries such as HVAC, water and wastewater, industrial automation, and renewable energy. The company’s Loves Park facility is one of only three application development centers in North America. Through these innovation hubs, Danfoss brings together customers from across the continent to demonstrate and customize solutions. Despite its international presence, Danfoss is invested the Rockford region. “We are committed to supporting local manufacturing and creating jobs in the communities where we operate,” Newell said. “We don’t want it to just be work; we want people to feel pride and want to share that with their families and in the community.” As part of the Danfoss strategy to be a local employer of choice, they offer a strong culture, employee resource groups, and opportunities to get involved in the community. Local employee groups frequently volunteer with United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and other nonprofits. Danfoss has been a member of the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) for more than a decade. Newell emphasized that the networking, knowledge sharing, and educational opportunities have been extremely beneficial to Danfoss. “GRCC offers visibility into what the community has to offer and the different businesses we can engage with,” Newell said. “It’s a great opportunity to get visibility, education, and communication around manufacturing in our local community.” Looking ahead, Danfoss anticipates growth in the Rockford region. “We have a new technology that’s being manufactured here in Loves Park that is part of the broader strategy at Danfoss,” Newell said. “The North American customer base is a growth opportunity, and with that comes the growth of our team locally. Partnership with the GRCC is going to be critical as we move forward.”

𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆! Life Decisions is committed to helping overlooked and undervalued youth, 15-23, get back on track, stay out of trouble and reach healthy adulthood. As we approach the holidays, they are gearing up to provide unique holiday experiences for our youth as we know many do not receive traditional family holiday experiences in their home. ❤ They have had an influx of new youth the last two months and are in need of additional mentor support during all scheduled programming AS WELL AS during Drop In hours when the Day Home is open - in order to be as effective as possible when youth are present. Take a look and see if any of the times work for you to join them and mentor some incredible young leaders! They especially need mentors who are available during mealtimes on days they provide meals - to work with youth in preparing a meal. Donated meals are also appreciated! Contact Paula [email protected] if you are interested in this opportunity.

These members are giving us something to shout about! 🗣 Join us in celebrating the cheer-worthy accomplishments of these members. See someone you know? Congratulate them in the comments! • The Music Academy welcomed new voice faculty, Valerie Brandt-Soetermans. • Engineering Enterprises, Inc., a leading civil engineering and land surveying firm celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, hired Adam Noon, EI as a project engineer. • OSF HealthCare announced that Charlene Aaron, PhD, RN, president of OSF colleges of nursing, was recognized as one of Fierce Healthcare’s 2024 Most Influential Minority Executives in Healthcare. This prestigious accolade celebrates Dr. Aaron’s exceptional leadership and transformative impact on the healthcare industry. • Midland States Bank welcomed Jeremy Jameson as chief credit officer. • Laura A. Baluch and Micah R. Bartlett joined the Stillman Banccorp, N.A. Board of Directors.

Let’s shape the future of aerospace – TOGETHER! 🤝✈️ The Rockford Area Aerospace Network (RAAN) and the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) will be hosting this year’s 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗠𝗔𝗖𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, together with the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) on October 17th. Long recognized as a leading aerospace hub, Rockford remains an ideal industry destination due to its robust infrastructure, strategic location, and skilled workforce. As the aerospace industry continues to be impactful and important to our region, there is still ample opportunity for growth…and that’s where MAC2024 comes in! Think exclusive supply chain matchmaking sessions for attendees, interactive breakout sessions, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and a lineup of renowned speakers who will share their insights and vision for the industry. This is an opportunity that you won’t want to miss! Register today for the conference here: https://lnkd.in/gGXu9zXY #MAC2024 #midwestaerospace #midwestaerospaceconference #gorockford #aerospace #rockfordillinois #AerospaceEngineering #Midwest #workforcedevelopment