THE ROAD TO HEALTH JANESVILLE AS A WELLNESS CITY EXPO 2025 CONNECT, PROMOTE & LEARN LOOKING OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER MEMBERS BUILDING COMMUNITY 14 S. Jackson Street, Suite 200 Janesville, WI 53548 PRE-SRT STD US Postage PAID Janesville, WI Permit No. 157 JANESVILLE experience the power of community SPRING • 2025 FJI•REPORT
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JANESVILLE experience the power of community • INSIDE THIS ISSUE • 14 S. Jackson Street, Suite 200 • Janesville, WI 53548 Phone: 608.757.3160 Email: forward@forwardjanesville.com www.forwardjanesville.com 2025-2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mick Gilbertson • Chair The Developing Edge George Cullen • Vice Chair JP Cullen Sean Kennedy • Secretary/Treasurer Graphite Hill Co. Derek Greene • Past Chair Baird Joel Bailey • Johnson Financial Group Jon Ballard • Foremost Media, Inc. Todd Buehl • ABC Supply Co., Inc. Tim Cullen • Bushwood Golf Range Michael Davis • Nowlan Law Dave Holterman • First Community Bank Bob Kennedy • Rock Road Companies, Inc. Kyle Mair • Baker Tilly Kayla Murphy • SSM Health Todd Needham • Batterman Cheryl Peterson • SHINE Technologies Dr. Tracy Pierner • Blackhawk Technical College Christine Rebout • Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Kara Sankey • Mercyhealth Joe Stadelman • Angus-Young Mary Jo Villa • Hendricks Holding Company Tanner Voss • BMO Outdoor Fitness Court cover photo courtesy of: Atomik Media Letter from the FJI Board Chair.............................................4 The Road to Health................................................................6 The 2025 Rock Regional Business Expo..............................12 Looking Out For One Another.............................................16 How Did I Get Here - Mark Hasting.....................................18 New Members of Forward Janesville...................................20 New Board Members...........................................................23 Business Milestones.............................................................23 Designer: Mary Terry Design | Editorial Team: Claire Gray, Eric Schmoldt, Sommer Brockman www.forwardjanesville.com | 3
Welcome to the spring issue of the FJI Report. If you are a firsttime reader – a very special welcome. I hope you enjoy its contents and find it a meaningful showcase of local businesses and our members. I am very honored and excited to serve as the Chair of Forward Janesville for our 2025-2026 program year. I hope to continue the history of achievements from previous boards and chairs that have meant so much to our community. I know this will take hard work and time, but we have an incredible community that is Forward Janesville (FJ). The FJ community is made up of our members, staff, Ambassadors, Government Relations Council members and the Board of Directors. We welcome our new board members in this issue. Together, these groups provide a pool of talent and experience, making us capable of achieving our goals – and maybe even taking on a few new initiatives. We can do this because Janesville is incredibly strong and resilient. The spirit of resilience was evident at the 24th Annual Forward Janesville Awards Luncheon. I was struck by how all the winners were honored to receive the awards, but also how they recognized that they could not have made it to this point in their lives, careers, and businesses alone; many have an incredible community they built and relied on to help them succeed. The award recipients also recognized that they could use the same community to help those around them. This pay it forward attitude creates a positive impact on our larger community. It demonstrates how professionals can grow and achieve business goals while also helping others. This improves Janesville’s wellbeing and, in turn, provides a stronger base to help grow and develop businesses. This is the power of community. This is what is so important to Janesville. Every day we are faced with challenges in our businesses, community and lives. At the same time, opportunities are presented to us. We work through these situations with those around us, making us stronger. As Mark Bush put it, “Forward Janesville is on fire!” He meant this in the best possible way. He meant that we are using the power of community to accomplish our goals. Last year, the FJ Board of Directors set the goal to strengthen Janesville as a good place to do business. Several initiatives were identified to support the goal. The Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Survey is complete and a report will be released in June. The Janesville Housing Study was presented at the City of Janesville Leaders Breakfast on April 30, and our Child Care Directory is ready to launch. It is energizing to see meaningful outcomes on these initiatives in a single program year. Janesville’s community momentum is evident throughout this Report. In reading “The Road to Health,” I am amazed by the wonderful park and trail infrastructure our city has. I am also struck by the businesses and people bringing healthy living to life. From our large healthcare providers like Mercyhealth and SSM Health, to smaller providers like Davis Physical Therapy, there are so many resources and options to live well in our community. The recap of the 2025 Rock Regional Business Expo, with 70+ exhibitors and attendance of 450+, captures the vitality of a thriving business community while our Business Milestones recognize longevity by featuring companies that are celebrating 50+ years in business. “Looking Out for One Another” reminds us of the importance of the human element by highlighting the contributions of Nathan Burkart, Dona Hohensee and Andy Jones to our organization and the community. “How Did I Get Here?” provides lessons on leadership and nuggets of career success through the story of Mark Hasting, the new CEO & President of Blain Supply, Inc./Blain’s Farm & Fleet. Building our businesses and focusing on people is how we keep Janesville healthy. I hope you find insight, useful knowledge and helpful tips in the following pages. And I hope Forward Janesville helps you find community, build community, and pay it forward. A Thriving & Healthy Community 4 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Mick Gilbertson 2025-26 FJ Board Chair The Developing Edge People enjoying Janesville trails Photo courtesy of Full Spectrum Photography and Janesville Area Convention Center and Visitors Bureau
When spring and summer arrive, we are fortunate to live in Janesville - Wisconsin’s Park Place. It’s more than just a marketing slogan; it is a claim with solid data to back it up. Anyone who wants an active lifestyle has an astounding number of opportunities available within the city to do just that, many of them at no cost. And when it comes to staying healthy, the community is also fortunate to have a variety of healthcare providers with innovative services that support health and wellness in a variety of ways. In the spirit of fitness, let’s take a walking tour around Janesville to explore how health and wellness are promoted in the city and some of the options that are available to residents. To acknowledge the city’s commitment to an infrastructure built for healthy living, we’ll begin at 18 North Jackson Street. First Stop, City Hall Residents oftentimes take their own city’s highlights for granted, with the classic example being New Yorkers who have never visited the Statue of Liberty. But while Janesville residents certainly appreciate and use the local park system, they may not realize just how unique and special it is – and has always been. “We have a long history,” says Cullen Slapak, Parks Director for the City of Janesville. “It kind of started back 100 years ago with John Nolen. He was a renowned landscape architect. Janesville hired him, as did a lot of other places [like] Madison, to put together a plan for them. From that plan, [the land for] Riverside Park was purchased back in 1923. It’s been a commitment through all these years to provide those types of activities for the community.” According to data on Forward Janesville’s Community Dashboard, Janesville has 39.4 acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents. That number is nearly four times the national average of 10.4 acres per thousand. And per research compiled by the Healthy Rock partnership, more than half of Rock County residents - 56.5 percent - live within a halfmile of a park. That is 15 points above the state average and a whopping 25 points above the national average. Janesville’s commitment to parkland includes a provision that new subdivisions include playgrounds. Wisconsin’s Park Place, indeed. “Neighborhoods have parks, but then we also have community parks like Bond Park and the four regional parks,” Slapak says. “You don’t see that range of parks in other communities. Janesville has tried to stay with that model of providing neighborhood parks, so people don’t have to go a long way to have open space.” The city’s commitment extends to an active schedule of maintenance and improvement for the land and facilities. Recent additions include “The PUMP,” a 35-acre mountain bike park at Palmer Park that came together in partnership with the Janesville Velo Club and Michael’s Cycles, as well as the new aquatic center. The new facility will feature a 5,000 square foot pool with an aquatic play structure, zero depth entry and limited lap lanes. There will also be a new building to house admissions, concessions and restrooms. The expected open date is June 2025. According to Slapak, the city tries to replace one or two playgrounds on an annual basis. “We’ll be working on replacing [the] Peace Park [playground] at Rockport Park, hopefully in 2026,” says Slapak. “That’s going to be a big project for us. Our focus is maintenance, keeping things safe, updating what we have, and continuing the overall good quality parks and recreation system we have in Janesville.” Second Stop, the Outdoor Fitness Court From City Hall, we’ll take a short walk to the corner of River and Court Streets, where the Outdoor Fitness Court sits next to the Ice Age Trail and the Rock River. This seven-station fitness area came about thanks to a partnership between the City of Janesville, the National Fitness Campaign, and SSM Health St. The Road to Health Janesville as a wellness city By Jim Lyke For many of us, winter in Wisconsin is the time of year when we spend our time indoors and our most strenuous exercise involves a snow shovel. But the arrival of warm weather stirs a renewed urge to get active and focus on our health and wellness. We have a long history…[that] started back 100 years ago with John Nolen. It’s been a commitment through all these years to provide those types of activities for the community. Schneider Farm Park, one of Janesville's sixtyfour improved parks The Janesville Parks System Plan by John Nolen, 1920 6 | FORWARD JANESVILLE
The Janesville Culver’s Scoopie Night Mary's Hospital - Janesville (SSM Health). At the time it was built, data showed that Rock County was one of the most obese counties in the state of Wisconsin. “The city manager at the time, Mark Freitag, was passionate about providing [the Fitness Court],” says Slapak. “He felt that providing another healthy activity was important for the community [and] SSM Health got on board with it.” For SSM Health, sponsorship of the Outdoor Fitness Court seemed like a natural fit, according to Megan Timm, SSM Health's Regional Director of Community Health. “Eric Thornton [SSM Health's president at the time] was really excited about this project,” says Timm. “You don’t have to have any money to enjoy this facility. It offers one more opportunity for people to access a space dedicated to exercise. Our goal was to have healthier weights in Rock County. This project fit really nicely into our top priority area.” SSM Health is part of the Health Equity Alliance of Rock County (HEAR), a local coalition whose stated goal is to advance health equity locally. HEAR brings together local healthcare providers, Rock County Public Health, and various nonprofit organizations to improve access to healthcare resources and increase positive health outcomes. According to Timm, bringing in partners beyond the healthcare systems and the county health department makes HEAR unique. “I feel strongly that [HEAR] is the most special coalition,” says Timm, who serves on HEAR’s Advisory Committee. “The work is done collaboratively with the people who are running organizations that are directly serving our community. And that’s a really important note when our top two priority areas for Rock County right now are mental health and housing.” SSM Health identified those two priority areas as part of their 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Tax-exempt hospitals are required to conduct a CHNA every three years and adopt a strategic implementation plan to address the needs it identifies. “When you’re an anchor institution, you do have a social responsibility to be thinking about what [are] the next steps for this community as a whole,” says Timm. “The needs assessment has allowed us kind of a vehicle to ensure that we’re staying committed and present in our community.” Timm says the needs identified by the CHNA “help us narrow our focus.” One may be surprised to see housing addressed as a factor in a community’s overall health, and particularly as a priority area for SSM Health. But data from Healthy Rock shows clearly that substandard housing and the lack of a stable place to call home pose a risk to the safety and physical and mental health of its residents. So how does a health system address the effect of housing on public health? “We try to tailor our community contributions specifically to what our community has told us are the issues,” Timm says. “Our top two issues are housing and mental health, and so when a community partner is doing that work, [we ask] what resources can we provide them.” The answer, according to Timm, may be financial resources in the form of a cash contribution; or staff time using SSM Health expertise to support an educational component or help programs get off the ground; or placing investment dollars into local housing opportunities. “Place-based investing is where we can take dollars …and actually put them into things like small business loans, for example, or into affordable housing projects. We have a lot of opportunities as a big system to leverage our investment portfolio, and not for a huge return. It’s not a grant. Getting principal back and maybe a little extra to keep [programs] sustainable is what we’re looking at, to help incentivize developers in our area.” Timm says too many workers in the area pay more than 30 percent of their income on housing and “we need to do better.” Another interesting bit of data on the Healthy Rock site is the revelation that despite having two large health systems in Janesville and multiple other providers in Rock County, Rock County is considered to be in a Health Professional Shortage Area when compared with the state and nation. “What we’re missing is a lot of family [medicine] docs,” according to Timm. “It seems to be harder to obtain doctors [who] can do that average, everyday work and want to do that.” Timm believes that a lot of new doctors are going into specialties instead of general practice because specialties pay more, a key consideration when paying back large loans. Timm says that it’s true that when you look at the local landscape, it appears to be “a lot of health care in one county. But the accessibility of it seems to be a complicated space for a lot of our patients. You might be able to get into your doctor, [but] it might still be 90 days before you can get access to that doctor.” Partnering with the Janesville Jets on a reading club to build a love of literacy SSM Health supports food insecurity initiatives like food drives with local partners like the Salvation Army When you’re an anchor institution, you do have a social responsibility to be thinking about what [are] the next steps for this community as a whole. www.forwardjanesville.com | 7
Third Stop, Mercyhealth Hospital Next door to the Outdoor Fitness Court lies the Ice Age Trail. Following that several blocks north leads to the other large health system in Janesville, Mercyhealth. The trail delivers us to their main campus at Mineral Point Avenue and Franklin Street. Mercyhealth has been serving the Janesville community since the opening of the Janesville City Hospital in 1883. Since its humble beginnings 142 years ago, it has evolved and expanded to become Rock County’s largest employer. Mercyhealth’s long history here means it has seen Rock County through multiple pandemics, epidemics, wars and other public health crises. Mercyhealth is also a participant in HEAR and agrees that its work helps guide the health system. “Being part of [HEAR] helps us align our goals with the community’s needs,” says Kara Sankey, Mercyhealth’s Vice President of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer. “The items that they identify always demonstrate what the hardships are and the things that need to be done. Sometimes those pieces, although not diseases in themselves, are so integral to the health of the community.” Mercyhealth’s CHNA was conducted in 2023 and their findings established priority areas of mental health, affordable and accessible health care and maternal, infant and child health. Since then, according to Sankey, Mercyhealth has been successfully addressing those priorities. For example, the system has expanded its behavioral health footprint. “We’ve hired four new physician providers since that (CHNA), and multiple new therapists,” says Sankey. “And then we’ve opened additional locations.” “We identified that there is a subset of uninsured and underinsured groups, and so we’ve been partnering really closely with our free and charitable clinic in Rock County, [HealthNet]. In the next couple of months, we’ll be opening a new behavioral health clinic in the HealthNet location. That way, we will be able to have a behavioral health presence where there is a lack of resources for that population.” A significant health issue among children is the rise of autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 36 children has autism, a significant increase from 2021 (1 in 44) and 2006 (1 in 110). “We’ve expanded our Autism Services Center in Janesville,” Sankey says. “We had a smaller location, which limited [who] we could take in. We [are now] able to take on more families and [have] a larger platform so we can take in older kids.” Regarding Rock County being designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area, Sankey agrees that a lack of primary care providers is an issue in the area. “When you look at [the data], it’s determining the types of patients that are in those areas to the types of providers,” says Sankey. “And so really looking for primary care is a goal for us, because keeping people out of the hospital is how you keep people healthy. And then maternity care, not only in Rock County but nationally, there is a continued shortage of providers in that area. [Also,] we have struggled over the years to keep up with some of the aging demographics. As the population continues to age, we need more people and staff to take care of them.” “[It’s] getting the right mix of providers. We aren’t medically underserved, but we’re provider underserved.” Since the most recent CHNA, Mercyhealth has placed a large focus on the growth of the workforce, particularly the skilled workforce. “We have been working for the last few years with UWWhitewater and Edgewood College to bring nursing schools to Rock County and then expand our footprint into the school districts,” Sankey says. “We have been offering EMT and CNA programs to the high schoolers, and while that’s not directly related to health, it does create a larger span of workforce so that we’re able to take care of more people. We’ve [also] expanded some of our fellowships and residencies. That gives us providers that we’re training, we’re bringing into the system, and having them stay in our locations to help grow that.” Last Stop, Davis Physical Therapy At this point, we take a half-mile walk back to downtown, going from the county’s largest medical campus to a small, private health provider on West Milwaukee Street. Alaina Davis, owner of Davis Physical Therapy, opened what she calls her “micro-clinic” in 2022 after working in Rock County for four years doing home health services. “Physical therapists (play) a very important role within the medical community,” says Davis. “But for some reason, we just still don’t have a lot of visibility with the general population. That’s something that we’re always continuously trying to improve upon.” The American Physical Therapy Association says physical therapists play a unique role in society in prevention, wellness, fitness, health promotion, and management of disease and 8 | FORWARD JANESVILLE We have been working for the last few years with UW-Whitewater and Edgewood College to bring nursing schools to Rock County and then expand our footprint into the school districts. Mercyhealth’s Autism Center opened in 2024 with expanded space and services A focus on workforce with third-year residents at the Graduate Medical Education Discovery Day
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disability by serving as a dynamic bridge between health and health services delivery for individuals and populations. “[Physical therapist] have a very comprehensive view of the human body,” Davis says. “We’re able to really meet patients where they are and figure out how we can…actually optimize their baseline. How can we make them better than where they were when they got injured, or when they had a stroke, or when they had surgery. That was the driving force behind why I started my clinic. I wanted to be able to help these people…reach goals that, for all intents and purposes, are very achievable.” Davis says that conventional medicine is often reactive; in other words, you get sick and then go and get fixed. “We as a society have a problem of health versus sickness,” Davis says. Physical therapy should be seen as a complement rather than an alternative to traditional medical care, says Davis. “We should always be striving to work together to get the patient to their best outcome. Ninety-five percent of my clients don’t get out the door after their first visit without us talking about sleep, nutrition, hydration, general physical activity, hobbies, interests, ergonomics at their work, past injuries, past providers they’ve interacted with.” “Someone might be coming in with knee pain from last weekend when they ran a marathon, and we’re going to talk about, hey, how did you warm up? How did you get ready? Where are you at in your training cycle? What could be improved upon? Going back to that concept of how can we optimize people’s day-to-day life? How can we optimize their performance, how can we get them back to doing things that they enjoy and that are really meaningful for them?” Davis recently added a Corporate Wellness Consulting program and Functional Capacity Evaluations to the services her clinic provides. Working with companies on their employees’ health can be a huge benefit to a community focused on economic development, business retention and expansion. “You hear all the time about how we are trying to attract new professionals and young families to the Rock County area,” says Davis. “Since 2018…national indices are showing that employee health, employee wellbeing, fitness, those factors are ranking [at the top] as to importance when professionals are considering new jobs.” Davis says that when companies offer perks like gym memberships, complimentary consultations, nutrition coaches and regular wellness events, it all combines to increase productivity, increase morale, decrease absenteeism from work and decrease employee turnover. “All of that is a win for a business,” says Davis. “Studies show that for every one dollar spent on employee wellness, the return is between three dollars and six dollars. A lot of times, it really doesn’t cost that much to run an employee wellness program. If [the leadership of a company] shows that they care [about health and wellness], the employees are also more likely to show that they care as well. It all goes back to how do we attract and retain talent in Janesville.” 10 | FORWARD JANESVILLE It all goes back to how we attract and retain talent in Janesville. Alaina Davis, owner of Davis Physical Therapy Alaina administering cupping therapy and myofascial release • Agrace • Badger CryoClinic & Spa • Badgerland Chiropractic • Black Bridge Family Dental • Boltz Strength • BrightStar Home Care • Caravel Autism Health • Cedar Crest, Inc. • Clover Family Services LLC • Crossroads Counseling Center • Damrow Chiropractic Office, S.C. • Davis Physical Therapy LLC • Dean Medical Group - Janesville East • Dreier Family Dental, LLC • Eyemart Express • Gray Family Dental • Great Smiles Dental, S.C. • HealthNet of Rock County, Inc. • Hometown Hub • Ironside Fitness • Isaac Strong Foundation • Janesville Athletic Club • Lakeland Care • Loving Life Creatively LLC • Marigold Speech Pathology Services LLC • Massas Transportation • Mercyhealth • MH Imaging • Northstar Medical Radioisotopes • Nutrition and Health Associates, Inc. • Oak Park Place • Our House Senior Living Assisted Care • Paull Chiropractic Family Wellness Center • Premier Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery • Revitalize Health & Wellness • Revive Myofascial Therapy, LLC • Riley Nilo Training Center • Rock County Cancer Coalition • Rock River Valley Blood Center • SHINE Technologies, LLC • Signal Health Group of Southern Wisconsin • Smile Doctors • South Central WI AHEC, Inc. • SPACE Autastic, Inc. • SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital – Janesville • St. Elizabeth Campus • Streamline Swim Academy • Thrive Massage & Healing Arts LLC • Transitions at Home, INC. • Triple H Ranch & Therapeutic Horsemanship LLC • Velocity Multi-Sport & Cycling • Venustas Immortalis • Visiting Angels • YMCA of Northern Rock County Forward Janesville has 50+ members whose primary business supports physical, mental and behavioral health and wellness. For a dynamic listing, please visit our online Member Directory at www.business.forwardjanesville.com/list. Health & Wellness Members
12 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Held at the Holiday Inn Express – Janesville Conference Center, the Expo was a hub for local businesses, students, entrepreneurs and community members to network, promote their services and explore growth opportunities. The wide variety of exhibitors included businesses across industries such as finance, healthcare, technology, retail and professional services. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with both well-established companies and emerging startups, fostering collaboration and local support. Booths were bustling with activity as representatives showcased their products, handed out swag, and shared insight into their organizations. New to the 2025 Expo were breakout sessions, a major highlight. There were eight focused workshops and presentations that covered topics like active shooter response and trauma preparedness, marketing strategy and digital marketing trends, maximizing AI for your business and workplace culture, navigating business healthcare, exploring careers in manufacturing and making the most of your Forward Janesville membership. The sessions were led by local experts and drew participation from those looking for practical knowledge and fresh ideas. Jon Ballard, CEO of Foremost Media, and Kelsey Paasch, owner of Contour Consulting, hosted a session on integrating AI into workplace culture. Ballard remarked on the strong audience interest in AI, “What stood out most was how eager small business owners were to learn about AI, not just the big picture stuff but the everyday ways it can save time and boost efficiency. The biggest trend I see is businesses finally moving from AI curiosity to AI action. If you're just getting started, don't wait for perfect. Pick one small problem AI can solve for you and go from there.” The addition of breakout sessions helped elevate the event by creating more interactive and educational opportunities. Greg Phillips is the Dean of Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology & Transportation at Blackhawk Technical College (BTC), and was part of the panel on career opportunities in manufacturing. This session included high school students poised to graduate in one or two years to students in post-secondary manufacturing programs who were thinking about their first jobs to seasoned professionals interested in continuing education. “What I found most valuable was showcasing the importance of manufacturing to the stateline area,” Phillips said. “There are many fulfilling and lucrative career paths available locally. It’s important to know what’s made in your own backyard. We produce some pretty cool stuff around here!” As a panelist, Greg was also able to highlight higher education’s value proposition when it comes to continuing education for professionals. “Continuing education is imperative to maintain a high level of competent professionals. Lifelong learning shouldn’t be a motto, it should be a way of life. BTC plays a critical role by offering one-credit á la carte courses and flexible education through our manufacturing programming. Educational institutions are falling short for our manufacturers and businesses if we can’t meet them where they are and serve the continuing education needs of their workforces.” Many attendees praised the breakout sessions as a valuable bonus to the traditional expo format, and plans are already underway to expand them next year. Overall, the Rock Regional Business Expo continues to be a vital platform for business growth, community engagement, and professional development. The 2025 Rock Regional Business Expo Booths, breakouts offer chance to connect, promote and learn By Megan Matuszeski The 2025 Rock Regional Business Expo drew crowds and built connections this year with an impressive lineup of 70+ exhibitors and a new feature that brought fresh energy to the event—breakout sessions. “What stood out most was how eager small business owners were to learn about AI, not just the big picture stuff but the everyday ways it can save time and boost efficiency.” Kelsey Paasch of Contour Consulting co-presented with Jon Ballard of Foremost Media on effectively integrating AI in the workplace Mercyhealth staff give a tutorial on active shooter and trauma preparedness
• Advia Credit Union • Avondale Roofing • Beloit International Film Festival, Inc. • Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra • Better Business Bureau • Blackhawk Community Credit Union • Blackhawk Technical College • BMO Bank • Boltz Strength • Boys & Girls Club of Janesville, Inc. • Brownfield Environmental Engineering Resources, LLC • City of Janesville • Clover Family Services LLC • Cousins Subs • Dean Health Plan by Medica • Downtown Janesville Incorporated • Drywater Productions • ECHO, Inc. • Elder Advisors Law • Express Employment Professionals • Faith Community Church • First Community Credit Union • Gateway Professional Baseball, LLC/Beloit Sky Carp • Girl Scouts of WisconsinBadgerland Council • Henry Dorrbaker’s & Bessie's Diner • Hoffman House Catering • Holiday Inn Express & Janesville Conference Center • image.works • Impulse Marketing Solutions, Inc. • Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau • Janesville Athletic Club • JOIN Janesville • LaForza Permanent Jewelry • Lamar Advertising • MercyCare Health Plans • Mercyhealth • Milton Lawns Memorial Park • N1 Critical Technologies, Inc. • Paul Davis Restoration • Raising Cane's • Realty Executives Premier • Revitalize Health & Wellness • Rock County Chapter - Ice Age Trail Alliance • Rock County Historical Society • Rock River Valley Blood Center • Rooster Roofing • Rotary Botanical Gardens • Sauk Valley Bank • School District of Janesville • Segra • State Farm | Jaysen Jorgensen • TDS • The Alliance • The Diamond Center • The Janesville Gazette • The UPS Store • Timber Hill Winery • Town Square Media Rockford • Tree Wise Men LLC • TRICOR Insurance • Triple H Ranch & Therapeutic Horsemanship LLC • Tru Home Inc. • TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK • US Cellular - Quality Cellular • UW-Whitewater • VetsRoll.org • Walnut Creek Apparel & Gifts • Weed Man • Westphal & Company, Inc. • Wisco Blooms • Woodman's Sports & Convention Center • YMCA of Northern Rock County • YWCA Rock County Lead Sponsors • MercyCare Health Plans • Mercyhealth Admission Sponsor • UW-Whitewater at Rock County Media Sponsor • Townsquare Media – Rockford Advertising Sponsors • Lamar Advertising • The Janesville Gazette Swag Bag Sponsor • PremierBank Booth Guide Sponsor • Impulse Printing & Promotions Hospitality Sponsors • Blackhawk Community Credit Union • Culligan • Zilber Property Group • 2B Consulting • Biz Advice & Solutions • Blackhawk Technical College • Contour Consulting • Foremost Media • image.works • Impulse Printing & Promotions • Mercyhealth • Prent Corporation • Roundhouse Marketing • The Alliance Thanks to our Businesses that Presented at or Sponsored a Breakout Session: Thanks to our Exhibitors: Thanks to our Sponsors: www.forwardjanesville.com | 13 Connecting with potential customers Fun giveaways Interactive booths Food truck specialties Sampling products & experiences Communicating about services Business showcases
14 | FORWARD JANESVILLE
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16 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Looking Out For One Another NATHAN BURKART Executive Director, Janesville Performing Arts Center Forward Janesville Member, ARISENow Partner Nathan returned from Los Angeles to his hometown of Janesville in 2016 to take on the leadership role at JPAC. One of the reasons he moved home was because “it offered an opportunity to be part of something bigger. Helping ignite change in the downtown area was something I wanted to help with after visiting many times and seeing the potential it had from a larger world view.” Being on the ARISENow committee and an active member of Forward Janesville are two ways Nathan has leaned in. What is your favorite part of being an active Forward Janesville member? Being part of Forward Janesville gives JPAC the ability to stay connected to the community, allowing us to have a better understanding of what possible partners are out there to collaborate with us. It is all about making Janesville a better place to live, and being an active member of Forward Janesville helps achieve that. It keeps you updated on what other projects are going on and what people are working on to make it better. JPAC won the Diversity Award at Forward Janesville’s 2024 Awards Luncheon. What role do you see JPAC having when it comes to shaping the community? JPAC is in a unique place because it can use the arts to bridge a gap and tackle different topics that really shouldn’t be political. When it comes to providing programming, we should do whatever we can to represent the entire population that makes up Rock County, which includes making sure we are offering opportunities for new people to get engaged. The arts play into community health/wellness in two capacities: 1) To allow a fun, safe place to be active and social. When you have a hard day, it is important to have affordable entertainment options or a place where you can perform; 2) To create awareness around other important topics in the health/wellness area, such as producing plays about homelessness, mental health, addiction, and so on. Arts can be used as a bridge to talk about topics that we want to improve upon, as it creates awareness and a chance to reflect. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? When you know one thing, you see one thing. When you know a thousand things, you see a thousand things. A teacher told me this once when they were encouraging me to learn and grow from as many people as possible, because it would help me see where others are valuable and understand how they might see the world in a different lens. DONA HOHENSEE Executive Director, Foundation at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Forward Janesville Ambassador Dona has been a Forward Janesville Ambassador for four years. When she was a child, she often came to Janesville to visit family, and when she took on her role with SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, she knew she wanted to dive in and get involved in the community. The SSM Health St. Mary’s Foundation has grown by leveraging strategic philanthropy to enhance healthcare services, including the Mary and Bob Arndt Endowment, which supports patients undergoing cancer treatment services at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Janesville. What value does being a Forward Janesville Ambassador bring to SSM? And what do you like most or get most out of being an Ambassador? Ambassadors help to highlight new businesses, promote existing ones and share information on economic Our members and volunteers are the lifeblood of Forward Janesville. They keep our Chamber of Commerce strong and thriving. Yet they are so much more than that. Whether a business or organization offering health services or an individual leaning in and providing support and encouragement, these are the folks keeping our community healthy – physically, mentally and beyond. Hear directly from three of those folks – Nathan Burkart, a leader with ARISENow and with member JPAC; Dona Hohensee, one of our Forward Janesville Ambassadors through SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital; and Andy Jones, an Ambassador with MercyCare Health Plans.
www.forwardjanesville.com | 17 development. It also allows for SSM Health to share new initiatives, listen to the community’s needs, and at times provide access information to those seeking healthcare. I love that Ambassadors are genuine in wanting to create an inclusive space for all, to share ideas, build partnerships, and celebrate all the progress being made in Janesville. Describe the Foundation’s role locally, including your role in creating the Mary and Bob Arndt Endowment for Cancer Care. The Mary and Bob Arndt Endowment supports two cancer care initiatives. First are the cancer care bags that every newly diagnosed patient receives to help them navigate through treatment. These bags carry journals, warm socks, nutritional supplement drinks, greeting cards, and more. The second initiative is Hope Blooms, a cancer care resource room that offers comforting items including wigs for patients undergoing treatment regardless of where they're from or where they receive treatment. Everyone is welcome. … And this spring, the Foundation is developing a campaign to support inpatient hospice. Recently the community developed a gap in that area. We are working to transform a patient and family waiting room to offer the comforts of an inpatient hospice facility. We are trying to meet the needs of our patients and their families who can no longer care for their loved ones at home. More information to come on ways the community can support this initiative. When you’re not working or volunteering, where would we find you? Hosting women’s retreats at our Airbnb property up north, running or biking, cooking, gardening – oh, and you can’t go wrong with a good book! ANDY JONES Senior Sales Representative, MercyCare Health Plans Forward Janesville Ambassador If you’ve attended a Forward Janesville event in the past couple years, there’s a strong chance you have met Andy. He joined the Ambassador group in 2023 and quickly leaned in by helping plan and facilitate many of FJ’s signature events. Andy is not afraid to pick up the microphone and assist in announcing golf raffle winners, and he helped coordinate the planning of our Rock Regional Business Expo in February. If you are uncertain or generally uncomfortable with networking and approaching new people, our Ambassadors like Andy are onhand to facilitate introductions and make building connections a breeze. What motivated you to become involved with Forward Janesville? Fun fact: I previously owned a small carpet cleaning company and was a Forward Janesville member back in 2014. But in 2023, I stumbled upon becoming an Ambassador when one of my colleagues took a new position and had to step back from being an Ambassador. At first, I didn’t know what to expect. Over the past few years, networking with other professionals in our community, building relationships, celebrating new businesses, working with existing businesses, increasing my visibility, and influencing Chamber initiatives and even my professional development has been rewarding – and all the while having fun! Describe the value of being an Ambassador. Forward Janesville Ambassadors play a key role in the success of the Chamber. They help foster long-lasting relationships by serving as a bridge between the Chamber and our community. Being an Ambassador for MercyCare Health Plans allows me to have a small part in bringing significant value both to the organization and the community by building trust, enhancing communication, improving patient engagement, creating a value feedback loop and strengthening community connections. MercyCare is a local insurance company that provides access to exceptional care close to home. Being an Ambassador on behalf of MercyCare gives me the opportunity to give back to the community in which we all live, play and work. What are some of MercyCare Health Plans’ biggest initiatives when it comes to community wellness right now? MercyCare is committed to community wellness through initiatives that expand access to high-quality, affordable care. One of our top priorities is increasing access to preventive care and chronic disease management, to help area residents stay healthy and avoid medical complications. For local businesses, we offer tailored health plans that provide comprehensive coverage at competitive rates. By prioritizing affordability, accessibility and wellness, we’re not just offering insurance—we’re strengthening the health of area residents.
Integrity is crucial in leadership. Being honest with yourself and others is not the easiest approach, but it is the right approach. 1 2 3 { LIFE LESSONS} Words are our most important tool in our leadership toolbox. Finding the right words, saying them at the right time, with the right intonation, paints a picture in others’ minds. Success in life and in work is not easy. Resilience is a key component of a fulfilling life. 18 | FORWARD JANESVILLE My big break happened after I’d been with Target about 8 years. I was supposed to be taking on a District Manager role in Houston, but that District Manager decided not to retire. So, I was asked if I would move the family to Minneapolis to lead a special assignment. Outside of finding and saving Target over $200 million in labor savings, this opportunity gave me exposure to many key leaders at Target. I learned how decisions are made in large organizations, and through trial and error the importance of collaboration and communication when significant change is taking place. At Blain’s, what struck me early on and continues to inspire me every day is the incredible culture. The culture reflects the people who worked here in the past and is carried on with the associates who work for us today. It translates to how our associates provide exceptional service for our neighbors and is a significant differentiator for our company. Jane Blain Gilbertson, Executive Chair of the Board and sole owner of Blain’s, personifies authenticity and humility. When she is having a conversation with someone, no matter if they are a cashier or someone who is on the Leadership Team, that person is the most important person in that moment. While I challenge myself to exemplify this same quality, I’ve not seen anyone do this as well as Jane. I think it is important to show vulnerability and humility, even in a leadership role. It allows me to be more accessible to our associates. It helps reduce the anxiety that a CEO title can bring. HOW DID I GET HERE? success • challenges • life lessons • education • career • family • inspirations Growing up my mom owned a landscape and design company. My brother and I were “free” labor laying sandstone walking paths, building retaining walls and planting shrubs and trees. I started to learn the importance of quality goods and services and the value of money. Then, when I turned 13, I had the opportunity to become the neighborhood paperboy. An important lesson I learned is that each neighbor had a desired spot to have their paper placed each morning; some in the mailbox, some on the porch and some inside the glass door. I took pride in making sure I was taking care of my customers, and my tips reflected the differentiated service. My parents instilled confidence in me at an early age. They allowed me the freedom as a child and young adult to make mistakes and learn from them. Cheryl, my high school girlfriend and now wife of 37 years, encouraged me to go to church every Sunday. She taught me self-discipline. She has been an amazing friend and spouse. She has always been a good example for me to follow. In the early years, she taught me how to focus on my studies and gave me a framework to succeed. As a spouse, she has been incredibly supportive of my desire to pursue my career aspirations, including 14 relocations. • • • During my junior year of college, I started working at the student union bookstore at Oklahoma State University. I really liked straightening up the merchandise, putting new displays together and watching other students react to the displays and make purchases. Between my junior and senior year, I interned at Dillard’s Department Store where I started to learn the business of retail and the leadership of larger teams. Personally, I loved shopping and never felt like I was at work when I was actually working. Retail was a place of nirvana to me. MARK HASTING CEO AND PRESIDENT, BLAIN SUPPLY, INC./ BLAIN’S FARM & FLEET { EDUCATION } 1989 – 1991 Masters of Business Administration Oklahoma City University 1984 - 1988 Bachelor of Science, Marketing Oklahoma State University { WORK EXPERIENCE } 2020 - PRESENT Blain Supply, Inc./Blain’s Farm & Fleet Became CEO & President, Sept. of 2024 2019 – 2020 MyEyeDr. 2012 – 2019 Kum & Go 2010 – 2012 Starbucks Coffee Company 1988-2009 Target
When you bring your meetings home to Janesville, it’s not just about convenience— it’s about giving back to your community. Local events bring business to our hotels, restaurants, and shops, supporting your neighbors and making our local economy thrive. Plus, you’ll get more more value for your dollar than big-city venues. We can help with all the planning and our assistance is free. Call today! (608) 757-3171 B Y r M s Stay Close, Support Your Community, and Save on Costs janesvillecvb.com • fil Pictured: Rock County Historical Society Carriage Barn ©Full Spectrum Photography Christopher P. Dale, MD Orthopedic Surgery Douglas Palmer, MD Orthopedic Surgery David Nilsen, DO Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine Margaret Porembski, MD Hand Surgery Pinak Shukla, MD Orthopedic Surgery The area’s orthopedic leader mercyhealthsystem.org/ortho Struggling with joint pain, stiffness, or mobility issues? Let us help you turn the page to a healthier, pain-free life with expert orthopedic care. At Mercyhealth, your unique condition is at the center of all we do. Whether you’re an athlete sidelined by an injury, or have experienced an illness or age-related condition that impacts your ability to move or be as active as you wish, our orthopedic team is here to help you reach your goals, whatever they may be. Don’t let pain hold you back. Call (888) 396-3729 to make an appointment with a Mercyhealth orthopedic specialist. www.forwardjanesville.com | 19
Atomik Media Jason Ryan Janesville, WI 53546 (608) 290-0018 www.atomik.media Photography, videography, and design services Beloit College Angela Bishop 700 College St. Beloit, WI 53511 (608) 363-2000 www.beloit.edu Century Elms Bed & Breakfast Rich Gallegos 2200 W. Memorial Dr. Janesville, WI 53548 (608) 751-3254 www.janesvillebedbreakfast.com COMO Filtration Systems Eric Ritter 130 Freedom Ln. Janesville, WI 53546 (608) 756-3838 www.como.biz Industrial fluid filtration solutions Edgewood College Quinn Mullikin 1000 Edgewood College Dr. Madison, WI 53711 (608) 663-3444 www.edgewood.edu Farmers & Merchants Union Bank Amanda Emery 1101 N. Parker Dr. Janesville, WI 53545 (608) 741-6280 www.fmub.bank First Business Bank Chris Doering 401 Charmany Dr. Madison, WI 53719 (608) 423-6679 www.firstbusiness.bank Franklin Street Tavern Ed & Joe Quaerna 13 N. Franklin St. Janesville, WI 53548 (608) 563-1851 www.franklintavern.com Gallina USA LLC David Corbliss 4335 Capital Cir. Janesville, WI 53546 (608) 531-0450 www.gallinausa.com Polycarbonate sheet manufacturer Gray Family Dental Charles Gray 1123 Suffolk Dr. Janesville, WI 53546 (608) 752-2665 www.grayfamilydentalwi.com Guardian Home Improvement Joni Harmon 92 E. State Rd. 59 Suite G Edgerton, WI 53534 (608) 561-6303 www.guardianhomeimprovement wi.com Exterior home improvement contractors and roofers Henry Dorrbaker's Pub & Play Lori Radean 605 Third St. Beloit, WI 53511 (608) 207-3517 www.henrydorrbakers.com image.works Amanda Jezo 701 Deming Way Suite 201 Madison, WI 53717 (800) 777-1663 www.imageworksdirect.com Full-Service Marketing Firm KF. Wealth Management Matthew Krueger 519 Midland Ct. Suite 105 Janesville, WI 53546 (608) 728-8401 www.kfwealthmanagement.com Financial services and wealth management KleenMark Kaitlyn Ganz 1206 Ann St. Madison, WI 53713 (608) 258-3131 www.kleenmark.com Provides a full range of commercial cleaning services, products and supplies Knute's Bar & Grill Kerry Knuteson 206 E. Beloit St. Orfordville, WI 53576 (608) 879-2011 www.knutesbarandgrill.com Restaurant and catering services Kraus-Anderson Construction Company Marissa Young 151 E. Wilson St. Suite 100 Madison, WI 53703 (608) 838-5444 www.krausanderson.com Consulting and construction services Lake Ridge Bank Kim Lantta 2 E. Main St. Evansville, WI 53536 (608) 470-1139 www.lakeridge.bank Marigold Speech Pathology Services LLC Olivia Jones 101 E. Milwaukee St. Suite 507 Janesville, WI 53545 (608) 728-7774 www.marigoldspeech.com Personalized and evidence-based speech, language, and swallowing care Mr. Splash Car Wash – multiple locations Dave Javan 1608 Milton Ave. Janesville, WI 53545 (608) 563-0141 www.mrsplashcarwash.com Touchless Car Wash Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Ashlee Landis 3030 Milton Ave. Janesville, WI 53545 (414) 944-9224 www.raisingcanes.com Ryder System Inc. Kyle Kieliszewski 1114 N. Touson Dr. Janesville, WI 53713 (608) 335-9936 www.ryder.com Port-to-door supply chain and transportation solutions Simple Scissors Salon Rachel Teubert 201 E. Milwaukee St. Suite 100 Janesville, WI 53545 (608) 754-1313 www.simplescissors.com Staff On Site, Inc. Lisa Timmerman 1406 Willowbrook Rd. Beloit, WI 53511 (608) 363-6540 www.staffonsite.com Staffing and payroll solutions Stratus Building Solutions of Greater Madison Jessica King 2801 W. Beltline Highway Suite 206 Madison, WI 53713 (608) 817-5411 www.stratusclean.com/locations/ madison Commercial cleaning & janitorial services Suite 100 Salon Studios Ally Yeko 3515 Milton Ave. Suite 100 Janesville, WI 53545 (608) 728-8386 www.suite100salonstudios.com Sunrise Telecom Inc. Amy Dawson 1307 Woodman Rd. Janesville, WI 53545 (608) 279-9401 www.sunrisetele.com Residential and commercial telecommunications contractor Townsquare Media Rockford Amy Mazzarese 3901 Brendenwood Rd. Rockford, IL 61107 (815) 399-2233 www.townsquaremedia.com/localmedia/brands?market=rockford Community-focused digital media, digital marketing solutions, and radio company True North Title Holdings, LLC Samantha Freitag 4323 Milton Ave. Suite 201 Janesville, WI 53546 (608) 608-8154 www.truenorthtitlewi.com Family-owned title company We Dig It 123 Todd Harth 1905 Totem Rd. Beloit, WI 53511 (608) 609-1024 www.wedigit123.com Excavation and landscaping services Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Christine Zastrow 1700 W. State St. Janesville, WI 53546 (608) 758-6100 www.wcbvi.k12.wi.us NEW MEMBERS OF FORWARD JANESVILLE 20 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Scan the QR code to find all of our Members in the Forward Janesville Membership Directory. Contact forward@forwardjanesville.com to receive membership information and join today! CHAMPIONS CLUB LEVEL INVESTORS
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