Annual Meeting
April 9th, 2015
Message from the President
Keynote Speaker
Chuck Underwood
Founder & Principal
The Generational Imperative, Inc.
Chuck Underwood is one of the pioneers who created, developed, and
popularized the field of generational study. He is the founder & principal of
"TGI" - The Generational Imperative, Inc. - an Ohio-based generational
consulting firm. He consults and trains corporations and organizations in
Generational Workplace Strategy and Generational Marketplace Strategy.
His comprehensive book titled, The Generational Imperative: Understanding
Generational Differences In The Workplace, Marketplace, And Living Room, is
about generational business strategy is available online
at www.amazon.com and at most bookstores.
Chuck is the host of the television series America’s Generations With Chuck
Underwood, on PBS.
Having researched generational dynamics for more than a quarter-century
and then worked side-by-side with hundreds of clients to execute a long list
of generational strategies, he is considered one of the elite consultants in
generational strategy. His A-List clients operate in business, government,
education, religion, politics, media and entertainment, philanthropy, and
virtually every other industry-type. Formally trained in qualitative research
methodology and focus-group moderating by The Burke Institute, he
conducts generational research for his clients and for his own proprietary
generational research.
The Ohio University College of Business grad had spent his earlier career in
the mass media of radio and television, first as an award-winning broadcast
journalist and national sports play-by-play announcer, and then as a creator
and producer of original programming. He has hosted and produced shows
that have aired nationally and internationally.
He has taken his rightful place as an eminent authority in generational
study. Traveling coast-to-coast and overseas for consulting assignments,
seminars, research, and keynotes, he also authors newspaper and nationalmagazine columns on generational dynamics, guest-lectures at universities,
and is regularly interviewed for generational news stories by the nation’s –
and world’s - magazines, newspapers, radio, and television.
The Fulton County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) has been
an incorporated non-profit organization since April 2014. Since that time
members of the organization have been busy. The Membership Committee has
recruited several new members and we now have 80 businesses and
organizations that are members of the FCEDC. The Workforce Development
Committee has provided several activities and programs that are seeking to
alleviate a constraint to economic growth, the need of Fulton County
businesses to recruit more people with skills that match the work the business
requires. The Marketing Committee is developing a state-of-the-art website that
will be used to attract businesses to Fulton County, share economic data with
businesses in the county and help members recruit employees that they need to
successfully enhance their operations.
In August 2015 the Executive Committee hired our Executive Director, Matt
Gilroy. Matt has been asked to manage several projects and programs and has
been very busy. To enhance the efforts of the FCEDC the Executive
Committee has recently made the decision to hire an Assistant Director.
Shannon Shulters joined the FCEDC as the Assistant Director in April 2015.
We expect Matt and Shannon to diligently work to grow the economy in Fulton
County. We are pleased with the results thus far.
The first project that the FCEDC supported was for a small business called
Pride Gage, which relocated their business from Lucas County to a building in
Metamora. The company is busy rehabilitating the building and will be moving
their operations to Metamora in the next few months. Six employees will follow
and the company will potentially expand their operations adding at least three
more employees in the next few years. The FCEDC is also close to completing
a project to attract a large greenhouse operation to a site north of North Star
BlueScope Steel. The company, Nature Fresh Farms, plans to invest nearly
$200 million in our community and hire more than 350 people over the course
of their expansion project. Nature Fresh Farms will be hosting a ceremonial
groundbreaking in the next few weeks.
As a member of the FCEDC, you are encouraged to contact Matt and Shannon
to support your efforts to invest and expand your business. They are familiar
with local, state and federal programs that may assist you in your efforts to
expand. The FCEDC will work hard to continue enhancing economic
growth to the benefit of everyone in Fulton County and Northwest
Ohio.
Sincerely,
Rich Menzel
President
FCEDC Charter Members
Robert Fulton Award
Tier IV Members
Perry Rupp
Bill Rufenacht
Award Recipients: Perry Rupp and Bill Rufenacht
Nominated by: FCEDC Executive Committee
Tier III Members
Fulton County, Ohio is named for Robert Fulton, an innovator who famously
developed the first commercially successful steamboat called, Clermont.
Robert Fulton also provided the world with other innovations. He was
commissioned by Napoleon Banaparte to develop the Nautilus, the first
submarine. He was also credited for developing various torpedoes for the
British Royal Navy, a dredging machine for canals, and the Demologos the
world’s first steam-driven warship built for the United States for the War of
1812.
The Fulton County Economic Development Corporation has created the
Robert Fulton Award to recognize innovative achievements by individuals and
businesses in Northwest Ohio. Like the county’s namesake, Robert Fulton,
people throughout the county have developed, created, engineered and
implemented great inventions and ideas. These innovations are what
continues to make our economy stronger and stronger.
The FCEDC is pleased to recognize Perry Rupp & Bill Rufenacht as the 2015
Robert Fulton Award recipients. Former Commissioner Rupp and
Commissioner Rufenacht passionately advocated for the implementation of a
new non-profit organization that would be responsible for economic
development activities in Fulton County. Through their ideas and hard work
the FCEDC was formed to achieve economic growth in the county. Today, the
FCEDC has 80 member businesses and committees that are working to lower
barriers to economic growth, enhance resources that the business community
has available to them and market Fulton County communities and businesses
worldwide.
Northstar BlueScope Steel
Award Recipient: North Star BlueScope Steel
Nominated by: Connie Koch, HR Systems
North Star BlueScope Steel is a 50-50 joint venture between Cargill and
BlueScope Steel, Ltd. Since 1997, North Star BlueScope Steel LLC has
been providing hot rolled bands to coil processors, cold rolled strip
producers, pipe and tubers, original equipment manufacturers and
steel service centers.
North Star BlueScope Steel has provided Fulton County with great
benefits since 1997. Currently, the company employs more than 350
people, supports more than 50 non-profit organizations throughout
the region and provides scholarship and employment opportunities to
area high school students entering into an Electrical Engineering
Technology degree.
Connie Koch nominated North Star BlueScope Steel and stated this in
the nomination: “North Star generously gives of their staff time and
talent for the continued success of the Fulton County Economic
Development Corporation. As the Fulton County Economic
Development Corporation was formed many hours were devoted to
ensure of the growth and stability of the FCEDC. This included the
search for the Executive Director and setting up the Corporation’s
structure. Not only has North Star provided monetary contributions,
but they also provide resources to FCEDC to assist with members’
needs and ideas to engage the membership.” While North Star has
provided important support and resources to initiate the FCEDC, they
are also involved in many other non-profit organizations throughout
the county. For instance, they are heavily involved in the Delta
Chamber of Commerce and they recently donated computers to the
Delta Public Library.
FCEDC Charter Members
Tier II Members
Aschliman & Co. CPA’s
City of Wauseon
CIG Financial Services
CLA-CliftonLarsonAllen
Community Hospitals of
Williams County-Archbold
Village of Delta
FME-Industrial
Foundation Steel LLC
Hylant
Job1USA
Linde North America
Pahl’s Ready Mix
Ohio Logistics
Ridgeville Telephone Co.
RMF Nooter, Inc..
Rudolph Libbe, Inc.
Scottdel Cushion
Stapleton Insurance
Triangular Processing Inc.
Wauseon Ace
Wauseon Machine
Village of Archbold
Village of Swanton
Tier I Members
Anderzack-Pitzen Construction
Archbold Container
Archbold CIC
Barber, Kaper, Stamm, Robinson &
McWaters
Current Office Solutions
Eastman & Smith Ltd.
Fulton Industries
GB Manufacturing
HR Systems
Kleck Enterprises
Metamora State Bank
Mosser Group
Ohio Gas Company
Shultz Huber &Associates
Swancreek Township
The State Bank
Tri-County Fuels
Waterford Bank, N.A.
Whalen
Associate Members
A.A. Boos & Sons, Inc.
Delta Chamber of Commerce
Dennis Apartments LLC
DGL Consulting Engineers
Fulton County Farm Bureau
GoWireless-Verizon Wireless Retailer
Haas Door
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
Mannik & Smith
Metalink
Net Sense
Northwest State Community College
Poggemeyer Design Group
Tetra Tech
Thomas Construction &
Remodeling
Tomahawk Printing
Swanton Chamber of Commerce
Wauseon Chamber of Commerce
Jones & Henry Engineers, LTD
Owens Community College
Rupp Furniture Co.
Wauseon Development Corp
Sullivan’s Restaurant
FCEDC ANNUAL MEETING
AGENDA
Registration, Cocktails and Networking
5:00 PM
Dinner
6:00 PM
Roast Beef ~ Italian Grilled Chicken Breast ~ Au Gratin
Potato's ~ California Blend with Cheese Sauce ~
Tossed Salad ~ Angel Food Cake with Berries ~
Coffee, Tea & Cash Bar
Election of Slate of Officers
Awards Ceremony
Excellence in Retail
Community Leadership
Excellence in Industry
Business of the Year
Robert Fulton Award
6:20 PM
6:25 PM
Sullivan’s Restaurant
Farmers & Merchants State Bank
Miller Bros. Construction, Inc.
North Star BlueScope Steel
Bill Rufenacht & Perry Rupp
Keynote Speaker
Chuck Underwood
Emcee
Events Committee Chairperson
7:00 PM
Generational Imperatives
Jeff Robinson
Kathy Stockham
Committee Members: Matt Gilroy, Gary Keys, Scott Mirtes,
Teri Nevers, Steve Reinbolt, Shannon Shulters, Toni Schindler,
Kathy Stockam, and Doug Westhoven
Excellence in Industry
Award Recipient: Miller Bros. Construction, Inc.
Nominated by: Mayor Jim Wyse and Dennis Howell,
Village of Archbold
Miller Bros. Construction, Inc. has been a stalwart in the
Archbold community since 1944. Starting as a small
excavating company in the mid-1940’s the company has
grown tremendously over the years. Today, the third
generation operates the family business and Miller Bros.
Construction handles heavy civil, site and infrastructure
improvement job opportunities across the Midwest and
beyond. The company is licensed to work in twelve states.
The Ohio Contractors Association awarded Miller Bros.
Construction the Jerry Keller Memorial Safety Award thanks
to an excellent safety record. The Ohio Department of
Transportation awarded Miller Bros. Construction with the
Don Conaway Partnership Award for their extensive work
on I-75 and State Route 224 in and near the City of Findlay.
These awards are a testimony to a company that works
hard to provide their employees with a safe work
environment and their customers with an excellent service.
FCEDC Executive Committee
Community Leadership Award
Award Recipient: Farmers & Merchants State Bank
Nominated by: Brad Miller, Miller Bros. Construction
Farmers & Merchants State Bank has always had a special
commitment to the growth of Northwest Ohio since its inception in
1897. Headquartered in Archbold, Farmers & Merchants State Bank
today has 22 offices and 36 ATM machines located in eight counties
throughout Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana.
F&M's commitment is to ensure that community banking continues
to grow and prosper by providing quality customer service and
effectively supplying the right products to meet the financial needs of
individuals, farmers, businesses, and industries within their market
area.
Throughout the years Farmers & Merchants State Bank has
contributed to many organizations that make Archbold and the
communities in their service territory even better. Nominator for the
Community Leadership Award, Brad Miller, shared that he is aware
that F&M has contributed to the following causes (just to name a
few):
Local school sports teams and academic organizations
United Way of Fulton County (serving in various leadership roles)
Lions and Rotary Clubs throughout the region
Habitat for Humanity
Sara’s Garden – Playground Project
Fulton County Economic Development Corporation
Rich Menzel
North Star BlueScope Steel
President
Todd Graham
Farmers & Merchants State Bank Treasurer
Patti Finn
Fulton County Health Center
Vice Pres.
David Gerken
Fifth Third Bank
Secretary
Gary Keys
Toledo Edison
Jeff Leeper
Worthington Industries
Steve McCoy
Fulton County Health Center
Scott Mirtes
HL Fraas Company
Bruce Rumpf
JOB1USA
Toni Schindler
Fulton County
Doug Shaw, Jr.
Farmers & Merchants State Bank
Neil Toeppe
Fulton County Community Improvement Corp.
FCEDC Staff
Matt Gilroy
Shannon Shulters
Executive Director
Assistant Director
123 Courthouse Plaza
Suite 2
Wauseon, Ohio 43567
(419) 337-9270
[email protected]
[email protected]
2015 Slate of Executive Committee Members
Excellence in Retail
Tier IV Members (Automatic Seat on Executive Committee)
Rich Menzel
North Star BlueScope Steel
Todd Graham
Farmers & Merchants State Bank
Jeff Leeper
Worthington Industries
Neil Toeppe
Fulton County Commissioners Appointee
At-Large Executive Committee Members
Jeff Canfield
Huntington Bank
Danny Dymarkowski Foundation Steel
Patti Finn (i)
Fulton County Health Center
Dave Fowler
CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP
David Gerken (i)
Fifth Third Bank
Gary Keys (i)
Toledo Edison
Scott Mirtes (i)
HL Fraas Company
Dennis Richardson
City of Wauseon
Bruce Rumpf (i)
JOB1USA
Cathy Segrist
First Federal Bank
** (i) denotes an incumbent member of the Executive Committee
Award Recipient: Sullivan’s Restaurant
Nominated by: Kevin Whitlock; Barber, Kaper, Stamm &
Robinson Law Firm
Sullivan’s Restaurant was established in 2010 in the City of Wauseon.
Located at the site of a former restaurant that caught fire in 2007,
Sullivan’s Restaurant has a décor that reflects on the history of Fulton
County and reminds us of all possibilities that the future holds.
Sullivan’s offers extensive menu options, a variety of craft beers and a
voluminous wine selection. Sullivan’s provides a casual fine dining
experience for the Wauseon community and surrounding area.
Nominator, Kevin Whitlock, shared, “In addition to the excellent
cuisine that they offer, Sullivan’s offers occasional entertainment and
events such as beer/wine tastings or bands that draw in people not
just from Wauseon, but from surrounding counties. The staff is always
neat, well-groomed and eager to provide excellent customer service.”