About Centergy

Our Mission

Centergy is committed to advancing prosperity and vibrancy in the five-county region of Central Wisconsin: Adams, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, and Wood Counties.

Centergy envisions itself as the Collective Voice for advancing prosperity and vibrancy in the region. The organization’s mission is to serve as the engine for regional growth and economic development through collaboration with local partners. Centergy’s decision-making, actions, and provision of services are guided by its core principles of Vision Forward, Accountability, Fiscal Responsibility, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI).

To drive the mission, Centergy has identified four pillars of focus: Talent Growth, Regional Advocacy, Business Development, and Partner Engagement. These pillars provide a strategic framework to lead economic development and prosperity in Central Wisconsin into the future. Centergy aims to collaborate with businesses and partners to retain and attract in-demand talent throughout the region.

OUR BOARD

Get to Know Our Board Members

Gautam Malik, Chair

Chief Executive Officer at Gamber-Johnson LLC

Joe Schuchardt, Vice Chair

Director of North Central Operations at J. H. Findorff

Nick Faber, CPA, Treasurer

President & CEO at Simplicity Credit Union

Denise Sonnemann, Secretary

Executive Director at Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry

James Matheson

Senior Vice President- Chief Strategy Officer of Aspirus

Melinda Osterberg

Regional Economic Development Director at Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Michael Smith

Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Church Mutual Insurance Company

Manny Vasquez

Vice President and Partner at Pfefferle Companies

Brad Gast

Dean of Workforce Training & Professional Development and Apprenticeship at Northcentral Technical College

Maureen Carlson

Regional Business Development Manager at Greenfire Management Services

John Jacobson

Director of Public Affairs at Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.,

OUR STAFF

Meet Our Staff

Angel Laidlaw

President & CEO

Centergy

Dawn Johnson

Administration

Northcentral Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

Dennis Lawrence

Consultant

Northcentral Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

The Centergy brand provides an effective way to leverage the collective economic power of the region’s five counties.

It allows us to unite the region’s efforts in talent attraction and development, regional brand development, business development, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship within the business community.

We operate in partnership with a broad variety of organizations, institutions, and government entities throughout the Centergy Region. Among them are the region’s seven major chambers of commerce:

We collaborate with colleges, universities, and technical schools throughout the region.

We’re also allied with a long list of public economic development partners at the local level, as well as the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and the State of Wisconsin.

Centergy is proud of the region’s business resources and plays an important role in strengthening and growing the region’s economy, to ensure an even better quality of life for residents of the counties and communities we serve.

Partner Organizations

Read All About It

Investor Spotlight: REI Engineering

At the core of Central Wisconsin’s business community are companies that not only deliver exceptional work but also build lasting relationships. REI Engineering, Inc., headquartered in Wausau, is one of ... Investor Spotlight: REI Engineering

Supporting Kids & Families: A Business Perspective on Child Care

Photo Credit: iStock Introduction: Why businesses should care about child care For any organization operating in Central Wisconsin, the well-being of children, families and caregivers isn’t just a moral issue ... Supporting Kids & Families: A Business Perspective on Child Care

Save the Date: 21st Annual Central Wisconsin Days Returns February 11–12, 2026

Wausau, WI — Centergy, Inc. is pleased to announce that the 21st Annual Central Wisconsin Days will take place February 11–12, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin. The region’s signature advocacy event ... Save the Date: 21st Annual Central Wisconsin Days Returns February 11–12, 2026

Building a Regional Air Service Development Fund: A Smart Investment in Central Wisconsin’s Future.

By Brian Grefe, A.A.E., Airport Director, Central Wisconsin Airport   Air service is more than a convenience—it is the backbone of our regional economy. At Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA), we ... Building a Regional Air Service Development Fund: A Smart Investment in Central Wisconsin’s Future.

Global Chemistry Innovator ERCO Worldwide Joins Centergy’s Economic Development Network

[Wausau, WI] – Centergy, Inc., Central Wisconsin’s regional hub for economic development, is excited to welcome ERCO Worldwide as its newest investor. By joining Centergy’s coalition of businesses and community ... Global Chemistry Innovator ERCO Worldwide Joins Centergy’s Economic Development Network

Engineering Growth: REI Partners with Centergy

  [Wausau, WI] – September 12th, 2025 – Partnerships are the foundation of growth—and Centergy is pleased to welcome REI Engineering, Inc. (REI) as the newest member of our investor ... Engineering Growth: REI Partners with Centergy