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

Paul Fowler, PhD, Chair

Executive Director, Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology

Gautam Malik, Vice Chair

CEO at Gamber-Johnson LLC

Nick Faber, CPA, Treasurer

President/CEO at Simplicity Credit Union

Joe Schuchardt, Secretary

Director of North Central Operations at Findorff

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

Denise Sonnemann

Executive Director Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Brad Gast

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

OUR STAFF

Meet Our Staff

Angel (Whitehead) 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

Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology Boosts Compostability Testing to Support Sustainable Business Practices

By: Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology (WIST)  Read newsletter here Biodegradation is a cornerstone to environmental well-being. As a planet of consumers, we might not be aware of the impact ... Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology Boosts Compostability Testing to Support Sustainable Business Practices

Save the Date: Annual Central Wisconsin Days is Coming!

  Mark your calendars! Join us for Central Wisconsin Days on Thursday, April 10, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Best Western Premier Park Hotel in Madison, ... Save the Date: Annual Central Wisconsin Days is Coming!

Centergy Welcomes Gaoia Xiong as New Marketing and Events Coordinator!

Centergy Inc. is excited to announce the hiring of Gaoia Xiong as the Marketing and Events Coordinator. A proud native of Central Wisconsin and a graduate of the University of ... Centergy Welcomes Gaoia Xiong as New Marketing and Events Coordinator!

Why Job Creation is Just One Piece of the Economic Development Puzzle

Content Provider: Angel Laidlaw When communities seek to drive economic growth, job creation often becomes the go-to metric for measuring success. On the surface, it seems like an obvious choice—more ... Why Job Creation is Just One Piece of the Economic Development Puzzle

Bringing Central Wisconsin to Colorado: Engaging Veterans for a Bright Future

Centergy recently had an incredible opportunity to attend three veteran attraction events with Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) in Colorado, and we’re excited to share the experience! Over just three days, ... Bringing Central Wisconsin to Colorado: Engaging Veterans for a Bright Future

The Entrepreneurial and Education Center (EEC) is now officially rebranded as the Wausau Business Incubator.

The Entrepreneurial and Education Center (EEC) is excited to share an important update that reflects their ongoing commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and businesses in Central Wisconsin. As part of strategic ... The Entrepreneurial and Education Center (EEC) is now officially rebranded as the Wausau Business Incubator.