Press Release

Fond du Lac community leaders have begun tackling the issues surrounding local workforce development and economic stability. The group, comprised of business persons, educators and government officials, has defined its goals as: (1) to develop and recruit local talent; (2) to attract new (non-local) workers to the Fond du Lac area; (3) to retain both local and non-local talent.

To address each goal, the community group, led by Mr. Robert Fale, retired president of Agnesian HealthCare, developed detailed objectives and is moving forward in identifying and implementing numerous solution-focused action items.

By focusing on the development and recruitment of local talent, attention has been directed to strengthening the partnership between business and education in the Fond du Lac community. The objectives are to initiate retention efforts in earlier years, improve the knowledge and working relationships between teachers, counselors and business persons at all levels, and improve and increase the relationship with post-secondary schools in the area.

By focusing on the attraction of new (non-local) workers to the Fond du Lac area, attention has been directed to distinguishing Fond du Lac as one of the best communities to live/work in. To make this possible it is imperative that Fond du Lac focus on inclusion efforts and public investment, which will lead to a more attractive and welcoming community.

By focusing on the retention of both local and non-local talent, attention has been directed to first keeping local skills employed for the short term. By staying connected with new hires and offering creative benefits for aging workers employers will be able to keep institutional knowledge within the industry.

Solutions to these objectives have been identified and in some instances are already in the works. “The ultimate goal of this identification process was to be able to pinpoint people in the community that will take ownership of the solutions,” explained Robert Fale, Chair. “From here on out we are looking to them to move these initiatives forward and to take on the responsibility of implementing solutions and making their progress known.”

Members of the community group represent numerous industries and areas of expertise. Those involved at this time include:

Robert Fale, Chair, Agnesian HealthCare (retired)
Dr. Josh Bullock, Moraine Park Technical College
Jim Cleveland, Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce
Mary Denzin, Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce
Denise Devereaux, Mercury Marine
Dr. Steven DiSalvo, Marian University
Mike Frydryk, Kondex Corporation
Lisa Halbach, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Al Hesse, Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, Inc.
Steve Jenkins, Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corp.
Jessica King, Senate District 18
Joe Reitemeier, Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce
Dr. Sheila Ruhland, Moraine Park Technical College
Mark Schwabero, Mercury Marine
Dr. James Sebert, Fond du Lac School District
Dr. John Short, UW-Fond du Lac
Jeremy Thiesfeldt, WI Assembly District 52