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Watertown Chamber of Commerce

Established 1920

Old Watertown Advancement Association

and Watertown Businessmen’s Association were forerunners of today’s Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce Notes

1920

Watertown Gazette, 08 12 1920

The two hundred men and women members of the Watertown Chamber of Commerce who attended the spirited meeting held Monday night at the city hall went home with the realization that this organization is now a living, pulsing reality. It was gratifying to note the interest all present manifested in the proceedings.

The keenness with which the constitution and by-laws were discussed shows that the copies which were mailed in advance to all members were thoroughly studied. It is active interest such as this which makes for a successful organization and without which no chamber can properly function.

A motion to incorporate the Watertown Chamber of Commerce under the laws of the State of Wisconsin was unanimously carried. On the whole the constitution and by-laws were approved at the meeting and this document with the few minor changes suggested will be turned over to a committee of five which was appointed at Monday night’s meeting. This committee is empowered to re-phrase the document so that it will be in shape to be brought before the secretary of state as articles of incorporation of the Watertown Chamber of Commerce.

It was decided, in order to allow sufficient time for the articles of incorporation to be returned from Madison, to hold the next meeting of the members on the first Friday in September, 1920. At this meeting officers shall be elected who shall hold their respective offices until the first annual meeting and election of officers which shall be held the second Friday in January, 1922.

That Mr. Lehrkind and the temporary executive committee have the confidence of all the members of the chamber and that the efforts put forth thus far by Mr. Lehrkind and the committee are appreciated was shown at Monday night’s meeting when a motion to have this committee continue in full authority until the next meeting was put before the house and carried with more feeling than any preceding or succeeding motion. This is as it should be. This committee has worked ceaselessly and tirelessly and deserves this mark of appreciation.

The building housing the offices of the Chamber of Commerce is to be taken over at once by one of Watertown’s industries and as a consequence the offices must be moved.

As a direct result of Monday night’s meeting several additional memberships were received this morning at organization headquarters:

The Brandt-Dent Co. delegated each of its six memberships to the following men: Messer. Gabriel B Levy, G. A. Richards, Alfred J. Price, Hugo Koenig, Herbert Vorr, John Mueller.

The Watertown Table Slide Co. delegated five of their memberships to the following men: Messrs. Wm. C. Schultz, Otto Fischer, Wm. Draeger, Otto Draeger, Arthur Behling.

Wm. F. Brandt & Son Co. delegated six memberships to the following men and women: Mrs. Leona B. Thauer, W. E. Brandt, George Scheele, Albert Frattinger, Edward Kuenzi, Harry Miller.

Watertown Chamber of Commerce Organizes

G. H. Lehrkind Elected President

1920

Watertown Gazette, 09 09 1920

The court room in the city hall last Friday evening was the scene of an enthusiastic meeting of members of the Watertown Chamber of Commerce, at which officers of the organization were elected and bylaws adopted. The meeting was a most enthusiastic one and spoke well for the success of the organization. The fair boosting committee of the chamber, headed by the Watertown band marched to the hall and rendered some fine music before the regular program of the meeting was opened.

Mayor Wertheimer urged the members to cooperate in every way possible to make the “Watertown Day Parade” on Wednesday, September 22, the biggest ever held in Watertown. The meeting was presided over by G. H. Lehrkind. Officers and directors chosen are as follows: President G. H. Lehrkind vice president, W. H. Woodard ; treasurer, Max Tohr, chairman mercantile bureau, W. E. Brandt; chairman industrial bureau. F. E. Woodard; chairman wholesale and manufacturers bureau, W. O. Peterson; chairman agriculture and good roads bureau, S. Molzahn; chairman publicity and conventions, John Clifford , chairman civic bureau, H. Wertheimer; directors at large J. W. Moore, F. H. Kopp, Francis Darcey, W. G. Pritzlaff, E. E. Fischer, E. L. Schempf, C. A. Skinner, Miss Minnie Sproesser.

1986

Jack Erdmann appointed executive director of the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce.

1999

10 17 Jack Erdmann, executive director of the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce, will be retiring early next year. Erdmann, 63, told the chamber board of directors this morning that his retirement date would be Feb. 29. John Ebert, this year's chamber president, said, “We're surely going to miss Jack. He has done an outstanding job as our executive director. It's going to be a big hole to fill when he leaves.” The chamber of commerce has made great strides in the nearly 13 years he has been in the leadership position. When he took over the position in September of 1986, the chamber was having financial difficulties and membership was lagging. WDT

2009

10 15 Randy Roeseler resignation

Randy Roeseler, executive director of the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce, submitted his resignation; accepted position as vice president at the State Bank of Reeseville; 9 1/2 years of service. As vice president of the bank, Roeseler will be expected to serve the community's needs in several ways, including management support, business development and lending and deposit relationship management. Before being hired by the chamber, Roeseler was employed as a manager of Commonwealth Credit Union in Watertown. Before that was a financial consultant at Associated Bank of Watertown.

Executive Director - Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce

Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking an experienced manager for the position of Executive Director. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors. Duties include, but are not limited to, operational and financial accountability for the total operations of the Chamber of Commerce, developing and implementing long range planning as well as playing an active role in all areas of promoting the Watertown area.

Requirements Include: No less than 5 years in a leadership/managerial role with strong written & oral communication skills. Must possess the ability to work well with local and state officials, business executives as well as small organizations in a professional and productive manner. Past experience in Economic Development Projects a plus.

We’re looking for a talented individual who is self motivated and enjoys coming to work every day, welcomes challenge and change and is excited about leading a highly motivated and productive staff of 2 plus a volunteer staff of boards and committees.

Computer skills are a must with proven ability in Microsoft Office Software (especially Word, Excel and Access) as well as QuickBooks.

Send resume by November 5th, 2009 to: watncofc@powercom.net subject line: Search Committee or mail to the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce, Attn: Search Committee, 519 E. Main Street, Watertown, WI 53094.