Zack Sullivan of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce Graduates from Institute for Organization Management

Karyn MacRae
iom@uschamber.com

June 6, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C.— Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce that Zack Sullivan, IOM, Executive Director, of the Geneseo Chamber, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM Graduate Recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 credit hours of course instruction in non-profit management.

In addition, participants can earn credit hours towards the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE), certifications. Nearly 1,000 individuals attend Institute annually.

“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”

Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at four different university locations throughout the country. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.

Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Our members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations.

GHS Students Own and Operate Waterwerks - By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Waterwerks is a pressure washing and window washing business founded by Geneseo High School students James Matthews and Alex Snyder.  They take appointments by phone at 309-507-6816.  Photo by Claudia Loucks

   James Matthews and Alex Snyder are co-owners and operators of Waterwerks – Pressure Washing & Window Cleaning business they launched two years ago, just after their freshman year at GHS.   The business is now a full-time operation, which they plan to continue after high school graduation.

   It was just before school was out in the spring of 2023 when Matthews and Snyder were thinking about starting some type of business, “We just didn’t know what kind of business, but we knew we wanted to earn some money,” Matthews recalled.

   The idea came to the two friends when Alex Snyder’s parents, who lived in rural Geneseo at the time, hired them to do chores, and gave them a choice of doing inside chores or outside chores.

   “We decided to go with outside chores, and they told us we would be pressure washing the side of the house,” he said.  ‘While we were doing that job, I talked to Alex about how my Dad had a large pressure washer and maybe we could use it and earn some money by doing pressure washing on other people’s houses.”

   Even though they had the idea for their business, the young men weren’t quite sure how to go about selling their idea to prospective customers.

   Snyder’s siblings did door-to-door sales and the two friends contacted them to find out more about how to sell their idea.

   Their next step was asking James’ Dad if they could borrow his pressure washer, which he agreed to loan them.

   It was the last week of school in 2023 when the two young businessmen learned that James’ Dad had found a client who would hire them to pressure wash their house…” It was our first job and it was in May of 2023,” Matthews recalled.

   It was their first job and he said, “It was a big house and we ran into some problems, so it definitely was a learning experience.”

   But they had no additional jobs lined up.

   They contacted Alex’s older brother to ask how they could go door to door with their business, and Matthews said, “He gave us a baseline pitch so we practiced that for about three days and then we had the courage to begin.  We knocked on our first door, it was in rural Geneseo, and they hired us.”

   That first employment boosted their courage and confidence and they were able to capture two more jobs that would take care of their schedule for the following two weeks.

   “Our business just kept growing,” Matthews said, and mostly as a result of door-knocking.  “We worked all summer, either knocking on doors or doing the pressure washing work.”

   Both Matthews and Snyder have played soccer at GHS, so they don’t usually schedule jobs during the school year, “but sometimes in the spring we will do pressure washing during the last few months of school, from late March to when school is out in May,” he added.

   In thinking back to the their second summer as business owners, Matthews said there were many problems…”We had lots of trouble with equipment and trouble hiring employees.”

   Waterwerks now employs primarily high school and college students…”We knew at the time we started that we could not hire adults because we didn’t think they would respect 15 year-olds as we did not have a business license or driver’s licenses when we started our business.   Now we have both, but before Alex’s Mom drove us everywhere.”

   This summer, 2025 and their third summer in business, the young entrepreneurs have grown their business to include a line of trucks, used for the business only; and they employ 32 people, high school and college-age (11 sales people and 21 technicians).

   “We are pretty busy almost every day,” Matthews said. 

   When asked what was the biggest hurdle they had to overcome in starting Waterwerks, Matthews said, “In the beginning, our equipment kept breaking down.  We have had to upgrade our equipment and have had to put all the money we had earned for ourselves back into the business to obtain better equipment.  Currently, our profit margins are zero, all the money is dumped right back into the business to cover expenses.  Insurance is a big expense and maintenance is too, so as of now we can’t take any salaries for ourselves.”

   Their hope is that in just a few weeks they will have everything running smoothly and steadily and “maybe we can begin to take some income for ourselves,” Matthews said.

   He is the son of James Matthews and Jamie Matthews, and Snyder’s parents are Marjorie and Mike Snyder

 

Birks Chiropractic Is Now Vibrant Health - By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Crystal Strode always knew she wanted to be some type of doctor, but said she did not know what type until she was in college. She graduated from St. Ambrose College in Davenport and continued her studies at Palmer College of Chiropractic, where she graduated from in 2017.

After working as a chiropractor in Kewanee, she made the decision to open her own practice in Cambridge in 2019, which she still owns and operates. Recently, she added to her list, when she purchased the former Birks Chiropractic in Geneseo and renamed it to Vibrant Health.

Dr. Crystal Strode is the owner of Vibrant Health, formerly Birks Chiropractic on South Chicago St., Geneseo. Photo by Claudia Loucks

When asked why she chose to expand, Dr. Strode said, “With more parishioners in the area, I felt we could help more people…I just love helping people get out of pain and feeling good.”

There are four chiropractors and five massage therapists who work in the Geneseo office and Strode added, “I work full time in Cambridge, and am in Geneseo as I am needed.”

In addition to owning and operating two clinics, Dr. Strode also implemented a “Support Local” program where she opens $100 tabs to local businesses in Geneseo and Cambridge, and she explained, “Shoppers at the locations where I have opened a tab can receive $5 to $10 off their purchase”

She said she visits one business each week with the $100 tab offer, and she added, "I started the offer to help promote other businesses in the area.”

Dr. Strode and her husband Jared Strode live in Kewanee and have three cats.

Vibrant Health in Geneseo is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday.

For more information or for an appointment, call the office at 309-944-1213.

Geneseo Chamber Celebrates Excellence at 2024 Awards Banquet

Zack Sullivan, Executive Director
Geneseo Chamber of Commerce
309-944-2686

August 2, 2024 - The Geneseo Chamber of Commerce proudly announced the winners of the 2024 Chamber Awards during the 2024 Geneseo Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Awards Banquet. Over 140 local business and community leaders enjoyed a spectacular evening held at Lavender Crest Winery on Thursday August 1, 2024. This annual event is a highlight for the Geneseo business community, offering a chance to recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals and businesses that enrich the Geneseo area.

The evening was a success, marked by heartfelt recognitions, professional networking, and a shared sense of community spirit. The awards presented were:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Chris Thompson of Central Bank Illinois

• Business of the Year: Geneseo Communications

• Business Person of the Year: Travis Mackey of Geneseo School District 228, with Geneseo School Superintendent Dr. Adam Brumbaugh accepting the award on Mackey’s behalf.

• Accessible Competitive Employment Stakeholder (A.C.E.S.) Award: State Street Café, with Jenn Johnson of Inspire Continuing Care accepting the award on their behalf.

• Beautification Award: The Red Barn.

• Rising Star Award: Barb Jacobson of UpLoved

• Volunteer of the Year: Sheilah Wigant-McGee of Sheilah Wigant-McGee Originals

In addition, Geneseo Chamber Past President Ben Young of Wisdom Financial Services, L.L.C. was recognized for his outstanding service and leadership with the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The accolade was presented by Geneseo Chamber Board President Katie Kutsunis of GWK Enterprises.

“We are immensely proud to honor this year’s award recipients,” said Zack Sullivan, Executive Director of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce. “Their remarkable achievements and commitment have made a significant impact on the Geneseo community. It was truly a joy to celebrate their successes together.”

For more information about the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce and future events, please visit www.geneseo.org or call at 309-944-2686.

Sheilah Wigant-McGee is Volunteer of the Year

Ben Young(left) and Katie Kutsunis(right). Photo Submitted.

Barb Jacobson(left) was awarded the Rising Star Award

Ashley Marshall(right) received the Beautification Award

Jenn Johnson accepts the A.C.E.S. award on behalf of State Street Market

Dr. Adam Brumbaugh announces Travis Mackey as the Businessman of the Year

Geneseo Communications receive Business of the Year

Chris Thompson receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from Chris DuBios of Central Bank.

Geneseo Chamber marks Chamber of Commerce Week with Four Ribbon Cuttings

The Geneseo Chamber of Commerce celebrated Chamber of Commerce Week 2023 with four ribbon cuttings at local businesses in Geneseo. Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois is promoted at the Illinois Chamber and the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE), highlighting the role chambers of commerce play in communities across Illinois. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also issued a Gubernatorial Proclamation, declaring the week of September 10-16, 2023 to be Chamber of Commerce week in Illinois.

 Ribbon Cuttings at Geneseo businesses were celebrated at the following locations:

  • UpLoved – 780 S. Chicago St.

  • Erdman Construction – 105 S. Chicago St. #2

  • Jenna Eden Designs – 137 S. State St. #335

  • Hertz Farm Management – 613 E. Ogden Ave.

 

“Chambers of Commerce play an important role in communities across Illinois.” said Zack Sullivan, Executive Director of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce. “Imagine Geneseo without a Chamber of Commerce. No events like Christmas Walk or Music Fest, no promotion of the community, and no stories to tell to get people excited about Geneseo. Our Chamber in Geneseo tells the story of Geneseo – celebrating our successes, promoting our community events, and putting a spotlight on our small business community so it can continue to shine. The Geneseo Chamber is grateful and fortunate to have so much support from the Geneseo business community. The magic does not happen without the support of our member businesses. We work hard to provide tangible benefits to our members, and I think the community sees that.”

 For more information joining about the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce or upcoming community events, please email geneseo@geneseo.org or call 309-944-2686.