By Nicole Wilkins For over 40 years, Kruse Worldwide Courier hasoffered nothing but the best in delivery,warehousing and customer service. Located at5020 Investment Drive in Fort Wayne, thecompany's wide array of services include alltypes of freight from parcels to pallets, one poundto truckloads.

Recently Inc. magazine ranked Kruse WorldwideCourier on its 2008 annual ranking of the 5000fastest-growing private companies in the country.The Inc. 5000 list looks at an important area inthis country's economy: entrepreneurs.According to Inc., “these companies are thebackbone of the U.S. economy and help driveinnovation.”

Along with being on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, Kruse Worldwidewas also on the top 100 transportation list of2008. That same list had Kruse Worldwide asthe third highest transportation company inIndiana in terms of growth.

This growth has allowed the company to expandbeyond what consumers think of as traditionalcourier services, expanding into distribution,medical records, warehousing, air freight, officesupplies, home delivery, and third party logistics.

“We're proud of our growth,” says Lance Adams,CEO of Kruse Worldwide Courier. “Our missionis to offer superior service at a competitive priceand we'll maintain that mission going forward.We honor our commitment by doing what we saywe're going to do and providing great service toour customers to help them grow. That is whathas driven our success.”

Adams grew up in Fort Wayne; he attended

Paul Harding High School and Purdue Univer-

sity and has a wealth of experience with larger

regional and national carriers dating back to the

early 90's. Adams became part owner and

Chief Operating Officer of Kruse Worldwide

Courier in June 2002 and in December 2005

his role evolved into that of CEO.

“My experience coupled with a strong desire to

have ownership in what I was putting my efforts

into led me to Kruse Worldwide,” says Adams.

Service Area Expansion

Kruse Worldwide Courier may be located in Fort

Wayne, but the company offers reliable service

Lance Adams, CEO of Kruse Worldwide Courier

2December 26, 2008Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce 5 6 8Member

SpotlightNonprofit

News

EventsCommunity

Focus

Give theGift ofCommunityThis HolidaySeason

See Kruse on page 7

Kruse Worldwide Courier:More Than Traditional ServiceAs a transportation company, Kruse Worldwide is ranked thirdin Indiana in terms of growth and offers the best in delivery andcustomer service

Just a reminder for the upcoming

holidays: we are all encouraged

to "Give the Gift of Community."

By spending as we are able with

businesses and charitable

organizations in our community,

we have the ability to stimulate

our local economy and retain the

jobs and services needed to

keep Fort Wayne a vibrant

community.

We, as individuals, can make a

positive impact on this

community. So, join in the effort

to solidify Fort Wayne's

economic future by keeping your

dollars here at home where they

help employ our neighbors and

make our community a better

place to live. Get out of the

house, get off the internet and

spend locally!

From the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce

Member Spotlight

United Way Call to Action: Volunteer to Help All Kids Read

United Way of Allen County, joined by represen-

tatives of the Allen County Education Partner-

ship, Fort Wayne Community Schools, East

Allen County Schools and many other local

organizations, have launched a ten-year

reading initiative called Learn United.

Learn United is an effort to close the third grade

reading achievement gap in Allen County within

the next decade. United Way defines the

reading gap as the difference between the

number of local third-graders who can read at

grade level and those who cannot.

More than 1,000 third graders in Allen County

fail to pass the ISTEP language test every year.

Forty percent of all low-income local third

graders can't read at grade level.

“Third grade is a critical time for reading,” said

Jerry Peterson, president and CEO of United

Way of Allen County. “Up until third grade,

students are learning to read, after third grade,

students read to learn.”

Studies show that 74 percent of students who

don't read at grade level by the end of third

grade will never catch up. Many will go on to

drop out of school or be incarcerated. Most will

not be able to hold down good jobs.

“The economic consequences of illiteracy are

profound,” said Kris Foate, president of the

Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce.

“American businesses spend more than $60

billion annually on employee training, much of

that for remedial reading, writing, and

mathematics. We must have a well-educated

workforce if we are to attract new businesses

and help our community thrive. Current

corporate leaders are already dedicating time

and money to help children and I encourage all

local businesses to support Learn United.”

Learn United has three components. The first

focuses on pre-natal care or ensuring that

children get a healthy start to life. The next is

building early literacy skills. The last component

is the school-age effort.

Learn United's school-age component will focus

on recruiting thousands of area volunteers to

work with struggling readers. Volunteers can

visit www.learnunited.org to browse opportuni-

ties and register to work with children. All

volunteers must agree to a background check

and will receive all the training needed to be

successful in working with children. Learn

United is initially rolling out at four schools: Fort

Wayne Community Schools' Waynedale and

Brentwood elementary schools and East Allen

County Schools' Village and Southwick elemen-

tary schools.

“We are excited to be a part of Learn United,”

said EACS Superintendent Dr. Kay Novotny.

“Literacy really is a community issue and we

need the support of the entire community to

educate all of our children.”

“We know that students perform better when

they have multiple support systems helping

them reach their goals,” FWCS Superintendent

Dr. Wendy Robinson said. “With strong schools,

strong families and strong community support,

our students will be successful.”

Volunteers can sign up for a variety of activities

in the classroom, including playing games such

as alphabet bingo and memory, working at a

literacy station, reading stories or working on

letters and sounds. Volunteers will also be able

to sign up for existing programs through FWCS

Study Connection (after-school homework help),

Big Brothers/Big Sisters Lunch Buddies (talking

and reading over lunch), Allen County

Education Partnership Project READS (K-3rd

literacy tutoring) and homework help after

school at the Neighborhood Action Center

serving children in the Autumn Woods

Apartments. In January, Learn United will

partner with Scholastic to promote Real Men

Read, a program that asks men to visit a

classroom once a month. Additional opportuni-

ties will be added as the effort grows.

“We have a variety of volunteer opportunities,”

said Brian White, executive director of the Allen

County Education Partnership, the agency

charged with matching volunteers and children.

“We have long-term and short-term opportuni-

ties. We have chances to work in the

classroom, after school or over the lunch

period. You can work with small groups of

children or one on one. You don't need to be a

reading expert, you just need to care about kids

and our community.”

“United Way of Allen County has long been

focused on helping our most vulnerable

residents meet their basic needs - food, clothing

and health care,” said Irene Walters, United

Way board chair. “Through Learn United, we

are also focusing on long-term needs - giving

people the skills needed to become self-

sufficient. Our board knows goals such as

eliminating the reading gap cannot happen

overnight. That's why we have committed

ourselves to Learn United for ten years. We are

determined to get this accomplished.”

United Way of Allen County modeled Learn

United after a similar effort in Madison,

Wisconsin. In less than ten years, Madison's

United Way and local residents closed the

reading gap through efforts similar to those

being put in place in Fort Wayne.

“We know this can work,” said Jerry Peterson,

“and we know that it's absolutely critical that we

make it work here in our community. We ask

everyone to do what they can - give, advocate

or volunteer - to ensure all our children can

read.”

The first three years of Learn United will be

funded by a grant from the Indiana Association

of United Ways. United Way will seek additional

grant money and private donations after the first

three years.

2 A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

“Through Learn United,we are also focusing onlong-term needs - givingpeople the skills neededto become self-sufficient.Our board knows goalssuch as eliminating thereading gap cannothappen overnight. That'swhy we have committedourselves to LearnUnited for ten years.We are determined toget this accomplished.”

— Irene WaltersUnited Way board chair

THE CHAMBER

Letter From…Kristi Holmes, Vice President of Communications & Member Relations

A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 3

When I moved

to Fort Wayne

three years

ago, I was

struck by the

strong sense

of community -

it is truly a big,

small town. So

many people

can trace their

Fort Wayne

roots back for generations, and

everyone seems to know

everyone else. Because of this,

area residents seem to actively

support each other. I have heard

many tales about “Fort Wayne -

the city that saved itself” and how

time and again neighbors have

bonded together to rally against

the “obstacle du jour” and always

emerged from the other side

safely, hand-in-hand, ready for

the next challenge.

We are facing one of those times

again. Only this time the

opponent isn't Mother Nature, it is

the financial challenges facing

communities across the nation.

While other communities may

succumb to the fear generated by

economic uncertainty, I believe

that Fort Wayne is prepared to

face this opponent by, once more,

counting on the strength of our

community and neighbor helping

neighbor. That is why the

Chamber launched the “Give the

Gift of Community” campaign last

month.

By banding together, we have the

opportunity to save ourselves, our

businesses, our jobs, and our

neighbors in need. Everyone has

a budget, and I don't advocate

spending beyond your means. But

as you are able, spend respon-

sibly with businesses and

charitable organizations located in

our community during the coming

months. Hoarding cash based on

fear of future financial uncertainty

only creates a self-fulfilling

prophecy. It drives our neighbors

out of business, causes layoffs,

and prevents our charitable

organizations from providing

services just as the demand for

those services escalates.

In the course of the “Give the Gift

of Community” campaign, several

people have asked me where I

see the disposable income

coming from in order to do this. In

response, I have given them

examples from my own life.

I drive a gas hog (yes - it's

American made) which requires

me to fill-up the tank twice a

week. A year ago, each fill-up

cost about $85. Last week, that

same fill-up cost me $37. You do

the math. I have used it to justify

a couple of extra holiday

shopping sprees and a few

additional “date nights” with my

husband. This is also the time of

year that we close out our

Flexible Spending Accounts for

medical expenses. As you know,

if you don't use that money, you

lose it. So I'm considering new

glasses for my daughter. The old

prescription is still fine, but

apparently the old frames aren't

as cool as they were last year. I'm

also making the effort to do more

of my holiday shopping locally

instead of online and making sure

to renew my commitments with

the charitable organizations I

support.

Now, I know that these small acts

are not enough, in and of

themselves, to turn the tide. But

when added to the efforts of

people just like you, our small

acts become the impetus needed

to strengthen our local economy.

This notion of “Giving the Gift of

Community” reminds me of one of

my favorite quotes: “Be the

change you want to see in the

world.” I don't suppose that

Mahatma Gandhi was thinking

“buy local” when he said that, but

the principle holds true. The

solution for these trying times, the

way to help our community

succeed, is for each of us to find

the courage to defy the fear

mongering that has created the

national cash-flow freeze and

instead spend responsibly with

local organizations so that we all

may benefit.

There are little things that we can

each do. To us they may appear

small, but when combined with

the efforts of our neighbors, we

can make a difference for each

other and Fort Wayne. But first

we have to regain our can-do

attitudes. By spending responsibly

with local organizations, I CAN

help keep my neighbor in

business; YOU CAN help save a

Hoosier job; ONE NEIGHBOR

CAN enable a charitable organi-

zation to keep meeting the needs

of another neighbor; and together

WE CAN save Fort Wayne again.

Please join me in the coming

months to give the gift of

community.

Volume 18, Issue 25,December 26, 2008

Contact Us:Phone: (260) 424-1435Fax: (260) 426-7232

Web: www.fwchamber.org Email: nwilkins@fwchamber.org

Address: 826 Ewing StreetFort Wayne, IN 46802

Downtown Fort Wayne skyline.

Kristi Holmes

The Power of One

Maribeth CallicoatController

Mike LandramVice President of Workforce &Business Development

Kristina HolmesVice President of Communications & Member Relations

David YoungVice President of Air Service Development

Joni HowellManager of Government& Community Affairs

Nicole WilkinsCommunications Manager

Kristine FoatePresident/CEO

THE CHAMBER STAFF

4 A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Grand Openings

Summit City Metal Recycling celebrated their one year anniversary with anopen house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, December 10.Summit City Metal Recycling is located southeast of downtown at 1412South Anthony Boulevard (at Hayden Street).

Summit City Metal Recycling (SCMR) is Fort Wayne’s newest metalrecycling center. Unlike other places, SCMR accepts and pays you cashon the spot for most household, commercial, and industrial metal, suchas aluminum, brass, copper, steel, stainless steel, tool steel, cast iron,insulated wire, and alloys.

SCMR’s mission is to be committed to your business recycling needs andto the recycling needs of our community. Services that SCMR providesinclude transportation (roll-off boxes, dump trailers, van and flatbedtrailers, and overseas containers), brokerage and trading, turn-key facilityrecycling programs and an indoor retail buying center.

For more information about Summit City Metal Recycling, contact JustinMiller at (260) 399-4843 or Justin@scmr.bz or visit the Web site atwww.scmr.bz.

Summit City Metal Recycling Celebrates One Year Anniversary

ATHENA Nominee & Scholarship Applicants NeededHelp celebrate the

remarkable individ-

uals in our

community. The

Greater Fort Wayne

Chamber of

Commerce is

pleased to announce

it is now seeking

nominations for the

5th Annual ATHENA

Award® and also

applications for

ATHENA Scholar-

ships which will be presented at a luncheon

March 11, 2009 at Ceruti's Summit Park.

The ATHENA Award® program celebrates

exceptional individuals who have achieved

excellence in their profession, have served the

community in a meaningful way and have

assisted women in their attainment of professional

goals and leadership skills. Nomination forms and

criteria are available at www.fwchamber.org and

are due January 5, 2009.

Several $1,000 scholarships are also available to

outstanding area high school students.

Established in 2006 by Fort Wayne Athena

planning committee to provide scholarship

assistance for 2009 high school graduates

attending a two- or four-year college or vocational

school in Indiana. Assistance will be given to

women demonstrating outstanding leadership in

their high school and community.

Eligibility requirements include: Graduates of a high

school in Allen County, Indiana, seeking a two-year

associate degree, a four-year bachelor degree, or

a vocational school degree in Indiana. Recipients

may attend half time (at least 6 credit hours) or full

time. For an application visit www.fwchamber.org.

Deadline is Monday, February 2.

For more information please contact Kristi

Holmes, Vice President of Communications &

Member Relations at (260) 424-1435 or

kholmes@fwchamber.org.

Past ATHENA Recipients

2008 ATHENA Award® Program

THE CHAMBER

Non-profit News

A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 5

Indiana University-Purdue University Fort

Wayne (IPFW), Purdue University, the Lincoln

Financial Group Foundation, and the Northeast

Indiana Innovation Center announce the launch

of the 2008-09 Northeast Indiana Innovative

Business Concept Competition, formerly known

as the Opportunity for Indiana Business Plan

Competition.

IPFW will host the fifth annual competition,

which includes changes other than its name.

Sean Ryan, director of university engagement,

said, "This competition won't require a

complete business plan. Instead, we'll focus on

the development and presentation of an

executive summary of the business concept,

with the most promising one awarded business

coaching, support, and grant funding to launch

the business venture." Another change this

year is the competition will be conducted in

three separate divisions: professional, univer-

sity, and high school. "Individuals and teams in

each division will compete against each other,

with an overall winner selected for the competi-

tion. That winner will then be entered for

consideration in the 2009 Greater Fort Wayne

Business Weekly Innovation Awards," added

Ryan.

Registration for the competition is now open

and must be submitted electronically at

www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/opportunity.

The deadline for registration is Feb. 2, 2009.

The executive summaries are due March 9,

2009, with the final competition at IPFW Friday,

April 17, 2009.

For more information, contact Sean Ryan,

director of university engagement, at (260)

399-1662 or ryans@ipfw.edu or Jean Eisaman,

project manager, at (260) 481-6489 or

eisamanj@ipfw.edu.

IPFW Business CompetitionAnnounced

Wells Fargo recently announced a $100,000

equity-equivalent investment in Pathfinder

Services, Inc., a Huntington-based community

and human development non-profit that

provides homeownership education and down

payment assistance, and foreclosure preven-

tion services to people with and without disabil-

ities throughout Northeast Indiana.

The investment will help support Community

Connections, the organization’s Housing

Division, to provide low interest rescue loans

for families and people with disabilities to

become current in their mortgages and save

their home from foreclosure.

For more information on Community Connec-

tions please contact (800) 310-9510 or visit

www.cchomes.org. Community Connections is

the Housing Division of Pathfinder Services

Inc., a not-for-profit Human Services organiza-

tion with offices in Huntington, Wabash, and

Plymouth. Community Connections began in

1997 and has provided over $7 million in Down

Payment Assistance to those families.

Wells Fargo Invests inPathfinder Services

SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small

Business” recently announced new easy-to-use

online tools that provide small business owners

with ideas and guidance on topics from

securing funding to managing cash flow. The

Financial Management Workbook and Ask

SCORE provide advice and mentoring to help

small business owners make critical business

decisions.

The free workbook—which offers small

business owners an actionable, easy-to-follow

curriculum and information on key areas of

concern for small businesses—is available

through the Visa Business Network on

Facebook at www.visabusinessnetwork.com,

the SCORE Web site at www.score.org, and at

the 389 SCORE offices nationwide. The

workbook covers important and timely topics,

including:

• How to efficiently manage cash flow

• How to maximize income and the speed

with which you get paid

• How to minimize expenses

• Knowing your funding options

• Being prepared for your business’s growth

and “what if” scenarios

In addition, small business case studies and

advice from SCORE counselors illustrate each

business principle, while checklists and

financial strategies offer a structured founda-

tion for decision-making.

“As a longtime provider of small business

payment cards and related small business

services, we understand that it is vital for

business owners to have easy access to

resources and insight to help them manage the

health of their business, especially during

challenging economic times,” says Raghav Lal,

head of Global Small Business, Visa Inc. “This

is why we are excited to be working with

SCORE, a respected small business authority,

to make these free tools and counsel available

to business owners.”

Access Ask SCORE by visiting

www.askscore.org. Entrepreneurs can ask

SCORE mentors about topics ranging from

personnel issues to how to write a business

plan and receive an email response within 48

hours.

“Organizations such as SCORE and Visa can

help entrepreneurs make it through this

recession and can help them ultimately

succeed and grow their businesses. The

SCORE and Visa Financial Management

Workbook is the right tool at the right time to

help entrepreneurs manage their money so

they can manage for success,” says SCORE

CEO Ken Yancey. “Entrepreneurs can get free

and confidential advice from SCORE to help

them navigate cash flow, financial planning and

projections to steer a clear course to profits.”

SCORE Teams Up with Visafor Small Businesses

For the third year in a row, Stepping Stones

Child Development Center, a division of Easter

Seals Arc, has achieved a Level Four rating,

the highest quality rating available for a Paths

to Quality provider.

“Paths to Quality is an awesome program that

provides Stepping Stones the opportunity to go

above and beyond what families expect from

our center,” says Danielle Lyons, Director of

Stepping Stones. “We strive to meet the needs

of every child we care for and Paths to Quality

acknowledges the hard work the Stepping

Stones staff gives.”

Established in 1996, Paths to QUALITY is a

voluntary system created to assist parents in

identifying and selecting quality child care and

recognize providers for ongoing efforts to

achieve higher standards of quality than the

minimum state licensing requirements.

Providers who choose to join PTQ receive a

verification visit, are assessed, and are placed

on one of four levels.

The goals of the Paths to QUALITY as

originally conceived were:

1. Raise the quality of child care and early

education experiences for children,

2. Give parents tools to help determine the

best quality program for their children,

3. Support and recognize providers for quality

care.

The levels are:

Level 1-Health and Safety Needs

Level 2-Environment Supports Children's

Learning

Level 3-Planned Curriculum Support Children's

Development

Level 4-Achieve National Accreditation

For more information about Paths to Quality, or

Stepping Stones Child Development Center,

call Tony Belton, Community Relations Coordi-

nator for Easter Seals Arc at (260) 469-2777.

Stepping Stones ChildDevelopment Center GetsQuality Rating

THE CHAMBER

Community Focus

6 A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Rushing around trying to prepare for Christmas

while under economic stress has millions of

Americans fretting. The YMCA of Greater Fort

Wayne reminds families and individuals that a

little sweating can offer important physical and

emotional benefits.

“Many members of our community are

preparing for the holidays, while facing financial

struggles that can put them and their families

under a lot of physical and emotional stress,”

says Director of Marketing & Development Toni

Kayumi. “Now more than ever, it’s important to

make sure exercise is part of our daily routines.

Even a short walk or swim can help reduce the

negative effects of anxiety. Research has

proven again and again the important role of

exercise in combating stress and reducing the

symptoms of depression and anxiety. Even

moderate physical activity can produce mood-

boosting endorphins, clear the mind, improve

focus and positively affect blood pressure.”

The YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne encourages

members of our community to make physical

activity a priority, especially during tough times,

and offers a few simple tips:

• Make an “exercise transition” between work

and family time. Take a short walk after work or

before kids get home from school to clear away

the stress of the day and get a positive boost

before interacting with family members. A little

“me time” can have a positive influence on “us

time.”

• Find an enjoyable physical activity that requires

some mental focus to steer the mind away from

worries—a pick-up game of basketball, a

racquetball match or even jumping rope.

• Instead of going online to repeatedly check the

balance of your 401K, check out training plans

for a 5K run or walk and get family and friends

engaged to reach a healthy and achievable goal.

• Visit the Central Branch, Jorgensen Family, Old

Fort, Parkview Family, Southeast Family, Whitley

County Family, and Wells County YMCA’s to find

affordable family activities. Financial assistance

is available to make YMCA programs available to

all.

“The YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne has been

helping area families and individuals in good

times and challenging times for 150 years,” said

Kayumi. “We want our community to know that

we are here to help anyone seeking a healthier

spirit, mind and body, regardless of their current

circumstances.”

YMCA Reminds Communityof Exercise Benefits DuringTimes of Holiday Stress

THE CHAMBER

Cc: meCommunicate. Connect.

January 29, 2009

They say in business it’s all about who you know…They were right!

Cc: me is a new after-work event designed to create oppor-tunities for you to build lasting relationships with other Fort

without being bombarded with sales pitches.

Join us on January 29, 2009 at theAllen County War Memorial Coliseum Lounge

from 5 PM-7 PMSponsored by First Federal Bank

Networking 4 Success A Business Brown Bag

Learn from networking experts how to effectively engage others in any setting in order to build lasting professional relationships. This two part series will teach the difference between networking and selling and provide you with the skills necessary to build your busi-ness through relationships.

January 20 & 27 11:45-12:45 @ The ChamberRegister online @ fwchamber.org or at the door

Member

A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 7

beyond the borders of the Hoosier State and

specializes in Midwest distribution. In terms of

Fort Wayne's excellent central location for

Midwestern shipping Adams pointed out we

have an “efficient location for distribution being

close to major metropolitan cities such as

Detroit, Chicago, Columbus, Cleveland,

Indianapolis, and Cincinnati.”

In fact, Kruse Worldwide Courier features daily

line hauls to Indianapolis, Muncie, South Bend,

Chicago, Detroit and Columbus and overnight

service to Indianapolis, Muncie and South

Bend out of Fort Wayne.

“We focus on taking care of your shipment by

careful handling that virtually eliminates

damaged cargo,” says Adams. “That type of

service can be hard to come by in the shipping

business. And with overnight shipping we can

enter a facility overnight and leave payroll,

interoffice mail, or freight so the items are

there first thing in the morning. We can also

retrieve items at the same time to bring back

and deliver in the Fort Wayne area. This is a

great option for Fort Wayne companies that

have items to exchange with locations in

Indianapolis, South Bend, or Muncie.”

With a staff of 45 at headquarters in Fort

Wayne and 120 company-wide at four

locations, Kruse Worldwide recently expanded

their service across the Ohio River into

Kentucky. The Kentucky service area includes

the western two-thirds of the state, being

serviced out of Louisville and Owensboro.

Not A Typical Courier

In addition to prompt delivery of your cargo

and quick overnight service, the company also

offers the option of storing items in a clean,

climate-controlled space that's secure and

protected 24 hours a day.

“With your items safe and secure on our

premises, they are available for immediate

retrieval and transportation at the time you

appoint,” says Adams. “We offer next day

service throughout most of Indiana, and local

and personalized customer service that can

keep you informed on the status of your

shipment.”

To highlight their accomplishments in customer

service while working with national carriers,

Kruse Worldwide has recently won a service

award from a division of FedEx. The service

award noted 100 percent on time delivery for

all line hauls in the 2008 fiscal year handled by

Kruse Worldwide throughout Indiana, Ohio,

and Michigan.

With recent expansion and growth Kruse

Worldwide Courier is currently focusing more

on distribution and LTL (Less Than Truckload)

deliveries.

“We can handle much more than one would

think of a traditional courier service,” says

Adams. “We love the courier work we do for

banks, law firms, and the medical field, but we

want people to know we are also capable of

providing larger item freight services. The term

courier is a little misleading because truckload

moves, scheduled line hauls, and LTL services

are not typical services for small parcel

couriers.”

New Technology

Kruse Worldwide Courier's Xcelerator

technology package marks a new development

in the shipping industry for regional carriers.

With bar code scanning, real time signature

capture, package tracking and real time proof

of delivery, businesses get the information they

need when they need it. Features also include

online order entry and customizable reports.

“If technology and reporting is an important need

for a customer that ships product, then we have

a very capable system for them,” says Adams.

The Web based login allows customers to enter

orders, print shipping labels and view shipment

status. Xcelerator launched two years ago and

the higher end technology is constantly

enhanced by the user companies. Currently 140

regional carriers use the system.

Community Outreach

Kruse Worldwide's CEO says the company in

the coming year looks to raise their local

presence and give back to the community.

“We want to be involved in the community from

a business and service standpoint. Build

relationships. Expand community programs. For

the past several years we have donated

warehouse space to local charitable organiza-

tions such as the Lions Club for their fundraising

efforts.”

Why Kruse Worldwide Courier?

It all comes down to great service, flexibility,

and diversification of services says Adams.

“As a full service transportation company,

Kruse Worldwide specializes in services that

do not fit the operating models of parcel,

truckload, and national LTL companies. When

you call us, you are calling a local contact and

can get a live person on the phone who can

give you the information you need quickly, as

opposed to going through an automated

national call center. At Kruse Worldwide, we

are able to adapt to customers needs and

provide more specialized services that other

carriers may not provide, typically with lower

prices than national or global carriers.”

KruseContinued from page 1

THE CHAMBER

Pakages are ready to be shipped out at the Kruse Worldwidewharehouse.

Lance Adams of Kruse Worldwide Courier poses with his staff.

The Chamber's Graduate Retention Program

has been awarded a $2,000 grant by the

Howard P. Arnold Foundation for continued

support of the program's efforts.

Congratulations to the Graduate Retention

team!

Events

8 A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Cc: me.January 29, 2009 marks the

launch of the Chamber's new

monthly networking event, Cc:

me, at the Allen County War

Memorial Coliseum lounge from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Cc: me is the place to build your professional

network, establish lasting business relation-

ships and catch the latest business buzz.

This is not a place where you will be

bombarded with sales pitches. It is about

networking in its truest sense. Not sure what

true networking is or how to do it? Chamber

"Connectors" will be present to help connect

you to those you should meet and know.

So, get connected, get involved & get cc'd.

Thank you to our sponsor, First Federal Bank

and our host, the Allen County War Memorial

Coliseum. For more information or to get

involved with Cc: me contact Member Relations

Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or

lvoirol@fwchamber.org.

Leadership Develop-ment Roundtable.The next Leadership Develop-

ment Roundtable recruiting

meeting will take place

January 28 from 8 a.m.- 9:30

a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce (826 Ewing

Street).

Leadership Development Roundtables offer a

confidential forum of peers in non-competing

businesses. Regular meetings are held to

share and gain practical knowledge and

counsel on today's business challenges.

Roundtables are made up of Leaders or

Managers with a minimum of three direct

reports.

Leadership Development Roundtables are

structured to help business managers address

a variety of important issues and to offer a

springboard for solutions to help improve

productivity and profitability. This group

explores ideas and inspires its members with

experienced techniques and strategies that can

avoid costly mistakes.

For more information call (260) 424-1435 or

register through the Chamber calendar online

at www.fwchamber.org.

January Morning Mix. The first Morning Mix of 2009

will take place January 15

from 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. at the

new Holiday Inn across from

the Allen County War

Memorial Coliseum.

Come check out one of the newest and coolest

Fort Wayne hotels and enjoy speed networking

at its best. The Morning Mix is designed for

professionals who are involved in sales,

business development, public relations, or any

career that requires getting the word out. You

will experience 20 minutes at three different

tables, receiving the opportunity to present your

"unique selling proposition" to a couple of

dozen businesspersons in a fast-paced, fun

and structured setting.

Admission is $5. In addition, please make sure

to bring a stack of your business cards.

Continental breakfast is included. If you are

interested in being a table captain for a

Morning Mix please contact Laureen Voirol at

(260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or

lvoirol@fwchamber.org. You do not have to be

a Chamber member to attend.

Get Connected, Stay Informed with Chamber Events

Season’s Greetings Congratulations GraduateRetention Program

Thank you to our Chamber Ambassadors for

contributing valuable items and services to the

Ambassador holiday tree at this year’s Taste of

the Chamber and for their ongoing service to

Chamber members.

Pictured from left to right: Ed Bowman, Deb

Fulton, Teresa Blombach, Mindy Hockaday and

Dave Didier.

Thank You Ambassadors

Happy Holidaysfrom theChamber. Thankyou for yourcontinuedsupport.Best wishes for aprosperous newyear.

This holiday season may you receive the “gift ofcommunity.”

THE CHAMBER