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About Us
Mission
The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin (AICCW) exists to promote economic development in Wisconsin Indian country through directed service delivery to American Indian entrepreneurs.
Since our inception in 1991, we have remained committed to providing statewide advocacy, networking, one-to-one business management counseling and financial products and services to Wisconsin-based American Indian businesspeople.
Staff
Craig Anderson, Executive Director
With his 25 years of business experience and his passion for the job, Craig Anderson has guided countless American Indians towards successful business ventures. For the past 16 years Craig has served AICCW as the President, Vice President, and Treasurer and is now the President/Executive Director.
While helping the AICCW build relationships with the community at large, Craig also co-founded and served as the Executive Vice President of @Links Networks. During his three-year tenure, Craig took on the technical responsibilities, led contract negotiations, network infrastructure roll out, managed the Network Operations Center, and legal adherence to the 1996 Telecommunications Act. He also directed, designed, and installed several installation systems.
Prior to @Links Networks, Craig worked for Dakota Technology Systems, Inc. Craig co-owned the company and served as its Executive Vice President. Here Craig was responsible for customer development and network sales in the southeast region. Craig also spearheaded large scale networking projects and multi-platform integration and identified and penetrated underserved market segments to increase sales.
Gary E. Mejchar, Assistant Director
Gary Mejchar has worked in the field of business and economic development for nearly 25 years – primarily serving Wisconsin tribes and individual American Indian entrepreneurs.
Mejchar earned his Masters degree in 1984 from the University of Wisconsin Madison Department of Rural Sociology with and emphasis in community resource development.
He began his career with the University of Wisconsin Extension including working with the UW-Stevens Point Native American Center Economic Development on Wisconsin Reservations Project and then next managing the UWEX Wisconsin American Indian Economic Development (WAIED) Program. Subsequently, Mejchar worked as a management consultant specializing in business planning, project management, and assisting clients secure/administer project funding (e.g. assisted in the launch of the AICCW Community Development Finance Institute).
Beverly Anderson, Administrative Assistant
Beverly in an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Whapeton Lake Traverse Reservation (Sioux) located in Sisseton, South Dakota. She was employed for the last 18 years as a License Specialist with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, located in Milwaukee. She has volunteered with AICCW for over 10 years and recently joined the Chamber as the Administrative Assistant. Her primary responsibilities include administrative duties for the organization and it’s subsidiaries well as working with AICCW Membership and Corporate Sponsors.
Board of Directors
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Craig Anderson – President (Dakotah Sioux)
American Indian Chamber of Commerce of WI (President) |
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William R. Beson, Jr. — Vice President (LDF Chippewa)
Great Lakes Contracting, Inc. (Vice President) |
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Art Olszewski — Secretary (Oneida)
Art Olszewski American Family Agency (Owner) |
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Dave Willeford — Treasurer (Cherokee)
H. Derksen & Sons Co., Inc. (President) |
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William J. Beson Sr. —Board Member (LDF Chippewa)
Great Lakes Contracting, Inc. (President) |
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Jeff Bowman — Board Member (Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican)
Mitchell Bank (President) |
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John Swimmer — Board Member (Cherokee)
Godfrey & Kahn, SC (Attorney) |
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Jean Marie Thiel — Board Member (Bad River Chippewa)
Belonger Corporation (President) |
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