Table of Contents
06 WELCOME
08 THANK YOU TO OUR RENEWING MEMBERS
10 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
12 LOCAL BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM AI
14 PROFILE | STEVEN ANDREWS, PACE
16 THE TARIFF EFFECTS
18 PROFILE | ERIN WAMBANGCO, EDWARD JONES
21 MEMBER SEARCH
Table of Contents
06 WELCOME
08 THANK YOU TO OUR RENEWING MEMBERS
10 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
12 LOCAL BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM AI
14 PROFILE | STEVEN ANDREWS, PACE
16 THE TARIFF EFFECTS
18 PROFILE | ERIN WAMBANGCO, EDWARD JONES
21 MEMBER SEARCH
Welcome
Welcome to the fall edition of In the Know, the quarterly magazine that features our members, their
businesses and up-to-date topics pertinent to the local business community.
This issue’s timely features focus on how local companies are successfully utilizing artificial
intelligence (AI) to boost efficiency and mine data and how the recent federal tariffs are impacting
different industries and businesses’ bottom lines.
In addition, our profile on Steven Andrews, section manager, Community Relations, in the Government
Affairs Department at Pace, and GOA’s 2025 Chair-Elect, provides insight on his involvement with
the GOA as well as his plans as Chair.
The fall edition also includes a discussion with Itasca Chamber of Commerce director and Edward Jones
financial advisor Erin Wambangco. Find out more about her career change from healthcare and why she
advises businesses of all types to get involved with their local chambers and business associations.
We are happy to continue to provide you with this resource for useful and interesting stories for,
about and from our members.
As a reminder, if you have a story of particular interest you would like considered for a future issue
of In the Know, please send them to me via [email protected].
Don’t forget to sign up for one of our many events throughout the year, which include everything
from job fairs to networking breakfasts and more. For more information and to register, please visit https://web.thegoa.com/events.
As always, we are happy to hear your feedback on the stories we share, and we welcome suggestions for
future events or programs. Please contact our office or reach out to a board member with your input.
Sincerely,
Shirlanne Lemm
President & CEO
Get to Know
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Thank you to our renewing members
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: LOCAL BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM AI
Search engines, social media and even old school media ads and stories these days bombard people about
Artificial Intelligence and using it in seemingly endless ways.
Local businesses are no exception.
“AI is any tool that is always learning and providing solutions. It’s been around for a
long time, but is now more popular than ever,” said Rick Rivero, founder of Chicago-based
Connections Marketing. “It’s always been a part of our 16-year-old business. We are now just
using it differently.”
Rivero said a prime use of AI by his full-service digital marketing agency is to help mine data, which
allows his business to be even more strategic for its clients.
“It allows us to provide better, real-time data, faster,” Rivero said. “I liken it to
once having a garden hose amount of data culled through and now having a fire hose worth.”
Doug Childers, director of business operations at Elk Grove Village-based Tasty Catering, said the
company has dipped its toes in using AI, primarily to speed things up, write proposals, organize follow
ups and help the team with reminders and scheduling. The company is also testing out using an AI
chatbot for wedding planning with clients.
“But at the end of the day, AI’s not planning the party; we are. It’s just a tool,
like a calculator. It doesn’t replace our people, it just helps us move a little faster,”
Childers said. “Honestly, AI is a fancy name for a computer program that tries to act smart.
It’s not magic. It pulls from stuff that already exists and spits out suggestions. It’s
helpful, but it doesn’t know our clients, our food or how we do business.”
Childers said what drew Tasty Catering into using AI was mostly curiosity.
“Everyone was talking about it, so we gave it a shot. If there’s something out there that
can save the team time or make our systems smoother, we’ll at least look into it. But we
didn’t adopt it thinking it was going to solve all our problems,” Childers said.
Rivero noted that AI brands such as ChatGPT are what changed the face of AI, bringing consumers and
businesses to consider using it for fun and profit.
“We’ve mostly used ChatGPT and a couple other tools that plug into our CRM and
marketing stuff. Nothing crazy. We’re not running a robot kitchen (yet),” said Childers.
Childers said AI has helped Tasty Catering in several ways.
“It helps us get unstuck. Sometimes you’re staring at a blank page, and it gives you a
jumping off point. It’s also great for quick tasks, summaries, drafts and reminders. But again,
it’s a helper, not a replacement,” Childers said.
Still, there have been drawbacks. “It gets things wrong a lot. You really need to fact check it.
And sometimes it sounds too ‘AI-ish,’ like a robot trying to be human,” Childers said.
“We spend just as much time editing as we do using it. So, if you’re looking for
plug-and-play, you’ll be disappointed.”
Childers said his biggest concern about using AI is Tasty Catering losing its voice, after working hard
to build a brand that feels personal and human.
“We also don’t love the idea of our team thinking AI can make decisions for them.
It’s a tool, not a team member.” Childers said.
For other businesses looking to use AI, Childers said if you’re swamped and need to move faster,
it’s worth checking out.
“But don’t expect miracles. It’s not going to know your values, your people or your
clients. You still need to do the thinking. AI just helps with the typing,” Childers said.
Rivero said there has always been good AI, provided it’s implemented correctly. And, as with any
automation, there can be drawbacks.
“It’s still just a computer at the end of the day,” Rivero said.
It's a tool, not a team
member.
– Doug
Childers,
Director of Business Operations, Tasty Catering
GOA’S CHAIR-ELECT FOR 2025
STEVEN ANDREWS SECTION MANAGER, COMMUNITY RELATIONS PACE SUBURBAN BUS
Seventeen years ago, when Steven Andrews started working in the Community Relations Department at Pace,
he also started attending GOA Regional Business Association events to develop relationships and learn
about the transportation needs of local employers.
“Involvement in the GOA has allowed us to hear directly from our business community about the
evolving transportation needs of their workforce, which helps us plan services,” Andrews said.
“I also got involved in the GOA to educate our local businesses about all the opportunities to do
business with Pace.”
These days, in addition to his role as Section Manager, Community Relations, in the Government Affairs
Department at Pace, Andrews is the 2025 Chair-Elect at the GOA and is looking forward to serving as
Chair once again in 2026.
“I first joined the GOA Board in 2014 and served as Chair in 2019. Serving on the Board is an
opportunity to support our communities and neighbors, and acting as Chair again in 2026 is an honor. The
GOA has amazing staff and an engaged membership,” Andrews said.
Andrews said that under his watch, the GOA Board will continue to offer a variety of programs to its
members, including networking opportunities, educational programs, policy updates, unique signature
events and important community engagement opportunities.
“I look forward to working with a dedicated group of Board members to come up with even more
creative ways to support our businesses,” he said.
Supporting its members and the overall economic growth in the community remains a top priority for the
GOA, Andrews said. The Association also plans to continue its positive, collaborative partnerships with
local municipalities.
As such, Andrews sees parallels in the roles he plays at Pace and with the GOA.
“The Community Relations team develops public engagement plans and coordinates with elected
officials, community organizations and riders about Pace projects, programs and services,” he
said. “We also attend community events, senior fairs, resource fairs and visit employer sites to
connect with our riders and educate the public on the benefits of public transportation.”
By the same token, the GOA goes above and beyond to support members and provides a variety of
opportunities for members to participate.
“There are so many opportunities to make connections – those mutually beneficial, strategic
partnerships that are often unexpected, yet can have such a positive impact on you and your
business,” Andrews said. “And even if you don’t know what those partnerships are yet,
the GOA is there to help you make those connections.”
Connections, after all, are one of the things Andrews enjoys most about his job.
“I love working closely with our partners, passengers and community leaders to ensure they are truly involved in the decisions that affect their transit system,” he said. “One of my favorite activities is ride-alongs, when we talk with passengers onboard our buses about their ideas and experiences, which helps us evaluate how we provide service.”
I look forward to working with a dedicated group of Board members to come up with even more
creative ways to
support our businesses.
MANAGING UNCERTAINTY: THE TARIFF EFFECTS
The volatile, on-again-off-again-on-again nature of the Trump administration’s tariffs on
imported goods is frustrating O’Hare area businesses and impacting their bottom lines.
“The biggest issue our company is facing is really the pricing uncertainty that impacts our
costs,” said Michael Peterman, president of Savage Bros. Co., the Elk Grove Village-based
confectionery equipment manufacturer. “The supply chain is so interconnected that the tariffs are
being felt progressively as suppliers work through their current inventories. This adds an element of
risk.”
Lisa Gregor, owner of Church Street Brewing Co. in Itasca, said that prior to the current
administration, tariffs particularly on imported stainless steel, aluminum and brewing equipment had
already increased the company’s capital costs, particularly during COVID.
“We had to pay more for tanks, canning lines and kegs, which are often sourced internationally.
This slowed down some of our planned upgrades and expansions,” Gregor said.
These days, aluminum tariffs have pushed up the price of cans, which are critical to Church
Street’s production of beer, non-alcoholic hop water and hemp beverages, she said. Prices are
unpredictable and make it necessary to compare prices and potentially change vendors every time Church
Street orders cans to keep costs in line.
“So far, we have had to absorb the cost increase rather than pass it all to customers, which
squeezes our margins,” Gregor said.
Savage Bros. has been directly impacted by rising costs of electronic components, which are
predominantly sourced in Asia, Peterman said. The business is also seeing some rising costs in metals,
despite purchasing U.S. made steel exclusively.
“That is due to the fact that the steel distribution companies in some cases have elected to
spread the cost of the tariffs across multiple products, U.S.-sourced or otherwise, rather than
drastically increasing the pricing on imported SKUs,” Peterman said. “This allows them to
remain competitive across all product lines, rather than losing business to other importing countries
with a reduced tariff rate.”
Savage Bros. is actively monitoring the tariff challenges and has thus far elected to absorb the
increases — with the exception of certain electronic components that have doubled in price.
Peterman said that if tariffs remain at their elevated rates, the company will evaluate if a general
price increase will be necessary to offset the additional costs.
“We will not sacrifice quality for less costly, inferior components,” he said.
Greatly adding to the challenges posed by the current rocky tariff landscape is that when materials
fluctuate upward, it is difficult to go back to the customer and pass along those increases when the
pricing has already been agreed upon, Peterman said.
“This is especially true for manufacturers with longer lead times. By focusing on minimizing
delivery times, we can reduce some of the associated costing risk. It’s important that our pricing
remains fair and provides value to our loyal customers,” he said.
Gregor said Church Street has been dealing with the challenges by delaying capital investments or
buying used equipment when possible. They’ve been bulk purchasing packaging materials when prices
dip slightly, which hinders cash flow. And they’ve been increasing operational efficiency to
make up for the cost hits.
“We’re also working harder to grow direct-to-consumer sales channels, where margins are
better, to offset cost increases and decreases in volume in distribution,” Gregor said.
“And, as it’s nearly impossible to plan long-term when trade policy changes unpredictably,
we end up making cautious, short-term decisions.”
That has meant holding off on large purchases until being forced to act; relying more on domestic or
North American suppliers, even if it means higher base costs, just to avoid the tariff uncertainty; and
not signing fixed-price contracts too far into the future.
“I’m not sure that Washington understands just how interconnected the global supply chain
is,” Peterman said. “While we are strong proponents of buying U.S.-made products whenever
possible, there are just so many components or portions thereof, sourced outside of the U.S.,
particularly in Asia.”
While in theory higher tariffs have the potential to create jobs in the U.S., realistically, retooling
or bringing new factories online could take years before those specialty items are able to be on-shored,
he added.
Both Peterman and Gregor said they are hearing similar concerns raised by other businesses with ties to
their respective industries.
“We hope policymakers understand that unpredictability is just as damaging as high costs. Small manufacturers need clarity and consistency to plan responsibly,” Gregor said. “Tariffs shouldn’t be used as political tools without considering how they ripple through businesses like ours that operate on tight margins and thin cash flow. The long-term impact isn’t just financial. It also erodes confidence in making future investments.”
We will not sacrifice quality for less costly, inferior components.
– Michael Peterman,
President, Savage Bros. Co.
BOARD MEMBER, ITASCA CHAMBER
ERIN WAMBANGCO FINANCIAL ADVISOR EDWARD JONES
By Mike Danahey
Itasca Chamber of Commerce director Erin Wambangco has been a financial advisor with Edward Jones for
three years now, after making a bold and rewarding career change from the healthcare field.
“It’s been a journey rooted in a passion for helping people, just from a different
angle,” Wambangco said.
Wambangco spent 15 years in healthcare, where she learned how deeply physical wellness impacts every
part of a person’s life. Over time, she realized the same is true for financial wellness and that
the two often go hand in hand.
“That realization, paired with my desire to make a long-term difference in people’s lives,
led me to Edward Jones,” she said. “It’s a place where I can build real relationships
while helping clients feel confident about their financial future.”
What Wambangco enjoys the most about her job is the long-term partnerships she gets to build with
clients.
“Finances aren’t just numbers; they’re tied to people’s dreams, fears, families
and futures,” she said. “I take pride in helping clients tune out the noise, focus on what
really matters to them and stay on track toward their goals. That trust and connection are what drive me
every day.”
Not long after joining the Edward Jones team, Wambangco joined the Itasca Chamber of Commerce. She sees
membership as a fantastic way to stay rooted in the community and to support local businesses.
When Wambangco joined the Chamber, she was looking for more than just networking and handing out
business cards. She wanted to really understand the heartbeat of the community.
“I showed up, got involved, asked questions and built relationships. That level of engagement
naturally led to deeper opportunities, including being invited to serve as a director shortly after I
joined,” Wambangco said. “It’s a role I take seriously and truly enjoy. It’s
been a privilege to have a seat at the table in shaping the direction of the Chamber and championing the
local business land.”
In the Director’s role, one of the accomplishments of which she is most proud is how the Chamber
creates meaningful connections that go beyond the surface.
“We’ve worked hard to host events that aren’t just ‘check-the-box’
mixers, but opportunities for real dialogue, collaboration and growth among businesses of all
sizes,” Wambangco said.
Wambangco has also worked to maintain the solid working relationship the Itasca Chamber of Commerce has
with the GOA Regional Business Association.
“My involvement with the GOA runs deep,” Wambangco said.
First and foremost, she is an active GOA member. For GOA she is an Ambassador; the Committee Chair of
its signature event, The Tasting Room, for the past two years; and the proud Chair of GONE
II, one of the non-compete arms of the GOA.
“Each role allows me to connect, collaborate and give back in different and meaningful
ways,” she said.
Wambangco noted that many Itasca Chamber members are also active in the GOA, which creates a
valuable bridge between local community engagement and regional business development.
“Together, they provide a more holistic support system for professionals and
entrepreneurs,” she said.
Both the GOA and the Itasca Chamber create space for authentic connection, which is critical in
today’s fast-paced world, she said.
“For me, it’s about getting to know people both professionally and personally, understanding what matters to them and finding ways to support their success,” Wambangco said. “That’s not just valuable as a financial advisor, it’s also valuable as a member of the community.”
Both the GOA and the Itasca Chamber create space for authentic connection, which is critical in
today’s fast-paced world.
