Alumni Makers

Spencer Johnson

B.F.A ’11 (UMD School of Fine Arts)

Spencer Johnson sketched his initial designs for Sota Clothing as part of a class project while pursuing his graphic design degree at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. While the objective was to create a fictional brand, Spencer took it as an opportunity to create clean, finely designed Minnesota apparel he felt was lacking for our state. After creating the logo and graphics and receiving a great deal of support from his classmates, he decided to press on and make Sota Clothing a reality.

Sota Clothing’s Midtown Market bag is featured in your event box.

Charlie Nelson

B.S. ’95 (College of Education and Human Development)

Charlie attended the University of Minnesota on a baseball scholarship and graduated in 1995. After playing baseball professionally for 5 years, Charlie worked for the Minnesota Vikings and Merrill Lynch before joining KLN Corporation, becoming the 3rd generation to carry on the family business. Marketed today under KLN Family Brands, the two companies – Tuffy’s Pet Foods and Kenny’s Candy & Confections – employ over 650 people in Perham, Minnesota. As President of KLN Family Brands, Charlie works closely with the sales and marketing teams, focusing on growing the branded side of the businesses. His vision, integrity and inspiration continue to guide KLN Family Brands as one of the premier pet food and candy manufacturers in the nation.

Wiley Wallaby’s gourmet liquorice is featured in your event box.

Jesse Abelson

B.S. ‘17 (College of Food, Agricultural & Natural Resource Sciences) B.S. ’17 (College of Biological Sciences)

Brie LaPlante

B.S.B. ’19 (Carlson School of Management)

Dalton Schutte

B.A. ’17 (College of Liberal Arts)

Vetiver Solutions is a small Minnesota-based company working to grow a poverty-free Haiti, starting at the root. The company was founded by Jesse Abelson, Leeore Levinstein, and Dalton Schutte after participating in a public health Grand Challenge Course during undergrad. Since then, the team has grown their partnership with Haitian farmers to develop sustainable agricultural practices that protect the environment while creating new income opportunities in their communities. In collaboration with farmers in the village of Moreau, Vetiver Solutions sources honey, beeswax, and vetiver grass for their natural products—all of which are farmer-led initiatives to prevent soil erosion and lessen the effects of deforestation in their mountainous rural region. Headquartered in St. Louis Park, MN, the company has been selling bee products in the U.S. since 2019 to support their partner farmers.

Bee Good Do Good’s Lotion Bar and Lip Balm are featured in your event box.

Mark Jessen

B.A. ’86 (College of Liberal Arts)

Mark is the current owner of Jessen Press, a fullservice print, mail, display and fulfillment shop in St. Louis Park, MN. In addition, Mark is co-founder of Jessen Media, a conglomerate of e-commerce stores, including Map Your Travels, which creates framed maps and posters. Mark stays connected to the University by serving on the Alumni Association and Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory boards and by attending as many home football and basketball games as possible.

Jessen Media’s Goldy Toe socks are featured in your event box.

Corey Kopacek

B.S.B. ’98 (Carlson School of Management)

Corey is the founder of Synergy Imports, a Minnesota-based company specializing in providing custom branded products and apparel to colleges and universities nationwide. His company provides many of the gameday premiums you receive when attending Gopher events. He started his professional career working for the University of Minnesota Athletics Department and has continued to work with collegiate institutions ever since. Corey remains a passionate Gopher fan and is looking forward to the men’s basketball team returning to the Final Four so he can don his custom-made Gopher hard hat once again.

Synergy Import’s Goldy Stone Coasters are featured in your event box.

Kris Kowalski Christiansen

M.B.A. ’98 (Carlson School of Management)

Kris is chief operating officer of Kowalski Companies, an upscale supermarket chain with 10 stores in the Twin Cities metro area. Kris knows a thing or two about the grocery business, having grown up in her family’s stores. She has been a key part of Kowalski’s Markets since its inception in 1983. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and then received her master’s in Business Administration from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. After more than two decades of training and education, she earned the position of Chief Operating Officer and has since moved into the role of Chief Executive Officer. Kris is responsible for Kowalski’s stores and company operations and always keeps one eye on daily operations and the other on future company goals and needs.

Kowalski’s snack bars are featured in your event box.