January-February 2023

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HOW TO HIRE THE BEST TALENT: BEST PRACTICES FOR YOUR HIRING PROCEDURES

By:Lauri

Hiring Practices to Help Your Organization Grow

Have you ever wondered why finding and retaining talented staff for your organization is so difficult? You’re not alone. This problem affects all types and sizes of organizations, no matter the business model and it can be caused by a number of issues.

Some of the challenges organizations face when searching for top talent are beyond their control, however, many other challenges can be controlled by focusing on talent as a strategic initiative rather than an afterthought.

When it comes to setting up your organization’s hiring process, the following best practices can set you up for success:

> Utilizing a third party to assist you in your search.

> Establishing a consistent recruitment process to follow each time you have a need to hire.

> Including the right people in the interview to ensure the proper questions are asked and important information is shared.

Conducting a Successful Interview

Preparing individuals to be successful members of the company’s interview

team includes providing them with solid training on how to be effective at interviewing. Organizations can participate in pre-recorded interview trainings and webinars or may choose to develop an interview training specific to their company.

Interview training should include information regarding key behaviors for interviewing success, a review of interview biases to watch out for, tips for handling difficult interview scenarios and details on the company’s recruitment process so they understand their role as an interviewer.

A successful interviewing approach involves being prepared, timely, focused, interactive and friendly. Be sure to limit the number of people in the interview and be an active listener.

Whether you choose to seek a third-party consultant, or keep your recruitment and hiring practices in-house, it is important to an organization’s success that you strive for a consistent and efficient hiring process. By doing so, you can be sure you are finding the best talent available to fill your positions and get back to focusing on your long-term business goals.

Eide Bailly’s placement process has brought success to our clients. Here’s how we do it:

1. MEETING WITH MANAGEMENT

We’ll review the position with management and determine job duties, skill sets and experience necessary to fulfill the position, as well as discuss salary range and company culture.

2. SEARCH FOR QUALIFIED CANDIDATES

We’ll compose a job description if needed, develop ads and place the ads in various mediums.

3. REFINE SEARCH

We’ll screen resumes to determine who’s qualified, conduct phone interviews, profile the candidates and make recommendations. Our team profiles the job candidates using the Predictive Index (PI), a highly effective predictor of behaviors that affect a candidate’s ability to be effective in a specific role. The information gives you actionable data about the applicant’s motivating needs and behavioral drive.

4. CANDIDATE SCREENING

Reference and background checks can be performed on final candidates.

5. MAKE SELECTION

You make an offer to a final candidate. Once accepted, we’ll follow up with the other candidates.

Dahlberg, PHR, SHRM-CP and Kari Yonke, CSC, FCRA Basic Certification, FCRA Advanced Certification, PI Analyst A version of this article originally appeared on eidebailly.com.

Brunton Architects & Engineers

COMPANY FEATURE

Herman Manufacturing Co, Inc. It’s

COMPANY FEATURE Bumbelou One Thread at a Time HOT STARTZ!

53 New Ulm Black Frost Distilling Mankato

Davori Productions/ Mankato Playhouse

Mankato Sonny + Dot Boutique

Connecting Southern Minnesota Business People Since 1994

CIRCULATION

Publisher: Concept & Design Incorporated

Editor: Jane Laskey

Photography: Susan Bottin

Art Director: Josh Swanson

Contributing Writers: Ashley Hanley, Christine Nessler, Anna Vangsness, Nancy Zallek

Production & Circulation: Becky Wagner

Printing: Corporate Graphics, N. Mankato

Mailing: Streamworks

10,000 for January/February 2023

Published bimonthly

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ABOUT CONNECT

Locally owned Connect Business Magazine has ‘connected’ southern Minnesota businesses since 1994 through features, interviews, news and advertising. Connect Business Magazine is a publication of Concept & Design Incorporated, a graphic design firm offering print design, brand design, illustration and photography. Learn more at conceptanddesign.com.

Copyright 2023. Printed in U.S.A.

Prosperity in the Midst of Challenges and Change

Here we are, once again, pondering the start of a New Year. Looking back at all the challenges and changes of the past few years, I am struck by the determination and sheer grit of our area businesses and people. We are strong. We are resilient. Despite all the difficulties, like the Energizer Bunny™, we keep on going and going. In fact, many of you are not just surviving; you’re thriving.

So this year, I propose we set aside the resolutions and give each other a few well-deserved pats on the back. Well done, Southern Minnesota! Cheers to the New Year, and cheers to you! I am so very proud to be a part of this hardy and industrious region.

This issue of Connect Business Magazine is packed full of thriving businesses that have a big impact on our region and beyond. All are successful, but each achieves their success in their own unique way.

Our cover story highlights Brunton Architects & Engineers in North Mankato, which is celebrating tremendous growth, the addition of Brunton Construction and 15 years in business. Next, this issue’s two feature stories focus on Bumbelou, a baby and toddler fashion store in Mankato and New Ulm, and Herman Manufacturing, a custom manufacturer in Wells. Next, the January Rising Star interview is with Mary Kennedy, the city administrator for Blue Earth. Finally, our three HotStartz introduce Black Frost Distilling in New Ulm, Sonny + Dot Boutique in Mankato and Davori Productions/Mankato Playhouse. May 2023 bring you all good things!

Jane Laskey

Jane Laskey EDITOR

UNIQUE DESIGNS BUILD SUCCESS

When you partner with Brunton Architects & Engineers to develop a new building, you can be sure of one thing: your new building will be one-of-a-kind and uniquely your own.

“We break the mold after every project. Every single project is different and 100 percent custom tailored to each community that we work in,” Corey Brunton said.

Brunton is the founder, president and CEO at Brunton Architects & Engineers in North Mankato. The company just celebrated 15 years in business and recently added a second company, Brunton Construction, to its arsenal of services. Its award-winning buildings are located in 15 states and serve a broad range of business sectors. And, despite the wobbly economy, demand for its services remains high.

“We have $150 to $200 million worth of work on the drawing boards today,” Brunton said.

The Brunton design process begins and ends with the client. Always. To accomplish this the Brunton team hones in on each client’s unique goals and history to develop a compelling narrative for each design. Next it follows a design-led, design-build process that puts the architect center stage, so the original design concept never gets lost during construction.

Continues

Story by: Jane Laskey Photos by: Susan Bottin

Pictured: Corey Brunton, Colin Jones and Jessica Nelson

Unique Designs Build Success

For this interview, Brunton sat down with two of his lead staff members – Colin Jones, director of mechanical engineering, and Jessica Nelson, director of interior design – to discuss the strategies and work culture that are the foundation of their business.

What are your roles at Brunton?

Corey: My role is to make sure that all cylinders are operating. I make sure the business development team is getting the information they need about our opportunities and they’re going after those opportunities. I make sure that the staff is being mentored, learning from lessons of the past and looking for opportunities in design. I don’t dive extremely heavy into all the details of design, but I’m always involved in the upfront work and the conceptualization, making sure the team is heading in the right direction.

So, my job is to basically hover over all the different departments within the company, which include business development, architectural, mechanical, interiors,

marketing, business and administration, finance and now construction. There’s an awful lot to it. I have eight people that I directly supervise and then indirectly through them, the entire company. My goal is to empower them to perform to the required level that we expect here at Brunton. I get a real charge out of watching them perform, and, quite frankly, most of the time they perform beyond my expectations. I get out of bed in the morning because I get a chance to go and positively impact our people.

Colin: I primarily coordinate between architecture and interiors and mechanical systems for each individual project. Our mechanical team corresponds with them a lot and my main role is to facilitate that correspondence and to interject as needed in the design of mechanical systems and plumbing systems.

Jessica: I direct the interior design department. On a day-to-day basis I’m involved in and oversee all the different projects, coordinating them with architectural,

mechanical, and other consultants. It’s people management, project management, and department organization. I also really enjoy the mentorship part of my role.

How exactly does an architectural engineering firm work?

Corey : The best analogy is that the architect is kind of the conductor in an orchestra. The architect has the vision and the feel for what they want. They bring in the horn section or the mechanical section when they’re needed, but not before they’re needed. Then they bring in the interiors section when they’re needed. They bring in all different aspects of the architectural feel and quality and design and they make sure that it sounds perfect together. They don’t stop until they’ve got everybody in the right place producing the right sound.

That’s a fantastic analogy. Where does the client fit in this architectural orchestra?

Corey: The client is the audience. They

need to feel that their project is being well orchestrated. We involve our clients to the level they prefer. In this office, we say the best products we produce are the ones that have multiple fingerprints on them. That requires us, as designers, to check our ego at the door. This isn’t about us. This is about the client. This is about creating a custom design that meets their design vision, their intent, their expectations. It also has to meet the quality standards that we set here at Brunton. Nobody in that room is more important than the person they’re sitting next to. So having multiple fingerprints on a project is easy to sell. It’s easy to get client buy in. They appreciate being listened to. They know they’re being heard, and they can feel a part of the design. That’s important.

What services do you provide?

Corey: Brunton provides architectural, mechanical engineering, plumbing engineering, interior design, and construction administration services. We use consultants

for structural and civil engineering services, as well as for the electrical needs of our projects. We’ve worked with trusted partners in those disciplines for many years with some partnerships going all the way back to when we opened 15 years ago. So, we’re very proud of those relationships and

the performances that we get out of those team members.

What we’re offering here at Brunton Architects & Engineers is a design-led, design-build (DLDB) process when coupled with Brunton Construction. It’s different than traditional design build, where a

The Brunton Architects & Engineers building at 225 Belgrade Avenue in North Mankato was designed to capture the charm and character of another century, blending in seamlessly with the existing neighborhood.

Unique Designs Build Success

contractor teams up with an architect, and the contractor controls the architect and engineer. In DLDB, the architecture and engineering firm holds control over the construction, all the quality requirements, and every subtree below it. So, we bring a different experience. Decisions are made based upon what was originally designed. We can hold everyone’s feet to the fire and make sure it gets built the way it was originally designed. We’ve all worked in the design-build world individually and know what that feels like. This is not the same. It’s a unique experience and no one else offers it here (in Mankato).

Let’s talk about Brunton Construction. How does it compliment your other offerings?

Corey: In 2022, we unveiled Brunton Construction. We will only build what we design. By taking on the responsibility of the construction when clients are open to it, we control the experience from the day they walk in the door to the day we hand the keys over. We’ve found that having more project control gives us a favorable result. Having single point source responsibility and single point source contact makes it a very enjoyable and seamless experience for the client. And again, it’s always about the client.

Brunton Construction has been around since 2010, but we were waiting for the right time to introduce it to the public. I needed to have the right people in the right place. Now I do. Tom McCone is the director of construction services at Brunton Construction. He brings

a unique experience to the table. We have the right people in the construction team, project managers and job site superintendents, and we’re really ready right now. We have about $15 million worth of work in the construction team right now under construction and hopefully more to come.

What sets you apart from your competitors in the architectural arena?

Corey: There are many things that we feel set us apart. It starts with our people. Your team is your greatest asset. They determine who the company is and what the company stands for. We believe we have the greatest talent in the Upper Midwest here at Brunton. We have people that push themselves harder than I could ever push them because they’ve bought into this culture and this company.

This company is being built slowly with an assumption that everybody that comes into it buys into the culture: You check your ego at the door; you work hard; design is extremely important; and the most important person in the room is always the client. There is an expectation to dig deep.

We bring projects to our clients that are high design and very affordable.

Each of our projects has a little story behind them that allows you to see just how unique it is to that community. We promise you that we’re going to spend time with you to figure out what is uniquely you and what is unique to your community ...We’re going to seek

that out for you. We’re going to find it. We’re going to make you proud. We do not have projects we pull off the shelf. Everything is roll up your sleeves and figure it out. Find that greater meaning. When you do that, the clients love you.

Jessica: We really take the time as a team to critically think through intentional questions. What questions can we ask to pull out the narrative of the architecture? The interiors? How can we help them to communicate what they want their facility to be? Because a client may not understand how that translates into a design until they see it.

How do you start your design process?

Jessica: It’s different for every project, and it’s custom tailored to every client. There’s a lot of programing and planning upfront. Before we start, we meet as a team and talk about the goals of the project, and then we convert and prepare those into intentional questions to ask the client. In our programing and planning phase, we meet with the client and learn their goals as it relates to function and use. If they have anything in mind right off the bat, something that they’ve seen or that they like, we take that into consideration. We also start to learn what’s important for their business. Maybe there’s a clientele that they want to appeal to. We make note of that and bring that out in the architecture and design. We try to learn about different aspects of the community. Is there a historic downtown? Are we trying to bring out any sort of history? We learn the client’s goals then translate them into design. That’s where our inspiration starts.

Colin: To build on what Jessica said, each project starts with the owner, with why the project came about. We find the stories to be told through the building’s architecture and/or mechanical design.

For example, we’re building some geothermal systems in North Dakota now. That project is trying to use natural elements to supplement or be its full energy source for its heating and cooling needs. That’s very impactful and important to the client. So, the design is starting and ending with the client.

Who are your customers and where are they located?

Corey: We work all over the U.S. We have projects right now in Pensacola, Florida, and in Lake Havasu, Arizona. We’re in Wyoming, Ohio, North Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. I’m registered in 15 states right now. Maybe half of our work is in the upper five states and then the other half is outside of that. So, we’re definitely more national now than we were several years ago. We have quite a following in the public safety world and have created public safety facilities, fire stations, and emergency response centers across the nation. We also have a large following in the medical industry. So, we’re traveling the nation in those markets. We do community centers, schools, corporate offices, retail and manufacturing facilities. We have a lot of history in banking projects. There’s really not a lot we can’t do. When people ask us, what kind of projects do you do? I always say, how about we tell you the type of things we don’t do?

Looking forward, we have our hands on a number of really exciting

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projects. If you’ve been following hydrogen, we’re aggressively going after work in that market. We see the hydrogen thing in the next five to ten years becoming really hot, like electric is today. That’s coming quick. Water is another huge issue right now. We’re working in markets where they have found ways to grow plants with 97 percent less water, and we’re involved in those projects. So a lot of cool stuff is coming.

You asked what makes us different. I have worked in and been a part of leadership and ownership in a number of other architecture and engineering firms over the years. We’re different in that we look at opportunity a lot differently than they do. We’re actually out creating work for ourselves, finding people to link together. We’re not afraid of projects that we haven’t ever done before. We look at that as an opportunity to show our expertise. It’s an opportunity to get an award the first time we do that type of project. So, we’re excited about that. The team we’ve assembled is extremely competent and they won’t stop until a project is perfect in their mind. That’s one of our core values here at Brunton, and that’s why we’re different.

Do you do renovations or are all your projects new construction?

Corey: There’s always going to be renovation. We call them adaptive reuse projects. For example, in Mankato the old Mankato Design Center was originally a furniture warehouse. The Minnesota Valley Action Council was the old Johnson Outdoors with no windows in it. Our current project in Pensacola is also an adaptive reuse project. Sometimes it does not make sense to tear a perfectly good skeleton or shell down. It makes more sense to pour the money into renovating it. Not every project needs to be a startup from the ground up. We evaluate that for our clients to find out if there is that value and make a recommendation.

Can you give me an idea of the size of your projects?

Corey: We’re working on an $82 million community center project right now, and several $30 and $40 million medical facilities. That’s unusual for a company of our size. We’re 31 people strong in two offices. We

have another office in Hopkins, Minnesota. It’s those opportunities that allow us to recruit top talent from much larger, bigger names than ours, and we’re proud of that.

Are there any projects right now that you’re really excited about?

Corey: We just finished up Newport City Hall/Public Safety, which is in a suburb in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area. They’re right on the river and it was a great project. It was a city hall, a fire station with a public safety/law enforcement component to it. It turned out great and we’re hoping it can win some awards. There’s an awful lot of work that we’re doing in North Dakota and Wisconsin that is super exciting and extremely challenging for us. Like we said before, each of these projects are 100 percent unique. They’re fun projects that offer unique opportunities for the team to dive into. I’ve never had more fun in my life.

Colin: The most exciting project I’m working on is a geothermal system out of North Dakota that’s going to be a central facility feeding three buildings off of one field. It’s focusing on a carbon neutral footprint and being able to load share between buildings. It’s a community center, a senior living facility and a medical facility. So, the load profiles will be different between those buildings. Some may be in heating while others are in cooling. We’ll share that energy from one building to another building through that central plant. It’ll be a really cool facility.

Jessica: That’s the project that I’m most excited about working on right now, too. I have three different designers who are working independently on each of the projects, and I get to work as the unifying piece … telling the story and connecting the design of the three buildings. We’re also working on a smaller renovation project at Open Door Health Center here in Mankato. It’s been really gratifying because the client is really excited. You know you’re making a difference. The work you’re doing is impactful, even if it’s not on a grand scale. So even the smaller projects are gratifying.

How many projects have you completed in the Mankato area?

Corey: You can stand at the intersection of Madison Avenue and Victory Drive and

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Ralph Wells Jr. Community Center

Brunton Architects & Engineers designed the Ralph Wells Jr. Community Center in White Shield, North Dakota for the three affiliated tribes of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, or MHA Nation. Located on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in central North Dakota, the facility opened in 2021 and includes a coffee shop, full-sized gym, bingo hall with a large kitchen, cardio and weight rooms, pool, movie theater, and rec center with pool table and golf simulator.

Corey: On the Ralph Wells Jr. Community Center, the history behind the three affiliated tribes gave us a point of departure in that project.

Jessica: In times of trial, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara tribes banded together because they realized that set apart, they would most likely perish, but they could survive and thrive together. So that was our inspiration for the design, to tell the story of these three tribes coming together and unifying in the architecture, the interiors, and the site work.

Corey: The symbolic theme was three rivers meandering and coming together in the end, one stronger river and one stronger unit. We use those different rivers as wayfinding elements inside the building. You come into the main area and then they split off and you follow the blue river to the gym, you follow the red river to the movie theater. It really works.

Jessica: It is a continual graphic that is depicted on the floor that shows these three tribes coming together and intertwining. It starts on the exterior where there are three different colors in the sidewalk, and then it comes into the vestibule, then into the lobby. We also used a lot of natural materials so regardless of if you know the story or not, it still feels like home. It feels comforting. Then from a usability standpoint, it’s a space that was designed to help their community thrive in the future. It provides a lot of opportunities for youth …a place for kids to go after school or on a weekend.

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touch seven different projects. We did the 7 West Tap House, the La Terraza restaurant, and the Minnesota Valley Action Council. We do all Community Bank renovations and we’ve done several projects out at the Mankato Regional Airport, including renovations to the terminal and the flight school out there, as well as the hangar buildings. I’m a pilot. We keep our corporate airplane in the hangar that we designed back in 2008. It’s really honoring to do work locally, and it’s a lot of fun.

You recently celebrated your 15th business anniversary. How has your company evolved over the years?

Corey: I’m happy and honored to say our first employee is still with us. Christine Ahmann is her name. Our joke is she came with the furniture. She came on board with us when we started our company in October of 2007. We started with just the two of us. Now we have 35 employees, 31 at Brunton Architects & Engineers and four at Brunton Construction.

We started on the second floor of Community Bank in a small 700 sq ft storage room. It took us about nine months to outgrow that. Then we moved downstairs, and we outgrew that space in a year. That was when we got the opportunity to build this building at our current location. So, we built this in 2014 and we’ve been in here ever since. Now we’re outgrowing this space.

It sounds like you’re growing, growing, growing!

Corey: We grew through COVID, and in 2022 we are projected to increase our revenues by 200 percent. We attribute our continued growth to our client-centric mindset. The meaningful relationships we build with them fuel our passion for finding cost saving and innovative building solutions. But it’s not all roses. Our costs have gone up a lot over the years as well. Everybody’s costs are going up right now. Still, we continue to grow. We’ve added six staff members to the team in the last year. Two years ago, there were three people in the Hopkins office, now we’re at nine.

But it’s important for you to know that it’s not about being big. It’s never been about being big. It’s always about being better. And we’re not going to get bigger until we can become better. That is part of our culture here. Growing slowly and carefully is the seed for a successful future.

What role does technology play at Brunton?

Corey: We have become more sophisticated in our understanding of what our clients want and what they expect. We have absolutely embraced technology to the highest level. When the pandemic hit, we were already ready for it. We had laptops in the hands of staff members and video camera teleconferencing in place. When COVID hit, we were ready. We stayed tight as a unit, and we still met our deadlines.

We also immerse our clients in technology. We have a high level of responsibility to communicate design to them, and we utilize technology to provide that. We’ve been using Revit, a building information and modeling or BIM tool, since the day we opened our doors in 2007. It’s used as a drafting tool and it literally extrudes the building three dimensionally. Mechanical can show their ductwork and if it’s sticking through a wall, we can see it. A lot of clash detection is cleaned up with the use of that software, and we’ve been

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Design Innovation

Brunton Architects & Engineers is located at 225 Belgrade Avenue in North Mankato. Brunton designed and built its current home in 2014. It is located on a charming and desirable block, but the lot itself had issues. It remained empty for decades until Corey Brunton and his team created a unique architectural solution that allowed them to fit seamlessly into the neighborhood.

Corey: This lot on Belgrade was empty since 1982 when a big fire destroyed Frost Drug. The building was pushed in on itself and the basement was nothing but rubble. Well, the problem with that is, if you don’t remove all the pieces, it’s really hard to build another building. So there it sat for 30 years. Nobody was willing to touch it.

We found a way to come in and build over the rubble, using helical piers to create a foundation system that goes all the way down to bedrock. This building is basically a bridge deck. Conceptually, if you take out the dirt below a bridge, it doesn’t matter because it’s a bridge. This is the same thing. It’s a slab that’s sitting on stilts, if you will. There are 60 of those stilts going down 60 feet to bedrock, and then there’s a structural slab on top. That is how we were able to create a building here.

Because designing buildings that fit architecturally is a core value at Brunton, we created a building that looks like it’s been here for a hundred years. The architectural style has been praised by the North Mankato planning and zoning department and various other members of the community. Our office design respects the character of the downtown district on Belgrade, so much so that we’ve had arguments with people that come off the street and tell us how impressed they were at the renovations we did. We tell them this is a new building, and they argue, “No, it’s not.” That to me, is one of the greatest honors. The fact that architecturally it blended in so well, they thought it had to have been here for 100 years.

using it since day one – which is something we’re proud of. It comes at an expense, but it’s all part of enhancing the client’s experience. That’s what it’s about.

How do you keep the creative flame alive at Brunton?

Corey: We find out who our employees are and what really juices them. Then we find ways to empower them to do more of that. If there’s something they are not very good at, something they are not passionate about, there are other people that can provide that service. If we hire you and you appear to be a square peg, we’re not jamming you into a circular hole. When I do that, it empowers the staff and everyone is happier. And when they’re empowered, they’re going to push themselves harder than I could ever push them.

That, believe it or not, is the secret to building a well-founded and sustainable company. You can build fast. I can hire 50 people in a month, no problem. But if you do that, it’s like putting a stick of dynamite in an apple and expecting the apple to come out good after it goes off. Really good staff are so hard to find. Once you realize how important they are, you’ve got to do everything you can to mentor them and help them grow and feel fulfilled, so they want to come to work every day.

Hybrid work, remote work and shared workspaces are a recent phenomenon. How do these trends impact

your business and the buildings you design?

Corey: Let’s address the white elephant in the room. Remote work is very difficult for our culture at Brunton and for what we’re trying to build here. Now we do it. If someone has a sick child or comes down with COVID and can still work, you take your computer home and work when you can. We’re very accommodating. But the point is, we don’t want to. I feel strongly about this, which is why I’m willing to say it. It might not be popular with everybody, but in order to do what we do at the level we expect it to be done, we can’t do it remotely.

There’s something to be said about sitting across from each other and brainstorming ideas. One could argue it’s possible online, it’s just different. It’s pretty hard to put your fingerprint on something when you’re communicating through a monitor. You can’t read body language. There’s just something about the face-to-face experience that we feel is really important. I’m not willing to give that up.

Colin: We do work hybrid, though. We’re interoffice between Mankato and Hopkins. Most of the time we start larger projects with face-to-face meetings internally at one of our offices. Then we touch base via (Microsoft) Teams or phone calls throughout the project. But it’s heavily built on having a physical presence to start and then going from there. As far as our clients’ designs, most people are still designing spaces with the capacity to operate in the office.

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507.304.6926 | rspaude@eidebailly.com

How are rising interest rates and real estate taxes impacting your business?

Corey: We’re well-diversified, and we’re in very safe markets right now, so we’re not impacted by those things. We work on a number of reservations and many of them make their money either in casinos or in oil. Right now gas prices are high. That means barrels of oil are high, and they are doing well. So that market is isolated. Public safety projects are in desperate need of replacement and there are capital improvement plans in place across the nation, so that also isn’t a concern. The medical sector is also strong. We work with Veterans Associations across the nation. Those facilities are not really impacted by those things.

Looking forward, what’s next for Brunton?

Corey: I’m getting some of the greatest rewards of my life working here. They say if you love what you do, you don’t work a day in your life. I am really enjoying the mentoring and the communication with the staff and watching them hit the ball out of the park. I get a kick out of that. I love design, but I love mentoring design through them more. I love to see them excel. So, I’m really, really having a lot of fun with that at both offices.

We have great projects that we’re really proud of, but for me, it’s really about the people. We’re a family. We do team building things together every quarter. We rented a yacht up on Lake Minnetonka

and went out. We had go-kart races here a couple of weeks ago. We try to keep the offices communicating and doing social events together as well, because this is how important the people are. You’ve got to have that trust. You’ve got to know where their heart is. Focusing on the importance of the culture and the people and then immersing them in team building opportunities has fed our culture at Brunton and made this a great place to work.

My goal in the next four to five years is to bring partners on and then mentor them for the next five years, not to micromanage but to assist them. I want to see them continue to succeed and set this company up for long-term success.

THE ESSENTIALS

Brunton Architects & Engineers

225 Belgrade Ave

North Mankato, MN 56003

Phone: (507) 386-7996

Web: bruntonarchitects.com

Brunton Construction

Phone: (507) 344-4683

Web: brunton-construction.com

By Ashley Hanley

Kennedy’s path to becoming a city administrator began with a degree in urban and regional studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Prior to graduation, she interned with the City of Jordan in its planning department. After that, she started her professional career as an economic developer with Community and Economic Development Associates before moving on to her current role at the city of Blue Earth in 2020. At each stage of her career, Kennedy seized opportunities to establish relationships and make connections that would support her as she grew professionally. In this month’s Rising Star interview, she describes her career path and the lessons she has learned along the way.

Why did you choose this career path?

I believe this career path chose me. I originally wanted to be a speech and language pathologist and enrolled in classes at St. Cloud State University, but I quickly learned that I wasn’t interested in that field. I researched other programs at the university and found the Planning and Community Development program. One of the first sentences on the program’s website states: “In majoring in the planning and community development major, you will learn how to create better places to live and work.”

I ultimately transferred to MSU because it was closer to home and family, and I was still able to obtain my undergraduate degree without forfeiting any of the classes or time I had spent at SCSU. At both universities, I met so many passionate people and made lasting relationships, which solidified my decision.

What personal strengths help you excel in your chosen career?

Leadership, listening, advocacy and communication.

What is your favorite part of your job?

The best part about my job is working with so many different people on a variety of projects and making small but meaningful changes. I enjoy the challenge of looking for the most efficient, affordable, accurate and inclusive way to get things done.

What inspires/drives you?

I am inspired by the people around me. As a public servant, I know that I have an opportunity to help implement valuable ideas and be a small part of my community’s future. Also, being part of a team with such diverse knowledge and experiences inspires me to continue learning, lead through collaboration, and bring a sense of fun to the workplace.

What advice would you give to other young professionals?

Three things. First and most importantly, have fun! You are young and bring energy and perspective to your workplace. Use that to your advantage. Second, don’t be afraid to ask questions. People don’t expect that you will have all the answers. And third, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Your sleep and your health are important. You can’t be great at anything if you’re exhausted or sick.

Are there any training or events that have had a significant impact on your career?

Anything that the League of Minnesota Cities hosts is excellent. Another wonderful event that has really influenced me in

my career is the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference which is hosted by the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality.

What books, podcasts or videos have helped you?

I am a huge book fanatic, so I truly could never pick just one. But I’ll say this: books have helped me tremendously. I still have my textbooks from college, and I do refer to them now and then. I usually have two or three books open at a time, anything from personal growth to psychological thrillers or romance.

What app can’t you live without?

Libby! It’s a great library app for borrowing books.

Looking back on the beginning of your career, what do you know now that you wish you’d known then?

I wish I would’ve recognized sooner that it is okay to be the youngest person in the room and that my age doesn’t disqualify me from participating in discussions or offering my knowledge, experience, or advice. As a young professional, I have so much to learn and still experience. But I know now that I am in the room for a reason, and my insights are valuable.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I’ll be inching a bit closer to 40! I see myself as a working wife and mom, probably running on even more coffee than I do now. I see myself happy and fulfilled, working hard and enjoying every day to the fullest.

Sharing the stories of the next generation, and exploring the dreams that motivate them.

Kennedy

Mary Kennedy is the city administrator in Blue Earth. As the top administrator for this town of 3,174, she focuses on managing day-to-day city operations and helping build a better future for the community she serves. Kennedy enjoys and promotes small-town living and relishes working in a career that allows her to make a difference in people’s lives.

The State of Ag Report, a result of a comprehensive survey of Minnesota’s agribusiness and related industries and a series of focus groups, was released on National Ag Day, March 22, 2022 at an event hosted at Farmamerica. The report reveals the perceptions and opinions on the economy and other major issues impacting businesses in the agriculture industry and places an emphasis on education, as well as talent attraction and retention. The State of Ag Report enables GreenSeam, businesses, elected officials and so many more to better understand, serve, and support the workforce, businesses, organizations, and communities we call home.

Part of the folklore of agriculture is dirty, physical work: farm and tractors, pitchforks and hammers, cows and pigs, all of which fail to create a story that appeals to the next generation. This overwhelming theme emerged in all the focus group discussions and the survey. Telling the real and exciting story of agriculture to include automation, computers, drones, good salaries and lifestyles, and ample opportunities needs to be shared. This will help attract, develop, and retain the next generation of workers and leaders throughout the food and ag value chain.

This past year top items included:

• 60% of businesses predict growth in 2022

• Proposition 12, CDL/trucking, immigration, and water and environmental regulations. Shipping and logistics saw the sharpest increase in negative impact to businesses. This is not surprising considering the disrupted supply chain experienced across all industries

• 33% of respondents planned to start or launch a new business, division, or product line this year

• A top issue was the lack of available talent, which was exasperated by retirees, fewer of the younger generation entering the industry and relocating to rural Minnesota, and ‘The Great Resignation.’

BE THE DIFFERENCE!

Going into the fourth year of this report, we are excited to continue to dive into the data that we receive.

We ask you, get involved and make a difference!

Sunshine Suzy

Sunshine Suzy is more than a brand, it’s a way of life. Suzanne Sukalski has been inspiring friends and family with her sunny disposition for thirty years. Throughout her life, Suzy has faced adversity related to having Down Syndrome, but she has never let that define her. Although she has had to work harder than most, she has always been encouraged and supported by those closest to her to embrace life and try to do whatever anyone else could do.

“It can take me longer to learn and do things,” Suzy said. “But I try hard and practice.”

At just thirty years old, she has accomplished more than most. She is an award-winning hotel breakfast hostess, a business owner, a

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philanthropist, a public speaker, and so much more. Through all her many roles, she spreads the message that while we all have different abilities, we each have a special place in this world.

One key advantage Suzy has had throughout her life is a family and community that has advocated for her along the way.

“Impossible is not in our vocabulary,” said Diane Sukalski, Suzy’s mother. “We say, ‘I’m possible.’”

Anytime Suzy was faced with a challenge in life, Diane, and Suzy’s father, Lawrence, gave her the opportunity to face it head on, knowing she would learn from both triumphs and mistakes. They were deliberate about giving her responsibilities and independence while keeping her safety in mind.

“We wanted Suzy to try what the other children her age were expected to do, even though she would have been given a pass,”

Diane said. “How was she to fit in when given the easy way out?”

Sometimes that meant finding the right accommodations to support Suzy in facing those challenges, like connecting with SMILES Center for Independent Living to access their adaptive ski program so Suzy could join the sixth-grade class trip to Mount Kato Ski Resort in Mankato.

When it was time to go to high school, Diane and Lawrence moved Suzy from her smaller school in Granada, Minnesota to the Fairmont High School where there were more opportunities for her.

One notable opportunity was a program that showed Fairmont High School students various work options in the community. During one outing at the Holiday Inn in Fairmont, Suzy was discovered by the manager Jason Subbert and offered a job at the neighboring Hampton Inn.

The hospitality industry has been a great fit for Suzy. She was set up for success with a manager who believed in her, and extra training from her job support agency, STEP, Inc. For the past ten years she has served as the breakfast hostess for the Hampton Inn.

“I really like talking to the hotel guests in the morning and making sure they start their day with a delicious breakfast,” Suzy said. “My co-workers are wonderful and make the job really fun.”

Suzy has made a big impact at the Hampton

Inn. In 2017 she was honored with the Head of House award by the Minnesota Lodging Association. The award was for a front-line hourly employee who demonstrated above average care and service to guests as well as co-workers. She has also helped the Hampton Inn achieve a number one rating for service out of 1,200 hotels worldwide. Perhaps it’s her outgoing personality or maybe it’s the homemade cards she shares with guests, but one thing is certain, Suzy has earned the honors bestowed upon her. Although, she humbly shares the spotlight with her co-workers.

“I am proud to be part of this team. I was so happy to get an award for my work as a breakfast hostess,” Suzy said. “I am so thankful for my amazing co-workers who help me be a great breakfast hostess!”

In 2015, with money earned from working at the Hampton Inn, Suzy was able to buy a popcorn machine and wagon. She began making popcorn at weddings and community events. She caught the entrepreneurial bug and wanted to do more. As a fifth-generation farmer, she decided to produce an ag-related product. Soon she was packaging her Sunshine Suzy Super Crunchy Corn Nibblets.

“I am a proud farmer and I wanted to sell something yummy that comes from a farm,” Suzy said. “I tried some corn nibblets and really liked them and thought lots of people would like them too.”

With that, Sunshine Suzy was born, spreading the mission of nourishing the soul, celebrating abilities, and inspiring possibilities.

Suzy was raised in a family that valued working together and supporting one another. According to Diane, their foundation is built on God, love, loyalty, and respect. Those values have impacted Sunshine Suzy. It is truly a family-run business with Suzy leading the pack. Her parents, siblings and even nieces and nephews have helped along the way with contributions of engineering savvy, marketing know-how, taste-testing, and encouragement for Suzy to pursue her dreams. But Suzy is right there in the day-to-day activities of the business, stocking shelves, packaging nibblets and filling orders.

“Suzy is my inspiration and she’s my boss!” Diane said. “She really knows how to keep me on task. She has that leadership skill.”

Super Crunchy Corn Nibblets have been a success. They come in five flavors and three sizes and are packaged in a licensed commercial kitchen on Suzy’s parents’ farm in rural southern Minnesota. Suzy stocks them at local stores as well as selling them online. She also provides custom labeling options for any business who wants to use her nibblets as a promotional product.

One of her first customers was her boss Jay Junker, from the Hampton Inn. When he found out about her Super Crunchy Corn Nibblets, he asked if they could be included in the Hilton Honors gift boxes given to guests.

Producing her Super Crunchy Corn Nibblets has allowed her to share her sunshine across the country and even the world.

“My corn nibblets nourish the body and soul,” Suzy said. “When people see me using my abilities, they think about their own abilities and the possibilities of how to use them to make the world a better place.”

Suzy is certainly leading by example. She is making the world a better place through her own work as a philanthropist. She started by growing and selling sweet corn, with the proceeds being donated to her job support agency, STEP, Inc. Now, she donates her Super Crunchy Corn Nibblets to schools; church groups; area police, sheriff, and fire departments; health care workers; troops overseas; and various fundraisers.

Suzy Sukalski with her mother, Diane Sukalski.

Christine Nessler CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“Sunshine makes people happy, that’s why I try to spread sunshine everywhere I go,” Suzy said. “I want people to believe in themselves and live happy!”

Spreading sunshine doesn’t end with the nibblets. Suzy is also a motivational speaker. Her first speech was at a workshop for high school students exploring post-graduation opportunities. She spoke about her own personal experience working at Hampton Inn and how she was able to learn the skills of her job through the assistance of her job support person from STEP, Inc. She also spoke about believing in herself and having the support of others along the way.

“My boss believed I could succeed,” Suzy said. “I believed in myself, even if others had doubts. My boss and co-workers gave me confidence.”

Since then, she has spoken at elementary and high schools, businesses and even an international delegation from Bhutan, a country in South Asia. As her experiences have grown, so has her message.

“Believe in yourself, use your God-given abilities to be the best you can be,” Suzy tells her audience. “We all have different abilities. We all have a special place in this world. This is my story of self-determination and how I use my abilities to make a difference for others.”

Sunshine Suzy is more than a brand, it’s a reminder from Suzy herself that all of us have a special place in this world. When harnessing our given talents to benefit others we can make a big difference wherever we see the need.

“Suzy has accomplished much and inspired many over the past 30 years,” Diane said. “A positive can-do attitude can be more important than aptitude for success.”

THE ESSENTIALS

Sunshine Suzy

2290 20th Street Fairmont, MN 56031

Phone: (507) 236-1166

Web: sunshine-suzy.com

Now, you should simply enjoy them.

Maverick Esports: From Online Gaming to Real-World Learning

Competitive gaming is a rapidly evolving industry, and students at Minnesota State University, Mankato have not hesitated to become part of the action. With the launch of the University’s varsity esports program, students are turning their passion for online gaming into real-world learning experiences.

Minnesota State Mankato launched their first season of varsity esports in spring of 2021 as an official member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). College-level esports teams compete head-to-head in titles such as Rocket League, Call of Duty, and Super SMASH Bros. Though still being relatively new to campus, Maverick Esports has had an impressive 230+ matches played, 10 playoff appearances, and 5 championship wins, establishing themselves as competitors on a national level.

This recognition further expanded in fall of 2022 with Mankato’s first Collegiate Esports Invitational sponsored by Rockstar Energy, Version1 and Minnesota RØKKR. On September 17, 2022, 16 teams from across the country traveled to compete in-person, with the hopes of winning up to

$5,000. The invitational sold nearly 500 tickets and gained an impressive 4,000 views on livestream. “It turned out to be a very successful event,” shared Jacquie Lamm, Assistant Director and Head Coach of Maverick Esports. “We’re excited to elevate it for next year with more teams and establishing ourselves as a premiere brand for esports at the collegiate level.”

There are plenty of ways for students to get involved in esports outside of competing on the varsity team. Students can gain experience through paid positions in social media management, content creation, broadcasting, and event planning. Evan Haldeman, current Minnesota State Mankato student and assistant esports coach for Rocket League teams, emphasized the importance of gaining real-world experience in sharing, “Most of our team is made up of students who are using this experience to further their resume building. They are taking their passion, and turning it into something they can pursue long-term, hopefully in a career.”

Partnerships have played a key role in the growth of the Maverick Esports program. The esports training facility on campus is the cornerstone of the

gaming community. Through a generous partnership with the Dell Member Program, the space has been outfitted with high-end gaming stations. The space is used for varsity team practices and tournaments but is also open to the broader University community.

Haldeman says, “More companies are starting to understand esports, the pace it has grown, and how quickly it will continue to grow. The main thing we focus on now is how we can continue to improve.”

“Partnerships empower us to do so much more than we already can.” shared Haldeman. “More companies are starting to understand esports, the pace it has grown, and how quickly it will continue to grow. The main thing we focus on now is how we can continue to improve.”

If you are interested in learning more about Maverick Esports, please reach out to esports@mnsu.edu.

UPCOMING TRAINING EVENTS

1

New Supervisor & Manager Skills Workshop

Employees join companies but leave managers. Invest in your new supervisors and managers and equip them with the skills they need to transition into a leadership role and manage teams effectively.

DATE: Feb. 23rd

2 Save the Date: National Agriculture Week

Mark your calendar for an exciting week of training and events centered around food and agriculture in south-central Minnesota.

3

DATE: March 21st – 27th

2023 Health and Biomedical Sciences Summit

Health inequities are pervasive in our communities, particularly in rural areas where access to care and resources is limited. Join us in recognizing the need for improved and interconnected services, and gain tools for eliminating health inequities in our communities.

DATE: March 29th

DEVELOPING LEADERS | MEETING INDUSTRY

TO SIGN UP, OR FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://link.mnsu.edu/courses-and-programs

Sessions are offered in virtual and in-person settings. Please visit our registration site for details on a specific program. 424 North Riverfront Drive, Mankato, MN Phone: 507-389-1094

NEEDS

Herman Manufacturing in Wells is a family-owned, family-run business. Pictured above are four generations of the Herman family.

From left to right: John P. Herman, Joann Schroeder, Mark Herman, Zack Kuhns, and John F. Herman.

There is something special about a business that has stood the test of time. For more than fifty years, Herman Manufacturing has remained a family-owned and family-run business. In a time when corporate mergers and buy-outs seem to be the norm, this hometown business continues to flourish after years of flying under the radar in the community of Wells, Minnesota. What makes this business exceptional are its underlying values of family, community, employee satisfaction and customer service.

Herman Manufacturing Co., Inc. started on the farm of John Francis Herman in 1971. The part-time business consisted of the production of snow blowers for tractors and hog gates.

“It was just winter work for him,” said John Paul Herman of Herman Manufacturing. John Francis was primarily a farmer but started his side business with the basic understanding of manufacturing he carried with him after building mini-bikes and snowmobiles for a time at Herter’s Outdoor Goods in New Richland.

Story by: Christine Nessler Photos by: Susan Bottin

John Paul (JP) left Wells as a young man to work in a machine shop in Minneapolis for a couple of years, where he helped to build many machine parts, including parts for the first Pringles Potato Chip machines.

“After a couple of years, I figured if the guy I worked for could do it, so could I,” JP said. “At the ripe old age of 21, I ventured off to start my own manufacturing business.”

JP returned to Wells, and in 1978 he transformed his father’s small side business into a contract machining and welding company. What he initially thought would be a one-person shop grew quickly. The need for his services soon outweighed his solo abilities, so after six years in business, he recruited his brother, Mark Herman, to help him run and develop his business further.

Fast-forward to 2023. Herman Manufacturing now has 44 years as a custom manufacturer under its belt and has made a name for itself doing specialized contract work for a wide variety of companies.

“We predominantly work with companies that are building machines that are not going to be used in-house,” JP said. “They are going to sell it to somebody who makes a product.”

For example, these companies may sell a machine that labels pop bottles or fills food trays. Each machine needs frames, pieces, bars, and other components, all of which can be created at Herman Manufacturing.

“A lot of these places do very little machining in-house,” JP said. This is because many types of machining and welding equipment are

required to make the different parts of each product. For instance, a bottle labeling machine needs various tooling to label different sizes and bottle configurations. So, it’s more cost-efficient to hire an external manufacturing company to provide machining and welding services.

The products created at Herman Manufacturing are used predominantly in the Upper Midwest; however, custom items ship to customers all over the country, and even the world. These customers send Herman Manufacturing detailed blueprints or Computer-Aided Design (CAD) drawings detailing the specifications for the part they need. Machinists and welders fill custom orders using manual machines and Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) machines. CNC machines are utilized specifically for complex pieces and cuts.

“When I joined the company, we had five employees,” Mark said. “I wanted to join the family business and help it grow.”

And grow, they have. As the business evolved, it needed more space to house new machining and welding equipment, some of which is large enough to build a car. So whenever a building became available in Wells, the Hermans acquired it and expanded their enterprise further. Today, Herman Manufacturing has grown from one shed on John Francis’ farm to seven shops in and around Wells.

Along with its expanding physical space, the demand for Herman Manufacturing’s services has required many more people to join the team. The total number is now approximately 50 full-time and part-time employees. Together, the Herman team builds a diverse product line customized to meet their customers’ needs.

“We make everything from parts for doors that go on an airplane hangar down to pieces you can hold in the palm of your hand and everything in between,” JP said.

Over the years, Herman Manufacturing products have included specialty tools for space shuttle fuel tanks, awnings for race car trailers, parts for food machines, parts for food packaging, parts and components for doors and computer chips.

JP puts the technology into the layman’s perspective.

Over the decades, JP has seen many changes in the business world. Perhaps Herman Manufacturing’s steadfast values have allowed it to stay the course while other companies succumbed to sales, mergers and the like.

“I’ve seen a lot of businesses around that get sold and aren’t run the same way. They have changed dynamics incredibly,” JP said.

Even with all these changes, the strong relationships built by JP, Mark, and the team have prevailed. Although business names and owners have changed through the years, Herman Manufacturing still has customers today that started back with them in 1978.

“I have several companies that I started with right at the very beginning making parts for, but none of them are owned by the same people or same corporations,” JP said.

“Word of mouth is our best advertising,” chief financial officer Cindy Herman said. “Our partners continue to send work to Herman even if they change companies.”

Many manufacturing companies limit their business to specific industries, such as agriculture or automotive, but Herman Manufacturing has found success in diversification. It works with approximately 30 businesses in varying industries. In addition, they have diversified even more by customizing their services.

“We have our eggs in a whole lot of baskets,” Cindy said.

This business model has kept the business safe during trying

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Hayden Anderson prepares custom products for shipment in the packaging area of Herman Manufacturing in Wells.

It’s All in the Family

recessions quicker because different facets of the economy are affected at different times in the recession,” JP said. “I started this business in the middle of a recession and didn’t even realize it.”

In addition to diversification and customization of services, the values held by JP and Mark have stayed consistent - family, community, employee satisfaction and customer service. Of all the lessons learned to pass along to the next generation of Herman Manufacturing, perhaps the most important are the unchanging values that have made their business stand the test of time, the first of which is family.

“It’s important to me to have this business be in Wells and stay in Wells and to give employment to people and my family if they want it,” JP said.

Of the nearly 50 people JP and Mark employ at Herman Manufacturing, many are from Wells, and others are drawn from the surrounding communities of Blue Earth, Austin, and Albert Lea. As a family-owned and family-run business, it also employs many members of the extended Herman family.

“If I can find work for my family, I will,” JP said.

Currently, there are ten family members in the business. Each family member has a role to play in the business, although neither JP nor Mark wants to put a label on those roles.

“I don’t like titles,” JP said. “Just do your job.”

Learning the business from the ground up is something of a tradition as well.

“We have several generations of family working in the business,” Mark said. “This ensures that the company will continue into the future, when according to JP, it will still be family-run.

For the duration of the business, each generation of the family has trained the next. For example, Helen Herman, JP and Mark’s mother, trained JP’s wife, Cindy, as a bookkeeper. Now Cindy is training her grandson’s partner to do the same.

JP has realized in recent years that he needs to take all the business knowledge he’s stored away in his mind and convert it into accessible information and training for the family members that will carry on his legacy. According to JP, when his grandson Zack Kuhns saw him up in a cherry picker in one of the shops, he hollered: “Grandpa, be careful. I have an awful lot I have to learn from you yet!”

While the business has grown significantly over the last 44 years, it remains something of a mystery to the region.

“We don’t make anything with our name on it. Everything we make is for somebody else,” JP said.

Although residents of the region may not fully understand what Herman Manufacturing does in its machining and welding shops, everyone in the Wells area knows that the two brothers who run the business are equally passionate about their commitment to the community.

Born and raised in Wells, JP and Mark came back after a brief leave to the Twin Cities to run Herman Manufacturing and raise their families.

“We want to be an important business in our community by providing jobs for the area residents,” Mark said.

The brothers are also active in the community. Mark has spent many years on the United South Central School Athletic Boosters Board, was on the St. Casimir’s Catholic School Board and coached several sports teams through the years. In addition to 23 years as a volunteer ambulance driver, JP has represented his community on the City Council and the Economic Development Commission. However, he noted with

amusement that some might claim he’s bad for economic development due to his tendency to buy up any available business property.

Because family is important to JP and Mark, they provide flexibility to their employees so they can also dedicate time to their families and achieve work-life balance. This policy has proven to be a key component of employee satisfaction.

“We have always been a family-oriented company,” Mark said.

Employees at Herman Manufacturing enjoy flexible start and stop times for their shifts with the expectation that they will put in the required hours for their jobs. This flexible scheduling allows employees to create a schedule that works best for them and their families, with flexibility for school pick-ups, appointments and other essential activities. It also works out well for the business because when some employees start early while others finish late, it essentially creates a shift and a half of production hours.

“I want the employees to live their job around their life,” JP said. This includes employees being able to attend events and appointments for their families during work hours.

At Herman Manufacturing, they are conscious of the comfort and health of their employees. Each of the seven buildings is air-conditioned, and air quality is maintained with special masks, testing and machines that clean the air around the welding machines creating a healthy work environment.

Customer service has been another steadfast commitment for the Herman Manufacturing team. It’s easy to see why they have retained customers for over 40 years. JP, Mark, and Zack divide their customer base between the three of them in order to cultivate quality one-on-one relationships with their customers.

“It is a small business type attitude,” JP said. “Between the three of us, we make it flow altogether, but as far as from the outside in, customers are dealing with the same guy all the time, and they know if they need something, we can help them.”

They also always give their customers a fair price, are upfront and honest with them, don’t require a lead time and, perhaps most importantly, strive to be a resource for their customers.

“If you don’t have a source or know a source, send it to JP, and he will do it or tell you who can,” said Cindy. “JP bends over backwards to keep his customers happy.”

Andy Stenzel, a 33-year veteran at Herman Manufacturing in Wells, prepares stainless steel bars for welding.

Mark agrees: “We go above the expectations that our customers have for us.”

Being a resource for customers also means being a good business partner to other businesses in the machining and welding industry. Collaborating instead of competing is key to Herman Manufacturing’s success.

“We have strived through the years to not have anyone be our competitor,” JP said.

“They do work for us, and we do work for them,” Cindy said. “If there is something that we can’t do, we’ll send it on to somebody that does work for us or that we do work for.”

One good example is the partnership Herman Manufacturing shares with Winnebago Manufacturing.

“We send parts back and forth all the time,” JP said. “We do stuff that they don’t do, and they do stuff that we don’t do. So I am a customer to them, and I am also a supplier to them.”

These types of partnerships allow the company to be more versatile. It can offer so much more to its customers because of the many partnerships it has developed, bidding on work that is partly done in-house and partly outsourced. As a result, it makes the company a one-stop shop for its customers.

“The more versatile you can become, the more work you can do,” JP said. That also includes outsourcing services such as powder coating or painting.

JP believes Herman Manufacturing’s strength lies in its ability to do so many different things for its customers, which is undoubtedly true. Still, it could be argued that its greatest strength is its commitment to long-held principles in a world that is changing fast. The values of family, community, employee satisfaction and customer service are modeled from the top down. For years to come, these values will continue to allow this humble business to fly under the radar as it provides quality service and an employee-friendly work environment to southern Minnesota.

5 YEARS AGO

JAN/FEB 2018

Our 2018 Business Person of the Year was Dennis Terrell, owner of Re/Max Dynamic Agents (Mankato). We learned that nurturing and lifting up those around him were what Dennis felt were the keys to his success. Other businesspeople honored this issue were David Milbrath of Prairie Plans Asset Management (Springfield), and the Redig family of Nordaas American Homes (Minnesota Lake).

10 YEARS AGO

JAN/FEB 2013

In 2013, Wayne Kahler of Kahler Automation (Fairmont) won the title of Connect Business Magazine Business Person of the Year. Runners-up were Paul Wilke, manager of the River Hills Mall (Mankato), and Brian Fowler, owner of Quality 1 Hr Foto and SPX Sports and Design (Mankato).

15 YEARS AGO

JAN/FEB 2008

Our 2008 Business Person of the Year was Jeff Thom of All American Foods (Mankato). Others honored were Clint Brown of Industrial Construction Services (St. James) and Wayne Kahler of Kahler Automation (Fairmont).

20 YEARS AGO

JAN/FEB

2003

Cover story: Dan Gislason of Gislason & Hunter (New Ulm). Profiled companies: New Hope Counseling & Mediation Center (Blue Earth) and Katolight (Mankato).

Southern Minnesota’s Premier Nursing Assistant Registry Test Site

For over a decade, South Central College (SCC) has been an approved test site for the Minnesota State Registry Test for Nursing Assistants, certifying qualified nursing assistants to work in long-term care facilities to meet our community’s health care needs.

According to employment data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, nursing assistants remain the sixth highestdemand job in Minnesota. Over the past year, SCC’s Customized Workforce Education division has provided Nursing Assistant certification exams for over 1,000 candidates at both North Mankato and Faribault campuses, including exams for hundreds of candidates who were trained under the Next Generation Nursing Assistant initiative.

The Next Generation Nursing Assistant initiative began in December 2021, at a time when long-term care facilities were experiencing severe staffing shortages amid the pandemic. At that time, Governor Tim Walz set a goal for the State of Minnesota to recruit and train 1,000 new nursing assistants using Federal American Recovery Plan funds to provide participants with free training, books, uniforms, and certification exams.

The state surpassed this goal in less than three months with the partnership of state agencies, higher education institutions, and long-term care providers. And in September 2022, Governor Walz announced another investment to continue Minnesota’s free nursing assistant training and testing program through February 2023 to further strengthen the state’s health care workforce pipeline.

“By bolstering our health care workforce and providing pathways to life-long careers, this initiative continues to benefit Minnesotans in the short- and long-term.

I’m proud to invest in a program that strengthens our health care workforce, eliminates barriers to entry into highdemand careers, and supports the health of our state,” said Governor Walz. “The success of this program is a testament to Minnesota’s ability to collaboratively address complex problems.”

As Southern Minnesota’s premier Nursing Assistant Registry Test site, South Central College will continue to offer Nursing Assistant certification exams at both campuses monthly, adding more test dates as needed to accommodate workforce demands.

To learn more, visit southcentral.edu/na

Customized Workforce Education

UPCOMING WORKFORCE TRAININGS

Nursing Assistant Registry Testing

South Central College is an approved test site for the Minnesota State Nursing Assistant Registry Test. We offer hands-on Skills testing on the 1st and 3rd week of each month at our North Mankato campus and the 2nd week of each month at our Faribault campus. We also offer a wide variety of dates and times for the Virtual Knowledge test which candidates can take from the comfort of their own home or office. Register early to get a spot in your preferred test date and time!

View all test dates and register online at southcentral.edu/enroll

New Supervisor & Manager Skills Workshop

Employees join companies but leave managers. Don’t let this happen to your organization! Invest in your new supervisors and managers and equip them with the skills they need to transition into a leadership role and manage their teams effectively in this highly engaging live online training workshop. Learn how to transition from peer to supervisor, set expectations, assign and delegate work, resolve conflict and provide feedback in a way that supports and motivates your team to be their best. According to a recent participant, “These are principles and concepts that a college textbook cannot teach you.”

Date: February 23, March 2, 9, 16 | Time: 8am-12pm | Cost: $495

Reasonable Suspicion for Supervisors - DOT Compliant

Reasonable Suspicion for Supervisors is intended to provide supervisors of drivers and other safety-sensitive positions with the ability to recognize symptoms that indicate the use of drugs or alcohol among employees and establish reasonable suspicion to refer an employee for testing. This training complies with Federal DOT standards (49 CFR) and Minnesota State Statutes, and is also appropriate for employees at all levels in any industry, providing learners with the knowledge and skills they need to legally intervene and appropriately respond to a drug or alcohol reasonable suspicion occurrence in the workplace.

Date: March 7 | Time: 11am-1pm | Cost: $89

NEW Online IT Bootcamps

Prepare for in-demand IT careers with online training. Our comprehensive IT boot camps will help you obtain the skills and credentials you need to apply for some of the highest paying jobs on the market. Choose from CompTIA A+, Data Science and Analytics, Ethical Hacking, (ISC)² CISSP®, Cybersecurity, Microsoft Azure, Full Stack Web Development, AI Machine Learning, Cisco CCNA & CyberOps Associate and more!

Learn more and register at careertraining.ed2go.com/southcentral

BUILDING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY

One Thread at a Time

An entrepreneurial spirit and a curiosity for self-learning have made North Mankato resident Jenna Odegard a success in the children and baby boutiques market.

Odegard owns Bumbelou, a boutique that sells high-quality baby and toddler fashion, maternity and postpartum items, puzzles, art tools and books. The company has brick-and-mortar stores on Riverfront Drive in downtown Mankato and Minnesota Street in downtown New Ulm, as well as a large online presence.

Bumbelou is the second business venture for Odegard, who got her start in the entrepreneurial field at the young age of 17 when she began an e-commerce business in the niche market of crafting handmade clutches for the wedding industry.

“It’s all I’ve ever done,” Odegard said on owning her own business. “It really started as a boot-strapping situation with handmade items. I was curious how to make things and was wondering if I could sell them.”

Odegard began making and selling custom clutches for brides, bridal parties and mothers of the brides on Etsy (an online marketplace for handmade products) before expanding by launching her own website.

Pictured left: Entrepreneur Jenna Odegard stands in Bumbelou on Riverfront Drive in downtown Mankato. Bumbelou, a boutique that features baby and toddler fashion, has a second store in New Ulm and a large online presence.

Story by: Anna Vangsness Photos by: Susan Bottin

“I really found success in that area,” she said. “I’ve always had a creative eye, so I did my own marketing and even taught myself to use a DSLR camera because this was before cellphones came with high-end cameras. I learned how to use Photoshop, how to do email marketing, and everything else owning a business takes, just by being curious.”

The New Ulm native continued to own and operate the business until her first daughter, Lexi, was six months old. At that time, Odegard sold her original business, which allowed her to take time off and be a stay-at-home mom.

“Even though being a mom is the joy of my life and I truly love being a mother and caregiver, I realized I was missing being an entrepreneur,” she said. “I’m the type of person that’s meant to be in the creative entrepreneurial space. Focusing on businesses like these doesn’t drain me, but it refuels me.”

Odegard spent time reflecting on her circumstances and focusing on her knowledge and talents and began making hair accessories for little girls.

“Bumbelou started during my daughter’s naps,” Odegard said with a laugh. “I started marketing the pieces and putting them online. After a while of doing that and then becoming pregnant with my second daughter, Lyra, two years later, I realized that Bumbelou could help put me back in the creative field.”

Making hair accessories quickly expanded to include a children’s clothing line in which Odegard designed and sewed each piece herself. Eventually, Odegard knew she was ready to hire staff to assist her in creating the pieces. Odegard and her team operated out of the basement of her home for nearly four years before they outgrew the space.

Though Bumbelou now operates out of two locations, that wasn’t the original idea that Odegard had in mind when she contacted a realtor in the area.

“I told him I needed a manufacturing space, even if it was a pole barn,” she recalled. “I just wanted some kind of raw space we could work in.”

While touring potential locations, Odegard and her realtor stopped at a site in Old Town Mankato. It was Odegard’s realtor who asked her whether or not she would ever want a storefront for her business.

“I didn’t know about that,” she recalled.

cimankato.com (507) 385-4485

Mankato | Vernon Center | Amboy

Jennifer Zak Agent

“I hadn’t thought about it too much before, but when I saw the building we are in now, I knew I could be ready to add in all of our other brands to include a retail space.”

When deciding whether or not to purchase a storefront, Odegard reflected on what products her family uses and supports in the baby industry.

“It really made sense once I saw the space for the first time,” she said. “There really wasn’t anything available like it in the region – there was absolutely an opening in the baby market. I wouldn’t have done it had there been two or three competitors in the area. It just wouldn’t have made sense. But, when looking at the market, there was a need.”

Bumbelou opened as a baby boutique at 405 North Riverfront Drive in Mankato in September 2018 and embarked on what Odegard called “an interesting first year.”

“In January 2019, there was a polar vortex, and one of the pipes ended up bursting in our building,” she recalled. “We had to close the store only a few months after opening it. My husband and I did a lot of the renovations ourselves the first time, and we had to gut the whole thing back down to the studs and take up flooring. Thankfully, we had an amazing contractor and were open three months later. They really did an efficient job considering how extensive the damage was.”

Though it would have been easy to toss in the towel on Bumbelou and not go through the expense and stress of renovating for the

Giving Back

Over the years, Bumbelou has evolved from 100 percent handmade clothing offerings to 10-15 percent. The change is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed the Bumbelou staff to give back to the community. Odegard closed Bumbelou’s manufacturing facility and used its resources to supply masks to the local communities and communities across the country.

“We realized that we had all the elastic and fabric that people would need to protect themselves with masks,” Odegard said.

Bumbelou staff created a few hundred free mask kits and handed them out in front of their Mankato store during the pandemic. The first instance had 100 cars show up and wrap around the corner of the store for the kits. Seeing the demand, Odegard and her staff asked people to come back the following week after they could make more kits. The second week tripled the number of people.

“It was a huge demand,” she said. “Eventually, people asked if we could sew them for them. I talked with my team, and for nine months, we used all of our production

capacity and supplies. We ended up donating more than $20,000 in money and made 150,000 masks that were donated not only locally but to Rochester, Minneapolis and all over the United States. Really, we sent them wherever we could.”

Even though their mask production has ended as the pandemic has slowed and masks have become more readily available, Odegard and Bumbelou have still found a way to give back to the community by donating 10% of profits to support children and families.

“I just know how hard it is to be a new mom and build something, so I just wanted to give back if we were successful,” she said. “Bumbelou didn’t have to succeed. Small businesses constantly fail every day, so I said if we were successful, we needed to give back to the world.”

Each month, Bumbelou gives to Every Mother Counts Compassion International, as well as local organizations, including CADA, My Place, the YMCA and Mankato’s Weekend Backpack Food Program.

“It’s really important for me to support different organizations,” Odegard said. “I just try to keep my ears to the ground with who could use more and be lifted up in our community.”

second time in nearly as many months, Odegard said the decision to continue with the business had a lot to do with who she is as a person.

“I’m used to things not going well, and I just try to make sure to continue,” she said. “Our family motto is ‘do the next right thing,’ meaning, anytime something is hard, just do the next right thing. I had a team working with me, and, thankfully, the online business was already established, so we decided to rebuild even though it was really, really hard.”

By a stroke of good fortune, the back of Bumbelou’s flagship store, where production takes place, wasn’t damaged. Odegard used that space as a temporary warehouse to store merchandise and continue manufacturing during renovations.

“Our online customers continued to support us during that time,” Odegard said. “Three months eventually went past, and then we had a second store grand opening date.”

When looking back to when the Riverfront location opened, Odegard said she doesn’t think they’ve had a “normal year” yet.

“We had a broken pipe that flooded the main floor, a pandemic, and then our basement flooded,” she said. “Now this year, because we are a store with mid- to high-range products, we’re seeing a recession.”

Because people’s budgets have been affected by grocery and gas prices, fewer customers have come into Bumbelou, Odegard said.

“It’s OK,” she said. “I’m at terms with that fact. I don’t like normal anyway. As an entrepreneur, by nature, things aren’t normal ever. We’ve had a nice year. I see a recession and the challenges that

come with it as a time to learn and see where we can refine. This year has been more of that, but I wouldn’t be at the level we’re at without that history behind me to help me without the bad things at the beginning.”

In 2019, Odegard expanded Bumbelou by opening the business’s second location at 5 North Minnesota Street in New Ulm after the opportunity presented itself through business friends.

“We really have a lot of customers that are located west of our Mankato location and even west of New Ulm,” she said. “People were driving through New Ulm just to come to our Mankato store.”

After witnessing a once more-vibrant downtown New Ulm in her youth dim to bigger box stores over the past decade,

Odegard opened the second location as a way to give back to the community.

“In terms of atmosphere, New Ulm is a very tourist-driven town,” she explained.

“A lot of those people coming to town are shopping, and there wasn’t a big baby and kid market. Similar to when I was analyzing a location for the Mankato store, I thought

What’s In a Name

When Odegard sold her first business, the business name was sold along with it. She knew that when it came to choosing a name for her next company, it needed to be strong and memorable.

“Around the time I was envisioning a name for the company Bumbelou, my oldest daughter was about 18 months old,” Odegard said.

At that time, her daughter Lexi’s favorite game was “Bumble Bee,” in which she would run around buzzing, and Odegard and her husband would chase her around. The game resulted in Lexi giving her mom and dad joyful belly laughs.

“That’s my Lexi Lou,” Odegard said. “She was my bumble bee. That’s how Bumbelou became the store’s name. That’s what it’s about … it’s such a clear memory of her childhood.”

I’d give it a shot.”

Odegard is now three years into the New Ulm store journey and said there is still a lot of room for growth.

“I feel like New Ulm got hit harder during and after the pandemic,” she said. “I see it just with restaurants and other stores in town not being open to capacity. The tourists are still coming here, and we know that because they tell us they’re coming from Iowa, Nebraska and even New York and California. I don’t have store data prior to COVID because we weren’t open, but we’re trying hard to make it successful.”

Odegard and her team prioritize bringing the best attitudes they can to their customers because they want people to have a beautiful experience every time they set foot into one of the stores.

“We want our customers to feel inspired and relaxed when they are in our stores,” she said. “A lot of customers are moms, and we want them to have a peaceful atmosphere while shopping. We also have a lot of people come into the store shopping

lizmariegalvin

for gifts, which we think is so special. We want to make sure people find something of nice quality that will last and be a part of the person’s childhood that is receiving the gift.”

The team at Bumbelou has made a name for themselves not only in customer service but also when it comes to gender reveals for expecting couples. Customers provide

an unopened card from their doctor in which the sex of their baby is written inside. Bumbelou staff will curate a gift and place it in a gender-neutral white box. The expecting couples will open the box and, for the first time, find out if they are having a boy or a girl based on the contents inside.

“We love when we get these opportunities,” Odegard said. “If there are multiple team members there when the request comes in, there’s always a lot of squeals of delight. We just feel so lucky to be a part of the family’s journey.”

Throughout the tenure of Bumbelou, Odegard said she feels it’s essential to learn as you go and see how things unfold. She said she has a lot of big dreams and goals for the company but nothing in the immediate future.

“I told myself that I needed a year to absorb everything,” she said. “We had so many changes over the past few years. This year I said I was just going to sit tight and really get things under us before we charge forward with any other huge dreams.”

In addition to growing Bumbelou to two stores, Odegard also opened Hazelkin & Co., a gift and lifestyle store, on the same block as her Mankato store.

“That was my sit quiet for a year,” she said with a laugh. “It was to get these three stores really comfortable before we do anything crazy. We’re bringing brands into these communities that people either had to order online or drive to the Cities for. We’re hearing from our customers that they’ve seen these products before, but never in stores. It’s been awesome and really what I’ve been hoping for.”

THE ESSENTIALS

Bumbelou

405 N Riverfront Dr

Mankato, MN 56001

5 N Minnesota St

New Ulm, MN 56073

Phone: (507) 594-9072

Web: bumbelou.com

Black Frost Distilling

The idea for Black Frost Distilling was born in the middle of a barley field. Co-founders Nate Gieseke and Jace Marti, a 6th genera tion farmer and a 6th generation brew master, respectively, were admiring a field of lush, green, two-row barley Nate had grown on his family farm just a few weeks before harvest.

The barley was the culmination of a dream to bring locally grown barley and the concept of terroir (a French term commonly used in winemaking that refers to how the environment and growing location influence flavor) to the beers brewed at the August Schell Brewing Company. Standing in the midst of the field, the pair realized the crop could be transformed into something even better: unique whiskeys instilled with bold, local flavor.

Black Frost Distilling opened in August 2022 in New Ulm and currently has three full-time and eight part-time employees.

“As a distillery, we are focused on producing a distinct lineup of northern terroir-focused whiskies. My business partner grows all of the grains we use — corn, barley, wheat and rye — at his family farm just outside New Ulm,” Jace Marti said.

In addition to drawing its ingredients from local sources, the distillery also uses area suppliers to malt grains and cooper oak barrels.

“We are currently laying down barrels of whiskey to age, but when we release them in a few years, they will have a unique identity of their own,” Marti said. “Our goal from the onset was to create a lineup of whiskies that would produce exclusively from ingredients that we would grow ourselves or source locally in the Northland.”

The distillery also operates a full-service cocktail room with a complete lineup of regionally sourced spirits.

“We are just getting started, so right now our focus is on ramping up production, fine-tuning our process and laying down as many barrels as we can,” Marti said. “While we patiently wait for our whiskey to mature, we will continue to offer curated cocktails in an inviting space.”

Black Frost Distilling

201 1st St. N

Phone: (507) 233-1805

Web: blackfrostdistilling.com

Facebook: @blackfrostdistilling

Davori Productions/ Mankato Playhouse

David and Lori Holmes cofounded Davori Productions and began producing plays at the Mankato Playhouse in 2019. Between them, the husband and wife team has 55 years of experience in theatre. Their mission is to bring professional quality entertainment to the community, providing an exceptional experience for audience members and volunteers.

“We saw a need for more theater in the community and wanted to provide a theater experience that Mankato was missing,” David Holmes said.

Davori (a play on the Holmes’ first names, David and Lori) Productions relies on the creativity, passion and inspiration of its board of directors and volunteers to fuel its growth and success. With

Holmes said.

Looking ahead to the future, Holmes said Davori Productions has big dreams.

“We are already outgrowing our theater. Our ultimate goal is to be in a position to have a theater big enough to bring bigger bands, comedians, and Broadway tours to Mankato.”

The Mankato Playhouse is located in the Mankato Place Mall on Civic Center Plaza in downtown Mankato. Its first 2023 production will be the Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Assassins” in February.

Davori Productions/Mankato Playhouse

12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 1700

Phone: (507) 317-1245

Web: mankatoplayhouse.com

Sonny + Dot Boutique

Sonny + Dot Boutique takes its name from two of the owners’ family members who left a lasting impression.

“Sonny and Dottie were the living storytellers of the family. They knew everyone’s history and where you came from. They’ve seen it all,” co-owner Amanda Kozitza said. “They left behind a legacy of the true meaning of hard work, dedication and unconditional love. We’ll treasure them always, for they had the wisdom and perspective no one else had.”

This legacy led Kozitza and her mother, Elizabeth Mueller, to follow their dreams and open their own business.

“Together as mother and daughter, we’ve always shared a passion for shopping and fashion. For years we talked about how fun it would be to have our own store and combine our ideas. Then, the opportunity arose, and we jumped at it,” Kozitza said.

Sonny + Dot Boutique opened in 2020 as an online boutique. It grew exponentially and soon required a brick-and-mortar store. The boutique has been operating at its current location on Riverfront Drive in Old Town Mankato since 2021.

As a women’s clothing boutique, Sonny + Dot offers friendly service, fair prices, and styles for sizes XS-3X. It also sells home décor and gifts. The store draws customers primarily from Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa but has visitors from across the country.

“To us, there are many ‘best parts’: watching a customer find a piece they feel great in and are excited to take home, making people smile, and customers that have become friends,” Kozitza said. “We’ve built Sonny + Dot from the ground up, and we’re pretty proud of that.”

All in all, it’s been a satisfying journey for Kozita and Mueller. “We truly enjoy being a part of the community. Our customers mean the world to us, and we’re so thankful for everyone’s support and dedication,” Kozitza said. “Old Town Mankato has been the perfect fit for us, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Sonny + Dot Boutique

511 N Riverfront Dr. Phone: (507) 594-9227

Web: sonnyanddot.com

Facebook: @sonnyanddot

Mankato | Amboy | Eagle Lake Vernon Center | cbfg.net

Fairmont

From Martin County Economic Development: Fairmont recently welcomed the first dermatology clinic in southwest Minnesota with the opening of Southern Minnesota Skin Solutions. Local dermatologist McKenzie Terfehr will provide services in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa through the new clinic.

Restaurateurs Steve and Tina Jette are seeking to sell Bean Town Grill, a popular upscale restaurant in Fairmont. The Jettes, in collaboration with the Martin County EDA and local marketing firm, AD MFG, have launched a digital marketing campaign targeting potential buyers from near and afar.

Mankato

ARTBoards, a new Twin Rivers initiative will use commercial billboard space as ‘artist canvas’ for the art images created by local artists to reflect something meaningful to them about Greater Mankato. ARTBoards was made possible this year by the generous support from Mankato law firm Knutson+Casey. This year’s ARTBoards include five originals, including a unique creation of graffiti for Knutson+Casey, that will be displayed on billboards in the Mankato area for all to enjoy throughout 2023.

Adam Knewtson, Realtor and Accredited Land Consultant has joined Full Sail Commercial Real Estate Full Sail CRE is part of KW Commercial Midwest, a division of Keller Williams Commercial Midwest.

VINE Faith in Action received a $7,500

grant from the Mankato Clinic Foundation to expand Health and Wellness Programming at the VINE Adult Community Center. Although VINE already receives some funding for its caregiver support services, not all counseling is covered. The Mankato Clinic Foundation grant will also help cover those unfunded instances of caregiver counseling.

American Bankers Association has selected David Krause, CEO of Pioneer Bank, to serve on ABA’s Community Bankers Council. Krause attended the ABA Community Bankers Council meeting in Washington in November. ABA’s Community Bankers Council, which meets twice a year, is made up of approximately 100 bankers from across the country from institutions with generally less than $5 billion in assets. Members are appointed by the ABA chair. Knutson Construction is excited to announce that Mankato resident, Collin Bennett was named to the Finance and Commerce Rising Young Professionals 2022 Class. Bennett is a Knutson Construction project manager and started at Knutson in 2015 as an intern while attending Minnesota State University-Mankato’s construction management program. Nominees must have 8 years or less in their business industry and are judged on demonstrated leadership, contributions to their community and successfully achieving positive outcomes early in their careers. Bennett, along with another Knutson Construction employee, virtual design and construction manager Aalayha Robb, were honored at a December event in Minneapolis.

The Mankato Area Foundation recently

released “Philanthropy Review 2022” that reports the Foundation disbursed 626 grants totaling $2,449,479 to nonprofit organizations. Grants included $337,000 to the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, $159,062 to Greater Mankato Area United Way, $90,050 to Minnesota State University, Mankato Foundation and $62,175 to Camp Patterson. Grant totals are up from the $2,025,327 distributed in fiscal year 2021. Children and youth, education and scholarships, and community benefit continue to be the largest focus areas for grants.

New Ulm

The New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes these new Chamber members: Black Frost Distilling, Heartland Tire, Inspire Weddings + Events, New Ulm Financial Services, 3 Saints Contracting , Kibble Equipment , IMPACT to Influence, and Principle Skills Relationship Center . The Chamber is introducing a new leadership series, from January through April called Lead with IMPACT. The Tourism Person of the Year will be recognized at the annual meeting, and the 2023 Business of the Year recipients will be voted on at the annual meeting on January 26.

North Mankato

Brunton Architects & Engineers in North Mankato and Hopkins is celebrating 15 years in business. With their wealth of

experience, they serve multiple markets such as healthcare, financial, retail, and tribal, and they are nationally recognized for their fire station designs. President and CEO, Corey Brunton attributes their success to many things — most importantly nurturing a culture of service based on trust, and creating extraordinary, meaningful designs.

From the City of North Mankato: Construction at the Lor Ray Center, which will house a future Starbucks and Chipotle is expected to be complete in the spring of 2023. The City is excited to welcome Plaza Jalisco Mexican Grill to North Mankato. The facility updates at Caswell Park are wrapping up before the start of the 2023 season. North Mankato Swim Facility pass prices will increase on February 1. Take advantage of the early bird prices before they’re gone. Upcoming City of North Mankato events include: Adult Spelling Bee – Friday, January 27 at the Mankato Brewery; the Anthony Ford Pond Hockey Tournament on January 28 and 29 at Spring Lake Park; Love Your Firefighters Raffle at various North Mankato businesses the month of February, and the Edible Book Festival on Saturday, February 25 at the North Mankato Taylor Library.

Redwood Falls

From the Redwood Falls Chamber of Commerce : Overjoyed , an occasional store with old finds and new designs, Prairie Hemp Products’ new storefront, and the newest eatery, Rubi’s Kitchen Farm to Table restaurant recently opened in downtown Redwood Falls. Dredging of

Lake Redwood is now complete. Redwood Falls is honored to be a future home to one of four State Veterans Cemeteries in Minnesota. Good progress continues on the construction of the State Veterans Cemetery, which is due for completion in the Summer of 2023.

St. James

From the City of St. James: Recently welcomed was Variedades Mi Guate, Arcane Crafts, Building Resilience Counseling, LLC and Regenerative Health Clinic to the St. James business community. Smithfield Foods recently expanded by adding three production lines and a parking lot. The St. James Veterinary Clinic has relocated to 211 First Ave S, made a large investment towards building redevelopment in this move, and plans to expand their service to both small and large animals. Central Farm Service (CFS) has started construction on a new 350,000-ton feed mill in St. James, which is scheduled for completion in 2023. Sharpline has space available for start-up businesses at a very reasonable rental charge. The St. James College and Career Showcase will be held on Tuesday, February 28 at the St. James High School. Businesses, higher education, and community partners will “showcase” their educational and career opportunities to our local students.

Sleepy Eye

The Sleepy Eye EDA , along with the Sleepy Eye Downtown Revitalization

Committee, recently received two $10,000 grants for work on four blocks of the downtown business district. The first grant was awarded from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation through their Small Town Grant Program; the second grant awarded was from the Blandin Foundation through their Rural Leadership Boost Grant. The grant money from SMIF has been used for the Downtown Walking Tour brochure costs on building history and pictures information, online advertising costs, and benches placed along the tour route. The Blandin award will be used for developing another pocket park in the alley next to Veteran’s Park, building murals, flowers and flower rails, and the development of a metal work sculpture contest.

Waseca

Keen Bank recently made a $5,000 donation to the Waseca Area Food Shelf to help fund their building addition for their local food shelf. Grand Opening was held at the Food Shelf on December 8.

Winnebago

From the City of Winnebago : OPS Clinic recently opened on Main Street in Winnebago. OPS is a “fee for services medical clinic” offering a wide variety of services including several lab tests and physicals/screenings, DOT physicals and multiple laboratory services. OPS also provides customizable family and business health plans.

An Iron Will

After decades of running an internationallyrenowned business and contributing countless significant financial gifts to the community, one might expect Denny Dotson, owner of Dotson Iron Castings, to be a bit of a self-taught fiscal mastermind. But Dotson always credits his childhood friend-turned-attorney, Jack Regan, with the best financial advice he has ever received.

“Estate and will planning are incredibly difficult and emotional,” Dotson said. “When you’re writing a will, you don’t know if you are writing something for three, 10, or 20 years down the road. Plus, you want to donate charitably, but there’s also concern for your children and grandchildren. How do you even begin to balance all of that?”

According to Dotson, Regan provided a remarkably straightforward answer to this common conundrum.

“Jack looked at Carole and me and said, ‘You grew up in Mankato, and you benefited from this community,’” Dotson said. “‘So why don’t you

Denny & Carole Dotson

treat Mankato as an additional child? You have four kids, but treat this community as your fifth.’”

And with that idea in mind, Dotson’s philanthropic goals have been simplified and solidified ever since.

“It’s easy. Our will says that 20% of whatever we have left will go to this community via the charitable experts at Mankato Area Foundation,” Dotson said. “And I give that same advice to anyone who will listen.”

According to Nancy Zallek, president and CEO of the Mankato Area Foundation, Dotson has been a maverick and a remarkably influential supporter of the Foundation’s work for decades.

“Whenever we have or are approached with a new and exciting idea, Denny is one of the first people I call,” Zallek said. “And not only does he support the ideas; he is usually the one to tell us to think even bigger.”

Some of these projects have included helping to establish the Children’s Museum

of Southern Minnesota, funding Mankato Youth Place (MY Place), and helping to develop Shared Spaces – A Center for Nonprofit Collaboration that is available to numerous local and regional organizations.

“I strongly believe that giving should be fun,” Dotson said. “And giving in Mankato is always fun.”

When asked to describe how MAF makes philanthropy function for him and his family today, Dotson replied with one word: “Easy.”

“I can so confidently trust the Foundation and its staff to be aware of what’s happening and what the needs are in the community, as well as how those needs change over time,” Dotson said. “They are involved in absolutely everything. Between all of that and the extraordinary back-office support, MAF makes philanthropy easy. And when it’s easy, it’s extra fun.”

This is also why Dotson trusts his longterm planned giving to be managed by MAF.

“I can’t predict what the needs of the

community will be 30 or 40 years from now, but the Foundation will always be adapting and responding to those needs,” Dotson said. “Between their staff and our kids’ future involvement in managing our donor advised fund, we can trust that our gifts will continue to be put to good use long after we’re gone.”

So when asked about the advice Dotson gives to those trying to determine their own unique ways to give, he returned to the wisdom of Jack Regan.

“Every parent wants their kids to have all their needs met and to live happy and healthy lives,” Dotson said. “So what if we all treated our community with that same level of care? Personally, I think the results would be pretty gosh darn magical.”

Nancy Zallek MANKATO AREA FOUNDATION