Connect Business Magazine

Since 1994: The Magazine for Growing Businesses in Southern Minnesota

Author Archive

Volk Electric

Mar 2010 • Category: Feature Story

Although an electrician by trade, Brian Grey is a storyteller by temperament. Seated in a St. Peter restaurant to avoid interruption by employees, he fueled himself with more than a pot of decaf coffee as he related anecdotes about his life and his business.



Jerry Dulas

Jan 2010 • Category: Feature Story

Business Person of the Year 2010 – Runner-Up

Jerry Dulas is much more comfortable moving dirt from the seat of an excavator cab than sitting at an office table answering a magazine writer’s questions. That’s why his daughter, Tanya Pierce, offered to buffer the experience by joining in the interview. It was Tanya who nominated her father for Connect Business Magazine Business Person of the Year 2010, somewhat to his dismay.



Easy Automation

Nov 2009 • Category: Feature Story

“Many businesses manufacture hardware, many produce software; we do both,” said Mark Gaalswyk, owner and CEO of Easy Automation, Inc. “Our business hits dead center on the line where those two meet.”



Lake Region Times

Sep 2009 • Category: Feature Story

Since the early 1700s, when John Peter Zenger was tried for seditious libel (and exonerated), American journalists have been willing to go to jail to uphold the principles of a free press. Jerry Groebner, the editor and publisher of the Lake Region Times, has taken the journalistic tradition to a new level.



All Pro Media

Jul 2009 • Category: Feature Story

Although not knowing it, movie producer George Lucas is responsible for the creation and growth of a video production company in Mankato. Rob Petersen, co-owner of All Pro Media LLC, saw his first Star Wars movie in 1977 and said, “I want to do that.



Great Plains Transportation Services

May 2009 • Category: Feature Story

17-employee Fairmont business excels in little-known industry.
Photo by Jeff Silker
The business partnership represented by a windmill logo may be one of the best-kept secrets in southern Minnesota, even though the partnership provides multi-faceted services to a variety of clients. Other area business owners and entrepreneurs don’t necessarily know about it, despite its location on Fairmont’s main drag, [...]