Rise to The Highest

Several Connect Business Magazine readers have inquired about sursum ad summum, the phrase I have been placing atop my signature below. Translated, this Latin means, “Rise to the Highest,” and was the official motto of my Ohio high school, Walnut Hills. “Rise to the Highest” seems more than appropriate this issue because we honor three deserving finalists of our 2012 Business Person of the Year award. Each has drive to rise high.

In September, we called for nominations. Our panel of Minnesota State College of Business professors chose Dan and Angie Bastian of Angie’s Kettle Corn as our 2012 Business Person of the Year—it would have been criminal honoring one without the other—with Bill Eckles of BEVCOMM placing second and Brian Maciej of Lime Valley Advertising third.

The Bastians personify sursum ad summum. Starting in their backyard a decade ago with little more than a tent, iron kettle, and pure popping passion, they now have about 180 carbonated employees in North Mankato crafting Angie’s Kettle Corn for hungry hearts. It’s America’s second-best selling kettle corn.

So let’s celebrate our eighth annual Business Person of the Year award with a big bang—er, pop!  Congratulations, Dan and Angie, on a job being done well. And thanks to everyone emailing in nominations. If your particular nominee missed out, be sure to try again next year.

Sursum ad summum,
Daniel J. Vance
Editor