Drum Roll, Please!

Our scholarly judges from Minnesota State University College of Business have selected Mike Pinske as our Business Person of the Year. Congratulations, Mike! They worked from a stellar list of nominees emailed in by our readers in September. Nominees were judged according to personal character, business results, leadership, and community involvement.

Pinske owns Mankato-based AmeriCare Mobility Van, and has been president of the Minnesota R-80 Medical Transportation Coalition and the R-80 representative on the governor-sponsored Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Advisory Council. His employees transport people to and from medical-related appointments in 14 southern Minnesota counties.

Their second-place choice was Julie Schmillen of South Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, who has helped about 100 families inside our reading area since the mid-‘90s construct their own homes. Earning third place this year was Brian Benshoof of MRCI WorkSource, which has seen an explosion in growth and income the last few years.

Finally—and hold your high hats—this was the second year straight our highest award belonged to an owner of a 53-employee business. In 2013, Wayne Kahler of 53-employee Kahler Automation (Fairmont) earned front-cover bragging rights. This year, it’s Mike Pinske of 53-employee AmeriCare Mobility Van. In case someone asks, “53” also was the uniform number of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale and the number on Herbie the Love Bug’s hood.

Sursum ad summum,
Daniel J. Vance
Editor