Cover Story

The Wisconsin native first discovered his love for team dynamics in high school, playing on the football team. He pursued that passion into college, playing as the tight-end on the college football team for four years even though his school didn’t offer football scholarships. After he graduated, he looked for a job that could offer him that same team spirit, and he found it in a rather surprising place: Walmart.

Business Person of the Year 2016

The 1800s were a century of great discovery, exploration, resourcefulness and achievement. Millions of immigrants arrived in America, drawn by the country’s promise of equality and freedom. While some settled in established cities along the East Coast, others braved untamed wilderness as they pushed farther west into states such as Wisconsin, Indiana—and Minnesota.

Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Judy Garland. These were some of some of the elusive “triple threats” of the Hollywood Golden Age, leaving a legacy thanks to their equally impressive acting, dancing and singing skills. While you won’t see her on the big screen, Nicole Griensewic Mickelson is another “triple threat.” For her, it’s the experience she brings to the table from her time in the private, the nonprofit and the public sectors.

The Verizon Wireless Center, located in the heart of downtown Mankato, is a thing of multi-faceted beauty. Built in 1995 for $23 million, it has blossomed into one of the very anchors of the city itself, more than repaying its initial costs thanks to the roughly $47 million in economic activity it generates each year.

2015 Business Person of the Year

According to 54-year-old President/CEO Steve VanRoekel of Mankato-based, $568 million (2014 revenues) Ridley Inc., the business he leads doesn’t manufacture animal feed per se, but more the high-tech nutritional ingredients and supplements that go into making other animal feed better—similar to the way Intel chips make computers manufactured by others faster and better.