Greater Mankato Growth Volunteer of the Year Award: Andrew Willaert

     Andrew Willaert has long been committed to efforts that enhance our community. 

     Andrew was born in Mankato and grew up in Le Sueur. He attended St. John’s University and went on to receive his Juris Doctor at William Mitchell College of Law.  Andrew returned to Mankato in 1985 and began practicing law, joining the firm of Gislason & Hunter in 1991.

     Andrew has been married to his wife Anne for 23 years. They have three children, twin girls Alicia and Andrea and a son Ryan. As a family, the Willaerts are very involved in the community. Anne and Andrew have actively supported their children’s educations and extra-curricular activities, as well as their church. 

Andrew’s many volunteer activities include serving as a Leave-a-Legacy Attorney Advisor, Anthony Ford Foundation Board Member, Rotary Member, YWCA Board of Directors Member, Greater Mankato Business Accelerator Council Member and Advisor and City Center Business Association Council Chairperson. 

     Andrew has been involved in City Center Renaissance activities for many years. As the Chair of the new City Center Business Association Council, Andrew’s positive outlook and collaborative style have helped establish a cohesive structure for the new council and its committees. 

     Andrew has also been instrumental in helping connect our area’s start-up businesses with the resources they need – through his involvement in the Greater Mankato Business Accelerator. In addition to sitting on the Accelerator’s board, Andrew generously provides valuable legal advice to both organization and its entrepreneurial client whenever asked. 

     Andrew enjoys seeing businesses incubate, grow and thrive in the community.  Ask him why he volunteers and Andrew will tell you - it doesn't seem like volunteering spending his time on things he enjoys and has an interest in.  Fortunately for Greater Mankato, he has a strong interest in enhancing our community and that is why he is this year's Greater Mankato Growth Volunteer of the Year.

Hap Halligan Leadership Award: Dr. Janet Moldstad

      Dr. Janet Moldstad exhibits a passion for leadership education, mentoring and our community. She was born in Madison, Wisconsin and grew up in Millwaukee, Wisconsin and Rochester, New York.  She holds an Associates Degree from Bethany Lutheran College, Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from St. Olaf College, MBA in Strategic Management and Organization from the Carlson School of Management and Ph.D. in Applied Management, with an Emphasis in Leadership and Organizational Change from Walden University.  From 1986 to 1995 she worked at Fingerhut, rising to the ranks of Marketing Director.

    Since 2000 she’s served as a Professor and Glen Taylor Chair for Business and Leadership at Bethany Lutheran College. She developed Bethany’s Student Leadership Institute and was recently instrumental in the development of the Greater Mankato Collegiate Leadership Academy, a cooperative program of Greater Mankato Growth and five area colleges.  Her dedication to the building of this new program was so great that even while she was on sabbatical in China, she made certain she was involved in planning meetings by teleconferencing or Skyping in from abroad, often at 2 am China time.

     Janet has been a constant advocate for connecting students to business and leadership experiences, often having students work on real world projects with organizations in the community, including Greater Mankato Growth. Many former students of Janet’s from around Greater Mankato, continue to look to Janet as a mentor.

     A graduate of Leaderships Institute of Greater Mankato, Janet says the program taught her that collective effort, facilitated by strong leadership, can create opportunities that have broad-reaching and lasting benefits in the community. Since graduating from the program, Janet has continued to remain active in the Leadership Institute, providing opportunities for future students.     

     A strong believer that education is a lifelong process, Janet is involved in educational programs for all ages - from Junior Achievement for youngsters to the Sakatah Institute Executive Education Program for seasoned professionals. 

    Ask Janet what makes a good leader and she’ll tell you a good leader first sees what they do as something bigger than themselves, and are first and foremost oriented toward serving.  A leader must have vision, courage, integrity and conviction; be flexible, supportive and humble; they need to listen, take risks and admit their mistakes, while having the ability and maturity to consciously and continuously set their own interest aside. 

     For her personification of great leadership, Dr. Janet Moldstad is the deserving recipient of this year’s Hap Halligan Leadership Award.

Jennifer Faust

Kate Loging

Young Professional of the Year Award: Kate Loging and Jennifer Faust

     The future of our community rests on the shoulders of today’s young leaders. In the spirit of recognizing the accomplishments of young professionals two outstanding women have become rising stars in our community through their involvement and participation is making Greater Mankato more welcoming to young people. Jennifer Faust and Kate Loging are perfect examples of leadership through service and dedication to the community.

     Jennifer Faust grew up in Amboy MN and graduated with degree in Social Work from Winona State University. Following school she did a variety of things in places as far off as Mexico before returning to Southern MN and working as a Professional Sales Consultant at Snell Motors. She currently is the associate director of admissions at Rasmussen College.  She resides in Mankato with her husband Scott and spoiled Chihauhau Ben.  

     Jennifer is an actively involved in the Mankato Noon Exchange Club, serving as the MN district representative, Greater Mankato United Way, Hosanna Lutheran Church, Minnesota River Builders Association, Martin Luther King Pathfinder Committee, Susan B. Kolman Cure for Cancer Race, Greater Mankato Growth Cavaliers, Greater Mankato Collegiate Leadership Academy and Greater Mankato Young Professionals.

     Jennifer was a driving force for starting the Greater Mankato Young Professionals. After seeing a need to give young professionals an opportunity to contribute more in the business environment and make contacts with other young professionals, she joined forces with Greater Mankato Growth and rallied a team of other young leaders to build this new group, which brought in 100 new members in its first four months!        Jennifer believes the true meaning of success is creating a life with meaning through service. She truly feels that the greatest achievements in life are those that benefit others.

    Kate Loging grew up in San Diego, California and Luverne, Minnesota. She resides in Mankato with her husband of two years Jon and Labradoodle puppy Max, and enjoys visiting her parents in Arizona.  

     Kate holds a Bachelors Degree in Communication Studies from the College of St. Catherine, a Masters in Speech Communication from MSU Mankato and is pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at St. Mary’s. Her work experience includes leadership roles at the Chamber of Commerce in Huron, South Dakota (home to the word’s largest pheasant), the Greater Mankato Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Mankato Chamber of Commerce and Sedona, Arizona Chamber of Commerce.  She currently works for Eide Bailly as a Marketing & Business Development Manager and says “who knew accountants could be so much fun!.  At Eide Bailly Kate created and oversees the firm’s community art gallery. She is also involved in a variety of other community activities, including Mankato March of Dimes, Junior Achievement, YWCA of Mankato, Zonta Club, Marketing Association of Southern Minnesota, Greater Mankato Growth Cavaliers, Marketing Taskforce, Dues Committee and Great River Energy Bicycle Festival Committee. Kate is also active in judging Speech and Debate Tournaments, a passion that has taken her as far as China. 

     When asked what it means to be an exemplary Young Professional, Kate says it’s being actively engaged in the community, open to learning and teaching, and using your strengths and abilities to make their home a better place to live and work.

   In all of their efforts to improve the community of Greater Mankato these Young professionals have become tireless advocates and a face for the energy and passion young people bring to our community. Their shared belief that the greatest achievements in life are those that benefit others is a testament to their capacity to make our community better for many years to come. We are truly fortunate to have people in our community like Jennifer and Kate and believe that their shining examples make them perfect recipients of the 2008 Greater Mankato Growth Young Professional of the Year Award.

Brian Fazio Business-Education Partnership Award: South Central College Mechatronics Program

     South Central College has long provided its students with the education they need for employment, while at the same time meeting the changing workforce talent needs of employers. As SCC Foundation Board member Jo Bailey put it, “I have always been impressed by how quickly South Central College can develop programs and curriculum that address real employment needs in the area.”  South Central has done just that, with the creation of a new first-of-its-kind Mechatronics Program. 

     The idea for SCC’s Mechatronics program started with Dennis Siemer, CEO and President of V-TEK.  As SCC’s Electronics program closed due to a loss in enrollments, Dennis envisioned a program that combined a broader cross-section of skills employers needed - and worked with industry partners and the college to define the required workforce talents. 

     SCC’s Dean of Engineering and Construction Technology, Dr. Suzanne Nordbloom worked in collaboration with a number of electronics manufacturing leaders to determine their specific need for electronics technicians that possess skills in electronics, mechanics, pneumatics, hydraulics and computer control systems – and the Mechatronics program was born. A dedicated group of volunteers then came together to draft the programs curriculum. Once the program was defined, the group realized there was high employer demand for the program, but it would not be able to be launched until 2010, as the deadline for state allocations for 2009 had passed. 

     It was then that several key industry partners stepped up to provide the financial backing to enable the program in the Fall of 2009. These partners companies include Dotson Company, EI Microcircuits, Emerson Network Power Connectivity Solutions, Itron of Waseca, Kato Cable, MICO, Inc., MRG Tool and Die, Thin Film Technology and V-TEK, Inc. As a result of this support, the Mechantronics program was able to hire its first instructor: Douglas Laven, SCC alum, past faculty member and former President and CEO of V-TEK, who is preparing the program to launch fall, 2009.  Another key partner who helped make this program and others a reality is the Minnesota Center for Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence.       The Mechatronics program, an Associate of Applied Science degree is designed to be completed within two years and graduates of the program will find challenging and well-paid work through our region in a variety of environments. 

For once again being responsive to the needs of employers and students in program development, the South Central College Mechatronics Program is receiving this year’s Brian Fazio Business-Education Partnership Award. 

Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Contessa Restaurant

     Wendy Anderson has a passion for great dining, organic food and downtowns.  In starting Contessa Fine Dining she has brought all three to Mankato. 

     Wendy great up in Southern Minnesota and attended Mankato State University.  She has lived in both large and small communities from Minneapolis to Texas, but returned to Mankato in 2005 because it was the perfect balance of site location and beauty.

      Wendy dreamed of starting an organic fine dining restaurant in downtown Mankato after an InterCity Leadership Visit as well as seeing the vision Mike Brennan had for the Landkamer Building. Despite people constantly telling Wendy that Mankato was too small for something like Contessa, she has grown the business to 30 employees in less than three years.

      Wendy’s passion and perseverance to bring organic and preservative free fair to Mankato in a classy place where people can “taste the difference” in the heart of the city center, is the reason that Contessa Fine Dining is Greater Mankato Growth’s recipient of the Entrepreneurial Business Award.

Tony Frentz

John Fritz

Distinguished Business Award: Frentz Construction

         Frentz Construction has a strong commitment to the Greater Mankato area – demonstrated through both business and personal endeavors. 

     In 1999 after owning and running 5 Bagel Brothers stores, Tony Frentz found that while he liked running the businesses, his passion was actually building them. In 2000 he started River Bend Construction with the goal of building high quality custom homes.  In 2004 Tony changed the name of the company to Frentz Construction and made John Fritz (an employee since the inception) the Vice President and part owner. 

     Since that time, Frentz Construction has received the Minnesota River Builders Association  “Dream Home” designation for the past three years.

     In 2005 Frentz Construction also started renovating commercial buildings and as a result added several new employees. They like to treat their employees as working with them and not just for them, always encouraging employees to take time off as needed for family and community events.  Frentz also uses many environmentally friendly building practices and is focused on renovating buildings whenever possible instead of tearing them down and rebuilding.

     A life-long resident, Tony Frentz has brought his business expertise and passion for downtown redevelopment to many community projects.  In 2006 Tony played a key role in the City Center Renaissance Task Force and the creation of a blue print for revitalization of Greater Mankato’s downtown Core. The following year he also served on the Cultural Arts and Community Enhancement Task Force.  He now carries on his commitment as a current council member for the recently-created City Center Business Association.

     Tony and Frentz Construction are having a direct impact on the physical appearance of the City Center through his redevelopment efforts, including his own Cherry Street office building, the Graif Building and Emy Frentz Arts Guild. 

     Tony worked with Shannon Robinson from the Twin River Center for the Arts to create the Emy Frentz Arts Guild, named in honor of his mother, an artist, who passed away in 1990.  Tony purchased an old church building on Second Street and restored the interior to accommodate artist studios and office space for Twin Rivers.  Opening in December 2007, the Emy Frentz Arts Guild has quickly become a showpiece for Arts & Culture development in the City Center.

     The Frentz office on Cherry Street is a shining example of storefront revitalization and reusing existing space in the City Center, with the spaces above the office remodeled into high-quality, affordable apartments.

     Frentz’s most recent project is the redevelopment of the historic Graif Building, purchased with business partner Rob Else. They are not just renovating the structure, they are maintaining the historical integrity of the building, while creating beautiful spaces for existing businesses as well as innovative spaces for new entrepreneurial ventures. Restoring the Graif Building to its original splendor is making a significant contribution to the revitalization of our City Center as a whole.

Distinguished Business: Angie’s Kettle Corn

     At nearly every Greater Mankato community event, from a Moondog’s game to Viking’s training camp to Songs on the Lawn, one taste has been constant: Angie’s Kettle Corn.

     Owners Dan and Angie Bastian started the company in 2001 as a mobile food unit traveling to outdoor site and events, and in 2002 became the official kettle corn of the Minnesota Vikings. In 2003 they began popping indoors at Ray’s Market and launched their wholesale operations locally at Ray’s Market and St. Peter Food Coop. In 2004 Angie’s expanded their wholesale operations to the Twin Cities Market, offering their product at Byerly’s/Lunds, Kowalski’s, Whole Foods and Various Co-ops. In 2005 they expanded manufacturing with a loan from the North Mankato Port Authority and moved into a small building on Belgrade Avenue. 

     In 2007 Angie’s entered into a distribution agreement with old Dutch Foods, who began delivering Angie’s regionally to Cub Foods, Hy-Vee, Colburns and CashWise stores throughout the Upper Midwest. Also, In 2007, with support from Voyager Bank, North Mankato Port Authority, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation and Region 9 Angie’s moved to North Port Industrial Center in the Kaye Corporation Building. 

      In 2008 Angie’s Kettle Corn was launched regionally in Whole Foods throughout the Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Toronto and Kansas City Metro areas.  Angie’s also recently opened a Research and Development Facility for the purpose of developing new products.

      Angie’s sweet and salty perfection has gained national attention – featured a variety of media outlets from Fox Sports to the Rachael Ray Show, where Angie’s Kettle Corn was featured twice as the Snack of the Day. 

      Angie’s was honored with the 2005 Greater Mankato Entrepreneur of the Year Award.  Since then, their success and the popularity of their product have continued to grow. In 2005, Angie’s was producing 2000-3000 bags of kettle corn a week. Today they can produce as much as 25,000 bags a day. They believe a quality product begins with quality ingredients and use the finest Mid-western grown raw materials: popcorn, sugar and corn oil, supporting regional farmers, industry, and sustainable agriculture.  Dan and Angie are so committed to their product and customers, that you find Dan’s personal cell phone number on each bag of Angie’s Kettle Corn.

     Even with the tremendous growth that Angie’s Kettle Corn has seen Dan & Angie still maintain a strong commitment to their customers, employees and community and for this reason we are proud to recognize Angie’s kettle corn as the recipient of the

2008 Distinguished Business Award. 

Greater Mankato Business Hall of Fame: Pathstone Living

     For more than 80 years Pathstone Living, formerly the Mankato Lutheran home, has provided a retirement community for the Mankato Area with an exemplary commitment to quality and comfort for the elder members of our community.

     More than 80 years ago a group of pioneers had the foresight to plan for the retirement of the community. In 1937 that vision took shape in the building of the Mankato Lutheran Home. The 39 bed facility opened its doors to the women of our community next to the beautiful and tranquil setting of Sibley Park. Since that time the facility has expanded to serve 450 people in all aspects of the ageing population and today employs more than 215 people that serve this growing part of our community. 

     Pathstone is proud to offer a wide variety of professional, health care and service jobs, with a focus on employee development opportunities, including:$7,500 in scholarships to employees annually, 2,100 hours of employee training programs annually, Minimum of 8 hours of education per employee per year, Registered Nurses solely dedicated to internal training, Employee-to-employee mentoring, Employee Wellness Programs and Internships for students. 

     Pathstone Living was the first facility to provide assisted living in Greater Mankato and also began the first community Home Care Agency for our community in the 1980s. Today Pathstone serves more than 100 clients in their homes in addition to their on-site residents. Pathstone Living also provides a vibrant community facility of ageing residents to socialize, as well as short and long term therapeutic rehabilitation, memory care, and wellness & technology classes for older adults. 

     In 2007 the Pathstone living raised $1.3 million for a new addition to their facility and opened the Pathstone Café to provide a place for residents and the public to meet . 

     Pathstone Living employees and residents are also involved is many Greater Mankato community initiatives. These include the Greater Mankato Growth Board of directors, Salvation Army, Kiwanis, Rotarians, Junior Achievement, SCC Foundation board, March of Dimes, Leave a Legacy, and Nursing programs at area colleges and universities. Additionally, the site also serves as the polling site for Precinct 10, participates in an enrichment program at Dakota Meadows, and provides an opportunity for more than 600 hours of community service a year for its residents.

     With its strong commitment to our community and the opportunity it provide for a growing population in the greater Mankato area we are pleased to have Pathstone Living join the Greater Mankato Business Hall of Fame.

GMG Business Hall of Fame: Kaye Corporation

     Even though Kaye Corporation is one of the largest outdoor Power equipment Manufacturers in the United States, it has had the constant mission to promote local businesses and retailers across the country.

     Kaye Corporation was founded in Mankato in 1944 by Herman Miller. Naming the company for his wife, Kaye, the company primarily did business in the Automotive and Sporting good fields from an office on N. Front St. through the 1960’s serving most of Southern Minnesota.

     Pat Brunner became the General manager of Kaye Corporation and laid the groundwork for a national distribution company by buying the Snapper line in 1961. After the passing of Herman Miller in 1967 Brunner purchased the company and was joined by Marlin Lloyd in 1965.  Lloyd purchased the company from Brunner in 1982.

     Kaye Corporation continued to grow and in 1986 moved operations to Eden Prairie. In 1994 the company relocated to a 54,000 sq. foot facility in North Mankato and became one of the first tenets of the New Northport Industrial Park.

     By 2001 the company was able to secure the Country Clipper & Hustler lines of lawn movers after deciding to part ways with Snapper in 2000. The Lloyd family was also able to purchase the Aluma Trailer company in Bancroft Iowa in 2000 and in doing so has been able to bring hundred of companies & retailers to the Greater Mankato Area to do business in the past 8 years.

     The Lloyd family has been a cornerstone in the Greater Mankato Community for more than 40 years. In that time the three children of Marley & Judi have completed their educations in the Mankato School system and MSU Mankato. Marley has also served as an Ambassador for the chamber of commerce and was a member of the Valley Industrial Development corporation prior to the two combining to form Greater Mankato Growth. He was also instrumental in bringing Caswell Park to North Mankato and is a member of the Mankato & Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame.

     Kaye Corporation has been active in the chamber of commerce for more than 30 years and over the past 26 years has been recognized by numerous communities and companies for industry achievements. Most recently they have been awarded the Top Sales Award for 2007 & 2008 by Country Clipper and Hustler Companies.

     By combining steady growth and exemplary commitment to the community Kaye Corporation is a truly welcome addition to the

Greater Mankato Business Hall of Fame.

GMCVB Volunteer of the Year Award: 2008 NAFA Local Organizing Committee

     When a national tournament comes into town, the community needs to come together to ensure its success and hopefully the return of the tournament.  In 2008, the North American Fastpitch Association came to our community for a national men’s fast pitch world series.  Putting in countless hours, a local organizing committee planned for and ran the tournament.  The committee, consisting of Steve Hill, Dick Fehlandt, Jack Norman and Lynette Peterson were instrumental in making the 2008 World Series the “best ever” according to the Tournament Planner. Going so far as to say, “The committee was the best repeat host committee that we have ever had in the history of NAFA.”   

     Planning for the 2008 NAFA World Series began in 2006, and continued right up until the tournament at Caswell Park in North Mankato from August 14th through the 24th, during which the committee put in more than 500 hours.

      Teams from all over the United States and Canada participated in the event, filling our hotel rooms and bringing business to our restaurants, bars and other businesses in Greater Mankato. The economic impact during the 8 days the tournament was held totaled an estimated $1.4 million, and could not have been possible without the help and support of the committee. The Greater Mankato Convention & Visitors Bureau and the City of North Mankato hope to host this event again in 2011.

      With many thanks, the Greater Mankato Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to name the NAFA Local Organizing Committee as the 2008 Convention & Visitors Bureau Volunteers of the Year.

Hospitality Award:  Quality 1 Hr. Foto – Sport PiX

     A picture’s worth a thousand words…and getting the word out about all Greater Mankato has to offer is a quality truly appreciated about Quality One Hour Foto and Sports Pix. 

     Established in 1982, Quality One Hour Foto has grown from 3 employees to 16. Quality 1 Hour Foto is a family-run business, with Brian Fowler, his wife Karen and daughters Bridget, Beth and Jessica all working in the business.  Other family members also help out during the holiday season and at peak times.  The two businesses, Quality 1 Hr Foto and Sports Pix also boast many long-term employees, who have been with the company for 12 to 20 years.   

     The business has continually expanded.  In 2004 he helped daughter Bridget start Sport PiX to provide service to athletics in our community.  Sport PiX now photographs three major colleges in the area, many high school sporting events and most regional events.

     It is almost a given that if there’s a community event, you’ll see someone there from Quality One Hour Photo-Sport PiX capturing the moment.  Because of Brian’s strong commitment to community, he has provided countless high-quality photos to not only the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau, but many other community organizations as well to use in promoting all Greater Mankato has to offer.  Without these photos, the CVB would not have the quality of marketing materials we have today and for this reason we are honoring him with the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau Hospitality Award. 

Hospitality Award: Morgan Creek Vineyards

     Morgan Creek Vineyards, established in 1993, enjoyed its first vintage season the fall of 1998 and the opening of Minnesota's only underground winery. Specializing in growing and producing German, French, and American style wines, including Minnesota cold-hardy varieties, Morgan Creek Vineyards offers a cycle of seasonal events that celebrate the joy of living and the art of fine winemaking. 

     Morgan Creek Vineyards, and specifically owner Paula Marti, have created a special destination for visitors to the Greater Mankato area. Morgan Creek Vineyards has hosted many bus tours, spousal tours, and special events at the vineyard always going the extra mile to make visitors feel welcome.  From weekly summer events to popular annual grape stomp to the Annual Grape stomp, Morgan Creek Vineyards always goes above and beyond to enhance the visitor’s experience.  Because of this, the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau is always confident recommending them to visitors, knowing they will be well taken care of and want to return to the area in the future.

     Morgan Creek Vineyards has also enhanced the efforts of the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau by hosting a festive night out for attendees of the Bioenergy Days Conference and a reception for the Explore Minnesota Tourism State Conference. 

As a true tourism advocate, we are pleased to honor Morgan Creek Vineyards with the Convention and Visitors Bureau Hospitality Award.

Bring it Home Award: Minnesota Valley Sweet Adelines 

     Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances. Since 1945, this independent, nonprofit music education association is one of the world's largest singing organizations for women. Harmonize the World is the organization's motto. 

     The MN Valley Sweet Adelines, chartered in 1975, is one of twenty chapters of the Can-Am Region 6. Geographically this region covers the lower parts of Manitoba and Ontario in Canada as well as North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and northern Iowa.     

     Each year a convention is held in one city in the Region 6 area.

The local Sweet Adelines group has strived for many years to bring this convention to Greater Mankato.  Through the hard work and dedication of Carol Grimmer and Mary Lou Kudela, Greater Mankato will host this convention in May of 2009. With over 600 potential registrants, this group will create an economic impact in the Greater Mankato community of approximately $215,000 during their 3 day stay. Because of their passion and drive to bring this event to Greater Mankato, they are receiving this year’s Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau Bring It Home Award.