Four inspiring role models are honored as pillars of Wisconsin’s economic landscape
WBHF LogoLaureates 2014
Terry Growcock
The Manitowoc Company
Marvin Schuette
Wausau Homes
William Specht
Cousins Submarines, Inc.
Nathaniel Zelazo
Astronautics Corporation
of America
Milwaukee – Four laureates will be inducted into the prestigious Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Thursday, April 10, 2014 which celebrates business and entrepreneurship!
The celebration will be kicked off by Jim Popp, President of Chase Wisconsin and Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame Honorary Committee Chair, welcoming over 500 to The Pfister Hotel. Lori Stortz, Managing Partner at McGladrey, will present the toast during a 5:15 PM Laureate Reception. The Induction Ceremony, emceed by Kimberly Kane, Co-Founder and Vice President of Mediaspirits will highlight personal stories, business insight and terrific media presentations of all the laureates!
Each year, legendary business leaders are honored at the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Benefit Dinner, with proceeds benefiting Junior Achievement. Established in 1990, the Hall of Fame honors individuals whose business innovations, effective management and civic involvement made a difference in companies and communities throughout the state. The laureates are also recognized for the high standards they set as role models for Wisconsin’s young people. The laureates inducted this year are innovative business leaders who have positively shaped Wisconsin’s business climate.
“It is our honor to induct these distinguished Laureates into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame,” said Tim Greinert, President of Junior Achievement of Wisconsin. “They created better, more productive lives for their employees who became family. Fashioned new and innovative ways of doing business; and set extraordinary goals, and then exceeded them. These Laureates are exceptional role models for Wisconsin’s young people.”
Several other awards will also be presented at the ceremony, including Helen Johnson-Leipold, Chairman and CEO of Johnson Outdoors, Inc., as the Distinguished Executive sponsored by Wells Fargo, and Cecelia Gore, Executive Director for Milwaukee Brewers Community Foundation as the Peak Performer sponsored by Potawatomi Bingo Casino.
Carter Drake will also be presented with the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Ernst & Young (EY) and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Carter Drake launched his business, Dreamscape Landscaping, when he was just 15-years-old, providing a prime example of the outstanding entrepreneurship opportunities in Wisconsin.
Past inductees to the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame include Robert E. Harlan of The Green Bay Packers, Pleasant Rowland of American Girl, Frederick Stratton, Jr. of Briggs & Stratton, Richard Teerlink of Harley-Davidson, Inc., John Stollenwerk of Allen Edmonds Shoe Company, Don Schneider of Schneider Trucking, Bud Selig of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club and Oscar Mayer.
The Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame exhibit, sponsored by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and housed at the Junior Achievement Kohl’s Education Center, functions as an interactive showcase of the more than 100 inductees. The exhibit features interactive iPad displays, energy graphics, and multimedia wall. The result is a dynamic experience that makes the stories of Wisconsin business leaders come alive for visitors and the more than 20,000 visitors annually including students.
Special thanks to FIS, Associate Sponsor of the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presenting Sponsor, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and reception sponsor, McGladrey.
Event proceeds benefit Junior Achievement. Junior Achievement gives young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. In Wisconsin, Junior Achievement involves more than 168,000 students in over 8,000 classrooms annually. The network of Junior Achievement volunteers share their skills and personal and professional experiences to make learning come to life. For more information, please visit http://wisconsin.ja.org or call 414.577.3830.
