In Business Madison celebrated the Capital Region’s most successful organizations and executives, honored family businesses, and welcomed four new members to our Executive Hall of Fame at IB’s second annual Business of the Year Awards ceremony, held Dec. 9 at the Edgewater Hotel in Madison.
A panel of local business leaders honored in the past chose the winners, finalists, and Hall of Famers. In addition to the Hall of Fame, award categories included Business of the Year (1-50 employees, 51-100 employees, and more than 100 employees); Corporate Citizen of the Year; Executive of the Year; and a new category, Family Business of the Year.
Judges reviewed the nominations of organizations headquartered in Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock, or Sauk counties. One winner and several finalists were selected in each category.
Each company was evaluated on the following criteria: growth, profitability, and charitable contributions. Meanwhile, each Executive of the Year applicant was assessed on contributions to the organization’s growth and profitability, demonstrated leadership, and involvement in charitable endeavors.
A special mention is due to three entrants that earned acknowledgement in multiple categories: Vitense Golfland, the winner in the small business category and a finalist in the family business category; Hooper Corp., winner of Corporate Citizen of the Year Award and a finalist in the 100+ employee category; and Doug Sina of JT Engineering, our Executive of the Year winner whose company was a finalist for Corporate Citizen of the Year.
Thanks to our judges for their time and expertise in assessing the nominees.
HALL OF FAME
Julie Bogle
Fierce friend of family businesses
Julie Bogle has been retired for more than a year, but her advocacy for family businesses will be felt for a long time. Her support of the family businesses that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, represent 32% of all Wisconsin businesses, is a primary reason she was selected for the In Business Madison Hall of Fame.
“Family businesses are often the cornerstones of their communities,” Bogle says. “They feed their employees’ families, pay for the kids’ braces, and send them off to college. They donate time and money to the local volunteer firefighters, the Little League team, and the cheerleading squad. They deserve all the admiration in the world.”
Her respect for family businesses began with her entrepreneurial parents. She grew up hearing about their businesses at the dinner table, so it wasn’t unusual for her to participate in discussions about payroll or raw material suppliers.
“My parents talked frankly about risk versus reward, and their ability to sleep at night given the risks they lived with always amazed me,” Bogle recalls. “This is ultimately what led me to become a lawyer. I knew my parents’ lawyer helped them avoid risks to the extent possible, and I wanted to be that person.”
Armed with a law degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Bogle’s career began as an associate with the Boardman (now Boardman Clark) law firm. She later became a partner in the accounting firm Smith & Gesteland, which was acquired by BDO USA in 2018.
During her career stops, her ability to solve tax puzzles for business operators and help family businesses stay in the family with sound succession planning impressed our judges. One judge described Bogle as a “quiet hustler,” and Bogle acknowledged that her life’s work was never going to make headlines.
“Although I enjoy writing and teaching on various topics related to family business and tax, I don’t really talk about my work,” she states. “My clients have always tended to be very private people, so … I don’t talk much about what I do.”
Bogle says one of her career highlights was participating in the annual Wisconsin Family Business Awards program. It started at Smith & Gesteland and continued during her early years with BDO. She credits colleague Neil Fauerbach for getting her involved in the program.
“This was Neil’s brainchild from the beginning; he deserves the credit for the idea and for shepherding the process for 20-plus years,” she notes. “I really enjoyed giving out the awards, meeting with the families who entered the competition, and hearing later about what the awards meant to the recipients.”
The Hall of Fame honor means a great deal to Bogle, especially since she was selected by a panel of Madison business peers. “It’s a wonderful surprise to realize people know and appreciate my work,” she says. “My mantra has always been that at the end of the day, if the business is thriving and the family still has Thanksgiving dinner together, I’ve done my job.”
Bob Gorsuch
Banking on relationships
After 60 years in the field, Bob Gorsuch still enjoys the people-pleasing aspects of banking. For the 81-year-old Gorsuch, the past 24 years, which coincide with his founding and management of Oak Bank, a community bank located in Fitchburg, have been the most enjoyable.
In those two-plus decades, Oak Bank has grown into a financial institution with nearly $475 million in assets and $406.5 million in deposits. “If I hadn’t started Oak Bank 24 years ago, I’m not sure I would have made it to 60 years because it was a different ballgame previously,” he says. “What I’ve been doing the last 24 years is just so enjoyable because of the people I work with, the clients, and my board. It’s just been the best 24 years of the 60.”
When Gorsuch looks outside of his office, he can see the lobby where people enter Oak Bank, which still does not have a phone recording system to replace a receptionist. Every question is answered by a real person, which in itself creates a different environment from larger banks. “I’m constantly going out there and saying hello to someone,” Gorsuch says. “I mean, part of the joy is just the relationships you establish — not only with your own people but with the community at large.”
In the current economic environment, which has been marked by higher interest rates to quell inflation, there has been less mortgage lending. Municipalities in the Capital Region are trying to align housing with a growing population, and despite a period of interest rate relief, fewer homes are on the market. There is little incentive to sell a home with 3% or lower interest rate financing and then buy a home with double that interest expense. As a result, more people are staying put and would-be homebuyers are waiting for market gridlock to loosen.
“With interest rates, people got a little spoiled,” Gorsuch says. “We’re never going to see those [low] rates again. … We saw a little pickup once the rate got below 7%, but it’s the cost of land and the cost of a building. The median price for a home in Madison is now over $350,000, and that comes with a pretty healthy [monthly] payment.”
The biggest banking industry changes he’s seen are technological advances that make it more convenient for consumers to bank, and the industry consolidation that has shrunk the number of Wisconsin banks from 400 when his career started to about 150 today. “I mean, the things we (consumers) do on the phone, that’s just huge. … People don’t have to go to the bank unless they’ve got an issue where they need to sit down with someone, or they want to talk to someone about a loan.”
Now chairman and still technically CEO, Gorsuch has not yet retired and is clearly enjoying himself with avocations like cycling and pickleball. While he’s not as involved in the day-to-day operations, he still arrives early in the morning to focus on governance and strategic planning.
“When it actually becomes work,” he says, “I’m going to quit.”
Bob Sorge
An asset to the community
Asked how he’s been able to triple Madison Community Foundation’s assets from $130 million to $395 million during his 11-year tenure as president and CEO, Bob Sorge deflects. He defers to MCF’s investment team, a group including its investment committee, staff, and Common Fund, the Wilton, Connecticut investment management firm that has managed MCF’s portfolio since 2006.
All of them help make decisions about the long-term investments that provide MCF with the assets needed for charitable distributions. “On the investment side, we’ve been able to grow, and on the donor engagement side, we’ve been able to grow similarly because of an excellent team at the staff and board level,” Sorge says. “It’s interesting to me because we don’t have any goals for our staff in terms of new funds opened or the amount of money raised in any given year because we believe in our value proposition, which is to put the interests of donors at the heart of our conversation.”
According to Sorge, the grants the MCF board, grantmaking committee, and staff advise comprise 10-20% of MCF’s annual distributions. The remaining distributions are advised by donors who establish permanent endowments or benefit nonprofits that are identified by those endowments. “Endowments enable people to create a permanent legacy of support for the causes that are important to them,” he says.
MCF generally distributes 4.25% of its endowed assets, and in the past five years, its distributions have ranged from $12.5 million to $30 million. But the metric Sorge is most proud of is the vast improvement in MCF’s Net Promoter score, which assesses how the community feels about the foundation. The score has risen from 34 a decade ago to 71, which is considered world-class. Helping to raise that score is the foundation’s emphasis on becoming more diverse, equitable, and inclusive in its staffing, its board, and its granting. “You know, if anything is not working well, whether it’s donor engagement, whether people aren’t confident in our investments, if they think that our grantmaking could be better, you’re not going to get that score,” Sorge says.
Another factor in that improved score is Sorge’s fondness for strategic planning. For him, the process of formulating, executing, and seeing plans through to fruition is like piecing together a puzzle, and MCF’s approach to donor engagement is a prime example. “The key thing [the donor engagement team] must do is make sure they are building trust with our donor community, and that’s hard to do when you’ve got your own goals that are apart from the donors,” he says. “When I think about strategic planning and how to go about that, I love to think about our value proposition. Are we honoring our value proposition with our actions, or is it simply lip service? Is our value proposition truly unique, or are we self-aggrandizing and doing something that is redundant in the community?
“A good strategic plan takes a lot of humility.”
Amy Supple
Experiential executive
The $110 million renaissance of the Edgewater Hotel started more than 16 years ago in an unlikely place. Amy Supple and her boss, Bob Dunn, sparked the idea during a campfire conversation at a corporate retreat.
To take an ambitious plan from concept to reality has been rewarding beyond measure, says Supple, who was in real estate development at the time and is now senior vice president and chief operating officer for The Edgewater Hotel Co.
The Edgewater was redesigned with a Grand Plaza, the pier, and public amenities like an ice rink to welcome residents and visitors to interact, adding to Madison’s appeal as a destination.
The transformation of the storied hotel was not without its hurdles — including a legal challenge before the Wisconsin Supreme Court — but the results are well worth it.
“I’m proud of The Edgewater and of its place as a key asset that contributes to the strength of Madison and our downtown,” Supple says. “Today, I’m living the reality of that vision.”
Her work with the Edgewater earned her a 2024 Corporate Champion of the Year award from the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association. In addition, The Edgewater has been recognized as one of the Top 500 hotels in the world by Travel+Leisure Magazine and a Top Hotel in the Midwest by Conde Nast Traveler.
“Our goal when we started was to make The Edgewater’s ‘Madison’s Place,’” she says. “A place where the community and visitors could come together to experience the best of what Madison has to offer.”
Supple’s career began in real estate development at Hammes Co. While there, she was involved in projects such as the Lambeau Field Atrium, the Ford Field/Entertainment District in Detroit, and the Destination Medical Center Initiative, a $5.5 billion economic development project by the Mayo Clinic, the city of Rochester, and the state of Minnesota.
In Madison, Supple has been involved in organizations like Downtown Madison Inc., Destination Madison, and the Clean Lakes Alliance. She’s most proud of her work on Frozen Assets, a winter festival that raises money to support the health of local lakes.
Supple is excited about a new opportunity as well. Downtown Madison Inc. is launching a strategic plan for economic growth in partnership with the city of Madison, Destination Madison, and community partners. Supple is helping to lead the effort.
She credited strong mentors, a robust support system, and a series of interesting opportunities that have allowed her to pursue a fulfilling career.
The Hall of Fame honor “is a validation of all that we’ve worked to accomplish,” Supple notes, “and of The Edgewater’s place in Madison.”
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner
Doug Sina
President and CEO, JT Engineering Inc.
Transforming landscapes and lives through infrastructure is part of JT Engineering’s mission, but under the leadership of Doug Sina, president and CEO, the company itself has undergone a transformation.
The civil engineering firm, known for its work on transportation projects including the I-39/90 and I-43/WIS 81 interchange, successfully transitioned ownership from its founder to Sina, ensuring stability and continuity. Its 2.5-x revenue growth since Sina took over in 2021 — representing more than 30% year-over year growth — is due to organizational restructuring to meet client needs across diverse sectors; several technological advancements that streamlined operations and improved overall efficiency; and cultural development centered on employees, with mentoring, coaching, and leadership training. The latter has enabled employees to take ownership of their careers and contribute more to the company’s success.
In addition, the firm relocated two offices and transitioned to cloud-based computing, reinforcing the modernization of facilities and operations.
Finalists
Jeffrey Brenkus
President and owner, GBA architecture | design
Jeffrey Brenkus made quite an impression during his first year as owner and president of GBA, a Middleton-based architecture and interior design firm.
Under Brenkus, GBA completed the new Moxy Hotel in Madison, and it partnered on The Saddlery, a unique hotel-apartment hybrid project downtown that received an Award of Excellence in Restoration/Rehabilitation from the Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions.
The company also won a 2024 In Business Commercial Design award for Best New Development – Retail for its work on the Kayser Lincoln car dealership in Madison.
Another important milestone is its completion of the Marriott Center in Brookfield, a mixed-use development spanning 283,350 square feet that includes a hotel with 225 rooms, retail and office space, and structured parking. It is the largest project in GBA’s history.
The future looks even brighter after Brenkus added key new roles and streamlined workflow for a firm that already prioritized mentoring and training, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative environment.
Matt Duffy
President, Carex Consulting Group
Ethical, caring, humble, and hardworking are among the adjectives colleagues have used to describe Matt Duffy during his six years at Carex Consulting Group.
Although he’s been president for just one year, some at the Madison employment agency think of him as the company’s own personal Ted Lasso, a reference to the fictional coach from the Apple TV+ television series.
Fortunately for Carex employees, there is nothing fictional about Duffy’s leadership style. Its recent leadership transition went smoothly, the company says, because he’s an exemplary leader who cultivates an empowering environment, and that’s already paying dividends with important clients. In Duffy’s first year at the helm, ASSA ABLOY, a large global company known for its building-access technology, named Carex as its top vendor.
Before he became president, Duffy was already an important contributor at Carex. He helped navigate the company through challenging periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic, with his ability to adapt to evolving market conditions.
Josh Duggan
President, Revive Restoration Inc.
Revive Restoration has been part of the Madison business community for 13 years and has grown to become the city’s largest, independently owned restoration company.
Whether it’s a flood, fire, or another traumatic event causing damage to a home or business, Revive Restoration prides itself on taking care of customers during stressful situations.
Josh Duggan has been Revive Restoration’s president since its inception in 2011, and this past year has been its most significant. As of press time, 2024 was on pace to be its best year with a projected $8 million gross revenue. And since 2020, Revive has grown its revenue 141%. Thanks to such numbers, the company was recognized as one of the fastest growing private companies in America on the Inc. 5000.
The company will open a new, state-of- the-art building in Madison by the end of this year, and in June 2024, Revive expanded to a second location in Plymouth, Minnesota.
Lynne Sexten
President and Chief Executive Officer, Agrace
Lynne Sexten’s lasting legacy is advocating for and achieving greater access to end-of-life care for people throughout southern Wisconsin.
As president and chief executive officer of Agrace, Sexten has evolved the facility beyond its hospice roots by bringing innovative services and recruiting talented leaders who can execute her vision. Agrace now helps people with life-limiting illnesses better cope with their conditions, it provides in-home support to those who want to stay independent as they age, and it offers resources like the Adult Day Center to support seniors who are living with memory loss or dementia.
During her 13-year tenure, Agrace’s top-line revenue has grown more than 120%, it has created a $20 million endowment to provide its services to people who otherwise could not afford them, and it has built a strong culture of dedicated employees.
CORPORATE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Winner
Hooper Corp.
Hooper Corp., an electric power and mechanical contractor, is known for providing power line clearance and deploying emergency storm response teams around the country following natural disasters.
Recently, Hooper crews helped restore power to communities in Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and Florida following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In May, local workers joined Madison Gas and Electric to help repair numerous broken poles and downed power lines following severe storms and tornadoes.
And President Steve Lindley (pictured left) and his 1,400 employees regularly support the community in other ways through their foundation. Hooper Foundation provides funding to 501(c)(3) organizations in Dane County and elsewhere.
Hooper also supports organizations meaningful to its employees and matches their gifts to a charitable organization — up to $500 per staff member, per year. Annually, Hooper Foundation matches over $10,000 of employee giving through this program.
Finalists
North Central Group Hospitality
Philanthropy and community service are pillars of North Central Group Hospitality, a third-generation, family-owned business now led by President and CEO Jeff Lenz (left).
Founded in 1977, NCG Hospitality owns, develops, and operates over 30 hotel properties across multiple states, the bulk of which are located in Arizona and Wisconsin. All team members, regardless of location, are given paid hours to give back to the communities they live and work in.
NCG management also encourages those who work at its properties to pick an organization to support — one that team members are passionate about. Beneficiaries include Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison, the United Way of Dane County, American Family Children’s Hospital, and Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin.
Some NCG hotels that allow pets donate $5 of every pet stay to local humane societies.
JT Engineering Inc.
JT Engineering Inc. has developed a twin mission of building infrastructure and fostering hope in the communities it serves.
President and CEO Doug Sina (left) leads a staff of civil engineering professionals with office locations in Madison, Eau Claire, Green Bay, and Milwaukee. Since partnering with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in 2022, the firm has raised over $375,000 and has taken part in multiple LLS “Light the Night” events in Wisconsin.
Sina served as the 2024 Madison Light the Night Executive Committee chair. His leadership infused the initiative with energy and focus, setting and surpassing the local goal of raising $100,000 while encouraging nearly every employee and the broader community to help in the fundraising effort.
This cause has become a central mission for the firm, with employees from all levels stepping up not only as participants but as leaders, advocates, and fundraisers.
FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner
Jones Dairy Farm
While it has been 40 years since Jones Dairy Farm ceased milking operations, it has made breakfast sausage, naturally smoked ham, and dry-aged bacon in Fort Atkinson for 135 years.
Now in its sixth generation of family operation, including current Chairman and CEO Philip Jones (left), it still operates on its original 600-acre site along the Rock River and has expanded from a small local operation to an internationally recognized brand.
In 1985, the Jones family decided to concentrate exclusively on the growing meat-processing portion of the business. They retained the original name of the business because the brand was well established and its loyal customer base was comfortable with its identity as Jones Dairy Farm.
Today, its breakfast meats are widely available at grocers including Woodman’s Markets, Piggly Wiggly, Sendik’s Food Market, and Festival Foods, along with food service operators such as Kwik Trip.
Finalists
AtlantisValley Foods LLC
AtlantisValley Foods LLC is a third-generation employee food and beverage service company based in Cottage Grove that works with large employers throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
AVF is the third company operated by CEO Mike Swanson (left). His parents launched their own vending and food service company, CL Swanson Corp., which eventually grew to serve over 500 customers in 10 states. Swanson not only worked with his parents at CL Swanson, he also played an integral role in establishing Swanson Services, which provided institutional commissary service software and technology to more than 600 state and county customers in 40 states.
In 2012, Swanson founded AVF, which he operates with his two children, Michael Swanson Jr. and Erin Swanson Singer. The company serves over 300 customers and has been an innovator in the vending industry by merchandising more products, making its own line of fresh foods, and prioritizing customer service.
Bachmann Construction Co. Inc.
Established in 1954 by Fred and Ruth Bachmann, Bachmann Construction Co. Inc. began with the founders building cabinets in the basement of their home on Packers Avenue.
Despite having a 3-year-old and a newborn, the couple created a thriving business with residential remodels and small apartment construction. As the company grew, it focused largely on public bids.
In 1975, their son and eventual owner Al Bachmann started his career working as a full-time carpenter and later as a project manager. In 1987, Bachmann secured the $3 million restoration of the State Capitol windows and skylights. The progression continued in the 1990s with Fred and Ruth retiring and Al, Fred, and Diane (second generation siblings) taking the reins.
Now run by the third-generation CEO Naomi Kroth (left), the general contractor recently restored properties such as the Memorial Union, Garver Feed Mill, and Paoli’s Seven Acre Dairy.
J. Henry & Sons
For J. Henry & Sons, two years are given — 1946 and 2009 — for the company’s founding. According to owner and Chief Marketing Officer Liz Henry, ownership has been transitioning Henry Farms, a 78-year-old seed corn farm, and J. Henry & Sons, a 16-year-old bourbon and rye whiskey distillery, to sons Joe and Jack.
Both sons are fourth-generation seed corn producers and second-generation distillers, and both businesses — part of Henry Family Enterprises in Dane, Wisconsin — have grown exponentially over the last decade.
And as their mother and father, Joe Henry (left), prepare to retire, the sons hope to build on the family business that makes great whiskey and quality seeds (including corn, wheat, and rye) and employs talented people. “We are actual farmers making actual whiskey,” Liz notes, making spirits with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Sergenian’s Floor Coverings
When Ara Sergenian founded Sergenian’s Floor Coverings in 1930, the business specialized in oriental rugs. In the decades that followed, the business expanded its offerings and called various places home before settling in at its current location on the West Beltline.
Today, under the leadership of Thomas Sergenian (left), the third-generation CEO who succeeded long-time chief executive Jim Garner, the business is known for its dedication to family, growth, and sustainability. In 2011, the company acquired Florida-based G. Fried Flooring America, and in 2016, it moved to a larger distribution center on Kipp Street in Madison.
As Sergenian’s celebrated its 94th year in business in 2024, the family’s third and fourth generations are leading the company into the future. Helping Thomas Sergenian with operations are sons Lucas, who supervises the commercial division; and Nick, who oversees the IT department while specializing in commercial sales; and nephew Wesley, who excels in residential sales and management.
Vitense Golfland
Vitense Golfland, established by a local golf icon some 70 years ago, remains family-owned and operated. Founder George Vitense, a PGA golf professional and tournament player in his day, made a hole-in-one when he launched the golf business.
It remains a highly successful enterprise long after George’s passing in 1988. For a few years, his three daughters — Georgene, Yvonne, and Vicki — continued to manage and own the business. In 1992, Joel Weitz (left), grandson of George and wife Naomi, returned to Madison to help manage the business and eventually acquired it with his wife, Sarah, in 2001. They continue to operate it today.
Joel and Sarah, along with the founder’s great-grandson George Weitz, carry on the founder’s passion for golf and share it with a loyal customer base. They not only provide golf-based entertainment to established aficionados, they turn younger generations on to the game.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (101+ EMPLOYEES)
Winner
Hausmann Group
Attitudes expressed in the Hausmann Group’s core values play a role in its success, including one rather straightforward motto: “Own the outcome. Take responsibility for your work product. Accountability applies to all of us.”
Hausmann Group, an independent insurance agency led by President Barry Richter (left), has other mottos, but they boil down to the same get-it-done mentality. “Don’t confuse effort with results, and don’t make excuses” is an admonition. “We do what we say we’ll do” is a brand promise.
With offices in Madison and Milwaukee, the agency offers property and casualty (P/C) insurance and services such as employee benefits consulting, wealth management, and retirement planning.
In addition, it has earned numerous accolades, including spots on the Insurance Journal’s 2024 “Top 100 Independent Property & Casualty Agencies” with more than $21 million in P/C revenue, and the Milwaukee Business Journal’s “Largest Employee Benefits Firms in Wisconsin.”
Finalists
First Business Bank
Founded in Madison as one of the first business banks in the nation, First Business Bank’s growth spans four markets — including three in Wisconsin — offering business banking and private wealth services.
The organization is led by Corey Chambas (left), CEO of First Business Financial Services Inc., parent of First Business Bank. As a niche financial services organization, the bank focuses on the specific financial priorities of businesses and individual investors. The bank’s unique approach sets it apart in the industry, a distinction that became more pronounced after a handful of technology-focused banks failed depositors due to financial mismanagement.
Loans to Wisconsin clients totaled almost $2 billion as of March 31, 2024, with an additional $291.5 million in loans to other banks. This represents five-year growth of 53%, or $681.5 million. From 2014–2024, the bank also grew its in-state workforce from 151 to 232, an impressive increase of 54%.
Hooper Corp.
In 2023, Hooper Corp. celebrated 110 years in business. Further proving its longstanding track record is that many of its client relationships date back 50 years or more.
When an organization has been around since 1913, it has survived two World Wars, a Great Depression, several devastating recessions, and two pandemics. Yet Hooper, an electric power and mechanical contractor led by President Steve Lindley (left), is still standing as a Deloitte Top 75 company in Wisconsin with annual revenue of $500 million and nearly 1,400 employees throughout the U.S.
Hooper provides a wide range of services to support commercial and residential clients. Its areas of expertise include the fabrication and installation of plumbing, process piping, fire protection, and HVAC systems as well as the construction of substations and high-voltage transmission lines.
In 2024, Hooper again proved itself indispensable following natural disasters, whether they were hurricanes in the south or tornadoes in the north.
Wegner CPAs
At Wegner CPAs, every day is Independence Day. Under the direction of Managing Partner Glenn Miller (left), Wegner remains an independent accounting firm in an industry where private equity is rapidly gaining influence and many firms face pressure to merge.
The results speak for themselves. Among many industry honors, Inside Public Accounting, a provider of management resources for the accounting profession, has named Wegner one of the Top 200 Firms and a Best of the Best CPA Firm.
Wegner’s range of services include audit, tax, and advisory to individuals, businesses, and nonprofits. It also cites a people-first culture in which collaboration and professional development are key drivers of success. In a third-party survey by the workplace consulting firm Energage, 96% of Wegner employees reported feeling genuinely appreciated, and the philosophy is simple: When employees feel valued, they’re able to perform at their best.
Zimbrick Inc.
With 820 full-time and 210 part-time employees handling sales, service, and parts for 16 automobile franchises and three body shops, Zimbrick is Dane County’s largest automotive dealer. That alone is reason enough for a company to celebrate, but another is that Zimbrick marks its 60th anniversary this year.
How does a car dealership stand the test of time? By pleasing an otherwise skeptical population of car buyers, as demonstrated by winning in multiple categories for Madison.com’s People’s Choice every year since its inception, winning in several categories for Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison since 1993, and winning recognition from the likes of Acura, Nissan, Porsche, and other brands available on its lot.
It doesn’t hurt to have a CEO like Tom Zimbrick (left), who has built a company culture on the foundation of a close-knit family and community in which every team member feels valued and integral to the organization’s success.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (51-100 EMPLOYEES)
Winner
LERDAHL | Inspired Workplace Interiors
Since 1984, Lerdahl has created spaces that enable employees to do their best work.
Led by Tim Lerdahl (left), the company is an interior construction and commercial furnishings venture specializing in creating workspaces. It approaches the work with an understanding of how environment influences productivity and well-being, and its goal is to transform client workspaces into places where employees feel motivated, engaged, and comfortable.
With its ability to stay ahead of industry trends and offer tailored services, Lerdahl has completed projects for corporate offices, health care facilities, educational institutions, and nonprofits.
The company has received various awards for its design work, including an In Business Madison Commercial Design Award for Best Renovation–Office. For 20 consecutive years, Lerdahl has been selected as a preferred vendor by Madison business executives in the magazine’s Executive Choice Awards, and it has been recognized in two categories: office furniture and interior design.
Finalists
One City Schools Inc.
One City Schools is a nonprofit that operates independent and public preschools and grade schools in Madison.
Its goal is to establish a new model of public education that ensures Black children and teens are on track to succeed in college or a career preparatory program. Founder and CEO Kaleem Caire (left) also launched the schools to close the achievement gap for minority students in Madison and beyond, and produce thoughtful, resourceful, solution-oriented graduates.
The schools — One City Preschool, One City Elementary School, and One City Preparatory Academy — have grown to employ 100 people and enroll 428 students in its charter schools (grades 4K–7) and 60 in its preschool.
One City students’ initial academic success is reflected in several metrics. One City Schools exceeded nationwide 2020-2021 COVID-19 benchmarks set by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) for the percentage of scholars who met individual growth targets.
In addition, the proportion of Black scholars meeting their individual growth target in math was nearly double that of the NWEA’s nationwide benchmark.
Hawks Quindel S.C.
The twin mission of Hawks Quindel, a full-service employment and disability law firm, is to protect employee rights and the rights of the disabled.
Its focus on creating a more just world for workers and those who have lost the ability to work due to a disability has enabled it to grow organically and geographically.
Thanks to this universal need and the fact that its attorneys are consistently ranked as the best lawyers in the U.S., Hawks Quindel has five offices throughout Wisconsin — Madison, Appleton, Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Waukesha — and recently opened an office in Chicago, its first location outside of Wisconsin.
In 2025, Hawks Quindel will celebrate its 30th year in the Madison office. The firm, now led by shareholder Aaron Halstead (left), also believes in practicing what it preaches by fostering a culture of collaboration, promoting work-life balance so employees can thrive personally and professionally, and offering professional growth opportunities.
Carex Consulting Group
Carex Consulting Group serves as a modern-day matchmaker — a career matchmaker. One might also say Carex is a curator, as in curator of talent, which helps make such matches possible.
The approach of CEO Rachel Neill (left) and her staff is to value people more than transactions, which in turn builds trust with employer clients and job candidates alike. The company identifies talent from a network of contacts that enable it to find full-time matches that fit the skill sets and culture of an organization. It has a particular focus on health technology, project management, and information technology.
Add to that a thriving recruiting business in human resources, sales and marketing, and scientific and engineering roles, and it’s easy to understand why Carex has attracted thousands of qualified job candidates to Madison. This service has not only earned Carex 5-star ratings on Glassdoor, it also has helped Madison become a Midwestern technology hub and turn a “brain drain” into a “brain gain.”
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (1-50 EMPLOYEES)
Winner
Vitense Golfland
Long before Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly, there was Madison golf icon George Vitense. His legacy includes a fine career as a PGA golf professional and tournament player, an induction into the Madison Sports Hall of Fame in 1977, and the 1955 founding of Vitense Golfland.
Many questioned his judgment in starting a business on Schroeder Road – which was then far outside of the most developed sections of Madison – but the success of this long-standing business made Vitense a pioneer. Now run by his grandson, Joel Weitz (left), it’s a facility where golfers can play at night under the lights, practice at the driving range, or play an 18-hole miniature golf course.
Recent upgrades include a year-round, heated golf range, Toptracer ball tracking technology in the golf suites, a bar and grill for dining, and playground equipment for kids at the miniature golf holes. Vitense also offers batting cages for baseball and softball, as well as sand volleyball courts.
Finalists
Berndt CPA LLC
With a meticulous approach to financial management, tax preparation, and compliance, and a similar focus on professional development for employees, Berndt CPA LLC was ranked No. 36 among the best accounting firms nationally by Accounting Today, one of only two Wisconsin firms recognized.
CEO Bruce Berndt (left) has established 12 Standards of Excellence to drive the company’s commitment to client services and community involvement. The resulting environment has helped Berndt CPA recruit and retain a core team with extensive experience in accounting and technology.
With strong ethical standards to ensure that its financial practices comply with local and federal regulations, and by adopting cutting-edge tools that enable it to stay ahead of industry trends, the firm has enjoyed sustained growth, both in revenue and clientele.
Berndt CPA also emphasizes employee development, offering opportunities for professional growth and continuing education, and the firm prioritizes work-life balance to maintain high employee satisfaction and retention rates.
Carbon World Health
Carbon World Health is a wellness center that combines medical expertise with advanced fitness technology. With a philosophy grounded in the conviction that optimal health is a lifelong journey, it aims to provide the same access to wellness resources typically available to athletes.
The business has experienced strong growth since its inception in 2016, and its client base continues to expand. It recently opened a second location in Sun Prairie.
Carbon World Health was founded by Dr. Nestor Rodriguez (left) and co-owner Ashley Rodriguez, who received the Hispanic Entrepreneurs of the Year Award from WLMV–La Movida Radio during Hispanic Heritage Month this past fall.
Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland
The mission of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland is to support the development of young girls into strong, confident leaders.
As a regional council of the national Girl Scouts of the USA, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland serves girls across Dane County and in 22 additional counties in south-central and southwestern Wisconsin. The council is committed to the holistic development of girls, emphasizing their educational growth along with emotional, physical, and personal well-being. It stands out among the 112 regional councils within the national Girl Scouts of the USA by consistently ranking in the top five councils for membership retention.
In July 2024, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland celebrated its first year under the leadership of CEO Lisa Smith (left). Since taking the helm, Smith has launched initiatives such as Girls in Action, an after-school program focused on engaging underserved communities, and led the council to its first year of membership growth since the COVID-19 pandemic.
SustainableHR PEO LLC
Local small- to mid-sized businesses and nonprofits looking for a professional employer organization (PEO) increasingly turn to SustainableHR PEO.
A PEO is a third-party firm that assists small- and medium-sized businesses with human resource needs such as compliance management, employee benefits, and payroll. This includes ensuring compliance with new or evolving employment laws such as the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
SustainableHR PEO has helped its clients improve efficiency, mitigate risks, and foster a positive workplace culture through reliable HR practices.
MEET THE JUDGES
Judges for this year’s program met virtually to discuss the nominees, compare scores, and determine finalists and winners. They included:
Scott Ducke
EVP and COO, Lake Ridge Bank
With more than 30 years experience in financial services, Scott Ducke serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Lake Ridge Bank, where he is responsible for the growth of the bank. He received an MBA from Edgewood College and a Graduate School of Banking degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Rebecca Prochaska
President + CEO, Potter Lawson Inc.
Rebecca Prochaska was promoted to president and CEO in December 2023 after 20 years with Potter Lawson in a wide range of roles. Now one year into leading Madison’s oldest architecture firm, she has a passion for building relationships and fostering innovation through the power of connecting good people to good design.
Maiken Westphal
CEO, Westphal & Co. Inc.
Maiken Westphal was named CEO of Westphal & Co. last year, succeeding her father, John W. Westphal, who retains the title of chairman. She was promoted from the position of vice president of preconstruction and represents the fourth generation of the family to lead the electrical and technologies contractor.
