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EAST GULL LAKE — On a night rife with band references and rock and roll attire, several area businesses and business leaders were celebrated and a surprise offered.
Matt Kilian, Brainerd Lakes Chamber president, said the more than 600 people in attendance marked the biggest event to date as people gathered Thursday, Nov. 16, for the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce’s annual Celebration of Excellence at Cragun’s on Gull Lake.
And they got the band back together, as one of the night’s honorees, Reggie Clow took to the stage to play his harmonica with the band. Clow surprised a number of people with the performance — something audience members learned he used to do when he played with some of the same band members in Merrifield.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
This year’s event, sponsored by CliftonLarsonAllen, featured a theme of “Rock the House” in celebration of the 2023 award winners. Klassik All Stars took to the stage and a CTC light show filled the room. Kilian used band members to illustrate how similar teamwork bringing together people with different skills comes together in the workforce.
“In case you didn’t notice, we have a lot of rock and roll puns in the script,” Kilian said, getting laughs from the audience. While not a rocker, Kilian said everyday he has front row seats to the music created by chamber members.
“You take risks to grow your audience, you stay loyal to the people in your band and when you make it big — you never forget where you came from,” Kilian said. “That’s the success formula for every chamber member and for every person who has ever poured their heart out for something they believe in — and tonight we get to honor those who have done it all at a level of excellence” that has those gathered rocking the house.
Clow, owner and CEO of Clow Stamping Company in Merrifield, was honored with the Business Legacy Award, sponsored by RiverWood Bank. Bart Taylor, president at RiverWood Bank presented the award. Taylor said the award honors those with integrity, leadership, honesty and for treating people right. Clow has grown his family’s manufacturing business into one of the Top 10 employers in Crow Wing County
“He is recognized as a trailblazer, a visionary leader, a key influencer within the manufacturing industry and community and he does this all while treating his employees and customers with fairness and respect.” Taylor said.
The chamber noted Clow transformed and expanded
from what his father and mother started in 1970 into a company utilizing a state-of-the-art 285,000 square foot facility, employing more than 530 people.
“Reggie recognizes that the success of any business rests upon the collective efforts of its workforce and understands that their dedication is integral to the company’s achievements,” the chamber noted in its writeup for the award.
“Reggie’s creativity leads to long-term efficiency gains for the company. From increasing automation, embracing technology, and shifting to paperless. Reggie has helped position Clow Stamping as an industry leader and community cornerstone.”
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
The chamber noted 17% of Clow Stamping’s staff have worked there for over 20 years, and a strong emphasis on employee referrals — often from family members — speaks to the positive work environment.
Clow has also left a mark on the community he calls home, the chamber reported, as Clow Stamping channels about $30 million each year into the Brainerd lakes area, which showcases Clow’s belief in fostering a thriving local economy. Clow Stamping’s contributions fuel economic benefits, sponsorships of sports teams, charitable events, and school initiatives.
In a video presentation, Clow Stamping staff spoke of the changes in the business, expansions and automation and the companies focus on people.
Don Hickman, vice president for community and workforce development with the Initiative Foundation, said a lot of people don’t know how generous Clow is as he is involved in silent philanthropy, making a significant difference at the Brainerd Family YMCA, at Central Lakes College manufacturing and trades programs and being an early investor in the CRMC Championship golf tournament and in Lakes Jam, the music festival.
Lori Davies, president of Clow Stamping, stated Clow is the company’s visionary and phenomenal growth came under his leadership.
“He’s a great guy to work for. He’s a great leader,” Davies said, adding Clow is fantastic at giving them their jobs and letting them do their jobs. “I think that’s part of the success of the company.”
In the video, Clow said the business cannot grow without employees who represent the most important parts of the company.
On stage, before adding his considerable harmonica talent to the band, Clow thanked his wife, Cindy, children and had his leadership team stand in the audience for individual recognition.
“I graciously and humbly accept this award,” Clow said, thanking the chamber for the honor. “I’m reminded of the past winners of this award and I feel honored to be included. We have a thriving and diverse community and the chamber serves us well.”
Clow said his parents had the courage to start the business and without the founders they have nothing. His leadership team takes responsibility for the entire company and gives him the ability to be gone for extended periods of time, he said. Gabe Clow, 24, is the third generation part owner, who learned the ropes from the bottom up and is currently the production manager on the first shift.
“I also have a world class workforce that makes everything possible, without them nothing happens,” Clow said.
He said the company has expanded 16 times and now has close to 400,000 square feet and close to 9 acres under roof.
“I learned through work experience to reinvest your profits, take good care of your customers, your employees and be ready for change — because it’s going to change every day — and surround yourself with good people.”
Past Business Legacy Award recipients are Stewart C. Mills Jr. (2016), Arnie Johnson (2017), Paul and Lynn Hunt (2018), Dutch and Irma Cragun (2019), Ron and Al Lindner (2021) and Bob Spizzo (2022).
Small Business of the Year
The Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year award went to Pampered Pets Boarding & Daycare.
“This year’s Celebration of Excellence theme is ‘Rockin’ It’ and that’s exactly what Tom and Shelly have done since opening the business just 9 years ago!,” the chamber noted in a release for the event. “The Hice family are true stewards of Lakes Proud by supporting and giving back to their community.”
Shelly and Tom Hice, in a video interview, said they wanted to create a different kind of pet experience after leaving their dog at a facility for a week to take care of a sick relative. When they got back, they said their dog wasn’t the same and that got them thinking about creating a pet boarding business that recreates the home experience for the pets like their Boxer, complete with couches and TVs and staff to play with them.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
“The staff we have here is amazing,” Tom Hice said in a video presented at the event, adding without the family atmosphere where people cared about each other and the dogs and how they were treated, they couldn’t accomplish their end goal of happier pets and an amazing place to take care of everything. Hice also spoke of pride in the community that embraces second chances like Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, including their employees.
“I feel like I got a second chance in life, I’m sure my wife would say the same thing,” Hice said.
On stage for the presentation, Hice thanked staff, their children and his wife, adding she is the brains of the operation. He also thanked Dutch and Irma Cragun as the reason he came to the area 25 years ago to work as a golf professional to help with the Legacy course. Hice noted Dutch Cragun introduced him to Lisa Paxton, former longtime chamber executive director. He also noted the pandemic meant a lot of people added dogs to their families, which should guarantee business for years to come.
The award, presented for the fifth year, was sponsored by Cub Foods with Chris Quisberg, president, doing the honors. Getting into the theme, Quisberg wore a bountiful black wig reminiscent of the hair metal bands of the 1980s.
Past winners include Jack Pine Brewery (2018), Brainerd General Rental (2019), Close Converse (2021) and Kavanaugh’s Sylvan Lake Resort (2022).
Pampered Pets delivers a full-service pet boarding and daycare experience. The Pampered Pets team takes pride in treating their pet guests like rockstars, the chamber reported, with luxury accommodations and personal attention.
They’ve also embraced challenges, using them as a catalyst for innovation. For example, at doggie daycare, they do arts and crafts with the dogs — something unheard of with pets and it has become a popular event.
Pampered Pets’ philosophy is simple yet powerful. “Do unto others as you would like done unto you.” With this guiding principle, Pampered Pets strives to be attentive, bring value, and provide a fun environment for employees and guests.
Pampered Pets invests in its staff through specialized training, gives back to the community, and uses its talents to make a difference.
Business Excellence Award
The Business Excellence Award winner is
. They are recognized for their leadership, innovation, employee investment and community service.
Past Business Excellence Award recipients are Widseth (2012), Crosswoods (2013), Grand View Lodge (2014), Ultra Paws (2015), Just for Kix (2016), CTC (2017), Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (2018), 3 Cheers Hospitality (2019), Lexington Manufacturing (2021) and LINDAR-Avantech-Triven (2022). The award was sponsored by
.
“At Hubbard Radio, succeeding by doing the right thing with focus, energy, and passion is at the heart of everything they do,” the chamber noted in its release. “They’ve been rocking the industry for decades and collecting national broadcasting awards and accolades along the way. Always the innovator, Hubbard excels at providing advertising solutions to local businesses connecting them with consumers. Hubbard brings national resources to a small, local market.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
“Having a rockstar team that is consistently evolving to keep up with market changes through education and training. The Hubbard team is always excited to share this knowledge and positive energy with businesses — while providing the most innovative advertising and radio experience.”
Hubbard is celebrating 100 years in business this year. In a video presented at the event, Jeff Hilborn, market manager in Brainerd, said the Hubbard family is innovative. “They find the next horizon,” he said. “In 1923, Stanley Hubbard started the first commercial radio station in America” in Minneapolis and St. Paul. They progressed into television and satellite television and brought Brainerd into the mix in 2015 adding major market resources to a small market radio station. On stage, Hilborn thanked the large group behind him representing the business.
“It’s a pleasure working with each and every one of you,” he said. Hilborn said their work connects consumers and advertisers to build business with a staff of people who live here. They serve advertisers with the latest, innovative marketing tools while keeping listeners entertained and informed and giving service groups and nonprofits a voice, Hilborn said. Digital is the growth business, he said, but broadcast is their core business.
Hilborn noted the first song played when the television network MTV started playing music videos was titled “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles.
“I’m here tonight to tell you that MTV got it wrong, the radio star is alive and well” in the Brainerd lakes area, Hilborn said.
The chamber Thursday also celebrated the Blue Ox Business Academy’s Leadership Experience Class of 2023.
The Leadership Experience is a 10 month program (11 full days) designed for emerging leaders and high-potential employees to develop essential skills and insights into their leadership character. The Brainerd Lakes Chamber has had 538 graduates from the Leadership program that originated in 1999.
The Leadership Experience Class of 2023 is:
Aaron Baseman, Revolv Manufacturing; Amanda Small, Central Lakes College; Amanda Fox, Lexington Manufacturing; Amy Hendrickson, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union; Andrew Liljegren, Pequot Manufacturing;
Andrew Semo, Lexington Manufacturing; Annmarie Lacher, ISD 181; Beth Goerges, Anderson Brothers Construction; Blake Thelen, Thelen Heating & Roofing; Brady Bussler, Widseth; Brandon Hedlund, Woods to Water Real Estate;
Caleb Tautges, Hy-Tec Construction; Cassandra Clarken, B. Johnson & Associates; Garrett Haglin, LINDAR Corp.; Greg Sigler, Hubbard Radio & 2060 Digital; Jamie Fischer, Xtona; Jason Mellenthin, US Bank;
Jayme Steele, Weizenegger-Engel Insurance; Jeff Bailiff, Clow Stamping; Jennifer Podsiadly, CRMC; Jessica Noonkesser, Essentia Health; Joe Herberg, Anderson Brothers Construction; Jordan Yira, Woods to Water Real Estate;
Julie Henne, Revolv Manufacturing; Justin Jansen, Pequot Manufacturing; Kathy Gustafson, Lexington Manufacturing; Kevin Denny, The Teehive; Kirsten Shaw, CTC; Kristin Dupre, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union; Lucas Bollig, Pequot Manufacturing;
Matt Means, RiverWood Bank; Sarah Patton, Essentia Health; Scott French, Widseth; Shawn Long, Lexington Manufacturing; Shawn Rasmussen, CTC; Trisha Reilley, Brainerd Lakes Chamber; Vanessa Lane, Premier Choice Senior Management Solutions.
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