Wisconsin 275

Todd Wanek has led Ashley Furniture Industries, the largest home furniture manufacturer and retailer in the U.S., for the past 20 years.

Sam Sato was named president and chief executive officer of Mt. Horeb-based Duluth Holdings Inc., in 2021.

John Menard Jr. planted the first seeds of what would become Menards home improvement retail chain in 1958, selling pole buildings as a means to fund his education

Andrew McLean became chief executive officer of Lands’ End in November. Prior to joining the Dodgeville-based retailer, McLean was a president of American Eagle Outfitters

Serial entrepreneur Jalem Getz co-founded his first company, Halloween costume retailer GMI, in 1995 at age 22.

Other Leading Industries | Retail Owner and CEO Blain’s Farm & Fleet  |  Janesville Jane Blain Gilbertson became chief executive officer and...

After early ventures with his brother in the bar and hotel business, John Bergstrom co-founded Neenah-based Bergstrom Automotive in 1974.

Nikki Purvis was selected to lead the African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin this summer. The Milwaukee-based AACCW runs several programs in support of Black-owned businesses.

As a senior vice president with the economic development organization, Jim Paetsch has been deeply involved in the major business deals happening in Milwaukee over the past 17 years. In 2021, he also assumed the role of M7 executive director. 

Khalif El-Amin co-founded the STEAM-focused Young Enterprising Society with his brother in 2012.