Co-owner and board chairman
Johnsonville LLC | Sheboygan County
Shelly Stayer is co-owner and chairman of Johnsonville LLC, a billion-dollar global sausage maker with more than 4,000 employees. Stayer has led the Sheboygan County-based company’s marketing sponsorship efforts, including the Tailgate Village at Lambeau Field and its Racing Sausages sponsorship at American Family Field. In 2023, she and her husband, Ralph Stayer, joined the Milwaukee Brewers ownership group. An active philanthropist, Stayer has chaired numerous fundraising efforts in Wisconsin and Florida, including capital campaigns for the Fond du Lac YMCA and Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac. She’s served on the boards of Edgewood College, Marian University, John Michael Kohler Arts Center and Children’s Wisconsin.
Education: Bachelor’s, Marian University
What would you do if you could choose another career: “I’d work in the 911 emergency call center.”
One decision to do over: “I worked full time when I had young children at home. I’d probably change that if I could now. You don’t listen to people when they say, ‘It goes so fast before they are gone.’”
What would you like to change about Wisconsin: “More direct flights to warmer climates.”
Favorite Wisconsin destination: “The Milwaukee lakeshore.”
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
Manufacturing | Food & Beverage
Co-owner and board chairman
Johnsonville LLC | Sheboygan County
In 2019, Shelly Stayer became the third person in Johnsonville’s history to serve as board chair, succeeding her husband, Ralph C. Stayer, and his father, Ralph F. Stayer, in the role. Over her previous two decades at the Sheboygan County-based sausage maker, Stayer led several new product introductions, including a branded mustard line and the indoor Sizzling Sausage Grill. She also led Johnsonville’s marketing sponsorship efforts with the Tailgate Village at Lambeau Field and its Milwaukee Brewers sponsorship. Active in philanthropy and nonprofit work in both Wisconsin and Naples, Florida, Stayer was recently appointed to the board of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Education: Bachelor’s, Marian University
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
“The first job I ever held was working in foodservice at St. Matthew’s convent. In that job, I learned a great deal about working with others and feeling empathy toward people in different situations.”
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career?
“Have all the facts before making a decision. In my business endeavors, working to gather all pieces of critical information before making a decision has served me well.”
If you could have dinner with any two business leaders, who would you choose and why?
“As a businesswoman with a passion for learning, I would love the opportunity to have lunch with Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, or Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. Under Doug’s leadership, Walmart has demonstrated an incredible ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives. Amazon’s supply chain capabilities are unparalleled, and I would find it fascinating to learn more about their model.”
What is your favorite Wisconsin restaurant and what do you order there?
“Schwarz’s Supper Club in St. Anna is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Wisconsin. When I’m there, I love to order the sirloin tips. There’s really just nothing like enjoying a supper club in Wisconsin with family and friends!”
What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)?
“A few years ago, I began deer hunting with my husband. From bundling up to brave the cold to just enjoying being out in nature, I love everything about this great new tradition. And I’m proud to say I’ve been successful in this new hobby!”
What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months?
“The last year has been one where our members at Johnsonville have truly worked together to overcome challenges. I’d say getting back to being fully staffed, as well as servicing our customers while managing supply chain issues, have been two of our greatest accomplishments in 2022.”
What is one thing you would change about Wisconsin to make it even better?
“I think the high-speed train between Milwaukee and Chicago is a great service, but I’d love to see it extended, to also service more northern areas in the state.”
Nonprofit cause that has special meaning to you:
“I have been honored to help found the Shelly Stayer Shelter in Collier County, Florida. This is a 62-bed, 15,000-square-foot facility helping support and house victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. This is such an important and tragic problem today, and I am so glad to be able to help provide a safe haven for victims escaping these awful situations.”
What has you most excited about the future?
“As chair of the board, I am excited to continue to grow our family-owned business, provide great opportunities for our members (employees) to build their careers and invest in our home state of Wisconsin. In fact, production will begin in our fifth Wisconsin manufacturing facility, our seventh in the United States, early next year.”
