GROWING FORWARD Local companies share why they’re expanding and investing in Janesville — and what must improve to unlock the community’s full economic potential. 14 S. Jackson Street, Suite 200 Janesville, WI 53548 PRE-SRT STD US Postage PAID Janesville, WI Permit No. 157 FJI•REPORT
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JANESVILLE experience the power of community • INSIDE THIS ISSUE • 14 S. Jackson Street, Suite 200 • Janesville, WI 53548 Phone: 608.757.3160 Email: forward@forwardjanesville.com www.forwardjanesville.com 2025-2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mick Gilbertson • Chair The Developing Edge George Cullen • Vice Chair JP Cullen Sean Kennedy • Secretary/Treasurer Graphite Hill Co. Derek Greene • Past Chair Baird Joel Bailey • Johnson Financial Group Jon Ballard • Foremost Media, Inc. Todd Buehl • ABC Supply Co., Inc. Tim Cullen • Bushwood Golf Range Michael Davis • Nowlan Law Dave Holterman • First Community Bank Bob Kennedy • Rock Road Companies, Inc. Kyle Mair • Baker Tilly Kayla Murphy • SSM Health Todd Needham • Batterman Cheryl Peterson • SHINE Technologies Dr. Tracy Pierner • Blackhawk Technical College Christine Rebout • Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Kara Sankey • Mercyhealth Joe Stadelman • Angus-Young Mary Jo Villa • Hendricks Holding Company Tanner Voss • BMO Letter from the FJI President/CEO........................................4 Growth by Numbers..............................................................7 Janesville’s Expansion Moment.............................................8 Gold-Medal Mindset – FJI Annual Dinner...........................14 Champions Club Investors...................................................17 FORE - FJI Golf Outing........................................................18 How Did I Get Here - Greg Phillips......................................20 Champions Behind Our Community’s Business Growth......22 New Members.....................................................................24 Key Steps for Community-Centered Economic Development......................................................26 Issue 2025 – 3 Editorial Team: Eric Schmoldt, Sommer Brockman Cover photo: Courtesy Prent Corporation • Layout: Mary Terry Design www.forwardjanesville.com | 3 Blackhawk Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to manage inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator/Equal Opportunity Officer, 6004 S County Road G, P.O. Box 5009, Janesville, WI 53547-5009, (608) 757-7796 or (608) 757-7773, WI Relay: 711. (608) 757-6329 | WI Relay: 711 mmarkley4@blackhawk.edu . . . Our continuing education and professional development courses are designed to help you achieve your goals. SCAN the QR Code to view our course options.
If you’re reading this, you’re likely asking the same question we are: What’s next for Janesville — and what does it mean for my business? That question has guided every conversation we’ve had this year and drives the strategies we put into action on your behalf. At Forward Janesville, we listen, gather data and act to clear a path for your growth. Under the leadership of our Board — Mick Gilbertson (Chair), George Cullen (Vice Chair), Sean Kennedy (Secretary/ Treasurer), and Past President Derek Greene — we met with employers across the community to ask a straightforward question: What do you need next? Our Business Retention and Expansion survey offers important insight into that answer. You can view the full results at www.forwardjanesville.com/bre and read more in this edition of the FJI Report. But data only matters if we understand its impact on your business. Over the last five years, Janesville gained more than 2,000 residents over age 60 and lost 1,400 residents under 20 — a shift that affects your talent pipeline, your future customers and your long-term workforce strategy. That’s why investments like the Children’s Museum of Rock County, the new Boys & Girls Club, and the Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center aren’t “nice extras.” They are core business infrastructure. They attract young families — tomorrow’s employees, innovators and community leaders. Housing is also a business issue. If you needed to hire 50 people tomorrow, where would they live? Forward Janesville is stepping in: commissioning a full housing study through the Forward Foundation, launching a Government Relations Committee task force, and supporting the City’s zoning rewrite to expand infill housing and modernize density options. We’re also hosting CivicCon: A Community Civic Conversation on Jan. 8 at the Janesville Performing Arts Center, featuring internationally known planners Joseph Kohl and Victor Dover. Thanks to sponsorship from Quint and Rishy Studer, this will help our community envision what innovative urban design can mean for your workforce and business environment. None of this matters without talent. That’s why we built the Education Council, supported successful referendums in Janesville and Milton, and continue championing our region’s strong education network. We helped secure a $100,000 Studer Education partnership grant for the School District of Janesville and added Greg Philipps, our new Workforce Development Director, to strengthen connections between education and employer needs. Everything we are doing — in housing, education, zoning, workforce and business retention — comes down to one outcome: your ability to grow in Janesville. A vibrant, opportunity-rich community isn’t just good for Janesville. It’s good for your business. And together, we’re building what’s next. What’s Next, Janesville? A Message From Forward Janesville President & CEO, Shar Hermanson 4 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Land Surveying ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys Civil Engineering Site Development + Planning Residential + Commercial Site Permitting Construction Management Surface Mapping + Drone Services BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES SINCE 1917 BELOIT • JANESVILLE • ELKHORN www.rhbatterman.com 608.365.4464
www.zilberpropertygroup.com Our dedicated team of professionals is ready to meet your commercial real estate needs in Rock County and beyond. We offer industrial buildings, development-ready sites, and secure trailer storage to help your business grow and operate efficiently. Contact us to learn more about our available properties or request an opinion of value on your industrial property. SPACE TO GROW. EXPERTISE TO GUIDE YOU. Contact Us Today
Growth By Numbers Business Retention & Expansion Survey highlights momentum, reveals top challenges in sustaining it This past year, Forward Janesville met with dozens of local employers to understand what they’re experiencing on the ground—what’s working, where they’re growing, and what challenges they’re facing. We formalized that effort by launching our first-ever Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Survey, a structured look at the health of our business community. Fifty employers participated, representing more than 11,000 workers across Rock County. Their responses offer a data-driven snapshot of Janesville’s economic climate—and a clearer sense of what lies ahead. The results were striking: • 92% rated Janesville’s business environment positively • 84% said the city enables them to grow • 74% expect to add employees this year • 60% plan to expand within the next two years This feedback doesn’t just confirm that momentum is building. It also highlights the areas where employers need the community to focus—particularly housing availability, workforce readiness, and the pipelines that connect young people to local careers. The full report dives deeper into those trends and provides insights that shape Forward Janesville’s work with local government, educators, developers, and employers of every size. What follows in the feature story reflects not only the numbers— but the voices behind them. Local leaders, employers, and developers share why Janesville is growing, what keeps them here, and what we must address to keep that momentum moving forward. Together, the data and the stories point to the same conclusion: Janesville’s future is taking shape—and the work we do today will determine how far that growth can go. Scan here to read complete report www.forwardjanesville.com | 7
Although the loss of GM certainly redefined the area, its employment base and wage structure, it did not turn the community into a crumbling, abandoned eyesore. On the contrary, Janesville has been remarkably successful in rebuilding its business community and maintaining a positive outlook going forward. Proof of the area’s optimism was confirmed by Forward Janesville’s recent Business Retention and Expansion Survey. In an effort to put a finger on the pulse of the business community, Forward Janesville queried local companies about the business climate, workforce, local government and community. The survey results contained positive data that would have been considered unthinkable in the recent past. A whopping 92% of respondents across all industries rated the local business environment positively. Furthermore, nearly three-quarters planned to hire new employees within a year, and 60% intended to expand within two years. To paraphrase David Byrne, how did we get here? HOW JANESVILLE FOUND ITS MOMENTUM Why has Janesville turned the corner? “I think there are many reasons,” says Jimsi Kuborn, Economic Development Director for the City of Janesville. “It’s a great location for logistical purposes. There’s a better tax structure here (than neighboring states).” “The turnaround has been remarkable,” says James Ottersetin, Rock County’s longtime Economic Development Manager. “It didn’t ‘just happen’ by chance or overnight, and those changes are ongoing.” Otterstein says that Rock County is stronger and more diversified than it was around the time of GM’s closure. And the local data backs that up. “Since 2010, there have been more than 200 private-sector developments throughout Rock County,” Otterstein said. “Combined, these non-residential/non-hospitality developments account for $3 billion-plus in new capital investments, represent more than 7,000 new jobs, and account for over 15 million square feet.” Otterstein says that this data “speaks to the resiliency of an area that refused to let the conditions – and in some cases, the experts – determine its future. (It) contradicts an inaccurate narrative of an eroded economic base, a perception of disinvestment, (and) an outdated storyline which seems to readily remember the pre-2007 economic disparities.” Another key, according to Otterstein, was recognizing that the area’s narrative mattered, and that we needed people who were willing to be champions and early adopters of proactive, forwardthinking initiatives. Otterstein said the survey responses by local businesses looking to grow and expand are a very positive sign. “If your current customers are not interested or cannot grow locally, how can you ever expect to attract any new investments into the community from non-local sources? Success creates success, and success leads to momentum, and momentum generates new and different opportunities.” And once here, employees want to stay here. “It’s a really nice place to live, (and) a safe place to live,” says Kuborn. “There’s a lot of assets that make Janesville the way it is, and why people choose to live here.” Indeed, the BRE survey bears out those assertions. For example, 92% of the respondents rated Janesville high on safety. “We’ve got some amazing businesses that are here and headquartered here,” says Kuborn. “You’ve got a lot of heart in this community. You’ve got a lot of people who have been highly involved in this community and continue to choose to invest in this community.” 8 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Janesville’s Expansion Moment Local employers signal growth ahead – and identify gaps we must solve to sustain it By Jim Lyke If you have lived in Janesville the past two decades, you certainly know that the local economy has experienced a roller coaster ride that rivals anything you would find at Six Flags. The shutdown of the area’s largest employer, General Motors, had an earth-shaking effect that sent seismic ripples throughout Rock County. Sixteen years after its demise, the 240-acre site still lurks like a specter, continuing to make headlines as the city steps up its efforts to redevelop the property. But those who thought Janesville could not recover from such a blow have been proven wrong. United Alloy has more than 1,000 employees spanning three different states.
The Janesville Culver’s Scoopie Night GROWTH STORIES ROOTED IN JANESVILLE A prime example of a business that remains involved and continues to invest in Janesville is Prent Corporation. Launched in 1967 with 15 employees, Prent now has 10 facilities on three continents. Yet Janesville remains the home of its world headquarters. Prent doubled down on its commitment to Janesville a decade ago, when its spin-off company GOEX Corporation built a new 190,000-square-foot facility here, a building that was expanded by 40,000 square feet three years later. “(Expanding here) was a fairly easy decision for us,” says Joe Pregont II, Prent’s President, North America. “We were able to get the land that we needed so we could expand...and run a world-class operation out of this community.” Janesville is also the company headquarters for United Alloy, a metal fabrication business that began with eight employees in 1999. Twenty-six years later, UA now employs over 1,000 in three states. According to Ben Lodahl, UA’s Vice President of Human Resources, his company and the city of Janesville share DNA. “Culturally, we’re so aligned with what good work looks like, and what hard work looks like, we’ve really been able to benefit one another,” says Lodahl. “Our beginnings are here, and our headquarters is going to remain here. The square footage that we’ve been able to add, just in the last five years alone, has brought our manufacturing square footage to over a half million on our Janesville campus. We will continue to grow, and growth will happen in Janesville here, as well.” STRENGTHENING THE TALENT PIPELINE That growth, however, may not come without some growing pains. Pregont cautions that continuing to grow operations right now is a challenge due to workforce constraints. “We want to grow, but it’s challenging because of very low unemployment,” Pregont says. “If we are able to bring in more people, we would certainly be able to grow a lot more. Our limiting factor is our workforce. We need to retain our people in order to be able to continue to grow, because if we have a high turnover rate, there’s just not a big enough market to continue to employ in this area.” “Workforce is vital,” says Kuborn, “and it’s more important than anything else. How do you recruit those who live here and are coming through our education system?” One of the areas where the survey data identified an opportunity for improvement was in the area of student workforce readiness, where two-thirds of the respondents felt Janesville needed to do better. Fortunately, this need has already been recognized and is being addressed by local businesses like Prent and United Alloy who have stepped up and become partners in programs like the Janesville Business Academy and Craftsman With Character. Pregont says that the involvement of Prent and other local businesses is key to make work-based learning a success locally. “The better the program, the better the results,” says Pregont. “We have businesses in town (that) are all in on Janesville, and they’re all in on our young generation. They want that generation staying in Janesville and working at the companies (here). And if we have a really strong program coming out of the schools and supported by the business community, that’s a winning formula. We’re going to be able to develop some very high caliber young people to step into the workforce.” UA’s Lodahl agrees: “One of the things that I’m super proud of is our local school districts really rallying behind the needs of the businesses in the area. There have been, in the last few years, some really great programs that have been developed that have helped young people get a taste of what working in a manufacturing environment could look like. So a lot of kudos go out to the local school districts. It’s something we believe in very heavily. We need to continue our pipeline coming out of school. I think the partnership between the local school districts and a company like United Alloy has really been something that is bringing business back, and making people want to come and open up business here in Janesville.” Forward Janesville continues to partner with the School District of Janesville in both the Craftsman With Character and JBA. We also announced at our Annual Dinner that we have helped secure a $100,000 Studer Education partnership grant from the Forward Foundation – the 501©3 arm of Forward Janesville – to elevate performance and attendance and achieve learning outcomes. And we added Greg Phillips as our Workforce Development United Alloy now has more than 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Janesville. Prent Corporation has spent nearly six decades expanding in Janesville. “Workforce is vital. How do you recruit those who live here and are coming through our education system?” www.forwardjanesville.com | 9
Coordinator, a position funded by the Forward Foundation’s Vision Forward Fund, to continue aligning education with employer needs. CLOSING THE HOUSING GAP Another area identified as an opportunity for improvement was in the area of housing. Seventy-seven percent of the responding businesses believed the city needed to improve its housing stock. A study conducted by the UW-Whitewater Fiscal and Economic Research Center, funded by the Vision Forward Fund, confirmed the belief that there is a shortage of options at every pricing level. This area, perhaps more than any other, poses a threat to the current optimism and business success Janesville is experiencing. Kuborn says the city is making moves to alleviate the issue. “We support the multi-family housing as we can, through TIF incentives,” says Kuborn. “And then when it comes to single-family housing or townhomes or duplexes, we’re in the middle of doing a zoning and building code update to try to enable more, and decrease some of the constraints to try to make it easier.” The problem is not new. Otterstein cited a Housing and Development Summit hosted in 2018 by the City of Janesville to address a shortage of available housing, which local businesses at the time cited as a hindrance to attracting a strong workforce. According to Otterstein, the summit revealed that stagnant rental prices and high construction costs had created a gap that made multi-family developments unprofitable for builders. “In response to the issues identified at the summit,” said Otterstein, “the city took decisive steps to encourage multi-family housing development.” These steps included amending development policies to aggressively promote multi-family projects, marketing to developers from outside the city, and modifying its policy to allow the city to offer incentive-gap financing to help bridge the funding gap for larger projects. In the years following the summit, Janesville saw success in attracting new developments. “News and city records frequently mention new projects and forums discussing the city's housing strategy,” according to Otterstein. Kuborn specifically calls out Hovde Properties, who recently opened the Idylwood Residences, a 219-unit community on Janesville’s east side. Idylwood joins two other 200-plus unit Hovde developments near Palmer Park, the Glade Residences and Woodsview Apartments. Hovde “truly believes in Janesville,” says Kuborn. “I think it’s super exciting.” “Janesville has done a phenomenal job with where it’s at,” says Erik Burns, Hovde’s Vice President of Residential Management. “The City of Janesville made us feel very welcome and were very easy to work with. And owning Woodsview for many, many years, we saw the need for additional high-quality rental housing in that marketplace.” During the week of Idylwood’s public open house in September, Burns reported that the Idylwood was already over 50% leased. “Typically, we would build a property like that in phases, and basically fill it in,” Burns says. “But this time, we opted to build the whole thing at once.” Burns predicts that the Idylwood will be fully leased by August 2026. The Glade opened in phases between 2020 and 2022, and the success of that development gave Hovde the confidence to continue building in Janesville. “The Glade successfully leased up, and then we decided to pursue building Idylwood, which (became) our third community (in Janesville),” Burns says. “So now we have three communities, and they are all different pricing options. Woodsview is the most affordable option, but all offer amenities. Every community has a swimming pool, and has a very nice fitness center.” “I think the growth potential (in Janesville) is significant,” says Burns. “Janesville’s ongoing economic success, job growth, and great leadership have created a strong and lasting demand for high quality housing. We’re confident that trend is going to continue. Our development plans will always be guided by market data, to ensure a healthy balance between supply and demand. You always have to monitor that and make sure you don’t overbuild in any community.” BUILDING THE SPACE FOR WHAT’S NEXT While Madison-based Hovde has invested in Janesville with residential development, another regional company has come in strong on the commercial side. “We’ve got Zilber (Property Group), who has rebuilt most of the industrial space in the city of Janesville,” Kuborn says. “They’re based out of Milwaukee, but they just continue to bet on Janesville and invest in Janesville.” Zilber recently began construction of Zilber Industrial 13, a 238,000-square-foot industrial facility near the intersection of Beloit Avenue and Highway 11 on Janesville’s south side. The building will be the first developed within Janesville Innovation Park, a 110acre industrial development with future capacity for over 1.8 million square feet of industrial space. Zilber also announced this summer that they had leased a 286,420square-foot facility in the same area to Horseshoe Beverage Company LLC, an affiliate of Trilliant Food & Nutrition, LLC. These were just the latest examples of Zilber’s continuing presence in Janesville. The company owns and manages approximately 10 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Hovde Properties cut the ribbon this year to celebrate opening The Idylwood Residences. “Janesville’s ongoing economic success, job growth, and great leadership have created a strong and lasting demand for high quality housing. We’re confident that trend is going to continue.”
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4 million square feet of industrial space across 15 buildings in Rock County, accommodating nearly 20 tenants in manufacturing, distribution and food and beverage industries. “For nearly a decade, Zilber Property Group has played a pivotal role in facilitating value-added industrial and warehousing real estate development opportunities throughout the Janesville-Beloit MSA,” Otterstein said in a press release. “These investments are continually contributing toward strengthening, as well as diversifying, the area’s economy.” “There are a number of positive factors in Janesville that support our continued investment and development activity,” says Todd Battle, Director of Industrial Investments for Zilber. “(Janesville is) a supportive and proactive community that encourages investment and continues to invest in itself. (There is) strong leadership and a ‘can do’ attitude in terms of local government, the business community and the Janesville community at-large, (with) experienced and effective economic development professionals, and a diverse and growing economic base.” When Zilber first worked with Janesville several years ago, Battle says the company had a very positive experience and developed good working relationships that led to the multiple projects that have followed. “There is strong positive momentum in Janesville,” says Battle, “and generally, successful developments encourage and fuel additional investment and development activity. We would expect this trend to continue and are committed to doing our part.” Indeed, Battle said that plans are already in the works for a second building in Innovation Park that would be similar in size to Zilber Industrial 13. Why do companies like it here, and why do they stay? Although originally from northern Illinois, Kuborn has worked in markets from San Antonio to Boise to Chicago, and she believes those experiences give her a unique lens when it comes to Janesville. “I think living in different parts of the United States gives me a different perspective of the fact that Janesville is a really lovely, safe, and very welcoming community,” says Kuborn. “And that’s a hard thing to give up. I think the ability for businesses to continue to expand here and (have it) make business sense for them is why they continue to invest.” Since the BRE survey was conducted, much has changed with new tariffs and economic policies. Can we still be optimistic about what the future holds for Janesville? Otterstein says yes. “I generally have more confidence, than less, as it concerns the BRE data. The first half of 2025...demonstrates there’s strong activity (and) opportunity brewing. The quarterly index was almost all good news as the Rock County economy continues to hold up well.” So put on those shades, Janesville. The future looks bright. 12 | FORWARD JANESVILLE 25-3219 Agrace.org (608) 755-1871 25-3283 Zilber Property Group owns and manages approximately 4 million square feet of industrial space in Rock County.
Forward Janesville’s 2025 Annual Dinner brought more than 700 business and community leaders together for an evening of celebration, connection, and inspiration. Held at the Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center for the first time, the event highlighted the collective strength of our business community and the partnerships that continue to move Janesville forward. This year’s program featured keynote speaker Mark Johnson, whose championship résumé and leadership insights set an energizing tone for the night. His message on building strong teams and successful cultures echoed throughout the room and underscored the importance of collaboration in driving local growth. The success of the evening would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, including our Presenting Sponsors: ABC Supply Co. Inc.; Blain’s Farm & Fleet; Boomerang Home Rentals; JP Cullen; Nowlan Law; and Zilber Property Group. Platinum Sponsors included: Angus-Young; Baker Tilly; Blackhawk Community Credit Union; BMO; Combs & Associates, Inc.; Janesville Sand & Gravel Co./LYCON Inc.; Johnson Financial Group; kf. Wealth Management; Lake Ridge Bank; Mercyhealth; Meridian; MaryTerryDesign; Pieper Electric Inc.; PremierBank; Prent Corporation; R.H. Batterman; Rock Road Companies, Inc.; Ryan Incorporated Central; Townsquare Media; TRICOR Insurance; UWWhitewater at Rock County; and Whiton House. Gold sponsors included: Avondale Roofing; The Janesville Gazette; Sauk Valley Bank; and SHINE Technologies. 14 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Gold-Medal Mindset
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16 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Capital follows talent, and talent follows place. Cities on the move understand this truth. People and companies invest in communities when they know they can find good workers. Jim Clifton, Chairman of Gallup, writes in his bestselling book The Coming Jobs War that cities that thrive are those that can attract the talent to fill jobs. Creating and sustaining a workforce is not easy. The communities that create a great place to live, earn, learn, and play will be the winners. This list can, and should, include Janesville. Housing Mix Matters What makes a great place to live? The answer is different for each person and each age group. Younger people want work opportunities and a vibrant community. Janesville’s new Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center fits the need to bring people together and create energy. The best way to attract visitors is by making the community a great place for those who already live there. Thriving cities also have vibrant downtowns. People want a reason to go downtown, and smart cities provide it. Janesville is doing many things right: from programming of runs, walks, and festivals; to shopping and entertainment; to well-designed public spaces and venues. All of this brings more interest in living downtown. Not only do younger people want to live there, so do baby boomers. A key for all groups is a sense of safety. When more people move in, it enhances safety and leads to more jobs, more city revenue, and more housing availability. The key is offering a mix of residential options—from different sizes of living units to varied rent and purchase opportunities. As Shane Phillips shows in his book The Affordable City, all housing is important. It comes down to supply and demand. A healthy mix benefits the person looking for a starter home as well as the family in need of a larger residence. For this second group, the quality of schools and childcare is a top priority. Speed to Market Drives Growth A city’s likelihood of thriving can hinge on its ability to move quickly in decision making. This does not mean rushing for the sake of speed. The opportunity must be right for the community. As Ed McMahon of the Urban Land Institute says, character counts. Turning down bad development creates space for good development to follow. When a city is well organized and has a sensible approval process in place, more economic investment will come. Investors base decisions on the market. They need a customer base to buy their product or service. They also face changing costs of supplies, labor, and borrowing. Contractors will only lock in guaranteed maximum prices for a limited time. A small shift in any of these areas can stop, delay, or reduce investment. All of this is time-sensitive. Cities that make approvals user-friendly and efficient give themselves a decisive edge. A Shared Future Attracting and retaining talent is the same as attracting and retaining residents. Both require investment—and making it easier for investors pays off. More people paying taxes and spending dollars in the city means more revenue. More revenue, in turn, means safer streets, talented city workers, and stronger infrastructure. Janesville is already a good place to live. By working together—and just as important, faster—community leaders can make it a great place to live. About Quint Studer: Quint Studer is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and leadership expert dedicated to helping organizations and communities thrive. He founded Studer Group, which improved education and healthcare outcomes and earned the Malcolm Baldrige Award before its acquisition in 2015. Studer’s focus was also on community revitalization via the Studer Community Institute (SCI), which advances early brain development and leadership training. He also founded the Center for Civic Engagement. The Center brings in speakers to Pensacola on a wide range of topics aimed at educating citizens and raising civic IQ. His efforts helped revitalize Pensacola, Florida, driving significant growth and earning national recognition. He has authored 16 books, including The Busy Leader’s Handbook, a Wall Street Journal bestseller, and Building a Vibrant Community, which is a blueprint for creating great places to live, work, and play. A passionate teacher and mentor, he continues to inspire leaders and communities nationwide. Faster Decision Making Can Lead to a More Vibrant Janesville By Quint Studer ADVERTORIAL A healthy city offers a mix of housing at every price point. When people can move up or down the ladder, the entire community benefits. ‘ Photo: Eduardo Lara, CivicCon Communications Director Photo: Gregg Pachowski of the Pensacola News Journal Photo: Gregg Pachowski of the Pensacola News Journal
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Graves Accounting & Business Management Gray Family Dental Guardian Home Improvement Hagen CPA, LLC Harris Ace Hardware, LLP Holtz Tax & Accounting LLC Honeybee Media Hy-Vee Ignatek, LLC Impulse Printing & Promotions intelIT Solutions International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 890 Ironside Fitness J & W Transfer J.C. Heating and Cooling, Inc. Janesville Athletic Club Janesville Buzz Janesville Cleaning Professionals Janesville Jets Janesville Sand & Gravel Co./LYCON Inc. JNB Signs, Inc. Johnnycorp, LLC Johnson Acquisition Corp Johnson Financial Group Jon Green Family Auto JP Cullen Kaiser LLC Kayser Chevrolet Buick GMC KF.Wealth Management KFI Staffing Kim Colby Homes Kittelsen Law Firm KleenMark Kraus-Anderson Construction Company KRS Investments LLP Lake Ridge Bank Lakeland Care Lanair Products, LLC Land Title & Closing Services, LLC LKQ Star Auto Parts Corp. Lon’s Jon’s MacFarlane Pheasants Inc. Malterer’s Landscaping & Lawncare Inc. Marigold Speech Pathology Services LLC Mastercraft Ventures Medical Grade Aesthetics MercyCare Health Plans Mercyhealth MFG, LLC Midwest CPA Midwest IT Solutions Milton Lawns Memorial Park Minuteman Press N1 Critical Technologies, Inc. Nelson’s Hometowne Recreation Newmark Next Generation Nowlan Law Nowlan Personal Injury Law OfficePro Olde Towne Mall Paul Davis Restoration Paulson Kimball Construction, LLC Phoenix Media Group Pincherry LLC R.H. Batterman & Co., Inc. RA Homes Realty Revitalize Health & Wellness Riley Nilo Training Center Ritter Lawn & Landscape LLC Rock County Sealcoat Rock Realty LLC Rock Road Companies, Inc. Rockin Rob’s Rollin’ On The River Rooster Roofing Rotary Botanical Gardens RSM US LLP Safety Management & Training LLC Santa Maria Supermarket Sauk Valley Bank Scarlett’s Charm Schneider Funeral Directors, Inc. School District of Janesville Segra Simple Scissors Salon Sola Salons Spherion Staffing & Recruiting - Madison and Rockford SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Janesville State Farm Insurance | Jaysen Jorgensen Stateline Community Foundation Stratus Building Solutions of Greater Madison Streamline Swim Academy Sugardust Bakehouse & Sodas Summit Credit Union Sunrise Telecom Inc. Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Services, Inc. Superior Technologies TeamLogic IT The Developing Edge, LLC The Diamond Center The Janesville Gazette The QTI Group The Sherwin Williams Paint Co. Three Pillars Wealth Management Thrive Massage & Healing Arts LLC Thrivent Financial Timber Hill Winery Town Bank N.A., A Wintrust Community Bank Tri-County Contracting True North Title Holdings, LLC Turke & Steil LLP TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Untapped Merch Van Galder Bus Company Visiting Angels Wegner CPAs Whiskey Ranch Bar & Grill Whiton House Wide Effect Talent Solutions WinMan LLC Young Auditorium Zeal Clinical Staffing Zilber Property Group Champions Club members believe in the mission of Forward Janesville and know that investing in Forward Janesville drives growth in their business and our community. As key supporters of Forward Janesville’s strategic initiatives, Champions Club members invest at an elevated level and are provided exclusive upgrades and benefits to promote and grow their business. Thank you, Champions Club members, for your support and confidence in Forward Janesville’s ability to carry out our mission and help our members and community become stronger, together. Thank you, CHAMPIONS CLUB INVESTORS! CHAMPIONS CLUB INVESTORS Scan the QR code to learn more about the benefits of Champions Club
On Sept. 25, we were excited to welcome more than 150 golfers to Glen Erin Golf Club for Forward Janesville’s annual Golf Outing. Baker Tilly was the lead sponsor for a day filled with networking, contests, food and drinks, raffles … and even a little golf, too. Tee sponsors included: Advia Credit Union; Avondale Roofing; Caravel Autism Health; Coldwell Banker The Realty Group; Corporate Contractors Inc.; First Community Credit Union; Honeybee Media; Ahern; Prent Corporation; Nowlan Law, JOIN Janesville, Mercyhealth; Segra; True North Consultants; US Cellular - Quality Cellular; Weed Man; Westphal & Company, Inc.; and Hovde Properties. Green sponsors included: First National Bank and Trust; Avid Pallet Services, LLC; Black Bridge Family Dental; Block Diesel Repair; Davis Physical Therapy; Dean Health Plan, Inc.; First Business Bank; Impulse Printing & Promotions; Macco's Floor Covering Center; MacFarlane Pheasants, Inc.; Masonite; MercyCare Health Plans; MFG, LLC Employee Benefits Advisors; Paulson Kimball Construction; The Janesville Gazette; The Pension Specialists, Ltd.; R.H. Batterman and Zilber Property Group. Event sponsors included: Lake Ridge Bank; Emersion Orchestra; BMO; M3 Insurance; Blackhawk Community Credit Union; Janesville Jets; PremierBank; Townsquare Media; and Whiton House. And premier sponsors included: Kayser Automotive Group; TRICOR Insurance; drafthouse; Angus-Young; and Johnson Financial Group. Thanks to everyone who played in, attended, sponsored or provided a raffle donation to this year’s sold-out event. And watch your calendar for early summer of 2026 to secure your spot in next year’s Golf Outing. FORE! 18 | FORWARD JANESVILLE
Taking care of you FROM THE TOP DOWN Specialized treatment • Hand and wrist care • Hip care • Knee care • Shoulder care • Sports injury treatment Our skilled orthopedic team is by your side, from your first consultation to full recovery. We’re committed to your care every step of the way. Call (888) 396-3729 to make an appointment with a Mercyhealth orthopedic specialist. mercyhealthsystem.org/ortho-rock LOCAL BANKING LASTING RELATIONSHIPS 608.563.1457 2107 Foster Ave, Suite 100, Janesville, WI 53545 www.saukvalleybank.com LOCATED AT THE MDR HOUSE Real Estate & Lifestyle by Design mdrhouse.net www.forwardjanesville.com | 19
20 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Exercise servant leadership, genuinely care about others, and focus on the details. 1 2 3 { LIFE LESSONS} There is no end to education. Be prepared for life-long learning. Be okay with taking on the hard things in life. “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm” – Publilius Syrus When Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk Technical College, came on board, his vision of the methodology and delivery of education was exactly the change that BTC needed. In my division (Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology and Transportation), we hadn’t been meeting the real needs of our industry partners. With his executive leadership and support we were able to “shake the snow globe” and create a model that started doing that. I was able to build a team of subject matter experts that understood our audience, listened to what they wanted and delivered a working product. Opening the Innovative Manufacturing Education Center (IMEC) at the Blackhawk Tech central campus location was an important part of that transformation. A facility where a student will experience a real-world environment. Where teaching the culture of industry was as important as the nuts and bolts. It was important to me and my team because we have a passion for our local employers. Family First! I lost my wife to cancer in September of 2024 and my mother in October of 2025. My wife and I had one son who now lives in Michigan along with one of my sisters, with another sister in Ohio and one in Janesville. I don’t have regrets, but I understand that time is precious. I need to take full advantage of the time I have left in appreciation of my family. HOW DID I GET HERE? success • challenges • life lessons • education • career • family • inspirations In my youth, I was the typical “tactile learner.” Not much of a reader (and even less of a speller). I’d rather be outside building, repairing or creating something. My dad was a mechanic, and we restored a 1964 Ford Falcon wagon when I was about 16. Then, as a young lad who knew everything at 17 years old, going into the U.S. Marine Corps gave me a much broader world view at a very young age. This was, of course, the beginning of my journey in things like discipline, attention to detail, and leadership – influences that are still with me to this day. Through all of that, I had a very strong mechanical aptitude, so it’s no surprise that I found my way into the trades. People in the trades are natural “teachers.” We’re always working with other technical individuals and learning from each other. Pride in craftsmanship is a very strong motivator for us. We love what we do and when someone takes an interest in that, we love to show what we can know and can do. So, I think my transition to delivering structured education was a natural one. It felt right. It was, however, starting a whole different career. • • GREG PHILLIPS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, FORWARD JANESVILLE DEAN EMERITUS, BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE { WORK EXPERIENCE } 2010 – 2025 Blackhawk Technical College 1996 – 2010 Master Electrician, IBEW Local 890 1983-1995 Maintenance Technician, Simmons Bedding Company 1978-1982 Corporal, United States Marine Corps I’m a Baby Boomer. I spent my career living to work. That’s who we are. I’d like to believe I managed a balance for my family, and I worked hard in order to have the ability to retire. I don’t have a lot of hobbies, so the opportunity to be involved in the things I’m passionate about, on my terms, is what the next chapter looks like right now. When it comes to workforce development, higher education is getting it. Industry partners like the Stateline Manufacturing Alliance (SMA) get it. Programs like Craftsman With Character and Youth Apprenticeship get it. Our K12 partners get it. My goal is to be a resource to start making connections for our area youth with business and industry that keeps our incoming workforce in Janesville. • • I passed up an advancement opportunity early in my career. I always regretted that. Since then, I’ve gone through every open door presented to me for advancement. I say that I’ve experienced five different careers over the years. I love the adage, “Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity.” I’ve been very lucky in my career.
www.forwardjanesville.com | 21 uww.edu/rock YOU EARNED THOSE CREDITS. WE COUNT THEM. continue your journey: BAAS degree completion program
22 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Champions Behind Our Community’s Business Growth TANNER VOSS Vice President – Commercial Banking, BMO Forward Janesville Board of Directors BMO, and formerly M&I, has a storied history of being involved with Forward Janesville, and Tanner Voss recognized the importance of continuing that relationship when he joined the Board in 2024. It did not take him long to dive in and get involved as we embarked on conducting our Business Retention and Expansion survey. “BMO has always been incredibly committed to the communities that we operate and do business in,” Voss said, “and our relationship with Forward Janesville is a shining example of that.” Describe your role in heading up Forward Janesville’s Business Retention & Expansion survey? What made you lean in and get more involved in that project specifically? Under Past Board Chair Derek Greene, we identified three priority items that we were going to focus on as a Board, and I elected to raise my hand to Chair the Business Retention & Expansion initiative. It was our goal to go out and interview 50 local business leaders to find out what they felt were Janesville’s biggest strengths and also its greatest opportunities to improve. As a Commercial Relationship Manager for BMO, this initiative aligned closely with my normal job responsibilities, and I felt it was a great opportunity for me to provide some meaningful “lift” for a priority area for the community. What are one or two of the biggest pieces of advice you would give to businesses looking to grow in Rock County today? I think the biggest piece of advice I would offer would be to ignore the outside noise. For far too long, I believe there was a perception that Janesville/Rock County wasn’t open for business. I genuinely believe that is not the case and that we have leaders within City government that want to both keep our businesses here and help them grow, and to continue to attract others to come here. The other piece of advice I would offer is to lean into the resources we have here within the community, such as Blackhawk Tech, to help augment or enhance your workforce. When you’re not working or volunteering, where would we find you? I also am the Treasurer of the Board for Junior Achievement of South Central Wisconsin and on the Board of Directors for the Stateline Boys & Girls Club, so any time outside of work or volunteering is most often spent with my beautiful wife, Kate, and our three children: Lowyn (10), Landry (7), and Scottlynn (4). If I can sneak out for a quick round of golf or boating with the family, it’s an added plus. SAMANTHA FREITAG Business Development & Logistics Manager, True North Title Forward Janesville Ambassadors Our volunteer Ambassadors are the engines that help us elevate our events, and Samantha Freitag is helping to lead the way. If you’ve attended one of our events in the last couple years, there’s a good chance you’ve met her there or that she has been busy behind the scenes making the magic happen. Samantha showcases those skills elsewhere, too, like helping True North Title launch regular events that educate local businesses and community members. And she helps lead one of the top fundraisers each year for VetsRoll.org. Our Forward Janesville volunteers strengthen our organization — and our community — through their time, expertise and leadership. Meet three dedicated members who share how they’re helping shape Janesville’s future: from supporting business retention and expansion, to championing new and growing enterprises, to engaging in policy conversations that guide long-term development. Their perspectives offer a glimpse into what drives their service, how their employers invest locally, and what inspires them beyond the workday. Meet Tanner Voss, Samantha Freitag, and John Gackstetter.
www.forwardjanesville.com | 23 What value do you think the Forward Janesville Ambassadors bring to the community? What do you like most or get most out of being an Ambassador? It’s been incredibly rewarding to be part of something that helps our city grow while building meaningful connections along the way. I’ve experienced: tremendous growth in my professional network; increased involvement in local business initiatives; a stronger sense of community; and a feeling of being a part of something much bigger. Just getting to know what is happening or coming to Janesville before it is announced is exciting. I also find value in going to ribbon cuttings to meet new business owners and make connections not only for work but my personal life, as well. What are some of the ways True North Title supports the growth of its local communities? We put community and customer service first. Alongside the owners and the incredible True North team, we’ve made it a priority to show up and get involved. That means joining outreach committees, supporting local fundraisers, advocating through legislative initiatives, partnering with local schools, and volunteering at and even planning community events. Whether it's financial donations, giving our time, or rolling up our sleeves to help organize something meaningful — our goal is to help elevate the community experience and make a lasting impact. We also look to elevate the customer and agent experience. We help to educate our local realtors on title by hosting bimonthly educational seminars and offering one-on-one title classes for anyone that is interested. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Life is short – always eat dessert! … Or, my dad has always told me, “Act like a duck.” You can be moving your legs like crazy to stay afloat, but be calm and cool on the surface. JOHN GACKSTETTER Director of Real Estate, ABC Supply Co., Inc. Forward Janesville Government Relations Council John Gackstetter joined our Government Relations Council in 2023 in part because he had seen the revitalization of Janesville’s downtown up close and personal – it’s right in his front yard. More recently, he has helped lead the GRC’s committee that is focused on the redevelopment of the former GM/JATCO site. He enjoys “the opportunity to help build a community for my family and friends to live, work and play in.” What value do you find in being a member of Forward Janesville’s Government Relations Council? The Government Relations Council is a group of individuals who represent the larger surrounding business community, so GRC is a wonderful way to be exposed to real topics, challenges and opportunities that present themselves within the Janesville community. And it allows for the input of both the individual and a local business perspective. There’s also a large education component, with a constant stream of subject matter experts presenting and informing the council on those topics. And at the end of the day, these meetings, presentations and events all afford a valuable networking opportunity. When looking at the GRC’s Policy Priority Areas, which of those do you choose to lean in and get more involved with, and why? I am the co-chair of the Centennial Park Committee (the GM/JATCO site), which I find to be an exciting and longterm opportunity for Janesville. My background and experience is in real estate and development, and particularly with large, blighted and contaminated sites. With its location and proximity to downtown, its capacity and infrastructure, and sheer size, there’s so many exciting opportunities for this site to serve the immediate community, the City, and even Rock County as a whole. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? My wife, Holly, and I would take our boys – Graham (10) and Leon (4) – to Italy. We love Italy; the history, the food, the wine, the scenery, the culture, it is all so beautiful to us. I’ve had the opportunity to live and study architecture in Florence. Holly and I have had the opportunity to visit and tour, and now we want our boys to experience the same beautiful things!
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