A Proud Investor in our Community
Merrick , Inc . team celebrating Jenn Wold ’ s award . Business Leadership Award honoree L-R Rick Lucio , Samantha Lucio , Kim Lucio , Ashley Fettinger and Thomas Boudreau .
Congratulations are also in order for the 2023 Rising Star Award winners . Rising Stars are young leaders who have been nominated by members of the community to receive special recognition for the work they are doing .
The 2023 winners are Mike Vowels ( Fresh Paint ), Jenn Wold ( Merrick , Inc .) and Erin Olson ( RealTime Talent ).
Mike Vowels , Fresh Paint
Mike Vowels , 27 , is the Vice President of Business Development for Fresh Paint , a Vadnais Heights-based company that does commercial and industrial painting for everything from small offices to large industrial facilities and skyscrapers . They do interior and exterior painting , floor coating , and striping and specialty painting .
His role entails not only overseeing new business initiatives but also fostering
enduring relationships with clients , emphasizing Fresh Paint ’ s commitment to lasting connections .
Vowels has worked at Fresh Paint since January 2019 , starting at the company right after graduating from college . His first job at the company was in the marketing department . He soon transitioned to the business development department , and then in December 2022 , he was named Vice President of Business Development .
He now leads and manages a team of six : four estimators , one individual who handles marketing , and the person who assists with business development . He is also developing an internship program for the summer to provide opportunities for people in college .
“ I love coming into work every day and I love the people I work with , and getting to serve people every day ,” he said .
When he learned that both his boss , and business coach , Nancy Hoglund , had nominated him for the Rising Star Award , and that he had won , he was both surprised and grateful “ I didn ’ t expect anything like this . The award is more about the people I work with than it ’ s about me . It ’ s very humbling ,” he said .
Jenn Wold , Merrick , Inc .
Jenn Wold , 37 , is the Assistant Program Director of Life Enrichment at Merrick , Inc . The Vadnais Heights-based nonprofit provides life enrichment activities and meaningful work to adults living in the northeastern Twin Cities who have intellectual and developmental disabilities .
One of her jobs is overseeing the Life Enrichment Program at Merrick , Inc .
A Proud Investor in our Community
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