St. Cloud Times/LocalIQ has announced its 2021 Class of 5 Under 40 winners to honor outstanding young professionals who are poised to become community leaders for years to come.
Contestants are nominated by readers and chosen by the 5 winners under 40 from the previous year. This year, 17 applications were received.
Because the winners are selected by the last year’s 5 under 40 winners, there is an unbroken bond between the 85 leaders who have been honored in the program since its inception in 2005. This includes the latest class of honorees: Matt Dankers, Mike Jordet, Erin Rae, Lindsay Salzbrun and Alex Schoephoerster. Here are their stories:
Join us on April 5 to celebrate the winners of the 2021 Class of 5 Under 40s. A social hour begins at 4:30 p.m. and the rewards program begins at 6 p.m. at the Regency, 912 W St. Germain St. Get tickets at tickets.sctimes.com.
Matt Dankers
Vice President of Business Development, Blattner Energy
Building a Wind Power Plant Blattner Energy’s presence in the solar market was not all sunshine and rainbows. Matt Dankers played an important role in this effort, and for him, he was driven by a desire to provide year-round jobs for workers and contribute to energy independence. In the meantime, he adopts what he sees as Blattner’s style of leadership – it’s all about others – in his personal endeavors as well.
Mike Jordet
Inventory Manager and Master Dealer, Minnesota Truck Headquarters
Minnesota Truck’s corporate headquarters has four out of 100 locations, Mike Jordet said. Sounds bold, but it comes from the man who started out selling cars because his grandfather wouldn’t pick up the phone. Fast forward from 18 to 36, and along with his brother, father and grandfather, Jordet navigated Minnesota Truck Headquarters through several phases in the pickup truck niche that fueled its success. And he did everything by keeping the door open for others, taking them with him.
Continued:A Minnesota businessman went from selling frogs to Fords, offering a second chance along the way
Erin Rae
Baker and co-owner, Flour & Flower; co-owner, Krewe
It fights sexism, stereotypes and food waste. She pushes for positive change in an industry she loves. She welcomes collaboration with other business owners and invests in the community culture of St. Joseph. It’s Erin Rae – oh, and she also baked you a butter pie.
Continued:Flour & Flower owner wants to love the industry and support others in everything she does
Lindsay Salzbrun
Owner, White Peony Boutique
For some, a commercial location nicknamed “the shed” may not seem appealing. But White Peony shoppers know that the shed shop grew out of the basement shop, which was born out of Lindsay Salzbrun’s desire to do something a little different. And while much of the business is done online, that doesn’t stop Salzbrun from trying to make its customers feel like a community.
Continued:A no-give-up attitude pushes the basement shop into business and onto the 5 Under 40 list of winners
Alex Schoephoerster
Business Lawyer, Moss & Barnett
Why work against each other when you could work together? Not words you expect from a lawyer – but Alex Schoephoerster wants to prove that most lawyers aren’t like the jokes you hear. He was drawn to business law because of its collaborative nature. In his spare time, he also works with other board members for the success of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota and for the success of his little brother, whom he mentors as part of a larger duet with his wife.
Continued:5 Under 40 winner quietly puts community first by working with Big Brothers Big Sisters
Sarah Kocher is the economics reporter for the St. Cloud Times. Contact her at 320-255-8799 or [email protected] Follow her on Twitter @SarahAKocher.
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