Jeremiah Miller leans forward in the office chair at 4-Seasons Athletics, LLC, in Waseca. His voice grows more intense as he discusses the various aspects of his life: his family, 4-Seasons Athletics, being a licensed agent in his uncle’s insurance company and his mission to help veterans regain stability in their lives.
Just a quick glance at the outside of the Madelia Lumber Company shows what values drive owner Matt Gunderson’s personal life and business philosophy. Placed right underneath the store’s name is a giant Marine Corps emblem, a testament to Gunderson’s four years in the Marines—as well as the military service of many of his employees.
Nathan Stolt has strayed a bit far from the plans he made as an undergrad. The New Ulm native started out studying illustration at MSU-Mankato, but all that changed when he purchased his first computer in 1994.
Before we get into this issue’s column, I’ll admit that I’m a little biased about the subject of veterans. My father, Bradley Webb, was an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving overseas during the first Gulf War. From the stories he’s told me, his time in the military created some of his best memories.
When Tommy Inkrott became director of strength and conditioning at Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2009, he began to hear the same question over and over from his student athletes: “What’s the best protein supplement to use?”
Heroes come in many forms, but perhaps the easiest to identify is the American service member. Many of these veterans have gone on to start their own businesses, grounded in the same core principles that they refined in the military.
Judy Lindemeier has always had a knack for houses. She has been in real estate for more than 20 years, first as a general contractor and then as a licensed real estate agent.
United States service members face many challenges during their time in the military—and many more when trying to transition back to the civilian workforce. Minnesotan veterans are no different. The state is currently home to about 370,000 veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, with about 6,900 veterans in the nine-county south central Minnesota area.
While foreclosure numbers have declined to about what was seen before the recession, bank repossessions have jumped 66 percent year
