Meet the 2024 Heartland honorees

Margaret Murphy is Founder and CEO of Bold Orange Company.

Bold Orange Company is a leading customer experience company focused on helping brands outperform in the areas of acquisition, engagement, growth and retention. They believe authentic human connections are the single most important driver of business and societal progress. They exist to create those connections and driving relevancy between businesses and their customers is what they do. Solutioning through strategy, content, technology, media and analytics is how they do it. Human-led, purposeful, brave, future-focused. That is who they are.

Nolan Lubarski is CEO of CNOS PC.

The Center for Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, & Spine (CNOS) is a private, physician-owned multispecialty group located in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota with clinics also in Sioux City, IA, and South Sioux City Nebraska. CNOS offers health care services across nine different specialties including: Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Podiatry, Rheumatology, General Surgery, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, and Occupational Medicine. CNOS also offers MRI, CT, X-ray and dexascan imaging services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, durable medical equipment, and athletic training services.

Craig O'Halloran is CEO of Foss Swim School

FOSS Swim School (“Foss”) was founded by Jon and Susan Foss in 1993 with a vision to make kids safer around water. Jon was taught to respect the water and embrace swimming by his mother, who lost a sibling to drowning. Jon and Susan started the program in a church pool, providing lessons to 12 kids. Over the last 30 years, Foss has built an extensive network of purpose-built learn to swim facilities, teaching millions of lessons annually. The organization was built based on the premise of reinvesting all profits back into the business and establish a culture of continuous improvement. This philosophy has led to a platform to scale thru consistent investment in its team, systems, and facilities. Foss currently operates 28 locations across six states and has several new schools in various stages of development. Foss currently employs over 1,100 team members and taught over 160,000 students in 2023. Foss’s core customer is young families with children, primarily in suburban markets in larger metro markets. The Swim Path curriculum navigates children as young as six months to adults thru a progression-based skill centric program, building on skills as they progress thru the program.

Paula Gamer is President and CEO of Gamer Packaging, Inc.

Gamer Packaging, Inc. is a full-service packaging distributor serving predominantly the food, beverage, personal care, household chemical, pet/vet and pharmaceuticals industries. Gamer has partnered with the most respected glass, plastic, and aluminum packaging manufacturers in the world to offer our customers the best in both stock and custom packaging options. Sourcing quality manufactured products is just the start. Gamer provides our customers with creative financing options, flexible warehousing and consignment options, top-notch design and engineering services, all from a team of people that really care about the success of our customers. We provide high-touch, boutique style service.

Mark Watkins is CEO and Founder of Geneva Capital, LLC

Formed in July 2000 by Mark Watkins, Geneva Capital has grown from a 5-person firm to a full-service direct lender with 86 full-time employees. As it was on day-one, our mission remains true today: to be the leading provider of equipment financing solutions to all businesses, while remaining committed to a culture of service and stewardship. Today, Geneva Capital fulfills equipment finance needs nationwide and across specific niches including graphic arts, health & fitness, apparel, fabrication, and printing, and more. Understanding that owning a business can be challenging, Geneva Capital aims to make financing simple with quick approvals, competitive terms, and unmatched customer service. With a friendly staff and personalized service, Team Geneva prides itself on building and maintaining excellent relationships with customers and vendors. Our team of over-achievers consistently works to meet and exceed goals, all while fostering a culture of teamwork, camaraderie, and fun. As we like to say, “we’re real people helping real people prosper.

David Graff is Chief Executive Officer, Co-founder of Hudl.
Matt Mueller is Chief Operating Officer of Hudl.
John Wirtz is Chief Product Officer, Co-founder of Hudl.
Brian Kaiser is Chief Technology Officer, Co-founder of Hudl.

Hudl empowers more than 230,000 sports teams globally to reach their potential. A complete suite of video and data products ensures coaches and teams at every level have the information and insights they need to be their best. Our smart cameras capture every second of the action, and our software makes video easy to access, analyze, share and learn from. That video also enables athletes to get recruited and teams at every level to find their next star. And fans and communities who want to be part of the action can connect to livestreaming, athlete highlights and team profiles. That’s why more than 8M users across 40+ sports trust Hudl for every moment that matters to them.

Joel Peterson is Founder and CEO of iSPACE Environments.

iSpace Environments excels in enhancing commercial interiors by seamlessly integrating furniture, technology, and architectural elements with comprehensive design, installation, and technology support services. Catering primarily to the B2B sector, the company specializes in creating dynamic, efficient workspaces tailored to the specific needs of various industries. Their product lineup includes cutting-edge office furniture, state-of-the-art audiovisual systems, and innovative workspace technology solutions, alongside modular walls and acoustic solutions that redefine interior spaces. iSpace serves a diverse clientele, including corporate offices, financial institutions, legal firms, higher-education establishments, hospitality venues, automotive and industrial entities, and government agencies. Through a blend of aesthetic appeal, functionality, and technology integration, iSpace Environments sets the standard for modern workspace design, making it a leader in its field.

Jim Loffler is CEO of Loffler Companies.
James Loffler is President of Loffler Companies.

Loffler Companies is the largest privately owned business technology and services organization in the Upper Midwest. We provide innovative solutions and managed services to drive business for organizations. Our offerings include IT Professional and Managed Services, Multi-Functional Copiers and Printers, Managed Print Services, Unified Communications, Managed Cybersecurity, Software/Workflow Technologies and more. We work with clients across all industries: small to medium-sized businesses, healthcare, legal, nonprofit, faith-based, K-12 education, higher education, manufacturing, banking/finance, architecture, design, construction, advertising, marketing, engineering, government and commercial print. The foundation of our success is based on exceeding the expectations of our clients, employees, partners and community.

Pat Chinander is Founder and CEO of Love From USA Group, Inc.

Love From USA Group, Inc. is an established ACDBE, woman-owned family business with more than 45+ years of specialty retail, travel, news, and convenience experience. With 19 locally inspired concepts in airports and high-trafficked tourist areas throughout the United States, Love From USA proudly maintains average secret shopper customer satisfaction scores of more than 95%. The Love From USA team delivers a competitive advantage with its decades of retail experience, specifically in airport travel retail. Love From USA understands the needs and desires of travelers and thus fills store shelves and displays with relevant merchandise mixes that sell - whether it be products sourced by local vendors, or exclusive products curated by their in-house Buying and Graphic Design Teams.

Bo Lais is Founder and CEO of Lula.

Lula is a technology platform that streamlines the maintenance process for property managers and their residents while also providing a fully-vetted network of contractors across 40 cities to complete the work.

Ryan Bosshart is CEO of phData.

Founded in 2014 by four data engineers, phData focuses on solving real-world data engineering, operations, and advanced analytics problems with the best cloud platforms and products.

phData brings together the most talented data scientists, consultants, engineers, and architects for expert modern data stack and cloud services. From strategy to enablement to artificial intelligence, our team helps you get more value out of your data—whether it’s just connecting the dots or rewriting the book. With innovative customers in various industries and phData’s best practices in hand, our team loves taking on new challenges for you.

Jeff Kiesel is Chairman, CEO and President of Restaurant Technologies, Inc.

Restaurant Technologies is the leading provider of commercial kitchen solutions for nearly 40,000 customers nationwide. Since 1999, its Total Oil Management and AutoMist® solutions help “Control the Kitchen Chaos” for quick-service and full-service restaurant chains, independent restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, resorts, casinos, hospitals, and more. By automating the hardest tasks in the kitchen, Restaurant Technologies improves food quality, safety, and efficiency for its customers. 

Total Oil Management eliminates the manual handling of cooking oil through an automated solution that delivers, stores, filters, monitors, and removes oil. Restaurant Technologies also works with renewable energy partners to recycle used cooking oil into renewable fuels for a more sustainable business. AutoMist automates hood and flue cleaning to reduce fire risk and create a cleaner, safer work environment.

Headquartered in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, Restaurant Technologies is privately held and operates 41 depots nationwide with more than 1,600 employees. For more information, visit www.rti-inc.com, or follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or X @RTIoil.

Brian Roers is Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Roers Companies.
Kent Roers is Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Roers Companies.

Roers Companies, founded by brothers Kent and Brian Roers in 2012, is a multifamily real estate investment firm powered by in-house development, construction, and property management. The company provides real estate investment opportunities to private individuals through our market-rate apartment projects and works to alleviate the housing shortage through our affordable housing developments.

Over the past five years, Roers Companies has experienced rapid growth, ranking among the top multifamily developers in the Twin Cities and the nation.

Roers Cos. continues to develop a diverse mix of properties including affordable housing communities; historic redevelopments; market-rate apartments; mixed-use, commercial properties; and active 55+ apartment communities. In 2022, Roers Companies expanded its operations, moving to a larger headquarters in Plymouth, Minn., and launching an in-house general contracting division. The firm now has regional offices in Austin, Texas and Tampa, Fla. with plans to add Phoenix, Ariz. in 2024. 

Roers Companies relies on a growing group of 1400+ private investors, including accredited investors working with registered investment advisors (RIAs), to fund its projects.

Josh Herron is CEO of Southwind.
Tyler Staszak is CFO of Southwind.

Southwind is the most trusted name in home services. We provide junk removal, lawn care, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, moving, window cleaning, power washing and gutter cleaning but it's not about the services we provide, it's how we provide the services. Southwind's mission is to grow and develop the next generation of leaders to own and operate businesses across the country.

Lori Coulter is Co-Founder, CEO and President of Summersalt.
Reshma Chattaram Chamberlin is Chief Brand & Digital Officer and Co-Founder of Summersalt.

Launched in 2017, Summersalt’s impact is intentional, disruptive, and necessary in today’s fashion industry. Summersalt re-defined how it feels to purchase a swimsuit in a male-dominated, over-sexualized market lacking representation, while also adopting sustainability as a core pillar since its inception.

Summersalt creates designer-quality fashion for women who are going places—without the designer price tag. Crafted from sustainable, premium materials and designed in flattering colors and fun prints, Summersalt pieces are wearable, joyful and easy to throw on, helping women feel confident and chic wherever they are, whatever they’re doing.

Brian Smith is President and CEO of Wagner Logistics.

Wagner is a leading 3PL service provider offering distribution, warehousing, contract packaging and transportation services to Fortune 500 and small/midsized companies across a network of facilities in the United States. Wagner uses world-class technology to provide visibility and execution, delivering clients unsurpassed service from a team of highly skilled associates.

Bret Weiss is President and CEO of WSB.

WSB is a design and consulting firm specializing in engineering, community planning, environmental, and construction services. Our staff improves the way people engage with communities, transportation, infrastructure, energy and our environment. We offer services in over 50 complementary areas that seamlessly integrate planning, design and implementation. Our coast-to-coast client base is served from 49 offices in ten states. We share a vision to connect your dreams for tomorrow to the needs of today—the future is ours for the making.