Marketplace Today Blog

Three prominent business leaders from the past who helped shape the north central Wisconsin economy will be recognized at the second annual Champions of Business recognition dinner at the Jefferson Inn in Wausau May 6 at 5:30 p.m.

Hans Hagge, former president and chairman of Employers Mutual of Wausau, Ray Goldbach, founder of Marathon Cheese Corp., and Marv Schuette, former president of Wausau Homes, were selected as Champions of Business by a panel of independent judges.

Jonas Prising, president of Manpower of the Americas, will be the keynote speaker. WAOW-TV (channel 9) news anchor Melissa Langbehn will emcee.

“Although all three award recipients are deceased, the impact of their leadership is still apparent in local, regional and national economies,” said Rick Nevers, event chair and board member with Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Inc. North Central District, which is organizing the event.

Integrity Bank, EO Johnson Office Technologies, Kinziegreen Marketing Group and Wausau Financial Systems are sponsoring the annual event, which drew 200 area business leaders and guests last year.

Hagge, recipient of the Founder’s Award, which recognizes business leaders before 1940, was one of the first four employees to join Employers Mutual of Wausau in 1911 (which became Wausau Insurance Cos.). Hagge served 48 years as general manager, president and chairman of the company and helped it grow into one of the largest mutual fire and casualty insurance companies in America.

Goldbach, winner of the Developer’s Award, and his wife Marie started Marathon Cheese Corp. in Marathon in 1952. Under Goldbach’s leadership, the company became one of the largest independent packagers of natural cheese in the U.S. Goldbach was credited with many industry innovations including the packaging of shredded cheese and the first easy-open package for cheese. He died in 1997.

Schuette also will be recognized with the Developer’s Award. Schuette cofounded Wausau Homes in 1960 with his brothers Earl and Cliff. Wausau Homes revolutionized the home building industry with its Controlled Construction process. As president of the company, Schuette was the main driver of Wausau Homes’ growth and led it to become America’s leading producer of custom built homes. Schuette died in 2007.

Tickets may be ordered from Junior Achievement’s office at (715) 842-1056. Planners are expecting nearly 300 attendees this year.