Meet the 2025 Midwest finalists

Brian Mandelbaum is CEO and Cofounder of Attain.

Attain is the industry’s most trusted source for live purchase data. Backed by over seven million opted-in consumers and designed for marketers, Attain provides complete visibility across all retailers, verticals and purchase methods. Attain’s real-time measurement and optimization solutions coupled with high-value audiences and proprietary analytics empower marketers to make more informed, strategic investment decisions and drive real-world business outcomes. 

Attain was founded to build the most comprehensive and trusted consumer data ecosystem. As a result, consumers are empowered to leverage their greatest asset — their data — in exchange for modern financial services. Attain’s portfolio of apps allows consumers to access savings tools, early wages and shopping rewards without costs or hidden fees. In exchange, they give permission to use their data for research, insights and targeted advertising. Brands, ad agencies and advertising platforms use this data to improve their media investments with insights, audience targeting capabilities and measurement solutions.

Dan Blumenthal is CEO and Cofounder of Blue River PetCare.

Founded in 2009, Blue River PetCare is a multistate owner and operator of high-quality veterinary hospitals, focusing primarily on general practice small companion animal medicine. Blue River seeks to acquire veterinary practices that have established businesses in their respective communities and enjoy a loyal following among pet owners. Blue River currently has a presence in 39 states with over 200 practices around the country.

Stefan Batory is CEO and Cofounder of Booksy Group Corp.

Booksy is the largest and fastest-growing booking platform that connects beauty, wellness and health professionals with local customers, powering hundreds of millions of appointments each year.

Booksy Biz, designed specifically for small business owners, is Booksy’s mobile-first SaaS platform that combines all the tools providers need to attract new customers, take appointments, manage staff and payments, and build a loyal client base. Booksy Biz makes running a beauty business simple, convenient and accessible so providers can focus on providing exceptional service to their customers. 

The Booksy Marketplace is where millions of consumers around the world find, schedule and manage appointments with stylists, barbers, braiders, nail artists, aestheticians, massage therapists, salons and spas in their communities. Customers can browse business profiles, reviews, services, pricing and availability and instantly book appointments with the click of a button. 

Founded in 2014, Booksy has operations in the United States, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom and France and works as a distributed, remote-first team.

Adam Kroener is CEO and Cofounder of Carbliss.
Amanda Kroener is CFO and Cofounder of Carbliss.

Carbliss was founded in 2019 by Adam and Amanda Kroener, who were looking for a beverage to drink while on the keto diet.  Carbliss cocktails are ready-to-drink vodka, tequila and rum cocktails in a can that are full of flavor, low in carbonation and have zero carbs, zero sugars and 100 calories. Carbliss is sold in single-flavor four and 12 packs, as well as multiple variety packs. 

In 2019, Carbliss sold roughly 2,000 cases. In 2024, it sold more than two million cases and ranked not only No. 7 on Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing privately owned companies, but became the No. 1 food and beverage company on the list the following year.

Matt Burow is Chairman and CEO of Catalyst Construction.

Catalyst Construction has been in the business of building since 2004. As a construction management firm, structures may be the most obvious fruit of its labor, but Catalyst takes just as much pride in the relationships built with its clients, vendors and subcontractors. This philosophy ensures the client receives the most competitive bids, fosters a more creative and collaborative atmosphere, and allows for a better building experience all the way around.

Gregg Majewski is CEO and Founder of Craveworthy LLC.

Craveworthy Brands, the parent company of BD’s Mongolian Grill, Dirty Dough, Flat Top Grill, Fresh Brothers, Genghis Grill, Hot Chicken Takeover, Krafted Burger Bar + Tap, Lucky Cat Poke Co., Pastizza Pizza & Pasta, Nomad Dawgs, Scramblin’ Ed’s, Sigri Indian BBQ, taïm Mediterranean Kitchen, The Budlong Southern Chicken and Wing It On!, is dedicated to invigorating and supercharging legacy brands while nurturing and growing emerging brands. The company brings together diverse yet complementary brands and an accomplished, veteran leadership team in the growing culinary space. In addition to building and operating leading restaurant brands, Craveworthy Brands is active in the communities it serves and creates exciting career opportunities for its team members. Bridging the distinctive individuality of its concepts with a shared culture and spirit of collaboration, the company’s goal is to create truly unique and craveworthy experiences every day, every shift and at every turn.

Ganesh Iyer is President and CEO of Etnyre International.

Etnyre International is the parent company to E.D. Etnyre & Co., BearCat Manufacturing, SMF and Hendrick. The organization’s business units collectively serve the infrastructure needs of the world. 

The road maintenance division manufactures a wide range of equipment for the asphalt roadbuilding and road maintenance industry, including transport equipment, Etnyre Asphalt Distributors®, ChipSpreaders®, Crack Sealers®, Blackhawk® lowboy trailers, Falcon® live bottom trailers, sealcoat equipment and slurry seal machines. The heavy metal fabrication division, which includes SMF, fabricates metal components for industrial applications, servicing customers in the energy, mining and transportation sectors. Meanwhile, the perforated and screening metal solutions vertical, which includes Hendrick, manufactures perforated metal products and wedge wire and profile bar screens, serving many industries, including filtration, petrochemical, power generation and transportation. The architectural division focuses on providing custom, innovative designs that enhance a building’s appearance while offering benefits like light control, ventilation, signage and acoustics. 

Teira Gunlock is Chief Executive Officer of First Stop Health.

On a mission to deliver affordable, delightful health care for all, First Stop Health provides connected, whole-person, virtual care to employers 24/7 through app, website or phone in all 50 states. First Stop Health prioritizes an engaging and easy-to-use experience, setting people on healthier journeys through care at multiple stages. Patients can access a licensed telemedicine doctor in minutes for urgent and on-demand needs and can schedule appointments with experienced providers for mental health care, chronic care and preventive care. First Stop Health’s flexible and turnkey solutions give midsize employers an affordable and meaningful benefit for their workforce. First Stop Health has been named one of Inc. magazine’s Best Workplaces from 2022–24 and has ranked among the fastest-growing private companies for seven consecutive years.

Neil Araujo is CEO of iManage.

With over 30 years of industry experience, iManage empowers leading organizations to create, store and manage confidential documents and emails, boosting productivity, security and effectiveness. The cloud-native platform manages billions of documents for a diverse customer base of over 1.5 million users, including Global 100 law firms; the UK Magic Circle; top Australian, Canadian and Western European law firms; top US commercial banks; and Fortune 100 companies. iManage serves over 4,000 organizations globally, helping them operate more efficiently and securely while complying with regulatory and ethical standards. The iManage platform, enhanced by AI-powered services and backed by industry-leading security, is built to meet the unique needs of knowledge workers. It offers an intuitive and seamless user experience for storing, sharing and collaborating on work product, making knowledge work smarter, faster and safer.

Ryan Puckett is Founder and CEO of Introl Solutions Inc.

Introl stands apart as a leader in graphic processing units (GPU) infrastructure deployments. With a focus on precision and speed, it was established to meet the growing demands of high-performance computing. The mission is to support the advancement of AI computing by delivering efficient, reliable solutions tailored to any requirement, anywhere.

From hyper-scale data centers to advanced AI research facilities, the business has the experience and expertise to take on the next challenge. Introl’s track record reflects its capability, not as a point of pride, but as a testament to how the business operates. The business is focused on advancing what’s possible in GPU infrastructure.

Brian Deck is President and Chief Executive Officer of JBT Marel Corporation.

JBT Marel Corporation is a leading global technology solutions provider to high-value segments of the food and beverage industry. It brings together the complementary strengths of both the JBT and Marel organizations to transform the future of food. JBT Marel provides a unique and holistic solutions offering by designing, manufacturing and servicing cutting-edge technology, systems and software for a broad range of food and beverage end markets. It aims to create better outcomes for customers by optimizing food yield and efficiency, improving food safety and quality, and enhancing uptime and proactive maintenance, all while reducing waste and resource use across the global food supply chain.

Jim Popp is President and CEO of Johnson Financial Group.

Johnson Financial Group (JFG), founded in 1970, is a privately held, family-owned financial services firm. JFG has two operating subsidiaries: Johnson Bank, a full-service commercial, retail, consumer, private banking and mortgage business, and Johnson Wealth, Inc., a full-service wealth advisory, trust and retirement plan services business.

Christian Herrmanns is President of MonoSol, A Kuraray Company.

MonoSol, LLC — a division of Tokyo-based Kuraray Group, one of the world’s leading specialty chemical companies — is best known for its water-soluble, biodegradable films used to make laundry and dishwashing packets marketed by major consumer product companies and private-label brands around the world. Its growing portfolio of applications includes detergents, ag chemicals, solid surface, composites and embroidery, as well personal care products, water treatment chemicals, transfer printing and more.

Leo Tropeano is CEO and Founder of Mugsy.

Over a decade ago, a guy walked into a department store, tried on every pair of jeans on the shelves—a pile stacked waist-high—and walked out empty-handed. Armed with no apparel experience, Mugsy Founder Leo Tropeano set out to redesign men’s jeans from the ground up, with one simple goal: You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort to look good. After years of research and countless samples, the first pair of Mugsys was born. Men everywhere finally had jeans that not only looked great but felt as comfortable as sweatpants. Since then, Mugsy has evolved into a full men’s clothing brand, relentlessly focused on creating stylish and insanely comfortable clothes.

Stephen Smith is Cofounder and CEO of NOCD.

NOCD is a platform that provides virtual therapy for OCD, specializing in exposure and response prevention, the gold-standard treatment. Inside the NOCD platform, people with OCD and related conditions can receive personalized therapy, 24/7 peer support and educational resources, making effective OCD care accessible and affordable while improving mental health outcomes.

Giacomo Fallucca is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Palermo Villa Inc.

Palermo’s Pizza is a leading producer of high-speed crust and frozen pizza, offering both private label and branded products. The company leverages advanced automation, such as robotics and high-speed case packing, to enhance efficiency and precision. 

The focus on continuous improvement relies on data-driven decision-making. By analyzing real-time data, the business can enable Palermo teams to act quickly and maintain operational excellence. Quality is integral to the processes, with facilities always ready for audits, demonstrating commitment to delivering outstanding products.

Palermo’s invests in manufacturing plants to stay competitive and meet evolving customer needs. These investments incorporate new technologies, boost efficiency and ensure a safe work environment. This approach secures Palermo’s position at the leading edge of the frozen pizza industry.

Currently, Palermo’s leads in frozen pizza brands and is expanding its family of brands, including Palermo’s®, Screamin’ Sicilian™, Urban Pie Pizza Co.™, Connie’s® Pizza and Funky Fresh Spring Rolls. The award-winning company oversees manufacturing, distribution, sales and marketing, fulfilling its mission to deliver a great pizza experience.

Jim Oberman is Chief Executive Officer of Payroc World Access, LLC.

Payroc is a leading global payments provider, delivering seamless, full-service solutions that empower businesses to scale. Processing over $115 billion annually for more than 190,000 merchants, Payroc combines cutting-edge technology with industry-leading customer service. The company achieved a 98.8% customer satisfaction score in 2024, with an average call response time of just one minute, ensuring merchants receive fast, reliable support.  

Payroc’s proprietary processing technology integrates with e‑commerce, point-of-sale and mobile payment systems, offering secure and efficient transactions. Through direct card brand sponsorship registrations and strategic partnerships, Payroc enhances payment efficiency while future-proofing businesses in an evolving digital economy.  

With a high-touch, personalized approach, Payroc serves businesses of all sizes, providing innovative solutions that drive growth. More than a payment processor, Payroc is a trusted partner that helps businesses transact smarter, grow faster and succeed in a competitive marketplace.

Todd Kelsey is President and CEO of Plexus Corp.

Driven by a passion for excellence, Plexus partners with its customers to design, manufacture and service highly complex products in demanding regulatory environments. From lifesaving medical devices and mission-critical aerospace and defense products to industrial automation systems and semiconductor capital equipment, the innovative solutions across the lifecycle of a product converge where advanced technology and human impact intersect. The business provides these solutions to market-leading as well as disruptive global companies in the aerospace/defense, health care/life sciences and industrial sectors, supported by a global team of over 20,000 members across 26 facilities in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. 

Plexus is committed to elevating the standards of business conduct through the integration of sustainable and responsible business practices into the company strategy.

Ken Gorman is CEO of Power Wellness Management, LLC.

Founded in 1996, Power Wellness is the nation’s largest fitness center management company. The company is dedicated to optimizing operations, boosting productivity, and driving membership growth. The devoted team of over 2,000 management experts, fitness professionals, and tech-savvy problem solvers delivers superior management services and medically integrated fitness programs. Behind the scenes, Power Wellness enhances the wellbeing of client communities, promoting the client’s brand and mission with functional management solutions tailored to the needs of each fitness center.

Bobby Bacci is Founder and CEO of Prominence Advisors.

A health care data enablement company, Prominence helps health care organizations by enabling their use of data to improve patient outcomes, drive down the cost of care and increase operational efficiencies. Prominence serves large integrated delivery networks and academic medical centers, guiding them through every step of their data enablement journey. This includes: organizing their people, process and technologies with data strategy and data governance; providing the right data architecture and cloud solutions to help with their digital transformations; building and implementing machine learning models and automating decisions and workflows with AI to solve health care-specific challenges; building effective data visualizations; and helping health systems operationalize their data to ensure meaningful, data-driven outcomes.

Austin Lehman is CEO of Remodel Health.

Remodel Health is a software company revolutionizing health benefits delivery. Its mission is to help valued customers regain and repurpose their resources to better benefit them, their organization and their employees.

Rooted in faith, hope and love, Remodel Health seeks to sacrifice for others by giving generously and relating intentionally. An ever-growing team of professionals is dedicated to helping organizations save money by finding them the best health benefits solution.

Wendell Jisa is Founder and CEO of Reveal.

Reveal is a global leader in AI-powered legal technology, offering the most advanced e-discovery platforms in the industry powered by a single AI engine. With a unique dual platform strategy, Reveal addresses the full spectrum of market needs: Logikcull provides intuitive self-service e‑discovery capabilities for organizations ranging from solo practitioners to Am Law 100 firms and Fortune 500 companies, while Reveal Enterprise delivers a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for solving the most complex legal challenges with highly scalable technology.

As one of the largest legal-focused AI providers globally, Reveal embeds sophisticated artificial intelligence throughout the e‑discovery workflow, enabling legal professionals to automate processes, analyze vast amounts of data efficiently, and uncover actionable insights from both structured and unstructured data. The company serves over 4,000 clients across more than 40 countries, including major corporations, top law firms and government agencies, with operations in more than two dozen countries worldwide.

Robert Mueller is President of RIM logistics.

RIM logistics is a global freight forwarder with capabilities that include air, ocean, customs clearance, domestic services, crating, fulfillment, project management, technology solutions and more. The company has offices in the USA, Canada, UK, Belgium, Germany and Hong Kong. RIM works with clients of all sizes to be an extension of their business. Normally, the business handles freight transactions as part of the supply chain.

Jeff Liegel is CEO of S&L Companies.

S&L Companies is a Culver’s franchise restaurant group that operates 111 restaurants in five states.

David Rabie is Cofounder and CEO of Tovala.

Tovala is a meal service that makes home cooking effortless by pairing a Wi-Fi-connected smart oven with fresh, chef-crafted meals. Customers choose from a rotating menu of high-quality, pre-prepared meals, which are delivered fresh and cooked to perfection with a simple QR code scan. The Tovala Smart Oven uses steam, baking and broiling to automatically cook each meal in minutes, with less than a minute of prep required. It also scans and cooks thousands of store-bought items, expanding meal options.

Designed for busy professionals, families and anyone seeking convenience without sacrificing quality, Tovala offers a hassle-free way to enjoy home-cooked meals. By combining smart technology with culinary expertise, it transforms mealtime into an effortless, delicious experience.

James Bascharon is Founder and CEO of Vetnique.

In 2012, Dr. James Bascharon created a vet-founded pet health company unlike any other. His intuition was that with the right nutritional supplementation, pets could not only lead healthier lives but truly thrive.  

Today, Vetnique continues the legacy of its global best-selling supplement Glandex® with a comprehensive portfolio of products designed for lasting pet health and wellbeing.

Vetnique connects with pet parents worldwide because of a shared a common belief — that pets are a core part of the family. It’s what drives the business to create trusted, effective products focused on not just the wellbeing of pets but also the families that care for them. 

As a veterinarian-founded company, it genuinely understands the health needs of pets better than anyone. With its veterinary expertise, it offers unique solutions to everyday problems facing pet families. Vetnique doesns't just help pets live happier, healthier lives — it helps them thrive!

Kurt Bechthold is Chairman and CEO of Walbec Group.

Walbec is a vertically integrated organization of six companies in the Midwest. Together, it produces high-quality construction materials and delivers unparalleled professional design, engineering and construction services. While the business is often associated with state, municipal and federal projects, many of its customers are commercial businesses. Building various infrastructure, including highways, roads, bridges, parking lots, bike trails, athletic tracks, etc., Walbec is committed to helping people, including its team members, customers and the public, reach their destinations. The team comprises a great group of people across its companies who are ethical, positive and family focused.

Sean Brown is President and Chief Executive Officer of YCharts, Inc.

YCharts is a leading investment research and client communication platform, recognized for its rapid growth, ultra-high customer satisfaction and outstanding workplace culture. An eight-time Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private company recipient, YCharts has established itself as a trusted partner for wealth advisors and asset managers, empowering them with data-driven insights to enable new sales, make informed investment decisions and enhance client engagement.

With a track record of innovation and excellence, YCharts provides intuitive tools that simplify complex financial data, improve client communication and drive better investment outcomes. Trusted by thousands of advisors and firms, YCharts continues to shape the future of wealth management with technology-driven insights and superior service.