VP, Sustainability and Innovation / Age 39
U.S. Venture
The owner of a degree in mathematics education, Brett Wetzel says his biggest professional challenge was making the move from teaching to the business world. State-level budget cuts to education at that time played a role.
“It was professionally hard, as I had wanted to be an educator for much of my time growing up,” he says. He learned as much as he could about the business world, eventually finding places where he could stay true to his teaching roots. He says his interest in sustainability was sparked by a client working in alternative energy, “which gave me the feel of making a difference — like teaching — with practical business application.”
Wetzel has now been with U.S. Venture for about 12 years (starting with Breakthrough, which became part of U.S. Venture five years ago), and in his current role for a year and a half.
Most rewarding to Wetzel has been “being able to be a continual learner in each role I’ve taken, with each one also bringing a teaching element for internal teams, customers or partners of the business or community,” he says. “This leads to something really rewarding for me: seeing colleagues develop in their careers to grow their impact in an area of passion.”
Be sure to visit Insight’s Portraits of Success: 40 Under 40 at The Art Garage in Green Bay from May 30–June 1 to see each honoree’s official 40 Under 40 portrait!
