Age: 39
President & Owner, Preferred Cabinet Solutions, Valley North Distributing, A1 Polishing & Finishing, Royal Custom Plastics
After graduating from St. Norbert College, Dustin Gresen’s first job was as a financial analyst at Wells Fargo Financial — “an experience that really shaped how I approach problem-solving and decision making today,” he says.
Gresen worked for five years as vice president of business banking at American National Bank Fox Cities, leaving in 2025. His hands are full with his four businesses, which in addition to PCS include Valley North Distributing, Royal Custom Plastics and A1 Polishing & Finishing.
In the next decade, he wants to grow his family of companies to twice their size, “not just in terms of revenue and reach but in overall impact,” Gresen says. “At the same time, one of my biggest goals is to build a workplace culture that our team is genuinely proud to be part of.”
Best advice: Focus early on developing emotional intelligence and clear communication, because understanding how to read people, stay composed under pressure and express yourself in a direct and transparent way will help you avoid misunderstandings, build trust quickly and make you someone others genuinely want to work with.
Second career: I’d likely go back to working as a business banker and continue climbing that path with the goal of eventually running a bank one day. I’ve always enjoyed the blend of relationship building, strategic decision making, and financial problem solving that comes with banking, and there’s something rewarding about helping businesses grow through smart financial planning. The idea of leading an entire organization — shaping its culture, guiding its direction, and supporting both customers and employees — still really appeals to me, and it’s a path I could easily see myself pursuing if my career had taken a different turn.
Hidden talent: Planning trips and vacations — and I’m actually pretty good at it. I love diving into the details, figuring out the best places to stay, mapping out activities and creating an itinerary that balances fun, relaxation and a little adventure. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a bigger trip, I enjoy the whole process of organizing it and making sure everything comes together smoothly.
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