New North, Inc.’s annual summit, held Thursday, June 5 at Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay, celebrated more than just Northeast Wisconsin’s economic development successes from the past year. The 2025 event also marked New North, Inc.’s 20th anniversary as an organization, celebrating around the theme “Rooted in Resiliency.”
“This milestone is a testament to past and present [New North] leaders,” said President and CEO Barb LaMue. “Growth and development happen every day because of our dedicated business and community leaders.”
Nearly 600 attendees gathered for the annual summit that convenes business, education and community leaders from around the 18-county region and state to share economic development updates, celebrate successes and network.
This year’s summit was bittersweet for LaMue, who earlier this year announced she would retire from the regional economic development organization in September.
Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes praised LaMue for her forward-thinking leadership, particularly involving collaboration with global partners in light of recent tariff and trade concerns. For example, Wisconsin and New North, Inc. had a presence at Hannover Messe in Germany, the world’s leading industrial trade show with companies on a trade mission to find global customers and partners.
“Barb thinks big and she knows we can accomplish things all around the world,” Hughes said. “In a time of upheaval, we were in those countries extending Wisconsin’s hand.”
The event featured keynote addresses from Oliver Mihm, EVP and chief operating officer at Plexus Corp., and Akeem Shannon, founder of Flipstik and nationally recognized entrepreneur who appeared on ABC’s “Shark Tank” in 2020.
A third keynote came in the form of a panel discussion on Sheboygan County’s nationally acclaimed Live Work Housing Program, which was created through the public-private partnership of Sheboygan County and four companies — Johnsonville, Kohler Co., Masters Gallery Foods and Sargento — which each contributed $2 million to fund the initiative. It was designed to address the lack of entry-level homes accessible to workers seeking to live and work in Sheboygan County.
The goal of the initiative is to eventually build between 400 and 500 homes.
“New housing stock wasn’t being built at an affordable level,” said Kohler Co.’s Steve Westphal. “This is not an immediate solution. This is a five, 10, 20-year challenge that we hope to succeed at.”
The first 54 homes have been completed in Phase I, and 46 more are currently under construction in Phase II, contributing a combined $30 million to the county’s tax base.
“Having the opportunity for families to build equity in their homes is the basis for long-term financial stability,” said Sargento’s Louie Gentine. “We hope it attracts other developers to Sheboygan County.”
Masters Gallery Foods’ Jeff Gentine and Sheboygan County Administrator Alayne Krause also served on the panel, which was moderated by Don Hammond, Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation board chair.
New at this year’s event was recognition of Insight’s 40 Under 40 alumni, who were invited to attend the event as an opportunity to get better connected to the region. This special addition was sponsored by USI Insurance Services.
Green Bay-headquartered Capital Credit Union was named the recipient of the 2025 New North Workplace Excellence Award that recognizes organizations improving their people practices. It’s the first financial institution to receive the award since its inception in 2009.
In 2021, employee engagement was at 60%, so Capital Credit Union created a new vision, mission and values to align employees. Several supporting initiatives were established: a service program, a development program for current and aspiring leaders, and CCUniversity, an internal digital university for skill development.
Employee engagement rose to 75% the first year and has continued to rise, improving to 86% in 2024. Many Capital Credit Union employees have completed a three-day course on empathy-based communication, leading to a 98% member satisfaction rate.
“It shows you can be both extremely caring for your employees and for those you do business with,” Capital Credit Union CEO Laurie Butz said.
On the web: newnorthsummit.com
