A month into the summer internship season, a cohort of Granite Company interns gathered for Granite Intern Day. Thirty interns were present, representing six of the Granite Companies, Granite Partners, and Anderson Center.
As these interns kickstart their careers, this day offers the chance to learn and connect with peers.
Interns listening to the forum presentation.
The event was held at Granite Innovations, a destination for advancing the Granite mission to grow companies to create value for all stakeholders. One of the main functions of this multi-disciplinary space is as a training center, enriching wellbeing through professional development.
In partnership with the Human Resources team at Granite Partners, Granite Intern Day was hosted by Anderson Center. Kevin Ennis led the FranklinCovey® 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Foundations forum. He is a FranklinCovey-cerifed Anderson Center facilitator, with over 30 years of domestic and international experience as a Human Resource Development and Organizational Effectiveness consultant.
Kevin Ennis presenting 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Foundations forum.
This forum provides an essential introduction to behaviors and skills required for success in the workplace. With a central focus on people, the forum emphasizes empathy, thoughtful listening, effective communication, and positive perspective. A theme reinforced throughout the day was that “people skills” remain an indispensable foundation for those entering the workforce.
Interns having the chance to meet and get to know a bit about each other.
Throughout the day, interns had the chance to mingle during table discussions, engage in “Human Bingo,” and enjoy the catered lunch from neighboring Jules’ Bistro.
The day concluded with a Q&A town hall with Granite Partners’ Founder & CEO, Rick Bauerly. Interns asked questions on a wide range of topics, such as favorite St. Cloud restaurants, strategies for introverts, and the traits of a good leader. The Granite Company interns left the day with questions answered, perspectives opened, and a few new peers added to their network. They also received some “Granite gear” (Granite Partners-branded merch) as another takeaway.
The Granite community values interns. Providing them training, support, and opportunities is essential to cultivating next-generation talent – a requisite for sustaining companies across generations.
Spotlight: Anderson Center
Anderson Center promotes individual, organizational, and economic growth by delivering engaging management and leadership development forums. The Center’s forums, which apply lessons from real-world case studies and world-renowned frameworks, bolster and grow leadership skills for everyone – from interns to executives.
Granite Partners hosts Anderson Center forums to grow leadership and excellence in and around the Granite community.
Thanks to all attendees from the Granite Companies for joining us, and thanks to the speaker Jay Kolbenson. Jay is Learning Principle at Docebo, the world-class learning management platform powering development across the Granite community.
Micah Zirnhelt, Granite Partners Human Resources Systems Manager, welcomed the speaker, saying: “I’d like to thank Docebo for their support with this session. Granite Partners has had a relationship with Docebo for the past several years, and they have supported our goal of growing team member wellbeing through improved training opportunities. We are pleased to host Jay Kolbenson, Learning Principal at Docebo. With more than two decades as a Learning & Development practitioner, and having spent a decade as a Docebo customer before joining the company, Jay has a deep understanding of how learning technology is actually adopted in organizations. His current role is to help practitioners connect their capabilities to real world outcomes.”
This webinar is available to those in the Granite community by request.
About Granite Ideas
The Granite Ideas webinar series fosters innovation and collaboration. Webinars in the series are free, offered by Granite Partners to all stakeholders in the Granite community. Granite Ideas recordings and presentations are available by request, and they are always posted on Granite Member Portal.
Spotlight: Docebo
Through Docebo, our leading learning management system, we are building an evergreen, always-on learning ecosystem that strengthens capabilities. In 2025, we saw over 950 courses developed, over 15,250 training hours accrued, and over 21,300 courses completed.
Docebo is enabled across the Granite Companies, bringing 30,000 courses from over 150 providers in 24 languages. Courses range from forklift operation to safety, from sales to accounting, from communication to teamwork, and from data analytics to artificial intelligence.
College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University Member Cornerstone Award
We recognize the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John’s University (SJU) as a Granite Member, honoring our shared purpose centered on values, commitment to place, learning, and a long-term horizon.
Pictured (from left): Brian Bruess, President of CSB+SJU, and Shelly Bauerly Kopel, Partner. Shelly introduced Brian and presented him with the Member Cornerstone Award.
CSB was founded in 1913 by Benedictine sisters and SJU was founded in 1857 by Benedictine monks with a commitment to values that endure, including the dignity of work, respect for all persons, listening to each other, welcoming with hospitality, living in community, practicing moderation in all things, and being good stewards for resources entrusted to us and the place we live.
The Benedictine values are especially evident in the Benedictine Institute at CSB and SJU. Through teaching, programming, and community engagement, the Institute helps students, faculty, alumni and our broader community live out the Benedictine tradition – ensuring that these values remain vibrant and relevant from one generation to the next. Granite Partners, through Granite Charitable, has committed to supporting the Benedictine Institute and its mission for generations to come.
We often talk about common purpose flowing from the shared values named earlier – serving in similar roles as leaders, being deeply rooted in place, inspiring talent, and having a long-term view. At CSB and SJU, and through Brian’s leadership, we see that lived out in a clear and consistent way.
Leadership can sometimes feel consumed by short-term pressures and immediate challenges. Partnerships like this remind us to keep our eyes on the larger horizon – on building strong institutions, strong communities and lives grounded in purpose.
— Brian Bruess, President of College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
Since becoming president in 2022, Brian has guided CSB and SJU with strategic clarity and collaborative leadership by strengthening academic programs, advancing long-term financial stewardship, and deepening engagement with alumni, partners, and the broader Minnesota community. His work reflects a belief not just in education, but in growth and development – shaping individuals who will contribute meaningfully to our organizations and our communities.
Brian’s leadership, and the partnership between Granite and CSB and SJU, reflects a shared commitment to invest in people, in place, and in the long-term wellbeing of all stakeholders.
Kristen Knox, CEO of Microbiologics Executive Cornerstone Award
We thank Kristen Knox, CEO of Microbiologics, celebrating the many ways her leadership style is building trust and advancing the Microbiologics and Granite brands.
Pictured (from left): Brad Goskowicz, Microbiologics Board Chair, and Kristen Knox, Microbiologics CEO. Brad introduced Kristen and presented her with the Executive Cornerstone Award.
Kristen joined Microbiologics as CEO in 2022, fully embracing the company’s mission to empower life sciences to advance a safer, healthier world. Since then, she has guided the company through significant market shifts, including the post-COVID transition, evolving technologies, and policy changes. And, in the midst of these changes, she has positioned the business for long-term, sustainable growth.
Under her leadership, Microbiologics has expanded its strategic capabilities and market reach. She led the SensID partnership, strengthening the company’s molecular standards portfolio, and advanced a forward-looking strategy to extend Microbiologics’ unique biomaterials expertise into high-growth areas such as oncology. Kristen also championed the expansion of virology capabilities to Select Agent accreditation – securing a sole-provider relationship with a Fortune 50 pharmaceutical company.
Equally important is Kristen’s commitment to culture. She has been a great leader in promoting wellbeing. She has also invested in leadership development and team engagement, driving strong team member and customer Net Promoter Scores, reducing turnover, and attracting top talent. Microbiologics’ recent recognition as a Star Tribune Top Workplace for the 11th time reflects this focus. She leads with an open authenticity that grows trust among and across teams, further strengthening an already high-performing, values-driven organization.
The impact of the Granite community is somewhat difficult to put into words, but this ecosystem is powerful for us business operators. It starts with the vision of world-class wellbeing, and the mission of growing companies and creating value is felt every day with the support of the Granite Partners team.
— Kristen Knox, CEO of Microbiologics
Her leadership extends beyond the company as well; she has taken on leadership roles in the Granite community and in broader business and community forums. During her tenure, Microbiologics has not only navigated complexity but the company has emerged stronger – delivering meaningful value to customers, team members, and stakeholders alike.
Bell Capital Finance and JPMorganChase Advisor Cornerstone Award
We recognize finance partners Bell Capital Finance and JPMorganChase for their essential role in helping finance the growth of the Granite Companies. Mike Mahoney, President & Managing Director at Bell Capital Finance, and Brent McVay, Executive Director & Relationship Manager at JPMorganChase, accepted the awards on behalf of their institutions.
It’s been an unreal relationship, one that’s very important to my group and to the bank in general. On behalf of myself and Bell Bank, this recognition is deeply appreciated.
— Mike Mahoney, President & Managing Director at Bell Capital Finance
Pictured (from left): Brent McVay of JPMorgan Chase; Art Monaghan, Operating Partner & Co-Founder; and Mike Mahoney of Bell Capital Finance. Art introduced Brent and Mike and presented them with the Advisor Cornerstone Award.
Bell Capital Finance and JPMorganChase have been trusted financial partners to the Granite Companies and Granite Partners, playing an essential role in supporting our growth and long-term success. Together, they bring a powerful combination of expertise, responsiveness, and shared commitment to our mission.
Bell Capital Finance, a division of Bell Bank, has been instrumental in providing senior cash flow lending solutions tailored to the needs of lower middle market businesses. Mike and his team understand the Granite Companies deeply, and they consistently deliver flexible, thoughtful financing that supports company growth and new partnership investments. Our partnership with them is grounded in accessibility, trust, and a long-term perspective.
JPMorganChase complements this work with global scale and capabilities that strengthen how we operate. Under Brent’s leadership, JPMorganChase has helped modernize our treasury and financial operations – facilitating efficient cash management, payment processing, international treasury capabilities, and cyber risk mitigation. Their implementation of One Card solutions has also streamlined purchasing and driven greater efficiency across the companies.
JP Morgan and Granite have mutual respect and shared values, which makes us true partners in every sense of the word.
— Brent McVay, Executive Director & Relationship Manager at JPMorganChase
Together, Bell Capital Finance and JPMorganChase represent a unique and highly effective partnership. They combine the strengths of a relationship-driven regional bank with the resources of one of the world’s leading financial institutions. This collaboration has enabled us to operate with both agility and sophistication as we continue to grow.
Cornerstone Award
The cornerstone is one of the first stones laid in a foundation, orienting and supporting the rest of the structure. The Cornerstone Award recognizes those who have made foundational contributions to the Granite mission. Our sincerest thanks to these and all Cornerstone Award recipients.
CentraCare Earth Day Run is Central Minnesota’s premier race event. Held in St. Cloud in April, the event includes a half marathon, half marathon relay, 5K run/walk, 5K team challenge, free 1K kids’ run, and a Health & Fitness Festival expo experience. Courses feature great views of the gorgeous Mississippi River, rustic trails, and a celebratory finish line atmosphere in downtown St. Cloud on historic St. Germain Street.
The Granite vision is world-class wellbeing; participating in the annual Earth Day Run events is a great way to advance social, community, and physical wellbeing.
Spotlight: Active Central MN
Active Central MN is a St. Cloud-based non-profit organization that promotes wellbeing and healthy, active lives. Celebrating the seasons and scenery of Minnesota, Active Central MN engages community stakeholders and hosts local events centered around physical activity.
Granite Partners is a proud foundational sponsor of Active Central MN, supporting and hosting events that encourage the health and vitality of individuals and our community. With Active Central MN, we encourage everyone to “Be Active”!
Granite Partners was awarded a 2026 Hall of Fame Award at Domo’s annual user conference, Domopalooza! We were recognized with the Most Powerful Business Impact award for enabling the Granite Companies in their use of Domo’s data, business, and artificial intelligence tools to support growth.*
Pictured (from left): Mohammed Aaser, Chief Strategy Officer at Domo, and Rick Bauerly, Founder & CEO of Granite Partners, on the Main Stage.
Rick Bauerly joined Mohammed Aaser, Chief Strategy Officer at Domo, for a fireside chat on the Main Stage. He shared Granite Partners’ origin story, the Granite Companies’ digital journey, and lessons learned. There were over 1,500+ attendees at the annual conference.
Thomas Hodgdon, Granite Partners’ Strategy & Analytics Director, led a breakout session on strategies for digital engagement and impact. With more than 30 digital leaders from across the Granite Companies in attendance at Domopalooza, the team left with more inspiration, training, and tools to accelerate AI impact in the year ahead.
We thank additional colleagues at Domo for their collaborations, including Ben Schein, Chris Willis, Cody Irwin, Jason Longhurst, Jeff Humble, Lacy Zimmerman, Manya D., Mark Boothe, and Tod Crane. We thank our implementation partners at OneMagnify, including Catherine Hayes, Giacomo Genovese, Jenn Burns, Mark Petroff, Neil Rae, and Stephen Farr.
Pictured (center): Rick Bauerly with Domo representatives at Domopalooza.
*Domo recognized 16 customers with awards at their annual event March 24-27, 2026. No fee was paid for the award. Award criteria are not based upon reviews by members or investment performance.
