Over more than 35 years, GEOTEK has built a reputation for delivering high-performance engineered composite solutions trusted around the world. After establishing PUPI® as a global leader in fiberglass utility structures, the company expanded with Alliance™ fiberglass light poles and DuraTrench™ drainage solutions. GEOTEK continues to build industry-leading composite brands that support the world’s infrastructure.
Strongwell is a leader in pultrusion technology and pultruded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. With facilities in the U.S. and Mexico, the company manufactures a wide variety of products for its diverse customer base, including structural shapes, grating, handrail, structural building panels, decking systems, composite armor, ladder rail, and many OEM products.
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.
Founded in 1998, Flex Interconnect Technologies (FIT) is a trusted partner for engineers developing complex flexible and rigid-flex circuits. FIT specializes in quick-turn prototyping and short-run production, working closely with customers during early design phases to solve challenging technical problems and accelerate time to market. FIT is known for its engineering collaboration, responsiveness, and ability to support advanced applications across aerospace, defense, medical and space end markets. The company is based in Milpitas, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. See FIT4flex.com for a company profile.
All Flex Solutions provides specialty flex and rigid flex circuits, flexible heaters, and value-added assemblies for mission and life critical applications. All Flex products can be found in many applications and markets, including aerospace, defense, space, and quantum computing.
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.
Stakeholder value is central to the Granite mission: “We grow companies to create value for all stakeholders.”
Each year we ask the company CEOs, “What value did your company create for customers this year and in recent years? For team members? For suppliers? For the local community?” This year we also asked, “As you reflect on the year, what stakeholder or stakeholder group stands out, and why?”
This video was shown at the Granite Stakeholder Meeting, May 20, 2026. Learn more about Member Services and Granite Stakeholder Day on the Membership page.
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.
Leggero creates mobility solutions that enhance everyday movement and positioning for individuals with physical challenges. Originally rooted in pediatric innovation, the company’s product line continues evolving to support users across all stages in life. With lightweight construction, adaptable seating, and a transport-friendly design, each product is built to simplify daily life and support independence. Leggero empowers users to remain active, engaged, and comfortable. The company is based in Burnet, Texas. See Leggero.us for a company profile.
AltimateMedical designs and manufactures differentiated medical equipment in the complex rehabilitation and specialized imaging sectors of the healthcare industry. The company’s brands include ActiveAid, EasyStand, JustifyIt, MedicalPositioning, Therafin, and Zing, with product lines that span shower/commode chairs, sit-to-stand standing devices, and a range of specialized imaging platforms. AltimateMedical has grown consistently for more than 30 years, with sales in more than 60 countries.
