We celebrate the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, Kristen Knox, and Bell Capital Finance and JPMorganChase for their foundational contributions to the Granite community. The Cornerstone Awards were presented during the Granite Stakeholder Meeting on May 20, 2026.
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.
