And the growth has been obvious. Landmark Builder's Group Inc. began four years ago with only two Stout grads in its complement. Tradewell and Kann targeted their business in the residential construction market. Projects ranged from home remodeling and additions to home design and construction. At this time, the company grossed $250,000 in annual sales. The real growth began in 1992 when the company became a Wisconsin corporation. Operations then shifted to a commercial base.
Today Landmark Builder's operates as a full-service construction company. Departments include Architectural, with specialties in areas such as design/build and ADA services; Construction Management, operated by Dave Manske '72 (Industrial Technology - Construction) and Dave Nyseth '93 (Construction); Project Estimating, managed by Steve Zemaitis '75 (Industrial Technology); General Contracting, managed by Manske; Personnel and Equipment, managed by Kann; and Marketing, managed by Mary Johnson Tradewell '77 (Home Economics in Business).
These departments successfully work together to provide single point responsibility for the client. Target markets include the hospitality industry with emphasis on motel development; the health care industry-hospitals, nursing homes and clinics; offices; golf course development; schools; churches; and retail buildings. Projected gross sales for 1995 is $8.2 million. Tradewell and Kann feel that this success rate is due to their management team-a team whose reputation for accuracy and professionalism is founded on a solid Stout education.
When asked about future prospects for Landmark Builders, Tradewell and Kann said that they foresee the company moving into the institutional and industrial markets. Also they plan to become involved in larger commercial projects, maximizing the potential of the Architectural department. The company recently got a start in broadening its scope by becoming a Star Building Systems dealer. This move, compatible with their business plan, enabled them to furnish their market with architecturally designed steel buildings.Tradewell and Kann agreed that they have been more than pleased with their decision to hire Stout graduates in all company departments. As their company expands, they plan to continue this trend - adding additional professionalism and competency for their customers' satisfaction.
Petersons was one of 35 educators selected nationwide to receive the honor, which was presented for the first time at the annual regional meeting of the Dietetic Educators of Practitioners April 1 in Sioux Falls, S.D. The organization, which is affiliated with the American Dietetic Association, is composed of teachers who specialize in dietetics instruction.
The award recognizes the teaching, mentoring and leadership activities of faculty and preceptors in dietetics education programs accredited and approved by the American Dietetic Association. Award winners must be members of the American Dietetic Association and demonstrate leadership in national, state or district dietetic association activities. Award criteria also included community service, honors received, scientific and professional presentations, and articles published.
Petersons was nominated by a colleague from Michigan State University and supported by letters from three WMU students. She received particular recognition for developing a dietetics internship program at the university four years ago. Under the program, eight students who receive degrees in dietetics each year are sent through a series of rotations at food service facilities in area hospitals and clinics to receive hands-on experience in clinical nutrition, community nutrition and food service management.
Petersons also was cited for activities that included serving as president of the Southwest Michigan District Dietetic Association. She also served as treasurer of the Michigan Dietetic Association, and chaired the association's bylaws, policies and procedures committee.
A WMU faculty member since 1977, Petersons earned a bachelor's degree from the UW-Stout. She received a master's degree from the UW-Madison and a doctoral degree from Ohio State University.
The UW-Stout graduate is associate dean of the School of Professional and Adult Studies at Montreat-Anderson College in Montreat, N.C. Before establishing the Montreat program last year, Owolabi headed the adult program at Marian College in Fond du Lac, Wis., for six years. Under his leadership, the growth of both programs has been outstanding.
At Marian, enrollment grew from 200 students to 1,300. In his first year at Montreat, he put together the curriculum, hired staff and then managed to attract 280 students to the program. Degree work is offered primarily to older students in Charlotte and Asheville who hold regular jobs during the day. By December 1995, Owolabi hopes to have 500 students enrolled and by 1998, 3,000.
Considering what he has accomplished since his arrival in this country in January 1983, his goal is realistic.
After encouragement and financial support from his paternal grandmother in Nigeria, Owolabi left the farm for school. He became a math and physics teacher. At Stout, he earned an undergraduate degree in marketing education in 1984 and a master's degree later that same year in vocational education.
With meager support from his family back in Africa, but with a wealth of encouragement from his friends here, Owolabi struck out for the University of Minnesota where he hoped to gain a doctorate in marketing education. He achieved that goal in 1987. After one year as an instructor at a Florida junior college, Owolabi took the position at Marian.
Owolabi is committed to adult education. "Most adults entering our program are doing it to remain competitive in their jobs. While the traditional student views higher education to be the next step in life, the adult student looks at a college degree as a marketable commodity."
Owolabi and his wife, Abigail, have four children. Not surprisingly, she has earned a degree in social work since joining him in this country in l985. Owolabi is a member of the UW-Stout Alumni Board.
CA One is the nation's second largest food service and retail operator at airports. Last year it won the food service contract for the Los Angeles Airport. Its innovative bid included strategic relationships with nationally famed restauranteur Wolfgang Puck, the Daily Grill, Disney Imagineering, and Los Angeles' locally brewed Rhino Chasers. It operates food, beverage and retail operations at more than 35 airports nationwide including Boston, Cincinnati, Denver International, Ft. Lauderdale and Newark.
CA One Services is a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies Inc., of Buffalo, N.Y., a private, $1 billion-plus international holding company. Delaware North was recently awarded a contract by NASA to provide a range of services at Kennedy Space Center's Spaceport USA and last year began a similar 15-year pact at Yosemite National Park. The company owns the fabled Boston Garden arena and its replacement, the $160 million FleetCenter, slated to open this October.
After he graduated from Stout, Slaney went to work for the Radisson Hotel Corporation. He worked for Happy Chef's Restaurant in Lincoln, Neb., before starting with Sky Chef's in October 1985 as assistant manager in New Orleans. In April 1987, Slaney was promoted to general manager of Sky Chef's Shreveport, La., operations. The same year, Sky Chef's was purchased by Delaware North.
In April 1990, Slaney transferred to Albuquer-que, N.M. as general manager of CA One Services. In August 1993, Slaney moved back to New Orleans, taking over the helm as general manager of CA One Services.
Tim and his wife Carla are the proud parents of one son, Zachary, born in May 1992.
Johnson received the award for "constantly promoting the highest standards of nutrition and food safety with outstanding consumer information programs and helping the entire food industry to better serve consumers," said Bob Bartels, FMI chair and president of Martin's Supermarkets Inc.
FMI established the award in 1986 in the name of the former consumer adviser to three presidents and to Giant Food Inc.
Bartels presented the award at the annual banquet during FMI's International Supermarket Industry Convention and Educational Exposition. He offered the following tribute:
"Karen has been a pioneer in the consumer affairs profession for Borden since l976 when she established Borden's consumer affairs department. She is the innovator behind the company's consumer response department, which handles over 100,000 inquiries each year about thousands of Borden products. This response system has been emulated by numerous grocery manufacturing companies."
Former award winners include Dr. Jean Mayer, president, Tufts University; Dr. C. Everett Koop, former U.S. Surgeon General; and Alexander Grant, associate commissioner for Consumer Affairs, Food and Drug Admin-istration.
Johnson currently serves on the UW-Stout School of Human Environmental Sciences advisory board, and has established the Karen L. Johnson endowed scholarship for students enrolled at UW-Stout who are preparing for a career in the food service industry.