APEX Annual Meeting Focuses on Developing the Next Generation of Regional Leaders, Announces 2023 APEX Executive Committee

Friday, March 03, 2023

Duluth, Minnesota: The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) hosted its Annual Board of Directors and Investor-Member Meeting and Reception on January 30, 2023, at Pier B Resort Hotel in Duluth, MN and virtually via Zoom. APEX welcomed keynote speaker Russ Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer of APi Group (APi), a global, market-leading business services provider of life safety, security, and specialty services. 

Becker shared insights on APi’s growth from a single plumbing company in St. Paul to the leading global safety and specialty services company operating in over 20 countries with ~26,000 team members. He also discussed the company’s unwavering commitment to strengthening APi’s culture of leadership and learning, the highly selective Leadership Development Program, and APi’s award-winning veteran hiring program.

“Leadership is the single biggest differentiator between average and excellent,” said Becker. “We make significant investments in leadership development every year because we believe that every one of our teammates at APi is a leader. Our leadership and relationship-focused philosophy has fueled our journey into a ~$6.5 Billion company.”

APi’s investment in leadership includes the APi Development Center, an online learning platform for personal leadership development. Over 12,000 APi employees have completed the I Am A Leader course. Additionally, APi’s Leadership Development Program has nurtured over 80 leaders, including many veterans. Ten graduates from this program currently serve as operating company presidents within APi. In addition, all senior leaders gather twice yearly to participate in hands-on Leader Labs that challenge team members to think strategically about various business scenarios and their own leadership development.

APi is committed to the communities it serves, including the APEX region. The company is proud to have over 1,000 employees working throughout the APEX region at local companies like the JAMAR Company,  LeJeune Steel Company,  Northland Constructors, MMC, TENET, United Piping Inc (UPI) band Viking Automatic Sprinkler Co. These companies have been a part of many large-scale regional projects and are critical to strengthening and growing the local economy.

Becker also shared details on APi’s strategy of growth by acquisition. APi has completed 90+ acquisitions since 2005, most recently acquiring Chubb, an international fire and security business with over 200 years of history, 12,000 employees, and 200+ branches in 17 countries. “Acquisition success depends on culture, values, and fit. It is essential to align here first,” Becker said.

“The APi Group of companies has had a huge positive impact in the APEX region for decades and continues to be a part of building our future,” said Rachel Johnson, APEX President and CEO.

At the Annual Meeting, Johnson shared APEX’s priorities for 2023, recognized contributions from the 2022 Executive Committee, Membership Committee, and Board of Directors. Additionally, our Finance Committee was recognized, the 2023 Executive Committee and At- Large Board of Directors were elected, and other newly elected Board of Directors announced.

APEX 2023 Executive Committee Officers and At-Large Members, Board At-Large Members, and 2023 Contributing-Level Board Members

Chair: Frank Frederickson, MN Power, an ALLETE Company
Vice Chair: Lorraine Little, Enbridge Energy Company, Inc.
Immediate Past Chair: Lisa Bodine, Giant Voices
Secretary: Brad Beard, Essentia Health
Treasurer: Mike Boeselager, St. Luke’s
Executive Committee At-Large: Chancellor David McMillan, University of Minnesota Duluth
Executive Committee At-Large: Deb DeLuca, Duluth Seaway Port Authority
Executive Committee At-Large: Craig Fellman, APi Group Companies
Executive Committee At-Large: Ken Johnson, North Shore Bank
Executive Committee At-Large: Brian Thun, Maurices
Board At-Large: Tom Werner, Duluth Airport Authority
Board At-Large: Matt Baumgartner, Duluth Chamber of Commerce
Contributing-Level Board Member: Craig Bursch, TKDA
Contributing-Level Board Member: Elissa Hansen, Northspan Group
Contributing-Level Board Member: Kirk Ilenda, Lakehead Constructors
Contributing-Level Board Member: Tamara Lowney, Itasca Economic Development Corporation
Contributing-Level Board Member: Dr. Barbara McDonald, the College of St. Scholastica
Contributing-Level Board Member: Chad Ronchetti, Kraus-Anderson Construction

Category: APEX