Ralph Pullmann
25+ years experience in starting and running businesses. Currently consulting with a few entrepreneurs, some of them new to the process. Recently moved from Wisconsin to Colorado where I don't have to endure the 6 month long winters.
His first business was to start a fastfood restaurant after returning from military service. Sold it and finished college at the University of Colorado, Boulder with BA in psychology with nearly as many credits in physics and math (supposed to have been a double major).
Started a computer store at the beginning of the micro-computer era, before Bill Gates sold his first copy of MS DOS. Worked for large government contractors in Colorado, Greenland, Alaska, Massachusetts, Georgia, Texas, back to Greenland and interspersed doing some contract programming in the middle of that.
Started and operated 7 Subway restaurants in Western Wisconsin, Started a packaging business, bought a failing collision repair business and turned it around, bought a full service restaurant, and bought some commercial real estate. Dabbled a little with vending businesses a couple times during my career and a mail order business once.
Along with his own businesses, Ralph consulted with businesses in trouble to determine their problems and offer suggestions about turning them around.
Now learning web design and how to utilize the new marketplace called the Internet.
Jerry Brown
Communications and management professional with 30 years experience in private industry and 10 more in non-profit community-building. Currently writing a forthcoming book, Downtown Jumpstart Guide that will become the cornerstone for a Foundation created to help the 31,000 small towns in America reinvent their downtown main street “Heart of the City’.
He is a lifelong entrepreneur with extensive experience working for multi-billion dollar Fortune 500 corporations including out of college training at Procter & Gamble. He has created and managed several start-up companies including a full service communications agency and promotional marketing company.
Most recently as the president of a small town economic development non-profit organization in rural Western Wisconsin, Mr. Brown founded and chaired a regional collaboration called Vision 2020 . This network connected diverse community organizations and citizens who had not actually ever met to discuss community needs and guided them to work toward common and measurable goals they agreed to. The success of this combined Can-Do Ad Hoc organization which is still effective after 6 years is the catalyst for his new adventure.
He is also a member of the Minnesota Design Team, a volunteer organization formed in 1983 which has helped 100 small communities to revitalize their towns.
Jerry holds a Masters Degree in Business from the University of Toledo where he was born and has recently moved from Wisconsin to Forest Lake Minnesota.