2025 'Champions of Business' Honored by Junior Achievement

Contact: Marla Kolbeck, Event Chairperson [email protected] 715.841.6027

WAUSAU, Wis. – Outstanding area business leaders who have made a significant and lasting impact in shaping the Wausau area economy will be honored this spring at the 15th Annual “Champions of Business Dinner” established by Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Inc. - Northcentral Area. A panel of independent judges selected Mark Ewing, Harlan Lewitzke, and John E. Forester as this year’s honorees.  

The Thursday May 8 event, including dinner and awards, will be held at the Jefferson Street Inn & Event Center to celebrate the historic contributions this year’s honorees have made to the Wausau area business community. Event tickets can be purchased through the Junior Achievement of Wisconsin - Northcentral Area office by calling (715) 842-1056 or visiting www.championsofbusiness.org.    

Mark Ewing, one of Wausau’s first movers and shakers, born in 1869, will be honored with the “Founder Award” in recognition of his bold and colorful life marked by ambition, innovation and community support.  

Ewing significantly advanced Wausau’s public utilities. Originally from Ohio, he moved to Wausau in 1893 after years as a traveling salesman. The Wausau Group recognized his potential, asking him to organize and manage the Wausau Street Railway, which brought streetcars to the area. In 1908, this company acquired the Wausau Electric Light Company, evolving under his leadership into the Wisconsin Valley Electric Company. Ewing’s visionary efforts greatly improved Wausau’s infrastructure and electricity supply. He was a City Council member, an avid cyclist and a renowned outdoorsman. Ewing passed away in 1922. 

John E. Forester and Harlan Lewitzke will both receive the event’s “Developer Award” for their community work and commitment to enriching Wausau’s cultural landscape in both their personal and professional lives.   

Forester moved to Wausau for a job opportunity and left a significant impact on its business community and cultural landscape. Born in 1913 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, John excelled in school and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1947, John moved to Wausau to take a job with A.P. Woodson, a member of the Wausau Group. John began taking A.P.'s place on company boards and civic organizations, becoming an integral part of the Woodson legacy. Marrying Alice, A.P.'s daughter, they donated their home to create the Woodson Art Museum, leaving a lasting legacy. John passed away in 2008. 

Lewitzke was driven by technical expertise, problem-solving skills and attention to detail. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, became a licensed Professional Engineer and held roles in product engineering and leadership. In 1970, Harlan seized the opportunity to purchase Leverance Electric, leading to the creation of L&S Electric. The company grew, becoming a major service provider in the repair, distribution, and automation of electric motors and related equipment. Harlan was actively involved in numerous organizations and community service, including the Rotary Club, Central Wisconsin Professional Engineers and the Lewitzke Foundation. Harlan passed away in 2018. 

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with Junior Achievement on this unique event to recognize the early visionary leaders and passionate innovators that have made Wausau what it is today,” said Marla Kolbeck, Champions of Business Chairperson. “Junior Achievement works with area youth to inspire and prepare them to succeed as adults. Events like this allow us to look back at the achievements of those who have paved the way and to look forward to new achievements yet to come.  

The event is made possible through support from the following sponsors: Title Sponsor, Ruder Ware; Awards Sponsors, Samuels Group, Peoples State Bank, EO Johnson; and Speaker Sponsor, Marathon Cheese Corporation. All proceeds from the event will go to Junior Achievement’s local work, which includes business and economic education programs for area schools. 

Forty-five other Champions of Business have been honored in the past fifteen years. They include John Noel, John Sonnentag,  John Sturtevant, D.C. Everest, Bernie Greenheck, John Ullrich, Hans Hagge, Marv Schuette, Ray Goldbach, Walter Alexander, Dick Dudley, E.O. Johnson, Cyrus Yawkey, Bart Kellnhauser, Rick Gering and Art Juedes, Alexander Stewart, Lula Jacob, W.F. McCormick, Walter McIndoe, Ed Creske, Gordon Backer, Daniel Plumer, Robert C. Greenheck, G. Lane Ware, the Fromm Brothers, John Slayton, David Smith, George Ruder, Dwight Davis, William Sampe, August Kickbusch, Herb & Ervin Kolbe, A.P. Woodson, T A Duckworth, Ronald Nicklaus, John Ringle, David Graebel, Jerry Viste, Olive Graham, Ralph Mirman, Larry Niederhofer, Neal Brown, Jim McIntyre and Jane Bierman. Information about past winners and the Champions of Business annual event is available at www.championsofbusiness.org.  

About Junior Achievement 

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA learning experiences are delivered by corporate and community volunteers and provide relevant, hands-on lessons that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Junior Achievement is expanding its reach to 18-to-25-year-olds to provide young adults with critical life skills. Since 2021, Junior Achievement volunteers have taught life skills learning experiences for 64,798 students in the greater Wausau metropolitan area. For more information, visit Wisconsin.ja.org.?