PEOPLE PROFILES
THOMAS VOEGELE BUSINESS MANAGER
Thomas Voegele knows the value of good communications , as well he should ���������������������������������� manager . He says , “ It ’ s my responsibility to make sure businesses are getting the most out of their IT systems ( information technology ).” He ’ s also a VHEDC Board member , who has had a hand in the first -- and , very successful – Northeast Metro Expo event .
The 2016 Northeast Metro Expo at the Vadnais Heights Sports Center connected commerce , schools , nonprofits and community , and was a family-friendly event with entertainment that drew over 1,300 people . The 2017 Northeast Metro Expo will be held at the Sports Center Sunday , April 30 .
“ Syncing ” commerce with community can be hard work . Voegele says his father
– a retired business owner – has been his greatest inspiration . “ He showed me the value of hard work . His business imported silk plants and sold them wholesale in the U . S . and Canada . He ‘ built ’ artificial trees for airports , hospitals and malls . I worked for him when it was a company of three employees , and I ’ ve watched it grow to 45 employees .
“ The most rewarding aspect of my job is helping new business owners reach their goals . The biggest challenges nowadays are moving information to ‘ The Cloud ,’ updating technology and making sure businesses have the infrastructure – such as bandwidth – to make it all work . A business ’ s success depends very much on the strength of its IT systems . Technology is constantly changing and businesses need to change as well , to be more competitive and to create more efficient ways for their employees to perform , thus ensuring success for the business , their employees and their customers .”
Voegele is enthusiastic about the Vadnais Heights ’ area . “ I love the lakes ! I love the outdoors ! My wife , our two sons and
I like to fish and canoe and hike in the woods . The great thing about Vadnais Heights is it continues to grow and change . It ’ s a vibrant place to live and entertain .”
AMY JOHNSON FOOD SHELF BOARD CHAIR
Amy Johnson , board chair for the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf ( WBAEFS ), is inspired by positive people : “ One of my college roommates used to wake up in the morning and yell out , ‘ It ’ s great to be alive !’ She was a promoter of Positive Mental Attitude . I ’ ve come to believe that a positive attitude is integral to making a positive difference in the world .”
The WBAEFS is celebrating its 40th anniversary in March , and Johnson wants the community to know “ we ’ re here for you when you need it . It ’ s our job to make sure no one in this community goes hungry . There are many situations that put people at risk of having enough food : people who just can ’ t pay a heating bill and buy food in the same month ; Social Security checks that don ’ t cover it all ; the loss of a job or a tragedy means a family can ’ t afford groceries – many of whom have never been in that situation before .
“ In the five years I ’ ve been involved , the number of people and families in this community needing food has increased . We ’ ve expanded and redesigned our facility ; we began to offer meat , produce and healthier options , as well as more cultural choices . We switched to a shopping model so our neighbors can choose the food they want rather than get a pre-packed bag ; we partner with local schools to provide food for students over the weekend ; we have begun a mobile food shelf to bring our resources directly to seniors and to other areas of the community , where things like transportation prevent people from getting food .”
About why she loves the Vadnais Heights / White Bear Lake area , Johnson says , “ We have it all here ! We have all the resources of a suburban area – topnotch schools , restaurants and retail , parks and trails , access to quality health care , numerous cultural organizations and amenities , as well as proximity to all the Twin Cities have to offer . Yet , we have a close-knit , small-town feel . People care about each other and come out to support their communities . It says a lot that many people who grew up in this area never leave , or come back to raise their families .”
20 Vadnais Heights Business Guide & Community Profile