05/07/2008
CONTACT: Mike Hickey, 651-293-1283 or Tony Malandra, 415-664-9685
"We have been selling green products long before people even started using the term"
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minneapolis entrepreneur Bill Gullickson was named the Solveras/NFIB Small Business Champion of the Year for Minnesota today.
The honor was conferred upon Gullickson by the Minnesota Leadership Council of the National Federation of Independent Business and Solveras Payment Systems, one of the nation's leading payment processing companies for small business. Each year, NFIB and Solveras single out a small business owner in all 50 states for special recognition and honor him or her with their prestigious Small Business Champion of the Year award. This is the fifth year the national group has recognized small business owners who go the extra mile for their fellow entrepreneurs and the first year Solveras has joined in.
Gullickson is the chairman of the board of McLaughlin Gormley King (MGK) Company, a Minneapolis-based manufacturer of insecticides and insect repellents. "Other small business owners think they have felt the effects of regulation, but you need to be in this business to really know," said Gullickson. "I have seen competitors go out of business due to governmental regulations. We are a very innovative company, because we have been selling green products long before people even started using the term."
In addition to being one of the major leaders in his field, Gullickson is a tremendous advocate for small business in general, according to Mike Hickey, Minnesota state director for NFIB, America's premier small business association. "Bill has been an all-star member for us," said Hickey, "making significant contributions in virtually every area of our program." Gullickson is an original member of NFIB/Minnesota's Leadership Council, gives generously to the federation's political action committee, and contributes to its Young Entrepreneur Foundation. Gullickson also serves on an advisory board for his local school district.
Gullickson has been an NFIB member for 24 years. His company was founded in 1902 and currently employs 87 people. Bill Gullickson can be reached for further comment at 763-544-0341.
