Dupaco President & CEO Joe Hearn named CUES Outstanding Chief Executive

Dubuque, Iowa—Dupaco Credit Union President and CEO Joe Hearn has been named Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) Outstanding Chief Executive, one of the industry’s highest individual honors. The award recognizes a CEO who demonstrates visionary leadership, organizational transformation, strong advocacy for the credit union movement and an unwavering commitment to members, employees and community impact.  

CUES selects its Outstanding Chief Executive based on a leader’s ability to strengthen their organization, champion people development, drive sustainable innovation and meaningfully improve member financial well-being. Hearn’s recognition reflects the significant progress Dupaco has made under his leadership and his influence throughout the broader credit union system. 

“Joe leads with unparalleled expertise and a big heart,” said Ellen Goodmann Miller, Dupaco Credit Union Board Chair. “Under his direction, Dupaco has become a beacon of opportunity, equity and community building across Iowa and beyond.”  

Hearn has led the financial cooperative since 2012.  During this time, the credit union experienced sustained growth, with membership increasing from 68,000 to more than 179,000, assets expanding from $1.06 billion to $3.5 billion, and Dupaco’s service area broadening from 28 to 118 counties—a reflection of both strategic expansion and growing member trust. 

Hearn’s community‑focused vision has also created a meaningful and lasting impact. In 2025, Dupaco employees contributed 6,136 volunteer hours, many utilizing the credit union’s volunteer time‑off benefit to support organizations important to them. He also championed the rehabilitation of the Dupaco Voices Building, transforming a once‑deteriorated historic structure into a modern operations center that now serves as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization. 

Under Hearn’s leadership, Dupaco continues to invest deeply in its people and members. In 2025, the credit union delivered 226 employee training sessions totaling more than 16,000 hours, reinforcing a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.  Dupaco’s emphasis on expert monitoring, member education and advanced technology helped prevent more than $10.5 million in potential member fraud losses in 2025 alone—demonstrating Hearn’s commitment to safeguarding member financial well‑being.  

“Joe’s superpower is empowering people—he creates a place where employees thrive, where members are truly seen, and where purpose drives every decision,” added Goodmann Miller. “It is truly an honor to celebrate this well‑deserved recognition.”  

Hearn is a nationally respected industry leader and a Certified Chief Executive through CUES. He has chaired both the Iowa Credit Union League and CUES, and in 2019 was inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame for lifetime service to the credit union movement. 

The CUES Outstanding Chief Executive Award was presented to Hearn at the CUES Symposium on February 2, 2026. 

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About Dupaco Community Credit Union  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 178,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com. 

About CUES 

For over 60 years, CUES has advanced the credit union movement by developing exceptional purpose-driven leaders who meet the unique needs of their organizations and the communities they serve. CUES partners with credit unions to elevate the leaders of today and tomorrow through exclusive networking and event opportunities, programs that facilitate personal and professional development, and unmatched digital and in-person learning experiences. Visit CUES.org to learn how CUES plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of credit unions.

Endres Manufacturing Achieves AISC Certification for Arlington Facility While Celebrating 100 Years in Business

Arlington, WI (2026) – Endres Manufacturing Co., a Wisconsin-based structural steel fabricator, is proud to announce that its Arlington, Wisconsin facility has earned American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Certification. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the company as it celebrates both the second anniversary of the Arlington location and its 100th year in business.

The Arlington facility, formerly known as Skyline Steel, was acquired by Endres Manufacturing in 2024. Since the acquisition, the company has invested in aligning the facility with Endres’ established quality standards, procedures, and culture. Earning AISC Certification less than two years later reflects the successful integration of the Arlington operation into Endres’ certified quality management system.

“This certification is a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our Arlington team,” said President Sam Ballweg. “Bringing a newly acquired facility into alignment with our long-standing quality standards in such a short time speaks volumes about the people, processes, and culture we have built at Endres.”

Endres Manufacturing first achieved AISC Certification at its original location in 2004, reinforcing their company-wide commitment to quality, consistency, and continuous improvement. For more than two decades, AISC Certification has served as a cornerstone of Endres’ operations, ensuring customers receive structural steel fabricated to the highest industry standards.

AISC Certification is widely regarded as the most respected credential a structural steel fabricator can earn. Certified fabricators undergo comprehensive third-party evaluations to verify their ability to consistently deliver quality products through documented procedures, trained personnel, reliable equipment, and proven quality management systems.

The Arlington certification arrives during a landmark year for Endres Manufacturing, which is celebrating 100 years of service in 2026. Founded in 1926, the company has grown from a local fabricator into a trusted partner on complex structural steel projects across the region, while remaining family-owned and rooted in Wisconsin.

“As we celebrate 100 years in business, achievements like this highlight what has sustained us for a century,” added Sam. “A focus on quality, accountability, and doing right by our customers has never changed.”

With both facilities now AISC Certified, Endres Manufacturing continues to invest in its people, processes, and facilities to meet the evolving needs of its customers and the construction industry. For more information about Endres Manufacturing and its capabilities, visit www.endresmfg.com.

About Endres Manufacturing Co.
Founded in 1926, Endres Manufacturing Co. is a family-owned structural steel fabricator based in Wisconsin. The company provides structural steel fabrication services for commercial, industrial, and institutional projects and is known for its focus on quality craftsmanship, reliability, and long-term customer partnerships.

MMSD Planetarium Director Recognized for National Astronomy Research Leadership

MADISON, Wis.—Ben Senson, director of the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) Planetarium and a science educator at Madison College, was recently recognized for his leadership in national-level astronomy research through the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program (NITARP).

Senson participated as an educator mentor in NITARP’s 2025 cohort and was part of a team that presented original research at the recent winter meeting of the American Astronomical Society. The team studied infrared data from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope to see how the centers of distant galaxies change over time, helping scientists better understand how supermassive black holes behave.

“The impact this experience has made on my classroom is in how it crystalised the methods and purpose of science that I communicate to my students,” Senson said..”I want them to separate what science tells us is true about the world around us and how we use that knowledge in solving problems.”

Through NITARP, small groups of educators collaborate with professional astronomers on yearlong, authentic research projects, then bring that experience back to their classrooms and communities. Since its founding, the program has supported more than 150 educators nationwide and has reached thousands of students each year.

“Ben brings an extraordinary level of expertise, curiosity and passion to his work, and that shows in the opportunities he creates for students,” said Matt Hendrickson, principal of Vel Phillips Memorial High School. “His leadership at the planetarium helps make complex scientific ideas accessible and inspiring, while reinforcing that students in MMSD can engage in real, meaningful scientific inquiry.”

Senson’s involvement in NITARP also includes a commitment to professional learning. Educators in the program complete at least 12 hours of professional development for colleagues at the local, regional and national levels, extending the impact of their research well beyond a single classroom or presentation.

“Experiences like this demonstrate the power of connecting rigorous academics with real-world application,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, MMSD assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “Ben’s work exemplifies how educators can elevate student learning by bridging classroom instruction with authentic research and national partnerships.”

Senson will continue his work with NITARP as part of a self-funded alumni research team in 2026, with plans to present findings at the 2027 American Astronomical Society winter meeting. In addition to his research, he remains deeply engaged in planetarium programming that supports science learning for students across MMSD and the broader Madison community.

For more information about the MMSD Planetarium and its educational offerings, visit the district’s website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

All Four MMSD Comprehensive High Schools Earn AP School Honor Roll Recognition

MADISON, Wis.—All four comprehensive high schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) have been named to the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll, a national distinction that reflects strong student participation and success in Advanced Placement coursework.

West High School earned Silver-level recognition, while East, Robert M. La Follette and Vel Phillips Memorial high schools were each named at the Bronze level. The honor is based on three key measures: the percentage of seniors who took at least one AP exam, the percentage who earned a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam, and the percentage who took five or more AP exams during high school, including at least one in ninth or 10th grade.

“This is a meaningful milestone for our district,” said Tim Peterson, MMSD director of assessment. “Having all four comprehensive high schools earn a place on the AP School Honor Roll at the same time speaks to years of intentional work to expand access, encourage participation and support students once they’re enrolled in these courses.”

The recognition builds on a year of record-setting AP achievement across MMSD. This past spring, more than 2,000 students completed over 4,500 AP exams districtwide, marking significant increases in both participation and total exams taken. Student performance also continued to rise, with more than 80% of exams earning a score of 3 or higher and the district’s average AP score reaching its highest level to date.

“Students are increasingly seeing AP as an opportunity that belongs to them, and our schools are backing that belief with strong instruction and support,” Peterson said. “These results reflect both student determination and the collective efforts of educators across our high schools.”

AP courses mirror the rigor of introductory college classes and can allow students to earn college credit or advanced standing, depending on postsecondary policies. Research also shows that participation in AP coursework is associated with improved college enrollment and persistence, regardless of exam score.

“This honor reflects our commitment to academic excellence and to creating pathways that challenge and support students from all backgrounds,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “When students are encouraged, prepared and supported, they rise to the occasion. We are proud of our schools and the work they continue to do on behalf of students.”

MMSD offers a wide range of AP courses across subject areas, including math, science, English, history and the arts. The district continues to focus on expanding access, strengthening instructional supports and ensuring that students are prepared to succeed in advanced coursework.

Families interested in learning more about AP opportunities are encouraged to review their high school’s course catalog or connect with a school counselor.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

M3 CEO Honored on BizTimes’ Wisconsin 275 List

M3 is proud to share that our CEO, Mike Victorson, has been named to BizTimes Milwaukee’s Wisconsin 275, a special publication recognizing the 275 most influential executives across Wisconsin’s economic sectors. This year-long research initiative by the BizTimes editorial team highlights business leaders whose vision and impact help shape the state’s business community. We congratulate Vic on this well-deserved recognition.