Description

Family businesses can sometimes reach a crossroads for various reasons: economic, leadership, liquidity, next-generation, or succession and family challenges. How does a family business get to the point of deciding to sell? What does that process look like within the family and beyond? How do you decide what direction to go? The UNI Family Business Center is focused on keeping family businesses owned and operated by Iowa families. However, we recognize things change, often times out of our control, and appreciate the learning that can happen through the lens of another family’s experiences. 

Join Mike Wells on August 24 for the kickoff Virtual Breakfast Series of 2023-34, Wells Blue Bunny: The Story of a Legacy Family Business. Mike will discuss how Wells Blue Bunny, the second-largest ice cream manufacturer in the country, made the decision to sell to the Italian-based Ferrero Group. Looking in the review mirror can help others look at their own business families and use the lessons the Wells family has learned course of 109 years.

DETAILS
Date: Thursday, Aug. 24
Time: 8-10 AM
Location: Zoom
Format: Q&A with breakout rooms

ABOUT MIKE WELLS

Wells Enterprises, Retired CEO, Chief Engagement Officer, Board Member

Mike Wells started working in the Wells family business in 1977 as a route driver while working his way through college.  He joined the Blue Bunny sales force in 1981 upon his graduation with a BS in Business Administration from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa.  Early in his management career, Mike’s father instilled the belief that you should never ask someone to do something that you weren’t willing to do yourself. This led to Mike holding various positions throughout the company including route sales, production, transportation, office services, and marketing, culminating with a series of senior management positions which eventually led to his title as COO in 2007.  On November 13, 2007, Mike assumed the role of President & CEO and in October 2021, he assumed the position of CEO/Chief Engagement Officer of Wells Enterprises. During Mikes 15-year tenure as CEO, Wells saw explosive growth and performance improvements under his leadership. 

Over his career Mike served on the Iowa dairy foods board, the International Dairy Foods Association Executive Council and was the first chair of the International Dairy Foods Association ice cream segment board, chaired the Siouxland Initiative board, the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce, and Iowa Business Council. Mike is a recognized leader having received the Ernst and Young Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year for the central region, the Edward Deming Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence award, and the International Dairy Foods Associations Soaring Eagle leadership award and is a recent inductee of the Iowa business hall of fame.  

Mike and his wife Cheryl have a shared passion for their community and are partners with the Le Mars Betterment Foundation, Library, Arts Center, Alzheimer’s Association, and the Floyd Valley hospital Foundation. Most recently they were recognized as the first ever recipients of the Le Mars Community Impact award.

Mike says his greatest achievement is his 46-year marriage to Cheryl and the legacy of their 4 children and 13 grandchildren.