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The events of this past year have shown just how toxic and prevalent systemic and individual racism are to our community. We understand more deeply than ever the need to listen, learn and empathize in order to find ways to move forward together to build a more just community for all.

The eyes of the world have been on the Derek Chauvin trial and now on the tragic death of Daunte Wright. We are horrified and ashamed that this keeps happening to Black people in our community and many other cities across our country.

As we await a verdict, we hope and pray our criminal justice system provides the justice George Floyd and his family deserve, though nothing can restore Mr. Floyd’s life or ease the pain of his murder. We also know that whatever the jury decides, there will still be much work to do.

Needed change cannot come quickly enough. Fixing this is on all of us. We reaffirm our pledge to be a meaningful part of that work. In June, we committed $25 million toward racial justice. We have supported local BIPOC businesses and nonprofits to help rebuild areas affected by the uprising last summer and are currently working with BIPOC communities on solutions that improve their public safety and wellbeing.

We are humbled by the scope of what needs to be accomplished and remain steadfast in our commitment to support the work of ending racial injustice in our community.

In the days and weeks ahead, please listen and treat each other with compassion and respect as we work through this together. Take care of yourselves and one another.

The Pohlad Family

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., [February 22, 2021]  – Pohlad Companies, announced that Erryn Williams joins the organization, effective today, as Chief Talent and Diversity Officer, reporting to Pamela Lampert, Chief Human Resources Officer. In this role, Williams will lead DEI Strategy and key talent practices across the organization, building upon current initiatives and priorities in partnership with the Pohlad Leadership team, business and human resource leaders, and employee DEI councils.

“We are thrilled that Erryn has joined Pohlad Companies, bringing her considerable experience in talent acquisition, training and development and her expertise in aligning DEI and business goals,” said Bert Colianni, Pohlad Companies chief executive officer. “She will be a valuable partner as we strengthen the diversity, inclusivity and equity within our culture and workplace.”

Williams has more than 20 years of experience in human resources and diversity and inclusion roles in both public and private companies, including May Company, Target, Best Buy and Ryan Companies. Most recently, Williams led global inclusion and diversity strategy for Cargill. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles and currently serves as a board member and chair of the Human Resources committee for Bridging.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN., [June 10, 2020] — In response to the murder of George Floyd and the deeply ingrained systemic racism in our country, the Pohlad Family announced today that it is committing $25 million to racial justice, bringing to bear resources of the Pohlad Family Foundation, Pohlad family members, and Pohlad Companies in a two-phased, community-based approach.

“Black people have experienced oppression and racism for far too long in this country,” said Bill Pohlad, president of the Pohlad Family Foundation. “We condemn racism in all its forms, and we are firmly committed to helping to enact meaningful change. We know this will take time and effort, and we are committed to this work beyond this seminal moment in our country’s history.”

In the short term, the Pohlads are focused on providing immediate relief and rebuilding organizations in impacted communities. In addition to encouraging employee volunteerism and matching employee donations across Pohlad Companies, the Pohlad Family Foundation will support grassroots organizations doing this important work. The Pohlad organization also plans to work with local government, philanthropic organizations and the business community to help rebuild businesses that have been destroyed, with the goal of ensuring the continued cultural diversity and affordability of the local areas.

Over the long term, the Pohlad family will focus on impacting structural change through the Foundation. We will partner with other equally committed organizations to help change the systems that create racial inequities and marginalize people of color.

The commitment of $25 million is in addition to the ongoing work of the Pohlad Family Foundation in the areas of homelessness and housing stability.

“As we undertake these additional efforts in racial justice, we will take the time to listen and learn from the community first. We believe that people are experts in their own lives, and to make lasting change, we must learn from their lived experience,” said Susan Bass Roberts, vice president and executive director, Pohlad Family Foundation. “Our goal is to work in community to identify and support solutions that reflect the input of those closest to the issue and address their greatest needs.”

“While we are determined to help affect change in our community, we also know that any real change must start from within,” added Pohlad. “And so, we acknowledge that we have our own work to do and are working to strengthen diversity and inclusion in our organization.”

 

About Pohlad Family Foundation

The Pohlad Family Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life and opportunities for those most in need in the Twin Cities region. Our strategic focus is to improve housing stability with the goal of preventing and ending homelessness among families and youth in the Twin Cities. We use four strategies: 1) catch youth and families before they experience homelessness; 2) fund housing affordability solutions; 3) address systemic change; and 4) create awareness and galvanize support. To learn more about the Foundation’s history and focus, visit pohladfoundation.org.

 

About Pohlad Companies

Founded by Carl R. Pohlad in the 1950s, the Pohlad Companies had its start in the banking and soft-drink bottling industries. Now managed by his three sons Jim, Robert and Bill, with third generation family members actively involved, the organization has four primary business groups. Operating Companies includes ownership and management of firms in diverse industries such as commercial real estate mortgage banking (NorthMarq), automobiles (Carousel Motor Group) and automation (PaR Systems); Real Estate includes commercial real estate development and investment activities, principally through United Properties LLC.; Sports and Entertainment comprises investments in the sports and entertainment industries including the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball Club; and Investments includes direct and non-control investments in privately held companies and in financial instruments of varying duration and type. The Pohlad family and the Pohlad Companies have a deep commitment to the communities where they live and work, demonstrated through the Pohlad Family Foundation, along with the giving and engagement initiatives of its operating businesses and employees. To learn more, visit pohladcompanies.com.

 

Media Contact:

Susan Bass Roberts, Vice President and Executive Director, Pohlad Family Foundation

(612) 661-3811

sbassroberts@pohladfoundation.org

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 17, 2020– The Pohlad Companies, a privately held, diverse portfolio of organizations spanning multiple industries and sectors, today announced that Ben Hawn will join the organization, effective January 27, as Chief of Staff to Bert Colianni, Pohlad Companies’ CEO. Ben comes to the Pohlad Companies from Argentem Creek Partners LP in Minnetonka where he has served as Managing Partner & General Counsel since April 2016.  Prior to his work with Argentem, Ben held roles at both Pine River Capital Management and Faegre Baker Daniels. Ben served in the Marine Corps from 2000 to 2003.

Through his military service, legal expertise, and variety of roles in private fund management, Ben brings a wealth of leadership experience and business acumen to this role. He earned a BA in Economics from Hamilton College and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the William Mitchell College of Law.

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 10, 2020- The Pohlad Companies, a privately held, diverse portfolio of organizations spanning multiple industries and sectors, today announced that it has aligned two of its consumer-facing businesses under the leadership of Chase Hawkins.

Hawkins has been promoted to CEO and President for Carousel Motor Group (CMG) and also has been named Senior Vice President – Retail Operations at Pohlad Companies. In this dual role, Hawkins will oversee both CMG and JB Hudson Jewelers, leveraging strategies between two of Pohlad Companies’ retail businesses. As part of this structural alignment, Nick Pechman, President, JB Hudson Jewelers, will report to Hawkins.

Hawkins brings 30 years of global leadership experience in automotive sales, service, marketing, product planning and pricing. He joined CMG in 2016 and was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer of CMG in 2019. Hawkins received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Natal, Durban in his native South Africa. He has lived or worked in countries on five continents.

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