A CEO speaks out about Minnesota’s ICE surge

In today’s newsletter: Bethany M. Owen, Mike Logan, Jen Ford Reedy, Patrick Seeb, Fred Haberman, Brian Wachtler, Stephanie Lee, Mike Mahoney, Anthony Froio, Dean Broadhead, Gina Nacey, Billy Jurewicz, Jason DeRusha, Jeremiah Brent, Nate Berkus

The pressure for large companies to speak out about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge in Minnesota is heating up. Late last week, Bethany M. Owen became one of the first high-profile CEOs to make a statement. The leader of Duluth-based energy company Allete focused her remarks on community:

“Truly caring about each other … means truly listening when someone tells us they don’t feel safe, honoring and respecting the reality of their experiences even when it differs from our own, and perhaps most important of all — taking concrete actions to create environments where everyone feels safe and respected and can thrive. I don’t profess to have answers for what our great State of Minnesota is experiencing and for the divisions we are seeing throughout society, but I know how much I care. I care about our team, our communities, our state, and our country far too much to stay silent or on the sidelines when I know people are hurting and afraid … I am absolutely committed to doing all I can truly to live our People value.”

Bush Foundation president Jen Ford Reedy urged people to look beyond politics: “I know it feels hard for a lot of people to speak out right now because of worries that saying anything is aligning with a side in a political war. But we have to be able to disagree on policy while still agreeing on the importance of our principles of liberty and justice. When it really matters, we have to be on the side of America.”

Destination Medical Center Executive Director Patrick Seeb focused his comments on remembering what makes Minnesota special: “We are a state where people show up,” he said, listing stats like No. 1 in voter participation and No. 4 in charitable giving per capita.

Fred Haberman and Brian Wachtler, the CEO and president, respectively, of Minneapolis-based marketing communications firm Haberman, wrote a commentary in the Minnesota Star Tribune on why business leaders can’t stay silent. “There are moments when silence itself begins to carry weight,” they wrote. They offered a model statement intended to serve as a guide as businesses consider how to respond.

Minneapolis Regional Chamber president and CEO Mike Logan also issued a statement saying the group is working with the business community to find a way to “stabilize our region which is currently under heavy duress.” Logan continued, “When law-abiding citizens and legal residents are being accosted, physically assaulted, and detained, that stability is fleeting.” The chamber will host an Employer Rights & Responsibilities webinar on Jan. 22 that is open to non-members. “It’s not just restaurants and the hospitality industry,” Logan said. “Even Fortune 500s are impacted when people can’t go to work.”

Stephanie Lee is the new president of the National Association of Women Business Owners Minnesota Chapter (NAWBO-MN). Lee started her career in human resources at Courage Center and Cargill and then moved into commercial real estate, racking up $3 billion in transactions over 20 years. Ten years ago, she started her own Minneapolis-based strategic commercial real estate advisory, Global Street Partners.

“Women still tend to undersell their services,” Lee said in a statement. “During my tenure [with NAWBO-MN], I want to encourage members not to undervalue themselves and their businesses.”

In bed with Target: A new bedding collection designed in collaboration with interior designer Jeremiah Brent, the home expert on Netflix’s Queer Eye, launched exclusively at Target stores on Jan. 18. Jeremiah Brent Home includes sheets, duvets, comforters and blankets for $119 or less. Brent follows in the footsteps of his husband, Minnesota native Nate Berkus, who previously collaborated on bedding and home goods with Target.

A $14.5 billion deal: Boston Scientific is purchasing heart-device company Penumbra for roughly $14.5 billion, marking its largest acquisition in two decades, Strib reporter Victor Stefanescu reports. Boston Scientific CEO Mike Mahoney said Boston Scientific will operate Penumbra as a stand-alone organization.

In memoriam: Robins Kaplan LLP remembered Elliot Kaplan, who passed away Jan. 14, as a “cornerstone” of the Minneapolis firm, which he joined in 1960 and built into a nationally recognized trial firm. “His values, judgement and commitment to excellence continue to guide who we are today,” said Anthony Froio, chair of the executive board and managing partner. “His legacy will live with the firm forever.” Read more about Kaplan’s career highlights.

Smarter work starts here: Join me Feb. 5 for the Star Tribune’s first North Star Network, an afternoon filled with expert insights designed to help you work more efficiently and build meaningful connections. Advice on well-being, better sleep and AI that makes it easier to focus on the human side of business. Space is limited so reserve your spot now. Newsletter subscribers get $10 off with code STRIBINSIDER26.