In September, Rachel Johnson took charge of the Duluth-based private sector-led economic development agency APEX, which serves 10 counties in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. She’ll be leveraging the relationships she’s made in the region over the years through her work with companies including Enbridge and Wisconsin-based Precision Pipeline, she says. To build what she calls “APEX 3.0,” Johnson plans to spread the word about the region’s welcoming business climate through storytelling and testimonials. Another initiative she’ll pursue: building relationships with Native American communities in the APEX region.

Return to TCB 100 for 2023