John F. Bergstrom Inducted to Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – Junior Achievement of Wisconsin held its 33^rd annual Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame™ on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

John F. Bergstrom was among the class of 2023 laureates inducted to the Business Hall of Fame.

John’s earliest entrepreneurial endeavor began after he graduated from college, when he and his brother opened a small bar in Neenah, Wisconsin at the site of a former post office, naming it “The Old Post Office.” Since then, he has been a restauranteur, hotelier, and the eventual founder of Bergstrom Automotive, headquartered in Neenah.

Like many entrepreneurs, John faced challenges as his company grew. When General Motors filed for bankruptcy in 2009, twelve of Bergstrom’s dealerships were suddenly closed over a period of 2 days. John decided to take over several non-GM dealerships near Neenah and move his employees to them to save their jobs. Today, the company employs over 1,400 team members, runs 30 dealerships of all major brands, and is one of the top 50 automotive dealer groups in the United States.

John serves on the board of directors for several Fox Valley organizations, including the Green Bay Packers, Inc., The National Association of Corporate Directors, Associated Bank, and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.

Established in 1990, the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame honors individuals whose business innovations, effective management, and civic involvement have made a difference in their companies and communities throughout the state. The laureates are also recognized for the high standards they set as role models for Wisconsin’s young people and as innovative business leaders who have positively shaped Wisconsin’s business climate.

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