Our Team

Paul Schneider has 25 years of experience in strategic finance, family business governance, and executive management. He has served as an investment banking analyst at Morgan Stanley and led the global integration of mergers and acquisitions. Paul has experience on the Board of Directors as an operating executive for a family business recognized as a Top 500 Best Large Employer by Forbes. In addition, he has led multi-billion-dollar capital fundraising initiatives.

As an executive at Schneider National, Inc., Paul led various operations, including the acquisition of Schneider Logistics (Tianjin) Co, one of China’s ten largest transportation companies.

Paul has an executive MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, an MSIS from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and a BA in economics from Northwestern.

Paul is active in his community and faith. He is a Trustee of Northwestern University and a board member of The Catholic Foundation. Paul resides in De Pere, Wisconsin with his wife and four children.

Cheryl Wegner provides legal counsel and executive administration. She specializes in areas of business, contracts, research, and real estate. She started her career as a real estate paralegal after receiving her degree.

She has more than 30 years of business experience in customer service, marketing, sales, and real estate.

Alex Lawton is the CEO and a Board member of The Lawton Standard Co. a specialty metals platform company.  Its subsidiaries include seven sites across five states.

He is also the Co-Managing Director of SLK Capital, LLC, a specialty finance company, and the Managing Director of LFH, LLC, a diversified investment company.

Alex has served in various Board and Committee roles at for-profit enterprises and charitable organizations. Some current examples include The Village Companies, McDonald Companies, Foundry Ventures, LLC, the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay, and various roles at the schools attended by his children.

He received his BA from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, and an MBA from Loyola University in Chicago, IL.  He now lives in De Pere, WI, with his wife, Jessica, and their four children.

Paul Knoll is a business leader with 30 years of leadership experience in the fields of engineering, manufacturing, and logistics. He began his career at Power Gear in an engineering and product development role, before beginning his 14-year journey at Schneider National.

In the last 15 years, Paul served as a business leader in multiple companies including President of Metals Engineering, GM of Pioneer Metal Finishing, President of MCL Industries, and President of McDonald Companies. His focus has been to blend his technical and leadership skills to help companies grow and improve.

Paul has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of WI Platteville.

Paul has served as Board of Regents Chairman for Fox Valley Lutheran High School and in a variety of Board roles for Mount Olive Lutheran School and Church. He also serves on the Board of McDonald Companies in Green Bay. Paul resides in Appleton, Wisconsin with his wife and three sons.

Bill Van Beek provides consulting services to customers in the manufacturing, agriculture, and warehousing/trucking sectors emphasizing supply chain and logistics services. The focus of his advisory services centers on taking customer vision and assisting with transformation to drive value creation. In addition, Bill provides insight on modeling, structuring, and sourcing of funding for start-ups, ongoing operations, and turnarounds.

Bill’s career spans over 40 years in operational management. Most recently, he was the President of Bay Point Food Group in De Pere, Wisconsin, a market maker for the sale/procurement of cheese and dairy products.

Currently, Bill is working with a diverse group of clients delivering solutions with real-world experience, tools, and perspective.

Bill graduated from Purdue University with an MSM, Operations Management/Finance; MS, Operations Research and Finance; and BS, Agricultural Economics. Bill is married, has a grown daughter, and resides in DePere, WI, where he enjoys gardening.

Joey Hansen brings an extensive background in purchasing, accounting, financial analysis, and general management to the team. Her experience includes working with large and small companies and prior ownership in a manufacturing business.

Joey appreciates the opportunity to use her knowledge and experience to help clients grow and achieve their business goals.

She has held numerous volunteer and board positions with local and regional non-profit organizations, including Freedom House and the Green Bay Area YWCA.

Joey has an MBA in Finance and degrees in Business Administration and Accounting. She lives in De Pere with her husband and enjoys cooking for family and friends, boating, reading a good book, and the many wonderful area events.

Jay’s career spans 30 years in financial management. Most recently he was the Chief Financial Officer for WS Packaging Group headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin which is one of the largest printing and label converting operations in North America. His primary responsibilities included lead negotiator for all financial transactions and outside business relationships along with providing analysis, evaluation, and negotiations with companies considered potential merger or acquisition candidates. Jay was responsible for all financial functions within the corporation while overseeing the approval and processing of revenue, expenditures, and financial operating systems. In addition, he provides insight on modeling, structuring, and sourcing of funding for start-ups and turnarounds.

Currently, Jay is an active member of several diverse manufacturing companies along with sitting on several Boards of Directors.

Jay graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and subsequently obtained an MBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. He is married, has two grown daughters, and resides in DePere, WI where he enjoys year-round outdoor sports and recreation.