2012
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Cary Musech '80 Founder, Tonka Bay Equity Partners
Cary founded Tonka Bay Equity Partners, a private equity fund, in 1998. With $350 million of capital under management, Tonka Bay has made investments in twenty-seven portfolio companies to date. Cary is a frequent speaker and writer on private equity and has been a judge in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year program.
Cary's other passion is Catholic education. He chaired the Board of Benilde-St. Margaret's High School, chaired a capital campaign for Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, and served on the Board of Regents of Saint John's University. Cary also served as the Chair of the Saint John's Alumni Association.
Cary graduated from Saint John's University and attended the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. He enjoys boating, snowboarding and international travel with his wife and three children.
CSB/SJU Social Entrepreneur Award
Joe Cavanaugh '81 Founder, Youth Frontiers, Inc.
Joe Cavanaugh is a nationally known advocate promoting timeless values and personal character to audiences of all ages. With over 25 years of experience working with young people, he is one of the foremost communicators to youth on the topics of respect, integrity, courage and compassion.
In 1987, Joe founded Youth Frontiers, Inc., a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that partners with schools across the country to create more positive school communities.
Youth Frontiers now has outreach staff reaching youth in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, North and South Dakota. The organization's primary work is to provide powerful retreats to change the way young people treat each other in every hallway, lunch line, and classroom of every school in America so that today's young people can make tomorrow's world better.
Prior to starting Youth Frontiers, Joe was the Youth Minister at Lady of Grace Church in Edina. Joe has been the subject of countless newspaper articles as well as radio and television interviews including "The Osgood Report" on CBS radio and a 90-minute PBS television special titled Respectfully, Joe Cavanaugh. He has been recognized by General Colin Powell of America's Promise as being a leader in our nation's effort to rescue America's young people. He currently serves on boards and committees for St. John's University and Catholic Charities of St. Paul & Minneapolis.