About Connect Business Magazine
Founded in 1994, Connect Business Magazine has spent decades telling the stories of the people, businesses, and organizations shaping Southern Minnesota. What began as a trusted print publication serving the region, especially the nine-county area, is now being reimagined as a digital-first platform built for the way people read, share, and connect today. At its core, Connect has always been the brand behind the people: the entrepreneurs, leaders, builders, family businesses, institutions, and emerging voices moving the region forward. Through thoughtful reporting, experienced writers, and a focus on quality over volume, Connect continues its original mission in a modern format: telling meaningful business stories with depth, context, and a clear sense of place.
Team
Wes Otto
Publisher
Wes Otto is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Connect Business Magazine and the founder of OMG | Otto Media Group, a regional creative agency he has operated for more than a decade. A lifelong Mankato resident and small business owner, Wes grew up inside his family’s nearly 40-year-old restaurant, Zanz Mexican Restaurant, which he purchased in 2022 and now co-owns with his sister.
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In 2022, he launched the long-form storytelling podcast Get Deep, and in 2023, OMG acquired Connect Business Magazine, continuing Wes’ work at the intersection of business, media, community, and regional storytelling.
Across his ventures, Wes has built a career around relationships, strategy, and the stories that help people better understand the communities they call home. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for GMG Inc., the organization behind Greater Mankato Growth, and is deeply involved in the civic and business life of Southern Minnesota. Whether through Connect, OMG, Get Deep, or Zanz, Wes’ work is rooted in a belief that strong regions are built by people who understand the power of business, relationships, and shared investment in the future.
Molly Byron
Executive Director
Molly Byron serves as Executive Director of Connect Business Magazine, bringing experience in communications, media, entrepreneurship, economic development, and small business support to the publication’s next chapter.
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A Waseca native and sixth-generation member of her family’s farm, Molly’s connection to southern Minnesota shapes the way she sees business, community, and storytelling. She earned her Communications degree from Loyola University Chicago and began her career in media, including serving as Director of Operations for a Chicago-based media firm.
After returning to southern Minnesota, Molly worked in economic development with the City of Waseca and the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce before serving as Regional Program Manager for the South Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center. There, she worked directly with entrepreneurs and business owners across the region, helping support businesses at every stage.
Molly is also co-owner of MTRY & Co., giving her a firsthand understanding of what it takes to build and grow a business. At Connect, she is focused on honoring the magazine’s 30-year legacy while helping lead its digital relaunch and sharing the stories of the people shaping southern Minnesota’s business community.
Lisa Cownie
Contributing Editor
Bio coming soon.
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Additional biography copy for Lisa Cownie will be added soon.
Jennifer Spaude
Contributing Writer
Jennifer Spaude is the Founder and CEO of Spaude Consulting LLC, a boutique communications firm that helps organizations deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time.
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She brings decades of business experience, having held senior leadership roles in corporate communications, public relations, marketing, product management and investor relations. Before launching her firm, Jennifer served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Consolidated Communications and Fidium, where she led media and public relations, investor relations, and employee communications.
Throughout her career, she led communications for dozens of acquisitions, mergers, and divestitures as well as brand repositionings, labor work stoppages, crisis events such as hurricanes, and large-scale business transformations. Prior to joining Consolidated in 2014, Jennifer led investor relations, public relations, and marketing at Enventis and HickoryTech.
Jennifer and her husband Ryan live in North Mankato, where they enjoy time with their two adult children and their very spoiled British Lab.
Dr. Shane Bowyer
Contributing Columnist
Dr. Shane Bowyer is an associate professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at Minnesota State University, Mankato. In addition to teaching, Bowyer led the development of a new AgriBusiness and Food Innovation program and was the Director of the Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Before returning to the classroom, Bowyer was the Institutional Director for Strategic Partnerships.
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Prior to returning to Minnesota State, he was the Glen Taylor Chair of Business and Leadership at Bethany Lutheran College. Bowyer has started four businesses and was a head baseball coach at two universities. Through one of his businesses, he coordinated the Minnesota Vikings Training Camp for 12 years in Mankato.
Bowyer has received the MinnState system Teacher of Excellence Award, the Claire E. Foust Public Service Award, the GMG Entrepreneur of the Year, and the GreenSeam Seamed in Success Award.
Anna Vangsness
Contributing Writer
Bio coming soon.
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Additional biography copy for Anna Vangsness will be added soon.