Hall of Fame--On Top of the Mountain

Carlson found an outlet for his home-grown aggressiveness and competitiveness in high school. Blessed with good speed, he ran track and played football. He continued track in college at St. Cloud University, where he graduated with a degree in business administration and accounting.

He followed in his older brother Lary's footsteps and joined a CPA firm in Minneapolis, where he remained for three years. The high-volume, 41⁄2-month tax season—reminiscent of a peak farming period—didn't appeal to Carlson, but the experience was invaluable. While doing audits, he was given a glimpse at the ways and means of running a successful (and unsuccessful) business—information he would draw upon later in his career.