Hall of Fame--On Top of the Mountain

The foundation was laid with the acquisition of a $5 million company, Information Publishers. He leveraged that company's workforce asset, a core of 35 employees, many of whom remain with the company 15 years later. Carlson's dynasty now consists of Carlson Print Group, a sheetfed company acquired in January and headed up by his son, Jason. Another son, Darren, leads American Spirit Graphics-Des Moines, formerly Wright Printing, a web printing operation acquired in 1996. The company also added American Spirit Mailing, a former mailing center for Fingerhut, in Alexandria, MN.