The riots that ensued in 2020 following the death of George Floyd left commercial districts in Minneapolis and St. Paul devastated. Small businesses, mostly owned by people of color, suffered shocking losses as a result of arson, looting, and serious property damage. The destruction spread across miles, from Lake Street and West Broadway to University Avenue. Business leaders faced a major turning point in their lives—whether to step up or step back.
One leader who acted swiftly and decisively was David Mortenson, chairman of Mortenson Construction. Considering the gravity of the crisis, Mortenson reached out to the presidents and CEOs of major firms, including Target, Cub Foods, and U.S. Bank, to help large businesses survive and support struggling neighborhoods. His plan focused on stabilizing anchor businesses while offering an accessible avenue for smaller businesses to replace windows, doors, and security systems. “Restore some sense of normalcy,” says Mortenson.
Recognition Amid Chaos
Former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak credits Mortenson’s swift response as instrumental in raising funds for rebuilding efforts. “There was more than $200 million in uninsured damage,” Rybak says. “David came to the Minneapolis Foundation to create a fund to raise private dollars.” The result was the Restore-Rebuild-Reimagine Fund, which secured $15 million in private donations. Additionally, Mortenson’s damage assessments helped unlock state funding for recovery efforts.
CEO Disengagement in the Twin Cities
Russ Nelson, retired president of NTH Inc., has seen a marked decline in CEO involvement in civic matters over the years. “There’s been a precipitous decline in involvement by the leadership of our major companies,” he says. While some executives remain engaged, Nelson argues that many have stepped back, citing the pandemic as a factor, but that no longer justifies inaction.
Nelson pointed to projects like securing U.S. Bank Stadium, hosting the Super Bowl, and forming Greater MSP, an organization focused on regional economic development. These examples reflect the collaborative efforts of former corporate leaders such as Richard Davis (U.S. Bank), Doug Baker (Ecolab), and Ken Powell (General Mills), who were deeply involved in civic initiatives.
Pat Ryan, chairman of Ryan Cos., echoes this sentiment. “The complexities of working within a public [company environment] have increased dramatically,” Ryan says. Board members often discourage high-profile involvement in social or economic issues to avoid potential backlash from stakeholders.
The Impact of Political Tensions
Ryan further suggests that the relationship between business leaders and local government has deteriorated. He recalls a time when former Target CEO Bob Ulrich led efforts to improve public safety downtown by installing security camera systems—without seeking credit or public recognition. Today, however, Ryan feels that such collaboration has weakened, partly due to the political composition of the Minneapolis City Council.
Doug Baker, former CEO of Ecolab, shares these concerns. “Minneapolis is a very difficult place to navigate right now,” he says, emphasizing the need for a renewed public-private partnership. “When businesses take their communities for granted, it’s not healthy.”
The Future of Corporate Responsibility
Despite these challenges, some argue that corporate leaders still have an important role to play in the growth of the Twin Cities. Bill George, former CEO of Medtronic and now an executive fellow at Harvard Business School, recalls a time when civic engagement was expected. “The Dayton family did so much to build this community,” he says, referring to the former owners of what is now Target Corp.
Today, however, the landscape has changed. National political divisions, the rise of social media scrutiny, and the shift to remote work have all contributed to reduced in-person engagement. “We have very good [CEO] leaders, but they haven’t stepped up as much into a community role,” George says.
The Path Ahead
Looking ahead, many business and community leaders hope to see a resurgence of CEO involvement in civic affairs. “In this era of political volatility and chaos, we need a strong business community to be the moderating force,” George says.
While corporate executives struggle to navigate an increasingly complex environment, their engagement—or lack thereof—will shape the future of Minneapolis and beyond.
