Neal Zygarlicke

Leader. Galvanizer. Innovator. 

I specialize in building strong cultures, future leaders, and organizations that positively impact their communities. I truly believe my greatest asset is my ability to lead and cultivate relationships built on trust. For 10+ years I have been guiding companies to become more strategic, operationally efficient, and successful. I do this through coaching, empowering, and positively influencing people to become leaders who will take the necessary steps to improve within their own life.

As the current President of Badger, a building materials distributor and millwork manufacturer, I lead a dynamic Senior Leadership Team (HR, Sales, Operations, and Finance). I have the privilege to lead the organization during its 5th generation of family ownership and help usher in the 6th generation while also maintaining the interests of all stakeholders —especially our 120+ employee owners. I enjoy growing the organization’s culture, managing the operations, upholding the company's mission, and overseeing strategic planning.   

Between 2020-2024, I was the Chief Executive Officer of the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce where I had the honor of serving and representing over 550 local businesses. I provided innovative ideas, introduced new revenue streams, inspired La Crosse area professionals, and increased operational efficiencies while also empowering the Chamber Team - a sure foundation to our successes. What I am most proud of throughout my time as CEO is we were able to accomplish our goals all while staying true to servant leadership values and meeting the needs of the Greater La Crosse business community.

In my prior role at First Supply LLC, a wholesale distribution company, I traveled to 46 different branches on an annual basis across the Midwest to perform internal audits for more than 8 years. Most managers are terrified of any type of audit. Quite honestly, most auditors are disliked and feared. However, through my collaborations with front line workers, people in management positions, and executive leadership, I was able to build trusting relationships. These trusting relationships helped improve location operations as well as pushed forward the company’s strategic initiatives. This is the type of win-win relationship that I believe can be achieved when empathy is at the forefront of leadership.

I am grateful for the various opportunities and experiences throughout my professional career. It is with a grateful attitude that I strive to better myself, the people around me, and the community in which I live. My personal belief is that we exist to make a positive impact on those around us - one smile, one interaction, one leader at a time. That is the power of one. 

I truly believe my greatest asset is my ability to lead and cultivate relationships built on trust.