Carl Pohlad
Carl Pohlad was an extraordinary man who served, built, and led the vast family of businesses that comprise the the Marquette organization.
Carl was born a businessman. One of eight children in the railroad community of Valley Junction, Iowa, he displayed early talents as an entreprenuer. With the onset of the Great Depression during his youth, Carl began working at a young age to help his family make ends meet. These experiences allowed him to appreciate the value and importance of hard work, and instilled gratitude for the basic necessities of life.
Carl worked while attending college but left before graduating to join the Federal Discount Corporation (FDC) in Dubuque, Iowa, where he soon became partner. His business career was interrupted when he was drafted by the Army to serve in WWII. After a distinguished service, Carl returned to Iowa and the FDC, where he helped expand the company's banking activities. In the early 1950s, Carl returned to Minneapolis, where he helped reorganize the FDC-owned banks in the area. The company's flagship was the Marquette Bank of Minneapolis. In 1955, Carl was elected its president.
During the 1960s and 70s, while Marquette Bank flourished, Carl quietly amassed a significant number of community banks throughout the Midwest. His ability to make deals and build businesses intensified, and in 1982 he made banking history by orchestrating a buy-out of the struggling F&M Savings & Loan by the much smaller Marquette.
Carl's business holdings went beyond banking to include an array of industries. His reputation grew, but he managed to keep a low public profile, until 1984 when he purchased the Minnesota Twins. Today, 26 years, two World Series championships and seven division titles later, Carl's name is most publicly associated with the team's ups and downs, the emotions of its fans, and, at long last, a new stadium.
Throughout his career, Carl weathered important business changes, and his companies continue in his footsteps. Despite changing environments, Carl's three tenants for business success remain the core of all Marquette companies: Know Your Business, Pay Attention to Relationships, Be an Honest and Ethical Participant in All Transactions.
Carl Pohlad passed away on January 5, 2009, at the age of 93. He will forever be remembered for his deep value in the companies and employees he fostered, and his heartfelt relationships witht the clients he helped to succeed.
Today, Marquette Financial Companies is led by Carl's eldest son, Jim, who, along with his brothers, remains grounded in family values, the importance of hard work and giving back to the community.