Jack Gunnarson of Winona moved to the area in the early 2000s, and in the time since he purchased a business here and has established a very successful company called Excel Images.

“With the help of my two sons, and an incredible group of hardworking, committed, talented, passionate and dedicated employees, we have become a very meaningful branded apparel and promotional products company,” said Gunnarson about his contribution to Winona County’s business community.

Gunnarson and his wife, Jaci, will be married 43 years on August 25, and the family includes sons Jackson (wife Katrina) and Jon (wife Shannon) and grandchildren Carter, Crew, Peyton, Jonna and Tyler.

Jack and Jaci grew up on the Iron Range of northern Minnesota, and after spending 30 years in the Twin Cities, the couple made the move to Winona when they purchased the business here.

While in high school Gunnarson started working part time in a small lettering shop in Virginia, Minn. He proudly stated that was the beginning of a 46-year career in the decorated apparel/promotional products industry. For 33 years, he and a close friend partnered in a decorated apparel business, and when the business went public, the two experienced 25 years as a quality supplier of printed and embroidered apparel to major retailers nationwide.

When the business was purchased in Winona, the family moved to the area. Visits to Winona County in the 1990s convinced Gunnarson and his wife this would be a wonderful place to live.

“The river, the bluffs, the beautiful farmland, the business environment and the people … small communities with their own character and charm are so refreshing,” said Gunnarson about his decision to purchase a business in Winona County.

For Gunnarson, the important parts of life are faith, family, health and business, and while there are limited hours in the day, he does support some important causes. Cancer events are one, since he lost his business partner to cancer in 2003. The other is the national wheelchair camp at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch, since he and his wife have two grandsons with spina bifida. He also supports the Winona County Fair through discounts on apparel and other items.

“With so many worthy causes, you have to decide which ones mean the most to you and focus on those,” Gunnarson said.