Joe Verhagen

The only opportunity some folks have to learn the secrets of business is to pursue an MBA at a University.  The lucky ones learn everything they need to know about business at the knee of their father.  Joe Verhagen is one of the lucky ones.

Joe is the son of the late Larry Verhagen.  Larry Verhagen began in the 1940's with a single neighborhood grocery store and grew the business into a chain of Northeast Wisconsin supermarkets.  Joe learned business fundamentals as a kid while stocking shelves and mopping  floors in his father's grocery stores.

After years in the business, Joe eventually worked through nearly every job available in a supermarket.  As the company, Larry's Markets, expanded to four Piggly Wiggly locations (Kaukauna, Little Chute, Manitowoc and DePere), Joe's role expanded to supervising all locations and culminated with taking over as company President.  While running the grocery store chain, Joe and his brother built and operated a convenience store company, Essen Oil, Inc., with four outlets in the Valley.

Joe is active in civic and church groups in Kaukauna.  He maintains close ties to the grocery industry.  He presently serves on the Board of Directors of Unison Credit Union.  He has previously served on the Board of Directors for the UW sponsored Wisconsin Family Business Forum and as a Commissioner of Kaukauna Utilities.

Joe has recently brought his years of expertise in marketing and retailing to the Meerdink team.  If you are looking for strong real estate advice, set up an appointment to talk with Joe.