Business Awards Luncheon

2026 Small Business Owners of the Year

Jason Kath and Adam Preusser, Motor Works Auto Repair

Adam Preusser and Jason Kath first met while studying in the automotive program at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. In 2004, at just 22 years old, Preusser purchased Augusta Motor Works in St. Augusta. Kath joined Preusser in ownership in 2007. What began as a single repair shop has expanded into a multi-location operation serving customers across the region.

Over the past two decades, the partners have grown the company through strategic acquisitions, including locations in Sartell (2015), Sauk Rapids (2018), Big Lake, Blaine, and Bemidji (2021) and Park Rapids (2022), as well as their fleet service and corporate office location in Waite Park (2025). Today, Motor Works Auto Repair operates eight service locations and employs more than 80 people across its repair shops, call center and corporate team.

As the business expanded, Preusser and Kath also identified operational challenges within the automotive repair industry and created solutions to address them. After experiencing inconsistent phone service across their locations, they launched First Ring, a centralized call center that now supports their shops and other automotive businesses nationwide. They also created Treasure Payments, a credit card processing service designed specifically for automotive repair businesses, and ADAS Edge, a mobile diagnostic and calibration service that supports modern vehicle safety systems.

While their growth has been significant, Preusser and Kath emphasize that building a strong team has been central to their success. “Watching people grow within the organization is probably my favorite part of the job,” Preusser said. “Seeing someone step into leadership, increase their responsibilities and build a career here is incredibly rewarding.” Their commitment to employees also extends to offering benefits and career opportunities that are uncommon in many independent repair shops, helping them attract and retain skilled workers in a competitive industry.

Beyond their own operations, Preusser and Kath are committed to supporting the broader automotive industry. Preusser serves as a business coach for repair shop owners across the country through an organization called Shop Fix, and the company regularly hosts shop owners who visit Central Minnesota to learn from their management practices and operations. The partners also remain deeply engaged in the communities they serve, supporting local nonprofits, youth organizations and individuals in need through sponsorships, donations and vehicle repair assistance.

The Small Business of the Year Award recognizes a company that demonstrates business excellence, strong leadership and a meaningful commitment to the community. The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce has named Motor Works Auto Repair, owned by Adam Preusser and Jason Kath, as the recipient of the 2026 Small Business Owners of the Year Award, recognizing the company’s entrepreneurial growth, innovative mindset and devoted service to communities across Central Minnesota.

2026 BUSINESS CENTRAL MARK OF EXCELLENCE:

2026 Family-Owned Business

Brandon Testa, House of Pizza

The story of House of Pizza in St. Cloud began in 1964, when Brandon Testa’s father Robert Testa came to the area from Chicago. After noticing a line outside the city’s only pizza restaurant while passing through town, he saw an opportunity. He returned and opened House of Pizza downtown with little more than used equipment, determination and a handshake agreement with his landlord. Among the equipment was a distinctive revolving deck oven built in the early 1950s, an oven that would become central to the restaurant’s signature style of pizza.

More than three decades later, Brandon Testa returned to St. Cloud after graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in hospitality management. In 2000, Testa purchased the restaurant from his father and began leading the second generation of the family business. He acquired the building in 2004, the same year he expanded the brand by opening a second House of Pizza location in Sartell.

Over the years, Testa has continued to grow the business while staying true to the traditions that made House of Pizza a local favorite. The restaurant’s pizza is still made using a revolving deck oven system that requires careful attention from staff rather than automated conveyor equipment. Fresh dough is placed directly on the oven deck and rotated through the baking process, a method that is more labor-intensive but produces the distinctive crust and flavor House of Pizza customers expect.

The business has also navigated significant changes, including the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving restaurant industry trends. During that time, Testa consolidated operations into the current St. Cloud location and expanded online ordering and delivery services to better meet customer needs.

House of Pizza remains known not only for its food, but also for its strong connection to the community. Testa and his team regularly support local nonprofits, youth organizations and community events through donations, volunteer support and partnerships. House of Pizza has also become a workplace for many local students over the years, with several employees building long-term careers with the company. “What makes us unique is our people,” Testa said. “That’s what differentiates us from a lot of other restaurants.”

House of Pizza has also recently returned to Sartell with a new location inside the Coborn’s at 1725 Pine Cone Rd S., reconnecting the brand with a community that supported the restaurant for more than two decades.

The Family-Owned Business of the Year Award recognizes a business that has successfully transitioned to the next generation while continuing to demonstrate strong leadership, business excellence and community involvement. The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce has named House of Pizza, owned by Brandon Testa, as the recipient of the 2026 Family-Owned Business of the Year Award, recognizing the restaurant’s long-standing family legacy, entrepreneurial resilience and deep commitment to the region. 

2026 Entrepreneurial Success Award

Guy Magno, Ryan Schoepf and Taylor Feero, Switchboard

Guy Magno began as a commercial and wedding photographer in St. Cloud after attending college at Northwestern. Through his work as a photographer, he eventually revealed a broader opportunity: many businesses needed help telling their story and building their brand. Recognizing this gap, Magno partnered with longtime friend and graphic designer Ryan Schoepf to launch Switchboard in 2016. Taylor Feero joined soon after in an internship capacity, eventually taking on an operations role. Since then, the agency has grown into a creative and marketing hub serving businesses across Central Minnesota and beyond. The trio combines complementary strengths: Magno’s vision and storytelling, Schoepf’s award-winning design expertise and Feero’s operational leadership.

Switchboard provides a wide range of creative and marketing services including photography and videography, logo and graphic design, website development, brand strategy, social media management and marketing support. The agency helps businesses communicate their identity and connect with customers through strong visual storytelling and strategic branding.

Over the past decade, Switchboard has expanded its impact far beyond a traditional marketing agency. Through their collaborative business model and parent company structure, the partners have helped launch and support several ventures, including creative workspaces, coffee shops and other entrepreneurial initiatives. Their approach emphasizes building strong teams, developing systems that support growth and creating opportunities for other entrepreneurs to succeed. 

The company has also been recognized for its innovative culture. Switchboard has adopted forward-thinking operational frameworks, developed apprenticeship opportunities for young entrepreneurs and created collaborative work environments that help new ideas flourish.

While their business ventures continue to grow, Magno, Schoepf and Feero remain deeply committed to St. Cloud. The partners have invested in local real estate, created gathering spaces designed to bring people together and launched a community-focused podcast called Chit Chat that highlights local leaders and organizations. They are also active supporters of nonprofits and community initiatives, frequently providing in-kind marketing services and volunteering their time.

“St. Cloud is a place we believe in,” the partners said. “We’ve been fortunate to build businesses here, and we want to keep investing in people and ideas that make this community stronger.” Today, the businesses connected to their entrepreneurial ecosystem employ approximately 35 people across Central Minnesota, reflecting steady growth driven by creativity, collaboration and a shared vision for the region.

The Entrepreneurial Success Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate innovation, leadership and measurable business success while making a positive impact in the community. Recognizing their unique approach to business, sustained growth and dedication to strengthening the St. Cloud community, the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce has named Guy Magno, Ryan Schoepf and Taylor Feero, owners of Switchboard, as the recipients of the 2026 Entrepreneurial Success Award.