Staff photo Paul Wessel has retired as CEO of New Ulm Business Resource Innovation Center.

NEW ULM – After two years of leadership, Paul Wessel has retired as CEO of New Ulm Business Resource Innovation Center.

This was announced at Tuesday’s EDA meeting by NUBRIC board chair Tim Knaak. He said the board knew about potential retirement for around a year.

“Paul sent a notice to the board almost a year ago [stating] he would have liked us to start looking for somebody to work alongside him and take over,” Knaak said. “We didn’t take action on that. We were very aware he was more looking at being an independent consultant to not only NUBRIC but maybe other businesses in the New Ulm area.”

Board member Les Schultz asked what the future of Wessel’s position would be. Knaak said they are looking to replace him, and have found a person of interest for the role. He did not reveal who this person is.

In a press release, NUBRIC said Wessel had been instrumental in advancing technology initiatives and supporting local businesses in New Ulm. This has come through partnerships with Minnesota State University Mankato and Region 9 Economic Development.

Automation was a trademark of Wessel’s tenure. He secured a $128,000 EDA grant for the New Ulm Robotics and Automation program, and $50,000 for similar programming in New Ulm’s high schools.

Wessel will continue to work with NUBRIC as an outside consultant on projects he was already a part of, such as ongoing tech initiatives and developing a strategic plan to provide new models of care for Oak Hills Living Center.

“I look forward to continuing my work as a consultant and contributing to the success of both NUBRIC and Oak Hills Living Center,” Wessel said. “It is time for a new leadership to come in and successfully execute these initiatives while I spend a bit more time at my lake home in Brainerd.”

Wessel said he was extremely proud of what NUBRIC has been able to accomplish, and thanked the board of directors for their courage and commitment to setting a new vision after he is gone.