Joe Carlson

Board Chairperson, Cedar Community Board of Directors

Joe Carlson serves as board chairperson for Cedar Community’s Board of Directors and has been involved with Cedar Community governance since 2012. He served on the Cedar Community Foundation board from 2012 to 2018 and has served on the corporate board since 2018. He has been board chairperson since March 2019 and is a member of the Executive, DEI, and Finance and Investment Committees.

Joe brings extensive experience in executive leadership, finance, manufacturing, business strategy, board governance, and mission-driven nonprofit service. He spent 27 years with Sandstone Group, Inc. and Lakeside Manufacturing, Inc., serving as president from 1999 to 2021 and later as president emeritus. Earlier in his career, he spent 11 years in commercial banking, including seven years as vice president of commercial lending.

Today, Joe works as a self-employed business mentor, coaching and mentoring C-suite leaders across businesses in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Utah. His board and advisory experience include service with the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, Antunes, Alto-Shaam, Saint Francis Borgia Parish, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, the West Bend School Board, and other civic and nonprofit organizations.

Joe holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a BBA in Finance and Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Certified Foodservice Professional designation.

Through his leadership, financial background, governance experience, and faith-based service, Joe brings a long-term, mission-focused perspective to Cedar Community’s work on behalf of residents, families, and team members.