Ashley Furniture Industries & The Wanek Foundation Honored in Wisconsin

November 2, 2025  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

The Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance (WiRSA) is proud to honor the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation (the Foundation) and Ashley Furniture Industries (Ashley) as the 2025 Community Partner of the Year. WiRSA celebrates the Foundation and Ashley for their visionary leadership, dedication to student success, and transformative impact on rural schools and communities.

In partnership with the Whitehall School District, the Foundation, and Ashley have transformed STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning opportunities for rural students across Wisconsin. Their visionary Mobile Skills Laboratory, launched in 2018, brought hands-on training in robotics, automation, and emerging technologies to schools across the Trempealeau Valley Cooperative, addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities where access to state-of-the-art technology has historically been limited.

Building on this success, they supported the development of the Whitehall Regional Emerging Technology Laboratory (WRETL) in 2024, a 16,400-square-foot innovation hub equipped with drones, robotics, 3D printers, and artificial intelligence tools. Within its first semester, WRETL enrolled more than 500 course sessions, far exceeding expectations.

These initiatives have fundamentally transformed the educational landscape for rural students, providing access to cutting-edge learning environments that rival those found in major metropolitan areas and internationally recognized institutions. Through strategic partnerships with Western Technical College, University of Wisconsin-Stout, and the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), students are gaining advanced technical skills while earning college credits and industry certifications that prepare them for high-demand careers.

“At Ashley, supporting STEM education at all levels is a priority of ours,” said Ron Wanek, founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries. “We are extremely proud of the developments that have been created to help inspire students and provide them with the necessary tools to become the next generation of our country’s skilled leaders.”

By investing in comprehensive faculty training and professional development opportunities, the initiative ensures educators are equipped to deliver world-class instruction in emerging technologies. This creates a model that strengthens local economies, enhances and increases available opportunities, and allows students to remain connected to their rural communities.

In addition to their recognition for their dedication to community education, the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) recognized Ashley Furniture Industries as a recipient of the Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award. For 35 years, WMC has presented this award to companies that have demonstrated environmental leadership through sustainability, stewardship, and innovation.

“Businesses know that doing right by the environment is the right thing to do,” said Adam Jordahl, WMC Director of Environmental & Energy Policy. “Employees, customers, and the public expect businesses to act responsibly and respect the environment, and Wisconsin employers have a long history of exceeding those expectations.”

The awards program, sponsored by WM, seeks to demonstrate to state policymakers and the public that businesses are leading in sound environmental practices. Awards are presented based on company size (small, medium, and large categories) and type of environmental activity. Businesses must demonstrate they have made a significant improvement in one of three areas: sustainability, environmental stewardship, or environmental innovation.

“I am proud of this year’s winners and all of the nominees,” added Jordahl. “Thank you to WM for supporting our efforts to recognize the hard work of Wisconsin businesses that go above and beyond when it comes to environmental responsibility.”

2025 Business Friend of the Environment Award Winners

SUSTAINABILITY

Performance Pallet – Seymour

Masters Gallery Foods – Plymouth

Ashley Furniture Industries – Arcadia

The 2025 Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award winners were selected by an independent panel of judges who represent the business community and environmentalists. Learn more about the Business Friend of the Environment Awards at www.wmc.org/bfoe.