FULL ESTEEM AHEAD:

Discover the Untold Story of Joe Balthazor

Hard Work. Hustle. Heart.

Joe’s story will change how you see success.

Ever wonder how a farm kid from Wisconsin becomes a powerhouse entrepreneur?

In Full Esteem Ahead: The Joe Balthazor Story, you’ll follow him from the dusty lanes of a small‑town farm to becoming a respected industry leader. This 80+ year journey proves that grit, grace, and community can rewrite any story. Born the eldest of eight, he shouldered responsibility early—working to help his family, carving a path with calloused hands and an unshakable belief in better days ahead. Along the way, anxiety and low self‑esteem tested his resolve, yet friendship, mentorship, and sheer perseverance turned challenges into chapters of growth. 

As a father of eight—six children and two beloved stepchildren—and a proud grandparent to many, he built a legacy rooted in love and example. Marathon finish lines became symbols of endurance; public service as an alderman reflected a life lived for others. In business, he rose to prominence in building‑materials wholesale distribution, ultimately selling his company to form an ESOP—sharing success with those who helped create it. It’s a true rags‑to‑riches arc, powered not by luck alone but by relentless hard work, humility, and the courage to keep going when the road turned steep. 

Readers will find themselves cheering through setbacks and savoring triumphs, taking away practical wisdom on leadership, resilience, and the quiet strength of showing up—day after day. If you’re seeking a story that leaves you motivated to tackle your own next mile, this book delivers: honest, heart‑forward, and utterly energizing. Pick it up, and let it remind you that extraordinary lives are forged from ordinary beginnings—one determined step at a time.

Pick up this biography today and discover what it really takes to turn hard work into a legacy.

Full-Esteem-Ahead-Book

About the Authors

john henke

Jack Henke

Jack co-founded Henke & Associates, Inc. in 1987 with his father, the late Bill Henke. Today, he provides senior-level strategic guidance and top-tier creative direction for clients across a wide range of industries. A strong conceptual thinker, Jack is experienced in every phase of the strategic and creative process — from brand development and marketing strategy to concepting, writing, and refining final copy for video, broadcast, print, social, and digital media.

Jack has earned national awards for writing, producing, and directing radio commercials. But the recognition he values most is the long-standing loyalty of his clients and the growth of their businesses.

Beyond agency work, Jack is a published author and long-time local columnist. His humor writing and keen eye for the character of Cedarburg have made him one of the community’s most recognizable storytellers. He brings that same sharp insight and perspective to building and strengthening brands.

Books Co-Authored by Jack Include:

  • This Might Be a Dumb Question but … How Does Money Work?
    with Joe Fazio, CEO & Co-founder of Commerce State Bank
  • The Bentley Family History – Seven Generations Since 1848
    with Thomas H. Bentley III
  • Port Washington State Bank – Putting Communities First Since 189
    with Steve, Mark, & James Schowalter
  • Full Esteem Ahead – The Joe Balthazor Story
    with Joe Balthazor
  • Cedarburg Authors’ Circle: Volume 1 (A collaborative collection)

Books Authored by Jack Include:

  • Cedarblurbs: Insights & Hindsights from Cedarburg — A collection of humorous, insightful columns from 2002–2015
  • Cedarblurbs 2.0 — columns from 2015–2019
  • Guardian Devil — a humorous novel

Jack also co-hosts The Jack Henke Show, a humor-driven podcast available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms.

Joe Balthazor

O. Joseph Balthazor grew up on a dairy farm in central Wisconsin. His life is full of successes, mistakes, achievements, and, most of all, self-discovery.

Joe has been in the trenches of the company he founded, Hallmark Building Supplies, Inc., from the beginning.  He pulled laminate in the early days, fabricated Corian® to specification, and now continues to vision it’s future.

Avid Packer fan, Brewer fan & Marquette Basketball fan, mediocre golfer, and devoted family man—husband, father of six, stepfather of 2, grandfather and great-grandfather.

joe balthazor ceo-author
joe balthazor ceo-author

Joe Balthazor

O. Joseph Balthazor grew up on a dairy farm in central Wisconsin. His life is full of successes, mistakes, achievements, and, most of all, self-discovery.

Joe has been in the trenches of the company he founded, Hallmark Building Supplies, Inc., from the beginning.  He pulled laminate in the early days, fabricated Corian® to specification, and now continues to vision it’s future.

Avid Packer fan, Brewer fan & Marquette Basketball fan, mediocre golfer, and devoted family man—husband, father of six, stepfather of 2, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Jim Winistorfer
Board Member

External member of the Board since 2021, Jim Winistorfer is President & Head Coach of Doig Corporation. Jim serves on a variety of private and ESOP company Board of Directors locally. Jim’s expertise is in sales, marketing, operations and C-Level management roles, Jim has led Lean Thinking, Robotics and Automation strategy for over 35 years. With a BS and MS from UW Stout, Jim is a USGA & WSGA Certified Golf Rules Official and is very proud of his “Expert” status in the Rules of Golf. Just don’t ask for a ruling in the middle of his backswing!

Christine Adee
Board Member

External Member of the Board, Chris became a part of Hallmark’s board after the transition to 100% employee ownership. Valued member, Chris’ expertise as an ESOP leader has provided guidance and support for Hallmark’s growth initiatives. She’s currently the Co-CEO of OwnersEdge, Inc., an active member of The ESOP Association, and holder of an MBA and undergraduate finance degree from UW Milwaukee’s Lubar College of Business. Want to know what it is like to travel the world with like-minded adventurers? Just ask Chris.

Jim Hobby
CFO

 

Not your typical bean counter, Jim has recently joined Hallmark as CFO. He’s a long-time resident of Texas, yet is relocating to Wisconsin because the cold is better than the heat, says his wife! Proud father of two, traveler, bicyclist, and foodie, Jim has a storied background in accounting. Previously with Baker Tilly, as a CPA he has extensive experience in restructuring, acquisitions, and the construction industry. Jim’s numbers are spot on, but his sense of humor and personality are what add up to making him a great addition to the Hallmark team.

Bobby Staats
President

President since 2023. Avid Missouri alum. In true fandom, his dog Truman is named after the Mizzou Mascot! Bobby’s MBA is from William Woods University. He started in the Tyvek® business at Hallmark and then moved to VP of Sales. He led the Interiors Business Unit and is certified in Business Analytics and is Master Facilitator of the BluePrint Sales Process. When he’s not at work you’ll find him on the baseball field with his son Holden, cheering on his daughter Norah at her latest gymnastics meet or finding a great local concert with his wife Kris.

Katie Sadorf
VP, Marketing & Strategy

VP Marketing & Strategy, proud MBA and alum from UW Whitewater, and Certified Scaling Up Coach are just a few of the hats Katie wears. Strategic thinking is second nature for her as she leads many cross functional initiatives, along with Hallmark’s Marketing team. 30 year veteran at Hallmark, creative mind, deep thinker, wife, and mom to two grown sons. The real boss of her life is a Black Labrador named Stella. If Katie’s not working you’ll find her planning her next international trip or traveling the globe… the world is calling and she must go.

Paula Osvold
VP, Interiors Business Solutions

An unmatched background in commercial business and a storehouse for historical information, Paula is our VP of Interiors Business Solutions and leads the Commercial and Residential Corian® Design business for 23 states. While this MN Metro State University Alum may have a soft voice, this former Army National Guard MP consistently challenges her team on what’s always been to help them discover what could be. Offline, Paula’s husband, daughter, son, and her – along with their two dogs – can be found on one of 10,000 lakes during the 3 days of Minnesota summer.

Todd Lienke
VP, Information Technology

VP of IT extraordinaire, there’s not much in the tech world that Todd can’t do. Educated at KRS Computer & Business School in MN, Todd leads the way in keeping us ahead of the curve. Microsoft Certified, network administrator, dog dad to Benny, and devoted husband… but it’s Todd’s cooking that will keep you connected. Grill master, smoker master, and, lover of Bourbon, when not online at midnight, you’ll find him planning out his next great adventure or creating that perfect recipe for grilled grub.

Kent Holtz
VP, Operations

Member of the Board

Member of the Board. MBA from UW Whitewater, Marquette Grad. Kent’s love of learning never ends as he’s pursuing a second finance degree. Customer service, purchasing, warehouse and delivery: these all fall under his leadership as VP Operations. Kent’s home is in Wisconsin where his grown twin sons and his daughter occasionally grace his presence. His wife, Karen, keeps him on his toes—just ask about April Fools’ Day at his house.

Robb Buechler
VP, Exteriors Business Unit
Bachelor of Business and Finance from UW Stout was just the start for this Minnesota resident. With experience in Fabrication and Business, he’s had leadership roles in the interiors and now is VP Exteriors Business Unit. A rich history at Hallmark, Robb’s at his best when strategizing on pricing and negotiating with suppliers. Avid golfer, lover of adrenaline sports (think snowmobiling, dirt biking, and jet skiing), dedicated husband, and father of three, Robb’s also leader of Hallmark’s Levanté® business.
Ariana Bodenbach
VP, Human Resources

Dual degreed in Human Resource Management and Supply Chain and Operations Management, this UW Milwaukee Alum is our VP of HR. Active in the Women in Construction (WIC) and the ESOP Association in Wisconsin, Ariana leads the Associate Owner Committee and is a fierce champion of our associate ownership culture. Along with her husband, she’s busy when not at the office wrangling her elementary aged daughter and toddler son keeping them active in dance, swim, and other activities.

joe balthazor hallmark ceo
Joe Balthazor
Chairman, CEO & Founder

Born on a dairy farm, founded Hallmark at the age of 6. Our fearless leader, CEO of Hallmark, and Chairman of the Board. Master of grand ideas Joe continues to lead at the helm of Hallmark. He’s been in the trenches with us from pulling laminate in the early days, fabricating Corian® to specification, to envisioning the future of Hallmark beyond 50 years. Packer fan, Brewer fan, and Marquette fan… mediocre golfer and dedicated husband and father to six Joe remains active in the business leading our inorganic growth strategy.

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