Thunder Bay Grille Pewaukee - Heart Of America Group

Pewaukee

Laura Michel

Managing Director
Start Date: 10/22/2018
Personal Highlights

I began working in restaurant and customer service when I was 15. I held a few supervisor positions along the way and after college, I was offered a salaried management position. The hours are long and lots of weekends are lost, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

I met my husband, Brian, in college; we now have a beautiful little boy, Brandon. Before Brandon, I was a cat mom to Emmett and Emma. Who are content to stay home when the boys and I go hiking, camping, and swimming in warmer weather. We spend a lot of time with family all year round.

Scott Wilson

Scott Wilson

Director
Start Date: 10/5/21
Personal Highlights

I was born and raised in Northbrook, Illinois until I was 12 when my family moved up to Wisconsin. I first joined the service industry when I was 16 years old as a host at Stir Crazy. After working there and moving my way up to server lead, I landed a manager job at a small Italian restaurant called Louise’s. It was here where I fell in love with serving people fresh homemade cuisine and the importance of making personal connections with your customers. I grew up playing basketball, football, and volleyball, but my most loved sport will always be golf. In my free time you can usually find me out on the golf course, enjoying live concerts or yelling at the T.V. because the Bears or Cubbies are on. I have a wonderful 8-year-old boy who keeps me busy and is already beating me at Mario Kart.

Jake Hudson

Jake Hudson

Assistant Director
Start Date: 11/16/2023
Personal Highlights

When I am not at work, I am spending time traveling around visiting friends and family. I love going up north to the great outdoors and enjoying the beauty that it is. I am an avid swimmer and during the summer spend most of my days in the water.

Brandon Nelson

Brandon Nelson

Culinary Maestro
Start Date: 2/24/2022
Personal Highlights

In my free time I enjoy playing games with friends and playing my instruments. A couple years ago I had gotten back into golf. When the weather is nice you can probably find me on one of the many amazing courses Wisconsin has to offer.

Hugo Gonzalez

Hugo (Noe) Gonzalez

Assistant Conductor
Start Date: 5/1/2024
Personal Highlights

When I’m not at work, I like to spend time with my family, We go to the park and play soccer. When possible, we like to grill out and cook, I love to travel, I love nature as well as music.

Travis Turow

Travis Turow

Maintenance Executive
Start Date: 4/1/2024
Personal Highlights

I enjoy spending time with my family and our two goofy golden doodles, going to our lake cottage, and hunting and fishing every chance I get.

About Heart Of America

Starting with one, 100-seat restaurant in 1978, Heart of America Group has grown to include a portfolio of award-winning owned and operated restaurants, hotels and commercial developments. Noteworthy brands developed and operated by Heart of America Group include the Machine Shed Restaurant, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, The Republic on Grand, Hotel Renovo, Wildwood Lodge, Thunder Bay Grille, and The J Bar. We pride ourselves in building long-lasting properties that bring value to the consumer and to the communities in which we build.

Locations

Operations Support Center - Moline
1501 River Drive
Moline, Illinois 61265
P: 309.797.9300
F: 309.797.8700

Operations Support Center - Des Moines
515 E Locust Street, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50309