People from various industries working.

THE PATHS
WE FORGE

A series to honor those who live and breathe the Wolverine spirit of independence, fearlessness, and grit.

At Wolverine, we exist to support the people who forge their own path; those who stop at nothing to build the future they want. We seek to fulfill this purpose not only through the products we make, but also through the causes we serve and the stories we tell.

From entrepreneurs who risk it all in pursuit of their passion to students who defy societal expectations to learn a skilled trade; from artisans who devote their lives to the mastery of a craft to outdoor explorers who endure unforgiving elements in the name of adventure. Across industries, there are people carving their own way in the world and making tracks as they do. The Paths We Forge is our ode to them.

Steve and Brandon Zinninger.

Steve & Brandon Zinninger

Home is Where You Park It

A gorgeous polished aluminum camp trailer sits atop a rugged Utah vista. It’s a family’s dream camp setup but not too long ago was a beat-up old trailer on the verge of being put out to pasture. Father/son team, Steve and Brandon Zinninger and their business, Camper Reparadise, have been making peoples’ camp trailer and Sprinter van dreams come true for a decade now, fueled by strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit.

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Trade Industry Panelists

Trade Industry Panelists

A PANEL OF PATHS

Wolverine and SkillsUSA, an organization dedicated to ensuring America has a skilled workforce, assembled a panel of industry professionals to break down misconceptions about opportunities in the trades and raise awareness for the incredible opportunity that exists in skilled trades professions.

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Saray Hernandez.

Saray Hernandez

Have torch, will travel

Aboard some of the U.S. Navy’s largest ships, Saray Hernandez puts on her headphones, cranks the tunes, and makes sparks fly. As a contract welder, each day brings with it a new challenge of keeping these vessels seaworthy. She describes her crew as a bunch of little ants hard at work building stuff. But as one of the few women in her field, Saray is one ant that
stands out.

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Maria Klemperer-Johnson.

Maria Klemperer-Johnson

BUILDING CONFIDENCE BY
BUILDING A COMMUNITY

Maria Klemperer-Johnson is a Jill of all trades. A computer programmer in a past life, she longed for something more; a deeper connection and a sense of community. She found that community by building it herself.

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Jeremy Stokes.

Jeremy Stokes

HAPPY PEOPLE IN A GREAT WOOD TOWN

In a world where simple, low-cost, mass-produced pieces are what make up the bulk of new construction, Jeremy Stokes and his small crew of artisans veer hard in the other direction. They choose to stay true to the craftsmanship of woodworking, keeping the same techniques and vintage equipment many others have forgotten.

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Dave Niewenhuis

Dave Niewenhuis

THE JOB OF A MENTOR

Dave Niewenhuis has spent the last 7 years working as an instructor at YouthBuild, an organization that teaches young people the skills they need to build successful careers in the trades and also to become leaders in their community. But to Dave, his role as a mentor goes well beyond teaching employable skills.

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Jessie Lewis.

Jessie Lewis

ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES

With a blowtorch and a crucible Jessie Lewis melts down old silver in order to give it new life. From her studio in Montana's Bitterroot Valley, Jessie and her brand—Ruby and Revolver—have become known around the country and the world for beautifully raw jewelry combining reclaimed precious metals with uniquely gorgeous stones and rugged looks that lets the metal's character shine through.

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Blake Corum.

Blake Corum

WAKE UP EARLY AND PUT IN THE WORK

Blake Corum's journey to becoming a star running back at an elite college football school begins in a one-stoplight town in rural Virginia. Exposed to the hard work of his family, he learned at a young age that achieving success takes dedication, hustle,
and sacrifice.

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