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Frank Vargas
Frank is a classic product of America’s cultural and racial melting pot. Born in Wichita, Kansas, his father’s family was of the Mescalero Apache Tribe and his mother’s family immigrated from Mexico but were of French, German, and Native American descent. Hard work won him admission to Harvard College and, later, the University of California-
Berkeley, where he earned dual JD/MBA degrees. Since coming to Minnesota over 20 years ago, Frank has pursued careers in investment banking, corporate finance, and as an attorney advising business entrepreneurs. While his credentials allow him to work anywhere he wishes, he is now on his second tour of duty with Gray Plant Mooty.
“When I first moved here and started attending board meetings, people would look at me because I didn’t ‘look like Minnesota.’ But when I joined Gray Plant Mooty, nobody looked at me in that way. I think one of the distinguishing things about our firm is that it is an easy place to be if you are different. People are looked at for who they are, not what they look like. That’s important to me, because I don’t want to be treated better or worse for being a minority. I just want to be treated the same. That’s what happens here, and that’s why it is a great place to work.”
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Angie Jesme
Angie is the picture of someone unafraid to tackle new challenges. Originally hired as a receptionist in 1991, her duties at Gray Plant Mooty have expanded to include project support for several departments, including accounting, human resources, and marketing. While Angie’s determination to excel clearly shows in her work, her independent spirit goes well beyond the office. Despite physical limitations that have caused her to use a wheelchair since childhood, she navigates the downtown Minneapolis streets and skyways with practiced ease. During the business day, her constant companion is Dozer, a service dog that Angie has had for two years.
“This firm and its people have always embraced me openly. At my wedding, a number of attorneys said they felt like they were at a family reunion because there were so many current and former Gray Plant Mooty people in attendance. Those comments are a testament to my 19 years with the firm. I’m a coworker, but also friends, with people at all levels of Gray Plant Mooty. They may not be related to me by blood, but they are family.”
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Laurie Knocke
Chair of GPM's Diversity Committee
Growing up in a suburb of Milwaukee did not offer Laurie Knocke many opportunities to meet and interact with persons of color. Milwaukee, like many northern cities, had segregated neighborhoods. It was not until she was 13 and her father, as the president of the local swim club,hired an African-American man as the assistant swim coach that she had the opportunity to really get to know someone of another race.Years later, as she started her law career as a female litigator, Laurie experienced what it was like to be a minority. In many ways, those events shaped Laurie’s passion for an open, equitable, and inclusive workplace—
like the one at Gray Plant Mooty.
“If we want more diversity, I really believe we need to develop it at home. Business is quickly becoming more diverse, and we’re already seeing more Minnesota-based clients who have dealings all over the world. Those clients want to know that we understand the cultural nuances they face. So if everyone here looks the same or comes from the same background, that might not provide our clients with comfort that we really do understand their business needs.”
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