Michael Best and the Hoan Group Announce Expansion into Green Bay

GREEN BAY – After this summer’s City Exchange, Michael Best and the Hoan Group formally announced their plans to expand into Green Bay in 2026. 

The Hoan Group, a Milwaukee based membership organization, focuses on moving the region forward through collaboration. Michael Best, a national law firm with offices across Wisconsin, is known for its team-based approach and involvement in innovation. 

Jason Schultz, the Chief Innovation and Technology Officer at Michael Best sees Green Bay as crucial to Wisconsin’s growing innovation. “We want to be part of the innovation that takes place in the region”, he said. 

Similar to the beliefs of the Hoan Group’s founder Ian Abston, Schultz shares that “Change happens at the speed of trust”. 

Both organizations are emphasizing collaboration over competition, aiming to break down silos that keep cities separated from each other. 

One major step towards that goal was this summer’s Green Bay City Exchange. 

“The timing couldn’t have been better,” Schultz said. The event brought together 51 participants from Milwaukee and 52 local leaders out of Green Bay, covering a variety of topics like collaboration between cities, talent retention, expanding local leadership and more. 

According to Schultz, the continued collaboration between local leaders led to “a lot of innovation in venture space, manufacturing and vertical integration”. 

Michael Best’s recent move into Titletown marks another milestone in its investment in the local community. Schultz highlighted recent major events like the NFL Draft and RNC convention as pivotal to putting Wisconsin on the map in new ways. 

One of the most prominent goals the Hoan Group and Michael Best mentioned was the further development of the Innovation Triangle– the growing connection between Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay through shared urban and economic development. 

“Having these types of programs leads to meaningful collisions that create a ripple effect”, Schultz said. “Hoan creates an environment for memorable experiences”. 

Ian Abston reaffirms Schultz’s sentiment, noting the benefits of statewide collaboration. “There are problems that we have in Milwaukee that Green Bay is actively solving and vice versa. If we

want Wisconsin to be the best it can be, we need to learn how to work together to solve our problems.” said Abston. 

For Michael Best and the Hoan Group, the City Exchange reflects what’s to come: trust, innovation and shared experiences that all push Wisconsin forward.