New Fellowship Targets Northern Colorado’s Manufacturing Leaders

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – April 30, 2026

A new initiative is launching to provide a strategic boost to one of Northern Colorado's most vital economic sectors. Applications are now open for the inaugural Wipfli Fellowship, a six-month intensive program designed exclusively for the owner-operators of mid-sized manufacturing companies. The fellowship combines high-level financial advisory, peer-to-peer coaching, and strategic public relations into a single, subsidized package, a model previously unavailable in the regional market.

A Strategic Catalyst for a Vital Sector

Northern Colorado's manufacturing landscape is both robust and highly specialized. The region, encompassing Larimer and Weld counties, is home to approximately 90 payrolled fabrication and production technology establishments. According to economic analyses, its concentration of agricultural and construction machinery manufacturers is more than five times the national average, making it one of the most distinctive manufacturing ecosystems in the Mountain West.

The Wipfli Fellowship is tailored to serve this specific environment. It targets privately held manufacturing companies with annual revenues between $10 million and $75 million—a critical stage where businesses are often poised for significant growth but may lack the internal resources or time to pursue complex strategic opportunities. The program was co-developed by three organizations, each bringing a distinct expertise: Wipfli LLP, a top national accounting and advisory firm with deep manufacturing experience; The Alternative Board (TAB) NoCo, a local chapter of the world's largest peer advisory franchise; and Prolexity, a public relations firm. This collaboration aims to address the holistic needs of business owners who are often too busy running day-to-day operations to work on their business.

An Integrated Model for Growth

What sets the Wipfli Fellowship apart is its integrated, three-pronged approach. Unlike programs that focus solely on coaching or technical assistance, the fellowship bundles financial optimization, leadership development, and market visibility into a coordinated six-month cohort.

The financial advisory component, led by Wipfli, is designed to uncover hidden value on the balance sheet. "Manufacturing owners in Northern Colorado are leaving real money on the table, including R&D credits, energy incentives and depreciation strategy, because no one has time to chase it all while running the business," said Anthony Shibata, a partner at Wipfli Advisory LLC. "The Fellowship fixes that. We're putting Wipfli's manufacturing playbook directly in eight owners' hands." Fellows will receive a manufacturing-specific R&D credit review, an analysis of energy credits and cost segregation opportunities, and a balance sheet review focused on optimizing depreciation schedules.

The second pillar is executive leadership development and peer accountability, facilitated by The Alternative Board NoCo. Fellows will join a confidential peer board of up to eight non-competing manufacturing leaders, meeting monthly to tackle their most pressing challenges and opportunities. This is supplemented with monthly one-on-one executive coaching sessions. "The peer advisory board brings immediate robustness to your critical business decisions around new issues or opportunities, including navigating growth, team development and achieving your personal vision," explained Bryan Snyder, owner and CEO of The Alternative Board NoCo. Participants also receive a DISC Leadership assessment and TAB's proprietary Business Diagnostic to identify strategic priorities.

The third component, delivered by Prolexity, focuses on building reputational capital. Each Fellow and their company will receive a professionally written profile, be featured in a news release announcing the cohort, and get a LinkedIn content package designed to enhance their visibility within the Northern Colorado business community. This strategic communication ensures that the internal improvements made during the fellowship are translated into external credibility and market presence.

Unlocking Tangible Value for Business Owners

The program's structure offers a significant return on investment. While the combined retail value of the individual services—including specialized tax reviews, executive coaching, and PR retainers—exceeds $33,000, the investment for each of the eight selected Fellows is just $5,165. This substantial subsidy is intended to make high-level, integrated advisory services accessible to the region's core manufacturing businesses.

The value proposition extends beyond cost savings. By combining financial deep dives with peer accountability, the fellowship creates a framework for immediate implementation. The insights gained from Wipfli's analysis of R&D credits or cost segregation can be discussed and refined in the TAB peer board, and the resulting successes can be amplified through the PR efforts managed by Prolexity. This synergy is designed to create momentum that lasts well beyond the six-month program.

"We expect the experiences of these Cohort One businesses to be materially transformative," Snyder added, highlighting the program's ambitious goals. The fellowship is not just about providing advice; it's about creating a structured environment where that advice is put into action, measured, and leveraged for long-term competitive advantage.

Program Details and Application

The inaugural cohort of the Wipfli Fellowship is limited to eight participants to ensure a high-touch, impactful experience. To be eligible, applicants must be the owner-operator, CEO, or president of a privately held manufacturing company operating primarily in Northern Colorado, with annual revenues between $10 million and $75 million. While the focus is on Larimer and Weld counties, leaders from the broader Front Range are welcome to apply, with the understanding that peer board meetings are held in person.

The application deadline for the first cohort is May 29, 2026. The program officially launches in June, with the inaugural peer board meeting scheduled for June 17. Applicants who are selected before June 1 may receive additional one-on-one coaching sessions in May, providing a head start before the full program begins.

The selection process involves a review by representatives from all three partner organizations to ensure a good fit for the intensive, collaborative nature of the cohort. Manufacturing business owners interested in applying or learning more about how the fellowship can drive financial and operational results can find detailed information and application instructions online at www.Fellowship.biz or www.tabnoco.com.