OhmCo Joins Governor Evers' Year of the Neighbor Celebration
Mel and Mike Ohlinger honored among Wisconsin neighborhood heroes; continue advocacy for affordable small business healthcare.

APPLETON, Wis.
August 24, 2026
Mel Ohlinger, founder and CEO of OhmCo, a marketing agency for the carwash industry, and Mike Ohlinger, OhmCo's Director of Operations & Data, were guests of Governor Tony Evers and First Lady Kathy Evers at the Year of the Neighbor Celebration held August 18 at the Wisconsin Executive Residence in Madison. The reception honored neighborhood heroes and Wisconsinites who serve their communities across the state.
The evening brought together Wisconsin community leaders for an indoor-and-outdoor reception overlooking Lake Mendota, complete with an unexpected Wisconsin twist when a tornado warning briefly moved festivities indoors. Guests took the weather in stride, enjoying the Residence's art collection and tasty food and desserts.
“It was an honor to be welcomed into the Executive Residence,” said Mel Ohlinger, founder and CEO of OhmCo. “The art, the history, the people... and even the tornado warning, made it a night we won't forget. It always makes me nervous to go to stuff like this because I'm such a weirdo, but it's a nice reminder that Wisconsin's greatest strength is that there are many weirdo like us that fill our communities and want to make things better.”
Mel said that a highlight of the evening was reconnecting with Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Kirsten Johnson, who has been a steadfast advocate for the Ohlingers' work on small business healthcare affordability. Secretary Johnson brings more than 20 years of public health leadership to the conversation and Mel and Mike have been very vocal about the high cost of health coverage for Wisconsin's small business owners, working with the administration and lawmakers to expand affordable healthcare options so carwash operators and detailers can grow their businesses without choosing between health and business growth.
"Secretary Johnson really understands what small business owners are up against with healthcare costs," said Mike Ohlinger. "Having a leader of her background and experience behind this issue means a lot to Mel and I because we want to see carwashers and detailers grow their businesses without healthcare being the thing holding them back."
About OhmCo: OhmCo is a carwash marketing agency based in Appleton, Wisconsin, providing websites, social media marketing, design, photography, and other digital marketing services to carwash operators nationwide. Learn more at www.ohmco.co


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