Gregg Meisenhelter '00 of Decatur is recipient of the Young Alumnus Award in recognition of his outstanding career in business and real estate development.
Currently the owner of Lock Stock & Barrel and part-owner of The Winery, Meisenhelter has also been instrumental in developing and locating tenants for other properties he owns in Millikin’s campustown area, including two restaurants, a bakery, a fresh food market, a bike shop and a comics store. His goal is to develop a campustown that supports the university.
Meisenhelter owns several other businesses and properties in and beyond the Decatur area, including downtown Decatur’s Katz Piano Bar, which he acquired in 2011. He owns numerous residential properties within a two-block radius of Millikin, as well as several commercial buildings. He is also part-owner of One More Bar & Grill in Stonington, Ill., and recently announced plans for a commercial shopping, hotel and restaurant development on Decatur’s south side. He was named 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to his real estate holdings, Meisenhelter and his mother co-own United Waste Service, a business that has been in his family for nearly 35 years.
Meisenhelter has spoken to Millikin’s entrepreneurship classes, offering his advice and insight on the ownership of businesses and properties. He actively supports alumni, hosting a young alumni event at Katz in 2011. He also worked with a tenant to organize the Oakland Street Art and Music Block Party during the 2010 Fall Family Weekend and now helps host the Oakwood Street Festival monthly during the summer and fall. He is supportive of Millikin’s “After Five Live” program, as well.
Through his support of regular performances by jazz groups at Lock Stock & Barrel, Meisenhelter has helped fund the Roger Schueler Jazz Award in memory of the late music professor and jazz band leader.
Meisenhelter earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in commercial art and computer design from Millikin. He was also active in athletics as a member of the men’s soccer team, earning letters during his sophomore and junior years. He participated in intramural sports, as well.
During his time at Millikin, he bought his first rental property and soon began buying other properties. At the time of his graduation, he owned several houses in the Millikin area, which he rented to students.
Meisenhelter and his wife, Dana Descaro Meisenhelter ’01, have been married for 11 years and have twin sons, Grant and Graham, 8, and a daughter, Julia, 4.