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Bill Popp
Bill Popp

Bill's Awards & Volunteer Work

There’s no question that the POPP Communications company values and strong desire to give back to the community emanate from Bill & Teri’s own personal missions to make their community and world a better place. Here are some of Bill’s notable positions and achievements throughout the years:

2018

Bill & Teri were honored as Outstanding Philanthropists by the Minnesota chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Dave Lee of WCCO radio surprised Bill by awarding him the first ever Good Neighbor Lifetime Achievement Award. POPP Communications has been sponsoring the WCCO Good Neighbor award for over 20 years. Click here to listen to the Audio recorded at the 2018 Minnesota State Fair.

2016

Bill received induction as a Hall of Fame Laureate by Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest.  Junior Achievement’s goal is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

2015

To honor his service to his community, Bill received the Titans of Technology Award as a Community Hero from Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

U.S. Representative Erik Paulsen commended Bill and Teri Popp for their service on behalf of military families, and Bill and Teri’s work in building the Military Family Tribute in the Congressional Record on June 23, 2015 during the 114th Congress, 1st Session, Issue: Vol. 161, No. 101.

Military Family Tribute Story Stones

The building of the Military Family Tribute at the Minnesota State Capital Grounds was completed in 2015. The dedication ceremony took place on June 13th. Many government and military leaders spoke at the event to show their thanks and support to military families. Bill Popp was the visionary, founder, chair, and volunteer for the Military Family Tribute.

POPP Chronic Care Center

The Popp Chronic Care Center was completed and opened to the public on August 16, 2015. The Bill and Teri Popp Chronic Care Center enables faster processing and care for all patients who go to the Carl Platou Emergency Center.

2014

Twin Cities Business Magazine: Bill was selected for The TCB 100 list – a list of ‘The Leaders Every Exec Should Know.’ The Twin Cities Business Magazine explained their process for selecting candidates for the list in the following statement:

“While many of them lead major organizations and are influential for other reasons, they are not listed here for that reason alone. Rather, they’re included because of how they have overcome—or are facing, with courage, creativity and gusto—major challenges, while using their influence to help grow Minnesota’s economy, and support and even boost its social and cultural attributes.”

2013

Bill Popp receiving the Commanders Award in 2013

United States Department of the Army: Bill was honored with the Commander’s Award for Public Service.

Elton John AIDS Foundation, White Tie and Tiara Ball: Bill and Teri Popp attended this event at Elton John’s home in Old Windsor, Berkshire in England with Bill and Tani Austin of the Starkey Hearing Foundation in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Paul Douglas

Minnesota Business Magazine: Bill was selected as one of The (Real) Power 50 of 2013 by the Minnesota Business Magazine. The (Real) Power 50 is described as a group of, “remarkable players in the Minnesota business community with a knack for getting things done – and being helpful along the way.”

Bill was nominated by Founder and President of Media Logic Group Paul Douglas. Douglas had the following kind words to say about Bill in the May 2013 edition of Minnesota Business: “Bill Popp is a local entrepreneur who has carved out a unique and lucrative company by providing voice, data, and Internet services to mostly small and midsize business across the Upper Midwest. His company, POPP, has been able to consistently add value in the complex and rapidly evolving world of telecommunications, providing the right mix of technology, services, and customer service. Popp was able to scale a successful business without venture capital, and his vision and tenacity has kept him a few steps ahead of would-be competitors.

In addition to Bill’s business acumen, I admire his willingness to give back to our local community. His philanthropic work in Minnesota has been exemplary. Scores of local charities have benefited, and Popp actively supports our military as founder and chairman of the Minnesota Military Family Foundation, providing a financial lifeline for hundreds of military families trying to make ends meet. Bill Popp has been a dear friend and mentor, showing me how to grow as a person as well as an entrepreneur.”

2012

Teri and Bill Popp at the groundbreaking for the POPP Chronic Care Center

Fairview Southdale Hospital: the Popp’s sponsored the building of the Popp Chronic Care Center as part of the Carl Platou Emergency Care Center. The Popp Chronic Care Center enables faster processing and care for all patients who go to the emergency center.

Starkey Hearing Foundation: Bill and Teri sponsored and traveled to complete Hearing Missions in Xi’an and Chengdu, China, Bill and Teri Popp along with Bill and Tani Austin, Glen and Becky Taylor, NBA Cares, and more distributed over 12,000 hearing instruments. This was China’s first government partnership with a foreign charity!

2011

Military Family Tribute Walkway Concept Illustration

The State of Minnesota approved the design to build the Military Family Tribute at the State Capitol Grounds in St. Paul. The Military Family Tribute will forever stand as a personal thank you to each spouse, significant other, child, parent, grandparent, sibling and any other person a soldier defines as family who provides the true foundation of support to our military personnel. This will be the first ever tribute directed at saying thank you to military families.

2010

POPP Communications Starkey Hearing Mission to Tanzania

Starkey Hearing Foundation: Bill and Teri sponsored hearing aid missions to Arusha/Moshi, Dodoma, and Dar Es Saalam, Tanzania where Bill and Teri Popp along with the Starkey Hearing Foundation team distributed over 4,000 hearing instruments.

State of Minnesota Naval Militia Certificate: Bill was made an honorary Admiral of the Minnesota Naval Militia. He was awarded by Governor Pawlenty and the Minnesota Adjutant General Major Larry Shellito for founding and chairing the Minnesota Military Family Foundation.

Gilda’s Club Twin Cities: Roseanne Roseannadanna Golf Benefit – Golf Chair

2009-Present

Military Family Tribute: Founder and Chairman

2009

Bill Popp on the Starkey Hearing Foundation Mission to Vietnam

Starkey Hearing Foundation: Bill and Teri Popp sponsored two hearing aid missions to Vietnam and Egypt. Bill and Teri along with the Starkey Hearing Foundation team distributed over 4,000 hearing instruments in Vietnam and 3,000 hearing instruments in Egypt.

Rotary Club of Minneapolis: Bill and Teri were honored with the Service Above Self Award.

Robbinsdale Armstrong High School: Bill was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE): Bill was honored at the  20th Anniversary Celebration for his continued support of this organization.

Classic Lake Conference: Bill was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus.

The Rotary Club of Minneapolis Leadership Academy: Inside the Leaders’ Circle – Speaker

Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal Power Breakfast: Born in a Recession – Panelist

2008

Teri and Bill Popp receiving the 2008 Starkey Hearing Foundation Humanitarian Award

Starkey Hearing Foundation: Bill and Teri were honored with the “So the World May Hear” Humanitarian Award.

CBS Radio and Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal: Fall Business Breakfast – Panelist

2007

Boy Scouts of America, Northern Star Council: Bill and Teri were honored with the Scoutmaster of Philanthropy Award.

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE): POPP Communications was honored as the Corporate Partner of the Year.

2006-2009

Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA Basketball) FastBreak Foundation: Bill was honored with the Community Service Award

2006

Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars: Bill was honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award.

National Guard Association of the United States: Bill was honored with the Patrick Henry Award.

2005

Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars: Bill was honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Army National Guard, Bill was honored with the Minuteman Award.

2004-Present

Minnesota Military Family Foundation: Founder and Chairman

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE): Golf Tournament – Presenting Sponsor and Participant

2004

Bill and Teri Popp receiving the JDRF Corporate Leader of the Year Award

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: Bill and Teri were honored with the Corporate Leader of the Year Award.

Minnesota National Guard: Bill was honored with the Outstanding Service Award  for dedication to supporting members and families.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR): Bill was honored with the Distinguished Service Award.

B’nai B’rith: Bill and Teri were honored with the Distinguished Humanitarian Award.

Congressional Record: Bill and Teri were honored by U.S. Senator Norm Coleman in the Congressional Record for the 2003 monetary gift to show appreciation and support to the members and families of the National Guard serving in Iraq and Afghanistan for their service to our country.

2003-2006

Toshiba TDS Product Advisory Board

2003

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Twin Cities: Bill was honored with the Odyssey Award.

2002

AAA Minneapolis: Bill was honored as a Safety Hero.

1997

Viking Council Boy Scouts of America: Bill was honored with the William Spurgeon Honor Award.

1997-Present

AAA Foundation: Supporting School Patrol – Chair

1996-2000

Employers’ Association of Minnesota: Board Member

1996-1998

KARE-TV Eleven Who Care Awards: Board of Governors

1995-Present

Minnesota Timberwolves: National Basketball Association (NBA) – Co-Owner

Minnesota Timberwolves Basketball Association: Board Member

Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation: Advisor

AAA Auto Club-Minneapolis: Board Member

1994

Bill Popp as Commodore in the 2005 Minneapolis Aquatennial

Minneapolis Aquatennial: Commodore

Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association: Bill was recognized as “Person of the Year” for donating 60 facsimile machines to police departments to send pictures of missing children in minutes instead of days.

1993-2007

Big Brothers Big Sisters: Joe Schmit Golf Tournament – Title Sponsor and Participant

1992-1997

Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis: Board Member

1991-Present

Boy Scouts of America, Northern Star Council: President’s Cabinet

1990

United Way: Campaign Director for Golden Valley