Andy Hennig: A Life Changed by BestPrep

Publish on July 16, 2026 Categories -

It’s no exaggeration that BestPrep alters the course of peoples’ lives in more ways than one – especially for long-time supporter, Andy Hennig. 

Andy is a BestPrep board member and Communications Manager at the 3M Innovation Center who first got involved through BestPrep’s summer camp, Minnesota Business Venture (MBV). In the summer of 2000, he spent one week overnight at St. John’s University volunteering as a Resident Business Leader (RBL), a working professional who provides guidance and real-world advice to a group of high school students.  By the end of the week he knew he would be back, exclaiming, “I just fell in love with the camp!” 

[Andy Hennig at MBV.]

Andy continued to volunteer as an RBL for the following two summers. Since then, he has stayed connected with camp in a variety of ways – as a Business Plan Judge, Career Expo presenter, and as a member of the MBV Advisory Committee.  

It was during that time he got a life-changing call from BestPrep’s founder, Bob Kaitz, asking him to join BestPrep’s board. Bob knew that Andy would be a valuable addition because of his experience with MBV, his newly made connection to 3M, and most importantly, his advocacy for and belief in BestPrep. Andy shared, “I eventually figured out that I was that connective tissue to bring BestPrep events, ideas, and programs to our community foundation people at 3M. They’ve been very supportive of BestPrep, so that’s one of the many reasons why it’s a big honor to be a part of the board.” 

[Andy volunteering at multiple BestPrep programs.]

The life-changing events didn’t stop after becoming a board member. Andy recalls BestPrep making an impact on his personal life. “There was an interview for an organist position at my church that I was supposed to be at since I was on a leadership committee, but I had to miss it because I was at MBV. Well, that interviewee got hired, and some of the church staff got me connected with her afterward. Long story short, we’ve been married 23 years! So there you go – MBV can help you meet your future wife, even if you’re not in the room.” 

He proudly shared that his three kids have also gotten involved with camp. “I vowed when I was at MBV that someday my kids would attend camp, and they did. Last summer, my boys went and loved it. And this summer, my daughter is going. It’s a wonderful experience that gives anyone that goes the knowledge of how to start a business, components that make up a business, basic financial literacy, why all of that matters, and so much more.” 

Andy continues to emphasize the importance of the program to students, saying,“Go to MBV. You will learn so much, and it is an investment in your future…but beyond that, engage with and ask questions of everybody, be a student of life, and never stop learning.”