Oct. 202023Carol & Tom Joseph
Carol and Tom Joseph, who settled in Naples in 2012, are generous philanthropists in Naples and Wisconsin.
Tom attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater until his entrepreneurial instincts led him to start his first manufacturing company, Joseph Engineering. In 1988, Tom founded Magnum Products, a leading manufacturer of light towers and generators used in the construction industry.
Carol holds a BS in Business Administration and English and an MBA from the University of Illinois. After a career as an administrative law judge and a corporate HR career at Oshkosh B’Gosh, Carol joined Tom at Magnum Products in 1998. Together they expanded the business, becoming one of the largest privately held manufacturers of light towers and earning “Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year” in 2005. Magnum Products was acquired by Generac Holdings in late 2011.
The Josephs’ philanthropy, focused on educational opportunities for young people, was instrumental in building two Boys & Girls Clubs in Wisconsin, along with the funding of a Basic Needs Foundation for the county in which their company was located. As the largest employer in the county, they developed a partnership with the high school to ensure at-risk students were given an opportunity to gain experience with manufacturing skills as part of their path to high school graduation; provided tuition for technical school upon graduation; and guaranteed a position within the company upon completion of the technical program.
Partnering with the Boys & Girls Club, they developed a countywide back-to-school backpack program for all families in need. Tom continues to serve on the building committee for the Boys & Girls Club and Carol is in an emeritus board role.
Since moving to Naples, they have supported several organizations and have attended the Naples Winter Wine Festival since 2022. Avid boaters, the Josephs are also members of the Naples Sailing & Yacht Club.
