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As a company we are increasingly challenged to find qualified candidates to fill open technical positions in manufacturing and engineering. In addition to developing and transferring new manufacturing technologies, the Center for Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence promotes technical careers and helps connect potential students with employers like Toro.

Sandra J. Meurlot
Vice President, Operations
The Toro Company

 
A D V I S O R Y   B O A R D
 

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industry leaders

Encompassing industry leaders from throughout Minnesota, the Center for Excellence Advisory Board advances engineering and manufacturing education programs by helping educational partners offer dynamic, relevant curricula that keeps pace with current and future technological trends. The Advisory Board helps strengthen relationships between the Center and Minnesota industry to ensure that student and existing workers are ready to keep pace with evolving technologies.

The Advisory Board

  • Gives input about future engineering and manufacturing trends
  • Suggests the depth and direction of Center goals to build relevant curricula and strengthen engineering and manufacturing careers for future economic growth
  • Provides support in recruiting and retaining students, with special emphasis on women and minorities
  • Assists in identifying and establishing applied industry research and customized training projects
  • Seeks resources from public and private sectors to promote robust engineering and manufacturing programs
  • Identifies notable engineers and scientists to advise faculty of industry trends and to teach within various educational partner institutions
  • Offers professional influence to achieve national recognition and visibility for the Center
  • Proposes significant authors and topics for inclusion in the Journal of Applied Engineering and Manufacturing, a Center of Excellence publication
  • Contributes time to review Center proposals to advance curriculum quality and programming at partner institutions
  • Participates in an annual internal evaluation


ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS


Naomi Brill,
SWE Representative,
Faculty, Hennepin Technical College

Debra Bultnick, Manufacuring Industry Liaison, Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association/DEED

Mark Erickson, VP & General Manager, Dayton Rogers Mfg. Company

Dan Falbo, National Networking, Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc.

Mark Gillaspey, Prototype Lab Manager, ATK Ordnance Systems

Mike Gramse, President, MRG Tool and Die

Sandhya Gupta, Principal Process Development Engineer, Polar Semiconductor, Inc.

Anita Hall, Program Manager, General Mills Inc.

Dennis Harvey, Ph.D. P.E. Mechanical Engineering Manager, MTS Systems Corporation

Robert Kill, President,
Enterprise Minnesota

Brian Moyer, Process Design Engineer, Hutchinson Technology, Inc.

Jaime Nolan, Executive Director, MN Precision Manufacturing Association

Rick Olson, Director of Operations, The Toro Company

Scott Pedersen, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Brady Corporation

Bob Ricci, Vice President of Technology, Werner Electric Supply

Jon Rippke, President, Bolton & Menk Inc.

Bruce Siebold, President, Rusk Prairie Consulting Group

Dennis Siemer, President V-Tek Inc., Advisory Board Chair

Roy Smith, Regional Workforce Development Coordinator, Iron Range Resources/Northeast Higher Education District

Katie Staub, Sr. Manager MR&D Laboratory, Seagate Technology

Chris Sturm, Vacuum Engineer, Marketing & HR Manager, Thin Film Technology

Jonathan Zierdt, President & CEO, Greater Mankato Growth, Inc.

 
 
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