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The Minnesota Center for
Engineering & Manufacturing
excellence will become the renowned national model for stimulating strong partnerships between higher education and industry, addressing workforce needs and attracting new businesses to Minnesota.

Dr. Richard Davenport
President
Minnesota State University, Mankato
S T A F F
  center staff


Judith Evans, Interim Executive Director

Judith has served in the non-profit sector developing and directing marketing and communications strategies for nearly 20 years. She served as Director of Admissions and Communications for Loyola Catholic School, Mankato, and Communications Director for the School Sisters of Notre Dame during the height of their national and international attention in the study of aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Laura Jackson, Administrative Assistant

Laura has served in private sector for over 20 years specializing in customer service and administration. Most recently she was employed by Coloplast Corp., North Mankato. Prior employment includes Pepsi Cola, Burnsville.
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Jim Mecklenburg, Project Lead the Way Program Director

Jim Mecklenburg serves as Program Director for Project Lead the Way, a key Center for Excellence middle and high school program.  Nationally established, the program is intended to help schools give students the knowledge they need to excel in the high-tech fields of engineering and manufacturing.  Jim brings 31 years of experience in education as a teacher, special needs facilitator and administrator to the position.  He has served as state supervisor for career and technical education in the trades and industry areas at the Minnesota Department of Education for nearly seven years. Since 1999, Jim has served as the Minnesota State Leader in Minnesota for Project Lead the Way. 
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Dennis Siemer, Advisory Board Chair

Dennis Siemer is President of V-Tek Inc., an international pioneer in the development and manufacturing of electronic component packaging and processing solutions. Committed to the growth of engineering and manufacturing careers, he has advised both university and college engineering and manufacturing technology programs. Under Mr. Siemer’s leadership the Center has forged new relationships with industry and impacted educational programs.
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