About MDMA
MDMA Mission and Objectives
The mission of MDMA is to contribute to the growth and prosperity of regional manufacturing.
The Association's objectives are:
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To contribute to the professional growth of the members through creating learning opportunities.
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To provide networking opportunities for its members with other businesses and associations.
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To disseminate information to members about new developments and tools and techniques for improved productivity.
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To promote positive images about manufacturing and its impact on regional and national economy.
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To strengthen our ability to support manufacturing related activities by growing the Association’s membership.
Origins and Initiatives
Minn-Dak Manufacturer's Association started in the mid-70s with a consortium of visionary founders, comprising business proprietors from eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota, predominantly within the manufacturing sector. The association convened monthly, fostering discussions on pertinent manufacturing themes encompassing quality assurance, workforce dynamics, workman compensation, and trade policies.
The spirit of the association's foundation remains today as the organization provides monthly tours from September-May of a local manufacturer along with a holiday social in December. These monthly meetings provide networking opportunities and knowledge sharing for our members.
As a non-profit trade association, the organization is led by a volunteer board of directors. The association partners with other state and local agencies to provide education and advocacy to the manufacturing community. In 2024, the association started offering student memberships to post-secondary students pursuing a degree in manufacturing or engineering. In addition, the association started a scholarship program for high school students who will pursue their degree in manufacturing or engineering.
2025-26 MDMA Officers and Board of Directors
Patrick Mineer
President
Patrick@GoldenPath.net
CEO & Founder
Golden Path Solutions
(701) 866-2620
Josh Herbold
Board Vice President & Treasurer
JJHerbold@bremer.com
Vice President | Commercial Relationship Manager
Bremer Bank
(701) 492-2609
Chad Wolf
VP of Membership
chad.wolf@mcneilus.com
General Manager
McNeilus Steel
(701) 730-4572
Joey Ness
VP of Programs
jness@fmedc.com
Vice President of Business Development
Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation
(701) 205-8198
Paul Naseth
Board Secretary
PNaseth@borsheimcrane.com
Business Development
Borsheim Crane Service LLC
(701) 893-0214
Nate Bruns
Board Director
nbruns@cardinalcorp.com
Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager
Cardinal IG
(701) 306-0482
Tom Dryburgh
Board of Director
tdryburgh@moorheadschools.org
Community Outreach Coordinator
Moorhead Career Academy, Moorhead Public Schools
(218) 443-1657
Kambiz Farahmand
Board Director
Kambiz.Farahmand@ndsu.edu
Professor, Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
North Dakota State University
(701) 231-5694
LeAnne Jaenisch
Board Director
leanne.jaenisch@ndscs.edu
Associate Professor/Program Coordinator
Robotics, Automation and Mechatronics Technology
North Dakota State College of Science
(701) 671-2176
Tim Lystad
Board Director
lystadtimothyJ@johndeere.com
Supplier Development Supervisor
John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group
Keith Mitterling
Board Director
Keith.Mitterling@comdelinc.com
Business Development Manager
ComDel Innovation
(701) 640-2304
Julie Rostberg
Board Director
jrostber@nd.gov
Business Advisor
North Dakota Job Service
(701) 239-7304
Brian Stanley
Board Director
brian.stanley@weselldoors.com
Operations Manager
D&M Industries
(218) 287-3100
Lynda Bailey
Executive Director
lynda@midwestmanufacturers.com
Executive Director
Midwest Manufacturing Association
(218) 812-8665
Staff
Midwest Manufacturers' Association serves as the “central office” for associations and trade groups focused on manufacturing including AMFA, CMMA, LAMA, MDMA, and TSMA. MMA’s primary service region is Minnesota, western North Dakota, western South Dakota, and northwest Wisconsin.
MMA serves as a catalyst for the creation of new manufacturing-focused trade organizations and the collaboration of existing organizations throughout the Upper Midwest. By joining forces under one central office, the manufacturing industry in the Midwest region has a way to express its collective voice … to government, to suppliers of common goods and services, and to each other.
Lynda E. Bailey
Executive Director
Since 2024, Lynda E. Bailey has served as the Executive Director for MMA and our affiliates.
Lynda joined us following her tenure as Executive Director of the Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation in Riverside, California. With over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, she also brings extensive expertise in marketing, honed through her role as the owner of Bailey Communications, Inc. Lynda holds a degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing from Purdue University.
Relocating to be nearer to family, Lynda now resides in Nashwauk, Minnesota, with her husband, Reyna, their Bernese Mountain Dog and her Heinz 57 Shepherd, Lily.
You can contact her at Lynda@MidwestManufacturers.com or 218-812-8665.
Katie Baumann
Development Coordinator
Katie Baumann joined MMA in December of 2024, with a strong background in marketing from the manufacturing sector, bringing expertise in digital marketing, SEO, social media, content creation, and communication. She is passionate about creativity, relationship building, and helping members get the most out of their MMA experience. Outside of work, Katie runs her own photography business and enjoys time with family, Peloton workouts, and reading.
You can contact her at Katie@midwestmanufacturers.com.
Sandy Kashmark
Controller
In 2021 Sandy transitioned from the Executive Director to part-time controller after a 31-year with MMA. Her Controller role includes all bookkeeping duties as well as assisting with various membership tasks. Prior to 2022, she served as Executive Director of the associations. She is a graduate of North Dakota State College of Science and Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Sandy and her husband, Dennis, live in Hoffman, an excellent location from which to pursue their most recent side hustle - residential real estate/home improvement. Sandy spends her free time with visits to grandchildren (in Buffalo, WY and Fargo, ND), reading, walking, and spending time with friends.
You can contact her at Sandy@MidwestManufacturers.com
Carolyn Petruga
Meeting Coordinator
Carolyn joined the MMA in 2024, after spending several years in the offices of public education assisting students, parents and staff. Prior to that she worked as an executive assistant and legal assistant in the Twin Cities.
Carolyn lives in Duluth, Minnesota with her husband Jim, who was once a board member of AMFA and MMA. They have two adult children, one living in Duluth and the other in Chicago.
In Carolyn’s free time you will find her enjoying outdoor activities, this includes riding her horse through the beautiful trails of Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota She also loves spending time with family and friends, especially during their weekly board game night.
You can contact her at Carolyn@midwestmanufacturers.com.
Former Officers and Directors (Partial Listing)
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Ryan Bacon, Director of Operations, JDP Automation, Incorporated
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Leah Baker, Marketing & Communications Director, Stoneridge Software
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Ray Berry, Engineering Manager, Infinity Replacement Windows
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Shane Cossette, Chief Operating Officer, TRS Industries, Inc.
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Jeffrey Dostal, Quality Assurance Manager, Fargo Assembly Company
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Kurt Ehrmantraut, Target Industry Liaison, Job Service North Dakota
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Al Engstrom, Plant Manager, Giant Snacks
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Byron Ekdom, VP - Commercial Banking Relationship Manager, Bank of the West - Fargo, North Dakota
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Alan Fowler, Business Operations Manager, IoT, Appareo Systems
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Brian Fuder, Apprenticeship ND/CDL Manager, North Dakota State College of Science
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Mike Haapala, Human Resource Manager, Crary Industries
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John Henning, Chief Engineer, GPK Products, Inc. | Indiana Seal
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Brian Johnson, VP of Operations, Marvin Companies
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Steve Lee, Director of Manufacturing, IDA Corporation
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Barbara Lichtsinn, Account Manager, Melet Plastics
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Holly Neva, Workforce Development Sourcing Specialist, Butler Machinery
- Kray Olson, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Trail King Industries
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Steve Osland, Chief Plant Engineer, Pan-O-Gold Baking Co
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Josh Payne, Manufacturing Engineer Supervisor, John Deere Electronic Solutions
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Zach Peterson, Director of Business Development Manager, Vigilant Aerospace Systems
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Julie Rostberg, Business Service Consultant, Job Service North Dakota
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Larry Stanko, Training Account Executive, NDSCS, Outreach Division
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Mark Vaux, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Greater Fargo Moorhead EDC
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Mark Volesky, Senior Business Advisor, Impact Dakota
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Reuben Tschritter, Manufacturing Extension, North Dakota State University
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Julie Whitney, Senior Vice President, Bremer
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Reza Maleki, Professor of Practice, North Dakota State University
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Patrick Brandt, Quality Engineer, John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group
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Jeremy Messer, Director of Engineering & Continuous Improvement, Marvin Windows