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About MDMA

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.

For more information, contact us!

Former Officers and Directors (Partial Listing)

  • Ryan Bacon, Director of Operations, JDP Automation, Incorporated

  • Leah Baker, Marketing & Communications Director, Stoneridge Software

  • Ray Berry, Engineering Manager, Infinity Replacement Windows

  • Shane Cossette, Chief Operating Officer, TRS Industries, Inc.

  • Jeffrey Dostal, Quality Assurance Manager, Fargo Assembly Company

  • Kurt Ehrmantraut, Target Industry Liaison, Job Service North Dakota

  • Al Engstrom, Plant Manager, Giant Snacks

  • Byron Ekdom, VP - Commercial Banking Relationship Manager, Bank of the West - Fargo, North Dakota

  • Alan Fowler, Business Operations Manager, IoT, Appareo Systems

  • Brian Fuder, Apprenticeship ND/CDL Manager, North Dakota State College of Science

  • Mike Haapala, Human Resource Manager, Crary Industries

  • John Henning, Chief Engineer, GPK Products, Inc. | Indiana Seal

  • Brian Johnson, VP of Operations, Marvin Companies

  • Steve Lee, Director of Manufacturing, IDA Corporation

  • Barbara Lichtsinn, Account Manager, Melet Plastics

  • Holly Neva, Workforce Development Sourcing Specialist, Butler Machinery

  • Kray Olson, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Trail King Industries

  • Steve Osland, Chief Plant Engineer, Pan-O-Gold Baking Co

  • Josh Payne, Manufacturing Engineer Supervisor, John Deere Electronic Solutions

  • Zach Peterson, Director of Business Development Manager, Vigilant Aerospace Systems

  • Julie Rostberg, Business Service Consultant, Job Service North Dakota

  • Larry Stanko, Training Account Executive, NDSCS, Outreach Division

  • Mark Vaux, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Greater Fargo Moorhead EDC

  • Mark Volesky, Senior Business Advisor, Impact Dakota

  • Reuben Tschritter, Manufacturing Extension, North Dakota State University

  • Julie Whitney, Senior Vice President, Bremer

  • Reza Maleki, Professor of Practice, North Dakota State University

  • Patrick Brandt, Quality Engineer, John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group

  • Jeremy Messer, Director of Engineering & Continuous Improvement, Marvin Windows

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