Enterprise Minnesota Receives National Awards

Department of Commerce recognizes the organization’s work to help grow manufacturing in Minnesota

Minneapolis – Enterprise Minnesota continues to garner attention as a leading member of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) under the Department of Commerce. Last month at its national conference in Orlando, Fla., MEP recognized several Enterprise Minnesota staff members with awards for their work over the past year.

Innovator of the Year (Group Award): For their work to develop the "State of Manufacturing" strategy, MEP recognized Enterprise Minnesota President & CEO Bob Kill, Director of Marketing & Communications Lynn Shelton, and Mason Public Affairs President Tom Mason.

Unsung Hero of the Year (Group Award): For a role supporting the organization’s success, implementing a new customer relationship management program, MEP recognized Enterprise Minnesota Finance Director Pat Vasatka, Director of Sales Glenn Pence, Sales Support Linda Nielsen, Process Engineering Specialist Jan Hepola, Business Development Specialist Greg Thomas, and Public Relations Manager Nate Duoss.

“Enterprise Minnesota is driven by a dedicated group of staff who strive to make the state’s manufacturing sector the best in the country and world,” said Enterprise Minnesota President & CEO Bob Kill. “It was an extremely proud moment to see the organization’s work recognized with awards from MEP at the national level.”

In addition to award winners, several other Enterprise Minnesota staff members received award nominations this year including:

Newcomer of the Year: Kevin Kaufman, business development specialist
Unsung Hero of the Year (Individual): Nate Duoss, public relations manager
Innovator of the Year (Individual): Deb Shirk, director of grants & contracts
Champion of the Year (Individual): Bill Martinson, process engineering specialist
Practitioner of the Year: Jan Hepola, process engineering specialist
Practitioner of the Year: Kent Myhrman, process engineering specialist
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dick Pederson, professional business advisor
Champion of the Year (Group): John Connelly, director of product management & center director; Mary Connor, process engineering specialist; Jan Hepola, process engineering specialist; and Vicki Prock, process engineering specialist
Excellence in Innovation (Company): Harmony Enterprises, Harmony, Minn.
Excellence in Sustainability (Company): Central Container Corp., Brooklyn Park, Minn.

MEP is a nationwide network of 60 centers that includes non-profits, universities, and state agencies, all focused on helping US manufacturers develop and implement strategies to grow. Since its inception more than 20 years ago, MEP has worked with tens of thousands small and mid-sized manufacturers achieve higher profits, save time and money, invest in physical and human capital, and create and retain thousands of jobs.

“Enterprise Minnesota is committed to helping manufacturing businesses grow and create jobs that will set a foundation for our state’s economic health,” Kill said. “MEP provides the resources to leverage expertise from around the nation to help companies here in Minnesota.”

Enterprise Minnesota helps Minnesota manufacturing enterprises grow profitably. Chartered by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1987, Enterprise Minnesota is a 501(c)3 non-profit and affiliate of the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).

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