Bob Kill, President and CEO of Enterprise Minnesota

Bob Kill

President & CEO

About Bob

As president and CEO of Enterprise Minnesota, Bob Kill leads the organization’s efforts to achieve its strategic, growth, and operational goals. A long-time manufacturing executive, Bob is passionate about helping manufacturers grow and bringing attention to manufacturing as a driver of Minnesota’s economy. Bob is committed to connecting public and private stakeholders of manufacturers together in order to foster the collaboration needed to produce a thriving manufacturing industry.

Bob is recognized as a spokesperson for Minnesota’s manufacturing industry and is regularly quoted in national and regional media on manufacturing trends and industry outlook. He has appeared before the Minnesota State Legislature and the U.S. Congress emphasizing the high value of manufacturing to our economy. Bob received national recognition in 2010 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST/MEP) , as Group Innovator, for the State of Manufacturing® strategy. In 2011 he was recognized by Twin Cities Business Magazine as “one of 200 Minnesotans you should know” noting he is helping all understand that “making something” is cool again.

Prior to leading Enterprise Minnesota, Bob served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Ciprico Inc., a manufacturer of high performance data and networking systems.  Before joining Ciprico, he served in senior management positions with Northern Telecom Inc. His career in manufacturing began with the Burroughs Corporation.

Bob serves on the Minnesota Agriculture and Economic Development Board, University of Minnesota-Morris Chancellor’s Advisory Board, Minnesota Center for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence Advisory Council, and formerly served on the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board. Additionally, he has served on numerous industry boards, including software, technology, manufacturing, and startup companies. An avid bicyclist and golfer, both of which Kill has little time for because he is so dedicated to helping manufacturing enterprises grow profitably.

To request a speaking engagement or interview, please contact Robert Lodge ([email protected]).

Additional resources:

Enterprise Minnesota consulting services

State of Manufacturing® survey results

Enterprise Minnesota® magazine

Author Content

The Rise of Stakeholder Advocates

Enterprise Minnesota President and CEO Bob Kill is impressed that manufacturers are actively coalescing around the State of Manufacturing® data to effect change.

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Best Supporting Actors

Allies of the state’s manufacturers play a critical role in tackling challenges to future expansion.

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Value-Added

The Weekly Report – January 16, 2024 A recent State of Manufacturing® survey event turned into a showcase of innovative efforts to support and develop…

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Laws of Unintended Consequences

Just as the manufacturing climate seems to be stabilizing, the Minnesota Legislature has stepped in with a new round of growth-stifling measures.

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What Just Happened?

Enterprise Minnesota’s 15th annual State of Manufacturing survey reveals that alongside questions about the economy, Minnesota’s manufacturers are still trying to grasp how to cope…

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A New Package

A new approach to presenting the results of this year’s State of Manufacturing® survey.

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One of a Kind

Enterprise Minnesota plays a singular role in strengthening the state’s manufacturing sector.

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A panel of experts gives context to the results of the 2022 State of Manufacturing survey.
SOM in Context

A panel of experts gives context to the results of the 2022 State of Manufacturing survey.

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Winning Game Plan

How Minnesota manufacturers are using a three-step process to beat the worker shortage.

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Turning Adversity Into Advantage

The Weekly Report – Dec. 12, 2022 Learning from manufacturers that have already faced the challenges of the coming year

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