This was a rigorous process, with a lot of steps involved as we reviewed a crowded field of very qualified applicants,” says Joe Plunger, board chair at Enterprise Minnesota and CEO of Midwest Metal Products in Winona. “The interview committee narrowed it down, then a wider group met with the final candidates.” The interview process included input from the board, current President Bob Kill, as well as four staff members representing Enterprise Minnesota employees.
“Mark comes to Enterprise Minnesota with broad leadership experience in building businesses and delivering profitable growth in manufacturing, financial services, supply chain, health care, and technology. This expertise will be invaluable,” says Plunger.
Prior to joining Enterprise Minnesota, O’Leary served as the chief marketing officer of SPS Commerce, a global supply chain network. As executive lead for SPS Europe — with 2,000 customers in 14 countries — he worked to improve operations and performance while driving innovation.
O’Leary also served as president of Taylor Healthcare, a $250 million technology and solutions company that was acquired out of Chapter 11. After a rapid and successful turnaround, he was promoted to president of Taylor Communications, where he led restructuring of the $1.2 billion, 4,000-employee company.
At the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education at the University of Minnesota, a U.S.-based public-private partnership and hub for resources designed to transform health care through team-based care, O’Leary led the restructuring of the business to build revenue sustainability beyond its initial grant-based operations.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul and a Master of Business Administration from Creighton University in Omaha.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the people who start their own companies and operate their own businesses,” O’Leary says. “That’s the heart of what Enterprise Minnesota is — helping those companies grow profitably.”
He expects to continue leading the organization on its current course. “Bob and the Enterprise Minnesota team have done a brilliant job. This is a very well-run organization that has been making a positive impact for decades,” he says.
O’Leary also places strong emphasis on flexibility, which will be essential as client companies face shifting global dynamics and advances in technology.
“In manufacturing, there are always changes. The approach that Enterprise Minnesota consultants take, coming in and immersing themselves with clients and providing support and guidance, will help companies deal with whatever they face,” he says.
The proof of this approach, O’Leary says, can be seen in the data about Enterprise Minnesota’s impact over the last five years, with more than 500 manufacturing clients supported, and a positive impact reported by clients of nearly $700 million in sales and more than $130 million in reduced costs.
O’Leary, who lives in St. Paul with his family, looks forward to the first 100 days of his tenure, when he plans to visit manufacturers, listen to their concerns, and learn about their challenges. He’ll also connect with supporters of manufacturing, including economic development organizations, educational institutions, and policymakers, who play a pivotal role in advancing the industry across the state.
Plunger expects O’Leary to make a positive early impression. “I see him very easily making connections throughout the state,” he says, adding, “I think he’ll be a great steward of Enterprise Minnesota and bring great value to the organization, much as Bob has done during his tenure.”
Return to the Spring 2026 issue of Enterprise Minnesota® magazine.
