Getting to Know President & CEO Mark O’Leary
The Weekly Report – April 13, 2026.
Six weeks into his tenure, Enterprise Minnesota’s new leader shares his passion and vision for Minnesota manufacturing.
Mark O’Leary didn’t ease into his new role as Enterprise Minnesota’s president and CEO. From the moment he joined on March 2, he was on the move — hitting workshops, manufacturing plant tours, staff meetings, and stakeholder events with the kind of energy that makes it obvious why he took the job. Spend five minutes watching him work, and his vision for the organization’s future starts to come into focus.
“This organization is very focused on having a positive impact on manufacturing companies and helping them grow profitably,” he says. “I love working with a group of outstanding professionals who know that what they do each day actually makes a difference.”
He wasted no time getting to Minnesota’s manufacturers.
His passion for manufacturing is rooted in his time as president of a company with several manufacturing operations. The industry never let go of him. “I think it’s incredible. Everything from how products get made, to process improvements, to engineering, to working with customers, to packaging and shipping. It’s all just fascinating,” he says.
His first weeks at the helm matched his admittedly high expectations. “Everything I’d read and heard about Enterprise Minnesota indicated that this was a great team. I’ve found that to be completely true. The people here have passion for manufacturing and innovation. They are true experts.”
He also admires Enterprise Minnesota’s commitment to following its own advice by becoming ISO-certified and embracing a lean mindset. It’s not window dressing, it’s a baseline. “We believe in continuous improvement, and we’re going to make sure we’re consistently delivering even more value to our customers.”
Mark is equally dedicated to our focus on having an impact. “This team is motivated by the outstanding results they help their clients achieve. We’ll continue to do everything we can to deliver positive outcomes for manufacturers.”
He’s struck by the deep sense of purpose that runs throughout the organization, from the consultants working face-to-face with clients to the staff closing the books back at the office. “They know they’re connected to important work, and they feel good about what they’ve done.”
He’s equally impressed with the manufacturing operations he’s seen and the leaders he’s met. “The companies we work with are filled with very intelligent, passionate people doing amazing work,” he says.
They are also well equipped to handle whatever is thrown at them next, including uncertainties about tariffs. “Manufacturers are no different than other businesses in a way: They thrive when there’s predictability. So, unpredictability can pose problems.”
And he’s quick to put that challenge into perspective. “In some ways, this is just the problem of the day. It doesn’t matter if it’s tariffs or interest rates or supply chain problems or workforce issues. This is a group of people who solve problems for a living. And they’re going to find a solution. That’s why we love working with them.”
Industry News
University Of Minnesota: 300 Startup Milestone Highlights $3.5 Billion Innovation Impact
April 12, Pulse2.0
Minnesota DOT invests in five freight rail improvement projects
April 9, Transportation Today
Women in Manufacturing Featuring Wyoming Machine’s Traci Tapani
April 6, KSTP.com
Stewartville manufacturer is ramping up, fueled by a $20.6M investment
April 1, Rochest Post Bulletin
SkyWater CEO says U.S. chip manufacturing poised to grow even faster
March 31, Minnesota Star Tribune