L to R: Derek Klimek, Tavia Pavel, and Seth Kellen

We are celebrating our growing TSMA Manufacturing Career Dream Team family. Our newest members include:

1. Derek Klimek - a Mechanical Design Engineer at Massman Automation. Derek worked with the Dream Team previously and has agreed to join us again.
2. Tavia Pavel - Human Resources Business Partner at Massman Automation.
3. Seth Kellen - Service Coordinator at Massman Automation.

Also, on our “Junior Squad”, we are thrilled to welcome baby Graham Wolf to Melany Wolf of Massman Automations and baby Graham Wing to Brittany Wing of Vector Windows. It might be a little early to put them in classrooms, but they are SOOO cute, they can surely win over a crowd. Congratulations and welcome aboard to each of you! Thanks for helping students envision their futures in the manufacturing world.

Dream Team member Sam Ewald, Design Engineer, hosted a tour of Massman Automation in October for a Mechanical Drafting, Design and Engineering class. This group of 24 got to experience the manufacturing industry up close and got to see how their skills align with jobs being offered. They listened intently as Sam personalized his message, focusing on their strengths and helping them envision themselves working in this vibrant community.
 
Jason Crannell, Dream Team member and Manufacturing Engineer from ITW Heartland, met with four classes of 6th graders at Discovery Middle School in Alexandria in October. His presentation hooked these 112 students with his exciting range of hobbies and experiences as he focused on all the opportunities offered in the cutting-edge environment of modern manufacturing. Students were very engaged and asked great questions!
 
Dream Team member Jimmy Jevnager, Programmer at FORCE America, spoke to two classes of 6th grade students at Discovery Middle School in Alexandria this fall. Besides providing information and background about the presence of manufacturing in our community and the rich opportunities available locally, Jimmy captured the 55 students’ interest with his unique personal story, allowing them to know that there are opportunities for all. The process of connecting personal strengths with matching careers and growing with new opportunities made a lot of sense to them.
 
Dream Team members Melany Wolf, Mechanical Design Engineer, and Tavia Pavel, Human Resources Business Partner, both from Massman Automation, participated in a very busy Career Fair in Fergus Falls this fall. Over 1,200 ninth thru twelfth grade students from area schools attended, including Battle Lake, Breckenridge, Campbell, Fergus Falls, Frazee, and more. Melany and Tavia engaged participants in a Lego challenge as students questioned and learned about the variety of careers available in manufacturing and the skills and training required for each. There was a constant flow of small groups engaged in conversation at the Dream Team booth.
 
In partnership with Alexandria College, community manufacturing sites hosted small groups of students, giving them a hands-on experience of all that is encompassed in the manufacturing industry. ITW Heartland hosted two classes from Prinsburg (near Granite Falls). These 22 ninth graders took it all in! ITW is the home of our team member Jason Crannell, who is always willing to share about our Dream Team vision and experiences.
 
Dream Team member Jimmy Jevnager participated in Manufacturing Tour Days as well, serving as a subject matter expert at FORCE America as three classes (37 ninth grade students) from Aitkin and Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa toured the facility. They learned about the unique products being created, how engaging manufacturing careers can be, and about the variety of job options available. No matter the venue, our Dream Team members are always excited to connect with students, foster new interest in the manufacturing industry, and envision their future in manufacturing.
 
2024 Dream Team Metrics
 
January - July 2024   Total = 2,147 Students
                  Job EXPO             800 students                    9th grade
                  Career Fair            400 students                    11-12th grade
                  Classroom Visits    947 students                    26= 6th grade classes
                                                                                          5  = 7th grade classes
                                                                                          3  = 8th grade classes
                                                                                          4  = 9th grade classes
                                                                                          4 = 10th grade glasses
                                                                                          Total = 42 Classrooms
 
Schools: Alexandria, Brandon-Evansville, Herman-Norcross, Fergus Falls, Minnewaska, New York Mills, Osakis, Parkers Prairie, Sauk Center 
 
September - December 2024   Total = 2,450 Students
                  Career Fairs                   1,897 students             9th grade
                  Classroom Visits            553 students                 6 = 6th grade classes
                                                                                               1 = 7th grade classes
                                                                                               2 = 8th grade classes
                                                                                               9 = 9th grade classes
                                                                                               5 = 10th+ grade glasses
                                                                                               Total = 24 Classrooms
 
Schools: Albany, Alexandria, Battle Lake, Brandon-Evansville, Breckenridge, Campbell, Fergus Falls, Frazee, Henning, Minnewaska, Osakis, Parkers Prairie, Pelican Rapids, Rothsay, Sauk Center, Underwood