Mission
Providing solutions to help South Dakota manufacturers prosper and grow.
Michelle Kakacek, CEcD
Center Director
Watertown Office: (605) 868-1201
Michelle is the Center Director for South Dakota Manufacturing & Technology Solutions. She brings an extensive background in business, economic, and workforce development and experience in sales. Prior to coming to SDMTSshe served as the Executive Director for the Watertown Development Company. Michelle is no stranger to manufacturing. In addition to working with area manufacturers in her role with WDC she also worked in production planning and supply chain for a multi-national electronics manufacturer.
Pete Menke
Business Advisor
Sioux Falls Office: (605) 261-2831
Pete is a Lean Coach and Manufacturing Advisor passionate about helping organizations grow through practical continuous improvement. He believes lean is not just about tools – it’s about developing people. His approach focuses on understanding why lean matters, building the knowledge to apply it, and doing the real work of implementation.
Stuart Giere
Business Advisor
Aberdeen & Watertown Offices: (320) 894-6464
Educated as a Mechanical Engineer at South Dakota State University, Stuart has spent over 30 years in a variety of executive positions in the areas of engineering, product development, quality, marketing, sales, and new business development. Stuart is also a successful entrepreneur. Stuart holds certifications with; The Scrum Alliance as a Certified Scrum Professional, the International Coaching Federation as a Certified Associate Coach, and most recently with The Table Group, Patrick Lencioni’s organization, as a Working Genius Facilitator. Stuart currently holds the position of Business Advisor with South Dakota Manufacturing and Technology Solutions. He specializes in Lean Leadership, Lean 101 (simulations), and Strategic Planning. His focus is on helping improve the performance of small and medium-sized companies across South Dakota.
Angela Allen, MBA, PMP, CSCP
Business Advisor
Watertown Office: (605) 770-3049
Angela Allen is a Business Advisor for South Dakota Manufacturing & Technology Solutions specializing in Supply Chain. Her background includes experience in product design, sales, customer service, and project management. Before coming to SDMTS, she worked in manufacturing in the plastics and engineered wood products industries. In addition to her manufacturing experience, she spent several years as a designer in the civil engineering field. Using her project management expertise, she will be working to develop the supply chain program and supply chain business solutions for SDMTS. Angela has earned a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from Project Management Institute (PMI); Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) certification from ASCM; an MBA from the University of South Dakota and most recently earned the Google AI Essentials Specialization through the Grow with Google program offered by the South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation. Here’s what she says about her latested achievement, “As someone working across manufacturing, supply chain, and workforce development, staying ahead of technology shifts is essential. Thanks to the South Dakota Department of Labor’s Grow with Google program, I completed the Google AI Essentials Specialization and gained practical AI skills I use to improve communication, research, and project work. It is an excellent resource for South Dakotans looking to strengthen their digital capabilities.”
Travis Thiex
Business Advisor
Brookings, SD: (605) 695-0207
Travis J. Thiex is a seasoned Manager known for his expertise in manufacturing and process innovation. With a successful background, Travis served as the Process Engineering Director at Houdek Manufacturing, overseeing new product development and operational enhancements. As President of Impact Engineering Solutions, he led automation and robotic integration projects. In his role as a Business Advisor at South Dakota Manufacturing and Technology Solutions, provided valuable insights on workforce challenges and implemented automation solutions. His experience as Operations Supervisor at Manitou Group showcased his proficiency in lean techniques and new product development. With two degrees from South Dakota State University, Travis brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the realms of management, robotics, and automation.
Advisory Board Members
Tim Hanigan, Prairie Tool Co.
Eric Hansen, Sioux Corporation
Gary Larson, Electronic Systems, Inc.
James Girard, DeSCo Architectural
James Sebert, Dakota Pump
Dean Jensen, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Adam Molseed, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Mark Slade, South Dakota Small Business Development Center
Doug Prairie, South Dakota State University AG & Biosystems Engineering Instructor
Robb Peterson, CEO of Glacial Lakes Rubber & Plastic