Our Team

Matt oversees the day-to-day operations at Pier as the President and COO. He has worked his way up the ranks working summers in the core room at the age of 14. Matt was fortunate to be able to work alongside his Grandfather a pattern maker by trade during his high school years and came on full time after graduation. Matt has held positions as laborer, lead man, foreman, plant manager, production scheduling and VP of Operations. He brings a total of 21 years foundry experience with many certified program certificates from Cast Metals Institute and has sat on local and national foundry related committees. Other than overseeing operations Matt’s responsibilities include implementation of companywide Lean Training, Green Initiatives, and capital equipment engineering and installation. Matt spends most of his free time at his family property in northern Minnesota hunting and fishing.

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Nick serves as the Production Manager at Pier Foundry. He oversees all plant production, floor staff and facilities. He started here at Pier in 1998. Nick has 12 years of foundry experience and has held positions as Laborer, Logistics manager, Accounts Receivable manager, and project manager. Nick lives in St. Paul with his wife and 2 young boys. In his free time Nick enjoys softball, boot hockey, and golf.

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Nate oversees Pier's Sales, Quality & Engineering departments, and joined Pier in 2006. He also manages the ISO quality management system. Nate has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin. He brings 12 years of experience in manufacturing. Prior to coming to Pier he managed an industrial painting business and also worked as a casting grinder during his time in college. Outside of work Nate spends his time in the woods or on the water fishing and hunting.

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Joe joined the Pier team in 2005. He’s held several roles with the company including, accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, inventory management, maintenance coordinator, controller, and CFO. His current role as purchasing & accounts payable manager allows him the opportunity to further enhance our supplier relationships and optimize our price structure. Joe lives in Maplewood with his wife and kids. In his free time he enjoys spending time with family, getting out of town, fishing and golfing.

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Duane currently works as a Sales Specialist at Pier Foundry, with over 21 years in the business. He advanced within the company, as the Clean and Ship Foreman, and Production Scheduler into his current role in Sales. Duane has also worked in Production Management within the machining industry. He also worked from 1978 to 1986 operating work-over rigs and drilling rigs in North Dakota. Duane’s motto is “Customer satisfaction is invaluable and that is why we do business the way we do.” On the off hours, you’ll find Duane hanging with the family, especially his grandkids, bowling in several area leagues and coaching a local youth bowling league. Most of all, in the summer months, you’ll catch Duane riding his Harley Davidson as he is a member of the HD Riders Motorcycle Club – “live to ride and ride to live.”

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Mike started with Pier in 1978 in Pier’s finishing department. Mike has worked in many positions throughout including machine operator, iron pourer, and core machine operator. Mike was promoted to Core room Supervisor where he spent 26 years managing the department. With Mike’s 30+ years of practical foundry experience, he took on the position as production scheduler in 2005. Mike has served the country for the past 30 years in the Army Reserves. Outside of work Mike spends time with his wife Linda and his 2 children and 3 grandchildren. Mike enjoys camping and the outdoors.

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John has been involved in manufacturing at some level for nearly 13 years in environments such as metal distribution, industrial paint and custom metal fabrication. Through the years John worked in production as a laborer and then as an expeditor before moving into estimating, customer service and project management. John has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and is also Certified in Production and Inventory Management through APICS. In his spare time John enjoys traveling with his wife Kate, time with family, outdoors activities and working on home projects.

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Rick has been with Pier Foundry & Pattern Shop since early 2010. Rick is in inside Sales Specialist at Pier as well as oversees Pier's marketing campaign. He brings over 12 years of Sales, Marketing and Advertising experience to Pier. He is happy be back in the area after living in St. Cloud for 10 years. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family as well as golfing, playing softball and being out in the boat.

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Brandon started at Pier Foundry in July 2006 as a B&P Operator. After several years as an operator he became a department lead and was promoted to Logistics Manager in the spring of 2009. From there he was promoted to his currently position as Project Coordinator. Prior to Pier Foundry, Brandon worked in a number of industries including plastic molding, paint and lead, with a total of 8 years manufacturing experience. Outside of work Brandon enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and sporting events, as he is a huge Vikings, Twins and Wild Fan.

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Marie has been working in the accounting department since she joined Pier Foundry in May 2008. In her currenty role as the Finance & Admin Manager, her responsibilities include general ledger reconciliation, casting inventory, IT administrator and website management. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, with a double major in Business Administration and Communication Studies. Outside of work Marie enjoys spending her time riding her horses with her husband Eric.

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Teresa has been in the Human Resource department here at Pier since 2002. She has an Associate’s Degree in Human Resources from Century College. She handles the safety, insurance, benefits and workman’s compensation issues. Outside of work she fills her time by serving on a Board of Directors, volunteering at her children’s school and spending time with family.

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Joe joined Pier Foundry and Pattern Shop in 2011. While formerly a resident of Indiana, he was controller for the Fort Wayne Foundry. He has a BS in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. He earned his CPA designation in 2004. Outside of work Joe enjoys spending time with his wife Bev and teen daughter Cameron, serving as treasurer on his church council, golfing and summer cabin-life on Long Lake.

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Crista joined the Pier Foundry and Pattern Shop accounting department in May 2011. She came to Pier with 9 years of experience managing the office of a full service hydraulic company. At Pier Foundry she is responsible for entering vendor invoices, cutting checks, job costing analysis and other administrative tasks. Outside of work Crista enjoys traveling to warm places, spending time with her fiance Eric and their son, Alex; as well as enjoying time with family and friends.

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Trista has been with Pier Foundry & Pattern Shop, Inc. since December 2010. She came from a background in Real Estate and Administrative. Her responsibilities include invoicing, collection of past due accounts and other administrative job duties. Outside of work, Trista enjoys spending time with her husband Scott, daughter Savannah as well as 4-wheeling, going up north to their camper, entertaining and grilling out with family and friends.

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Mike started with Pier in June of 2011. As Plant Engineer, Mike is responsible for capital equipment engineering/installation, facility and production equipment engineering and maintenance, as well as regulatory compliance. Mike Graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Stout with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to Pier, Mike worked as Maintenance Engineer in the Food Production Industry. Outside of work Mike spends as much time as possible Hunting and Fishing as well as training his two labs Goose and Bear with his girlfriend Ranae.

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Michael has been with Pier since April of 2008 and serves as the Quality Manager. Michael has a BS in product development from UW Stout and also has a MS in Management Technology with a concentration in Quality from Stout as well. He has a diversified background starting out as a machinist then moving into design and finally quality. Some of the industries he has worked in include high performance engines, heavy equipment, power transfer, gear manufacturing, heat treatment, and aluminum and zinc die casting. Outside of work Michael builds engines and enjoys auto restoration, works around the farm, trains his labs Cam and Bud, hunts, fishes and spends time with his wife and son.

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Kurt joined Pier Foundry in March 2010. Kurt comes in with over 10 years previous Foundry Engineering experience and over 15 years experience in manufacturing working his way up from a board draftsman. Kurt has a Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing Technology from the University of Northern Iowa. Outside of work Kurt enjoys his hobby of Homebrewing Beer. “A very enjoyable and rewarding hobby”.

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Aaron joined the Pier team in October 2009 as our Quality Technician and has since been moved into our Lab Technician position. He came from the lumber business with 6+ years of production and quality management experience. His duties include sand and metal testing, customer part certification, and environmental controls. Aaron has attended AFS/CMI classes and received certificates of completion and will be attending more. Outside of work Aaron enjoys spending most of his time golfing, fishing, biking, snowboarding, and being with family.

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