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.

Nick serves as the Vice President of Operations 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.

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.

Joe has worked for Pier Foundry in the accounting department for 5 years. He started in Accounts Receivable and currently handles all payables and financials as our Controller. Joe graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in Business Administration – Finance. He was married in 2008 and had a baby boy in January 2010. Outside of work Joe enjoys spending time golfing, fishing & with his family.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Josh has been with Pier since September 2007. He works as the Logistics Manager and oversees the clean and ship department. Josh has had a pretty interesting work history thus far. He bought into the Quizno’s franchise in 2001 and successfully owned and operated the Fridley store until 2004, when he sold it to pursue a career in the mortgage business. Josh did this for a couple years before deciding to join the Pier Foundry Team. He brings to Pier several years of customer service and enjoys the daily challenges of a fast paced work environment. When he is not at work he enjoys being up at the cabin with his 3 children.

Marie has been working in the accounting department since she joined Pier Foundry in May 2008. Her responsibilities include invoicing, collection of past due accounts, general ledger reconciliation, casting inventory, 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.

Mike joined Pier in 1983, after working with a few other Twin Cities area manufacturers. He attended UW- Superior and Superior Technical Institute. Mike was instrumental in ushering Pier into the computer age in 1985 with an Apple 2e to the current foundry network of 15 work stations, on-floor kiosks, and data collection. Mike is currently working on Pier’s Preventive Maintenance program and implementation of a companywide ERP system. Mike has been married for 41 years to wife Gayle, has 2 daughters (& son-in-laws) and 5 grandchildren. Mike and his wife have also been foster parents for 25 years. He enjoys travel, both foreign and domestic, golf, reading and visiting the grandkids, both in Wisconsin and California.

Teresa has been the Human Resource Manager here at Pier since 2000. She has an Associate’s Degree in Human Resources from Century College. She handles the hiring, safety, insurance and workman’s compensation issues. Outside of work she fills her time by serving on a Board of Directors, volunteering at her chil dren’s school and spending time with family.

Gary joined Pier in 1996. He serves as the metallurgist & foundry engineer. He has 34 years of experience in the foundry industry. He was instrumental in implementing Pier’s ISO 9000:2001 program. Gary also monitors and manages Pier’s environmental compliance. Gary holds a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, and a master’s degree from Clarkston University. In his free time he enjoys playing tennis, skiing and hunting.

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”.

Aaron joined the Pier team in October 2009 as our Quality Technician. 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 customer sample approval. 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.

Chad started at Pier Foundry in 2007 as the Quality Technician. He has been responsible for various activities including daily machine set-ups, quality control, and sand and metal lab analysis. Currently, as the Melt Department Supervisor, he monitors output and controls the flow of production and staff in the Melt Department. Previous experience includes production management in the industrial paint industry and in refuse management. He is married and has a son and daughter. He enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family.