Leadership Team

Senior Leadership Team

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  Eric Black

  President & CEO

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  Prior to joining MDI in 2021, Eric amassed twenty-three years of progressive leadership experience in both commercial and manufacturing roles spanning distribution, food ingredients, animal nutrition, and biotech; working for Cargill, Inc., a global agricultural products and service company, and Univar Solutions a global chemical and nutrition distribution business. In manufacturing leadership and global marketing roles, he held responsibilities for the earnings generated by new products, services, and solutions in over 18 countries, serving customers in more than 100 countries. Eric earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Missouri-S&T and his MBA at the University of St Ambrose, IA.

  651-999-8235
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  Rod Wood

  Chief Operating Officer

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  Rod has served on the MDI management team since 2004. He has over 29 years of experience in manufacturing operations. He holds a bachelors’ degree in industrial management from Missouri State University. He is a graduate of the Blandin Community Leadership Program and serves on the board of the Habitat for Humanity in Grand Rapids, MN.

  218-313-1702
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  Laura Schwartz

  Human Resources Director

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  Laura Schwartz grew up in Mexico, where she obtained her Bachelor degree in Business Administration from the “Instituto Tecnologico de Tepic”. With 20 years of expertise in Human Resources, she is a results-focused leader who is dedicated to help organizations harness the full potential of their most valuable asset – their people. Laura started her career in Human Resources in the food manufacturing area with Good Sense Snacks. From there she moved to the distribution industry with Core-Mark International. Most recently, Laura lead the HR Department for Berger Transfer & Storage, Inc., a nation-wide company in the moving, storage and relocation industry. As the Human Resources Director at MDI, Laura is focused in developing and aligning HR Strategies with the MDI’s mission, vision, community and business goals. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her family in Elk River and her 3 dogs, Louis, Chanel and Coco.

  651-999-8277
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  Jeanne Eglinton

  Vice President of Employment Services

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  Jeanne Eglinton, Director of Employment Service has been at MDI since 2014. She has spent more than 30 years in the human services field, supporting people with disabilities. Jeanne’s passion for making a difference in the lives of others led her to working with people with disabilities who were interested in finding and keeping a job in their community. Jeanne graduated with a bachelor’s of science degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and holds a certification in Benefits Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University.

  651-999-8283
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  Marv Hannon

  Chief Financial Officer

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  Marv has 35 years of experience in the financial arena, including twenty five years in executive leadership roles at variety of manufacturing and service organizations. Most recently, he was a financial executive at TCF Financial Corporation. Marv is a CPA with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of South Dakota. He is a Board Member of the Wayzata Community Education Board, head coach for Special Olympics golf and floor hockey teams and member of multiple professional organizations.

  651-999-8252
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  Todd Witherill

  Director of Operations

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  Todd Witherill, Director of Operations, joined MDI August 2016. He holds a bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology from the University of North Dakota. His primary responsibilities are providing leadership for all aspects of the operations department which includes production, assembly, quality, engineering, safety, purchasing, scheduling, and maintenance. He has over 24 years in manufacturing experience. Todd's impressive work experience includes Director of Operations at Warrior Manufacturing and Operations Manager at ASV.

  218-313-1707
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  James Pierce

  Chief Information Officer

  651-999-8320
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  Katie Raaen

  Director of Strategic Marketing & Business Development

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  Katie currently serves as the Director of Strategic Marketing and Business Development at MDI, where she plays a key role in leading marketing efforts to drive sales revenue. With more than 20 years of experience cross the manufacturing and healthcare sectors, Katie leads strategic initiatives that drive revenue growth, expand market reach, and further the organization’s mission to empower people with disabilities. Since joining MDI in 2017, Katie has been instrumental in elevating the company’s brand, strengthening partnerships, and aligning business development efforts with long-term organizational goals. For the past five years, she has contributed as a member of the senior leadership team, helping to shape company strategy and drive impact across all areas of the business. Prior to MDI, Katie held roles in marketing and communications at globally recognized organizations such as General Mills, GN ReSound, and Boys Town. She holds a B.A. in Marketing from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and is currently pursuing her MBA at Western Governors University. Katie’s passion for inclusion is deeply personal—her mother has cerebral palsy, inspiring her lifelong dedication to advancing opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In addition to her role at MDI, she serves on the boards of the DaVinci Academy and the Northland Family Foundation, continuing her commitment to community service and advocacy.

  651-999-8215