Daniel Pusch

Engineering Associate
Cargill Kitchen Solutions
Monticello, MN

Hometown: 
Hartford, SD

B.S. Agricultural Engineering Technology (December 2010)

As an engineering associate for Cargill Kitchen Solutions, I act as a project/process engineer for our six plants throughout the USA and Canada. When new production lines need to be installed or updated or additions need to be put onto plants, I develop a plan and then schedule contractors to come in and execute it. Cargill Kitchen Solutions is a division of Cargill, Inc. It is the second largest further-processed egg product supplier in the U.S. and is the sole supplier of egg products to McDonalds throughout the U.S.

My time spent at UWRF was very beneficial to my career. The hands on labs made learning very conducive.Going into the food and process engineering class I thought to myself, why do I need to know this.Now looking back, it, along with food science, are probably the most important and meaningful classes I took at UWRF.

Joseph Wildenberg

Test Engineer
Advanced Technology Services, Inc., (ATS) Peoria, IL

Hometown:
Brussels, WI

B.S. Agricultural Engineering Technology (May 2010)

After graduating from UW-River Falls with a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering Technology, I was hired by Advanced Technology Services (ATS) as a Test Engineer. I am currently working in the Component and Systems Development Division at the Caterpillar Tech Center in Peoria, IL. Here we engage in the progressive testing of machine components and drive trains. I work with equipment in phase one of testing and perform data collection and analysis for performance and endurance testing.

This position allows me to have a flexible work assignment where I spend 20% of my time in an office setting and the remaining 80% in a testing lab. Once our projects reach the final phase of testing, I have the opportunity to visit the Proving Grounds northeast of Peoria where I participate in actual field-testing of Caterpillar equipment.

The Agricultural Engineering Technology Program at UWRF exposed me to a variety of disciplines within the field of Agriculture, allowing me to adapt quickly to my work environment.  The "hands-on" approach used in classes and labs, and the multitude of "Real World Problem Solving" projects prepared me well for the engineering field.  Most notably the Quarter-Scale Tractor Design Competition, Soybean Oil Press, Engine Dynamometer and the Bio-Diesel Processing project provided interactive experiences that demonstrated the entire design process for us. Along the way, we developed good writing and communication skills necessary to succeed in the engineering field.

Pictured at right: Joe alongside a current production transmission.

Christine Kuhr

Quality Assurance Management Trainee
Del Monte Foods
Cambria, WI

Hometown: Antigo, WI

B.S. Agricultural Engineering Technology (May 2010), Chemistry Minor

In May of 2010 I was hired on as a quality assurance management trainee and less than a year later I was promoted to Quality Assurance Supervisor. I am currently the department lead at the plant. This plant is a seasonal operation working with peas, beans & corn from June-October. During the pack season, I am responsible for all things dealing with quality and food safety in the plant. I perform audits to ensure good manufacturing practices are maintained throughout the season. The finished product goes through quality grading to ensure that what we are selling is in fact, Del Monte Quality. There are training programs that must be completed through the FDA & international auditing bodies to become certified to do certain parts of my job. 

I am responsible for all the major plant programs: HACCP, Food Security, Record Review, Recalls, Consumer Affairs, Hold Administration and regulatory inspections. I focus mainly on releasing records, held product and passing regulatory and third party audits. About 50% of my time is spent at my desk and 50% of my time is spent in the plant.

In the off season, I work on documentation for programs as well as participating in training sessions for the continuously changing food processing world. This part of the year is used to evaluate the product that was produced and what needs to be changed or improved to ensure there is continuous improvement throughout the plant. LEAN meetings are held to ensure processes are as efficient as they can be with the resources available. During the off season, approximately 90% of my time is spent at my desk and 10% is spent in the plant. My time spent in labs and getting hands-on experience in the Agricultural Engineering Technology program have been an asset to me in this position. The broad-based approach to learning all the areas of the engineering department has helped me be a resource in many critical areas of the plant.

Curt Frank

Field Engineering Specialist
Alliant Energy
Winnebago, MN

Hometown: Wells, MN

B.S. Agricultural Engineering Technology (December 2000).
Agriculture Economics Minor

As a Field Engineering Specialist, I design all types of electrical distribution systems,  from large projects rebuilding several miles of line, to designing simple services to homes and businesses. In recent years, many of my projects involved working with local farms and grain elevators interested in expanding their operations. This typically involves grain storage expansion, new grain legs, dryers, etc. and may include upgrading service wire, transformers, or even substation improvements. I provide the customer with an estimate and then design these upgrades.

I consider myself "the face of the company." When customers call Alliant Energy for new services or service upgrades, I follow-up and work with them to solve their needs. I am also the primary contact for 12 communities within my zone. I meet with them on a regular basis to ensure our service is meeting their needs and address any questions or concerns. Generally, I spend 50% of my time in the office and 50% in the field designing projects and supervising crews. I usually have the flexibility to work where necessary as weather permits.

Prior to joining Alliant Energy I worked on a project to build a 110 million gallon ethanol plant. My degree from UW-River Falls opened the door of opportunity, allowing me to land jobs with both the ethanol plant project and Alliant Energy.

Ty Meerkins

Field Service Engineer
Procomac Division of GEA Process Engineering
Hudson, WI

Hometown: Hager City, WI
B.S. Agricultural Engineering Technolgy (December 2010)

Shortly after graduation I began work at the Procomac Division of GEA Process Engineering. GEA is an international leader in the food, fuel, and pharmaceutical industries. Although GEA is located in Hudson, WI, Procomac is based in Parma (Italy) and is a leader in cold, hot, and aseptic bottle sterilizing, rinsing and filling machinery.  Many bottled drinks sold in the U.S. are produced by Procomac food processing machinery. 

As a Field Service Engineer for GEA Procomac, I travel around the world to install, troubleshoot and implement new or existing drink bottling machines at customer plants. My daily activities are very diverse; depending on what stage of the project we are on. I interpret drawings, determine the placement and rigging of the machines, collaborate with sub-contractors to determine the requirements and placement of the infrastructure for the systems (piping, electricity or structural), and work on PLC programming and automation of the system. This job suits me well as I may be acting as a project manager one day, calculating electrical capacities the next, and sampling a bottle of freshly packaged fruit juice the next. I have even been known to do a little TIG welding on a new part!  

The UWRF Agricultural Engineering Technology (AET) program opened a new career path I never thought would be in my future, and I couldn't be happier. The AET program was the perfect place for me as it allowed great flexibility to my schedule and interests. My favorite part about the program was the ability to tailor the material to my own interests. 

The AET program is not dominated by classroom lectures and bookwork. Much of your time will be spent in the laboratory, on the lab farm, operating machinery, or taking field trips to locations such as Eaton Fluid Power Systems. Looking back, I can say that many skills learned in my AET classes are now used everyday in my career at GEA Procomac. To anyone who wants to earn a great salary, travel the world, solve problems, use engineering concepts or just get your hands dirty, field service engineering is for you.

Melissa Sattler

Project /Process Engineer
Cargill Kitchen Solutions: Monticello, MN

Hometown: Mishicot, WI
B.S. Agricultural Engineering Technology (May 2011)

In December 2010, I was offered a position at Cargill Kitchen Solutions. After graduation, in May, I started working as an engineering associate in Monticello, Minnesota. This position allowed me to travel between each of the six plants in Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, and Toronto CA. After six months of plant experience, I became a Project/Process Engineer. Now, I spend my time working on various projects including process machinery and cost savings opportunities.

I use the technical skills that I learned at UW River Falls every day. The hands-on and team experience I’ve gained in weekly labs and smaller classes allows me to work with a variety of contractors and co-workers. Without UWRF, I’m not sure where I’d be today.