2008 Distinguished Alumni Winners

• Distinguished Alumni Award - Joel Vogel
  

  Joel Vogel

  Joel is a 1978 graduate of the Sales and Management program. He has been a great asset in developing communications to alumni and friends through the College magazine. To help raise scholarships for SCTC students, he has devoted his time to the Outback Cyclone Classic Golf Committee each year since its inception. Joel has also dedicated his time and energy to updating program curriculum as a member of the Sales and Management Advisory Committee. He inspires future generations by sharing his knowledge, mentoring students, and judging student DEX competitions. As the vice president of sales & marketing for Sunray Printing Solutions Inc., he has shown leadership in the printing and mailing industry for local and national businesses. In recognition of his community service, Big Brothers Big Sisters named Joel Central Minnesota and the State of Minnesota Big Brother of the Year. He has generously volunteered his time as a board member for Junior Achievement, Optimist Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Central Minnesota Christian Businessmen's Connection. Joel and his wife Laurie live in St. Joseph and have a son Joshua, a daughter Kayla, and a granddaughter Giuliana.
  
  
• Distinguished Young Alumni Award - Amy Dingman
  

  Amy Dingman

  Amy is a 1989 graduate of the Sales and Management program. As director of business development for St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, she has shown leadership in the financial services industry for 19 years. Amy is dedicated to honoring alumni and friend's achievements and serves as a role model to future generations by her involvement as a DEX competition judge, mentor, and scholarship application reviewer. Amy has passionately volunteered her time as a 2003 chair of US Bank Pacesetter/United Way Committee, board member of the Sartell Chamber, stewardship chair of Peace Lutheran Church in Cold Spring, and volunteer for St. Cloud Technical High School mock job interviews. She has devoted her time and energy as a member of the Sartell Chamber Rock n' Block Committee, Sartell Chamber Marketing Committee, Waite Park Chamber Planning Committee, St. Cloud Chamber Golf Committee, River City Chapter of BNI, Business & Professional Women, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Junior Achievement. Amy and her husband Rich live in Cold Spring. Amy has two step-children, Alexis and Cole.
  
  
• Distinguished Service Award - Linda Eich DesJardins
  

  Linda Eich DesJardins

  Linda, president of Eich Motor Company, is a tireless crusader for our community. She has served on the board of directors at the Initiative Foundation, Hands Across the World, and Bremer Bank. In addition, she has volunteered as honorary chair of College of Saint Benedict's Womens Walk, vice president of Stearns History Museum, and as a member of several mayoral task forces. Linda's commitment to education is demonstrated by her leadership in the Beat the Odds Scholarship program which has provided more than $60,000 in student awards. Furthermore, Linda established an Eich Motor Company Beat the Odds Scholarship at SCTC. Through her work as a board member and president for SCTC Foundation, she has continually linked donors and community members with students needs resulting in over $1.2 million in student scholarships. Linda and her husband Joseph reside in St. Cloud and have two sons, Mike and Matt.

2007 Distinguished Alumni Winners

• Distinguished Alumni Award - Dan Cairns
  

  Dan Cairns

  Dan Cairns is a 1980 graduate of the sales and management program. He is a financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in St. Cloud and has been with the company for 21 years. Cairns donates to an annual sales and management scholarship fund at SCTC and his employer matches his gift. He also created a scholarship endowment fund by setting up a life insurance policy through the Foundation which will provide perpetual scholarships to SCTC students beyond his lifetime. Cairns has been one of the guiding lights to continuous improvement as the chairperson for the sales and management advisory board. He inspires future professionals by sharing his "real-world" insight and judges student DEX competitions. He is a six-time recipient of the National Sales Achievement Award and has qualified for the National Quality Award each year since 1988. Active in the community, he is the past president of Central Minnesota Estate Planning Council and St. Cloud Downtown Sertoma Club. He is also a member of the Professional Advisors Committee for Central Minnesota Community Foundation, Central Minnesota Builders Association, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, St. Cloud River Runners, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Society of Financial Service Providers, Central Minnesota Council, and Boy Scouts of America. Dan and his wife Ellie live near Rice and have 4 year old twins Ian & Isabelle.
  
  
• Distinguished Young Alumni Award - Trevor Akervik
  

  Trevor Akervik

  Trevor Akervik is a 1998 graduate of the sales and management program. Akervik began his career as a sales representative for Marco Inc. in 2001. He was later promoted to sales manager for the Willmar and Marshall area. Today, he manages all sales activities for Minnesota and the Fargo area which produces $11 million in sales. He has been a leader in developing a new consultative assessment and sales process for Marco called iLink which produces more than $2.5 million in annual revenue. Akervik served on the SCTC Foundation Board from 1998 to 2001 and is the chairperson for the Sales and Management Advisory Board. He was instrumental in securing a sponsorship from Marco for the Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX) Invitational Competition in 2007 and has judged student competitions. Akervik created the Foundation’s first payroll deduction program by creating a Marco Sales Scholarship Fund at SCTC with three other SCTC alumni co-workers. Akervik has a passion for getting involved in the community and has been on the YMCA Board of Directors and is a supporter of United Way. Trevor and his wife Tiffany are financial supporters of the college and have set up the Trevor and Tiffany Akervik Scholarship Fund. They have two girls ages 3 and 6.
  
  
• Distinguished Service Award - Len Wohlman
  

  Len Wohlman

  Recognized for his service to the college and community, Len Wohlman has been in the banking business for 35 years. As president of American Heritage Bank, he has been involved in establishing the bank in the St. Cloud area. Wohlman has served on the SCTC Foundation Board from 1997 to 2007 and served as the treasurer from 2002 to 2007. He has contributed countless hours as a leader in helping the SCTC Foundation raise funds for students. As chair of the SCTC finance committee from 2003 to 2007, he helped develop budgets and greatly advance the work productivity for the Foundation. Active in the community, Wohlman is the current president of the Good Shepherd Foundation, vice chair of the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership, board member of St. Cloud Opportunities, co-chair of Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Committee, member of Central MN Boy Scouts Executive Board, member of St. Cloud Country Club Finance Committee, top hatter for St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, and on the Petra Lutheran Church Council. In 1978, Wohlman was given the Distinguished Service Award in Marshall and in 1983 he was received the same award in Redwood Falls. Wohlman has also received the Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Banquet Award for the past two years and was awarded two Bronze Stars in the United States Army. Len and his wife Judy are financial supporters of the college and foundation and have set up an endowed scholarship fund. Len and Judy have three children and three grandchildren.

2006 Distinguished Alumni Winners

• Distinguished Alumni Award - Bob Sexton
  

  Bob Sexton

  As a 1966 graduate of the Machine Tool Technology program, Bob was the owner of Polar Manufacturing until 1980 when he and his brother Fred bought Komo Machine. During his tenure with these businesses, he hired many SCTC graduates. Bob has served on the SCTC Foundation Board since 1994 and served as the President from 1997-1999. He has contributed countless hours to the Foundation as co-chair of the major gifts campaign in 1999 which successfully raised over $6.3 million for student scholarships and technology and equipment for classrooms. He continues to contribute to the SCTC Foundation by serving on the Executive and Fundraising Committees as well as the College's President's Circle to ensure the highest quality education and training is available. Bob and his wife Sandy are also financial supporters of the college and foundation. Bob and Sandy have 3 children and 10 grandchildren.
  
  
• Distinguished Young Alumni - Gary Posch
  

  Gary Posch

  Gary is a 1992 graduate of the Sales and Management program. He owns Brandl Motors with fellow SCTC graduate Joe Sexton, and has taken the store from $600,000 in annual sales to over $33 million. In addition, he owns Central Minnesota Auto Connection in St. Cloud and Little Falls Dodge Chrysler Jeep. Gary is very active in the community as a member of local civic groups. He is a member of the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association, is on the board of directors of the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce, and is active in church activities. He has supported student scholarships by setting up the Brandl Motors Scholarship as well as being a corporate sponsor and golfer in the annual SCTC Outback Steakhouse Cyclone Classic golf tournament. Brandl Motors also supports the SCTC Alumni newsletter. Gary resides in Sauk Rapids with his wife, Meredith, and children; Mackenzie 9, Brady 5, and Cullen 6 months.
  
  
• Distinguished Service Award - Tom Hall
  

  Tom Hall

  Tom taught Sales and Management students at St. Cloud Technical College for 27 years from 1969 to 1996. He was the department chair and served on many college committees. Tom was a Delta Epsilon Chi DEX (formerly DECA) advisor and has received many service awards including the Outstanding Service Award for MN Post-Secondary DEX Board of Directors from 1981 to 1984 and State Advisor of the Year in 1997. He continues to judge student DEX competitions and has a life membership to the Minnesota Delta Epsilon Chi/DEX. Since retiring, Tom has been active in supporting student scholarships by serving on the SCTC Outback Steakhouse Cyclone Classic golf committee. He continues to be involved with the annual SCTC Job Fair. Tom has inspired many students to achieve their goals and has devoted many hours to making sure students receive a quality education. Tom and wife, Rosalie have 4 children and 5 grandchildren.

2005 Distinguished Alumni Winners

• Distinguished Service Award – John McDowall
  

  John McDowall

  As president of McDowall Company, John has been active at and with the College for many years. John is the current Vice President of the SCTC Foundation, and is chair of the fundraising committee. John and his wife, Cheri McDowall provided funding for the Anatomy & Physiology lab on campus. McDowall Company also supports several scholarships each year for students at St. Cloud Technical College. John has sponsored work place and employee involvement in SCTC activities and courses, and encourages and recommends continuing education at SCTC. John has made many positive contributions to improve SCTC and the community.
  
  

• Distinguished Young Alum – Troy Stang
  

  Troy Stang

  Stang is a 1992 graduate of the Credit and Finance program at St. Cloud Technical College. He was appointed by President George W. Bush on August 2, 2004 to serve as the Director of Public and Legislative Affairs for the Department of the Treasury in the area of domestic finance. As a senior Administration official, Troy oversees all public and legislative affairs aimed at expanding capital and financial services in urban and rural communities. Troy delivered the commencement address at last year’s graduation ceremony and is a financial supporter of the SCTC Foundation.
  
  
  

• Distinguished Alum – Duane Schultz
  

  Duane Schultz

  Schultz graduated from the Building Construction Design and Estimating program in 1970. Before he graduated he was working part time at Winkelman Building. He bought shares in the company. In 1973 a fellow alum, Keith Schupp joined Winkelman and by 1983 the two had full ownership of the company. Duane has stayed involved with the Technical College since he graduated. He is a member of the SCTC Foundation Board, is chair of the Alumni Committee and is presently serving on the Presidential Search Committee. Duane and his wife Elaine are also financial supporters of the college and foundation. Winkelman is a co-sponosor of the Cyclone Classic golf event which raises dollars for scholarships and has made a planned gift to the Foundation. This past year, Schultz and Schupp were named St. Cloud Area Small Business Owners of the Year.
  

2004 Distinguished Alumni Winners

• Distinguished Service Award – Tom Schlough
  

  Tom Schlough

  As president of Park Industries, Schlough has supported St. Cloud Technical College in myriad ways for many years. Schlough’s contribution to the College has been his steady support of the Foundation in his service to the board and its many activities, as well as being a contributor to the Foundation. Through the challenges SCTC has faced with the economic downturn in manufacturing, Schlough has been a guiding light to assist faculty in setting a new direction. Schlough supports the College in both word and action.
  
  
  
  

• Distinguished Young Alum – Allen Faber
  

  Allen Faber

  As a graduate of the Credit and Finance program in 2000, Faber has continued his involvement at St. Cloud Technical College. He is a member of the SCTC Alumni Committee and proudly participates in many of the community tours held at the College. Faber has also served as a table captain at the Foundation’s annual fundraising breakfast. He currently works as a Retail Lender at Stearns Bank in St. Cloud.
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Distinguished Alum – Rich Feneis
  

  Rich Feneis

  Feneis is a graduate of the Sales and Management program at St. Cloud Technical College. Currently, he is the president of Logo Signs of America and Feneis Enterprises, Inc. He serves on the Alumni and Executive Committees of the Foundation Board. Feneis is the driving force behind the annual Cyclone Classic, a golf event that raises money for scholarships. With Feneis’ guidance and dedication, the Cyclone Classic has grown from an income of $41 in 1991 to $12,400 in 2004. All the money raised goes directly to student scholarships. Because of Feneis’ efforts, more than 60 scholarships have been given to SCTC students, a direct result of the success of the Cyclone Classic.