The function of the advisory board is to help this program maintain a high level of expertise and accurate information.
Each member is a respected technician or leader from the segment of industry that they represent. These experts supply current and accurate information from the industry so that the students are informed and ready for what is happening in the wood finishing world when they graduate.
Board Members
Jerry Behrens
- Graduated from Dakota County Woodfinishing course in 1989
- Touch-Up Technician for Gepharts Furniture
- Accepted position as a Technical Sales Representative with Mohawk Finishing Products Inc. 1992. Responsibilities included calling on existing customers, troubleshooting, new product instruction and adding new clients to customer base.
- National workshop instructorRookie of the Year, Most Valuable Rep, and Goal Buster first year with Mohawk.
- Three time member of the President's Club (top 5 in company).
- Accepted Vice President position with national franchiser Kitchen Tune-up. Responsibilities include technical training for new franchises and on-going support for existing franchises.
- Wrote, produced, and hosted two Wood Restoration Videos.
- Member of the Dakota County Technical College Advisory Board since 1992
Rolf Grudem
::: Coming Soon :::
Tim B. Inman
- B.S. 1971 Iowa State University, Industrial Education major with special emphasis in finishing materials and methods.
- Member and Past President Epsilon Pi Tau, Alpha Xi chapter, professional honorary promoting excellence in technical education
- Attended University of Nebraska Law School
- Specialized continuing education courses under mentors Mervin Martin (furniture conservation), Stanley Robers (gilding), Jonathan Thornton (interior decorative ornamentation) via the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies.
- Owner of private furniture restoration business since 1974.
- Instructor for professional furniture restoration programs for Minuteman, Inc. since 1980, advanced and introductory levels. Specialized Program presenter for Iowa Western Community College.
- Published in: Fine Woodworking, Professional Refinishing, Professional Upholsterer, Wood Shop News, Fine Woodworking Finishing and Finishing Techniques, The Minuteman Crier.
- Editor and Publisher of Wood Finishing and Furniture Restorers' Guide newsletter.
- Author of 6 trade books in the furniture restoration field.
- Producer of Wood Finishing with Jerry TerHark video.
- Speaker / presenter at Professional Refinishing Conference, April 1999.
- Memberships in the following trade organizations: American Institute for the Conservation of Historic Works (AIC), Society of Gilders, Professional Picture Framers Assn, American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute, Association of Restorers, American Association of Woodturners, and the Society of Ornamental Turners.
- Member of the Dakota County Technical College Advisory Committee since 1985.
Dennis Leach (Artistic Finishes)
::: Coming Soon :::
David Wendell Larson
- 45 years in the field of spot finishing.
- Self-employed since 1957
- Business established in the Twin Cities 1966
- Furniture conservator for the Groves Collection 1976 - 1984
- Member of the George Frank Study Tour to China 1987
- Furniture conservator for the Norwest Corporation of Arts Program 1988-1998
- Member of the George Frank Study Tour to Paris & London 1994
- Contributor to Professional Refinishing magazine
David Lime
- BS, MA & PHD degrees in geography
- Before retiring in 2001, Dr. Lime was employed 20 years as a research scientist with the US Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station (St. Paul, MN) and 14 years as a faculty member with the University of Minnesota, Department of Forest Resources and College of Natural Resources (St. Paul Campus). He remains active in forestry-related research and technology transfer in the US and internationally.
- Over 25 years experience in antique furniture restoration and repair
- 2000 graduate of the Wood Finishing Technology Program at Dakota County Technical College
- Owner of Limelight Furniture Restoration and Repair in Wyoming, Minnesota
- Member of the Advisory Board beginning in 2001
Ken Norgarrd (Mohawk Finishing Products)
- B.S. 1978 University of South Dakota - Business Administration Major
- 2001 Dakota County Technical College - "Finishing New Wood" Workshop
Joe Renchin
::: Coming Soon :::
Bob Tjaden
::: Coming Soon :::
Tammy Wold
- In 1980 I graduated from the wood finishing technology program at Dakota County Votech.
- In 1980 I started work with a furniture company doing touch-up and repair in St. Paul, MN
- In 1982 I worked as a subcontractor doing refinishing of furniture and residential kitchens
- In 1983 I went to work for a refinishing company in St. Paul, MN
- In 1986 I opened a small business in Maple Grove, MN. Our main work was prefinishing for other businesses in the industry, cabinetmakers, furniture makers, and store fixture manufactures.
- In 1998 I went to work as a supervisor of the finishing department for Nevers Industries, a 12 million-dollar company that manufactures conference room furniture to order.
- Member of the Dakota County Technical College Advisory Committee since 1999.
