Meet the MPMA team

MPMA is run by a small-but-mighty team of people passionate about the precision manufacturing industry.

Steve Kalina | President/CEO

Steve has managed MPMA since 2018, but has been a member since birth! With 25+ years in the manufacturing industry, Steve has held almost every position in a manufacturing company: machine operator, shipping, process technician, production manager, and President, to name a few. He started his education in the machine tool program at Century College, finished an Associate’s degree at Anoka Ramsey Community College, and obtained a bachelor's degree in Finance at Bethel University in 2022.  

Steve also served 10 years in the US Marine Corps in two combat tours of Iraq. He lives in Andover with his wife, three kids, and three dogs. In his spare time, he enjoys running, ski racing, and coaching. He is, and will continue to be, passionate about working alongside industry leaders to engage young people in manufacturing careers!

 Brenda Hawley | Member Services/Meeting and Events Coordinator

Brenda supports MPMA members and executes all MPMA events. She has a background in sales and marketing, and has over 16 years of experience in the non-profit sector in Minnesota. Fifteen of those years were spent with a local service dog organization, developing and growing their online presence with digital marketing and events. 

Brenda loves yoga! In her free time, she and her husband love to attend sporting events and concerts (any other Minnesota Wild fans in the house?). She also enjoys the outdoors and is always up to hike an awesome trail. As a dog lover, she can remember the name of your dog long before she can remember yours. She has two amazing (mom bias) sons who live outside of Minnesota.

Meaghan Ziemba | Sales and Membership Associate 

Meaghan is in charge of ad sales for MPMA, and brings her experience as an industrial tech writer, brand storyteller, and marketer for manufacturers to the team. She has a B.A. and M.A. in Professional and Technical Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and has been writing for manufacturing since 2008. 

Meaghan also hosts a live video broadcast series called Mavens of Manufacturing, which focuses on women in the sector. Its mission is to attract younger generations to join manufacturing or engineering career pathways to help close the skills and gender gaps. Meaghan is a proud mother of three. In her free time she enjoys cooking, CrossFit, and a great cup of coffee or glass of whiskey.

Dave Kornecki | Workforce Development Coordinator

Dave in charge of workforce development for MPMA. This includes applying for grants, coordinating workforce training programs, and leading initiatives for community engagement. He brings his expertise as a former Committee Administrator for the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee (creators of the MN Pipeline Program) and an current Independent Manufacturers Sales Rep to the association. Earlier in his life, Dave was a chef and manager at various establishments on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and has cooked for many notable people!

He is married with three kids, Dylan (13), Tyler (10) & Chloe (7). They have an Australian Labradoodle named Hobie. Living in Minneapolis, you may find them riding bikes around or eFoiling on Lake Harriet, or playing baseball at Lynnhurst in the warmer months.

Maddie Lemay | Owner, Lemay Story Studio 

Maddie and her team help MPMA with its marketing efforts and journal publication, acting as an extension of MPMA's team. With a degree in journalism, Maddie started Lemay Story Studio out of a love for the art of storytelling in the context of business -- especially when it comes to bringing context to complicated topics. That's why she enjoys working with the Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association. In a field that's often overlooked or stigmatized, she loves thinking creatively, working with MPMA to show people what the world of manufacturing is truly like through storytelling!

Maddie and her husband Matt live in Circle Pines with their goldendoodle Wilson, and are expecting their first child later this year! When she’s not writing, she loves to go for walks, play basketball, and cozy up with a good book.

Emma Gottschalk | Marketing Consultant, Lemay Story Studio

Emma works with all things digital for MPMA! This includes social media, emails, design, and event photography. In college, she studied graphic design and fine arts and was a photojournalist for multiple publications. As an artist-turned-content-marketer, she loves to work on any project that has room for creativity.

She lives in St. Paul with her husband Josh and orange tabby, Jude. Together they run a small art business, paint murals (one of which appeared in a Netflix show), and spend as much time in the sun as Minnesota weather will permit.

We'd love to get to know you better. Connect with us at office@mpma.com, or contact MPMA here.