Tim Kindel – Blackhawk Industrial, Account Manager
 
Where do you work, what do you do? 
Blackhawk Industrial – Work with customers to provide industrial supplies such as PPE, cutting tools, fluids, and MRO along with driving cost savings on the production floor. 
 
What was your first job?  
Dishwasher at Bonanza in Aberdeen, SD
 
Hometown?
Aberdeen, SD
 
Family?
Teryl Kindel (wife), Aubrey Kindel (daughter -14), Blair Kindel (son – 9)
 
Do you have any hobbies, play any sports or favorite games?  
Riding dirt bikes and street bikes, camping, dance and wrestling.
 
Comment on your involvement with TSMA:  
Board member and on the program and workforce committees
 
What would TSMA members be surprised to learn about you?  
I have a true passion for manufacturing and have continued my career in manufacturing through education and hands on experience. I took 3 years of machine tool at our votech in high school and worked at a tool & die shop in high school until I attended Alexandria Technical College for Tool Die and Mold Making. I then went to Remmele Engineering and completed a 4-year apprenticeship receiving my Journeyperson Machinist degree and graduated with the Tom Moore Outstanding Apprentice award.  From there I wanted to learn more about design and worked the weekend shift as a machinist and went to St Cloud State College full time during the week and received my BS in Manufacturing Engineering. 
I have been a machinist, CNC programmer, manufacturing engineer, manufacturing engineering manager and plant engineering manager. After doing that for 20 years I wanted to learn more about sales and how I could help more customers with cost savings and support keeping manufacturing competitive in central Minnesota and support the youth to seek rewarding careers in manufacturing. That brings me to today being an account manager for Blackhawk Industrial and serving the board for TSMA.