FOUNDER

Dave Hataj is the second-generation President and Owner of Edgerton Gear, Inc., a Wisconsin-based custom gear manufacturer, where he has worked for over 30 years. As a journeyman machinist by age twenty-one, he later earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California-Irvine. He completed his master’s thesis of Systems Theory and Family Business from Regent College in Vancouver, BC. In 2014, he earned a Doctorate of Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University, developing a curriculum called Craftsman with Character. He is the author of Good Work: How Blue Collar Business Can Change Lives, Communities, and the World.

HEAD OF MARKETING

Kristin Beischel is passionate about providing opportunities for young people to reach their highest potential. She brings nearly 20 years of hands-on experience in advertising and marketing for large, national companies. Prior to joining Craftsman with Character®, Kristin worked as an independent consultant, building sales and marketing functions for businesses and non-profit organizations seeking to accelerate their growth. She previously served as EVP & Chief Marketing Officer at magicJack VocalTec, a NASDAQ-traded telecom firm with 2 million customers, and was instrumental in founding a leading digital advertising agency that serviced major brands such as Amazon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Kristin holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

HEAD OF PROGRAM DESIGN & TRAINING

Michael Fesenmaier graduated from college and began teaching Agrilctural Education. After teaching, he transitioned to school administration, spending 25 years in various roles including associate principal, principal, and district level positions. With expertise in student programming and scheduling, along with curriculum focused work. He also worked on a task force to implement College and Career Readiness programing in his district and promoted this programming statewide. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education from UW River Falls and a MS in education administration from UW Milwaukee, along with certifications as a principal and director of instruction, he emphasizes connecting students with business opportunities to facilitate post-secondary success. Joining CWC, he seeks to promote transformative educational programs that benefit students and business, helping to guide students to pathways that promote both future learning and successful employment.

HEAD OF OPERATIONS

Sandra (Sandy) Lawrence found a home at Craftsman with Character® Foundation that aligns with her passion of giving back. Her primary role is scaling up the organization infrastructure for Craftsman with Character® and overseeing all operations. Prior to Craftsman with Character®, she built the organization infrastructure for another start-up company. She worked for ten years as a Human Capital Consultant with Willis Towers Watson (WTW) Consulting across a variety of industries. Early in her career, Sandy worked extensively in the manufacturing industry which included setting up HR systems for greenfield sites in the U.S and Mexico. She holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial Relations and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

HEAD OF PROGRAM DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION

Deb Prowse brings over 33 years of experience in education to CWC. Previously, Deb worked at Beloit Memorial High School, her alma mater, where she taught all levels of mathematics, from 7th grade through AP Calculus BC, for 30 years. For the last three years there, she served as the Career Academy Coach, supporting teachers, students, and parents in exploring various career and educational opportunities. Deb holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, with a minor in coaching, from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, and a Master of Arts in Professional Development with a mathematics emphasis from the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse. She has been a department chair, hosted numerous mathematics student teachers, coached athletics, and led various student clubs and activities. Deb's passion for Career and Technical Education (CTE) stems from her personal experiences in high school business and technical education classes. At Craftsman with Character®, she continues to help students discover the diverse career opportunities available in the trades and manufacturing industries.