Manufacturing Alumnus' Career Takes Him Around The Globe

MANUFACTURING ALUMNUS' CAREER TAKES HIM AROUND THE GLOBE

LAKE LAND COLLEGE WAS TRULY THE PLACE THAT HELPED PUT ME ON A CAREER PATH AND LIFE JOURNEY THAT HAS BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING.

Dan Spickard, Laker Nation Class of 1993, was a non-traditional student who returned to Lake Land College after spending six years in the United States Marine Corps. He is now the vice president of operations & engineering at Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle Co. in Colorado.

Spickard said his mother, who completed her RN degree also as a non-traditional student at Lake Land, inspired him to make one of the most important decisions he ever made.

“Lake Land College was truly the place that helped put me on a career path and life journey that has been nothing short of amazing,” Spickard said. “It was great to see so many young, and not so young, people taking control of their lives and affecting positive change through education and experiences.”

After spending three years at Lake Land, Spickard went on to earn a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Illinois. He then also earned a master's degree in business administration degree from the University of Denver.

“That degree kick started my whirlwind career that has taken me to 32 countries with some of the world’s great companies and has led to what I consider to be the best job with the best company of them all,” Spickard said. “I’m now the head of Manufacturing, Logistics, Distribution, and Engineering for a legendary sporting goods company and I work with hundreds of wonderful people every day – it's where I plan to finish my career.”

Spickard said when he added Lake Land to his LinkedIn profile, he was struck by reading several recent posts about events on campus. He said it was then that it occurred to him that Lake Land should have been on his profile all along.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone at Lake Land for continuing the tradition that I was so blessed to be a part of more than 30 years ago,” Spickard said.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Kris Kersey, Industrial Maintenance Instructor/Coordinator

Kris Kersery thrives on something that many people avoid: change. As the industrial maintenance instructor/ coordinator at Lake Land College, his love of learning new things and staying on top of the latest information has led him to a teaching career of more than 27 years.

Kris Kersery thrives, on something that many people avoid: change. As the industrial maintenance instructor/ coordinator at Lake Land College, his love of learning new things and staying on top of the latest information has led him to a teaching career of more than 27 years.

As a Laker alumnus, Kersey said he also enjoys taking classes just to learn new things. As of Spring 2023, Kersey has earned more than 113 credit hours at Lake Land in these classes.

“In this field, everything is constantly changing and improving,” Kersey said. “It’s what I love about my job. It never stays the same, and that’s part of life. I love trying to keep up with it all.”

This learning mentality has also led to Kersey’s programs being included in the new TECH 2DAY program structure via a collaboration with the Center for Business and Industry.

This collaboration offer students the opportunity to participate in apprenticeships with local industries such as Hydro-Gear, North American Lighting and Quad Graphics.

“Our students are extremely sought after,” Kersey said. “And I only see that need growing in the future. The thing that really sets Lake Land apart from any other program is the electrical troubleshooting skills our students leave with.”

Though he has endured many health challenges throughout the last seven years, Kersey said he scoffs when someone suggests he should retire.

“This is the best job I ever had in my life,” Kersey said. “I love coming to work every day, even when I don’t have classes. Why would I retire when I already do what I love most in the world every day?”

MANUFACTURING AREA OF STUDY

Applied Engineering Technology

Electronic Control Technician

Electronics Engineering Technology

Industrial Maintenance

Manufacturing Skills

Mechanical-Electrical Technology

Programmable Logic Controllers

Renewable Energy

Robotic and CIM Automation

Sustainable Energy

Welding

Manufacturing Exploratory Area of Study

LEARN MORE

For more information or to get started in a Manufacturing Area of Study visit lakelandcollege.edu.