Speaker Lineup
Wendy Hauff, Senior Business Advisor
ABOUT WENDY
Wendy Hauff is a dynamic Manufacturing and Quality Engineering Professional with over 20 years of expertise in transforming processes and driving continuous improvement. She began her career in the Aerospace and Defense industries and is now bringing that wealth of experience to North Dakota’s small businesses through her impactful work with Impact Dakota.
With a knack for building relationships and tackling big challenges, Wendy excels in helping businesses sharpen their operations, streamline workflows, and achieve measurable results. Whether it’s equipment placement, product handling, team training, or improving workplace organization, she empowers small businesses to thrive by optimizing processes. Her workshops and hands-on projects are known for blending practicality with a spark of creativity that keeps participants engaged.
Wendy also holds certifications as a Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean Manufacturing trainer, and Quality Management System auditor. She lives in Oakes, North Dakota, with her husband and children.
CLICK ON THE PLUS SIGN BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT WENDY'S SESSION
Meat your LEAN Potential: Become a Productivity Powerhouse
Business owners have two sides of the equation to significantly improve their margins: raising prices for your customers and/or reducing your costs to produce your products. While raising prices can be effective your customers feel this pain and can change buying habits. The strategy that truly sets you apart from competitors like “Bob’s Butcher Barn” down the road is lowering your costs.
Here’s a secret: your employees appreciate better use of their time to get work done faster too. By optimizing processes and reducing waste, not only do you become more competitive, but you also create a more efficient and satisfying work environment for your team.
And when you become more competitive you are able to sell for less to delight your customers or improve your profits or both by splitting the gains.
Here’s What’s on the Cutting Board:
- LEAN 101 for Meat Processors: Discover the basics of LEAN and how it applies to your operations.
- Tailored to Your Industry: Whether it’s streamlining cutting, packaging, or production flow, these methods are designed to fit your needs.
- The Right Tools for the Job: Learn how to map your processes, improve product flow, and identify waste that’s slowing you down.
- Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Leverage the talents of your entire team to drive improvements and spark innovation.
What Sets This Session Apart?
We’re adding an interactive edge with the Lego Simulation! This hands-on activity breaks down employees’ natural resistance to change, demonstrating how well-planned LEAN methodologies can revolutionize operations.
Through the simulation, attendees experience real-world challenges such as supplier issues, inventory risks, and quality control—all while operating imaginary workstations in a fictional aircraft factory. This engaging and practical exercise opens dialogue and empowers teams to identify non-value-added activities.
Don’t miss this golden opportunity to elevate your meat processing operations and kickstart your LEAN journey. Let’s cut through the fat and get to the prime cuts of productivity! Invite me into your butcher shop and let’s team up to help set you apart.
Todd Erickson, Meat Inspection ManageR
ABOUT TODD
Born and raised in ND I grew up on a diversified small grain and livestock farm south of Minot. My wife DaLana and I have started a small beef herd with her family. I enjoy spending time outdoors at the ranch and helping Uncle Dan and Aunt Sue with all things needed at the ranch. I have 2 grown children Bailey who is an Ag Lender in Glendive MT and Garrett is an Engineer with a defense contractor in Titusville FL. Before coming to work for the Department of Agriculture I spent 30 years working with pigs. When I left ND Sow Cooperative Management as their GM we had 12,500 sows. The Coops employed over 50 fulltime employees on 4 sites. We shipped around 340,000 piglets a year.
SESSION:
Beef Grading 101
Nathan Kroh, Information Coordinator for ND Meat and Poultry Inspection Program
ABOUT NATHAN
I’ve been with the ND Dept of Ag for almost 12 years. My role as the Information Coordinator is food safety and regulatory training. Most recently I am the labeling officer, so I work with the routine inspectors to review processing procedures, formulations and labels to wade through the complex labeling regulations. My favorite part of the position is working with new plant owners. There is a lot to think about when operating a new plant and becoming an official inspected plant can be daunting at times.
I also oversee the dairy inspection program of ND, and ensure that we meet the state and federal requirements for shipping milk and dairy products interstate. I am certified by the FDA to conduct surveys at dairy plants, dairy farms and conduct sampling surveillance activities. Part of the dairy program role is being the delegate representing ND at the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments, where Grade A dairy regulations are debated, amended and adopted.
SESSION:
From Waste to Worth: Maximizing Value and Navigating Regulations in Small Butcher Plants
Andrew Lorenz, Founder & CEO
ABOUT Andrew
Andrew served as a Deputy District Manager, Enforcement Investigations, Analysis Officer with the USDA-FSIS. With more than 35 years of experience in the food industry, Lorenz knows first-hand what the USDA-FSIS is looking at for food safety. He also contributes food safety content to the The National Provisioner and several other publications.
