Our People

J. Martin (Marty) Carlson, MS, CPO, FAAOP
Founder and President
Mr. Carlson received BS and MS degrees in aeronautics and engineering mechanics at the University of Minnesota. For six years, he worked on the development of new instruments for measuring force, pressure, and temperature for industrial process control. He then shifted his career focus to orthopedic/rehabilitation engineering. He received his formal orthotic and prosthetic training at Northwestern University and served as Director of Habilitation Technologies at Gillette Children's Hospital for sixteen years. He has published two dozen articles in a variety of medical and orthotic-prosthetic journals. Carlson and his staff have gained an international reputation for design, development and biomechanical analyses. Marty focuses on building a workplace culture where each of the staff members feels mutual support and expects to be excellent.

Peggy Carlson
Owner & Vice President
Peggy graduated from the University of Iowa with B.S. & M.A. in Therapeutic Recreation. She worked as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist for 10 years in a variety of settings including working with children who had acute & chronic illnesses as well as in community/residential settings with physically/mentally disabled children. Away from work, Peggy enjoys being a wife and mother. She spends her free time gardening, farming, spinning wool and running.

Administration

Brenda Hofschild
Office Manager
Brenda has an Associate Degree in Accounting as well as several years of HR, payroll, accounting, and administrative experience. She finds her position at Tamarack fulfilling and enjoys the small company atmosphere. Outside of Tamarack Brenda enjoys spending time with her three daughters. In her free time, she likes to read, go biking and hiking, and enjoys working with various crafts.

Bonita Steppa
Office Assistant - Accounts Payable
Bonita has a BS degree from Mankato State University with a concentration in clothing and textiles. Having seen much of Tamarack’s evolution over her tenure in Accounts Payable, she enjoys having a part in its growth and seeing the play of mind, materials, and processes that come together to make a design or a company. Other interests include historic buildings, paper marbling and collecting children’s books.

Manufacturing

Adam Erickson, PE
Manufacturing Manager
Adam graduated from Michigan Technological University with a mechanical engineering degree and a background in biomechanics. Adam appreciates working for a small company where he has the opportunity to experience the entire process of developing, manufacturing and selling new products. Away from work, Adam’s recreational activities include hunting, downhill skiing, and various other sports. Like many people, he would like to spend more time golfing, (a stress free activity.)

Kali Koltz
Flexure Joint Machine Operator
Kali graduated from Blaine High School in 2009, and is now attending Anoka Ramsey Community College. She started working at Tamarack in November, 2011. She really enjoys working with an outgoing and friendly staff, and likes the friendly atmosphere. Away from work and school, Kali enjoys spending time with her family and friends, spending time outdoors, and painting.

Marion Belen
Production Process Operator
Marion was born and raised in Germany. She has over 30 years of experience in photo processing; she joined Tamarack in the summer of 2003. Marion appreciates the friendly work environment and the variety of jobs in production that Tamarack has to offer. When away from work Marion enjoys spending time with her husband, four daughters and four grandchildren.

Raquel Adams
Production Process Operator
Raquel moved to Minnesota from California and attended Minnesota School of Business for Computer Systems. Raquel joined Tamarack in May of 2004. She enjoys the atmosphere and friendly staff and also appreciates the flexible schedule that Tamarack offers her. Away from work Raquel enjoys music and spending time with her family and friends.

Natcha Isler
Production Process Operator
Natcha is originally from Bangkok, Thailand where she graduated from Rajchaphat Thonburi Institute with a Bachelor degree in General Management. She moved to Minnesota in 2002 where she graduated from Midwest Career Institute earning her CNA certification. Natcha feels working at Tamarack is interesting because of the dynamic products and designs. Away from work Natcha enjoys gardening, movies, travel and playing with her cats.

Engineering

Mark Payette, CO
Clinical Support Education Manager
Mark is a certified orthotist with 24 years of patient care experience, specializing in custom orthotic wheelchair seating. Providing these services was a joy and passion for Mark. He has been with Tamarack since it’s inception, except for the 4 year time period that Tamarack clinical services was owned by a large local hospital corporation. Mark has since returned to Tamarack and, while missing direct client services, now enjoys the opportunity and challenges of new product development. When he is not at work, Mark enjoys family activities, and spends as much time as possible with his wife and two children. He enjoys home remodeling activities, working with wood, playing the trumpet and outdoor activities such as alpine and water skiing, hiking, bicycling, camping, kayaking, and sailing.

Mark Manzella
Engineering Technician
Mark joined Tamarack in September of 2006. He holds Associates Degrees from Century College and St. Paul College in the areas of drafting and engineering design. He came to Tamarack after 15 years of engineering research, design, and development work for the computer, copier, and automotive industries. He likes the small-company atmosphere at Tamarack and enjoys knowing that his efforts here can result in the enhancement of people’s quality of life. Outside of work, Mark enjoys bicycling, camping, and traveling with his family. In his free time, he applies his designing skills in his woodworking shop. He is also an accomplished chef who enjoys sharing his creations.

Marketing & Sales

Wieland Kaphingst, Dipl.-Ing., CPO, FAAOP,
Bio-Medical Engineer
Business Development Manager
Wieland joined Tamarack in March 2011, focusing on expanding Tamarack's line of products to fit tissue trauma prevention needs within various healthcare markets. Wieland holds O&P certifications in Germany, Europe and in the USA, along with a German degree in biomedical engineering. He looks back at more than 40 years of professional experience in 26 countries and at positions held with small and large patient care facilities, as the director of the German O&P School, and in industrial management positions with companies like ipos, Ossur and Bauerfeind. After giving up constant travel between Europe and the USA, Wieland hopes to spend much more quality time with his family. He also likes canoeing and motorcycling and hopes to find both possibilities in moving to Minnesota. He loves to read and to share knowledge; especially with his colleagues in O&P.

Jason Pawelsky
Associate Marketing Manager
Jason graduated from the G.R. Herberger College of Business at St. Cloud State University in 2005. Jason enjoys the challenging work of promoting and distributing products across a variety of healthcare and consumer markets. Outside of work Jason enjoys networking and spending time boating with family and friends.

Advisory Board

Stan Jacobson
Advisory Board Member
Stan Jacobson has served on Tamarack's Advisory Board since 2006. Stan is an attorney and Certified Financial Planner® employed by Ameriprise Financial, Inc. where he has worked since 1989. Stan’s work at Ameriprise has included designing financial planning software for use by advisors in preparing financial plans for individuals and owners of small businesses. He is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Financial Professionals Association. He has served on the Board of Directors of The Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation since 1988. Stan is married and has two grown children.