Our People

J. Martin (Marty) Carlson, MS, CPO
Owner & Chief Engineer
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.

John K. Lampe, J.D.
President
John joined Tamarack Habilitation at the start of 2008. John graduated from Carleton College, in Northfield, Minnesota, and holds a law degree from the University of Minnesota. After practicing law for ten years, John worked with several start-up companies that he co-founded. Products John helped develop have been sold in a variety of retail outlets and have been featured in media such as USA Today and the New York Times. One of the products, a protective headband for soccer players, was a 2004 finalist at ISPO Summer (International Trade Fair for Sports Equipment and Fashion) in Munich, Germany. John holds eight United States patents and several foreign patents. He has over ten patents pending. John serves on the board of several private companies and on the board of Eco Education, a not-for-profit organization. He enjoys basketball, soccer, and hiking.

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.)

Terrie Rihs
Production Manager
Terrie joined the Tamarack team in September of 2005. She graduated from Concordia University St. Paul with a B/A Degree in Marketing. Terrie has over 16 years of experience in Production and Manufacturing at various levels and capacities. What she likes most about working at Tamarack is the ability to wear many hats and being involved with products that improve people’s lives. She enjoys learning and believes she will never be done with school. Away from work, entertaining is at the top of her list, interesting people, good food, and rousing conversation. Terrie enjoys reading, volunteer work, Toastmasters International, Golf and has dreams of becoming a good guitar player.

Donna Schofield
Flexure Joint Machine Operator
Donna has been involved in the manufacturing field for 34 years, and feels honored to be able to continue to learn from some of the best in the field. She is one of the “at home” machine operators, fabricating components for the Tamarack Flexure Joint™. Donna feels Tamarack was the first company that gave her the opportunity to prove her work ethic, and for the first time she can use the words “fun” and “work” in the same sentence.

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.

Kasey Koltz
Flexure Joint Machine Operator
Kasey graduated from Blaine High School in 2007 and is currently attending Anoka-Ramsey pursuing a degree in engineering. He started working for Tamarack in May of 07’. He appreciates the friendly staff and the very flexible schedule. When away from work and school, Kasey enjoys snowboarding, lifting weights, x-box 360, hanging out with his friends and his girl friend. Kasey also enjoys competition.

Engineering

Mark Payette, CO
Research & Development 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

Jason Pawelsky
Associate Marketing Manager
Jason graduated from the G.R. Herberger College of Business at St. Cloud State University with a degree in Entrepreneurship. Previously a collegiate member of the American Marketing Association, Jason now enjoys active participation with Toastmaster International. Outside of work Jason enjoys the outdoors: boating, waterskiing, fishing and camping with his family and friends. Jason came to Tamarack to enjoy the atmosphere of a small company where he can set goals and manage their progress.

Tammy Hanna, MBA
New Product Development
Tammy currently assists Tamarack in the areas of Marketing, New Product Development and Strategy. She holds a M.B.A. from Carlson School of Management in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Studies, and a B.A from Minnesota State University – Mankato in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Business Administration. Outside of work Tammy enjoys spending time outdoors biking, rollerblading, walking and playing with her family & friends. When Minnesota weather drives her indoors, she enjoys reading, cooking and playing cards.

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.