Name: Andy Wells
Position: Wells Academy,
President
Hometown: Red Lake,
Minnesota
Thoughts on Wells Academy:
Wells
Academy has been created to provide job opportunity for economically
disadvantaged people and also to provide capable employees for
industry. Geographic pockets of economic poverty exist within the
United States with unemployment exceeding 50% on some Native American
Reservations, inner cities and remote rural areas. Also, U.S. manufacturing
is experiencing a shortage of trained and skilled employees for
machining, welding, carpentry and other trades with up to 30% of
the jobs remaining open and unfilled. Therefore, Wells Technology
is investing profits into providing scholarships that find apprentice
job training at Wells Academy to provide opportunity for future
industrial employment for economically disadvantaged people.
Personal Traits that have helped
you succeed:
The success we find in life depends
on our "VIEW." The "V" stands for "vision" which includes
our goals, hopes and dreams of what we wish to accomplish
with our life. The "I" is our "integrity" to be honest,
trustworthy, dependable and fair. The "E" is "effort"
which includes our preparation, work and achievement. Lastly, the "W"
is "wisdom" for us to make the right decisions that allow us to help other
people as well as ourselves so that we may achieve our vision.
Formal Education:
1961 Graduate of Goodridge High School, Goodridge, MN.
1966 Bachelor of Science Degree, Industrial Education and Physics.
Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN.
1969 Master of Science Degree, Industrial Education.
Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN.
Professional Experiences:
1963-64 Mechanical Engineer, Polaris Industries, Roseau, MN.
Designed one of the first front-engine snowmobiles named “Lil-Andy”.
1965-69 Industrial Arts & Science Teacher, 7th – 12th Grades.
Strandquist Public School, Strandquist, MN.
1969-72 Communications Instructor, Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN.
1973-90 Industrial Technology Professor, teaching 14 different subjects.
Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN.
1975-85 Industrial Technology Professor, night-school program, 1 night/week.
Hibbing Junior College, Hibbing, MN.
1987-88 Design Engineer for Magnetic Peripherals, Bemidji, MN.
Designed and built an automatic cleaning and packaging system.
1989-90 Began WELLS PRODUCTS for design and build of aerospace and NASA.
prototypes for Control Data Corp. Minneapolis, MN.
1990 Incorporated WELLS TECHNOLOGY and built 4,000 square foot facility.
1990-91 Designed and built robotic and automation processing equipment for industry.
1991-93 Designed and manufactured air-powered ergonomic tools for food processing.
Received both USA and foreign patents. Distributed tools in 54 countries.
1990-2011 CEO & President of WELLS TECHNOLOGY which provides contract
manufacturing of over 12,000 different products plus Tier-1 SDB distribution of
MRO and OEM FASTENAL industrial and construction supplies.
2005-2011 Founder and Director of WELLS ACADEMY, a non-profit 501c3 machinists trade
school for economically disadvantaged Native American people.
Consultant Experiences:
1975-87 Electronic servicing workshops, presented seminars at National Conventions
Electronics Industries Association, Washington, D.C.
1985-87 Robotic Automation Engineer, Project management of high-speed production
equipment for computer assembly. Control Data Corp., Minneapolis, MN.
1986-89 Assisted start-up companies with writing business plans.
Minnesota Small Business Development Corp., Bemidji, MN.
Other Experiences:
1966-09 Farm owner and operator (200 acres), Bemidji, MN.
1969-75 Photography Instructor, Summer Upward-Bound Program, US Government.
1982-89 Owner of Northern Grain Systems, retailer of farm grain storage.
1971-04 Building contractor, home constructions from excavation to completion.
Patents Received:
1980 “Tri-Tie” necktie for safe wearing of a formal necktie near equipment.
1987 “Vac-Lock” for sealing air within a computer for use in NASA space satellites.
1991 “Airsnip” ergonomic air-powered scissors for reducing carpal tunnel injury.
1993 “Airblade” ergonomic air-powered knife for reducing carpal tunnel injury.
1997 “Stir-Matic” ergonomic food-stirring kitchen aid for use when cooking.
Books Authored:
1980 “Electronic Audio Equipment Servicing”
Published by McGraw-Hill Co., New York, NY.
1981 “Electronic Theory and Servicing Student Manual”
Published by McGraw-Hill Co., New York, NY.
1984 “Stereo Speaker Building”
Published by McGraw-Hill Co., New York, NY.
1995 “How to Interview and Get the Job You Want”
Locally published and given to senior students.
Volunteer Efforts:
2000-01 Construction Chairman of “Township Community Center” building project.
A volunteer project building a 4,000 sq. ft. Community Center, Bemidji, MN.
2002-06 Board of Directors, Joint Economic Development Corp., Bemidji, MN.
2004-05 Chairman and supervisor of Eckles Town Board, Bemidji, MN.
2004-2011 Board of Directors, Earthworks Corp, Red Lake, MN.
2007-2012 Board of Directors, Minnesota MEDA (Metropolitan Economic Development Association).
2005-2011 Member (Region 7 representative), Minnesota Board of Invention.
2008-2011 Board of Directors, Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce.
2007-2011 Chairman of the Northern Minnesota Native American Economic Development
Commission (Red Lake, White Earth, and Leech Lake Reservations).
2010-2012 Vice-Chairman of the Red Lake Nation Business Advisory Council for economic
development of businesses on the Red Lake Reservation.
Awards Received:
1985 “Professional Development (1-Year) Scholarship”, Bush Foundation.
1999 “Outstanding Supplier Performance” from Kraft Foods.
2002 “Minnesota State Invention Board Member” appointed by Jesse Ventura.
2002 “Outstanding Minority Supplier of the Year” from the Minnesota SBA.
2002 “EAGLE AWARD 2002” by the American Indian Chamber of Commerce.
2003 “TUCK Scholarship” for 1-week executive training, Dartmouth, NH.
2003 “Outstanding Achievement” by General Motors, Detroit, MI.
2004 “Outstanding BSU Alumni 2004” by Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN.
2004 “Executive Management Scholarship”, Howard University, Washington, DC.
2005 “1 Million Products with Zero Defects” from General Motors.
2006 “Certificate of Commendation” by Governor Tim Pawlenty.
2006 “Community Leadership Award” by Joint Economic Development Commission.
2006 “Minnesota State Invention Board Member” appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty.
2006 “American Indian Business of the Year” presented by UIDA Business Services. 2007 “Strategic Minority Supplier of the Year” presented by the FASTENAL Co.
2007 “Entrepreneur of the Year” by MEDA (Metropolitan Economic Development Association).
2008 “Living Our Values” Global award from Marathon Petroleum Company.
2008 “American Indian Business of the Year” presented by National Center for American
Indian Economic Development (Representing 560 tribes).
2009 “Minnesota Small Business Person of the Year” presented by the Minnesota SBA.
2009 “Outstanding Performance as a Small Business” recognition at the White House by
U.S.A. President Obama.
2009 "Outstanding HUB Zone Corporate Citizen of the Year" presented by HUB Zone
National Contractors Council, Washington, D.C.
2008-09 "Future Combat Systems Small Disadvantage Business Award" presented by
Boeing/SAIC on behalf of FCS "One Team."
2009 "Manufacturing & Technology Roundtable Award" presented by Archer Daniels
Midland Company.
2010 "Teaching Appreciation Award" presented by Carlson School of Management--
University of Minnesota.
2010 "IDEA Hall of Fame Award" presented by IDEA Competition Partners.
2010 "Excellence in Leadership Award" from Northern Minnesota Tribal Councils.
2011 "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2011 Local Legend Award" presented by UNCF &
General Mills for commitment to non-violent social change.
2011 "Purpose Prize Fellow" National award presented by Encore Careers to 40 U.S.
citizens for outstanding community service and contributions to social good.
Future:
Live as a responsible and respected leader of my family, business, and community with integrity and commitment toward excellence in serving customers, employees, and economically disadvantaged people.
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