Terry Kraft

After graduating high school from Saint Mary's Academy in Devil's Lake, ND, Mr. Kraft jointed the North Dakota National Guard and served 5 years as a machinist while attending college.  Mr. Kraft attended North Dakota State School of Science and received an Associate Degree in Electronic Technology.  He worked in the communication and broadcasting field for the North Dakota State Highway Patrol and Prairie Public Television as a technician.

In 1984, Mr. Kraft continued to advance his education at North Dakota State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Management.  After graduation, he was employed at the Case New Holland 4WD Tractor Plant in Fargo, ND for 14 years.  He held various roles as Manufacturing Engineer, Advance Manufacturing Manager, Business Unit Manager and AG 4WD Tractor Platform Manager.

During his employment at Case New Holland, he received a sponsorship to complete a Masters of Business Administration degree.  Attending evening and weekend sessions, Mr. Kraft obtained the MBA degree in 1996 from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

In 2003, he accepted a position as Chief Operations Officer for Swanson Health Products in Fargo.   During his 13 years with the company, Swanson Health Products expanded the business nationally with three production facilities in Reno, NV, Lancaster, PA and in Fargo.  The business also went international, serving over 35 countries with Swanson brand products.

In January of 2016, the Swanson shareholders decided to sell the business to a private equity firm.  Mr. Kraft agreed to support the new owners as COO until October 1, 2016 and then retired to pursue other interests.

During retirement, Mr. Kraft purchased a sail boat in Slovenia and sailed the Adriatic, Bay of Biscay, the full length of the Mediterranean and crossed the Atlantic.  Mr. Kraft has also supported and managed various commercial construction projects in Fargo, integrated three independent over the road trucking companies into one business entity, and served on the board for Cass County Electric Cooperative and HERO (health equipment recycling organization).