Dan Burns, Leadership Trainer
Dan is originally from Eau Claire and has spent most of his career working with businesses and industries in the Chippewa Valley.
Prior to joining CVTC in January 2008, for over 20 years Dan served in various leadership and management roles with industry-leading companies such as 3M, Cray Research, and IDEXX Laboratories. Dan has also had the privilege of working as a public servant with the Eau Claire County Department of Human Services.
Dan's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.
Dan's career and academic experience allows him to readily gain insight into many of the challenges and opportunities that leaders and managers face in today's fast-paced world of work. Dan leverages his experience and insight to tailor his consulting and training to best meet the needs of the organizations he is privileged to partner with.
Dave Otto, Manufacturing Trainer
Dave is a business and industry trainer in the fields of electromechanical technology and industrial maintenance for Chippewa Valley Technical College. Dave was born and raised in Eau Claire, where he continues to reside with his wife and three children.
Dave joined the U.S. Army out of high school and worked as a track vehicle and diesel engine mechanic. Since being honorably discharged from the Army, Dave's work experience has included eight years as a lead maintenance technician and two years of electrical, performance, and mechanical engineering. He has worked for Kell Container in Chippewa Falls and Andersen Windows Corporation in Menomonie.
Dave has worked in many different areas of manufacturing. His experience includes preventative and predictive maintenance, building and maintaining mechanical systems, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, electrical systems, facilities and machine control, quality and metrology, fabrication, welding, machining, CAD, and many more.
Dave holds a bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology with a concentration in facilities from UW-Stout. Additionally, Dave has also earned an associate's degree in Electromechanical Technology and an associate's degree in Supervisory and Management, both from CVTC.
Dave's career and educational experiences have provided him with a broad range of skills and knowledge within the manufacturing industry. This enables Dave to consult in a variety of manufacturing settings and tailor trainings to meet specific company goals.
Jon Leenhouts, Safety Trainer and Consultant
Jon Leenhouts is a Safety Trainer and Consultant with Chippewa Valley Technical College’s (CVTC) Business and Industry Services. Jon is a Wisconsin native and has over 23 years of safety management experience in a variety of highly regulated manufacturing industries including food, paper and printing/publishing. Prior to joining CVTC, Jon worked at Nestlé Nutrition in Eau Claire for 11 ½ years. Jon has previous safety training and consulting involvement and has a proven track record of reducing worker’s compensation costs through injury prevention. Additionally, Jon is an auditor in ISO14001 and Occupational Health, Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001 standards for environmental and safety systems.
Jon’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and a Master’s Degree in Safety from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Jon’s work experience and training skills allow him to quickly evaluate the challenges that today’s business leaders and managers contend with. A proven, solution-oriented leader, Jon will leverage his expertise and tailor the training and consulting capabilities to best meet the needs of our client organizations.