Our Team

J. Martin (Marty) Carlson, MS, CPO, FAAOP
Owner and 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.

Marty 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.

Joe Hofmeister
Chief Executive Officer

A long-time Twin Cities’ medtech strategic marketing and business development executive, most recently with Coloplast Corporation and the University of Minnesota’s tech transfer office, Joe brings strong product development and commercialization acumen to Tamarack’s technologies. He is a graduate of Macalester College, and received his MBA from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.

At Tamarack, Joe works closely with the company’s founder, clinical, engineering, marketing and business development teams to identify, prioritize and develop opportunities for the company’s emerging O&P, wound care, and complex rehab technologies.

Joe lives in South Minneapolis, along Minnehaha Creek, with his wife and three kids. In his spare time, he enjoys biking around the City’s lakes, building ice sculptures with his kids, playing the tuba, hiking in the American West, and traveling internationally.

Wieland Kaphingst, Dipl.-Ing., CPO, FAAOP
Biomedical Engineer
Director of Research & Business Development

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
Sales & Marketing Manager

Jason graduated from The Herberger Business School at St. Cloud State University and joined Tamarack in January 2006. Jason’s responsibilities include market research, market development, packaging, and sales channel coordination. Jason is also responsible for website content development and customer interaction across phone, website, and social media channels.

Outside of work Jason enjoys bicycling, running, exploring the lakes and rivers of Minnesota, traveling, and spending time with friends & family.

Kimberly Sanberg
GlideWear Product Manager

Kimberly has over ten years of marketing and communications experience in a variety of industries, including extensive digital marketing experience. She is a graduate of Austin College in Sherman, Texas. In her role at Tamarack, Kimberly is involved in marketing, product management, market research, new product development, content creation, website and social media strategy and management and advertising strategy for GlideWear, Tamarack’s low-friction textile.

In her free time, Kimberly enjoys traveling internationally, trying new foods, and spending time with her family.

Rachel Mattson
Customer Service & Logistics Specialist

Rachel graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2007 and joined Tamarack in 2016. Rachel came to us from a tense brokerage environment and loves the change of pace at Tamarack! Rachel’s responsibilities include: customer service (phone, email, live chat), order management, inbound & outbound logistics, and working closely with the production team to ensure orders are processed accurately and on-time.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending time with God, going up north, fishing, shooting, taking walks, and spending time with family and friends.

Mark Payette, CO, ATP
Manager of Clinical Service & Education

Mark is a certified orthotist with more than 25 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 its 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, grown children, and two great grandchildren. He enjoys gardening, home remodeling activities, working with wood, playing the trumpet and outdoor activities such as water skiing, fishing, hiking, bicycling, camping, kayaking, and sailing.

Caroline Portoghese, OTR/L, LNHA, ATP/SMS, MSCS, MBA
Senior Clinical & Education Specialist

With over 20 years of clinical experience, Caroline has credentials as an occupational therapist and nursing home administrator from the University of Minnesota. Caroline has specialty credentials as an Assistive Technology Professional, Seating Mobility Specialist, and MS Clinical Specialist. Caroline is a graduate of Macalester Collage, and she recently obtained her MBA from Saint Catherine University. She initially worked as a custom seating practitioner at Tamarack starting in 1998, and re-joined Tamarack in 2017. Caroline is excited to focus on clinical service and education with a research and development focus.

Outside of work, Caroline enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters, including school activities, skiing, traveling, and camping.

Engineering

Mark Manzella
Engineering Projects Manager

Mark joined Tamarack in September of 2006. He holds Associates Degrees from Century College and St. Paul College in the areas of liberal arts 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.

Amanda Davis
Technician

Amanda graduated in 2011 from Iowa State University with degrees in Biology and Art & Design. She then went on to complete the Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician and Assistant Programs at Century College. She is excited to be a part of a small company where everyone has a voice and has a hand in the creative process. Outside of work Amanda enjoys spending as much time as she can outdoors hiking, camping, cross country skiing and insect collecting. She enjoys time with family and friends, as well as exploring new interests.

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 enjoys spending time with his family and playing various sports include beach volleyball and curling.

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.

Tina McLuckie
R&D Technician

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
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.