Our Team

Leadership

J. Martin (Marty) Carlson, MS, CPO, FAAOP(e)
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.

Marketing & Business Development

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, her husband and 2 boys, going up north, fishing, being outside, taking walks, and hanging out with friends and family.

Clinical Services

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

Amanda Davis
R&D 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.

Sharath Nair
Mechanical Engineer 

Sharath has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He is an immigrant who moved from India to Minnesota in 2014 to pursue his Bachelor’s degree. He joined Tamarack as an Entry level Mechanical Engineer in August of 2017. He loves working at Tamarack and expanding his fabrication, design and general engineering knowledge.

Outside of work, Sharath is an avid soccer fan who watches matches and plays on a regular basis. He also enjoys watching Bollywood movies.

Manufacturing / Production

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.

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.

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.

Tara Hengtgen
Production Supervisor

Tara graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Psychology in 2012. She originally started working part-time for Tamarack as a machine operator while attending college in 2011, and began her current position as Production Supervisor in the summer of 2017. She is proud to work for a company with such a positive mission and strong commitment to giving back. Other interests include reading, car shows, and spending time with family.

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.

Ashley Lewis
Sewing Specialist

Ashley attended Dunwoody College of Technology, where she completed the Sewing & Production Specialist Program.Ashley enjoys the advanced technology being used at Tamarack that makes a difference helping people in their lives. She also loves the friendly, quality environment and working together as a team. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys listening to music as well as playing guitar and drums, attending outdoor concerts, exploring state parks, baking, and reading.

Sara Lilyerd
Sewing Specialist

Sara attended Dunwoody Technical College and completed the Sewing & Production Specialist program. She enjoys being able to work for a company that makes such a difference for so many peoples lives. Outside of work she enjoys crafting of many varieties, working with animals, traveling, and doing a variety of charity events.

Administration

Brenda Hofschild
Director of Business Administration

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.