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.
Owner & Vice President
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.
Marketing & Business Development
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.
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 going up north, fishing, shooting, taking walks, and spending time with family and friends.
Director of Marketing
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.
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.
Director of Technology, Development, and Intellectual Property
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.
Mechanical Engineer
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.
Production Process Operator
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
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.
Sewing Specialist
Administration
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.
Accounts Payable
