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TechHelp's Hatten & Hansen Honored at MEP National Conference
The TechHelp team had a strong showing at the 2007 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National “Growth Through Innovation” Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Steve Hatten, manufacturing specialist and new product development manager, was named the NIST MEP 2007 Innovator of the Year. TechHelp manufacturing specialist, Don Hansen, was a finalist for Practitioner of the Year. The two were chosen from among 2,000 MEP specialists at 350 MEP Center locations nationwide. “We admire the contributions of all 52 nominees and value the high standard for teamwork, commitment and passion for MEP that they have set,” said Roger Kilmer, Director of MEP.
Hatten earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Idaho and an MS in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Stanford. Prior to joining TechHelp, Steve worked 13 years in the aerospace industry where he developed skills in mechanical design, design for manufacturability and manufacturing process improvement. As TechHelp's NPD Manager, Steve works with full time TechHelp NPD specialist, Calvin Allan, and a team of BSU engineering students to meet the wide ranging needs of Idaho inventors and manufacturers.
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Steve Hatten, left, based at Boise State University, began building TechHelp’s new product development program in 2000. Today, as other MEP centers are just beginning to ramp up their NPD operations, TechHelp already has a long history of success helping Idaho companies ideate, design and deliver new products. “Steve’s leadership, his record of success and his pleasant demeanor made it an honor to nominate him for this reward,” said TechHelp Business Development Manager, Richard Jayo. 
Twin Falls based Hansen, at left, of the University of Idaho, was recognized for the huge contributions he has made to Idaho and the entire MEP system in only his second year on the job. “Don is a consummate contributor, a team player extraordinaire and has done more for manufacturers in Idaho in the last 2 years than anyone before him,” said Richard Jayo. During a 30 year career in manufacturing, Don built an excellent record of establishing and maintaining successful relationships with manufacturers. A native of Oregon, Hansen earned a BA in Mathematics from Willamette University and an MS in Mathematics from Columbia University. 
