I was born in Germany and raised in Minnesota. Both my parents were from Minneapolis, and when I was a child, we moved around the world quite a bit before returning home to settle in Richfield, MN. It’s here that I attended primary school and in my late teens, attended the University of Minnesota where I graduated with a degree in Architecture.
What is the most interesting thing you have experienced in your career so far?
A great experience for me was working in Uzwil on a flour mill project in 1998 for 5 months. The project was to be installed near Disneyland in Fullerton, California, however permission to build it was never granted and the project ended. The team I worked with was fabulous and I still regard them as my closest friends at Bühler.
In 1981, I was two years out of college and seeking employment. At the time, my father in-law was working for Bühler and passed along information about recruiting drafts people to the milling division. I saw this as an opportunity to apply the skills I had obtained while studying for my degree and sought the position at Bühler, getting hired later that year. In the 80’s they had drawing boards at every station, and everything was drawn by hand – this was pre-computer aided drafting (CAD). I began my career by drawing flour mills. First drawing up the equipment and then completing the engineering of each flour mill. With lots of pencil work and erasing, I climbed my way through the ranks, progressing along the way from a draftsperson to a mechanical expert in technical standards.
Looking back at my time at Bühler, I am glad to have dedicated my time to such a well-regarded company in the milling industry. My proudest achievements include the construction of the Food Application Center and the many projects I’ve accomplished all over the country building flour mills.
Mark Shervey,
Mechanical Expert Technical Standards
I experienced the transition from hand drawn to CAD engineering drawings happen firsthand. As a board, pencil, and T-square gave way to a computer, mouse, and monitor, I was one of the first groups at Bühler to be trained to draw using the new tools. The experience is quite different from drawing on the board, and there was a big learning curve as I began using the new method. Additionally, unlike our experiences today, this was in the early ages of computers. A change of this magnitude was unique, and the shift to using CAD was just the beginning. Over time technology has further advanced and the programs have changed to meet the needs of the times, leading engineering to be more practical. Prior to the change to CAD, drafts people had models of the equipment drawn to scale that would be traced and inserted into drawings as needed. Today, 3D models of the equipment can be pulled from a database and then brought into the draft to determine things such as how equipment is placed within a building. This type of technology is extremely efficient, saving engineers time and enabling them to focus on the small details that keep a mill safe and efficient.
The small flour mill in Lehi, Utah where we’ve been visiting and supplying engineering and equipment is where the 1984 movie “Footloose” with Kevin Bacon was filmed (where the famous song came from). In fact, we had a Bühler roller mill installed, which you can catch in the movie (a very quick view of it shows up).
In 2018, I helped lead the construction of the new Food Application Center in Plymouth, Minnesota, as the building construction manager. Three years prior, the team and I undertook the initial planning stages. At the time, Bühler hadn’t even broken ground and so I began collaborating with the construction company to ensure the development of the project. The biggest challenge was managing the expense and keeping the existing Food Innovation Center running the whole time. Realizing the vision of Rene Steiner, former CEO of Bühler North America, the project was completed in 2020. Despite the looming pandemic, Bühler hosted a successful virtual ceremony to celebrate the grand opening – which allowed Bühler officials and industry colleagues from all around the globe to join the North American team in commemorating the new addition.
In my personal life, I am a Minnesota football fan, supporting the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Vikings professional football team. Like many Minnesota sports fans, I often feel frustrated with my favorite teams, but continue to tune in to the games religiously and enjoy the time with my family. I’m, first and foremost, a family man. My top priority is spending time with my wife, our kids, and my two grandkids, ages 6 and 3, who are quite a handful. This love of family meshes nicely with another of my passions – history. Like many Minnesotans, I come from a rich Nordic ancestry. One side of my family is from Norway, or more specifically Skjerve, while the other side came to America from Sweden in 1850 and settled in as the first Swedes to set roots in the Lindstrom area of Minnesota.
I’m fond of hiking, and in my free time enjoy hiking in Fort Snelling State Park and Pilot Knob, at the junction of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers in Mendota. When I’m not spending time on the trails, you can find me touring the Minnesota History and Mill City museums, learning more about my home, and flour milling.
I’m, first and foremost, a family man. My top priority is spending time with my wife, our kids, and my two grandkids, ages 6 and 3, who are quite a handful.
Mark Shervey,
Mechanical Expert Technical Standards
Looking back at my time at Bühler, I am glad to have dedicated my time to such a well-regarded company in the milling industry. My proudest achievements include the construction of the Food Application Center and the many projects I’ve accomplished all over the country building flour mills. I’m grateful that Bühler has enabled me to travel for work, but still balance my time with family. Ultimately, I anticipate the coming years to continue as smoothly as the last forty.
Gupfenstrasse 5
Uzwil
9240
Switzerland
