Major: Management Systems
Class: 1994
Mike Erwin ’94 graduated from MSOE with a degree in management systems and has leveraged his education into a successful and thriving career. He began his career in 1973 working second shift at Harnischfeger Industries Inc. while also attending Milwaukee Area Technical College full-time to earn his associate degree. He later enrolled at MSOE part-time to earn his bachelor’s degree. His hard work paid off when, after years of schooling and 25 years at Harnischfeger, he was promoted to president of the company’s P&H Material Handling unit. Eventually though, Erwin wanted to flex his entrepreneurial muscle. “I decided it was time to look at investing in and co-owning a business or two. Given my experience at leading a multi-national corporation, it was a joy to step back a bit and apply the skills I developed over those 25 years,” Erwin noted.
Erwin, who is an MSOE Corporation member, serves as the president for both Tailored Label Products in Menomonee Falls, Wis. and Proven Direct in Milwaukee. Tailored Label won several awards in 2009, including the National Association of Manufacturers Sandy Trowbridge Award for Community Service Excellence award and the 2009 Best Places to Work in the Americas by Printing Industries of America. It was also named the number one company on the 2009 list of Top 10 Businesses within Waukesha County by the Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, Tailored Label participates in the Second Chance Program, which gives non-traditional learning and employment opportunities for at-risk high-school students. “We get some feisty, exuberant young kids who are excited about seeing the real business world. I would pay for Second Chance out of my own pocket if I had to,” said Erwin.
When asked to give advice to MSOE students, Erwin has this to say: “Embrace every opportunity relative to your career growth, whether it be educational, travel, mentoring, community involvement etc. For every experience you have, positive or negative, there is a lesson that may help guide your decision making further down the road.”