Thomas Votel
President and Chief Executive Officer
Thomas Votel became St. Paul-based ergodyne’s President and CEO in 1985 - just two years after becoming the company’s first full-time employee. Votel quickly demonstrated his industry savvy by leading the business to 100 percent annual growth for six consecutive years. As a result, ergodyne has twice been ranked on Inc’s list of the 500 Fastest Growing Small Companies in the U.S., and Votel was named Ernst & Young/Inc. magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 1992.
Today, ergodyne is a leading purveyor of specialty products that provide protection, regulate temperature, enhance productivity for workers and the company’s products are sold through a network of 800 distributors throughout the world . As ergodyne’s chief strategist, Votel is responsible for plotting the vision and direction of the company. While focused intensely on ergodyne’s quality, innovation , and spirit, Votel is deeply committed to developing the company’s customer relationships and continues to actively participate in the selling and marketing of products.
Votel has successfully led ergodyne through several challenges and changes, along with dozens of product introductions and innovations during the past 25 years.
When the fledgling ergonomics industry was faced with significant regulatory obstacles, Votel was at the forefront. Determined to educate Congress and federal agencies on the merits of its position and issues, Votel founded and led the Practical Ergonomics Coalition, a national, Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group of competitive companies that successfully challenged an entrenched bureaucracy.
Once focused solely on ergonomic products, a category ergodyne pioneered, Votel expanded the business to include complex mechanical devices. The result was the creation of On3®, a medical device that smoothly moves patients from bed to cart-and vice versa-without risk to caregiver or patient. On3® received significant industry recognition, including ID magazine’s Design Distinction Award and a Medical Design Excellence Award. In 2003 the On3® business was sold to Hill-Rom, a $1.5 Billion division of Hillenbrand Industries. Subsequent to the successful Hill-Rom deal, Votel returned ergodyne to its core business of specialty safety and work gear where it continues to thrive.
Votel earned his bachelor's degree in business management and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Votel is an active member of several industry associations, including the National Safety Council, the National Fire Prevention Association, and the International Safety Equipment Association, and has been a frequent speaker on industry issues and trends. Votel has served on the board of several companies.
Votel and ergodyne support a variety of children’s health causes with a special focus on cystic fibrosis. The annual 65 Roses Golf Tournament is one of the country’s most successful Cystic Fibrosis Foundation events. Votel family sponsors a semi-annual Mid-Winter Gala to benefit t the University of Minnesota. In 2005, Votel and ergodyne will top the $1 million donation mark for cystic fibrosis and received both the “Corporate Friend of the Foundation” and "Friend of the Foundation" awards from the Minnesota Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
A member of the Science Museum of Minnesota’s board of trustees for 6 years, Votel has also served on the CFF Board since 1989, chair for three years. In addition, he has served on the Planning Commission for the City of Sunfish Lake for the past 6 years, currently as chair.
A Minnesota native, Votel and his family live just outside St. Paul.