Bret Snyder
Bret's List

CHILDHOOD AMBITION

I thought I’d end up working with kids somehow, either as a teacher or pediatrician. Also went through a phase where I wanted to be a chef and made a lot of experimental meals for the neighborhood pals. Can’t say that operations/supply chain was on my childhood radar, yet here I am!

FAVORITE MIX(ES)

I’ve lost track of genres. I *think* I like indie-folk and alt-country. A good sampling of Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Andrew Bird, My Morning Jacket, Caamp, and some Taylor Swift would keep me quite content.

FAVORITE BOOK(S)

Band of Brothers

FAVORITE MOVIE(S)

Probably also Band of Brothers, but I’ll throw in Tombstone and Good Will Hunting so as to not be redundant.

PROUDEST MOMENT(S)

Hard to top becoming a dad. Marrying my lovely wife, Kelli, was a magical moment. Finishing a marathon was humbling, exhausting, and supremely rewarding as well.

LAST MEAL

Burger, for sure. Fries, but maybe tots. Side of ranch – controversial, I know, but it’s a Midwest staple.

ALARM CLOCK SETTING

No alarm. My internal clock has me rolling out of bed at about 5:30am. Mornings are the best.

FAVORITE QUOTE(S)

“Luck is what you have left over after you give 100 percent.” – Langston Coleman

SURPRISING FACT

I was once a solid cellist. And I can recite the 12 fake brothers that Will claims he has in Good Will Hunting.

Bret Snyder

Vice President of Operations

They say it was heaven, but it was actually just Iowa. That’s where my journey began. My youth was forged in flyover country. Cliché but true, I played hide-and-seek amongst the corn stalks and learned how to drive behind the wheel of a John Deere. I kept myself busy by mowing lawns, delivering newspapers, and pumping gas. The good ole days.

I graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in mathematics with an emphasis in statistics and actuarial science. Bet you didn’t know that was a real degree, huh? I later received my Master’s Certificate in Business Analytics from the University of Saint Thomas.

Post-college I had a short stint in Chicago. Farm boy in a big city. It didn’t work out. I spent the following summer working construction with my brother-in-law and then relocated to the Twin Cities. For a while I chased storms to places like McAllen, TX and New Orleans, LA as a project manager for a disaster recovery company before settling in to a job in inventory planning. It required less travel and used my analytical skills. Win win.

In 2011 a recruiter encouraged me to apply to an opening at Ergodyne. I walked into the offices for an interview and knew on that day that I wanted to work here. The building, the atmosphere, the music, the culture, the people. Ergodyne was the place I wanted to establish my career. I worked 2 years as an inventory planner when life (or maybe a lapse in judgement) involved a quick detour back to Iowa. Minnesota, and specifically Ergodyne, was where I wanted to be. So, I found my way back just 2 months later, taking on management of the inventory planning team and then the distribution and logistics team as well.

My experience at Ergodyne continues to be challenging and fulfilling. I’ve got supply chain battle scars from fighting off tariffs, covid disruptions, and warehouse moves. I am excited about the future of Ergodyne and am looking forward to help shape the company and culture for years to come.