Meet the CEO of Applied Engineering
When Dave Raatz joined Applied Engineering as a mechanical engineering intern while attending NDSU, he couldn’t have known he was signing on for a career that would take him from a drafting board to the corner office. Thirty-six years later, as Applied Engineering celebrates its 40th anniversary, Raatz – now President and CEO – looks back on a journey that mirrors the company’s own evolution: from a small engineering shop with big ideas to a 100% employee-owned firm built to last.
The Early Years
Dave’s path to Applied started the way many great careers do – with an opportunity to learn. Working part-time during his last two years of college, he joined a team that would shape the rest of his professional life.
“The people at Applied were great to work with, and they trained me in design and drafting as I was starting out,” Dave recalls.
At the center of it all was founder Dwight, whose combination of technical depth and vision left a lasting impression. “Dwight was unique in that he understood the engineering side of things but also had a vision for the company, and the ability to sell that vision to employees and customers,” Dave says.
Those early years put Dave on the ground floor of a technological shift that would define Applied’s competitive edge. He started out doing 2D drafting on a drafting board and early CAD systems, then became one of the first at Applied to move into 3D solid modeling — first on Computervision CAD software, later on Pro/E. “The technology was a big advantage that Applied had, as we were a reseller of high-end Unix computers and CAD software,” he explains.
Climbing the Ladder
What kept Dave at Applied wasn’t just the work – it was the runway. “I saw a lot of opportunities at Applied. We gained some large customers while I was leading the engineering team, and there were great opportunities to learn new things about engineering and about business.”
His career path traces a steady rise through the organization: one of the first engineers on Bobcat projects, then Team Lead of a fast-growing team, then Chief Engineer across all of Applied’s locations. When founder Dwight began stepping back from day-to-day leadership, Dave was promoted to President in 1999. A few years later, when the ESOP completed its buyout of Dwight’s shares, Dave became CEO.
Asked how Applied is different today compared to when he started, Dave points to maturity and stability. “As a more mature company with a great team of people in key positions, Applied is much more stable and has the financial resources to reinvest in itself. The ESOP and the employee ownership culture has also been great for Applied.”
But some things haven’t changed. “There are still lots of opportunities at Applied, to grow into new areas or gain new skills and customers,” he says. “I believe that we still have that small business feel, and each person at Applied can have a huge impact on the success of the business.”
Forty Years and Counting
Reflecting on Applied’s upcoming 40th anniversary, Dave doesn’t hide his pride – or his awe at how far the company has come. “It’s amazing to think how far Applied has come since I started here 36 years ago. There have been many tough periods during that time, and it’s a great feeling to have gotten through those tough years and be with Applied today.”
That gratitude extends to the team that makes up the company today. “Applied is made up of a great team of people, and that’s what makes it a great company. I feel that the future is very bright for Applied.”
Looking ahead, Dave sees plenty of road left to travel. “I still believe that Applied’s best days are ahead. There is still the ability to grow in size, capabilities, and geography. I’d like Applied to be a great place for employees to have a long, fulfilling career, and for the company to continue to have a positive impact on our industry.”
And for the employees and clients who’ve helped build Applied’s first 40 years, Dave has a simple message: “Applied has reached its 40th year because of great customers and great employees. The future is very bright for Applied!”
In the next article, we’ll talk about what Applied is up to today!