Meet John Katers, Make48’s Wisconsin Ambassador

The energy of a Make48 competition is famously infectious. For John Katers, Ph.D., that spark ignited in 2024 at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Watching teams dive headfirst into the intense, 48-hour rapid-prototyping whirlwind, the Dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology at UW-Green Bay knew he couldn't just walk away. He wanted more.

Following a series of collaborative brainstorming sessions with Make48 CEO Tom Gray, John is officially stepping into a crucial new role: our new Wisconsin Ambassador.

With a deep history of successful events, vibrant schools, and a legendary manufacturing backbone, Wisconsin has always been a core powerhouse for Make48. John’s appointment ensures that the momentum in the Badger State doesn’t just stay on track; it accelerates into every corner of the "Cheese State." 

"Having John on the ground is a game-changer for us," says Tom Gray. “Wisconsin has always been a wonderful state for us because of its rich history of innovation and entrepreneurial drive. By bringing John's incredible expertise and community connections into the mix, we are ensuring that Make48 will continue to thrive and expand across the state."

John Katers, WI Ambassador for Make48

A Green Bay Native with Global Vision

To understand why John is uniquely suited to connect education, industry, and the maker movement, you have to look at his roots. Though born in Heidelberg, Germany, John is a first-generation college graduate who has called Green Bay home for the vast majority of his life.

In fact, John and his wife, Linda, married for nearly 31 years, live in the literal shadow of Lambeau Field. They’ve raised their two adult children, Kirby and Tanner, in the exact same house since 1997, located just a few blocks from where John himself grew up.

While he used to spend his free time dominating local bowling alleys (eight 300 games!), these days you’re more likely to find him out on the golf course or traveling the world. His passion for exploration has taken him to places like Panama, Thailand, and Chile, the latter initially discovered through a prestigious Fulbright Specialist assignment. 

John’s academic journey is heavily intertwined with the state's educational landscape. He earned both his Bachelor's degree (1991) and Master's degree (1993) from UW-Green Bay in Environmental Science and Business Management, effectively pioneering what we know today as modern Sustainability. He followed that with a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Science and Policy from Marquette University in 1996. 

People, Programs, and Partnerships

It’s this exact interdisciplinary background that drew John to Make48 in the first place.

"I really liked the comprehensive approach taken by Make48 – ideation, creation, marketing video, etc.," John says. "This spoke to an interdisciplinary type approach that will be needed for modern engineering and manufacturing processes, and it aligns well with my own education at UWGB."

John has deep roots in Green Bay, WI

During that first 2024 event, John saw a mirror image of the exact framework he used to help build the Richard J. Resch School of Engineering at UWGB. "As we established and built the Resch School of Engineering, we focused on people, programs, and partnerships," John explains.

"I saw that Make48 had those same priorities, which got me very excited about getting more involved."

As Ambassador, John aims to use his distinct vantage point to turn the state’s existing strengths into a unified ecosystem.

"Wisconsin has a great manufacturing history. We continue to develop, design, and manufacture products that are in demand in the marketplace," John notes. "We also have a strong educational system that includes K-12, the Wisconsin Technical College System, and public and private four-year colleges. I hope to serve as a catalyst that can bring these sectors together as Make48 inspires the next generation of innovators and leaders."

Bridging the Gap: A Focus on "Doing"

For years, local businesses have voiced a critical need for a diverse talent pipeline across engineering and business. But more than just technical know-how, regional employers are begging for professional "soft skills" – communication, critical thinking, and rapid problem-solving.

John believes Make48 functions as the perfect bridge to fill those exact industry demands because of its emphasis on experiential learning.

"I graduated from and later chaired the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences (NAS) at UWGB, before becoming the Dean who oversaw that department," John says. "The applied aspects have always been important to me, as we want to focus on doing! These same concepts were included in our engineering programs, particularly through hands-on learning opportunities, internships, co-ops, and senior design projects done in collaboration with Wisconsin businesses.”

Lessons from the Manufacturing Floor

John's firm belief in collaborative problem-solving was forged long before he became an academic dean. While pursuing his graduate degree, he worked at Emerson Electric in Sturgeon Bay, assisting with Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) projects and warranty returns.

"This role allowed me to interact with people on the manufacturing floor who were solving problems every day in order to make the best products possible, as well as engineers doing R&D," John recalls. "It was great to see how everyone worked together and that every idea was valued before going through the vetting process."

That experience seamlessly transitioned into his very first professional role as an Industrial Recycling Specialist, where he toured dozens of manufacturing facilities across Wisconsin to assist with pollution prevention and waste minimization.

"Doing this work required a solid understanding of manufacturing processes, alternative options, and the economic analyses to determine the payback of any process changes," John says. "The most eye-opening part of this job was not only seeing how many different products were made in Wisconsin, but also how many similar manufacturing processes were creating some of the same problems."

With his blend of deep local roots, a global sustainability perspective, and a lifelong commitment to hands-on, applied education, John Katers is ready to champion Wisconsin's builders, thinkers, and makers.

We are thrilled to welcome John to the team. Keep your eyes on the horizon – big things are coming to the Cheese State!