For Dakota Rud, working with machinery has always been a natural fit.
Born and raised in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Dakota got into the maintenance field at a young age because he enjoyed working on, repairing and understanding how machines operate. That hands-on experience eventually brought him to McDonough Manufacturing, where he now gets to be part of building equipment from the ground up.
It’s a good fit for someone who has always liked figuring out how things work. His background in maintenance gives Dakota experience looking at equipment from a different perspective, understanding not only how individual components come together, but also how they need to function once the machine is up and running.
That mechanical interest doesn’t end when Dakota leaves work, either. He’s a car enthusiast who enjoys working on his convertible almost as much as he enjoys cruising in it. He also spends his free time attending and watching drift events, car shows and autocross.
Outside of anything with an engine, family is a big part of Dakota’s life. He has a 10-year-old son and is looking forward to another big milestone with his fiancée and soon-to-be stepdaughter as their family grows.
Whether he’s building equipment at McDonough or working on a car at home, Dakota has found plenty of ways to turn his interest in machines and how they work into something he gets to do every day.
We’re glad to have Dakota and that hands-on experience as part of the McDonough team!