Erich Heneke ’02
Rochester, Minnesota
Erich Heneke’s thirst for knowledge led him to become a subject matter expert in supply chain management, and he used that knowledge to serve one of the nation’s premier medical facilities.
Heneke graduated from Wartburg College in 2002 with a degree in business administration with a finance concentration and an accounting minor. He went on to earn a master’s in business administration from the University of Minnesota and a doctorate in business management and accounting from Capella University — and to that he added certified management accountant, certified financial manager, and certified fraud examiner credentials.
After a five-year stint at Hormel Foods Corp., Heneke took a position as a supervisor in supply chain management at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He was first promoted to senior manager and retired as director of business integrity and continuity, a role dedicated to preventing interruptions to the vital care provided at Mayo.
“Supply chain management is critical to the success of any organization, especially during the past few years of major disruptions,” wrote Gloria Campbell, one of Heneke’s nominators. “His career at Mayo has required top leadership skills.”
In retirement, Heneke operates a consulting firm he started in 2014, allowing him to put his knowledge to work for small businesses across the globe. He is a frequent speaker at events and has published white papers and other articles sharing his expertise. He also is an adjunct instructor for business classes at institutions including Wartburg.
“He shared with me that his personal goal is to retire early so that he can do mission-style work exclusively,” wrote Campbell. “This is a testament to an alum who truly wants to make a difference in the world.”
Heneke has done exactly that, and his personal service commitments include the Wartburg College Department of Business National Advisory Board, the Rochester Civic Theater, United Way of Olmstead County, the Food Bank of Iowa, Make-a-Wish, and the Des Moines Area Religious Council’s food pantry, among others. He has completed mission trips with the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, Samaritan’s Purse, Habitat for Humanity, and Global Impact Initiative to places like the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, and Tanzania.
For his devotion to continued learning, his desire to share his knowledge, and the ways in which he supports his community, the Wartburg College Alumni Board is pleased to present Erich Heneke with an Alumni Citation.
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