FROM:    Randy Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer
701-328-5471, randys@dakotamep.com
RE:    Dakota MEP Announces New Board Members

Dakota MEP elects Kari Warberg Block of Earth-Kind, Inc., to Board of Directors

Kari Warberg Block, CEO of Earth-Kind, Inc., was recently elected to the Dakota MEP Board of Directors for a three-year term, beginning in January 2010.

Kari Warberg is the founder & CEO of Earth-Kind, Inc, Bismarck, ND. Her inventions, which are sold throughout 5000 stores in the USA and Canada, include FRESH CAB® rodent repellent, and Prairie Aire® all-natural air freshener. The mission of her company, Earth-Kind, is to create natural safe and effective products that have a positive impact on agriculture, society, and the environment.

Directors are selected because of their demonstrated leadership, professional expertise and ability to represent their industry – not just their business enterprise.  The Dakota MEP Board of Directors is made up of manufacturers in a wide variety of industries, and represents most major functional areas. Their charge is promoting manufacturing and best practices in the Dakotas, as well as, supporting the mission and further development of Dakota MEP.

Dakota MEP is a leadership organization that provides value to those companies dedicated to creating new opportunities for their people and organization. We strive to maximize enterprise performance - including growth, innovation, productivity and profitability. Working with partners who share this mission - we specialize in helping companies develop best practices and supporting strategies which enable them to better compete today and tomorrow.