Dave Hataj
President, Edgerton Gear, Inc.
Dave Hataj is the president and co-owner of Edgerton Gear, Inc., a family business started by his father over 50 years ago. Under Dave’s leadership, Edgerton Gear is dedicated to combining historical craftsmanship with the world’s latest technologies to manufacture high quality components.
Dave was honored by The Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) District Board with the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award for his demonstration of the value of a technical college education. Dave is a graduate of the Machinist Apprenticeship program at BTC, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences at the University of California, Irvine; his Master’s Degree in Theology and Family Business Systems from Regent College in Vancouver, B.C., Canada; and finally, his Doctor of Transformational Leadership Degree from Bakke Graduate University, Dallas, Texas, where he currently serves on the Board. In 2014, Dave was recognized by the Edgerton School District with the Golden Apple Award for his key contributions to the District and for his commitment and vision to the value of technical education.
Dave’s work in developing the talent pipeline in the skilled trades is evident through his creation of Craftsman with Character, a program he developed to address the skilled labor shortage and to help high school students explore career opportunities within the skilled trades. This 16-week curriculum blends traditional classroom instruction, worksite mentorship, and exposure to programs at technical schools into a single experiential learning model. (https://www.craftsmanwithcharacter.org/)
Dave and Tracy, his wife of 30 years, share a zeal for community at home and abroad. Together, they have served extensively in Honduras, focusing on community transformation through educating and mentoring youth and bringing clean water and sanitation to rural areas. Dave and Tracy raised their three sons on a small farm in rural Wisconsin, and now enjoy seeing that same passion for business, the skilled trades, and community outreach in their grown sons.
