Management
Daniel A. Rykhus
President & Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Rykhus assumed the position of President and CEO in 2010. Since joining the company in 1990 as an intern, Rykhus served in several capacities, including director of world class manufacturing, operations manager, division vice president, and executive vice president. Throughout his time as CEO, Mr. Rykhus has been instrumental in delivering value and long-term growth for the company through strategic M&A activity, international market expansion, and the delivery of high-quality technology products and solutions from R&D investments. He has emphasized competitiveness through service, quality, innovation, and peak performance and has made team member leadership development and wellbeing key areas of focus. Mr. Rykhus holds an MBA from Colorado State University and a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics from the University of Minnesota.
Nicole Freesemann
Vice President of Human Resources

Ms. Freesemann was appointed to Vice President of Human Resources in 2019. Starting at Raven in 2008, Freesemann served in several human resources roles, including manager and director, before being promoted to Vice President. In her time at Raven, Freesemann has created human resources partnerships with our operating divisions, implemented a new approach to performance reviews, and spearheaded development of THRIVE – Raven’s innovative approach to business leadership development. Freesemann holds a B.S. in Consumer Affairs from South Dakota State University.
Taimur Sharih
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Steven Brazones
Division Vice President – Raven Applied Technology

Mr. Brazones was named Vice President and General Manager for Raven Applied Technology in January 2021. He started at Raven in 2014 as the company’s Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer. As CFO, Brazones led the completion of multiple strategic acquisitions, implementation of the Company’s modern ERP platform, and expansion of capital markets access. He also built an exceptionally high performing team through executive mentoring and career development. Brazones earned a BSBA degree from the University of South Dakota and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Scott Wickersham
Division Vice President – Raven Engineered Films

Jim Nelson
Division Manager – Raven Aerostar

Mr. Nelson was named Division Manager of Raven Aerostar in February 2021. Nelson joined Raven in January 2018 as Raven Aerostar’s Director of Engineering. Under his leadership, the division developed and released the HiPointer 100 solid state radar and advanced the Thunderhead stratospheric balloon system. Nelson holds bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Sioux Falls and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Lee Magnuson
Vice President & General Counsel

Margaret Carmody
Executive Director of Culture, Corporate Communications, and Strategic Marketing

Lon Stroschein
Executive Director of Corporate Development

Anthony Schmidt
Executive Director of IT & Facilities
