Mike Abrashoff is the NY Times Best Selling Author of "It's Your Ship" former Naval Commander and a leadership and teamwork expert.

Jean Bye has spent over 45 years with Dotson and served as the company’s CEO from 2010 until 2020 and as the Executive Chair of the Board until her retirement in 2021. 

Beginning her career with Dotson Iron Castings in the 1970s, Bye is the first woman and non-family member to serve as President and CEO in the company’s over 100-year history. As a pioneer for women in metal casting, Bye has spearheaded numerous lean manufacturing initiatives that have had a tremendous impact on Dotson. By implementing a first-in/first-out process, the company saw significant improvements to work-in-process and finish goods times, as well as on-time delivery, casting lead times and PPM rejects. 

In addition to her strong work ethic, commitment to excellence and keen technical knowledge, Bye is a dynamic leader who is committed to paving the way for the next generation of women in manufacturing. She serves as a formal and informal mentor for many of her employees, and actively collaborates with managers to develop employees and support their careers. Bye leads presentations nationwide focused on the shortage of skilled workers in the metal casting industry and highlights the benefits of hiring women. She helped launch the association’s “Women in Metalcasting” (WIM) group and in 2018, was honored with a WIM Award for Excellence which recognizes exceptional leaders, champions, mentors and role models for women in the metal casting industry. 

Bye’s leadership spans beyond her role at Dotson, as evidenced through her support of both employees and the Mankato community in the wake of a devastating fire in 2017. The disaster recovery efforts of Bye and her team were honored with awards from both MN Business and the Manufacturing Leadership Council. She has also led numerous other community initiatives ranging from sponsoring an Automation Station Exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota to serving as a board member of the Mankato Area YMCA.