ENTREPRENEUR TO VISIT K-STATE SALINA, SPEAK ABOUT EXPERIENCES

November 11, 2003

SALINA - Ralph Lagergren, Kansas entrepreneur and CEO of Rimfire Management Corp., will share his impressive experiences during a visit this Friday, Nov. 14, to Kansas State University's College of Technology and Aviation. His visit will include a presentation about his experiences, as well as time with students both in and out of the classroom. The presentation will be at 9:30 a.m. in the College Center Conference Room, on the Salina campus, and is open to the public.

“ Ralph Lagergren is an individual who has done amazing things during his career,” said Dean Dennis Kuhlman. “The wealth of his experience is so far-reaching, and he will be able to show our students what can happen when creativity joins with hard work and business savvy.”

Lagergren, who now lives in Alma, collaborated for many years with his cousin, inventor Mark Underwood. During the early 1990s, the two developed a new grain harvesting tool, the Bi-Rotor combine, and their technology and patent rights eventually were sold to John Deere in a multimillion dollar deal. This venture was the subject of the book “Dream Reaper,” written by Craig Canine and published in 1996.
Since his work on the Bi-Rotor combine, Lagergren started Rimfire Management in 1996, where he assists inventors and creators in taking their ideas to market. His work has assisted numerous projects in Kansas and the Midwest, including helping the Parsons-based Renegade Tools in the development of an automated system for installation of drywall taping, drywall mud applications, finishing and painting, and consulting on a Manhattan collaboration to produce “Four Fish Fly Free,” a television pilot show for instructional videos that teach young children ages 5-8 about instrumental and vocal music.

Lagergren was named 1996 Entrepreneur of the Year for agri-technology in Kansas by Ernst & Young and USA Today. “Four Fish Fly Free” has won four Telly Awards, as well as a Parents Choice Award and Dove Foundation Award. Additionally, Renegade Tools won Best of Show at the Association of Wall Coating and Ceiling international show for their finishing system.

Lagergren received a bachelor's degree in business marketing from K-State. He also is a graduate of Lincoln High School, in Lincoln.

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