Leaders in transportation workforce innovation

Carl Borleis

INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Carl has well over a decade each of transportation and education-related experience. His transportation experience ranges from driving – flatbed, dry van, refrigerated, tow truck, school bus, straight truck, motor coach, and doubles – to being a Senior Logistics Manager with a Fortune 500 company, and business ownership. His education experience includes teaching middle and high school Alternative Education, Adult Basic Education, and being a Truck Driving instructor in both the private and public sector where he has helped approximately 1,200 people earn their CDL. He also has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education, with a minor in Middle Level Science from Bemidji State University.

When he is not working for the Minn. State Transportation Center of Excellence, Carl enjoys being actively involved in his local church, spending time with his wife, Katie, traveling, boating, and fishing. He is the proud parent of two boys, CJ and Noah, who have both graduated from transportation-related Technical College programs and are both employed in their respective field of interest.

Llewellyn Olivier

Director of Outreach

Llewellyn, or “Lew”, which he is more commonly referred to, most recently was an automotive technology instructor at Saint Paul College in which he had the great privilege of preparing students for a rewarding career in the automotive industry.

During his five years at Saint Paul College, Lew was able to spearhead electric vehicle training for their program as well as lead an international student internship program which allowed students to obtain work experience in the automotive industry.

His background in the automotive industry includes over a decade of automotive experience from working in an independent shop to dealerships, and has even co-owned a repair facility. Lew has a Volkswagen Master certification, advanced level ASE master certified and EVPro Plus level one certification. His education was completed at Minnesota State’s own, Century College, in their Automotive Service Technician program.

When Lew isn’t working he likes to spend time with his wife, Heidi and his two kids, Violet and Otto. They enjoy going camping, hiking and road trips together. He has many hobbies, but his favorites include gardening and brewing his own beer.

Cassidy Yates

Project Coordinator

Cassidy earned her Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design from Dakota County Technical College in 2017 and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Project Management in 2022. Before joining the Minnesota State TCOE, she worked as the Nano-Infusion Coordinator for Nano-Link, an NSF-funded Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program.

Throughout her career, Cassidy has developed a comprehensive skill set that includes project management, graphic design, website management, social media management, event coordination, conference planning, and communications. Her role allows her to seamlessly blend her creativity with her project management expertise, ensuring that every project is both efficiently executed and visually compelling.

Outside of work, Cassidy enjoys spending quality time with her husband, family, and friends.