Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College-Superior Foundation has named Janet Rantala as the recipient of its 2012 Distinguished Alumni award. The award was presented during WITC-Superior's graduation ceremony May 11.
Rantala then delivered the commencement address.
Rantala, an Oulu native, graduated from WITC-Superior with a diploma in data processing in 1971 and later earned an associate degree in accounting in 1977.
She worked in various bookkeeping and accounting positions, both locally and in Minneapolis, before accepting a job as administrative assistant at the newly formed MSP Corporation in 1988. Rantala was the first full-time employee of the Twin Cities-based company started by two University of Minnesota professors. MSP is a research and development, and manufacturing company creating instruments used to measure nano-micro particles.
Over the last 24 years, Rantala has managed various operations of the company from accounting to manufacturing. She has also designed and developed an instrument from prototype to manufacturing for MSP, became part owner of the business and, two years ago, was promoted to her current position of Vice President of Finance.
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"I feel the education I received at WITC is the foundation of my career and successes in the accounting and corporate world," said Rantala. "It gave me a base on which I could expand and build on throughout my various work and personal experiences. I would compare this base to having a great foundation on a home where one can build and add onto as your needs require."
