IRD Glass CEO

Dirk Kvale (pronounced “Kwallee”) grew up in Battle Lake, Minnesota. Following high school, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a degree in Engineering Physics in just four years. Upon graduation, Dirk was commissioned into the Army’s Military Intelligence branch.

During his military service, Dirk led an electronic warfare platoon and held several intelligence planning roles. These experiences sharpened his leadership skills, strategic thinking, and ability to work effectively with diverse teams to accomplish complex objectives.

After five years in the Armed Forces, Dirk transitioned into the private sector, accepting a systems engineering role with Avtec Systems in the Washington, D.C. area. There, he contributed to the design and troubleshooting of software for space-based communications systems.

In 2000, Dirk returned to Minnesota and joined IRD Glass as an Engineer, where his background in physics and engineering quickly proved invaluable. Throughout his career at IRD, he has led numerous product development, process engineering, and continuous improvement initiatives to increase productivity, reduce variation, and minimize defects.

Dirk’s leadership and operational expertise led to a series of promotions, from Operations Manager to General Manager, then President, and ultimately CEO of IRD Glass.

From the beginning of his tenure at IRD, Dirk has emphasized strong customer relationships and hands-on collaboration. By working directly with engineers and purchasing teams, he helps customers optimize product designs for manufacturability, improve production flow, and meet specialized shipping and delivery requirements. Dirk is passionate about understanding each customer’s unique process and identifying ways IRD can deliver meaningful, practical solutions.

IRD Glass VP Sales

John Rutledge serves as Vice President and Sales Manager for IRD Glass and IRD Ceramics, where he leads the company’s sales operations, customer relationship initiatives, and strategic growth efforts. With decades of experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, operations, and sales leadership, John brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective to customer support, operational coordination, and business development.

John graduated from Western Illinois University in December 1993 with a degree in Communications Arts and Sciences. He began his professional career with a manufacturing representative firm specializing in electronic components, including bare circuit boards, DC-to-AC inverters, LCD displays, and membrane switches. After initially covering the Minneapolis market, he relocated to Chicago in 1995 to manage the Iowa territory and continue expanding customer relationships and sales operations.

In 1998, John joined IRD as a Field Sales Engineer based in the Twin Cities. In 2000, he relocated to Alexandria, Minnesota, to help launch IRD Ceramics, serving as Production Manager and Engineer during the startup phase of the business. His operational leadership and deep understanding of manufacturing processes laid the foundation for the company’s long-term success.

Today, John oversees the leadership, coordination, and execution of IRD’s sales activities and customer relationship initiatives. His responsibilities include directing day-to-day sales operations, supporting customer acquisition and retention efforts, overseeing customer service and sales support functions, and driving revenue growth through strategic sales execution and leadership. He works closely with customers, sales representatives, operations teams, and executive leadership to ensure strong communication, responsive service, and successful project outcomes.

John also enables sales forecasting, pipeline management, annual sales planning, and team development initiatives while helping align tactical sales execution with the company’s long-term strategic goals. His collaborative leadership style and customer-focused approach have strengthened IRD’s market presence and supported long-standing customer partnerships.

In addition to his university education, John pursued advanced technical studies in electronics at DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois, and Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, completing a two-year post-graduate electronics program. He further expanded his technical expertise by earning a degree in Electronic Ceramic Manufacturing through the American Ceramic Society, achieving the designation of Ceramic Manufacturing Technologist.

Outside of work, John enjoys music and performs as the lead guitarist for the hillbilly rock band, No Recognition.

IRD Glass VP Bus Dev

Todd Anderson serves as Vice President of Business Development at IRD Glass, where he leads the company’s strategic sales, marketing, and business growth initiatives. With nearly two decades of executive leadership at IRD, Todd has played a central role in shaping the company’s market presence, customer growth, and long-term strategic direction.

Todd joined IRD in 2006 as a part-time fill in machine operator. A few weeks into this part-time gig, he was offered a newly established sales position, and the wheel has only gained momentum. Since 2012, Todd has held continuous executive responsibility for all sales forecasting and reporting, marketing strategy and execution, annual sales planning, and business development operations. His leadership spans every aspect of IRD’s external growth strategy, including website development, trade show campaigns, advertising, CRM implementation, customer engagement, and market positioning. He works directly with executive leadership and the Board of Directors to communicate performance metrics, guide strategic planning, and align sales and marketing initiatives with the company’s long-term objectives.

Todd’s role extends well beyond traditional business development functions. In addition to overseeing sales and marketing operations, he has led initiatives in new product development, process coordination, customer experience, and organizational strategy. He also maintains oversight responsibilities for IT systems, security initiatives, and cross-functional operational support. Throughout his tenure, Todd has remained deeply involved in cultivating customer relationships, driving new business opportunities, and strengthening IRD’s competitive position within the technical glass manufacturing industry.

Under Todd’s leadership, IRD Glass has experienced significant and sustained growth, expanding annual revenue from approximately $5 million to more than $16 million, with continued growth projections ahead. This success has been fueled by a combination of strategic customer acquisition, organic account growth, enhanced brand visibility, and disciplined execution across both sales and marketing functions.

Todd has also led several transformative initiatives that have strengthened IRD’s brand recognition and internal culture. These include the development of multiple generations of the company website, highly successful trade show and marketing campaigns, and the implementation of CRM systems designed to improve sales visibility, marketing coordination, and pipeline management.

Internally, Todd’s passion for company culture has contributed to shaping IRD’s organizational values, employer branding, and employee-focused initiatives aimed at making IRD a preferred place to work.

Before joining IRD, Todd built a diverse leadership background in retail management, operations, sales, and customer service. He held management positions with Target Stores, Litchfield Decorating Center, and TNT Warehouse, where he developed expertise in team leadership, budgeting, operations management, marketing, and customer relations.

Todd earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Saint John’s University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Moorhead State University. His professional strengths include strategic planning, creative problem solving, organizational leadership, and process improvement.

Outside of work, Todd’s strong faith has led him to become actively involved in his community through church leadership, youth mentoring, coaching, and civic organizations. His leadership philosophy centers on growth, collaboration, innovation, and building meaningful long-term relationships both inside and outside the organization.