# N. Merritt Becker

> N. Merritt Becker is the president and chief executive officer of Innovance, an Albert Lea, Minnesota-based portfolio of five employee-owned manufacturing businesses. His career has crossed information systems, truck parts, power systems, Southeast Asian distribution and locomotive rebuilding, but its consistent theme is practical industrial problem-solving. Becker joined Innovance in late 2023 specifically seeking an ESOP manufacturing portfolio; within months, the company acquired Jorgensen Conveyor and Filtration Solutions and brought its 65 employees into employee ownership.

- **Role:** President and Chief Executive Officer at Innovance
- **Organizations:** Innovance, National Railway Equipment Company, Cummins, Navistar, Electronic Data Systems
- **Education:** Bachelor's degree, Indiana University, Master of Business Administration, Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, Culver Academies
- **Known for:** Built a career spanning information systems, aftermarket parts, OEM sales, power systems, distribution and industrial manufacturing., Led the Cummins DKSH joint venture across five Southeast Asian countries., Was selected to lead National Railway Equipment through a period of operational stabilization and technology transition.

## Career timeline

- **1988-1998** — Worked at Electronic Data Systems as a systems engineer and program manager.
- **1998-2010** — Held a series of information technology, business development, parts and general-management roles at Navistar and related ventures.
- **2010-2022** — Led distribution, aftermarket and OEM businesses at Cummins and its affiliates, including Cummins Crosspoint and Cummins DKSH.
- **2018** — Relocated with his family to Bangkok to become managing director of Cummins DKSH.
- **2020** — Named to the Cummins Asia Pacific leadership team, responsible for the Cummins DKSH joint venture serving Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
- **2022** — Appointed chief executive officer of National Railway Equipment Company, effective June 1.
- **Late 2023** — Joined Innovance as president and chief executive officer, specifically seeking an ESOP portfolio of manufacturing companies.
- **2024** — Led Innovance as it acquired Jorgensen Conveyor and Filtration Solutions, retaining all 65 employees and bringing them into the Innovance ESOP.
- **2025** — Marked Jorgensen's 75th year as part of Innovance's five-brand, employee-owned manufacturing portfolio.

## Achievements

- Built a career spanning information systems, aftermarket parts, OEM sales, power systems, distribution and industrial manufacturing.
- Led the Cummins DKSH joint venture across five Southeast Asian countries.
- Was selected to lead National Railway Equipment through a period of operational stabilization and technology transition.
- Joined Innovance specifically to lead an employee-owned manufacturing portfolio.
- Oversaw Innovance's 2024 acquisition of Jorgensen Conveyor and Filtration Solutions, retaining 65 employees and extending employee ownership to them.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Commented that labor and material inflation continued to pressure manufacturing margins even as accelerating demand created delayed pricing opportunities.
- **2025-05** — Celebrated Jorgensen Conveyor and Filtration Solutions' 75th anniversary and emphasized the opportunities its customer service, innovation and strategic fit bring to Innovance.
- **2024-06** — Participated in a Minnesota/Dakotas ESOP Association board conference discussion about how employee-owned companies can grow through mergers and acquisitions.
- **2024-02** — Innovance acquired Jorgensen Conveyor and Filtration Solutions, adding 65 employees to its employee-owned portfolio.

## Links

- Website: https://innovance.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/n-merritt-becker-184b0511

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/merritt-becker
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Last updated: 2026-09-27