The 2026 40 Under 40s will be announced soon! Watch for more info and a registration link to our awards event in May!
Luke Benrud, Owner/CEO at Dura-Fibre, LLC
Looking back, what personal experiences or milestones have had the greatest influence on your professional success?
I have been very fortunate to have had great mentors throughout my career. Often times these mentors had a confidence in me that I didn’t even have in myself. They gave me opportunities to learn and to grow.
What role do you think young leaders like yourself play in shaping the future of communities?
Young leaders ARE the future of communities! I think it is very important for young leaders to realize the impact they have. We all want to live in a community with great schools, healthcare systems and economic growth. We have a duty as young leaders to be involved and support these organizations and initiatives. It doesn’t happen on its own.
What do you wish more people understood about your field or industry? I think manufacturing is a fun industry. I like making a tangible product that customers need as part of their business model. There is something very rewarding about this. Most of us don’t think about the products that we use on a daily basis, but it is actually very fascinating to understand the supply chains and equipment that are involved in making things.
What is one cause or issue that you’re especially passionate about, and why? Having great local healthcare is so important because most of us will have a serious medical issue at some point in our lives. The last thing you want to have to do when already dealing with a scary or complicated medical situation is leave your community. This is where your loved ones are, this is where your support system is. Having great and capable local healthcare makes these scary times much easier to manage.
What advice would you give to others looking to make a difference in their communities?
I would encourage them to get involved with whatever they are passionate about. There is an endless list of things you can do to support and improve your community. Big or small, just start somewhere and stay engaged.
