News
Northwood Tech received $3,500 to establish Steve Leino Memorial Scholarship
August 20, 2025
Motorhead Madness owners Dean Birman and Mike Podgornik presented a check for $3,500 to Kim Pearson, executive director of the Northwood Tech Foundation.
Described as the Northland’s biggest indoor custom car show, Motorhead Madness was held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) on March 22 and 23, with more than 5,000 attendees.
In addition to Birman and Podgornik, the third owner of Motorhead Madness, LLC, is Mike Busche. Aside from the owners, there was only one other person involved in every part of the event planning, and that was Steve Leino, who passed away Oct. 6, 2024.
“Steve was our right-hand man,” said Podgornik. “He was a great friend and a valuable asset with his input on planning and decision making, calling on sponsors, obtaining goody bag and door prize items or anything else we asked of him. Steve was a staple at our show office helping anyone who needed something, with a smile and his great sense of humor.”
From left, Dean Birman, Mike Podgornik and Kim Pearson, executive director of the Northwood Tech Foundation, hold a $3,500 donation check from Motorhead Madness to support the Steve Leino Memorial Scholarship.
While an integral part of Motorhead Madness, Leino was also deeply embedded with the Northwood Technical College community. As a 1969 graduate, he was active with the Alumni Association for more than 50 years and held many officer positions on the Alumni Association Board of Directors as well as the Northwood Tech Foundation Board of Directors, including board president from July 2021 to June 2024.
Podgornik, Birman, and Busche are committed to giving back to the community and decided they would honor Leino and commemorate his legacy by contributing proceeds from this year’s event to the Steve Leino Memorial Scholarship at Northwood Tech.
“Steve had been a key contributor to the event,” said Busche. “On top of all the planning and running, he also worked the entire show, from setup to shut-down. His opinions were valued, as was his reputation as a straightforward guy.”
The Steve Leino Memorial Scholarship will be available this fall and is open to students enrolled in any program at the Superior campus of Northwood Tech.
