An Interview with Faribault's Quality Assurance Manager

Observant. Assertive. Empowering.  Lindsay Kaelin, Caves of Faribault’s new Quality Assurance Manager, brings these traits and more to her new role with our company.  We caught up with Lindsay to learn more about her experienced background, management style and thoughts on what it’s like to work inside a cave!

Lindsay joined our team in April of 2026 and is responsible for managing plant and product quality, ensuring that our cheese offerings are safe, high-quality and meet our customers’ expectations.  She is responsible for leading and and developing employees by promoting a strong food safety culture through training, coaching and empowerment.

Lindsay holds a B.S. degree from MN State Mankato, where she studied biology and chemistry.  She’s held previous positions as a Quality Manager, Lab Manager and Microbiologist, but also is certified in other areas including project management, business administration and is even certified as an Emergency Medical Technician!  Suffice it to say, Lindsay conducts her day with safety and efficiency at the top of her mind.  Her passion for keeping a safe watch may have started as a teenager when she worked as a lifeguard at Lake Minnetonka.  Fast-forward to present day and she’s devoted to making sure things at the Caves are “smooth sailing.” 

“I have always said if you’re a good ‘tattletale,’ you are good at QA,” jokes Lindsay, noting that her strong attention to detail and keen observations are what make her successful in her role.  “When I walk into a room, I look at everything.”

Lindsay admits that she was “born bossy,” but has learned to channel this into a more productive quality, striving to communicate with her co-workers in a way that’s concise, straightforward and positive.  “Taking the time to explain why we are doing a task or providing team members with further insight allows them to feel empowered and enlightened,” says Lindsay.

While the role of Quality Assurance Manager may not be new to her, Lindsay admits it’s a whole new experience to conduct her role in an actual cave.  “The site is far from a typical desk job,” notes Lindsay. “This is such a unique place with a lot of history.” 

Lindsay says the caves remind her of her previous home in the Colorado Rockies, where she lived for the past 10 years with her son and three dogs until her return to Minnesota.  “It's been a big change to my lifestyle of hiking, camping and driving on terrifying mountain roads exploring, but I am adjusting, and the caves did give me the feeling I was back in a mountain,” says Lindsay.

Lindsay may also feel at home with the notoriously snowy winters in both locations, which is appropriate as her favorite quote by A.A. Milne reads, “Our footprints always follow us on days when it's been snowing; they always show us where we have been, but never where we are going.” 

On behalf of all of us at Caves of Faribault, welcome to the team Lindsay!