Amerequip Executive Team
Mike Vander Zanden – President CEO
Mike is the "pacemaker" of the organization; his broad background in all facets of the company allows him to have a unique perspective on how all the pieces work together. His commitment to build the company around strong teams is primary; his confidence supports a real "can do" mentality across the whole organization. He is driven to achieve excellence on behalf of his customers. This mindset is the underpinning of the company's tag line "Never Compromising our Customers’ Reputation."
He leads by example, and expects no more of his teams than he does of himself.
Rob Abfall - Chief Operating Officer
Rob is steeped in all aspects of heavy equipment manufacturing. He holds a Masters degree in Manufacturing Management from the Kettering Institute and an undergraduate in Welding Engineering from OSU. He is a results driven, walk around leader who listens carefully to his team and is rigorous in applying metrics to set production expectations and quality standards. Prior to joining Amerequip, he had senior leadership roles with tier I automotive and truck suppliers, where he became skilled in employing methodologies and techniques of “lean manufacturing.” Most importantly, he is driven to meet and exceed customer expectations. While new to Amerequip, Rob brings nearly 30 years of increased leadership responsibilities and experiences to his role; these will help propel us to achieve our growth targets. He’s a team guy who leads by example, and who seeks to drive a “customer first” mindset deep into his whole organization.
Gary Brochtrup – Vice President CFO
Gary's competence allows him to quickly establish trust and confidence. As a seasoned financial executive he understands the information needs of his audiences, whether they are the bankers, team meetings, or Board presentations. His integrity permeates all aspects of his work and communications. He is driving our IT function to lead the company well into its next decade. Gary understands that his role is to hold his fellow executives accountable, and challenges them to drive the company's performance to a high level of excellence.
Timothy A. Dorn – Vice President Sales and Engineering
Tim's split role demands that what he sells, he must also be able to profitably build. As an engineer, he brings solution based selling to the customer and goes to great lengths to make sure he and his team understands what the customer needs. His customers quickly learn to trust his judgment and his solutions. His experience has taught him that profits are driven by making it right the first time, and designing it to be manufacturable ensures long term bottom line results. He intuitively understands the "total cost" concept and seeks to deliver product quality and cycle times that exceed customers’ expectations.
Board of Directors
Charles Hoke – Chairman
- A member of Amerequip's board since 1999, Chairman since 2011.
- Currently a member of 4 corporate boards
- President/CEO/Owner Standish Industries, 1989 - 1997
- 23 Years at First Star Bank
- Senior VP, Head of HR, Public Relations, Investor Relations, Head of Investment Div., Head of Branch Banking
Mike VanderZanden – President & CEO
- Has served as CEO since 2010
- Work experience in all facets of Amerequip business over past 25 years
- Active on numerous civic boards and regional NGO's
- Degreed industrial engineer UW Stout
Don Van Houweling – Member
- Currently CEO/Owner Van Wall Group (since 1977)
- Leading Midwest John Deere Dealer
- 4 states, 6 divisions, 21 stores, 470 employees
- 9-years in the John Deere Executive Development Program
Tom Durkin – Member
- Former Senior Vice President AstenJohnson Inc. (1987)
- $300 million global company with 1800 associates in the markets of Paper Machine Clothing, Specialty and Monofilament
- Captain United States Army prior to joining AstenJohnson
- Graduate of United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
- Graduate of Harvard Business School, Boston, MA
Mike Weller – Member
- CEO Mike Weller & Associates, LLC, an Executive Consulting organization
- Former President at ITW/Welding North America. $1B+
- 34 years @ Miller Electric Mfg. — Miller is the leading welding equipment brand in North America
- Serve on 3 Corporate Boards, and 4 Non-Profit Boards.
- Member Green Bay Packers Board of Directors