Our Team

Our Team

Your Full-Service Supplier

Meet the Great Lakes Rubber team, a group of experienced professionals who understand your most pressing needs and issues. We are readily available to thoroughly and accurately provide assistance with your project or order – from start to finish.

Executive Team

Brad Hiller
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Brad Hiller

Vice President of Sales & General Manager of Midwest Sealing Products

I came to GLR in the first quarter of 2019 as a multiple award-winning sales executive and sales manager with a consistent record of exceeding objectives in a variety of industries, from SAAS and industrial tooling to telecommunications. I'm a proven business development professional and have strong strategic, creative and relationship management skills with proven success in client acquisition and retention.

As a team, we’re targeting growth by putting a relentless focus on quality, service and delivering value to all our customers. By embracing technology and seeking new demand spaces, GLR will always be a value-added leader in the industrial supply market.

Brian Reed
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Brian Reed

Vice President of Procurement & General Manager of Fluid Logic

I’ve been part of the Great Lakes Rubber team since 1991. I started in the gasket department fabricating gaskets. Over my 25+ years of time at GLR, I’ve become knowledgeable in all aspects of seals from gaskets to o-rings to hydraulic seals.

In my free time, I enjoy coaching youth football, remodeling and family hikes.

Ryan Klooster
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Ryan Klooster

SVP of Operations

I am the Operation Director responsible for quality and distribution operations. I joined GLR in 2019 and bring with me over ten years of experience in rubber products distribution. I love GLR’s commitment to quality and flexibility with meeting unique customer requirements.

Outside of working with the rock-star team at GLR, I enjoy camping with my wife and two kids in the summer, and snowboarding during the winter months.

Ben Stanczyk
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Ben Stanczyk

SVP of Finance

I recently joined the Great Lakes Rubber team in September of 2020 as the Financial Controller. I have over fifteen years of experience in financial auditing, accounting, budgeting and planning.

I am responsible for delivering financial services such as accounting, compliance, treasury, reporting, forecasting, budgeting and strategic financial planning & analysis. Our finance team of business partners are dedicated to improving processes, eliminating waste and driving growth.

In my free time, I enjoy coaching my four young children’s athletic teams, hunting, fishing and golfing.

Michael Gallipeau
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Michael Gallipeau

Associate Director of Technology

I am the lead Software Developer at GLR and function as the general IT guy. I joined the team in 2020 with over fifteen years of programming in the IBM i world and love the collaborative environment here. I continue to be stretched daily!

Outside of work, I enjoy hiking with my wife, reading (mostly theological kinds of books) and noodling a bit on the guitar.

George Baumann
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George Baumann

President

I joined Great Lakes Rubber in 2011. As President, I am responsible for internal operations and sales management, strategic planning, customer account management and new business generation in North America, Europe and Asia. I would like to assure to all of our customers that we take pride at GLR to provide the best service possible.

Great Lakes Rubber has more than 60 years of track record dedicating itself to our customers and making our company a prominent player in the Midwest.

Customer Service

Tony Volk
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Tony Volk

Sr. Account Specialist

I joined GLR in July 2020. I have an Associate’s Degree in Sports Management from Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois. My experience is primarily in sales for the last five years in a variety of settings. I'm very customer focused and genuinely enjoy assisting our customers with all of their o-ring needs and more. I am excited to be a part of the team here at GLR and look forward to my future and growing within the company.

In my free time, I enjoy golfing, playing pick-up basketball, visiting breweries, spending time with friends and family and of course traveling whenever I can.

Reyna Rosa
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Reyna Rosa

Sr. Account Specialist

I joined Great Lakes Rubber in September of 2017. After graduating high school, my experiences focused on customer service. Since joining Great Lakes, I have excelled at my job as Inspector for the philips deptartment, and processing "pinks" to meet our customers’ deadlines. I have recently joined the inside sales team as a Jr Sourcing Specialist. My job functions involve sourcing, ASN’s and other office needs. I look forward to a lifelong career with Great Lakes.

My strengths include determination, preciseness and versatility. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family and trying new things.

Joe Maguire
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Joe Maguire

Sr. Account Specialist / Rockford

I joined the team in August of 2017. I have over 10 years of customer service and account management experience in previous roles.

In my spare time, I like to hang out with my kids, travel and build things. I also like to collect rare Air Jordan Shoes as well as Marvel comic/movie and sports memorabilia

Alec Martin
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Alec Martin

Account Specialist / Wake Forest

I am the Operations Lead/Account Specialist in Wake Forest, NC, and Portland, OR. I joined the GLR Team in January 2022 and come from a global rubber manufacturer under which I gained extensive knowledge of the sealing technology industry. I love how GLR is customer-focused and always works to the customer’s advantage.

Outside of working for GLR, I love spending time with my wife and two sons. I love playing music and going fishing as well.

Cris Mason
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Cris Mason

Account Specialist / Portland

Nick Lundquist
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Nick Lundquist

Jr Account Specialist / Rockford

I am a Jr Account Specialist and wear multiple hats with my position, from customer service to sourcing to logistics. I joined GLR in August 2020, starting in the warehouse as a temp.

In my spare time, I enjoy fishing, camping and playing video games with my wife.

Whitney Hill
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Whitney Hill

Jr Account Specialist

I am a Jr Account Specialist responsible for providing high quality and professional services to our customers. I joined GLR in February 2022 coming from ten years of experience in a manufacturing environment.

In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my three kids, whether it be out exploring the real world or cuddling up exploring new worlds through movies and books.

Engineering

Daniel Bradley
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Daniel Bradley

Sourcing Engineer

I joined Great Lakes Rubber at the beginning of 2022. I am responsible for sourcing all the various products we provide, as well as new and unique ones. I ensure we are providing the customer with the product best suited to their application. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Kansas. My experience is in multiple aspects of engineering, but I am new to sealing and rubber materials. I am excited to see what I can learn!

Some of my hobbies include: snowboarding, motorsports, tennis and RC Aircraft.

Nick Prorok
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Nick Prorok

Quality Engineer

As the quality engineer, I am responsible for ISO certification and compliance while keeping quality standards of product to customers through quality alerts. Internally, I work to improve processes, performance, and prioritizing efficiency.

Outside of work, I love to show up to open mics with my guitar and perform.

Sales

John Herrick
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John Herrick

Sr Account Executive

I have been with Great Lakes Rubber since 1991. I am the outside sales representative for the Western Milwaukee and Madison area. My background includes industrials rubber products, fasteners, metals and sub-assembly work.

In my spare time, I enjoy golf and racquetball.

Todd Smith
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Todd Smith

Account Executive

I joined the Great Lakes Rubber team in September of 2020 as Account Executive. I’ve been working in engineering services and OEM sales for my entire carrier. The last 19 years, I have worked in the industrial parts distribution business, specifically rubber products. I look forward to working with customers on their next engineering application.

In my spare time, I enjoy power boating with friends and family.

Patrick Melson
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Patrick Melson

Account Executive / Rockford

I joined the GLR team after 20+ years working for manufacturers. I spent 10 prior years at Parker Hannifin as a Territory Sales Manager for the Mobile Industrial team representing their Engineered Materials Group. I specialized in sealing applications for large Diesel and Transmission OEMs. Previously, I was at Chicago-Allis Mfg, which specialized in mechanical and custom seal designs, leaving as the National Sales and Customer Service Manager. I graduated Purdue University with an Industrial Engineering Degree.

I look forward to working with our Rockford area customers. My wife and I have two daughters. I coach some of their teams and drive them around our hometown of Elmhurst, Illinois.

Lew Weich
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Lew Weich

Account Relationship Manager

I joined the GLR team in May 2018, training under one long-standing employee, Inge McManus, who had nearly thirty years of experience in the industry. I attended Cardinal Stritch University and my previous background was in Sales with a focus on Account Management.

Outside of work, I love football (Go Pack, go!), Brewers baseball, camping / going up north, and both longboarding and paddleboarding with my Border Collie, Calvin.

John Salmela
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John Salmela

Inside Sales Associate

I am an Account Executive at GLR, involved in interfacing with customers in technical sales and connecting with our internal Sourcing Specialists and Application Engineers. I have been with GLR since October 2021.

In the winter months, outside of GLR, I enjoy playing hockey and going on ski trips. In the summer months, I enjoy playing golf, live music, and long bicycle rides. My longest bike ride thus far is 32 miles!

Tony Logan
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Tony Logan

Inside Sales Associate / Rockford

I am an Account Executive at GLR since July 2021. My role is to partner with new and existing customers to supply them with current and new parts to keep production flowing, as well as work together to find solutions that best fit their needs. GLR is forever adapting to the industry and customer needs, working to become more of a one-stop-shop with a true family feel, making it easy to call this my home.

Outside of GLR, much of my time is spent coaching travel hockey as well as playing men’s league. In my free time, I love hanging out with my family, going to concerts, sporting events or just sitting around having a ton of laughs.

Operations

Donna Reed
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Donna Reed

Accounting Shared Services

I joined GLR in April 2020 as a Jr Account Specialist. I have 20 years experience in Customer Service in a variety of fields. I love working with people and helping in any way I can. I look forward to growing with GLR and building relationships with our customers and vendors.

In my free time, I love spending time with my family with a movie night or game night, and bonding with my furbabies.

Jenn Shedd
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Jenn Shedd

Operations Manager Midwest Region

I oversee Lean Processing at GLR; looking at opportunities to make our operation more efficient and effective. I started at GLR in June 2021, transitioning to the industrial supply industry from a lifetime in hospitality management. I also helped found the Engagement Committee at GLR: organizing educational topics, social events, recognition programs and volunteering outings for the company.

Away from the office, I spend a lot of time with my dog, Ace, playing sand volleyball as well as traveling to new countries to explore their culture and cuisine.

Kim Rasmussen
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Kim Rasmussen

Procurement Analyst

I am the Procurement Analyst responsible for buying and sourcing for GLR. I joined GLR in September 2021 and bring two years of experience working with rubber products distribution and eight years of military logistics in countries including Germany, Kuwait, and Iraq.

In my free time, I enjoy binge-watching Netflix, petting dogs and believing year after year the Brewers are going to the World Series.

Jean Konan
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Jean Konan

Software Developer

I am a junior software developer at GLR and help with IT when I need to take a break from my computer. I joined GLR in October 2021 with years of web development experiences. I am so very new to the IBM i world, so I need to be patient with myself as well.

Outside of work, I play volleyball, hang out with friends at the beach and bike a lot.

Connor Anderson
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Connor Anderson

Executive Assistant

I am the Executive Assistant for GLR. I have a unique role where I work with all the department heads on a multitude of projects ranging from marketing to accounts payable and everything in between. I have been with GLR since late 2021 and love the culture, atmosphere and how my role makes every day different.

Outside of work, I am either at the gym, outdoors or with family and friends. I enjoy making music as well as playing and watching sports.

Curt Webb
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Curt Webb

Quality Technician & Shipping Specialist

I am a Quality Technician at GLR and the head of domestic and international shipping (Shipping Specialist). I also handle a lot of the general maintenance work. I joined GLR in 1997 and had a wide range of warehouse and product handling experience before joining GLR.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and my pup, Coco Bean. I enjoy walking with my dog, watching movies with my wife and browsing YouTube.

Samantha Yehl
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Samantha Yehl

HR Generalist

I am the HR Generalist for GLR and play a key role in initiating and driving a broad range of HR programs and initiatives in support of GLR’s business objectives. I joined the GLR family in Spring 2022 and bring over seven years of HR expertise.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and fur-babies. In the warmer months, I enjoy hiking, camping and exploring new things.

Erik Matijevich
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Erik Matijevich

Network Technician

I joined GLR in August 2022 coming from 6 years of experience in the IT field. I am responsible for providing IT and networking support to all locations and staff.

In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my girlfriend, two cats, and playing video games.

In Memory

Bill Becker

Bill Becker

35 years of service
June 6, 2019

Kevin Gilgan

Kevin Gilgan

22 years of service
May 31, 2019

Jeff Servis

Jeff Servis

3 years of service
January 16, 2022