A Dedicated Team Of Problem-Solvers

The people behind proven solutions –
sticking with you since 1972.

A Team That Sticks It Out

Great solutions start with great people. Our team blends decades of experience with fresh thinking, all focused on solving problems and following through. With over 50 years behind us, we’re big enough to handle complex challenges—and small enough to work with you personally.

Meet some of the problem solving pioneers who help make that happen:

Executive Leadership

Tate Johnson
President | CEO
Tate Johnson
President | CEO

Tate joined Straub Design in 2024 as President and CEO, bringing experience across the defense, commercial, and EV industries. With a background in engineering and leadership, he focuses on translating complex challenges into practical, actionable solutions. Tate is driven by results and clarity—helping align teams, invest in the right capabilities, and ensure Straub Design continues to deliver value as our customers’ needs evolve.

Mark Buettner
VP of Strategic Initiatives
Mark Buettner
VP of Strategic Initiatives

Celebrating 50 years with Straub Design in 2026, Mark began his career in 1976 as the company’s first employee. Over the decades, he has helped shape nearly every phase of the company’s growth, stepping into leadership roles that required both technical understanding and long-term vision. Today, Mark focuses on strategic initiatives, using his deep knowledge of our customers, capabilities, and history to guide decisions that keep Straub Design strong and adaptable for the future.

Daryl Emery
Commercial Vice President
Daryl Emery
Commercial Vice President

Daryl first began his career with Straub Design in 1994 and was named Commercial VP in 2024. For over 3 decades, he has led technical and sales initiatives with a hands-on, customer-first mindset. Daryl is known for supporting customers well beyond initial delivery—helping them get the most from their equipment over its full lifetime with persistence, insight, and a deep understanding of real-world applications.

Kevin Theissen
Director of Operations
Kevin Theissen
Director of Operations

Kevin joined Straub Design in 2020 and oversees operations across engineering, planning, and technical teams. He brings structure, clarity, and steady leadership to complex projects—helping teams work efficiently while maintaining high standards. Kevin’s role ensures that what we promise aligns with what we deliver, every step of the way.

Suzanne Thomas
Director of Finance & Administration
Suzanne Thomas
Director of Finance & Administration

Suzanne joined Straub Design in 2019 and manages the financial and administrative functions that keep the business running smoothly. Her work supports compliance, organization, and long-term stability—creating a strong foundation that benefits both customers and partners. Suzanne’s attention to detail and operational oversight help ensure a consistent, professional experience at every touchpoint.

At a Glance

Jesse Niessen
Production Supply & Assembly Lead
Jesse Niessen
Production Supply & Assembly Lead

Jesse joined Straub Design in 2001 and leads our production supply and assembly efforts. For 25 years he has played a key role in keeping technical processes running smoothly, and ensuring projects move from design to delivery with care and consistency. Jesse’s focus on execution and coordination helps ensure customers receive reliable systems built to perform as intended.

Brian (Mac) Gjerde
Procurement and Strategic Sourcing Lead
Brian (Mac) Gjerde
Procurement and Strategic Sourcing Lead

Mac joined Straub Design in 1988, beginning in the machine shop and advancing through production and assembly before leading procurement and strategic sourcing. His deep understanding of how our equipment is built helps ensure we source proven components and maintain inventory to support customer uptime.

Chris Mann
Mechanical Engineering Manager
Chris Mann
Mechanical Engineering Manager

Chris joined Straub Design in 2018 and leads our mechanical engineering team. He guides engineers through complex design challenges with a balance of decisiveness and creativity, encouraging practical innovation. Chris plays a critical role in ensuring solutions are not only technically sound, but buildable, maintainable, and aligned with customer goals.

Thomas Torrez
Lead Controls Engineer
Thomas Torrez
Lead Controls Engineer

Thomas joined Straub Design in 2022 and leads the development of our controls systems. He brings a forward-looking approach to programming and system integration, helping expand what our automation solutions can do. Thomas’s expertise supports reliable performance today while positioning our offerings for future capabilities.

Sales

Shawn Hansen
Sales Engineer
Shawn Hansen
Sales Engineer

Shawn joined Straub Design in 2018 and works closely with customers to solve complex challenges. He focuses on understanding project needs, constraints, and budgets—helping guide customers toward the right solution for their application. Shawn’s collaborative approach builds trust and long-term relationships rooted in transparency and follow-through.

Phillip Plowman
Sales Engineer
Phillip Plowman
Sales Engineer

Phil joined Straub Design in 2023, bringing many years of experience selling highly technical equipment across complex applications. Known for his customer dedication and steady, solutions-focused approach, Phil is a trusted partner who’s simply great to work with. He came out of retirement to join Straub Design, drawn by the people, the products, and the opportunity to keep solving meaningful problems.

Will Heyer
Sales Representative
Will Heyer
Sales Representative

Will joined Straub Design in 2022, starting in Spare Parts before quickly advancing into a sales role supporting our complex equipment. His curiosity and strong grasp of the fundamentals give him a deep understanding of how our systems work, making him a valuable partner in a pinch. Today, Will works closely with international distributors, helping customers stay informed and supported from across the world.

Aftermarket Support

Nate Donahoe
Aftermarket Service Support Lead
Nate Donahoe
Aftermarket Service Support Lead

Nate joined Straub Design in 2018 and was recently promoted to Aftermarket Service Support Lead, serving as the primary contact for existing customers. His strong commitment to customer success helps ensure fast response times, efficient service scheduling, and minimal downtime. Nate takes pride in being a reliable first line of support, keeping operations running smoothly.

Mike Steinkamp
Assembly and Field Service Technician
Mike Steinkamp
Assembly and Field Service Technician

Mike has been with Straub Design for 11 years, bringing extensive experience in assembly and field service. His technical expertise and hands–on approach make him a trusted resource for customers, and he’s always willing to do what it takes to get the job done. Mike’s dedication helps ensure equipment is running at peak performance when it matters most. 

Joe Hines
Customer Support Representative
Joe Hines
Customer Support Representative

Joe joined Straub Design in 2025 and focuses on parts sales and customer support. He works closely with customers to make sure they have the right components when they need them, helping keep equipment running smoothly. Joe’s responsiveness and attention to detail make him a dependable resource for ongoing support.

And Many More

Behind every project is a broader team of skilled professionals who contribute their expertise, creativity, and care. We’re grateful for each person who helps uphold our reputation for delivering solutions that stick since 1972—and we look forward to continuing that legacy as we grow.

 

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