Our Sales Associates
Industrial PVF and Technical
Robb Augustin
Inside Industrial/Technical Sales
Robb started his 29 year career in our industry started as a high school student working part-time in our warehouse. His biggest mentor was undoubtedly his father, Bruce, who was our senior industrial salesmen for many years. Robb's intelligence and product aptitude became evident, early on, and he progressed from warehouseman and driver, to counter sales, to inside plumbing sales, and finally, to inside industrial PVF and technical sales. Along the way, he earned the respect of customers and his peers at United. He is fully capable of addressing any product application for which we have a product.
Continuing education courses include: “How To Lead & Motivate People” (UW-Madison); “Distributor Management For The 90's” (Texas A&M); and, “Financial Accounting For Executives” (Fox Valley Technical School). Factory product training includes: American Meter (natural gas meters, regulators/accessories), Anvil Gruvlok (grooved piping systems), Burnham (boilers), Sta-Rite (pumps), Gould (pumps), Red Jacket (pumps), Armstrong (pumps), Specialty Plastics (thermoplastic fittings & valves), Webster (pumps), Hellenbrand (water conditioning equipment), SSP (instrumentation fittings/valves), Miljoco (pressure gauges/thermometers), Penberthy (jet pumps, liquid level gages/valves, sight flow indicators, level switches/transmitters and boiler trim products), Wirsbo (piping systems), Honeywell (controls), A.O. Smith (water heaters), Lumaco (sanitary valves), Gemu (diaphragm valves), Wardflex (corrugated stainless steel tubing for natural gas—certified), Watts (automatic control valves) and Weldbend (weld fittings/valves).
Ryan Buck, B.S.M.E.
Sales Engineer
Ryan (aka “Potter”) is a new addition to the United Team. He joined us in January of 2006, right out of college, to provide technical sales coverage to the University of Wisconsin (UW)- Madison, the Madison Greater Area, and to the western half of Wisconsin. While attending UW, Ryan became familiar with many of our products while working part-time in UW’s helium distribution/reclamation facility.
In addition to his mechanical engineering degree from UW-Madison, Ryan’s product training includes: American Meter (meters, regulators/accessories), PBM (ball valves/ actuation), Penberthy (jet pumps, liquid level gages & valves, sight flow indicators, level switches/transmitters and boiler trim products), SSP (instrumentation fittings/valves), Miljoco (gauges/thermometers), Spears (thermoplastic fittings/valves), Spirax Sarco (steam traps, steam specialties and blowdown valves), Watts (automatic control valves) and Weldbend (weld fittings/flanges).
Richard J. Chojnacki, CSCP
VP-Operations
Assistant GM
Rick joined United in 1999 with a diverse background in management, supervision, quality control, logistics and process improvement. His knowledge of piping products and applications comes from hands-on experience with the U.S. Navy and previous employment at Wisconsin Electric’s Point Beach Nuclear Plant. Rick’s warehousing and inventory management experience frequently makes him our point man for situations involving Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), shipping logistics and general problem resolution. He oversees the operation of United’s warehouse, and negotiates our Steamfitter and Teamster contracts.
Rick holds a BS degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University and is a member of the Milwaukee Chapter of the Association for Operations Management (APICS). He is involved in every aspect of our business, including our computer hardware, Eclipse operating system and software security. He is also the logistics liaison for our Kohler Supply Chain Realignment initiative. Rick’s knowledge of our overall operation makes him a valuable resource to meet any need.
Product training includes: American Meter (natural gas meters, regulators/accessories), Anvil Gruvlok (grooved piping systems), Armstrong (pumps), Milwaukee Valve (ball, butterfly, and multi-turn valves/actuators), SSP (instrumentation fittings/valves), Miljoco (pressure gauges/thermometers), Wardflex (corrugated stainless steel tubing for natural gas—certified), Watts (automatic control valves) and Weldbend (weld fittings/flanges).
Mike Gomm
Outside Industrial/Institutional Sales
It’s hard to believe, given his high octane energy level, but Mike’s career in our industry spans 35 years. A native of Manitowoc, Mike spent the first 18 years of his career selling plumbing and HVAC products for Manitowoc Plumbing Supply. He moved over to First Supply for the next 13 years, adding industrial PVF to his basket of products, prior to joining our United Team in 2002. In addition to being well versed in plumbing, HVAC and industrial PVF, Mike does a great job with SSP—our new line of domestic instrumentation fittings and valves. He also has become adept at setting up Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) cells—a number of those, with pulp and paper mills.
Mike has completed product training with the following manufacturers: Bell & Gossett (pumps/accessories), Miljoco (gauges/thermometers), Milwaukee Valve (ball, butterfly and multi-turn valves/actuators), PBM (specialty ball valves, sampling valves/actuators), Penberthy (jet pumps, liquid level gages & valves, sight flow indicators, level switches and transmitters and boiler trim products), SSP (instrumentation fittings/valves), Sterling (steam traps/steam specialties), Taco (pumps/accessories), Wardflex (corrugated stainless steel tubing for natural gas service-- certified), Watson McDaniel (steam traps/steam specialties) and Watts (automatic control valves).
Tom Hudson
VP-Sales
Industrial Division Manager
As a field sales representative with years of quality experience, working for valve and pipe fitting manufacturers, Tom is uniquely qualified to work closely with many of United's largest industrial and utility accounts. Duties include: sales of all flow control products; specification work with engineers on valves and steam traps; negotiation of inventory management programs; and, take-offs for projects. Prior to joining United in 1992, Tom worked for: Stockham Valves & Fittings (territory rep), U-Brand (outside sales... “Outstanding Salesman”) and Worthington Industries (inside sales).
Tom holds a BS in Business Administration from Georgetown College, Georgetown KY. Post-college education includes: "Effective Speaking" (Dale Carnegie) and various American Society of Professional Engineers (ASPE) courses. Factory/product training includes: American Meter (meters, regulators/accessories), Anvil Gruvlok (grooved piping systems), Schlumberger (meters/regulators), Worthington Industries (metallurgy), Stockham Valves (pipe fittings, valves/actuators), Gestra (steam traps, check valves, pumps, control systems/control valves), Miljoco (gauges/thermometers), Penberthy (jet pumps, liquid level gages & valves, sight flow indicators, level switches and transmitters and boiler trim products), Wardflex (corrugated stainless steel tubing for natural gas—certified), Watts (automatic control valves) and Weldbend (weld fittings/flanges), as well as various other PVF seminars. Tom is United’s PVF Delegate to Affiliated Distributors.
Scot Jaworski
Inside Commercial PVF Sales
Scot joined our Industrial (PVF) division in 2001 to bolster our commercial PVF sales. He is well established in this market following solid earlier experience with Milwaukee Lead Works and Westburne Supply. Along the way, he worked in the warehouse and counter sales before moving to inside sales, where he has formed strong relationships with a number of leading mechanical contractors. In addition to PVF, Scot has a background in plumbing quotations, as well as many industrial products—enabling him to serve customers in any product/application area.
Prior to entering our industry, he attended the University of Wisconsin-- Waukesha Extension. His product training includes: Anvil Gruvlok (grooved piping system), Milwaukee Valve (ball, butterfly and multi-turn valves/actuators), Nibco (fittings, valves/ actuators), Spears (thermoplastic fittings, valves, and lab waste) SSP (instrumentation fittings/valves), Miljoco (gauges/thermometers), Watts (backflow prevention products and automatic control valves), Sterling Inc. (steam traps), Wardflex (corrugated stainless steel tubing for natural gas- certified), Ruud (water heaters), Hellenbrand (water softeners), Asco (solenoid valves) and Schier Products (grease interceptors, drains/carriers).
Jim Lyons
Inside Industrial & Technical Sales
Jim counsels our customers in the areas of valves, valve automation, control valves, steam specialties, jet pumps and flow and level instrumentation. Jim came to United in 1986 with a varied background-- spanning 20 years with local distributors, including the Spence Corporation, Keystone Supply and Grinnell. At each of these companies, Jim's primary focus was valves, although he certainly acquired an extensive knowledge of pipe, tubing, pipe fittings, tools and other products, as well. Prior to his employment with these distributors, Jim worked for Chase Brass, as an inside salesman.
Prior to joining the workforce in 1965, Jim attended Marquette University, Milwaukee, as a marketing student. He also studied traffic management at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). Factory/product training includes: American Meter (meters, regulators/ accessories), Anvil Gruvlok (grooved piping systems), Chase Brass (metallurgy), Parker-Hannifin (pneumatic/hydraulic fittings and hose), Hammond Valve (valve applications), Jones & Laughlin (pipe, bar and sheet steel), PBM (specialty ball valves, sampling valves and actuation), Penberthy (jet pumps, liquid level gages & valves, sight flow indicators, level switches and transmitters and boiler trim products), Miljoco (gauges/ thermometers), Wardflex (corrugated stainless steel tubing for natural gas—certified), Watts (automatic control valves) and Weldbend (weld fittings/valves). Jim has also completed "SPC/Total Quality System" (MATC).
Steve McKinnon
Inside Industrial Sales
During his 30 years in our industry, Steve has worked in a variety of capacities for several local distributors and a manufacturer's rep, including: truck driver, inside sales and outside sales. His background makes him very effective in his current inside sales role because he has knowledge of many products, and communicates very effectively with customers, vendors and our outside salesmen within our team concept.
Prior to joining the workforce, Steve studied business and mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). Factory/product training includes: American Meter (meters, regulators/accessories), Anvil Gruvlok (grooved piping systems), Burnham (boilers, hydronic heating systems/controls), Miljoco (gauges/thermometers), Milwaukee Valve (ball, butterfly, multi-turn valves and actuation), PBM (specialty ball valves, sampling valves and actuation), Wardflex (corrugated stainless steel tubing for natural gas—certified), Watts (automatic control valves), Weldbend (weld fittings/flanges) and Wisconsin Supply’s "Wholesale Selling Strategies and Techniques.”
Chip Roska
President/GM
Manager- Marketing & Sales
Chip manages United's marketing& sales efforts. He joined the company in 1977, after several years as a public relations and advertising consultant. His career with United has evolved primarily through participation in United's Industrial and Technical Divisions, where he works closely with some of United’s larger industrial, utility and mechanical contractor customers.
He holds a BA in Journalism from Texas Christian University. Post-college education includes courses in:" Marketing & Sales Management" (University of Wisconsin), "SPC/Total Quality System" (Milwaukee Area Technical College), "Total Quality-- A Management Overview" (MRA Institute of Management), and various seminars through the American Supply Association (ASA) and the American Society of Quality Control (ASQC). Factory/product training includes: American Meter (meters, regulators/ accessories), Anvil Gruvlok (grooved piping systems), CDC Valve Company (severe service control valves), Contromatics (ball and high-performance butterfly valves, actuators), Gestra (steam traps, check valves, pumps, controls/control valves), Hammond quarter and multi-turn valves), Miljoco (pressure gauges/thermometers), Penberthy (jet pumps, liquid level gages & valves, sight flow indicators, level switches and transmitters and boiler trim products), Raymond Controls (actuators/controls), Ruud (water heaters), SSP (instrumentation fittings/valves), Stockham (pipe fittings and valves), Wardflex (corrugated stainless steel tubing for natural gas—certified), Watts (automatic control valves) and Weldbend (weld fittings/flanges). Chip is a delegate to Affiliated Distributors and serves on A-D’s Marketing Committee.
Plumbing
Steve Held
Inside Plumbing Sales & Purchasing; Kohler Technical Specialist
Steve is a very busy man, splitting his time between Kohler purchasing and inside sales. Advanced product and application training qualifies him as a Kohler Technical Specialist, and many customers rely on Steve’s knowledge and helpful attitude to solve problems. With the exception of a couple years working in several capacities for a local automobile dealer after high school, Steve's career has been spent with United. Steve joined the United Team in 1979, starting in the warehouse. He drove truck, filled orders and worked at the city sales counter. In 1991, his effort and aptitude were fully recognized and he was moved inside, to produce plumbing quotes and to provide inside sales support.
His industry education includes: “Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Sales Fundamentals” (PMC), “SPC/Total Quality System” (Milwaukee Area Technical College). Product training includes: Hellenbrand (water conditioning equipment), Kohler (fixtures & faucets), Lasco (Bathware), Milwaukee Valve (valves & actuators), Ruud (water heaters), Sloan (flush valves) and Wardflex (corrugated stainless tubing for natural gas—certified).
Jeff Zawicki
VP-Purchasing
Plumbing Division Manager
Jeff has become a leader in our plumbing division, serving as our alternate delegate to Affiliated Distributors and coordinating United’s A-D marketing activities, as well as purchasing the majority of our plumbing products and providing insides sales support. Jeff started with United in 1984, following graduation from Milwaukee Technical and Trade High School, completion of post graduate plumbing courses there, and working as a shop man with a local plumbing contractor. Prior to filling his present roles at United, Jeff worked himself up the ladder in the warehouse, from warehouseman, to assistant warehouse manager, to counter sales.
Aside from his plumbing education at Milwaukee Tech, his industry education includes: “Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Sales Fundamentals” (PMC) and “SPC/Total Quality System” (Milwaukee Area Technical College). Product training includes: Hellenbrand (water conditioning equipment), Kohler (faucets/flush valves), Lasco (bathware), Milwaukee Valve (ball, butterfly and multi-turn valves/actuators), Ruud (water heaters), Sloan (flush valves) and Wardflex (corrugated stainless tubing for natural gas--certified).
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