"Who's Who" at CENTA Corporation - Aurora, IL USA
Kurt Niederpruem, President
Kurt Niederpruem, President, has been with CENTA Corporation since our founding in 1996. He worked as a National Sales Engineer for our former licensee - Lovejoy - for 3 prior years, and has been in the mechanical power transmission industry most of his professional career. Kurt earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University in Upstate New York. He enjoys building relationships with customers and providing solutions to their problems.
Larry Burich, Vice President Operations
Larry has been with CENTA Corporation since 1997. For 9 years prior, he worked in the engineering department of our former licensee as an application engineer for CENTA products. Larry earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from Northern Illinois University in 1986. He enjoys the many people he works with and industries he has been exposed to while working at CENTA. His interests include his family, sports, and cars.
Nicole Ferrier, Administrative Assistant
Nicole joined CENTA Corporation in August of 2009 as Administrative Assistant. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Columbia College in Chicago, and has over 10 years experience in administrative positions in various industries. Nicole lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with her son, and enjoys skiing, camping, yoga, and web design.
Bob Lennon, Vice President Sales & Marketing
Bob joined CENTA Corporation in January 2005 after a 20 year career as a Manufacturer’s Representative in the mechanical power transmission industry. Bob became acquainted with CENTA products at a summer internship program with our formal licensee in 1982, working in the manufacturing division as a machine operator. He obtained a BS Engineering degree from Northern Illinois University in 1985. He later received his Certified Professional Manufacturers Representative (CPMR) designation from Indiana University in 1994, and is a former member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Power-Motion Technology Representatives Association (PTRA). Bob’s engineering background and strong history in professional sales makes every day at CENTA an opportunity to continue to grow. He enjoys the industry and the people he has the opportunity to work with; his satisfaction comes from the friendships he has formed over so many years in the industry.
Gail Sanecki, Accounting Manager
Gail joined CENTA Corporation as Accounting Manager in May of 2008. She specializes in cost analysis for manufacturers, and has over 15 years of prior accounting experience in a variety of different industries. Gail earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, summa cum laude, from Franklin University, and is currently working on earning her CPA. She has lived in the Chicago area her whole life and enjoys all the amenities the city has to offer. She is married and has two children.
Brian Noe, Staff Accountant
Brian has been employed with CENTA Corporation since February of 2008. He has an Associates Degree in Arts, and a Bachelors Degree in Science of Business Administration. Brian is currently pursuing a Master of Sciences Degree in Accounting and is studying towards his Certified Public Accountant license.
Frank Campagna, Warehouse Manager
Frank has been with CENTA Corporation for over 10 years. He attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Business Management. Frank’s varied work experience includes UPS, construction, and eight years in the welding industry. His interests include music, sports, and traveling. He and his wife, Lisa, have been married for almost 9 years and live in the suburbs outside of Chicago.
Victor Guillen, Shipping & Receiving
Victor has been with CENTA Corporation since August 2008. He previously worked at Lawson Products in Addison, IL. Victor has over 10 years experience in a wide range of warehouse responsibilities.
John Lewand, Sales Application Engineering Manager
John joined CENTA Corporation in April of 1999.He worked previously at Exelon (ComEd) in the Nuclear Division at Braidwood Nuclear Power Station System Engineering & Regulatory Assurance, and Corporate Nuclear Licensing for 14 years. John also has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. His interests include home improvement projects, woodworking, EBay buying and selling, muscle cars especially MOPARS, and vacationing. John is also an excellent juggler.
Derek Paschal, Sales Application Engineer / Product Support Manager
Derek has been with CENTA Corporation for 10 years.
Paul Nicholas, Inside Sales/Machine Shop Liason
Paul has been with CENTA Corporation for the past 4 years, and was previously employed by Circle Athletics and Lovejoy, giving him over 12 years experience within the industry. Paul has an Associated Degree in Manufacturing Technology, and enjoys fishing, bowling, and cars in his off time. He even bowled professionally for 3 years, travelling all around the United States.
Karl Kruska, Purchasing Coordinator/Customer Service Representative
Karl joined CENTA Corporation in 2011. He has an extensive background in both purchasing and customer service, and enjoys interfacing with both customers and field sales. Karl is a fan of the green Bay Packers!
Art Sanchez, Production Manager
Art has been with CENTA Corporation since October 2007, and has over 30 years experience in the machining industry. Art obtained his Associate of Science Degree in Machine Tool Technology with a minor in Welding and Fabrication, TIG, MIG, Arc, and Oxy-Acetylene welding from Triton College in River Grove, IL.
Tony Herrera, Lead Machinist & Machine Repair
Tony has been with CENTA Corporation for the past 2 years. He enjoys seeing how CENTA parts contribute to our customer’s final projects.
Brian Engen, CNC Machinist
Brian has been with CENTA Corporation since November 2008. He has been working with CNC machines for 4 years and has a strong automotive background.
Julie Pais, Customer Service Representative
Julie has recently joined CENTA Corporation via a temp agency in a customer service representative role.
Victor Ramirez, Customer Service Representative
Victor joined CENTA Corporation in 2011. He was born and raised in San Luis Potosi, Mexico where he achieved a BS Degree in Physics, Science, and Mathematics, and had been working towards a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. Prior work experience includes mechanical engineering in the cement and wastewater recycling industries in Mexico, and various sales and service roles since 1989 in the United States. He likes to constantly develop his personal and professional skills, and always focuses on 100% customer satisfaction. Victor is fluent in Spanish, and takes care of many of our customers in Mexico and Central America.
Richard Wolcott, Customer Service Representative
Rick recently joined CENTA Corporation via a temp service in a customer service representative role. He brings 15 years experience in customer service and support roles for a variety of industrial products. He has sold and supported various mechanical power transmission products including valves, fluid power systems, and mechanical drive systems. He was worked on process equipment and serviced a wide range of customers from distributors to resellers, designers to installers, and end users.
Bobbi Norkus, Machine Shop Assistant
Bobbi Norkus joined CENTA Corporation in April 2011 to aid the manufacturing shop in processing work orders, day to day production scheduling, and purchasing raw material to support these areas. She and her husband, Troy, live in the western suburbs of Chicago. They have been married for 15 years and have two very active boys. If they are not supporting their children by watching them compete in football, basketball, or baseball they are riding their bicycles or just enjoying family time. Bobbi brings with her over 20 years of manufacturing experience which includes extensive knowledge in procurement, supplier audits, quality control, and ISO certification .
Agnieszka Stevenson, Customer Service Representative
Agnieszka joined CENTA Corporation in 2008.
Ken Lahvic, Machinist
Ken has been employed by Centa Corporation since July 2010. He has worked as a machinist for 35 years; running CNC mills, manual lathes, broaching machines, and saws. He also has experience with set-up and programing various parts to blue print specifications. He has also executed process quality control and other tasks to ready product for customer shipment. Ken has been married for 37 years to his wonderful wife Marge. They have 2 amazing children, 3 awesome grandchildren, and another grandchild on the way in November. He is a Chicago fan; supporting the Blackhawks, Cubs, and Bulls. His hobbies are model railroading, traveling to National Parks, and going to Cancun, Mexico every year.
Cesar Villa, Machinist
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Alexandru Hanga, Machinist
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