We believe that a company is only as good as its employees. We employ the best in the business, and support their development as they support ours. Check out a list of our team, and read about what makes them unique.
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Keith Gerber President/ Owner Hoosier Pattern Inc.
Keith Gerber
President/ Owner Hoosier Pattern Inc.Graduated 1984 with an Associate Degree in Machine Tool from Ivy Tech. Received my Journeyman's in Pattern Making in July 1988 where I acquired this working for Ward Pattern & Engineering from 1984 thru 1997. There I not only gained experience in pattern making but also knowledge of foundry operations. This exposure gave me a better understanding of the foundries needs.
Sole owner of Hoosier Pattern Inc since July 2009 when my partner retired. At that time we had 14 employees and 20,000 square feet. We are now at 30 employees and 40,000 square feet.
Member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church and served as Trustee chair and committee member for several years. Member of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Chamber Board and Executive Board. Served as Chair of the Chamber Spotlight on Business Expo Committee for two years and committee member for several years. Founding member of the Adams-Wells Manufacturing Alliance, a group of area manufacturers, school teachers and administrators who are working to support vocational education in our high schools and promote interest in manufacturing careers among local youth.
Happily married to my wife Robin for 28 years and have 2 children Rachel and Hope.Hobbies: working, wood working, spending time at the lake with family. Going on family vacations.
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Dave Rittmeyer Customer Care & Additive Manufacturing Manager
Dave Rittmeyer
Customer Care & Additive Manufacturing ManagerTeam Member Since: April 1999
Work background/Experience: Dave started his apprenticeship at Ward Pattern & Eng. in February of 1997. He received his Journeyman certificate from Hoosier Pattern and the DOL five years later. Dave worked throughout the shop and grew with the shop as they expanded from three owners and two employees to a single owner and where we are today. As Customer Care and Additieve Manufacturing Manager, Dave works to make sure that the customer needs are met in a way that is beneficial to both HPI and their customers.
Hobbies: Dave is a founding member of the Adams Wells Manufacturing Alliance which was created to promote manufacturing to the local schools and communities in Adams and Wells counties. He is also a training officer on the Preble Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Adams county rope rescue team. Community involvement is a big part of his life, but the most important thing to Dave is enjoying life with his wife and four boys. From fishing and hunting to sports and church activities, family time is what Dave enjoys the most.
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Mark Bodnar Journeyman / Supervisor
Mark Bodnar
Journeyman / SupervisorTeam Member Since: December 2005
Work Background/Experience: 26 years of experience as a Wood/Metal Patternmaker, CNC Programmer.
Hobbies: Aquarium, fishing
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Robert Chavarria Machine Shop Set-Up Supervisor
Robert Chavarria
Machine Shop Set-Up SupervisorTeam Member Since: November 2006
Robert Chavarria is a machine shop set-up Supervisor at Hoosier Pattern. He has a background of 25 years of machining with 22 years of them as a supervisor. He enjoys work at Hoosier Pattern with his two sons.
When not working he spends his free time buying houses and fixing them up for his rentals. He calls this his 401K program that he can visually see and touch.
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Joella Phillips Office Manager
Joella Phillips
Office ManagerTeam Member Since: September 2004
Moving to the area from Colorado, Joella worked in different environments before joining Hoosier Pattern as part time in 2004. Joella took on various office duties, shipping and receiving, supported the staff, and filling in wherever needed. Currently, Joella is the Office Manager and has watched the company grow from eight employees at the time she was hired to over 40 employees! Prior experience includes Credit and Collections, both domestic and international, and Purchasing, both MRO and production. Joella has also worked part time as an advocate in a domestic violence shelter.
Hobbies include singing in the church choir and leading the single’s group, enjoying time with her daughter, family and friends, her cat and dog; sewing, walking, a good book, “exploring”, traveling to new places and meeting new people, and getting back into the mountains whenever she can.
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Nathan Chavarria Lead CAD Designer / Journeyman
Nathan Chavarria
Lead CAD Designer / JourneymanTeam Member Since: June 2007
Work background/Experience: Nate Chavarria is a CAD/CAM specialist. He started out of high school, but acquired a desire to pursue a machining career while working part time in a machine shop at a large scale foundry operation. He graduated in 2013 from an apprenticeship program offered at HPI, and received his Journeymen’s certificate. Nate enjoys working with customers and learning on a daily basis.
Hobbies: When Nate is not on the clock he enjoys spending time with friends and family and going to the Lake when time allows.
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Ronald L. Cox Journeyman Patternmaker
Ronald L. Cox
Journeyman PatternmakerTeam Member Since: November 2008
Work background / Experience: 40 years in the trade. Have built wood and plastic master patterns, Disa tooling and Hunter tooling matchplates, Shalco coreboxes, Isocure coreboxes, low and high pressure molds, permanent molds, diecast molds, fixtures and gages, lost wax molds and gravity wheel molds for all makes and models of cars and trucks.
Hobbies: Antique collecting and refinishing, antique clocks and watches.
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Tony Uhrick Lead CAM Programmer/Journeyman Patternmaker
Tony Uhrick
Lead CAM Programmer/Journeyman PatternmakerTeam Member Since: May 2005
Work background/Experience: Two years of Die Design and Construction, ten years of pattern machining and EDM Burning. AAS Degree in Tool & Die from Vincennes University.
Hobbies: Hunting, Fishing, and anything outdoors. Live and breathe NFL Football July through February.
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Todd Yoder CAD Design/Quoting
Todd Yoder
CAD Design/QuotingTeam Member Since: July 2012
Work background/Experience: Todd Yoder is a CAD designer at Hoosier Pattern Inc. He started in the summer of 2012 with 18 years of engineering and manufacturing experience. Todd graduated from Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne in 1998 with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
Hobbies: When not at work, he enjoys participating in his kids activities, riding mountain bikes, and working on computers.
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Phillip Bauman Journeyman Patternmaker
Phillip Bauman
Journeyman PatternmakerTeam Member Since: May 2012
Work Background/Experience: Phiillip Bauman is an apprentice patternmaker at Hoosier Pattern. He started in 2009 working as summer help in maintenance. In 2012 he started his apprenticeship after graduating from Bellmont High School with a Technical Honors Diploma. He attends Ivy Tech of Fort Wayne for his Journeyman’s Card, then plans to further his education to mechanical engineer.
Hobbies: After work, Phillip enjoys racing go-karts in the TAG Racing series, sporting clays shooting, and spending time with his friends and family.
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Jim Geimer Apprentice Patternmaker
Jim Geimer
Apprentice PatternmakerTeam Member Since: February 2012
Work background/Experience: I ran heavy equipment and drove semi before entering the machining field.
Hobbies: I like to golf and go to the Lake.
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Jake Chavarria CNC Set Up
Jake Chavarria
CNC Set UpTeam Member Since: March 2013
Work Background/Experience: Jake Chavarria is a CNC set-up person at Hoosier Pattern. He started in 2013 after graduating high school from Vantage Career Center with a machining certificate. While at Vantage, Jacob placed sixth place in the State of Ohio Skills USA competition.
Hobbies: Fishing, Riding my motorcycle, watching sports.
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Chris Lichtle QA Manager (Management Rep.) and Finishing Department
Chris Lichtle
QA Manager (Management Rep.) and Finishing DepartmentTeam Member Since: September 2003
Work Background/Experience: 31 years of foundry working at Decatur Casting Division of Hamilton Foundry and Machine Company. Eight years at the foundry were worked in the pattern shop, four years as industrial engineer, five years as pattern shop supervisor, two years as tooling engineer and finally 12 years as quality manager and pattern shop supervisor. I also worked two years at Ward Pattern in their apprentice program mostly in the wood master area.
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, camping, a little golf and helping my children whenever possible. I enjoy spending time with my four boys and one girl. There is never a dull moment when we are together.
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Phil Conner CNC Operator
Phil Conner
CNC OperatorTeam Member Since: November 2010
Work background/Experience: 30 years plus machine experience. G&M Code Programming. CAM Experience. Able to operate multi-type machines. Layout Experience.
Hobbies: Golf, fishing, woodworking
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Laurie Mrvos Human Resources
Laurie Mrvos
Human ResourcesTeam Member Since: May 2012
Work background/Experience: More than 15 years of experience as a personal and administrative assistant and office manager on the East Coast. Eight years experience in the art services industry.
Hobbies: Road trips with my Husband, Weaving, Knitting, Sewing, Baking, Gardening, Biking, Watching Old Movies, Reading, Music.
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Kelly Gerber Maintenance
Kelly Gerber
MaintenanceTeam Member Since: July 2009
Work background/Experience: Ivy Tech welding class, mostly hands on experience, 27 years RV Technican has given me a variety of experience from plumbing, electrical, structural, some automotive, etc.
Hobbies: Spending time with family, anything in fresh water, including boating, water skiing, tubing, fishing, etc. Golfing, walking, home improvement projects, helping others with projects, working, cruise ship vacations… watching football and NASCAR.
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Brenda Strickler Maintenance Engineer
Brenda Strickler
Maintenance EngineerTeam Member Since: September 2001
Work Background/Experience: Keeps Hoosier Pattern’s shop, office and machines impeccably clean and tidy. Owner/Operator of Home-Based Business for almost 15 years.
Hobbies: Golf, Camping, hiking and fishing.
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Tina Fourman Purchasing
Tina Fourman
PurchasingTeam Member Since: September 2009
Work background/Experience: I have had my own house cleaning business for 9 years. I have worked several years as a skilled trainer server, and have done Employee Orientations in a variety of different restaurants. The hardest job that I have ever held would have to be parenthood. I have 2 sons who are now young men.
Hobbies: I love walking on the beach at sunrise and sunset. I enjoy easy quilting, cross stitching and pretty much making all kinds of crafts. I enjoy spending time with family and friends.
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Brandon Fourman Apprentice Patternmaker
Brandon Fourman
Apprentice PatternmakerTeam Member Since: September 2013
Work background/Experience: Dean Foods – three years, CIP Systems Operator
Hobbies: Hunting, Golfing, Fishing
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Barb Reid 3-D Machine Operator
Barb Reid
3-D Machine OperatorTeam Member Since: June 2013
Work Background/Experience: JC Penney Co. – 14 years. Commissioned Sales, customer service and merchandise handler. Owner/Proprietor – 10+ years of a home –based business, Toys R Us since 2011 – customer service & freight associate. Toys R Us Express – Store Manager Christmas Season 2012.
Hobbies: Gardening, crafts and spending as much time as I can with my family.
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Ernie Geyer CAD Designer
Ernie Geyer
CAD DesignerTeam Member Since: May 2014.
Work Background/Experience: Ernie has been in the tooling trade for 20 plus years. He obtained his journeyman’s certificate in 1995. He has spent most of his career in the Molding industry, with experience in die cast, plastic injection and airfoil tooling. With his manufacturing experience, he feels he will be an asset to the Engineering/Design department at Hoosier pattern.
Hobbies: hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with my family.
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Alyssa Corral Social Media/Marketing
Alyssa Corral
Social Media/MarketingTeam Member Since: March 2015
Work Background/Experience: Alyssa is a 2010 graduate of Adams Central High School. Alyssa has worked in healthcare for nursing homes and a hospice/home heath company while obtaining her college degree. In 2014, Alyssa graduated from Ivy Tech community College with a degree in Business. Alyssa joined the HPI family in March of 2015.
Hobbies: Alyssa enjoys anything that has to do with The Beatles, going to concerts, collecting records, reading, spending time with friends/family and binge watching her favorite tv shows.
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Spencer Wilson Apprentice Patternmaker
Spencer Wilson
Apprentice PatternmakerTeam Member Since: June 2015
Work background/Experience: Prior to working at HPI, Spencer worked in the construction business and attended Ivy Tech for 2 years studying general studies.
Hobbies: When Spencer isn't working, he enjoys riding his Harley and remodeling and restoring things.
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Linda Wilson Office Assistant
Linda Wilson
Office AssistantTeam Member Since: October 2015
Work background/Experience: Linda graduated from Fort Recovery High School in Fort Recovery, Ohio. She attended Bluffton University in Bluffton, Ohio. She worked at CTS in Berne for 21 years and worked at Northwest Elementary School for 4 years as a para and 13 years as their computer tech.
Hobbies: When Linda isn't working, she enjoys reading, computers and traveling.
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Troy Howe CAD Design
Troy Howe
CAD DesignTeam Member Since: August 2015
Work background/Experience: Prior to working at HPI, Troy worked at Gilpin Iron Works and has spent time doing maintenance at Villa Lanes.
Hobbies: Outside of work, Troy coaches youth soccer and enjoys being around family and friends.
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Mike Sampson 3D Printing Supervisor
Mike Sampson
3D Printing SupervisorTeam Member Since: January 2016
Work background/Experience: Prior to working at HPI, Mike has been a manager at Nordstrom, Starbucks, Einstein Bros, and Pizza Hut.
Hobbies: Outside of work, Mike enjoys golfing, working on his house, working out and playing with his kids. -
Raquel Villagomez 3D Printing Technician
Raquel Villagomez
3D Printing TechnicianTeam Member Since: May 2016
Work Background/Experience: Raquel worked at Goldshield Fiberglass for 6 years as well as being a stay at home mom and took care of her family. She has also worked at Wal-Mart and K-Mart. She is a 1992 graduate of Bellmont High School.
Hobbies: Outside of work, Raquel enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
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Jenna Kohne Shipping and Receiving
Jenna Kohne
Shipping and ReceivingTeam Member Since: June 2016
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John Reed Maintenance
John Reed
MaintenanceTeam Member Since: July 2016
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Justin Villagomez 3D Printer Technician
Justin Villagomez
3D Printer TechnicianTeam Member Since: October 2016
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Jon Dathe CNC Set up
Jon Dathe
CNC Set upTeam Member Since: July 2016
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Maddie Owens 3D Printed Sand Technician
Maddie Owens
3D Printed Sand TechnicianTeam Member Since: February 2017
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Kyle Rittmeyer Apprentice Patternmaker
Kyle Rittmeyer
Apprentice PatternmakerTeam Member Since: February 2017
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Kristen Hake Office
Kristen Hake
OfficeTeam Member Since: May 2017
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Jesse Mendez 3D Printed Sand Technician
Jesse Mendez
3D Printed Sand TechnicianTeam Member Since: June 2017
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Eric Smith Saw Department
Eric Smith
Saw DepartmentTeam Member Since: February 2018
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Alden Kohrman Shop Floor Maintenance
Alden Kohrman
Shop Floor MaintenanceTeam Member Since: February 2018
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Justin Miller CAD Design
Justin Miller
CAD DesignTeam Member Since: January 2018
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Noah Breece CNC Set Up
Noah Breece
CNC Set UpTeam Member Since: February 2018
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Xavier Garcia 3D Printing Technician
Xavier Garcia
3D Printing TechnicianTeam Member Since: January 2018
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Esperanza Rivas 3D Printing Technician
Esperanza Rivas
3D Printing TechnicianTeam Member Since: September 2017
