Leadership

Rick Walters

Rick Walters

President and CEO

Connect on Linkedin

Years of Service at DeKALB

Since December 1978, when DeKALB first opened its doors.

Current Role

Leading a great team to success.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

Integrity as a company. Customer service and relationships are meaningful and real at DeKALB.

What is your favorite way to spend a weekend?

Enjoying quality time with family and friends, attending a Tigers game, or on the golf course.

Doug Bonecutter

Doug Bonecutter

Vice President

Years of Service at DeKALB

Since January 2017

Current Role

To lead the operation team and develop an expectation of excellence through continuous improvement activities.

What do you have a knack for?

I am a task reduction specialist – if there is waste I will find it.

Where can we find you when you’re not working?

Coaching youth sports or on the golf course.

Justin McConnell

Justin McConnell

Operations Manager

Years of Service at DeKALB

Since May 2018

Current Role

Ensuring that our production process results in safe employees, exceeds our customers’ expectations from a quality and service perspective, and that we drive toward improvement in all aspects of our operation.

What do you have a knack for?

Removing obstacles and helping teams collaborate more effectively.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

Continuous improvement, finding new and better ways to improve the quality of our products for customers, and quality of life for our employees.

Bob Grimes

Bob Grimes

Materials Manager

Years of Service at DeKALB

Since May 2018

Current Role

Material procurement in JIT, inventory accuracy, and reduction.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

Being efficient and doing things right the first time.

What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?

At the park with my wife and Dalmatian or watching football with family and friends.

Tabatha Christman

Tabatha Christman

Accounting Manager

Years of Service at DeKALB

Since July 2020

Current Role

Accounting Manager

What do you have a knack for?

I have a knack for numbers and problem-solving. I enjoy digging into problems and finding a solution that is beneficial to the company.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

Bringing value to the companies that I work for.

Portrait of Tina Hitt

Tina Hitt

HR Manager

What are the values that drive you?

Leading by example! Doing what I say and saying what I do with sincerity every day.

Your background and its impact on DeKALB?

Working with the team to develop staff and business practices making DeKALB the place you want to call home!

What is one community experience at DeKALB that has stuck with you?

As a newer employee I am continually amazed at how welcoming and supportive all of the staff have been and continue to be.

What are your passions outside of DeKALB?

Gardening, golfing, reading and living life to the fullest with lots of laughter.

Favorite quote that inspires you?

Hope is not a strategy.

Engineering

Chris Clear

Chris Clear

Engineering Manager

Connect on Linkedin

Years of Service at DeKALB

Since September 2000.

Current Role

Technical support, sales, new program reviews, tooling builds

What does your typical day look like?

Typical? What is that?

What is your favorite project you've worked on at DeKALB?

Too many to pick just one. Saving time, saving money, saving trees, solving problems - we're in!

Jacob Smith Headshot

Jacob Smith

Quality Engineer

Years of Service at DeKALB

Since May 2023.

Current Role

Lead the quality team in maintaining and improving a quality system that will exceed the expectations of our customers.

What do I have a knack for?

Small details; if there is a small detail that can be improved upon I will find it.

Where can you find me when I am not working?

If I am not at work I am usually on my homestead taking care of my animals and garden, golfing, or shooting.