OUR TEAM

With over 200 years of combined experience, our senior management team offers our customers the depth of knowledge that is required to be successful in this industry - and the knowledge that is required to assist customers in making their projects successful. Our experienced senior management is backed by an equally seasoned mid-management team that broadens our knowledge base and deepens our capabilities. When you add this to the rest of the 450 impressive and experienced team members at Petersen Inc., we believe it's the best team in the industry.

Jon Ballantyne, Chief Executive Officer

Jon C. Ballantyne has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Petersen Inc. since 2005. Mr. Ballantyne spent the previous three years as the Chief Operating Officer for the company. Mr. Ballantyne has over two decades of manufacturing, engineering and management experience. Prior to joining the Petersen Inc. team, Mr. Ballantyne spent 10 years in the automotive industry with Autoliv Inc. He held several positions while at Autoliv Inc. including Quality Engineer, Process Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, and Operations Manager. While at Autoliv, Mr. Ballantyne was selected as one of a few key leaders to receive weekly, individual training and coaching from Toyota on the Toyota Production System and lean manufacturing. Mr. Ballantyne also spent 5 years as the Operations Manager of Durham and Company in Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Ballantyne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Brigham Young University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Utah State University. Mr. Ballantyne oversees all operations of the company in all divisions in both Utah and Idaho.

Mark Jenkins, Chief Financial Officer

Mark Jenkins joined the Petersen Inc. team in 2006 as Chief Financial officer. Mr. Jenkins has over 3 decades of manufacturing and management experience. Prior to joining the Petersen Inc. team he spent 23 years in the automotive industry with Autoliv Inc. and Volvo White Truck Corporation. He held several positions while at Autoliv Inc. including Plant Controller, Production Control Manager, Operations Manager, Plant Manager and Director of Finance. Mr. Jenkins was part of a select group of managers that for three years received individual training and coaching from Toyota on the Toyota Production System. This training and lean manufacturing experience was instrumental in leading the plant to receive the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing Award. Mr. Jenkins holds a B.A. degree in Accounting from Weber State University and a MBA degree from the University of Phoenix.

Rob Despain, Vice President of Business Development

Mr. Despain has over 3 decades of sales and marketing experience in the fabrication and machining industry. He holds an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Sales and Retailing from Weber State University, and a B.S. Degree in Sales, Retailing and Communications, also from Weber State University. He is a member of the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers, the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, and Ogden Chamber of Commerce, the Colorado & Nevada Mining Association, the Utah Golf Association Scholarship Selection Committee, and was the 2003 President of the Utah Steel Fabricators Association. Mr. Despain joined Petersen Inc. in 1983 where he has since been responsible for the company’s sales and marketing efforts and oversees public relations, outside sales, inside sales, marketing, and advertising.

Stephen Grange, Vice President of Operations

Mr. Grange has 30 years of supervisory management experience, and over 3 decades of experience in fabrication and machining. He is a recipient of the NASA Manned Flight Awareness Silver Snoopy Award and the Award of Merit. Mr. Grange joined Petersen Inc. in 1981, where he has progressed from Shop Foreman to Production Manager to Vice President of Manufacturing Operations. His responsibilities include scheduling, forecasting, material flow analysis, and monitoring and increasing efficiency levels. He aids in manpower planning, employee training and enhancement. He also oversees the Field Service division of Petersen Inc. and holds the General Contractors licenses for the company in the states of Utah, Nevada, and California.

Kirk Douglass, Director of Quality

Mr. Douglass has over 3 decades of steel fabrication experience in project engineering, weld engineering, quality engineering, and contract management. He joined Petersen Inc. in 1986 as Quality Support Manager, where he oversees all quality and engineering functions for nuclear, aerospace and commercial jobs.  This includes preparation, implementation and maintenance of ASME, ISO, AS9100 and NADCAP quality systems; preparation, qualification and maintenance of welding procedure specifications; welder and operator qualifications; setup and maintenance of computerized calibration systems and inspection instruments; as well as need assessment for and procurement of inspection equipment; employee training; and writing of process procedures including heat treatment.

Tom Burkland, Engineering Manager

Mr. Burkland joined the Petersen Inc. team full-time in 1999 after having been a consultant to Petersen Inc. since 1993. With a background in engineering spanning 2-decades, Tom brought a wealth of knowledge to his current position of Engineering Manager. Tom’s experience has included Lead Engineer of the Fleet Structural Integrity Program on the F-16’s for the Air Force, and was soon promoted to Chief Engineer of the F-16 Program. He has also been involved in Aircraft Weapon Systems Development. Tom is currently responsible for and oversees all technical consulting for in-house engineering staff and projects, as well as customer projects. Tom received his education in Montana, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Montana State University. He is actively involved in auto racing, where he has broken the land-speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats with his self-engineered and built car and holds the current land-speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats with a speed of 417 mph, set in September of 2004.

Dave Dixon, Human Resources Manager

Dave Dixon - Human Resources Manager - has been a team member of Petersen Inc. since 1982. Dave oversees all Human Resource efforts of Petersen Inc. including recruiting, hiring, general employee issues, legal and policy compliance, training, and discipline. Dave also manages the Environmental Health, and Safety department of the company. Dave is instrumental in keeping management informed of issues relating to employees and employee safety, and relays management objectives and incentives to employees. Dave worked in the Petersen Inc. facilities as a machine operator and welder for many years, and is familiar with all aspects of the company. This has allowed Dave to be in very good rapport with the employees throughout the company. Dave received his Bachelor’s Degree from Weber State University, and his Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. He speaks Japanese and is active in the community in many areas including member of Northern Utah Manufacturers Alliance and the 2008-2009 President of Northern Utah Human Resource Association.

John Rasband, Environmental Health, and Safety Engineer

John Rasband – Environmental Health, and Safety Engineer, joined Petersen Inc. in 2003. With more than a decade of environmental health and safety experience, he is instrumental in improving safety and empowering employees to make a safer work environment at Petersen Inc. He holds the CSP designation from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and is a member of the local chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers. He serves on the Local Emergency Planning Committee. He teaches many safety and first aide courses. At Petersen Inc. he controls administration of compliance with safety policies and procedures; oversees all safety training of new hires and existing employees; administers security programs and ensures the safety of our employees and projects. John also speaks Korean.