Empowering
Excellence
Our Collaborative and Growth-Driven,
Leadership Team
LUKE STAVROS
President
EMPOWERING EXCELLENCE
Luke Stavros, President
Luke Stavros, President of Ground Force Worldwide is an accomplished, influential, results-driven, Sales Executive with proven success, responsible for significant GFW sales growth over the last 10 years. Luke has 17 years of multi-functional experience in developing and managing key prospects, implementing processes for growth and development, influencing innovative new products for the company, creating strategic partnerships and leading a global sales team to success. He has a proven track record in building market share by strategic market positioning, development of key departments, driving new product development, and cultivating corporate relationships. His efforts have given GFW sustainability in the global mine support equipment market. Luke holds sole responsibility for the creation and implementation of the GFW Product Support department, which has been instrumental in the continued growth of the company. This department is crucial in our business model and is a key segment of the “Ground Force Worldwide Difference”. Luke transitioned to President of the company in April 2017, with vision for the future of growth, sustainability, and continued profitability.
Luke grew up in Spokane Washington, attended the University of Idaho, and currently lives in Coeur d’Alene Idaho, with his wife of 19 years, Amy Stavros, and two children. Luke volunteers for many local youth programs such as football, basketball, and ministry-related groups. Luke is an avid golfer.
JARED HUNDRUP
Chief Financial Officer
EMPOWERING EXCELLENCE
Jared Hundrup, Chief Financial Officer
Jared Hundrup, Chief Financial Officer of Ground Force Worldwide. Jared came to Ground Force as the Chief Financial Officer offering his more than 20 years of accounting and management experience to the growth and professionalizing of the systems and programs in our Finance Department. His experience in manufacturing, international finance, and having previously supported the mining industry as a supplier and with a core drilling company, has been a solid match for his success at Ground Force. Having contributed to an excess of 73% growth over a 5 year period in his previous company, he stands solidly in his ability to support our aggressive growth strategy and deployment of new product lines both domestically and internationally.
Having grown up in Lewiston and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Idaho in Moscow, he is grounded in the values of North Idaho. He moved to Kootenai County in 1997 and has been community minded, volunteering his skills with business groups, Search and Rescue, the Gondola Rescue Team at Silver Mountain, North Idaho Trailblazers, and Over the Edge for Special Olympics. An active participant in all our area has to offer, he enjoys camping, gold panning, rock climbing, hiking, snowboarding, jeeps, and motorcycles and now shares those passions with his wife and 3 daughters.
KERRY BLETTNER
Global Sales Manager
EMPOWERING EXCELLENCE
Kerry Blettner, Global Sales Manager
With over 20 years of sales experience, Kerry brings to our team a wide range of skills, and a proven track record of developing customer relationships, listening to the customer needs, and delivering the necessary solution. Kerry is a big proponent of our “Teamwork makes the Dreamwork” slogan, and was the Ground Force Worldwide employee of the year in 2014.
Jodi mckenzie
Business Development/
Brand Manager
EMPOWERING EXCELLENCE
Jodi McKenzie, Business Development / Brand Manager
Jodi has over 20 years of Marketing & Sales experience. She has worked for companies both international and domestic, bringing new products to market as well as stimulating the growth of existing brands. Through Business Development and Product Support she strives to offer world-class service to our customers. Creating an atmosphere that offers an outstanding customer experience, and helping her employees and co-workers flourish, is her goal every day.
Jeff West
Engineering Manager
EMPOWERING EXCELLENCE
Jeff West, Engineering Manager
Jeff West leads our engineering group with over 15 years of heavy mining equipment engineering. His experience comes from both working in the application with our customers and working on the Ground Force factory floor. Jeff values his interactions with our customers understanding success comes from listening to their challenges and needs and providing custom solutions designed specifically for their application.
LYLE VANIMAN
Materials Manager
EMPOWERING EXCELLENCE
Lyle Vaniman, Materials Manager
Lyle Vaniman has been with Ground Force since 2012 and has held many positions within the company. His experience includes roles on the factory floor, Regional Manager for Peru, Warranty and Product Support, and Production Planner. His experience at Ground Force makes him an excellent fit for his current role as Material Manager.
Thomas Smith
Plant Manager
EMPOWERING EXCELLENCE
Thomas Smith, Plant Manager
Thomas is a seasoned Plant Manager with over 20 years of experience, including 13 years in mining equipment manufacturing. Committed to fostering a high-performance culture he prioritizes people development, ethical leadership, and collaboration. By setting clear goals, embracing continuous improvement, and focusing on team moral he cultivates a strong sense of teamwork and shared purpose. Thomas’s transformational leadership style emphasizes empowering employees to work together and achieve exceptional results while driving towards measureable objectives.
DERRICK WENDELL
Product Support Manager
EMPOWERING EXCELLENCE
Derrick Wendell, Product Support Manager
Derrick has been with Ground Force since 2013. He started as our Transportation Coordinator and quickly added the role of Product Support Representative. Derrick spent over 7 years in the Equipment Sales department as a coordinator offering world class customer service. Derrick now oversees our Parts Sales Department and manages our Global Transportation.
Customer
Focused
Our Global Sales Force
ADAM JOHNSON
Regional Sales Manager – International: Western Canada
Domestic: AK, UT, AZ
NAVIGATING BORDERS, SEALING DEALS
Adam Johnson, Regional Sales Manager –International: Western Canada
Domestic: ID, UT, AZ, NC and SC
Adam has been with Ground Force since 2012, holding several roles within the sales team, and currently is one of our Major Account Managers. Adam’s expertise in our product line, ability, and willingness to travel to client locations, as well as his background in Customer Service, make him a valuable asset to his customers.
TIBOR BENE
Regional Sales Manager – International: Europe, Russia, CIS, SWA, ME, Africa
Domestic: Mid West (ND,SD, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan)
NAVIGATING BORDERS, SEALING DEALS
Tibor Bene, Regional Sales Manager –International: Europe/Russia/CIS/SWA/ME/W-Africa
Domestic: North Eastern and Central States, CA and OR
Tibor joined Ground Force in September 2014 . Prior to 2014, he worked in different regional positions for the American embassy in Budapest, Hungary and for the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany.
KEVIN MOORE
Regional Sales Manager – International: ELK VALLEY (BC)
Domestic: WA, ID, MT, CA, NV, NM, TX, OK, CO, OR
NAVIGATING BORDERS, SEALING DEALS
Kevin Moore, Regional Sales Manager –International: Southeast BC, Canada
Domestic: NV, CO, NM, TC OK, LA, MS, TN, AL, GA, and FL
Kevin joined Ground Force in 2012 on the production floor. He worked in several departments and was promoted to Assembly Supervisor before moving to the Warranty/Field Service Department in 2014. Since then Kevin has worked as a Parts & Product Support Rep assisting Field Service and the Factory as needed. Kevin’s background is in Industrial Assembly and Manufacturing.
JOSE PUIG
Regional Sales Manager – Latin America
NAVIGATING BORDERS, SEALING DEALS
Jose Puig, Regional Sales Manager –Latin America
Jose Puig, Ground Force Latin America Sales Manager, has over 20 years of experience selling heavy-duty mining equipment to large mining companies from Mexico to Argentina. He is based in Panama City which gives him easy access to support all the Ground Force customers in this part of the world. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Mike Delaney
Regional Sales Manager – International: Eastern Canada, Australia
Domestic: Eastern US, WY
NAVIGATING BORDERS, SEALING DEALS
Mike Delaney, Regional Sales Manager –International: Eastern Canada and Australia
Domestic: Eastern US and WY
Mike Delaney is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in sales and management across various industries. He started at Ground Force in 2015 and has been on mine sites all over Eastern and Western Australia and Eastern USA advising on Mining Support Equipment Solutions. Mike has lived and worked in different parts of the world, including Australia and the Fiji Islands, and he possesses Australian permanent residency.
DJ Simpson
Regional Sales Coordinator
NAVIGATING BORDERS, SEALING DEALS
DJ Simpson, Regional Sales Coordinator
DJ has been with Ground Force since 2012, serving in various roles from Painter to current position as Regional Sales Coordinator. His dedication was recognized in 2015 as he was awarded Employee of the Year. With over 20 years of experience in paint and manufacturing, he brings a strong focus on safety, teamwork, and lean manufacturing principles to his role.
BRIAN KREWSON
Regional Sales Coordinator
NAVIGATING BORDERS, SEALING DEALS
Brian Krewson, Regional Sales Coordinator
Brian has been with Ground Force since 2013 working in several production capacities, from Welder, QC Inspector, Quality Manager, and Production Manager. He has over 17 years of combined fabrication and manufacturing experience and has been a Ground Force liaison for quality assurance traveling both domestically and abroad. In his current role, Brian offered the attention to detail needed to keep sales functions on time and of high quality.
Here to support you
and your equipment
Our Expert Parts Team