Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Don Wesdell

Caledonia

Summary

Dynamic leader with proven success at Baker Manufacturing LLC in strategic planning and operational management. Led revenue generation initiatives resulting in substantial growth. Skilled in financial analysis and acquisition strategy, building high-performing teams to surpass corporate goals. Acknowledged for innovative problem-solving and strong communication abilities.

Overview

34
34
years of professional experience

Work History

President / CEO

Baker Manufacturing LLC
Evansville
01.2005 - 02.2025
  • President/CEO of Baker Manufacturing LLC consisting of three divisions, Monitor (Water systems products), Haight Pumps (Rotary gear pumps), Baker Castings (Ductile and grey iron castings). Develop a strategic plan to advance the company's mission and objectives and to promote revenue, profitability, and growth as an organization. Oversee company operations to insure production efficiency, quality, service, and cost-effective management of resources. Plan, develop, and implement strategies for generating revenues for the company.
  • Identify acquisition opportunities and direct integration activities. Approve company operational procedures, policies, and standards. Review activity reports and financial statements to determine progress and status in attaining objectives and revise objectives and plans in accordance with current conditions. Evaluate performance of executives for compliance with established policies and objectives of the company and contributions in attaining objectives. Promote the company through written articles, social media and personal appearances at conferences and on radio and TV. Represent the company at legislative sessions, committee meetings, and at formal functions. Promote the company to local, regional, national, and international constituencies. Present company report at Annual Stockholder and Board of Director meetings. Direct company planning and policy-making committees.

Director of Sales

Rexnord FlatTop Div
Grafton
10.2003 - 04.2005
  • Direct a multi-region sales force consisting of eleven regional managers (ninety four sales people) covering North America. Develop a sales force of the highest standards to support the sales and profitability goals of the corporate strategy. Develop and implement the sales and marketing strategy for each region. Set long and short term sales objectives. Develop regional quotas and sale incentive programs for the field force. Develop and implement sale incentive programs for the Industrial Distribution net work. Develop training and sale tools to support growth objectives of premium priced products.
  • Work with Industrial Distribution, OEM and Industrial Consumer customers on a corporate level to secure new and existing business consistent with the corporate strategy.

Regional Sales Manager

Rexnord
Milwaukee
08.1999 - 10.2003
  • Manage a multi-state sales force covering the central and west portion of the U.S. Developed and implemented a sales and marketing strategy for the region. Set sales goals and expectations. Set a regional budget. Implemented weekly and monthly call reporting logs. Interviewed and evaluated job applicants. Trained sales force in the products of bearings, couplings, gear drives, plastics, chain and conveyor components. Work with OEM, Industrial Consumer and Industrial Distribution customers. Negotiated sales contracts, terms and conditions and warranties.
  • Achieved sales goals and produced the number one sales region in the U.S. Exceeded regional quota. Operated under budget. Proven ability to train and coordinate administrative staff. Presented quarterly presentations to corporate board. Well-developed management skills. Utilize all assets and resources available, maximizing employee productivity and performance to achieve corporate goals and objectives.

Sales Engineer

Rexnord
Kansas City
07.1996 - 08.1999
  • Contacted regular and prospective customers in the Power Transmission and Conveying Industry. Developed new markets and captured competitive business. Reviewed sales records and current market information to determine value and sales potential of products. Discussed product features and benefits.
  • Increased sales in the geographical region by 120% over a three year period. Established contracts at major Industrial Consumer, Industrial Distribution and OEM accounts. Reviewed customer documents to develop and prepare cost estimates and projected production increases from use of proposed equipment and services. Investigated and resolved customer complaints. Arranged for trial installations of equipment. Designed and drafted variations of standard products in order to meet customer needs. Diagnosed problems with equipment installed. Provided technical training to employees of client.

Design Engineer

Rexnord
Milwaukee
01.1994 - 07.1996
  • Develop and apply plastic conveying products for industrial customers in the food, beverage, and parts handling industry. Visit Industrial Consumers, Industrial Distributors and OEM accounts to provide specialized product information, interchanges and solutions. Resolve problems in new applications. Provide training. Designed products and systems to meet process requirements, applying knowledge of engineering principles.
  • Investigated equipment failures and difficulties, diagnosed faulty operation, and made recommendations. Oversaw installation to ensure machines and equipment were installed and functioning according to specifications. Developed models of alternate processing methods to test feasibility of new applications of system components, and recommended implementation of procedures. Conducted experiments to test and analyze existing equipment to obtain data on performance of product, and prepared reports.

Design Engineer

Senior Engineering Company
Milwaukee
04.1991 - 01.1994
  • Designed commercial heat transfer equipment. Equipment included shell and tube heat exchangers, multistage gas compressors and air cooled exchangers. Interacted with OEM, Industrial Consumer and Industrial Distributor clients.
  • Assisted drafters in developing structural design of product, using drafting tools and computer-assisted design/drafting equipment and software. Selected and designed equipment to meet specifications, using manuals, computer, and specialized software programs. Researched and analyzed data, such as customer design proposal, specifications, and manuals to determine feasibility of design and application.

Research Assistant

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee
11.1990 - 04.1991
  • Researched fluid dynamics of two-phase flow systems. Performed experiments. Designed piping and measuring devices.
  • Conferred with research personnel to clarify and resolve problems and develop and modify design.

Education

MBA - Continuing education

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
01.2003

B.S. - Mechanical Engineer

University of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI
05.1992

Skills

  • Strategic planning
  • Operational management
  • Financial analysis
  • Revenue generation
  • Acquisition strategy

References

Available upon request

Affiliations

  • Golf, Swimming, volunteer, water for life

Timeline

President / CEO

Baker Manufacturing LLC
01.2005 - 02.2025

Director of Sales

Rexnord FlatTop Div
10.2003 - 04.2005

Regional Sales Manager

Rexnord
08.1999 - 10.2003

Sales Engineer

Rexnord
07.1996 - 08.1999

Design Engineer

Rexnord
01.1994 - 07.1996

Design Engineer

Senior Engineering Company
04.1991 - 01.1994

Research Assistant

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
11.1990 - 04.1991

MBA - Continuing education

Marquette University

B.S. - Mechanical Engineer

University of Wisconsin

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