Phone: 877.627.2220 • Fax: 605.624.8997
1617 317th Street • PO Box 345 • Vermillion, SD 57069

MASABA Management


Jerad Higman, President
Jerad graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1995 with a degree in mechanical engineering. During his university days he was fortunate enough to have played on one of the really good Nebraska football teams where he even managed to receive "All Academic Big 8" honors.

Upon graduation Jerad worked for several companies such as Stryker Instruments and Andersen Consulting - all the while acquiring the many different business and engineering skills he would eventually put to use leading the troops here at MASABA.

Jerad has been instrumental in evolving MASABA to be not only a leader in the Mining Equipment Industry, but has also set a unique culture of employees dedicated to serving our customers through continuous improvements in the design & manufacturing of our wide array of products.  This extraordinary culture also makes MASABA one of the best places to work in the industry.

In Jerad’s free time he can be found spending time with his wife Peg, daughter Ava and most recent baby girl Morgan.

Heath Johnson, VP, Marketing & Operations
heath5 Heath joined MASABA in October 2006 and manages Marketing & Operations.  He graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1994 with a degree in Business Administration.  Additionally, he attended the Executive Education Program at the College of William & Mary, specializing in Strategic Planning & Retail Management. 

Prior to joining MASABA, he held the position of VP of Marketing for RadioShack Corporation in Fort Worth, TX.  Heath’s role at RadioShack included managing Product Marketing for new & existing product categories, Event Planning, Channel Marketing as well as all forms of Media Strategy and Implementation.

Prior to RadioShack, Heath served as Director of Marketing & Product Planning at Gateway Computers.  Throughout over 10 years at Gateway, he served in a variety of management roles, including Product Development, Product Planning/Merchandising within the Desktop Computer division, and Global Product Planning & Marketing.

He and his wife Amy live in Vermillion with their two children Katie & Kyle.  All four of them enjoy sports, sports, and more sports.  On Sunday afternoons, all four of them can be found watching the Packers.

 
Jim Peterson, VP, Sales & Business Development

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Jim Peterson joined MASABA in September 2008.  He graduated from Marquette University with a BS in Business and holds a MBA from Mississippi State University.

Since 2002, he has owned and operated his own consulting firm with MASABA being one of his clients and also owns another small business.

From 1996 until 2001, he was President of Canica-Jaques Manufacturing company, the leading manufacturer of vertical shaft impact crushing solutions for the aggregate and mining industries.

Prior to joining Canica-Jaques, he worked in senior management for a sawmill manufacturer, in the paper industry and for a mechanical contractor.

Jim and his family will be relocating to the South Dakota area.  He and his family are big pro football fans.

 
Kevin Beyer, Territory Sales Manager

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 Kevin, nicknamed "KB" is MASABA's most recent addition to the sales team. Kevin graduated from Chokio - Alberta H.S where he was a three sport athlete participating in football, baseball and wrestling. He attended college in Moorhead, MN and UMM, Morris. Kevin and his wife have a son Cody. Before joining the MASABA sales team, Kevin spent the last 11 1/2 years working for Superior Industries. Prior to that he managed an automotive service station for another 12 years.

KB's hobbies include hunting and fishing as well as selling equipment (of course). In his spare time you can often find Kevin shooting a mean game of pool. When Kevin is not "schooling" Chad Brown on the art of pool, you will usually find Kevin on a boat trying to land some big Walleye. KB holds the record for the largest walley caught on the Minnesota Walley Trail which measured 12 1/4 lbs. One of his favorite activities is taking kids fishing. I love to see their smile when they catch their first fish.

Kevin and his wife Karen especially enjoy camping and spending time at the lake. They love the state parks in South Dakota. He also has coached little league and Babe Ruth baseball for many years and really enjoyed it.

Dave Olson, Sales Support Manager
Dave joined the MASABA team in October of 2002. He has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of South Dakota. Dave is considered by those in the know to be a “jack-of-all-trades” having been a teacher, salesman, trucking logistics manager and now back to sales.  Dave’s knowledge of the conveyor, crushing and screening market is superb making him an excellent resource for our customers.

In his spare time, he can be found spending time with his wife Angela.  Dave is also an avid golfer and Minnesota Viking fan.

Scott Jacobs, Sales Manager
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Scott joined the MASABA team in January of 2008. Scott’s primary focus is MASABA’s agricultural products: Sand Wagons, Corn Conveyors, and Grain Loaders.

Scott graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Before he started at MASABA, he worked as an Account Executive with Gateway Computers for 12 years managing several different territories across the US.

In his free time, Scott enjoys playing baseball for the Akron Rebels, coaching his son’s baseball and basketball teams, as well as spending time with his family. He has a wife Carissa, a son Nicholas, and a daughter Josie.

Chad Brown, Sales Support Manager

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Chad joined MASABA in June of 2006. Chad’s duties include Equipment & Parts Sales, Trucking Permits and Logistics, and Owner’s Manuals.

Chad graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from South Dakota State University in 2003. Before he started at MASABA, Chad worked at his family’s business in Akron.

In his free time, Chad enjoys snowmobiling, fishing, playing baseball for the Akron Rebels, spending time with his wife Melanie, and is a die hard Vikings fan.


Mic Ruhland, Quality Control & Service Manager

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 Mic joined the MASABA team in November of 2005.  Mic wears several hats within MASABA including Equipment & Parts Sales, Quality Control, as well as Field Support.  Mic also joins our customers out in the field for many initial equipment start ups.

Prior to joining MASABA, Mic was a loan officer at People’s Bank in Akron, Iowa for approximately three years.  Before that Mic worked in the Agriculture industry where he worked for Premier Swine in Hawarden, Iowa where he worked in Sales & Delivery.

In Mic’s spare time you can find him at a high school sporting event or cruising on his Goldwing.  Mic also enjoys spending time with his three sons: Chad, his wife Angela and their son Raiden; Gene, his wife Christina, their Daughter Kendra and son Riley; as well as Trent who is currently attending Morningside College where he studies Elementary Education and plays football.

Lyle Ostermyer, Plant Superintendent
Lyle

Lyle began his illustrious career with MASABA over 20 years ago. Lyle's contributions have been critical to the success of our growth with one of his latest responsibilities including overseeing MASABA's expansion and move to our new Vermillion, SD facility in 2005.

Today Lyle oversees all plant production including fabrication, painting & assembly off all MASABA equipment.

Lyle can be found in his spare time spending time with his wife Barb, his sons Pat & Mark as well his grandchildren.

 
Jim Frankl, Production Manager
Jim1 Jim began his stellar career with MASABA in 1993 as a HAP compliant high solid based application engineer (fancy term for painter). Since that time, Jim has filled various positions, some of which include: assembly, electrical/mechanical installation, and on-site service calls.

Currently, Jim is involved in human resources, customer relations and occasionally helps the team out with quoting.

He and his wife, Amy, live in rural South Dakota with their sons Alexander, Spencer, and Reagen. They enjoy sports and fishing.

Don Renken, Purchasing Manager
Don1 Don was raised in Akron, Iowa. He attended Western Iowa Technical College and earned his degree in Accounting. Don has worked over the years in Accounting, Engineering, Operations, and Sales, including time with Sioux Tools, and Winnebago Industries.

Don’s Accounting, and background in manufacturing, is a huge benefit for MASABA’s. He and his wife Linda live on an acreage near Wakonda, SD. They have four grown sons. Don and his wife enjoy camping, Nascar, and naturally, time with their grandchildren.

Joyce Toben, Office Manager
test Joyce, also know as the “Director of First Impressions,” is focused on keeping the office and staff at MASABA running smoothly. Joyce has over 15 years experience in office administration.

In her free time, Joyce enjoys spending time with her husband Russ and their two children Krystal and Tommy