Emily Bassill – Account Receivable and Payroll

I work in Human Resources in the Employee Benefits area where I am responsible for a variety of tasks including insurance, 401K, employee records and payroll. I also assist as a backup for the Accounts Receivable function of the Accounting Department.

My dream is to someday be a world traveler. I'd like to visit the Seven Wonders of the World and even take an African Safari. Realistically, I am happy curled up in a blanket at home reading a murder-mystery action thriller or on a beach under a palm tree. I like all types of ethnic food, but an Italian pasta dish along with great company will make my day.

I am married with two children. I have twenty years of volunteer services, the last nine years being with Meals on Wheels. My husband leads a non-profit volunteer-based tutor/mentor program in Chicago working with inner city youth, and we first met when I became a volunteer.

Tim Berger – Director of Operations

Being number 9, out of 10 kids, I learned the finer points of co-operation at an early age! Growing up in Oshkosh, WI, I fostered my love of airplanes, the outdoors, and the Green Bay Packers (Be Kind!).

A dedicated and disciplined work philosophy – I worked as a paperboy, spot-welder, and licensed C.D.L. driver to pay for my Mechanical Engineering Degree at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (I miss those days!). I have 20 years experience in manufacturing operations management, with a majority in the P.O.P. business.

When I’m not working on my house and yard, I try to find time to travel (Canada, Mexico, Greece, Vietnam, and all over the U.S.), camp, hit the beach, and enjoy the family cottage in WI. My hobbies include collecting western movies, especially rare spaghetti westerns, WW II aircraft, and music. My most valuable time is spent with my wife and three children.

Sureway Tool & Engineering is an exciting place to work - because of our aggressive investment in the future and our ability to provide exemplary customer service - we are growing. Celebrating 50 years!

Philipe Blanchet – Engineer

I have been working in sheet metal fabrication since 2005 and have been working at Sureway Tool since June of 2007. I went to college at the Milwaukee School of Engineering where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. When I am away from work, I enjoy going to Milwaukee Brewers baseball games, riding my bicycle, listening to music, and playing guitar.

Nick Blumenthal – Project Manager

I am a graduate of Iowa State University with a twin sister who was an Iowa Hawkeye. My whole life I have been involved with the Amateur Athletic Union practicing, teaching, and competing in martial arts. As my Chicago Blackhawks vanity license plate suggests, I am in fact, a Ninja.

I have worked in the manufacturing industry for 4 years in several capacities and am very excited to have recently joined the Sureway team in October 2012.

Chris Boomer – Logistics Manager

I grew up in Schiller Park, IL and went to East Leyden High School. After this, I went to Bradley University where I started as a Computer Science major… then realized I didn’t like that circular logic so I switched to Business Entrepreneurship. I graduated in 2006 with a BS Degree and went on to work in the amazing food service industry. After figuring out that was a mistake I moved on to operating a small shop called Astro City Games that was based in my hometown of Schiller Park for almost 2 years. The economy turned and I had to give that up and now I am here at Sureway.

Bobbie Braczko - Quality Control Manager

I am the Quality Control Manager at Sureway where I use my experience in quality engineering, project management and process improvement. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Wyzsza Szkola Medyczna in Poland as well as Certificates in Statistical Process Control, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, Metrology, Blue Print Reading, Internal Quality Auditing, Calibration, and Quality Engineering.

I immigrated to the United States and began my professional career in Quality Assurance. With almost half my life dedicated to Quality Assurance and process improvement, I enjoy creating business dreams by using quality management techniques.

I enjoy traveling, reading, and spending time with my husband and children, Evelyn, 18, and Patrick, 12.

Dan Brichetto – Sales Executive

I have been a Sales Executive for 18 years, and have been with Sureway since 2006. I have a bachelor’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University and taught and coached for five years before moving to a career in sales.

I have been married for 25 years and have two children, one a student at Eastern Illinois University and one at Buffalo Grove High school. In my spare time I am an avid 16 inch softball player.

Eric Brightwell – Logistics Assistant Coordinator

Marcelo Buenrostro – Director of Manufacturing

My name is Marcelo Buenrostro. I was born in a small town in Jalisco, Mexico. I am the fifth member of a large family of four sisters and four brothers. We were taught to have a strong faith in God and good principles. I graduated as a Technical Industrial Mechanic in the Technical Institute of City of Guzman.

In 1988 my life made a drastic change when Sureway, a small metal fabricator directed by the Hill brothers needed someone like me, so I moved to the United States. After a few years the company was bought by a friend of theirs, M. Richard Tetrault. Richard came with much enthusiasm and plenty of new ideas.

Along with Richard, Julian and a hardworking team I was able to witness the transformation of Sureway from a small fabricator on the river to the beast that we are today. I now have the honor of being named Director of Manufacturing… mmmh sounds good.

One of my hobbies is playing a variety of sports like basketball and soccer and especially tennis with my wife and two daughters Janet and Jennifer. I also play the role of a tennis coach for my older daughter in hopes of a successful state finals tournament.

Julian Burnley – Vice President

Born and raised in bonny Scotland, I crossed the great pond at the young age of 19 to seek my fortune in the music industry. Good fortune intervened and I met and married Christi, who hails from Martha’s Vineyard. We settled in Chicago in 1990 and started a family shortly thereafter. I am the VP of Operations at Sureway and have worked here since 1996, when Richard purchased the company. Although I had no previous sheet metal experience, my background in custom mirror installation and chicken processing obviously caught Richard’s eye. Either that or I was the only candidate and he needed to fill the slot being vacated by the previous owner! Regardless of the reason, I have been here ever since as Sureway has grown from a small fabricator to the giant behemoth that it is today.

When I’m not chained to my desk, my interests include my family, movies, music and my Lord Jesus Christ (although not necessarily in that order)!

Christina Cervantes – Project Manager

I have worked at Sureway since 2006, and enjoy the fact that my supervisor is like Michael Scott from The Office .

I am a huge Cubs fans and, yes, I do believe that they will win...someday!

Mike Chereskin – Director of Project Management

Although I was once unknown within the offices of Sureway, I guess I have developed into quite a character and now fill the role of Director of Project Management. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering, along with a focus area certificate in Management.

I live in Naperville and am a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes or any of the other Chicago sports teams—except for the Cubs.

Kyle Denhart – Project Management

I grew up outside of a very small town on the border of Illinois & Indiana, dreaming of one day living in a town that wasn’t completely surrounded by corn. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Purdue University in 2007. I have been working with sheet metal ever since. I finally got away from the cornfields when I joined the Sureway team in March of 2011.

When I’m not at work I enjoy traveling, photography, and spending time with my family.

Albert Esteban – Project Manager

After five years working in the logistics department at Sureway Tool, I was recently promoted to the new position of Project Manager.

I am happily married with a 7 year old daughter. My hobbies include riding my motorcycle, shooting pool & playing basketball.

Scott Ferengul – Tool and Die Maker

I’ve been a Tool and Die maker at Sureway since 2006. Having been in the Tool and Die trade for many, many years I must say I am one who truly loves his job. Our motto in the toolroom is "we can do anything" … a phrase we live up to every day.

Outside of Sureway, my family and my guitar keep me out of trouble!

Carmen Lemus – Administrative Assistant

I am the Administrative Assistant. I am responsible for taking everyone’s lunch order, when I am not doing my nails.

I loved spending time with my family and whenever I can I sneak away to ride my Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Cervando Marin – Quality Control Supervisor

I was born in Mexico and in 1991 I immigrated to the US. I recently joined the Sureway team as Quality Control Supervisor. I have an extensive background in Quality Control and process improvement. I love spending time with my family and I enjoy working in the Quality Control department, doing my part to satisfy customer demands.

Pablo Montes – Senior Engineer

I joined Sureway Tool and Engineering in the engineering department in November of 2006. As a Senior Engineer I work with a variety of CAD files to produce Point of Purchase displays for our customers.

I enjoy spending time with my family, playing soccer and woodworking.

Paul Ocampo – Engineer

I'm from Carol Stream, IL and graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2009 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I've been working in metal fabrication since then and joined the Sureway team in early 2012. In my free time I like to watch movies, box, and play basketball... Go Bulls!!!

N. Reinaldo Raudales – Engineer

I’m a hard working bilingual Engineering Technologist who’s experienced in design and hands-on work. A quick learner who’s detail oriented, and self-motivated, I’m a down to earth kind of guy who’s willing to help in whatever way I can. My strong communications skills come through in both English and Spanish.

J. Carlos Rivera – Director of Engineering

I may have preferred to be part of the BMW Formula One team of mechanics, but instead pursued the challenging career that is sheet metal which began in a shipping warehouse 15 years ago. As the Director of Engineering at Sureway, I say, "Send me your files…I’ll make it happen."

I was born in Mexico but raised American as apple pie. I like holding hands and long walks on the beach.

Rod Rivera - Project Manager

I am Sureway Tool’s new Logistics Manager. I am originally from Sandwich, IL, located between Mayo and Bologna, IL. I graduated as a Mechanical Engineer at Iowa State University in 2008. I am currently looking for people to play basketball and golf with, as well as a tennis partner.

Alfredo Rodriguez – Accountant

Born in Leon Guanajuato, Mexico - I’m the youngest of 10 siblings. My family migrated to Chicago in 1978 and we grew up in Wicker Park, which is nothing like the way it is now! I graduated from Robert Morris University with an Accounting Diploma. I have over 18 yrs. working in Accounting and I love numbers, so I’m sticking to it!

My closest friends are my family and kids. I have 2 boys, Santos, 18 & Ulysses, 15 which I will be shipping off to college soon! I love to BBQ and ride my Harley every chance I get. Once a year, my friends and I do a rally and ride our bikes to a different state. So far we’ve been to Tennessee (Red Dragon Tail), Ohio (Bike Wk), Michigan (Tunnel of Trees) and Wisconsin 100 yr Harley Anniversary. Sturgis is definitely on my agenda.

Steve Schommer – Sales Executive

Anna Siembida – Project Management

I joined the Sureway Tool team in May 2011 as a project coordinator. For the past 9 years (from the time I immigrated to the USA) I have been working in the manufacturing business as a purchasing agent. I have a master’s degree in Sociology from University of Rzeszow in Poland.

I like to travel, sail, take bike rides on warm days, read books, watch movies, and dance. I’m a big fan of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Betts Siwy – CMA, CPA, MAS Controller

I came to Sureway in 2005 with 13 years of experience as a CPA in a public accounting firm and two years in private practice. I have a master’s degree in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University and am a Certified Management Accountant as well as a Certified Public Accountant.

My hobbies include stained glass, sewing, knitting, and various other craft type activities. An avid reader, my free time is split between my grandchildren and riding a Honda Magna motorcycle with my husband all over Wisconsin. Originally a native of Minnesota, I am looking forward to retirement when I can go fishing, canoeing and hiking in Wisconsin.

M. Richard Tetrault – President

I am the eldest of three sons, being preceded by a sister. We grew up in Garden City, a suburb of Detroit during the great expansion years following WWII and the Korean War in the center of the great industrial mid-west. It seems like destiny that I should be so fortunate as to lead Sureway over the last 14 years, but as a young man I dreamed of being a marine biologist. To fill this gap, my wife Nancy and I became certified and have been scuba diving throughout the Caribbean on vacations over the last ten years. I was raised on rock n roll but love jazz and alternative music as well. I love traveling, outdoor activities, landscaping, tinkering with machinery and building projects. As the son of French-Canadian parents, my hockey roots are deep and I still root for the Red Wings and Canadiens, unless the Blackhawks are involved. I am the proud father of a lovely daughter who is a senior at Iowa [go Hawks]. I am similarly proud of the great Sureway team and look forward to the coming years and the opportunities ahead.