Ron Bongard, president, has 39 years of experience as a manufacturer’s rep in the plumbing industry. Ron founded Bongard Corporation 34 years ago and has extensive sales experience in the industry. In addition to managing the company, Ron provides a strong sales effort in the territory and is personally acquainted with all of the accounts. His love for the business is based on the relationships developed with these accounts. Over the past few years, Ron’s knowledge of and pride in the business has been demonstrated in his emerging role as a mentor. He consistently works with team members at Bongard Corporation to help everyone grow in their roles. Ron’s commitment is demonstrated by his hard work in the field and continual investment in new productivity tools. Ron is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Business Administration.
Mike Sides, outside sales, has 19 years of plumbing industry experience and 15 years with Bongard Corporation. Prior to joining the company, he worked in a plumbing wholesale business for four years. Mike is a highly successful, well-liked salesman. His diverse strengths include strong technical knowledge, a thorough understanding of the plumbing industry and an engaging personality. These compliment each other and allow him to continue to excel. Mike is CPMR certified and a graduate of Mankato State University with a B.S Degree.
Pete Mayer began working for Bongard Corporation in 1999. Over the past 11 years Pete has been responsible for both the North and South Dakota territories along with numerous accounts in the Twin Cities. Pete has had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of customers throughout the territory providing invaluable experience in his role as Sales Manager. Pete is CPMR certified and a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth with a B.S. Degree in Communications.
Kathy Schug, customer service/inside sales, is Bongard Corporation’s lead person inside. In addition to her sales responsibilities, Kathy is instrumental in helping to guide the team at Bongard Corporation. She has a full understanding of our manufacturer’s policies and procedures. Kathy works closely with everyone to implement and communicate information to the field. In addition, she interfaces with our computer contractor. Kathy has extensive product knowledge, long relationships with large and small customers and knows the territory. Kathy has 22 years experience at Bongard Corporation and is a graduate of Rasmussen Business College. She is very highly regarded in the industry.
Robert Bongard, along with the responsibilities of being Warehouse Manager and inside sales, Bob continues to gain more administrative responsibilities. Over the past 18 years with the Bongard Corporation, Bob has demonstrated a very high level of personal productivity. Bob is well liked by his customers and peers due his great attitude and pleasant personality. He is CPMR certified and has an A.A. degree from Century College
Mark Mayer started with the Bongard Corporation as an intern in the summer of 2004. Mark began working as a “utility player” – assisting our sales team on specific projects. What Mark lacked in experience, he made up for with hard work. In his ongoing work with plumbing wholesalers, contractors, and showrooms, he has continued to learn and develop relationships, creating a fulltime spot for himself with our team. For the past three years Mark has been responsible for our valuable North Dakota and outstate Minnesota accounts along with key accounts in the Twin Cities. In January 2010, Mark Mayer moved to Wisconsin to staff Bongard Corporation’s new Wisconsin office. Mark is a graduate of Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Miranda Tkachuck, customer service/inside sales, is Bongard Corporation’s newest employee. Prior to joining the Bongard Corporation in January of 2010, Miranda gained six years experience working for a local plumbing and electrical wholesaler. Miranda worked in the showroom and was responsible for inside sales. Her wide variety of experience over those six years exposed her to many of Bongard Corporation’s product lines and customers. Equally as impressive as her experience, Miranda has a terrific attitude and outstanding work ethic. She has a A.A. Degree from Globe College in Oakdale, MN.