Our Employees
SJF is a family-owned company composed of many talented employees. Come meet our crew and learn a little about what makes everyone tick. If you have any questions for any of the employees listed below, please use the provided contact information.
SJF Material Handling Inc. employees at the "100 Best Companies To Work For" banquet sponsored by Minnesota Business Magazine. Pictured from left to right: Denise Rosenau, Sam Sterner, Matt Johnson, Vance Haugen, Tom Moore, Justin Erkenbrack, Staff Sterner, Frank Sterner and Eric Thovson.
Owners
Frank Sterner, Owner
President/Chief Executive Officer
Since 1979
» More about Frank
Frank Sterner, Owner
President/Chief Executive Officer
- Favorite Project(s) Worked On:
Penguin Publishing Book Return Center, Cross-dock sortation, carousel automation
- Equipment Specialties:
System integration of various types of equipment including ASRS, conveyors (package and unit load), racking/shelving, carousels
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
Hot Wheels
- Last Book Read:
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
- Favorite TV Show:
Seinfeld
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
Two sons and one daughter, as well as two dogs
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
Hunting, fishing and hiking
Contact Frank
Phone: (320) 485-2824
Email: fsternzzwaer@sjf.com
Stafford Sterner, Owner
Business Advisor
Since 1985
» More about Staff
Stafford Sterner, Owner
Business Advisor
- Favorite Project(s) Worked On:
Working with companies here in our home state of Minnesota.
- Equipment Specialties:
Buying used equipment and liquidating entire warehouses
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
Red Rider BB Gun
- Last Book Read:
What Doesn’t Kill You by Scott Carney
- Favorite TV Show:
Mystery of Oak Island, Vikings, Forged in Fire
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
Sully (Yorkshire terrier)
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
Running, target shooting vintage handguns, forging damascus steel, Japanese gardening
Contact Stafford
Phone: (320) 485-2824
Email: sstswdeerner@sjf.cvpkipom
Sales
Jason Deiter
Solutions Specialist
Since 1991
» More about Jason
Jason Deiter
Solutions Specialist
- Favorite Project(s) Worked On:
Pushback rack in Trinidad, vertical carousels to New Zealand, shelving modules for Honeywell, designing and building various items when I worked in the SJF shop
- Equipment Specialties:
Pallet rack, carton flow, mezzanines, carousels, shelving, cantilever, conveyor, lift tables, dock equipment, bins and containers, warehouse design and layout
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
Electrical outlet
- Last Book Read:
A children's book I read to my kids. If I had more time, I would enjoy reading about music, world history or other non-fiction documentary-type books
- Favorite TV Show:
MacGyver, Dukes of Hazard, Hee-Haw
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
Three children – Ellie, Alex and Chase. Alex is a Jack Russel Terrier but we consider him one of our kids
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
Playing guitar with my band(s), singing, writing music, motorcycling, snowmobiling, camping with the family, bicycling, hunting, firearms, welding, drawing, home design and building projects (DIY stuff)
- Anything Else?
My favorite color is blue and my father is my hero. Everything above is true except for the electrical outlet. The truth... it would have been a toss-up between a BB gun or a bicycle, though neither are really 'toys' in the strictest sense of the word.
Contact Jason
Phone: (320) 485-4961
Email: jdeiter@sjf.cofgnwxvm
Kendal Kalamaha
Solutions Specialist
Since 2007
» More about Kendal
Kendal Kalamaha
Solutions Specialist
- Favorite Project(s) Worked On:
Custom wire baskets incorporated into a "poor-man's" pick module using wire decks, dividers and partitions
- Equipment Specialties:
Customized racking systems (push-back, drive-in, carton flow) and custom conveyor applications
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
I don't recollect a favorite toy. Being one of seven kids raised on the farm, we had little time to play
- Last Book Read:
Aftershock by David and Robert Wiedemer
- Favorite TV Show:
I don't watch television, but my favorite movie is Silverado
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
Son Kastle and daughter Kwynn
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
I enjoy my work and also teaching my children good work ethics, morals, values and the pleasures of a loving relationship with family
Contact Kendal
Phone: (320) 485-4966
Email: kkayhbjlbwugtamaha@sjemwif.com
Vance Haugen
Solutions Specialist
Since 2007
» More about Vance
Vance Haugen
Solutions Specialist
- Favorite Project(s) Worked On:
Working with a local Fleet Supply store on several warehouse projects
- Equipment Specialties:
Racking (all types), conveyor, carousels
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
Legend race car
- Last Book Read:
A book about the Normandy invasion (can't remember the name)
- Favorite TV Show:
Harry's Lawn, NCIS, 2½ Men, White Collar
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
Sons Brad, Brandon, John and Joshua; four grandkids and dog Bailee
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
Golfing, bowling, pheasant hunting
Contact Vance
Phone: (320) 485-4965
Email: vhaugotoogebdpafon@sjf.com
Eric Thovson
Solutions Specialist
Since 2014
» More about Eric
Eric Thovson
Solutions Specialist
- Favorite Project(s) Worked On:
I enjoy getting out in the field and meeting clients to better understand their needs.
- Equipment Specialties:
Warehouse design/relocations, specialty conveyance & sortation
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
Hot Wheels, BB gun, Atari
- Last Book Read:
The Must Have Customer
- Favorite TV Show:
The Blacklist
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
Wife Rhonda (married 24 years), daughter Bella, son Dane, dog (West Highland Terrier) Izzy
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
I'm a Certified USA Swimming Official. I also enjoy fishing, camping, traveling, boating, swimming, photography, golfing and spending time with family.
- Anything Else?
I'm a graduate of St. Cloud State University (Planning & Zoning) and have 28 years of professional sales experience. 2016 & 2017 SJF Sales Champ.
Contact Eric
Phone: (320) 485-4967
Email: ethovson@sjf.com
Justin Erkenbrack
Solutions Specialist
Since 2018
» More about Justin
Justin Erkenbrack
Solutions Specialist
- Favorite Project(s) Worked On:
I don't have a favorite yet
- Specialties:
Racking
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
Baseball bat and glove
- Favorite TV Show:
How I Met Your Mother
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
Two kids - Hadley, 5, and Jaxton, 1-1/2
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
If I'm not with my kids, I am at Snap Fitness or playing baseball or softball.
- Anything Else?
I am from Stewart, MN and graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2010.
Contact Justin
Phone: (320) 485-4962
Email: jerkenbrack@sjf.com
Janae Witte
Solutions Specialist
Since 2019
» More about Janae
Janae Witte
Solutions Specialist
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
Easy Bake Oven and Polly Pockets
- Last Book You Read:
Tons of books for my son like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? I don't read much... it makes me tired!
- Favorite Things to Watch on TV:
Minnesota Wild hockey games, crime/murder history shows, and Real Housewives of OC (although I'm a little embarrassed to admit that one!).
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
I have a son, Adler, 1-1/2, and a dog, Josie (14).
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
Camping, biking, spending time outdoors and ice fishing.
- Anything Else?
I volunteer with Great Plains Pointer Rescue when I can.
Contact Janae
Phone: (320) 485-4963
Email: jwitte@sjf.com
Craig Barnaal
Solutions Specialist
Since 2023
Ronda Grack
Online Sales
Since 2021
Sales/Purchasing
Sam Sterner
Vice President/Purchasing
Since 2012
» More about Sam
Sam Sterner
Vice President/Purchasing
- Favorite Project(s) Worked On:
Border's Books liquidation
- Equipment Specialties:
Pallet racks, carousels
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
Legos
- Favorite TV Show:
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
None
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
Fishing, hunting
Contact Sam
Phone: (320) 485-4970
Email: samsternkaodiber@sjf.com
Finance/Accounting
Ed Salonek
Chief Financial Officer/Controller
Since 2006
» More about Ed
Ed Salonek
Chief Financial Officer/Controller
- Favorite Project(s) Worked On:
Implementation of Epicor and improving the processes at SJF
- Specialties:
Epicor
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
Tractor
- Last Book Read:
From the Ground Up by Howard Schult and The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
- Favorite TV Show:
Sons of Anarchy
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
Daughters Olivia and Elena, son Chad and chocolate lab Mocha
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
In the summer I enjoy camping with the family and in the fall and winter I enjoy going to the game farm pheasant hunting with Mocha.
- Anything Else?
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Accounting and I'm in the process of earning my Masters in Business Administration.
Contact Ed
Phone: (320) 485-4950
Email: eoapqkasauyaqlonek@sjf.cowodqkm
Lori Bachel
Accounting
Since 2009
» More about Lori
Lori Bachel
Accounting
- Favorite Project(s) Worked On:
Every time my team and I get a part of the yard inventoried, I get a kick out of seeing the equipment in inventory and then seeing the orders come in for that exact material. I enjoy seeing the "Purchase to Inventory to Sold" flow
- Specialties:
Credit cards, purchase orders, sales orders, etc.
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
My bike – to me it represented freedom
- Last Book Read:
The Ice Man, Confessions of a Contact Killer. Also Llama Llama Red Pajama
- Favorite TV Show:
Top Gear
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
Son Lucas, daughter Cecelia, dogs Chloe, Roscoe and Mercedes, pig Professor Zippy Oinkelstein and rat Shaniqua-Laquita
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
Gardening, reading, playing outside with my kids, riding the motorcycle and I love cooking (BUT NOT BAKING)
Contact Lori
Phone: (320) 485-4949
Email: lbachel@sjf.nomswcom
Engineering
Matt Johnson
Engineering
Since 2004
» More about Matt
Matt Johnson
Engineering
- Favorite Project(s) Worked On:
Thermal Transfer (a conveyor system), Mindware, Artic Cat
- Equipment Specialties:
Rack and conveyor systems
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
Hockey stick, RC cars/boats
- Last Book Read:
The Bourne Trilogy
- Favorite TV Show:
The Big Bang Theory
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
Son Callen and another on the way!
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
Trout fishing, playing hockey, biking
Contact Matt
Phone: (320) 485-4952
Email: mjohnson@sahxmijf.com
Web Development/Marketing
Denise Rosenau
Director of Marketing & Web Development
Since 2015
» More about Denise
Denise Rosenau
Director of Marketing & Web Development
- Favorite Project(s) Worked On:
Complete redesign and update of SJF's websites, start to finish creation of our soon to be released eStore and wholesale website, photo updating, writing.
- Specialties:
Photoshop, photo artistry and manipulation, troubleshooting, Search Engine Optimization, art
- Favorite Childhood Toy:
My bike and Legos, but not both at the same time
- Last Book Read:
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn and Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech with my son Chase
- Favorite TV Show:
Walking Dead, Blacklist, Criminal Minds
- Kids/Grandkids/Pets:
Husband Gregg; three sons – Chase, Cam and Mitch and his lovely wife Sheryl; grandson Tommy (who is the light of my life!); and three cats
- Hobbies/Pastimes:
Reading, photo art, techie geek stuff, gardening/landscaping, anything lake-related and most importantly, hanging with my family and especially my sweet grandson Tommy.
- Anything Else?
I enjoy learning/trying new things. When I really get into something, I often find myself so focused on my "new project" that hours drift by before I even realize it.
Contact Denise
Phone: (320) 485-4947
Email: drosenau@sjf.com
