Our Team
Pacific Precision Metals, Inc. is driven by a group of experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise. Please click on a team member to learn more about us.
John Busic, President and Chief Executive Officer
L. Ronald Trepp, Chief Operations Officer
John Wallace, Vice President of Manufacturing and Operations
Octavio Lopeztolsa, Director of Manufacturing – General Manager
Jose Preciado, Engineering Manager
Loris Maymes Kassouf, Manager of Customer Service and Sales
Lina Su, Accounting Manager
Carmen Callejas, Senior Accountant
Jason DeNecochea, Sales Manager – North America
Mary Mateer, Inside Sales Support
Maria Elena “Mod” Plank, Office Manager and Executive Assistant
John A. Busic
President and Chief Executive Officer
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John Busic has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Precision Metals since November of 2010. His leadership marks the commencement of the Company’s new growth strategy and North American business expansion. As CEO of an organization with a 70-year metal forming heritage, Mr. Busic is charged with carrying forth a tradition of excellence while inspiring fresh innovation.
Prior to joining the metal manufacturing industry, Mr. Busic was President and Chief Executive Officer of Paragon Airheater Technologies, a company which stands as a testament to his success in building upon a seminal idea. A true visionary, Mr. Busic took a patent on an air filtration system and diligently formed it into a multimillion dollar corporation. Though he lacked any prior experience in the power industry, Mr. Busic relied on insight and inherent determination to succeed in a uniquely demanding business arena.
Mr. Busic has demonstrated significant expertise in the development of international alliances within relevant industries. While at Paragon, he developed a mutually favorable agreement with MYLSA, a Mexico-based equipment manufacturer that made a complimentary product. At the time, operations of U.S.-based Paragon relied solely on domestic relations. However, Mr. Busic’s bold and significant move initiated international business and ultimately paved the way for additional markets in Italy, Ireland, and India.
A remarkable team builder, Mr. Busic sets the pace in establishing an engaging and innovative business culture, which is clearly demonstrated in his ever-present openness for personnel to share their creativity. His ability to create synergy within an organization is aptly manifested in his capacity to spark within employees the desire to help both him and the company. Mr. Busic has particular skill in gathering exceptional talent capable of meeting company goals and demands, and always inspiring excellence, he utilizes his team to create practical opportunities that benefit the organization and ensure long-term success.
In addition to serving on the board of directors of Pacific Precision Metals, Mr. Busic currently serves on the executive board of two other organizations, Lakeshore City Church and Carson Pop Art, Inc.
L. Ronald Trepp
Chief Operations Officer
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L. Ronald Trepp is Chief Operations Officer for Pacific Precision Metals. He advises and implements solutions with the management team within the scope of finance, accounting and operations. Mr. Trepp also provides counseling on key strategic issues.
Mr. Trepp possesses more than four decades of industry wisdom and experience in working with technology companies in the areas of operations planning, systems, and management. He has served competently in accounting and finance for over 35 years as CFO or COO in companies across multiple industries, including aerospace, electronics, computer hardware and software, public transportation, ocean transportation, plastics manufacturing, and data communications. He has worked for an impressive slate of companies such as Litton Industries, Laidlaw Transportation, Raychem Corporation, Simulation Sciences, CIMCO, Computer Communications, and Fairchild.
A number of major accomplishments highlight Mr. Trepp’s seasoned career of over 40 years. A few of Mr. Trepp’s contributions include the development and implementation of the first time-phased, multilevel MRP system (1968); the management of “industry rollups” involving the acquisition of 26 private and public companies over the course of three years; the successful launch of three public offerings; and the restructuring and sale of three companies.
Mr. Trepp holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management and Accounting from UCLA (1961) and an MBA in Industrial Management and Finance from UCLA’s Anderson School (1962).
John Wallace
Vice President of Manufacturing and Operations
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John Wallace comes to Pacific Precision Metals with over 40 years of experience across the metal forming industry. He has an impressive and extensive background in multiple aspects of metal manufacturing, as well as seasoned expertise in all metal stamping processes associated with both ferrous and non-ferrous materials. A leader throughout much of his career, Mr. Wallace has held a number of influential positions, including Engineering Manager, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and CEO.
Mr. Wallace has been prominently involved with Pacific Precision Metals throughout much of the company’s comprehensive history. Fueled by the belief that he could provide better service, pricing and quality than the marketplace’s current offering, he co-founded Pacific Fabrication in 1969, and the company quickly became a leader in tool design, progressive stamping, and four-slide products. Mr. Wallace later merged Pacific Fabrication with the Milhous Investment Group in 1986.
Mr. Wallace remained with the combined organization as Vice President of Operations & Manufacturing, where he grew the Pacific Fabrication division from $8 million to $24 million in sales through efficient manufacturing, proprietary processes and products, and 5S world class manufacturing techniques. After the 1998 acquisition of Pacific Fabrication by Pacific Precision Metals, Mr. Wallace was appointed President of the parent company in 2002, at a height of $54 million in sales.
Mr. Wallace is the innovative mind behind the development and patent of The CrusherTM, a simple lever can-crushing device that has been a resilient product for the Pacific Precision Metals family for nearly 30 years. Most recently in November of 2010, when Pacific Precision Metals was purchased by private investment group Triyar Capital, Mr. Wallace moved into his current leadership role as Vice President of Manufacturing and Operations, where he oversees technical sales efforts, manufacturing, and engineering.
Octavio Lopeztolsa
Director of Manufacturing – General Manager
Manufacturing Facility – BII de Mexico
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Octavio Lopeztolsa possesses 24 years of stellar experience in building and leading maquiladoras (i.e. bonded assembly plants). General Manager of BII de Mexico since January 2005, Mr. Lopeztolsa brings to Pacific Precision Metals significant expertise in implementing manufacturing methodologies and productivity improvement initiatives. He has held several key industry positions including Materials Manager for Allied Signal Aerospace; Plant Manager for Apex-Carex Healthcare and Don Casters; and Plant Manager and Operations Manager for Invensys, where he competently oversaw 1,350 employees and managed business lines representing $120 million in sales.
A bilingual and bicultural executive manager, Mr. Lopeztolsa boasts 20 years of experience specifically managing various operations in the maquiladora industry, demonstrating expertise in the medical, food, aerospace, and metal mechanic industries, among others.
Six Sigma Green Belt certified and thoroughly experienced in supply chain management, budget planning, and STRAP/BRP/SIOP processes, Mr. Lopeztolsa has developed industry lean activities and cost reduction quality improvement projects. His many skills include development of production processes, training, and implementation of different productivity tools (e.g. Kaizen, Poka-Yoke, One Piece Flow, U-Shape, Cell Concept, Visual Work Place, 5S, e-Kanban, and JIT Systems). He is well-versed in ISO/QS9000/2000 certification in addition to other HSE corporate and government designation processes.
Mr. Lopeztolsa holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemical Engineering from the Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey (ITESM), a bachelor’s degree in Law from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja, California, and an MBA from the Centro de Enseñanza Tecnica y Superior (CETYS).
Jose A. Preciado
Engineering Manager
Manufacturing Facility – BII de Mexico
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Jose Preciado is Engineering Manager for Pacific Precision Metals. With over 14 years of experience within the Company, he has held primary functions in a number of areas from manufacturing engineering to project management. Mr. Preciado has been instrumental in the implementation of new manufacturing processes and production lines, and he has directed the engineering department in product development and plant maintenance since 2006.
A veteran of the maquiladora industry, Mr. Preciado is well-versed in a wide and diverse array of engineering roles and manufacturing procedures. He has intimate experience with wire harness, PC boards, and metal fabrication, as well as electronic and mechanical assembly. Mr. Preciado’s extensive expertise spans new product development, product quoting, reengineering, supply management, cost planning, lean activities, cost-reduction, and quality improvement. Mr. Preciado is also trained as a certified ISO/QS9000/2000 internal auditor, and he consistently implements various productivity tools, including Kaizen, Poka-Yoke, One Piece Flow, Cell Concept, Visual Work Place, 5S methodology, Value Stream Mapping, Kanban, and JIT.
Mr. Preciado has successfully performed in multiple leadership capacities. He effectively served as Transportation Logistics and Maintenance Supervisor of Nestle Mexico; and Manufacturing Engineer, Project Manager and Supplier Manager of Emerson Network Power.
Fluent in English as a second language, Mr. Preciado provides an essential and seamless transition into a borderless business culture. He masterfully traverses both writing and speaking landscapes, and he possesses the ability to convey essential expertise in both business and technical terms.
Mr. Preciado holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering with a minor in Business Administration from the Instituto Tecnologico de Sonora (ITSON). He also possesses an Industrial Engineering Certification from the Centro de Enseñanza Tecnica y Superior (CETYS).
Loris Maymes Kassouf
Manager of Customer Service and Sales
Manufacturing Facility – BII de Mexico
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Loris Maymes Kassouf brings ten years of maquiladora experience to Pacific Precision Metals, where she began in 2005 as Assistant Manager of BII de Mexico. Due to her skillful versatility and effectiveness in people management, she has advanced through multiple executive positions within the company, including Production Lead and Human Resources Director.
Prior to joining Pacific Precision Metals, Ms. Kassouf served effectively throughout various manufacturing industries and in a number of administrative capacities, including Recruitment Coordinator at both LG Electronics and Invesys. She also successfully managed a team as Human Resources Administrator for Schlage.
Ms. Kassouf holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja, California, with an emphasis in Labor Psychology, and she has an MBA in progress. She presently uses her expertise to provide exceptional customer service while maintaining current client satisfaction and documenting increased sales.
Lina Su
Accounting Manager
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Lina Su is Accounting Manager for Pacific Precision Metals. She is responsible for management and oversight of the Company’s overall financial and accounting operations. Proactive and results oriented, Ms. Su is instrumental in maintaining transparency and an exceptional financial and reporting structure that supports the Company’s senior management team and board of directors.
With over twenty years of financial management experience, Ms. Su has served competently as Corporate Controller or Interim CFO in multiple companies across the precious metal, cosmetic, and garment manufacturing industries. She is known for her willingness to utilize all avenues toward an organization’s success. As such, Ms. Su has been prominently involved in three major ERP (enterprise resource planning) implementation processes, and she has even immersed herself in the development of corporate policies, procedures, and employee manuals.
A precise auditor demanding of excellence, Ms. Su has demonstrated hands-on management tactics in the development and implementation of critical plans to ensure company growth. Throughout her career, she has identified, redefined and republished corporate financial statements, resulting in Gross Profit increases of up to 25%. Analyzing and negotiating numerous vendor contracts, she has spearheaded reductions in project spending of up to $2 million. Ms. Su has also been intimately involved in the consolidation of multiple corporate locations, which has resulted in annual spending reductions of up to $450K.
In two independent and challenging instances, Ms. Su successfully restored two multi-million dollar organizations to financial health within a short span of six months. A tenacious and strategic planner, Ms. Su effectively removed the respective companies from the verge of bankruptcy through restructuring and auditing financials, as well as securing lines of credit. Both companies were later sold for a profit.
Ms. Su graduated from Loyola Marymount University with an MBA in both International Business and Business Law. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a minor in Accounting.
Carmen Callejas
Senior Accountant
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Carmen Callejas is Senior Accountant for Pacific Precision Metals. She is charged with the responsibility of managing the Company’s accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash flow. Ms. Callejas supports the management team by maintaining financial transparency and providing real time financial data that is essential for successful decision-making.
Ms. Callejas boasts over 20 years of recognized experience in financial accounting, with a career that spans multiple industries within the scope of manufacturing and distribution, including service, food, metal fabrication and retail. She possesses particular expertise in the areas of cost accounting, asset management, financial statements, and cash flow management. Well-versed in business performance analysis and the development of financial plans, Ms. Callejas maintains a strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, internal controls and financial reporting.
Illustrating her ability to work collaboratively across department functions, Ms. Callejas was promoted from Senior Accountant to Office Manager while employed at a mid-sized food manufacturer. In that role, she oversaw several divisions of the organization, including Purchasing, Human Resources, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and IT. She ultimately assumed the duties of Controller and gained responsibility for overseeing the manufacturer’s general financial and accounting operations.
To her credit, Ms. Callejas prompted the development of a successful financial plan that helped the manufacturer survive during a period of six months when its largest customer was non-operational. She saved the organization $100k per month on payroll through proactive foresight and an effective strategy, part of which involved the transfer of all company production to a single plant.
Ms. Callejas is an excellent bilingual communicator who has quickly established an exceptional rapport with Pacific Precision Metals’ international relations, both internal and external. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from UCA (Central American University) and an associate’s degree in Accounting from Chaffey College.
Jason DeNecochea
Sales Manager – North America
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Jason DeNecochea brings a broad range of expertise to his current role as Sales Manager of Pacific Precision Metals’ North American division. His comprehensive career includes sales across multiple industries and an extensive background in accounting, real estate investments and banking. He also possesses over six years of entrepreneurial experience, during which he bought and sold debt in the secondary market.
Mr. DeNecochea has previous involvement with Pacific Precision Metals’ current shareholders, private investment group Triyar Capital. As a bank underwriter and disposition analyst, Mr. DeNecochea worked closely with target bank management in order to dispose of the potential acquisition’s non-performing assets prior to procurement.
A skillful and tenacious organizer, Mr. DeNecochea presently sources new accounts and business opportunities. He guides prospective clients through the sales cycle and gives vivid explanations of the Company’s core capabilities. Career-groomed in an understanding of accounting and finance, Mr. DeNecochea serves a valuable role in determining plausible opportunities. He draws on his natural ability to sell and ascertain customer needs, and thereby creates synergistic and mutually beneficial relationships.
Mary Mateer
Inside Sales Support
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Mary Mateer has worked in the metal manufacturing industry for over 25 years, with much of that time successfully served from within the evolution of Pacific Precision Metals. Well-versed in a number of operational functions, she possesses a wealth of experience that makes her a valuable resource and asset to the Company. A versatile and effective performer, Ms. Mateer has held a number of demanding positions, including Plant Accountant, Materials Manager and Inside Sales Manager.
At La Verne Metal Products, a former division of Pacific Precision Metals, Ms. Mateer operated in multiple capacities, sometimes concurrently. As Plant Accountant, she maintained responsibility for banking, daily accounting, and the GL (general ledger). Ms. Mateer soon absorbed the duties of Materials Manager, whereupon she was tasked with the responsibility of implementing inventory control and purchasing procedures on the plant floor. In that role, she supervised a five-person team solely responsible for labor tracking; developed procedures for maintaining accurate inventory records; and facilitated the plant’s ISO 2000 certification. Extremely diligent in time-intensive undertakings, Ms. Mateer also efficiently processed all certification documents necessary for the billing of government projects.
Understanding the importance of interaction between all departments through an interactive ERP (enterprise resource planning) system, Ms. Mateer later advanced to the position of Inside Sales Manager of Pacific Precision Metals. In that function, she supervised the inside sales force and oversaw all activities related to customer service, ultimately building upon the platform of knowledge and expertise used in her current position.
Today, as Inside Sales Support, Ms. Mateer manages a multitude of Company priorities, including order entry, invoicing via U.S. mail and EDI (electronic data interchange), accounts payable, sales reporting, and customer service.
Maria Elena “Mod” Plank
Office Manager and Executive Assistant
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Maria Elena “Mod” Plank brings a proven track record of effective administration to Pacific Precision Metals. As Office Manager and Executive Assistant, Ms. Plank oversees a myriad of tasks to support the corporate office in its general needs and ensure that it maintains operational efficiency. She directly assists both the CEO and VP of Manufacturing and Operations in their daily duties, and she manages a variety of special projects involving IT systems, human resources, and marketing. An exceptional manipulator of multiple simultaneous priorities, Ms. Plank is instrumental in the coordination of a broad range of communications, planning, and organizational activities that are imperative for the success and smooth function of the entire corporate office.
Ms. Plank comes to Pacific Precision Metals with a diverse professional background. Over the course of her career, she has filled the roles of Assistant Buyer, Corporate Recruiter, and Office Manager. As an executive for a major retailer, she oversaw a $24 million business division and expanded top vendor sales by 34%. With an inherent aptitude for recruiting, hiring and retention, Ms. Plank successfully managed up to 100 job requisitions across 5 states while performing regular new-hire orientations, as well as benefits administration. Most recently, prior to joining Pacific Precision Metals, Ms. Plank advanced to the position of Director for one of the Inland Empire’s most high volume chiropractic offices, where she managed all functions from payroll to new-patient evaluations.
Ms. Plank is a proficient public speaker and has placed in numerous oratorical competitions. She holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.