Honest, Ethical & Respectful
Providing rugged workmanship & outstanding service for over 30 years!
Utility Sales & Service (USSI) was founded by Bill Loehrke in 1993. From the start USSI focused on building highly reliable vehicles, customized to our customers’ needs and backing them with outstanding service and parts support. As a result, we have become the Midwest’s preeminent manufacturer of aerial lift and work vehicles for organizations servicing our nation’s infrastructure.
At our facilities in Appleton, WI & Romeoville, IL, we design, manufacture, service and supply parts support for our customers.
We are committed to being honest, ethical, and respectful in dealing with everyone.
Pictured left to right: Mike Koester - VP/General Manager - Appleton, Mark Gehrt - VP/General Manager - Romeoville, Ted Breidenbach - CEO/Owner, Nathan Stan - VP/Sales and Marketing
USSI & USSI Rentals Executive Team
Ted Breidenbach
Mike Koester
VP - General Manager - Appleton
Nathan Stan
Mark Gehrt
USSI & USSI Rentals Advisory Board
click images for bios
Andrew Hansen
Factory Manager, Retired
John Deere Des Moines Works
Ankeny, IA
Professional Accomplishments
Before retiring in 2017, Andy led one of John Deere’s largest factories, the Des Moines Works, where he was responsible for all aspects of factory operations including safety, quality, cost & delivery. The Des Moines Works manufactures a broad range of Cotton, Tillage & Sprayer equipment.
Andy joined John Deere in 1976 after graduating from Iowa State University. Andy’s career with Deere included numerous assignments of increasing responsibility in both the Agriculture and Construction & Forestry Equipment Divisions. Those assignments included Operations Manager, Waterloo Tractor Works (Deere’s largest factory), Director of Supply Management, Construction & Forestry Equipment Division and Factory Manager, Ottumwa Works (Hay Equipment) as well as Factory Manager, John Deere Des Moines Works.
Andy and his wife, Cindy, reside in Midlothian, VA
Community Service/Accomplishments
- Former Executive Board member, Ankeny Economic Development Corporation
- Former Board member, Iowa Association of Business & Industry
- Former Board member, Northwestern University MMM Innovation Council
Education
- B.S., Industrial Administration
- Iowa State University Executive Program
- Darden Business School
Andrew Hansen
Steven G Korrect
Director, John Deere Power Systems Operations, Retired
Deere & Company
Moline, IL
Professional Accomplishments
Before retiring in 2010, Steve led John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) Operations which included all aspects of manufacturing, quality and supply management for the division. Factories reporting to Steve included JDPS manufactures a full range of heavy-duty diesel engines and drivetrains for use within John Deere and for Original Equipment Manufacturers.
Steve joined John Deere in 1977 after graduating from Iowa State University. Steve's career with Deere started in Construction & Forestry Equipment Division in several engineering assignments at the Dubuque Works and Davenport Works. Steve was then appointed Manager, Material Services and then Program Manager, 4WD Loaders at the Davenport Works, followed by Manager, Loader Backhoe Operations at the Dubuque Works. Steve next moved to the Agriculture Equipment Division as General Manager, Welland Works (Loaders, Rotary Cutters, Gators) in Welland, Ontario, followed by General Manager, Harvester Works (Combines) in East Moline, IL, prior to his final position in the John Deere Power Systems Division.
Steve and his wife, Mary, reside in Bettendorf, IA
Community Service/Accomplishments
- Former Board of Directors, Iowa Council of the Boy Scouts
- Former Board of Directors, United Way of the Quad Cities
- Former Board of Directors, Niagara Collage Technology Council
- Former Board of Directors, John Deere Limited (Canada) Foundation
Education
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University
- Executive Program, Stanford University
- Executive Program, Darden School of Business
Steven G Korrect
Jon Thoms
Partner, Honkamp Krueger & Company, P.C.
CPA & Business Consulting
Davenport, IA
Professional Accomplishments
Jon F. Thoms is a partner at Honkamp Krueger and manages the Davenport campus of over 70 CPA's, accountants and consultants for the firm. Jon has been with the Honkamp Krueger since 1998 and specializes in auditing, accounting, general business consulting, management advisory services, corporate, partnership and individual tax returns, financial planning, succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, and internal auditing.
Advising for a variety of organizations, Jon has extensive experience in manufacturing, construction, trucking, warehouse operations, farm operations, grain dealers, health care consulting, franchise organizations, retail, service, government and not-for-profit organizations. Prior to joining Honkamp Drueger, Jon was Vice President of Lending at Mercantile Bank in Clinton, IA and lending officer at First Iowa State Bank in Albia, IA.
Jon and his wife, Peggy, reside in Bellevue, IA.
Community Service/Accomplishments
Board member - Clinton Regional Development Corporation
Board Member - River Bluff Oommunity Foundation
Education
B.S., Education and Business, Iowa State University
MBA, University of Dubuque
Jon Thoms
Bill Loehrke
Founder & President, Retired.
Utility Sales & Service, Inc.
Appleton, WI
Professional Accomplishments
Bill founded Utility Sales & Service (USSI) by buying ITEC (Illinois Truck & Equipment Co) out of bankruptcy in 1993. Bill renamed the business Utility Sales & Service, Inc. (USSI) and changed the company to focus on building highly reliable vehicles, customized to customers' needs and backing them with outstanding service and parts support. Due to his leadership USSI is now the Upper Midwest's preeminent manufacturer of aerial lift and work vehicles for organizations servicing our nation's infrastructure. Bill grew up on a dairy farm in eastern Wisconsin and has 40 years' experience in manufacturing and servicing aerial lift and utility work vehicles.
Before founding USSI Bill worked in the manufacturing & servicing of utility equipment at Pierce Manufacturing and was General Manager at ITEC, one of Pierce Mfg.'s utility equipment dealers. Bill's work ethic, vast experience and positive "can do" attitude has earned the respect of everyone he works with and is the foundation for USSI's success.
Bill and his wife, Ann, reside in Appleton, WI
Community Service/Accomplishments
Faith & Celebration Lutheran Churches Board of Trustees
Pillars Appleton Emergency Shelter
Education
Associate Degree Diesel Mechanics Fox Valley Tech
Advanced hydraulics and pneumatic, welding & metal fab - Fox Valley Tech
Computer programming, Auto CAD and other computer classes Fox Valley Tech
Business and Accounting classes University of Wisconsin Fox Valley
Bill Loehrke
Al Borchers
Vice President of Operations, Retired
Utility Sales & Service, Inc.
Appleton, WI
Professional Accomplishments
Al began his career in 1980 at Wisconsin Public Service Corp. (WPS) as a service technician, during this time becoming ASE certified as a Master Technician. In his 34+ years of service with WPS, Al held numerous roles of increasing responsibility including Fleet Maintenance Manager, Green Bay Garage Supervisor, and Fleet Design & Procurement Manager. Al retired from WPS in December 2014.
Al joined USSI in early 2015 and held a number of leadership positions, ultimately leading our entire operations. Al and his team made significant improvement in many areas, particularly in Safety and our New Products business.
Al and his wife, Lorrie reside in Green Bay, WI.
Community Service/Accomplishments
Green Bay Monday Noon Downtown Optimists - Past President
ASE Certified Master Technician
Education
Associates Degree - Automotive Mechanics, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.
Christopher Breidenbach
Senior Assistant Attorney General
State of Colorado
Denver, CO
Christopher Breidenbach
Tracy Schroeder
Owner of Power Equipment Leasing Company, Retired
Brookfield, IL
Tracy & his brother Steve owned Power Equipment Leasing Company (PELCO) since 1992 after acquiring it from their father. Tracy actually started with PELCO in late 1985 working as their only mechanic and eventually held a variety of positions prior to becoming an owner. After acquiring the company Tracy led PELCO’s equipment sales. Tracy also sat on and led many ANSI standard committees, which draft and adopt the industry standards for all aerial lift trucks and digger derricks. Tracy’s business and industry experience provides valuable counsel to USSI.
Tracy earned his BA degree from Northeast Missouri State University (now named Truman State) in 1982 with minors in history and psychology. While at NMSU he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity and held the office as president of the chapter for one term. He was also on the NMSU club soccer team.
Tracy and his wife, Marcia, reside in Brookfield, IL.