The staff of Steele Solutions, Inc., is a team of experienced professionals, craftsmen and support personnel who work together to provide the best customer service in the mezzanine, platform and steel structure design and manufacturing industry.

Steele Solutions is a privately owned company, with the owners actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. The ownership team includes Mike Thelen, president; Terry Young, vice president-engineering; and Kevin O'Neill, vice president-sales and marketing.

Our team also includes Mike Raby of the Cleveland area, vice president for distributor and dealer sales nationwide, and Dennis Fagan of the Philadelphia area, regional sales manager for the East Coast.

The Steele Solutions team is committed to timely response and service to help make our distributors successful and to ensure the best steel structure solutions are designed and installed for end users in the material handling, distribution, warehouse, industrial, government and military settings.

Experienced Professionals Support a Great Team

Mike Thelen, President • Terry Young, Vice President-Engineering • Kevin O'Neill, Vice President-Sales and Marketing • Mike Raby, Vice President-Distributor Sales • Dennis Fagan, Regional Sales Manager • Chad Kuchler, Regional Sales Manager • Matt Tresp, Sales • Erik Kirk, Sales

Mike Thelen, President – Mike is one of the founders of Steele Solutions. He ran the systems integration division of another mezzanine manufacturer for nine years before helping launch Steele Solutions and earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee. He is a champion of unparalleled customer service from Steele Solutions and praises the entire company staff for embracing that passion for responsiveness and service. 

Mike enjoys building customer relationships and strategic planning that focuses on maintaining Steele Solutions as the preferred design, engineering and manufacturer of steel structures.

"A lot of companies talk about customer service, but we really live it," Mike says. "We know that customers want to partner with us, with the common goal of making them successful. That's why we take so much time getting to know our clients, their markets and their needs. Through that knowledge, we can deliver the highest value in steel structures at the most competitive price."

Mike is the company's liaison to the Material Handling Industry Association (MHIA), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.

Outside of work, he enjoys golf and travel.

Contact Mike Thelen: Mike Thelen:  Mike.Thelen@steelesolutions.com // 888-542-5099

Terry Young, Vice President-Engineering – Terry is one of the founders of Steele Solutions and has extensive experience in the design of platforms, mezzanines and other steel support structures. He holds a bachelor of science degree in architectural engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and has served on MSOE's Corporate Board since 2003.

In his current role, Terry oversees the design and code conformance of the steel structures that Steele Solutions manufactures. While the company applies the same engineering excellence to all projects, Terry especially enjoys solving more complex structural needs,  including those in which Tekla building information modeling (BIM) software is used, and on alternate approaches such as ceiling-hung structures and tripod-supported structures.

"We bend over backwards to understand a client's business and needs; that goes a long way in helping us meet their goals in the best possible manner," he said. "This kind of professional and creative relationship is unique to our company."

Terry also helps ensure that project deadlines are met by digging deeper into time lines and working backward so structures are completed and delivered on time.

Outside of work, Terry enjoys woodworking, biking, fishing, boating, cross country skiing and snowmobiling.

Contact Terry Young  Terry.Young@steelesolutions.com // 888-542-5099

Kevin O'Neill, Vice President-Sales and Marketing – Kevin joined Steele Solutions as a partner in 1997 after working as a regional sales manager for another steel structure company. Kevin, who holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, helps drive the company's strong customer service culture. He sees customer service as a key component of Steele Solutions' position as a resource for the material handing, distribution and industrial sectors.

"Solutions is more than just part of our name, " Kevin says. "We can provide our customers with a solution that helps them achieve success. That is very rewarding. When you do that over and over again you truly do form partnerships. The other favorite part of the job is forming long term personal relationships with our customers. Getting to know their families and them getting to know my family adds a level of friendship and fun to the everyday rigors of work."

Kevin served on the Manufacturers Board of Advisors of the Material Handling Equipment Dealers Association (MHEDA) from 2007-10.

Outside of work, Kevin enjoys serving as a coach for sports teams for his four children, golf and family time.

Contact Kevin O'Neill: Kevin.ONeill@steelesolutions.com // 414-367-5120 or 888-542-5099

Mike Raby, Vice President-Dealer Sales – Mike joined Steele Solutions in 2010 with 25 years of experience in the material handling industry. He works with dealers and distributors throughout the US, helping them be the most knowledgeable and resourceful vendors to end users in the material handling, distribution, warehouse, industrial, military and government markets.

"We have great products built from great design work," Mike said. "I really enjoy helping our distributors sell those products as true solutions to end users' needs."

Mike, who is based in the Cleveland, Ohio area, is involved in the Material Handling Equipment Dealers Association (MHEDA), the Retail Leaders Industry Association (RILA) the Warehouse Education and Research Council (WERC), and the Kentucky Colonels.

Outside of work, Mike enjoys photography, coaching and remodeling.

Contact Mike Raby: Mike.Raby@steelesolutions.com // 414-367-5123 office // 440-864-7220 cell // 888-542-5099 toll free

Dennis Fagan, East Coast Regional Sales Manager – Dennis joined Steele Solutions in 2011 with 29 years of experience in the mezzanine and platform industry. Dennis works with dealers and distributors in the Eastern U.S., helping them be the most knowledgeable resource for end users or others who are installing mezzanines, platforms or other steel structures.

"I really enjoy working with our distributors to help their clients solve space needs and material handling needs," says Dennis, who holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Temple University.

Outside of work, Dennis participates in a variety of sports and is a member of the Ancient Order of Hiberians of America-Division #3 in Doylestown, Pa.

Contact Dennis Fagan:  Dennis.Fagan@steelesolutions.com // 414-367-5124 office  //  215-622-8945 cell

Chad Kuchler, Regional Sales Manager -- Chad joined Steele Solutions in 1999 after working in boiler and cooler tower chemical sales. At Steele Solutions, he is responsible for new business development and enjoys building and maintaining strong relationships with customers.

Outside of work, Chad enjoys spending time with his two children, golfing and musky fishing. He is a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduate with a bachelor of science degree in science.

Contact Chad Kuchler: Chad.Kuchler@steelesolutions.com // 414-367-5130 office // 414-507-8642 cell

Eric Kirk, Sales: Eric has been with Steele Solutions since 2008. His responsibilities include providing accurate and timely proposals for all types of custom-made structures from catwalks, stair towers, equipment platforms to mezzanines of any size. He also works with distributors and partners in the material handling industry, responds to customers’ questions, and establishes new relationships in the material handling industry. 

Eric is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago with a bachelor's degree in political science / philosophy. Outside of work, Eric enjoys amateur photography and also enjoys working with different computer programs associated with photography and video editing like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier Pro and Roxio.   

Contact Eric Kirk:  Eric.Kirk@steelesolutions.com // 414-367-5122 office // 414-403-0725 cell

Matt Tresp, Sales: Matt has been with Steele Solutions since 2008. He assists customers through the entire process of a project.  His primary role is to get customers their proposals on time, but also to act as a project manager as the job comes to life. Matt is a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduate with a bachelor's degree in management. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, biking, and various sports. He also plays the bass with his band.

Contact Matt Tresp:   Matt.Tresp@steelesolutions.com // 414-367-5121 office // 414-881-6232 cell