About Us
Management Team
Jeff Cherif
President
Jeff Cherif joined JB in 2005, and is one of the two partners who now own and operate the company. Jeff graduated in 1986 from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. After a two-year stint with Murdock Publications, Jeff joined Motorola, Inc. as a basic account manager. Jeff spent two years with the domestic operation before transferring into the International Division in 1991. Jeff has accumulated a wealth of sales and sales management experience during his 16 year career, including assignments in Spain, South Africa and his last assignment in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Jeff developed a reputation as a strong manager with his firm but fair and consistent management approach, with exceptional strengths in developing customer relationships, meeting aggressive sales targets, developing successful distribution networks and developing strategic plans for long term growth. Jeff’s exceptional sales skills were exemplified during his last assignment in Dubai where he built a strong team that he successfully managed to increase business from 250 million to a billion dollar market. Jeff was recognized for his excellence in 2004 when he was promoted to Vice President in charge of sales distribution and sales development for Europe, Middle East and Africa, and as such became one of the youngest individuals in Motorola to achieve such a distinguished position with associated high level of responsibility. Jeff concentrates on expanding the J/B business model to increase domestic and international sales, market share and revenue.
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Ron Hill, Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer
Ron Hill, Jr. is one of the two partners that now own and operate the company. Ron practically grew up around JB, starting at the ripe old age of 9 when his father took over control of the company in 1973. Ron began by emptying garbage cans. By 10, he was picking orders.
Ron graduated in 1986 from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Upon graduation Ron joined the company full-time and once again started at the bottom. He began his career in shipping, moved to receiving, and then spent 2 – 3 years in customer service. After that, he worked closely with the plant manager where he was instrumental in implementing the bar coding system, designing the shipping department, and the system to rotate inventory. In the nineteen years Ron has been with JB full time, he was exposed to all aspects of the business, and particularly excelled at factory operations. He was a natural to take over as the plant manager when this position became available. Ron will continue with running the factory’s internal business operations focusing on product development, quality, service and support.
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Oscar Lopez
Vice President of Sales
Oscar comes to JB with extensive experience in sales and management. Originally from Venezuela, he has lived in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area since 1981, receiving his BBA at TCU in 1986. Oscar has been in the HVAC/R industry since 1992 and has a track record of developing long-lasting relationships that have translated into strong sales performance. Beginning his career by selling refrigerant recovery units for Penquin Refrigeration, Oscar then transitioned to Full Circle as Vice President of Sales and Marketing transforming them into one of the premier Reclamation/Refrigerant companies in the industry at that time. He left Full Circle and joined the Virgina KMP sales team, helping them to contimue the growth of their established name and product line in a very competitive industry.
Oscar has been in the HVAC/R industry for over 20 years. He is a strong supporter of the HARDI organization, and is a recipient of HARDI’s Booster Award. The HARDI booster award is given in recognition of consistent and exceptional service to HARDI wholesaler distributors and the HVAC/R Distribution industry.
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Paul Dachota
Chief Financial Officer
A south side of Chicago native and current resident, Paul graduated from DePaul University in 1988 with an accounting degree. Paul joined Motorola, Inc. in 1989, and held several positions of increasing responsibility during his seventeen-year tenure with the company, including roles in general and cost accounting, controllership positions for distribution and services organizations. His last position focused on a strategy and merger/acquisition role and in corporate treasury as cash manager, and involved interfacing with the investment banking community.
Paul joined JB Industries in June 2006 as the Chief Financial Officer. His main emphasis focuses on cost reduction programs and providing analysis and recommendations to help the JB team sustain efficient growth and profitability.
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Dave Madden
Director of Engineering & Manufacturing
Dave received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northern Illinois University where he was a charter member of the university’s ASME and ASHRAE chapters. After a successful stint in the computer industry with companies such as AT&T and SUN Microsystems, Dave returned to his HVAC roots in 1997. Dave’s grandfather was owner/operator of Madden Brass Co., which provided fittings, access valves, and manifolds for the air conditioning & refrigeration industry up until the late 60’s.
Dave is now focused on new product development, quality initiatives, and information technology. He and his team are dedicated to products made in the USA with superior quality at competitive prices.
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Todd Ochsenschlager
Director of Purchasing
Todd is a product of West Aurora High School and Aurora University, where he studied criminal law and was an outstanding football player. After leaving college in 1988, Todd worked in the concrete industry for seven years before joining JB in January 1996. Todd’s first position with JB was Shipping Supervisor where Todd was responsible for managing all aspects of JB’s shipments worldwide. An integral part of his responsibilities included negotiating rates and terms with numerous freight forwarders and courier services. This experience put Todd at the head of the list when the Director of Purchasing position became available, a position Todd assumed in 1998 and continues to occupy today. Having honed his negotiation skills in the shipping department, Todd now focuses on negotiating with JB’s suppliers for competitive pricing and ensuring raw materials are available to the factory in a timely manner to meet JB’s manufacturing schedule.
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Deborah Koester
Customer Service Manager
A California native, Debbie somehow got convinced to relocate to the Chicago area, and this turned out to be a stroke of luck for JB. Debbie joined JB in 1995 as a Customer Service Representative, and in her tenure at JB evolved into a knowledgeable individual on all customer driven issues. Well known and respected by customers and JB area representatives, she is known as the person to contact for answers or solutions for customer related issues. As the senior member of the Customer Service Department and the most experienced, Debbie was a natural to assume the responsibilities of Customer Service Manager, and was promoted to this position in 2005. As a working manager, Debbie continues to remain active in solving customer issues while addressing additional responsibilities of managing the Customer Service Department and training new customer service representatives.
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Mike Lirot
Controller
Mike is a life long resident of the Aurora area. He attended Northern Illinois University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy in 1981. Since graduation from college, MIke worked in the field of public accounting for local Aurora accounting firms, preparing financial statements and tax returns for a variety of companies and not-for-profit organizations. Mike passed the Certified Public Accountant`s examination in May of 1983. He joined JB Industries as the company`s Assistant Controller in February 2004 and became Controller in February 2005.
Mike`s main responsibilities include overseeing the accounting department, cash management, preparing monthly financial statements, issuing payroll, and keeping the company compliant with required state and federal filings.
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