Semler Industries’ Management Team

Loren W. Semler – President and COO

Loren is the third generation president of the organization and has been with Semler Industries since 1996. During his time with the company he has held positions in shipping/receiving, fabrication, project coordinator, customer satisfaction, VP of operations and now president of Semler Industries. Mr. Semler has a BA in Business Administration from Carthage College and an Executive MBA from Loyola University – Chicago.


William Schulz – Director of Strategic Accounts

Bill started with Semler Industries in 1973 and has supported many different roles within the company. His positions have been Sales Engineer, General Manager of the Liquid Handling Group, Director of Sales for the company and currently is Director of Strategic Accounts. This role requires addressing both local and national customer challenges that are business and technical in nature. Bill has a BA degree from Milton College.


Joe Palm – VP of Plant Operations

Since 1974 Joe has worked in the Semler Industries assembly plant. Mr. Palm spent the first decade of his career at Semler Industries working in the plant performing assembly, welding and other fabrication roles. In 1984 he took over plant manager responsibilities from his father. Joe has certifications in welding and other fabrication techniques. Joe is named on 5 patents to date, for his work on custom systems development at Semler.


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Ron Neubert – Purchasing

Ron joined Semler Industries serving in the hydraulics-pneumatics division of customer service. He then transferred to purchasing and continues to serve in this function today. Additionally, Ron helps with inventory control and maintaining the SCIP (Single Customer Inventory Position) where parts are stocked specifically for individual customers, based on their usage requirements.


Adam Pankoff
Adam Pankoff – Sales Manager, Core Products Group

Adam joined Semler Industries in 2010. A graduate from Purdue University, Adam started his career as a Territory Manager where he worked with customers to solve on-site issues and provide technical solutions. His current position of Group Sales Manager began in March 2018. Adam manages our team of customer-focused, technical Sales and Support personnel.


Salim Rowe – Director of Market Development, Functional Engine Fluid Equipment

Sal began with Semler Industries in 2011 as a marketing intern before graduating from University of Illinois at Chicago. His primary role was to start and manage the DEF equipment program and has now expanded into solutions for lube oils, antifreeze, biodiesel, fuel polishing and other petrochemical applications. As of January 2019, Sal has taken on the role of Director of Market Development for the engineered systems group.


Pedro Bahena

Pedro Bahena – Director of Engineering

Pedro joined the company in 2013 as an intern with the engineering department. Over the years, he demonstrated his ability to take on new design challenges, trouble shooting, and disciplines outside of traditional mechanical engineering. As of the fall of 2019, he took on the role of Lead Engineer. Pedro graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in mechanical engineering.


Philip Bennett – Production Engineer

Phil started as an engineering intern in the summer of 2011 and utilized his product development and system design skills as he grew in the company. After a brief period of pursuing another career opportunity, Phil rejoined Semler as Production Engineer in 2020. He now oversees the operational side of running the plant and continues to utilize his knowledge of product design and development work to help the engineering team.


Kim Salems – Director of Corporate Services

In 2019, Kim began with the company as the Human Resources Manager and as of 2024, she is now Director of Corporate Services. Utilizing her SHRM certification and leadership skillset, she oversees company functions such as employee relations, finances, credit & collection, and other support areas. Kim graduated from Illinois State University with a B.A. in social work.