Martin Ralston, Owner/President

Martin Ralston was born and raised in Southwest Portland and graduated from Wilson High School. He attended The University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, and graduated from University of Oregon in "Business and Construction," a five-year course of Architecture and Business core curriculum. Summer time during high school and college was spent working as a welder/fabricator in the family owned shop of The Lynch Company. Upon graduation from college Martin became a Project Manager for The Lynch Company for eight years.

Martin was married in 1987, and has two children.

In 1990, Martin became the President of the Company. In 2005 Martin formed a new LLC called Lynch Mechanical Construction, which engages in Commercial Industrial Mechanical Contracting Projects. In 2007 the shares of the final stockholder in The Lynch Company were redeemed, making Martin the sole owner of both Companies.

Martin is a licensed pyrotechnician with the State of Oregon Fire Marshall's office, which he uses to provide a display for The Lynch Company, and Lynch Mechanical's July Picnic at his property along the Willamette River.

Martin enjoys playing music in his band named "Mid Life Crisis," water & snow skiing, golf, working with his hands on wood and home construction/renovation projects.

Rex Nelson, General Manager

Rex Nelson started in the metal trade when he was 16 years old, working at a shop in central Oregon, when he was in high school. "At the time I had no idea that 38 years later I would still be involved in this industry."

After graduation from Madras High School Rex moved to Portland and started working at local fabrication shops. He learned to weld and eventually attained many welding certifications including his pressure vessel certifications. Over time he became a field supervisor and was involved with the installation of many projects around the Portland area.

Rex became a project manager/ sales estimator in the late 80's and early 90's and even owned his own business for a while. He has been with The Lynch Company for almost 14 years now, starting as a salesman/estimator/purchasing agent. About 8 years ago Rex became the General Manager.

"My wife, daughter, and I live in Vancouver Washington and enjoy golfing, sailing and going to the Oregon coast."

Pat Prentice, Sales and Marketing Manager

Born and raised in Portland Oregon, Pat Prentice began his career in the steel business while a teenager, working in both his fathers' fabrication company, Metal Tech Corp. located in Vancouver Washington and his Tool & Die Company, Western Tool & Die, in Portland Oregon. While working at Metal Tech Corp his duties varied, and grew. With time came more responsibility. From welding and fitting (earning several certifications), to estimating and purchasing, leading eventually to managing the 80+ employee shop.

Pat served as a machinist in the Air Force in the early 1970s and continued machining for several years there after. He sold steel and fabrication for American Steel Inc., in Portland Oregon for 9 years, and then went into the trucking business as a partner in Jeco Transport for 8 years. After selling his part of the trucking company Pat started his own business, Pacific Atlantic Trading Company, selling Real Estate and brokering fabrication and transportation until returning to the steel fabrication business with Ecklund Industries in 1999.

Pat has been employed by The Lynch Company since April of 2007, and is currently the Sales and Marketing Manager. "I have been happily married for 36 years, have 3 children and 3 grandchildren, love travel, golf, music and good wine!"

Robert Brown, Sales/Project Engineers

Robert Brown is a Native Oregonian, Currently living in Oregon City. After completing a Tour of Duty in Biloxi, Mississippi, while attached to the Oregon Air National Guard, he returned to Oregon, Married, has 4 children, 8 grandchildren. Attended School at Clackamas Community College and Portland State, and Community College of the Air Force. Worked in the Hazardous Materials Industry until 1985 as Project Manager and Estimator. Robert made a career change into the steel industry in 1996 as Project Manager. Started with the Lynch Company in 1999 as project manager.

Currently operating as Project Manager, Quality Control Manager, company AWS Certified Welding Inspector, and Safety Director, Robert spends his time off Surfing, Motorcycle riding, playing music with his garage band, and building go-karts and sand rails.

Don Goldthwaite, Sales/Project Engineer

Don Goldthwaite calls Kent, Ohio his home town. He was educated at Kent State University. In 1969 Don was employed at Buckeye Pipeline of Lynden, New Jersey as Pipeline Operator and Petroleum Storage Specialist servicing the underground transport of jet fuels, heating oils and gasoline to the greater New York area, Kennedy Airport, SAC Air Force Base and into the Midwest of America.

"I moved with my wife and two children to Portland, Oregon in 1972 because of our desire to raise our family in the Pacific Northwest." Don worked for Northwest Marine Ironworks for the next twenty years as Ship Superintendent and Machine Shop Superintendent. During this time he was involved in the construction of new vessels and was responsible for major ship repair projects including US Navy and commercial ships both foreign and domestic.

As Superintendent of their Main Machine Shop in Northwest Portland he was project manager for many major machining projects including a three year project for replacing twelve hydroelectric turbines on the High Aswan Dam. During this time he was instrumental in developing machining techniques that were later used to improve silent running submarine props for the US Navy. He was later consulted for these machining methods to help develop milling machines to produce turbines for large dam projects in China and South America. By learning to write machining programs Don was successful in solving lubrication problems on strut bearings for the construction of USCG icebreakers. During this time he developed a machining program, procedure and quality assurance program for the manufacture of eleven nuclear containment caps for storage of submarine reactors and their waste products. Don also served as project manager for major repairs and improvements to area dams including the Bonneville Dam and the John Day Dam. During his final year at NWMIW he also served as the chief designer for their Sawmill Machinery product line by converting and rebuilding older mills to more modern equipment.

After the sale of Northwest Marine Ironworks, Don served as sales representative and Shop Superintendent for several local machine shops in the Portland area. In 1999 he was recruited by The Lynch Company where he has been very happy to serve as one of the Project Managers for the past eight years

Chris Haney, Sales/Project Engineer

Chris Haney was born and raised in Forest Grove, Oregon. After graduating from Oregon Institute of Technology in 1990 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, Chris started his career at Industrial Alloy Fabricators, where he had worked his way through college as a machinist. He spent 9 years with IAF as both a Project Engineer and a Project Manager — designing, drawing, estimating, and managing the manufacture of high alloy pressure vessels and heat exchangers. Chris spent another 4 years working at Northwest Copper Works. At NW Copper, he was the fittings department manager — estimating, selling, and managing the manufacture of stainless and nickel alloy pipe and pipe fittings. From 2003-2007, Chris was the Production Manager for Precision Countertops — overseeing all aspects of production, purchasing, scheduling, and installation of Laminate, Solid Surface, and Granite countertops.

In 2007 he returned to the steel industry to work for the Lynch company as a Project Manager. Chris has 14 years experience in steel fabrication, serving such industries as: Pulp & Paper, Chemical, Refineries, Geothermal Power, Hatcheries, Food Processing, Ethanol Production, Design-Build Contractors, Municipal Projects, and many others.

"I enjoy spending time outdoors with my wife and twin daughters — golfing, camping, hiking, cycling, traveling, and four wheeling in our Jeep."

Ray Zuel, Sales/Project Engineer

Ray Zuel was born and raised in Laos, Southeast Asia. He moved his family to the United States in March of 1982 seeking the "American Dream". He became a US citizen in 1992. Ray started his career in the Sheet Metal Workers Union, local 16, in March of 1993 working in three different sheet metal shops as an apprentice, and became a journeyman in 1997.

Ray worked at The Lynch Company in 1994 and, while he was only employed there for a little over a year in the shop, he impressed his supervisors with his work ethic. He returned in 2006 in a different capacity. Ray's personality and drive was recognized by management and he was offered a position as a sales and project manager, which is the position he holds presently.

Ray has been married for 14 years and has two children. He enjoys the great outdoors when he finds the time.

Dan Miller, Controller

Born and raised in Portland Oregon, Dan Miller began his career in accounting after graduating from Portland State University with a degree in Business Administration. After two years of public accounting experience he started his 13-year employment with Bay News, a wholesale distribution company of books and magazines. Bay News was eventually sold ending his five-year experience as the Director of Finance.

Dan then gained 10-years years of experience as a Controller. Five working for Blue Road Research, which manufactured products purchased with government contracts. Unfortunately Blue Road Research was purchased and moved out of state. He then worked for five years as Controller at two retail businesses. Dan began his employment with The Lynch Company as the Controller in October 2007. Dan has been married for 25 years, with two children.

Mendy Zuern, Accounts Payable/Office Manager

Mendy Zuern began working as an Accounts Payable/Office Manager in the Construction Industry, out of college. In her words, "I have always enjoyed interacting with all levels of personnel in the workplace from managers to crew."

Mendy began her career at The Lynch Company in January of 2007. Always incredibly helpful and knowledgeable beyond her years, Mendy currently handles all Accounts Payable and Payroll, along with additional office responsibilities as needed.

"As an Oregon native, I have always had a passion for the outdoors. I enjoy camping, hiking and spending time with my two dogs."

Amber Engstrom, Accounts Receivables

Amber Engstrom was born a "California girl" but raised ALL Oregonian.

She was introduced to The Lynch Company by chance in June of 2000, which was her first exposure to the Sheet Metal and Steel Fabrication world. Prior to her employment at The Lynch Company, she did job costing and general office duties for a local sign company.

After several years of performing basic office duties for The Lynch Company, Amber left for a while in 2003. While away she gave birth to her beautiful baby girl. When she was ready to return to the world of the employed, in her words, "my family at Lynch were more than gracious enough to have me back." Currently Amber is in charge of Accounts Receivables, Job Costing and is an integral part of the accounting department.

Marvin Van Dyke, General Foreman

Marvin Van Dyke has been an Oregon / Washington County resident since 1959, and a sheet metal union member since 1978.

Marvin has worked in all facets of the fabrication industry including alloy pressure vessels, heat exchangers, food service & handling equipment, structural, ornamental and general steel fabrication used in the petroleum, nuclear, paper, mining, alloy metals manufacturing, aviation, tourism, commercial & residential and food processing industries.

Marvin began his career as a delivery driver / helper but was accepted as an apprentice soon after being hired. He achieved journeyman scale in 1982, worked as lead person / working foreman until 1994 when he was appointed shop foreman.

"Having worked for Industrial Alloy Fabricators, CH Murphy / Clark Ulman, and Helser Industries, I am currently General Foreman with The Lynch Company." Marvin leads by example and get's the job done!