Management Profile

Robert O. Wiesemann, Sr.
Founder and Chairman
Robert Wiesemann Sr. has extensive experience in the carbon dioxide industry and has held executive positions with Liquid Carbonic Corporation and Thermice Corporation. Previous experience includes five years with Caterpillar Tractor Company and four years of service in the United States Marine Corps.

Robert O. Wiesemann II
Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Robert Wiesemann II has been actively involved with the company since its inception in 1976, with experience in all aspects of the business including branch operations, distribution, manufacturing, and marketing. He has been a member of senior management for more than 35 years. Prior to co-founding the company, he owned and operated a small business. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University in 1975.

John W. Funk
President and Chief Operating Officer
John Funk joined the company from The GSI Group, Inc., a manufacturer of agricultural equipment, where he served as General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, and board member. Prior to joining GSI, he worked for Behnke Insurance Company and A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, both based in Decatur, Illinois, and worked for three years in New York City as an attorney at the law firm of Brown & Wood. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College, a law degree from Vanderbilt University, and an MBA from the University of Illinois.

Randy J. Spitz
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Randy Spitz, a CPA, has been Chief Financial Officer since 1999. Previously, he was the chief financial officer for Hicks Oil and Hicks Gas, Inc. for more than 12 years and spent five years with Kesler & Co., Ltd., a regional CPA firm. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

Mark D. Hatton
Vice President, Manufacturing & Distribution
Mark Hatton has been responsible for manufacturing since joining the company in 1993. Prior to joining the company, he spent nine years with Weyerhaeuser Paper Company in production management positions. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Washington University.

David Butts
Vice President, Business Development
David Butts served on the Continental Carbonic Advisory Board and assisted with acquisitions and strategy prior to joining the company full-time in 2004. Previously, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer with Illinois Power, where he was responsible for market development, operations, engineering, and information technology. He was also president of their unregulated energy business. David holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Kettering Institute and an MBA from the University of Illinois.

Kurt Rudsinski
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Kurt Rudsinski joined Continental Carbonic in 2010 after 12 years of corporate banking experience and 5 years of public accounting experience. During that period, he worked with both privately held and publicly traded manufacturing and distribution companies. Prior to joining the company, Kurt worked for Wells Fargo Bank, National City Bank (now PNC Bank) and McGladrey & Pullen LLP in various cities throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. He holds a Bachelor's degree in accounting from Illinois State University and passed the CPA examination in May 1993.

Jason Taulbee
Vice President, Distribution
Jason Taulbee has extensive experience in distribution and transportation leadership, previously holding positions at Schneider National, US Xpress, Dollar Tree Stores, and Wegmans Food Markets. Jason's chief responsibility as the transportation leader at Continental Carbonic is to achieve industry leading results in safety, quality, and efficiency. Jason holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Union College in Kentucky.

Phil Wood
General Manager, Manufacturing

Before bringing his expertise in operations and plant management to Continental Carbonic, Phil Wood spent 18 years with General Electric in the Aviation, Healthcare, and Transportation segments. At Continental Carbonic, Phil leads all aspects of manufacturing across four dry ice production plants. He also leads the company's Environment, Health & Safety program. Phil holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.