Team – Michel Sales Agency

Kathleen Fox

Inside Sales/Data Analyst

Kathleen Fox is a Data Analyst and Inside Sales Representative at Michel Sales Agency. She graduated from Marquette University with a degree in finance and business analytics. With a strong background in data analysis, Kathleen has experience using various reporting programs to drive data-driven business decisions. In her hybrid role, she enjoys combining her analytical expertise with customer-focused sales efforts to support clients and wholesalers effectively. Outside of work, Kathleen loves to travel, cook, and spend quality time with family and friends.

Allison Roland

Inside Sales/Commercial Quotations

Allison Roland works as an Inside Sales Representative at Michel Sales Agency since joining the team in 2023 during the acquisition of R.G. Higgins. She enjoys forming relationships with customers and learning new things each day. Outside of work, Allison likes to spend time with her family and friends, trying new recipes, and cheering on the Minnesota Wild.

Larry Sundberg

Field Support/Technical Training Manager

Larry Sundberg is a part of the Technical Support Team involved with boiler and water heater troubleshooting as well as overall hydronic training. Larry joined Michel Sales Agency in 2006. This role gives him the opportunity to support equipment that he already had 10 years of experience installing when he ran his own contractor business. He’s married with two grown daughters, a granddaughter, and a grandson.

Rick Michel

President of Operations and Principal

Rick Michel is President of Operations and Principal at Michel Sales Agency. He is proud to be a 4th generation owner working alongside his brothers, Matt and Dan. Rick graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1997 and attained a CPMR certification in 2010. Rick started working at Michel Sales in 1998 in the warehouse and inside sales. Rick has served as a board member for AIM/R. Rick lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with his wife and two daughters. When he’s not working, Rick enjoys cheering for his favorite sports teams, watching his daughters play sports, seeing live music, and running the occasional trail race.

Scott Gillman

Warehouse Manager

Scott Gillman works as the Warehouse Manager at Michel Sales Agency and joined the team in 2023. Scott has 30 years of experience working in the plumbing and heating industry.

Mairzy Gatrell

Marketing/Order Fulfillment Associate

Mairzy Gatrell is a part of the inside sales team, specializing in marketing and order fulfillment. Since starting at Michel Sales Agency in 2020, Mairzy has brought expertise in customer interaction and troubleshooting. She values Michel Sales Agency’s commitment to employee well-being and growth. She has a BA in communication studies and journalism from the University of St. Thomas, as well as an MA in instruction from St. Mary’s University. Outside of work, Mairzy enjoys spending quality time with her daughter and husband.

Abra Gillman

Accountant

Abra Gillman is the Accountant at Michel Sales Agency. Abra started at Michel Sales in 2020 after a 20-year absence. She has over 25 years of experience in the accounting field as a cost accountant, tax preparer, and controller. Abra also has a BA in natural science with a minor in mathematics and AA in accounting. Abra took on the role when she had more freedom from her children’s activities and appreciates the family atmosphere at Michel Sales.

Joe Weyandt

Inside Sales

Joe Weyandt is an Inside Sales Representative and joined Michel Sales Agency in 2024. Joe attended Iowa State University and has over five years of experience working as an inside sales and customer service representative in the handheld weighing industry at Intercomp Company. Working at Michel Sales has given him the chance to be part of a close-knit community and further his career. When he’s not working, Joe enjoys spending time with his friends and family as well as cheering on his favorite sports teams—the Iowa State Cyclones, the Chicago Bears, the Minnesota United, and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Kallie O’Gara

Inside Sales

Kallie O’Gara is an Inside Sales Representative and has been with Michel Sales Agency since 2023. She has a background in full-stack web development as well as customer service. Kallie is passionate about helping people and bringing a positive attitude to her work environment. She joined the team at Michel Sales to further her skills and achieve her long-term goals, as well as making personal connections and friendships along the way.

Jim Vandergon

Inside Sales/Commercial Quotations

Jim Vandergon is an Inside Sales Representative at Michel Sales Agency. Jim joined the company in 2023 after their merger with R.G. Higgins. He has 25 years of experience in the industry with wholesale and factory representation. Jim attended St. Cloud State and has completed many factory training sessions over the years. He’s a big hockey and football fan and in his spare time enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors.

Matt Randolph

Commercial Quotations

Matt Randolph joined Michel Sales Agency in 2019 as an Inside Sales Representative and now works in Commercial Quotations. Matt has over 15 years of sales experience across a variety of industries. Matt appreciates the commitment to customers, reliability, and the pursuit of success that make up the pillars of Michel Sales. He strives to contribute a strong work ethic and detail-oriented approach on a daily basis. In his free time, Matt enjoys spending time with family, going to the cabin, and watching sports.

Steve Albertson

Commercial Development Specialist

Steve Albertson works as the Commercial Developmental Specialist at Michel Sales Agency and joined the team in 2024. Steve has over 20 years of customer service experience and enjoys helping customers find solutions to their challenges. He appreciates the collaborative environment at Michel Sales and how everyone is willing to step in and help each other. Steve is married with two adult children and is the proud parent of a spoiled 80-pound hound dog.

Spencer Bell

Field Support/Technical Trainer

Spencer Bell works as a Field Support/Technical Trainer and joined Michel Sales Agency in 2023. Spencer has 10 years of experience in the plumbing and heating industry, specializing in tech support and training. Spencer is married and enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He also is passionate about music (specifically heavy metal) and loves playing guitar in his free time.

Pat Paulson

Technical Sales Specialist

Pat Paulson is a proven sales professional with nearly 20 years of experience in the commercial construction industry. Pat joined Michel Sales Agency in 2019 and has been serving as the Technical Sales Specialist. Pat resides in the north metro with his wife and son. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking, photography, and travel.

Joel Clary

Sales Engineer

Joel Clary is the Wisconsin Sales/Specifications Engineer and joined Michel Sales Agency in 2023. Joel holds a mechanical engineering PE license in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois. Over the past 25 years, he has worked directly for building owners and architects across multiple states, preparing HVAC and plumbing designs. Joel is married with three grown sons and lives on a nine-acre farm in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, fishing, and spending time with his four-hive honey bee apiary.

Ryan Kraft

Outside Sales

Ryan Kraft is an Outside Sales Representative at Michel Sales Agency and joined the team in 2023. After four years in the Air Force, he moved to northeast Wisconsin. Ryan is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and has been in sales for 17 years for a variety of companies. He enjoys interacting with people and hearing their stories. Ryan is married with three children and two grandchildren.

Cody Whitaker

Outside Sales

Cody Whitaker is an Outside Sales Representative at Michel Sales Agency, calling on contractors, providing technical assistance, and performing trainings. Cody is a licensed journeyman plumber and has been with Michel Sales since 2022. Prior to this, Cody spent eight years as a plumber in Wisconsin and three years working in hot water products in their warehouse and service team. Cody enjoys hunting and fishing as well as spending time with his wife and two children.

Camden Whitaker

Outside Sales

Camden Whitaker is an Outside Sales Representative for Michel Sales Agency. He has been in the construction industry for 10 years. Camden started out as a commercial electrician for three years then specialized in the hydronic/plumbing industry for the last seven years. He joined Michel Sales in 2020 not only for the opportunity to grow professionally but also for the family and personal atmosphere. In his free time, Camden enjoys spending time with his family and dog, working out, golfing, boating, hunting/fishing, and traveling.

Andrew O’Reilly

Outside Sales

Andrew O’Reilly is an Outside Sales Representative and joined Michel Sales Agency in 2023. He graduated from Bethel University with a degree in finance but eventually transitioned to working in the HVAC installation field, gaining experience in equipment installations, servicing, and sales. Andrew is passionate about building relationships with people and serving others. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his spouse and two children.

Andy Johnson

Outside Sales

Andy Johnson is an Outside Sales Representative and has been with Michel Sales Agency since 2018. He has a BA in education from Creighton University. After working in education for nine years, Andy decided he needed a career change to have more opportunities for advancement. Outside of work, Andy enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, playing golf, fantasy sports, and spending time at the lake during the summer.

Nick Kruse

Outside Sales

Nick Kruse is an Outside Sales Representative at Michel Sales Agency, previously having worked as a service contractor for four years. Since he joined the team in 2014, Nick has been able to take his experience in the field combined with his factory training to help contractors and distributors solve a wide range of unique problems and provide both classroom and onsite training. He has several training certifications. Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters, and black lab. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, and going up to the Boundary Waters every year.

Kelly Michel

Retired – Customer Service

Kelly Michel started his career at Michel Sales Agency selling on the road to Iowa, Nebraska, and southern Minnesota after graduating from the University of St. Thomas. In 1982, Kelly started running the inside sales and warehouse operations. He then returned to outside sales, this time covering South Dakota, southern Minnesota, eastern Wisconsin, and the Twin Cities. Several years later, Kelly refocused the wholesale division which led to splitting Michel Sales into two companies to serve their specific markets. Michel Sales Agency moved into their current location on Phalen Blvd. in St. Paul which allowed them to expand their capabilities with a world-class training facility. Kelly served as the 18th national AIM/R president (his father Chuck served as the 3rd). He enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the industry and retired in 2022.

Shannon Janssen

Director of Human Resources

Shannon Janssen joined Michel Sales Agency in 2023 as Director of Human Resources, bringing over 20 years of experience to the team. She attended the University of Minnesota and holds the SHRM-Human Resources Certified Professional certification. Shannon is dedicated to fostering a positive work culture and supporting the growth and development of the team. She is married with three grown children and blessed with three grandchildren. Outside of work, Shannon enjoys the outdoors, traveling, playing pickleball, boating, and spending time on the lake with her family.

Jim Roland

Director of PVF

Jim Roland is Director of PVF and joined Michel Sales Agency in 2022. In his 40 years of experience in the industry, Jim has held many positions. He started his career working in the warehouse in the wholesale distributor business then moved to outside sales, becoming a regional manager for a manufacturer. He also owned a local manufacturers’ rep agency, R.G. Higgins and Associates, prior to selling his company to Michel Sales. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time up north with his family and friends and pulling great food off the smoker.

Tim Marklein

Director of Sales – East

Tim Marklein joined Michel Sales Agency as Director of Sales – East in 2023. Tim has been working in the plumbing and heating industry for 22 years. He enjoys building relationships with customers and, in his previous role, had brought on Michel Sales and worked closely with Kelly, Rick, and Matt. He admired Michel Sales from the start and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to become a part of their team. Tim is married and has a young son who keeps him busy. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, being outside, and participating in outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, skiing, and tennis.

Danny Michel

Director of Sales – West

Danny Michel is Director of Sales – West and joined Michel Sales Agency in 2011. Danny graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a focus in business marketing. He then served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps with Catholic Charities in Nashville, Tennessee where he met his wife. For Danny, joining Michel Sales wasn’t just a career choice, it was a continuation of a legacy that dates back to his great-grandfather’s founding of the company in 1932. Being a part of a 4th-generation business and being able to work alongside his two older brothers, Rick and Matt, brings him a deep sense of pride and determination. Outside of work, Danny enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his wife and three children.

Tom DeGenaro

Director of Commercial Development

Tom DeGenaro is Director of Commercial Development. Tom grew up in Burnsville, Minnesota. In 2017, he joined Michel Sales Agency because he wanted to operate in more focused territory, form better and closer working relationships, and be closer to his family. Tom is married and has two children. In his spare time, he enjoys playing in his adult hockey league, going to concerts, fishing, and hunting.

Matt Michel

President of Sales and Principal

Matt Michel is President of Sales and Principal of Michel Sales Agency. Matt recalls that he didn’t have a choice when his dad and previous owner, Kelly, called him in April during his senior year of college and told him it was time to come to work. He has been at Michel Sales since 2005. Matt has a BA from the University of St. Thomas and a CPMR from the University of Texas at Austin. Matt is married with four children and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Meet the People of Michel Sales Agency

Executive Team

Rick Michel

Matt Michel

Danny Michel

Tim Marklein

Tom DeGenaro

Jim Roland

Shannon Janssen

Kelly Michel

Outside Sales Team

Matt Michel

Rick Michel

Danny Michel

Tim Marklein

Jim Roland

Nick Kruse

Andy Johnson

Andrew O’Reilly

Camden Whitaker

Cody Whitaker

Ryan Kraft

Commercial Development Team

Tom DeGenaro

Pat Paulson

Larry Sundberg

Joel Clary

Matt Randolph

Steve Albertson

Spencer Bell

Inside Sales Team

Jim Vandergon

Allison Roland

Kallie O’Gara

Joe Weyandt

Kathleen Fox

Abra Gillman

Mairzy Gatrell

Scott Gillman

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