United Refractories Co. launches new web platform: Our new site amplifies and simplifies customer and employee access to product-related materials, plus makes it easier for prospects to connect directly with staff.
Key Staff
Please take a moment to get to know the people of URC and URI -- and see how our rich diversity and depth of experience in engineering, research & development, computer technology, manufacturing, sales, quality assurance and customer service collectively represents well over a century of hard-won industry expertise and customer satisfaction. We are all UNITED for a single purpose: to deliver the very best refractory products to our customers.
Jump to: United Refractories Co. Key Staff | UNI-Ref, Inc. Key Staff
Douglas R. Niesen
President, United Refractories Co.
CEO, UNI-REF, Inc.
With a strong work ethic, modeled after his father, and his visionary approach to business, Douglas saw a new direction for United Refractories Co. (URC). After earning his B.A. in Communications from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he joined the staff of URC in 1987 as a Sales Account Representative. Building upon his father’s strong foundation, Douglas’ passion for the business put him on the path to leadership. Since becoming president in 1993, he has grown URC into an internationally respected and reliable source for refractory needs.
Douglas consistently works with customers to meet their individual goals with a commitment to quality, technology and service. He is a member of The Refractories Institute and the American Foundrymen's Society.
United Refractories Co. Key Staff
Mark Kness
Director of Business Development
Mark has sixteen years of sales experience with URC, a career that began with opening new sales territories and sales growth in the mid-1990’s. Mark became Sales Director in 2003. His position has expanded over the years to include business development, sales and marketing. Mark holds a BS in Marketing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and is a member of the American Ceramic Society, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. and the Portland Cement Association.
Willard M. Bellows
Controller
Willard took the Controller reigns at URC in 2007. His previous experience includes an impressive 39 years with the same refractory-related company. Over the lifespan of that company’s many different names and ownership groups, Willard held positions ranging from CFO and CIO to General Manager and President. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Duquesne University.
Ron Kilgore
Senior Engineer
Ron joined URC in 1998, bringing with him a wealth of refractory R&D and Market Development experience that began with Vesuvius Crucible Co. in 1963. Currently, he serves as a Senior Engineer for URC. Ron has held notable positions in various companies across a broad spectrum of refractory development, purchasing, management and sales over the course of his career. He holds a BS and MS in Ceramic Technology (now Materials Science) from Penn State University, and is a member of the American Ceramic Society and National Institute of Ceramic Engineers.
Jody Balogh
Business Development / Administrative Coordinator
Jody has spent nearly one-third of her professional life here at URC, joining the team in the year 1999 as an administrator/bookkeeper. All tolled, Jody has over 35 years of experience in accounting and business administration that includes refractory experience as well as sales and marketing, fast food, and the petroleum storage industries. She studied Bookeeping and Accounting at both Daytona Beach Community College and the Ohio State University.
Tanya Champagne
Business Development and International Coordinator
Tanya joined URC in 2011 after a 20 year career in Computer Information and Technology. As a software developer, implementation specialist, and project manager she gained corporate experience at companies such as Walt Disney Studios, Hewlett Packard, and Eclipsys Corporation. A former business owner herself (2005-2011), Tanya relies on her technology background combined with her business development experience in her position here at URC. She holds a BS in Math and Computer Science from UCLA.
Donna Hull
Customer Service Representative
With over two decades of customer service experience — inclusive of her position at URC since 2001 — Donna brings both managerial experience and human resources know-how to the table. Prior to URC, Donna worked in HR and Customer Service for the cement industry, and served as a manager in a retail environment. She studied computer courses at the Community College of Beaver County.
Amy R.
Billing Coordinator
Amy started with URC in the summer of 2011. She brought several years experience with her, including work as a bookkeeper and customer service manager for Burlington Coat Factory, as well as account executive experience with Citifinancial. Amy holds a BS in Organizational Leadership from Robert Morris University, and is working toward an MS in Human Resources Management from Capella University. She is a multi-year volunteer for both the American Cancer Society and the Relay for Life in Peters Township (PA).
Kimberly Sweder
Purchasing Manager
Kimberly joined URC in 2009 and brought with her a decade of hands-on purchasing experience in refractory. She ascended to the post of Senior Purchasing Agent — even logged a year as a Transportation Specialist — for ANH Refractories prior to joining the URC team. Kimberly holds a BS in Marketing from The Pennsylvania State University and is a member of The Refractories Institute (TRI).
Holly Garancosky
Accounting Assistant
Holly joined URC in 2006 after amassing over fifteen years of experience as a bookkeeper and staff assistant for such organizations as Universal Suppliers of Selinsgrove, PA and the Penn State University — in both the Outreach and Continuing Education department and for the College of Engineering. She has earned certification from the Penn State Office Professional Certificate Program and studied Business Management courses, also at Penn State.
UNI-Ref, Inc. Key Staff
Brian Rhoads
President
Brian joined UNI-REF, Inc. in 2002 as the Director of Quality Assurance and served faithfully in that capacity before advancing to his current position as President. Brian wore a number of hats prior to joining URI, putting in two decades of work as a senior process engineer, manager, and QA director for such companies as BMI Refractories, Didier Taylor Refractories and ANH Refractories. He holds a BS in Ceramic Science & Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, and is a Member of the American Society for Quality (ASQ).
Fred L. Daniels
Vice President, Operations
An 11-year Air Force veteran, Fred was hired over 20 years ago as plant manager for UNI-REF, Inc. Fred was the originator of URI’s precast manufacturing division and has both expanded and improved manufacturing capabilities and efficiency in over two decades of service to URI.
Richard Volk
Vice President, Research & Development
Richard joined UNI-REF, Inc. in 2002. His career in R&D and engineering spans 36 years in the refractories industry for such companies as Wellsville Firebrick, AP Green, NARCO, and National Refractories & Minerals. Here at URI, Richard served as the Director of Product Development and the Director of Research prior to his current position. He holds a BS in Ceramic Science from Pennsylvania State University and an MS in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri – Rolla. Richard is a certified ISO 9001 Auditor, plus a member of the American Ceramic Society and American Foundrymen’s Society.
Trevor Kreuzmann
Quality Assurance Manager
Trevor joined UNI-REF, Inc. in 2011, bringing with him nearly seven years of prior experience as a production engineer, production supervisor and production control manager. Trevor holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.
