- 708.388.0880
Leadership Team
Joseph D. Bettinardi
President
Joe attended Valparaiso University and graduated in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He also played football for the crusaders and was team captain his senior year. After college Joe held a number of positions with other companies including 3M, Cadillac Plastics, and A.P. Green. When Joe’s dad Donald J. Bettinardi (founder of Donson) had a scare with cancer, he was asked to join the company and learn everything he could about running a manufacturing company. Joe started out as a machinist trainee and eventually would go into sales. In 1998, Joe became the president of Donson. In 2005 after Donald J. Bettinardi passed away, Jim and Joe Bettinardi purchased the company.
Jim Bettinardi
CEO
Jim attended Valparaiso University and graduated in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Jim followed in his father’s footsteps and served his apprenticeship and became a Machinist. He has been working in a manufacturing environment since 4th grade. Jim’s father would have him coming in on Saturday and during the summer to wash down machines, deburr and polish parts. In high school he started his apprenticeship on a Bridgeport milling machine. He eventually progressed to learning setup and programming of the CNC machines. After college he joined Donson full time and moved around to different departments. His role now is as Chief Executive Officer.
Bob Howe
Vice President of Engineering
Bob started working at Donson in 1978, serving an apprenticeship and finishing in 3 years. While serving his apprenticeship, working on conventional as well as CNC Mill and Lathes, Bob started quoting for Don, so he could continue to grow Donson. Developing new customers, along with learning new processes, Donson started to gain steam in manufacturing and gaining a good reputation. Bob continued on with running all departments, then became plant manager. After developing new employees, and purchasing enough equipment to stay versatile, Bob started working more directly with the engineers in the medical field. This allowed Donson to help develop more cost effective and manufacturable products that would work and function as they were intended. Bob is now VP of Engineering and enjoys working with the younger generation of employees that will continue Donson’s tradition of excellence.
Mike Johnston
Product Manager /
Customer Service Manager
Mike Johnston has been with Donson since 1979. Mike has done a tremendous job taking care of our customers for over 40 years. Everyone knows you can count on him and he always 100% honest. Mike was around to help get this company off the ground when it had 15 employees. He is a true go getter and wants to please each customer trying to always meet their needs. As all business owners learn really quick, you can’t be a great company without great people in the organization.
Gina Torcasio
Finance Manager
Mike Johnston has been with Donson since 1979. Mike has done a tremendous job taking care of our customers for over 40 years. Everyone knows you can count on him and he always 100% honest. Mike was around to help get this company off the ground when it had 15 employees. He is a true go getter and wants to please each customer trying to always meet their needs. As all business owners learn really quick, you can’t be a great company without great people in the organization.
Joseph D. Bettinardi
President
Joe attended Valparaiso University and graduated in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He also played football for the crusaders and was team captain his senior year. After college Joe held a number of positions with other companies including 3M, Cadillac Plastics, and A.P. Green. When Joe’s dad Donald J. Bettinardi (founder of Donson) had a scare with cancer, he was asked to join the company and learn everything he could about running a manufacturing company. Joe started out as a machinist trainee and eventually would go into sales. In 1998, Joe became the president of Donson. In 2005 after Donald J. Bettinardi passed away, Jim and Joe Bettinardi purchased the company.
Jim Bettinardi
CEO
Jim attended Valparaiso University and graduated in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Jim followed in his father’s footsteps and served his apprenticeship and became a Machinist. He has been working in a manufacturing environment since 4th grade. Jim’s father would have him coming in on Saturday and during the summer to wash down machines, deburr and polish parts. In high school he started his apprenticeship on a Bridgeport milling machine. He eventually progressed to learning setup and programming of the CNC machines. After college he joined Donson full time and moved around to different departments. His role now is as Chief Executive Officer.
Bob Howe
Vice President of Engineering
Bob started working at Donson in 1978, serving an apprenticeship and finishing in 3 years. While serving his apprenticeship, working on conventional as well as CNC Mill and Lathes, Bob started quoting for Don, so he could continue to grow Donson. Developing new customers, along with learning new processes, Donson started to gain steam in manufacturing and gaining a good reputation. Bob continued on with running all departments, then became plant manager. After developing new employees, and purchasing enough equipment to stay versatile, Bob started working more directly with the engineers in the medical field. This allowed Donson to help develop more cost effective and manufacturable products that would work and function as they were intended. Bob is now VP of Engineering and enjoys working with the younger generation of employees that will continue Donson’s tradition of excellence.
Mike Johnston
Product Manager /
Customer Service Manager
Mike Johnston has been with Donson since 1979. Mike has done a tremendous job taking care of our customers for over 40 years. Everyone knows you can count on him and he always 100% honest. Mike was around to help get this company off the ground when it had 15 employees. He is a true go getter and wants to please each customer trying to always meet their needs. As all business owners learn really quick, you can’t be a great company without great people in the organization.
Get In Touch
Click below to contact us directly or to access our information request form.