Staff Bios

• Joe Balaskovitz - President

  Other than a paper route and picking blueberries, Versatile Fabrication is literally the only place Joe has ever cashed a paycheck. He has lived and breathed Versatile Fabrication for over thirty-five years. During his time, he's had his hand in just about everything at the shop.

  As a teen, he swept the floors and painted the building. Just after high school he worked as an apprentice, until he earned his Journeyman card at the age of twenty-two. Joe then worked both in the shop and in the field for approximately 8 years before being promoted to shop Foreman, where he lead for approximately 4 more years. He advanced from Foreman to Sales/Project Manager until he bought out the original owner twelve years ago.

  As President of Versatile Fabrication, Joe is more involved with the business than ever before. He no longer has time to paint the building himself because he's too busy selling and managing projects - while charting the course of the company for today and the future.

  On the personal side, Joe is an avid golfer. No one really knows if he's any good, but you won't have any problem convincing him to hold your next meeting on the fairway.

  Joe can be reached at 231.740.2486.

• Matt Robeck - Sales-Project Manager

  Matt is a key "go-to-guy" at Versatile Fabrication. His 25-year Versatile Fabrication experience gives him a unique, thorough understanding of all in-shop machine processes and capabilities . During his thorough, four-year apprenticeship training, Matt managed a variety of tasks, including production welding and working in the field under journeyman supervision. While in the field, Matt made and installed blowpipe, smoke stacks, stairways/catwalks with hand railing, machinery repair, and much more.

  Following his fourth year of apprenticeship, he worked mostly in the Versatile Fabrication shop and in the field. This is where his true talents began to shine. He ran jobs from beginning to completion, while managing multiple apprentices.

  After being with Versatile Fabrication for 8 years, Matt began working as a project manager in the prototype and production area where he specifies material needs, develops flat banks and saw cut lists, programs press brakes, programs the lasers, and coordinates the work of many employees.

  Matt is also an expert in 2D and 3D CAD (Solidworks) allowing him to create shop drawings and evaluate parts on a daily basis. He is also certified in GTAW with both a sheet metal and structural emphasis.

  Matt can be reached at:  231.739.7115 x235.

• Ron Balaskovitz - Sales-Project Manager

  Ron has been with Versatile Fabrication for over thirty years. He has more than 10 years of experience as a journeyman, and over 20 years experience in laser cutting and stainless-steel sales. Ron is known for his excellent customer service, fast turn arounds, and doing what it takes to get the job done right the first time.

  On the personal side, Ron is an avid fly fisherman. So if you work with Versatile Fabrication, chances are he will try to take you fishing.

  Ron can be reached at 231.740.5996.

• Rodney Robinson - Sales-Project Manager

  Rodney is a third-generation union sheet metal worker with more than twenty-three year's worth of hands-on experience.  He is a journeyman, field foreman, and he's been a Versatile Fabrication salesman for the past 12 years. Rodney's specialties include structural steel and stainless steel projects. 

  On the personal side, Rodney not only shapes steel, but he shapes the lives of young athletes as a volunteer coach for youth football, baseball and hockey teams. If he's as good with his whistle as he is in our shop, those kids are going to be good.

  Rodney can be reached at 231.740.9752

• Chris Fairchild - Plant Foreman

  Chris has been with Versatile Fabrication for over twenty-six years. He has been a valued sheet metal journeyman for the past 22 years.   Chris's duties include purchasing, safety and working closely with the employees on the floor to make sure the shop runs smoothly.  After hours you can find Chris in the woods, on the water or in the bleachers cheering on this children.

  Chris can be reached at 231.739.7115   x224

• Gwen Henning - Controller

  Gwen is the velvet hammer at Versatile Fabrication. She has a knack for getting things done - with a smile. Gwen excels at problem solving and facilitating continuous improvements throughout the business.

  Gwen has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Grand Valley State University with an emphasis in finance. She worked in Sales and Marketing at Bissell, Inc. for three years, and prior to coming on board with Versatile Fabrication, Gwen owned and managed a manufacturing business for eleven years.

  As if she hasn't accomplished enough in her life, she even has her private pilot, commercial, instrument, and twin-engine piloting licenses as part of an Aviation Degree from Northwestern Michigan College.

  Gwen can be reached at 231.739.7115 x225.

• Nick Townsend - Sales

  Nick has been with Versatile Fabrication for the past ten years but he has been in the trade for close to twenty.  At a young age he was interested in racing cars, spending his spare time working in the garage, always repairing, fabricating and creating.  Nick recently moved into a sales position and comes to this point with a vast array of experiences from shop work to job site experience.  In addition to his experience, Nick brings a lot of positive energy and ambition to his new position.

  Nick can be reached at 231.740.1524.