#WHYKE

Karl has been the President & CEO of KE since 2015, and has grown the company to new heights. His work ethic and dedication to doing things the right way, the #KEway for the Knobelsdorff customers and team members is the foundation of the recent years of success, and the success that is yet to come. Karl likes to take challenges head on, and has built the team to solve them all.

Karl and his family reside in rural Goodhue, MN and enjoy spending time together in the outdoors.

Jason Thompson joined KE spring 2021. After earning his BS in engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Jason entered the electrical industry. He served a variety of roles throughout his career including business development, field engineering and operations management. His primary areas of focus include driving business growth, employee development and strategic corporate alignment and integration.

When he is not working, Jason enjoys spending time with his family and friends at his cabin in northwest Wisconsin.

A business advisor with KE since 2019, Aaron’s outgoing personality and sense of humor is what makes him a true mentor to the team. His extensive background in the renewable energy market has allowed him to help develop and refine operating practices at KE and support company growth.

Aaron graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a degree in Construction Management. He has continued to build his professional acumen with plethora of continuing education courses focused in construction execution/design, business management and leadership.

Aaron is heavily involved in his family farming operation in Pine Island, MN and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Shane is the longest tenured employee here at Knobelsdorff. He’s been a part of the growth since he graduated high school and began his electrical apprenticeship 20 years ago. After learning the ways of the electrical industry from the early days, to now teaching the younger generation of Electricians here at KE, Shane has become a great example for the Knobelsdorff brand and represents the #KEway.

Shane has a wife and 3 kids that he enjoys camping with, and he also likes to do projects around the house.

Melanie joined Knobelsdorff Electric in 2014 with 17+ years of accounting experience and 12+ years in human resources. Her formal education includes degrees from both MN State College SE Technical – Red Wing (AAS Accounting) and Metro State University (BA HR Management).

Melanie’s abilities to multi-task and adapt to the changing needs of a growing organization have helped her become an irreplaceable member of the Knobelsdorff team. She is also a Minnesota Notary and a member of SHRM.

When she’s not working, Melanie spends time with her husband Jermey and their son Zack on their sheep farm. As a family, they enjoy traveling to sheep shows, fishing, and hunting. Both Melanie and her husband are active in the Pierce County 4H and the Ellsworth FFA. They enjoy seeing their son Zack compete in wrestling, football, and track.

Rich joined Knobelsdorff Electric in the fall of 2016 as our Automation Manager. Primarily self-taught, Rich has been in the technology field for 34 years, 24 of which were in industrial automation. His professional credits include Instructor, Applications Engineer, Sales Engineer, Project Manager, Controls Engineer, and Automation Manager. His experience ranges from machinery and robotic control to process control.

Rich’s diverse background in automation technologies, combined with his experience in sales, engineering, and management, gives him extensive knowledge of and capabilities within the entire automation project lifecycle.

Rich served in the United States Navy for eight years where he attended both technical and leadership training. During his service, he specialized in the Tomahawk Cruise Missile System during the Desert Storm era and was awarded two Navy Achievement Medals: Expert Marksman in rifle and pistol and Master Training Specialist. When he’s not working, Rich enjoys fishing, hunting, and making trips to the cabin.

Jason joined KE in early 2021 in the newly created position of Director, Business Development. With more than 20 years of engineering and electrical experience, Grahek began his career as a project engineer for The Lakeland Companies and moved on to focus on sales and business development. His impressive career also includes working for AGI/CMC and Industrial Automation Engineering. 

Grahek holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from The University of North Dakota. A native of Hibbing, MN, Jason and his family reside in East Bethel, MN and enjoy spending time at their cabin in Grand Rapids.