Meet the Leadership Team at BERMO Inc.
BERMO’s leadership team brings decades of experience in manufacturing, engineering, operations, and customer service. United by a commitment to quality, innovation, and long-term partnerships, our leaders guide the organization with integrity and a shared focus on delivering exceptional value to our customers.
Jerry Atherton
President
Jerry Atherton leads BERMO with a clear mission: strengthen customer relationships, drive operational excellence, and advance the company’s manufacturing capabilities. With more than 40 years of experience in precision manufacturing, his leadership blends deep technical knowledge with a commitment to quality, innovation, and long-term partnership.
Jerry began his BERMO career in 1978 as an Industrial Engineering Intern while studying at the University of Minnesota. Over the decades, he held roles including Quality Manager, Plant Manager, VP of Sales & Engineering, and interim President, giving him hands-on insight into every part of the business. His leadership helped shape BERMO’s growth, from consolidating operations into a single efficient facility to establishing a customer service structure that set a new standard for responsiveness and reliability.
After founding and running Lake Assault Custom Boats from 2003 to 2015, Jerry returned to BERMO in key leadership roles before retiring in 2019. Driven by continuous improvement, he earned his Master’s in Industrial Systems Engineering in 2023 and returned as President in 2025.
Jerry’s leadership philosophy was deeply influenced by his early work with BERMO’s founder, Fred Berdass, whose emphasis on innovation and precision still guides the company today. Before his career in manufacturing, Jerry served in the U.S. Army (1971–1975) and was honorably discharged as Sergeant E5.
Scott Zadow
Plant Manager
Scott Zadow brings more than 20 years of experience in medical device and component manufacturing to his role as Plant Manager at BERMO. With a background in finance from the University of Minnesota and a proven record of building high-performing operational teams, Scott focuses on strengthening BERMO’s production capabilities while driving quality, safety, efficiency, and customer responsiveness.
Although new to BERMO, Scott has already contributed to significant operational improvements across the organization. His leadership is characterized by developing strong cross-functional teams and fostering a culture where collaboration supports measurable results. Scott’s extensive experience with ISO 13485 systems positions BERMO for future expansion into medical component manufacturing with confidence and technical readiness.
Guided by values of integrity, respect, dedication, and adaptability, Scott leads with a steady, people-focused approach. He is committed to supporting BERMO’s long-term success and is excited about the opportunities ahead as the company continues to grow and evolve.
John Ottosen
Director of Process Engineering
With more than 33 years at BERMO, John Ottosen brings deep technical expertise and operational insight to his role as Director of Process Engineering. His primary focus is providing timely, accurate quotes that reflect a clear understanding of customer needs and the most efficient path to production. John began his career with a degree in Robotics and Automation and spent his early years in BERMO’s automation department, working as a Sensor Specialist and later as Maintenance/Automation Manager.
He went on to serve 17 years as Plant Manager and Vice President of Operations before transitioning into his current role. This extensive background gives him a unique ability to evaluate how a part can be produced and what solutions will deliver the best value to the customer.
His years on the shop floor strengthened his relationships with BERMO’s production teams and built a deep appreciation for what the equipment, and the people, are capable of. John’s leadership is grounded in honesty, integrity, and treating others with respect, values that guide how he collaborates with employees and customers alike.
John enjoys working with customers early in the design process, where he can offer insights that improve manufacturability, reduce cost, and help ensure a smooth production launch.
Chad Korbel
Director of Sales
With more than 27 years of experience in sheet metal manufacturing, Chad Korbel brings a deep, hands-on understanding of production, engineering, and customer management to his role as Director of Sales. His career began on the manufacturing floor, where he spent eight years in press brake operations before moving into estimating, project engineering, key account management, business development, and strategic sourcing for an OEM. This well-rounded background enables Chad to connect customer needs directly to BERMO’s technical capabilities.
As Director of Sales, Chad focuses on developing strong, long-term relationships with both new and existing customers, ensuring high satisfaction while driving revenue growth and shaping BERMO’s sales strategy. His leadership is grounded in integrity and honesty, values that guide how he communicates, collaborates, and represents the company.
Chad is committed to expanding partnerships, supporting customer success, and positioning BERMO for continued growth in the years ahead.
Joe Stark
Human Resources Manager
With more than 25 years of HR experience in both small and large manufacturing environments, Joe Stark brings a versatile and resourceful approach to human resources at BERMO. His background spans all core HR functions, including recruitment, employee relations, training and development, compliance, performance management, and organizational leadership. Joe’s experience also includes serving as Director of HR, giving him a comprehensive understanding of how strong people systems support business success.
As Human Resources Manager, Joe partners closely with senior leadership and operations to ensure BERMO has the talent, culture, and processes needed to thrive. His straightforward, hands-on approach allows him to quickly understand the needs of the business and support its growth with clarity and intention.
Joe’s leadership is grounded in honesty, transparency, and respect for both employees and the organization. He believes in building a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and aligned with BERMO’s goals. His commitment to balancing employee well-being with business priorities plays a key role in strengthening the company’s culture and long-term success.
Tania Wright
Senior Customer Service Representative
With more than 25 years of experience at BERMO, Tania Wright brings a unique blend of shop-floor knowledge, technical understanding, and customer-focused leadership to her role as Senior Customer Service Representative. She began her career in 1998 on the manufacturing floor, where she developed a passion for building quality products and gained firsthand insight into the craftsmanship behind BERMO’s work.
Over the years, Tania transitioned into office-based roles in process engineering, estimating, and sales support, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the company’s operations. Today, she uses that experience to ensure customer interactions are positive, efficient, and solution-driven.
Tania’s mission is to provide timely support, build trust, and foster long-term customer relationships that contribute to BERMO’s continued growth.
Tania describes her leadership approach as grounded in responsibility, honesty, and empathy. She believes in owning outcomes, learning from challenges, communicating transparently, and ensuring customers and teammates feel heard and supported.
Looking ahead, Tania is excited about BERMO’s continued momentum and the opportunities ahead: a strong foundation, new possibilities, and ever-stronger customer relationships.