ABOUT ACE

Keith joined ACE Metal Crafts Company in 1992 and has spent more than three decades helping guide how the company operates and serves its customers. He began his career in sales engineering before moving onto the production floor, playing a central role in ACE’s lean journey and continuous improvement efforts.

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As Chief Executive Officer, Keith provides steady leadership rooted in a deep understanding of the business, the work, and the people who do it. He is known for his thoughtful, consistent approach and his strong commitment to customers, teammates, and operational discipline.

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Keith holds a mechanical engineering degree from Northern Illinois University and is an active supporter of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence. He previously served on the board of its Midwestern Region in the United States.

Angela began her career at ACE Metal Crafts Company in 2011 after earning her B.S. from Illinois State University. Starting in the purchasing department, she progressed into leadership roles with increasing responsibility across manufacturing and operations.

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Now serving as President, Angela works closely with teams across the organization to support day-to-day operations while helping guide the company forward. She brings a deep understanding of how ACE runs, how decisions affect people and customers, and how to build on the work already underway.

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Angela is known for her empathetic leadership style, active listening, and responsiveness. She holds an MBA from Elmhurst College and is committed to growing the business in a way that stays true to ACE’s people-first culture.

Deb joined ACE Metal Crafts Company in 2000 following leadership roles with Ryerson and Inland Steel. She began as Sales and Marketing Manager and, over time, assumed broader responsibilities in strategic planning, policy development, and strengthening customer relationships.

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As Chief Relationship Officer, Deb’s focus is on supporting the teams that serve ACE’s customers and drive the business forward. She works in close partnership across sales, customer service, and human resources, helping reinforce alignment, clarity, and long-term relationship building.

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Working closely with Jean Pitzo over many years, Deb has played a key role in shaping and sustaining ACE’s people-first culture. She is deeply committed to teaching, coaching, and personal development, and values the trust she has built with both customers and teammates. Deb holds a B.S. from Illinois State University and is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries.

Gary began his career with a boutique CPA and financial planning firm before joining ACE Metal Crafts Company in 2003 as an accountant. Over time, he took on increasing responsibility, bringing a steady, analytical approach to financial leadership.

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Promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2011, Gary served in the role through 2016, helping strengthen operations through disciplined financial management. He returned to ACE in 2020 as CFO, continuing his commitment to teamwork, openness, and accountability.

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Today, Gary focuses on developing people, leveraging technology to ensure accurate and transparent financial reporting, and streamlining processes to support long-term efficiency and growth. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Finance and an MBA from Northern Illinois University.
 

Mark Vance serves as Leader of Communications and Business Development at ACE Metal Crafts. His work focuses on connecting business strategy, culture, and communication to support sustainable growth and strong, long-term relationships.

With a background spanning manufacturing, B2B sales and marketing, consumer marketing, and leadership development, Mark brings a broad, practical perspective to how organizations grow and communicate. He is known for helping teams align around clear direction while staying grounded in the values and standards that define the work.

Mark’s approach is rooted in trust, collaboration, and service. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Communications from DePaul University and is committed to helping ACE grow in a way that reflects its people-first culture and long-term vision.

Jeff joined ACE Metal Crafts Company in 2009 and has played a central role in building and sustaining strong customer relationships. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to service and to delivering on ACE’s customer-first promise.

As Vice President of Sales, Jeff focuses on understanding customer needs and working closely with his team to ensure consistent, reliable execution across every account. He is known for building trust through responsiveness, follow-through, and long-term partnership.

Jeff’s approach emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and genuine care for the customer experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Augustana College, where he was also a member of the baseball team during its record-setting regional run.

Raphael joined ACE Metal Crafts Company in 2018 as a Fabrication Engineer, bringing nearly two decades of experience as an operations manager in his family’s machine shop. His background gave him a practical understanding of both manufacturing discipline and small business responsibility.

With deep knowledge of lean operations and a strong commitment to ACE’s customer-first culture, Raphael quickly made an impact. In 2019, he was promoted to Manufacturing Engineer Value Stream Leader for the newly established Machining Division, helping lay the foundation for its growth and performance.

Today, as Vice President of Operations for the Machining Division, Raphael guides strategy, improves efficiency, and strengthens operational performance. He is known for applying hands-on leadership and real-world experience to build accountability, consistency, and long-term value. Raphael holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Technology from Northern Illinois University.

Eric joined ACE Metal Crafts Company in 2012, bringing a strong engineering background and a practical approach to solving complex customer challenges. Since then, he has played a key role in building collaborative, customer-focused solutions within the Contract Assembly group.

As Vice President of Contract Assembly, Eric focuses on ensuring teams have the knowledge, equipment, and resources needed to deliver precise, reliable results. His leadership emphasizes clarity, accountability, and close partnership with customers throughout the process.

Eric’s approach reflects ACE’s culture of teamwork and continuous improvement, where customer value is created through attention to detail and operational discipline. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and pursued additional studies in Industrial Design at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Ray joined ACE Metal Crafts Company in 2010 as a project engineer, where his practical problem-solving skills and systems mindset quickly stood out. He progressed through roles as layout engineer and project manager before assuming broader leadership responsibilities.

As Vice President of Information Systems, Ray plays a key role in advancing operational efficiency and visibility across the organization. He has been instrumental in leading continuous improvement initiatives, including the successful implementation of ACE’s ERP system.

Ray is known for combining technical expertise with strategic thinking and a strong team-first approach. His leadership reflects ACE’s commitment to disciplined processes, customer understanding, and thoughtful use of technology. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Chris joined ACE Metal Crafts Company in 2024, bringing more than two decades of experience in engineering and manufacturing leadership. Prior to joining ACE, he spent years as a customer, drawn to the company’s reputation for integrity, precision, and a people-first culture.

As Vice President of Engineering, Chris focuses on translating technical excellence into practical, customer-focused solutions. He leads with a collaborative approach, ensuring engineering supports both operational performance and long-term partnership.

Chris is known for combining deep technical expertise with care for the people and teams behind the work. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Materials Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and Purdue University Northwest.

Marty joined ACE Metal Crafts Company in 1985, following in the footsteps of his father, who worked as a polisher. Over the past four decades, his career has spanned nearly every area of the company, giving him a deep, firsthand understanding of how the work gets done.

His experience includes roles across shipping and receiving, punch press operations, estimating, flat laser, and senior leadership, including service as Vice President of Production. That breadth of experience allows him to connect strategy to execution in practical, meaningful ways.

Now serving as a Value Stream Leader, Marty is known for helping teams bridge the gap between vision and achievement. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he leads with emotional intelligence, calm presence, and a strong commitment to building trust with teammates and customers alike.