Combustion Flame White

ABOUT US

Rockford Combustion

Established in 2019 as part of Rockford Systems LLC (founded in 1971), Rockford Combustion provides fuel-train management and combustion-safety solutions for safety-conscious organizations that work with fuel-fired equipment in thermal processes. We design and locally manufacture turnkey combustion systems for clean-heat applications from simple to complex, backed by best-in-class delivery, installation, and customer support.  

Our end-to-end solutions include consultative inspections and assessments, complex engineering services, technical safety training, high-quality burners, and standard and engineered-to-order (ETO) valve trains, controls, and components.  A wide range of combustion safety solutions enables organizations to improve NFPA compliance, worker safety, efficiency, and air quality while reducing the risk of fires and explosions.

Contact Customer Service
Reach a Live Person@

1-800-922-7533

Open Monday – Friday
8:00am – 5:00pm CST

Same Day Response

Combustion Safety Experts

Rockford Combustion has the application expertise to solve any organization’s most complex combustion challenges. Our expert team brings knowledge, experience, and strategic relationships with key customers and suppliers throughout the United States.

Sales and Service

Mark Damberg
National Accounts Manager
Email
Direct: 815-391-4620

Meet Mark, a HVAC combustion expert with 30+ years of global sales and management experience, proudly holding a degree from the University of Michigan. Mark excels in automotive, steel, paint, and industrial manufacturing sectors. His diverse skill set was showcased at Carrier Corporation, where he managed the Higher Education Market. As Global Key Account Manager for Automotive at Eclipse Combustion, Mark oversaw sales and projects for OEMs and end-users, earning a reputation for excellence. Renowned for exceptional customer service, Mark builds enduring relationships with businesses of all sizes. His dedication to innovation and client satisfaction makes him a respected leader in the HVAC combustion industry, driving continuous success for his clients.

Chris LaFew
Sr. Inside Sales
Email
Direct: 815-218-1217

Chris has 9+ years of experience in combustion after jump-starting his career in the stockroom at Eclipse Combustion. At Eclipse, Chris worked his way up through the company and progressed to working with Inside Sales. Since coming to Rockford Combustion, Chris’s primary work is in procurement and working with our asphalt customers. Chris is often the first person that people will speak to when calling Rockford Combustion.

Lee Gilbert
Outside Sales Engineer, MSE
Email
Direct: 815-299-9631

Lee graduated from Rock Valley College and Northern Illinois University and received his master’s in Mechanical Engineering. Lee is an engineer at Collins Aerospace, Eclipse Combustion, and works as a project manager at Rockford Combustion. Lee works with audits and as a safety coordinator as well. Lee has 5+ years of experience with combustion and brings a high level of engineering expertise to the group for complex solutions.

Adam Plaetzer
Field Services
Email
Direct: 815-218-2575

Adam attended Northern Illinois University and has over ten years of sales and management experience in building materials, automotive and industrial manufacturing. He joins Rockford Combustion, focusing on project and account management. Adam’s background brings years of technical and mechanical knowledge. Adam is high-energy, service-orientated, and values customer partnerships.

Robin Parker
Field Services
Email
Direct: 815-520-3937

Robin has over 40 years of servicing, troubleshooting, wiring, and repairing combustion processes. He earned a Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree and another in Engineering for the Dept. of Fire Protection Engineering. Robin’s extensive combustion experience with significant automotive, aluminum, steel, and paint manufacturers ensures all company combustion processes meet North America’s TSSA and NFPA 86 standards. 

Myles Chaplin
Field Services
Email
Direct: 815-262-7149

Meet Myles, a seasoned professional with a passion for technology and safety. Myles is a proud graduate of DeVry University, where he honed his skills in electronics and controls. With a wealth of experience in mechanical maintenance, he has dedicated over a decade to specializing in machine safety and safeguarding.

John Breadmore
Field Services
Email
Direct: 779-771-2813

John has 35 years of electrical experience, including 20 years in the combustion industry. He has a Gas Fitter 1 License from British Columbia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, TSSA License 1, 2, and 3, General Motors IMT Certificate, and an ICI Journeyman Electrical License. He joined Rockford Combustion in 2021 as a Sr. Service Specialist. John is an expert in automotive applications and assembly line procedures. He is detail orientated and adaptable in all industrial settings.

Robert Pera
Field Services
Email
Direct: 815-218-2945

Bio coming soon.

David Orman
Field Services
Email
Direct: 815-391-0085

David attended Oklahoma State University and served as an Electronics Technician in the United States Navy Reserve.  He has an extensive experience in automotive, mechanical, and electronics.  David brings management, security, and maintenance qualifications to Rockford Combustion.  He provides combustion services and audits to a variety of industries.

Lee Broadway
Field Services
Email
Direct: 779-537-1394

Lee has 45-plus years of combustion experience and has co-invented five patents for the combustion industry. He started his career as a utility man and soon became a CNC machinist.  During his 23-year career as a Field Technician, he would start up and provide maintenance, repairs, and training on equipment. Lee’s extensive combustion and field experience with OEMs, testing, and commissioning burners and Oxygen, fuel, and airflow control systems is unique and valuable in the industry.   

Leadership

Paul Schneider
Vice President & General Manager – Rockford Combustion
Email
Direct: 815-494-3437

Paul began his career performing design work in the automation and packaging industry. He has spent the past 22+ years accomplishing roles with increasing responsibility in companies specializing in Thermal Processing and Combustion. Paul’s work experiences include vacuum furnace design, combustion system design, burner design, combustion industry educational workshop instructor, leadership, and mentoring experience. 

As a working manager, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge to his team, as he is well-versed in Design and Drafting, CAD, CFD, FEA, Basic Engineering Principles, and Custom Engineering of Electrical Control Systems, Combustion Control Systems, Ovens, Furnaces, Burners, and Burner-related equipment. As Rockford Combustions’ VP & GM, Paul has been instrumental in assembling a team of experts with many years of combined experience in the Thermal Processing and Combustion industries.

Bob Sanderson, P.E.
Director of Business Development – Rockford Combustion
Email
Direct: 815-491-9855

Bob has extensive knowledge and is experienced in a variety of industries. Throughout Bob’s 32+ years of experience in the combustion field, he has worked in automotive, abatement-oxidation, aerospace, agriculture, food and beverage, HVAC, heat treating, glass, asphalt, pyrolysis, reducing furnaces, dryers, immersion heaters, and power generation. Bob has been employed by companies such as Eclipse, Honeywell, and Haden Inc. Bob brings systems integration and the application experience of how systems interact in various environments to Rockford Combustion. Bob is a member of the NFPA-86 technical committee.

Joe Nitiss
Chief Executive Officer
Email
Direct: 815-874-3634

Joe Nitiss is a proven leader driving double-digit growth, emphasizing strong execution and operational efficiency. He drives the mission to reduce risk and workplace injuries by becoming our customer’s trusted advisor and source for machine safeguarding, training, assessment services, and provider of turnkey engineered safeguarding solutions.  Joe served as General Manager of the North American business unit of Elster. Mr. Nitiss also spearheaded primary strategy and technical shifts as President of North America of Emerson’s Chloride Group and during his tenure overseeing Genesis Cable (now Honeywell Cable) as General Manager. Before those positions, Mr. Nitiss was Vice President of Marketing & Business Development for Honeywell International and Vice President of Marketing for Emerson. Joe holds a BA in Economics and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from The University of Chicago.

John Norris
CFO
Email
Direct: 815-874-3602

Coming Soon.

Kari Larson
Director of Marketing
Email
Direct: 815-874-3603

Kari Larson is the Director of Marketing; responsible for Market Insights, Inbound Marketing, Data Analytics, Project/Product/Brand Management, and Strategic Planning. Kari began her career performing market research in the media/communication industry and has spent the past 20+ years accomplishing roles with increasing responsibility in companies specializing in Hardware, Packaging, Bearing, Paint/Craft/Hobby, Adhesives, Capital Equipment, Solenoid Valve, Heat Treat and Chemical Industries. Kari’s work experiences include product lifecycle management, project management, process improvement, brand management, Partners in Leadership trainer, LEAN leadership certified, public relations, trade show management, channel management, competitive market intelligence, marketing automation, content creation, the voice of the customer, and P&L responsibilities for product lines ranging from $5 million to $500 million. Kari holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Bradley University and an MBA.

Join Our Team

Know the customer. Know the technology. Do magic. At its core, Rockford Combustion starts with the customer and ends with the technology-driven safety solution, bringing both together to ensure workers clock out just as they clocked in.

We’re always looking for people to join our team who can bring new perspectives and life experiences to our teams.