Meet the Dielectric Manufacturing Leadership Team
Learn about the people who lead our teams at our Richfield, Wis., Waupaca, Wis., and Lake Mills, Iowa facilities:
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Mike Esser, President and CEO
Mike Esser Sr. has been CEO of Dielectric Manufacturing since 2008, and has been with the company since 1980. In his leadership role, Mike makes sure Dielectric Manufacturing has the resources and expertise necessary to fulfill the company’s promises to its customers. He holds a bachelor of business administration degree in finance and marketing from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis. Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with family, traveling, golfing and fishing. -
Michael Esser Jr., Chief Financial Officer
Michael Esser Jr. joined Dielectric Manufacturing on a full-time basis in 2011. He currently is the company's chief financial officer. Michael holds bachelor of science degrees in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and in finance from DeVry University. He participates in a Vistage (formerly TEC) business leaders roundtable group. Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, boating, and working out at the gym. He is a member of the West Bend Country Club. -
Chris Esser, Chief Operating Officer
Chris Esser joined Dielectric Manufacturing full-time in 2014, and was named chief operating officer in January 2025, having been the company's chief technology officer. He helps Dielectric Manufacturing customers succeed through Continuous Improvement projects, building capacity, and expanding capabilities to meet customer needs. He holds a bachelor of applied science degree in mechanical engineering from UW-Milwaukee. Chris participates in a Vistage business leaders roundtable group. Outside of work, Chris enjoys golfing, photography, playing the guitar, and working out at the gym. He is a member of the Wisconsin Golf Association, and the Waukesha Men’s Golf Club, and serves as a judge for Project Lead the Way – a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha, Wis. -
Adam Smith, Corporate Controller
Adam Smith joined the Dielectric team as Corporate Controller in the fall of 2023. He earned a BA in Accounting from Hope College in Holland, Mich., and is a licensed CPA in Wisconsin. Adam uses his financial background to inspire process improvement that increases productivity and efficiency in all processes throughout the company and for our customers. When not crunching the numbers, Adam enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and sports. He is actively involved in his sons’ baseball teams and serves as the treasurer of his church in Germantown. -
Jamie Benter, Director of Business Development
Jamie Benter has work experience rich in both sales and mechanical design, giving him the expertise to collaborate with customers on the front end of their projects. He strives to build relationships with customers for the initial sale as well as sales for years to come. Jamie chose to join Dielectric and Centerline because they align with his personal values and the positive culture is apparent. Jamie is married with two teenage sons, spending much of his free time with their various sport activities. When their sports seasons are done, you can find Jamie fishing, bird hunting, or golfing. -
Kristal Waeltz, Vice President, Human Resources
Kristal Waeltz joined Dielectric Manufacturing in August 2022 as vice president for human resources. She holds a master's degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations from UW-Milwaukee, and is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). She enjoys spending time with her daughters, cooking, and maintaining a busy social life with family and friends. In her role with Dielectric Manufacturing, Kristal provides direction in hiring, administration and training. As a culture creator and facilitator, she aims to consistently deliver a positive experience to drive productivity and fun in the workplace. -
Brian Steingraber, Richfield Plant Manager
Brian Steingraber joined Dielectric Manufacturing and Centerline Machine in October 2024 as the Plant Manager at the Richfield facility. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Education from UW-Platteville and a Master of Education in Educational Technology from Marian University, Brian ensures our production processes deliver high-quality products on time and to exact specifications. Outside of work, Brian enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters, exploring the outdoors through camping and hiking, and tackling DIY projects. He is also an active community volunteer, supporting youth sports programs through his local church.
