Curtis Mondale

President & Owner

Curtis is a third generation manufacturers’ representative, and is the owner and president of the company. Curt works closely with our manufacturers, developing strategic direction and marketing programs for distributors, contractors and engineers.

Prior to joining the company, Curt was a senior executive of two firms outside the industry and a principal at a venture capital firm. 

With his strong and varied background, Curt brings a breadth of experience and a unique perspective to issues often appreciated by manufacturers and customers. Curt earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and his undergraduate degree from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN.

Joan Mondale

Co-Owner & General Manager

Joan joined the family business in 2006 and oversees all marketing and sales support functions, as well as operational and various administrative responsibilities for the company. She coordinates sales efforts such as training seminars, promotions and customer communications in addition to providing customer support.

Joan’s prior professional experiences include National Sales & Marketing Manager for Prudential Healthcare’s Dental Division. 

She was also an Account Executive in charge of managing large account relationships for two different companies, Prudential Insurance and Cigna. Joan earned her B.A. degree in Marketing/Business Administration from Ohio University.

Kraig Leuthard

Director of Operations

As Director of Operations for the Mondale organization, Kraig is responsible for overseeing all aspects of internal operations including but not limited to, purchasing, warehousing, systems, and customer service. 

Before joining our team in 2022, Kraig was a business owner and VP of Operations in the service industry here in the Twin Cities.

Kraig lives in Eden Prairie with his wife and two dogs.

Brian Frazier

Director of Business Development

As Director of Business Development, Brian pursues opportunities through public housing authorities, engineers, builders, OEMs and universities. Brian is also responsible for enhancing the Company’s training capabilities. He brought a wealth of product and training experience and technical knowledge to the Mondale team when he joined the Company in 2007.

Brian has developed and nurtured solid relationships with numerous distributors and contractors during his 35+ years in the industry, including almost fifteen years as a manufacturers’ representative and another fifteen working for a major distributor in the roles of Outside Sales and HVAC & Hydronic System Specialist. 

Brian graduated from the HVAC Program at Dunwoody Institute and began his career as a field service technician.

Patrick Ess

Senior Sales Representative

(MN)

Patrick has been an integral part of the Mondale organization since 2013. He adds tremendous sales, technical and training experience to our team and has been involved with the expansion of our sales efforts in other states. Patrick currently manages accounts in Minnesota.

Before joining Mondale, Patrick held various roles in the industry. He began his career as a field technician before transitioning to a Sales & Service Manager. 

From there, he moved into distribution where he served as a Territory Sales Manager and Technical Service Advisor.

Ryan Lavin

Sales Representative

(MO, S. IL)

Ryan joined Mondale & Associates as a sales representative covering Missouri and southern Illinois. He began his career on the distribution side 22 years ago working with multiple equipment lines and residential products.

In 2011 Ryan became a commercial controls specialist. In that role, he purchased, sold, and designed jobs for DDC/building automation\applications.

He spent the most recent 5 years in outside sales on the commercial side dealing with anything from DDC, large pumps, to service valves.

Karl Sisson

Sales Representative

(WI)

Karl Sisson is a third-generation HVAC professional with 30+ years of industry experience. During his first 20 years, he worked in HVAC Wholesale Distribution as a delivery driver, at the counter, and in Sales and Marketing Management.

For the last ten years, he has been developing the Midwest market for several major HVAC lines.

Karl is now excited to serve Wisconsin with Mondale & Associates.

Chris Ess

Sales Representative

(MN, ND, SD)

Chris is responsible for customer accounts in North and South Dakota as well as Minnesota. Before joining our team in early 2021, Chris has spent twenty years in various construction trades including HVAC and plumbing.

He most recently served as an outside sales representative at a wholesale distributor focused on plumbing and HVAC products.

Over the past few years, he has developed a strong knowledge of the various products we represent.

Kevin Booker

Sales Representative

(N. IL – Chicagoland Area)

Kevin joined Mondale in 2016 and calls on the Chicago and Rockford, Illinois markets. He has been in the HVACR industry for over 30 years

as a mechanical contractor in the residential and commercial markets. Kevin worked as a salesperson for a wholesale distributor in the Chicago area for three years before joining Mondale.

With three decades of experience as a contractor, Kevin is very knowledgeable in working with ductless and VRF systems, hydronic heating, radiant and snow melt systems, steam heat, small duct high-velocity systems, and geothermal projects. 

Kevin attended Purdue University and is a graduate of Midwestern College of Industrial Arts & Sciences Technical Institute of Fort Wayne Indiana with an Associate’s Degree.

Paul Kramer

Sales Representative

(Chicagoland area and IL)

Paul Kramer joined our team in January 2024 as our newest addition to the Chicago market. Paul brings over 36 years of industry experience with him. He has spent most of his career working in HVAC wholesale distribution and is intimately familiar with the needs and challenges that face our wholesale partners.

Paul has also worked in the field as a residential HVAC sales consultant in the Chicago market for the last 3 years, gaining valuable and direct knowledge of the market itself from the ground level and the challenges that contractors face daily.

Gerald Burkhart

Sales Representative

(IA, KS, NE)

Gerald joined the Company in August 2022 to assume responsibility for sales in Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. He has broad and extensive experience at the contractor, distributor, and manufacturer representative levels.

Gerald began his career 26 years ago with a distributor in Kansas City and was most recently in a sales position with another manufacturer’s representative.

Gerald currently resides in Iowa. He attended Lincoln University and Central Missouri State University.

Paul Moe

Inside Sales & Technical Support

Paul has been responsible for technical support and inside sales since he joined Mondale in March 2014. He has 30+ years of residential and commercial HVAC experience with a strong background in geothermal design, installation

and service.

Paul is also very knowledgeable in hydronic systems, geothermal systems, and building controls. 

Paul made a career change to Mondale after serving for ten years as Service Manager and Lead Technician for a major geothermal HVAC contractor in the Twin Cities where he handled sales of both small and large commercial service contracts.

Mike Dunn

Inside Commercial Sales

Mike provides technical support to our customers in addition to being responsible for quotes and special projects related to commercial products. He has been in the plumbing / HVAC business since 1985.

Mike has extensive experience in design, installation, and bidding for both residential and commercial projects for plumbing, electrical, HVAC, geothermal, and solar systems. 

Mike has received numerous certifications in addition to being a Master Plumber and ran his own heating and plumbing business for six years.

Andrew Helmer

Sales Analyst & Operations

Andrew joined Mondale & Associates in 2022. He currently oversees Operational activities including order processing and fulfillment, purchasing, inventory management, quality review and control, and pricing.

Cory Mondale

Customer Support & Inside Sales

Kierston Miller

Sales & Marketing Coordinator

Kiersten joined Mondale & Associates in 2023 as Sales & Marketing Coordinator. In her new role, she is taking advantage of her 10+ years of experience in technology and web development to keep Mondale ahead of the game. Kiersten oversees Mondale’s marketing efforts, trainings, special events, and social media.

Kiersten lives in Minneapolis with her husband, two cats, and a puppy. You’ll catch her hanging out with all four on her patio.

Leah Elleraas

Operations Coordinator

Leah has multiple responsibilities related to Operations. She handles order entry, order fulfillment quality review, customer order, and pricing inquiries as well as LTL shipment coordination.

Ben Hesselberg

Staff Accountant

Ben oversees all financially related activities including account receivables, payables, invoices, reporting, and so forth.

Ben graduated with a B.S. in Accounting from Metropolitan State University and spent the last several years working for a larger corporation.



Ben joined Mondale & Associates in September 2023.

Tom Charleston

Operations Support Specialist

Tom conducts a variety of tasks in our warehouse including pulling and packing orders, receiving inventory and processing returns.

Logan Mondale

Office Support Specialist

Logan handles a variety of tasks for our team. These include data entry, literature management, training room set up and other various projects as needed. Logan has been involved with the family business for as long as he can remember.