Meet the Spectrum Team:
Mike Thurow - President / CEO
Mike was raised on a farm in northern Illinois. He has a B.S. in Ag Engineering-Mechanization from Western Illinois University and an MBA degree at Keller Graduate School of Management. His career started at International Harvester Company with over 13 years in various sales, marketing, and product management positions. He started Spectrum Technologies Inc. in 1987. Mike was awarded the Distinguished Ag Alumni Award from Western Illinois University in 2023.
Mike was raised on a farm in northern Illinois. He has a B.S. in Ag Engineering-Mechanization from Western Illinois University and an MBA degree at Keller Graduate School of Management. His career started at International Harvester Company with over 13 years in various sales, marketing, and product management positions. He started Spectrum Technologies Inc. in 1987. Mike was awarded the Distinguished Ag Alumni Award from Western Illinois University in 2023.
Russell Stevenson - Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing
Russ has spent more than 20 years working across turf, irrigation, precision agriculture, and agricultural technology. His career has grown from hands-on field experience into global sales and commercial leadership, working with growers, turf professionals, distributors, and technology partners around the world. Russ is passionate about building strong partnerships, developing markets, and bringing practical technologies to customers globally.
Russ has spent more than 20 years working across turf, irrigation, precision agriculture, and agricultural technology. His career has grown from hands-on field experience into global sales and commercial leadership, working with growers, turf professionals, distributors, and technology partners around the world. Russ is passionate about building strong partnerships, developing markets, and bringing practical technologies to customers globally.
Brian Bludgen, CPA - Director, Finance/HR/IT
Brian Bludgen has thirty years’ experience ranging across several industries and sizes of companies. He has spent seven years in public accounting and 23 plus years in head finance roles across companies ranging from a few million in annual revenue to larger companies with hundreds of millions in annual revenue. Brian is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a B.S. in Accounting.
Brian Bludgen has thirty years’ experience ranging across several industries and sizes of companies. He has spent seven years in public accounting and 23 plus years in head finance roles across companies ranging from a few million in annual revenue to larger companies with hundreds of millions in annual revenue. Brian is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a B.S. in Accounting.
Franca Perez-Alcazar - Director, Product Development
With a degree in International Business and an MBA from North Central College, Franca brings a global perspective and over 15 years of experience in new product development, international sales, strategic planning, product and project management. She is responsible for overseeing the product development process from concept to commercialization, leading engineering and project management efforts. Franca is passionate about turning market opportunities into innovative products and sustainable business growth. Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, she brings a collaborative and international perspective to her work.
With a degree in International Business and an MBA from North Central College, Franca brings a global perspective and over 15 years of experience in new product development, international sales, strategic planning, product and project management. She is responsible for overseeing the product development process from concept to commercialization, leading engineering and project management efforts. Franca is passionate about turning market opportunities into innovative products and sustainable business growth. Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, she brings a collaborative and international perspective to her work.
Beth Randall - Director, Operations
Beth has been a part of the Spectrum Team for 15 years. She is currently the Director of Operations. She oversees the day-to-day activities in manufacturing, shipping, receiving, return/repair processing, and purchasing. Prior to working for Spectrum, she had a career in Information Technology. Beth is a graduate of Purdue University with a B.S. in Computer Technology.
Beth has been a part of the Spectrum Team for 15 years. She is currently the Director of Operations. She oversees the day-to-day activities in manufacturing, shipping, receiving, return/repair processing, and purchasing. Prior to working for Spectrum, she had a career in Information Technology. Beth is a graduate of Purdue University with a B.S. in Computer Technology.
Jim Hendricks - Manager, Global Marketing
Jim has worked in Marketing Technology since 2000, specializing in graphic design, multimedia presentations, website development and online marketing campaigns. Jim joined Spectrum in 2025, previous working for a group of large manufacturing companies. Jim graduated from Northern Illinois University with a B.F.A in Multimedia Design, and is currently pursuing his M.B.A. in Marketing from Southern Illinois University.
Jim has worked in Marketing Technology since 2000, specializing in graphic design, multimedia presentations, website development and online marketing campaigns. Jim joined Spectrum in 2025, previous working for a group of large manufacturing companies. Jim graduated from Northern Illinois University with a B.F.A in Multimedia Design, and is currently pursuing his M.B.A. in Marketing from Southern Illinois University.
Domestic Sales Team:
Bruce Christiansen
Sales - National Accounts Turf
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6718
Sales - National Accounts Turf
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6718
Ray Benson
Sales - Research & Education
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6721
Sales - Research & Education
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6721
Tyson Backer
Sales - Fruit, Nut and Vegetable
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6730
Sales - Fruit, Nut and Vegetable
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6730
Katelyn Thurow
Sales - Domestic Coordinator
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6729
Sales - Domestic Coordinator
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6729
Sally Obsnuk
Sales - Domestic Coordinator
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6726
Sales - Domestic Coordinator
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6726
International Sales Team:
David Lau
Sales - APAC (Asia Pacific)
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6732
Sales - APAC (Asia Pacific)
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6732
Marco Salmon
Sales - Americas (Mexico, Central and South America)
Direct Phone: +52 477 380 4848
Sales - Americas (Mexico, Central and South America)
Direct Phone: +52 477 380 4848
Oleksandr Buriachenko
Sales - EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa)
Direct Phone: +49 176 412 93 512
Sales - EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa)
Direct Phone: +49 176 412 93 512
Emiliano Maciel
Sales - International Coordinator
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6728
Sales - International Coordinator
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6728
Technical Support Team:
Armando Flores
Support - Domestic
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6714
Support - Domestic
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6714
Doug Kieffer
Support - Domestic
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6725
Support - Domestic
Direct Phone: +1 (331) 212-6725
Doc Green
Support - Chat / Knowledgebase
Support - Chat / Knowledgebase