Founded in 1974, JR Custom remains a family-owned metal fabrication company with closely-held values. Our leadership team includes second, third and even fourth-generation family members, as well as other leaders we highly value for their education, experience and expertise. We invite you to learn more about our leadership team!
Vice President, Engineering and Manufacturing
“I enjoy building with my hands and the satisfaction of seeing my designs come to life."
As a son of our founder, Jesus (Raul) Martinez, Jr., has been with JR Custom since our inception in 1974, so he has many decades of industry experience. Within his role as vice president of engineering and manufacturing, he is responsible for designing processes and product improvements to resolve design problems related to material characteristics, dimensional tolerances, manufacturing procedures and cost.
Raul received an education in design from Kansas State University and is a certified weld supervisor through the Canadian Welding Bureau. From the age of 10, he started working alongside his father, learning all aspects of the business.
Raul is involved in the industry as a member of the American Welding Society and actively involved in the community through the Knights of Columbus, the Church of the Holy Spirit and Habitat for Humanity. He enjoys spending time with his family and going sprint car racing.
1974
Sales
“I enjoy the different projects and challenges that come our way, as well as watching the company grow to what it is today.”
Jorge Martinez, a son of our founder, has been with JR Custom since our inception in 1974, so he has decades of industry experience. Within his sales leadership role, he is responsible for purchasing all major equipment, the project management of facilities and building of new facilities, and he manages special installations of products in many plants throughout the country.
Jorge received an education from Wichita Area VoTech School and is a certified welder. For several years, he operated an independent welding service.
Jorge is involved in the industry as a member of the Wichita Manufacturing Association, Wichita Sunrise Rotary Club and Kansas Family Business Forum. To benefit the community, he has served on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross and Starkey, Inc. He enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, son-law and grandchildren, as well as wildlife photography, bow hunting and fishing.
1974
Manager, Operations
“I like the diversity and family atmosphere at JR Custom. We have a great diversity of customers, industries served, services provided, technologies and employees. The company is family-owned and, consequently, the environment is driven toward being familial, which creates a dynamic where your voice can be heard.”
Alan Ramsdale joined JR Custom in 1992 and has decades of industry experience. Within his operations manager role, he oversees production, scheduling, purchasing and information technologies, which includes heavy interaction with the Engineering, Customer Service and Sales departments.
Alan studied mechanical engineering at Wichita State University. While in the cooperative education program, he started working at JR Custom. In the subsequent years, he gained experience in engineering, engineering management, production and operations management.
Alan is involved in the community through Reliance Community Church, where he is on the Board of Directors and has held other leadership positions. In his spare time, he enjoys Wichita State University basketball.
1992
Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University
Reliance Community Church, Board of Directors and Other Leadership Roles
Sales
“I enjoy working with people, especially my in-laws who own the company, and the thrill of seeking out and negotiating big contracts and deals.”
Scott Kailer joined JR Custom in the 1980s and has decades of industry experience. Within his sales leadership role, he works with mid-size and large Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to coordinate production and custom jobs. He ensures that the needs of new customers align with our internal growth plan and goals.
Scott has a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Business/History and Psychology from Newman University, where he played baseball on a scholarship. Prior to joining JR Custom, he was a high school and middle school teacher, as well as a baseball, football and basketball coach.
Scott is actively involved in the community through the Wichita Manufacturers Association, Minority Council of Wichita, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Knights of Columbus. He is married with two children and a number of grandchildren. He is a self-described sports junkie and enjoys playing golf.
1986
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Business/History and Psychology, Newman University
Manager, Customer Service
“I am the oldest of the third generation in our family business, so I have grown up in the company and watched it grow into what it has become today. I am honored to work in the business that my grandfather, my mother and her siblings have dedicated their lives to. ‘Custom’ is part of our name and our company is very diverse in many aspects. Each day has its own set of challenges, and there is never a dull moment.”
Monica White, a granddaughter of our founder, has been with JR Custom since 1999, so she has more than 20 years of industry experience. Within her customer service leadership role, she works directly with customers and internal departments, including Accounting, Engineering, Planning and Scheduling, Quality, Shipping and Powder Coating. She is cross-trained in many departments, which has given her a holistic approach to her position and assisting within the company.
Monica has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Newman University.
1999
Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Newman University
Manager, Powder Coat Facility
“I am part of the third generation of our family business. I take pride in the fact that I get to contribute to the company that my grandpa and family have built.”
Eddie Koehler, a member of the ownership family, joined JR Custom full-time in 2016 and has close to 10 years of experience in the powder coat industry. As the powder coat facility manager, he oversees receiving product, inspection, scheduling product, ensuring that the line is running efficiently, checking of all systems, final product inspection and team management.
Eddie has an associate’s degree in fire science. Prior to joining JR Custom, he served as a fireman for the City of Wichita for eight years.
Eddie is married and enjoys quality time with his wife and two sons, including visiting the lake, fishing and being with other family.
2016
Associate Degree in Fire Science
Manager, Engineering
“I like the fast-paced and ever-changing environment at JR Custom. There is always something new and different to work on, so things never get boring. I definitely think this job makes you very well-rounded as an engineer because, with nothing being the same, I get to learn new techniques and skills each day on the job.”
Skyler Martinez, a member of the ownership family, joined JR Custom in 2020 and has more than 10 years of experience in the sheet metal and fabrication industry. As an engineering manager, he oversees the engineering team and estimating. His team handles the design of new projects, new quotes and programming of machines.
Skyler has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Wichita State University and is expected to have a Master of Engineering Management and Industrial Engineering. Prior to joining JR Custom, he worked as a design engineer and then engineering manager for a consumer goods company within the food industry.
Skyler is involved in the community as a volunteer tutor and speaker at local schools. He is married and enjoys working out, golfing and racing.
2020
Local Schools, Volunteer Tutor and Speaker
Creative Media Coordinator/Marketing and Sales
“I enjoy working on a new project every day, as well as designing specific products for our engineering team to lay out into the system for production. Our company excels at start-to-finish products, so it is really exciting to be a part of the product from the very beginning until its final stage of production.”
As a member of the ownership family, Taylor White started working at JR Custom in 2014 and has been involved in various areas. Within his creative media coordinator/marketing and sales role, he provides graphic design for the monthly newsletter, company clothing, marketing materials, packaging, signs and Creations by JR Custom products. He also assists the sales staff with marketing and selling products, as well as locating potential clients/vendors.
Taylor has a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Newman University and an Associate of Science degree from Pratt Community College.
Taylor is involved in the community as a volunteer photographer at Life.Church West Wichita.
2014
Life.Church West Wichita, Volunteer Photographer
JR Custom is proud to have supported numerous worthy organizations over the years, and we are thankful for the recognition our support has earned.
About Community Support
