In 2022, Rytec lost an influential and special member of our team, Tony Burbach – or ‘Tony B’ as we knew him. Tony was a trusted, respected, and beloved member of the Rytec family and our Executive Leadership Team.
In 1990, Tony joined Rytec Corporation in Jackson, WI, as a Sales Manager and was ultimately promoted to Vice President of Sales. Throughout his 25-year career with the company, Tony consistently gave his all. He focused his full attention on our customers and often would ask, “What have you done for the customer today?” Tony often went beyond his role to give support and direction to all teams at Rytec and contributed significantly to Rytec’s market leadership, product development, and sales during his tenure.
As was his nature, Tony continued to work throughout his health challenges and always brought his characteristic work ethic, humor, and collaborative spirit to the team.
To honor Tony’s legacy and in keeping with his giving spirit, we have created the Tony Burbach “Character” Award. Each year, we will select individuals from the company who consistently demonstrate the principles by which Tony lived—accountability, respect, commitment, integrity, and collaboration – as well as a focus on safety, teamwork, and customer satisfaction. For this award, a monetary donation will be made in Tony’s name to his selected charities. In addition, for representing these values day in and day out, the Rytec recipient will also receive special recognition.
This year, we are excited to announce two “Character” Award winners, Trista Bernhardt and Stan Miller.
Trista Bernhardt was recognized for her remarkable journey and lasting impact on our organization. Trista began her career at Rytec in 2003, pulling parts for small parts boxes, and quickly moved into the role of UPS order fulfillment. From there, she transitioned into the office – where her career truly took shape – progressing through roles in Parts Order Entry, Warranty Administration, Door Order Entry, and Scheduling.
As her responsibilities grew, so did her influence. Trista went on to create and lead the team she coined as “Customer Care,” serving as its first manager and building a culture rooted in service, accountability, and collaboration. Today, as Smart Factory Production Manager, she continues to drive Rytec forward with a strong focus on people, process refinement, and continuous improvement – playing a key role in Rytec’s evolution and modernization.
In recognition of Trista’s award, Rytec will make a monetary donation to Feeding America. Trista’s journey is a powerful reminder that character is demonstrated not only through major achievements but through the everyday actions that support teammates, strengthen processes, and serve customers.
Congratulations, Trista, for representing the absolute best of Rytec.
Rytec is also proud to recognize a second award winner this year – Stan Miller, Sheet Metal Fabricator (P1 Fabrication), at Rytec’s Jackson facility.
Stan started at Rytec in December 1995 and recently celebrated 30 years with the company this past December. Throughout his career, he has supported final assembly operations within several product lines – including the original Arctec®, Fast-Fold®, and Powerhouse® models – and has helped uphold the exacting standards on which our customers have come to rely. Over Stan’s career, he assembled 4,672 Fast-Fold doors during the product’s lifetime – an incredible amount – demonstrating his many years of dedicated work.
Stan’s passion for and pride in Rytec run deep – he loves knowing where the thousands of Rytec doors find their ‘homes’ across the U.S. and around the world. He recalls specific locations and applications, for example, an airport baggage-handling system that reminds him of how meaningful Rytec teamwork is.
“What has always amazed me is where our doors go out to or are in the U.S.A., even around the world. I believe in them, and I am enormously proud to be on the team manufacturing such a high-quality product,” says Stan.
Stan was selected because he embodies the Character Award values through his decades of consistent, high-quality work, willingness to step up wherever the team needs him, and his strong commitment to safety and customer satisfaction.
In 2025, Gretta Dondlinger, a Senior HR Generalist and Plant Visit Coordinator at Rytec, received the 2nd Tony Burbach “Character” Award. She joined the company in 2018 as a Talent Acquisition Specialist for the Jackson and Hartford facilities, leading new hire orientations, and job fairs. Promoted to Senior HR Generalist in 2021, she focused on talent acquisition, performance management, and employee relations. Gretta is also a member of the Hartford Safety Committee and, as Plant Visit Coordinator since 2023, she organizes onsite activities and factory tours for customer visits.
In 2024, the first Tony Burbach “Character” Award was presented to Scott Lueneburg, Technical Support Manager. Scott joined Rytec in 2008 as a part-time welder and spent 8 years gaining extensive knowledge across multiple departments. In 2016, he transitioned to the Technical Support department, leveraging his production experience to build strong relationships with customers and dealers. Promoted to Technical Support Supervisor in 2019 and then Technical Support Manager in 2021; Scott’s expertise and connections continue to grow today.
