PRESS RELEASE: Cedar Rapids, IA, May 7, 2025 – We are proud to announce the addition of Scott Kongable, retired President of Crystal Group, and Thomas E. Pientok, former President & CEO of Timberline Manufacturing, to our Board of Directors. These strategic additions reflect Benchmark’s ongoing commitment to growth and operational excellence.
For over 20 years as President of Crystal Group, Scott guided the company through exceptional growth, transitioning it into new markets and establishing it as a leader in military and industrial solutions. Scott believes this kind of growth potential exists at Benchmark and anticipates leveraging his knowledge for maximum impact.
"Helping Benchmark build on its impressive history and reach even greater heights is an honor," said Scott Kongable. "With my experience in driving growth and building high-performance teams, I hope to further enhance the foundation Benchmark has already established."
Tom Pientok expressed similar thoughts, saying, "Benchmark’s culture of integrity and technical excellence aligns perfectly with my leadership values. From my early conversations with the team, I’ve been inspired by the people and mission at Benchmark. I'm eager to help foster continued growth and innovation."
Tom brings more than 30 years of business strategy, operational management, and change leadership. Under his direction at Timberline Manufacturing, revenues doubled, and the organization navigated complex supply chain challenges. His focus on nurturing culture to build strong organizations mirrors Benchmark’s core beliefs, making Tom a natural fit for the board.
Vince, our President, highlighted the importance of these new appointments when he shared, "Scott and Tom bring unique perspectives and an incredible depth of experience to our team. Their expertise will be invaluable as we work to further our mission of empowering those we serve to design a more resilient future."
With decades of combined industry experience, Scott and Tom are poised to make a significant impact on Benchmark’s strategic direction. Their expertise aligns with our dedication to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional value to our clients across all industries we serve. Scott remarked, "When organizations like Benchmark do this, it’s not just a win for the company, but also for the clients and industries they serve."
We look forward to the contributions they will make as we strive to build on our legacy of excellence and create even greater success for Benchmark, our clients, and our partners. Stay tuned for the exciting progress ahead!