About Ridetech
350 South St. Charles Street
Jasper, Indiana 47546
Phone 812-481-4787
Fax 812-634-6632
e-mail: sales@ridetech.com
Our business model has not been derived from any business seminar or book. It is simply our common sense approach of giving the customer what they want when they want it. Since we are hot rodders we feel we have a reasonably good idea what “it” is.
We do the vast majority of our manufacturing in-house. We do the research and development, CAD drawings, prototyping, CNC machining, CNC tube bending, jig welding, shock assembly and dynoing, airspring crimping and burst testing, and final assembly all within our facility in Jasper, IN. This way we have complete control over every aspect of design, quality and delivery. This is one reason why our backorder rate is virtually ZERO.
ALL of our tech/sales people have air suspension vehicles and have been involved in the design, manufacture, installation, and use of our suspension systems. We have a fleet of around 20 muscle cars, customs, and sport trucks that we use to demonstrate the performance of our suspension products and to continually refine them. You can find out more about our cars in the garage section.
On our news site you’ll find the most comprehensive technical data available for suspension systems in the world.
Feel Free to call or email us with any questions. You can order online, by fax or pick up the phone and call! For questions or assistance with Ridetech products, please contact us by email at sales@ridetech.com.
Our office hours are from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. If you contact us outside of regular business hours, we will call you back or e-mail you within the next business day.
From Air Ride Technologies to RideTech
Our name has changed, and the shape of our icon, but behind the new look we are the same company. Air Ride Technologies is RideTech: the same owners, same staff, and most importantly, the same passion for performance.
Bret Voelkel – Owner
Sharon Voelkel – Office
Steve McPherron – V.P. of Operations
Tony Bicknell – Sales / Tech Support SOLD!
Jeremy Horton – Sales / Tech Support
Darren Schilling – Sales / Tech Support
Beau Anderson – Sales / Tech Support
Danny Coultas – Sales / Tech Support
Rodney Mason – Sales / Fabricator
Ruth Wilson – Sales Support
BJ Elmore – Outside Sales / Dealer Support
Britt Marolf – Product Development Manager
Greg Schneider – Motorsports Manager
James Crosby – Fabricator
Jason Brady – Media
George Potter – Media
Dave Schuetter – Production
Amber Ball – Shock Specialist
John Hemmer – Production
Bryan Groeninger – Production
JD Garmon – Production
Tyler Allen – Production
Kyle Haley – Production
Beth Lee – CAD design
Jeff Wehr – CAD design
John Hochgesang – Special Projects Manager
Mick Hochgesang – Maintenance
Amy Schoeff – Accounts Receivable/Payable
Johnny Merder – Inventory
Gary McCain – Warehouse/Shipping
Corey Kreilein – Warehouse/Shipping
TJ Ferguson – Warehouse/Shipping
Tyler Ferguson – Warehouse/Shipping
Dennis Niehaus – Precision Coachworks
Kurt Blackgrove – Precision Coachworks
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Bret Voelkel
Email:
Title: Grand Poobah, Knows Everything, Does Nothing
On the crew since: Day one
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Before starting the company in 1996, Bret was a product rep for Autometer, MSD and B&M on the NHRA circuit from 1987-1990 — Mobile display manager for Blower Drive Service from 1990 -1995
Stuff that makes Bret smile:
My kids Andy and Sara – My wife Sharon – building cool car parts – a curvey road in a good car- live music (of any kind) – cocktails with my friends – really good food – traveling
Something that hardly anyone knows:
Bret can play the guitar
Vehicles:
1969 Boss 429 Mustang KK1634 -1970 Pro Street Mustang 351w, 8-71 BDS w/ EFI – 1970 Buick GSX w/ 560 hp 455, ZF 6 speed – 1997 2 dr Tahoe lowered 8″/12″ w/ 18″ wheels and 14″ Baer brakes – and many others!
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Sharon Voelkel
Email:
Title: Sleeps with President
On the crew since: Day one
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Bret and I started dating after running into each other at the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville during the “Flood of 1992″. Claims his desire to go out with me had something to do with a wet t-shirt… but the real story is because I had more hot rods, a bigger tool box and a taller stack of car magazines :)
Vehicles:
71 GTO & 68 Bonneville – Interesting Story: One weekend Bret calls me and ask, “Hey do ya’ have any extra money? I just found a very nice ’68 Pontiac Bonneville, I think you’d really like it.” I said, “Yes I have the money” and he bought the car with my money. Well about 2 weeks later the title comes in the mail, IN HIS NAME – NOT MINE, and it remains that way 16 years later. Once in awhile I have to gently remind him this.
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Steve McPherron
Email: steve@ridetech.com
Phone: 812.481.4709
Title: Air Traffic Control
On the crew since: August 1998
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Steve, a former high school Auto Mechanics teacher, has the uncanny ability to ALWAYS be in the right place at the right time for the best deal in town
Vehicles:
Steve’s list of vehicles changes too fast to post here… but one he’s held onto for a while is his 53 Chevy 5-window pickup
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Craig Meyer
Email: craig@ridetech.com
Phone: 812.481.4707
Title: Chuck Norris
On the crew since: January 1998
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Craig was the very first employee. He enjoys playing guitar, horror movies & DIY Home Improvement
Vehicles:
61 Impala
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Tony Bicknell
Email: tony@ridetech.com
Phone: 812.481.4704
Title: Pretends to be on the phone and Eats Jalapenos
On the crew since: September 1999
Interesting bit-o’-info:
…if you get the chance ask him to tell the “to new york” story
Vehicles:
61 Bel-Air – Progressive Chassis w/ C4, IFS/IRS, F-I 454 Vortec w/T56 6 speed
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Jason Brady
Email: jason@ridetech.com
Phone: 812.481.4705
Title: Covers media department from trouble
On the crew since: September 2002
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Manages to handle one very nasty dirt bike in his spare time.
Vehicles:
86 Monte Carlo
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Jeremy Horton
Email: jeremy@ridetech.com
Phone: 812.481.4722
Title: Warranty Rat and Really Nice Guy
On the crew since: January 2004
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Jeremy is an avid hunter and makes some mean jerky.
Vehicles:
67 Camaro -CPP 4 Wheel disk brakes, 18inch Billet Specialties Wheels and topped off with a complete Street Challenge Kit with the Level Pr
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Darren Schilling
Email: darren@ridetech.com
Phone: 812.481.4706
Title: Begs people to buy stuff
On the crew since: September 2001
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Former mechanic for NASCAR Craftsmen Truck Series team and participates in various sports, football, volleyball & mountain biking
Vehicles:
70 Chevelle – Air Ride Technologies Street Challenge kit, SSBC brakes, Billet Specialties 18″ wheels, BFG KD G-Force tires, hydroboost brake assist, 454 engine & 350 turbo trans.
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BJ Elmore
Email: bje@ridetech.com
Phone: 812.481.4711
Title: But Wait… There’s more!
On the crew since: March 2004
Interesting bit-o’-info:
I graduated high school in ’99 after having Steve McPherron (our operations manager) for an Auto Mech. teacher.
Vehicles:
66 El Camino, 69 Olds Cutlass, 03 Yamaha Warrior (High compression kit, tall 5th gear, Power Commander programmable fuel injection computer)
George Potter
Email: george@ridetech.com
Title: Webmaster Jorge
On the crew since: January 2010
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Enjoys camping and photography. A computer nerd and starting to learning the gearhead way
Vehicles: Pontiac G8
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Bill Wilder
Title: V.P. of Senior Citizens Advisory Council
On the crew since: January 2008
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Bill still has his high school car, now you’d think a guy who retired as fire “CHIEF” would have had a really cool car in high school, well you’d be wrong, unless you really dig ’51 Plymouths?
Vehicles:
51 Plymouths, 1950 Mercury, 30 Model A – ’47 Chevy fastback – ’50 Merc – Vette powered S10 Blazer
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Dave Schuetter
Title: Master Metal Melter
On the crew since: 2003
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Dave’s into hunting, fishing, riding, Frisbee, family time, and fabricating at home and he is easily the best golfer we have on staff!
Vehicles:
1989 Harley (low rider) 1340
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Amber Ball
Email: amber@ridetech.com
Title: Shock Goddess and Taser Queen
On the crew since: February 2006
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Fan of Stephen King, horses, animals, basically, if it’s got claws, hooves or paws she’s probably rescued one… or ten!
Vehicles:
96 Trans Am
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Beau Anderson
Email: beau@ridetech.com
Phone: 812.481.4743
Title: CNC Conquerer
On the crew since: 2003
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Still working on his truck- and building on a crazy motorcycle project – anything to get him into the garage!
Vehicles:
1988 C1500, 1968 Cougar, 1979 H-D Sportster
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Casey Sturgeon
Title: Stares at CNC Lathes
On the crew since: 2004
Interesting bit-o’-info:
It’s all about 4-wheelin, huntin, and diesel performance
Vehicles:
99 Dodge 2500, 92 Toyota Pickup, 07 400EX
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Britt Marolf
Email: britt@ridetech.com
Phone: 812.481.4714
Title: Skunk Werks
On the crew since: September 2001
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Britt is named after a town in Iowa, and has a passion for dirt late model racing, Bonneville Land Speed Racing, & wrestling
Vehicles:
66 Lincoln – Full Air Ride Technologies suspension system: Strong Arm lower control arms, Cool Ride front kit, Shockwave 9000 in the rear, two 3-gallon tanks, 2 Thomas 327 compressors, Level Pro electronic control system, otherwise completely stock vehicle with 64,000 miles and an 8-track stereo system.
1968 AWD Camaro – custom frame, C5 Corvette suspension front and rear, Z06 disk brakes front and rear, C5 Corvette rear differential, C5 Corvette rear drive axles, 405hp 5.7L LS6, Tremac 5-speed, Cadillac STS-SRX transfer case and front differential, Cadillac STS-SRX front drive axles
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Beth Lee
Email: beth@ridetech.com
Title: Design Wizzard
On the crew since: 2009
Interesting bit-o’-info:
She has her own log splitter and knows how to use it
Vehicles:
Honda 350 Rancher
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John Hochgesang
Title: Toymaker to the king
On the crew since: 2001
Interesting bit-o’-info:
John has a track at home where he and his friends race home made go carts! He’s also into quarter & saddlebred horses, and any form of 4 wheel racing – but not lawnmowers (that’s just stupid)
Vehicles:
Rat Rod Malibu Wagon, 350 crate motor, 3.73 gears & God awful paint work
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Greg Schneider
Email: greg@ridetech.com
Title: Certified Fixer of broken Hot Rods
On the crew since: January 2007
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Greg has been involved in every car Bret has built. He enjoys boating, fishing, water skiing, family, church, 4-wheeling, Jack Daniels (friend), friends & pork chop sandwiches
Vehicles:
67 C10 Truck – Air Ride, Sway Bar, Vintage Air, disc brakes, ididit column , 700R4, Budnick wheels, strong arms, relocated gas tank, alum intake, holley carb, headers with flowmaster mufflers, late model seat, custom auto sound cassette am fm radio, c-notch, indash tack
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Rodney Mason
Email: rodney@ridetech.com
Phone: 812.481.4717
Title: Developer of pieces and parts
On the crew since: March 2001
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Likes to hunt, ride 2 wheelers, and has a hanker’n to visit Alaska
Vehicles:
62 Bel-Air Wagon
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Corey Kreilein
Title: Warehouse Manager
On the crew since: 2009
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Can’t get enough Colts and / or Notre Dame Football
Vehicles:
04 GSXR 600, 07 Yamaha R6
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Mick Hochgesang
Email: mick@ridetech.com
Title: VP of light bulbs
On the crew since: September 2001
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Builds race cars and is scouting for parts to build a motorcycle from scratch!
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Amy Schoeff
Email: amy@ridetech.com
Title: Female Hitman
On the crew since: January 2005
Interesting bit-o’-info:
She would like to fly a fighter jet
Vehicles:
The car I want next: Mazda RX8
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Gary McCain
Title: Keeps Inventory Company
On the crew since: 2004
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Digs his John Deere tractors as much as his hot rods
Vehicles:
70 Mustang Mach 1
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Dennis Niehaus
Title: Precision Coachworks Mechanic
On the crew since: 2002
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Not only is Dennis a world class body man, he’s also dead shot with anything that can be loaded.
Vehicles:
67 Impala 396
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John Hemmer
Title: Production
On the crew since: 2004
Interesting bit-o’-info:
John’s very involved with the local fire department
Vehicles:
1953 F-100 Ford truck
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Shane Wagner
Title: Precision Coachworks Mechanic
On the crew since: 2008
Interesting bit-o’-info:
He may be young, but he’s not very old!
Vehicles:
07 Chevy Duramax / Yamaha Grizzly
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Johnny Merder
Email: jmerder@ridetech.com
Title: Inventory Manager
On the crew since: 2010
Interesting bit-o’-info: Has an awesome garage
Vehicles: 1965 C10 Truck
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Kurt Blackgrove
Title: Precision Coachworks Mechanic
On the crew since: January 2010
Interesting bit-o’-info: Likes to go mountain biking and owns a few acres of woods
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Ruth Wilson
Email: ruth@ridetech.com
Phone: 812.481.4741
Title: Zookeeper
On the crew since: April 2010
Interesting bit-o’-info: Loves the beach, is involved with Make-a-Wish Foundation, and enjoys traveling.
Vehicles: Wants a 67 Impala
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Poncho Mateo
Title: Car Show Master
On the crew since: October 3, 2009
Interesting bit-o’-info: Looovvvveeeeeees cars. Eats, sleeps, and lives for cars. But it’s Poncho’s philosophy that cars are still second to women, especially his wife.
Vehicles: 1954 Chevy Pickup, 1965 Chevy Chevelle, 1987 buick turbo T, 1996 Chevy Impala SS
Poncho’s 1954 Chevy Pickup
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TJ Ferguson
Title: Warehouse/Shipping
On the crew since: January, 2011
Interesting bit-o’-info: Tyler’s older brother
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Tyler Ferguson
Title: Warehouse/Shipping
On the crew since: March, 2011
Interesting bit-o’-info:TJ’s younger brother
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Danny Coultas
Title: Sales / Tech Support
Email: danny@ridetech.com
Phone: 812.481.4712
On the crew since: May, 2011
Interesting bit-o’-info:
Races dirt bikes regularly
Claim to Fame:
Finishing every race ahead of the Weismans
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Bryan Groeninger
Title: Production
On the crew since: March, 2011
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David Deorto
Title: Production
On the crew since: May, 2011
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Tyler Allen
Title: Production
On the crew since: April, 2011
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Jeff Wehr
Title: CAD Design
On the crew since: May, 2011
Interesting bit-o’-info: About to attend Purude University
Kyle Haley
Title: Production
On the crew since: January, 2012
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JD Garmon
Title: Production
On the crew since: September, 2011
Interesting bit-o’-info: Likes to go deer hunting and 4-wheeling
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James Crosby
Title: The Traveling Engineer
On the crew since: May, 2011
Interesting bit-o’-info: Travels back and forth from California and Indiana. From sunshine and paradise to rain and dirt.
