Charlie Van Valkenburgh
Owner & President

An industrial designer for over 28 years, Charlie has designed numerous mechanisms for NASA and the International Space Station. Starting the business while still employed full-time at Boeing, Charlie eventually left to run Pit Bull full-time in May 1997. He is a former club level racer and avid fan and supporter of the road racing sport. Running and tennis are among his other interests. He has a daughter currently attending his alma mater, Auburn University. Charlie holds numerous patents and is continually designing new products. In 2009 Charlie caught the land speed bug and has made a few trips to Bonneville Salt Flats since then. His best speed thus far is 194 on a BMW S1000RR in October 2010.

George Hoffman
Operations Manager

George has been with the Pit Bull team since January 2001. He is a veteran of the United States Army and also worked in the design and manufacture of custom packaging before joining the Pit Bull team. He completed his management degree while employed at Pit Bull and currently serves as the operations manager. George enjoys sports and spending time with his son.

Aaron Lumsdon
Shipping Manager

Aaron has been with us since July 2002 and serves as the manager in the Assembly/Shipping department along with taking care of steering stabilizer preparation, inventory, and technical support. He worked at a local motorcycle dealership in Chicago before moving to Alabama in late 2001. His interests include virtually all sports including roadracing. He is married and has a just had his first daughter in 2010.

Christie Johnson
Office Clerk

Christie has been with the Pit Bull team since August 2010 and handles order processing, customer service, as well as accounts receivable and tracking of our contingency sponsorship program. She enjoys rock climbing and caving.. Christie is originally from Austin, Texas and relocated to Alabama in 2007. Christie is also pursuing her degree in Medical Administration.

Norberto Arreola
Assembly/Shipping

Norberto joined the Pit Bull team in September 2008. He has a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Mexico in his hometown of Mexico City. His duties include shipping, customer service, and the preparation of steering stabilizers. He has 3 children and enjoys spending time with them and watching football.

Matt Owen
Assembly/Shipping

Matt has been with the Pit Bull team since January 2010 and works in our assembly/shipping department. He has worked in manufacturing for 4 years before joining the Pit Bull team. His interests include playing music, new technology, and relaxing at home with his girlfriend. Matt plans to return to school to pursue a degree in computers or another technology field in the near future.

Dean Cooper
Machine Shop Supervisor

Dean has been with the Pit Bull team since September 2009 and oversees the machine shop operations. He has 17 years machining experience supporting a wide range of industries including aerospace, textile, and railroad. Dean is very active in the motorcycle community and rides a Kawasaki ZRX1200 and KLR 650.

Chris Dennis
Machine Shop

Chris finished his degree in Machine Tool while employed at Pit Bull and has been with us since the Fall of 2008. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife, fishing, and riding four-wheelers.

Ken DeWolfe
Prototyping/Manual Machinest

Ken has been with the Pit Bull team since Spring 2010 and handles prototyping, manual machining, and other tasks in the machine shop. He has 30+ years machining and tool & die experience and has worked on various projects for NASA in the past. He is married and has 2 children. In Ken's free time he trains for charity bicycling events often pedaling 30+ miles per day to be ready to participate in events where he will ride over 100 miles at a time.

Anthony "B" Shelton
Welding

"B" has been welding for over 12 years and welding Pit Bulls products for over 9 years. He originally worked for the local contractor that welded our stands during the early days of Pit Bull and officially joined the Pit Bull family in August 2002. His hard work and dedication for many years are part of the reason that you can always count on your Pit Bull product to do stand up to years of use. "B" enjoys spending time with his family, golf, and motorsports with his family.

Kent Bice
Welding

Kent has been with the Pit Bull team since May 2001 and has over 29 years of total welding experience. He earned a certificate from JF Drake Tech. in welding. Kent has not only been a consistent and reliable welder but has also worked in our machine shop when needed over the years. His interests include hunting and water sports.

Kelly McMeen
Welding

Kelly has been welding Pit Bull stands his entire career. He originally worked for the local contractor that welded our stands during the early days of Pit Bull and officially joined the Pit Bull team in August 2002. His many years of welding experience with our products have made him a very valuable asset. Kelly is a licensed pilot and also enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.

Tim Moran
Welding

Tim has been with the company since 2004 and he has learned to weld during his years supporting the welding department. Tim has been one of our most reliable employees over the years and has helped out in every single department in the company at one time or another. He is now a full-time welder and working closely with our more experienced welders to perfect his craft. He is a volunteer fire fighter and enjoys helping out in community projects. He is married and has 2 children.

Roderick Reynolds
Fabrication Lead

Roderick joined the Pit Bull team in the Fall of 2008 and works in the Fabrication department. He has 10 years of previous experience in a machine shop doing CNC setups, die building, tool changes, etc. His duties include running the Fabrication department as well as inventory control of raw materials and scheduling. Rod is married and his interests include Auburn football and golf.

Travis Pendleton
Fabrication

Travis was recruited during the Summer of 2008 after serving as Production Supervisor with Krispy Kreme in Huntsville for over 10 years. His work ethic impressed Charlie V. so much that he made him a job offer and Travis eventually accepted. He has become a valuable member of the Pit Bull team in a short period of time. Travis enjoys sports as well as martial arts.