ENGINEERING EXPERTISE With such a strong focus on innovation, it’s no surprise that Western States has been the beneficiary of many talented engineers throughout its history. In addition to founders Roberts and Gibson, some of the people who have made a great impact on the Company’s innovation include George Stevens; his successor, George Conrad; and the leaders of the engineering department; Joseph Hertrich, Joe Bange, Bill Grieselhuber, Thomas Levin, Dick Huser, Don Meineke and Bill Temple. Of course, these men relied upon the support of innumerable skilled and innovative engineers. 46 CHAPTER 3