Rich Matzinger
Joined MKI in 1985

Formerly: Technical Equipment Sales with US West (Former Bell Operating Company)

Education: Studied economics at the University of California at Irvine and graduated from the USC School of Business

Proudest accomplishment with MKI: Utilizing the synergy of nine manufacturer’s lines represented to succeed in winning the award for a $10 million substation project for a major Southern California municipal.

Personal: Developed teamwork skills leading sailboat racing teams on 2225 mile race from LA to Hawaii on five occasions, collegiate sailing national champion.

Family: Raising two young children with his wife.

Armando Elvira
Joined MKI 2003

Formerly: ABB where he was account executive, responsible for sales of the entire ABB T&D product portfolio for the major electric utilities in southern California. Most recently he was Regional Marketing Manger in the western US for turnkey substation projects. Prior to ABB, he was with SCE for 10 years where he held positions as customer service planner, apparatus engineer, and technical specialist.

Education: BSEE and MBA from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Registered Professional Engineer.

Goal: Provide the highest level of customer service

Personal: Enjoys hiking, backpacking, golf and raising his son and daughter with his wife.

Proudest accomplishment with MKI: We know there will be many!

Mark Wallace
Joined MKI 1998

Formerly: General Electric as Product Marketing Manager in power generation unit and Fisher Pierce as Western Regional Sales Manager for electronic control and monitoring equipment sales to electric utilities.

Education: Engineering degree from Boston University and a MBA from Clark University.

Personal: Enjoys sailing, skiing and jumped a car with his bike when he was 8 years old. Raising his first child with his wife.

Proudest accomplishment with MKI: Multi-million dollar substation automation project for the City of Pasadena utilizing the resources of five of MKI’s principals. 

Matt Daniels
Joined MKI 2006

Formerly: Operations background including eight years with SCE, eight with the City of Vernon and nine years with high voltage electrical contractors.

Experience: Brings 24 years of operations, training, installation, testing and maintenance experience with both utility and industrial high voltage applications.

Goal: “To be accepted as one of the MKI family” Editors note: He already has been. MKI has known Matt for twelve years as a customer.

Personal: Has an unbridled enthusiasm for our business/industry that others will find contagious.

Family: Raising four boys with his wife and surfboard.

Mike Gugerty
Joined MKI 2007

Formerly: 22 years with SCE. Most recently Manager of Substation and Transmission Inspection. Prior roles included teaching at SCE's school, technical support for protection and automation and test technicians.

Goal: Help our customers meet their objectives by applying two plus decades of hands on experience.

Personal: Enjoys spending time with his family and friends, fishing and the outdoors.

Family: With his wife, raising an amphibious daughter and son that both play water polo and swim competitively.

Kelli Connell
Joined MKI 1993

Formerly: Inside sales Powercom where she was responsible for customer service, bidding and order processing for products used by the utility, telecom and industrial markets.

Goal: Make sure our customers get what they need, when they need it. No matter what!

Personal: Kelli, along with her husband, has a son and two daughters. Kelli is very busy with her girls' softball teams and also an active member of her Church.

Michele Gwaltney
Joined MKI 2006

Formerly: With a private jet service company that required extensive attention to detail. Roles included sales, dispatch, procurement and customer service.

Education: Graduated Cum Laude from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a B.A. in Psychology.

Goal: To make our customers lives easier.

Personal: Enjoys cooking and the food and wine arts.

Jan Rowan
Joined MKI 2007

Formerly: A native of England, Jan is the "voice" of MKI and has raised MKI's personality to a new level. Most recently she was with a company where her roles included customer service, supporting estimating teams, quotations and order processing.

Education: Jan has studied in both England and the US and has an equivalent of an Associates Degree in Business Administration.

Goal: To make hard work fun!

Personal: Very proud of her two grown daughters. Her eldest daughter lives on the other side of the pond. Loves working out at the gym and cooking.

Tricia Matzinger
Joined MKI 2006

Formerly: Corporate cash manager for Prudential Securities and Hollencrest Securities.

Education: Holds an economics degree from the University of California at Irvine.

Goal: Keep MKI in good corporate working order so the rest of the staff can focus on serving MKI's customers and principals.

Personal: One of the first girls to play boy's Little League in Orange County. Better at all traditional sports than her husband.

Family: Raising and coaching two young children with her husband.

Diana Walden
Joined MKI 1995

Formerly: Executive assistant to the Corporate Personnel Director at Bergner's Department Stores; Assistant Interior Designer ASID.

Proudest Accomplishment with MKI: In January, 2003, completed installation of a new order entry and order tracking computer program to facilitate prompt and accurate reporting to MKI's customers.

Personal: Competed in triathlons, the LA Marathon and participated in the Avon 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk.

Family: With her husband, has raised three children that today consist of a Chicago police officer, college student at NAU and one still growing up.

Debbie Gaddis
Joined MKI 1997

Formerly: Twenty-six years with Maydwell-Hartzell, a manufacturer’s representative in southern California serving the electric utilities and industrial markets. Debbie brings extensive experience in order entry, order follow up and customer service.

Personal: Politics! Don’t get her started unless you lean right or are ready to lose the debate! Debbie is very proud of her two grown children and three grandchildren.