Our Team
From our home base in rural Western Washington, Friesla’s team is on a mission to help farmers and ranchers take back control of your local meat processing—on your terms, time, and at your site.
Bob Lodder
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
Bob Lodder — rhymes with slaughter — founded Friesla to make the meat processing world a better place for independent farmers, ranchers, and meat eaters. He draws on decades of experience starting and scaling companies in the agriculture and manufacturing industries. Bob’s work at Friesla focuses on delighting our clients and encouraging and empowering our team. His attention is divided only by his wife, five adult kids, and 18 grandkids — or a thought-provoking read.
Chris DePalma
TRAINING & TECHNICAL SERVICES
Chris DePalma assists Friesla’s clients with processing system design, on-the-floor training, and HACCP writing and implementation. After two decades in the fishing industry building and installing seafood processing plants, Chris co-launched and operated a whole-carcass beef and pork production plant for 8 years. His interests range from Roman history and Russian literature to small engines, wood projects, and tending his flower and vegetable gardens—the latter of which he loves to share with his wife and kids.
Christian Willis
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Christian Willis supports Friesla’s clients and Technical Team with project flow, coordination, and purchasing. His decade-plus of experience in Lean manufacturing equips him to help improve operational efficiency—from defining value and mapping the value stream to creating flow, using a pull system, and pursuing perfection. Christian enjoys spending time outdoors in God’s creation, photographing and enjoying it with his wife and kids.
Dave Hofford
TECHNICAL MANAGER
Dave Hofford partners with Friesla’s clients on the design and manufacturing of our Meat Processing Systems. For two decades, he’s honed the crafts of fabrication, technical design, and managing complex projects — each of which lends to helping him develop processing systems that work for our farmers and ranchers. Dave’s meat tooth means his wife and kids are perpetual taste testers for his flavor-of-the-week BBQ techniques.
Lydia VanDriel
SALES & MARKETING ASSISTANT
Lydia VanDriel works behind-the-scenes to tackle Friesla’s sales, marketing, and design projects. She draws on almost a decade of customer service, marketing and graphic design experience to bring life to Friesla’s brand and communicate effectively with our customers and team. Despite missing her home province of British Columbia, Lydia enjoys living in the Pacific Northwest and discovering new places to explore. She loves spending quality time with her husband, family and friends, thrift store shopping, photography, and hanging out at home with her two cats.
Nathan Chase
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Nathan Chase leads Friesla’s operations and partners with our consulting team to design and implement our Meat Processing Systems. Over the past decade, he’s created links between customers and colleagues by helping to solve problems with equipment and service. Nathan’s passions for family, meat, and BBQ mean he’s likely either grilling on his patio or hiking Pacific Northwest trails with his wife and kids.
Reece Lodder
HEAD OF SALES & MARKETING
Reece Lodder leads Friesla’s sales and marketing efforts. After transitioning from military service in Marine Corps marketing and communications, he helped launch Friesla and build our brand — from setting strategy and positioning to bringing Friesla’s and our clients’ stories to life. Reece draws from entrepreneurial roots as a marketing consultant and technology sales and marketing leader. His greatest joy is admiring God’s creation with his wife and kids.
Shawn Van Dyken
SALES SUPPORT
Shawn Van Dyken supports Friesla’s current and prospective customers. For four decades, Shawn has helped clients ranging from business, industrial and nonprofit organizations to identify their needs and work together to chart a successful path forward. Shawn and his wife live up the road from the two dairy farms on which they were raised. One of his early childhood memories is slaughter day on the farm. His task: holding a large roaster pan while the local butcher loaded it up with freshly-harvested liver, heart, and tongue—Grandma’s favorites!
Travis Siebol
INSTALLATION MANAGER
Travis Siebol leads Friesla’s meat processing equipment installation, equipment training, and service. Over the past two decades, he’s worked hands-on in Lean manufacturing and aluminum and steel MIG welding, and directly with clients in distribution, sales, and project management. Travis loves to travel—whether road tripping to client sites in his motorhome, riding motorcycles or driving his white and red ‘54 Mercury.
Interested in making the meat processing world a better place for independent farmers, ranchers, and meat eaters? Reach out to discuss how you might fit into our team at Friesla.
