Meet the Trackside Team

Lucas Grymonprez serves as President of Trackside Solutions. He began his Trackside career in the spring of 2018 as Director of Business Development and focusing on company growth. Lucas attended Clarke University, where he earned dual degrees in Finance and Business Administration. In early 2022, he was named President of Trackside Solutions. Outside of work, Lucas enjoys spending time with his wife, Tessa, their three sons, and golden retriever, Oakley. He is an active member of the Jesup community and enjoys anything outdoors — whether that’s hunting, working, or playing sports with his kids.

Jacob Schmidt serves as Engineering Manager and oversees multiple facets of the business. He began his career with Trackside Solutions as an intern in 2013 before joining the team full-time in 2014. Jake attended the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and brings a strong agricultural background, having grown up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. Jake works closely with customers to develop solutions tailored to their unique needs while continuing to carry a strong passion for agriculture and customer relationships. Outside of work, Jake enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, returning to Wisconsin to help on the family farm, hunting, snowmobiling, and spending time outdoors.

Tucker Bland serves as Controller at Trackside Solutions, overseeing the company’s financial operations and helping support strategic business decisions. Tucker earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting from Western Illinois University and brings a strong financial background to the Trackside team. Tucker began his career in public accounting before transitioning to the private sector, where he has developed expertise in financial management, reporting, and business operations. His analytical approach and commitment to excellence help ensure the continued growth and success of Trackside Solutions. Outside of work, Tucker enjoys traveling with his fiancée, Mollie, staying involved with his local church, and spending time with family and friends.

Will Chaney leads Trackside's Fabrication Division, overseeing fabrication operations and helping drive the continued growth of the department. Through multiple internships and years of hands-on experience, Will has worked his way up through the company and become a key leader within the organization. A graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in Industrial Engineering, Will works closely with customers to turn their ideas into reality. He utilizes Creo and other engineering software to develop designs that meet customer needs while ensuring projects move efficiently from concept to completion. Outside of work, Will enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly hunting, fishing, and golfing.

Erik Gommel oversees Trackside Solutions’ Heavy Equipment Repair Division and helps manage operations at the company’s East Moline location. In his role, Erik works directly with customers to minimize downtime by coordinating repairs on equipment across a wide range of manufacturers and applications. His industry knowledge and hands-on approach allow him to effectively manage complex repair projects while ensuring customers receive timely and reliable service. Raised on a farm in Malta, Illinois, Erik developed a strong agricultural work ethic at an early age. He raised cattle and sheep through 4-H and spent six years exhibiting livestock. Erik attended Iowa State University, earning degrees in Agricultural Systems Technology and Industrial Technology.  Outside of work, Erik enjoys returning home to help operate equipment on his family’s farm during planting and harvest seasons. He is passionate about antique farm equipment, attending auctions and farm shows, and preserving agricultural history. Together with his grandfather, Erik has restored four Farmall tractors that they proudly drive in local parades. Erik also enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring the Midwest with family and friends.

Ethan Ellinghuysen leads Trackside's Test & Validation division while also supporting engineering and prototype development projects. He joined Trackside as an intern during his time at Iowa State University and has played an important role in the company's growth ever since. Raised in an agricultural community in southeast Minnesota, Ethan earned his degree in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University. He manages a wide range of testing programs, from component-level testing on custom-designed test stands to accelerated durability and endurance testing on full machines. Outside of work, Ethan enjoys spending time with family and friends and taking advantage of the outdoors whenever possible as well as working in and expanding he and his wife Dani’s cattle operation.

Austin serves as Shop Manager for Trackside Solutions' Augusta, Georgia location. He earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Southern University and brings a strong background in mechanical design, troubleshooting, and repair. At Trackside, Austin manages relationships with both current and prospective customers, helps resolve manufacturing and equipment challenges, and leads a team of highly skilled repair technicians. His technical expertise and customer-focused approach play a key role in delivering solutions that keep customers operating efficiently and effectively. Outside of work, Austin enjoys spending time outdoors, whether he's fishing at the lake or hunting in the woods.

Scott Birmingham serves as Trackside's East Moline Location Manager, overseeing a variety of projects and supporting customers across multiple agricultural OEMs. Having been with the company since day one, Scott has worked in nearly every facet of the organization and has played an integral role in Trackside's growth and success. In his day-to-day role, Scott manages production activities, customer relationships, and project execution while helping ensure customer needs are met efficiently and effectively. Outside of work, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife and dogs. When he's not at Trackside, there's a good chance he's farming, as he operates his own farm and is actively involved in custom farming as well.

Lane Marlow oversees operations at Trackside's Waterloo location, managing the workflow of equipment coming into and leaving the shop while helping ensure projects are completed efficiently and to the highest standards. Lane earned his degree in Agricultural Systems Technology with a focus on Power Machinery from Iowa State University. He works closely with customers and coworkers across the company, with a strong focus on maintaining productive operations and a positive team environment. Outside of work, Lane enjoys spending time with family and friends, hunting, and motorsports. He has been involved in truck and tractor pulling for many years and enjoys developing creative ideas and bringing them to life.

Danijela Mandic serves as Trackside's Office Administrator, overseeing payroll entries, accounts payable, and the day-to-day administrative functions that help keep the office running smoothly and efficiently. Danijela earned her Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Black Hawk College and has continued to build her professional expertise through the Project Management Institute, earning both the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications. Outside of work, Danijela enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as her cat, Louie, and guinea pig, Boris. She loves bike riding, cooking, participating in her book club, and exploring new destinations through travel. One of her personal goals is to visit all 50 states.