People

Ted Hanson, President Email: thanson@westernstatesautomation.com Raised on a farm in Northern Iowa, Ted learned the value, and reward, of hard work. After serving in the Air Force in Idaho, he fell in love with the Lovely Office Head Honcho, and the great outdoors. He loves the challenge of every application and providing solutions with engineered products. He has 22 years of experience working with customers in wide ranging industries in the Inland Northwest.

Josh Hanson, Account Manager - S. Idaho & E. Oregon Email: jhanson@westernstatesautomation.com I was born and raised in this great state of Idaho. I have sales experience in a number of industries and enjoy building relationships with customers. In my free time I enjoy watching sports, going on hikes, and arguing with my friends. I have a beautiful Australian Shepard named Willow and she keeps me on my toes.

Joey Powell, Account Manager - E Washington, C Oregon, N Idaho Email: jpowell@westernstatesautomation.com Growing up in Eastern Oregon, Joey learned how to work for his money. After graduating High School he went into the grain industry. After several years, and across a few companies, he moved to an irrigation district. From there he became a supervisor, then maintenance, and eventually department manager at an ethanol plant. After 10 years, he built and ran an organic fertilizer plant in Boardman before moving on to rebuilding pumps for Reyco Systems, where he worked for 2+ years. Joey has a diverse background, work ethic, and hands-on experience in the processing world. And he loves to fish.

Colter Young, Sales Engineer Email: cyoung@westernstatesautomation.com I am an experienced mechanical and fluid design engineer specializing in plant layout design and automation process control. I have designed and patented valves for the food processing industry and worked extensively in new product development and engineering for OEM manufacturing. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking and hunting.

Michael Willis, Customer Service Email: mwillis@westernstatesautomation.com In the years of living in Idaho, I’ve learned to slow down and explore the great outdoors more with friends and family. I have a passion of working with customers while problem solving and working towards lasting viable solutions. One of my strengths is building business relationships while benefiting both customers and the company. Over the last few years, riding the motorcycle up in the mountains with my wife is often a great pastime.

Steve (Tiny) Murphy, Valve Assembler Email: smurphy@westernstatesautomation.com Born and raised in Texas, I arrived in Idaho in 1995, and have enjoyed living here since. I have spent my entire working career in some type of customer service role, from customer service rep to sales. In my off time I enjoy the great advantages the Idaho outdoors has to offer, from fishing & hunting to riding my 4-wheeler. I’m not to bad a bowler either.

Heather Hanson, Administration/Lovely Office Head Honcho Email: hhanson@westernstatesautomation.com “Everything is a blur from the time I met the most amazing man on earth.” Quotes like these from Heather are commonplace in the office. “I can't imagine doing anything other than whatever Ted asks”. Nuff said!