ABOUT APEX INDUSTRIAL Solutions

“Apex specializes in supplying top-tier industrial engineered equipment tailored for various industries including food manufacturing, mechanical contracting, agriculture, and OEMs. Our comprehensive product range covers boilers, steam systems, heat exchangers, valves, actuators, piping, instrumentation, sanitary and high-purity process equipment, as well as dry bulk material handling and explosion protection.

Based in the USA, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality equipment stocked in our 10,000ft² warehouse in Monticello, MN. With a team of 13 members boasting a collective experience of over 140 years, we stand as a reliable and accessible partner committed to simplifying your job.

At Apex, we leverage our engineering expertise to enhance your operations by boosting uptime, optimizing energy efficiency, and delivering immediate service. Our goal is to keep your projects on track, ensuring smooth and timely execution while staying within budget. Let us guide you to solutions that elevate your plant’s performance and project success.”

-Skylar Rekstad, Founder and President

From Left to Right: Skylar Rekstad, Emily Cliett, Mitch Hughes, Zach Jordening, Todd Faust, Bob Tourville, Nick Nygaard, Ryan Ketternacker, Mike Marketon, Ken Snell, Drew Millard, Kristen Handy

What Adding Massive Value Means to You

We aren’t just equipment suppliers; we are problem solvers. Apex will analyze your plant and find creative ways to improve your processes. Our unique team of experts can discover new ways to save you time, money, and maintenance. Give us a call and we will schedule a visit to your facility.

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What Adding Massive Value Means to Us

We want our employees to feel successful in their careers and in their lives. We encourage hard work ethics by providing equal rewards: our employees get out what they put in. This means our employees work to help you as if they were working to help themselves. In the end, this benefits us all.

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Meet the Apex Team

Skylar Rekstad

Owner | President

After working 4 years in the industry, Skylar discovered a need for knowledgeable and personable customer service. In 2009, he opened  Apex Industrial Solutions to solve this problem.

Skylar has been married to his amazing wife, Christy for over 15 years. Together they have 5 fun, outgoing children.

When Skylar isn't busy, he enjoys hunting with his dog Kona, fishing, golfing, and pretty much everything else outdoors.

Ryan Kettenacker

Vice President | Inside Sales

Ryan's favorite part of working at Apex Industrial Solutions? The culture of the workplace and the fun people he gets to work with.

Ryan has been married to his high school sweetheart, Katie for over 14 years. Together they have 4 amazing sons: Evan, Avrahm, Ezra, and Izaiah.

When he's not working, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family doing pretty much anything on the water. He also coaches basketball and soccer!

Drew Millard

Senior Technical Engineer

After graduting from SDSU with an Engineering Degree, Drew spent 20 years working in the engineering field. 15 of those years were spent with a focus in the Food and Beverage industry.

Drew has been married to his wife Courtney for 20 years and together they have 3 children: Lucia, Lyla, and Ledger.

In his free time, Drew enjoys spending time with family, playing and coaching sports, and other outdoor activities.

Luke Anderson

Dry Bulk Technical Engineer

Luke comes to Apex as our Dry Bulk Material Specialist bringing with him 40 years in the industry. There's nothing you can throw at him that he hasn't seen before!

Luke is married with 2 grown sons. He coached his sons' baseball and football teams for over 9 years.

Although retired, he still assists us with on-going large projects. In his spare time, Luke enjoys spending time with his wife and children.

Mike Marketon

Outside Sales Engineer

Northwestern Minnesota, North Dakota, Northern South Dakota

Mike has over 13 years of experience in the oil and gas industry as well as over 20 years of sales and operations experience.

Mike has been married to his charming wife Erica for over 21 years and together they have 4 ambitious boys: Alex, Dylan, Kole, and Sawyer.

In his spare time, Mike enjoys fishing, hunting, and working around on his hobby farm.

Todd Faust

Outside Sales Engineer

Central Wisconsin, Eastern Minnesota

Todd has been an expert in steam for many years. Todd decided to join Apex to lend our family company his knowledge in everything boiler, steam, and condensate.

Todd has grown children and now spends his free time with his friends and family. 

When he's not working, Todd enjoys cooking home made meals, fishing, and hanging out with the guys.

Ken Snell

Outside Sales Engineer

Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, MN

Ken has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and has been selling industrial equipment and control products for over 30 years.

Ken has been married to his amazing wife, Carin for over 28 years. Together they have raised five wonderful children.

In his spare time, Ken enjoys spending time with his family and just about anything outdoors.

Zach Jordening

Outside Sales Engineer

Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Southwestern Minnesota

Zach has a Bachelors degree in Industrial Distribution from the University of Nebraska. He has been in Outside Sales specializing in material handling for over 5 years.

He has been married to his lovely wife Olivia for over 3 years. Together they have a one year old son, Ellis.

Zach enjoys playing golf, completing puzzles, and recently began refurbishing furniture as a hobby. Ask him about his father's bee farm!

Tim LaRocque

Outside Sales Engineer

Northeastern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin

Tim joined Apex as an Outside Sales Engineer in September 2024.

Tim graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2007 with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications. Since then, he has worked at various companies as a successful Project Manager.

In his spare time, Tim enjoys spending time with his family, woodworking, playing and coaching sports, and has a passion for videography and photography.

Nick Nygaard

Head of Inside Sales

After Nick worked for several years manufacturing sanitary food and beverage processing equipment, he decided to join the Apex team in Inside Sales. He enjoys Apex because he is able to work with so many interesting people.

Nick and his lovely wife Amy have an adorable daughter, Ava, and 2 fun sons, Jake and Robbie. 

In his spare time, Nick writes music and plays guitar, drives his Corvette and Harley, and loves going to the shooting range.


Emily Cliett

Inside Sales Engineer & Project Coordinator

Emily has been working in sales related positions, including project coordination, for the last 5 years. Emily loves working at Apex because she believes Apex actually cares for their employees. She also appreciates the lasting good relationships with vendors and customers.

Emily has one energetic son named Oliver.

During her spare time, she likes to try new projects, stay active, and get outside with family and friends.

Mitch Hughes

Inside Sales Engineer

Mitch graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of MN Duluth in 2020. He has since worked in Electrical Distribution and Sales for over 4 years before coming to Apex.

Mitch is newlywed to his wife Karli as of May 2023! Together they have two pets: Ivy the Mini Goldendoodle and Estes the cat.

In his spare time he enjoys football, board games, and spending time at the lake fishing.



Kristen Handy

Marketing & Accounting

Kristen has worked in industrial and business to business marketing since graduating with a Marketing & Graphic Design degree in 2016.

She has been married to her husband Jim for over 10 years and together they have twin daughters, Daisy and Josie. They love to make new memories traveling together. 

Kristen considers herself a movie junkie (especially horror movies) and enjoys spending time watching movies and playing video games with her family and 2 cats.


CAUSES WE CARE ABOUT

Apex donates a portion of our profits to several charities. The entire Apex team will also take time out of our busy schedules to volunteer throughout the year.
We believe this strengthens our connection to the community and builds morale within our business. See below for more information about charities we support.

Feed my Starving Children

A portion of Apex's profits are donated to the charity Feed my Starving Children.

Feed My Starving Children’s mission is to feed starving children in body and spirit. Hunger is causing nearly half of deaths in children under 5 years old. FMSC believes hope starts with food and is dedicated to work with food distribution partners that stay with communities for the long haul, empowering them to move from relief to development. FMSC meals are developed by food scientists and nutrition professionals to supplement needs and reduce malnutrition.

Operation Underground Railroad

A portion of Apex's profits are donated to the charity Operation Underground Railroad.

Operation Underground Railroad exists to rescue children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. O.U.R. has made significant impact in the fight to end sex trafficking and sexual exploitation by rescuing and supporting thousands of survivors in 28 countries and 26 US states. O.U.R. works with law enforcement to rescue children, convict predators, provide aftercare for victims, and prevent future tragedies.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

A portion of Apex's profits are donated to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of the founder Danny Thomas: no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.

Marici Dawn of Freedom

A portion of Apex's profits are donated to the charity Marici.

Marici provides a holistic solution to reducing child sex trafficking by over 80% in highly affected regions. They use a combination of intelligence collection, aftercare, legal prosecuting, and community building to eliminate child sex trafficking.

Marine Toys for Tots

A portion of Apex's profits are donated to the charity Marine Toys for Tots.

The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots program is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. The primary goal is, throug the gift of a new toy, to help bring the joy of Christmas and send the message of hope to America's less fortunate children.