Leadership
Ryan Smith
President
As President of Coreline Rollers, Ryan Smith provides the strategic vision and operational leadership for the company, working closely with the team to unite its manufacturing capabilities. A U.S. Army veteran and former Engineer Officer, Ryan brings a foundation of discipline, resilience, and objective-driven execution to the manufacturing floor. Throughout his career, he has led the development and implementation of over $100M in global capital projects, delivering advanced, mission-critical manufacturing capabilities for some of the world’s leading technology companies, and maintains a proven track record of overseeing complex, 24/7/365 operations. Ryan is committed to driving operational excellence by empowering teams and aligning manufacturing strategy with the collective expertise of the workforce. Outside of his professional career, he prioritizes time with his wife and four children, often enjoying outdoor adventures and creating lasting memories as a family.
John Bruening
Managing Director
As Managing Director, John Bruening helps customers, employees, and partners achieve lasting success by building strong teams, executing clear strategies, and delivering dependable manufacturing solutions. With 28 years of experience in manufacturing leadership, he brings deep expertise in rubber roller manufacturing, personnel development, and strategy deployment. A United States Marine Corps veteran, John is known for his hands-on leadership style, commitment to accountability, and ability to develop people alongside business performance. He believes that doing things right the first time creates trust, reduces waste, and lays the foundation for long-term growth. Outside of work, John enjoys collecting and sharing memorable movie quotes—often finding the perfect one for any situation.
Josh Thornton
Director of Engineering
As Director of Engineering, Josh Thornton works alongside teams to solve manufacturing challenges, improve processes, and create practical solutions that make work safer, simpler, and more effective. Over the past 20 years, he has helped organizations strengthen their operations through process development, continuous improvement, and design, with a focus on delivering lasting results. A United States Marine Corps veteran, Josh is known for his steady leadership style, collaborative approach, and commitment to helping people succeed. He believes the best improvements come from combining technical expertise with the insights of the people closest to the work. Outside of his professional career, Josh is passionate about continuous growth, guided by the principle of being better tomorrow than he was today, and enjoys writing fiction novels.
Marco Zelaya
Plant Manager
As Plant Manager at Rubber Right Rollers, Marco Zelaya helps our manufacturing teams achieve consistent results by building disciplined processes, developing people, and creating production strategies that support long-term success. With more than 15 years of manufacturing experience, he brings expertise in LEAN manufacturing, operational improvement, and coaching teams to perform at their highest level. As a Certified Internal ISO Auditor, Marco combines a strong focus on quality and compliance with a practical understanding of day-to-day production challenges. He is known for leading by example, fostering accountability, and helping others grow both professionally and personally. Guided by the value of discipline, Marco believes sustainable success is built through consistent effort, continuous learning, and a commitment to doing the work the right way. Outside of the plant, he enjoys writing fiction and exploring the creative side of storytelling.