GO! Products, Inc

The GO! Chassi^® is the company's signature brand. Its patented Hitch and GO! ™ design enables individuals to attach and carry payloads with standard two inch hitches. The GO! Chassi liifting and hitching technology are the foundation of a stable of patented mobile applications.

The company's most famous brand, the Grill N Chill^®, has been covered by every major television news network and prominently featured by HGTV, The Food Network and the Discovery Channel. The brand has been highlighted in a variety of print publications including the 'Wall Street Journal', 'Kiplinger's' and 'Fortune.'

GO! Products was formed in July 2002 prior to its acquisition of the award winning Grill N' Chill, Inc. of Indianapolis. As the pioneer in mobile cabinet technology, the Company holds several current and pending patents.

The Company is headquartered in Elmhurst, Illinois and manufactures its products both domestically and internationally.
 

Customers

The company enjoys a diverse set of customers, with the following the most active; Contractors, Firemen/EMT, Police, Service Fleets, Farmers/Ranchers and Lifestyle Users. Lifestyle users include; DIY construction, Vacationers, Hunters, Fishermen, Tailgaters and general Outdoor Enthusiasts.

Markets

The companies products are sold to the following Markets;

• Construction
• Light Industrial
• Homeland Security
• Home Improvement
• Farmers / Ranchers
• Outdoor Enthusiasts
• Automotive Aftermarket

Channels

The company sells its products through authorized Distributors, Retail Partners and eMerchants . 

History and Introduction

Mark A. Dronen
President and CEO
GO! Products, Inc.

In a previous life, I had sold my technology companies and was presumably destine for a life of leisure - that never happened.

In 2001, I spotted what would eventually become the GO! Chassi^®. I was in South Bend when a truck carrying a Grill N Chill^® slowly passed by - it took me a few moments to understand what I had just seen - I jumped from my vehicle and ran 60 yards to catch up to my future.

I purchased a prototype Grill N Chill^® days later and eventually bought the company the following year.

That fall afternoon, sitting in the house that Rockne built, I couldn't shake what I had just seen. Hidden within that prototype Grill N Chill^® was a device that could effortlessly carry 500 lbs payloads into service in nearly every industry.

It was one of those staggering moments I suppose one sees in the movies - I left the game early that day and staked out that truck. This was an opportunity so large, I wasn't going to miss it.

Since 2002, we have been busy developing a variety of mobile GO! Chassi^® applications based on our original patents and developing relationships with folks that value the world's finest products. 

Today, GO! Products^® is driven by an experienced management team that has become the world leader in the development of hitch based tactical equipment solutions. Each of the company's products are based on our patented GO! Chassi^® Hitch and GO!™ technology and feature mobility, ease of use and flexibility as their key competitive advantage.

The company's future is focused on partnering with the world's finest brands in developing applications that are carried to work sites by a combination of human and vehicle power.

Company and Leadership

Mark A. Dronen
President and CEO , Chairman, Board of Directors

Dronen has 25 years of experience and a successful track record as an entrepreneur. Most recently he was the founder and President of DC Systems of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. DC Systems was a Management Consulting firm focused on technology. Dronen guided the organization from its inception in 1987 and grew it into a multi-million dollar company employing 270 full-time employees over 15 years.

The company serviced an international client base in a variety of industries including manufacturing, finance and telecommunications. It had over 400 clients in 26 states and 13 countries.

In 1998, Dronen sold the Software division with its suite of award winning Call Center Solutions to Intervoice of Texas. In 1999, he sold the remaining professional services units to One, Inc. He remained in an executive capacity with One, Inc. until 2001.

Awarded DuPage Area Association of Business and Industry’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” award in 1995 ( Dupage County is home to 125 companies in the Fortune 500), Dronen was an active speaker on university campuses delivering speeches on topics concerning Technology, Entrepreneurism and Continuing Education.

Prior to DC Systems, Dronen was a Systems Engineer with EDS where he focused on engineering and manufacturing systems. He is a 1984 graduate of Eastern Illinois University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, majoring in Computer Management. In 2005, Dronen was awarded Eastern Illinois Universities School of Business Distinguish Alumnus of the Year.

He has sat on the DuPage Cancer Society Board, the Senior Management Board of One, Inc., The Deans Business Advisory Board of Eastern Illinois University and numerous educational and professional development boards. Dronen also is one of the leading fundraisers for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and is the head football coach of the ICGS Varsity Knights.

James C. Shields
Director, Board of Directors

Shields has over 40 years of business success with concentrations in Petroleum Marketing, Transportation, and Logistics Sector with Industry-leading Companies as well as investor/manager of turn-around enterprises. 

Work history includes general management, business planning, sales-marketing, logistics and business development. The majority of past decade has been in Leadership roles building BP Amoco Retail business portfolios in emerging markets in Eastern Europe (including Russia).

In addition to BP Amoco, Shields has held senior positions with DART Inc., International Trucks (Navistar) and Indianapolis Freightliner-White.

Shields is a graduate of the University of Iowa BA (dual major in Economics and Marketing). He served from 1966-1972 as staff sergeant in US Army Reserve.

He sits on the University Council of American University (Balkans) and previously was a member of the Board of Trustees. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of United Way Moscow and the Moscow Fuel Association.

Daniel J. Morris
Director, Board of Directors

Mr. Morris has over 25 years of business success working with companies to improve their business results through the identification and implementation of operational changes.

As a former Accenture Partner, Mr. Morris spent 17 years supporting the business needs of clients in the Financial Services, Transportation and Government sectors, addressing specific issues of sales, customer service, product distribution, warehousing and accounting. Much of this work involved the development of component based software products/systems to reduce costs and redirect key resources.

Most recently, Mr. Morris was corporate vice president with the $1B HCL Enterprise,where his focus was on building an industry leading consulting and outsourcing practice. Running a global P&L with 600+ persons serving customers in 13 countries, Mr. Morris responsibilities included strategy, product development, sales, marketing and customer service.

Mr. Morris' work history includes sourcing of services in Asia, market and business development, running large programs/projects, partner/alliance development and channel management

Morris is a graduate of Indiana University with a BS in Quantitative Business Analysis. Active in the community for over 20 years focusing on education, youth sports and non profit service. Mr. Morris is the Chairman of the Board of Lumity, a Chicago based non profit.

Dr. David DeBeouf
Director, Board of Directors

DeBoeuf completed his PhD in business administration with a finance concentration at Louisiana State University in the summer of 1995.Thereafter, Dave has been employed at Western Illinois University, predominately teaching financial management and international financial management at the junior, senior and graduate levels.

Prior to receiving a doctorate, he started his career as a public accountant in 1985 for a small CPA firm in Glenview, Illinois, after graduating from Illinois State University with a B.S. in accounting and business administration. Two years later Dr. DeBoeuf took an internal audit position, working for Allstate Insurance at their home office in Northbrook, Illinois. During this time he successfully passed the Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, and Associate in Insurance, Accounting, and Finance exams.

In 1990, DeBoeuf attended Illinois State University, obtaining a masters degree in business administration. One year later, he returned to Northbrook, Illinois, working for General Binding Corporation as a senior internal auditor until his pursuit of a doctorate, starting in the fall of 1991.

Thomas D. Mostardi
VP of Application Development

Mostardi was co-founder of Mostardi-Platt Associates, Inc.an environmental consulting and engineering firm established in 1976 to work with industry to address their environmental testing and monitoring needs.The firm employed over 200 professional and technical staff at the time of his departure and the completion of his sale of the firm in 1998.The firm has since been divided and sold with the testing and monitoring business now part of GE Environmental.

During Mostardi’s tenure, the company serviced the spectrum of industrial clients having accomplished projects in 42 states and 7 countries. Mostardi’s responsibilities included the management of new service development areas and the Mechanical Engineering activities of the firm. Mostardi has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University and maintains a Professional Engineering certificate in the State of Wisconsin.

Statement of Corporate Objectives

GO! Products is committed to delivering the best products and services to our customers while developing all relationships to their fullest potential. The Corporate Objectives outlined here are the cornerstones of our business philosophy. 

Our commitment to preserving and pursuing these objectives will ensure that GO! Products will continue to be recognized as a world leader in brand and product development. 

Customers 

GO! Products is committed to customer satisfaction. We realize that the continued success of GO! Products depends on our ability to anticipate and satisfy customer needs -- providing innovative and imaginative mobile solutions that enhance our customers active life styles and provide lasting value. 

This commitment must be demonstrated through the dedication of each member of the GO! Products team. Careful attention to detail throughout every phase of our business results in superior products and services, enabling us to meet and exceed customer expectations. 

Our People 

The strength and character of everyone associated with GO! Products determines the success of our company. Our goal is to provide long-term opportunities for personal growth and professional development. In return, we require that our people meet the highest standards of professionalism and performance, and be willing to apply their talents where needed for the benefit of the company. 

Advancement at GO! Products is based solely on individual initiative, ability and demonstrated accomplishment. It is our policy to promote from within. We have a strong commitment to equal opportunity in hiring and advancement. 

The well-being of our people is of great importance. Therefore, it is our policy to: reward hard work and contributions, recognize that professional responsibilities should not preclude our personal lives and foster a positive company atmosphere. 

Growth 

Close attention to the bottom line is the final reflection of our performance as a company. It allows for continued growth by financing world class customer service, product innovation and the exploration of new product areas. 

The ability to effectively manage our resources depends on the day-to-day activities of each person. We are responsible for ensuring that our collective performance allows GO! Products to remain competitive while fulfilling the expectations of our customers, our people and stockholders. 

GO! Products will continue to explore new business opportunities on the basis of their growth potential and long-term value. New opportunities will be pursued where our collective strengths and product innovations position GO! as a market leader.