Choice Machinery Group, a leading American manufacturer of custom equipment for the woodworking and building materials industries, named two new leaders to its team: Mitch DeHaan as sales manager and TJ Thomasson as service manager.

DeHaan joins Choice after a successful tenure at Tuff Automation, where he held a similar sales role focused on material handling systems. A graduate of Grace Bible School in Wyoming, Michigan, DeHaan holds a degree in Ministry Leadership—training that, in his words, “forged me as a leader.” He brings extensive experience in business development and process optimization. 

“There’s a learning curve when switching industries, but I really appreciate how Choice adapts to different applications and customer needs,” said DeHaan. “I’m looking forward to bringing Choice into the next decade.”

Outside of work, DeHaan enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children—a four-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter—watching hockey or the latest movie. Jake Mulder, vice president of Choice, shared his excitement about the new hire. “Mitch brings a lot of experience in customer relationships and sales systems. I’m looking forward to seeing how his background can help elevate our team.”

Joining Mitch on the leadership team is TJ Thomasson, who will step into the newly created role of service manager. With a background spanning military service, oil and gas fieldwork, and trucking operations, TJ is no stranger to managing complex systems and teams. At Choice, he’ll lead the service and support side of the customer experience, including scheduling, installs, and long-term maintenance coordination.

Thomasson said, “The foundation at Choice is solid, the team is talented, and the potential for growth is huge. What we can accomplish in one year here would have taken three or four anywhere else.”

A motorcycle enthusiast who’s ridden over 200,000 miles in the last four years, TJ says his passion for machinery extends far beyond the shop floor. He and his wife and their eight-year-old daughter are excited to settle in West Michigan after years of moving across the country.

“Everything I’ve done has been about building something that works—and making sure it keeps working,” he said. “I see that same mindset here at Choice.” 

Both hires reflect Choice Machinery Group’s ongoing investment in scaling smart and delivering a best-in-class customer experience from initial conversation to post-sale service.

Choice Machinery Group is a leading manufacturer of innovative machinery solutions, committed to delivering high-quality, reliable machines tailored to the specific needs of their clients. With a focus on engineering expertise and customer satisfaction, Choice Machinery Group serves a diverse range of industries with cutting-edge technology and customized solutions.