PETER BANG-KNUDSEN
A leader in the wholesale housewares business since 1970. He joined his father in the family business after serving as Captain U.S. Marine Corps in Japan, Vietnam and the U.S. Worked in production and marketing management for 4 years in a California housewares company. Went on to establish several brands of high-end housewares brands in the Pacific Northwest including: Cuisinarts, OXO, ScanPan and Jura. Peter headed formation of the San Francisco Gourmet Cookware Show. He pioneered the introduction and marketing of automatic coffee and espresso machines for home use, working with European manufacturers to establish their brands in the USA. He is a charter member and former Chairman of the Board of International Housewares Representatives Association Board of Directors. He co-published two cookbooks for Starbucks including Starbucks Passion for Coffee. Served on the Board of Directors Boys and Girls Club.
JACOB BANG-KNUDSEN
Jacob first started working for Bang-Knudsen, Inc. when he was 8 years old, demonstrating how to make crepes in a frying pan during the Seattle Gift Show. After working for his dad informally over the years, he officially joined his father Peter in business in 2003 as a sales associate. Prior to joining the family business Jacob worked at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics as a production assistant for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Jacob is a graduate of University of Washington. He also completed his certification as a Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business. He formerly served on the Board of Directors of International Housewares Representative Association. He is currently President of Bang-Knudsen, Inc. He enjoys travel, downhill skiing, playing pickleball and fly fishing in his spare time. Jacob and wife Melissa live on Bainbridge Island, Washington with their two children.
PAUL BANG-KNUDSEN
Paul Bang-Knudsen is a seasoned traveling road representative with over 25 years of retail and wholesale experience. Prior to his successful career in the housewares industry, he served in the Marine Corps for six years where proudly served as a member of the esteemed Force Reconnaissance unit earning the Purple Heart medal.
Transitioning to civilian life he honed his leadership skills as a Starbucks store manager. With knack for sales and talent for training sales representatives. Paul has a proven track record of opening new retail stores. He specializes in supporting stores with continuing education, technical product knowledge and expertise. His passion for food and cooking, along with his Northwest style infuses his work with creativity and innovation.
Outside of work Paul is a devoted parent of two teens, an active volunteer in youth sports, and indulges his interests in cycling and SCUBA diving.
Paul is Regional Manager and Vice President of Bang-Knudsen, Inc.
Peter Bang-Knudsen, Jr, EdD
After dedicating his career to education management, Peter is rejoining our family business. Having previously served on our Board of Directors, Peter has agreed to return in a consultative role. His extensive experience in organizational leadership and financial management adds significant value to our mission. We are pleased to welcome Peter back to our management team.
KRISTAL CHANDLER
Kristal Chandler joined Bang-Knudsen in 2010 as an administrative assistant and in 2012, was promoted to Office Manager where she oversees all daily operational tasks. She also handles inside sales and supports field sales representatives.
Kristal’s background includes over six years of management experience in the retail sector and in the print and shipping industry. She studied Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design at Mira Costa College.
Outside of work, she enjoys time with her family, collecting vinyl, refinishing furniture, and the great outdoors. Kristal donates approximately 40 volunteer hours per year to the Asia-Northwest Cultural Education Association.
JEFF HELMICK
Jeff is a senior sales associate with Bang-Knudsen, having over five years field experience with us serving both small specialty customers and major accounts throughout the region. He has traveled with our team to National trade shows and to European factories.
Prior to joining us Jeff was a logistics chief at the U.S. Navy Strategic Weapons Pacific where he planned and organized joint training and operational projects for over 250 DOD employees. Later as a patrol supervisor he was responsible for conducting over 400 hours of law enforcement training and mentorship. He was awarded the Navy
Achievement Medal and a performance citation for his service. After an Honorable Discharge went on to develop and implement IT projects within the pet supplement industry. Jeff holds a BA in Political Science and Government from West Virginia University and went on to earn his MBA at City University of Seattle specializing in project prioritization, planning and financial management.
JOHN (JACK) MORRISON
Jack Morrison is a 4th generation Oregonian, raised in Southern Oregon and now living in Portland.
He earned his BS in Anthropology (Archeology) at Portland State University and his BA in Music at Southern Oregon University. He has a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems, Portland State University.
Jack has 20 years’ experience as a restaurant cook, professional chef and baker. He was most recently Catering Chef at a Portland catering business and was Prepared Foods Lead and Bakery Production Manager at a Northwest high end grocery market chain. His extensive skills in food production translate to a working knowledge of our represented gourmet housewares products.
Jack and his young daughter live in Portland, Oregon.