OUR TEAM
Precision Abrasives is a trusted specialist with deep technical expertise and a consultative, problem-solving approach. Our hands-on team brings real industrial experience, helping customers solve complex challenges with practical know-how rather than price-driven shortcuts. Easy to work with and relationship-focused, we support customers at every stage as a reliable long-term partner.
THE Specialists
RON DIVERS
President
Geography: USA, CA, NY
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Ron's experiences operating industrial machinery, studying metallurgy, and learning related skills, helped him appreciate what he calls "the other side of the sale." It went a long way to helping him learn the primary metals market.
"Most people think selling is the same as talking. I think, to fully understand the customer’s requirements, it is far better to be interested than interesting.” We say at Precision, “Stop selling and start helping.”
Before joining Precision, Ron spent more than twelve years with Norton, managing sales territories for abrasive products in industries as diverse as woodworking, aerospace, mill, and electronics. Ron left Norton as a Senior Corporate Application Engineer focused on the primary metal market. In that capacity, he provided engineering support to most of the steel mills producing flat rolled and bar products in North America. He was also awarded the company's Winners Circle Award for exceptional performance in sales as well as Saint-Gobain's Entrepreneurial Engineer Award for his work with large-diameter cut-off wheels.
LANGSTON LACROIX VP Of Operations
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Prior to Precision, Langston's first job was in a Pittsburgh steel foundry, McConway & Torley. There he started operating the heavy mobile equipment. After a couple of years he was responsible for helping to manage the mobile equipment operations for the plant. He eventually became the Logistics Coordinator of the plant’s West Yard. Langston accepted a position at Precision Abrasives in 2018. At Precision, he manages the inside sales force and the inventory. He is the primary liaison between customers and suppliers, taking care of all customer needs. Langston also handles outside technical sales support with several tristate customers.
Business Development/Sales Engineers
RON MEIER
Geography: PA, WV
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Ron Meier is an Abrasive Specialist with over 31 years of sales experience. Ron helps make his customers productive and profitable by offering cost savings through in-plant product testing, grinding improvement solutions, and inventory management, while specializing in the primary metal market. Before joining Precision Abrasives in 2004, Ron worked for Norton Abrasives as a Senior Account Manager. In two sales territories with Norton, Ron honed his selling skills in many markets including an emphasis on the cutting tools and primary metal markets. Prior to joining Norton Abrasives in 1989, Ron graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN with a BS in Marketing in May 1989.
Nathan Tarter
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Nathan is a former NCAA Division II First Team All-American golfer from Mogadore, Ohio. Having spent time in the professional ranks of the golf world, Nathan has seamlessly applied the discipline and focus learned from athletics into his work today. Driven by a genuine concern for people, Nathan focuses on bringing value to customers by building lasting connections based on care, respect, and mutual growth.
Nathan currently resides in Akron, Ohio with his wife Kaley and daughter Ellie.
SHAUN MUNN
Geography: IN, Midwest
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Reliable. Persistent. Engaged. Those are three good words to describe Shaun, who has more than 20 years of diverse experience in the primary metal, automotive, and specialty grinding industries.
A veteran of Norton, Shaun won the Winners Circle Award there five times and was named the sales team’s Most Valuable Performer in 2014. He also achieved Diamond Account Executive status, the company’s highest honor for sales representatives, a designation earned by fewer than 5% of Norton’s sales team.
Shaun has a simple philosophy for building productive partnerships with his customers: “Successful relationships are based on reliability, trust, and respect.”
His expertise includes conventional & CBN vitrified grinding, large-diameter cut-off wheels (LDCO), gear and bearing, roll grinding, and coated abrasives.
Shaun earned his BS in Marketing Management from Indiana University as well as a Certificate of European Studies from the University of Limburg, Maastricht, Netherlands.
Shaun and his family reside in Lafayette, Indiana, where they enjoying boating and traveling.
Isaac “Ike” Hapanowicz
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With more than 15 years of manufacturing sales experience, Isaac “Ike” Hapanowicz has built a reputation for developing strong customer relationships, solving complex application challenges, and driving growth across demanding industrial markets. His experience combines hands-on technical knowledge with a practical, customer-focused approach developed through years of working directly with manufacturers and end users.
Isaac developed an early appreciation for hard work, craftsmanship, and the industries that keep America moving. Those values continue to shape his professional philosophy and commitment to customer service.
Outside of work, Isaac is an avid outdoorsman with a passion for muscle cars, mechanical performance, and the freedom found on the open road or in the wilderness.
RODNEY HEDGEPETH
Geography: AL, South
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Rodney lives in Huntsville, AL, and has been in the abrasives industry for 25 years, 21 of those years spent with Norton Abrasives. He won Winners Circle Award five times while with them. His first four years in the abrasives industry were with Baystate Abrasives, now known as Tyrolit. Over his career Rodney has focused on many different markets, including the oil and gas/energy market in Texas and automotive market in Alabama and Tennessee. His current focus is the primary metal market in the southeastern United States. His areas of expertise include steel conditioning, roll grinding, OD grinding, surface grinding; all large-diameter cut-off, foundry, coated abrasive, surface finishing, and super abrasives applications; and welding/MRO. Rodney earned his BA from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. Rodney loves to solve abrasive-related problems for his customers. He also enjoys spending time with family. His favorite quote is: "To do what ought to be done but would not have been done unless I did it; I thought it to be my duty." Robert Morrison.
APPLICATION ENGINEERS
BRUCE VIGEANT
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Bruce, who comes to Precision from Norton, brings our customers more than 35 years of experience in the abrasives and primary metal industries.
He’s known for his ability to develop comprehensive, real-world grinding solutions for a variety of applications, especially roll conditioning. He's had substantial success helping customers meet and exceed performance objectives.
Bruce has designed several products and he also holds several patents, including one for centerless grinding and another for a see-through grinding wheel. With Norton, Bruce held the positions of Senior Research Technician, Development Engineer, and Product Research Applications Engineer. Before his work with Norton, Bruce spent several years in the Army.
Following Bruce's discharge, he worked in the factory, mixing and molding grinding wheels. During that time, he bid on an R&D tech's job. He earned his degree at that time, working during the day and going to school at night.
Bruce is known as a pragmatist much more than as a theorist. He knows that in order to meet the customer's needs, you need to deliver real-world results. His number one goal is saving end users both time and money by beating out the competition!
Bruce is a well-known dog lover, having 4 dogs. He is an avid Harley Davidson fan, having built many choppers and street bikes from this platform.
Chris Buck
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Chris is an Applications Engineer with more than 25 years of experience in materials science, bonded abrasives, and industrial manufacturing. His expertise includes abrasive product development, process optimization, quality systems, and technical support for demanding steel industry applications. Prior to joining Precision Abrasives, Chris served as Technical Director for Allison Abrasives, where he led the development of hot-pressed, calendered, resin, and rubber/resin bonded abrasive products while supporting customers throughout North America and internationally.
Chris is known for his hands-on, customer-focused approach to applications engineering and technical support. He works closely with customers to improve process performance, increase productivity, and identify practical solutions for challenging grinding applications.
Chris holds a B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering with an emphasis in metallurgy from the University of Tennessee and an M.S. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky, where he enjoys pickleball and following college sports.
OFFICE STAFF
DAVE BROWN
INSIDE SALES
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Dave joined Precision Abrasives in 2012 after a 30-year career in management, sales, customer service, and small business ownership. Along with Jeremy and Langston, Dave is a "man of many hats" including inside sales, order entry and processing, invoicing, accounting, and outstanding customer service.
Outside of work, Dave loves to travel with his wife Cyndi and son Taylor. He also loves sports, especially baseball and his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates. On weekends you can often find him leading tours at the Roberto Clemente Museum in downtown Pittsburgh.
Nate Mcmaster
LOGISTICS MANAGER
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Nathan joined Precision Abrasives in 2023 and is the newest addition to the team. He is currently finishing his associates degree in marketing. His job responsibilities include receiving products, managing inventory, and delivering products locally.
Outside the warehouse, Nathan loves to travel with family and friends. His favorite weekend getaway spot is Erie, Pennsylvania. He also enjoys many outdoor activities including camping, snowmobiling, jet skiing and boldly going where no man has gone before.
JEREMY PAVLOSKY
INSIDE SALES
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Jeremy has been a member of Precision Abrasives since 2018. He started in the warehouse managing physical inventory but quickly transitioned into the inside sales team. Jeremy is a graduate of Point Park University and a United States Marine Corps veteran.
MATTHEW MCMASTER
INSIDE SALES
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Matthew joined Precision Abrasives in 2023 after graduating from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management. His job responsibilities include order entry, processing, invoicing, inside sales and accounting.
Outside of work, if you ever need to find Matt, he will most likely be on a lake. He competes in bass fishing tournaments and enjoys trout fishing in the Fall and Spring. He also spends time golfing and playing platform tennis in the winter.