Most small businesses start by the founder having a problem in their lifestyle or hobby, and out of necessity, build a product themselves. Our company was no different. However, what makes our paddles so good today is that most every employee at Bending Branches is a paddler. We design our product based on our own research and we build it to better the sports we love.
#000000Brandon Johnson#000000After graduating from UW-Stout, I started at Bending Branches/Aqua Bound in the summer of 2021. Outside of work, I spend a lot of time paddling, as it is the only means of transport to get to many of my favorite hunting/fishing/camping spots.
My favorite hobbies are waterfowl hunting, deer hunting, fishing, archery, camping, and mountain biking. I look forward to using my paddling experience and engineering background to improve our products and manufacturing processes here at Bending Branches/Aqua BoundBlack Pearl IIBoundary Waters Canoe AreaBoundary Waters Canoe Area
#000000Brian Boyea#000000I started working at Bending Branches in 2015 and have loved every minute of it. When I'm not working, I can be found on the water, exploring the outdoors, or at the golf course (more specifically: in the sand traps, ponds, or woods). I've had to adjust to living in a town that doesn't bleed green and gold, but don't worry, I'm happy to pay extra money in order to watch the Packers, instead of that lesser squad who wears purple, every Sunday this fall.
Likes: Cold beverages, tearing up dance floors and traveling.
Dislikes: Tomatoes, Ketchup and Pizza
Accomplishments/Experience
Mastered the art of hypnotism in 2008.
Was among the first humans in the world to see the very first sunrise in the year 2014.
#000000Cory Novinska#ffffffAfter breaking the main water line that comes into our building during my first week of work (which shut down production, blasted a hole in the sheetrock, and then flooded the entire front office) I didn't think my tenure would make it into double digits. However close to a decade later, they haven't kicked me out yet!
I grew up in small town Wisconsin. My father introduced me to the outdoors before I could walk and I have been hooked on it ever since. Favorite hobbies of mine include: spending time with family and friends, fishing, hiking, golfing, cross-country skiing, sitting in a tree stand or duck blind, and of course- paddling.
Strengths: bad dad jokes, distracting folks actually working, and mopping up spilled water.
Dislikes: gas station sushi, air mattresses that leak, and folks that don't like tater-tot hotdish (if you know you know)Black Pearl StaightApple RiverSt. Croix River
#000000Jason Eccles#000000Having started my professional career in the industrial laser industry, I brought an engineering background to Bending Branches in 2003. This move required a leap of faith at an early stage in my career. The outdoor industry has been a rewarding endeavor, one that I would not trade for anything. Our purpose to inspire memorable outdoor experiences through passion and innovation has proven to be rewarding on so many levels. Over the last 20 years, we’ve built a company and a team that I’m extremely proud of. Our core values and the integrity from which our team conduct themselves is truly humbling.
When I’m not working, I enjoy camping with my wife, 2 children and our rescue dog. I also enjoy after work paddling trips, golf, biking, running, hiking, fishing and a good whiskey or bourbon.NavigatorApple RiverMinong Flowage
#000000Kate Wright#000000A lifetime spent recreating the St. Croix River Valley inspired me to pursue a career encouraging others to experience our natural world. I'm passionate about storytelling, protecting our natural spaces, and connecting people to the magic of outdoor recreation.
I joined the Branches team in 2023 and bring with me a background in marketing, sales, design, and sustainability from time spent in corporate, nonprofit, and retail settings.
When not working, you can find me with a camera in hand and dogs in tow as I paddle, hike, ski, and camp the best of the Northwoods wilderness and beyond. My husband and I recently welcomed a daughter and look forward to having a new buddy on our adventures. Ask me about a women’s hiking group I co-founded called Trail Mixer.K.C.Sunburst StraightBasswood Lake, BWCAWApple River
#000000Mark Eskro#ffffffI came on board with Bending Branches in 2013 in their sales and service department. After 5 years of building great relationships with our customers I made the jump to credit and finance.
Outside of work, my wife and I are raising 5 strong and very independent daughters. I enjoy cooking, camping, and DIY home projects. I have an ever-growing bourbon collection and never miss a Packers game. I am primarily a canoer but I'll hop in a kayak for a change now and then.DaveExplorer PlusAnywhere I cannot hear trafficUpper Namekagon River
#000000Micah DeLong#ffffffInside Sales & Customer ServiceI started at Bending Branches in 2022 working on the production floor making wood paddles. I stayed there for a bit, eventually having the privilege of leading that crew but recently I had the opportunity to join the Inside Sales & Customer Service team. I love being able to bring my technical knowledge of how each of those paddles are made into my everyday conversations helping retailers and consumers find the paddles they need!
When I’m not at Branches HQ, I’m soaking up life as a proud new father of a little girl. My wife and I can’t wait to bring her camping, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and trying the latest hot sauce (okay, so some of those will have to wait awhile).
Spicy Fact = We have a lazy susan turntable for our hot sauces in our fridge.CruiserBWCA
#000000Oliver Dressel#000000Knock. knock.
Who's there?
Canoe.
Canoe who?
Canoe paddle a little harder? I'm doing all the work around here!
I grew up in Osceola, WI, attended St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI, and love to spend my time outside work sitting around a bonfire, riding my motorcycle (Charley the Harley) on rustic backroads, working with local environmental organizations, and thinking of a new joke to share in the office. In 2020 I set the factory record, doubling up paddles on the production line 27 times consecutively while whistling the Star-Spangled Banner.OllieNavigator PlusSt. Croix River (at sunrise)Chippewa River Flowage
#000000Sara Sigsworth#000000I started at Bending Branches in 2004 on the production floor making paddles. In 2009 when Bending Branches acquired Aqua Bound, our purchasing department needed a little help in the office & I was there to sneak in the door!
When I am not at work, I am spoiling my dogs, taking them for a ride in my Camaros, & planning my next trip to see my daughter, who is in the Air Force currently stationed in North Dakota. Of course I can't forget a pretty important person in my life, my husband, he is the reason I am spoiled! ❤Navigator
#000000Seth West#ffffffIf you made me choose between a camera, a kayak, and a fishing rod, I'd probably cry, so don't do that.
I spend almost every waking moment either behind the lens documenting adventures on the water or partaking in them myself.
My favorites are whitewater, sea kayaking, and fly fishing. In the rare moments that I'm not by the water, you'll find me hanging out with my wife and my cat at home, likely with a good book or classic movie.https://www.instagram.com/sethezekielwest/https://www.sethezekielwest.com/
#000000Sharon Brodin#000000I’ve been a contributing content writer for Bending Branches since late 2016 and have so enjoyed this journey. Get paid to write about paddling? Get to interview interesting people from all over the world and write about incredible places? Get to work with an amazing company? Sign me up!
From enjoying the Boundary Waters since the late 80s to getting into kayaking to learning to paddleboard—I love the recreational paddlesports world. I enjoy lots of other outdoor activities too, especially hiking, camping, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and riding horses.
I live across the river from the Branches office in Minnesota with my husband Nick. We’re grateful to be near our three grown kids and their families, and especially our two (so far) grandkids!Boundary Waters Canoe Areahttps://brodinpress.com/
#000000Susie Kadlec#000000International Sales & Marketing ManagerAfter 11 years teaching high school English, I decided to set down my chalk and pick up a paddle; I started my Bending Branches journey the summer of 2018 and haven't looked back since.
When I'm not slinging paddles or providing unparalleled customer service, I can be found carting my 4 boys around to their various sporting events, enjoying the great outdoors no matter the season, with my nose in a book, or spending time with friends and family.SuzSunburst StraightChippewa RiverLake of the Woods, Ontario
