Leadership

Lead. Inspire. Support. Thrive.

At Heartland Sheets, we believe leadership is about more than a title—it’s about setting direction, building trust, and growing together. The best leaders lift their teams by setting clear goals, encouraging new ideas, and being there through every challenge. In turn, a strong team helps leaders grow, offering perspective, energy, and support that fuels continued success. When people are aligned and working toward something greater, leadership and teamwork become one powerful force.

Sean O'Hearne

GENERAL MANAGER

Sean O’Hearne joined Heartland Sheets in 2024 as General Manager, bringing with him a strong and successful career in the corrugated industry. Known for his leadership, strategic thinking, and people-first approach, Sean is focused on continuing Heartland’s legacy of excellence while strengthening the culture and operations of the plant. Throughout his time in the industry, Sean has held leadership roles across a variety of corrugated businesses, gaining deep experience in plant management, operations, and customer relationships. What drew him to Heartland Sheets, and what remains his favorite part of the job, is the committed team and the sense of camaraderie shared across all levels of the organization. Sean grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and attended Chaminade College Preparatory School before earning his degree from the University of Missouri. Outside of work, Sean enjoys playing golf and spending quality time with his family.

Jordan Chautin

PLANT MANAGER

Jordan Chautin serves as Plant Manager at Heartland Sheets, bringing over 20 years of experience in the corrugated industry. He’s been with Heartland for 13 years and has grown through the ranks—starting as a control room operator before becoming a lead, supervisor, and now plant manager. His steady leadership and operational insight are shaped by hands-on experience and a deep understanding of plant performance. Before joining Heartland Sheets, Jordan worked with respected names in the industry, including International Paper and Georgia-Pacific. One standout moment in his career was assisting with the installation of the first 132″ corrugator in North America at Alliance Sheets—another Corrugated Partners Group company. Originally from Arnaudville, Louisiana, Jordan proudly calls himself a Ragin’ Cajun. He graduated from Lee’s Summit High School and attended Longview Community College. Outside of work, Jordan enjoys coaching his kids’ sports teams, playing golf, and working on cars. He’s been married for 11 years and is a proud father of three amazing kids. The Chautin family also includes two dogs who help keep things lively at home. For Jordan, the best part of Heartland Sheets is simply the people and energy they bring.

Dillon Bergsten

ASSISTANT CONTROLLER

Dillon Bergsten has spent his entire professional career with Heartland Sheets, joining the team 11 years ago and steadily growing through a range of key roles. From Shipping Lead to Safety Manager, Quality Manager, and now Assistant Controller, Dillon’s journey is a testament to the company’s culture of opportunity and internal growth. What Dillon loves most about Heartland is the unique blend of a small, close-knit environment with the resources and reach of a large organization. He values the ability to learn, grow, and explore different parts of the business—all while making a meaningful impact and carving out a career path that fits his strengths. A Kansas City native, Dillon is proud to be a “local product.” He earned dual degrees from Truman State University—a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a Bachelor of Arts in Business-Accounting. When he’s not managing numbers and process improvements, Dillon is often running long distances—ultramarathons ranging from 50 to 100 miles—or staying active with his three energetic boys. Dillon has been married for 16 years, and his favorite pastime is whatever sport his kids decide to play that day. His energy and versatility reflect the dynamic spirit of Heartland Sheets.

Pam Grissom

HUMAN RESOURCES

Pam Grissom has been leading Human Resources at Heartland Sheets for nine years, bringing warmth, consistency, and a deep passion for people to everything she does. With an entire career rooted in HR, Pam has always been drawn to roles that allow her to support employees and help them grow. Originally from Gladstone, Missouri, Pam earned her degree from Missouri State University in Springfield. Her professional journey brought her to Heartland Sheets, where she immediately felt at home. She values the genuine family feel of the company and the culture where people look out for one another. Pam is known for being approachable, empathetic, and dedicated to creating a workplace where employees feel valued. Whether helping a team member through a life transition or celebrating a milestone, she is a constant advocate for people. When she’s not at work, Pam loves spending time outdoors—especially enjoying lake life with her loved ones. She has two children, two stepchildren, and four grandchildren who keep her life full and joyful. She also shares her home with Cain, the best yellow Lab ever, who completes the family.

Charlie Freeman

SALES MANAGER

Charlie Freeman has been a vital part of Heartland Sheets since 2011, bringing with him decades of experience and a deep passion for the corrugated industry. Before joining Heartland, Charlie had already built a long-standing career in the sheet feeder business, having been in the industry since 1983. His extensive knowledge and leadership have made him an invaluable asset to the team. At Heartland Sheets, Charlie has served as Assistant General Manager and now leads the sales team as Sales Manager. He thrives on building strong customer relationships and helping his team grow and succeed. What Charlie loves most about Heartland is the people—he finds great joy in seeing team members develop, take on new challenges, and achieve their goals. Originally from Trinidad, Texas, Charlie graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He now channels his creativity and energy into his personal passions as well, including building and renovating homes, 2D printing, golfing, and spending time with his grandchildren. Charlie is married and the proud father of four boys and two stepdaughters, with four beloved grandchildren. His experience, mentorship, and dedication to both his team and his family make him a standout leader at Heartland Sheets.

Jase Runkles

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

Jase Runkles brings a decade of dedication and well-rounded experience to his role as Customer Service Manager at Heartland Sheets. His journey at Heartland began on the sheet line, and over the years he has mastered a wide range of roles—stacker operator, double backer operator, control room operator, module facer operator, shift lead, and ultimately became the company’s first in-house machine scheduler. This hands-on foundation gives Jase a unique perspective when it comes to serving customers and leading his team. Before joining Heartland Sheets, Jase spent 13 years in the golf industry after earning his Bachelor of Science in Communications from Northwest Missouri State University. His strong communication skills and customer-focused mindset have been key to building lasting relationships and keeping service levels high. Jase grew up in Rock Port, Missouri—classic small-town USA—which helped shape his values of hard work, community, and teamwork. What he enjoys most about Heartland is the camaraderie among team members and the collaborative environment.

Outside of work, Jase is an avid sports fan who enjoys golf, volleyball, and poker. Whether he’s on the course or in the office, Jase brings energy, focus, and a winning mindset to everything he does.

Robbie Rollings

MAINTENANCE MANAGER

Robbie Rollings brings over a decade of dedication and hands-on experience to his role as Maintenance Manager at Heartland Sheets. Since joining the team 13 years ago, Robbie has served as Maintenance Lead, Maintenance Supervisor, and now leads the department as Manager. His steady leadership and technical expertise help keep the plant running safely, efficiently, and reliably. Before coming to Heartland, Robbie served in the U.S. Navy, an experience that shaped his work ethic, discipline, and problem-solving skills. He also gained valuable industrial experience working at GST Steel and Georgia-Pacific—roles that gave him a strong foundation in mechanical systems and operations. Originally from Asher, Oklahoma, Robbie graduated from Asher High School before starting his professional journey. What he appreciates most about Heartland Sheets is its family-oriented culture—a place where people look out for one another and take pride in their work. Outside of the plant, Robbie enjoys the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He’s married and shares his home with two loyal dogs, Hank and Sadie. Whether on the job or out in nature, Robbie is all about precision, patience, and making things work the right way.

Crystal Simpson

SHIPPING SUPERVISOR

Crystal Simpson joined Heartland Sheets in 2025 as Shipping Supervisor, bringing with her a strong background in operations management from the automotive manufacturing world. Though new to the corrugated industry, Crystal hit the ground running and quickly recognized the difference in culture. She describes Heartland Sheets as having a true family atmosphere and calls the transition into her new role “a breath of fresh air.” Born and raised in Lawson, Missouri, Crystal is a proud local who graduated from Excelsior Springs High School and attended Maple Woods Community College. She brings to Heartland not only operational experience but also a deep commitment to people—something she finds perfectly aligned with the team-oriented culture at the company. Crystal is married with two sons, one daughter, and three grandchildren who are the center of her world. When she’s not keeping shipping operations running smoothly, she enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending as much time as possible with her grandkids. She also shares her home with two beloved dogs, Honey and Charlie. Crystal may be early in her Heartland career, but she’s already made an impact—and she’s excited to grow with a company that feels like home.

 

 

Matt Wolfe

PLANT ENGINEER

Matt Wolfe has been a dedicated part of the Heartland Sheets team for over 12 years, bringing deep technical expertise and a strong commitment to growth and teamwork. Starting his journey as a maintenance technician and electrician, Matt’s skills and leadership quickly earned him the role of Plant Engineer, where he now oversees critical systems and supports plant-wide operations. Before joining Heartland Sheets, Matt worked as a Maintenance Manager at Georgia-Pacific, where he gained valuable experience managing large-scale maintenance programs and leading technical teams. His favorite part of working at Heartland Sheets is the opportunity to continue growing in his career while helping others succeed—a value he brings to every project and interaction. Originally from Jay, Florida, Matt graduated from Jay High School and has always had a passion for hands-on work and problem-solving. When he’s not keeping the plant running smoothly, you’ll likely find him enjoying time outdoors—especially hunting or riding dirt bikes. Family is a central part of Matt’s life. He’s married with a stepson, a son, and two daughters—who all work at Heartland Sheets alongside him. The Wolfe household also includes two dogs, Daisy and Oakly, and a cat named Fred.

Leon Jenkins

SAFETY COORDINATOR

Leon Jenkins has been part of the Heartland Sheets team for 8 years, bringing energy, focus, and a passion for people to every role he’s held. He began as a machine operator, quickly stepped into a lead position, and now serves as Safety Coordinator—where his leadership and attention to detail help ensure a safe, positive work environment for the entire team. Before joining Heartland Sheets, Leon worked in fiber and cable installation and also held a role in sales. That background in service and communication has helped shape his hands-on, approachable style as a leader and team member. Born in Alaska and raised in Kansas City, Leon graduated from Raytown South High School and continued his education at Victory Education and Training Institute. He’s a firm believer in personal development and the power of a strong team—two of the things he loves most about working at Heartland: the growth opportunities and the welcoming, team-oriented culture. Outside of work, Leon enjoys reading, fitness, and photography. He’s married and the proud father of two children. Whether on the floor or behind the lens, Leon brings positivity and purpose to everything he does.

John Thorn

SCHEDULER

John Thorn has been with Heartland Sheets since day one, joining the team at startup in 2011. Over the years, he’s worn nearly every hat on the production floor—stacker, sheet line operator, wet end technician, and control room operator—before transitioning into his current role as Scheduler. Today, he also lends support in customer service and process improvement, using his deep knowledge of the plant’s operations to enhance performance and communication. Before his journey in corrugated, John built a strong work ethic through roles in food service, farming, and car sales. That variety of experience gave him a people-first perspective and a problem-solving mindset—both of which are essential in his current role. A proud native of the Liberty area in Kansas City and graduate of Liberty High School, John brings a local’s pride and passion to the Heartland team. What he values most about Heartland Sheets is the camaraderie and shared commitment across all departments. Outside of work, John enjoys disc golf, hiking, photography, and diving into video games. He shares his home with Bagel, a 23-pound cat with as much personality as his name implies. With a grounded attitude and years of experience, John keeps things moving smoothly.

John Nunez

QUALITY COORDINATOR

John Nunez joined Heartland Sheets in 2022 as Quality Coordinator, bringing with him over 25 years of experience in the corrugated packaging industry. With a deep understanding of quality systems and production standards, John plays a critical role in ensuring every sheet that leaves Heartland meets the highest expectations. What John values most about Heartland Sheets is the freedom he’s given to put his skills and experience to work. “I feel trusted to make a difference,” he says. “That kind of confidence from leadership allows me to contribute real value to our team.” His proactive, hands-on approach and dedication to continuous improvement have already made a meaningful impact. A Kansas City native, John has spent his life in the area and built a career that reflects both technical expertise and a commitment to excellence. Outside of work, he enjoys the focus and discipline of hunting and shooting—hobbies that reflect the same patience and precision he brings to his professional life. John is married and a proud father of five adult children. He also enjoys spending time with his two grandchildren, who keep him laughing and inspired.

Royce Fiala

ROLL ROOM MANAGER

Royce Fiala joined Heartland Sheets in early 2024 and quickly made an impression with his strong work ethic and team-oriented mindset. He began as a Quality Technician and Trainer before stepping into his current role as Roll Room Manager, where he ensures the operation runs smoothly and efficiently. Royce is passionate about maintaining high standards and supporting the success of the entire team. What Royce appreciates most about Heartland Sheets is the people—he thrives in the collaborative, supportive environment and values the relationships he builds on the job each day. His positive energy and leadership style help drive a culture of accountability and camaraderie. Originally from Nebraska (and a proud “Go Big Red” fan), Royce grew up in the Midwest and graduated from Belton High School. He brings a blend of hard work and heart to everything he does, shaped by both his personal and professional experiences. Outside of work, Royce enjoys golfing, bowling, and spending quality time with his family. He and his wife have one son, and they love making memories together whenever they can. Royce’s dedication to both his family and his team makes him a valued part of the Heartland Sheets leadership group.