We’d like to introduce you to three of the experts you’re likely to interact with—Curtis Powelson, Jon Ylvisaker, and David Masters. Each brings a unique background, deep pump knowledge, and a passion for helping customers succeed. By getting to know them, we hope you’ll see not only the technical expertise they bring to every interaction, but also the personalities that make working with Cornell’s municipal team a collaborative and enjoyable experience.
Curtis Powelson
- Role: Applications Engineer for Midwest/ North East
- Pump Experience: Start in Cornells Parts department in 2022. Transitioned into the Municipal departments in 2023
- Held roles in sales and project validation, attended Oregon State University. Strong capabilities in interpreting engineering requirements, aligning with municipal markets, and following projects through validation and execution.
- Fun facts: Avid follower of OSU Beaver Football and Portland Trailblazers. Lover of sports. Raised in Clackamas, Oregon where Cornell is based.
Jon Ylvisaker
- Role: Application Engineer for West Cost and Southwest
- Pump Experience: Joined Cornell in 2010, and has worked in Municipal, Industrial covering general, DAF and refrigeration. Came back to Muni fulltime in 2021.
- Notable Project: Back in 2011, Jon was involved in a retrofit trial—installing a cutter pump upgrade kit on an existing Cornell 6NHTB pump at a municipal pump station in Caldwell, Idaho. Loved the hands-on field experience with pump enhancements and real-world municipal deployment.
- Fun Facts: Semi-avid golfer (his wife is the real fanatic). Enjoys family, grand kids, gardening, home projects, traveling, exploring the world through travel, wine, and bourbon.
David Masters
- Role: Applications Engineer SE US, Caribbean, Central & South America.
- Pump Experience; Beginning in 2006, David has earned extensive experience in the West Coast pump companies, working in inside sales and operations management before joining Cornell in 2023.
- Impactful project: French Guiana – Long range radio frequency communication system for remote pump system monitoring and pump start up. Alaska – World record sized pressure pump system for Arctic Ocean oil platform. Africa – Solar & wind powered compact/portable water pump & filtration for substandard quality water treatment in native village relief program.
- Fun Facts: Father of three, Husband of one, loves to study history especially pre-gunpowder, big-time movie buff, avid PC gamer. Favorite quote: “What man can call himself such that does not try to make the world a better place” – Balien, Baron of Ibelin
