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Anand Bhagwat, a past WAI president (2005) and a long-time steel industry veteran, recently retired from Minova USA Inc., and has started a consulting service.

Per Bhagwat, he plans to serve small- and medium-sized companies on either retainer or project-based engagements for quality management, steel and wire technology, and new product development. He can be reached at tel. 740-229-0033, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Bhagwat’s career in metallurgical engineering spanned more than 35 years, including 12 years at Minova USA Inc., a mining ground support manufacturer. His career started in 1990 at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., where he developed wire technology for tire reinforcement for 10 years. Subsequent positions include the Seneca Wire Group, where he was vice president of quality and technology for seven years, three years as managing director of Wire & Cable Services, a WAI subsidiary., and as plant manager at FENIX, LLC.

Anand received the WAI’s Donnellan Memorial Award in 2009 and Mordica Memorial Award in 2022. He was an ASM/IIM Visiting Lecturer in 2001, and in 2015 he won the Stefanko Best Paper Award from Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.

Last modified on March 7, 2024

Dave Troy has joined REELEX Packaging Solutions as vice president of sales & service, a newly created position that will see him focus on the company’s sales and service structure. He previously served for nine years as director of marketing and business development for Emerson Discrete Automation’s Branson Welding and Assembly division, and prior to that he worked for 10 years for Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation, as director of marketing. He holds a BBA degree in marketing/business from Western Connecticut State University and an MBA from the University of Connecticut School of Business. The new position allows Tim Copp, vice president of business development, to spend more time on marketing and product development. Based in Patterson, New York, REELEX Packaging Solutions, is the creator/licensor of REELEX® packaging and a manufacturer of take-ups, dancers, accumulators and payoffs.

American Wire Group (AWG) has named Scott Taylor as vice president of regional sales for its renewable energy division. He will be responsible for AWG customers for new construction, repower, operations and maintenance capacities in the wind, solar and battery energy storage industries. He has more than 20 years of experience in engineering, sales management and business development in wire and cable manufacturing and distribution sectors. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from Tennessee State University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. Based in Miami, Florida, the American Wire Group supplies wire and cable, hardware, equipment, and accessory solutions.

Brad Johnson has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of both Superior Essex Communications and Essex Brownell. As COO, he will collaborate with the presidents of both business units to achieve their 2024 objectives as well as develop new growth strategies for each division. He joined the company in 1997 as vice president of sales, and became senior vice president of sales in 2003, then was named president of Superior Essex International LP in 2016. He will continue to serve in that position in the interim. He holds a degree in business administration from the Indiana State University Scott College of Business. Along with Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire, Superior Essex Communications and Essex Brownell are part of Superior Essex, a global leader in cable and wire technology based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Derek Nicholson has been named a regional manager for OmniCable, responsible for leading the St Louis commercial team. He has more than 15 years of electrical experience, having previously worked for LEDvance and Grainger. He holds a business degree from the University of Kansas and an MBA from Baker University. Based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, OmniCable is a distributor of wire and cable, electrical products, and value-added services.

Rob Cook has been promoted to director of new business development for Xaloy LLC, responsible for new business development initiatives from acquiring new customers to expanding product sales. Melissa Greenway was named OEM account manager. She joined the company in 2021 as an inside sales specialist. She previously worked for three years as a government sales specialist for Robeck Fluid Power. Based in Paluski, Virginia, Xaloy manufactures screws, barrels, and front-end components to sectors that include wire and cable.

Veronica Braker has joined Southwire as its new executive vice president of operational excellence. She has three decades of experience in leading teams focused on operations, environmental, health and safety (EHS), reliability and maintenance, capital expenditure and more. She is a Lean Six Sigma certified Master Black Belt and practices Lean as a discipline in how she approaches strategy and operational planning. She most recently was senior vice president of global operations at Archer Daniels Midland Company, where she led a global operations team, as well as the centers of excellence that included EHS, Quality, Maintenance, Capital and Process Optimization. She previously held leadership roles at Clorox, General Electric, BASF Corporation, Flint Hills Resources, and Milliken & Company, among others. She currently serves as the Board Chair for the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation. She previously served on the National Board of Directors for Women in Manufacturing, the advisory board for Women in Food and Agriculture and National Association of Manufacturer’s Board of Directors and Executive Council. She holds a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Christian Brothers University. Based in Carrolton, Georgia, Southwire is one of the world’s largest producers of wire and cable.

Dr. Peter Schmidt, managing partner at TROESTER for many years, has handed over the position of CEO to Thomas Holzer as part of the corporate strategy to maintain continuity in the management of the company and stimulate future development. Schmidt will continue to serve as managing partner and CFO. Holzer, who has been with the company since 2021, previously was managing director at Voith in Heidenheim and in the Asia region before joining TROESTER. Bernd Pielsticker will continue to manage the operational business as Chief Operating Officer. Based in Germany, TROESTER supplies complete cable production lines as well as individual cable machines, such as winders, accumulators, caterpillars, capstans in various sizes and designs. 

Last modified on March 7, 2024

 Dan Hughes has been named president of Windy City Wire (WCW), a company that he joined after completing college. He has more than 15 years of experience in the automotive and oil and gas industries. He started with WCW as an inside sales representative in 2001. He was promoted to national sales manager in 2007, then chief sales officer in 2014, where he served for 10 years prior to being named president. Based in Bolingbrook, Illinois, Windy City Wire supplies low-voltage wire products.

 Ahmet Kabaktepe has joined Marmon Industrial Energy & Infrastructure (IEI) as director of sales, transit infrastructure. He previously worked for nearly 15 years for Sark Wire Corp., where he was vice president of sales and marketing. He started as operations manager in 2009 and had been promoted to plant manager and sales manager. He also had worked in operations for Sark-USA Inc. for four years, and before that had been a marketing specialist for Sarkyusan A.S. in Turkey. He holds a degree in metallurgical engineering from Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi in Turkey. The Marmon Industrial Energy & Infrastructure Group, a division of Marmon Electrical, supplies wire and cable for industrial, energy and infrastructure applications.

 Mark Froggatt has joined Eland Cables as head of training, learning & development. He most recently was Technical Director, for the British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC), which he joined in 2019. Prior to that he worked as a technical manager for four years for British Cables Company and BT Cables, three years as a market development manager for Nexans, and 14 years in different positions for Draka. He holds a B.Ss. degree in chemistry and management studies from the University of Sussex. Based in London, U.K., Eland Cable is supplier of power, data, control and instrumentation cable.

 The SAMP Group reported four personnel announcements. Bernhard Messerli was named the new general manager. He has more than 30 years of experience in key managerial roles across various companies, spanning from Switzerland to China. He was cited for his extensive expertise in sales and operations management and strong leadership skills. Mattia Baccini is the new head of global sales. He will have a pivotal role in the company’s development. He has more than 15 years of experience in the automotive and oil and gas industries, including 11 years of experience at Koch Industries. He resided in the U.S. for two years and navigated diverse international assignments. Adriano Soldati is the new project manager extrusion, overseeing and optimizing extrusion projects from start to finish. He was cited for having a “dynamic skill set that aligns seamlessly” with the company’s goals. Hellen Cristina Basile is the new marketing manager. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, including more than five years of experience in B2B marketing within the engineering industry. A global supplier of wire and cable machinery based in Bologna, Italy, the SAMP Group has production sites in Italy, China and Brazil, and a sales and service unit in the USA.

Obituary
  Alfred “Al” G. Pratt Jr., a respected innovator in the wire and cable industry and the founder of Jersey Strand and Cable, died on June 27 at age 78.
  The Rome, New York, native attended Cornell University for one year, then went to work for Strandflex division of National Standard Co. in Oriskany, New York. As plant superintendent, he developed specialty strand and cable to fit customers’ needs, including the exact strand needed for a customer working on the first heart pacemaker. In 1978, he moved to New Jersey, and with his wife, Diane, started Jersey Strand and Cable in New Jersey. He also customized equipment to produce both ferrous and nonferrous wire. He later started a second company, Sinc, Inc., to spool multiple wires on bobbins, and later added wire braid products. The companies grew from three employees to more than 40 and he bought a 100,000-sq-ft-building in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, where the company is now based. 
  One crowning achievement was Pratt’s development and production of the strand and braid used to create the Frank Gehry-designed Eisenhower Memorial Tapestry that was dedicated in September 2020 on the mall in Washington, DC. Made by Thomas Ozinsky, a frequent Gehry collaborator, the outdoor tapestry is the world’s largest such display. His son, John, joined the company—working side-by-side with his dad for more than 41 years—and is now the president. A WAI Life Member, Al Pratt was known as a tremendous, innovative businessman and a man who deeply cared for his employees. Survivors include his wife, Diane; four children: John Pratt, Wendy Bowen, Amara Pratt and Jessica Mattox; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Kevin Boll has been promoted to technical director of Nextrom. He joined the company in 2006 as a lead mechanical engineer, in Finland, for the company’s optical fiber draw department. He progressed to product manager for specialty fiber, while simultaneously holding the position of sales manager for both Europe and Southeast Asia. Prior to joining Nextrom, he worked as a mechanical engineer for BAE Systems for four years. He holds a B.S. degree in engineering from Michigan Technological University. Based in Finland, and a business unit of Rosendahl Nextrom GmbH, Nextrom supplies technology for production of optical fiber and fiber optic cables.

Derek Olson has been promoted to sales director of Gem Gravure Co., Inc. He joined the company as a summer job in 1990, and it turned into a career position for him in sales. A reliable and effective representative, he has also been an active member in WAI, serving as president of the New England Chapter in 2017. He replaces the position that was long held by Mark Kristoff, who joined the company in 1994, working from the West Coast of the country. He will continue with Gem Gravure in other duties. Based in Hanover, Massachusetts, Gem Gravure Co. Inc. is a supplier of marking and coding equipment.

Omni Cable reported two hires. Keith Hopkins is vice president of strategic accounts for the Communications Business unit, responsible for leading growth strategies with the largest distributors and manufacturers in the communications enterprise market. He has more than 35 years of experience in the communications industry, with over 33 years of experience in distribution and two years in the data center space. Before OmniCable, he worked for Accu-Tech for 33 years, holding several positions. Carmel Cunningham was named director of business development for the company’s communications business unit, responsible for execution of growth strategies in the industrial automation connectivity end markets. She has 35 years of experience in the communications industry, the last 15 in the industrial sector. Previous employers include CommScope, where she worked for 10 years, and at Belden, where she worked for 15 years. Based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, with 18 regional distribution centers, OmniCable is a redistributor of wire and cable, electrical products and value-added services.

Obituary
Edward Planeta, the founder of Acme Wire Products Co., Inc., in Mystic, Connecticut, died Dec. 9, 2023, at age 87. He began his career with Associated Spring in Bristol, Connecticut, then worked as operations manager for the Planeta family business, Artistic Wire Products in Taftville, Connecticut. He founded Acme Wire in 1970 to produce custom fabricated steel and wire component parts for the emerging printer and desktop computer industries. He headed the business until his retirement in 2000. The company is now in its second generation of family ownership, run by Mary Planeta Fitzgerald, Edward Planeta, Jr., and Michael Planeta. Survivors from his two marriages include seven children; five stepchildren; 26 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

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Last modified on January 5, 2024

Lori Parent has been named business development manager for both Cable Components Group (CCG) and Gendon Polymer Services (Gendon). She has some 30 years of experience in colorants and masterbatches, most recently serving as director of sales USA/Canada for Spain’s Delta Tecnic, which she joined as a sales specialist in 2020. Prior past employers include Breen Color Concentrates and Chroma Color Corporation. Well known in the industry and a past president of the WAI’s New England Chapter, she was recognized by Plastics News (Women Breaking the Mold). She joins a sales team that includes Lynne Russell, who was promoted in June to vice president, sales and marketing; Sales Manager, Strategic Accounts Shawn Staveley, Gendon, who has been with the company for 15 years; and Technical Sales Manager Kevin DeLauriers, CCG/Gendon, who previously had 10 years of experience working at Hueson Wire and General Cable. Based in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, Cable Components Group supplies components and compounds for the wire, cable and optical fiber industries, as well as yarn and nonwovens. Based in Ontario, Canada, sister company Gendon Polymer Services supplies compounds for challenging wire and cable uses.

Magnetic Analysis Corp. (MAC) has named Daniel Lawrence as president/CEO. He most recently was general manager of the optical components business of MKS Instruments, and before that was a vice president and general manager of the Stellite, Conforma Clad and Advanced Materials Systems units of Kennametal. He was a division vice president and business unit manager for two units within AMETEK. He holds BS and MS degrees in chemical engineering from Clarkson University, and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. He succeeds Dudley Boden, who remains a company director and will retire in June 2024. Based in Elmsford, New York, Magnetic Analysis Corporation supplies non-destructive testing equipment.

Bessie Williams has been named chief procurement officer for Prysmian Group North America. She has 17 years of experience in the global supply chain and procurement sectors, with experience both in raw and non-raw procurement with an extensive background in metals. She most recently worked for Moog Inc., where she served as director of strategic sourcing for its Moog Aircraft Group, and prior to that was Global Director of Procurement at Howmet, where she oversaw the procurement function for two business segments. She also served as the global director of procurement for Arconic Engineered Structure. She holds a B.S. degree in business administration and an MBA from the University of Arkansas. The Prysmian Group is a global leader in the energy, telecom cables, and systems industry.

Jim Grimley was promoted to president of OTEC Compounds. He became part of the company in 2008 and prior to being appointed to his current position, he had been serving as vice president of sales and marketing. He has more than 30 years of experience in the thermoplastic compound and manufacturing industry and is well versed on the technical side as well as sales. He holds a degree in biology from McDaniel College. Based in Rolling Prairie, Indiana, OTEC Compounds develops, designs and custom manufactures specialty PVC compounds, thermoplastic elastomers for the electrical wire and cable industry.

Marc Richling was named extrusion director at Rosendahl Nextrom. He studied polymer science and technology at the Montanuniversität Leoben, and collaborated with Rosendahl Nextrom for his studies. He played a key role in developing the RX25 liquid-temperature crosshead for foaming. After graduating in 2009, he joined the company, working in process engineering and R&D. He assumed his new role in August. Rosendahl Nextrom is a global supplier of extrusion technology.

Mike Pascino was named director of operations engineering North America for the Prysmian Group. He joined the company in 2007 as facility maintenance manager, was engineering manager from 2011, added engineering team leader ICS in 2017, and in August assumed his new position. Prior to Prysmian, he worked for three years at General Cable as a process engineer and as a project engineer. A Six Sigma Black Belt, he holds a B.S. degree in mechanical/electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Prysmian Group is a global leader in the energy, telecom cables, and systems industry.

Obituaries

David Edward Shockley, an executive at Marmon Utility LLC, 66, died at home in McKinney, Texas, on Nov. 14 after a long battle with cancer, with his wife by his side. He joined the company in 2014 as Southwest regional sales manager and was promoted to director of sales aerial cable systems in 2017, then was promoted in December 2022 to his latest position, regional vice president of Western, Southern and Latin America Sales Marmon Utility LLC. Before joining the company, he was a business consultant for GLG for five years, and prior to that worked 11 years for PPC Insulators Group, where he was national sales manager for two of its divisions. He held a business degree from The Ohio State University.

Jerry M. Taylor, a retired veteran metallurgist and WAI Life Member, died at his home in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 2, at age 90. A graduate of Carnegie Institute of Technology, he was employed as a metallurgist for Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation, from which he retired in 1988. He then worked for Bethlehem Steel Corporation as a metallurgical service engineer for seven years, and for Johnstown Wire Technologies for 10 years before finally retiring in 2003. He then worked as a metallurgical consultant up until the time of his death. A U.S. Navy veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 through 1957. He was also a lifetime member of the American Society for Metals. He is survived by stepsons Carl and Dominic Parise; six grandchildren; and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Last modified on January 5, 2024

Radix Wire & Cable has named John Roggenburk as its new vice president of sales and marketing for the company’s High Temperature Business Unit. He has 30 years of diverse commercial experience serving global aerospace, automotive and industrial markets. He most recently was vice president of global marketing for Howmet Aerospace, where he led the marketing and inside sales organization. He was cited for both his ability to lead sales as well as develop new business and recognize market trends. He holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Dayton and an MBA from DePaul University. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Radix is a leading manufacturer of high-performance electrical and communications wire and cable for extreme temperature, fire resistance and other harsh environment applications.

FENN has named Hunter Lang as technical sales manager for Southern USA. He worked for about three years for Atlas Copco, where he gained experience working in capital equipment sales. He had started out as an intern and was most recently industrial air sales manager. He holds a B.S. degree in industrial distribution from Texas A&A University. Based in East Berlin, Connecticut, FENN is a global supplier of forming machinery for the wire and cable industry.
Ryan Cei was named general manager/vice president of Radcliffe Wire. He previously worked for more than a decade for Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., most recently as general manager of the company’s Shaped Wire division. He holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and finance from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Clemson University. His service as general manager will officially begin when Gary Majchrzak retires from that position in early 2024. Based in Bristol, Connecticut, Radcliff Wire, Inc., produces flat, square, and special shaped wire in over 60 different metals and alloys.

Holger Lieder, who joined Sikora AG as sales director in 2004, has joined the company’s Supervisory Board, and now is responsible for all areas of sales, marketing and service. As of last September, he had provisionally taken over the management of the marketing and service departments in addition to his position as sales director. He was cited for his objective and level-headed manner. He has more than 30 years of experience in sales and a comprehensive technical understanding of Sikora technologies and market requirements. Based in Bremen, Germany, Sikora AG is a global supplier of measuring equipment for the wire and cable industry.

Obituary
Joseph (Joe) Elzie Gibson, who worked in the wire and cable industry for 65 years—and was featured in a WJI January 2022 spread on his career with Encore Wire—died Sept. 27, 2023, at age 86. The WAI Life Member began his career with Texas Wire & Cable, where he met and married the love of his life, Imogene Vest Gibson. He retired from Encore Wire in June 2021 as assistant vice president, operations, leaving behind a legacy as a hard worker who never shirked responsibility, but also a dedicated family man. He is survived by his wife, Imogene, two daughters, Lisa and Sarah, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Last modified on November 5, 2023

Teknor Apex announced that the new CEO of the company is Donald Wiseman, who has a robust history within the plastics industry and a deep expertise in masterbatches and compounding. He most recently was CEO at Star Plastics, and prior to that he was president for Performance Products and Solutions at PolyOne, managing director and general manager in Taiwan for Cabot Microelectronics and a holder of various leadership roles at Americhem. He holds an ME degree in chemical engineering from the University of South Carolina and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. He replaces Jonathan Fain, who for the past 51 years has led the organization. During his tenure, company revenue grew by more than 650%, and it expanded beyond North America to a global footprint, completing 11 acquisitions and having 13 manufacturing locations. He decided to step down as CEO and will remain a major stakeholder and continue serving as Chairman of the Board, a position he assumed from his father. Based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Teknor Apex is a private family-owned company that was founded by Jonathan’s grandfather, Alfred A. Fain, in 1924 as Apex Tire and Rubber Company. The company provides a range of compounds for multiple sectors, including wire and cable.

 Radix Wire & Cable has promoted Jeremy Tuttle to CEO. He joined the company as vice president of sales and marketing three years ago, and was instrumental in growing the product line as well as increasing revenue. Prior to Radix, he spent 14 years with ITW Powertrain Fastening, where he last served as the director of global sales and engineering, leading sales and engineering teams in the U.S., Europe and China. He holds a B.S. degree in Materials Science & Engineering and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He replaces retiring CEO Jeff Leone, who joined the company three years ago after the business was sold by High Road Capital Partners to Windjammer Capital. He will continue to serve on the company’s Board of Directors and provide guidance during the transition. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Radix is a leading manufacturer of high-performance electrical and communications wire and cable for extreme temperature, fire resistance and other harsh environment applications.

 Anjel Otto has joined Sequel Wire & Cable as director of sales and marketing. She has more than 30 years of experience in sales and new business development roles, working with global customers at all levels of the supply chain including direct to Tier 1, 2, and 3-level accounts as well as supporting distribution partners across the globe. She most recently served as the North American Sales Manager at the Prysmian Group, and prior to that she worked for more than 12 years for Leoni. Based in Argos, Indiana, Sequel Wire & Cable manufactures a range of electrical wire products.

 Friedrich Roithner has been named CFO of Leoni AG. He has served in management at the Austrian Pierer Group for more than 15 years. He has a degree in business administration, and broad expertise in the field of financial management in an industrial environment, especially in times of transformation. He succeeds Dr. Ulla Reisch, who is leaving the board. Roithner will be on the company’s Supervisory Board, joined by Josef Blazicek, Michaela Friepeß, Wolfgang Plasser and Rudolf Wiesbeck as well as Günther Apfalter and all six previous employee representatives. Based in Germany, the Leoni Group produces wire and cable, primarily for the automotive industry.








Last modified on October 4, 2023

Omar Monajjed was promoted to corporate social responsibility (CSR) manager at Nexans. He joined the company in Lebanon in 2013 as a quality first line manager, then was promoted to quality manager in 2019. He became an industrial performance leader in 2020 in France, where he became group environment manager in 2021. Last year he led sustainability operations for the group while implementing a pilot in Digital Transformation and Industry 4.0 for Sweden and France with Schneider Electric. Prior to Nexans, he had worked for five years for Jeddah Cables Company as a senior projects engineer. He holds degrees from the American University of Beirut where he was an electrical and computer student. Nexans is a global leader in wire and cable production.

Service Wire reported two recent hires. Rich McCathren was named national sales engineer. Previous employers included Irby Co., a distributor of electrical supplies and services, and Prysmian/General Cable, where he was sales director/southwest for eight years. He has more than 30 years of experience in commercial, industrial and utility markets. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial distribution from the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University. Cortney Wesneski was named a regional sales manager. She has more than a decade of industry experience, including sales management at Siemens and Graybar. She will be responsible for accounts in northeast Texas, Kansas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, northern Louisiana, and western Tennessee. She holds a B.S. degree from Sam Houston State University. Based in Culloden, West Virginia, Service Wire is a family-owned wire and cable manufacturer.


Lincoln Electric reported a number of personnel items, two related to a leadership transition. Christopher L. Mapes, chairman, president and CEO, who has served as president and CEO since 2012, will retire from those roles at year’s end. He will continue after that as executive chairman of the board, effective January 1, 2024. Under his leadership, Lincoln Electric has extended its global base, including more than 20 acquisitions, strong financial results and received multiple awards, including as one of the “World’s Best Employers” by Forbes. Steven B. Hedlund, who has been with the company for 15 years and serves as COO, will be president, CEO, and a member of the Board as of Jan. 1, 2024. He joined the company in 2008 as vice president, strategy and business development, and in 2015, he was promoted to senior vice president, president of global automation. In 2020, he was named executive vice president, president of Americas and international welding, and in 2022 was promoted to COO. He holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Dartmouth College. Jan Deruytter has joined Lincoln Electric as director, manufacturing productivity improvement. His 28-year industry career started at Bekaert where he was in operations and engineering for 12 years, followed by two years as plant manager at Fenix, LLC, eight years as general manager of Solon Specialty Wire Co. & ShapedWire; three years as director, tech services for ASW-Pengg LLC; one year at Heico; and most recently, director, global commodities, for WireCo WorldGroup. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln Electric supplies technology and solutions for welding, including wire.

Obituary
John D. Nichols Jr., the former CEO of both Illinois Tool Works and the Marmon Group, died June 14, 2023, at age 92. In 1980, he joined Illinois Tool Works as an executive vice president, was promoted to president and COO in 1981, then CEO and then chairman. During his nearly 14 years as CEO, annual sales grew from $400 million to $4.1 billion. He retired in 1995 and in 2002 he succeeded Marmon co-founder Bob Pritzker as CEO. He played an essential role in Marmon’s development into the company it is today. He formalized Marmon’s operating structure into groups of related businesses, introduced 80/20 business practices that are still applied across Marmon, and prepared Marmon for its acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. in 2008. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter.

Last modified on September 6, 2023

IEWC has named Martin Rohde as president and chief business officer of its Global Infrastructure Group, tasked will leading the newly formed infrastructure business that was created earlier this year to focus on growth industries such as telecom, data centers, solar and renewable energies, power grids, and industrial automation. He has more than 25 years of experience in the B2B distribution space, and led transformational business changes at Arrow Electronics, Hewlett Packard, Amazon Business, and most recently, Parts Town. He will oversee IEWC’s telecom brands (Cablecon and Jupiter Communications), IEWC’s Premier Cables business in Europe, as well as lead business development within other infrastructure markets. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, IEWC is a global distributor of wire and cable products, a manufacturer of custom fiber assemblies, and a provider of value-add solutions that advance a connected world.

Southwire announced a series of personnel news. Norman Adkins, Southwire’s president of Wire and Cable and COO, will assume responsibility for the company’s Tools, Components and Assembled Solutions (TCAS) business. He replaces Brandon Moss, who resigned to take a role outside the company. Peter Lugo, senior vice president of product management, will report to Adkins and lead Southwire’s TCAS business. Alan Bearden, senior vice president of strategic integration, will now report to Guyton Cochran, executive vice president and CFO. Based in Carrollton, Georgia, Southwire Company is a world-leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of building wire and utility cable.

Brad Andrews was promoted to senior marketing manager wire drawing, North America, at Condat Corporation. He joined the company in 2016, serving as marketing manager, North America. Prior to that he worked in related industrial companies for some 29 years, including Bazetta Steel Processing, Capital Steel & Wire, Solon Wire Processing, BCS Industries/BSC Metal Prep, LLC, and Metal Processing Corporation. He holds a B.S. degree in business administration and management from Ohio University. He was also an instructor in WAI’s Fundamentals of Wire & Cable Manufacturing course at Interwire 2023. Based in Saline, Michigan, USA, Condat Corporation supplies lubricants and coatings to sectors that include the wire and cable industry.

Belden Inc. announced that Jay Wirts, president of smart buildings, has been appointed to the newly created position of executive vice president of enterprise solutions. He was cited for his extensive industry experience and track record of driving operational excellence that make him the right fit to drive future growth at the Enterprise Solutions segment. He joined Belden in 2018, and most recently served as president of Smart Buildings, where he was responsible for operations, product development, and financial performance. Prior to that, he served in other leadership roles at Belden including vice president and general manager of Industrial Cable Solutions within the Industrial Automation Solutions segment. Prior to Belden, he served in various roles in Emerson and Vertiv following more than six years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Colgate University and an MBA from Northwestern University. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Belden Inc. is a leading global supplier of network infrastructure solutions.

Matt Wasinger has joined National Standard as the new district sales manager/industrial wires, responsible for managing distributors and end users for the company’s industrial wire portfolio. He has a strong background, with experience in welding and industrial product sales. Most recently he worked as a business development specialist. He has held sales positions with Fastenal Company, Praxair, Brennan Industries and Matheson Tri-Gas. A member of The Heico Companies, National Standard produces a range of wire at its plants in Niles, Michigan, and Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Service Wire has promoted Ron Spozio to regional sales manager for the pump and irrigation markets of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. He joined the company in 2022 and has over 19 years of sales experience in the metal industry. He holds a degree in humanities from the University of Houston. Based in Culloden, West Virginia, Service Wire is a family-owned wire and cable manufacturer.

Joe Cebulski has been named a US country manager for Mattr Connection Technologies DSG-Canusa & Shawflex. He has 30 years of industry experience, starting in 1992 with Rome Cable, where he was a regional vice president. In 2003 he joined Shawcor, where he was a country manager for the piping company. In June 2023, Shawcor rebranded to Mattr, “reflecting its transformation from an energy services organization, into a materials technology company, providing differentiated, high-performance products to critical infrastructure markets around the world.” He attended La Salle University. Based in Toronto, Mattr has three business segments, one of which is Connection Technologies, which includes Shawflex, a manufacturer of engineered wire, cable and assemblies.

Fil-Tec Inc. announced the promotion of Christine Lovett to vice president, responsible for the global business development of the company’s wire and cable business unit. Since joining Fil-Tec, she has served as director of business development for specialty coated fibers used in the cable industry. She has been active in new product development, various process improvement and quality programs as well as customer development. Prior to joining Fil-Tec, Lovett served some 24 years in roles of increasing responsibility at industry suppliers LLFlex, Sonoco and Zumbach. Based in Hagerstown, Maryland, Fil-Tec is a leading global supplier of technical fibers (binders, fillers and ripcords) to cable manufacturers.

Last modified on June 30, 2023

Service Wire reported multiple personnel news. Matt Shumway has been promoted to national sales manager for the utility market, responsible for driving specification approvals and increasing market share nationwide. He joined the company as a regional sales manager, utility. He attended the University of Texas at San Antonio. Shane Berry has been promoted to vice president, manufacturing and distribution. He joined the company as director, human resources, in 2018, and in 2021 became director, manufacturing and distribution. Prior to that, he served for about two years as general manager/project manager for ArcelorMittal USA. He holds an MBA from Virginia Tech, and an M.S. degree in industrial and organizational psychology and a B.S. degree in psychology from Radford University. Tanner Beckett will serve the wire and cable electrical distribution markets of Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and the Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. He has more than six years of industry experience and holds a B.A. degree in geography from Marshall University. Hillary Rowe now represents accounts in the greater Houston metropolitan area. She has more than five years of sales experience in a variety of industrial markets. Based in Culloden, West Virginia, Service Wire is a family-owned wire and cable manufacturer.

Claes Westerlind was named CEO of NKT. He became part of the company in 2017 when NKT acquired ABB HV Cables in Sweden. Since 2019, he had served as executive vice president, Solutions Karlskrona, and was a member of the global leadership team. He was instrumental in the company’s achieving record orders for high-voltage cable as well as leading the investment and expansion programs in Karlskrona that were launched in 2020. He previously worked in various technical, sales and managerial roles at ABB (now Hitachi Energy) from 2006-2017. He replaces Alexander Kara who left the company for personal reasons. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, NKT manufactures power cables and power cable accessories for the on- and offshore energy sector.

LaserLinc has two recent hires. Danielle Van Auken is the company’s newest buyer. She has more than 20 years of professional and managerial experience. Col Mogdlin has joined LaserLinc’s engineering department as a mechanical draftsman. Based in Fairborn, Ohio, LaserLinc is supplier of testing and measuring equipment.

Obituary
Larry Dean Fitzgerald, a long-time extrusion industry veteran, died May 9, 2023, after a short illness at age 78. The Connecticut resident passed on the first full day of Interwire 2023, a fitting departure as he had long been a fixture at industry trade shows. Known as “the godfather of wire & cable,” he had a gruff exterior that was paired with a willingness to share his expertise. He held decades of key sales and marketing posts prior to his retirement from Graham Engineering late last year. Past employers included Ramco Inc. (1970-76); Xaloy, Inc., (1976-80); Maillefer Co., (1980-85); Nokia, Inc., (1985-88); Bristol Corp/Electrical Systems Division, (1988-90); Davis Electric Co./Merritt Davis Corp., (1990-2000); Entwistle Co. (2000-02); Merritt Extruder Corp., (2002-05); Davis-Standard LLC, (2005-12); then American Kuhne/Graham Engineering, where he retired but kept active until early in January, when medical issues forced the end of his lengthy career. A WAI Life Member, he was a member of its New England Chapter since 2006. He held a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University. He served with distinction in the military, including two tours in Vietnam. Survivors include a daughter, Alena Fitzgerald, and a son, Phillip Fitzgerald.

Last modified on June 4, 2023

George Muthalaly has joined MIKROTEK as Director of Products and Markets – Americas. He has diverse international experience in Europe, the Middle East & Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, and the Americas. Before joining Mikrotek, he worked for more than a decade as general manager/director in various roles in sales and marketing at AT&T, where he was recognized as a “Top talent GM.” He holds a B.E. degree in engineering from the University of Bangalore and an MBA from Bauer College of Business, University of Houston. Based in Bangalore, India, and serving more than 30 countries, MIKROTEK supplies a wide range of dies, related equipment and reconditioning and repolishing services.

Andy Lewis has been named commercial manager – wire & tube, for Metalube. He is well known to the wire and cable industry as for the last 11 years he has been executive manager of the U.K.-based the International Wire and Machinery Association, which is the industry’s largest and most influential association for the wire, cable and wire products industries. Prior to that, he worked for 10 years for Hydratight Limited. Based in the U.K., Metalube is part of the Metalube Group, which includes the industrial lubricant brands of Metalube, Molyslip and Vapor-Tek. Metalube exports 95% of its production to over a hundred countries worldwide.

Steve Coker has joined National Standard Co. as a district sales manager for Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. He will manage distributors and end users for the company’s welding wire portfolio. He has a strong background with experience in welding wire and welding product sales. Most recently, he was a territory manager for Lampton Welding Supply, and has held sales positions with Fastenal Company, Cone Solvent and Praxair. Part of The Heico Companies and based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the product lines of National Standard include welding wire, tire bead wire and industrial wire.

Chroma Color Corporation has named Gretchen Dragich as vice president of supply chain management & strategic sourcing. She has more than 30 years of experience in the plastics and chemical industry, with past employers including GEON, A. Schulman, LyondellBasell, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Gates Corporation and Akzo Nobel. She has broad experience in strategic & global sourcing, ERP implementation management, sales, procurement and the supply chain. She holds a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Akron. Based in McHenry, Illinois, Chroma Color Corporation is a leading specialty color and additive concentrate supplier.

Times Microwave Systems (TMS) has promoted Global Operations Director Adrian Milne to be the company’s new general manager. He joined the company in 2020, and prior to that held several senior management positions at W.L. Gore & Associates. At TMS, he oversaw the establishment of the company’s India operation and the expansion across all facilities. He succeeds Ben Reed, who has been promoted to the role of group general manager of the Amphenol High Technology Industrial Group (AHTI). He joined TMS in 2016 as deputy general manager and was promoted to general manager in 2017. He holds an MBA from INSEAD, and B.S. and a Master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from UC San Diego. Based in Wallingford, Connecticut, Times Microwave Systems makes high-performance coaxial cables and more.

Optimas Solutions has named Phil Battaglia as its CFO. He has more than 25 years of financial management and reporting expertise, most recently at Caterpillar Inc. He holds a BA degree in economics from Northwestern University. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, Optimas is a leading global industrial distributor and service provider specializing in fastening and supply chain solutions.

Mike Ritterling has joined Enercon Industries Corporation in the newly created position of technical support & field service manager. The position centralizes leadership and coordination of the company’s field service engineers and technical support departments. He has industry experience that includes globally produced plastics and additive manufacturing machinery. He has led international support teams and also assisted customers with hands-on troubleshooting, repair and field support. He holds a B.B.A. degree in business administration, management and operations from Marian University. Based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Enercon Industries Corporation supplies custom built corona and atmospheric plasma treating systems as well as induction cap sealing systems.

Leibinger has named Christophe Lopez as its chief commercial officer, responsible for the company’s overall commercial development, from strategy to implementation, leading the sales and marketing teams. He has more than 15 years of experience in the coding and marking industry, including 12 years at Markem-Imaje, where he held multiple key positions, including overall responsibility for global sales, global marketing. He most recently was president of the main location in France with over 600 employees. He holds an engineering degree from INSA Rennes and an executive MBA with the highest honors from HEC Paris. Based in Germany, Leibinger serves multiple market industries, including inkjet printers for wire and cable manufacturing.

Obituaries

U.K. wire industry veteran who twice served as Clockwinder passed on April 13
Peter Rigby, whose U.K. family ran a venerable wire company for decades and has played a special role with the Association over three generations, died from heart failure on April 13, while visiting family in Nashville, Tennessee.

Born in Leeds in 1940, Rigby grew up in West Yorkshire, the son of John Rigby, principal of John Rigby & Sons., Ltd. In 1948, his father served as the first-ever Clockwinder, traveling to the U.S. on behalf of the British wire industry to wind the stately Grandfather’s Clock that had been sent in appreciation for help provided by U.S. wire manufacturers during World War II.

Peter Rigby followed his father’s lead, both in the family wire business as well as the Clockwinding tradition, serving in that role in 1979, as chairman of Rigby Maryland, and again in 1998, as part of Handy & Harman (Europe), Ltd. Further, his son, Jonathan Rigby, served as the Clockwinder in 2013, then employed in the U.S. by Fox Wire Limited. Other Rigby family members who shared those duties were C.P. Rigby, in 1954 and 1988; and Harold Rigby, in 1958, both as directors of John Rigby & Sons.

The 1998 Clockwinding was a special celebration as Rigby noted during his speech at what marked the 50th anniversary of the tradition. “Fighting for liberty had cost a lot of money and a lot of lives. It still does. It is with this background that I think we can safely say why these men gave this clock: in our darkest hour, fighting for our liberty, the United States of America came to our aid, and that is also why it gives the clockwinders so much pleasure to come here every year to wind it.”

John Rigby enjoyed a successful 40-year career building and managing the U.K.’s leading stainless steel wire company. He attained the position of Master Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers of the City of London, working hard to grow the organization and deepen its relevancy to industry. He was known for his close ties to his friends and family, his strong sense of civic duty, and boundless enthusiasm.

“It’s an amazing legacy,” said WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll. “The Rigby name has meant a lot to the industry over the years. Peter Rigby was dedicated to the wire industry, and he was both a gentleman and genuinely passionate about the wire and cable business. He was also instrumental in continuing the Clockwinding tradition as well as supporting the Wire Link Scholarship program.”

Rigby is survived by his wife, Sue; daughter Clare; son Jonathan; and four granddaughters, Emily, Freya, Boo and Cecily.



Daniel D. Masakowski,
a retired technical director for the Marmon Group, died March 25, 2023 at his home in Stonington, Connecticut, at age 77, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Masakowski was a long-time employee of Rockbestos Suprenant, part of the Marmon Group, where he retired as technical director. He was widely recognized in the wire and cable industry as an innovative, pioneering engineer who received accolades and awards for his accomplishments and contributions. He was a member of the Insulated Cable Engineers Association (ICEA) and the president of the ICEA Control and Instrumentation Division. He held numerous industry patents and presented numerous papers at national and international technical conferences and symposia. He was especially proud of developing and leading an engineering internship program at Ferris College, Michigan and at the University of Connecticut, Storrs in the Material Science and Engineering Department for the development of future engineers.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Yvonne R. (Centak); a son, Daniel Masakowski; a daughter, Jennifer Coley; sisters Ladislava Kowalski, Sabina Pietraszko and Joan Jackson; three grandsons and one great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.



Last modified on May 4, 2023

Service Wire reported multiple personnel news. Matt Shumway has been promoted to national sales manager for the utility market, responsible for driving specification approvals and increasing market share nationwide. He joined the company as a regional sales manager, utility. He attended the University of Texas at San Antonio. Shane Berry has been promoted to vice president, manufacturing and distribution. He joined the company as director, human resources, in 2018, and in 2021 became director, manufacturing and distribution. Prior to that, he served for about two years as general manager/project manager for ArcelorMittal USA. He holds an MBA from Virginia Tech, and an M.S. degree in industrial and organizational psychology and a B.S. degree in psychology from Radford University. Tanner Beckett will serve the wire and cable electrical distribution markets of Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and the Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. He has more than six years of industry experience and holds a B.A. degree in geography from Marshall University. Hillary Rowe now represents accounts in the greater Houston metropolitan area. She has more than five years of sales experience in a variety of industrial markets. Based in Culloden, West Virginia, Service Wire is a family-owned wire and cable manufacturer.

Claes Westerlind was named CEO of NKT. He became part of the company in 2017 when NKT acquired ABB HV Cables in Sweden. Since 2019, he had served as executive vice president, Solutions Karlskrona, and was a member of the global leadership team. He was instrumental in the company’s achieving record orders for high-voltage cable as well as leading the investment and expansion programs in Karlskrona that were launched in 2020. He previously worked in various technical, sales and managerial roles at ABB (now Hitachi Energy) from 2006-2017. He replaces Alexander Kara who left the company for personal reasons. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, NKT manufactures power cables and power cable accessories for the on- and offshore energy sector. n

LaserLinc has two recent hires. Danielle Van Auken is the company’s newest buyer. She has more than 20 years of professional and managerial experience. Col Mogdlin has joined LaserLinc’s engineering department as a mechanical draftsman, where he will assist with technical documentation and fixture building. Based in Fairborn, Ohio, LaserLinc supplies testing and measuring equipment.

Obituary
Larry Dean Fitzgerald,
a long-time extrusion industry veteran, died May 9, 2023, after a short illness at age 78. The Connecticut resident passed on the first full day of Interwire 2023, a fitting departure as he had long been a fixture at industry trade shows. Known as “the godfather of wire & cable,” he had a gruff exterior that was paired with a willingness to share his expertise. He held decades of key sales and marketing posts prior to his retirement from Graham Engineering late last year. Past employers included Ramco Inc. (1970-76); Xaloy, Inc., (1976-80); Maillefer Co., (1980-85); Nokia, Inc., (1985-88); Bristol Corp/Electrical Systems Division, (1988-90); Davis Electric Co./Merritt Davis Corp., (1990-2000); Entwistle Co. (2000-02); Merritt Extruder Corp., (2002-05); Davis-Standard LLC, (2005-12); then American Kuhne/Graham Engineering, where he retired but kept active until early in January, when medical issues forced the end of his lengthy career. A WAI Life Member, he was a member of its New England Chapter since 2006. He held a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University. He served with distinction in the military, including two tours in Vietnam. Survivors include a daughter, Alena Fitzgerald, and a son, Phillip Fitzgerald.

Last modified on June 4, 2023

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Madison, CT 06443-2662

P: (203) 453-2777