Industry Watch: People

People making recent headlines in the business of fabricating and metalworking.

MULTICAM, INC. (DALLAS, TX) . . .
named Tony McGrew as the director of engineering and technical services. He has been with MultiCam for 15 years and overseen all facets of machine operation and production, from system design through quality control.  With a background in engineering and an extensive knowledge of the CNC industry, Tony has been active in machine design while still maintaining positive relations with customers and vendors alike. As the company grows and changes with the demands of the industry, Tony will be instrumental in directing the system modifications needed to address customer needs and industry requirements. www.multicam.com

MAZAK CORPORATION (FLORENCE, KY) . . .
appointed Steve Mackay as the service manager at Mazak Corporation Canada (Cambridge, ON) to oversee machine installations, all warranty and non-warranty machine repair, and managing Mazak Canada service personnel and contractors. He has an extensive background in the machine tool industry, with previous positions in service, installation and project management. “Steve brings over 20 years of experience and service expertise that is invaluable,” said Ray Buxton, the general manager at Mazak Canada and Technology Center. “His considerable knowledge of the industry and experience in machine installation and repair make him a key asset to our team.” www.mazakusa.com

MAG IAS GMBH (GÖPPINGEN, GERMANY) . . .
appointed Dr. Christian Lang to be the president of Industrial Equipment, in addition to his responsibilities as a board member of MAG IAS GmbH, he has joined the global leadership team, heading the activities in the area of metal cutting solutions for industrial manufacturers. Alexander Attenberger is taking over his previous tasks. Dr. Lang started his career at the Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management at the Technical University of Munich in 1987. Following his graduation he held several senior management positions at renowned machine tool manufacturers. In 1997, he joined Deckel Maho Pfronten GmbH as the vice president of sales and, in 2004, assumed the role of the executive vice president of sales and marketing over there. In June 2010 he became the managing director for sales in Europe and Asia at MAG. www.mag-ias.com

WALL COLMONOY (MADISON HEIGHTS, MI) . . .
appointed Dan Reilly as its chief financial officer to provide financial leadership for its business processes, including banking and taxation as well as management of their information technology department. Reilly is a licensed CPA in both Michigan and Texas and brings with him a strong background in management accounting systems, public accounting and audit supervision – having 10 years’ experience from a specialized tool manufacturer in Texas and holding several financial supervisory positions at leading Michigan corporations.

In other company news, the Aerobraze Engineered Technologies division promoted Joe Hetzer to general manager for its Cincinnati facility. He was the previous director of manufacturing and has over 23 years of hands-on and management experience in the aerospace industry, including work on the F-135 Joint Strike Fighter program, developing blades, vanes and shrouds from concept to production. He is also a major contributor in developing multi-axis EDM drilling machines, a world-leading technology, taking concept from design to prototype to production. www.wallcolmonoy.com

HIRSCHFELD INDUSTRIES (SAN ANGELO, TX) . . .
announced that its chief engineer, Karl H. Frank, PhD, PE, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) that honors living individuals who have “made a difference” in AISC and the structural steel industries’ success. The award provides special recognition to individuals who have provided outstanding service over a sustained period of years to AISC and to the structural steel design/construction/academic community.

Working with one of the largest fabricators of steel bridges, structures, industrial and nuclear projects in North America, Dr. Frank is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the design and behavior of structural steel bridges. Throughout his career as a researcher, professor of civil engineering and director of Ferguson Structural Engineering Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, he has made extraordinary contributions to improving the understanding of the fatigue and fracture behavior of structural steel, as well as towards the design and behavior of bolted and welded connections. And while he is widely recognized for his expertise in steel bridge systems, he is also well known for his contributions to the building industry.

Dr. Frank joined Hirschfeld industries in 2010 upon retirement from the University of Texas and, as chief engineer, Dr. Frank’s instrumental role in research and development has continued to enhance the company’s partnership with the Ferguson Lab, testing structural designs and working on the future of structural steel. He has provided invaluable assistance to Hirschfeld on the implementation of advanced technologies such as, virtual assembly and Bridge Information Modeling. He is an integral part during project delivery in aspects such as, Design-Build, Design-Assist and Accelerated Bridge Construction, in markets like highway bridges, freight rail and high speed rail bridges. His involvement in the Americanization of the Transrapid™ Maglev Guideway for the past 10 years is just another example of his expertise.

Dr. Frank has been a long time and consistent contributor to AISC programs. For decades, he has worked with AISC and the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) on the development of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) specifications related to the design of structural steel bridges. He is a member of the Research Council on Structural Connections, has been an Engineering Journal reviewer, a continuing education speaker, and is currently a member of the Partners in Education committee. Dr. Frank is also involved with several professional organizations, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Welding Society, and the Transportation Research Board. He received the Raymond C. Reese Research Prize in 1981 and the J. James Croes Medal in 1999 from American Society of Civil Engineers. Among his accomplishments, he was 2003-2010 Director of the Maglev Guideway Research Center and Director of the Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory in 1991-1994 and 2003-2007. www.hirschfeld.com

MAGNETIC PRODUCTS, INC. (MPI; HIGHLAND, MI) . . .
hired Jack W. Smylie as the director of sales and marketing to accommodate recent expansion and projected growth in the magnetic and non-magnetic material handling markets. He brings over 20 years of leadership experience with several industrial manufacturers where he developed sales and marketing programs that broadened market share. Smylie will be responsible for brand promotion, sales growth, product development and expansion of the network of independent sales representatives. Most recently, he held the executive vice president position with Palziv North America (Louisburg, NC), a manufacturer of crosslinked polyethylene foams, where he was responsible for sales growth, product planning, customer service programs, and other facets of brand promotion. www.mpimagnet.com

DORNER MFG. CORPORATION (HARTLAND, WI) . . .
appointed Carlyn Bargemann as the new West region sales manager to work with sales channel partners and key accounts to grow industrial and sanitary conveyor business. She brings a wealth of material handling and packaging experience, having held positions with stretch-wrapping equipment manufacturer Lantech (Louisville, KY) and packaging equipment manufacturer OvalStrapping Inc. (Ft. Payne, AL). Bargemann holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Cal State Long Beach and a MBA from the University of Southern California. She resides in Huntington Beach, CA. www.dornerconveyors.com

WAUSAU WINDOW AND WALL SYSTEMS (WAUSAU, WI) . . .
reported that its vice president of technical services, Steve Fronek, PE, LEED® Green Associate, recently assumed the role as chairman of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) board of directors. Fronek served the past two years as the vice chairman of AAMA and as a member representative for Wausau, which is part of Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN). Fronek also acts as the chairman of the AAMA Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Test Methods Task Group. He previously served in various capacities on more than 15 AAMA committees and task groups, contributing to the North American Fenestration Standard Joint Document Management Group, Green and Sustainability Committee, as well as guiding the evolution of thermal performance standards as they exist today.

Fronek received the 2008 Distinguished Service Award from the AAMA Architectural Products Group, which guides the AAMA Architectural Window Council and its Curtain Wall/Storefront/Sloped Glazing Council. Along with his leadership within AAMA, Fronek represents Wausau’s membership in the U.S. Green Building Council and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s High-performance Building Façade Solutions’ Public Advisory Committee. www.wausauwindow.com

CLEVELAND VIBRATOR COMPANY (CLEVELAND, OH) . . .
promoted two longtime executives, Michael A. Valore and Glen P. Roberts, and named Craig A. Macklin as the new vice president of strategic development. “We have commenced a new phase of profitable growth, one that requires a focused attention and keen insight into global economic opportunities and the strengths of our business,” explained Michael A. Valore, the newly appointed company chief executive officer. “These leadership changes are designed to build on our 88-year history of performance and prepare the organization for future development.”

In his new role, Macklin has strategic planning responsibilities that serve at the center of the company’s next-generation initiatives, including oversight of acquisition and partnership activities in support of long-term strategies, new business line development, and exploration, evaluation and definition of new products and market channels. He brings significant business development experience as an independent consultant and in prior positions with Crown Partners and EMC Content Management and Archiving, where he earned top achievement award honors for sales territory growth. Macklin attended Duke University, where he received a B.S.E. in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1999. He is a member of the North Coast Angel Fund, a contributed capital and pre-seed investment fund with a focus on early-stage technology investments in Ohio.

In his role as CEO, Valore is responsible for worldwide operating regions, and long-range planning and management of supply chain, finance and administration functions. He has spent his entire 30-year professional career with Cleveland Vibrator after graduating from Cleveland State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1980. Prior to moving into management, Valore worked as the organization’s cost accountant, inventory control manager and controller. He has been part of management team since 1990, holding the position of corporate secretary and treasurer until recently accepting the role of CEO when Jeffrey Chokel retired from the position. He is also a member of the company board of directors. 

Roberts has been named president to drive day-to-day operations and continue to lead sales, customer service, and quality assurance initiatives for a broad business-to-business portfolio of industrial vibrators and vibratory equipment. He is credited with the launch of technologies that continue to be sought for a variety of industrial applications, Prior to this role, Roberts served in a variety of leadership roles throughout his 43-year tenure with the company, including qc inspector, plant manager, sales manager and vice president of manufacturing. He is also a U.S. Army veteran.

In 2005, Valore and Roberts were instrumental in the acquisition of HK Technologies, Inc., an Ohio-based manufacturer of fine powder screening equipment, including ultrasonic technologies that enhanced the organization’s foothold in several markets, including the powdered metals, superabrasives, ceramic powders and pharmaceutical segments. www.clevelandvibrator.com

LABORATORY TESTING INC. (LTI; HATFIELD, PA) . . .
promoted Jason Tucker of Perkasie, PA to X-ray supervisor to oversee testing, staffing, order processing and other daily operations in the laboratory. He has been with LTI for seven years as a technician in the nondestructive testing department, has performed X-ray inspection for the past five years, and is a certified Level II Inspector in X-ray inspection. Items large and small undergo X-ray inspection at LTI in a 20 ft x 20 ft radiography vault or a lead-lined cabinet for objects such as electronic parts. Metal, plastic and other solid products are routinely inspected. The X-ray inspections create permanent film records of the internal condition of inspected materials, which technicians use to locate internal flaws, verify the integrity of components, determine the quality of welds and help identify the source in fire investigations. www.labtesting.com

ATLAS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (FENTON, MI) . . .
made significant changes to its management structure and rehired veteran managers. William Rogner returns to the company as the interim general manager, joining veterans Randy Austin, the vice president of applications, and Louis Weigele, the human resources and purchasing manager. Kim Nation was promoted to the position of controller after serving as the assistant controller for eight years. Brenda Crampton was promoted to the role of director of mechanical engineering after serving the company for 17 years as a mechanical and applications engineer.

Robert Stonier rejoins the company as the project manager for a very large and prominent order that was recently obtained for a tandem press automation line. Charles Rheingans returns to the company to offer his expertise in Chinese business affairs as the regional sales manager to China, as well as stateside project management.  And Lesa Jemison returns as the director of marketing and e-commerce. Atlas has built and installed over $1 billion in automation solutions for over 40 years, include turnkey stamping and fabricating systems, heavy plate and bar steel processing equipment, robotic integration, quick die change equipment, automatic storage and retrieval systems, both conventional and robotic stacking and destacking systems and in-press transfer systems. www.atlastechnologies.com

A & V WATERJET TECH INC. (GERMANTOWN, WI) . . .
added Brad Boatright to its sales staff to the American market to cover and build dealer representation for the southeast U.S. He has 17 years experience in the machine tool industry and ten years of regional management experience in the machining industry. “His knowledge of machines and dealer representation is a great addition to our company, and his professional manner and experience will help bring this unique equipment into U.S. market very quickly,” said Ziming Wu, owner of A & V Waterjet. Boatright will be based in South Carolina and travel throughout the country to assist customers and distributors with their machinery needs. www.avwaterjet.com

AMT – THE ASSOCIATION FOR MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY (MCLEAN, VA) . . .
recently elected its 2011-2012 officers and directors at its 2011 Annual Meeting in Chandler, AZ. The board of directors of the association, which represents more than 400 American manufacturers of machine tools, manufacturing machinery and related products, elected as chairman Eugene R. Haffely Jr., the general manager of Dayton Facility at ATW Automation (Dayton, OH). He follows Daniel D. Janka, the president of MAG Global (Hebron, KY), who now serves  as an Ex-Officio member of the board, along with Ronald F. Schildge, the president of Eitel Presses, Inc. (Orwigsburg, PA).

The board also elected Timothy B. Dining, the president and CEO of Greenerd Press & Machine Company, Inc. (Nashua, NH), to serve as first vice chairman. R. Stephen Flynn, the president of Optical Gaging Products, Inc. (Rochester, NY), will serve as second vice chairman and treasurer. Kim W. Beck, the president and CEO of Automatic Feed Co. (Napoleon, OH), will continue to serve as secretary. Newly elected to three-year terms as members of the board of directors are Larry G. Schwartz, the president and COO of Okuma America Corporation (Charlotte, NC), and Richard L. Simons, the president and CEO of Hardinge Inc. (Elmira, NY). Both Flynn and Michael Powell, the president of Master WorkHolding, Inc. (Morganton, NC), return for 3-year terms. www.AMTonline.org

JOINING TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (EAST GRANBY, NJ) . . .
announced that chief executive officer Michael Francoeur and president Dave Hudson were jointly awarded the Business Leader of the Year award by the East Granby Chamber of Commerce at its 2011 annual meeting and awards ceremony for their commitment to expanding the business to adapt to new opportunities in the laser technologies field. The Chamber also recognized the company’s new 10,000 sq ft research and development center and purchase of major new equipment, stating that it demonstrates a continued commitment to the community as a viable and vibrant manufacturing locale. Joining Technologies was previously awarded the Platinum Innovation Prize last year from the Connecticut Quality Improvement Award organization for its development of the Infinite Web®, a laser cutting and welding system for splicing metal coils in steel processing plants. www.joiningtech.com

SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC. (ATLANTA, GA) . . .
named Doug Keith as president of its Drive Technologies Division. He joins the organization from Siemens Energy, where he served as vice president of the Power Distribution Medium Voltage Business Unit since 2005. Keith will be based in Alpharetta and will succeed Anne Cooney, who accepted a new position as COO of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics (Tarrytown, NY). Prior to joining Siemens Energy in 2005, he occupied numerous leadership positions at General Electric where he managed factories in the United States and Mexico. Keith holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University and is currently enrolled at the European School of Management and Technology in Berlin. www.usa.siemens.com/Industry

PENNENGINEERING^® (DANBORO, PA) . . .
appointed LillyAnna Penn to the position of global product manager, with responsibility for the assembled line of products. Among her duties, Penn will develop and drive short- and long-term strategy for the continued growth of multi-component fastener lines, including PEM^® brand panel fasteners. She most recently served as Strategic Accounts Marketing Manager for Ingersoll Rand. www.pemnet.com