Havco Wood Products announced recently that Mike Brown has joined the firm as vice president of sales and marketing. Most recently, he was with Accuride Corporation in Evansville IN for 11 years, serving as director of sales (aftermarket and trailer OEMs), director of OEM sales (trailer/military/RV/specialty), and director of sales and distribution. Brown will be working closely with Larry Wiggs, who was promoted earlier this year to vice president of field sales and service.
Jim Panko recently announced his retirement after 40 years of service with Venturo Manufacturing. He was hired in 1968 by Ron and Larry Collins for Collins Truck Equipment. Panko has held several positions, from building and assembling cranes to inventory control of hoist and liftgate parts to finally wrapping up his career in parts sales.
Mary Gould, who has been with Henke Manufacturing Corporation for six years, has been named director of administration and finance. Mike Blake, who started with the firm in 1996 and has handled the western region of the United States, has been tapped as the next vice president of sales, replacing Matt Hood. Mike Morris, a 10-year Henke employee, has been named director of inside sales and marketing. Joining the firm as its new regional sales manager for the southwestern United States is Patrick Silvey, a former track and field coach and recruiter for Johnson County Community College.
Peterson Manufacturing Company announced that Steve Meagher has been named its new vice president of sales. He succeeds Art Richardson, who is retiring after more than 41 years with the company. No effective date has been announced for the move, as Meagher will be transitioning into his new role in the next several months. Richardson will stay on during this period to ensure a smooth transition. Meagher will move from his current role as president of Transworld Products, a position he has held since joining the wholly owned Peterson subsidiary in 2001. Steve Schmidt will assume Meagher's duties as president of Transworld. Currently serving as Transworld's senior merchandise manager, Schmidt has more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience in the automotive aftermarket.