Many organizations honored achievement and recognized new talent with hirings and promotions throughout the month of April.
Truck, trailer, and body OEMs
M.H. Eby hired Peter Miller as the company’s newest senior director of business development for the Southeast Region. Miller’s new responsibilities will include working with the Eby executive team to develop new market strategies, increase product sales, and pursue business and growth opportunities. Before joining M.H. Eby, Miller served on the leadership team at ProTech Industries for over 34 years.
Annette Clayton has been nominated for the Oshkosh Corp. board. The chairwoman and former president and CEO of Schneider Electric North America, Clayton previously served in various leadership positions with Dell and senior management roles with General Motors Corporation, and currently serves as the director of NXP Semiconductors N.V., Duke Energy Corporation, and Nordson Corporation.
Phillips Corporate has promoted Sara Wissmueller to chief information officer. Wissmueller will continue to handle responsibilities within Phillips Connect, including cloud infrastructure, data warehouse development and support, and customer support, while also managing tasks in Phillips Industries. Prior to her appointment she worked as vice president of Information Technology at Phillips Connect.
Suppliers and distributors
Polar King Mobile appointed Danny Gaviria as national sales manager. In his role, Gaviria will work to expand PKM’s market presence and continue to grow the company’s network. Additionally, he will continue to work as a business professor at the University of La Verne. Gaviria joins Polar King Mobile after serving as Air-Tow Trailers’ marketing manager.
Thunder Creek appointed Shawna Hayes as its latest national accounts manager. In her new role, Hayes will serve strategic and national accounts and support the organization’s sales team in serving dealers and clients. Prior to joining Thunder Creek, she worked as the senior technical account representative and OEM business development manager for an American producer of lubricants, additives, and related components.
Fleet brands
Tony Wheel has joined J.J. Keller & Associates as its newest executive vice president of Manufacturing & Supply Chain. Succeeding Tim Little, who will retire on July 1, 2024, Wheel will oversee a team across all Global Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Distribution operations. Prior to joining J.J. Keller, Wheel was a leader at Oshkosh Corporation and his background covers operations, engineering, and product design. Wheel also served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve as a Logistics Corps Officer.
Associations
Gregg Boucher is now the Precision Metalforming Association’s Chairman of the Board. Besides his new role, Boucher is also the group chief operating officer of Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Special Metals. He succeeds the outgoing Board Chair Jeff Aznavorian, president of Clips & Clamps Industries. As Chair of the board, Boucher will work with a strategy consultant and PMA president David Klotz on long-term strategy for the organization.
Services
Merchants Fleet hired Adam Rowell as regional sales manager for the Northeast region of the company’s Truck Rental Division. Rowell brings his experience holding several sales and business development management positions for Ryder Systems to his new role, and will be working from Charleston, South Carolina. Additionally, he holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Bockport.
Obituaries
Don Henthorn, owner and founder of BendPak Inc., recently passed away at the age of 85. Current management and operations for the company are unchanged, as Henthorn transitioned day-to-day management to the company’s current leadership in 2022. He continued to serve as chairman emeritus even after the transition, continuing his legacy of hard work and innovation. Henthorn is survived by his wife, Ginger; daughter, Susan; and his grandchildren.
