DWM - 2008 - February

Volume 9, Issue 2 - February 2008

Ones to Watch

COMINGS AND GOINGS
Atrium Cos. Hires New Central Region President
Dallas-based Atrium Cos. Inc. has hired Arthur Steinhafel to serve as its new central region president. In his new position, Steinhafel will oversee all regional window business activities for Atrium’s central region facilities. Prior to joining Atrium, Steinhafel served as chief operating officer for The Peachtree Cos. Inc.

Sunrise Windows Appoints Two New Regional Managers
Temperance, Mich.-based Sunrise Windows has announced the promotions of Don Loomis and Jeff O’Leary to western regional manager and eastern regional manager, respectively. Both were previously territory managers.

O’Leary joined Sunrise Windows in 2004 as manager of the territory that comprises New York City, New Jersey, and further south in Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. O’Leary has been in the fenestration industry for nearly 30 years.

Edgetech Promotes New Marketing Project Manager
Cambridge, Ohio-based Edgetech I.G. has promoted Kim Kress to marketing project manager. In her new role, Kress is responsible for the organization, prioritization and management of all requests that come into Edgetech’s marketing services department. Kress has worked at Edgetech since 2002 having served as a graphic designer. Prior to that she spent three years at Edgetech’s sister company, Lauren Manufacturing, as a marketing production coordinator and receptionist.

Woodgrain Appoints New V.P. Of Operations
Woodgrain Millwork has appointed Richard Stephens as vice president of operations within its window division. In this newly created position, Stephens will be responsible for all plant operations at the following Woodgrain divisions: Windsor Windows & Doors in West Des Moines, Iowa, and Monroe, N.C.; Atrium Patio Doors in Greenville, Texas, and Monarch Windows in Aniston, Ala.

Stephens joined Windsor 14 years ago as the general manager of Windsor Windows & Doors’ Monroe facility. He has 30 years of experience in the door and window industry and recently earned his six-sigma black belt certification. The company says the addition of Stephens’ position will allow each plant to become leaner and take advantage of lean practices throughout the division.

Ultra Hardware Adds Two New Hires
Pennsauken, N.J.-based Ultra Hardware has added Larry Todd as its newest regional manager for the West Coast and Joe Kuppler as sales engineer.

Todd has 21 years of experience in the fenestration market and worked previously for Owatonna, Minn.-based Truth Hardware. For the past year and a half, he has worked as an independent representative.

Kuppler, who brings eight years of experience in casement design and testing, will be responsible for new product development, as well as maintaining and expanding customer relationships in his sales territory. Reliant Glass & Door Systems Expands Reliant Glass & Door Systems LLC in Sheboygan, Wis., has made three new hires. Brent Henschel has been added as vice president of business development. Henschel will be responsible for sales and account management, overall business development and marketing management. Prior to joining Reliant, he was the vice president of sales and marketing at Walters Buildings. Renee Sellin is the new manager of purchasing. Sellin will be responsible for establishing supplier relationships, inventory management and implementation of continuous improvement initiatives. Prior to joining the company, Sellin was the inventory control manager at Phoenix Products. Debra Forsterling was hired as contract administrator. Forsterling is responsible for reviewing requirements of customer contracts for materials, products and services and for invoicing.

KUDOS
Edgetech President Named Person of the Year for Cambridge, Ohio
The City of Cambridge, Ohio, recently named Edgetech I.G. president Michael B. Hovan as its Person of the Year for his contributions to the community. “This is a great honor, and I accept the award on behalf of the entire Edgetech team,” Hovan said, in accepting the award. “We are grateful to the City of Cambridge and look forward to continuing our support of the community.”

Edgetech contributes time and resources to the United Way of Guernsey and Noble Counties, Relay for Life, the Cambridge YMCA, the Cambridge Main Street Project, the American Red Cross, the Guernsey Leadership program and the Police Benevolence Program, among others.

DEATHS
CRL Vice President Audette Passes Away
C.R. Laurence Co. Inc. (CRL) vice president Jim Audette, who also served as assistant to the company’s president, passed away on December 9 at the age of 67. Audette was with CRL for 44 years. Audette was heavily involved with the development of many of CRL’s products. He also helped create CRL catalogs, and assisted in the design and construction of many of CRL’s facilities, both the headquarters campus and the branch warehouses.

“He was a true professional and a great friend,” says Don Friese, CRL chief executive officer. “He contributed so much to this company. He was one of the most talented people ever to be a part of CRL. He will be deeply missed by all of us.”

Audette is survived by his wife, Ramona, and three children.

briefly
Phoenix-based Premier Industrial Supply Inc. has added Chad Foust as an outside sales representatives. In his new role, Foust will serve as the company’s account representative in the South Central Region, which encompasses Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Foust worked previously for Soudal Inc.