Electrical People: August 8, 2014

United Electric Supply Co. (New Castle, Del.): Steve DiArchangel has joined the company as corporate V.P. sales and marketing.  He comes to United with 23 years of senior level leadership experience in both sales and marketing management within the electrical distribution and manufacturing industries.  DiArchangel holds a BA in economics and communication from Rutgers University, brings high level certifications in Six Sigma and Lean, served as a board member in one of the top electric leagues in the country for several years, has completed several executive level courses, and is pursuing a masters in supply chain management from Penn State University.

Klein Tools (Lincolnshire, Ill.): Mathias Klein III will retire as chairman of the board in June, 2015 but will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors. Upon his retirement after 46 years with the company, current president Thomas R. Klein Sr. will succeed him as chairman. Additionally, Mark Klein, V.P.  of domestic sales, and Thomas Klein Jr. (Tom Jr.), general manager of heavy infrastructure, will be promoted and serve as co-presidents of Klein Tools effective January 1, 2015.

During Tom Sr.’s tenure as president since 2006, Klein Tools’ manufacturing has moved forward with major investments, including the new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center and heat treat facilities in Mansfield, Texas. Also under his leadership, the company has grown through its efforts on international sales and acquisitions in Australia, Mexico and Brazil. In addition, the company has grown with the domestic acquisition of Heritage Cutlery (now Klein Cutlery) and its joint venture investment with UEI.

Mark Klein will assume the new role of president of sales and marketing and will be responsible for global marketing, sales and customer service. He will also manage the company’s cutlery division in New York, Klein Cutlery, and Klein Tools de Mexico affiliates. Mark was named V.P. domestic sales in 2012. He has been leading Klein’s domestic sales operations, including the development of strategic marketing initiatives, such as the company’s launch of the camouflage limited-edition pliers and the “Electrician of the Year” programs in 2013.

Thomas Klein Jr., will assume a new role as president of operations and research and development, and will be responsible for Klein Tools’ manufacturing, operations and new product development functions. He will also manage two of the company’s international affiliates, Civitella & Cia in Brazil and Mumme Tools in Australia. He  was named general manager of the company’s heavy infrastructure business unit back in 2012. In this role, Tom Jr. managed the unit’s business functions including product development, sales and marketing. He has also been responsible for the company’s manufacturing activities at its soft goods plant in Ft. Smith, Ark.

Calpipe Industries Inc. (Rancho Dominguez, Calif.): Timothy Frick is now Central regional sales manager. He will be responsible for sales in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. Frick was most recently the district sales manager for Tele-Fonika Cable USA.

NICOR Inc. (Albuquerque, N.M.): William Goettsche is now with the company as the new Southeast regional sales manager and Diane Lacen is now human resources director. A 17-year veteran of the electrical and lighting industries, Goettsche began his career in product marketing with Square D, Westinghouse and Cutler-Hammer, and later expanded his capabilities to include national account sales and developing niche market sales segments. He recently worked for Universal Lighting Technologies as its director, South and West regions and holds an MBA in operations research from Loyola University of Chicago. Lacen joins NICOR with over 34 years’ experience in human resource management, organizational assessment, recruitment and training implementation. She holds a BS in business administration.

MaxLite (West Caldwell, N.J.): Paul Shaskan has been appointed V.P. of operations. In this newly created position, he will oversee the expansion of assembly and production lines at the company’s West Caldwell headquarters and new facility in Anaheim, Calif., as well as manage global operations, including logistics, quality control and warranty service, at MaxLite offices in China and Korea. Shaskan will report to MaxLite General Manager Todd Kim. Prior to joining MaxLite, Shaskan was V.P. of operations at Amerlux and director of operations at Zumbotel Lighting.

 LED Roadway Lighting Ltd. (LRL) (Halifax, Nova Scotia):  Denis Lavoie has been appointed president of this designer and manufacturer of LED-based street and area lighting fixtures and control systems. He has more than 20 years of experience in international sales and marketing and senior management. Lavoie joined LRL in January, 2013 and was most recently executive V.P. sales and marketing. He graduated from l’École Polytechnique de Montréal as an industrial engineer in 1990.