People On the Move - Nov. 8, 2024 Update

Schneider Electric (Rueil-Malmaison, France):

Schneider Electric’s board of directors decided unanimously to appoint Olivier Blum (in photo above) as CEO to accelerate the execution of its strategy and engage into the next phase of its development. Blum led the company’s Energy Management business in all end markets, including data centers. According to the Schneider Electric press release, its board of directors decided to remove Peter Herweck as CEO due to divergences in the execution of the company roadmap at a time of significant opportunities.  He had been in this role for 18 months.

Eaton (Cleveland, OH)

Omar Zaire was appointed president, Corporate and Electrical Sector, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. He succeeds Tim Darkes, who has announced his upcoming retirement from Eaton, effective June 1, 2025. Zaire will report to Heath Monesmith, COO, Electrical Sector, and will join Eaton’s senior leadership team.
Zaire has 27 years of experience in the electrical industry, with 16 of those years at Eaton. He is currently the senior VP and general manager, Power Reliability Division, Electrical Sector, Americas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia in São Paulo, Brazil, and an executive MBA from the University of Richmond, VA.

Springfield Electric/Sonepar (Springfield, IL)

Willie Collier has been appointed senior VP of Sales. With 27 years of industry experience, Collier will lead the company’s sales strategy. He previously served as VP of Commercial Business Development, where he played a key role in identifying market opportunities and driving sales initiatives to promote overall company growth. 

Agilix Solutions (St. Louis, MO)

Mike Wagner was promoted to VP of Construction. In this new role, he will lead the Agilix construction sales team to expand the company’s market in both its East and West regions, which encompass the Agilix branches in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas.
Based in the company’s St. Louis office, Wagner joined Agilix Solutions in 2021 as director of Business Development.
In addition to overseeing the construction sales team, Wagner will be responsible for developing and directing the company’s new Project Solutions Group (PSG).

Guardian (Houston, TX)

Pedro Caceres is now CEO for this manufacturer of fall protection and prevention equipment. Since joining Guardian in June 2024, he was COO and acting CEO. He has 25-plus years of executive experience, including serving COO at Petmate and a senior role at Lenox-Newell Rubbermaid.