National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) (Rossyln, Va.): The following industry executives were elected to the NEMA board of governors during its recent annual meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz.: Daryl Dulaney, Siemens Industry; Thomas Gross, Eaton Corp.; Michael Reitermann, Siemens Healthcare; Brent Shafer, Philips North America; and Malcolm Unsworth, Itron Inc.
Ruud Lighting Inc. (Racine, Wis.): Christopher Ruud was promoted to president, a role that his father, Alan Ruud, held since founding the company in 1982. As president, Christopher will oversee all U.S.-based business units and operations. Alan will retain his role as chairman and CEO. Christopher began working for Ruud Lighting in 1986, holding positions of increasing responsibility from sweeping floors to manufacturing assembly and eventually moving into administrative roles. He was promoted to manager of continuous improvement in 1997, then to vice president two years later, adding human resources to his list of responsibilities. In 2004, he was named executive vice president and assumed responsibility for national accounts, sales and marketing. The company is preparing for a transition from traditional lighting to a new LED platform. Christopher was instrumental in building the infrastructure for the launch of BetaLED in 2007.
Bridgeport Fittings (Stratford, Conn.):Jay Pearson was promoted to the newly created position of region vice president. Pearson will be the key sales executive directing all activities within the newly outlined sales territory, and will be responsible for developing and implementing regional business plans. Among his other duties, he will be responsible for maintaining and cultivating key customer relationships and implementing company sales strategies. Pearson has 21 years of electrical experience, including senior management responsibilities at OZ/Gedney and Rexel.
Ideal Industries Inc. (Sycamore, Ill.):Jason Butchko is now general manager of Ideal’s Networks Division, succeeding Jouke Rijpstra who will retire in 2010. In this position Butchko will be responsible for managing the performance and strategic direction of the network and electrical testing business units, along with data communications products. Reporting to Jim James, Ideal’s president and CEO, Butchko will be based in San Diego. He has more than 20 years of senior executive experience, most recently as V.P. of business development for Westco Scientific Instruments. Butchko earned a MBA from the University of Colorado, a M.S. in environmental science and engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, and a B.S. in civil engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Echelon Corp. (San Jose, Calif.):Michael Anderson is now senior V.P. responsible for smart grid sales and go-to-market strategies to utilities worldwide. He will report directly to Robert Maxfield, Echelon’s president and CEO. Previously, Anderson was a senior exec with several telecommunication companies, including ADC Software Systems, Big Planet, Telismart and AT&T. He has a B.A. in political science from the University of Washington and completed a fellowship at the Georgetown University Law Center.
LEDnovation (Tampa, Fla.):Bill Blackley has joined the company as V.P. of business development. He has 20 years of lighting experience, most recently with Nexxus Lighting, where he was vice president. He has also held senior management posts at Vossloh-Schwabe (Matsushita Electric) and Acuity Brands Lighting (Holophane).
Reed Manufacturing (Erie, Pa.): Jeff Esmont is now the company’s regional manager for Ohio, Kentucky, southern Michigan, western New York and northwest Pennsylvania. Before joining Reed, Esmont worked at Milwaukee Electric Tool for 25 years.
Atlanta Light Bulbs, Inc. (Tucker, Ga.): Jason Lunsford was promoted to local sales manager. Before joining the company in 2007 as an inside salesperson and in counter sales, he worked as a driver, counter salesperson and warehouse manager for McNaughton-McKay and as a counter manager for Newton Electric Supply.