Klein Tools Inc. (Lincolnshire, Ill.): Mark Klein has been promoted to director, North American sales, where he will direct, coordinate and develop sales growth in the company’s electrical, telecom and utilities channels. His new position also entails overseeing the design and execution of strategic sales plans and product promotions for the company’s North American sales force and rep organizations.
Emerson Electric (St. Louis):Craig Ashmore was named as executive vice president. He has been senior vice president for planning and development since 2004. Ashmore is a member of the board of NEMA and holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and civil engineering at the University of Connecticut, and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School.
Summit Electric Supply (Albuquerque, N.M.): Electrical industry veterans Rodney Ilseng and Craig Rusk have been promoted to service center leaders in Houston and Phoenix, respectively. Ilseng succeeds Dan Ferrari, who has been promoted to regional vice president of the Gulf Coast region.
Ilseng has been involved in electrical distribution since 1983. He joined Summit in April 2003 and most recently held a dual role as service center leader in the Clute, Texas, location and as Summit’s industrial strategic accounts manager in the Gulf Coast. As Houston service center leader, he is responsible for sales and operations of the 62-member location, focusing on both industrial and commercial accounts. Ilseng holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.
Craig Rusk succeeds Scott Cogan, who has been promoted to regional vice president of the Southwest Region. Rusk, a graduate of Arizona State University, joined Summit in 1993, becoming a consistently top performing account manager, focusing on industrial clients.
Summit has operated in the Phoenix market since 1991 and employs 40 associates in its Phoenix location.
Cape Electrical Supply (Cape Girardeau, Mo.):James Sipe is now chief operating officer. He joined Cape Electrical Supply on Aug. 1, bringing an extensive background of supply chain management experience within the electrical distribution industry. Prior to joining Cape Electrical Supply, Sipe served both Cameron and Barkley and Hagemeyer North America (Charleston, S.C.) in a number of key executive positions. His 19-year career path began in the management trainee program at CamBar and progressed through a number of operational and sales responsibilities with his most recent assignment being vice president, product strategy – electrical at Hagemeyer, N.A.
Atlanta Light Bulbs. Inc. (Tucker, Ga.):Sammy Brewer was promoted to director of operations. Previously he was inventory manager and national sales manager. Brewer has been with the company for 10 years and in the lighting industry for more than 19 years, starting with Lithonia Lighting in 1990.
Channel Marketing Group (Raleigh, N.C.): Industry veteran Stan Rydzynski, who held various marketing posts for Leviton over a 35-year career in the electrical industry, has joined Channel Marketing Group as a consulting partner.
Power Efficiency Corp. (Las Vegas, Nev.): Scott Johnson has joined the company as executive vice president of sales and chief operating officer. His background includes positions at Warner Electric, Compumotor Corp. and Parker Hannifin. Jitendra (Jay) Mistry, director of industrial sales – Western Region, joined Power Efficiency in April after 18 years at Reliance Electric and Rockwell Automation. Jack Barrett, director of industrial sales – Eastern Region, joined Power Efficiency this month and brings over 30 years’ experience in sales and marketing of automation products, most recently with Danaher Motion.
Northwire Inc. – Technical Cable (Osceola, Wis.):Katina Kravik has been promoted to CEO. She is the third generation in her family to own and lead the privately held 37-year old company, as her grandfather, Ormund Kravik, founded Northwire in 1972 and her father, Mark Kravik, led the company for more than 30 years.