People On the Move - June 23, 2023 Update

Schneider Electric (Boston)

Michael Lotfy Gierges (photo above)was appointed executive VP for its global Home & Distribution division and will lead Schneider Electric’s drive to bring the Electricity 4.0 revolution to homes through enhanced electrification and digitalization. Having joined the company as senior of Power Products over North and Central America just over a year ago, Gierges is Schneider Electric’s youngest executive to lead a global business division. He will report to executive VP of Energy Management Olivier Blum.

Under Gierges’ leadership, the Home & Distribution division will leverage Schneider Electric’s innovation to empower homeowners and tenants to make their homes efficient, resilient and sustainable. Gierges brings more than 20 years of professional experience to this new position. In his previous role, he was senior VP of Power Products for the North American Hub where he oversaw the business unit portfolio’s double-digit growth in sales and launched five innovative products to the electrical industry. Additionally, Gierges was instrumental in spearheading DE&I initiatives for the Schneider Electric Power Products division.

Hammond Power Solutions Inc. (HPS) (Guelph, Ontario)

Adrian Thomas was appointed CEO, replacing Bill Hammond who will assume the position of executive chairman after 22 years as CEO. Thomas will also be appointed to HPS’ board of directors.

Thomas has more than 20 years of expertise in the electrical and automation industry. Throughout his career, he has held key positions at companies including General Electric (GE), TMEIC and most recently Schneider Electric. Adrian's experience has included several senior executive roles in Canada at both GE and 

Keystone Technologies (Lansdale, PA)

CEO Ira Greenberg has been named as an Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 Greater Philadelphia Award winner by Ernst & Young (EY). The winners of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year are selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders.

EiKO (Olathe, KS)

Lynnette Schaeffer was promoted to senior director of Marketing and Training and is now responsible for all aspects of marketing, training and education for distribution partners, customers, end users, agents and industry professionals in the Industrial and Commercial channel.

A 25-year-veteran of the lighting industry, Schaeffer started her career in lighting with Van Meter Industrial. After seven years learning the ins and outs of the distribution market, she joined Philips Lighting in 2005.

Schaeffer earned her MBA from the University of Iowa and is LC Certified and LED Certified.

WESCO International, Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA)

The company elected Glynis Bryan to its board of directors, effective Sept. 1, consistent with its long-standing commitment to ongoing board refreshment. Bryan currently serves as the CFO of Insight Enterprises, a Fortune 500 solutions integrator focused on enabling secure, end-to-end digital transformation through its broad portfolio of solutions and IT expertise.

Rexel USA (Dallas):

Jordan Lomheim will be succeeding Wes Smith as Rexel USA's newest senior VP and chief strategy officer. He will be focused on leading the company’s corporate strategy and growth initiatives, including leading its M&A efforts. Smith has transitioned to a new role as senior advisor to the Rexel USA CEO as he prepares to retire in June 2024.

Lomheim most recently served as a director of Corporate Strategy and M&A at Celanese Corp. where he was an M&A leader, created business intelligence and analytical capabilities, and developed business strategies.

In Smith’s new role, he will continue to have a significant impact on Rexel USA’s business as he will maintain a key role in strategy and M&A efforts as well as industry leadership, which includes him fulfilling his five-year commitment to the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED).

Orbit Industries (Dallas)

Peter Sanguinet is the new factory sales representative serving north Texas. He has experience in customer service, sales and in construction as an irrigation contractor.

OBITUARY

Sam Zell, the famed investor, entrepreneur and former chairman of Anixter International, passed away on May 18 at the age of 81. A press release from Equity family of the companies where he was chairman, said during his 60-year-career he launched and grew hundreds of companies and that he was most widely recognized for his critical role in creating the modern real estate investment trust (REIT), which today is a more than $4 trillion industry.

The Equity press release said he served as chairman of Anixter International Inc., the global provider of wire and cable products, for 34 years and stewarded the sale of the company to WESCO in 2020 for $4.5 billion.