Meriam Named STIHL Inc. Director of Sales

STIHL Inc. has announced the promotion of Steve Meriam to the position of director of sales. In his new position, Meriam will manage the continued growth of the STIHL brand and improvements in product sales and distribution in the United States.

Meriam began his career with forestry and logging jobs in Canada. He was appointed to territory manager of Manitoba and Saskatchewan for STIHL Ltd. by Fred Whyte, who started up the Canadian operation and is now president of STIHL Inc.

Meriam’s career moved in a new direction as he began selling the tools he once used, and his hands-on experience soon proved to be invaluable. He went on to hold multiple executive level sales positions at STIHL Ltd. prior to relocating to the U.S. in 1997 and assuming the role of branch manager at Northeast STIHL. He was later promoted to manager of national sales and product development for STIHL Inc. in October of 2002.

PCA Names Sullivan as Group VP

The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has appointed Edward Sullivan as group VP in addition to his role as chief economist.

Sullivan will oversee the activities of the association's communications, research and technical services, and market development divisions, as well as his current role as the head of market intelligence.

Since joining PCA in 2002, Sullivan has been lauded numerous times by the Chicago Federal Reserve for his forecast accuracy. In 2007 Concrete Construction honored Sullivan as one of its "Ten Most Influential People in the Concrete Industry."

Sullivan came to PCA from Wexford Management Consultants near Philadelphia where he served as partner, and directed economic and market analyses for Fortune 500 firms, forecasted and impacted analysis, developed strategic planning models and managed client relationships. His prior positions include management of a market research unit at Wharton Econometrics and at Standard & Poors/DRI.

Ash Grove Cement Announces Promotions

The Ash Grove Cement Co. announced promotions in its sales leadership teams. The promotions are effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Ernie Peterson is promoted to vice president of sales - Midwest and will report to Charlie Sunderland. Peterson has been with Ash Grove 15 years, including the last five years as regional sales manager in Ash Grove’s Omaha, Neb., sales office where he led a team of four salesmen, a technical service manager and two administrative professionals. His career in the cement manufacturing industry spans two decades. His direct reports include three sales offices covering six states in the Midwest. 

Mike Wood is promoted to vice president of sales – west and also will report to Sunderland. Wood has been with Ash Grove 10 years serving as regional sales manager in Ash Grove’s Boise, Idaho, sales office where he led a three-state team of salesmen. His career in the cement manufacturing industry dates back to his youth. His parents owned a ready mix operation, and he was exposed to all aspects of the industry. His direct reports include four sales offices in nine states in the West as well British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. Wood also has an extensive financial background having worked in management capacities for commercial lenders for more than a decade. 

Retiring Ash Grove sales executives include:

Dewey Fore has led Ash Grove’s Midwestern sales region for five years and is an officer of Ash Grove Cement Company, CONCO, Ash Grove Resources, Lyman Richey and Permanent Paving. He will have completed 26 years at Ash Grove when he retires in December 2012. Fore is a member of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, was a board member of the Aggregate division of the National Ready Mix Concrete Association, has led the Oklahoma Ready Mix Association, was a founding member of the Oklahoma/Arkansas American Concrete & Paving Association and served on its board, president of the Arkansas Ready Mix Concrete Association, was active in the Iowa Ready Mix Association and served as an Iowa Concrete Paving Association board member; was chairman of the Nebraska Concrete Council and served on boards of both the South Central and North Central Cement Promotion Associations.

Dave Baker has led Ash Grove’s West sales region for 16 years and is an officer of Ash Grove Cement Company. He will have completed 23 years at Ash Grove when he retires in December 2012. Baker’s career in the cement industry spans four decades. He led the Northwest Cement Shippers three times as its chairman, he served as chairman of the Northwest American Concrete & Paving Association, including service on its board since 1989 and he served on numerous Portland Cement Association committees during his career.

Hunter Panels Names Whitton as VP, Sales and Marketing

Hunter Panels LLC, a manufacturer of polyisocyanurate roof insulation, named Jim Whitton has been promoted to the position of VP of sales and marketing. He replaces Alma Garnett, who recently left to pursue other interests.
 

Whitton has been in the roofing industry for more than 27 years and with Hunter Panels since it was founded. He is a graduate of DePaul University with degrees in accounting and education, and served as the regional tapered manager and marketing manager for NRG Barriers prior to joining Hunter. He is a member of the Roof Consultants Institute and on the board of directors of the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association.

Hunter plans to open a new plant in Spanaway, Wash., later this year and double the size of its Kingston, N.Y., plant in 2013. The company recently introduced Hunter Xci, a polyiso product designed for use in commercial wall applications to provide “ci” continuous insulation within the building envelope.

Liebherr Promotes Doucette to GM - Brand Strategy

Liebherr Construction Equipment Co. has promoted Timothy Doucette as general manager – brand strategy. In this new role, he will work closely with the president, Duane Wilder, to ensure all aspects involving the brand are coordinated to increase Liebherr’s market presence in the United States as a manufacturer of heavy-duty construction equipment.

Reporting to Doucette will be the marketing and public relations departments, sales administration and the earthmoving product group. He also will retain his current role as part of the dealer selection committee. 

“Tim has played a key role in our growth over the past several years and this newly created position provides the opportunity for him to assume an increased leadership role as we continue to grow the Liebherr brand in the USA,” says Wilder.