Personnel notes

SERI appoints new executive director

Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI), headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, has promoted Corey Dehmey to the role of executive director. He succeeds John Lingelbach, who helped to create the Responsible Recycling Practices (R2) Standard and has led its oversight since mid-2010.

SERI says its board of directors conducted an executive search and concluded that Dehmey, who has served as SERI’s R2 director for four years, brings to the executive director position the greatest available technical knowledge of the industry, the R2 Standard and the standard certification process. As well, he has the energy and commitment to carry out SERI’s recently completed strategic plan, which envisions, among other things, an expansion of SERI’s international footprint, technical assistance for recyclers in developing countries and continuous improvement in the oversight of the R2 certification process, according to the organization.

“Corey’s experience working in virtually all sectors of the electronics reuse and recycling industry affords him a broad perspective of what is needed and what is possible in continuing to improve the sustainability of electronics recycling,” SERI writes in a press release announcing his appointment.

“I am honored for the opportunity to build on the achievements and success of my mentor, John Lingelbach,” Dehmey says. “I look forward to continuing SERI’s mission. We have a great strategic plan to further sustainable reuse and recycling. Our nearly 800 R2 certified organizations are the foundation of an inevitable transition to a circular economy.”

Clare Lindsay, SERI board chair, says, “We are grateful to John for his lasting contributions and excited for SERI’s next chapter with the passion, talent and energy that Corey brings to SERI’s top post.”

Sparta Manufacturing adds to staff

Terri Ward has joined Sparta Manufacturing, Notre Dame, New Brunswick, Canada, as vice president of business development, bringing nearly 30 years of industry experience. The company also recently added industry veteran Rutger Zweers as vice president of sales engineering.

Ward was a key member of the team that grew SSI Shredding Systems, Wilsonville, Oregon. Working through detailed, long-term project management for size-reduction applications across the fuel, recycling and construction and demolition (C&D) markets has afforded Ward the opportunity to develop her project management skills, Sparta says. She also has developed an extensive understanding of the product, project and service requirements to ensure long-term customer retention and satisfaction.

“For years I’ve been impressed by Terri’s passion, commitment, track record and depth of industry knowledge,” says Bruno Lagace, Sparta president and owner. “We look forward to her applying her vast experience to elevate Sparta’s systems offerings in the areas of C&D recycling, mixed-waste processing, alternative fuel preparation, size reduction/recovery lines and more.”

Ward says, “Brand awareness and reputation are critical to future success. A key part of my focus will be on customer satisfaction and loyalty to help Sparta continue expanding responsibly.”

Zweers has 20 years of industry experience and engineering knowledge.

“As Sparta continues its business growth, Rutger brings extraordinary abilities in working with customers to transform their vision for a system, its processing requirements and their financial requirements into alignment and then collaborate with project engineers to create detailed system designs,” Lagace says.

“With Sparta’s strong and proven installation base in construction and demolition sorting systems throughout North America, I am excited to join the Sparta team and contribute to strengthening our processes and systems to support our ongoing growth,” Zweers says.

Sierra International Machinery appoints director of sales for its Macpresse line

Sierra International Machinery, Bakersfield, California, has named Randy Gibson director of sales for the company’s Macpresse line in the United States and Canada. Gibson is responsible for evolving Sierra’s relationship with current Sierra-Macpresse customers and building relationships with new and upcoming industries, such as refuse-derived fuel (RDF). He assists Sierra regional sales managers in communicating the advantages of Macpresse single-ram balers and reaching out to new markets and industries that can benefit from using a Macpresse machine, according to the company.

Gibson came to Sierra with more than 28 years of experience in the solid waste and recycling industries. He has a strong background in the design and mechanical engineering of single-ram and two-ram balers as well as in conveyors, Sierra says.

“I am excited for the opportunity to take the Macpresse single-ram balers, which are world-renowned products, and grow them into the industry leader in the U.S. and Canada,” Gibson says. “I am thrilled to be a part of the Sierra team. This is a company that has an outstanding reputation with their customer service and a trustworthy product line.”

“The Macpresse single-ram balers are extremely innovative products, and we recognized that we needed to bring a specialist in single-ram extrusion balers on board at Sierra to properly promote and sell the Macpresse line in the United States and Canada,” says John Sacco, president and owner, Sierra International Machinery. “With Randy’s engineering background and sales capabilities, he’s going to lead Sierra and the Macpresse line to great success.”

Tomra adds to US sales staff

Tomra Sorting Recycling, a Europe-based supplier of sensor-based sorting equipment, has announced the appointment of Rick Fenton as sales manager for the East Coast North America region. Fenton will assume the lead role in developing and implementing Tomra Recycling America’s sales strategies while working with Tomra partners and customers.

“After an extensive search, we found Rick’s successful track record in the waste recycling industry and vast experience working with plant builders and recycling operations to be the perfect fit, both professionally and personally, for the Tomra team and work philosophy,” says Carlos Manchado Atienza, regional director, Americas, for Tomra Sorting Recycling. “Our relationship with Rick dates back many years to when he worked for Tomra’s plant building partner, Van Dyk Recycling Solutions. He is well-familiar with Tomra sorting technology, so he will be able to help our customers select the right equipment to increase product purity and productivity from day one.”

Fenton has more than 20 years of equipment applications and sales experience, working with customers for dealers and plant builders and working for equipment manufacturers. Most recently, he served as sales manager, North America East, for Metso Waste Recycling, where he was tasked with evaluating new applications and expanding into new markets, as well as with developing new distribution networks. He also was a part of the Stamford, Connecticut-based Van Dyk team for seven years, where he was a contact for customers in the Southeast.

“Taking the sales manager position at Tomra is like a homecoming for me,” Fenton says. “Tomra is well respected throughout the recycling industry and known for developing innovative, cutting-edge sorting solutions that help customers meet increasing purity standards, like National Sword. I look forward to restabilizing many long-term customer contacts and building new relationships with dealers and customers throughout my East Coast territory.”

Fenton will be based in Florida.

Tomra Sorting Recycling designs and manufactures sensor-based sorting technologies for the global recycling and waste management industry, having installed more than 5,500 systems in 80 countries. It is part of Norway-based Tomra Systems ASA.