Personnel Notes

SMS Appoints Vice President of Human Resources
Scrap Metal Services LLC (SMS), a Burnham, Ill.-based scrap metal recycling firm, has announced that Kerry Davidson has joined the company as its vice president of human resources and in-house counsel. Davidson previously worked for the Chicago-based law firm Levenfeld Pearlstein for 14 years and has practiced as a labor and employment attorney in Chicago for nearly 10 years.

“As we continue our focused expansion and resultant increase in the number of employees at SMS, we are pleased to have such an experienced professional join our team at this time,” SMS CEO Jeffry Gertler, says.

Davidson, who has worked in Australia, also will bring an international perspective in the scrap and steel market, the company says.

SMS operates scrap processing, steel mill services and ship, barge, oil rig, transportation equipment (intermodal/truck/railcar) dismantling and recycling facilities throughout the United States. The company has scrap processing facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Alabama, Ohio and Texas. SMS also provides consulting and purchasing services to industrial scrap generators, demolition contractors, maritime contractors and transportation and equipment leasing companies.

Eriez Announces Promotion
Charlie Ingram, vice president of sales and marketing at Eriez, headquartered in Erie, Pa., has announced that Andrew Goldner has been promoted to senior manager of exports.

Goldner will manage the company’s Central American, South American and Middle Eastern sales offices and will lead Eriez’s export sales efforts, including further development of Eriez’s market-focused selling strategies. He will report to Ingram.

“Andrew brings a great breadth and depth of knowledge in export sales and market development that will help ensure his success in this new role,” Ingram says. “His skill sets are an invaluable asset to the company as we continue to market and grow Eriez in the Central and South American regions.”

Balcones Resources Appoints Vice President
Austin, Texas-based Balcones Resources Inc., a recycler with facilities in Austin, Dallas and Little Rock, Ark., has announced the promotion of Sara Koeninger to senior vice president of corporate services. Koeninger also will serve on the company’s executive leadership committee.

Koeninger currently manages all special projects for Balcones, including the company’s safety and compliance programs, and provides oversight for equipment installations and startups for Balcones’ customers.

“We couldn’t be happier about Sara’s expanded role,” Balcones CEO Kerry Getter says. “She has been an integral part of the company’s success since 1995 and has worked her way up the ladder in a variety of positions, including marketing, sales and operations. We look forward to another 17 years with Sara.”

Most recently, Koeninger served as project manager for Balcones’s new $25 million Austin material recovery facility (MRF). The MRF opened last September on time and on budget in large part because of Koening’s leadership and guidance, Balcones says.

Established in 1994, Balcones Resource Inc. is a locally owned environmental services holding company with corporate headquarters in Austin. Balcones says it is the largest independent recycling company in the Southwest United States.