Personnel Notes

RockTenn Appoints New CEO
RockTenn, headquartered in Norcross, Ga., has announced that Jim Rubright will retire as CEO Oct. 31, 2013. Replacing Rubright as CEO will be Steve Voorhees, currently COO of RockTenn.

Voorhees joined RockTenn as chief financial officer in 2000, becoming CFO and chief administrative officer in 2008 and president and COO in January 2013.

The company also announced that Ward Dickson has joined RockTenn as executive vice president and CFO. Dickson is responsible for finance, information technology and procurement.

“RockTenn will lose a remarkable CEO with Jim Rubright’s retirement from the company,” says Stephen Felker, RockTenn lead independent director and soon-to-be board chairman. “Under Jim’s leadership, RockTenn has grown to become a highly respected leader in the paper and forest products industry. RockTenn’s share price has increased more than eight-fold and with dividends earned a compound annual return of 18.6 percent—for 14 years.”

Rubright says, “I’m glad to be able to leave RockTenn with a strong and talented leadership team. Steve Voorhees has been instrumental in developing and executing our process improvement and acquisition strategies since he joined RockTenn in 2000 and is a great choice to lead our company. We are also pleased to have Ward Dickson join our team, bringing his proven leadership talent and extensive experience in finance, sales and service. These two proven leaders have demonstrated throughout their careers the same commitment to excellence and customer service that consistently produces outstanding results for RockTenn’s customers and shareholders.”

RockTenn also announced that Voorhees and Jenny Hourihan have been elected to the company’s board.

R2 Solutions Adds to Board of Directors
Boulder, Colo.-based R2 Solutions, a nonprofit organization established to manage and maintain the R2 (Responsible Recycling Practices) Standard, has added Katharina Kummer Peiry to its board of directors. Kummer Peiry has 25 years of experience in international environmental policy with a focus on environmentally sound waste and materials management.

Kummer Peiry is owner of the Swiss firm Kummer EcoConsult, which provides analytical and advisory services relating to international environmental law and policy. She also is a visiting fellow at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Previously, Kummer Peiry served for five years as the executive secretary of the Basel Convention.

“We are extremely excited that Dr. Kummer Peiry is joining the R2 Solutions board of directors,” says John Lingelbach, R2 Solutions executive director. “She brings a wealth of knowledge regarding international law and policy as it relates to EOL (end-of-life) electronic equipment. Her participation will be invaluable.

“Furthermore,” he continues, “her addition is a strong statement of R2’s commitment to promoting responsible recycling globally.“

“I very much look forward to this opportunity,” Kummer Peiry says. “R2 Solutions’ work makes an important contribution to environmentally sound electronics recycling, a key challenge facing the world today. I look forward to assisting with its efforts around the globe,” she adds.

R2 Solutions’ board includes Brenda Pulley of Keep America Beautiful; John Howard of Dell; Clare Lindsay, formerly of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Lynn Rubinstein of the Northeast Recycling Council; Robin Wiener of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries; Rick Goss of the Information Technology Industry Council; and Lingelbach.

MPI Names Mark Shaffer Sales Manager for Western US, Canada
Magnetic Products Inc. (MPI), Highland, Mich., has named Mark Shaffer regional sales manager for the western United States and Canada. MPI provides magnetic and nonmagnetic material handling equipment.

According to MPI, Shaffer brings more than 30 years of industrial sales experience. During his career, Shaffer has been able to strengthen account business, provide technical support and manage sales representatives, MPI reports. In his new role, Shaffer will have sales responsibility for the entire MPI product line throughout the western United States and Canada.

“We are very pleased that Mark is joining MPI. His proven track record of growing sales and providing excellent customer service combined with his energy and enthusiasm will contribute to our company’s growth,” says Keith Rhodes, president of MPI. “Mark understands our customers and knows exactly how to put their needs first.”

“I look forward to working with the MPI team,” Shaffer says. “For a company to succeed, it needs quality people, innovative ideas and a lot of concentrated effort. MPI has all of these key ingredients.”

East Manufacturing Expands Aftermarket Service Department
East Manufacturing, a Randolph, Ohio-based manufacturer of truck trailers, has named David Miedl its new director of aftermarket parts sales and service. He replaces Ted Hutchison, who is retiring after 25 years with the company.

Miedl will oversee the parts sales and service department and will be responsible for all managerial, administrative and analytical support duties. He also will be charged with growing the business by improving delivery lead times, reducing back orders and researching aftermarket opportunities. He will report to Dave de Poincy, company president.

Miedl comes to East Manufacturing with 25 years in the trailer parts and service business. Most recently, he was a parts outside sales rep at A&H Trucking. He also served as parts outside sales and service manager at Transport Services Inc.

Before joining Transport Services, Miedl owned Cleveland Semitrailer LLC, which provided aftermarket parts and service to the Cleveland area.

“This position is critical to the success of our company and will be an excellent platform for long-term career growth,” says de Poincy. “Dave has the background and leadership traits to help East grow the aftermarket segment of the business.”

Wastequip Names New Vice President
The equipment company Wastequip, Charlotte, N.C., has added Tim Phanco to the staff as vice president and general manager for its technical products division.

Phanco will manage the operations at all of Wastequip’s technical facilities that manufacture compactors and balers.

Wastequip manufactures a range of waste and recycling equipment with an international network of 27 manufacturing sites and an extensive dealer network. The company’s brands include Wastequip, Toter, Galbreath, Pioneer, Accurate, Cusco, Mountain Tarp and Parts Place.

“Tim brings an impressive list of industry credentials, including previous positions as VP at Otto Environmental, regional sales manager at CHEP and general manager at Rherig Pacific,” says Joe Futcher, technical products division president. “His waste industry experience and leadership will be key in strengthening customer relationships and driving sales as we continue to expand the compactor-baler portion of our business.”

Moley Magnetics Adds to Staff
Lockport, N.Y.-based Moley Magnetics Inc., a manufacturer of magnetic equipment, has hired Sandy Philpott as a territory manager. He will be responsible for servicing customers throughout Ontario and Quebec.

Philpott brings more than 30 years of experience in the scrap industry, including extensive experience working in the magnetic equipment sector.

Moley says Philpott will be involved with product development, improving direct sales and developing the company’s dealer network in the two provinces.

Contact information for Philpott and Moley’s other territory managers can be found at www.moleymagneticsinc.com

Hytrol Conveyor Adds to Staff
Hytrol Conveyor Co. Inc., Jonesboro, Ark., has hired Darren Lowitt as director of materials. Hytrol designs and manufactures conveyor equipment and controls.

Lowitt has more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing and supply chain management, including serving as supply chain manager for a multibillion-dollar aerospace company.

Hytrol says Lowitt will use his business experience to focus on strategic sourcing, cost reductions and vendor proficiency. He will work with Hytrol’s suppliers to meet strategic production schedules, which will support customers with superior on-time delivery and quality, the company says.

“I was attracted to Hytrol because of their outstanding reputation in the material handling industry,” Lowitt says. “I knew they were an industry leader and am fortunate to have the opportunity to work for a well-established and respected company.”

Bob West, Hytrol vice president of corporate development, says, “We believe Darren’s broad experience in supply chain and inventory management will allow us to increase supply chain proficiency and maintain accurate inventory control. These improvements will have a direct positive effect on our integration partners and customers.”