Personnel notes

Novelis names president and CEO

The board of directors for the Atlanta-based aluminum rolling and recycling company Novelis has announced that it has named Steve Fisher as the company’s president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Fisher previously held the position of chief financial officer (CFO) and has been serving as interim president and CEO since April 2015. He will continue to serve as CFO until a successor is named.

“Following a period of rapid expansion, Novelis is now focusing on maximizing the performance of its business,” says Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the board of directors of Novelis. “There is no better person to lead Novelis through this transition than Steve Fisher. Throughout his nine-year tenure, Steve has demonstrated extensive strategic and financial expertise and played a pivotal role in the company’s growth. We are confident that under his leadership Novelis will prosper and continue to strengthen its position as the innovative global leader in aluminum rolling and recycling.”

Since joining the company in 2006, Fisher has served in a number of executive positions. During his tenure as CFO, Novelis invested approximately $2 billion to transform and grow its business. Previously, Fisher served as vice president of strategic planning and corporate development, where he spearheaded major strategic, corporate and financial transactions across the company, most notably the discussions that led to the acquisition of Novelis by Hindalco in 2007, the company says.

“Over the past several years, Novelis has helped shape the future of sustainable design in transportation, packaging, electronics and architectural markets around the globe,” Fisher says. “I am honored to lead this great company and believe there are immense opportunities ahead for Novelis. As we move forward, we will remain focused on optimizing our manufacturing and recycling operations, serving as the preferred partner to our customers and continuing our growth in the premium markets of can, automotive and specialty products.”

Fisher is based at the company’s global headquarters in Atlanta.

Doug Sebastian retires from Harris

Doug Sebastian, vice president of sales and marketing at Harris Waste Management Group Inc., has retired.

The Georgia-based equipment maker says Sebastian will serve as a consultant “for an indefinite period of time,” working on specific projects assigned by Harris and its parent company, Avis Industrial Corp.

Sebastian began working at Harris in August 1993 as a sales manager for the Midwest region. In 1995, he became vice president of sales and marketing and relocated his family from Ohio to Georgia.

In a news release announcing Sebastian’s retirement, the company states, “Since Avis’ purchase of Harris on Dec. 31, 2013, Doug’s leadership has been invaluable in the area of sales and knowledge of equipment and the industry, as well as strong customer relationships. We wish Doug all the best and are grateful for his continued involvement at Harris.”

Sebastian says, “Avis has been kind to recognize my efforts. For that, I am most grateful and look forward to continue working with Harris and Avis as a consultant,” he continues.

WSRA names new executive director

The Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA) board of directors has chosen Anne Baunach as the association’s new executive director, effective July 1, 2015.

Baunach has a 20-year background in association and nonprofit organizations. Most recently, she was the director of Advancement for Agros International, an organization that focuses on alleviating rural poverty in Central America. At Agros, Baunach was responsible for fundraising, marketing and information technology.

Prior to that, Baunach was the national fundraising director for the U.S. Programs division of World Vision.

She is a graduate of Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and holds a certificate in fundraising management from the University of Washington.