Personnel News: Bayer, J.J. Mauget, Aquascape, Fecon, IPS Corp., LiveRoof

Supplier and manufacturer hires and promotions for the week of July 25.

Bayer Environmental Science Names Biological Development Manager

David Spak, Ph.D., has been named the new manager, biological development – turf and ornamentals, for Bayer Environmental Science, a business group of Bayer CropScience LP, the company recently announced.

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David Spak

Spak will be responsible for managing the turf and ornamental biology team at the Development and Training Center for Bayer Environmental Science in Clayton, N.C.  He will oversee activities associated with the plant health initiative, as well as the screening of new active ingredients, particularly herbicides. In addition, he will be responsible for collaborative research efforts with North Carolina State University.
 
Previously, Spak was the fungicide product development manager for Bayer for two years. During that time he coordinated the development of new products and provided technical support for the fungicide portfolio.  He has held numerous positions within the company, including field development and technical service representative for the Mid-Atlantic region.  His expertise includes the development of new products, as well as finding solutions to pest problems on golf courses and in lawn care.

Spak earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agronomy and turfgrass science from The Pennsylvania State University. In 1991, he received his doctorate in crop science from North Carolina State University, specializing in turfgrass physiology, plant growth regulators and herbicides. 


J.J. Mauget Announces New Director of Product Development

Reinforcing its focus on research and development, J.J. Mauget Co. announced the creation of a director of new product development position. Marianne Waindle, western region sales representative for Mauget, was promoted to the new position.
 
“Marianne has the passion and drive that we are looking for in this position,” said Nate Dodds, president of J.J. Mauget Co. “Her ability to work closely with suppliers and university and government personnel is a key component of bringing new, tested and proven chemistries to the market.”
 
Waindle holds a bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture and plant pathology and a master’s degree in integrated pest management from the University of Georgia, and has worked in a sales capacity for the past eight years. Waindle joined Mauget in 2006 as the west region sales representative.
 
Waindle’s responsibilities as director of new product development include working with potential suppliers to identify emerging chemistries, collaborating with universities and government agencies on product trials and tests and overseeing the workflow and completion of research and development projects.
 
Waindle is a member of the Pesticide Applicators Professional Association and the California Association of Pest Control Advisers, and is an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist.


Aquascape Promotes Regional Sales Managers

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JR Zibrun

JR Zibrun was recently promoted from his position as Territory Sales Manager to Eastern Regional Sales Manager for Aquascape in St. Charles, Ill. Zibrun will be responsible for leading four Territory Sales Managers and all of their respective sales an independent representative. Zibrun will be instrumental in the organization of his team, as well as  the development of strategic sales plans.
 
“This is a great test of character to reach within and challenge yourself to look outside life’s little box ,” Zibrun says. “This is such a dynamic company, ever evolving, that it really allows to make your way by helping to implement better policies through continuous input and perseverance.” 

 

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Matt Reed

In addition, Matt Reed promoted from his position as central region territory sales manager to western regional manager. Reed will be responsible for leading four Territory Sales Managers to ensure that they provide all that Aquascape has to offer the customer. Reed will also be instrumental in developing new programs and redefining existing programs to support Aquascape’s customer base.
 
“Everyday I am still amazed about the amount resources Aquascape has available to support contractors and retailers,” Reed says. “Just look at the number of individuals that travel North America to educate our customers. I am very excited to be a leader for this company because of the emphasis we place on customer service. This is a wonderful opportunity for me.” 


Fecon Announces New Technical Services Manager and New Regional Manager for Northeast, Canadian Markets

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Darden Whitaker

Fecon announced Darden Whitaker was hired as customer services manager and Anthony Nikodym was hired as regional manager for the Western Canadian markets.

Whitaker comes to Fecon with more than 17 years experience, in which he has held positions as president, director of operations, director of duality and program/product manager.

 

 

 

 

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Anthony Nikodym

Nikodym comes to Fecon with seven years experience serving as a business development manager, market manager and product development engineer.

 

 

 

 


IPS Corp. Adds to Board of Directors

Plastic pipe cement, industrial adhesive and plumbing products manufacturer IPS Corp. announced that Alan Barry, president and COO of Masco Corp., and Tom Fitzmyers, president and CEO of Simpson Mfg., have joined the IPS Corp. board of directors. IPS is a portfolio company of Calera Capital, a private equity firm based in San Francisco and Boston that has managed more than $2 billion of equity investments.

"Alan and Tom are very strong additions to our board," said Eric Bescoby, CEO of IPS Corp.  "As we continue to build an exciting enterprise, their broad building products' experience and deep knowledge around customer service, product development, manufacturing and logistics will provide great perspective to our organization."

Barry became president and COO of Masco in April 2003. Masco is one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer products for the home improvement and new construction markets. He joined Masco in 1972 as controller of Brass Craft Mfg.; a Masco division focused on plumbing products, and became president of the division in 1988.  In 1996, he was named a group president.  He also has served as chairman of the Plumbing Manufacturing Institute and as a member of the Institute's executive board.

Fitzmyers has served as CEO of Simpson Manufacturing since 1994. Simpson is a publicly traded international marketer and manufacturer of building products. He joined Simpson as president and as a member of the board of directors in 1983. Prior to Simpson, Fitzmyers was employed with Union Bank as a regional vice president.
 
Barry and Fitzmyers join Ed LeBlanc, former president of Kidde commercial and residential division, and Tracy Bilbrough, CEO of Generation Brands, as the independent directors of IPS Corp.


Advan Names New Product Manager

Catherine Fuhrman joins Advan as product manager to help drive the introduction and management of new third-party crop protection products. To gain maximum market penetration, Fuhrman will accelerate entry of Advan’s bio- and conventional pest control products into the turf, ornamental and agricultural markets.

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Cathy Fuhrman

“Cathy comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experiences, including product, program and communications management, as well as other numerous skills, such as supervising brand and product promotion," says Advan COO Tim Damico. "All these experiences will add value to Advan and to our customers.”
 
Prior to her position with Advan, Fuhrman worked for three Kansas City companies. She served as product manager for PBI/Gordon Corporation, programs manager for AdFarm and held several positions with Bayer CropScience.
 
Fuhrman holds Master's degrees in marketing and management from Rockhurst University and B.A. degrees in English and education from Avila University. An active member of the National Agri-Marketing Association, Fuhrman is a board member of the association’s MO-KAN chapter.
 
Fuhrman will fulfill her position with Advan from the Lee’s Summit, Mo. office.


LiveRoof Names Three to Specialist Positions

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Julie Ardner

Hortech, a 23-year-old Spring Lake nursery specializing in goundcovers and perennials has recently named Julie Ardner, Robert Kimball and John Scholten as sales specialists for its LiveRoof division.

Ardner brings extensive brand, sales and marketing experience to Hortech. Her previous accomplishments include brand manager at Stelter Partners, where she coordinated and wrote sales communications to the target markets. Ardner also held the role as project manager at Sphere Marketing, coordinating sales and tradeshow projects for customers. Ardner has a Bachelor's degree from Wayne State University.

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Robert Kimball

Kimball brings a wide-ranging background to Hortech. His experience prior to joining Hortech included consulting and material handler. Kimball was most recently employed by PermaLoc Corporation, where he utilized his innovation and creativity to develop customized sales collateral to strengthen presentations and sales. Kimball has a BS from Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich.

Scholten brings a broad-based horticulture background to Hortech. Scholten was most recently employed by Mill Creek Flowers, where he developed and managed business plans, and was responsible for the product mix of annuals and perennials. Scholten has a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.

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John Scholten

In assuming this new position, the sales specialists will play a role in guiding LiveRoof’s sales to the expanding green roof market. In addition to pursuing and accomplishing sales goals, responsibilities will also include conducting seminars and training sessions for architects, developers, roofers, building owners, project managers and installers.


 

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