Personnel News: Staff Announcements from Around the Industry

CARSON INDUSTRIES PROMOTES BURNS. John Burns has been named vice president of sales, professional and commercial businesses for Carson Industries, producer of HDPE grade level enclosures and equipment pad solutions. Burns was promoted from his position as director of sales for the same department. As vice president of sales, Burns will continue to be responsible for the development and profitable growth of the professional and commercial markets. He will also continue to report to Leo Lovato, vice president of sales and marketing.

NAVISTAR NAMES KOS DIRECTOR OF INVESTOR RELATIONS. Navistar International Corp. recently announced the appointment of Heather Kos as director of investor relations. Kos joined the company in 1997, most recently serving as director of truck group strategy for International Truck & Engine Corp., Navistar’s operating company.

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone with Heather’s hands-on experience and working knowledge of the operating aspects of our truck and engine groups to lead the strategic development and execution of the company's investor relations program," said Bill Caton, Navistar executive vice president and incoming chief financial officer. Kos will be working closely with Caton and Terry Endsley, Navistar vice president and treasurer, to deliver the company’s message to the financial community.

SHINDAIWA ADDS SANDBERG TO PRODUCT DESIGN TEAM. Shindaiwa Handheld, has assigned Rhyc Sandberg to its design studio team as development engineer. Sandberg will assist with new product design both in Tualatin and in Hiroshima, Japan.

“This company is known for superb equipment,” Sandberg says. “I’m a mechanical engineer and I very much like the idea of helping create new products here. I also look forward to using my background in Japanese language and culture. Sandberg has worked at Hughes Aircraft in Tucson, Ariz as a production, test and design engineer, and Ball Aerospace in Boulder, Colo., as a test engineer. From 1992 to 1995, he was with Japan Engineering Experts in Nagoya, adapting CAD software for the Asian market. He served Spatial Technology as a test engineer and training specialist and NetTest (now Photon Kinetics) as an applications engineer. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering and physics.

“Rhyc is exactly the kind of versatile, well-backgrounded contributor we’re looking for here,” says Rod Harms, Shindaiwa’s product development manager. “His experience, ideas and energy are going to help us.”

TETRAPOND NAMES NEW LAWN & GARDEN MANAGER. TetraPond has promoted Chris Davidson to business unit manager for the lawn and garden channel. In this position, Davidson oversees the wholesale lawn and garden sales team in the United States that serve water gardening retailers. He is responsible for developing sales programs and policies to promote pond products in the lawn and garden channels. In his past 11 years with Tetra, Davidson’s U.S. territories have included the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Midwest, and Southwest.
 
 “TetraPond is committed to helping its retailers build successful water gardening departments and growing educated pond enthusiasts,” said Mark Long, strategic sales development for Tetra. “We’re pleased that Chris will lead our pond-dedicated team to achieve growth in the category and interest in the hobby.”