Stephen H. Swigart, Spartan Chemical Company, Inc. Chairman of the Board and CEO, announces the following Spartan Board of Directors elected personnel changes effective October 10, 2011.  

John Swigart has been promoted to the position of President.

John began his career with Spartan Chemical in 1999, working in various areas in the Plant, and then became an Area Sales Representative working with distributors in and around Tennessee.  In January 2001, John was promoted to the position of Distributor Relations Manager.  In October 2005, John was promoted to the position of Vice President, and in April of 2009, he was promoted to Executive Vice President.

In his new position as President of Spartan Chemical, John will continue to work closely with Corporate Management, with U.S. distributor relations, and will actively participate in sales conventions, trade shows, and industry organizations.  In the international field, John will also serve as President of Spartan’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Spartan do Brasil, as well as work closely with Spartan’s other South American affiliates.

Jim Lenardson has been promoted to the position of Corporate Executive Vice President.

Jim began his career at Spartan Chemical in January of 1976, working in the Plant as a production worker. Throughout his years at Spartan, JR has always worked in Operations. JR’s career evolved through promotions to the positions of Operations Manager, and then to the position of Vice President of Operations.  In April of 2009, Jim was promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations.

Dave Reed has been promoted to Vice President, National Accounts.

Dave was hired at Spartan in May of 1988 as a Divisional Manager for the Northeast, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest divisions.  In June of 1990, Dave transferred to Cincinnati as Vice President of Spartan’s distributor operation, The Seybold Company.  In September of 2004, Dave was promoted to the Home Office to manage a relatively new sales segment as National Accounts Manager.  Dave has been promoted to Vice President, National Accounts, and will continue to assist in developing national account markets and businesses.

Don Papenfus has been promoted to Vice President, Operations.  

Don began his career with Spartan Chemical in September of 1985 as a production worker in the Plant.  In 1987, Don was promoted to 2nd Shift Supervisor -- which was the startup of our 2nd shift operation.  In 1993, Don was promoted to 1st Shift Supervisor, and to the position of Plant Manager in 2002.  In March of 2006, Don was promoted to the position of Operations Manager, overseeing the Plant and the Traffic Department.  As Vice President of Operations, Don will oversee the Plant Operations.

These individuals have made significant contributions to Spartan Chemical.  The entire Spartan Board of Directors is confident and proud that these gentlemen will continue to lead the entire Spartan team and serve Spartan Distributors in the near and distant future.