Distribution leaders representing diverse markets came together in Washington January 24-26 for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributor’s (NAW) Executive Summit. Choosing a distributor from the paper industry, NAW members elected Sydney “Tucker” Jones III, president of Hudson Valley Paper Co., Albany, N.Y., to be chairman of the influential association. Jones succeeds William A. Parsley, president of Carswell Distributing Co., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Other distribution leaders who were elected to new positions include: Robert Reynolds of Graybar Electric, St. Louis, elected chairman-elect, and Raymon A. York of Ewing Irrigation Products, Phoenix, elected first vice chairman.

More than 20 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate talked casually about the economy and other matters with NAW members at an event hosted by the association’s political action committee.

OBITUARIES

The jan/san industry saw the passing of two of its valued members in recent months.

Edwin Bigelow, a former national sales manager for Cook Composites and Polymers, Kansas City, passed away on December 1, 2004, at age 68. Bigelow began his jan/san career working in resin synthesis at Freeman Chemical in Port Washington, Wis. Well known in the polymer coatings industry, it was said that he “never knew a stranger.” He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Sutton Bigelow, and two children.

Edward Johnston Jr., 53, died in his residence in Norfolk, Va., in February. Johnston was vice president of Albemarle Supply Co., Inc. He was a member of the Young Executives Society (YES) of the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA). He is survived by his parents, sister, daughter and nephew.

COMPANY NOTES

The Fairbank Corp., Puerto Rico, a jan/san distributor and building service contractor, recently announced that the company is celebrating its 56th anniversary in 2005.

“We’re very proud that we have evolved our business offerings over three generations to meet the changing needs of Puerto Rico’s industries,” says Susan Fairbank, vice president of marketing for the company.

The founder of the company, Miles H. Fairbank, started his business distributing aged rum to the United States, but after WWII American demand for rum diminished, and he began his career as an international jan/san distributor.

PLAYERS

Chase Products Co., Broadview, Ill., a 78-year-old manufacturer of jan/san aerosols, recently announced that Judith Rossi Albazi has been appointed president and chief operating officer. As president, Albazi, who joined Chase in 1974, assumes responsibility for all day-to-day operations at the manufacturing facility.
Advantage Marketing Associates (AMA), Chicago, an international alliance of wholesalers of janitorial, foodservice, safety and maintenance products, recently announced the addition of Jim Farquharson as national sales manager. Based in Minneapolis, Farquharson will work on national accounts for North America.

J. Tech Sales, a Boca Raton, Fla.-based specialty chemical distributor, recently announced the appointment of Jodi Allen to national sales manager. Allen has extensive in-field experience working with maintenance products, including formulation, design research, product management, and sales management. Prior to joining J. Tech Sales in October 2004, Allen worked as a technical account executive servicing the maintenance products and graphic arts’ markets.

Kathy McVicker has joined J. Tech Sales as a senior account executive. McVicker has more than 20 years of experience in the maintenance products marketplace as both a chemist and an account executive. In her new role, McVicker will service part of the Midwest region.

National Chemical Laboratories Inc., Philadelphia, recently announced the appointment of Richard Hall to regional sales manager. Hall is now responsible for sales and distributor support in Georgia and Alabama.
RJ Schinner, New Berlin, Wis., a jan/san re-distributor with branches in Ohio and Minnesota, recently announced that Dave Pierro has joined the company’s management team. Pierro comes to the company with more than 20 years of experience in the paper industry.

Betco Corp., Toledo, Ohio, recently announced a new addition to the company’s corporate accounts department: Carson Anderson was named corporate accounts manager for the southeastern part of the United States.

Chris Keene has been named category manager of equipment for Betco. In his new position, Keene will work closely with Walter Anderson and other executives of PowerBuff, which was recently acquired by Betco, to develop new equipment and products.

Curt Hitchner has been promoted from regional manager to category manager of floor care. Hitchner has more than nine years of experience with Betco. He will manage and develop Betco’s floor care line.

The International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA) recently announced that Michael Lindsey, principal of Lindsey & Lindsey Consulting, Winston-Salem, N.C., has been invited to serve on IEHA’s Information and Resource Committee. The committee consists of executives from diverse building-management groups, including hospitality, healthcare, education, consulting, contracting and others.  

Brown Smith Wallace LLC (BSW), St. Louis, a full-service CPA and business consulting firm for the jan/san industry, recently announced that Jeff Gusdorf has been promoted to principal, recognizing his more than 20 years of experience as a financial manager and technology consultant. Prior to joining BSW, Gusdorf was president of Financial and Computer Solutions, which BSW acquired in 2002.

Zephyr Manufacturing Co., Sedalia, Mo., a manufacturer of mops, brooms and brushes, recently named Bob Schneider national sales manager. In the past, Schneider held various positions for White Mop Wringer Co., including national sales manager, vice president of sales & marketing, and president.

Bunzl Distribution, St. Louis, recently announced that Patrick Larmon, president and CEO of Bunzl, has been appointed an executive director of Bunzl plc, London.

AFFLINK, Tuscaloosa, Ala., a strategic organization of more than 530 independent distributors, recently announced that Jim Walker has been named vice president of packaging. Walker has been with AFFLINK since 2002 as director of packaging.

Unger Enterprises, Bridgeport, Conn., recently announced that Bill Fosselman has been hired as western regional sales manager. Fosselman is responsible for all sales activities in the western United States and Canada.

Clark National Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill., recently announced that it has taken over Regal Foodservice, and Jeff Ireland has been promoted to division president of the company’s new West Palm Beach branch.




POSTED ON: 3/1/2005