People News

Piscataway, New Jersey-based American Standard Brands President and CEO Jay Gould was appointed to the board of directors of American Standard’s parent company, LIXIL Corporation.

Gould joined American Standard Brands in January 2012. 

Over the course of the next 18 months, according to the company’s announcement, Gould executed a plan that quadrupled the company's EBITA, grew sales by 10 percent and improved gross margins by 700 basis points. 

Style Crest, a distributor and manufacturer of specialty building products based in Fremont, Ohio, has reorganized its leadership team.

Under the new executive structure, former CEO Tom Kern will stay on-board as chairman, Bryan Kern will fill his shoes as CEO, and Bill Vogel will serve as EVP sales.

In his new role, Bryan Kern will lead the company together with CFO Ty Frantz. He has been working for the company since 2005, serving in roles such as engineering manager, plant manager and VP operations (his most recent role).

James H. (Jim) Dudley, a veteran of 20 years in the treated lumber industry, has been named president of Fortress Wood Products, Inc., a division of The Lester Group based in Martinsville, Virginia.

Dudley joins Fortress from Culpeper Wood Preservers in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he was vice president.

Fortress is a wood treating company producing wood for residential and commercial use from three plants in North Carolina--High Point, Henderson and Elizabeth City.

Home technology services provider Vivint has appointed a new COO. Informed by 20 years of management and consulting experience, David Bywater will be overseeing the daily operations of the company.

"We are excited to welcome David to our team," said Vivint's president, Alex Dunn. "He has been extremely successful taking organizations to the next level. And because innovation and growth are trademarks of Vivint's culture, we felt his expertise and skillset were the perfect fit for our company as we continue to expand."

The upcoming Window & Door Manufacturers Association Annual Technical Conference will feature Robert Slater as a featured speaker on the latest developments in scanning technology.

Slater is VP of building automation and solid wood systems for Stiles Machinery. During his presentation, he will  review the latest technology advances in the area of rip and chop scanning to increase productivity, yield and profitability.

Lowe’s hired Michael P. McDermott in the newly created position of senior VP and general merchandising manager - building and maintenance. McDermott will be responsible for the Lumber & Building Materials, Millwork, Hardware & Tools and Rough Plumbing & Electrical divisions. He will report to Chief Merchandising Officer Michael A. Jones.

PVC and composite decking manufacturer Fiberon has appointed Shellie Sellards as its newest vice president of marketing. 

Sellards, who brings a proven track record of growth to the table, will be leaving her current position Owens Corning, where she held the position of director of strategic marketing -- insulation. She also worked at Trex and The Dannon Company.

A 42-year veteran of Annandale, Minnesota-based Malco Products, Don Schmidt announced his retirement from the company, effective June 26.

Schmidt has held positions as national sales manager, director of sales and promotion, VP sales and marketing and, for the past 18-years, executive VP.