Promotion for Arrow Fastener CEO

GreatStar Tools USA promoted Arrow Fastener CEO Gary DuBoff to Group President, CEO. In this position, DuBoff will have the overall responsibility of running GreatStar’s growing portfolio of US tool brands, including Pony Jorgensen, Goldblatt, Arrow, Prime-Line and Shop-Vac.

The move was announced along with promotions of Melissa Karlovitch to Group Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer; and James O’Rourke to the role of Group Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. 

The move follows shortly after GreatStar’s acquisition of Shop-Vac.

“As the GreatStar organization continues to grow, especially following its acquisition of the iconic Shop-Vac Corporation, it became apparent that a dedicated executive leadership team was needed to guide each of the GreatStar Tools USA brands and position those business units for long-term success,” said Lincoln Reichhelm, chairman, GreatStar Tools USA. “I’m confident the new GreatStar Tools USA leadership team, with Gary DuBoff at the helm, will ensure this strong focus and achieve the established strategic initiatives to support our growth in the tools category.” 

During his time leading Arrow, DuBoff successfully transitioned the business from a family-run enterprise to a professionally managed retail category leader, all while maintaining Arrow’s US manufacturing base in the face of heavy foreign competition. In 2017, he led the team that successfully sold Arrow Fastener Company to Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial Company and, in 2019, was named Executive of the Year by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association for his work in mitigating the impact of Chinese tariffs on US-based manufacturing. Before joining Arrow Fastener Company, he spent 17 years in a variety of sales and marketing roles at Masco Bath Corporation, serving the North American shower and bath categories. DuBoff graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a BA in communications.

In addition to Melissa Karlovitch and James O’Rourke, DuBoff’s team includes Prime-Line Products COO Paul Entwistle, the to-be-named Shop-Vac COO and a newly created COO role for Arrow Fastener.

In her new role as group VP, CHRO, Melissa Karlovitch will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the HR operation at each business unit, with the HR leaders at those business units reporting to her.

As the group VP, CFO and Treasurer, James O’Rourke will provide the strategic leadership and oversight for the finance and IT functions in each of the GreatStar Tools USA business units. O’Rourke joined Arrow Fastener Company as the Chief Financial Officer in 2018, and was also named CFO of Prime-Line Products in 2019

GreatStar Tools USA is part of Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial Co., Ltd., one of the largest hand tool manufacturers in Asia, specializing in designing and manufacturing high-quality products for DIY, professional and industrial markets globally.