Watts has announced new leaders for several key business units as it continues to strengthen its commitment to customers. Jim Koepsell has been appointed the General Manager of Watts’ Drains and Industrial businesses. Previously, Koepsell led Watts’ Commercial Operations organization. He is responsible for Watts’ cast iron, BLÜCHER stainless steel, and Orion chemical waste drainage Read more
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Watts has announced new leaders for several key business units as it continues to strengthen its commitment to customers.
Jim Koepsell has been appointed the General Manager of Watts’ Drains and Industrial businesses. Previously, Koepsell led Watts’ Commercial Operations organization. He is responsible for Watts’ cast iron, BLÜCHER stainless steel, and Orion chemical waste drainage solutions, along with Watts’ Mueller Steam industrial strainer, check valve, and butterfly valve solutions.
Atul Sharma has been appointed the Director of Watts’ Commercial Operations and General Manager for Watts’ Syncta business. Previously, Sharma led multiple strategic projects for Watts and served on the Corporate Strategy & Business Development team.
Carlos Haddad has been appointed General Manager for Watts’ Dormont Gas Business Unit in addition to his existing role as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development (Americas and Europe). He is responsible for Watts’ Gas connector and Gas safety systems for residential, commercial, and food service applications.
“In appointing these leaders, we are positioned to provide the highest level of support to our customers,” according to Andrew Windsor, Watts Senior Vice President, Sales. “As always, our top objective is to deliver the products and solutions that will help our customers succeed.”
For more info, watts.com.
RPA Executive Director and IAPMO’s Vice President of Advanced Energy Programs Les Nelson Passes Away
Ontario, Calif. — With deep sadness IAPMO announces the passing of Vice President of Advanced Energy Programs Les Nelson. Nelson died last week at his home in Corona, California. He was 66. Nelson joined IAPMO in January 2012, bringing extensive industry knowledge and experience to The IAPMO Group’s rapidly expanding solar energy profile. He also brought Read more
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Jim Paschal, P.E., LEED AP, Chief Technology Officer, Aquatherm North America, has been named Member of the Year by the Building and Construction Division of the Plastics Pipe Institute. Paschal has been chair of the PPI Polypropylene Pressure Pipe Steering Committee since its inception in 2017. He has led efforts to update product standards for polypropylene piping Read more
Jim Paschal, P.E., LEED AP, Chief Technology Officer, Aquatherm North America, has been named Member of the Year by the Building and Construction Division of the Plastics Pipe Institute.
Paschal has been chair of the PPI Polypropylene Pressure Pipe Steering Committee since its inception in 2017. He has led efforts to update product standards for polypropylene piping systems, and is working to develop a new ASTM test method for PP-R and PP-RCT materials. Paschal has been instrumental in defining the type of work to be initiated and keeping members engaged.
“As Chair of PPI’s Polypropylene Pressure Pipe Steering Committee, Jim Paschal is generous with his expertise about PP piping systems,” said Lance MacNevin, P.Eng., Director of Engineering, Plastics Pipe Institute. “He is instrumental in the development of technical projects, and building consensus among committee members. For example, Jim is leading efforts to update several product standards for polypropylene piping systems.”
“I’ve worked with PPI in various capacities for many years, and have always had great respect for everything this organization and the members do to promote the safe and effective use of plastic piping,” Paschal said. “I’m incredibly honored to have received this award from the PPI Building and Construction Division.”
The Taco Family of Companies Executive Chairman and owner John Hazen White, Jr. has announced the promotion of Cheryl Merchant to Chief Executive Officer of the 100-year old, third generation family-owned company. Merchant, who joined Taco in 2019, was previously President of Global Operations. “During her time at Taco, Cheryl has proven herself a capable Read more
The Taco Family of Companies Executive Chairman and owner John Hazen White, Jr. has announced the promotion of Cheryl Merchant to Chief Executive Officer of the 100-year old, third generation family-owned company. Merchant, who joined Taco in 2019, was previously President of Global Operations.
“During her time at Taco, Cheryl has proven herself a capable and talented leader. I feel confident that our company will continue to move in a positive direction under her leadership. This promotion demonstrates the full confidence and trust that the White family has in her,” said White.
White added, “I will remain actively involved in the company. This executive transition will allow me to focus on global growth of the company as well as continue to nurture and strengthen the crucial relationships we have with our employees, reps, suppliers, customers, and the communities where we work.”
Prior to joining Taco, Merchant spent the last 19 years as the President and CEO of Hope Global Industries, based in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
Ontario, Calif. — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), in recognition of his vital work in Washington, D.C., and across the globe, has promoted Dain Hansen to Executive Vice President of Government Relations. Since joining The IAPMO Group in 2010, Hansen has overseen an unprecedented expansion of the association’s influence among government Read more
Ontario, Calif. — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), in recognition of his vital work in Washington, D.C., and across the globe, has promoted Dain Hansen to Executive Vice President of Government Relations.
Since joining The IAPMO Group in 2010, Hansen has overseen an unprecedented expansion of the association’s influence among government policymakers both in the United States and abroad, including notably India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, where national standards based on IAPMO’s codes have been established. Hansen manages IAPMO’s global policy interests before foreign governments, U.S. Congress, the White House, federal and state regulatory agencies, and state legislatures.
Further, Hansen has guided IAPMO’s work with the U.S. Department of Commerce to help facilitate exports of U.S. plumbing products abroad and with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ensure continuation of the popular and highly effective consumer product labeling program, WaterSense.
Hansen has also served as the chairman of the High-Performance Buildings Coalition (HPBC), a private-sector coalition of stakeholders who provide guidance and support to the High-Performance Buildings Caucus of the U.S. Congress.
He also helps manage International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH), The IAPMO Group’s charitable arm. In this role, Hansen made great strides in developing IWSH into a well-recognized and highly regarded philanthropic entity in the water sector. He has organized and participated in Community Plumbing Challenge projects, bringing clean water and safe sanitation to people who lack them, in Nepal, India, South Africa, Indonesia and in Navajo Nation here in the United States. He will continue his important role with the IWSH team.
“Since joining IAPMO almost 10 years ago, Dain has ascended to be a trusted and competent member of IAPMO senior staff,” said IAPMO CEO GP Russ Chaney. “I’m proud of the work our Government Relations team has accomplished under Dain’s direction.”