AB&I Foundry is pleased to announce the promotion of Shannon Hooper to National Sales Manager of AB&I Foundry, a leading manufacturer of cast iron soil pipe and fittings and couplings for the plumbing industry. Hooper, along with his new duties as the National Sales Manager is responsible for the management of AB&I’s sales team and Read more
People in the News
AB&I Foundry is pleased to announce the promotion of Shannon Hooper to National Sales Manager of AB&I Foundry, a leading manufacturer of cast iron soil pipe and fittings and couplings for the plumbing industry.
Hooper, along with his new duties as the National Sales Manager is responsible for the management of AB&I’s sales team and manufacturer’s representatives and, will continue his responsibilities managing the McWane Plumbing Technical team. His primary goals will be to enhance AB&I’s value and relationships with distribution and mechanical contractors. During his six-year tenure, Shannon has served in the Technical Group where he has demonstrated expert knowledge on engineering and technical projects, training, and industry codes and standards. He has also served as an AB&I Regional Sales Manager where he has demonstrated an ability to grow enduring relationships and preference for AB&I’s products.
“We are pleased to welcome Shannon Hooper as National Sales Manager of AB&I Foundry. Hooper has 20 years of experience in both the building and plumbing industries. His understanding of our product offering and customer base will further enhance our commitment to providing an outstanding customer experience,” said Michael Lowe, General Manager of AB&I Foundry.
“AB&I makes great products that I can confidently stand behind. Being part of the McWane Plumbing Group has allowed me to learn and understand how our products contribute to the overall safety and performance of a building,” said Hooper. “The positions I have held and the education I have received has afforded me a tremendous amount of insight which I’m looking forward to sharing with our team.”
Hooper in previous positions worked as a Project Manager for a Construction Company in Colorado.
Shannon is an Indiana native who enjoys spending quality time with his wife Jen and his two children Peyton and Chase. As a family, they enjoy skiing, swimming and other outdoor activities. Shannon attended the Colorado State University system and recently completed his M.B.A at The University of Colorado.
Atlanta—Rheem announced two key global leadership appointments. Chris Peel has been promoted to president and chief executive officer of Rheem Manufacturing Company with global responsibility for all business operations. In addition, JR Jones has been named executive chairman of the board of Rheem Manufacturing Company. For the past 10 years, Peel has served as Rheem’s Read more
Chris Peel
Atlanta—Rheem announced two key global leadership appointments. Chris Peel has been promoted to president and chief executive officer of Rheem Manufacturing Company with global responsibility for all business operations. In addition, JR Jones has been named executive chairman of the board of Rheem Manufacturing Company.
For the past 10 years, Peel has served as Rheem’s president and chief operating officer. Currently, he is also the chairman of industry trade association, Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).
Jones will continue to provide guidance for Rheem’s vision and strategy, in addition to his board responsibilities. Jones has served as the president and chief executive officer of Rheem for a decade.
“Rheem has made–and continues to make–significant investments in our people, products, operations and brands as part of our strategy to be the preferred supplier to our customers and customer to our suppliers,” said Peel. “The result has been an unprecedented period of growth and the solidification of our position as a global industry innovator. I am grateful for JR’s leadership in preparing me for this new challenge and look forward to advancing the strong vision we have for Rheem’s future with an outstanding leadership team and talented, dedicated employees worldwide.”
Before joining Rheem in 2008, Peel held varied leadership positions with Lennox International, United Technologies Corp. (Carrier Corporation), and the Delphi Automotive Systems division of General Motors. He also served as an officer in the U.S. Navy and holds a master’s degree in Management and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, both from Purdue University.
JR Jones
“Chris has been intimately involved with Rheem’s vision and growth plans, and his guidance has helped us expand globally and strengthen our market position,” said Jones. “I am proud of his leadership and the team he has built around the world with the Rheem family of brands. I am also honored to serve as the executive chairman of the board and am eager to see Rheem continue its commitment to innovation, while maintaining our core values of ethics, integrity and respect.”
Prior to his tenure at the helm of Rheem, Jones served as the company’s chief operating officer and as the president of both the Air Conditioning and Water Heating Divisions. He also held varied leadership positions at Lennox International and The Trane Company. Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas (UofA), was elected to the UofA Engineering Hall of Fame in 2003, and received the UofA Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Engineer Award in 2005.
ECR International, headquartered in Utica, NY, recently appointed Michael Klas to Director of Sales and Marketing. Klas’ responsibilities include overseeing the company’s brand and channel management as well as to lead the North American sale team. Klas comes to us from Uponor, a world leader in PEX tubing, where he held the title Director of Read more
ECR International, headquartered in Utica, NY, recently appointed Michael Klas to Director of Sales and Marketing. Klas’ responsibilities include overseeing the company’s brand and channel management as well as to lead the North American sale team.
Klas comes to us from Uponor, a world leader in PEX tubing, where he held the title Director of Sales for the Eastern region. He was responsible for both the heating and plumbing sides of the business with P&L responsibility, and led a team of RSMs, Commercial Managers, FSRs and manufacturer’s reps.
Prior to joining Uponor, Klas spent five years with Viessmann in New England and previously held similar sales management positions with HTP and Lochinvar.
Mike is a degreed engineer from North Carolina State and comes to us with a wealth of experience in hydronics with much of it focused on condensing boilers and in-floor heating. His background, technical knowledge and experience will allow him to quickly contribute to ECR and serve our customers.
“Michael’s multi-faceted background in the hydronic industry and his significant experience within the high efficiency segment will serve him well in leading our North American sales and marketing teams,” said Ron Passafaro, CEO, ECR International. “Mike has experience in all steps in our distribution channel and understands the needs of distributor and contracting customers. We look forward to his leadership to increase market penetration throughout North America across all of our brands and products.”
Ashland City, Tenn.— A. O. Smith has announced the appointment of Jeffrey T. Ogan as director of product management and technical support for its North America Water Heating business unit. In his new role, Ogan is responsible for leading the business unit’s residential and commercial product management teams. In addition, he will manage the company’s Read more
Ashland City, Tenn.— A. O. Smith has announced the appointment of Jeffrey T. Ogan as director of product management and technical support for its North America Water Heating business unit.
In his new role, Ogan is responsible for leading the business unit’s residential and commercial product management teams. In addition, he will manage the company’s residential, commercial, and tankless technical call centers in Ashland City, Tenn., and Johnson City, Tenn.
“Jeff brings extensive product knowledge along with the customer’s perspective to his new position,” David R. Warren, president and general manager-North America Water Heating, observed. “He is an enthusiastic and effective leader and is well suited for this role.”
Ogan joined A. O. Smith in 2013 as a product manager, responsible for the gas tankless line of water heating products. His duties included product development, segment sales and profitability growth, and support to operations.
In 2015, he was named a senior product manager; in this role, he led the product development efforts for all North American residential new products.
Prior to A. O. Smith, Ogan served in operations and business development for Sisler Companies of Marion, Ohio, a major supplier to the appliance industry. From 2008 until 2009, he was vice president of operations for Phase 2, LLC, of St. Louis, Mo., a design, sourcing, marketing, and sales company serving the consumer products industry.
Jones Stephens announces that Chas Short joined the company as the Southeast Regional Sales Manager. Based in Birmingham, AL, Chas will be managing southeast sales representatives. In addition, Short will also be focusing on driving Jones Stephens’ key channel specific strategic initiatives with wholesalers and contractors. Mr. Short brings with him six years of sales Read more
Jones Stephens announces that Chas Short joined the company as the Southeast Regional Sales Manager. Based in Birmingham, AL, Chas will be managing southeast sales representatives. In addition, Short will also be focusing on driving Jones Stephens’ key channel specific strategic initiatives with wholesalers and contractors.
Mr. Short brings with him six years of sales experience with Pfister and Kwikset. Chas also has proficiency working with builders, plumbing contractors, and plumbing wholesalers in key markets.
About Jones Stephens
Jones Stephens is a manufacturer of plumbing specialty products with a well-established brand name in the industry. With 18,000 SKUs within 14 product categories, Jones Stephens provides the broadest and deepest selection of innovative, hard-to-find specialty and common plumbing products. Primarily servicing the commercial and industrial market, Jones Stephens continues to develop and add superior products to help maximize the competitive position of its wholesale customer partners. Jones Stephens is headquartered in Moody, Alabama, with additional distribution centers in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and Valencia, California. Jones Stephens’ competencies, along with their extensive product offering, allow them to say with confidence, “We Got It”. For more information, please visit http://www.jonesstephens.com.