Gene Barbato appointed to lead American Standard; Matthew Farwell tapped to drive DXV & GROHE Piscataway, N.J.― LIXIL Americas, pioneer of water and housing products that solve everyday, real-life challenges, today announced two new positions that will drive brand-led growth and market share gains. Effective immediately, Gene Barbato has been named the new vice president Read more
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Gene Barbato appointed to lead American Standard; Matthew Farwell tapped to drive DXV & GROHE
Piscataway, N.J.― LIXIL Americas, pioneer of water and housing products that solve everyday, real-life challenges, today announced two new positions that will drive brand-led growth and market share gains. Effective immediately, Gene Barbato has been named the new vice president of brand management for American Standard; Matthew Farwell has been selected as vice president of brand management for DXV and GROHE.
Both Barbato and Farwell are leading the organization to enhance the equity of the brands and accelerate breakthrough innovations. Each leader will have full profit & loss responsibility as well as accountability for creating a seamless brand experience across all touchpoints in the consumer journey.
“We’re excited to announce these organizational changes as the marketing organization within LIXIL realigns to drive brand growth across categories,” says Katty Pien, chief marketing officer, LIXIL Americas. “The moves are imperative, as there is a growing focus on being recognized by consumers as the most trusted and innovative water company, developing innovation in products and marketing to exceed consumer expectations.”
Gene Barbato, vice president, brand management for American Standard
Barbato
In this newly created position, Barbato will report to Pien, and is responsible for developing and delivering the overall American Standard brand growth plan, inclusive of all areas of the marketing mix.
Barbato brings more than 20 years of marketing experience in the consumer packaged goods and healthcare industries working across a diverse set of brands and categories. Prior to joining LIXIL, Barbato was the U.S. wellness lead for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare where he drove all aspects of brand development, communications, profit & loss, agency management, innovation and business delivery.
Barbato holds a B.A. in Political Science from The University of California, Los Angeles and an M.B.A. from New York University, Stern School of Business.
Matthew Farwell, vice president, brand management for DXV and GROHE
Farwell
As steward for both brands, Farwell will also report to Pien and steer the progressive vision for the iconic properties in the portfolio. From growth to tactical marketing, Farwell will oversee all functional areas related to the brands.
Prior to his current position, Farwell served as senior managing director for GROHE, responsible for the development and execution of the GROHE brand strategies across the Americas, with responsibility for working across all functional areas related to the brand. Previously, he was senior director of national accounts, at LIXIL, responsible for strategic planning and implementation of programs across all Ferguson market segments for the American Standard, DXV and GROHE brands.
Water-Right®, a leading independent original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the water treatment industry, is proud to announce the promotion of Melanie Jayjack as the organization’s marketing manager. Jayjack was previously the brand manager for Water-Right® in charge of their Evolve and WaterCare brands. She will continue to use her skills to progress the marketing division across all Read more
Melanie Jayjack
Water-Right®, a leading independent original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the water treatment industry, is proud to announce the promotion of Melanie Jayjack as the organization’s marketing manager. Jayjack was previously the brand manager for Water-Right® in charge of their Evolve and WaterCare brands. She will continue to use her skills to progress the marketing division across all brands and distribution channels.
“Melanie has shown her work ethic and leadership skills and has transformed our marketing team into the success it is today,” said Luke Java, director of sales and marketing. “She began at Water-Right® five years ago and has stepped up in every circumstance to unselfishly get the job done. We are thrilled to see Melanie take on this new role and continue to grow our marketing efforts.”
Jayjack will now be responsible for high-level duties, which have become an essential part of the Water-Right® marketing team. She will manage the core branded channels and the “Go to Market” planning through wholesale distribution, Clear Choice Water Group and CustomCare®. She continues to use her skills to provide service and support for customers and lead the rest of the marketing team.
Christine Van Sickle
Christine Van Sickle has joined Water-Right to assume the position of brand manager at the organization. Van Sickle will provide support to the Evolve® and WaterCare® brands, including website management and social media campaigns. She will work with the team to develop brand plans and strategies and provide support to professional dealers through product advertising.
In continuing its commitment to innovative jobsite solutions to expert tradespeople around the world, RIDGID® is pleased to announce the addition of Mitch Barton to the RIDGID Global Press Connection team, where he will serve as Marketing Director. In this new position, Barton will manage product development, partner relations and new business opportunities for the Read more
In continuing its commitment to innovative jobsite solutions to expert tradespeople around the world, RIDGID® is pleased to announce the addition of Mitch Barton to the RIDGID Global Press Connection team, where he will serve as Marketing Director. In this new position, Barton will manage product development, partner relations and new business opportunities for the growing line of RIDGID press tools.
Barton brings several decades of marketing and product development experience to his new role. Previously, he served as Director, Global Project Management for Performance Health in Akron. In this role, he transformed the product management group from a support organization to a high performing team leading projects and decision making across the organization. At RIDGID, he brings this innovative outlook to the Global Press Connection team, helping them strengthen their focus, responsiveness and global connectivity solutions in the pressing category.
“Looking at the needs of our end-user – the professional tradesperson – is critical to our overall product development strategy. Mitch understands this ‘consumer-first’ mindset and will help us continue to take a more holistic view towards new tool technologies,” said John Ruese, VP & General Manager of Global Press Connection at RIDGID.
In addition to more than 30 years of marketing experience across a variety of industries, Barton also holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degree from Bowling Green State University.
Emerson’s professional tools business, which includes RIDGID as well as the Greenlee and Klauke brands, provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally. Visit emerson.com/professionaltools for more information.
Home services management software provider continues to build world-class executive suite with new chief revenue officer and vice president of worldwide sales. ServiceTitan, the world’s leading all-in-one software for home services businesses, has appointed Ross Biestman as the company’s chief revenue officer and has named Rikus Pretorius as vice president of worldwide sales. As Read more
Home services management software provider continues to build world-class executive suite with new chief revenue officer and vice president of worldwide sales.
Ross Biestman (left) and Rikus Pretorius (right)
ServiceTitan, the world’s leading all-in-one software for home services businesses, has appointed Ross Biestman as the company’s chief revenue officer and has named Rikus Pretorius as vice president of worldwide sales.
As CRO, Biestman will lead ServiceTitan’s high-performance revenue, marketing and field operations organizations. Since January of 2018, Biestman has served as vice president of worldwide sales for ServiceTitan and has seen the sales organization grow across the U.S. and Canada to meet the growing demand for automation in trade businesses.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with an incredible company that I believe in wholeheartedly,” Biestman said. “Our mission at ServiceTitan is to empower home service businesses with an extraordinary technology platform that drives their success by helping them deliver outstanding service to their customers. Our best in class offering and strong culture have helped us build something truly remarkable.”
Before joining ServiceTitan, Biestman was vice president of sales for the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region for business software platform Lithium Technologies and a co-founder of the panoramic camera technology startup Stealth HD, which was acquired by Amazon. Biestman’s previous experience also includes Adobe Systems. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and earned a master’s from the University of Oxford’s Said Business School.
Pretorius joins ServiceTitan as vice president of worldwide sales to manage and continue building the field sales organization through ServiceTitan’s next phase of growth and customer acquisition. He previously served as the vice president of enterprise sales at Dialpad, a leading cloud-based communications platform, as well as in key sales and field operations roles at Lithium Technologies and Salesforce.
“The home contracting industry offers so much opportunity for growth and modernization with technology,” Pretorius said. “But the personal impact ServiceTitan makes in customers’ lives is what’s truly inspiring. The company’s impressive growth is a reflection of the meaningful difference their product is making on the ground.”
“Ross and Rikus have impressive records of achievement in technology sales and management,” said Ara Mahdessian, CEO and co-founder of ServiceTitan. “They helped lead sustained periods of growth at proven technology companies, and they bring important experience with cloud-based subscription software to ServiceTitan. Most importantly, they understand the specific expectations and needs of our customers, and they’re passionate about delivering value and reliability to the hard-working men and women who depend on our service.”
ServiceTitan was founded by Mahdessian and Vahe Kuzoyan in 2012 when they discovered there were few software options to recommend to their fathers, both of whom were tradesmen. ServiceTitan raised more than $200 million in two rounds of venture financing in 2018, including a $165 million Series D, the largest venture round of a SaaS company in the history of Southern California. The company has more than 700 employees worldwide and more than 3,500 client businesses throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.servicetitan.com.
Silverstein began the legacy of quality craftsmanship and innovation alongside a deep commitment to California manufacturing. The California Faucets family is mourning the loss of its founder, Fred Silverstein, while celebrating the indelible legacy he leaves behind. Silverstein, who passed away April 28, 2019, at the age of 86, created California Faucets in 1988 on Read more
Silverstein began the legacy of quality craftsmanship and innovation alongside a deep commitment to California manufacturing.
The California Faucets family is mourning the loss of its founder, Fred Silverstein, while celebrating the indelible legacy he leaves behind. Silverstein, who passed away April 28, 2019, at the age of 86, created California Faucets in 1988 on three pillars: handcrafted quality, quick delivery, and superior service. Thirty-one years later, Fred’s guiding principles continue to define California Faucets as one of the country’s most beloved manufacturers of decorative fittings, including faucets, shower fittings, and drains.
“My father was a born entrepreneur who was not afraid to take innovative risks, but his guiding principle was, ‘Do the right thing.’ He cared deeply not only for the company itself, but for all the people it touched—employees, customers, and suppliers,” says Jeff Sliverstein, California Faucets’ President & CEO. “His true greatness was simply the way he lived his life, how he treated people, and the priority he placed on his family.”
In 2017, the Decorative Plumbing Hardware Association inducted Silverstein into its Council of Fellows. A charter member of the organization, Silverstein’s contributions over the years included supporting annual scholarships, providing manpower behind the scenes, and encouraging employees and peers to become involved. The honor was reflective of the iconic founder’s dedication to the industry throughout his career.
Silverstein’s legacy will live on in the memories of his extended family at California Faucets, and most deeply in the hearts of his wife, Sonia; three children, Jeff Silverstein, Tina Silverstein, and Sue Cuthbert; as well as five grandchildren and a close-knit extended family. Much to Fred’s deep pride, all three of his children and a cousin now work at the Huntington Beach factory, where they lead the company into the future.