People in composites: November 2023

Roth Industries announces new incoming CEO and managing director

Roth Industries board with Matthias Donges. (From left to right): Dr. Anne-Kathrin, Claus Hinrich, Matthias Donges, Marcus Schmidt and Christin Roth Jäger. Photo Credit: Roth Industries GmbH & Co. KG

Roth Industries (Dautphetal-Buchenau, Germany), the holding company of the Roth companies, announces that Matthias Donges, CEO and managing director of Roth Industries for 22 years, will be ending his professional career on Dec. 31, 2023. His successor will be Christin Roth-Jäger, previously COO of Roth Industries and managing director of Roth Werke GmbH.

“In more than 38 years at Roth, Matthias Donges has played a key role in shaping the fortunes of our family business,” says the Roth shareholder family. “His personal and professional skills have made him a sought-after partner for management and many employees in Germany and abroad.”

The 64-year-old from Dautphetal, who was responsible for Controlling at Roth before moving into top operational management, has distinguished himself in particular with his expert knowledge, vision and recognized personality: “The cooperation with Matthias Donges is highly valued by our business partners worldwide,” the Roth shareholder family, adds. “We can look back on extremely successful years together.”

Roth-Jäger will take over Donges’ duties as CEO at the turn of the year. After graduating with a degree in business administration, she initially gained professional experience in another industrial company before joining the family business in 2001. There she took on central management tasks, particularly in the areas of sales, marketing and strategic development. Like her siblings, Roth-Jäger has been a partner since 2004 and has been COO of the largest corporate sector, Energy Systems, since 2012.

As CFO, Claus-Hinrich Roth is responsible for the group’s international finances, while Dr. Anne-Kathrin Roth heads the Sanitary and Environmental Systems divisions as COO. Another member of the operational management of Roth Industries is Marcus Schmidt, who as chief administrative officer, is responsible for the entire administrative area of the group. Matthias Donges, the outgoing CEO, will remain available as a consultant beyond Jan. 1, 2024.

“Even with this new structure, our family business is well positioned for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Together with our employees, we will continue to develop the Roth companies sustainably, innovatively and successfully.”

Gefran appoints chief sales officer

Karston Just, Gefran Inc. chief sales officer.

Gefran Inc. (North Andover, Mass., U.S.) a manufacturer of industrial sensors, controls and instrumentation, has announced the appointment of Karston Just as the company’s chief sales officer. As the newest executive hire, Just will spearhead Gefran’s sales strategy, revenue generation and support for Gefran customers around the world.

“We gladly welcome Karsten to our team,” Gefran’s CEO Marcello Perini says. “He has been tasked with ambitious goals and as a multinational company, Karsten is responsible for growth in all our locations. We’re confident his managerial experience and fortitude make him the ideal candidate for this job.”

Just’s educational background and work experience are significant. After completing his degree in electrical engineering in 1990, he went to work for ABB Striebel & John, a manufacturer of energy distribution systems. He began his career as the company's technical sales manager and then advanced to the head of product development and management for the company’s low-voltage products division. In 2000, Just was promoted again to the group’s managing director.

In 2003, Just joined Weidmüller Interface, a manufacturer of industrial connectivity, interface and control equipment for automation applications. He served as its executive vice president of portfolio management. In 2005, he became the managing director of sales and marketing at Leuze, a manufacturer of industrial sensors, code readers and safety sensors for factory automation.

In 2012, Just became the chief sales and marketing officer for Bartec, a manufacturer of safety and explosion-prevention technology for the oil and gas industry. In 2016, Just joined Baumer Group, a manufacturer of industrial automation sensors and sensor systems, as its chief sales and marketing officer. Among other responsibilities at Baumer, he served on their executive board, managed 17 subsidiaries, and digitalized marketing processes for the company.

“It is with enthusiasm that I accept this new role at Gefran, a company that has always anticipated market trends and faced challenges, successfully,” Just adds. “The objectives, especially when ambitious, are achieved by teamwork and focusing on competence, flexibility and technical quality. I’m positive we’ll do a great job together.”

Virgin Galactic adds to board of directors

On Nov. 13, Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. (Mojave, Calif., U.S.) appointed Luigi Brambilla to Virgin Galactic’s board of directors. Brambilla is an experienced investment and capital markets executive with an 18-year track record of experience across the travel and leisure, wellness, entertainment and financial sectors — including 10 years at the Virgin Group.

“Luigi’s long history with Virgin Group, along with his extensive investment and capital markets expertise, make him an ideal fit for the role as we continue to build our Delta Class fleet and ready the business for profitable growth,” Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic, notes.

Brambilla’s appointment to the board fills the seat previously held by Evan Lovell, who served on Virgin Galactic’s board of directors until his passing in June 2023. Virgin Galactic’s board now includes nine directors who collectively bring significant experience in aerospace, manufacturing, safety, risk oversight, supply chain management, consumer experience and finance.

Brambilla currently serves as managing director of investments and capital markets at Virgin Group and is a member of the investment committee of the Branson Family office. He joined Virgin Group in 2013 and has served in various investment management roles over the past 10 years. Prior to that, Brambilla was an associate at private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice from 2010-2013. From 2006-2010, he was a European investment banking analyst for Citigroup.

Brambilla currently serves on the board of directors of Virgin Voyages and Virgin Atlantic and is a board observer for Virgin Red. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international economics and master’s degree in international management from Università Bocconi.

Verisurf Software increases Midwest sales support with new sales engineer

Michael Weidler, Verisurf Software Midwest sales engineer.

Verisurf Software (Anaheim, Calif., U.S.) has appointed Michael Weidler to the position of sales engineer in the Midwest region. Weidler will work closely with the existing regional sales and support team to best serve customers’ inspection and measurement needs.

Weidler joined Verisurf in June 2022, bringing with him shopfloor manufacturing experience, hands-on knowledge of SolidWorks and AutoCAD, and materials sourcing and component testing. He has become proficient in Verisurf Software and the many measurement devices available to solve customer metrology challenges. For the past 16 months, Weidler has been involved in improving internal processes at Verisurf and has trained customers, coworkers and hardware partners on the benefits of model-based definition (MBD) using Verisurf Software. He holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a minor in mathematics from Missouri University of Science & Technology.

“Verisurf continues to experience steady sales growth among job shops and OEM manufacturers,” says Pat Bass, director of sales for Verisurf. “Customers need smart metrology solutions that fit into their workflow and provide the data they need to be compliant and efficient. Michael moves into his new role as sales engineer for the Midwest, uniquely qualified and fully versed in Verisurf metrology solutions. I am pleased to have him on our team and that he can provide immediate customer value.”

ASK Chemicals Group welcomes new CFO

Andrea Bauer, ASK Chemicals Group CFO.

ASK Chemicals Group (Hilden, Germany) welcomes Andrea Bauer as new CFO, effective as of Nov. 1.

With a distinguished career in finance and a background as a tax advisor, as well as being a German and U.S. Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Bauer brings a wealth of expertise to her new role at ASK Chemicals. Her journey in the world of finance began at Price Waterhouse in Düsseldorf and Paris, followed by 3 years with KPMG in New York. After returning to Europe, Andrea held various key executive and non-executive board positions of renowned companies, including three Private Equity portfolio companies. Most recently, she served as a member of the executive board and CFO of Nobian B.V. Bauer continues to chair the audit committee of technotrans SE and serves as a non-executive supervisory board member.

“Andrea is an accomplished executive with a proven track record in the world of finance,” notes Frank Goede, CEO of ASK Chemicals Group. “We are excited to have Andrea on our management board. Her knowledge and experience in business and financial matters will be of greatest value to our organization as we continue to strengthen and grow ASK Chemicals.”

TPI Composites appoints COO of wind operations

TPI Composites Inc. (TPI, Scottsdale, Ariz., U.S.), announces that it has appointed Charles (Chuck) Stroo as COO, Wind, effective Nov. 27, 2023.

In his role, Stroo will lead TPI’s global wind manufacturing operations. Prior to joining TPI, he served in multiple, global operational roles at Collins Aerospace, most recently as vice president of power and controls operations. Stroo started his career with Collins Aerospace more than 20 years ago as an engineer before transitioning to operational roles. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University and a Master of business administration from St. Ambrose University.

“We are thrilled to have Chuck join the TPI executive team,” Bill Siwek, TPI’s CEO says. “Chuck’s broad-based, global operational background will help us continue to focus on operating our business efficiently in a challenging macro environment and position TPI for long-term, profitable growth.”