Oakleaf makes management changes

Oakleaf is implementing significant upgrades for spring, 2010. The company-wide improvements are focused on three core areas: business process, operational logistics and service consistency. Employee meetings, work sessions and planning groups created both the vision for the upgrades and the momentum for change.

Changes include the addition of Mario Harik and George McGinn.

Harik is the new chief information officer. Harik joined Oakleaf in early 2009 as the senior vice-president, research and development.

Harik’s IT knowledge began as an undergrad at the American University of Beirut, where he earned a degree in Computer and Communications Engineering, followed by an ME in Information Technology from MIT.

Prior to joining Oakleaf, Harik was chief technology officer at Tallan, a nationwide professional services firm focusing on enterprise-scale software systems implementation and integration.

Oakleaf also welcomed George McGinn who will serve as executive vice president – Legal and Government Affairs. In September 2009, McGinn joined as a consultant for New Mountain Capital, backers of Oakleaf. McGinn was also a partner in the law firm Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC in Nashville and EVP, general counsel for Physician Reliance Network in Dallas, Texas.

Metso board committees members elected

Metso Corporation’s board of directors elected members among the board for the audit committee and remuneration and HR committee at its assembly meeting.

The board’s audit committee consists of Pia Rudengren (chairman), Maija-Liisa Friman and Erkki Pehu-Lehtonen.

The board’s remuneration and HR committee consists of Jukka Viinanen (chairman), Mikael von Frenckell, Christer Gardell and Yrjö Neuvo.

Michael Bohn named VP, planning for Severstal

Michael W. Bohn has been promoted to vice president, corporate planning, for Severstal North America.

He succeeds David A. Howard who was named vice president and general manager at Severstal Sparrows Point.

In his new capacity, Bohn will lead Severstal North America’s efforts to improve efficiencies among all operations, focusing on various business systems and processes that affect coordinated production and delivery to the customer.

Bohn most recently served as general manager of corporate information technology for Severstal North America. He joined the company in 2008 at its Severstal Columbus, Mississippi, facility as manager of planning and logistics.

A steel industry veteran with 34 years of experience, Bohn also worked with Mittal Steel, Acme Steel and McLouth Steel.

Ranck elected chairman of Liquid Environmental

Liquid Environmental Solutions announced the election of Bruce Ranck as non-executive chairman of the board of directors. Ranck has been a board member since 2003 and will provide leadership in the continued development of the company’s business and growth strategy.

Ranck was the chief executive officer of Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI) from 1995 through its sale in 1999.

Prior to assuming the position of CEO, Ranck served in increasingly responsible roles at BFI, including president and chief operating officer. He was elected to the board of BFI in 1990. After the sale of BFI, Ranck served as the chairman and chief executive officer of Tartan Textile Services, a linen management services company serving the healthcare and hospitality industries from 2002 to 2005.

Ranck has served on the boards of Furon Company, Chase Bank of Texas and SITA. Ranck currently serves as a director of Dynamex and Quanta Services.

Greenstar appoints Matt Delnick as new CEO

Houston-based Greenstar North America, a recycler in North America, announced the appointment of Matt Delnick as its chief executive officer.

Delnick joined Greenstar in 2008 as chief financial officer and was recently promoted to chief executive officer by Greenstar’s parent company, NTR plc.

Hurco makes company leadership changes

Hurco Companies, Inc., announced that Gerhard Kohlbacher has been elected to the board of directors and John P. Donlon has been named executive vice president of Worldwide Sales and Service, according to a Hurco spokesperson.

Kohlbacher advanced to president of Hurco GmbH in Munich, Germany, during his 28 year career. Under his leadership, Hurco GmbH developed markets in former eastern bloc countries and consistently maintained profitability throughout his organization.

Donlon has 30 years of experience in executive leadership positions for multi-national corporations involved in process, automation and control technologies. Most recently, Donlon was vice president of United States sales for Motoman Inc., a subsidiary of Yaskawa. He has extensive international experience and a track record of increasing international sales by restructuring strategic organizations and developing collaborative partnerships in key markets. Donlon has held executive positions at Image Guide, Inc., Alstom S.A., Honeywell and Asea Brown Boveri.

CNH appoints VP, Europe Construction Equipment

CNH announced the appointment of Henrik Starup as vice president, construction equipment Europe. Reporting to James E. McCullough, president and CEO of CNH Construction Equipment Business, Starup is responsible for further developing and strengthening the Case Construction Equipment and the New Holland Construction brands positioning in the marketplace.

Starup joins CNH from IVECO, and brings to his new role over 20 years experience in sales and marketing gained through leadership positions held in Denmark, the Nordic countries, Germany and at European level for the heavy, medium and light line. Most recently, he was general manager for the German market, building IVECO’s exposure and market share in this country.

Labrie appoints Tim Hurst as regional sales manager

The Labrie Environmental Group announced the appointment of Timothy Hurst as regional sales manager for the southwestern United States.

Hurst has 14 years of prior experience in executive management and industrial sales with Ingersoll-Rand, McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing and Volvo, in addition to distribution development and customer support.

The southwestern United States is an important region for Labrie and Hurst will bring his prior knowledge of the refuse and recycling industry to focus on further developing business opportunities.

Los Alamos Lab awards waste contract

TerranearPMC LLC, was awarded a $100 million contract from the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to haul and dispose waste from the cleanup of Cold War era test facilities. Last year, Los Alamos received money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to demolish and remove buildings in its so-called Technical Area 21. Project officials estimate cleanup operations will generate about 50,000 cubic yards of rubble from demolished buildings and excavated soil, enough to fill a football field to a depth of about 25 feet. The company promises to transport the waste material in certified metal containers with waterproof covers. Uncontaminated material will go to a nearby industrial landfill, while material that tests positive for radioactive residue will go to an EnergySolutions facility in Clive, Utah. Under the Recovery Act, all work must be completed by September 30, 2011.

TIA Environmental Advisory Council adds Brian Hesje

The Tire Industry Association added Brian Hesje, chairman of the board of Fountain Tire, to a seat on the new Environmental Advisory Council. Hesje will replace Jim Pangle, also of Fountain Tire, on the committee.

Hesje is a past CEO of Fountain Tire and currently serves on the board of directors of the Alberta Recycling Management Authority. Fountain Tire is one of Canada’s largest tire retail chains, with 140 stores.

Gordon Shaw joins E-Z Pack Manufacturing board

E-Z Pack Manufacturing, LLC has appointed Gordon Shaw to its board of directors. The former president of Marathon Equipment Co., Shaw joins industry icons Ted Flood and Fred Leach on the E-Z Pack board.

Shaw began his career at Marathon in 1981 in sales. He moved through the ranks at Marathon, becoming vice president of sales and marketing, executive vice president, and then president in 2003. Under Shaw’s tenure, Marathon evolved into an industry leader in the design and manufacture of waste processing and compaction equipment.

Always active in the industry, Shaw served three terms as chairman of the Waste Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC), two terms on the WASTEC board of governors, and is currently chairman of the board of trustees of the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA). He was named WASTEC Member of the Year in 2003, and in 2006 was inducted into the EIA Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for select industry leaders who have made significant contributions to both the waste industry and their local communities.

BHE, Inc. joins PRAB’s network of representatives

PRAB’s extensive line of conveyors and chip and fluid management systems are now being represented by Bill Payne of BHE, Inc. in Ludington, Michigan.

Payne brings more than 35 years of experience in process engineering.

CRES hires Tony Frank as new executive director

The Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) announced that Tony Frank has joined the nonprofit organization as its new executive director. The CRES board of directors selected Frank from more than 80 applicants. Sheila Townsend, former executive director, will remain with CRES as operations director.

Frank brings extensive experience in renewable energy policy to CRES and has been involved in projects in Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico since 2004. Prior to joining CRES, he was manager of development for Compass Wind, and director of renewable energy development for Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU). At RMFU, he led renewable energy programs to support agriculture producers that develop projects for such resources as wind, solar, small-hydro, biofuels, carbon sequestration and energy efficiency technologies. He recently served on the Colorado Task Force.

Globe Specialty Metals acquires Core Metals

Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. announced its acquisition of Core Metals Group, LLC, a producer and marketer of high-purity ferrosilicon and other specialty steel ingredients. Globe paid $52 million in cash for the Company, which was owned by the Ospraie Funds. The Company, headquartered in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, services the steel, chemical and other industrial markets and anticipates no disruption of service to customers.