Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC has announced that Michael E. Werner, presently Gerber's CEO, will also assume the role of president. Werner has been CEO since Feb. 2003, when the company's assets were purchased by Globe Union, an international manufacturer of plumbing products. Werner is also CEO and president of Chicago-based Globe Union Group, Inc. He replaces Frank J. Feraco, who has left to pursue other career interests.
In related news, Gerber Plumbing Corp. announced the following sales and marketing staff changes: Jeff Pratt is now Gerber's vice president of sales and will also continue as vice president of sales for Globe Union, and Ken James becomes national sales manager. Both Pratt and James are currently jointly responsible for the Northeast region. M.J. (Mutt) Davis will handle the Southern region. Jim Wilmsen will handle the Southwest region. Jim Darryl Wint will be the new Southwestern regional director. Mike Vinik, who is handling the Midwest region, will also serve in a dual role as national sales manager/commercial products. Eric Peterson, Northwest regional director, also serves in a dual role as national sales manager/builder services. Robert Perry has been named Gerber's vice president/sales for Canada. Yvan Legault recently joined the Gerber sales team after spending five years as regional sales manager/Eastern Canada for MAAX. Victor Post will serve as product development manager/vitreous china and will support Gerber's builders' services marketing programs. Tony Lett will serve as product development manager/commercial products. Post and Lett will work closely with Kevin McJoynt, Gerber's director of marketing. Ila Lewis, granddaughter of company founder Max Gerber, continues as chairman and remains active in daily operations, the company reported.
