People
Canadian Tire
Ken Silver is senior vice-president, real estate and strategy at Canadian Tire. Previously senior vice-president, real estate and construction, he now has responsibility for corporate strategy and mergers and acquisitions, as well as real estate and construction. Kristine Freudenthaler is senior vice-president, information technology and chief information officer. She has 20 years of expertise in technology applications, supply chain, and general management. Michael Medline is chief corporate officer and president, diversified businesses. In his expanded role, he now has accountability for all corporate functions except finance. Pat Sinnott is executive vice-president, technology and supply chain. Previously, senior vice-president, supply chain, he is now responsible for information technology as well as the supply chain. Robyn Collver is senior vice-president, secretary, and general counsel. Her extensive experience includes practicing securities, corporate, and commercial law. Sharon Patterson is senior vice-president, human resources. She has more than 20 years' experience in human resources.
Better Living Products
Sandy Love is national sales manager, Canada, at Better Living Products. She has spent time in sales with Rayovac and Remington as well as being a senior buyer with Canadian Tire. Dean Albonese is director of sales, USA. He has been with the company since 2002 growing the business in Canada. Anya Chparber is account manager. She has also been with the company since 2002 and has held positions as sales and marketing co-ordinator and, most recently, as product manager. Suzanne Mortensen is assistant manager, sales and marketing, and Noris Mascarin is director of marketing and innovation. Both were with Kingstar Products/DSH Inc., now known as Renin Corp.
RONA
Paul Jovian is senior vice-president, supply chain management, at RONA. In this role, he will be responsible for management of the company's entire supply chain. This initiative stems from its ‘2008-2011 Strategic Plan’ which aims at optimizing the network and supporting business growth.
Black & Decker
Adam Findlay is assistant channel marketing manager for Black & Decker’s hardware and home improvement products. He will be based out of the company’s Mississauga, ON office.
Can-Save
Wendy Camirand is division sales manager, specialty building products, at Can-Save. She is an 18-year veteran of the company with 16 of those in sales role. Dan O'Hara is division sales manager – doors. He will be shifting focus to managing sales in the company’s expanding door division.
RONA
Jean Gaulin is chairman of RONA's board of directors. He headed up Gaz Metropolitain, Ultramar, and then Ultramar Diamond Shamrock after the merger of Ultramar and Diamond Shamrock. Currently he is director of the National Bank of Canada, Groupe Saint-Hubert, Saputo, and Bombardier Recreational Products. Doris Bradstreet Daughney and Robert Sartor are directors to the board.
Home Depot
Jim Moncada is the merchant for paint at Home Depot Canada. He was formerly the paint buyer at Canadian Tire.
The Scotts Miracle-Gro
Brian Kura is senior vice-president, North America Sales, of The Scotts Company LLC. He began his career with the company in 1997, where he established the Lowe's Business Development Team. Prior to joining the company, he held positions with Chevron Chemical Company and Monsanto.
RenoWorks
Lena Ziebart is vice-president, operations for RenoWorks. Most recently, she worked for Critical Mass, a company that specializes in web design and customer experience.
Jiangsu Sainty Tools
George Aitcheson is in charge of sales and marketing for North America at Jiangsu Sainty Tools Corp. Previously, he spent several years working as a senior buyer of hardware, tools, and décor at TSC Stores.
Sea Gull Lighting
Paul Vrabel is director of the energy-efficient products group at Sea Gull Lighting Products. Prior to joining the company, he worked for ICF International, a global professional services firm.
Kamco Supply
Steven Adelman is regional sales manager at Kamco Supply. He has spent the last 20 years with USG Corp. working with contractors, distributors, and architects.
Masco
Timothy Wadhams is chief executive officer of Masco Corporation’s Board of Directors. He previously served as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Donald J. DeMarie, Jr. is executive vice-president. He was formerly the company's group president for the installation and other services segment. John G. Sznewajs is vice-president-chief financial officer. He previously served as treasurer and vice-president for corporate development. Richard Manoogian is executive chairman. He was previously the second chairman and CEO in the company's 78-year history, having succeeded his father, Alex Manoogian, who founded the company in 1929.
Stanley National
Dave Evans is general manager, hardware, Canada, for Stanley National Hardware. He joined the company a year ago as vice-president, sales and marketing.
Rust-Oleum
Dave Lypko is director of sales, national accounts, for Rust-Oleum Consumer Brands Canada. Most recently, he served as vice-president, general manager at Applica Canada. Doug Whaley is senior national accounts manager. Prior to joining the company, he served as director of sales at Henkel Consumer Adhesives.
NexCen Brands
Richard L. Platt Jr. is president of NexCen Brands, Inc.’s Waverly brand and NexCen’s home division. He comes to the company from Official Pillowtex, LLC, where he served as managing director and was responsible for brand direction and merchandising strategy.
Graham & Brown
Gary Gill is general manager at Graham & Brown Wallcoverings. He was formerly with Sherwin Williams as director of sales.
Boston Retail
Mitch DeBonville is vice-president of sales at Boston Retail. He joined the company in 2006 and, in his new position, will assume direct management of all sales activity and customer service support for business in North America and Latin America.
Generation Brands
Steve Harriott is president of Generation Brands’ Encompass Lighting Group (ELG). He previously served as vice-president of sales and marketing and, prior to joining the company in 2004, served as vice-president and general manager for the E. & J. Gallo Winery.
Wolseley
Paul Kennedy has been appointed to lead Wolseley Canada’s Ontario region. He will retain his current responsibilities as vice-president and district manager in Ferguson’s North Central district. His new leadership role in Canada furthers the integration of Ferguson and Wolseley Canada. He has been in the industry since 1988 and joined Ferguson in 2001 as part of the Westburne acquisition.
ACE
Rick Affolter is vice-president of finance and Rick Whitson is vice-president of retail support at Ace Hardware. Affolter joins Ace from HD Supply, Inc., a wholesale distributor of construction products, where he was director of finance. Whitson is a 29-year veteran of Ace and will now direct its 14 retail distribution support centres and six cross-dock facilities.
La Roche Joins TIM-BR MART
Philippe La Roche is commercial division manager at TIM-BR MART. He has spent the last 17 years with Beauchesne Group. For 13 of those years, he was directly involved in supplier negotiations as director, finance and business development, and later general manager.
All Weather Windows
Richard Scott is president and chief operating officer of All Weather Windows. He has served in a variety of senior roles in the company, most recently as vice-president and general manager. He has more than 20 years experience in the Canadian window and door industry, many of them spent in senior management positions.
Wal-Mart
Mike Duke, vice-chairman of its international division, will replace Lee Scott as president and chief executive of Wal-Mart Stores. Scott retires in February. Additionally, Eduardo Castro-Wright was promoted to vice-chairman, adding to his current titles of president and chief executive of Wal-Mart U.S.
RONA
RONA has made changes to its organizational structure in its operations and marketing sectors. This initiative stems from its 2008-2011 strategic plan and aims at helping the company to continue to grow while optimizing its entire network. All of its big box, proximity and specialized store operations which, until recently, were managed by separate departments, have been grouped together in one single department. Under the direction of Pierre Dandoy, executive vice-president, retail operations, this new department will include all corporate and franchise store activities across Canada. Dandoy was executive vice-president, big box stores, and has been with RONA since 2002. Claude Bernier is now executive vice-president, marketing and customer innovations. He has been with RONA for 10 years and most recently was senior vice-president, proximity and specialized stores. These activities will be spearheaded by a separate department and will fall under the direct responsibility of RONA’s president and CEO, Robert Dutton.
TIM-BR MART
Jon Irwin is director of marketing and merchandising at TIM-BR MART. He has spent 25 years in the lumber and building materials industry and for 17 years held key marketing and merchandising positions at Beaver Lumber and Homecare. He assumed national merchandising responsibilities with TIM-BR MART in 2005.
Canadian Tire
Stephen G. Wetmore becomes president and chief executive officer of Canadian Tire, effective the beginning of 2009. He will succeed Tom Gauld who is retiring from that role at the end of this year. Wetmore has led large, complex businesses in different industries including telecommunications, information technology, and transportation. Most recently, he was president and chief executive officer of Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund.
Sears Canada
Allen Ravas is senior vice-president and chief financial officer at Sears Canada Inc. He joined Sears Holdings in 1997 and has held senior roles in various finance portfolios including senior vice-president, finance, since 2005.
Can-Save
Mike Piggot is joining the sales force at Can-Save. He has 15 years experience in the industry and is well-known and respected by dealers around the province. He previously worked with Can-Save on the vendor side and, in 1996, he was awarded the Can-Save ‘Vendor of the Year Award.’
In-Sink-Erator
Jean Fobert is regional sales manager, Eastern Canada, for InSinkErator Canada. A professional in the plumbing industry with extensive experience in developing growth focused program for a variety of products, her area of responsibility will include Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces, where she will manage the sales agencies, develop customer relationships, and oversee all aspects of sales and service.
Mercier
Fred Hack is sales representative for the Mid-Atlantic territory for Mercier Wood Flooring. He has 30 years experience in the hardwood flooring business, most recently with Mohawk.
Dorel
Norman Braunstein is president of Dorel Industries Inc.'s home furnishings segment. He has played an increasingly important role within the segment since he joined the company in 2003. He has served as chief operating officer of Dorel Asia, as well as corporate vice-president COO of home furnishings.
Electrolux
Russell Minick is president and CEO for Electrolux Home Care Products (EHCP), the group’s operation for floor care and small appliances in North America. He most recently served as president of the Electrolux Central Vacuum Systems division.
LENOX
David Pirkle is president of industrial products and services for LENOX, a manufacturer of power tool accessories, torches, solder, and band saw blades. He joined Newell Rubbermaid in 2002 as vice-president of marketing for IRWIN Industrial Tools and was, most recently, president of the Amerock business.
Mercier
Patrick Blondin is sales director, exportation, at Mercier Wood Flooring. Currently the sales director for Canada, he will also lead the company development on exportation territories.
Russo Leaves Reed
Dean Russo, who oversaw the National Hardware Show, Lawn & Garden World, and the Homewares show, has left Reed Exhibitions. He served as a group vice-president and had taken over operation of the NHS in January, running this year’s show in Las Vegas, NV. He has been replaced by Ed Several who will oversee the PGA Merchandise Show, the PGA Fall Expo, and the Outdoor Sports Show in addition to the NHS.
Wilson Moves To Home Hardware
Dunc Wilson is director, national dealer development, at Home Hardware Stores Ltd. Formerly director of hardware for Groupe BMR, he will be expected to develop and manage a dealer development team and find new recruits to help it maximize its growth.
Calamari Rejoins Ace
Kane Calamari is vice president, retail operations, at Ace Hardware Corporation. He was most recently senior vice-president of sales for North America at Robert Bosch Tool Corporation. He previously held various positions, including retail marketing manager, at Ace between 1990-1998. Ken Nichols is senior vice-president, retail operations. He originally joined Ace in 1978 and was named vice-president, retail operations, in 2000.
TruServ Canada
Estelle Moore is human resource manager at TruServ Canada Inc. She has more than 20 years experience in human resources, primarily in the financial services sector. The majority of her career has been with the Royal Bank of Canada and, most recently, she was with the Assiniboine Credit Union.
TIM-BR MARTS
Phil Temple, regional buyer for building materials, has been designated as TIM-BR MARTS Ltd.’s ‘Green Buyer.’ In the position, he has a mandate to to proactively research and source additional environmentally-friendly alternatives to augment its current ‘green’ product line-up from existing and new vendors. His immediate efforts will concentrate on products pertaining to a home’s envelope – roofing, insulation, siding, etc.
T.S. Simms
Charles (Chuck) Martin is president of T.S. Simms. Beginning in 1983 as a production equipment mechanic, he has held a number of key managerial positions over the past 25 years, most recently acting as plant manager. Louis Trépanier is vice-president, sales, and Douglas Ells is plant manager. Trépanier has held many senior sales and marketing positions in the Canadian hardware industry. Ells has been with the company for 30 years, beginning as a summer student in 1975.
IRLY
Susan Robinson is president and CEO of IRLY Distributors Ltd. Mostly recently, she headed her own consulting business, PathMasters International. It provided business solutions in procurement, logistics, quality assurance, and research and development.
Home Hardware
Jack Baillie will take over the marketing efforts of Home Hardware’s hardlines and LBM divisions. He replaces Bruce Shuh who is retiring. For the past 10 years, Shuh was its director of marketing for hardlines. Under Baillie, the hardlines will be combined with the building materials side.
Cosella-Dörken
Peter Barrett is national product manager at Cosella-Dörken. In this position, he will direct the North American introduction of building products and technologies developed by the company. He is a 20-year veteran of the roofing products market.
Castle
Bob Delaney, of J. M. Delaney Lumber Limited in Stephenville, NL, is chairman for 2008/2009 at Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. Vice-chairman is Wayne Nelson, Nova Scotia Building Supplies (1982) Ltd., Blockhouse, NS; with Debra Piper, Powassan Building Center Ltd., Powassan, ON; serving as secretary-treasurer. Other officers are Don Butchko, Raydon Castle Building Centre, Moose Jaw, SK; Jack Crombie, Hudson Hardware & Supplies Limited, Hudson, QC; Daryl Dibblee, Hay River Building Supplies, Hay River, NWT; Mike Doyle, Jr., The Home Improvement Warehouse Ltd., Calgary, AB; Brent Perry, Alf Curtis Home Improvements Inc., Peterborough, ON; and Scott Targett, Targett’s Window & Door Centre Bldg. Supplies Ltd., Fredericton, NB.
Selkirk
John Vukanovich is vice-president – marketing for Selkirk Corporation. He was previously vice-president – marketing and commercial sales for Selkirk Canada. Bob Emmell, vice-president – sales for Selkirk Canada, will add responsibility for Canadian commercial sales.
Canadian Tire
John Jobin is vice-president, hardware, at Canadian Tire. He was business director, home décor and repair. T.J. Flood has been named vice-president, home, which includes indoor living, everyday essentials, home décor, cleaning products, and electronics.
Home Hardware
Christine Hand, of Handyman Home Hardware, Conception Bay South, NF, has become the first dealer to earn the Walter J. Hachborn Award twice. She was honoured at its recent dealer market.
CHHMA
Bill Calasina, of Bissell Canada, is chairman of the board of directors for the Canadian Hardware and Housewares Manufacturers Association (CHHMA). Gerry Byle, of Kaz Canada, is now past chairman with James Mumby, of Dynamic Paint Products, first vice-chairman. Peter Thomson, of Taymor Industries, is second vice-chairman and Doug Whaley, of Rust-Oleum Consumer Brands Canada, is treasurer. New board members are Dave McKellar, of Masco Canada; Kris Ovstaas, of Philips Lighting; and Mike Wilson, of Recochem.
Home Depot
Jamal Hamad is director of pro/tool rental services for the Canadian division of Home Depot. Formerly the district manger for the Toronto market, he has spent 17 years in operations and special projects for Home Depot.
TIM-BR MART
Excellence in customer service and going ‘above and beyond’ were recognized by Woodland TIM-BR MART when Dwayne Hagel was presented with the ‘Outstanding Sales Representative’ award for 2007. Greg Bartolotta, Woodland TIM-BR MART general manager, says it was well deserved as Hagel “exemplifies excellence in customer service. He has been recognized for superseding the expectations of criteria we aim for with our vendors.” Woodland TIM-BR MART has locations in Grande Prairie and Fairview, AB, and Fort St. John, BC.
H. Paulin
Murray Mateyk is chief financial officer for H. Paulin & Co. Limited. He brings more than 23 years of business and financial management experience to the company.
TruServ Canada
Rob Hagborg is national distribution centre Manager for TruServ Canada Inc. He has more than 20 years experience in logistics with Canada Safeway. During the last two years, he was director of distribution in Edmonton, AB.
Castle
Les Gillespie is business development manager, British Columbia region, for Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. He brings many years of industry knowledge and experience to the position, most recently serving with CanWel Hardware in British Columbia.
TIM-BR MARTS
Trevor MacDonald is manager of the commercial division at TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. He has more than 15 years of industry experience and has worked for companies such as Dietrich Metal Framing Canada, Patene Building Supplies, and Commercial Drywall Supply as well as CGC where he built industry relationships in the company’s sales division, eventually becoming regional sales manager.
BW Creative Wood
Rob Mitchell is president of BW Creative Wood Industries, a manufacturer of interior and exterior railing components, systems, and accessories, He has been with the firm for seven years, most recently as senior vice-president, sales and marketing.
Moen
Jerry Fairborn is national sales manager, commercial, for Moen Canada. Most recently, he worked as sales and marketing manager for eastern Canada at Dobbin Sales, a distributor for commercial plumbing products. With Moen, he will work with the wholesale sales force to grow its commercial business nationally.
Industry Hall of Fame
Al Johnstone, president of Salton Canada, and Leon Lapidus, president of The MIBRO Group, are the newest members of the Industry Hall of Fame. They were inducted April 1 at an Industry Gala Dinner sponsored by the Canadian Hardware & Housewares Manufacturers Association, the custodian of the hall. The Industry Hall of Fame was established in 1984 to recognize the achievements of industry leaders and pioneers.
BMF
Mike Frame has joined Burlington Merchandising & Fixtures Inc. (BMF) as general manager. His primary responsibilities are for sales and customer communications. He has had extensive industry experience with several industry leaders over the past 30 years. Mehnaz Aydemir has been added to its custom fixture and display capability. He has more than 15 years experience in three-dimensional design using a wide variety of materials.
BMR
Jean St-Maurice has been promoted to senior vice-president of Groupe BMR Inc. Since joining the company 1996, he has made a significant contribution to its financial development and growth as director of finance, executive assistant to the president, and, until recently, as vice-president, finance. Martin Juneau is vice-president, finance. Before joining BMR as director of finance in 2004, he worked for various manufacturing and high-tech businesses. Christian Nadeau is vice-president, hardware. He is well-known in the hardware industry both in Quebec and throughout Canada, having been an active participant over the last 17 years.
ADMACQ
Richard Darveau is now president and general manager of the Building Materials Retailers Association of Quebec (ADMACQ). He has held positions as executive vice-president and board member of the Laval Chamber of Industry and Commerce as well as, more recently, manager of store relations and development for IKEA France.
Brite
Kurt Lennarson is with the sales team at Brite Manufacturing Inc. The former vice-president of sales for Millenium Decking has more than 15 years experience in the building materials industry having worked for Sauder, Nelson Homes, and RONA.
Lowe’s
Cedric T. Coco is vice-president of learning and organizational effectiveness at Lowe’s Companies, Inc. Prior to joining Lowe’s, he was general manager of engineering excellence at Microsoft.
GTO
John Schieb is Mid-west territory sales manager at GTO, Inc. Before joining GTO, he was the national account manager for hardware supplier WW Henry Company.
Kingfisher
Ian Cheshire is group chief executive at Kingfisher. He comes to the company with experience in international home improvement retailing and knowledge of the Kingfisher businesses.
Roxul
Leanne Vatcher is western regional manager-retail at Roxul. She comes to the company from Steelhorse Freight.
CMI
Steve Fancher is managing director of CMI – Europe and Asia and has been appointed to the company’s lead management team. An 11-year veteran of CMI, he has served as sales manager, Japan and Korea; export manager, Europe; and sales manager, Masonite Formtec Korea.
Owens Corning
Curt A. Barker is vice-president, sales - North American Building Materials Distribution, at Owens Corning, the building materials systems and glass fiber composites company. He has 30 years of experience in the building materials industry and joins Owens Corning from Suncoast Roofers Supply, where he was president and chief operating officer.
IRLY
Eric Hodson is manager of the IRLY Building Centre in Sorrento, BC. He had previously managed IRLY Building Centres in Clinton, Prince Rupert, and Salmon Arm.
W. W. Grainger
Ronald L. Jadin is senior vice-president and chief financial officer at W. W. Grainger Inc.
Building Material Holding
Stanley Wilson is president and COO of Building Material Holding Corp.
