People in Composites: October 2021

Composites United eV announces management role change

On Sept. 30, Composites United eV (CU, Berlin, Germany) general manager Alexander Gundling (64) ended his full-time position in the association as planned. Gundling has held this position together with Dr. Gunnar Merz since 2019. The CU was created in January 2019 through the merger of two pre-existing associations, Carbon Composites eV (CCeV), and CFK Valley eV.

Gundling has closely accompanied and shaped the CCeV in its development since the association was founded in March 2007. He was responsible for the business field of innovation and environment at the IHK Schwaben, a founding member of the CCeV. Gundling also played a key role in the merger of the CCeV with the CFK Valley eV and was the managing director of Composites United, which was newly founded in 2019. When looking back on the past few years, he reflects “It was and is my concern to reveal and apply the immense potential of carbon fiber-based lightweight construction. For the climate-neutral economy of the future, this technology is part of the solution.”

“[For] over 14 years, Alexander Gundling has given many fundamental impulses with his expertise, and promoted the further development of the association and the interests of the CU members in the political arena sustainable representation of the stage in Berlin,” notes Prof. Dr. Hubert Jäger, spokesman for the Presidium of Composites United eV. “He has built up and established important structures regionally, nationally and in the DACH region and played a key role in initiating the leading-edge cluster, MAI Carbon. I would like to thank him on behalf of the Presidium, our members and the entire team for his many years of passionate commitment.”

Prof. Dr. Dieter Meiners, spokesman for the Presidium of Composites United eV and Dr. Merz also give their thanks to Gundling’s hard work.

From October 1st, 2021, Dr. Tjark von Reden (44), together with Dr. Merz, will be the general manager of Composites United eV and will be responsible for the operational areas of administration, technology, education, events as well as public relations and marketing. Dr. Merz takes over the management of the areas of strategic development, internationalization, technology centers as well as politics and lobbying. The new dual leadership with the focus of the areas of responsibility on operational and strategic issues is intended to further increase the efficiency and dynamism of the association.

“I am pleased to be able to continue the successful work of Alexander Gundling. He has progressively developed the association and with the merger has also set the final course for the future,” says Dr. Reden and adds with regard to his future area of ​​responsibility: “Hybrid fiber composite materials can and will face the changed expectations and requirements for sustainability and resource conservation. Here, together with our members, I want to set new impulses and communicate innovations and proposed solutions in the social sphere.”

Vertical Aerospace appoints chief operating officer and new test pilot for VA-X4 eVTOL.

Harry Holt, Vertical Aerospace chief operating officer.

Electric aviation company Vertical Aerospace (Bristol, U.K.) announces the appointment of Harry Holt as chief operating officer (COO). The announcement further strengthens Vertical’s well-balanced senior leadership team and draws from industry leaders in the aviation, energy, engineering and technology sectors. 

Harry is joining Vertical from his current role as chief people officer at Rolls-Royce (London, U.K.). Harry served as a member of the Rolls-Royce executive team managing its people strategy and with responsibility for more than 50,000 employees globally. Previously, he led Rolls-Royce’s Nuclear Business in support of the Royal Navy’s Submarine Programme and the civil nuclear power markets worldwide, as well as previously being group operations strategy director. Harry began his career in the British Army, fulfilling some of the most demanding roles both as a commander on combat operations and as a strategic planner in the UK Ministry of Defence.

As COO, Harry will reportedly focus on implementing Vertical’s operational and manufacturing strategy, establishing its governance, contro, and assurance framework and leading the business’ government relations efforts. This will be a crucial role as Vertical continues to deliver on key operational milestones in the production of the composite VA-X4, Vertical’s zero operating emissions electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Further, as a strategic partner for Vertical, this announcement helps strengthens the relationship with Rolls-Royce and highlights the companies’ coordination and sharing of world-class expertise.

“It is an exciting time to join the high calibre team that Vertical has assembled,” notes Holt. “It is clear that the VA-X4 is going to revolutionize short-haul air travel. I am proud to have the opportunity to play a part in transforming aviation while also delivering on our objective to achieve a net-zero economy.”

Justin “Jif” Paines, chief testing pilot.

Vertical also announced the addition of Justin “Jif” Paines as its chief test pilot. Paines joined Vertical from Joby Aviation (Santa Cruz, Calif., U.S.), where he held the same role for the past three years. He is expected to conduct the first piloted flight of the VA-X4 in 2022.

Arkema Group appoints Anthony O’Donovan president and CEO, Arkema Inc.

Anthony O’Donovan, CEO, Arkema Inc.

A transition of leadership in Arkema Inc. (King of Prussia, Pa., U.S.) will be effective Nov. 1, with Richard Rowe retiring and Anthony O’Donovan replacing him as president and CEO. In this role, O’Donovan will oversee Arkema activities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. In addition, he will be the regional head of Arkema Group in North America.

O’Donovan brings to his new role diverse and global experience. He has held a range of manufacturing, supply chain and business leadership roles for Degussa Specialty Chemicals (Evonik, Corp., South Africa) and for FMC (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.). O’Donovan joined Arkema Inc. in 2013 as global supply chain director for Fluorochemicals. Most recently, he served as regional group president for Arkema’s Fluorochemicals business in the Americas. He holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D., both in chemical engineering, from the University of Cape Town.

“I’m excited to take on this role at such an exciting time for Arkema,” O’Donovan says. “Arkema Group has transformed itself since its creation a decade and a half ago, becoming a global leader in specialty materials with a focus on offering the most innovative and sustainable solutions to meet our customers’ needs, today and tomorrow. We are well on track to achieve our goal to become a pure specialty materials company by 2024.”

Rich Rowe retires after a long and successful career, Arkema says, having held a range of global business leadership roles for Bostik Findley, Atofina Inc. and Arkema Inc. Since 2015, he has been responsible for Arkema’s activities across much of the Americas, with a focus on driving strategic growth through both organic and M&A projects. During his tenure as president and CEO, the North American region has delivered significant improvements in safety performance, talent development and driven new business development. He helped launch multiple initiatives including the Arkema Arena Awards, Commercial Excellence initiatives and an Executive Leadership Development Program. Rowe has been a board member for the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and served on ACC’s Global Strategy, Responsible Care and Board Sustainability Committees. He also has been an Executive Committee member of the Society of the Chemical Industry.

“My time with Arkema has been extraordinarily satisfying,” concludes Rowe. “I have been privileged to lead an organization blessed with so many wonderful, talented and determined people. It has been a highlight of my career and I will be watching as Arkema continues its journey to provide specialty materials that help our customers enable a more sustainable world.”

Carbitex announces senior leadership transition, appoints new CEO

New Carbitex CEO, Rob Langstaff.

Flexible carbon composites company Carbitex (Kennewick, Wash., U.S.) announces the retirement of Ron Boninger following 4.5 successful years as CEO. Under his leadership, Boninger built strong partnerships and commercialized product with 14 footwear brands including adidas, Scott, DC Shoes, Burton and Radar Skis, in eight footwear categories. Through strategic investments the company tripled production capacity, invested in key leadership hires and increased revenue six-fold since 2017. Boninger leaves a legacy of strength in leadership, proven market success and exponential growth.

In succession, Carbitex appoints footwear industry veteran, Rob Langstaff as CEO. With more than three decades of experience in the performance footwear market, Langstaff began his career with a sixteen-year tenure at adidas, including executive roles at adidas Japan where he grew the brand to be market leader in under six years. In early 2006, Langstaff returned to the U.S. to hold the president role at adidas North America. He returned to international business in late 2013 to serve as senior vice president of Asia-Pacific/Latin America of Brooks Running (Seattle, Wash., U.S.), and most recently served as vice president of International Business at Keen Footwear (Portland, Ore., U.S.) for another four years. 

“Rob is an exceptional and engaging leader with deep footwear expertise and a focus in performance products,” says Junus Kahn, Carbitex founder. “His extensive experience spans brand, operations, product and global retail that will bring fresh perspective and insights to continue to elevate Carbitex in the global marketplace.”

Langstaff is a former collegiate track athlete who previously held the U.S. Air Force Academy record for the 1500-meter run. Out of the office, he stays active through skiing, golfing and mountain climbing. He’s received his Level 1 certifications in both ski tour avalanche safety and as a wine/sake sommelier. Fluent in German and proficient in Japanese following his years living abroad, Langstaff currently resides in Portland, Oregon with his family

KrassMaffei reports management change for France business

It was announced on Oct. 7 that Christophe Longuet has taken over management of the KraussMaffei (Munich, Germany) business in France. Effective Jan. 1, 2022, Longuet will take the helm of KraussMaffei Group France S.A.S. as president. His predecessor, Jacques Socquet, will focus on the Netstal business in France with immediate effect and take over management of the newly established Netstal company in France as of this date. Netstal returned to operating independently within the KraussMaffei Group in October 2021.

Longuet carries more than 15 years of international sales and marketing experience, including positions as commercial director, France, and marketing director, Southern Africa, in the automotive and renewable energy industries.

“This is an important milestone for our strategy, which will consolidate KraussMaffei as a first-class solution provider for the plastics and rubber industry in France,” notes Tobias Daniel, vice president, sales new machines and chairman of the Board of Directors KraussMaffei France. “By strengthening our French team, we will ensure a first-class customer experience throughout the lifecycle. Under Longuet's leadership, all sales and service activities for the entire KraussMaffei portfolio, including injection molding, extrusion and reaction process machinery, will now be bundled in France and the resulting synergies will be further exploited.” 

“I am looking forward to the new challenges and working closely with the excellent team in France,” says Longuet, concerning his new duties. “The common goal is to further strengthen our business in the French market, where KraussMaffei holds a leading position. We want to achieve this by introducing new products, services and processes and by focusing on innovation. I am sure that in this way we will bring about a positive change for KraussMaffei France.”

Lockheed Martin elects John Donovan to board of directors

John M. Donovan, Lockheed Martin independent director.

Lockheed Martin Corp.’s (Bethesda, Md., U.S.) board of directors has elected John M. Donovan to the board, effective immediately. The board determined that Donovan is an “independent director” in accordance with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing standards, the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the corporation’s corporate governance guidelines. Donovan will serve on the corporation’s Classified Business and Security Committee.

Previously, Donovan served as CEO of AT&T Communications LLC (Dallas, Texas, U.S.), a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T Inc., from August 2017 until his retirement in October 2019. He was chief strategy officer and group president of AT&T Technology and Operations from January 2012 through August 2017, and chief technology officer of AT&T Inc. from April 2008 through January 2012. Prior to AT&T, Donovan was executive vice president of product, sales, marketing and operations at VeriSign Inc. (Reston, Virg., U.S.), an internet infrastructure company. He also was chairman and CEO of inCode Telecom Group Inc., where he helped shape strategy for wireless carriers worldwide, and was a partner with Deloitte Consulting, where he was the Americas telecom practice director.

Donovan is chair of the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee; a board member of Palo Alto Networks, a global cybersecurity company; and the author of multiple books on organizational leadership and advanced networking.

Montalvo names new North America director of sales and service

Russ Hall, Montalvo North America director of sales and service.

On Oct. 20, Montalvo (Gorham, Maine, U.S.), international specialist in web tension control, promoted Russ Hall to North America director of sales and service. Hall’s primary responsibilities are overseeing Montalvo’s North America sales team by building, managing and maintaining new business strategies. In addition, Hall will be developing relationships with Montalvo’s existing and new industry partners.

“We are excited to have Russ lead our North America sales and service efforts. Having served as our field service manager, he has a breadth of knowledge about our products and our customers’ applications and processes, being able to find solutions where other companies cannot,” says Montalvo’s CEO Bryon Williams. “His natural leadership capabilities will raise the bar for our internal and external sales teams delivering better web control throughout the market. Our customers will truly enjoy working with Russ even more closely now, as we continue to bring new innovations and solutions to them.”

Hall holds an undergraduate degree in biomedical technology and a graduate degree in NGO leadership and development. Over the last 30 years, Hall has held service, sales and management positions with multiple technology companies. He moved from Alaska to Maine two years ago and joined the Montalvo technical and sales team at that time.

Montalvo announces European director of sales and service

Montalvo Europe director of sales and service Mike Cunningham.

As of Oct. 28, Montalvo has hired Mike Cunningham as its new Europe director of sales and service. Cunningham will oversee Montalvo’s European sales and service efforts, implementing Montalvo’s regional strategy, increasing and developing the sales service and support for Montalvo across EMEA. His primary responsibilities include: developing and coordinating partnerships, forming new alliances with key players while bringing new innovations into the market and leading both Montalvo’s direct sales, technical and customer service teams, as well as its resellers and distributors.

“This is exciting for all of us here at Montalvo, as we are expanding our European foothold and market,” says Montalvo CEO Bryon Williams. “Mike brings an exciting energy to the team and the market, with a unique perspective and customer focus to which our customers are already responding well. In addition, Mike is bringing new ideas and innovations to our growing business while expanding our reach and responsiveness in the EMEA region. We look forward to what the future holds.”

Cunningham has a background in product design and engineering and complex bespoke industrial solutions with a bias towards computing and networking solutions in the manufacturing industry. He also holds an engineering degree from the Brunel University School in London.