Editor’s note: The following industry professionals have recently received appointments or promotions. To submit your company’s personnel news for possible publication in CoatingsTech, email publications@paint.org with “Names in the News” in the subject line.
Dunn-Edwards Corporation announced the retirement of Karl Altergott as president and CEO in February of 2025 after 16 years. The Dunn-Edwards Board of Directors and the Co-Presidents of Nippon Paint also announced that chief operating officer Monte Lewis has been promoted to CEO, effective March 1, 2025.
Altergott joined Dunn-Edwards in 2009. Under his leadership, Dunn-Edwards established a new manufacturing facility, completed a new corporate headquarters, expanded 75 store locations, invested in multiple IT and product development platforms, transitioned Dunn-Edwards as a family-run business to Nippon Paint, and built a competent leadership team.
Lewis has spent nearly 16 years leading the company’s sales. He was promoted to chief operating officer in February 2024.
In other leadership news, Nick Hess has been promoted to executive vice president. Hess has led the Dunn-Edwards Stores team for more than two decades and has helped the brand grow in the markets it serves.
Julian Cass has been named vice president of global sales at Shamrock Technologies, a New Jersey-based producer of specialty additives. Cass brings extensive experience in commercial leadership, strategic development, and market segmentation to Shamrock’s global team.
Cass has a strong background in international markets for coatings, inks, and polymers. In addition to working as an independent industry advisor, he previously led the Narrow Web North America business at Flint Group and the Metal Coatings Americas business unit at AkzoNobel. Earlier in his career, Cass spent 12 years in senior commercial and product marketing roles at General Electric.
“Julian’s strategic approach to sales and his ability to interpret and leverage market data will be invaluable as we continue to expand into new applications and markets,” said Michael Kellen, president of Shamrock Technologies.
PPG recently announced the following leadership changes within its industrial coatings business, effective January 1, 2024.
Juliane Hefel, currently vice president of specialty coatings and materials (SCM), has been appointed senior vice president of industrial coatings. In this expanded role, Hefel will continue her strategic and operational leadership of the global SCM business. She will report to Tim Knavish, PPG chairman and CEO, and will join PPG’s operating committee.
Hefel joined PPG in September 2022 from Henkel, where she held various leadership roles. She succeeds Irene Tasi, currently PPG senior vice president of industrial coatings, who is transitioning to the role of senior vice president and chief transformation officer. Tasi will continue to report to Knavish and remain a member of the company’s operating committee.
Xiaobing Nie, currently vice president of industrial coatings, China and global consumer products, and president of PPG Asia-Pacific, will take on additional leadership responsibilities for industrial coatings across the Asia-Pacific region. Nie will remain based in Shanghai and report to Hefel. She joined PPG in 2021 from DuPont, where she held several commercial and marketing roles, including Asia-Pacific leader for the company’s Shelter division.
Sheboygan Paint Company announced that Kelly Rundhaugen has joined the company as customer service manager. In this role, Rundhaugen will be managing and developing the company’s customer service operations.
Rundhaugen brings 15 years of experience in the customer service field, with experience in leading teams, driving process improvement, and significantly enhancing customer satisfaction.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lakeland University.
BYK-Gardner has appointed Silvia Dufils as head of Marketing Services & Global Communication. Dufils brings more than 25 years of experience in driving marketing communications for companies such as Bosch, Honeywell, and BMI.
Dufils will oversee all marketing initiatives, activities, and projects, as well as play a crucial role in enhancing the company’s online and offline marketing efforts.