Platform trailer provider Fontaine Trailer Co. announced that it has promoted Alan Briley to vice president of sales and marketing. Penray – a provider of cooling system treatments, fuel treatments and shop chemicals – announced that Howard Laga will be transitioning from the chief executive officer position to that of senior adviser to the board and will be succeeded by David Sholtis, previously leading Bosch’s Filtration business.
Briley, who will continue to manage one of the company’s sales territory as he directs its efforts and the entire sales team throughout the United States and Canada, joined Fontaine in October 2010. “Alan made an immediate impact to our customers, team and overall business,” says Hank Prochaska, company president. “He came to Fontaine with a strong history in the heavy-duty trucking business, including a family-owned Fontaine Trailer dealership. We are fortunate to have a man of Alan’s experience, industry connections and capabilities working in this vital position for Fontaine.”
Thomas van der Meulen, a board member for Penray’s majority owner, Source Capital, says he thanks Laga for his many years of service with Penray and for his leadership in the CEO role. Laga successfully transitioned the Penray organization through an ownership change with Source Capital, preparing the business for strong organic growth and growth through acquisitions. “Howard will stay on in an advisory capacity to assist Dave Sholtis with the CEO transition and will remain active as senior adviser, responsible for certain key customer accounts,” Van der Meulen says. “We’ll continue to enjoy his company for quite a while.”
Sholtis brings the Penray organization a wealth of heavy-duty and automotive aftermarket experience. He spent his last four years at Robert Bosch as vice president and regional business unit leader, Filtration Americas, responsible for executing the Purolator growth strategy. Prior to Bosch, Sholtis worked at Honeywell for 13 years in numerous leadership positions with his final position as vice president of Autolite Products. Prior to Honeywell, Sholtis spent nine years at General Electric.
“David Sholtis will bring Penray a wealth of background knowledge in sales and marketing, a strong customer focus and a solid foundation in lean manufacturing and finance,” says Randy Fowler, vice president of sales and marketing. “We’re excited to have a well-rounded leader like David Sholtis help us take Penray to the next level.”
