Acquisitions, hires and more from around the country

NEII Hires Executive Director, Moves

Following election of its board of directors (ELEVATOR WORLD, August 2016), the National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII®) has hired a new executive director and is moving its headquarters. Karen Penafiel has assumed the post and will coordinate and manage communications and operations. Her primary focus will be to implement a long-term strategic growth plan. Acting in partnership with the board, Penafiel will serve as the principal liaison between the board and its various committees. She will also have full authority and responsibility for managing the association and coordinating ongoing operations and directives established by the organization.

Penafiel has worked with the Building Owners Managers Association (BOMA) International since 1989, most recently as its vice president of advocacy, codes and standards. During her tenure, her focus was to establish BOMA International as the premier commercial real-estate association on legislative, regulatory and codes issues. Penafiel graduated from Hamilton College with a bachelor’s degree in Government.

With the appointment, NEII® bids farewell to longtime Managing Director Ed Donoghue, who is retiring from the association. Over the last 40 years, Donoghue has acted as chair of numerous industry organizations and is one of the foremost authorities on elevator codes and safety, formerly serving as NEII®’s Codes and Safety consultant.

The organization’s headquarters is relocating to 5667 Stone Road, #265, Centreville, Virginia 20120. Its new phone number is (703) 266-3100, and its email remains info@neii.org.

Hidral USA Hires Carcich to Grow NY Area Business

Hidral USA has hired Vivian Carcich as its Regional New Business Development manager for the New York tri-state area. She was responsible for the startup of Fabian USA Inc., where she served as vice president. Carcich has extensive experience in the development and introduction of foreign products into the North American market. Hidral observes that, in such a fast-paced industry, Carcich quickly built a network of clients consisting of contractors, architects, developers and consultants. Carcich holds a certificate in interior design from Long Island University’s C.W. Post campus. She states:

“There are many factors that contribute to a successful company, but your number-one focus should always be customer satisfaction. If you listen to your customer, return every call and offer a viable solution, most people will stand behind you, and, I can assure you, you will have a customer for life.”

KONE Appoints New Illinois Escalator Director

KONE has appointed Brian Kryzaniak escalator unit director in its Coal Valley, Illinois, operation. Kryzaniak will report to Luca Galbiati, senior vice president, global manufacturing network and supply, and Larry Wash, executive vice president of KONE Americas, as part of the KONE Americas Leadership Team.

Kryzaniak comes to KONE from Caterpillar, Inc., where he held a variety of management roles focused on providing operational oversight, improving safety and reducing costs. In this role, he will be focused on the execution of global strategy and operational excellence to include performance improvement, fostering the utilization of Lean Six Sigma principles and leading the implementation of supply excellence operations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering Design Technology from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.