Eklund’s, Lerch Bates add staff.

Lewis Leading Eklund’s Western Region

Eklund’s, Inc. has named Ryan Lewis director of Business Development — Western Region, which encompasses California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado and Hawaii. He will work with elevator companies, property managers/owners, general contractors, architects and elevator consultants throughout the region to grow Eklund’s custom-cab interior business. Lewis has extensive business development and sales management experience and held several management positions in the vertical-transportation industry prior to joining Eklund’s.

Lerch Bates Hires Russell for Manhattan Office

Lerch Bates Inc. has hired Tim Russell as a consultant in its Manhattan, New York, office. Russell will provide elevator and escalator consulting for new-equipment and modernization projects and conduct due diligence studies. He will also be responsible for vertical-transportation studies and evaluations, construction services and equipment contracting documents. Holding a master’s in Public Administration from Webster University and a Bachelor’s of Engineering Technology from West Texas A&M University, Russell previously was senior project manager for Schindler. His notable projects included the US$36-million elevator modernization at the 902-ft.-tall Scotia Plaza and construction of the vertical-transportation system for the Pan American Games Athletes’ Village, both in Toronto.