Leaders tapped, and a milestone reached.

New President for EMR as It Celebrates 90 Years

Caroline Kauffman-Kirschnick has been appointed president of Electric Motor Repair Co. (EMR), which performs emergency service and planned maintenance in several industries, including the elevator sector. Kauffman-Kirschnick will replace her father, Roger Kauffman, who was also appointed to president by his father, Harry Kauffman, in 1985. Her father stated:

“Over the years, [Kauffman-Kirschnick] has steadily demonstrated her strong leadership skills, keen business sense and remarkable dedication to our employees that has propelled EMR to be the industry leader we are today. As we also celebrate 90 years in business, I am thrilled to be able to pass my family legacy on to the next generation, [which] has unquestionably shown the same unwavering dedication as the generations before. We are confident that with [her] guidance, EMR will continue to thrive. . . for years to come.”

Kauffman-Kirschnick began her career at EMR working summers during her junior high and high school years. Her full-time career at EMR began in October 2003, when she began in accounts receivable before moving into human resources. Five years later, she moved to a role in operations, followed by sales. Then, she transferred to EMR’s Delaware branch, where she served as assistant branch manager before being promoted to operations manager. Three years later, she returned to Baltimore as the operations manager at EMR’s headquarters. Her most recent promotion was in June 2015, to general manager overseeing all branches and service areas.

“I look forward to continuing their hard work and spearheading the next technological and cultural evolution of EMR,” Kauffman-Kirschnick said. In 2016, she initiated the company’s “EYE SPY” program, which EMR says is:

“. . .to promote zero workplace negativity by engaging employees in the company’s customer-service pledge, code of conduct and commitment to safety in a meaningful way. Through this program, employees can submit positive feedback about co-workers who have exceeded their expectations. Each month, four awards are presented to the winners, who receive a prize.”

The service agency has had three generations of Kauffmans, beginning in 1946. It now has 200 employees, including six Kauffman family members across six locations.

Kings III Taps Regional Business Development Manager

Kings III Emergency Communications has appointed Gerry Heskett business development manager for Central Florida. He has more than 25 years’ sales and account-management experience in the elevator industry. In his new role, Heskett is educating and training managers and building owners on emergency monitoring services, code-compliant equipment installation, emergency phone monitoring and real-time elevator performance monitoring. He and his family are longtime residents of the Orlando area. Kings III observed that, with Heskett’s technical sales background, “he is able to learn quickly, tackle demanding projects and is a valuable asset to the Kings III team and customers within his territory.”

Vertical Systems Analysis Announces Two Partner Appointments 

Vertical Systems Analysis (VSA), a New York City-based vertical-transportation consulting and engineering firm, has elevated Executive Vice Presidents Haniel Lora and William Appelbaum to partnership status, company founder Edward Voll announced on December 1, 2017.

“I am pleased to be able to recognize the success of our entire team under the leadership of Haniel and Bill,” said Voll, who serves as VSA chief operating officer. “We continue to have a great team that will continue to steward our growth in New York and Philadelphia markets and in other regions of the U.S. and territories.”

Lora has been in the elevator industry for nearly 20 years. Prior to joining VSA, he spent a decade at Iros Elevator Design in drafting and engineering. Lora manages VSA’s Engineering Department, overseeing all major modernization projects. He also serves as the agency co-director and primary point of contact for several national and regional accounts. 

Appelbaum, a veteran of more than 25 years in the industry, joined VSA in 2015. Prior to that, he held various positions in increasing sales and management roles at multinational corporations, as well as independent elevator companies. He serves as VSA’s manager of Major Accounts and general manager of the Philadelphia office.

Voll founded VSA in 1986. In addition to its NYC home office, the company today has branches in Philadelphia, Chicago and Miami. The appointments of Lora and Appelbaum are in recognition of their leadership and VSA’s continued growth in New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Chicago and Florida, Voll said. Recent new contracts are highlighted by elevator and escalator consulting services for the RWJBarnabas Health System, Salvation Army and Pennsylvania Convention Center.