Gelest Inc of Morrisville, PA, USA has announced new appointments and promotions to drive and support its growth as a manufacturer and supplier of silane, silicone and metal-organic compounds to the global market.
Greg Hertenberger has joined Gelest as product manager, silanes and metal-organics. His responsibilities include the development of new business for Gelest's range of functional and non-functional alkyl silane compounds and for its greatly expanded range of metal-organic compounds for materials, polymers and synthesis.
Hertenberger has more than 30 years' experience in additives for coatings and construction products (including silanes and biocides), gained from serving in technical, commercial and management positions with Petrarch Systems, Huls America, Degussa, International Specialty Products, and Ashland Specialty Ingredients. He has a BA in Chemistry from Ursinus College and an MBA from Rider University.
Matthew Suits has joined as facilities manager, with responsibilities including managing new construction as well as the maintenance department. Previously, he was an engineering and process manager at PB Leiner Gelatins in Davenport, Iowa, after promotion from maintenance and project engineer. Prior to that, he served in engineering positions at Dow Corning, General Electric, and Louisville Gas and Electric. Suits has a Master of Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Louisville.
Sean Nichols has joined as purchasing manager, responsible for the procurement of raw materials for manufacturing operations. This follows five years as operations manager in the manufacturing division of Haas Group International, based in West Chester, PA. Prior to that, he was an R&D chemist and a purchasing manager at Haas. He achieved Certified Purchasing Manager status in 2001, and completed the Dale Carnegie Leadership Training for Managers program in 2004. Nichols also has a BSc in chemistry from the University of Bridgeport.
Adrien Salomon has been promoted to production manager, responsible for managing day-to-day production activities and staff. He joined Gelest in 2004 as a chemist after earning a BSc in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware. Salomon subsequently assumed positions of increasing responsibility ranging from process engineer to process and development engineering manager.
William Fry, who joined Gelest in 2010 as assistant controller, has been promoted to controller. Prior to Gelest, he gained experience in the auditing of manufacturing, distribution, construction, and not-for-profit organizations as a senior accountant for several accounting firms. A graduate of West Chester University with a BSc in accounting, Fry holds a Certified Public Accounting license from the State of Pennsylvania.
Greg Vuk, who started with Gelest as a packer in 1999, has been promoted to logistics manager. Since joining Gelest, he has taken on positions of increased responsibility, including laboratory assistant, shipper, traffic manager, and shipping/receiving packaging supervisor. Vuk majored in chemistry at Millersville University.
