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COMINGS AND GOINGS
Harrison Leaves Safelite; Miggo Takes Over His Duties
Rich Harrison, former chief operations officer (COO) for Safelite, has left Safelite and its parent company, Belron. Steve Miggo, who recently was named senior vice president of operations and human resources, has taken over Harrison’s duties. Safelite provided the following statement to AGRR™ magazine/glassBYTEs.com™: “We appreciate Rich’s service during his roughly 20 years in the vehicle glass industry, particularly Belron companies including Safelite AutoGlass,” says Melina Metzger, public relations manager at Safelite. “He was a part of the team that has led to Safelite doubling its business in the last five years. We wish him much luck and success in his future endeavors.”

Miggo first joined Safelite in 2008 as a senior vice president of human resources and leadership development. He implemented an integrated talent management platform and is the architect of the company’s “people first” strategy. Safelite introduced its “people first” strategy in 2009, which focuses on hiring, developing and retaining talented people.

Miggo has experience in operations and management, including various operational and human resources capacities for Plaskolite Inc. and Sumitomo Electric Co. He also gained entrepreneurial experience acquiring, operating and ultimately selling his own business, Advanced Moldings Inc., a consumer and industrial products manufacturing company in Columbus, Ohio.

Most recently, Miggo served as the associate vice president of human resources at Limited Brands for three years, and before that he served as vice president of human resources for Elmer’s Products Inc. for seven years where he was responsible for all human resources and administrative functions for the company.

“Steve is the natural choice for this role with his solid background and previous experience in operational strategy and execution,” says Tom Feeney, president and CEO of Safelite AutoGlass, when Miggo was named senior vice president of operations and human resources. “He is a strong leader who inspires, motivates and demonstrates the company’s values. He creates a climate where associates want to be at their best and can trust in him. Steve’s proven leadership style and past experience is what our company needs to continue to grow our business.”

Harrison had been promoted to COO in 2007 and managed all the company’s field sales and retail auto glass repair and replacement businesses, including its wholesale and warehouse operations. He also worked with Belron in a global role and assisted with its integration of all of its U.S. acquisitions, including that of Safelite. Prior to the merger of Safelite and Belron, Harrison served as CEO of Belron Inc.

Croskey Named Chairman of Guardian’s Board of Directors
Charles (Chuck) Croskey has been named chairman of Guardian Industries’ board of directors. Croskey has been on the board since 2010 and with the company since 1970. He replaces two-term chairman Peter Walters, who will remain on the board of directors. Croskey served as group vice president and handled Guardian’s manufacturing, marketing and distribution operations throughout Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

“I look forward to a continuation of the leadership Pete Walters has demonstrated—to ensure Guardian’s leading position in its industries,” says Croskey. “My years with the company, combined with our strength in manufacturing, technology and people, will help carry out Guardian’s strategy and vision.”

Binswanger Appoints Draper as COO; Carrillo Moves to Grey Mountain
Binswanger Glass has named David Draper its chief operating officer. He previously served as director of strategic planning at Robbins LLC, a Grey Mountain affiliate company and supplier for the tire industry based in Muscle Shoals, Ala.

“I am thrilled to be joining a company with such a rich history,” says Draper. “With the recent acquisition [by Grey Mountain Partners], we have a tremendous opportunity to re-establish the Binswanger brand as the leader in the glass services business.” The company also announced that Arturo Carrillo, Binswanger’s former president, has moved to a role with Grey Mountain Partners.

“My goal during the last several months of my time with Binswanger was to steward the company into the hands of quality new ownership,” says Carrillo. “Once I accomplished that with the tremendous people from Grey Mountain Partners, I reassessed my future and really wanted to be in a position where I could have a larger impact on the investment and acquisition sides of the business world. I’m thankful that I can do that now with [Grey Mountain].”

Industry Expert Beranek to Serve as Editor of Auto Glass Journal
Noted auto glass installation expert Bob Beranek will serve as editor of Key Communications’ recently purchased Auto Glass Journal (AGJ) publication. Beranek is beginning his 40th year in the auto glass industry, where he began as a technician in 1973. During his career as a consultant and trainer he has developed and conducted auto glass installation training programs for a wide variety of companies and groups. He is a member of the Auto Glass Safety Council™’s board of directors and is the chair of the Auto Glass Safety Council Standards Committee. Beranek is the author of the Complete Guide to Auto Glass Installation: A Textbook.

“I am very excited to work with Deb [Levy] and Key Communications on the editing of Auto Glass Journal. I have been a loyal reader of the Journal for many years and being asked to be the editor is truly an honor,” says Beranek. “I hope that other readers of the Journal will continue to contribute to the publication’s continued success through submission of installation instructions and support of the advertisers. I can’t do this alone and will need the help and support of technicians in the field to make this version of the Journal the best ever. We will even make contributions well worth the while for those willing to contribute.”

“We are thrilled to have Bob working with us,” says publisher Debra Levy. “We have great plans for AGJ, which will continue to focus heavily on technical information, tips and techniques involved in auto glass installation. Our other industry publication, Auto Glass Repair & Replacement (AGRR™) will continue to focus on the business and management of auto glass. Each will appear in alternate months.”

To submit materials for publication in Auto Glass Journal contact Beranek at bberanek@glass.com.

To subscribe, visit www.glass.com/subcenter.

AGRR
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