ETC has promoted three individuals to new leadership positions at the vice presidential level as part of the company’s new strategic and operational goals. Effective immediately, Steve Downs will assume the new role of vice president of quality and international operations. Sarah (Spencer) Danke will take on the role of vice president of professional services, while Bill McGivern becomes vice president of manufacturing.
According to chief executive officer Fred Foster, “We are making these changes to adapt our structure to the increase in our international business. We are building on Steve Downs’ experience in overseeing the European operation by expanding his role to coordinating all international operations at ETC. His responsibilities will include the extension of the quality systems in our international companies. Sarah Danke’s and Bill McGivern’s appointments allow us to bring professional services together for better global coordination—from customer service to technical and field service to quotations and product management—as well as to further optimize our global manufacturing efforts.”
Previous to the new VP role, Steve Downs has worked on-site at ETC’s Holzkirchen, Germany, location for the past two and a half years, serving in the role of vice president of manufacturing and European operations, as well as general manager of ETC GmbH. Downs’ tenure in Germany included numerous positive changes in the company’s European effort, including increased profitability, an expanded dealer network, the addition of a general manager in ETC Ltd, and the acquisition of the Penko/IES group.
Prior to his new title of VP of manufacturing, Bill McGivern most recently directed ETC’s manufacturing group during Downs’ tenure in Europe. A 16-year veteran of ETC, McGivern has held a broad range of leadership roles, from manufacturing-test, manager of the projects group, director of the systems group, to manufacturing director. McGivern came to ETC shortly after the acquisition of LMI, Rochester, NY, in 1990, and contributed his extensive touring expertise to the company, as well as his experience as technical director at Spoleto USA.
Sarah Danke, in her new role as VP of professional services, will continue to be instrumental in shepherding ETC’s customer and technical support leadership in the industry. With ETC for over 16 years, at all levels of the company, Danke held management positions in customer service, tradeshow coordination, shipping and logistics before eventually becoming director of ETC’s acclaimed technical services department. In 2005, she was acting interim general manager for ETC’s London office. Professional services, headed by Danke, will encompass systems and technical services.
Says Fred Foster, “Each of these individuals will be entrusted with helping ETC maintain and strengthen the reputation for quality and service that it has won in the global arena.”