A series of executive appointments and promotions across the wire and cable industry highlight continued investment in leadership, operations, and market expansion. Below is a roundup of recent personnel news from manufacturers, suppliers, and related technology providers.
Leadership and executive appointments
Marty Van Der Burgt has been named vice president, global R&D – Validation and Reliability at Belden Inc.. He steps into the newly created role after more than 35 years with Belden’s Cable and Connectivity Products organization. Van Der Burgt holds a degree from Marquette University and is based in Richmond, Indiana. Belden is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.
Cheryl Stewart has been promoted to chief operations officer of Quabbin Wire & Cable Co., Inc.. She joined Quabbin in 2011 and most recently served as vice president of operations. Stewart also serves as secretary/treasurer and a board member of the Wire & Cable Manufacturers Alliance. She holds degrees from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Quabbin is based in Ware, Massachusetts.
Mark Stokes has been named president of the Sustainable Products Solutions (ASPS)/Lastique segment at Aurora Material Solutions. He brings extensive commercial and P&L leadership experience from roles at Dow Chemical, GE Plastics, Daikin, and other materials companies. Aurora is based in Lunenburg, Massachusetts.
Operations, supply chain, and sales leadership
Aaron Patten has been promoted to purchasing manager at Service Wire Company. He joined the company in 2018 and brings prior procurement and supply chain experience in the electrical and industrial sectors. Service Wire is headquartered in Culloden, West Virginia.
Jessica Stamer has been named strategic account sales manager – hyperscale at Amphenol Network Solutions, part of Amphenol Corporation. She supports hyperscale data center customers and brings 15 years of ICT and infrastructure experience, including roles at Google Fiber and AT&T. She is based in Liberty Lake, Washington.
Tyler Faille has been appointed director of operations at RFS Technologies, an Amphenol company. He leads operations at the Meriden, Connecticut, facility and previously held leadership roles at Hueson Wire and Winchester Interconnect.
Marketing and segment leadership
Carrie Allen Gotcher has been promoted to senior marketing manager for the I&C division at Encore Wire, part of Prysmian Group. She joined Encore Wire in 2021 and brings more than 20 years of marketing experience. Encore Wire is based in McKinney, Texas.
Manufacturing leadership changes
Richard Horn has been named president of WireCrafters, succeeding Milt Tandy, who retired after 45 years with the company. Horn joined WireCrafters in 2008 and previously held leadership roles at John Deere and Akebono Brake Corporation. WireCrafters is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.
Classic Wire & Cable promotions
Classic Wire & Cable announced several leadership promotions:
- Michael Schulte has been promoted to regional vice president – West.
- Matthew Merritt has been named vice president, overseeing company-wide sales and marketing.
- Blaine Ballard has taken on an expanded role as regional manager – Central Northeast.
The company also noted the retirement of George Merritt, who concludes a 47-year career in wire and cable sales leadership.
Obituary
Chris D. Hoffman, a longtime sales leader in the wire die industry, died Jan. 3, 2026, at age 67. He retired from Woodburn Diamond Die in 2024 and spent 48 years serving wire and cable producers. A The Wire Association International Life Member, Hoffman was widely respected for his technical expertise and long-standing industry relationships.