Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM APRIL 2014 48 P R O M O T I O N S ELECTROLUX PROMOTES MARKETING HEAD Electrolux promoted John Weinstock to Senior Vice President of North American Marketing Weinstock, who joined the company in 2011 as Vice President of North American Marketing, oversees brand management, consumer insight-led innovation, and integrated trade and consumer marketing campaigns. Weinstock has spent more than 20 years in the consumer durables and packaged goods industries, most recently as Vice President Marketing, Home Appliances & Home Entertainment for LG Electronics. Prior to joining LG Electronics, Weinstock developed and implemented marketing strategies for Johnson & Johnson where he managed brands such as Johnson's Baby and Band-Aid. He also served internationally for the company. In 2008, Brandweek named Weinstock a "Marketer of the Year." Weinstock serves as the Vice Chairman of the Ada Jenkins Center's Board of Directors in Davidson, NC, and on the advisory committee of the University of Wisconsin Center for Brand Management. He holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. HAI E R AM E R ICA AN NOU NCE S CHANG E I N EXECUTIVE LEAD E R S H I P Adrian Micu Appointed President & CEO as Shariff Kan Stepped Down in February of 2014 Haier America announced that Shariff Kan, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has stepped down and has been replaced by Adrian Micu, effective February 10, 2014. Under Mr. Kan's leadership, Haier America evolved from a trading operation in its early days to a respected supplier of home appliance and consumer electronics in North America. His management proved instrumental during Haier's initial entrance into the United States, playing a pivotal role in establishing partnerships with some of the largest national and regional retailers in the country. His many contributions to Haier America are greatly appreciated. Mr. Micu comes to Haier with over twenty-five years of executive level engineering, technology and product development experience within the appliance industry. Most recently, he held the position of Vice President of Engineering with Whirlpool Corporation. As Haier America looks towards the future, the company recognizes the enormous opportunities that exist to engage and interact with customers and end users, expand market share and product portfolio, and increase revenue and profitability. Mr. Micu's demonstrated ability to accelerate growth by applying innovative technologies coupled with his proven track record of successfully executing new product introductions, make him the ideal executive to lead Haier through this journey. "I am honored for the opportunity to lead such a promising company into the next phase of their evolution," said Mr. Micu. "I look forward to developing the Haier brand into a household name in appliances and electronics, advance the momentum that our team has created over the past few years and help the organization capitalize on Haier's overall strengths to achieve its full potential in the Americas." ALLIANCE LAUNDRY SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES PROMOTION OF JAY MCDONALD Alliance Laundry Systems, has announced the promotion of Jay McDonald to the newly created position of vice president of North American home laundry sales. McDonald previously was vice president of business development for the company. McDonald will be responsible for the development and implementation of strategies to expand the home dealer network and drive the success of the home laundry product line, which represents a new growth opportunity for the company. Earlier this year, Alliance completed a plant expansion to increase the production of small chassis equipment, which includes the home laundry product line. "Jay's intellect, product knowledge and management skills make him uniquely suited to succeed in this new role," said William Bittner, vice president North American sales of Alliance Laundry Systems. "He has accumulated a wealth of experience in sales and marketing in the laundry industry during his 34-year career at Alliance." McDonald began transitioning to his new role with Alliance on Nov. 1. He joined Alliance as a field service manager for Speed Queen ® in 1979. During his tenure, he has held various sales and marketing positions with increasing responsibility. He worked within the home laundry market for nine years, where he gained valuable experience working with retailers and special accounts. McDonald holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Ripon College in Ripon, WI. J O H N W E I N S T O C K A D R I A N M I C U J AY M C D O N A L D RO

• Cover