In August 2026, companies across North America and Europe announced the following appointments, promotions, and leadership changes.
Alaaddin Aydin has assumed leadership of SIKORA, succeeding Dr. Christian Frank in a planned transition. As CEO, Aydin takes responsibility for research and development, operations, and finance previously overseen by Frank. The company said Aydin will remain vice president of MAAG Germany; the dual role is intended to leverage efficiencies between the two companies. Going forward, Frank will focus within general management on the strategic development of SIKORA. Based in Bremen, Germany, SIKORA provides measuring and control technology, inspection, analysis, and sorting systems.
Christopher C. Carter has been named vice president, process and manufacturing engineering at Optical Cable Corporation. He has more than 35 years of wire and cable industry experience in areas that include coaxial, fiber optic, and data communications cable manufacturing. He will oversee process engineering, manufacturing operations, and R&D support for OCC’s cable product lines. Based in Roanoke, Virginia, Optical Cable Corporation provides fiber optic cable and complete connectivity systems.
Mike Pascino has been promoted to vice president, manufacturing technology and process engineering at Prysmian North America. Most recently, he was director of operations engineering for Prysmian North America, where he provided executive engineering leadership across 28 manufacturing locations and led capital investment programs totaling approximately $150 million annually. He holds a B.S. in mechanical and electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Prysmian North America is part of Prysmian, a manufacturer of wire and cable products for the energy and telecommunications sectors.
Eric O’Brien has been promoted to product manager of infrastructure and telecom for Marmon Industrial Energy & Infrastructure. He joined Marmon in 2021 as operations manager in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and was promoted to plant manager in 2023 before assuming his current role. Based in New Hampshire and part of the Marmon Group, Marmon Industrial Energy & Infrastructure manufactures wire and cable products for infrastructure and energy applications.
Josef Altmayr has assumed leadership of Rosendahl Nextrom’s cable and wire business unit, succeeding Johann Jäkel following a planned transition. Altmayr joined the company in 1990 as a process engineer and has since held multiple leadership roles, including head of R&D, technical director, and Group COO. Most recently, he served as head of supply chain management for the Rosendahl Nextrom Group. Jäkel, who led the business unit since 2019, will remain with the company for a transition period, focusing on the integration of the Windak Group. Based in Pischelsdorf am Kulm, Austria, Rosendahl Nextrom is a supplier of manufacturing technologies for the cable and wire industry.
David Galas has been hired as a regional sales representative for Taubensee Steel & Wire Company. Formerly, he was president of OMCG North American operations, a U.S. regional sales manager for WAFIOS Machinery Corporation, U.S. business development manager for Numalliance North America, and an account manager at Siemens. He holds a B.S. in engineering from Miami University. Based in Wheeling, Illinois, Taubensee Steel & Wire Company manufactures and distributes steel and wire products for industrial and manufacturing markets.
Charles-David Forest-Le Noir has joined Groupe Transformation des Métaux Canada as senior technical support technician. Le Noir will continue providing technical support, solving operational issues, accompanying the integration of new employees, and facilitating communication between IT and business units. Based in Canada, Groupe Transformation des Métaux Canada is a division of The Heico Companies.
Cassidy Young has joined Essex Solutions as director of business strategy. She brings nearly 20 years of leadership experience across multiple industries. In her new role, she will partner with leaders across the organization to support strategic planning, drive key business initiatives, and help identify opportunities. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Essex Solutions provides magnet wire products.
Adrienne Cowen has been appointed general manager of Vandor Corporation’s Plastics & Reel Options. Cowen will lead activities across all plant operations and play a key role in advancing the company’s strategic vision. She has more than 27 years of experience at Vandor, serving in many different roles. Based in Richmond, Indiana, Vandor Corporation makes plastic reels through its Reel Options business unit.
Brian Tallman has been named technical business development manager for the Northeast at WireMasters. He brings 25 years of aerospace, defense, and space expertise to support customers and expand the company’s presence across the region. He will work with OEMs, prime contractors, and Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers across core markets in the Northeast. Based in the U.K., WireMasters supplies wire and cable, connectors, harness management, RF, and fiber optic products to aerospace, defense, and industrial customers.
Southwire has named three new executives and announced expanded roles for two executive team members. Nick Brazis was named executive vice president and CFO. Brazis, formerly at Pentair, Inc., brings more than 20 years of industry experience and a strong background in finance and operational leadership. Elizabeth Spence has been appointed executive vice president and chief people and culture officer. She brings more than 25 years of experience in human resources, strategic communications, and business transformation, with a career focused on organizational development, leadership, and employee engagement. Jeff Fleece has been named senior vice president and chief digital information officer. Fleece, formerly at Baker Hughes, was responsible for global IT strategy and digital transformation, along with internal productivity solutions, and brings experience in enterprise technology leadership. Christy Wright will expand her responsibilities to now serve as executive vice president, chief supply chain and business systems officer. Wright, who joined Southwire in 2007, has served as executive vice president, chief supply chain officer and interim CFO since February, giving her broad experience across finance, supply chain, and business systems. Burt Fealing, Southwire’s executive vice president, general counsel and chief sustainability officer, will now also lead the company’s operational sustainability, enterprise environmental, health and safety, and community affairs teams. Based in Carrollton, Georgia, Southwire is a wire and cable manufacturer serving industrial, utility, and construction markets.
Obituary
James “the Pink Hat Guy” Anixter, founder of AZ Wire & Cable, passed away on June 30 following a brief illness at age 81. He served as executive vice president of Anixter Brothers for 22 years before co-founding AZ Wire & Cable with Bob Zywicki in 1988, building it into a family business grounded in integrity, hard work, and lasting relationships. Over the course of his career, he earned the admiration of colleagues throughout the electrical industry.
Beyond that, Anixter was well known outside the wire and cable industry. The lifelong Chicago Cubs fan had front-row season tickets at Wrigley Field for more than 60 years. He was generous in sharing his tickets, but what led him to being known by tens of thousands of people stemmed from a giveaway in 1990: a pink hat. He wore that as a joke and kept wearing it at games so he could assure his wife he was there. His pink hat stood out, and over the years he became known as “the Pink Hat Guy.” After a few seasons of wear and tear on the original cap, Anixter decided to create his own, with his trademarked “Pink Hat Guy” embroidered into the fabric. Fans emailed Anixter to get one. So, he decided to give them away to fans who made a donation of any size to the American Cancer Society.
After his death, some fans behind home plate and nearby ushers wore pink hats in his memory. Dozens of people commented on that at his tribute page. The Cubs honored him by displaying his image on the Jumbotron behind the outfield. Also, a plaque with his name and “Pink Guy” has been placed on one of his front-row seats.
Anixter is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lesley Anixter; his children, Darren Anixter, Todd Anixter, Eric Anixter, and Courtney Anixter; and his grandchildren, Evan, Grant, Austin, Tyler, Jayden, Watts, Stiles, and Ronette. He was predeceased by his parents, Gail and Alan Anixter, and his brother, Scott Anixter.
Related stories on Wirenet:
