Personalities
New President for US specialty retail apparel chain Express
US Express, Inc. Columbus, Ohio (specialty apparel and accessories of women’s and men’s merchandise targeting the 20 to 30 year old customer with 30 years of experience) is operating more than 600 stores, located primarily in high-traffic shopping malls, lifestyle centres, and street locations across America, in Canada and Puerto Rico and works with franchisees throughout the Middle East and Latin America, and has named on October 15 David Kornberg to be the new company’s president. Kornberg will have responsibilities for both the men’s and women’s merchandising and design functions
Kornberg was most recently Executive Vice President of Men’s Merchandising & Design, a position he held since 2007. Prior to that, he was the General Merchandise Manager of Express Men’s business and this business grew significantly from 2005 to 2011, namely sales increased by 56 % and margin USD by 92 %. From 2002 – 2003 he served as Vice President of Business Development for Disney Stores and the first ten years of his career he spent with Marks & Spencer PLC (GB), where he held a number of roles in store management and merchandising on both the men’s and women’s segment.
At the same time Express announced the departure of Fran Horowitz, Executive Vice President of Women’s Merchandising & Design. Her role will not be replaced and the executives who previously reported to Horowitz will now report directly to Kronberg. Horowitz is leaving the business after she has played a significant role in the successful transformation of Express into the brand is has now become.
Swiss Syngenta elects new Chairman
On October 18, 2012 Michel Demaré has been elected as new Chairman of the Board of Swiss Syngenta (bringing plant potential to life through world class science, global reach and commitment to its customers to increase their crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life), effective after the next annual general meeting on April 23, 2013. He is succeeding Martin Taylor who will retire from the board at that date. Demaré is now CFO Chief Financial Officer of ABB (Swedish/Swiss technology group) and will continue to serve in that capacity until a successor is found.
The head of R&D, Sandro Aruffo, has to take an unexpected medical leave, and during his absence Robert Berendes Head of Business Development will assume ad interim leadership of the R&D function, in addition to his existing responsibilities.
New Senior Vice President for growth for US Polymer Group
On October 16, 2012 American Polymer Group, Inc. (global technology-driven developer, producer and marketer of engineered materials and according to in-house information one of the world’s leading producers of nonwovens, with 13 manufacturing and converting facilities in nine countries worldwide) named Michael Modak as senior vice president, global growth and innovation officer to lead the new operating group entrusted with driving the company’s growth
Modak has served in the last 30 years leading companies in specialty materials, chemicals and the nonwovens industry. Most recently he has been chief commercial officer and chief marketing officer of Mementive Perfomance Materials (formerly GE Silicones), where he led tdhe companyp’s specialty silicon businesses. Prior to that, he was vice president strategic marketing and business development for Honeywell Specialty Materials and in addition he held positions at National Starch &Chemical as corporate vice president, strategic development and innovation, and senior divisional vice president, health and personal care. He spent 20 years at H.B. Fuller (adhesives), including positions as vice president of the Industrial Products group, director of corporate development and general manager international of the nonwoven hygienic business.