>> Noland Co. (Newport News, Va.) named John D. Martin regional manager for its South Central Region. He will oversee 16 branches in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. Since 2001 he has been manager of the Nashville, Tenn., complex, which includes satellite branches in Franklin and Clarksville, Tenn., and Bowling Green, Ky. Richard W. Sturges, who had been manager of Noland's Decatur, Ala., complex, will succeed Martin as manager of the Nashville complex. Sturges joined Noland in 2001 as manager of the Knoxville, Tenn., branch and had managed the Decatur complex since 2002.
>> Hughes Supply (Orlando, Fla.) appointed Dale E. Jones to its Board, replacing Toni Jennings, who resigned in May to serve as Florida's Lieutenant Governor. Jones currently serves as managing partner of Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc., Southeast area. The wholesaler also announced some changes in branch managers. Ronald Spencer is now branch manager at the Lady Lake Electrical and Plumbing branch in Lady Lake, Fla. Spencer joined Hughes in August. Most recently he was an operations manager for Ferguson. Walter Grice was named branch manager at the Marietta Plumbing branch in Marietta, Ga. He has been with Hughes three years, most recently serving as an operations manager at the Atlanta Plumbing branch in Doraville, Ga. Tom Davis is now branch manager at the Clearwater Electrical and Plumbing branch in Clearwater, Fla. He joined Hughes Supply in August and most recently was a general manager for a large plumbing contractor in North Carolina.
>> Bradford White Corp. promoted Nicholas J. Giuffre to executive vice president. He will be responsible for all marketing and sales activities, corporate administration as well as the operation of Bradford White Canada, formerly Aero Environmental Ltd. Since joining the company in 1978, Giuffre has served as both a regional and national sales manager and most recently as vice president of sales.
>> Rheem Water Heaters named Allen R. Wicher director of residential markets. He will be based at the Water Heater division's headquarters in Montgomery, Ala. Most recently he was global market manager for Emerson/Thermo-O-Disc.
>> Watts Industries named Rick Ferguson Western regional sales manager - Backflow Products division. He will be based in northern California. Ferguson has more than 15 years of experience in the industry.
>> DESA Specialty Products appointed Brian T. Schnabel as president. He most recently served as president of Vtech Electronics, Ltd., North America. DESA is a manufacturer and marketer of electric chain saws, door chimes, decorative lighting, fastening systems, security lighting, zone heating and home comfort products for the consumer and professional markets in the United States, Canada and abroad.
>> R.W. Beckett Corp. named Vic Takacs plant superintendent. He has been with the company 11 years, serving as customer service manager for three years and sales representative for eight years. Beckett manufactures residential and commercial oil burners.
>> Omni Brass appointed Larry Allen as vice president/sales, USA. In addition to creating product and branding solutions, he will be involved in strategic design, product development and manufacturing initiatives in North America and with the company's international partners.
