Brief news items on financials, promotions, new hires, awards, special projects, etc., in the decorative bath and Kitchen industry.

People in transition

Mansfield Plumbing Products LLC has named Kevin Oak president/CEO, succeeding Harold P. Franze, who has elected to pursue another career opportunity. Oak joined the company in 1998 as director of operations at the company's Ohio facilities in Perrysville, Ohio. He was promoted to vice president/manufacturing in 2000.

Brasstech appointed Larry Allen to marketing manager and David Willke to national sales manager. Divisions of the decorative plumbing manufacturer include Newport Brass and Plumbtrim.

Elkay Manufacturing named John Bodine vice president/chief information officer. Elaine Nissen was named vice president/controller of the Elkay division. Also, Randy Hernandez has joined the company as plant manager for the Elkay Southern Corp. stainless-steel manufacturing plant in Lumberton, N.C.

Awards

GROHE named Fred Fedewa, the company?s first training manager, both its ?Man of the Year? and ?Trainer of the Year? for 2000. In the three years he has held that position he has spent nearly 70% of his time on the road training salespeople, designers, specifiers and plumbers.