Names in the news: Berry Plastics, Davis-Standard, Nordson EDI, Styrolution, Styron, Teknor Apex, Landmark Plastics, AMT, and Sartomer

(Evansville, IN). In private equity since 1987, Rickertsen is the managing director of  DC-based investment firm Pine Creek Partners, which he helped found. Prior to that, Rickertsen was COO and partner of Thayer Capital Partners. Rickertsen will serve on Berry's audit committee. Jon Rich, Chairman and CEO of Berry Plastics said Rickertsen's 25 years of experience will help the company as it pursues "deleveraging and strategic growth initiatives." Rickertsen graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Graduate School of Business, obtaining a BS in Industrial Engineering from Stanford and MBA from Harvard.

Davis-Standard LLC (Pawcatuck, CT) has named Christopher James as its global director of Aftermarket Parts Sales. Jones comes to Davis-Standard from Goodrich Engine Control Systems (West Hartford, CT). Prior to that, he was at Pratt and Whitney, part of United Technologies Corp. Jones has a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hartford, and holds a Master of International Business from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Nordson EDI (Chippewa Falls, WI) has promoted Sam G. Iuliano to chief technologist. In this role, Iuliano will provide technical support to customers, working with them to improve performance. He will also support new technology programs at Nordson EDI and serve as an advisor to Nordson EDI's engineering specialists. Iuliano joined the Extrusion Dies Industries (EDI) in 1992 as a sales engineer. Subsequent positions included manager of sales administration, product manager, and technology manager. He was promoted to director of technical sales in 2011. Iuliano holds a Bachelor of Engineering and Management degree, with a specialization in chemical engineering, from McMaster University, in Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Styrolution, a styrenics focused joint venture of BASF and INEOS, announced new management board appointments, as well as the formation of a new global business unit for styrene monomer and a regional focus for its polymer business. Steve Harrington has been appointed president of the global styrene monomer business. Harrington has worked in styrenics since 2005, holding various commercial roles within several INEOS businesses with territorial responsibilities including: Africa, the Middle East and Russia. Most recently, he led Styrolution's styrene monomer business in the Americas. Harrington has a degree in chemistry from Hull University and currently serves as chairman of the Styrene Information and Research Center. Kevin McQuade has been appointed president, Europe, Middle East and Africa. He currently serves as president, Americas at Styrolution. In his more than 30 year career, he has held management positions at INEOS Nova, BASF, and Mobil Chemical Company. McQuade has chemical engineering degrees from The Cooper Union and the University of Delaware, as well as an MBA from New York University. Alexander Glueck has been appointed president, Americas, replacing McQuade, effective June 1. Glueck's BASF career spans 19 years and includes management roles in Europe and Asia. He currently serves as Styrolution's senior vice president, global strategy, R&D, and procurement. Glueck received his PhD in chemistry from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Germany.

Eric T. Williams has joined Teknor Apex Company (Pawtucket, RI) as a senior market manager for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) in North America. Williams will be responsible for sales and market development in the electrical, packaging, and distribution sectors, bringing more than 15 years of experience in areas including colorants, additives, compounds, and distribution. Williams comes to Teknor Apex from specialty compounder A. Schulman, where his latest role was that of general manager for distribution services in the U.S. He joined A. Schulman in 1997. Williams holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Ohio State University and lives in Akron, OH.

Plastics, latex and rubber supplier Styron (Berwyn, PA) named Martin Pugh as is senior VP and Business President for Plastics. In that role, he will work with Styron's Styrenic Polymers, Automotive and Polycarbonate Compounds and Blends (PCC&B) units. Pugh most recently worked at the BASF and Ineos styrenics joint venture, Styrolution Group Gmbh (see related moved above), where he served as president for Europe Middle East Africa (EMEA) and was a management board member. He was managing director Europe of Ineos Nova from the company's formation as Nova Innovene in 2005 and previously served as managing director for Europe with Nova Chemicals. Pugh spent 20 years with Dow Chemical serving as global business director for Specialty Polyethylenes. Pugh has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Chemistry and Management Studies from Loughborough University in the U.K.

The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT; McLean, VA) has promoted Amber Thomas to be its VP advocacy. Thomas has more than 20 years of experience with AMT, specifically in government relations. This month AMT will launch its Advocacy Advisors initiative, to be led by Thomas, who says the initiative represents "the best tool we have to promote our industry on Capitol Hill."

Landmark Plastic Corp. (Akron, OH), a thermoformer and injection molder horticultural products, announced that Steve Beall has joined the company as its VP sales & marketing. Beall has more than 20 years experience in sales and sales management,  including more than 10 years in the horticulture industry. Most recently he was VP at Smithers-Oasis, Grower Global Solutions.  Beall will be responsible for directing all sales and marketing activities for Landmark Plastic and will report to Landmark Chairman and CEO Robert G. Merzweiler.

Arkema Group company, Sartomer USA, has named Nikola Juhasz as its senior director, R&D, with Ken Earle made the global supply chain director. The company said these moves are in line with a new direction for Sartomer, focusing on a global approach to its markets.