text: Richard Lewin has been promoted to CEO of the Will-Burt Co., the Orrville manufacturer of telescoping masts announced on Friday, Dec. 20.
  Lewin — who has been with Will-Burt for 10 years in a variety of positions, mostly recently as chief operating officer and president — will step into his new role on Jan. 1, according to a news release. He will retain the position of as president and become a member of the company's board of directors.
  Lewin succeeds retiring CEO Jeff Evans, who has led the company since 2002, the release stated.
  Before serving as president and COO, roles in which Lewin helped lead Will-Burt to record profits in 2019, he was sales director, vice president and general manager, as well as senior vice president responsible for all worldwide businesses, the century-old company said.
  "Given the increasing importance of international sales to the Will-Burt Co., the board conducted an extensive search for a leader that was highly competent in all functional areas and had substantial international sales and marketing experience," said Gary Clark, the company's lead director, in the release. "We were very fortunate to have found that person within our company. Richard Lewin has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities during his time as president, and the board is very confident that we have the right person to be the chief executive officer and lead our 100-year-old, employee-owned company for many years."
  Before joining Will-Burt, Lewin served as sales director at J.D.C., one of Europe's largest fire-truck manufacturers, and held senior roles at various companies including Utilux and Alcan Metal Centers. He also operated his own company, the Pegasus Group.
  "I am honored by the opportunity to lead this dynamic organization," Lewin said in the release. "We have expanded our reach dramatically over the past several years in both the worldwide markets we serve and the products we offer. We, as employee-owners of the Will-Burt Co., have created a positive culture that I am proud to be a part of and I am looking forward to leading this company through its second century."
  Will-Burt, which employs about 350 people, has manufacturing sites in Germany, southern England and Tulsa, Okla., in addition to its Orrville headquarters, where about 275 of its employees are based, according to a 2018 story in Crain's. Markets for its masts — which are nestled, high-strength aluminum or carbon-fiber tubes used to lift satellite dishes, cameras, sensors, lights and antennas — include broadcast news, military, entertainment, law enforcement, fire and rescue, oil and gas, and cellular and mobile communications. The company also offers contract manufacturing, metal fabrication, powder-coating and rapid prototyping services, the release stated.