Movers and shakers

Mark Kaptur

Mark Kaptur has joined McHenry, Ill.-based thermoplastic compounded raw material manufacturer Chroma Corp. as senior account manager for the Northeast Territory. Previously, Kaptur was president of Wayne, Pa.-based manufacturer representative organization Mark Kaptur & Co. Kaptur will be responsible for new business development at existing customers, new customers and end users from Virginia to Southeastern Canada. Kaptur graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, and has over 30 years of experience in the plastic industry both nationally as well as internationally.

Robert Ferris and Tony Lesco

Robert Ferris has joined Leavenworth, Kan.-based Henke Manufacturing as production manager. Previously, Ferris was production manager for Bloomington, Minn.-based Toro Corp. Tony Lesco, shipping specialist for the company, has been named Western Regional sales manager.

Ferris has more than 30 years of experience in production management, including 22 years at Toro and eight years with Lawrence, Kan.-based Amarr Doors. Lesco has worked at Henke for four years. He started in welding, then moved to fabrication and drill, and eventually entered the service and parts department.

Christopher Ruud

Christopher Ruud, executive vice president of Racine, Wis.-based manufacturer of LED and conventional lighting Ruud Lighting, has been named president, replacing his father, Alan Ruud, who has held the position since he founded the company in 1982. In his new role as president, Christopher will oversee all U.S.-based business units and operations. Alan will retain his role as chairman and CEO.

Christopher began working at Ruud Lighting in 1986, holding various positions until eventually moving into administrative roles. He worked for Ruud Lighting as a programmer while attending college. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Pepperdine University, he worked as a network and telecommunications specialist at Greeley, Colo.-based EFTC Corp., and later went on to earn an executive MBA at Loyola University in Chicago. Christopher returned to Ruud Lighting and in 1997 was promoted to manager of continuous improvement followed by a promotion to vice president two years later, adding human resources to his list of responsibilities. In 2004, Christopher was named executive vice president and assumed responsibility for national accounts, sales and marketing.