July 27, 2022—BendPak has announced a new senior leadership succession plan.
According to a press release, these changes will go into effect on August 3, 2022. The global manufacturer and marketer's current president Don Henthorn will move into a chairman emeritus role.
Jeff Kritzer will succeed Henthorn in a promotion from executive vice president to president and CEO. Rudy Diaz will move from vice president of information technology to executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Jim Fornear will move from financial controller to chief financial officer, and Javier Arias will continue as vice president of operations.
Henthorn has been with BendPak since 1965, and the new senior leadership starts a new era from Henthorn's well-established foundation.
Kritzer has worked for BendPak for 40 years, and has had many different titles along the way. He has previously served as national sales manager, president of sales, and senior vice president of marketing.
Rudy Diaz joined BendPak in 2011 and has over 30 years of experience in information technology and security. He has previously worked for American Tire Distributors and Am-Pac Tire Distributors/Tire Pros.
Jim Fornear joined BendPak in 2019. He has a history of financial experience, having previously worked at a mid-size CPA firm and John Deere.
“These exciting leadership changes follow a multi-year succession planning process,” said Henthorn in the press release. “Managing BendPak and its many divisions and brands to ensure long-term growth requires a thoughtful and orderly succession-planning process. The board of directors and management have worked hard to identify and prepare our new generation of leaders to ensure continuity and, more importantly, to maintain and build upon our culture and core values.”
