We would like to welcome the following members to the GracoRoberts family, and congratulate our employees who have been recently promoted.
New Hires
Anne Katzenmeier Welcomes Austin Samona - Account Specialist, Wichita, KS
Please join me in welcoming Austin Samona to the Account Services team in Wichita, KS, reporting to Anne Katzenmeier. Austin has several years’ experience working in customer service/inside sales. Most recently, he worked as a contract negotiator for Corpay. With his strong customer service background, we are thrilled to have him as an addition to the team. He graduated from Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Go Shockers! In his spare time, he likes to spend time with his family and enjoys cooking. Welcome aboard, Austin!
Please join us in welcoming Keith Lichthardt to the company! Keith will be the TAM overseeing the Great Lakes region reporting to Ty Della Monica. With 17 years of sales experience, Keith brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. His most recent role was at Siemens, where he honed his expertise. Outside of work, Keith has been happily married to his wife Colleen for the past 15 years. Together, they have three wonderful children: Charlotte, Graham (AKA the Great GrahamBino!!), Loretta, a Labrador, and a rabbit. We’re thrilled to have Keith joining the East Coast Game Changers and look forward to his success!
Robert Hart Welcomes Edgar Gonzalez - Account Specialist, Arlington, TX
We are very excited to introduce our new Account Specialist, Edgar Gonzalez, to our GracoRoberts team. He will be reporting to Robert Hart. Edgar comes to us from the U.S. Department of Army, where he performed daily administrative duties to support the organization readiness program. Edgar was an Army Medic for 11 years and is currently in the Army Reserves. He has 2 boys who are 12 and 4 years of age. Edgar enjoys reading, trail running and he just picked up golfing as a hobby. Please help me welcome Edgar to the GracoRoberts team!
Liz King Welcomes Maranda Barnes - Accounting Assistant, Arlington, TX
We are excited to extend a warm welcome to Maranda Barnes, our new Accounting Assistant, reporting to Liz King in Arlington, TX! Maranda joins us with a wealth of accounting experience spending the last 13 years at Vandergriff Hyundai/Chevrolet. She is passionate about her family and is ready to hit the ground running! Stop by and say hi!
Liz King Welcomes Cheroketa Ham - Accounts Receivable Specialist, Arlington, TX
The Accounting team has the good fortune to be starting two wonderful people this month! Let’s welcome Cheroketa Ham to the team as our new Accounts Receivable Specialist, reporting to Liz King in Arlington, TX! Cher comes to us with a strong background in AR with her last position being at Mothers Against Drunk Driving. When not crunching numbers, she’s either trying to groom her standard poodle or keeping up with her grandson, who she swears is 3 going on 33.
Swing by the Accounting bullpen and welcome them both to our team!
John Kabigting Welcomes Sarah Jenson - Quality Representative, Fife, WA
PCC is excited to have Sarah Jensen join our Quality team as our newest Quality Representative reporting to John Kabigting! She brings with her several years of experience in composites manufacturing, production, and quality. During her free time, she enjoys travelling (to warm and tropical places – she’s been to Tahiti and Bora Bora!), eating great food, and she loves animals! She has a great attitude and has been ready and willing to learn a lot – we’re excited to have her!
Cory Kirby Welcomes Warren "Antwaun" Neely - Warehouse Operations Clerk, High Point, NC
Welcome Warren Neely, Warehouse Operations Clerk in High Point, NC reporting to Cory Kirby. All of Warren’s friends call him Antwaun, so we call him Antwaun. He has spent time in Japan, California, and a few other destinations thanks to his time in the Armed Services. Antwan is eager to learn and in the short time he has been here, has brought infectious energy and positivity. He will be responsible for many roles within the High Point facility but will be our go-to receiving expert.
Tony Smith Welcomes Ricki Butler - Warehouse Operative, Silmid, UK
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Tony is delighted to welcome Ricki to his team. Ricki brings with him a wealth of experience in warehouse logistics and manufacturing. Ricki has hit the ground running with his training, and has made a fantastic start to his Silmid career. Welcome to the team, Ricki! We are delighted to have you on board!
Tony Smith Welcomes Matthew Gilhespy - Warehouse Operative, Silmid, UK
Please join me in welcoming Matthew to the Silmid Warehouse Team! Matthew joins us after spending 22 years with Dennis Rawlins. Matthew brings with him a wealth of experience in warehouse and distribution, having supported across key functions including goods in, picking/packing and dangerous goods handling. Welcome to the team, Matthew, we are excited to see you thrive in your new role.
Rory Byrne Congratulates Cory Kirby on his New Inventory Planner Role - Remote
Congratulations to Cory Kirby who will join the GracoRoberts Product Management team, taking on the role of Inventory Planner, reporting to Rory Byrne. Cory brings 20 years of chemical distribution experience to the PM team, having 15 years of tenure with the GracoRoberts family of brands. Previously, Cory led warehouse and repack operations as a warehouse lead in our High Point, NC facility, eventually being promoted to Warehouse Operations Manager where he has spent the last 4 years. In his new role, Cory will be responsible for managing inventory levels, analyzing demand patterns, and developing strategies to optimize inventory turnover and product availability while minimizing carrying costs and stockouts. He will collaborate with various departments including Sales, Customer Service, and Procurement to accurately forecast demand and ensure the efficient flow of goods through the supply chain.
The effective date of Cory’s transition to this new role will be contingent upon the backfill of his current position. Please join me in congratulating Cory on his new role as we bolster Inventory Management activities for the organization, further cementing GracoRoberts as the largest, fastest, and most technical aerospace specialty chemicals distributor to serve the global aerospace market.