Northwest Pipe Appoints New CEO
04/06/2010 - The Board of Directors of Northwest Pipe Co. has accepted Brian Dunham's resignation as Chief Executive Officer and has appointed Richard A. Roman to serve in that capacity. Dunham will continue to serve as President and as a member of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors of Northwest Pipe Co. has accepted Brian Dunham's resignation as Chief Executive Officer and has appointed Richard A. Roman to serve in that capacity. Roman has been a member of the company's Board since 2003 and will remain so.
Dunham will continue to serve as President and as a member of the Board of Directors.
Roman joins the company from Columbia Ventures Corp. (CVC), where he has been President since 2002. CVC is a private investment company with significant holdings in the United States and Europe. During more than 17 years at CVC, he has served in a variety of capacities including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining CVC in 1992, Roman was a partner at the independent accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand.
Roman has served on the Audit Committee of the Board, which is conducting, with the assistance of independent professionals, an ongoing internal investigation of certain accounting matters, including certain revenue recognition practices. Roman's initial primary focus as CEO will be on achieving a resolution of these issues, the company notes.
"I believe this change is in the best interests of the company as we continue through our investigation of accounting matters," said William R. Tagmyer, Chairman of the Board. "This investigation has placed significant demands on the company, and Rich Roman's addition will help bring these issues to resolution. It is important during this period to maintain and strengthen our focus on our operations and opportunities. As President, Brian Dunham's time and energy will be concentrated on the day-to-day operations of the company."
Northwest Pipe Co. manufactures welded steel pipe and other products in two business groups. Its Water Transmission Group is the leading supplier of large-diameter, high-pressure steel pipe products that are used primarily for water infrastructure in North America. Its Tubular Products Group manufactures smaller-diameter steel pipe for a wide range of applications including construction, agricultural, energy, traffic, and other commercial and industrial uses. The company is headquartered in Vancouver, Wash., and has manufacturing operations in the United States, Mexico, and Indonesia.
