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SES Sets New Executive Team

Succeeding Batty is chief operating officer Rich Retort, who has been with the automation services and material handling equipment maker for the last 20 years.

“Rich’s leadership in operations, manufacturing and purchasing has demonstrated that he holds the skills and talent required to lead SES as chief executive officer,” the company said in a statement.

Retort began his SES career as a project engineer in the project management group, but later moved to the sales group, where found success in selling SES projects and services. He eventually was promoted as the vice president of engineered equipment sales and later became the COO.

Retort attended West Virginia University and Youngstown State University, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in business administration and mechanical engineering.

Succeeding Retort as COO is Steve Sirota, who previously had served as vice president of engineered equipment sales. In his new role, Sirota will be responsible for the company’s day-to-day operations, overseeing engineering, services, manufacturing, purchasing, and automation. Sirota holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA from Geneva College.

Additionally, the company announced that Rich Sweitzer has been promoted as vice president of sales-applications, taking on responsibilities held by Sirota. Sweitzer began his SES career as the manager of sales development in the capital equipment sales group.

He, however, has 50 years of experience and has held positions with Danieli, Mannesmann Demag and Tippins. He began his career with E.W. Bliss Co. as a sales and proposal engineer.

“All of this experience has made Rich the logical choice to step into the role of vice president,” the company said.

Also, Dave Woy, another SES veteran, has been named vice president of services. Dave began with SES 26 years ago as a project manager in the CIP group. He most recently had been the general manager of the redesign and rebuild unit.

In his new role, he will have profit and loss responsibility for the services group and will handle special assignments from the chief executive.