Safelite Group Announces Several Promotions

The Columbus, Ohio-based Safelite Group has announced a number of promotions within its ranks.

David Erwin has been appointed to the newly created position of national repair development manager. In his new role, Erwin is responsible for quality control and execution consistency of the Safelite AutoGlass Repair Medics windshield repair operation.

Erwin joined Safelite in December 1998 as a repair medics market manager and has held positions as a repair medics market manager and regional repair development manager. Prior to joining Safelite, he owned and managed a small chain of video rental stores.

The company also has named Dino Lanno vice president, enterprise procurement and commercial sales. In his new role, Lanno will be responsible for expanding the company's centralized purchasing operations and overseeing commercial and wholesale auto glass sales.

With more than 14 years of experience at Safelite, Lanno has held positions including director of materials management, director of purchasing and materials management and, most recently, vice president of purchasing. He also represents Safelite on various auto glass industry committees including the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standard (AGRSS) Council.

Steven B. Micheli has been promoted to the position of senior vice president, manufacturing and fulfillment, and has gained a seat on the company's operating committee. In his new position, Micheli will assume responsibility for the company's retail auto glass operations, adding to his previous role as leader of the Safelite Glass Corp. windshield manufacturing and distribution operations.

Since joining Safelite in 1993 as a production manager, Micheli has held positions as plant manager, and vice president of manufacturing and distribution operations. Hehas more than 20 years of manufacturing experience. Prior to joining Safelite, Micheli worked for Motorists Insurance, Guardian Automotive Products and HBI.

Safelite has also announced the promotion of Mark Clay to assistant vice president, manufacturing and distribution center operations. In his new role, Clay will oversee the Safelite Glass Corp. windshield manufacturing facilities in Enfield, N.C., and Wichita, Kan., and the company's national distribution operations in Enfield.

Clay joined Safelite in 1997 as quality manager and, while at Safelite, has earned a Six Sigma Master Black Belt Certification. Prior to joining Safelite, Clay worked in quality management for AP Technoglass and Golf Pride, a division of the Eaton Corp.

In addition, Garth Beck has been promoted to the position of vice president, field operations. In his new role, Beck will oversee the company's Safelite AutoGlass retail operations.

Since joining the company in 1980 as an auto glass technician, Beck has received numerous promotions and most recently served as regional vice president for the Safelite AutoGlass western region. He also held the positions of store manager, general manager, district operations manager, regional vice president and assistant vice president. Beck will be based in the Salt Lake City office.