01.11.2010

New president for Federal Signal

Federal Signal, owner of Bronto, has appointed Dennis J. Martin as president and chief executive, following the resignation of William Osborne.

Martin, 60, has served on Federal Signal's board of directors since 2008. Until recently he was vice president of consultant BD Martin Group, prior to that he was chief executive of General Binding Corporation (GBC), a manufacturer of binding and laminating office equipment. He joined GBC from Illinois Tool Works, where he was chief executive of the Welding Products Group. He is also a director of HNI Corporation and of Coleman Cable, Inc.
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Dennis J. Martin

James Goodwin, Federal’s chairman said: "Our Board of Directors and Bill Osborne agree that, following two years of important progress to improve Federal Signal's cost structure and position the company for long term growth, the time is right for new leadership to accelerate the company's strategic and financial goals.”

"Dennis Martin is a proven leader with deep operational experience built up over a 35 year career working with diversified global industrial manufacturing companies like Federal Signal. Dennis has been a great asset to the company as a director during the last two and a half years and he possesses first-hand knowledge of the company and each of its businesses' strengths and opportunities.”

"I am excited to be joining Federal Signal's management team and would like to thank Bill (Osborne) for his time, commitment and valuable service to Federal Signal. We appreciate his numerous contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavours."

The company has also appointed Jennifer L. Sherman, currently general counsel and secretary to the additional role of chief administrative officer, responsible for the company's administrative functions including legal, human resources, information technology, facilities, compliance and government affairs.

"Jennifer Sherman's role is a new position for the company," said Martin “She is a seasoned executive and a 16 year veteran of Federal Signal who will bring an intimate knowledge of our company and considerable legal and business acumen to the role. Centralising responsibility for the Company's administrative functions with Jennifer will help us maximize operational efficiencies."