Sources: Gate Precast Co., Jacksonville, Fla.; CP staff
To improve efficiencies and collaboration across its Southeast and South Central precast/prestressed concrete operations, Gate Precast has consolidated four business units under a Northern Division, spanning Winchester, Ky., Oxford, N.C. and Ashland City, Tenn., plants; and, Southern Division, encompassing Monroeville, Ala., Kissimmee, Fla., and Hillsboro, Texas, plants.
Management has been harmonized with the respective appointments of Northern and Southern Division Vice Presidents Travis Fox and Mark Ledkins, Operations; and Chris Galde and Brian Griffis, Estimating, Marketing & Sales. Kissimmee Operations Manager Bryant Luke will serve both divisions as vice president of Special Operations, concentrating on research & development, custom projects and safety. Fox previously served as Oxford Operations manager and Corporate Business manager, while 30-year industry veteran Galde was most recently Northeast Regional Director of Sales & Marketing, responsible for architectural precast and hollow core systems. A 37-year industry veteran, Ledkins has served as Monroeville Operations manager, while Griffis transitions from his Southeast Regional Sales & Marketing manager position. Senior Vice President of Operations Earl Shimp, who retires in July 2019, will play an active role in the management the transition.
“Earl’s shoes will be difficult to fill, but we have a great plan in place that will make us a more streamlined organization,” says Gate President Dean Gwin. “The combined experience of Brian, Chris, Mark and Travis makes them a very powerful tool. They will now be able to quickly call on talent at other plants to help when needed and share best practices between divisions.”