Stellar Promotes Formanek, Glidden to Retire
Stellar Industries Inc. has announced a promotion, a retirement and the addition of two regional sales managers.
Tom Formanek has been promoted to director of sales, tire trucks and manipulators, while Travis Glidden, who has held a wide range of roles at Stellar over the past 33 years, will retire this summer.
Meanwhile, Dylan Rycroft and Jeremy Edds have joined Stellar as regional sales managers for the Garner, Iowa-based company's Central and Southeast territories, respectively.
"Glidden has dedicated 40 years to the tire service truck industry, including 33 years with Stellar," according to Stellar officials. "He began his career at Collins Equipment in 1986 and continued with Stellar following its acquisition of the company in 1993. Over the last several decades, Glidden has traveled extensively throughout the Western Hemisphere, putting the right equipment solutions in the hands of customers.
"Beyond his sales experience, Glidden has been deeply involved in industry organizations including the Northwest Tire Dealers Association, North Central Tire Dealers Association and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), where he served on the board of directors."
“The gratitude we have for Travis is immense,” sats Tim Davison, vice president of sales and marketing at Stellar. “The legacy he leaves behind will remain an enduring part of Stellar’s history as well as the tire service industry.”
Like Glidden, Formanek joined Stellar in 1993 following six years with Collins Equipment. "During his more than three decades in the industry, Formanek has been heavily involved with TIA, holding many positions on the board, including treasurer, secretary, vice president and president."
In his new role, Formanek will lead Stellar’s tire truck and manipulator sales team while continuing to manage key customer relationships in the Northeast. He will oversee three regional sales manangers: Edds, Rycroft and Thomas Griffiths, who handles Stellar's western territory.
Edds has "more than 30 years of experience in the tire and transportation industries," say Stellar officials. "Prior to joining Stellar, he worked at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., where he gained first-hand experience operating tire trucks and manipulators in real-world applications."
"I know how customers are using the trucks because I spent decades doing the same work,” says Edds, who is based in Dalton, Ga. “Using that knowledge, paired with Stellar’s reputation for quality, I look forward to helping customers solve the unique challenges they face in the Southeast region.”
Rycroft brings eight years of service truck industry experience with him to Stellar. "In that time, he has held positions in both production and sales," say Stellar officials. "Prior to joining Stellar, Rycroft held positions at Terex and Palfinger, gaining hands-on technical and operational experience."
"I’m excited to focus on taking care of customers and ensuring they are matched with the right product for their needs,” said Rycroft, who is based in Oklahoma City, Okla. “Helping customers make informed decisions and delivering solutions that fit each unique operation is especially rewarding to me.”