Manufacturing management changes, new hires

Index Corp. names new president and CEO as Tom Clark announces retirement

Index has named Cris Taylor the new president and CEO of Index Corp., effective January 1, 2021. Taylor will be taking over for Tom Clark, who has announced his retirement at the end of 2020. Taylor will be joining the Index Group in October to ensure a seamless transition for the organization and its customers.

Cris Taylor, President/CEO
Index Corp., effective 1/1/2021

Taylor has more than 30 years of experience in the machine tool industry, both in Europe and the United States. Having grown up in the United Kingdom, Taylor spent most of his working career in Germany. This includes 27 years at Chiron, where he held positions of increasing responsibility. He established the Chiron UK’s sales and service and engineering operations, then built Chiron’s used machinery division in Germany. Taylor spent five years with Chiron America in Charlotte, NC, and, most recently, served for eight years as managing director of Stama, Chiron’s sister company.

“Cris brings to Index Corporation international sales and service experience combined with a long career working in Germany, which will greatly benefit our operations in North America,” Clark says. “When one leaves a leadership position, you always hope to transition to someone who can build on previous accomplishments and continue to grow the organization. Cris will be a great addition to the Index team.”

Clark’s mandate four years ago was to pursue aggressive growth within the North American market. Under his leadership, Index revitalized its distribution network, grew its service and applications capabilities, expanded the team in North America and achieved record sales in 2018 and 2019. 

Sales, management changes fortify Jorgensen’s commitment to service, support

Chuck D'Amico,
President/CEO
Jorgensen Conveyor &

Filtration Solutions

To further strengthen its customer sales, service and application support, Jorgensen Conveyors and Filtration Solutions has announced several promotions and a key new hire within its sales and management teams. The company has named Chuck D’Amico as its new president and CEO, brought on board Karl Kleppek as new director of sales and marketing, and appointed Dustin Krueger to the position of manager of engineering.

A third-generation owner and grandson of the company's founders, new President and CEO Chuck D'Amico has served Jorgensen for 26 years during a period of significant growth as Manufacturing Manager, Vice President of Manufacturing and Director of Operations. With a background that includes long experience in engineering, operations, process improvement, productivity and quality, D'Amico has been instrumental in enhancing Jorgensen's manufacturing operations with the latest technologies and has a broad understanding of all aspects of the manufacturing process. He is committed to leveraging the company's respected traditions in bringing new, innovative products to market. 

Chuck assumed his new role upon the retirement of former Co-Principle John D’Amico. John managed North American sales, marketing, engineering and product development and was a member of the core executive team – helping to set strategy for the organization that more than doubled in size during his tenure. John remains an owner and member of the board. 

Karl Kleppek, Director Sales & 
Marketing, Jorgensen Conveyors
& Filtration Solutions

With extensive executive-level sales, business-development and marketing experience, Kleppek brings to Jorgensen more than 30 years of professional experience. He has served leading companies in the manufacturing realm, including GF Machining Solutions, FANUC America and Siemens Energy and Automation, and in his new role will focus on ensuring that every customer’s needs are met with the right solution for overcoming their specific production challenges. 

Dustin Kreuger, Manager
or Engineering, Jorgensen

Conveyors & Filtration
Solutions

With nearly 15 years of service at Jorgensen, Krueger has spent his entire professional career with the company, most recently as Engineering Lead Person and Product Development Engineer. Beginning in a variety of roles, from assembler to shipping prepper, he has advanced his capabilities, earning an associate degree with honors in electronic engineering technology and rising through the ranks to hold design responsibilities for all of Jorgensen's product lines.