Aug 1, 2006 - U-Line Corporation Announces New Executive Posts
— U-Line Corporation, the leading innovator of premium, built-in undercounter ice makers, refrigerators and wine storage appliances, announces the appointment of three new executives to top positions within the company -
Jennifer Uihlein Straszewski, Executive Vice President-
U-Line has named Jennifer Uihlein Straszewski the company’s new executive vice president. The appointment was effective following a board of directors meeting earlier this year. Straszewski, a third-generation member of the appliance manufacturer’s founding family, will oversee operations, sales and finance, and product research and development.
“We are very pleased to announce Jennifer’s appointment to executive vice president,” remarks Phil Uihlein, president of U-Line Corporation. “Jennifer’s knowledge of the industry, enthusiasm about her work and vision for the U-Line brand make her a true leader. She is the future of our company.”
Straszewski began her career with U-Line in 1993 as a customer service representative. Promoted to account manager in 1997, she managed sales in the Western United States, conducted strategic business-to-business relationship management and played an integral role in national sales and marketing events. Straszewski was named to the board of directors in January 2000 and was promoted later that year to vice president/director of marketing. Since then, she has managed all integrated marketing initiatives for the company, and has taken an active role in product development.
A 1992 graduate of the University of Vermont, Straszewski completed her master’s degree in business administration at Marquette University in 1998. She resides in Mequon, Wisconsin, with her husband and two children.
Mark Russell, Vice President of Marketing-
U-Line announces the appointment of Mark Russell to vice president of marketing. Russell joins U-Line after 10 years in the high-end appliance industry with experience in domestic and international marketing, brand management, research, design and sales support. In addition to developing and managing all integrated marketing initiatives including new product development at U-Line, Russell will participate in overall strategic planning for the company.
Russell started in the premium appliance market in 1997 as director of marketing for Purcell Murray Company, a high-end appliance distributor located in Brisbane, Calif. During his six years there, Russell developed and implemented regional marketing programs for several European and American products and was instrumental in growing the U-Line brand throughout California. As director of sales and marketing for Jade Products Company, a division of Maytag, Russell developed product, brand and sales teams, and established the Jade brand and nationwide distribution network. Most recently, Russell served as vice president of strategic marketing for BSH North America.
Russell is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and received a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, Calif. Russell is based in Laguna Beach, California, where he resides with his wife and two children.
Paul Murphy, Vice President of Sales-
U-Line announces the promotion of Paul Murphy to vice president of sales. Murphy joined U-Line in 2003 as sales manager of the Western United States region. His new responsibilities will include sales management and growth for the residential, marine, RV, export and inside sales divisions. Murphy will also be responsible for executing U-Line’s marketing program along with managing the distribution and independent representative network. Murphy replaces Henry “Chip” Uihlein who retired in May after nineteen years with the company.
Murphy’s experience in the appliance industry includes various sales management positions with BSH North America. As regional sales director, Murphy’s responsibilities included sales, product introductions, account development, distribution management and product training in eleven states in the Central Southwest. His experience also includes national sales management for the Bosch appliance brand in the North American market, as well as account development and sales positions with Raytheon Home Appliances in Amana, Iowa. He began his career in distribution with W.O.W. Distributing Co., Inc., in Waukesha, Wis. His nine-year tenure there included positions in merchandising, special events and sales management.
Murphy is a 1992 graduate of Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, Wis., with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He resides in Oconomowoc, Wisisconsin.
For more than 40 years, U-Line Corporation has been the leading innovator of premium, built-in undercounter ice makers, Combo® ice maker/refrigerators, Wine Captain® wine storage units, refrigerators, refrigerated drawers and refrigerator/freezers. U-Line is family operated and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.