The NIBCO Board of Directors recently announced the appointment of Ashley Martin as executive vice president, effective immediately. Reporting to NIBCO President and CEO Steve Malm, Martin continues in her role as corporate officer and executive leadership team member; and serves as member of the NIBCO Board of Directors, a position she has held since 2018. She is responsible for maximizing the company’s operating performance and achieving its financial goals.

“Ashley’s business acumen, industry connections and experience have prepared her well,” said Malm in announcing Martin’s appointment. “Her innate leadership qualities and strategic vision will successfully propel NIBCO forward into its fifth generation.”

Since joining NIBCO in 2012, Martin has held a variety of positions, including senior vice president, sales; vice president of wholesale sales; general manager of PEX; and director of distribution and transportation. Martin co-founded the American Supply Association Women in Industry group in 2013. She served a two-year term as chairperson, beginning in 2016.

Martin received her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Notre Dame, and holds a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in strategy and operations management from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

NIBCO promotes Martin to executive vice president

Watts acquires Silicon Valley provider of wireless water security solutions

The Detection Group, a provider of wireless water security solutions and wireless water leak detection for commercial buildings, has joined the Watts family of brands.

Incorporating cutting-edge technology, its Trident Wireless water leak detection system allows for 24/7/365, real-time detection and notification of the precise location of water leaks in any size or age building — and is the gold standard for water leak detection, Watts states.

The Detection Group (TDG), with headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, currently protects more than 50 million square feet of floor space in well over 400 commercial buildings across the United States. Its Trident system was the first and only wireless leak detection system to obtain coveted FM approval. Equally important, the technology, reliability and quality of the system is recognized by building managers, owners and engineers as best-in-class in the industry, Watts adds.

“TDG addresses a key pain point for commercial and multifamily building owners, that being rising insurance costs due to water leaks,” Watts CEO Robert J. Pagano said. “TDG represents another offering to bundle into our company’s overall suite of smart and connected products, which continues to represent a larger share of our sales. We welcome the TDG team to Watts.”

IAPMO announced the promotion of Region 4 Manager Brian Rogers to vice president of field services.

A 26-year veteran of the trades, Rogers joined IAPMO in 2015 as the manager responsible for IAPMO’s interests in the Midwestern states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Prior to joining IAPMO, Rogers wore many hats, including stints as a superintendent, inspector, contractor and instructor. He holds a master license in plumbing, hydronics, refrigeration and HVAC, and is a certified medical gas installer and backflow technician.

In addition to his efforts integral to code advocacy in cities and counties across his region, Rogers is a frequent instructor of educational seminars, delivering continuing education units for licensing requirements, and was instrumental in the re-establishment of the Nebraska Central IAPMO chapter.

“Brian’s determination, diligence and dedication to serving IAPMO’s membership and stakeholders accentuates the great work performed each day by our Field Services team,” said D.J. Nunez, senior vice president of field services. “His field experience and technical knowledge of plumbing and mechanical code provisions is a benefit to the entire industry.”

IAPMO announces Rogers promotion

Bradley Corp., announced the appointment of Mark Whittington to vice president, business development.

Whittington will join Bradley’s leadership team and in his role be responsible for growing Bradley’s plumbing products business. He has held various sales, operations and supply chain leadership positions in the plumbing industry for 20-plus years, most notably with Elkay Mfg. as Executive VP-Plumbing.

“Mark possesses extensive knowledge of the plumbing wholesale industry, knows many of our sales representative agencies and the leading wholesaler customers,” said Luis de Leon, chief operating officer, Bradley Corp. “We are excited that he has joined Bradley’s leadership team and is already making a positive impact on our business.”

Whittington named Bradley Corp. VP

Bradford White Corp., a manufacturer of commercial, residential and industrial water heating and storage applications, named Rich Simons senior vice president and general manager of Laars Heating Systems Co.

“I’ve often said that Rich is the epitome of a general manager, because he can bring insight and ideas to every facet of the Laars Heating System’s business,” said Bruce Carnevale, president and CEO of Bradford White Corp. “His broad knowledge base, tireless work ethic and industry experience have made him an invaluable part of our corporate leadership team.”

Simons, a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Business, joined Laars in 2016 as vice president and general manager. His responsibilities encompass the overall operation of the business as well as its strategic direction and financial results. Simons has more than 30 years of experience in the boiler industry.

“The opportunities that we are taking to deliver innovative customer solutions have never been better and we are excited about our future,” Simons said. “It’s about our customers and our people, and as a member of the Bradford White family, I am very proud of what we have accomplished. I believe we embody a customer commitment that is second to none as one of the industry’s premier boiler manufacturers.”

In January, Simons was appointed to the board of directors of the American Boiler Manufacturers Association.

“When Rich arrived at Laars, his priority was to spend time with our customers and manufacturers’ representatives so he could truly understand their needs and learn about any challenges they were experiencing,” Carnevale said. “Under his leadership, the Laars team has brought new products to market in record time and implemented improvements across the major functional areas of the company.”

Rich Simons named senior vice president and general manager for Laars Heating Systems

Autodesk acquires Innovyze

Autodesk announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Portland, Oregon-based Innovyze, a global provider in water infrastructure software, for $1 billion net of cash, subject to working capital and tax closing adjustments. The acquisition positions Autodesk as a technology leader in end-to-end water infrastructure solutions from design to operations, accelerates Autodesk’s digital twin strategy, and creates a clearer path to a more sustainable and digitized water industry, Autodesk explained.

Innovyze’s modeling, simulation and predictive analyses solutions enable more cost-effective and sustainably designed water distribution networks, water collection systems, water and wastewater treatment plants and flood protection systems, Autodesk noted. Further, Innovyze’s solutions centralize infrastructure asset visibility to optimize capital and operational expenses. Combining Innovyze’s portfolio with the power of Autodesk’s design and analysis solutions, including Autodesk Civil 3D, Autodesk InfraWorks and the Autodesk Construction Cloud, offers civil engineers, water utility companies and water experts the ability to better respond to issues and to improve planning, Autodesk added.