Feldmeier moves forward with 3rd-generation leadership

DeWITT, N.Y. — The grandson of company founder Robert Feldmeier, Sr. and nephew of most recent president and CEO Robert Feldmeier is now leading the company.

Feldmeier Equipment Inc. has announced the appointment of Colby Clark as its next president and CEO. 

Feldmeier Equipment is a DeWitt–based stainless-steel processing equipment manufacturer.

Besides the CEO role, the firm also made additional personnel announcements as the “third generation steps in to lead new era of accelerated sales growth and continued technology innovation,” per its announcement. 

About Clark

Clark joined the family business in 1998 and served in multiple roles in purchasing, estimating, purchasing, plant management, and most recently, as vice president of operations. 

Since 2011, he’s been responsible for day-to-day operations and the company’s strategic growth. In his new role, Colby will be responsible for Feldmeier’s growth strategies, will lead the executive committee, and preside over the company’s workforce.

With Clark’s appointment, Robert Feldmeier, Jr. assumes the role of chairman of the board. During his tenure, Feldmeier led the addition of two new manufacturing facilities in conjunction with the board of directors and his sisters, Jeanne Jackson and Lisa Clark, the firm said.

In an e-mail to employees, Feldmeier praised Clark, saying, “Colby’s many years of hard work and dedication to our company are greatly appreciated, and this promotion is well deserved. Colby will be responsible for the leadership of all aspects of the Feldmeier Equipment business.”

Additional roles

Besides Clark’s appointment as CEO, the company also announced Jenny Jackson Donohoe takes on the role of VP of community relations and corporate culture in addition to being a member of the executive committee. 

Donohoe is the granddaughter of Robert Feldmeier, Sr. and niece of Robert Feldmeier, Jr., per the announcement. Donohoe has been with the company for more than 12 years, most recently as the head of human resources.

In this new role, Donohoe will “drive the integrated approach to community impact efforts, build new and deepen existing initiatives and partnerships, work with leadership to redefine the organization’s core values, and incorporate these values into everyday operations,” the firm said. 

Dave Pollock, Feldmeier’s former VP of sales, assumes the role of COO. Before joining Feldmeier, Pollock previously served as president of Burns Cascade and Modular Biopharm Systems, both based in Syracuse.

In addition, Amy Lawler joins Feldmeier in the newly created position of CFO. She brings more than 20 years of financial experience, most recently at Anoplate and CenterState CEO, the firm said.

Elroy Moore was recently promoted to director of manufacturing, where he oversees all aspects of Feldmeier’s manufacturing and production operations at all seven Feldmeier facilities. Moore brings 45 years of fabrication experience in the tank industry with both Feldmeier and its predecessor, Cherry-Burrell. He was most recently the plant manager at the firm’s Little Falls location and also serves on the executive committee.

Kyle Brown was promoted to director of research and development/technical operations, where he is responsible for the innovation of technology to enhance the manufacturing process, and equipment designs and overseeing complex customer needs. Brown brings more than 20 years of manufacturing experience at Feldmeier as a vessel-design engineer, project engineer, Little Falls plant manager, and most recently as Feldmeier’s director of engineering for the past eight years. He also serves on the executive committee.