Haines retires from CFO post after 44 years with Gear Motions

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Samuel R. Haines has retired from the CFO position at Gear Motions, Inc.

Haines, who has worked for the company for 44 years, stepped down as CFO at the end of 2017, but will remain chairman until at least the end of this year, according to a company news release.

With plants in the Syracuse and Buffalo areas, Gear Motions manufacturers cut and precision-ground gears for customers around the world.

Haines started with the company while still in graduate school, working on a business plan for a company his father was seeking to purchase. In 1980, he and his family moved to Syracuse where he served as VP and general manager at the recently acquired Nixon Gear.

Haines became president of Gear Motions in 1985 when his father was diagnosed with cancer.

The company is now employee-owned, following a 10-year transition to an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) set up by Haines in 2005.

Along with his work at Gear Motions, Haines was active in the American Gear Manufacturers Association, serving as chairman of the board in the 1998-1999 period.

He has also been involved in the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, serving on the board of directors since 1989. He was board chair from 1995-1997.

“Sam’s influence and leadership will not soon be forgotten,” Gear Motions said in its news release. “His business expertise and charismatic personality have made him a natural leader and allowed him to inspire others to work together and achieve greatness. His presence will be missed not only at Gear Motions, but throughout the gear industry and local business community.”

Gear Motions is headquartered at 1750 Milton Ave. in the village of Solvay.

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Photo credit: Gear Motions