Kevin Boll has been promoted to technical director of Nextrom. He joined the company in 2006 as a lead mechanical engineer, in Finland, for the company’s optical fiber draw department. He progressed to product manager for specialty fiber, while simultaneously holding the position of sales manager for both Europe and Southeast Asia. Prior to joining Nextrom, he worked as a mechanical engineer for BAE Systems for four years. He holds a B.S. degree in engineering from Michigan Technological University. Based in Finland, and a business unit of Rosendahl Nextrom GmbH, Nextrom supplies technology for production of optical fiber and fiber optic cables.

Derek Olson has been promoted to sales director of Gem Gravure Co., Inc. He joined the company as a summer job in 1990, and it turned into a career position for him in sales. A reliable and effective representative, he has also been an active member in WAI, serving as president of the New England Chapter in 2017. He replaces the position that was long held by Mark Kristoff, who joined the company in 1994, working from the West Coast of the country. He will continue with Gem Gravure in other duties. Based in Hanover, Massachusetts, Gem Gravure Co. Inc. is a supplier of marking and coding equipment.

Omni Cable reported two hires. Keith Hopkins is vice president of strategic accounts for the Communications Business unit, responsible for leading growth strategies with the largest distributors and manufacturers in the communications enterprise market. He has more than 35 years of experience in the communications industry, with over 33 years of experience in distribution and two years in the data center space. Before OmniCable, he worked for Accu-Tech for 33 years, holding several positions. Carmel Cunningham was named director of business development for the company’s communications business unit, responsible for execution of growth strategies in the industrial automation connectivity end markets. She has 35 years of experience in the communications industry, the last 15 in the industrial sector. Previous employers include CommScope, where she worked for 10 years, and at Belden, where she worked for 15 years. Based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, with 18 regional distribution centers, OmniCable is a redistributor of wire and cable, electrical products and value-added services.

Obituary
Edward Planeta, the founder of Acme Wire Products Co., Inc., in Mystic, Connecticut, died Dec. 9, 2023, at age 87. He began his career with Associated Spring in Bristol, Connecticut, then worked as operations manager for the Planeta family business, Artistic Wire Products in Taftville, Connecticut. He founded Acme Wire in 1970 to produce custom fabricated steel and wire component parts for the emerging printer and desktop computer industries. He headed the business until his retirement in 2000. The company is now in its second generation of family ownership, run by Mary Planeta Fitzgerald, Edward Planeta, Jr., and Michael Planeta. Survivors from his two marriages include seven children; five stepchildren; 26 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

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