Prima, a telecom/data infrastructure firm, in collaboration with Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), has signed a contract for the establishment of what would be the first “smart” deployment of a subsea cable system: the Science Monitoring And Reliable Telecommunications (SMART) Subsea Cables initiative that seeks to revolutionize deep ocean observing by equipping transoceanic telecommunications cables with sensors to provide novel and persistent insights into the state of the ocean.

A press release said that the SMART cable will connect Vanuatu and New Caledonia, extending to Australia and Fiji. It will provide not just digital connectivity, but also vital environmental/seismic monitoring in the Pacific region. Prima is responsible for maintenance and operations of the ICN1 subsea cable system, which connects Vanuatu to Suva, Fiji, and has been operational since 2014. It is 100% owned and operated by the people of Vanuatu, a South Pacific Ocean nation made up of roughly 80 islands.

Dave Troy has joined REELEX Packaging Solutions as vice president of sales & service, a newly created position that will see him focus on the company’s sales and service structure. He previously served for nine years as director of marketing and business development for Emerson Discrete Automation’s Branson Welding and Assembly division, and prior to that he worked for 10 years for Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation, as director of marketing. He holds a BBA degree in marketing/business from Western Connecticut State University and an MBA from the University of Connecticut School of Business. The new position allows Tim Copp, vice president of business development, to spend more time on marketing and product development. Based in Patterson, New York, REELEX Packaging Solutions, is the creator/licensor of REELEX® packaging and a manufacturer of take-ups, dancers, accumulators and payoffs.

American Wire Group (AWG) has named Scott Taylor as vice president of regional sales for its renewable energy division. He will be responsible for AWG customers for new construction, repower, operations and maintenance capacities in the wind, solar and battery energy storage industries. He has more than 20 years of experience in engineering, sales management and business development in wire and cable manufacturing and distribution sectors. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from Tennessee State University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. Based in Miami, Florida, the American Wire Group supplies wire and cable, hardware, equipment, and accessory solutions.

Brad Johnson has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of both Superior Essex Communications and Essex Brownell. As COO, he will collaborate with the presidents of both business units to achieve their 2024 objectives as well as develop new growth strategies for each division. He joined the company in 1997 as vice president of sales, and became senior vice president of sales in 2003, then was named president of Superior Essex International LP in 2016. He will continue to serve in that position in the interim. He holds a degree in business administration from the Indiana State University Scott College of Business. Along with Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire, Superior Essex Communications and Essex Brownell are part of Superior Essex, a global leader in cable and wire technology based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Derek Nicholson has been named a regional manager for OmniCable, responsible for leading the St Louis commercial team. He has more than 15 years of electrical experience, having previously worked for LEDvance and Grainger. He holds a business degree from the University of Kansas and an MBA from Baker University. Based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, OmniCable is a distributor of wire and cable, electrical products, and value-added services.

Rob Cook has been promoted to director of new business development for Xaloy LLC, responsible for new business development initiatives from acquiring new customers to expanding product sales. Melissa Greenway was named OEM account manager. She joined the company in 2021 as an inside sales specialist. She previously worked for three years as a government sales specialist for Robeck Fluid Power. Based in Paluski, Virginia, Xaloy manufactures screws, barrels, and front-end components to sectors that include wire and cable.

Veronica Braker has joined Southwire as its new executive vice president of operational excellence. She has three decades of experience in leading teams focused on operations, environmental, health and safety (EHS), reliability and maintenance, capital expenditure and more. She is a Lean Six Sigma certified Master Black Belt and practices Lean as a discipline in how she approaches strategy and operational planning. She most recently was senior vice president of global operations at Archer Daniels Midland Company, where she led a global operations team, as well as the centers of excellence that included EHS, Quality, Maintenance, Capital and Process Optimization. She previously held leadership roles at Clorox, General Electric, BASF Corporation, Flint Hills Resources, and Milliken & Company, among others. She currently serves as the Board Chair for the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation. She previously served on the National Board of Directors for Women in Manufacturing, the advisory board for Women in Food and Agriculture and National Association of Manufacturer’s Board of Directors and Executive Council. She holds a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Christian Brothers University. Based in Carrolton, Georgia, Southwire is one of the world’s largest producers of wire and cable.

Dr. Peter Schmidt, managing partner at TROESTER for many years, has handed over the position of CEO to Thomas Holzer as part of the corporate strategy to maintain continuity in the management of the company and stimulate future development. Schmidt will continue to serve as managing partner and CFO. Holzer, who has been with the company since 2021, previously was managing director at Voith in Heidenheim and in the Asia region before joining TROESTER. Bernd Pielsticker will continue to manage the operational business as Chief Operating Officer. Based in Germany, TROESTER supplies complete cable production lines as well as individual cable machines, such as winders, accumulators, caterpillars, capstans in various sizes and designs.