GNC Corp. appointed Robert Homler executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, reporting directly to Robert J. DiNicola, executive chairman and interim CEO. Homler is a 35-year veteran of the retail industry, having served in senior level merchandising and marketing positions for several leading national retailers.
He most recently served as president, merchandising and marketing, for Levitz Furniture Co. Prior to that, he spent almost 15 years in senior management positions with R.H. Macy and Federated Department Stores. He has extensive marketing and sales promotion experience and specializes in strategically refocusing merchandise assortments and energizing staff to increase sales and improve operating margins. He has guided retail organizations through challenging transitions, including Levitz Furniture, the merger of A&S and Macy’s East, and the turnaround of several home store operations.
“Bob’s many years of experience in the areas of merchandising, marketing and store line operations make him uniquely qualified for this position,” says DiNicola. “For three decades, Bob has demonstrated professionalism and skill while achieving maximum results in a wide array of retailing challenges. We are very pleased to welcome Bob to the GNC team.”
GNC is the largest global specialty retailer of nutritional supplements, with more than 4,900 retail locations throughout the United States.
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CO.
National Development Co. of Greentree promoted Pete Crespan to vice president of NDC Builders LLC, the commercial construction division of NDC. Kevin Nestor was promoted to director of construction for NDC Communities LLC, a new division of NDC for the development and construction of planned residential communities.
PITT OHIO EXPRESS
Pitt Ohio Express promoted Ted Thompson to national account executive for LTL & Truckload Sales. In addition to maintaining his LTL national account responsibilities, Thompson assumes responsibility for securing national account truckload business for Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
MARSH INC.
Linda George and Robert Brannigan of the Pittsburgh office of Marsh Inc. were named managing directors. The title is the most senior level of management within Marsh Inc. and comprises less than 3 percent of the firm’s 38,000 employees worldwide.
George is a member of the Pittsburgh office executive committee, which sets the strategic vision for the local office. She also serves as the practice leader for FINPRO, a specialized group within Marsh that places, negotiates and advises on financial and professional exposures.
After beginning his career with Crum & Forster, Brannigan moved to Marsh & McLennan in 1978 and to Sedgwick in 1986. With the acquisition of Sedgwick, he rejoined Marsh as a client executive in the risk management department. He was appointed vice president in 1998 and senior vice president in 2000.
COMCAST
Michael Hills was named vice president/general manager for the Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Youngstown and Cleveland markets of Comcast Spotlight, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable. Previously, he served as general sales manager for Comcast Spotlight, overseeing regional and national sales for the Pittsburgh market.
THE WEBB LAW FIRM
The Webb Law Firm named patent attorney Christian E. Schusteras a shareholder of the firm.
Also, Ryan J. Miller was promoted to patent agent. Miller was recently admitted as a registered patent agent to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The Webb Law Firm concentrates solely in domestic and international intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and related litigation.
GENERAL INDUSTRIES
General Industries Inc. named Mark D. Caskey corporate director of marketing. Caskey brings more than 16 years of advertising, media and real estate marketing experience to General Industries and affiliate companies Vale Vista Associates and The Willow Room.
He co-founded and was previously president of MC Squared Advertising Inc. of Canonsburg, specializing in residential and commercial real estate marketing. Caskey will lead all marketing activities for General Industries, including advertising, media buying, print, Internet, public relations and special event planning.
JACK HORNER COMMUNICATIONS
Linda Capone joined Jack Horner Communications Inc. as promotional products regional sales manager. With more than 15 years of experience, Capone most recently served as Oxford Development Co.’s sales director, where she managed the negotiation of sales, advertising and marketing activities for its fitness facilities. Previously, she served as regional sales manager for Prestolite Electric, a manufacturer of diesel motors and alternators.
FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL
Bill Jarrett was promoted to executive vice president/chief risk officer of First Commonwealth Financial Corp. Jarret is in charge of the organization’s risk management and has been instrumental in developing and leading the company’s comprehensive approach to risk management, which evaluates risk in seven functional areas.
