Protective Industrial Products, Inc. has announced a number of recent  personnel changes.

Ron Desjardins has been named Product Manager Eyewear. Ron will be responsible PIP’s rapidly growing eyewear program. Ron joins the company’s staff of 6 people dedicated to the management and development of products.

Ron brings more than 30 years’ experience in eyewear and in particular, a focus on safety eyewear with companies such as American Optical, Dalloz and Honeywell. He has served on ANSI and ISEA committees for both eyewear and head protection. Ron holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA in International Marketing & Finance from Nichols College.

“Our eye protection program has shown great growth since its inception nearly 6 years ago. Ron’s addition to our Product Management staff adds significantly to our ability to grow that business by offering our customers even better, innovative products,” Joe Milot, Jr., President.

The company has named Chris Barrington and Bob Deitrich to the newly created position of Senior PPE Segment Manager. They will share the responsibility of promoting the entire personal protective equipment (PPE) line of products for PIP and assist in the field management of our PPE product initiatives.

Chris joined PIP in July 2011 as a Market Manager-PPE in the Midwest. Bob joined PIP in January 2010 and has held a variety of positions focused on our PPE initiatives. Both men have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the safety industry and will act as mentors to the company’s PPE Product Specialists throughout the U.S.

“Chris and Bob are making a difference in the industry. We are proud to have two individuals who uphold the PIP standard for excellence supporting our customers and sales staff,” Robin Roberts, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Joe Milot, III has been promoted to the position of National Account Manager. Joe will be responsible for PIP’s relationships with a variety of the company’s national account customers.

Since joining PIP after graduation from Holy Cross in Massachusetts, Joe has held positions in operations, product management, manufacturing and regional sales management. His thorough background with the company and PIP’s customers makes Joe an ideal person to handle the needs of national accounts. Joe will report directly to Kurt Wanner, Vice President Sales – North and Northeast.

“Joe’s involvement with a variety of functions within PIP and his deep knowledge of PIP’s product offering makes him ideally positioned to assist our national account customers. I am very happy to see Joe take on this new challenge with our robust national account program,” said Roberts.

Kurt Wanner has been promoted to the position Vice President Sales – North and Northeast. Mike Brooks will focus his attention on the Southeast, South, West and our new initiative in Canada.

Kurt’s career in the safety industry began in 1981 with the Edmont Division of Beckton Dickinson and his experience in sales and marketing with both manufacturers and distributors has been invaluable in shaping his career. Kurt joined PIP in January 2006 as a Regional Sales Manager and most recently held the position of National Account Manager.

“For more than six years Kurt has contributed greatly to PIP’s success. I am very happy to see Kurt take on this new challenge,” said Roberts.

About Protective Industrial Products

Protective Industrial Products, Inc. is one of the leading suppliers of work gloves and personal protection equipment to industrial distributors nationally. PIP’s strategy is to Bring the Best of the World to You™ by providing the highest value safety products available globally to all PIP customers. PIP is headquartered in Albany, NY and employs over 165 people nationwide.