May 04, 2011

John Kovatch IV has announced that he will lead KME’s support operations as the new Director of Customer Service. Kovatch will succeed former Director Tony Cornetto as he plans for his retirement after successful careers at both Mack Trucks and KME. Over the last decade, Kovatch has worked in various roles with the Company including inventory control, purchasing, sales engineering, service, business development, and dealership operations. Kovatch will now lead the support efforts for the entire organization including the oversight of KME service centers at all factory branches, warranty administration, technical support, training, parts, refurbishment and service. “KME has a passion to provide our customers the highest level of service both before and after the sale and to assist them with the parts and services that meet the ever-changing demands of today’s specialty vehicle customers,” states John Kovatch IV. Kovatch brings with him additional staff with outstanding experience including Mark Kopunek, Jim Hauser, Stan Ptaszkowski, and Dave Barachie.

Mark Kopunek has over 30 years experience with KME and has served the Company in roles in parts, sales engineering, product management, sales and dealer operations. Kopunek will serve as National Manager of Dealer Operations and will assist both KME factory locations and our nationwide network of sales and service centers in continuing to grow our support operations. For 24 years, Jim Hauser has served KME customers in a variety of capacities including sales engineering, production management and production engineering. As the new Service Engineer, Hauser brings strong technical skills to support both end-users and KME personnel. Stan Ptaszkowski has over 20 years of experience in sales and support across KME’s broad product line. He will oversee the areas of inspections and deliveries and will ensure that new apparatus are delivered complete, to spec and ready to put into service. Dave Barachie has over three decades of parts and service experience and will join the warranty administration team to continue the excellent work under Ed Opella, KME’s warranty manager.

These additions bring additional depth to a department that consists of over 50 trained individuals with hundreds of combined years of experience in service and support. John Kovatch III, KME CEO and President states, “Our Company, in its 65 year of business, has never been more dedicated to providing world class customer service. We understand that our continued growth and success is fundamentally tied to the success of our customers. These personnel transfers highlight that commitment with proven performers that are among our most experienced and best managers.”

In his new role, Kovatch is also dedicated to ensuring that KME and its service centers are provided with the latest training on both KME and vendor supplied products. In the second quarter of 2011 service technicians will be at KME as part of a regular service training curriculum. In addition, all KME factory locations will be hosting EVT testing.

With over 700 employees, a world-class manufacturing facility, and more than 40 sales and service centers, KME has the resources to support our customers’ needs with an unrivaled dedication to support before and after the sale.