Jeffrey M. Nodland Named President and CEO of KIK Custom Products--Ben W. Kaak Named CFO
Jeffrey M. Nodland Named President and CEO of KIK Custom Products--Ben W. Kaak Named CFO
Jeffrey M. Nodland Named President and CEO of KIK Custom Products--Ben W. Kaak Named CFO--
KIK Custom Products (“KIK”), one of the largest custom manufacturers of national brand and retailer brand personal care and household products, today announced that Jeffrey M. Nodland has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and that Ben W. Kaak has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Both appointments are effective today. Mr. Nodland succeeds Paul Richardson, who joined the Company as President in 2005, has served as President and CEO since May 2007, and is retiring from the Company for health reasons. Mr. Kaak succeeds S. Randall Smallbone who will remain with KIK as Treasurer for a transition period. Steven M Lefkowitz, a member of the KIK Board of Directors, said: “We are pleased towelcome Jeff Nodland to KIK. Jeff brings a remarkable track record of leadership, with broad experience in strategy, manufacturing, operations, finance, and mergers and acquisitions, creating considerable value in each of his prior roles. We are confident that he will enhance KIK’s growth initiatives and customer relationships, create new opportunities for employees, and build upon strong relationships with vendors and business partners.”
“The entire Board extends its thanks to Paul Richardson for his leadership and substantial contributions to KIK’s development. We are pleased that we will continue to benefit from Paul’s global experience in retailer branded products and contract manufacturing as he remains an active member of the Board.” said Mr. Lefkowitz. Mr. Nodland, 52, joins KIK after a 30-year career in specialty chemicals and coatings manufacturing, most recently serving as President of the Coatings and Inks Division of Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc., a former unit of Eastman Chemical acquired by Apollo Management in 2004 and subsequently merged into Hexion in 2005. Mr. Nodland served as President and COO of Resolution Performance Products from 2001 to 2004, a former epoxy resins business of Shell Chemical that was also acquired by Apollo Management in 2000. From 1991 through 2001, Mr. Nodland led McWhorter Technologies, a specialty chemical company spun off by The Valspar Corporation in 1994, serving first as Division President, then CFO and COO, and ultimately as CEO and President of the business. In commenting on his appointment, Mr. Nodland said: “I am excited to begin my new role at KIK, which has distinguished itself for the breadth and depth of the services it provides to leading global personal care and household products companies. Paul Richardson and his management team have made significant progress in positioning KIK for the next stage of its growth. I look forward to working with our customers, employees and other stakeholders as we build upon that foundation to enhance the Company’s existing service offerings and pursue significant opportunities for growth.” Mr. Nodland holds an MBA from the College of St. Thomas and a BA, Business Administration, from Augsburg College.
Ben W. Kaak named CFO of KIK Custom Products
“We are also delighted to welcome Ben Kaak to the Company,” continued Mr.Lefkowitz. “We are confident that Ben’s experience across a broad range of businesses, functions and regions will serve KIK well as it enters the next stage of its development.”
Mr. Kaak, 48, brings more than 25 years of experience in accounting, audit, tax, consulting and business management to his new role. He has served at PricewaterhouseCoopers as a Partner leading their Canadian technology practice across all service areas, and most recently as the Canadian firm’s practice leader in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) across all industry sectors and service areas. He began his career at KPMG in Toronto, serving in positions of increasing responsibility before being named Partner-In-Charge, Software/Hardware in 1996.
Prior to PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Kaak held multiple positions, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, with the Mosaic Group Inc, a provider of outsourced sales and marketing services, promotions, and private label telecom services. He also spent time at Dundee Securities Corporation, Toronto as Head of Technology Investment Banking. Mr. Kaak is a Chartered Accountant and holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Waterloo.
Boutique executive search services with best in class global network, contacts and market mastery.
Deeply connected and engaged personal service approach, long-term investment in client community and 25 year history of strong relations with both Multi-National leaders and Private Equity partners.