Modern Materials Handling - October 2011

FollowModern Onlinefacebook.com/mmhmagazineTwitter | @modernmhmagWeb | mmh.comMHIAMHIA announces leadership changesAT THE FALL MEETING, ASSOCIATION SAYS NOFSINGER WILL RETIREAT THE END OF THIS YEAR AND NAMES PREST HIS SUCCESSOR.BY NOËL P. BODENBURG, EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITORJohn B. Nofsinger,chief executiveofficer of MHIAsince 1999, isretiring.THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS of theMaterial Handling Industry of America(MHIA) announced last month thatJohn B. Nofsinger, chiefexecutive officer of MHIAsince 1999, will retire onDec. 31, 2011. And, GeorgeW. Prest, chief operatingofficer of MHIA, will be hissuccessor as of Jan. 1, 2012.“I am honored to begiven the opportunity tobuild on the solid foundationJohn is handingoff,” Prest said. “I wantto thank the Board ofGovernors and John forthe confidence they havein me. I accept the challengeof leading MHIA with humbleconfidence.”Nofsinger has more than 45years of experience in the materialshandling and logistics industry.He is recognized as a national andinternational authority on materialshandling and logistics. Beforejoining MHIA in 1986, Nofsinger wasemployed for 20 years by RepublicStorage Systems. During that timeas a volunteer leader within MHIA,Nofsinger served as vice presidentof the Board of Directors and chairmanof the Shelving ManufacturersAssociation.“John’s 45 years of service to theindustry and his 25 years ofservice to MHIA have beenmarked by major changesand improvements to thevalue that MHIA offers itsmembers. He has also greatlyadded to the value of MHIAevents and programmingoffered to end users,” saidMaterial Handling Industryexecutive chairman ColinWilson. “The association isextremely grateful to Johnfor his leadership and numerouscontributions to the materialhandling and logisticsindustry.”Nofsinger serves on theBoard of Governors andexecutive committee ofMaterial Handling Industry(MHI), boards of directorsfor MHIA and Material HandlingEducation Foundation(MHEFI). He also serves asmanaging executive for theRack Manufacturers Institute(RMI) and the StorageEquipment ManufacturersAssociation (SMA).George W. Prest,chief executiveofficer of MHIA asof Jan. 1, 2012.His other industry service includesthe Board of the CharlotteRoundtable of the Council of SupplyChain Management Professionals. Inaddition, Nofsinger was integral toMHIA’s current and ongoing participationas a founding member ofthe American Logistics Aid Network(ALAN).“John’s leadership in the developmentof MHIA as a national andinternational standard for industrialassociations is renowned,” saidPrest. “In addition, the growth andsuccess of ProMat and the developmentof the newly launched Modexexpo are in large part due to John’sstrategic vision. The developmentof the R-Mark rack certification,globalization of membershipand MHIA’s role withALAN all came about underJohn’s leadership. MHIAand the industry owe John,and his wife Patti, a hugedebt of gratitude for hisservice.”Prest brings more than30 years of experienceto MHIA, both in managingand owning materialhandling manufacturingcompanies. Over the years,mmh.com MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING / O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 9