Our management team has extensive know-how of experienced industry professionals from a range of fields including engineering, banking, law, and business. Our team members possess the creative vision, energy, drive, pragmatism, and dedication for success. They are committed to our central philosophy of innovation in engineering and strive to inspire creativity and productivity throughout the company.
Peter Neustadter Chairman of the Board
Peter Neustadter has 25 years' experience in manufacturing and marketing products for the worldwide automotive industry. He heads IAT Automotive, Inc., a New York-based fund specializing in investing in innovative technologies to the automotive industry. Mr. Neustadter served as president of Durawool, Inc., until its sale in 1996. The company is one of the world's largest manufacturers and suppliers of friction materials to the automotive industry.
Richard F. (Rick) Dauch Co-Chairman of the Board
Richard F. (Rick) Dauch became Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Microheat, Inc., effective January 30, 2008. He previously served as a member of the board of directors and as a special consultant to Microheat, assessing the organization's strength, identifying priorities and supporting growth. Mr. Dauch has a wealth of experience in the automotive industry. Prior to joining Microheat, he served as Executive Vice President, Worldwide Manufacturing for American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM). He held various senior roles for AAM, including serving as President of The Metal Formed Products Division; Plant Manager of AAM's 3,500-plus associate Detroit Gear & Axle Plant; Director of Strategic and Capacity Planning; and Vice President, Manufacturing. Mr. Dauch received M.S. degrees in Management and Engineering form the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a B.S. in General Engineering and Economic Management from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, West Point Army Football Club and St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Foundation and is a member of the Dean's Advisory Council for the Krannert School of Business at Purdue University. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation.
Ron Gardhouse Chief Executive Officer and President
Ronald J. Gardhouse assumed the duties of Chief Executive Officer and President of Microheat, Inc., effective January 25, 2008 and was elected to the Board on January 30, 2008. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Gardhouse has more than 30 years of senior level experience in the automotive industry, having served in a succession of leadership positions at OEM and Tier 1 suppler levels. Prior to joining Microheat, Mr. Gardhouse was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Advanced Accessory Systems, a designer and manufacturer of automotive accessories for original equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket. Previously, he served as an Executive Vice President at Exide Technologies, a global manufacturer of automotive and industrial batteries. He worked for DaimlerChrysler as a Vice President, and prior to the merger, in a succession of senior level positions for more than 25 years including: President, Asia Pacific Operations; Assistant corporate Treasurer; Deputy Managing Director, Chrysler, Mexico; and Assistant Corporate Controller. He began his career in public accounting with Deloitte & Touche. He received a M.B.A. from Michigan State University and a B.A. in Business Administrations from Eastern Michigan University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Gardhouse is a member of the Board of Directors of Next Energy.
Gal Golod Executive Vice President - Legal Affairs
Gal Golod has been our Executive Vice President-Legal Affairs since we commenced operations in March 1998. He manages and directs our corporate legal activities, corporate finance and investor relations. Mr. Golod graduated cum laude and received an LLB from the University of Hertfordshire Law School in England. He is a member of the Israeli bar.
Vycheslav (Slava) Ivanov Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Slava Ivanov is responsible for the company's R&D efforts and played a major role in the thermodynamic and automated electronic control developments to support our strategic direction and to make Microheat products the de facto standard in cleaning and de-icing systems for vehicles. He brings extensive knowledge in the development and products of heating systems from his work with ElectroTherm, a leading Israeli manufacturer of heating products. He worked for the Russian Space Agency at the Mechanical Institute in Leningrad, Russia. Mr. Ivanov graduated cum laude with a diploma in Electronic and Mechanical Engineering from the Mechanical Institute of Leningrad.
Laura Kowalchik Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Previously, Ms. Kowalchik has served as our Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President since January 2007. Ms. Kowalchik held various positions with Metaldyne Corporation from September 1998 to December 2006. From March 2005 to December 2006, she was Director of Financial Reporting and Analysis; from February 2002 to March 2005, she was Director of Financial Planning and Analysis; from January 2000 to February 2002, she was a Strategic Planning Manager; and from September 1998 to January 2000, she was a tax manager/senior financial analyst. Prior to September 1998, Ms. Kowalchik was a senior financial analyst with Bosch Systems Inc., a manufacturer of parts for the automotive industry, in South Bend, Indiana and held various finance positions with Marriott Corporation in Washington, D.C. Ms. Kowalchik has a masters of business administration in finance from Indiana University and a bachelor of science degree in accounting from the University of Richmond and is a certified public accountant.
Colleen Davis Vice President - Human Resources
In her role as Vice President of Human Resources, Colleen Davis is responsible for employee relations, benefits, compensation, performance management, and training. Prior to joining Microheat in February 2007, Ms. Davis was Vice President of Corporate Resources and Facilities at Airliance Materials, LLC, in Chicago. In that role, she directed the human resources function for the startup/joint venture between United Airlines, Lufthansa Technik and Air Canada. Before that, she served in a succession of human resources and finance positions at Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Ind., including director of Finance, Industrial Business Unit and director of Human Resources, Industrial Marketing. Before joining Cummins, she served as manager of Government Accounting and Compliance for Cadillac Gage Textron, Inc., in Warren, Mich. She began her career with United Technologies' Pratt Whitney Government Engine Business in West Palm Beach, Fla. Ms. Davis holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Lawrence Technological University (formerly Lawrence Institute of Technology).
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