Argonide Announces Passing of Founder and CEO Fred Tepper
Founder and CEO of Argonide, Fred Tepper, passed away on May 5 at age 88. He founded Argonide in 1997 as an investment in nanotechnology. Argonide first revolved around electro-exploded powers; the nanotechnology concentration evolved into an electro positive adsorption material that would become the basis for Argonide’s disruptive filtration technologies NanoCeram and DEAL.
Argonide President Raymond Knispel said, “Fred Tepper was the genesis and driving force behind all that is Argonide. He was an entrepreneur, accomplished businessman, scientist, loving husband, father, and grandfather.”
Passing of Paul Funston of Funston Industrial Sands
Paul Funston of Funston Industrial Sands passed away. He was a longtime member of the California Groundwater Association. The family is planning a Celebration of Life to be held August 6 in Sacramento, CA.
Two New Hydrotech Regional USA Sales Managers Announced
Joe Loch has joined Canature WaterGroup as the Hydrotech Southeast USA Regional Sales Manager. Previously, he worked for an independent water dealer in New Jersey and was responsible for the commercial and residential water conditioning lead generations, customer sales and support, as well as the implementation of a new customer relationship management system. Canature WaterGroup believes his customer-facing sales experience and his knowledge and understanding of the Hydrotech product line will be a valuable asset to customers.
Ronnie Taylor has taken over as the Hydrotech Western USA Regional Sales Manager for Canature WaterGroup. He is a water treatment industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience. Before joining Canature WaterGroup, Taylor managed a well-recognized water dealership in Florida that gave him an in-depth understanding of the business from a dealer’s perspective.
PPG Adds Kevin Morris as Infrastructure Segment Director, Protective and Marine Coatings
PPG has appointed Kevin Morris as the Infrastructure Segment Director of its protective marine coatings business in the United States and Canada. Morris will be responsible for the growth and profitability of the infrastructure segment—this segment focuses on water/wastewater, bridge restoration, and other applications for PPG’s polyurea and epoxy coatings.
Morris has an extensive background in the protective coatings industry, beginning at Sherwin Williams in 1992. In 2008 he was named Segment Manager of the Sherwin Williams’ North America water/ wastewater segment and became the Global Segment Market Director for Infrastructure in 2019. Morris is a NACE CIP Level III Certified Coatings Inspector and a SSPC Concrete Coatings Instructor, as well as a Certified Inspector. Additionally, Morris is a member of the Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association and the American Water Works Association.