Afinitas, a leading global infrastructure equipment and services company, is pleased to announce the promotion of two of its Afinitas Forming Systems Division team members, who will also be added to the division’s leadership team. The current Forming Systems Division leadership team members include Jamie Wegner (President), Nick Wegner (Vice President), and Derek Von Cannon (Vice President of Sales). The Afinitas Forming Systems Division represents the New Hampton Metal Fabrication (New Hampton, IA) and Spillman Company (Columbus, OH) brands.

Matt Karnes, who is currently the General Manager of the Columbus facility, will serve as Director of Engineering for the Afinitas Forming Systems Division. In his new assignment, Matt will oversee engineering design, systems, processes, and new technology for both the New Hampton and Spillman teams. Matt began his career with Spillman in 2018 as an engineering manager and later that year took on the added responsibilities of General Manager of the Columbus facility. Prior to Spillman, he was a program manager at Rittal Corporation and also worked as a Project Leader for Honda of America Mfg., and a Project Engineer at Barko Hydraulics/Pettibone-Traverse Lift, LLC. Matt has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. He will continue to reside in Dublin, OH.

Mitch Boss, who is currently Manufacturing Leader at New Hampton, will expand his role to become the Afinitas Forming Systems Division Manufacturing Manager. In his new role, Mitch will oversee all manufacturing operations and processes for both New Hampton and Spillman. Mitch has been with New Hampton for 15 years. He started his career building forms and eventually became the Fabrication Team Lead. Mitch went on to become Shop Supervisor/Quality Control Lead before his promotion to Manufacturing Leader in 2018. Prior to joining New Hampton, Mitch worked in quality control with Featherlite Trailers. He will continue to reside in New Hampton, IA.

“This has been an extraordinary year for us in terms of managing record-breaking orders in the midst of a pandemic,” said Jamie Wegner, Afinitas Forming Systems Division President. “Thanks to the stewardship of leaders like Matt and Mitch, we were able to meet challenges head on and ensure deadlines were met, customers were served, and employees were safe. It gives me great satisfaction to recognize two very skilled individuals who will be able to share their experience, knowledge and enthusiasm with team members across our organization to build the strongest engineering and manufacturing teams in the industry.”

In addition, Joel Steiner, Vice President of Operations in Mediapolis, Iowa, announced that Jason Lambert will be promoted to North American Supply Chain Leader. In this role, he will be responsible for supply chain efforts and teams across all Afinitas North American sites.

Jason started with HawkeyePedershaab in 2005 in Mediapolis in form fabrication. A year later, he moved into the parts/shipping area where he helped create an inventory management system and eventually was promoted to supervisor. In 2008, he joined the purchasing team where he developed a joint ring quality program, an MRO vending machine program and also handled MRO purchasing. From 2012 to early 2019, he led the logistics/customs compliance functions as the Logistics Leader and Buyer, while also managing the joint ring program. In March 2019, Jason was promoted to his current position as Procurement Leader in Mediapolis, where he is responsible for logistics, purchasing, process improvement efforts, cash flow projections and inventory management. He has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Iowa Wesleyan University and, prior to Hawkeye, had taught secondary music education for five years. Jason will continue to reside in Danville, IA.