Leadership

Superior Essex Corporate

  • Daniel Choi is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Superior Essex, a role he was named to in March 2022. Prior to his position with the company, Choi served as the Regional President, North and South Americas for LS Cable & System, where he managed product sales and strategy as well as the power cable operations of the company. Choi has spent time working with either Superior Essex or its parent company, LS Cable & System since 1999 when he began his career as a Manager, Electronic Component Development Group at the R&D Center. Choi received his B.S. in Material Science and Engineering at Pohang (Korea) University of Science and Technology. He furthered his education with a Master’s Degree in Material Science and Engineering as well as a Ph.D in Material Science and Engineering from Seoul (Korea) National University. He then obtained an MBA from Helsinki (Finland) School of Economics.

    Daniel Choi

    President & Chief Executive Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Yun K Kang was named the CFO of Superior Essex to open the 2022 calendar year. Kang brings with him a wide variety of global finance and leadership knowledge and experience. He previously served as the Controller for LG Chem America based in New Jersey for nearly two decades. He was also the CFO for LG Hausys America between 2010-2015, and the CEO of LG Miso Finance based in Seoul, Korea from 2017-2021. Kang earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Seoul National University.

    Yun K Kang

    Chief Financial Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Sammy Kim is the Chief Strategy Officer for Superior Essex, it is a position that he was named to in April of 2022. Kim had previously worked for Superior Essex as the Director, FP&A/PMO before moving to LS Cable & System USA as the Director, Business Development and Strategy. Kim brings knowledge of the markets that Superior Essex serves, as well as a strategic mindset, and a deep understanding of finance. In his role, Kim supports the development and implementation of strategic and business development initiatives to help Superior Essex achieve a sustainable future.

    Sammy Kim

    Chief Strategy Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Linda Skorb is the SVP, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for Superior Essex. It is a role that she has been in since May of 2023. Skorb was previously the Vice President of Human Resources for Mativ and has had roles with increasing responsibility for nearly 25 years. She is a trusted advisor, respected leader and creative thinker who is known for driving results through collaboration and a solutions-focused approach. Skorb earned a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and Training from Georgia Southern University. Prior to that, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

    Linda Skorb

    SVP, Chief Human Resources Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Justin Im is the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Superior Essex. Im has been an invaluable member of our Legal team since first joining Superior Essex in 2012 and assuming leadership of the Legal department in 2017. Prior to joining Superior Essex, he was in-house counsel at a Fortune 25 company in Atlanta and practiced at global law firms in New York and Atlanta specializing in corporate, M&A, structured finance and securities law. He is a graduate of Princeton University and Fordham University School of Law.

    Justin Im

    General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

    LinkedIn
  • Manish Kumar is the Chief Information Officer for Superior Essex. In this role, Kumar oversees global IT functions, while also expanding and standardizing the core software systems for the company. He has previously served Superior Essex as Vice President, Information Systems and has worked in the information technology industry for over three decades. Prior to his tenure at Superior Essex, Kumar worked as a software consultant providing solutions to businesses around the world including those in India, UK, UAE, and the US. He completed his undergraduate studies in India where he studied Computer Science and holds an MBA with a specialization in Global Business Administration from The Georgia Institute of Technology.

    Manish Kumar

    Chief Information Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Scott Wilde is the Global VP of Strategic Sourcing for Superior Essex, a role that has evolved since joining the company in 2007. Wilde is tasked with both traditional procurement and a more specialized role in commodity risk management, a pairing that may not always meet in other organizations. Wilde graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBS in Finance, obtained a CPM certificate, and has passed the Series 3 exam. He has also completed six marathons and completes about 30 audio books per year.

    Scott Wilde

    VP, Global Strategic Sourcing

    LinkedIn
  • Mike Capesius is the VP, Corporate Tax for Superior Essex. It is a position that he was promoted to in September of 2022 after several years with Superior Essex working as the International Tax Director. Capesius also worked in a similar capacity for both Travelport as well as Newell Rubbermaid, beginning in 1999. Prior to moving into International Tax, he spent 10 years in the consumer credit industry. He received his degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

    Mike Capesius

    VP, Corporate Tax

    LinkedIn

Superior Essex Communications

  • Chris Freitag is the President of Superior Essex Communications. He has more than 20 years of experience in business and financial leadership roles as well as deep expertise in manufacturing, finance, marketing, sales, strategic development, and M&A. He joined Superior Essex in 2024 and most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer for Copper Carry, Inc., where he oversaw their finance and accounting functions. Before that, he was Vice President and General Manager for Mativ, Inc., where he led their Industrial Nets and Erosion Control business. Freitag has also held leadership roles with SWM International and Great Range Capital. Additionally, he previously worked for Superior Essex as a Director of Business Planning and Development. Freitag holds an MBA in Finance from Emory University and a BBA in Finance from The University of Iowa.

    Chris Freitag

    President, Superior Essex Communications

    LinkedIn
  • Ken Braziel has been in the communications industry for 31 years, the past 9 years with Superior Essex, where he currently serves as its Vice President of Sales Enterprise — Americas. Ken joined Superior Essex in May of 2007 as Regional Sales Manager located in Mansfield, Texas. In January of 2010, Ken was promoted to Director of Sales - West, then Director of Sales - USA and eventually Vice President of Sales - USA. In January 2016, all Enterprise Sales for the Americas was added to Ken’s responsibilities. Prior to joining Superior Essex, Ken worked as a consultant, as well as in a variety of sales, sales management and structured cabling positions. Ken received his RCDD in June of 1993 and has conducted industry trainings around the country on industry trends, installation practices and sales strategies.

    Ken Braziel

    VP, Enterprise Sales

    LinkedIn
  • Eric Perry is a results-driven Business Management Executive with broad based expertise leading effective business strategy, operations performance, and cross-functional team leadership in support of quality initiatives at multi-million dollar organizations. He has worked in multiple positions at Superior Essex since 1997, where he has provided executive leadership for all Quality Management functions and staff across multiple production facilities in the United States; deployed standards and best practices across all production facilities, capturing key gains in efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness. He earned his Masters of Science in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of South Caroline, where he also obtained his Bachelor of Science degree.

    Eric Perry

    VP, Quality & Applications Engineering

    LinkedIn
  • Derek Hartrampf is the VP, Procurement & Supply Chain for Superior Essex Communications, a position he was promoted to in June of 2022. Hartrampf has nearly 20 years of experience in designing sourcing strategies and optimizing processes to reduce cost and generate revenue. He had previously been both the Global Director of Strategic Sourcing as well as the Senior Manager of Procurement for Superior Essex over the last decade. Hartrampf had previously worked in escalating roles at both Crane Materials International as well as Tug Technologies. He obtained his Bachelors’ Degree in Business Administration from Georgia State and has obtained a CPSM Credential from the Institute for Supply Management.

    Derek Hartrampf

    VP, Procurement & Supply Chain

    LinkedIn

Essex Solutions

  • Jared Rowntree is the President of Essex Solutions North America, a position he assumed following the completion of a global joint venture. With nearly a decade at Essex, Rowntree has held various leadership roles, including Materials Manager, Operations Manager, Plant Manager, and Managing Director, which have significantly shaped his leadership capabilities. Prior to joining Essex, he gained valuable experience at two other leading manufacturing companies. Rowntree holds degrees from Queen’s University and Conestoga College. His diverse background and extensive experience in operations and management have positioned him for success in driving growth and innovation.

    Jared Rowntree

    President, Essex Solutions North America

    LinkedIn
  • Ing. Klaus Borstner is the President of Essex Solutions Europe, where he leads the continued growth and market leadership across the continent. With over 30 years of experience in the electrical industry, Borstner has held various senior positions and gained extensive global expertise by working in Southeast Asia, the United States, and China. Before joining Essex, he spent more than 20 years at Elin, an Austrian company that later became part of Siemens, specializing in HV applications and transformers. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering, which has been instrumental in his understanding of processes and driving innovation in the industry.

    Klaus Borstner

    President, Essex Solutions Europe

    LinkedIn
  • Zack Kim is the President of Essex Solutions Asia, where he leads regional magnet wire strategic initiatives, implements best practices, and oversees investment optimization. Before this role, Kim served as Vice President of Corporate Business Planning starting in 2019, following his tenure as Director of FP&A in Asia and Human Resources Director at Superior Essex since 2012. Kim’s extensive background includes nine years as Human Resources Director at LS Cable & System. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Sungkyunkwan University and studied at the Graduate School of Labor Studies at Korea University in South Korea. Kim’s broad experience in business planning, finance, and human resources has positioned him to drive key strategic goals and operational excellence.

    Zack Jiwoon Kim

    President, Essex Solutions Asia

    LinkedIn
  • Tim Shiigi is the President of Essex Solutions Japan, overseeing the operations and manufacturing in the country. Before this role, he served as SVP for Global Operations and Research & Development. Shiigi was previously with Furukawa Electric since 1986, holding key positions such as Divisional Manager at Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. and President of Furukawa Magnet Wire Co., Ltd., where he led global operations and played a key role in establishing a previous joint venture. Earlier in his career, he was Plant Manager and VP of FEMCO in Franklin, Indiana, and Engineering & Technical Director of FEMM in Malaysia. Shiigi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kyushu University, Japan, and brings extensive experience in global operations, manufacturing, and R&D leadership.

    Toru (Tim) Shiigi

    President, Essex Solutions Japan

    LinkedIn
  • Joonhee (Albert) Lee is the Chief Research and Development Officer for Essex Solutions. Previously, he was the President of magnet wire operations in Asia, where he focused on the automotive sector, particularly traction motors. Lee also served as Managing Director of the Suzhou facility and Executive Director of Technology for the company. With over 25 years of experience in developing new technologies, Lee has made significant contributions to the automotive industry, particularly in improving magnet wire properties for motor applications and enhancing enameling processes. He holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial Chemistry from Kyungpook National University in South Korea. Lee’s expertise in technology development and innovation has been instrumental in driving advancements in magnet wire applications, especially in the evolving automotive sector.

    Albert Lee

    Chief Research & Development Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Don Lee is the Chief Financial Officer for Essex Solutions, a position which he was promoted to after spending two years as Vice President of Finance and Controller for Superior Essex. In his current position, Lee oversees global financial controls and reporting for the company’s manufacturing operations. Before joining Superior Essex, he spent nearly 15 years at LG Electronics, where he held roles as CFO and VP of Operations for U.S. operations, after starting as Controller and VP of Shared Service Centers. Lee holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Southern Illinois University and an MBA in Accounting and Finance from the University of Illinois. He is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), bringing extensive financial expertise to his leadership role.

    Don Lee

    Chief Financial Officer

    LinkedIn
  • David Lee is the Regional Chief Financial Officer for Europe at Essex Solutions, a position he was promoted to in September 2024. Prior to this role, Lee served as Director of Business Development for Superior Essex. With over 25 years of experience in Accounting, Finance, Internal Audit, Tax, Business Planning, and Logistics, Lee has extensive leadership experience, including a decade as CFO and COO in the United States for LG Chem and LG Energy Solutions. He holds an Executive MBA from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, along with a Master of Finance and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Pusan National University in South Korea. Additionally, Lee is certified as a Six Sigma Black Belt, demonstrating his commitment to operational excellence and process improvement.

    David Lee

    Chief Financial Officer, Europe

    LinkedIn
  • Satoru Ise is the VP of Administration and Business Planning for Essex Solutions Japan, a role he assumed in December 2024. Prior to this, he served as Vice President of Global Research & Development, having been elevated in April 2023 after successfully leading magnet wire operations in Malaysia as Managing Director. Ise’s tenure with Essex began with three years as Managing Director of magnet wire operations in Europe during an initial 2017 European joint venture and HVWW® development. With over 20 years of experience in business development, Ise previously held roles as Director of Business Planning and Development at OFS Fitel LLC and Manager of Overseas Business Development at the telecommunications company. He holds a degree from Kansai University, Faculty of Engineering, in Osaka, Japan.

    Satoru Ise

    VP, Administration & Business Planning Japan

    LinkedIn
  • Matt Leach is the VP of the North America Innovation Center for Essex Solutions. He was responsible for launching and overseeing the MagForceX® Innovation Centers prior to this role. With nearly 25 years of experience at the company, Leach has held increasing responsibilities in technology and operations, also serving as Vice President of Operations for magnet wire operations in North America. He is responsible for driving innovation across multiple disciplines to support the company’s technological advancements. Leach holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and an MBA from Indiana University, combining technical expertise with strong business acumen to propel innovation strategies.

    Matt Leach

    VP, North America Innovation Center

    LinkedIn
  • Koichi Kikkawa is the VP of Operations Japan for Essex Solutions, a role he assumed after serving as VP of Global Operations since April 2023. Kikkawa began his career at Furukawa Electric in 1990 as a process engineer in Japan, and he played a key role in the development of the HVWW® business during the 2017 European joint venture between the two companies. He later served as Director of Global Operational Excellence across Europe, Asia, and Japan. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kansai University in Osaka, Japan.

    Koichi Kikkawa

    VP, Operations Japan

    LinkedIn
  • Kevin Park is the VP of Operations, North America for Essex Solutions, a position he has held since August 2020. Prior to joining the company, Park spent two decades in the copper industry with Sam Dong, where he served as General Manager and developed technical expertise in copper manufacturing and magnet wire processes. Park holds a degree in Material Science and Engineering from Kunsan University and an MBA certification from HUNET. His extensive experience in operations management and technical knowledge has been instrumental in driving efficiency and innovation.

    Kevin Park

    VP, Operations North America

    LinkedIn
  • Andrew Winkeljohn is the VP of Sales for Essex Solutions in North America, a role he assumed in July 2021. With 20 years of experience at the company, Winkeljohn has held various key positions in sales, and business development and has a proven track record in building and leading sales teams, as well as fostering cross-departmental collaborations. Prior to Essex, Winkeljohn led sales initiatives at Baldor Electric and Phelps Dodge. He holds an MBA from Indiana Tech and a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University. Winkeljohn’s tenure and expertise combines strong business acumen with extensive industry experience to drive results.

    Andrew Winkeljohn

    VP, Sales North America

    LinkedIn
  • Chase Dunaway is the VP of Automotive Sales North America for Essex Solutions, a role he has held since August 2023. Dunaway has held key sales positions with the company since 2017, and in his current role, is pivotal in driving growth strategies within the automotive sector. Dunaway holds a B.A. in Business Administration, as well as a Master of Administrative Science and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. His extensive sales experience, combined with his educational background, makes him a crucial asset in navigating the evolving automotive market.

    Chase Dunaway

    VP, Automotive Sales North America

    LinkedIn
  • Greg Caudill is the VP of Technology and Customer Care North America for Essex Solutions. He joined the company in 1998 and has since held various key roles, contributing to multiple initiatives including notably launching two greenfield sites in Torreón, Mexico, and Suzhou, China. Before joining the company, he worked in coil winding, over molding, and testing roles. Caudill holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Indiana Institute of Technology. He currently serves as Chairperson for the NEMA 6-MW Magnet Wire Committee and holds six patents for his innovative contributions. As a key leader, Caudill’s contributions to technology and customer care, continue to drive excellence for the magnet wire business in North America.

    Greg Caudill

    VP, Technology & Customer Care North America

    LinkedIn
  • Martin Winter is the VP, Operations Europe for Essex Furukawa, a role he accepted in May 2024. Prior to coming into the organization, he held an operations role at Zumtobel Lighting for over four years. His earlier career included being a Plant Manager for BorgWarner and for Carpenter as well as Application Development roles across multiple companies. Winter holds a Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Technical University Darmstadt, obtained his secondary degree at EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht and also completed a Manufacturing Executive Program through the University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

    Martin Winter

    VP, Operations Europe

    LinkedIn

Essex Brownell

  • Jason Krauskopf is the President, Essex Brownell where he is responsible for the strategic direction, vision, growth, and performance of the distribution business units. It is a position he was promoted to following his role as the Region Sales Director for the business unit.
Krauskopf has been with the company since 1995 and over the course of his career has been part of product management, marketing, product development, and sales positions within Essex Magnet Wire, Superior Essex Communications, and Essex Brownell.  Most recently he supervised the relaunch of the PureNet communications product line in North America.  Krauskopf has a Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications from Indiana University as well as a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Kennesaw State University.

    Jason Krauskopf

    President

    LinkedIn
  • Rebecca Hunnicutt is the Vice President, Operations & Customer Service for Essex Brownell. She was promoted to this role in April of 2022 while continuing to manage a network of 16 warehouses across North America. Prior to her promotion, Hunnicutt served as a Director of Inside Sales & Customer Service for Essex. During her tenure she established an inside sales specialist program that generated significant revenue as well as significantly reduced inventory overhead. She had also established a customer support center that achieved 98% satisfaction as well as an outbound calling program that notably contributed to the business. Hunnicutt brought 15 years of manufacturing experience with her when she came to Essex Brownell in 2009.

    Rebecca Hunnicutt

    VP, Operations & Customer Service

    LinkedIn
  • Greg Hagen is the Vice President, Marketing for Essex Brownell. He was promoted to this role in January of 2023 and is responsible for market strategies, supplier management, marketing, and strategic pricing. Hagen has been with Essex Brownell since 2006 and has held several positions during his tenure including Product Line Manager, Sr. Pricing Manager, Support Manager and most recently, Director of Marketing. Hagen believes in taking both an analytical as well as team-first approach to driving positive change. His leadership has positively impacted profitability, efficiencies, as well as growth through each of his roles. Prior to joining Essex Brownell, he held information technology positions developing applications for both the Insurance and Medical industries. Hagen holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Systems from Taylor University.

    Greg Hagen

    VP, Marketing

    LinkedIn

Hi-Wire

  • Darren Goldthorpe is the Managing Director of Hi-Wire—the magnet wire distribution brand of Superior Essex in the United Kingdom. It is a role that he has been in since August of 2008 when Superior Essex acquired the Nexans group in Europe. During his tenure with the Nexans subsidiary Tri-Wire, he was the Commercial Manager responsible for sales and strategic planning. Goldthorpe has four decades of experience within the copper industry and has helped grow the Hi-Wire brand into a market leader for distribution within the U.K. He focuses his efforts on business development and strategic direction while managing operations at two facilities.

    Darren Goldthorpe

    Managing Director

    LinkedIn

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