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Our Team

Superior Essex Corporate

  • Brian Kim is the Chief Executive Officer of Superior Essex, a role he has held since May 2015. During his tenure, Kim has overseen the establishment of the Essex Furukawa Global Joint Venture, the Automotive Strategic Business Unit, and Essex Malaysia. Kim has also led the launch of the MagForceX® Innovation Centers and the construction of a magnet wire facility in Serbia. Prior to his position with the company, Kim served as the President of LG Hausys America and the Principal of A.T. Kearny in Seoul, South Korea. Kim received his Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Statistics from Yonsei University and then earned an Executive MBA from the University of Michigan.

    Brian Kim

    Chief Executive Officer

    LinkedIn
  • David Gray is the Chief Financial Officer at Superior Essex, a position that he has held for the last two years. Gray had spent the last five years of his career with the company, being promoted from a Vice President of Finance for the Communication and Energy Cable Division to his current role overseeing the whole of a $2B global manufacturer. Prior to coming to Essex, he was a VP of Finance and IT at Cooper Bussman as well as an interim CFO for Digital Blue, where he helped reduce SG&A by 30% leading to a successful acquisition. He earned his degree in Accounting from Penn State, was certified as a CPA by the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy, and received his CMA from the Institute of Management Accountants.

    David Gray

    Chief Financial Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Anna Basista is the Vice President of Global Human Resources for Superior Essex. It is a role that she has held for nearly four years after also serving as the Vice President of Human Resources for both Essex Magnet Wire as well as Superior Essex over the preceding four. Her servant leadership style has allowed for a steady growth path within the company to now overseeing all human resource efforts. Prior to her role with Superior Essex, Basista spent nearly 15 years as a senior human resources director for several other companies. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaii before achieving a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Elmhurst College. Basista is a member of SHRM with a SHRM-SCP certification as well as holding a Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification from HRCI.

    Anna Basista

    SVP, Global Human Resources

    LinkedIn

Superior Essex Communications

  • Brad R. Johnson has been in the Communications industry for 32 years, the past 19 years with Superior Essex. He currently serves as President of Superior Essex International LP, Communications. Brad joined Superior Essex in January of 1997 as Regional Sales Manager located in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1999, he was promoted to Director of Sales - Premises Markets, then Vice President of Sales - Distribution Markets. In July 2013, Brad was asked to serve as Senior Vice President of Sales, and eventually President of the Communications Business Unit. Prior to joining Superior Essex, Brad worked for GTE Supply and GTE Southwest in various Sales and Marketing roles, as well as for M/A–COM in various Sales Management positions. Brad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Indiana State University.

    Brad Johnson

    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, Superior Essex Communications Enterprise Sales

    LinkedIn
  • Will Bryan is Vice President of Broadband Sale for Superior Essex International LP with over 25 years of telecommunications industry experience in sales and marketing, product management and design engineering. Prior to Superior Essex, Will worked for Aurora Networks, Dasan Networks, Harmonic and Scientific Research Corporation. Will holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from Auburn University.

    Will Bryan

    VP, Superior Essex Communications Broadband Sales

    LinkedIn
  • Buddy Chastain has been with Superior Essex Communications since 1986, and he currently serves as the company’s Vice President of Customer Experience & Supply Chain Management. During his tenure, he has been responsible for working capital management, service center management, customer service management, procurement management, logistics management, inventory planning and for serving as a member of several process improvement implementation teams. Buddy earned his B.S. in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of South Florida. Prior to joining Superior Essex, he worked for a military contractor in quality assurance and for a family-owned, commercial construction business.

    Buddy Chastain

    VP, Superior Essex Communications Customer Experience and Supply Chain Management

    LinkedIn
  • Brian Ensign is the Superior Essex Communications Vice President of Marketing. His industry experience spans nearly three decades, all of which have been focused on the technology and market development activities within the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) community. Brian has been active in structured cabling, intelligent spaces, sustainability, partnerships and cyber security spaces while aiming to deliver industry leading product solutions that focus on enabling technology and intelligent spaces with sustainability in mind. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from the SUNY Polytechnic Institute and has RCDD, NTS, OSP, and RTPM designations from BICSI, where he was also a former President of the organization.

    Brian Ensign

    VP, Superior Essex Communications Marketing

    LinkedIn
  • Eric 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, Superior Essex Communications, Quality and Applications Engineering

    LinkedIn

Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire

  • Tim Shiigi is the SVP, Global Operations and is responsible for the global operation and manufacturing aspects of the business. He joined Furukawa Electric in 1986 and accepted this new position in October 2020 with the announcement of the Global Joint Venture. Prior to his current role he was the Divisional Manager of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd (Japan) & President of Furukawa Magnet Wire Co., Ltd. Shiigi was responsible for the global operation of the Magnet Wire Business and worked to establish this current venture. Prior to that, he was a Plant Manager, VP of FEMCO in Franklin Indiana USA (a former JV Company with SPSX) from 2006, as well as the Engineering & Technical Director of FEMM in Malaysia from 1998. He obtained a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Kyushu University, Japan.

    Toru (Tim) Shiigi

    SVP, Global Operations

    LinkedIn
  • Mesaki is the SVP, Global Research and Development. He is responsible for the global company research and development effort. Mesaki was part of Furukawa Group for 35 years and joined Essex Furukawa in October 2020 with the formalization of the Global Joint Venture. His former roles included being the Technical Director of the magnet wire division at Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. and also the Technical Director of Furukawa Magnet Wire Co., Ltd. In that role, he was responsible for materials and process development, and product design. Prior to that, Mesaki was responsible for materials development and the development of composites of metals and plastics, including the Managing Director of FE Magnet wire (Malaysia), and the GM of the Polymer Research Center at Furukawa Electric. He has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the Tokyo Institute Polytechnics University.

    Masakazu (Mike) Mesaki

    SVP, Global Research and Development

    LinkedIn
  • Jared Rowntree is the President, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire North America, a role that he was transitioned into recently after the completion of the global joint venture, from his previous position as President of Asia Pacific. Rowntree has been with the organization for nearly a decade, operating as a Materials Manager, Operations Manager, Plant Manager, and Managing Director which grew his skillset and leadership ability that helped elevate him to his current role. Prior to coming to Essex, he worked for two other, leading manufacturers. Rowntree has his degrees from Queens University as well as Conestoga College.

    Jared Rowntree

    President, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire North America

    LinkedIn
  • Ing. Klaus Borstner is currently the President, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Europe and Essex Energy Italy and is leading the continued evolution and market leadership of our energy focused business in the field of CTC and other multi-enameled copper products. He has a 30 years of experience in the electrical industry, in various senior positions, and during his career he has developed vast global experience by living and working in Southeast Asia, the United States, and China. Prior to his time with Essex, he spend more than 20 years at Elin, an Austrian company that become Siemens in the field of HV-applications and transformers. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering which aids in his understanding of processes and innovation.

    Klaus Borstner

    President, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Europe and Essex Energy Italy

    LinkedIn
  • Maekawa is the President Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Japan. He was the deputy Divisional Manager of Magnet Wire Division at Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd (Japan) and joined Essex Furukawa at the announcement of the joint venture in October 2020. He has worked with the Furukawa Electric Group since 1984, at has executed strategical global business development in these years in both Tokyo and London, UK. Additionally, Maekawa was the General Manager, Planning Department under the Chief Marketing Officer from 2012-17. He obtains his Bachelor of Economics from Nagoya University in Japan.

    Mikimori Maekawa

    President, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Japan

    LinkedIn
  • Matt Leach is the VP, New Product Introduction and Innovation, North America, launching and overseeing the MagForceX Innovation Center during the last three years. Leach has worked with Superior Essex -- ​with increasing responsibilities -- in technology and operations for nearly 25 years. Most recently Leach served as Vice President of Operations ​for Essex North America. He is ​currently tasked with leading a team of experts across a multitude of disciplines to solve the next wave of technological questions. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree ​in Mechanical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and holds an MBA from ​Indiana University.

    Matt Leach

    VP, New Product Introduction and Innovation, North America

    LinkedIn
  • Joonhee (Albert) Lee is the Managing Director, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire China, a role that focuses on the automotive industry with a specific emphasis on traction motors. It is a position that he transitioned into after the completion of the Essex Furukawa Joint Venture. Prior to this, Lee spent four years as Executive Director of Technology for Essex Magnet Wire and over the last quarter century Lee has been involved in developing new technology with a focus on the automotive industry. He has improved magnet wire property design for motor applications, as well as improved properties for enameling. Lee obtained his Master’s Degree in Industrial Chemistry at Kyungpook National University in South Korea.

    Albert Lee

    Managing Director, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire China

    LinkedIn
  • Satoru Ise is the Managing Director, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Malaysia, a role which he transitioned into after spending three years as Managing Director, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Europe GmbH. Over the past 20 years, Ise has held positions of increasing responsibility in business development. Prior to his work with Essex Furukawa he was a Director, Business planning and development, OFS Fitel LLC. as well as Manager, Overseas Business Development Team, Planning and Administration department, Telecommunications Company. Ise obtained his degree from Kansai University, Faculty of Engineering, in Osaka, Japan.

    Satoru Ise

    Managing Director, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Malaysia

    LinkedIn

Essex Brownell and Hi-Wire

  • Michael F. McIlwain is the President of Essex Brownell as well as Hi-Wire, the two major distribution vehicles for the Essex brand, supporting North America and Europe, respectively. Mike has held this position for the last five years, after a 17-year run as a Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing with the company. He was a key figure in the acquisition and integration of Brownell Electro , ACTIVE Industries, the Simcoe magnet wire business and the American Furukawa(AFI) businesses into the Essex portfolio, which integrated over $200m into the business. Mike led the commercial entrance strategies and customer development for our magnet wire business expansions in Torreon, Mexico & Suzhou, China. Prior to beginning his professional career, McIlwain earned his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marketing from Penn State University and returned to State College for an Executive Management Program with a concentration focused on International Business. He is classically trained in Mutual Gains Negotiations through the Harvard University Getting To Yes/Getting Past No programs.

    Michael McIlwain

    President, Essex Brownell and Hi-Wire

    LinkedIn

IVA

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    Valery Mercier

    President, Global Enamels

    LinkedIn

Contact us directly.

We know that not every project is the same and that not every application is an easy spec to meet. We want to talk with you to meet the need of any challenge that you have.

Contact Us

Superior Essex Inc.

5770 Powers Ferry Rd. NW Suite 300

Atlanta, GA 30327

770.657.6000

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    Superior Essex is the parent brand of Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire, Superior Essex Communications, and Essex Brownell.


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