Industry veteran Jeff Schwarz will become the new President of Modern Machinery as of November 30, 2020. Most recently, Jeff was Group President of Materials Solutions at Astec Industries, Inc., in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He and his family look forward to relocating back to the Pacific Northwest.
Jeff started his career in 1995 with Rinker Materials of Vancouver, Washington, moving from Aggregate Materials Manager through progressively responsible positions to end as a District Manager in 2008. He then served as General Manager with Balzer Pacific Equipment and as Aggregates Manager of Kerr Contractors before starting with a division of Astec Industries in 2014. Jeff’s involvement in various industry organizations includes serving on the finance committee of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and as a past President of the Asphalt Paving Association of Oregon. Jeff earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Portland State University.
We want to thank Lamont Cantrell for stepping into the President position earlier this year to guide a thoughtful transition. Lamont has been an impactful leader at Modern for nearly two decades. His commitment, energy, and reputation have influenced the company’s position as an industry leader.
Washington Companies President and CEO Larry Simkins commented, “We are fortunate to have someone of Jeff’s caliber and experience to carry on the excellent reputation and customer focus established at Modern Machinery for over 76 years. Lamont’s unselfish loyalty to Modern’s employees and customers is reinforced by his generous contribution to a new chapter at Modern Machinery under Jeff’s leadership.”
We welcome Jeff to Modern Machinery and the Washington Companies.