WICHITA, Kan. – In October 2013, Viega LLC will welcome Vice President of Sales Dave Garlow as the new CEO and president. Dan Schmierer, who has led the company since its founding in 1999, will retire in December 2013. 
Garlow joined the Viega team on the same day as current CEO Dan Schmierer.
“Dave Garlow’s 14 years with Viega LLC in sales and marketing make him an ideal candidate to become president and CEO,” Schmierer said. “He brings a very strong customer focus to the role and understands where our customers are coming from. He’s well prepared to step up to this new role as CEO.”
“I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Dan Schmierer and am honored to have been asked to assume the responsibilities of the president and CEO of Viega LLC in October,” Garlow said. “This has been a well planned transition and will be seamless on all fronts.”
Garlow believes that customer service and value have always been key factors in Viega LLC’s success.
“Even though leadership of our company is changing,” Garlow said, “our customer focus won’t change. Our mission will continue to be enhancing lives by providing innovative piping systems for our industry. Our daily business efforts will continue to reflect our core values.”
Garlow graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1986 and completed his MBA from the Katz School of Business in 2001. During his time at the University of Pittsburgh, he played ice hockey and was a member of ASME and ASHRAE student chapters.
“I am excited and very optimistic about the future of Viega LLC and the industries that we serve,” Garlow said.
“Dave’s participation on our executive team has given him an excellent knowledge of all of the Viega LLC functions,” Schmierer said. A team player that customers, investors and employees alike will all love working with, his leadership skills will enable him to lead Viega LLC to the next level of success.”
Garlow serves on the board of directors for the Smithsonian-affiliated Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, KS. Garlow coached youth hockey in Pittsburgh, PA, for 12 seasons before he moved to Kansas in 2005. He also volunteered for the Holy Family Institute in Pittsburgh, PA, a community organization that offers family support services.
About The Viega Group:
Founded in 1899, The Viega Group manufactures and distributes the highest quality plumbing, heating and pipe joining systems in the world. Viega is best known for innovative press technology systems for industrial, commercial and residential projects, like Viega ProPress® for copper and stainless and Viega PEX Press systems in Zero Lead bronze and high-performance polymer. Viega LLC offers more than 3,000 products in North America. For more information, visit www.viega.com.
Join the conversation: