Meagher Appointed VP of Sales for Peterson Manufacturing; Schmidt to Succeed Meagher as President, Transworld Products

Peterson Manufacturing Co. has named Steve Meagher as its new vice president of sales. He succeeds Art Richardson, a well-known industry figure who is retiring after more than 41 years with the company. No effective date has been announced for the move, as Meagher will be transitioning into his new role over the next several months. Richardson will stay on during this period to ensure a smooth transition of duties. In a related move, Peterson announced that Steve Schmidt will assume Meagher's duties as president of Transworld Products. Currently serving as Transworld's senior merchandise manager, Schmidt has more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience in the automotive aftermarket.

GRANDVIEW, Mo. — Peterson Manufacturing Co. has named Steve Meagher as its new vice president of sales. He succeeds Art Richardson, a well-known industry figure who is retiring after more than 41 years with the company. No effective date has been announced for the move, as Meagher will be transitioning into his new role over the next several months. Richardson will stay on during this period to ensure a smooth transition of duties.

Meagher will move from his current role as president of Transworld Products, a position he has held since joining the wholly owned Peterson subsidiary in 2001. His tenure positioned Transworld as a leading global sourcing and import service company specializing in helping OEMs and retailers with international product sourcing and buying from Pacific Rim countries.

"Steve brings a world of knowledge and experience to his new position," said Don Armacost, Jr., Peterson’s president and CEO. "With his dedication and proven management skills in all marketing and merchandising areas, we’re confident that Steve will guide the Peterson Sales Team for continued great success."

Meagher is a Kansas City native with a business degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a 1992 MBA in marketing from Rockhurst University. His professional experience includes 16 years at Western Auto in the Merchandising Division, and Director of Product Management at R&B Inc.

"While these are challenging times, I look forward to driving the sales of Peterson Manufacturing," said Meagher. "Because I’ve worked so closely with Peterson over the years, I already know my sales team, the culture and people within the organization. Art Richardson and I share the goal of making a seamless transition and maintaining the strong relationships Peterson enjoys with our customers."

In a related move, Peterson announced that Steve Schmidt will assume Meagher’s duties as president of Transworld Products. Currently serving as Transworld’s senior merchandise manager, Schmidt has more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience in the automotive aftermarket. "Steve and I have worked together for years, and I’m pleased that Peterson has again promoted a real pro from within the company," Meagher said. "I know I’m leaving Transworld in good hands."