RACINE, Wis. — Modine Manufacturing Co. has announced that James Rulseh, regional vice president, Americas, has decided to take early retirement. His last day of active employment will be Jan. 31. After that date, Rulseh will serve as a special assistant to the CEO for a period of time. Rulseh has been with the company for 31 years.
In his role as Regional Vice President, Rulseh has had responsibility for all Modine Original Equipment operations in North America and South America. He has directed a major reorganization of Modine’s North American business, instituted process and productivity improvements, overseen product launches and worked closely with key customers. As Regional Vice President – Asia, Rulseh spearheaded Modine’s move into that region and helped establish manufacturing facilities in China and India.
“We are grateful to Jim for his long and exemplary service to Modine and the leadership he has brought to our company,” said Thomas Burke, Modine president and chief executive officer. “Jim has been a mainstay of our management team and has been instrumental in our growth on a global basis. We wish him and his family well in the future.”
Rulseh is a member of the board of directors of Woodward Governor Co. and Proliance International.
Thomas Cromwell has been appointed to succeed Rulseh as regional vice president – Americas effective Feb. 1. Cromwell is currently vice president of Modine’s Commercial Products Group.
In his new position, his immediate focus will be on implementing the reorganization announced late last year and continuing to drive process and productivity improvements throughout those businesses. Cromwell’s successor in the Commercial Products Group will be named at a later date.
As head of the Commercial Products Group, Cromwell has overseen the return to profitable growth in that business, which sells a variety of gas, steam/hot water, oil and electric heaters; heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems; chillers; and other products to commercial and residential customers worldwide.
Since joining Modine in 1992, Cromwell has served in numerous operations and management positions, including automotive operations manager in Europe, general manager of Modine’s European Heavy Duty business, general manager of Electronics Cooling and managing director of the Commercial Products Group. In addition to his experience at Modine, Cromwell spent four years with Tomkins PLC as vice president of Operations in that company’s Air Systems Components Group.
Cromwell has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville and is finishing his master of business administration at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
