REHAU today announced promotions in its Americas leadership team and the transfer of the current regional CEO Christian Fabian to head a newly formed Technology and Performance global services division. As of January 1, the regional executive board of REHAU Americas with headquarters in Leesburg, Va., will include Theo Haast, serving as president in addition to chief financial officer (CFO); Dr. Thomas Troeger, filling the newly created position of chief marketing officer (CMO); and Terry Barnaby, Head of Operations.
“We are very pleased to be able to recruit internally to fill the opening at the helm of our regional executive board created by my transfer with a very qualified international business financial executive, Theo Haast,” said Christian Fabian, CEO of REHAU Americas. “Theo has shown excellent leadership skills based on his experience in finance internationally,” said Fabian. “He has a proven record of strengthening businesses through up-and-down economic cycles.”
In addition to his current role as CFO Americas, Theo Haast, will also serve as president of business in the Americas region. Haast will report to William Christensen, CEO of the global REHAU group. Haast began his career with Deloitte in the Netherlands and the US, then held senior finance positions with international industrial companies including Lafarge, Fusion UV Systems and Hereaus. He joined REHAU as CFO and became a member of the regional executive board in 2014.
Dr. Thomas Troeger, currently vice president of furniture solutions for REHAU Americas, will assume the added role of CMO on the regional executive board. In this capacity, he will assume responsibility for the company’s product divisions, including sales, marketing and engineering. Troeger joined REHAU in 2006 as executive assistant, then progressed through sales and marketing roles in the company’s industrial and furniture segments before assuming responsibility for the Furniture Solutions division in 2013. Troeger received his doctorate in business administration from the California School of International Management in San Diego.
“Thomas has demonstrated a strategic, market-oriented approach in the furniture industry where, in the space of 10 years, he has expanded the division from a producer of millwork components to a supplier of made-to-order finished goods with online sales,” said Fabian. “With his strong commitment to customer-focused innovation, he will have a positive and lasting impact across our business.”
Terry Barnaby, who has been with the company for 33 years, will continue to serve on the regional executive board as chief operation officer (COO).
“I am confident in our new leadership team that blends continuity with a strong focus on sustainable business performance and operational excellence as well as innovation in both product development and polymer production technology,” said Fabian.
Effective January 1, Christian Fabian, who has served as CEO and chairman of the Americas regional executive board since 2012, will return to Germany where he will take over the position of head of the newly formed Technology and Performance services division and will serve on the company’s group executive board. The new entity — which encompasses the company’s applied materials research, advanced technology and technology innovation units, the product accelerator UNLIMITED X and functions for digital and disruptive business — highlights the importance of REHAU technology leadership in the polymer processing industry as a core competency and serves as an innovation incubator.
“I am excited about this new opportunity to accelerate innovation and drive profitable growth for REHAU on the global stage,” said Fabian. “And of course, as I expand my scope to EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Asia-Pacific, I will keep very much in touch with the Americas, and will do everything I can to drive and support continued success.”