Steven E. DarnelL

President and CEO

Steve came to SPG after serving as a Group President with Leggett & Platt, Inc. Under Steve’s leadership, the Storage Products Group became a key profit contributor to the corporation and a market leader in the industry. Steve led the efforts to form the now independent SPG.

Steve brings the organization more than 25 years of progressive management and leadership experience in both domestic and international operations, working in industrial and consumer product companies. Among the companies he has served are Allegheny International, Gulf Oil, Frito Lay, and Atlantech International.

As a management professional with a quarter of a century of progressive P&L experience, Steve is a self-motivated leader who believes in building strong, effective management teams — a strategy he developed by employing his experience as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. As President/CEO, Steve brings our organization the skills of a successful problem-solver committed to building excellent communication among employees, our sales network and end-users.

By placing the highest value on the need for improved bottom line profitability through careful analysis, detailed strategic planning, and flawless execution, Steve is dedicated to the long-term growth and market dominance of SPG.

Steve received his B.S. from John Carroll University and an M.B.A. from Webster University.

Ron Murray

VP, Global Business Development

More than 30 years of experience in the foodservice, hospitality and supermarket industries has made Ron one of the world's most knowledgeable and resourceful storage products professionals. His expertise is invaluable in the many roles he plays at SPG — he leads our collective sales resources including regional personnel and rep organizations…while also overseeing SPG's global business development of chain accounts.

At SPG, Ron has been Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing for our Storage Systems Division and had diverse senior management roles at ISS. Prior to joining our organization Ron held key positions at Ecolab, Edward Don, and Bloomfield Industries. Ron graduated from Western Illinois University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health.

Jim Nelson

VP, Business Development, Foodservice and Retail

In both management and sales experience it would be hard to find someone with a more successful track record than Jim. He brings SPG and its clients more than three decades of proven experience. Among his past achievements was a successful tenure at Stein Industries, working in the Carlson AirFlo and Carlson Store Fixtures Divisions. Among his customers were twenty of the top supermarket groups in the USA. His most recent prior posting was as President of ACCENT Industries, a leading manufacturer of store fixtures and equipment.

Today, Jim is responsible for serving and expanding SPG presence in the foodservice, retail and supermarket dealer/distributor marketing segments. His mission is to grow our business by helping our partners and customers grow theirs.

Tony Studebaker

VP of Operations, Eastern Division

Tony is a graduate of West Point with a BS in nuclear Engineering/Physics and earned his M.B.A. from Oklahoma City University. His credentials include more than 25 years of operations excellence, serving as an Operations Manager for Quikrete as well as a Logistical Manager and Manufacturing Manager for Pactiv, a leading consumer products company.

In fact, everything about his educational and professional background makes Tony the ideal leader for our Covington, Georgia manufacturing facility. And nobody is better suited to implement best operational practices, drive innovation, and provide SPG with the mechanisms to be the market leader in storage solutions.

Bob Buehler

VP of Operations, Western Division

It's all about results for Bob. And whether it's running the day-to-day operations or formulating medium to long-range planning for manufacturing, he gets the most out of his people and resources at SPG's manufacturing facilities in Colorado.

His career spans 27 years in the storage products industry, the last five with SPG. Prior to joining us, he held positions as Vice President of Operations for Stainless Incorporated in Deerfield Beach, Florida, as well as Vice President of Manufacturing for Groen in Jackson, Mississippi. Bob earned his B.S. from Southern Illinois and an M.B.A. from Northwestern.

Steve Ellison

VP, Manufacturing

With Gillis/Jarke, SPG has one of the premier names in material handling. And with Steve Ellison, we also have one of the top manufacturing names in our industry. With more than 30 years of experience in all facets of materials, manufacturing and distribution, Steve is responsible for all operations activities at SPG's Freeport and Prospect Heights, Illinois, manufacturing facilities. With responsibilities that range from product and manufacturing engineering to production and supply chain management, Steve is a wizard at keeping quality and productivity high, costs low and product shipments on time.

Dave Mack

VP, Business Development, Industrial Markets

It would be tough to find anyone, in any industry, who possesses so much knowledge, hands-on experience and command of his chosen profession as Dave. He has developed his broad-based expertise over 29 years in the industrial products marketplace where he has served in such diverse roles as Regional Distribution Manager and Business Unit General Manager. As VP, Industrial Products at SPG's facilities in Freeport and Prospect Heights, Illinois, Dave is responsible for sales, application engineering, customer service and industrial business development.

Joe Franklin

VP of Business Practices

The company's operations troubleshooter, Joe is responsible for ensuring that all of SPG's business processes are aligned and running like a finely tuned machine. From simple inventory control to long-range planning, Joe develops, implements, teaches and supports all of the business processes that distinguish SPG as the foremost supplier of storage products.

A graduate of Virginia Tech and a 33-year veteran of the storage products industry — including 28 with SPG — Joe brings a wealth of experience, talent and insight to get the job done.