Our Team

Magnet Wire Leadership

  • Jared Rowntree is the President, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire North America, a role that he was transitioned into recently after the completion of the global joint venture, from his previous position as President of Asia Pacific. Rowntree has been with the organization for nearly a decade, operating as a Materials Manager, Operations Manager, Plant Manager, and Managing Director which grew his skillset and leadership ability that helped elevate him to his current role. Prior to coming to Essex, he worked for two other, leading manufacturers. Rowntree has his degrees from Queens University as well as Conestoga College.

    Jared Rowntree

    President, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire North America

    LinkedIn
  • Ing. Klaus Borstner is currently the President, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Europe and is leading the continued evolution and market leadership of our energy focused business in the field of CTC and other multi-enameled copper products. He has a 30 years of experience in the electrical industry, in various senior positions, and during his career he has developed vast global experience by living and working in Southeast Asia, the United States, and China. Prior to his time with Essex, he spend more than 20 years at Elin, an Austrian company that become Siemens in the field of HV-applications and transformers. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering which aids in his understanding of processes and innovation.

    Klaus Borstner

    President, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Europe

    LinkedIn
  • Joonhee (Albert) Lee is the President, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Asia, a role that focuses on the automotive industry with a specific emphasis on traction motors. Prior to this, Lee was the Managing Director for our Suzhou plant and spent four years as Executive Director of Technology for Essex Magnet Wire. Over the last quarter century Lee has been involved in developing new technology with a focus on the automotive industry. He has improved magnet wire property design for motor applications, as well as improved properties for enameling. Lee obtained his Master’s Degree in Industrial Chemistry at Kyungpook National University in South Korea.

    Albert Lee

    President, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Asia

    LinkedIn
  • Maekawa is the President Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Japan. He was the deputy Divisional Manager of Magnet Wire Division at Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd (Japan) and joined Essex Furukawa at the announcement of the joint venture in October 2020. He has worked with the Furukawa Electric Group since 1984, at has executed strategical global business development in these years in both Tokyo and London, UK.  Additionally, Maekawa was the General Manager, Planning Department under the Chief Marketing Officer from 2012-17. He obtains his Bachelor of Economics from Nagoya University in Japan.

    Mikimori Maekawa

    President Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Japan

    LinkedIn
  • Don Lee is the Chief Financial Officer for Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire, a position which he was promoted to after spending two years as Vice President of Finance and Controller for Superior Essex. He leads the overall financial controls and reporting for the global manufacturing operations of the company. Prior to working with Superior Essex, Lee spent nearly 15 years with LG Electronics as a CFO and VP of Operations for its United States operations after entering that company as a Controller and VP of Shared Service Centers. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Southern Illinois University and was awarded a Master of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from the University of Illinois. Lee is also a Certified Management Accountant as well as a Certified Public Accountant.

    Don Lee

    Chief Financial Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Tim Shiigi is the SVP for Global Operations as well Research & Development. He is responsible for the global operation and manufacturing aspects of the business. He joined Furukawa Electric in 1986 and accepted this new position in October 2020 with the announcement of the Global Joint Venture. Prior to his current role he was the Divisional Manager of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd (Japan) & President of Furukawa Magnet Wire  Co., Ltd. Shiigi was responsible for the global operation of the Magnet Wire Business and worked to establish this current venture. Prior to that, he was a Plant Manager, VP of FEMCO in Franklin Indiana USA (a former JV Company with SPSX) from 2006, as well as the Engineering & Technical Director of FEMM in Malaysia from 1998. He obtained a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Kyushu University, Japan.

    Toru (Tim) Shiigi

    SVP, Global Operations and Global Research & Development

    LinkedIn
  • Satoru Ise is the Vice President of Global Research & Development. Ise was elevated into this role in April of 2023 after successfully serving as the Managing Director, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Malaysia. Ise transitioned to the Essex Furukawa team after spending three years as Managing Director, Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Europe GmbH during an initial 2017 joint venture and HVWW® development. Over the past 20 years, Ise has held positions of increasing responsibility in business development. Prior to his work with Essex Furukawa he was a Director, Business planning and development, OFS Fitel LLC. as well as Manager, Overseas Business Development Team, Planning and Administration department, Telecommunications Company. Ise obtained his degree from Kansai University, Faculty of Engineering, in Osaka, Japan.

    Satoru Ise

    VP, Global Research & Development

    LinkedIn
  • Koichi Kikkawa is the VP, Global Operation for Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire. It is a role that he has been in since April 2023. Kikkawa had spent the majority of his career with Furukawa Electric, beginning in 1990 as a process engineer in Japan. He was instrumental in the development of the HVWW® wire business, which was the key component from an initial joint venture between the two companies. Kikkawa served as the Director for Global Operational Excellence in Europe, Asia, and Japan before his current role where he now leads operations for Essex Furukawa. Kikkawa earned his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Kansai University in Osaka, Japan.

    Koichi Kikkawa

    VP, Global Operations

    LinkedIn
  • Matt Leach is the VP, North America Innovation Center for Essex Furukawa. He was responsible for launching and overseeing the MagForceX® Innovation Centers prior to this role. Leach has worked with Superior Essex -- ​with increasing responsibilities -- in technology and operations for nearly 25 years. Most recently Leach served as Vice President of Operations ​for Essex North America. He is ​currently tasked with leading a team of experts across a multitude of disciplines to solve the next wave of technological questions. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree ​in Mechanical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and holds an MBA from ​Indiana University.

    Matt Leach

    VP, North America Innovation Center

    LinkedIn
  • Kevin Park is the VP, Operations in North America; it is a role that he has been in since August of 2020. Park is responsible for five magnet wire plants, the Metals Processing Center, as well as the Chemical Processing Plant for Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire. Previously, he worked within the copper industry for Sam Dong over the course of two decades. He was General Manager in his previous role with technical skills in the copper manufacturing and magnet wire process. He has a Material Science and Engineering degree from Kunsan University and also has obtained a HUNET MBA certification.

    Kevin Park

    VP, Operations North America

    LinkedIn
  • Andrew Winkeljohn is the VP, Sales for North America. It is a role that he was named to in July of 2021. He has 20-years of experience with the company in various product, sales, and business roles and is currently responsible for all magnet wire product lines targeting the Energy, Industrial, Commercial, and Residential markets. Winkeljohn has a proven track record of surpassing high-growth goals in sales and profitability, building and leading sales teams, as well as working across departments to create mutually beneficial relationships. His previous experience includes leading sales initiatives at both Baldor Electric and Phelps Dodge prior to joining Essex Furukawa. Winkeljohn earned an MBA from Indiana Tech and has a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University.

    Andrew Winkeljohn

    VP, Sales North America

    LinkedIn
  • Chase Dunaway is the Vice President, Automotive Sales North America for Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire. It is a role that he has been in since August of 2023. He has been with the company since 2017 in other key sales positions. In his current capacity, Dunaway assumes a pivotal role in realizing the Essex Furukawa growth plan—with a particular focus on the automotive sector. He has an extensive sales background that is fortified by educational achievements, positioning him as an invaluable asset for navigating the complexities of an evolving market landscape. Dunaway has earned a B.A, Business Administration as well as a Master of Administrative Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

    Chase Dunaway

    VP, Automotive Sales North America

    LinkedIn
  • Greg Caudill is the VP, Technology and Customer Care in North America for Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire. Caudill began his career with the company in 1998 and has been an integral part of several teams and across multiple positions to date. During his tenure, Caudill has launched two green field sites in Torreon (Mexico) and Suzhou (China) as well as participated in multiple, global collaborations focused on technology development with customers. He is the current Chairperson for the NEMA 6-MW Magnet Wire Committee. Prior to working at Essex Furukawa, he worked in other roles focusing on coil winding, over molding and testing. Caudill obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Indiana Institute of Technology. He also has six patents to his name.

    Greg Caudill

    VP, Technology & Customer Care North America

    LinkedIn

Corporate Executive Leadership

  • Daniel Choi is the Chief Executive Officer of Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire, a role he was named to in March 2022. Prior to his position with the company, Choi served as the Regional President, North and South Americas for LS Cable & System, where he managed product sales and strategy as well as the power cable operations of the company. Choi has spent time working with either Superior Essex or its parent company, LS Cable & System since 1999 when he began his career as a Manager, Electronic Component Development Group at the R&D Center. Choi received his 
 B.S. in Material Science and Engineering at Pohang University of Science and Technology. He furthered his education with a Masters in Material Science and Engineering as well as a Ph.D in Material Science and Engineering from Seoul (Korea) National University. He then obtained an MBA from Helsinki School of Economics.

    Daniel Choi

    Chief Executive Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Yun K Kang was named the CFO of Superior Essex to open the 2022 calendar year. Kang brings with him a wide variety of global finance and leadership knowledge and experience.  He previously served as the Controller for LG Chem America based in New Jersey for nearly two decades. He was also the CFO for LG Hausys America between 2010-2015, and the CEO of LG Miso Finance based in Seoul, Korea from 2017-2021.

    Yun K Kang

    Chief Financial Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Sammy Kim is the Chief Strategy Officer for Superior Essex Inc., it is a position that he was named to in April of 2022. Kim had previously worked for Superior Essex as the Director, FP&A/PMO before moving to LS Cable & System USA as the Director, Business Development and Strategy. Kim brings knowledge of the industries that Superior Essex serves, as well as a strategic mindset, and a deep understanding of finance. In his role, Kim supports the development and implementation of strategic and business development initiatives to help Superior Essex achieve a sustainable future.

    Sammy Kim

    Chief Strategy Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Linda Skorb is the SVP, Chief Human Resources Officer for Superior Essex. It is a role that she has been in since May of 2023. Skorb was previously the Vice President of Human Resources for Mativ and has had roles with increasing responsibility for nearly 25 years. She is a trusted advisor, respected leader and creative thinker who is known for driving results through collaboration and a solutions-focused approach. Skorb earned a Masters Degree in Adult Education and Training from Georgia Southern University. Prior to that, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

    Linda Skorb

    SVP, Chief Human Resources Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Justin Im is the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Superior Essex. Im has been an invaluable member of our Legal team since first joining Superior Essex in 2012 and assuming leadership of the Legal department in 2017. Prior to joining Superior Essex, he was in-house counsel at a Fortune 25 company in Atlanta and practiced at global law firms in New York and Atlanta specializing in corporate, M&A, structured finance and securities law. He is a graduate of Princeton University and Fordham University School of Law.

    Justin Im

    General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

    LinkedIn
  • Manish Kumar is the Chief Information Officer for Superior Essex. In this role, Kumar oversees global IT functions, while also expanding and standardizing the core software systems for the company. He has been with the company for the last 16 years—previously serving as Vice President, Information Systems—and has worked in the information technology industry for over three decades. Prior to his tenure at Superior Essex, Kumar worked as a software consultant providing solutions to businesses around the world including those in India, UK, UAE, and the US. He completed his undergraduate studies in India where he studied Computer Science and holds an MBA with a specialization in Global Business Administration from The Georgia Institute of Technology.

    Manish Kumar

    Chief Information Officer

    LinkedIn
  • Zack Kim is the Vice President of Corporate Business Planning, a role that he accepted in early 2019 after serving as the Director of FP&A in Asia as well as a Human Resources Director for Superior Essex since 2012. His current position makes him responsible for leading global magnet wire strategic initiatives, developing and implementing best practices, as well as investment optimization. Kim came to the company after previously being a Human Resources Director for LS Cable & System  over nine years prior. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Sungkyunkwan University and studied in Graduate School of Labor Studies at Korea University in South Korea.

    Zack Jiwoon Kim

    VP, Corporate Business Planning

    LinkedIn
  • Scott Wilde is the Global Vice President of Strategic Sourcing for Superior Essex, a role that has evolved over his last 14 years. Wilde is tasked with both traditional procurement and a more specialized role in commodity risk management, a pairing that may not always meet in other organizations. Wilde graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBS in Finance, obtained a CPM certificate, and has passed the Series 3 exam. He has also completed six marathons and completes about 30 audio books per year.

    Scott Wilde

    VP, Strategic Sourcing

    LinkedIn
  • Mike Capesius is the VP, Corporate Tax for Superior Essex. It is a position that he was promoted to in September of 2022 after several years with Superior Essex working as the International Tax Director. Capesius also worked in a similar capacity for both Travelport as well as Newell Rubbermaid, beginning in 1999. Prior to moving into International Tax, he spent 10 years in the consumer credit industry. He received his degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

    Mike Capesius

    VP, Corporate Tax

    LinkedIn

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