Ralph S. Michael III was named president and COO of the Ohio Casualty Insurance Co., where he will oversee day-to-day operations.
Michael arrives from U.S. Bank, National Association, where he was executive vice president and manager of private asset management. He previously served as a director on the Ohio Casualty Corp. board of directors, a position he resigned when he accepted a full-time position with the company.
“We are extremely pleased that Mike has agreed to take on a new, expanded role,” says Ohio Casualty Corp. President and CEO Dan Carmichael. “As an active board member since April 2002, Mike has been a key contributor by providing excellent counsel and advice and playing an instrumental role in our turnaround efforts. He brings to the table a wealth of related financial services industry experience that will serve him well as he oversees our insurance operations.”
Previously, Michael served as executive vice president and manager of west commercial banking at U.S. Bank and as president of U.S. Bank – Oregon. From 1979 to 2002, he held numerous executive and management positions with PNC Financial Services Group in Pittsburgh.
He serves as a board member of Key Energy Services Inc., Integrated Alarm Services Group Inc., Cincinnati Bengals Inc. and Xavier University.
MILACRON INC.
Ross Anderson was promoted to chief financial officer of Milacron Inc., succeeding Robert Lienesch, who retired at the end of July after 26 years with the company. Anderson is responsible for overseeing all financial operations of the business.
He formerly served as general manager for Milacron’s North American injection molding machinery business, overseeing North American operations for the division. Anderson joined Milacron in 1989 and has held several positions at the company, including controller from 2002 to 2004.
“We are pleased to have Ross Anderson fill this important role,” says Ronald D. Brown, chairman, president and CEO. “He brings with him a strong financial background as well as hands-on experience in operations.”
Milacron, which provides plastic-processing technology and industrial fluids, also named Glenn Anderson, currently general sales manager for the North American plastics injection machinery business, to assume Ross Anderson’s former post. He has been with Milacron for 16 years.
The two men are not related.
NATIONAL CITY
John Marx joined the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky team of National City as regional investment sales manager. He is responsible for managing and developing a team of investment consultants.
Most recently, Marx served as vice president at Nationwide Financial, where he was responsible for relationship management in a five-state region.
Paula Pfaehler was appointed small business development leader in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. She is responsible for retail coaching and professional development. Previously, Pfaehler worked as a banking office manager. She has 10 years of experience in financial services.
FIFTH THIRD BANK
Eric Riedinger joined Fifth Third Bank as a vice president in the commercial real estate division. He is a calling officer who helps originate and manage commercial real estate loans.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP
David J. Witzgall was named vice president and treasurer of American Financial Group Inc. He joined American Financial in 1976 and held a number of accounting and finance positions until he left to become vice president and controller of General Cable Corp. in 1993. Witzgall rejoined American Financial Group 2001 as vice president and controller of Great American Insurance Co.
He was promoted to senior vice president and CFO for the property and casualty group of Great American this March.
TOTAL QUALITY LOGISTICS INC.
Kerry Byrne joined Total Quality Logistics Inc. as executive vice president. TQL is a third-party freight logistics company specializing in Truckload Transportation. Byrne is responsible for helping to manage sales operations as well as calling on major accounts. He brings 17 years of experience to the company. Prior to joining TQL, he worked as vice president and manager of the private banking group at Fifth Third Bank.
The company has also promoted Sean Edwards to carrier development specialist. Edwards previously held the position of logistics account executive before being promoted to this newly-created position.
ASHLAND INC.
Kimberlee Sinclair was promoted to Ashland Inc.’s communications manager for Europe. She will be based at the company’s European Shared Business Services center in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Sinclair will retain her position as process manager for Ashland’s global communications channels, supervising printed publications, employee intranets and public Web sites.
FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES INC.
Karen M. Hoguet was elected executive vice president and CFO of Federated Department Stores Inc. She previously served as senior vice president and CFO.
Hoguet, who was elected senior vice president and CFO in 1997, has been with Federated since 1982. She served as a senior consultant in marketing and long-range planning from 1982 to 1985 before being named director of capital and business planning. She was named operating vice president of planning and financial analysis in 1987, elected as a corporate vice president in 1988 and as senior vice president of planning in 1991. She added the title of corporate treasurer a year later.
