Quantum Design announces new leadership

Quantum Design started in 1986 as a Controls Engineering firm and quickly grew from a one-man engineering shop to a full-service control panel fabricator and control systems Integrator.

Over the past 37 years and under the leadership of Danny Pearse and David Culvey, Quantum has significantly grown its controls engineering division and purchased four additional product lines propelling it into global company status.

David Culvey, former executive vice president, has officially retired as of the end of December 2023. While he has stepped away from the business as an owner/executive, he will be available to assist the company in the future on a consultant level. 

Danny Pearse, CEO of Quantum Design, said: ‘We would like to thank Dave for his commitment to the company and his leadership over the past 37 years. He has been an anchor and an inspiration to all and the countless hours he has dedicated to the company has not gone unnoticed. On a personal level, I consider Dave a great friend, and while I am sad his time at Quantum has come to an end, I am grateful for the years we’ve worked together and proud of the company we’ve built.’

Pearse, having recently transitioned from president to CEO, will be taking a step back from the business as well and focusing on the company at a big-picture level. 

‘I’m not leaving the company, but health issues in the recent years and a desire to spend more time outside of the office have shifted my focus,’ added Pearse. ‘While I will no longer be a part of the day-to-day operations, I have full confidence in the leadership I have appointed to replace Dave and myself, and I look forward to seeing where the company will go from here.’ 

Angie Ostler, former vice president of finance, has been named president, overseeing the day-to-day operations with a focus on the company financials, and Derek Wheeler, former vice president of sales, has been named executive vice president, focusing on the operations and engineering processes within the company.  

‘While their titles are new, their commitment and roles within the company are not.  Both Derek and Angie have spent the past few years shadowing Dave and myself learning the business at an executive level and I trust they will take this company to great heights,’ commented Pearse. ‘This transition has been a work-in-process over the past few years and required a great amount of teamwork amongst the entire leadership team. 

‘The pandemic, supply chain issues and the growing demand for skilled employees have had an effect on the business, but Derek and Angie are ready to jump into these new roles and propel the company forward.’

Ostler has been employed by Quantum since 2008 starting in the office as an administrative assistant, working through marketing and finance roles, and participating in the company’s leadership team since 2019.  Beyond her position within the company is her family tie to the business. Danny Pearse is her father, and has been mentoring her for this role for the past decade.  

Ostler said: ‘Quantum Design has been a part of my life since I was a young child.  Though I didn’t always see myself ending up here, my experience over the past several years has created an appreciation for the business and it is important to me to keep this business growing.  I am eager to move into this new role and start the next chapter.’

Wheeler, started his career at Quantum Design over 17 years ago as a shipping and receiving clerk. He has held roles in the manufacturing and sales departments and was the general manager for the Centro-Metalcut and Quantum Roll Sheeter location for several years prior to moving to the current location.

His most recent role has been vice president of sales overseeing sales activities for the Quantum Design product lines. He has also been a member of the leadership team since 2019 and has been working closely with Ostler, Pearse and Culvey over the past year to make the changeover as smooth as possible.

‘We have a great team here which makes the transition an easy move.  I am excited to continue to grow with Quantum and be more involved with the manufacturing side of the business again,’ said Wheeler. 

Concurrent to the executive changes, Quantum Design has brought on a new vice president of Mechanical Engineering, Zach Roberts.

Roberts has decades of experience in converting and web handling equipment manufacturing and has already made strides at the company creating efficiencies within the mechanical engineering process.

While his focus is the KTI and CTC product lines, designing unwinds and rewinds for printing industry, Robert’s knowledge in equipment design will offer enhancements to all Quantum Design product lines.