John B. Nofsinger, will retire at the end of the year as CEO of Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), a position he has held since 1999. George W. Prest, currently MHIA’s chief operating officer, will take over as CEO beginning Jan. 1.
Nofsinger, with more than 45 years of experience, is recognized as a national and international authority on material handling and logistics. Before joining MHIA in 1986, he worked for 20 years at Republic Storage Systems, also serving on a volunteer basis as vice president-board of directors for MHIA and chairman of the Shelving Manufacturers Assn.
“John’s 45 years of service to the industry and his 25 years of service to MHIA have been marked by major changes and improvements to the value that MHIA offers its members,” said Colin Wilson, executive chairman of Material Handling Industry. “He has also greatly added to the value MHIA events and programming offered to end users.”
Nofsinger serves on the board of governors and executive committee of Material Handling Industry, boards of directors of MHIA and Material Handling Education Foundation (MHEFI). He also serves as managing executive for the Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI), and the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Assn. (SMA).
Prest brings more than 30 years of experience to MHIA, both in managing and owning material handling manufacturing companies. Over the years, he has been recognized for his volunteer leadership of industry manufacturers and distributor associations, local government and charitable foundations. He has served as president of both RMI and MHEFI, as executive chairman of MHI, and as a member of the manufacturers board of advisors of the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA).
“George has served this industry for many years as a volunteer leader in a variety of organizations,” Nofsinger said. “His strategic vision has been a key contributor to advancing MHIA’s efforts to increasing not only member value but awareness of the value of material handing and logistics solutions to the manufacturing and supply chain end user community.”
Wilson added, “George's previous experience as the CEO of a major material handling manufacturing enterprise gives him a unique perspective on the needs of both MHIA members and end users, and will serve him well in his new role. I am convinced he has the experience and the ability to lead MHIA toward even greater success.”
