Howard Vipperman is stepping down as president of Vip Rubber & Plastic Co. to usher in the next generation of leadership.
Bernardyne Campana, Vipperman's niece, will take over as president of the company. She has 10 years of experience with the La Habra, Calif.-based firm and was the creator of the customer enterprise resource planning software system that Vip uses company wide.
The firm also named Albert Perez as vice president of aerospace. He has been with the company for more than 25 years. Vip said he's spent the last 10 years in aerospace and was a significant part in the company's evolution to ISO AS 9100.
Cindy LeClair, granddaughter of founder Howard Vipperman Sr., remains in the role of vice president of marketing. She's been with the company for nearly 10 years. Vip said that Martin Perez has been named technical director.
Vipperman will continue to serve as chairman of the board and mentor Vip's third generation. Along with him, Kathy Vipperman will continue in her role as chief financial officer, Tom LeClair will stay on as vice president of sales and Dean Gillespie will remain as vice president of technical sales. Vip said other members of the second generation will remain in their current positions to help with the transition.
"We have been working toward succession for the better part of 10 years and it is clear that the next generation is ready to go," Vipperman said in a statement. "I am pulling back from the day-to-day operations of Vip but remain a resource and mentor to all."
Vip produces rubber and plastic parts for a variety of industries with more than 200 employees.
