Focused on Your Success …
Benshaw’s leadership team is committed to establishing Benshaw as the Global Leader in Applied Motor Control Solutions. From soft starters, packaged drives and electro-mechanical controls to retrofit products, coordinated systems and custom control solutions … Benshaw’s leadership team is focused on helping customers achieve success in their respective industries and motor control applications.
With over 25 years average experience in the North American motor control industry, our talented leadership team is working diligently to ensure that Benshaw consistently meets or exceeds our customer’s expectations. Key members of the leadership team include:
Christoph Vogel, CEO – Benshaw Group
Christoph has a strong background in running global engineered manufacturing businesses from his prior work at Hubbell, Vestas, Johnson Controls and Siemens, and he has vast experience in developing and implementing profitable growth strategies to win in global markets.
Christoph is a dual citizen of the US and Germany and has earned a Masters in mechanical engineering and business administration. He is a proud father of four adult children, resides in the greater Atlanta area and enjoys in his spare time endurance sports and a variety of cultural events.
Chris Scanlon, CFO – Benshaw Group
Chris Scanlon comes to us from Amaero Ltd. (a publicly traded company on the Australian Stock Exchange), where he also served as CFO. During his tenure at Amaero, Chris oversaw all aspects of finance, including cash flow management, financial planning and risk management. He also lead Amaero’s Human Resources and Information Technology functions.
Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida State University and an M.S. in Taxation from Robert Morris University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Chris lives in Bridgeville, PA with his wife and 3 children. He is a sports fan and enjoys spending time with his family.
Pete Morgan, President – Benshaw Inc.
Pete Morgan heads up Benshaw’s North American operations and is responsible for its overall success. He has an engineering degree (BSEE) from the University of Pittsburgh and has spent his whole career involved in the motor control industry, including three years working in the United Kingdom. Since 1997, Pete has held senior positions within Aucom North America, Benshaw and Solcon USA. While at Benshaw, Pete established and ran the company’s OEM Division, with responsibility for winning HVAC OEM supply contracts.
Pete’s specialty is engineering and operations, but he also has a strong background in both customer service and supply chain management.
Brian Vines, VP of Operations – Benshaw Canada Controls
Brian helped start Benshaw Canada back in 1986, and was instrumental in helping the company become the leading low voltage and medium voltage soft starter manufacturer in Canada. The organization has also become a leading source for VFD’s, switchgear and packaged motor controls, and is dedicated to “Custom” customer satisfaction requirements.
Brian has a vast knowledge of every department … with his “Can Do” attitude helping Benshaw Canada reach the potential and success the company has acquired over its many years.
Rich Muraca, Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Rich Muraca, former GM of Benshaw’s OEM Division and recently Director of WEG’s custom panel business, is Benshaw’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Rich has over 25 years of experience in the industrial controls and automation industry, having held positions in engineering, operations and sales management. He has earned BSEE and MBA degrees and is considered an industry expert in packaged industrial controls and automation.
Nicole Caparanis, Vice President of Medium Voltage Products
Nicole Caparanis is Benshaw’s VP of Medium Voltage Products. She has an electrical engineering degree (BSEE) from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon. Nicole has vast experience working in the motor control industry and has been with Benshaw for over 15 years, having held management and leadership positions in engineering, sales management, and product development.
Karen Alberts, Manager of Marketing & Ecommerce
Karen Alberts is Benshaw’s Manager of Marketing & Ecommerce. Karen has extensive sales, marketing, application engineering and distribution management experience. Karen has worked in leadership positions at Motortronics, Solcon and Aucom, with an outstanding track record of growing businesses.
Kevin Rice, Director of Industrial Sales
Kevin Rice, formerly National Sales Manager at Aucom North America, is responsible for expanding Benshaw’s sales team, customer support and distribution relationships across the United States. Kevin has over 25 years of experience in industrial controls and drives, including leadership positions at Motortronics and Aucom.
José Cancel-Narváez, Inside Sales Manager
José is based in Pittsburgh and comes to us from WESCO Distribution, where he served as Sourcing Manager, leading a team of four analysts in the Global Account Group. Prior to that, José served as Inside Sales Supervisor for WESCO’s Global Account Group. He also served as Strategic Account Manager and Inside Sales Representative during his 17-year tenure at WESCO. José holds a Master’s Degree in Business Analytics & Data Science from Capitol Technology University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico.
José lives in Beaver, PA with his wife and two sons, and has enjoyed the hobby of photography for over 25 years.
Brent Gilbert, Manager, EOEM Division
Brent Gilbert manages our EOEM Division and is responsible for developing relationships with electrical equipment OEMs and strategic partners by delivering value and mutual growth through the development of custom tailored solutions, from branded components and products to complete systems. He has spent his career working with industrial and OEM customers globally, providing solutions in industrial automation and controls. Prior to joining Benshaw, Brent held sales and business development roles with Schneider Electric and Specialty Product Technologies.
Jim Clarke, Aggregate Industry Manager
Jim Clarke is our Aggregate Industry Manager and is responsible for expanding Benshaw’s sales team, customer support and distribution relationships in the aggregate industry. Jim is a 30-year Benshaw veteran with extensive sales, application engineering and management experience.
