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PULLMAN, Washington — Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories is aligning its leadership team to address growing opportunities in new markets, technologies and geographies.

“As we expand our reach, we want to ensure that we maintain our commitment to quality, innovation and customer service,” said President and Founder Dr. Edmund O. Schweitzer, III. “This new structure will focus our company on those objectives, while broadening the experience of our executive team and providing opportunities to develop the next generation of leaders throughout the company.”

Schweitzer will continue to lead the company’s strategic direction as president, and will also take on the role of chief technology officer, providing thought leadership and working with SEL engineers to develop new technologies, products and services that will serve customers around the world.

“Over the 33-year history of SEL, I've had the opportunity to experience all aspects of our business, and want our executive team to have those same opportunities,” said Schweitzer.

Dave Whitehead, who has worked at SEL for 23 years, will step into the role of chief operations officer to lead the company's global operations, overseeing the quality, sales, engineering services, manufacturing and business areas. He will also continue to lead Research & Development.

“We’ve had a history of steady innovation, but in many ways we are moving into a new era,” said Whitehead. “We just launched the world’s fastest line protection relay and are releasing several other game changing products. We are deploying advanced microgrid and special protection systems, developing new markets for existing technologies and services, and adding manufacturing capabilities. We’ve got a lot of challenging work ahead and we are excited to do it!”

Luis D’Acosta, who joined SEL in 2005, will take on the new role of chief sales officer where he will ramp up the company's global sales and marketing efforts, ensuring that customers around the world experience the best SEL innovation, quality and service.

Bob Morris will take on the new role of chief engineering services officer where he will apply his 26 years of experience at SEL to leading the development, delivery and growth of SEL engineering service projects.

Tony Lee, who started at SEL in 1991, will continue to lead the company's manufacturing operations, taking on the new role of chief manufacturing officer. Lee will drive world-class manufacturing and quality standards for all technologies and products.

Joey Nestegard, who joined SEL in 2002, will continue to lead the Finance organization as chief finance officer ensuring that SEL's business areas support its strategic objectives, customers and employees.

“With their many years of technical, sales, service and business experience, this team will serve as leaders, teachers, mentors, innovators and customer advocates. Each will drive our commitments to innovation, quality and customer service,” said Schweitzer.

About Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
SEL invents, designs, and builds digital products and systems that protect power grids around the world. This technology prevents blackouts and enables customers to improve power system reliability, safety and cost. SEL, a 100 percent employee-owned company that is headquartered in Pullman, Washington, has manufactured products in the United States since 1984 and now serves customers in 157 countries. SEL provides unmatched technical support, customer service and a 10-year worldwide warranty.