MACHESNEY PARK, IL–Quantum Design Inc., a leading control systems integrator and equipment manufacturer announced a series of leadership changes in early 2024. Original owners of the company, Danny Pearse and David Culvey, stepped back and new leadership settled in this January. Specifically, Angie Ostler, (top photo) former VP, finance, has been named president, overseeing the day-to-day operations with a focus on the company financials, and Derek Wheeler (bottom photo), former VP, sales, has been named EVP, focusing on operations and engineering processes.
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, under the leadership of Pearse and Culvey, Quantum purchased four additional product lines, propelling it into global company status. Culvey officially retired as of Dec. 31, 2023; while Pearce, 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.
Pearse stated, “We would like to thank Dave for his commitment to the company and his leadership. 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.” He added, “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.”
Pearce noted, “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. 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.” Both Ostler and Wheeler have extensive experience with Quantum Design.
Ostler has been employed by Quantum since 2008 starting in the office as an administrative assistant, working through marketing and finance roles, and participating on the company’s leadership team since 2019. Beyond her position within the company is her family tie to the business. Pearse is Angie’s father, and has been mentoring her for this role for the past decade.
Ostler says, “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.”
Concurrent to the executive changes, Quantum Design named Zach Roberts, VP, mechanical engineering. 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 main focus is the KTI and CTC product lines, designing unwinds and rewinds for printing industry, Zach’s knowledge in equipment will offer enhancements to all Quantum Design product lines. He joins Ostler, Wheeler, and Nevagay Abel, VP, electrical engineering, on the leadership team.