FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Carlstar Group L.L.C. has hired Jacob Thomas as CEO and board member, effective May 8, succeeding John Salvatore, who will retire at the end of May after serving as CEO since 2015.
Mr. Thomas comes to Carlstar from Clarcor Air Filtration Products, where he was group president of Clarcor's engine mobile filtration business and vice president, engine mobile and hydraulic filtration platform. Clarcor was acquired by Parker Hannifin Corp. in February 2017.
"We want to sincerely thank John Salvatore for his leadership over the past four years as a member of the board and past three years as CEO of the Carlstar Group," said Dino Cusumano, senior managing partner of American Industrial Partners (AIP) — Carlstar's majority shareholder.
Mr. Cusumano called Mr. Thomas a "highly talented and proven leader," noting that he was the ideal candidate to lead the Carlstar organization.
"In the near term, Jacob's focus will be to continue Carlstar's positive momentum and further accelerate the company's strategic business improvement and growth initiatives," Mr. Cusumano said.