GOLDEN VALLEY, MN, June 9, 2005 (PRNewswire-FirstCall) -- Pentair Inc. today named John C. Ma, 42, president of the Asia Pacific region for the Pentair Water Group, effective June 18. This newly created position will report to Pentair Vice Chairman Richard J. Cathcart.
"Pentair's water business continues to gain momentum. It is our largest business and one with high market growth potential," said Randall J. Hogan, Pentair chairman and CEO. "We are committed to meeting the needs for safe, clean water across the globe; to capturing growth opportunities; and to driving shareholder value."
"This new role is an important step in our strategy to increase sales, and to leverage and grow our presence in the Asia-Pacific region," said Cathcart, who has responsibilities for international growth and business development in addition to his role as strategic leader of the Water Group. "Mr. Ma's experience in the region positions him well for this role, which will include overseeing sales and operations in Asia, India, and Australia."
Ma's background includes five years of progressively responsible positions with General Electric (GE) in China, most recently as vice president and general manager of Central China with business responsibilities for diagnostic imaging equipment. Prior to that, Ma was vice president and general manager of GE's Global Products Company. In this role, he led the business with responsibilities for sourcing, production and engineering. Ma first joined GE in 2000 as head of GE Medical Systems China in the Global Technology Operation in charge of technical operations.
Prior to GE, Ma managed international operations for Performed Line Products Company, leading the international operations in fiber optic splicing for the telecom and power industries from 1995 to 2000. He began his career as a design engineer in the automobile industry, first working at the Shanghai Metallurgical Design and Research Institute from 1983 to 1990, and then at General Motors Corporation from 1993-1995.
Ma holds both Doctorate and Master of Science degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgy from Shanghai Technology University in Shanghai, China.
Pentair (www.pentair.com) is a diversified operating company headquartered in Minnesota. Its Water Group is a global leader in providing innovative products and systems used worldwide in the movement, treatment, storage and enjoyment of water. Pentair's Enclosures Group is a leader in the global enclosures market, designing and manufacturing standard, modified and custom enclosures that house and protect sensitive electronics and electrical components. With 2004 revenues from continuing operations of $2.28 billion, or $2.76 billion on a pro forma basis, Pentair has approximately 13,000 employees worldwide.
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