Our Executive Leadership

Steve Willeke, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Steve Willeke oversees finance, accounting, information services and legal aspects for Dorel Juvenile Group. Among his highest priorities is providing financial information and guidance to Dorel's product teams, so they are able to bring a constant stream of new, innovative solutions to retailers and families across the globe. Prior to joining Dorel in 2006, Steve spent 17 years in the financial services industry at Conseco, Inc. While at Conseco, he held various senior financial and operational roles, including Chief Financial Officer of Conseco Insurance Group's Life Insurance division. Steve began his career at Price Waterhouse in Indianapolis, spending more than six years in the Audit department and working with companies such as Ball Corporation, Herff Jones, Arvin Industries and Bindley Western Industries. A graduate of Ball State University with a B.S. in Accounting, and Indiana University with a M.B.A., Steve is a longtime resident of the Indianapolis area, where he lives with his wife and two sons. Outside of work, he enjoys coaching Little League baseball and Youth basketball and travelling with his family.

Tim Ferguson, Executive Vice President, Human Resources

Tim is a seasoned human resources officer, having spent the past 30 years in HR. He held senior HR positions at Stanley Works and Kennametal Industrial Group prior to joining Dorel Juvenile Group in 2004. From 1980 to 1995, Tim served in a variety of human resources positions in General Electric's Lighting, Drive Systems, Appliances, and Plastics businesses. While at GE he served as a member of the GE Corporate Union Relations Council and completed GE's Advanced Human Resources Development Program. An active member of the Columbus community, Tim has held Board positions for The United Way, Columbus Chamber of Commerce, March of Dimes, and Columbus Philharmonic. He is a graduate of Youngstown State University, where he received a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Public Relations. Tim is the father of two and grandfather of five and when not visiting his grandchildren he enjoys golfing with his wife.

Gary Pruitt, Executive Vice President, Operations

Gary's current role as Executive Vice President of Operations builds on a 17-year career at Dorel focused on consumer goods and the retail supply chain. He is responsible for domestic manufacturing and supply chain, along with the company's distribution, logistics and customer operations. Over the past two decades, Gary has held senior positions in manufacturing plant management, distribution/logistics, procurement and planning. Gary has also led efforts to consolidate and streamline the Company's distribution networks, and has served as program manager for a new ERP system implementation. Prior to joining Dorel, Gary held senior positions at Procter & Gamble, working in product development and operations management and focusing on new product/plant operations and making established manufacturing facilities more efficient. Gary holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University.

Bill Forbes, Executive Vice President, Child Restraint Systems

In his role as Executive Vice President of Child Restraint Systems for Dorel Juvenile Group, Bill is responsible for all aspects of the CRS Business Unit, including Design & Engineering, Marketing, and Program Management. Bill has 10 years of experience in the juvenile products industry, having held director-level positions at Evenflo Company, Incorporated and more recently at Newell Rubbermaid's Baby and Parenting Essentials division (Graco, Aprica, and Teutonia brands). He has a passion for creating highly collaborative teams, focused on delivering market success through insightful product development. Before coming to the child restraint industry, Bill's spent time in the automotive occupant restraints and aerospace industries at prominent companies such as Northrop Aircraft and TRW Automotive. His accomplishments include developing the first "smart" passenger-side airbag inflators to reduce potential occupant injuries. Bill received his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Delaware, and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Oakland University. Bill has two grown children and lives in the Columbus area with his wife, Carolyn.

Ted Kelley, Executive Vice President, Sales, and General Manager

Ted brings more than 20 years' experience in sales and financial analysis, with keen insight to juvenile product trends. He joined Dorel Juvenile Group in 1997, and works closely with Dorel's global retail partners. Under Ted's leadership, Dorel has earned numerous awards, including Wal-Mart's prestigious Vendor of the Year honor. In addition, Ted oversees product development for all brands and business units. Ted is a graduate of Boston College, with a B.S. in Communications. Ted captained the Boston College Eagles' basketball team and continues to be an avid sports fan. He enjoys playing with his two children, Ryan and Meghan, and spending time with his wife, Carrie. They live in Foxboro, Mass.

Dan Pennacchio, General Manager, International Brands

Dan Pennacchio is the General Manager of International Brands; including Quinny, Maxi-Cosi, Bébé Confort, and Baby Art. Dan has a long career in taking aggressive leadership in brand building, product design, operational excellence and sales. Believing that brands should be built with a complete story, Dan drives the International Brands to bring a full circle experience, supporting the highest level of product and brand experience. He is especially well known for quickly growing premium lifestyle brand concepts to iconic and leadership roles with financial success. Prior to joining Dorel Dan held executive positions at Polo - Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and The Limited. In recent years he has lead high growth in premium Juvenile Brands including Bugaboo and Maclaren. By consistently setting new levels of challenge and excitement for the industry under Dan's leadership, Quinny and Maxi-Cosi are positioned as the best and most aspirational products the juvenile category has to offer. Dan received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and studied Art and Design. He served four years active duty in the United States Air Force. Personal pursuits are in yacht racing, design and the arts.

Julie Vallese, Vice President, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications

An integral member of Dorel Juvenile Group's senior executive team, Julie is responsible for corporate communications, government relations and consumer advocacy. Vallese develops and oversees the creation of programs and communications that inform the public and community leaders about the Company's cutting edge innovation and commitment to improving the safety of children across the globe. A veteran consumer product safety advocate, Julie was Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission from 2005-2009, serving as a senior spokesperson and principal media advisor for the agency. For more than 15 years, Julie was a journalist with Cable News Network. As the network's Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Correspondent and Editor, she reported on news related to automotive industry, product safety, traffic safety and child safety, among other topics. She also covered regulatory process and legislation on Capitol Hill. As Assignment Manager for CNN Washington, Julie was responsible for the network's largest bureau – producing more news programming than any other CNN bureau. During her tenure, Julie was recognized for her contributions to CNN's award-winning coverage of 9/11 and the 2000 Presidential Election. In 2005, she was the recipient of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Spotlight Award. Julie is a mother of two boys, both avid hockey players. She is a graduate of The George Washington University, with a B.A. in Communications, and lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her family.

Brian Sundberg, Vice President, Product Development & Innovation

As Vice President of Product Development and Innovation at Dorel Juvenile Group, Brian is responsible for leading product development and innovation, concept generation and development from ideation to product launch, as well as working closely with the DJG sales network to ensure consumer insights are manifested in product designs. Brian was previously a key member of the Safety 1st team from 1991-2001 and was responsible for establishing the company's Research & Development Department. In 2001 he went on to launch his own boutique product development consultancy firm before moving on to Summer Infant as Vice President of R&D in 2004. Over the course of his successful career, Brian has obtained over 23 patents and has received numerous design & quality awards. Brian resides in Chester, New Hampshire with his family.

Lisa Abdinoor, Vice President, Large Furniture

Lisa Abdinoor has more than 20 years of experience in the juvenile products industry and is widely regarded as an innovative product leader and focused business executive. Lisa currently oversees DJG's Large Furniture business as Vice President and is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between sales and product development. Previously, Lisa has managed Sales as well as presided over product development. With a keen eye for detail and innovative product, Lisa has been instrumental in growing DJG's business with key retail partners and building strong long term relationships. Lisa was also a fundamental member of the team responsible for successfully introducing the European brands Quinny and Maxi-Cosi to the United States. She is a champion for charitable organizations directly related to the betterment of children and is an active board member of Room to Grow. Lisa is a graduate of the University of Albany, where she was member of their varsity swim team and is an avid runner, cyclist and yoga enthusiast. She lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with her husband Peter and their son Cole.

Jeff Katz, Director, Global Operations

Jeff has 17 years of experience in the consumer products industry managing global sourcing, product development, and quality assurance. Jeff joined DJG in 2008, relocating to Shanghai, China in 2010, from where he manages a global team of supply chain, engineering and quality professionals in 9 locations across the US and China who focus on operational excellence while enforcing Dorel's high quality standards. Prior to joining DJG, Jeff was the Director of Purchasing for Dorel's Cosco Home & Office division starting in 2005. Jeff has also managed Global Sourcing for Home Products International, founded and led ProtoMarket.com, an online B2B contract manufacturing website, and managed first quality and then product development at Learning Curve International. Jeff has a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a master's degree from DePaul University. He is an avid hiker, skier, and diver. Jeff supports Baobei Foundation in Shanghai, which provides surgeries to orphans with serious but operable medical conditions and then places them with adoptive families.