New CEO Announced at Dapra Corp.

Dapra Corp., which supplies the metalworking industry with cutting tools, workholding and positioning equipment, and part marking equipment, has a new CEO: Linda Pilvelis, who had been the company’s chief financial officer since 1991. She succeeds Tom Watson, who will continue as a member of Dapra’s board of directors.

During the past 29 years, Pilvelis has been actively involved in every aspect of the Dapra business. She was appointed to the board in 1989 and has been directly involved in the management of all aspects of Dapra’s business since 1997.

Pilvelis leads a management team that includes Richard Pentz, vice president, business development; Michael Bitner, product manager, cutting tool and workholding/positioning products; and Chris Davis, vice president of Dapra Marking Systems, a division of Dapra Corp. that specializes in direct part marking, reading and verification solutions.

During the past 21 years, Pentz has been actively involved in cutting tools sales—most recently as general manager of Dapra Marking Systems until his appointment as vice president, business development. He is an advisory director of the company.

Bitner’s product manager position combines product development, technical support and sales management. He has 15 years of experience in the mold and die industry. He, too, is an advisory director of the company.

Davis is a recent addition to the Dapra team. He has 25 years of sales, sales management and general management experience in several technology-based companies.

Dapra was founded 50 years ago and is a supplier of cutting tools, permanent part-marking solutions, workholding/positioning equipment and Biax scrapers and air tools.