Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. today announced that David Rider has joined the company as the regional sales manager for the Midwest. In this position, Rider will be responsible for sales leadership throughout the Midwest region, active dealer support and industrial account development for Smeal’s growing industrial apparatus line. Rider brings more than 30 years of progressive experience in sales leadership, product management and dealer support in the fire and public safety industries.
Most recently, Rider was North American sales manager for Sutphen Corporation. In that role he was responsible for overall sales performance and management of North American direct sales and the distribution network. He also successfully developed and launched two major product line expansions while in that position. Rider will report to Jeff Wegner, Smeal vice president of sales.
“We are very pleased to have an experienced fire industry professional such as David Rider join our sales management team,” said Jeff Wegner, Smeal vice president of sales. “His experience as a firefighter and fire chief, along with extensive sales and product management expertise will be very valuable as Smeal continues to expand our sales, product offerings and support of our expanding distribution network.”
Prior to working with Sutphen Corporation, Rider held progressively more responsible positions at E-One, including general account manager, a role in which he was responsible for target fire apparatus direct sales accounts, focused dealer development and direct industrial sales.
Rider’s involvement and interest in fire and emergency services started long before he moved into fire apparatus sales and product management roles. He was fire chief with the U.S. Veterans Affairs Medical Center Fire Department, served as a captain / paramedic with Naval Mayport Fire & Emergency Service at Naval Air Station Cecil Field and was a port security specialist in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. Rider is a U.S. Navy veteran.
