Strategic Leadership Team
Jeff Swartz, Chief Executive Officer
Jeff Swartz leads the overall business for Seaman Corporation and provides strategic direction for all operations with an emphasis on growth, sustainability, and profitability.
With global experience in general management, operations, and commercial leadership, Jeff has a proven track record of delivering above-market growth, driving innovation, and managing complex businesses. He previously served as President of Moen’s North America business, responsible for strategy, market share expansion, and results across sales, marketing, and product development. Earlier roles at Moen included Senior Vice President, Global Operations & Supply Chain (plumbing division) and Vice President, Retail. Jeff began his career at Armstrong World Industries in manufacturing, sales, and general management.
He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University and an MBA from Columbia University. Jeff serves on the Executive Board of the Wayne Economic Development Council, and the Westside Christian Academy School Board.
Brian Geib, Chief Financial Officer
Brian Geib serves as Chief Financial Officer, overseeing Seaman Corporation’s financial strategy, planning, and operations.
He joined the company in 2021 after serving as Vice President of Finance at Fortune Brands Global Plumbing Group and previously holding finance roles with GE Lighting and FirstEnergy Corporation. With more than 20 years of experience across financial management, business leadership, and corporate strategy, Brian brings disciplined execution and a growth mindset to the finance function.
Brian is a Certified Management Accountant. He holds a B.S. in Information Systems from the University of Mount Union and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management.
Paul Hugon, Vice President, Operations & Supply Chain
Paul Hugon leads Operations and Supply Chain, driving safety, quality, service, productivity and planning across our manufacturing and sourcing networks.
A second-generation Seaman Corporation associate, he joined in 2024 as Director of Supply Chain and was promoted to Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain in March 2026. Previously, Paul worked for The Timken Company for 17 years, in various global Supply Chain and IT leadership roles.
Paul holds a B.S. in Computer Information Systems and an MBA in Supply Chain Management from The University of Akron. He serves on the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association.
Jason Spruell, Senior Vice President, Technology
Jason Spruell leads all aspects of technology for new and existing markets, advancing our product roadmap and technical capabilities.
He joined Seaman Corporation in June 2021 as Vice President, Innovation & Technology, where he built a world-class team of scientists, engineers, marketers, and application specialists. Promoted to Senior Vice President in June 2023, Jason draws on deep experience in polymer technology, strategy, and product and market management. He has led market development and launches across industrial textiles, fibers, and chemicals; authored more than 35 scientific publications; and is co-inventor on more than a dozen patent families. Earlier roles include Technical Platform Lead and Product & Market Manager at Halocarbon Electronics Solutions, VP of Commercial Development at CycloPure, and positions at Eastman Chemical Company and Milliken & Company.
Jason holds a B.S. in Chemistry (University of Alabama), a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (Northwestern University), and an Executive MBA in Technology and Innovation (Georgia Institute of Technology).
Nick Long, Vice President, Commercial
Nick Long leads our commercial organization, responsible for revenue growth, commercial strategy, market development, and customer engagement across direct and distribution channels.
Before joining Seaman Corporation, Nick served as Vice President of Building Insulation and Spray Foam at Specialty Products & Insulation (SPI). He spent 15 years at Graco Inc., managing industrial businesses across Asia Pacific and building high-performing commercial teams serving industrial and contractor segments. His background spans strategy development, go-to-market leadership, customer-focused marketing, and market-driven product innovation.
Nick holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from The University of Akron and an MBA from Cleveland State University.
Susan Meade, Vice President, Human Resources
Susan Meade leads the Human Resources function, advancing talent strategy, total rewards, organizational development, and associate experience.
Since joining Seaman Corporation in 2010, Susan has served in progressive HR leadership roles, including Senior Manager, Compensation & Benefits, and played a key role in implementing the Dayforce HCM system. Her background spans compensation and benefits, recruiting, development, and plant HR support. Prior to Seaman Corporation, Susan was the HR Manager at Dometic Corporation and previously at Bauer Ladder.
She holds a B.A. in Business Management from Malone University and a CHRO certification from The Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania). Susan also holds senior HR certifications (SPHR/SHRM-SCP) from HRCI and SHRM.
Terry Link, General Counsel
Terry Link serves as General Counsel, overseeing corporate transactions, commercial contracts, intellectual property, and legal governance.
He joined Seaman Corporation in January 2023 as General Counsel from the law firm Roetzel & Andress, where he practiced since 1999, became a shareholder, and held leadership roles.
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Business Organizations and Corporate Law, Terry is a member of the Akron Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and Association for Corporate Growth. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and has served for more than a decade as Counsel to Seaman Corporation’s Board of Directors, along with being a member of the Strategic Leadership Team.
Terry holds a B.S. in Business from Miami University (Ohio) and a Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University. He lives in Copley, Ohio, with his wife, Lauren, and their three sons. Outside of work, he enjoys mountain biking, fishing, hiking, and golf.
Raj Venkataraman, Senior Vice President, Special Projects
Raj Venkataraman leads strategic initiatives that support our next chapter of growth, including manufacturing expansion, evaluation of acquisitions and partnerships, and optimization of textile assets. He also serves as an ambassador for Seaman Corporation.
Raj joined the company in 1980, bringing experience across accounting, management information systems, and operations. In 1987 he became Manager of the Bristol, Tennessee manufacturing operations and later advanced to Vice President of Operations for both Bristol, TN and Wooster, OH facilities. Over 45 years, Raj has played an integral role in the company’s success and growth, building a legacy of operational excellence.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Madras, India.
Board of Directors
Richard Seaman, Chairman – Seaman Corporation
A committed believer in entrepreneurship, Richard Seaman has focused his career on the creative development of business enterprises and multi-generational stewardship. He served as CEO of Seaman Corporation from 1976 to 2015 and has been instrumental in shaping the company’s profitable growth and governance model.
Highlights of Impact and Governance Leadership:
- Grew Seaman Corporation from a small family-owned company with ~$2 million in annual sales to more than $100 million in the industrial fabrics industry.
- Developed and institutionalized business processes that sustained profitable growth.
- Championed a robust Strategic Planning Process engaging management to identify opportunities and execute growth strategies.
- Established the CARE Quality Initiative, delivering best-in-class customer focus, quality, and service.
- Led enterprise adoption of LeanSigma; Seaman Corporation received TBM Consulting’s highest recognition, the “Perfect Engine” award (2012).
- Formalized management succession planning, aligning leadership development with strategic objectives.
- Advanced family business succession using an active shareholder model for long-term stewardship.
- Served as Director of FirstMerit Bank (Audit and Compensation Committees) for more than 10 years, including during the 2008-2009 financial crisis.
- Trustee roles: The College of Wooster; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, MA).
- Trustee and Secretary/Treasurer, Morgan Foundation, supporting entrepreneurship and free enterprise.
- Founding member, Vinyl Building Council, advocating for performance benefits of vinyl polymers in construction.
- Recognized as an Honored Life Member by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (2012).
- Appointed Commissioner, Ohio Third Frontier (2012), supporting a statewide technology-focused entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Continues executive education at the Harvard CEO Program, engaging with global leaders annually.
Kim Seaman, Family Shareholder – Seaman Corporation
Kim Seaman is a third-generation family shareholder serving on Seaman Corporation’s Board of Directors and the Seaman Family Council. An active member of the Leadership Development & Compensation Committee, she also serves as a Trustee of the Seaman Family Foundation.
Kim has been deeply involved in the company’s family governance evolution, including eight years supporting corporate marketing and communications and completing a Management Development Training Program to expand her business knowledge across the organization. Through her leadership within the Seaman Family Council, she has guided educational, philanthropic, and governance initiatives, serving as Council Leader from 2007 to 2015 and continuing to shape the long-term stewardship vision for the family enterprise. Beyond the company, Kim contributes to multiple nonprofit and community organizations, including service on the board of Downtown Arts Theater, prior fundraising roles for Central American Medical Outreach, and involvement with Wooster Youth Shakespeare. She engages actively with national family-business development networks and has pursued advanced training through the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland. Kim holds a B.A. in Communication and Spanish from DePauw University, has studied photojournalism and silversmithing internationally, and lives in Wooster, Ohio, with her husband, Daniel, and their three daughters – fourth-generation family stewards.
William (Bill) Finn, Chairman – AstenJohnson
Bill Finn has served on Seaman Corporation’s Board of Directors since 2007, contributing his extensive global leadership experience to the Finance and Audit Committee, which he chairs, and the Leadership Compensation Committee. With more than 40 years at AstenJohnson – a global manufacturer of paper machine clothing, advanced fabrics, filaments, and industrial solutions – Bill led the company as President and CEO, expanding its reach to more than 50 countries with operations across North America, Europe, and China. His strategic leadership strengthened AstenJohnson’s global competitiveness and operational capabilities, earning him notable industry recognition, including the Innovation Medal from Philadelphia University, the Milliken Medal of Quality, and the United Way Community Builder Award. Bill brings deep expertise in manufacturing, global market expansion, and organizational development to Seaman Corporation’s Board of Directors.
Steve Matthew, President – Wooster Hydrostatics & Fluid Power Solutions
Steve Matthew serves as President of Wooster Hydrostatics and Fluid Power Solutions, recognized leaders in hydraulic systems remanufacturing, distribution, and power system design. He joined Seaman Corporation’s Board of Directors in 2014 and contributes to the Leadership Development & Compensation Committee and the Finance & Audit Committee. Steve’s career reflects extensive leadership across industrial and consumer brands, including roles as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at The Wooster Brush Company, Vice President of Field Sales at Rubbermaid, and President of the Telescoping Mast Division at Will-Burt. In addition to his industry accomplishments, Steve is a committed community leader, serving as Chairman of the Board for PRC-Saltillo Corporation, a member of the Business Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and a trustee for both the Wayne County Community Foundation and the Noble Foundation. His past governance experience includes board leadership for the Wayne Economic Development Council, The Village Network, the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, Montana Productions Corporation, and Will-Burt. Steve holds a B.A. from Mount Union College and completed Executive Education in Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Jeff Swartz, CEO – Seaman Corporation
Jeff Swartz serves on Seaman Corporation’s Board of Directors in addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer. He leads the company’s overall business strategy, culture, and performance with a focus on long-term growth, innovation, and operational excellence. Jeff’s full biography appears in the Strategic Leadership Team section.
Bala Venkataraman, President & CEO – Magni-Power Company
Bala Venkataraman has been a member of Seaman Corporation’s Board of Directors since 1996 and serves on the Finance & Audit Committee. As President and CEO of Magni-Power Company, he leads a full-service metal fabrication enterprise specializing in steel, aluminum, galvanized steel, and stainless applications. Bala previously spent more than 20 years at Seaman Corporation as Vice President of Research & Development, contributing significantly to product innovation and technical excellence. His extensive governance and community involvement includes service with the Wayne County Community Foundation, Great Decisions of Wayne County, and prior roles with the United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties, the Wayne College Advisory Council, Wayne County National Bank, Main Street Wooster, and The Village Network. Bala holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Technology from the University of Madras, a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toledo, and is a graduate of the Executive Business Management Program at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.
Jay Brinegar, President – Brinegar Consultants, Inc.
Jay Brinegar brings more than 25 years of experience in executive assessment, organizational change, and senior team development to his role on Seaman Corporation’s Board of Directors, where he has served since 1989 and is a member of the Finance & Audit Committee. As President of Brinegar Consultants, Inc., Jay works with leadership teams across manufacturing, aerospace, finance, health care, and family-owned businesses to strengthen organizational performance and executive effectiveness. He is a long-standing faculty member and former Treasurer of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland and serves on the Advisory Board of Welty Construction Company, a leader in integrated project delivery and LEAN construction. Jay is also a Gestalt Professional Certified Coach (GPCC). His deep experience in organizational dynamics and leadership development enhances the Board’s ability to support the company’s strategic and cultural priorities.
Robert Walton, Managing Partner – Robert Alan Walton LLC
Robert Walton has served on Seaman Corporation’s Board of Directors since 2004 and is Chairman of the Leadership Development & Compensation Committee as well as a member of the Executive Committee. His diverse career spans higher education leadership, global software and information systems management, and advisory roles in private enterprise. Robert is Managing Partner of Rober Alan Walton LLC, a boutique consulting firm serving an ultra-high-net-worth family office. His earlier leadership positions include President and CEO of CLSI, Inc., Executive Vice President and CFO of Innovative Interfaces, Vice President for Finance and Business at The College of Wooster, CEO of the Claremont University Consortium, and Vice President for Finance and Administration at Vassar College. He concluded his higher education career as CEO of the National Association of College Stores (NACS). Robert has served on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards, including RedShelf, Collier Enterprises, the Rendero Trust, iPost Corporation, Ex Libris (USA), Dynix Corporation, and the American Library Association endowment. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and formerly served as a faculty member at its School of Information. Robert resides in East Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Carrie Alt, Family Shareholder – Seaman Corporation
Carrie Alt is a third-generation family shareholder serving on Seaman Corporation’s Board of Directors and the Seaman Family Council. She is an active member of the Leadership Development & Compensation Committee and chairs the Family Council Governance Committee. For more than 20 years, Carrie has played a central role in strengthening governance, stewardship, and family engagement. As Family Council Chair, she established structures and policies that guide the Council’s work and led the development of the annual Family Assembly, as well as philanthropic and educational initiatives. She participates actively in national family-business leadership networks, including programs through the Loyola Family Business Center, the Family Business Network, the Family Business Consulting Group, and Family Business Magazine. Prior to her governance leadership, Carrie worked for seven years as a Registered Nurse and Perinatal Outreach Educator at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She has also served on the Board of Trustees for the Camping and Education Foundation and as Board Chair for Camp Ogichi Daa Kwe, a wilderness camp for young women. Carrie holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Business Administration from DePauw University and lives in the Chicago area with her husband, Ken, and their two daughters – fourth-generation family stewards.
Kevin Frank, President & CEO – AstenJohnson
Kevin Frank has served as President and CEO of AstenJohnson since 2015 and brings deep global leadership experience to Seaman Corporation’s Board of Directors. Prior to AstenJohnson, Kevin was President and CEO of Voith Hydro in York, Pennsylvania, where he earned the White House Champion of Change award in 2012 for pioneering innovation in the hydropower industry. He previously served in senior leadership roles with Voith Paper, including President of Fabrics and Rolls Services for North and South America, as well as executive positions with Xerium/Stowe Woodward. Kevin is a graduate of Simon Fraser University and completed Advanced Management Studies at the University of New Hampshire and Maastricht University. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management (OPM) program and is a Harvard alumnus. Kevin’s broad industry expertise and leadership experience strengthen the Board’s ability to guide Seaman Corporation’s long-term strategic direction.