Hartenstine Leaves Gerber for Consulting Venture
Gerber Technology executive Warren Hartenstine has left the company to join the consulting firm of Walter Wilhelm Associates LLC.
Hartenstine will represent the firm on the East Coast from his office in Maryland. The company acts as a consultant to the sewn-products industry and focuses on front-end operations including design, merchandising and supply-chain management.
Hartenstine was Gerber’s regional sales manager working from Gerber’s Los Angeles office for the past three years. He previously was chief executive officer of Tower Group, a consultant to technology startups, and president and principal of Kennegiesser USA for 16 years. He also held senior positions with Cutters Exchange, Sussman and Rubenstein Bros. of Canada.
Hartenstine said his decision to leave Gerber was partially motivated by his desire to live close to his children, who are students at the University of Maryland.
“I regret having to leave Gerber,” he said. “I like to involve a lot of myself into a position and Gerber fulfilled that desire. I’ve known Walter Wilhelm since Gerber purchased Microdynamics from him in 1993 and look forward to working with him again.”
Wilhelm said: “It is very exciting to have someone of Warren’s caliber join us.I don’t know of anyone in the sewn-products industry that is more connected and committed. He has a long history of service to the industry and everyone I speak with talks about his integrity and follow-through. Warren will play a senior role in all aspects of our business going forward.”
A representative of Gerber said the company intends to fill Hartenstine’s vacated position in the near future. —Robert McAllister
