John B Nofsinger and William J Montwieler coincidentally end tenures on 31 December at the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) and the Industrial Truck Association (ITA), respectively.

In recent months, MHIA and ITA members and associates have saluted the achievements of retiring stalwarts Nofsinger and Montwieler as each leaves the top staff position in a trade group with major importance to the forklift industry.

Nofsinger joined MHIA in 1986 and has served as the chief executive officer of the international trade association since 1999. Charlotte, North Carolina-based MHIA has represented the material handling and logistics industry since 1945 and organises trade events such as MODEX 2012 and ProMat 2013.

George W Prest will succeed Nofsinger as CEO. Prest joined MHIA in December 2010 as chief operating officer after decades of experience in managing and owning materials handling manufacturing companies and serving as a volunteer leader in numerous industry organisations.

Montwieler joined ITA in 1983 as executive director. ITA represents manufacturers of forklift trucks and their suppliers doing business in Canada, the US or Mexico and has roots dating back to 1917.

Brian Feehan will succeed Montwieler as chief staff officer of the Washington, DC-based ITA. Feehan, an experienced association executive, joined ITA on 15 September with the title of president, a departure from the position's previous nomenclature. ITA renamed the position of its top elected board member as chairman.