Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Waukegan, Ill.-Craig Nielsen named CEO, and Matthew Nielsen named COO. As part of the family-owned company, Craig and Matthew Nielsen have been surrounded by the business of vanilla throughout their entire lives. The new appointments affirm their positions as leasers in the international flavor business. Camilla Nielsen will continue as chairman.

Land O' Lakes Ingredient Solutions, Minneapolis-Julie Tiatia joins the sales force as national sales mgr., and Dacia Jones joins as sales mgr., and Dewey Wahlin joins as director of sales and marketing. Tiatia was most recently with Kerry Ingredients and has a number of sales and R&D positions in the ingredients industry. Jones comes from another division of Land O' Lakes. Wahlin was previously marketing director with Land O' Lake's Dairy Case Cheese division.

Invensys APV, Tonawanda, N.Y.-Paul Knoerl appointed sales director, APV Projects, North America. The appointment is a direct promotion for Knoerl, who was previously APV's eastern regional manager in the United States. He has more than 20 years experience in the areas of project sales and sales management and will support APV in providing enhanced customer relationships, focused market penetration and continued sales growth.

California Custom Fruits and Flavors, Irwindale, Calif.-Jack Miller joins as Director or Operations. He will oversee all aspects of manufacturing, quality assurance, and warehousing in efforts to help California Custom with its recent expansion. Jack leaves his post of 16 years with Degussa Food Ingredients bringing with him a wealth of experience and knowledge to the CCFF team.

Master-Bilt, New Albany, Miss.-Lynn Burge promoted to the position of advertising and promotions mgr. and Michael Alsman promoted to the new position of product mgr. at the New Albany facility. Burge has been with Master-Bilt for the past seven years. His responsibilities have increased in terms of recommending advertising and marketing direction for the company. His other duties include the coordination of trade shows, design of printed and electronic sales support materials and website supervision. Alsman, who will head product management, brings extensive management experience. In his new duties, he will be responsible for the development of Master-Bilt's new refrigeration rack system. Master-Bilt is a manufacturer premier commercial refrigeration systems.

Ircon Inc., Niles, Ill.-Patrick Tang joins regional sales mgr. in Ircon's Guangzhou office, in southern China. A former sales engineer with Mettler Toledo, Tang will be responsible for all of China's southern provinces. Ircon is a leading supplier of non-contact temperature measurement products.

Key Technology Inc., Walla Walla, Wash.-Rich Hebel appointed director, marketing and business development. Hebel is responsible for marketing programs that build awareness for the company's automated inspection, specialized conveying and product preparation systems worldwide. Hebel also leads strategic planning, market and technology research and M&A activity. He brings more than 30 years of marketing and engineering experience to his position at Key. Most recently, he was v.p., marketing and operations for Insight Control Systems International, Inc. From 1993 to 2000, he was v.p., corporate marketing and business development with Key Technology, a leading designer and manufacturer of process automation systems, and integrated electro-optical inspection and sorting systems.

Fristam Pumps, Middleton, Wis.-John Yazek joins as sales mgr. for Fristam's American operations. He has nearly 20 years of experience in sales and marketing. As Sales Manager, John will oversee Fristam's North, Central and South American sales departments as well as customer service functions.