Hardinge Announces Senior Management Promotions

Machine tool and workholding component supplier N/A (Elmira, NY) has announced the promotions of three officers.

Executive VP-operations J. Patrick Ervin has been promoted to the position of president and COO. He will report to Robert E. Agan, chairman and CEO.

Ervin, 43, who has worked at Hardinge since 1979, has been executive VP-operations since 1998, responsible for worldwide sales and marketing, engineering, and manufacturing. Before that he was VP-sales and marketing, GM-machine operations and had held various management positions in sales and marketing, manufacturing and engineering. He holds an MBA from Syracuse University.

Hardinge also promoted Richard L. Simons from senior VP/CFO to executive VP/CFO, reporting to Agan.

Simons, 44, who joined Hardinge in 1984, has held various management positions in finance during that time, including senior VP/CFO since 1998. His previous positions include VP-finance and corporate controller. He holds a CPA certificate from the State of New York and an MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Douglas C. Tifft has been promoted from VP-administration to senior VP-administration, reporting to Ervin in his new position.

Mr.Tifft, 45, who joined Hardinge in 1978, has been VP-administration since 1998. Before that, he served as VP-personnel for 10 years and held various management positions in personnel. He holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Oregon.

"Hardinge is fortunate to have a high-caliber management team whose members are focused on creating value for our customers, employees, and shareholders," CEO Agan commented. "These appointments are consistent with that commitment. Our management team is excited about leading Hardinge through the coming years."

Hardinge Inc, One Hardinge Drive, Elmira, NY 14902-1507, phone: 607-734-2281