Cooper Runzel has been promoted from director of operations to COO of Lake Cable. The son of company founder-owner Bill Runzel, Cooper Runzel has made a name for himself since he started at the family business as a line operator in 2008. He worked in a series of positions while completing his degree at Loyola University. He sparked the company’s focus on Industry 4.0 technology. He was plant manager in 2016 and vice president of insulating manufacturing in 2022. A member of WAI’s board of directors, at Interwire 2025 he made a presentation (Leading the Next Generation) in the conference sessions. Based in Bensenville, Illinois, Lake Cable LLC specializes in cable for the industrial, utility, OEM and broadcast sectors.

Conor Farese is the newest member of the board of directors for family-owned Southwire Co. He is the first member of the third generation of the Richards family to serve on the board. He now operates his own strategy consultancy and serves as an adjunct professor at UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design. His work spans sectors that include healthcare, climate, energy and technology. He regularly speaks and coaches leaders on strategy, storytelling and product design. He most recently spent six years at global design firm IDEO working with Fortune 500 companies and startups. He previously worked with Southwire as a business development specialist and was a contributing player on the corporate strategy team. He follows in the footsteps of multiple family members, including his grandfather, Southwire’s founder Roy Richards, Sr. Other family board members include Farese’s uncles, Roy Richards, Jr., and Lee Richards, and his mother, Nancy Richards Farese. He holds an undergraduate degree in environmental studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from the University of California, Berkley. Based in Carrollton, Georgia, Southwire is one of the world’s largest wire and cable manufacturers.

Dean Hatley has rejoined Davis Wire Corporation as sales director, a position he had previously held before joining Liberty Engineered Wire Products (EWP) in 2022. Prior to that, Hatley had worked for 34 years for Insteel Wire Products Company, which acquired EWP in 2022. Based in Irwindale, California, Davis Wire has a diverse product line and is one of the largest U.S. galvanized wire manufacturers.

Tri Star Metals has announced that Nick Pigott and Seth Fischer have assumed new roles and joined the company’s executive committee. Pigott, formerly vice president of stainless wire and nickel alloys, now serves as executive vice president. Fischer, previously vice president of sales and aerospace products, is executive vice president, commercial. Both have been with Tri Star Metals for over 15 years. They join Jay Mandel, Jim Roach, Bryan Hitchcock, and George Antonopoulos on the executive committee. Antonopoulos continues as chief financial officer. The company also noted that Pigott, Fischer, and Antonopoulos have become shareholders in Tri Star Metals. Based in Freeport, Illinois, Tri Star Metals manufactures stainless steel and nickel alloy wire and bar.

Stainless Steel Products has named industry veteran Mike Fredrickson as the company’s director of sales/operations. He has more than 40 years of experience across multiple industries, including cable, brush, specialty metals and beyond, and is known for his deep technical knowledge, customer-first mindset and ability to cultivate long-term partnerships. Most of his career was at Loos & Co., where he worked for 39 years as sales manager of the wire division. He also worked at Jewel Wire and Midalloy Specialty Materials. Based in West Reading, Pennsylvania, Stainless Steel Products manufactures ferrous and nonferrous round wire, rolls flat wire, and provides straightening and cutting, crimping and specialty packaging.

Attendees of Wire & Cable Kraków are in for a treat when the international conference is held Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Holiday Inn Kraków City Centre in Kraków, Poland.

Wire & Cable Kraków will be packed with innovation, insight and international collaboration. The conference program calls for 29 expert speakers to share their knowledge in this single-day technical blitz. The program will explore topics such as production efficiency, product development and sustainability. Ferrous and nonferrous sessions will run concurrently, offering something for everyone in the wire and cable world.

Scheduled speakers come from companies that include Tata Steel, the MFL Group, InnoVites, SAMP Group, Eder Engineering, Hyperion, TKT Group, Windak Group, Aeroel Marposs, Niehoff, WiTechs,

the Pittini Group, AGH University, CRU, Paramount Die, Metalube, Bekaert, Taymer Europe, Tokai University, Czestochowa University of Technology, University of Milano-Bicocca and Celanese.

A tabletop exhibition will be held by the conference. Space is limited to 25 companies. Contact WAI via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details on getting a tabletop. Go to wirecable25.com for the latest info.

The WAI is a lead organizer, joining ACIMAF, the AGH University of Kraków and the International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA). The conference is also backed by media partner Expometals.net, supported by WJI, and sponsored by the International Wire and Cable Machine Exhibitors Association (IWCEA). Media support also comes from Expometals.net. The International Wire and Cable Machine Exhibitors Association (IWCEA) is also an event sponsor. More sponsorship opportunities are available.

The event is designed to be more than “just a conference.” The experience begins early with a welcome dinner on Monday, Oct. 13 at the historic Stara Zajezdnia Kraków by DeSilva in the heart of Kazimierz. An optional private tour of the famed Wieliczka Salt Mine—with hotel transport—is also on the agenda.

Hotel rooms can be booked now for the Holiday Inn Kraków City Centre via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling tel. +48-12-619-00-51. Mention the password (THE WIRE KRAKÓW) when reserving.

This September, WAI’s Education Center, in collaboration with Hyperion Materials & Technologies, will host a two-part technical webinar series on consecutive Wednesday for wire die tool makers and wire producers. The sessions will offer in-depth guidance on evaluating PCD and carbide wire die quality, focusing on practical takeaways, red flag detection and cost-saving insights.

Part One: Differentiating High-Quality PCD Wire Dies. The first webinar, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at 11 am EST, will take place virtually via Zoom. Led by Hector Ferrer Ribas and Andrew Gledhill, the presentation will cover the fundamentals of carbide and polycrystalline diamond (PCD) dies, noting what separates premium wire dies from substandard alternatives. Attendees will learn to spot red flags such as EDM cutting problems and cracks, explore how defects affect Total Cost of Ownership and receive a die quality checklist. An interactive segment will reinforce key learning points and highlight the latest advancements in PCD materials and quality assurance practices.

Part Two: Key Differentiators in Carbide Wire Dies. The second webinar, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at 11 am EST Time, is also via Zoom. It will focus on identifying what makes a high-quality carbide wire die. Topics include common quality issues like casing problems, breakage, pores and scratches, along with their causes and consequences. Attendees will gain tools to evaluate manufacturing processes, material consistency, and traceability. The program will also cover innovations in carbide die materials and the importance of certifications and testing methods.

Each session is free for WAI members and $75 for non-members. Separate registration is required for each part. Not a member? Consider joining, as annual WAI membership is $150, and has year-round savings/benefits. Registration is now open. Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your technical expertise and make better-informed tooling decisions.