The fourth generation is making its stamp on Marvin Cos.
Paul Marvin, the nephew of CEO John "Jake" Marvin and currently vice president of sales, has been promoted to president of Marvin Windows and Doors effective Jan. 1. He will succeed his aunt Susan Marvin, who has been president and a board member for 20 years.
"In business, as in life, these generational changes are inevitable. Just as my siblings and I stepped in for our father, so is the next generation stepping in for us," said Susan, 60, who will become co-vice chair of the board.
As president, Paul, 41, will take over leadership of the company's three prominent product brands: Marvin, Integrity and Infinity. He will report directly to Jake, who is also chairman of the 5,000-employee company based in Warroad, Minn., and has 12 factories across the United States.
"Paul has strong leadership skills and has proven his abilities over the years working at Marvin," Jake said in a statement. "He has demonstrated that he has emotional intelligence, as well as the ability to take charge, create alignment, empower others and build a sense of team — characteristics of a great leader."
Paul, son of retired company president Frank Marvin, grew up working at the factory during high school and college. At age 23, he founded a school bus company in Minneapolis, starting with one bus and ending with 20 buses and 20 employees when he sold it in 2006.
"I always said I wanted to do something on my own before coming back [to Marvin]," said Paul, who returned after selling his bus company to become marketing and operations analyst. He went on to become the manager of wood products, director of materials and then head of sales.
Being named president has "been in the works for a long time. But it is thrilling and humbling for me to be in a position to walk in and be a steward of this organization," he told the Star Tribune.
