Stern Pinball Promotes Tanzer Hires Schechtel New VPs Will Help Execute Growth Plan

MELROSE PARK, IL -- Stern Pinball Inc. has announced the addition of two vice-presidents. Ray Tanzer was promoted to vice-president of manufacturing and Kevin Schechtel was hired as vice-president of supply chain, program and quality management.

Tanzer assumes responsibility for all activities concerning the pinball company's manufacturing. A mechanical engineer by training, he started in pinball as a designer for SPI and later Namco America. He rejoined SPI in 2014, leading a couple of large projects, including the company's upcoming move to new facilities.

Schechtel officially became an SPI vice-president on Mar. 16. He comes to SPI from parts giant Suzo-Happ Group (Mt. Prospect, IL), where he was an operations and quality vice-president. Earlier in his career, he worked at Motorola and Northrup Grumman. Schechtel is also a mechanical engineer, and holds 19 patents. At SPI, he will oversee a quality-improvement program focusing on supply chain performance.

"Ray and Kevin are great additions to our executive team," said SPI chairman and chief executive Gary Stern. "They fill complementary roles that are critically important to our continued growth and future success. Most importantly, they're extraordinary individuals who fit well with our culture."

Stern Pinball next month will be moving to a new 40,000-sq.ft. building in Elk Grove Village, IL, at 2001 Lunt Ave. The Daily Herald reported that SPI is "consolidating its Melrose Park headquarters and a warehouse near O'Hare International Airport. With about 250 employees, the company plans to hire workers, roll out new technology and pursue additional worldwide markets, including China and India." FULL STORY