Winegard continues strong leadership with industry veteran and takes additional steps to ensure continued growth and future success.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (September 12, 2016) — Winegard Company, the pioneer and leading designer and manufacturer of antenna and satellite systems in the USA, since 1954, announces the promotion of Grant Whipple to President of Winegard Company.

Grant Whipple was named President of Winegard Company after a 12-year tenure of increasing responsibility at the company, including most recently as General Manager of Enterprise Antenna Solutions and as Director of Sales and Business Development for Winegard’s global sales team. Prior to being named President of Winegard Company, Whipple’s management contributed significantly to Winegard’s growth and sales across the entire company, including the design, launch and distribution of more than 20 new antenna solutions. Whipple was also integral to helping achieve significant market share in the RV satellite marketplace.

In addition to serving as General Manager and directing the sales and business development initiatives, Whipple’s positions with the company since 2004 have included, Consumer Electronics Product and Sales Manager; National Sales Manager, and Regional Sales Manager for mobile products.

Between 2010 and 2015, he was the principal strategist behind the addition of Winegard’s consumer electronic distribution channel and created partnerships with the largest national and multi-national retailers in the consumer electronics industry. In addition, he spearheaded the company’s launch into e-commerce and was instrumental in the development of Winegard’s suite of digital TV antennas, wireless, satellite DBS, and VSAT antennas.

Whipple is known throughout the company for his ability to foster a dynamic and achievement-oriented culture. He helped transform the company’s business model using lean management principles and is widely known for building strong relationships with suppliers, resellers and internal teams. All research and development initiatives along with new product design and development efforts will also be led by Whipple.

Additionally, Winegard Company has made key transitions within the company to ensure continued growth and success.

Tom Faludy – Interim General Manager, Consumer Products
Tom Faludy, Senior Advisor at Winegard Company since 2014, will act as Interim General Manager over the Consumer Products business unit while continuing in his overall advisory capacity.

Since completing a highly successful 30-year career in 2010 with the Scott Fetzer Company, as Executive Vice President, Mr. Faludy has held concurrent Independent Directorships at publically held Coast Distribution System Inc. and privately held Jayco Corporation. Currently, he serves on the boards of: the Ryan Family Group in Melbourne, Australia (which includes Jayco Australia), and Tecnoform S.p.A., in Bologna, Italy. In addition, he is the International Group Leader and Advisor at LCI, Elkhart, IN, and Advisor at Cal Spas in Pomona, CA. Faludy has served RVIA as a member of the Board, and as co-founder and Chairman of the GO RVing Coalition. Faludy was inducted into the RV Hall of Fame in 2006 and was named as one of the 100 Most Influential Executives in the 100 Year History of the RV Industry by RV Business, a trade publication.

Jason Helling - Product Manager, Mobile Satellite
The Consumer Business Unit also welcomed the promotion of Jason Helling as its new Product Manager for Mobile Satellite. Mr. Helling will oversee all satellite product operations for the development, production, introduction, and success of the RV, trucking, and consumer markets. A seasoned veteran in the manufacturing and electronics industries, Jason received a wide array of experience making him particularly well-equipped to make significant and immediate contributions upon joining Winegard Company in 2005, as a Product Engineering Manager. During his tenure Jason has played a significant role in bringing Winegard’s popular TRAV’LER, RoadTrip, Carryout, Wingman, Rayzar, FlatWave, and DISH Playmaker RV antennas to market.

Keith Larson – Director of Sales & Marketing, RV Market
Keith Larson, Director of Sales & Marketing-RV Market, role has changed to be solely focused on the RV market. Larson’s new responsibilities now focus on all sales and marketing objectives for both the RV OEM and RV Aftermarket channels. Larson has helped Winegard record double-digit growth in the RV channel, played a critical role in the launching of new RV products, and implemented Winegard's dealer training program which has trained more than 7,000 dealer technicians and installers at more than 1,500 dealerships.

About Winegard
Winegard Company designs and manufacturers a spectrum of world class antenna products from mass produced consumer antennas and accessories to enterprise focused broadband solutions. Since its incorporation in 1954, Winegard has designed more than 1,000 antenna models and been granted over 80 U.S. patents. The company’s heritage includes recognition by NASA for contributions to the Apollo 11 mission, and the induction of founder John Winegard into the Consumer Electronics Association Hall of Fame. Winegard’s superior antenna design and manufacturing facilities that total 410,000 sq.ft include a state of the art testing and measurement center. The company’s in-house and vertically integrated capabilities support its accelerated product design and development cycle.