Lexington, KY –

After 42 years with the company, Link-Belt’s President and CEO, Chuck Martz, will retire on April 30, 2017. Martz announced the appointment of current CFO and Vice President of Finance, Melvin Porter, as his successor effective May 1, 2017. Martz will remain in his role as Chairman of the Link-Belt Board of Directors indefinitely.

Martz began his career at Link-Belt in 1975 as a cost accountant and filled various accounting and financial positions, including Controller over the next 15 years. In 1990, he was named Vice President, Finance and Administration. He also served as the company’s Vice President of Manufacturing from 1994-1998 before being appointed President in 1998 and later CEO in 2007. Martz was named Chairman of the Link-Belt Board in early 2009. Martz plans to use his good health to spend more time at his grandchildren’s activities and playing more golf.

Porter has served in his current position since 2004, after starting with Link-Belt in 1999 as Manager, Financial Planning and Taxes. In his current role, he is actively involved in overseeing operations of Link-Belt’s company stores: Triad Machinery in the northwestern U.S. and Link-Belt Mid-Atlantic, based in Virginia. Including his time at Link-Belt, Porter has over 30 years of management, financial, accounting and tax experience.

Porter holds a B.B.A. from Morehead State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. He and his wife Darlene have two children Zach and Lucy. He enjoys playing golf, walking and reading in his spare time. “Melvin has learned Link-Belt’s business and its people throughout his tenure in numerous positions within the company,” said Martz. “His solid leadership will carry out Link-Belt’s business plans and navigate our future for ongoing success together with our parent company Sumitomo Heavy Industries.”

Hammonds New CFO / Vice President Finance Melvin Porter announced the promotion of Sandy Hammonds to CFO and Vice President Finance, effective May 1, 2017, replacing Porter. Currently, Hammonds serves as Link-Belt’s Corporate Controller, a position she’s held since 2013. Hammonds is a 29 year veteran with Link-Belt. She began as a cost accountant in 1988, and progressed through all levels of the accounting and finance departments.

She holds a B.S. degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky, and M.B.A. from Xavier University, and maintains the Certified Public Accountant designation. “Sandy has exhibited leadership and integrity with experiences gained over her 29 year career with Link-Belt and these are vital credentials for her new position,” said Porter. “She will be a valuable addition to the Link-Belt executive team.”