Avi Kahn, currently general manager of Hilti Canada, will be promoted to president and chief executive officer of Hilti North America effective Jan. 1, 2017. The company says he was chosen after a comprehensive internal search for a candidate with a proven track record of success and deep understanding of the business.
Martina McIsaac, currently division manager for the greater Toronto area, will succeed Kahn as general manager of Hilti Canada. With this role, McIsaac will join the Hilti North America executive management team. She came to Hilti in 2013 as a senior manager candidate and became division manager in 2014.
The promotions result from the decision by Cary Evert, president and chief executive officer of Hilti North America, to retire effective March 31, 2017.
“It has been a great honor to be part of this company for nearly 37 years,” Evert said in a statement. “I have seen Hilti develop into a leader in the North American construction market and I look forward to watching Hilti North America continue to grow under the leadership of Avi Kahn.”
Kahn has developed through the ranks of the Hilti organization since starting his career in 2004 as a territory sales representative for construction in San Francisco. From there he was promoted to regional manager in San Diego and Hawaii. In 2008, Kahn took on greater responsibility as the Chicago-based West Great Lakes division manager. In January 2011, he took an international assignment when the organization named him general manager of Hilti Canada.
“It is a privilege to step into the leadership position for the North America organization at this time,” Kahn said. “Since joining the company 12 years ago, I have developed a deep passion for the business, the brand, and our people. I look forward to continuing to build on the strong foundation created by Cary and my colleagues on the North America executive management team.”
Hilti says that over his nearly four-decade career, Evert has held nine different roles, including three international assignments, after first starting with the company in 1980 in New York City. Evert has served as president and CEO of Hilti North America since 2005.
