Listen to this article

Hand tools manufacturer GreatStar Tools USA shook up its leadership Feb. 1 with the promotion of Arrow Fastener Co. CEO Gary DuBoff to group president and CEO; Melissa Karlovitch to group vice president and chief human resources officer; and James O’Rourke to the role of group vice president and chief financial officer and treasurer.

DuBoff has led Arrow Fastener for more than a decade. As GreatStar Tools USA group president and CEO, he will have the overall responsibility of running the company’s portfolio of U.S. tool brands, including Pony Jorgensen woodworking clamps; Goldblatt concrete, drywall, masonry and tile tools; Arrow Fastener stapling tools, glue guns and rivet tools; Prime-Line Products replacement and security hardware; and recently acquired Shop-Vac Corp.

At the head of Arrow, DuBoff maintained its U.S. manufacturing base and led the team that successfully sold Arrow Fastener to Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial Co. in 2017 and was named executive of the year by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association in 2019 for his work in mitigating the impact of Chinese tariffs on U.S.-based manufacturing.

Prior to joining Arrow Fastener, he spent 17 years in a variety of sales and marketing roles at Masco Bath Corp., a Moorestown-based manufacturer of bathing and shower fixtures.

“As the GreatStar organization continues to grow, especially following its acquisition of the iconic Shop-Vac Corporation, it became apparent that a dedicated executive leadership team was needed to guide each of the GreatStar Tools USA brands and position those business units for long-term success,” said GreatStar Tools USA Chairman Lincoln Reichhelm in a prepared statement. “I’m confident the new GreatStar Tools USA leadership team, with Gary DuBoff at the helm, will ensure this strong focus and achieve the established strategic initiatives to support our growth in the tools category.”

Karlovitch will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the human resources operations at each of GreatStar’s subsidiaries. During her time at Arrow, Karlovitch introduced new performance management and organizational review processes, launching a suite of human resource automation tools, and establishing a framework for evolving workplace culture, according to her promotion announcement.

Prior to joining Arrow Fastener, Karlovitch held human resource positions with Zinsser Co. and Rust-Oleum Corp.

As group VP, CFO and treasurer, O’Rourke will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the finance and IT functions for each GreatStar Tools USA subsidiary. O’Rourke joined Arrow Fastener as the CFO in 2018 and was named CFO of Prime-Line Products in 2019. He oversaw all accounting, finance, treasury and IT functions for both businesses. Before joining Arrow Fastener, he held finance roles at Unilever, Thermo Fisher Scientific and various for profit and not-for-profit education companies and institutions.