Retirement Announcement & Leadership Transition at Advanced Conversion Technology
MIDDLETOWN, PA | June 28, 2024: Advanced Conversion Technology (ACT), an employee-owned company in Middletown, PA announced today that Robert Kirker, CEO and one of the founders of the company, will be retiring effective September 30, 2024. He will remain as a member of the Board of Directors. In addition, Tracy Shaffer, President, has expressed his desire to also retire. The Board of Directors has conducted an extensive search to provide a permanent replacement for Shaffer and is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew (Andy) Domovich as ACT’s next President. To support the transition, Shaffer will remain with ACT as the interim CEO through December 31, 2024. Shaffer will also remain as a member of the Board of Directors.
Keith Kuzio, Chairman of the ACT Board of Directors, commented, “I want to thank both Bob Kirker and Tracy Shaffer for their valuable contributions to ACT, especially over the past three years as we transitioned to an employee-owned company and accelerated our growth plans. During their tenure, we made significant strides in advancing enterprise-wide operational excellence steadfast leadership foundational strengthening and positioning our core competencies both internal and external, with all of our key customers so that we are well-positioned for our next phase of growth. Our in-depth search for Andy Domovich, President and permanent successor for Tracy, yielded a great find. Andy’s experience as a seasoned executive in our industry and his leadership of critical operational aspects of our business will serve ACT well as we move this employee owned company through its continued growth and innovation. There are huge opportunities in front of us and we are more than ready to capitalize on them and to take ACT to the next level. Both Bob and Tracy’s leadership insured that the company always delivered industry-leading products, developed customer relationships that were meaningful and sincere and always advanced its mission, purpose, vision, and values.”
Joining ACT in 2014, Shaffer helped architect a long-term strategic plan that underscored its commitment to market performance by reengineering its structure, systems, product lines, product roadmaps, and go-to-market process. Under his leadership, the company transformed into an industry leading defense technology company built with strong customer relationships. The company heavily invested to modernize its vertically integrated manufacturing facility, expanded its investment in digital and software technology impacting all aspects of the business, upgraded its engineering tools and processes, became AS9100 certified, improved its operational performance, developed new product lines, executed one major website overhaul with a second one nearing completion, initiated its new branding efforts, and fostered a customer focused organization. These efforts have led to growth and provided the financial means for the company to self-fund its transformation to a 100% employee-owned company.
Since forming the company in 1981, Kirker insured, along with the other founders, that ACT was an engineering driven and customer focused company. Kirker has been an integral part of the company’s successful transformation to an employee-owned company.
ACT is excited about the journey ahead and we are confident that, together, we will achieve even greater success.
About Advanced Conversion Technology, Inc.
Advanced Conversion Technology (ACT), an employee-owned small business headquartered in Middletown, PA, designs, builds, and supports power solutions that perform and protect. Since 1981, ACT has been serving the United States military by providing rugged, mission-ready power solutions. They’re seriously committed to quality assurance and have their quality system certified to AS9100. Their field-proven specialty is meeting the rigorous requirements laid out in military standards. ACT is proud to design, manufacture, and test products under one roof in the USA. Learn more at ACTPower.com.