Jay Penney – who previously led highly successful appliance sales divisions for Almo Corporation, Electrolux and Amana – has joined Element Electronics to spearhead the organization’s new private-label appliance initiative. The lineup, which currently features refrigerators and freezers but is looking to expand to other categories, is only available to members of Nationwide Marketing Group.

“Throughout my career, I have always loved working with independent dealers, helping them win in a very competitive marketplace,” says Penney, senior vice president / general manager of Element Appliances. “In this new role, I get to continue feeding that passion while also introducing consumers to a high-quality line of appliances at a very fair price.”

Penney most recently served as CEO / president of SubAir Systems, a world leader in subsurface aeration for the golf and sports industry. However, he is best known for his nearly 30-year career in the appliance industry, which began when he was an inside sales associate for Amana Refrigeration in the Chicago area. Penney later served as manager of buying groups, sales manager and senior account manager for Sears Amana; vice president of sales and marketing, and senior vice president of sales for Electrolux; and executive vice president for Almo Corporation, where he managed the specialty products division.

This proven track record made Penney the obvious choice to lead Element Appliances, explains Michael O’Shaughnessy, Element’s CEO.

“Jay Penney is one of the most recognized leaders in the major appliance industry and has always championed independent retailers,” says O’Shaughnessy, who has been friends with Penney for more than 20 years and also worked both with and for him earlier in his career. “It’s a privilege to have him at Element and to work with him again in support of the independent channel.”

And the move has been very well received by Nationwide Marketing Group’s appliance retailers, says Patrick Maloney, Nationwide’s executive vice president of membership.

“Our members were already interested in Element Appliances due to the product quality, availability and price point, but bringing someone of Jay’s caliber on board really elevated the conversation,” says Maloney, who worked for Penney while the two were at Electrolux. “We’re thrilled to have Jay in our corner and look forward to a long and successful relationship with Element Appliances.”