AME Names New President

Compiled ByJill Jusko Basem L. Hishmeh, chairman of two New Jersey manufacturing firms, has been selected to serve a two-year term as president of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME), a Wheeling, Ill.-based manufacturing organization that promotes the sharing of best practices. He succeeds Brian S. Jones, president and CEO of Nypro Inc., Clinton, Mass. In his new role, Hishmeh, who is chairman of Aerco International Inc. and Vista Industries, both located in Northvale, will promote AME's efforts to be a "catalyst for change" in helping manufacturing enterprises embrace world-class strategies, practices and techniques. Hishmeh's background includes 14 years as a process development engineer with Bailey Meter Co. in Cleveland. He also was involved in the startup of a vinyl tiles and adhesives manufacturing business in Saudi Arabia from 1976 to 1982. He immigrated to the United States from Palestine in 1957. In addition to his two chairmanships and new position as AME president, Hishmeh serves as a board member and chief financial offer of Sigma-Netics Inc., a maker of pressure switches and sensors located in Fairfield, N.J.