Hypertherm selects new CEO and VP of corporate social responsibility

Evan Smith

Hanover, N.H.-based Hypertherm, a manufacturer of plasma, laser, and waterjet cutting systems, has announced succession plans for the positions of CEO and vice president, corporate social responsibility.

As of Jan. 1, 2015, current President Evan Smith will assume the role of CEO from founder Dick Couch, who will retain the position of executive chairman of the board and trustee of the Hypertherm employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Concurrently, current Director of Corporate Social Responsibility Jenny Levy will assume the role of vice president, corporate social responsibility from Barbara Couch, who will retain her roles as board director and chair of its corporate social responsibility committee. She also will remain as president of the HOPE Foundation and sponsor of Hypertherm’s HOPE Team.

Smith, who was named president in 2012, has served in a succession of business management and executive roles since joining Hypertherm 22 years ago. He holds an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Levy joined the company in 2004, holding positions in sales and marketing before being named director of environmental stewardship in 2010, and then promoted to director of corporate social responsibility in late 2011. She holds an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

This leadership succession announcement follows an announcement at the beginning of 2014 of the Couch family’s transfer of their controlling interest in Hypertherm to an ESOP, making the company 100 percent associate-owned.

Jenny Levy