Luxury lighting company, Hubbardton Forge, today announced recent senior leadership changes.
Bubba Sandford stepped into the CEO role on April 1, previously held by Ray Langton who retired in March. Sandford joins the Forge with extensive C-suite experience as CEO, COO, and President of highly successful, publicly-traded firms, including Sonoma Pharmaceuticals and Command Center, among others. He has a strong background in staffing and keen business acumen, gained from experience and his MBA from Cornell University, combined with his service as a U.S. Navy SEAL. Sandford came to Hubbardton Forge at just the right time, helping the company make tactical decisions enabling it to successfully navigate through manufacturing shutdown and reopening to full production in just his first two months.
“I’m excited to join Hubbardton Forge. We’ve successfully navigated the COVID crisis, and expect to come out of it as a stronger organization,” Sanford says. “We design great products and we make great products. Right here, under-one-roof in Vermont.”
Maria (Scutaro) Mullen assumed the newly-created role of President and COO at Hubbardton Forge on June 1. Widely-known and respected in the lighting industry, Mullen has a long history with Feiss, having held a number of leadership roles over a 11-year period beginning in 1998, culminating in her role there as President of Feiss/Monte Carlo, until the company’s final move to Skokie, IL. She took a 4-year hiatus from 2005-09 to lead the sales efforts at Uttermost.
Most recently, Mullen had started Kalizma, a company offering turnkey design-through-production/sourcing of lighting, developing collections for various brands. Mullen comes to Hubbardton Forge with a wealth of knowledge of both the company and the industry. Well-known among industry peers, sales rep’ agencies and customers, Mullen is excited to have the opportunity to assume this leadership role at one of the industry’s most award-winning brands in the lighting industry.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible people for great brands in my lighting career and I am thrilled by the opportunity to join the dynamic team at Hubbardton Forge. It is a line I have long admired and I am excited to bring ‘Made in Vermont’ lighting to new heights,” she says.
David Kitts, an 11-year veteran as Design Director of Hubbardton Forge, was recently promoted to the role of V.P. of Design and Product Strategy. Holding a Master’s in Industrial & Product Design from the venerable Pratt Institute, and his Engineering degree from Cornell, Kitts has been responsible not only for some of the company’s most iconic designs, but also for the leadership of the design, engineering and customs teams at the company, including the Hubbardton Forge, Vermont Modern, Synchronicity and Art + Alchemy brands.
“True design talent is what built the Hubbardton Forge brand and David has led that effort for many years,” said Mullen. “This is a well-deserved promotion and another step in David’s distinguished career.” Kitts reflected, “I’ve been very fortunate to do what I love and be a part of something special here in Vermont with Hubbardton Forge. I look forward to working with both Bubba and Maria as they lead us into the next chapter of our story.”
