PIQUA, Ohio—Daniel P. French is giving up his post as president at French Oil Mill Machinery Co. to Jason P. McDaniel, but will continue to be involved in the family-owned business as chairman and CEO.
The company also announced that Tate French Lutz, who has served as marketing coordinator for the machinery maker since 2010, has joined the firm's board of directors.
McDaniel also is chief operating officer of the Piqua-based company, which makes hydraulic presses, oilseed and polymer equipment. He joined French Oil Mill Machinery in 1996 as a manufacturing engineer in the Oilseed Group, and has advanced steadily through the company since then.
He became executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2007. The company said McDaniel was instrumental in the decision for the firm to start operations in China, and has been the point person for FOM (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. activities.
"I am very pleased to have Jason McDaniel step into the role of president," Daniel French said. "His critical thinking, knowledge of our markets and products, and his dedication to customer service and French Oil makes this move well deserved. I served 31 years as president, and am excited to turn the job over to a worthy successor, and the future of our company."
Lutz—Daniel French's daughter—joined the firm after working in marketing, business analysis, sales and buying in the fashion industry for Donna Karan International and Bloomingdale's in New York.
She is the fourth generation of the French family to be employed by French Oil Mill Machinery.