Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM AUGUST 2025 20 GE Appliances' operations, employees, and suppliers have a $3 billion impact on Georgia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and they have contributed to the creation of 7,500 additional jobs in the state. Opened in 1973, Roper Corporation is the largest employer in Walker County, and one of the largest employers in northwest Georgia. The plant has 15 production lines that produce cooktops, wall ovens and ranges under the Monogram™, Café™, GE Profile™, and GE ® brands. The plant is vertically integrated encompassing stamping, paint, enamel, welding, graphics and production – all under one roof. GE Appliances and Roper Corporation are proud participants in the Georgia Department of Economic Development's Georgia Made Program, an initiative that promotes and supports businesses that manufacture products within the state. In 2023, GE Appliances and Roper Corporation celebrated the plant's 50-year legacy of cooking product innovation and dedication to quality and dependability. "Our growth in LaFayette reflects Georgia's vital role in driving U.S. manufacturing forward," Ingram added. "We're not just building appliances – we're building careers, strengthening communities, and powering the future of American industry." Visit www.geappliancesco.com to learn more about our company, brands, career opportunities, and impact. 1 OpenBrand Consumer Tracking Survey, Q1 – Q4 2024, Based on Volume of Total Majors/MO/RAC – Retail Units PERLICK CORPORATION APPOINTS FIFTH- GENERATION LEADER THEODORE "TJ" PERLICK MOLINARI AS CEO New leadership structure supports greater connectivity to the industry, long-term innovation, and operational excellence Perlick Corporation, a leader in commercial and residential bar and beverage equipment, announced the appointment of Theodore "TJ" Perlick Molinari as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2025. A fifth-generation family member, TJ's appointment marks a historic milestone in the company's 107-year legacy as a proudly rooted Milwaukee manufacturer, continuing a tradition of family ownership and leadership that began in 1917. TJ assumes the CEO role with a unique combination of personal connection and professional breadth. A Perlick by name and at heart, his career path reflects both his love for the business and his commitment to excellence. He earned his bachelor's degree from Columbia University, his law degree from Marquette University Law School, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Before joining Perlick, he was a nationally recognized trial attorney, earning distinctions such as Super Lawyers' "Rising Star" and being named among the Top 100 Trial Attorneys by the National Trial Lawyers Association. After returning to the family business, TJ gained experience across nearly every facet of the organization – beginning by answering service calls and entering orders, then advancing through leadership roles in customer service, operations, strategy, legal, and sales. Most recently, he served as Perlick's vice president of channel strategy and general counsel. In his new role, TJ will guide Perlick's long-term vision and strategy, reporting to the Board of Directors and serving as the company's principal representative to industry partners, vendors, and other key stakeholders. "Carrying on the legacy of my great-great-grandfather is the greatest honor of my career," said TJ Perlick Molinari. "Perlick has always stood for performance, integrity, and hospitality, and as a family member, I feel that responsibility every day. I'm proud to lead our team into a future focused on innovation, sustainability, continued excellence, and developing our team's capabilities to support our success as a Milwaukee institution and destination place to work, live, and grow." TJ's appointment follows the company's February 2025 brand relaunch, which celebrated its Milwaukee heritage and commitment to American- made innovation. With a renewed vision and passion for delivering on its mission to help the world serve better, Perlick is driving the future of bar equipment and refrigeration. With its equipment featured in hundreds of thousands of restaurants, bars, arenas, stadiums, suites, and luxury residences across the country, the company continues to expand its footprint – while staying true to the craftsmanship and hospitality values on which it was founded. To support this next phase of growth, Perlick has also introduced a new leadership role: president and general manager. Jeff Schwager, who has served as Interim CEO and president, will step into this newly created position, continuing to bring valuable insight and steady leadership to the organization. A formal search for a permanent president and general Mmanager is planned, with the goal of filling the role by January 1, 2026. Jeff will remain in the role through the end of the calendar year to ensure a smooth transition and will return to his seat on Perlick's Board of Directors thereafter. Please visit www.perlick.com for more information. I N D U S T R Y [ N E W S ] RO

• Cover