By Therese Dunphy

July 8, 2019 - Austin Powder Co. (APC) has announced that its U.S. operations are now structured into two new distinct regions that will be led by Reed Sapp, executive general manager – Eastern Region and Bob Giovando, executive general manager – Western Region. Both roles report into Jason Rawlings, president of Austin Powder Co., and will be part the company’s executive leadership team.

“Please join me in congratulating Reed and Bob on their new roles,” Rawlings said in a press release. “We are establishing the Eastern and Western Regions to strengthen our organization and leverage Austin Powder Co.’s focus on supporting our customers in quarrying, mining, seismic, and construction with our national footprint.”

Reed Sapp joined Austin Powder Co. in January of 1997 as president, Southeast Division. In 2011, he was promoted to corporate vicepresident of sales with responsibility for the company’s quarry, construction, and seismic businesses.

Prior to joining APC, Sapp was employed by Atlas Powder Co./ ICI Explosives for 12 years where he held various progressive management roles. Sapp attended Penn State University as well as Robert Morris University where he earned a bachelor of science degree in business.

In his new role as executive general manager – Eastern Region, Reed will lead Austin Powder’s Appalachian, Great Lakes, Midsouth, Northeast, and Southeast Divisional companies with Tom Cochran, Barry Anderson, Matt Landis, Bill Beno, and Mike Harms directly reporting to him.

Bob Giovando, started his career with Austin Powder in April of 2002, working on special projects for Dave True. Giovando became a divisional president in 2003 with responsibilities for five APC locations: Stendal, Ind.; Madisonville, Ky.; Reeds Spring, Mo.; Farmington, Mo., and Montrose, Mo. Over time, his leadership responsibilities expanded to the oversight of 11 APC locations.

Giovando obtained his bachelor of science degree in mining engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla (UMAR) and an MBA from Southern Illinois University. He spent more than 10 years in the coal industry working in numerous positions including engineering, procurement, and operations. He then worked another 10 years for an ammonium nitrate manufacturing company providing products and services to the coal fields in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

In his new role as executive general manager – Western Region, Giovando will lead Austin Powder’s Central States, South Central, Western, and Mining Divisional companies, with Brad Splitt, John Burrows, Steve Harris, and Jeff Fowler directly reporting to him.