AFTER 23 YEARS on staff, including eight years as editorial director, Gary Forger has left Modern Materials Handling to become senior vice president of professional development for Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), the industry’s primary trade association.

Industry veteran Tom Andel has joined Modern to serve as the magazine’s new editor in chief.

Forger is the recipient of numerous editorial awards, including the 1992 Jesse H. Neal Certificate of Merit for “Desert Storm: Unleashing the Might of Materials Handling.” Additional awards include the Cahners Editorial Medal of Excellence and American Society of Business Press Editors honors.

Forger currently serves on the College Industry Council on Material Handling Education and is vice president of the Material Handling Education Foundation. 

Andel has more than 25 years of experience covering materials handling, transportation, distribution, logistics, manufacturing and supply chain management. He served as chief editor of Material Handling Management magazine and was a Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award finalist in both 2001 and 2004.

Most recently, Andel served as executive editor of Logistics Management.

Forger’s addition to MHIA was not the only change announced by the association. His arrival coincides with the promotion of several key staff members. 

Mike Ogle has been named vice president of educational and technical services, and Carol Miller has been named vice president of marketing and communications. Ray Niemeyer was appointed director of member services, and Victoria Wheeler was appointed director of meetings and executive assistant to the CEO.

According to John Nofsinger, chief executive officer, “These changes are part of a strategic plan to position MHIA for continued growth and leadership as the leading association representing the material handling and logistics industry.”