Mark VII names two regional direct sales directors as VP departs

Car wash equipment maker Mark VII has added two directors to its direct sales organization, part of a leadership shift tied to the scheduled departure of a senior sales executive who is returning to the company's parent firm.

According to reporting from Auto Laundry News, Kaleb Lingg has been appointed director of direct sales for the East, and Cameron McDonnell has been named director of direct sales for the West. Both report to Pierre Leclercq, senior vice president of sales. The company framed the hires as an investment in growth and stronger customer relationships across North America.

The new hires

Lingg, originally from Dayton, Ohio, and now based in Tampa, Florida, holds bachelor's and master's degrees in business management and is a former college athlete. Leclercq described his energy and people-first approach as an outstanding addition, saying Lingg's focus on relationships aligns with the company's growth vision. Lingg said he is eager to build relationships and contribute to continued success.

McDonnell brings a background in operations, business development, and sales leadership. He most recently worked in the automotive equipment sector as director of operations and business development for a paint booth equipment company, where he launched and developed territories in Dallas, Tampa, and Denver. Earlier, at Sealcon, he oversaw outside sales representatives and a network of 83 distributors as director of business development, sales, distribution, and marketing for North America. His experience also includes HVAC and construction management. Leclercq cited McDonnell's track record of growing territories and developing teams as key to expanding the company's presence in the western region.

Leadership transition

The appointments coincide with the exit of Matthias Thomann, vice president of direct sales, who is concluding a two-year assignment at Mark VII and returning to parent company WashTec AG at the end of August. The company credited Thomann with advancing its direct sales strategy during his tenure. The two new directors will lead sales initiatives in their respective territories and support customers and partners going forward.

Why it matters for operators

Equipment supplier leadership changes may look like internal news, but they affect the people operators deal with when buying, servicing, and troubleshooting wash systems. Mark VII is splitting direct sales oversight into distinct East and West regions, which signals a push for closer regional coverage and could mean more responsive local contacts for operators evaluating new equipment or expanding sites.

The departure of a senior sales leader also matters for continuity. Operators who have built relationships with a supplier's sales team should confirm who now owns their account and how the transition affects pending quotes, installations, or service commitments. New leadership sometimes brings changes in pricing structure, territory boundaries, or responsiveness, so it is worth reaching out to establish contact early rather than waiting until a purchase or repair is urgent.

For operators weighing suppliers, the reshuffle is a reminder to evaluate not just equipment specs but the strength and stability of the sales and service organization behind it. A well-staffed regional team can make the difference in uptime and support when a wash line goes down during peak volume.