OREANDA-NEWS. GE Appliances recently named Rob Posthauer General Manager, Sales, where he will lead the sales teams with responsibility for all sales activities within the retail and contract channels, including parts.

Posthauer, who will report directly to GE Appliances President and CEO Chip Blankenship, comes to this leadership role following three years as GM, Home Depot Sales and Marketing. Under Posthauer's direction, the GE Appliances team earned The Home Depot's 2012 Vendor of the Year award in the Decor category.

“Rob's deep industry knowledge and strong customer relationships will help us grow our business," said Blankenship. “He has a strong team and we have leadership products. We are well-positioned to win in this competitive marketplace.”

Prior to leading The Home Depot team, Posthauer held sales and product management roles including Marketing Manager – Cooking Products, Senior Merchandising Specialist, National Account Manager and Area Sales Manager. Before he joined GE Appliances in 2004, Rob worked for Maytag Appliances, starting out as District Representative and working his way up as District Manager, National Account Manager, Key Account Manager and Market Manager. Posthauer received his bachelor's degree from Purdue University in business administration and finance.

Posthauer replaces Mike McDermott who is now a senior vice president and general merchandising manager for Lowes Companies, Inc. The new GE Appliances sales manager for The Home Depot will be announced in the near future.