Lubrication Specialties Inc. has announced the addition of James Palasota as the company’s Chief Operating Officer.
Palasota has an extraordinary record of developing startups into global brands, conceptualizing strategic direction and developing the internal processes to ensure integration at all levels of operations, nationally and internationally. As vice president of sales and marketing for Sottera, Inc. he was responsible for introducing NJOY electronic cigarettes and vaping products; one of the first on the market in the U.S. At Sottera he secured strategic partnerships in retail channels with multiple Fortune 500 companies growing sales to $4 million and was responsible for rolling out a global sales strategy. As vice president of Illumination International, DBA The Amazing Flameless Candle, Palasota successfully executed and led strategies to make this product a household name. Most recently, he served as COO for AFC Industries and Herbal Brands and as senior vice president of operations for UtekTik, Inc. in Scottsdale, AZ.
Palasota says, “I look for challenges where I know I can make a difference. Sometimes that is with a startup, and at other times, it is with companies like Lubrication Specialties that have strong brand equity and are on the cusp of explosive growth. Over the last few months, I had the opportunity to get to know company founder and owner Chris Gabrelcik and we took our time discussing the company, its challenges and strengths. With the growth of Hot Shot’s Secret and the formation of LSI Chemical, LSI is now quickly developing international markets and it takes someone at the helm that understands the legal aspect of international business to make sure there is not a misstep, which is one of my strengths.”
Gabrelcik adds, “Our company is fortunate that we have long standing employees that are passionate and enjoy their work. Our company has experienced a lot of growth because of our passion and love of the industry. Jim has a wealth of experience and a proven track record of streamlining operations to reduce costs and build profit that will help us to improve as we grow here and abroad. We are fortunate to have someone with his expertise and innate ability to hone in on what needs to be done to best serve the company’s longevity.”
Palasota was hired in October and reports directly to Chris Gabrelcik. For more information about Lubrication Specialties Inc., visit LubricationSpecialties.com.