After 42 years in the sporting goods industry, Ohio-based District Sales Manager (DSM) Bud Nihiser will say goodbye to HEAD/Penn as he transitions into retirement. A legendary salesman who began selling tennis equipment when wood racquets were considered cutting edge, Nihiser will officially hang up his hat December 31, 2004.

“There are coworkers and customers dating back 40 years that I still stay in contact with,” said Nihiser. “I feel truly blessed to have spent my entire career in this industry.”

Nihiser spent more than 13 years with HEAD/Penn delivering exceptional service to his Indiana and Ohio clients.

“Bud’s accounts love him for good reason,” said Greg Mason, Director of Marketing and Pro/Specialty Sales for HEAD/Penn. “He consistently demonstrated highest integrity and truly cared about the business.”

HEAD/Penn conducted a search to find someone with the same caliber of customer service and industry knowledge, and the company is pleased to announce Nihiser’s replacement. Effective January 1, 2005, Steve Rothstein will be the DSM of the Indiana/Ohio territory. With more than 19 years in the tennis industry, Rothstein played collegiate tennis, served as a teaching pro and won several sales awards during his tenure.

“I plan to service HEAD/Penn accounts with the passion that they have been accustomed to from me in the past,” said Rothstein. “To follow my friend Bud who is retiring is an honor and I look forward to the continued growth of HEAD/Penn in the Midwest.”