Two experienced technology professionals have joined the executive team of the promotional products industry’s largest supplier, SanMar (asi/84863), with the mission of bolstering the firm’s IT position now – and for decades to come.

On March 3, SanMar announced that it has named David Smith vice president of technology and Mark Szkudlarek vice president of information technology operations. Collectively, they have more than five decades of corporate tech and business experience.

David Smith and Mark Szkudlarek, SanMar

“David and Mark are working together to prepare our company for the next 50 years,” said Jeremy Lott, CEO/president of SanMar and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of the most influential people in promo. “We welcome their expertise and values-driven focus to our leadership team as we innovate SanMar for the future.”  

Smith, whose IT career spans three decades, was most recently vice president of enterprise applications at Koch Business Solutions, an entity that provides consulting and transaction services for firms in a range of industries (from IT to facilities management) within the portfolio of Koch Industries, one of the largest private companies in the United States.

At Koch, Smith led strategy and development for applications that powered integrated services across the company’s many divisions. Before that career adventure, he spent seven years as director of enterprise systems development at T-Mobile.

With a master’s degree in business and a bachelor’s in finance from the University of Washington, Smith also worked 15 years for Sabre Corporation, a software and technology company that powers the global travel industry. He spent his final six years at Sabre as vice president of IT, corporate systems and enterprise applications.  

“SanMar makes relationships and customer service its top priorities,” said Smith. “I’m excited to grow SanMar’s IT division while keeping the personal touch and family feel that make the company unique.”   

Szkudlarek, whose years in IT infrastructure and operations number more than 30, was most recently vice president of IT strategy at Novelis, a leading producer of flat-rolled aluminum products. There, he led tech innovation and enterprise architecture.

As a vice president, Szkudlarek also spent seven years leading global IT infrastructure, operations and governance functions at Aleris, another global leader in aluminum-rolled products. Prior to that, his roles included working in important IT positions for Kellogg Company and GE.

Before launching his corporate career, Szkudlarek was a field artillery officer in the United States Army, stationed in Germany. He holds a degree in management systems from the University of Notre Dame.

“Throughout my career, I’ve worked to make a difference,” said Szkudlarek. “Here, making a difference – for employees, customers and the environment – is built into SanMar’s DNA. I’m proud to be part of this legacy.”  

The positions Smith and Szkudlarek are filling are new for SanMar, the company said.

A family-owned business specializing in apparel, SanMar is the largest supplier in promo based on 2020 North American industry revenue of $2.3 billion.