Pictured (from left to right) Jentry Wittkamper, Lee Denhart, Chris Broome, John Pidgeon, Mike Broome, and Bob Mathes.
Draper is entering the new decade with a new company president, but with the same commitment to our customers, our employees, and our community that has served us well for 118 years.
Chris Broome becomes only the fifth president in the company’s 118-year history after John Pidgeon stepped down following 15 years in the role. Broome continues the Draper tradition of family ownership and management. He is the cousin of John Pidgeon and son of vice president of manufacturing Mike Broome, and the great-great-grandson of company founder Luther Draper.
“It has been an honor to serve as Draper’s President for the last 15 years, but the time has come to pass the torch,” John said in a statement to employees.
Chris has been with Draper since 1992 serving in several capacities, most recently as architectural market manager.
“Chris has been preparing for this job for many years, and he will do it well,” Pidgeon said. “Draper’s culture is strong and will endure and I am confident that our best years are yet to come.”
“I am honored to carry on the family tradition at Draper,” said Broome. “I realize that I have big shoes to fill, but like John, I am very confident about Draper’s future.”
The move also led to several other management changes. Lee Denhart replaces Chris Broome as architectural market manager. Lee came to the Draper sales team in 1989. Jentry Wittkamper assumes Lee’s former position as director of sales. Jentry joined Draper in 1997 and most recently served as export sales manager and lifts and mounts product manager.
John Pidgeon will continue as chairman of the board of directors, and Mike Broome remains in his role as vice president of manufacturing.
Congrats All.
Congratulations Chris from the great state of Alabama.
Randy Clapp
Congratulations Chris! All the best to you my friend.
Congratulations Chris! I know you will do amazing things as President of Draper!
Congratulations Chris!!! You will do great things!
Congratulations Chris!
Great bunch of guys in this picture!
Congrats to the other guys that received advancements!
Continue the great work.
Congratulations Chris. Keep up the good work.
Congrats cousin Chris!
Congratulations Chris! You will do a fine job, and to all of the board members.
Congratulations to the Pidgeons, Brooms and the entire Draper family.
Congrats Chris. You will be amazing
Congratulations Chris from the fine state of South Carolina! Always had the highest respect for you….
Congratulations Chris on your promotion! Congratulations to John on his retirement.
Congratulation Chris and best of luck in all your future endeavors.
Great to see a successful Indiana family and Indiana Company, congratiulations.
Congratulations, Chris!
Congrats Chris!
Best of luck in your new position and continued success for this company for many more years to come.
How heart warming to see the family tradition carrying on. I worked for Draper several years in 70’s, have such a deep respect for the Drapers, Broomes and Pidgeons!
The beat goes on! Great family with great skills!
Congratulations Chris!! John, I hope that you start to take it easy you certainly deserve it.
Congratulations, Chris!
Congratulations Chris and all. As a group you continue to impress.
On a personal note, I am honored to know John, and respect his wisdom in choosing such a well qualified successor.
Congratulations to all. It is great to see the legacy continue
Congratulations to all from a guy who might be one of the oldest Draper employees still living.
Congratulations to all. Well deserved. Best wishes to a honorable team.
Congratulations Chris hope to see you soon.
It’s great to see a company continue as family owned and not one more of the big greedy ones. Congratulations!!!