Area Wide Protective, a traffic management company backed by Kohlberg & Co., has appointed Michael Shearer as Chief HR Officer. Hanold Associates‘ Katrina Prospero and Sandra Peña led the search for this role in North Canton, Ohio.
Area Wide Protective (AWP) delivers comprehensive traffic control services in support of utility repair, maintenance or construction activity on public roads. Originally founded in 1992, the company has grown significantly in its nearly 30-year history. AWP regularly acquires smaller, localized traffic companies and grows organically to serve its larger customers wherever they need it. This history of acquisitions continued in 2020, with multiple acquisitions, growing the company to more than 5,000 employees. Since December 2020, AWP has been held by Kohlberg & Co., a New York City-based private equity firm, with previous owner Riverside taking a minority stake.
Michael comes to AWP after an 11 year tenure at Shearer Snacks, starting as a Senior Director of Human Resources before stepping into a VP Human Resources role. Stepping into role at AWP, Michael will report to CEO Ron Childress and work to evaluate and enhance the HR function across the entire company, supporting its growth and M&A activity.
