Brian Truesdale has been appointed general manager of ITW Switches, a Division of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (Harwood Heights, IL). Truesdale's most recent assignment was general manager of the ITW Linx Business. In his new assignment, he will continue to oversee the Linx Distribution Business Unit.

Thomas M. Benjamin has been appointed director of marketing for Valenite (Madison Heights, MI). As director of marketing, Benjamin will be responsible for developing and implementing the new product introduction, process managing and directing all marketing communications activities.

Gary Schaner has been appointed metallurgist of NSL Analytical Services Inc.'s (Cleveland) materials testing and failure analysis group. Schaner is charged with developing the group to serve companies that do not have a staff metallurgist and to evaluate parts and determine the cause of failure.

William Amstutz has been promoted to vice president of marketing at Akrion (Allentown, PA). Amstutz will be responsible for all product marketing and corporate communications.