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Updated: Major Personnel Change at Athearn/Horizon General discussion
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Update:
 
Horizon Hobby is searching for a senior executive to oversee Athearn Trains. The previous director, Paula “Gwen” Mueller, departed in early June after just 18 months on the job. Mueller reportedly had no prior experience with the model railroad industry. Luann Crowley, a Horizon vice president, who managed production scheduling and dealt extensively with Athearn’s Chinese suppliers, has also left the company.
 
The career opportunity posted by Horizon calls for a director of operations to be based in Long Beach, California, with responsibility for the development, design, engineering, and production scheduling of products under the Athearn, Roundhouse and McHenry brand names. The job description calls for significant interaction with Asian suppliers. Experience in the business of model railroading is a plus, but not mandatory.
 
MRH has confirmed that Horizon executive, Victor Audo, has been appointed Interim Director of Proprietary Railroad Products. In a telephone interview with MRH, Mr. Audo acknowledged that he has no experience in the model railroad industry, adding that he is looking forward to a crash course in the hobby at the National Train Show in Sacramento in early July.
 
Previously:

MRH has learned that Gwen Mueller, the top executive at Athearn Trains, a division of  Horizon Hobby, Inc., has left the company. No reason has been given for Ms  Mueller's departure. She had been Director of Proprietary Model Railroading at Horizon since December 2009. 

MRH has confirmed  that Victor Audo has been appointed Interim Director of Proprietary  Railroad Products, which includes Athearn Trains, Roundhouse Trains, and McHenry Couplers.  Mr. Audo, who  acknowledged that his experience in the model railroad industry is somewhat  limited, told MRH that he plans to attend the National Train Show in  Sacramento in July. 

Horizon Hobby is based in Champaign, Illinois. The company employs some 700 people and is a leading  manufacturer/distributor of major brand name hobby products with a focus on radio control, cars, airplanes, boats,  and trains. Athearn was established in 1938 by Irv Athearn, who died in 1991.  Horizon acquired Athearn and Roundhouse in 2004. Athearn is based in Southern California with offices in Long Beach, and a distribution center in Rancho Cucamonga.

--Jeff Shultz, Model Railroad Hobbyist
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