PEOPLE

Honeywell has named David M. Cote to serve as president, CEO and member of the board effective immediately. He succeeds Lawrence A. Bossidy, 66, who will remain chairman and a member of the company's board of directors until he retires on June 30. Cote previously was chairman, president and CEO of TRW.

Mark Longfellow was promoted to serve as Custom Building Products' director of marketing and market development. In his new role, Longfellow will oversee the development of the company's backerboard, adhesive and grout product lines. He joined the company in 1999.

Armstrong World Industries has appointed Michael J. Badar vice president of Wood Flooring, a division that was recently integrated into Armstrong Floor Products (AFP). Since August 2000, Badar served as chief commercial officer and co-CEO of ChoiceParts LLC, an Internet-based auto parts concern in Chicago. In his new position, Badar will work closely with Frank Ready, Armstrong's senior vice president of North American Flooring.

VPI Floor Products Division has made changes to its national and international executive positions. Dale Tucker has been appointed to the new position of manager, business development and international sales. In his new position, Tucker is charged with establishing an international distribution network for the company. VPI also tapped Michael Kaczkowski as national sales and marketing manager. Kaczkowski has more than 15 years of sales management experience.

Witex USA Inc. has named President Stephen Newman to also serve as company CEO. Newman began his career in the banking industry and later moved into information technology. After a stint at Mohawk Industries, he assumed the presidency of Witex USA in 2000.

Sean Boyle recently joined Laticrete International Inc. as product manager. In his new position, Boyle will manage the research, development and commercialization of various projects and will expand the company's underlayment product line.