Lathem Management Team
William C. (Bill) Lathem - President, Chief Executive Officer
As President and CEO, Lathem is
responsible for providing strategic guidance, maintaining a strong
management team, and increasing shareholder value.
Lathem is the fourth generation of his family to run the company, following in the footsteps of his father, Louie P. Lathem, Jr., his grandfather, Louie Lathem Sr., and his great-grandfather, George Lathem. Lathem worked in various part-time positions throughout high school and college (he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University). He then joined the company full-time in 1976 at age 22 to open the company's first branch office in California. Following that effort, Lathem returned to Atlanta and worked his way up to President and CEO. His most challenging and significant accomplishment at Lathem has been to transform the company from a traditional manufacturer to a complete technology and service organization capable of delivering high-tech automated solutions to its customers.
Lathem is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and a volunteer for various local civic organizations including the Phoenix Boys Association.
Sam Black - Vice President, Purchasing
Sam W. Black is Vice President of
Purchasing and Corporate Secretary. He is responsible for sourcing
raw materials and finished goods internationally and maintaining
Lathem's corporate documents and records.
Throughout his high school and college years, Sam worked in various part-time positions at Lathem, learning the foundations of manufacturing assembly. Sam's father, Francis, had preceded Sam as chief Buyer during the starting years of Lathem's manufacturing period under Harrison Hooper and Louie P. Lathem, Jr. Sam graduated from Oglethorpe University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Major in Accounting. He also served a two year tour in the U. S. Navy. He joined the company full-time in 1973 and took charge of purchasing upon Francis's retirement in 1981.
In December 1981, Sam was promoted to Director of Purchasing, elected to the Board of Directors, and also elected to the officer position of Corporate Secretary. Sam became Vice President of Purchasing in 2009.
Lance Whipple - Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Lance Whipple is Vice
President of Sales and Marketing. Whipple oversees Lathem strategic
marketing, business development, product planning and research.
Shortly after joining Lathem in 1994, Whipple spearheaded the
introduction of Lathem's PayClock® product line, which has become
the No. 1 selling automated time and attendance system for small
business.
Under Whipple's direction, Lathem continues to build strong brand awareness and evolve its products and services to meet the changing needs of the small business workforce.
Whipple's professional achievements prior to joining Lathem included general management of a family business in upstate New York and various entrepreneurial ventures in the fields of technology and graphic design. He is currently active in the Independent Time & Labor Management Association and other industry and professional associations.
Whipple studied marketing and computer science at the State University of New York at Fredonia.
Allen Sowles - VP, CFO and Director of Technology
Allen Sowles joined Lathem in 1998 as a
Project Manager and now serves as Vice President, CFO and Director
of Technology. Allen was previously the Director of IT. His current
responsibilities include acting as Chief Financial Officer and
directing the technology and software development functions within
the company. Allen has over 20 years experience working in the
software and financial industry.
In 2008, Allen assumed responsibility for the development of Lathem's award winning PayClock software and PayClock Online products.
Prior to joining Lathem, Allen was a Regional Controller for ClubCorp, an industry leader in Club and Resort Management. He has developed commercial software applications for over 15 years.
Bill Spackman - Vice President, Manufacturing
Bill Spackman is the Vice President of
Manufacturing. He is responsible for Lathem's manufacturing
operations focusing on efficiency, quality, and product delivery.
Bill joined the company in 2006 and is responsible for using lean
manufacturing practices to continuing improve Lathem's
manufacturing processes.
Prior to joining Lathem, Bill was a focused factory manager for Flowserve, an industry leader in valves and pumps. He has 20 years of experience in various industries with positions of increasing responsibility focusing in project management, industrial engineering, and manufacturing management.
Spackman received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.