Epley Named President of Bekins Co.

Bekins Co., which two years ago was acquired by Minneapolis investor Irwin L. Jacobs, has a new president, the second top officer installed by Jacobs at the Glendale-based moving and storage company.

Thomas E. Epley, 44, a former executive of Chicago-based FMC Corp., was named president and chief operating officer, the company announced late Monday. He joins Chairman and Chief Executive Ken Severinson, 44, a longtime associate of Jacobs and Jacobs’ Minneapolis-based Minstar Inc., a recreational products firm. Severinson was brought in last December.

Epley replaces Roger Lee, 51, who had served as president almost exactly a year after several years as Bekins’ chief financial officer. Lee last week was named senior vice president-finance and administration and chief financial officer for Los Angeles-based Caesars World Inc.

Richard J. Morse, Bekins senior vice president-human resources, said Epley’s appointment “completes the top management team.”

Asked why Lee was replaced, he said: “The public fact is that, in over 90% of acquisitions of companies, the top management (of the acquired company) is no longer part of it” after the transaction is completed.

Morse also said that James B. Farrell, Minstar vice president and general counsel, has replaced Ronald L. Hartman, 50, as chief attorney for Bekins. Hartman earlier this year was convicted of fraud in a kickback scheme involving law firms that did business with Bekins.