High Companies

Mike Shirk became Chief Executive Officer of the High companies effective January 1, 2015. He has been a member of the High Boards of Directors since 2011. Mike joined High from Armstrong World Industries Inc., where he served as Vice President of Architectural Specialties Worldwide and was directly responsible for managing sales, engineering, and manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. Prior to Armstrong, he worked for Bain & Company Inc. in Boston, a global business consulting firm where he advised companies across several industries on a variety of corporate strategy, growth, and operational effectiveness issues. Prior to his time with Bain, he held sales and engineering roles with Lockheed Martin Corporation in the Maritime Systems and Sensors division headquartered in Moorestown, New Jersey. Mike holds a MBA degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, and an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He attended Bucknell University where he earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. Mike serves as a member of the Board of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

Jeff Sterner is President and COO of High Industries Inc. and its affiliates High Steel Structures LLC, High Concrete Group LLC, High Steel Service Center LLC, High Transit LLC, High Structural Erectors LLC, High Construction Company, and Greenfield Architects Ltd. He has held the position since 2012. Previously, Jeff was President of High Steel Structures LLC. He joined High in 1997 as president of High Construction Company with responsibility for Greenfield Architects Ltd. He served previously as Vice President at The Quandel Group. Jeff earned a BS degree in Civil Engineering and an Master’s in Civil Engineering from Drexel University. He is a board member of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), and is an executive council member of the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA). Jeff has served as president of the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers and has participated in the concrete canoe challenge.

Karen Biondolillo became Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of High Industries Inc. and High Real Estate Group LLC in 2019. Karen served at as Vice President and Controller for High Industries Inc. since 2014. Prior to that she served as Vice President and Controller of High Real Estate Group LLC for eight years. Karen joined High from KPMG LLP. She has also served in accounting roles at Black & Decker. She began her career in public accounting at Anderson LLP. Karen earned a BS degree in Accounting from Elizabethtown College and is a CPA. She is a member of Hospice & Community Care’s Audit and Finance Committees and serves on its Board of Directors.

Mark Fitzgerald is President and COO of High Real Estate Group LLC and oversees its affiliates High Associates Ltd., High Hotels Ltd., and High Safety Consulting Services Ltd. He leads the planning, development, and implementation of the strategic plans for the High Real Estate Group real estate portfolio. He has held this position since 2012. Mark became President and COO of High Associates Ltd. in 2004. He had been High Associates’ Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since 2001. He joined High in 1989 as High Associates’ Commercial Property Manager. He earned a BS degree in Economics and Entrepreneurial Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a Pennsylvania Real Estate Salespersons License and Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and Certified Property Manager (CPM) designations. Mark is a member of the Lancaster County Association of Realtors, Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, National Association of Securities Dealers, and the Institute of Real Estate Management. Mark has served on the Board of the Fulton Theatre and as a Loaned Executive to United Way. He served on the Board of Leadership Lancaster, as Finance Committee Chairperson for Pennsylvania Dutch Council Boy Scouts of America, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center of Lancaster County.

Sanjay Guglani joined High Company as the Chief Strategy Officer in 2015. He is responsible for strategy, acquisitions and corporate marketing. Previously, Sanjay was the Chief Marketing Officer of Carpenter Technology. Sanjay has also held various strategy, acquisition and marketing roles at Textron, and was a consultant with Bain & Company. He started his career with Schlumberger. Sanjay earned an MBA from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi. He serves on the board of Junior Achievement South Central Pennsylvania.

Caroline A. Henrich is High’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. She provides legal counsel to all High businesses and serves on High’s Executive Committee. Caroline was previously employed by Henkels & McCoy where she served as Vice President and General Counsel. Prior to that, she served as inside counsel for various companies, including Norsk Hydro, an international aluminum manufacturer, and Valero Energy Corporation/Premcore Refining. She began her career in private law practice. Caroline holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and a master’s in environmental law from Pace University

Darryl Gordon is responsible for Human Resources for High businesses and resource units as well as Benefits and Compensation, Environmental, Health and Safety, and Talent, Organization & Development and Training. He was promoted to this role in 2012. Previously, Darryl was Corporate Director of Human Resources / EEO Officer, a position he held starting in 2007. His previous roles included SAP Core Team Member – HR/Payroll/Benefits Core Team Member and, before that, Director of Human Resources for High Steel Structures LLC. He joined High as Manager of Human Resources for High Concrete Group LLC in 2000. He came to High from Case New Holland, the predecessor to CNH Industrial N.V., where he was Plant Human Resources Manager. Darryl earned an MBA from the Purdue University Krannert School of Management and a BS in Operations Management from the Smeal College at The Pennsylvania State University. He is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management. Darryl is Board President of the Lancaster County Career and Technical Center Foundation and has served as a board member since 2003. He served as a member of the United Way of Lancaster County Resource Investment Team Member and as Past Account Executive. Darryl is a member and past chair of the steering committee for the annual Martin Luther King Breakfast supporting the Crispus Attucks Community Center of Lancaster.

Robin Stauffer is Assistant Corporate Secretary of the High companies serving as liaison between The High Family Council, the Chair of the Boards, the Directors and Committee members, and the CEO. She is also Executive Director of High Foundation, a philanthropic nonprofit organization that is funded by members of the High Family, owners of High, and manager of The High Family Office. Robin has held administrative positions throughout her tenure, serving most recently as Corporate Secretary and Office Manager – Executive Area. She joined High in1985. She earned a BS degree in Business Administration from The Pennsylvania State University. Robin is a member of the Board of Lancaster General Health Foundation. She is a past member of the Board of Directors of United Way of Lancaster County and served on the Executive Committee and as an inaugural member of Women UNITED. Robin was recognized with the Central Penn Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award for Community Achievement and was inducted into its Circle of Excellence. In addition, Robin is a member of the Lancaster County Community Foundation where she serves on the Community Engagement Committee. She is a past member of the Grant Distribution Committee. She is also a sustainer on the Junior League of Lancaster, Inc. where she served on the Sustainer Advisory Board as Assistant Chair and Chair, 5th Anniversary Sustaining Member Recognition, and on the Finance Committee. Robin is a past member of the Elizabethtown College Business Advisory Council.