TAMPA, Fla. — Sims Crane & Equipment Co., a leading provider of crane, rigging, and lifting solutions across the Southeast U.S., announced on Wednesday the promotion of three senior leaders to executive roles, reinforcing the company’s commitment to safety, operational excellence, and long term growth.
Derek Sather has been appointed Chief Risk Officer, Curtis Taylor has been appointed Chief Business Operations Officer, and Mike Kuffermann has been appointed Chief Sales Officer.
These leadership appointments reflect Sims’ continued investment in building a forward looking organization rooted in safety, reliability, integrity, and people.
“As we continue raising the standard across our industry, these leaders represent the very best of Sims,” said Deborah Weber, CEO of Sims Crane & Equipment. “Each brings a unique strength that supports our mission to deliver unmatched quality, strengthen our culture, and position Sims for the future.”
As Chief Risk Officer, Sather will lead enterprise risk management, compliance programs, insurance strategy, contractual oversight, and Sims University. With more than 30 years of experience in crane, rigging, and specialized transportation, Sather is widely recognized as an industry authority. His extensive certifications and leadership roles with NCCCO and ASME committees position him as a key driver of safety culture and operational standards across the organization.
Taylor, now serving as Chief Business Operations Officer, will oversee enterprise analytics, reporting, and data driven transformation initiatives across operations, billing, and customer engagement. With a background in ERP consulting and deep expertise in IFS Applications and IFS Cloud, Taylor brings a systems driven approach to aligning data strategy with operational performance and financial outcomes.
Kuffermann has been promoted to Chief Sales Officer, where he will lead Sims’ sales strategy and growth initiatives. A second generation member of the Sims team with more than 17 years of experience, Kuffermann began his career as an apprentice and has advanced through multiple roles across the organization. His leadership reflects Sims’ commitment to developing people and building strong customer relationships.
“These promotions reflect the strength of our people and our commitment to building leaders from within,” Weber said. “At Sims, safety, innovation, and teamwork are not just values, they are how we operate every day.”
Sims Crane & Equipment continues to focus on delivering industry leading lifting and logistics solutions while investing in innovation, safety, and workforce development. The company’s mission is centered on elevating industry standards through trust, teamwork, and a strong foundation of family values.
Founded in 1959, Sims Crane & Equipment Co. has led the crane and rigging service industry in Florida for more than 60 years with innovative safety practices and education, sophisticated technology and financial stability. Sims Crane & Equipment Co. offers a broad selection of equipment for heavy lifting and hauling applications for construction and industrial projects, and possesses the largest crane rental fleet in Florida. With a focus on safety, reliability, and innovation, Sims delivers complex lifting solutions across a wide range of industries. The company is committed to raising industry standards through a culture rooted in people, performance, and long term partnerships.
