PELLA — Carma Sturtz has been hired as the executive assistant to the president. She will begin in the position Monday, Oct. 15. 

Sturtz has more than 20 years of corporate experience supporting board members and senior executives. She most recently served as the administrative assistant to the president and CEO of Progress Industries, Inc., in Newton and as the office manager and administrative assistant to the Newton Development Corporation. 

Prior to that, Sturtz was the administrative assistant to the chairman of the Maytag Corporation. She also served in various administrative positions at Maytag, including executive secretary and compensation administrator, support to the senior vice president of human resources and executive secretary to the president of Maytag Appliances, president of Maytag International and vice president of strategic marketing. Additionally, Sturtz was an executive assistant at Pella Corporation for the vice president of engineering.