West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, United States, May 2025 – John Hovnanian has been appointed as Interim Chief Human Resources Officer at Centerline, a leading provider of critical infrastructure services for next-generation networks across North America. In this strategic role, John will oversee HR transformation initiatives, workforce planning, and talent optimization as Centerline continues to scale under Audax Private Equity’s backing.
Before joining Centerline, John served as Interim CHRO at Ruff Roofers, another Audax PE platform company, where he led HR integration, organizational redesign, and executive alignment to support rapid business growth. Simultaneously, through JH HR Solutions, John delivered fractional and interim HR leadership across multiple sectors, specializing in talent development, total rewards, executive coaching, and change management for small to mid-sized enterprises.
Previously, John held the role of VP Human Resources at Evenflo Company, Inc., where he led HR operations across the Americas for global parenting brand Goodbaby International. His career includes significant leadership roles such as VP, Global HR at Newell Brands – Home Fragrance Division, and VP, Global HR at Intermedix, where he supported international teams across the US, UK, and Asia-Pacific.
Earlier in his career, John served in key HR leadership roles at DHL, including as SVP & Chief Talent Officer at Williams Lea TAG and VP HR & Regional Compliance Officer – Americas at DHL Global Forwarding, earning multiple accolades for HR excellence. His foundational HR experience spans notable organizations including The Hartford, Pitney Bowes, and Arthur Andersen LLP.
About Centerline
Centerline, backed by Audax Private Equity, is a leading North American infrastructure services firm specializing in consulting, site acquisition, engineering, construction, and maintenance for next-generation networks. With a comprehensive turnkey approach and a commitment to quality, Centerline delivers seamless solutions for complex infrastructure needs. Their vertically integrated capabilities ensure efficient, timely, and budget-conscious delivery, positioning them as a trusted partner in advancing digital infrastructure across the continent.
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