Ed Burak, Chief Executive Officer, is credited with dramatically expanding Hudson’s profile and project capabilities throughout the entire East Coast Area and beyond since assuming the family-owned company reigns in 1979. As CEO, he has been the driving force behind Hudson’s rebranding from a “cottage-trade” business model to one that is now construction focused. An acknowledged industry leader and visionary who has garnered several prestigious trade and business honors, he has spearheaded diversification of Hudson’s ever-evolving client base, which has expanded from small residential window awnings to include a growing roster of major construction companies and national retail chains. A certified Industrial Fabric Manager and a past member of the Board of Directors of the Industrial Fabric Association, the Fairleigh Dickinson University graduate also teaches CEU courses for architects focused on Division 10.
Diana Isabella-Wetchkus, President, oversees all facets of Hudson’s day-to-day internal and external operations. These diverse responsibilities encompass supervision of all in-house finance, human resources, administrative and production departments as well as development and implementation of company best practices, procedures and certifications. Her earlier years were spent in sales and firms purchasing for multi-location stores throughout the region and taking numerous sales and business management courses. Areas of specialization include contractor and end-user client relations; forging/maintaining strategic partnerships; and executing contracts. Additionally, her main tasks extend to is identifying and cultivating new business opportunities for the company and motivating the Hudson sales team to continuously set new year-over-year company sales benchmarks. Since joining Hudson in 2014, she has rapidly risen through the company ranks to her current role as president.
Lynda Burak, Executive Vice President, who along with her husband Ed assumed the company reigns in 1979, is responsible for implementing the company’s overall marketing, communications and public relations initiatives. In this role, she advances Hudson’s strategic vision through its print and digital platforms. These include a newly launched company website featuring a comprehensive overview of its business and team, key project highlights and a dedicated section for architects and contractors. Her invaluable contributions are integral to the company’s award-winning growth strategies – the catalyst for Hudson’s evolution from a locally based manufacturer of small-business window awnings to a regional and national design/fabrication/installation leader.
Shari Matus, Manager/Finance, directs and managers all of Hudson’s financial activities, including revenue reporting, staff training, budgeting, distributing funds internally and externally, managing risk, implementing policies and improving overall financial processes. In addition, she is responsible for human resource-related tasks, such as employee payroll. Prior to Joining the company, she served in a wide range of bookkeeping capacities at a regional men’s clothing chain for 16 years as well as in a medium size accounting firm for 5 years Shari has been a part of the Hudson team for 7 years.
Yapah Berry, Director of Estimating, spearheads all of Hudson’s initial project assessments and valuations. In this role, she serves as the company’s initial point of contact for and liaison to prospective and/or existing clients while providing comprehensive cost-out analyses. This encompasses each project’s entire lifecycle, from procurement of materials to manufacturing and final installation. A graduate of New York City College of Technology with a mechanical engineering technology degree, she previously served as a water-wall designer for an upscale swimming pool and water-feature company.
Hussain Ali, Manager/Design & Engineering, possesses more than four decades of experience in directing Hudson’s exceptional in-house value-engineering services. In this role, he plans and coordinates all design and engineering activities to develop and apply the latest design criteria; interfaces with internal departments to formulate and apply these criteria to production requirements; and conducts a thorough project analysis. He also provides detailed oversight as it relates to producing the materials, employing technology and procuring parts and equipment to ensure cost- and time-efficiency. In addition, he evaluates and selects third-party vendors, provides technical direction and ensures the final product meets and exceeds Hudson’s highest standards as well as those of the client. He obtained his initial training at and is a graduate of the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, Pakistan. And has taken courses and attended seminars sponsored by Architect and Manufacturing suppliers.
Frank Molina, Manager/Architectural, is an architect by training and oversees all aspects of Hudson Structures and production processes, from reviewing drawings to ensuring each project meets local zoning standards, building code, aesthetic expectations and best-in-class production and installation practices. While working with each client’s design team as well as the engineer and general contractor/construction operations on site, he also leads Hudson’s internal quality-assurance efforts. He is extremely hands-on throughout the entire manufacturing phase and maintains ongoing communications with the company’s production and fabrication divisions leading up to and including product delivery and final installation. Frank is a graduate of the Santo Domingo University, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was also an assistant professor.