MARIETTA, GEORGIA – Belt Power, the nation’s leading distributor, fabricator, and installer of custom and standard replacement conveyor belts and power transmission products, has placed Jessica Johnston as their new Chief People Officer. Managing Partner, Pam Noble and Recruiting Director, Morgan Booker led and placed the pivotal HR search.
“Jessica is a powerhouse HR leader who brings the strategic mindset and operational discipline needed to support Belt Power’s ambitious growth. Her ability to build scalable people practices while fostering a values-driven culture made her the perfect choice for this role. We’re proud to have partnered with Belt Power on such a critical hire,” shared Pam Noble, Managing Partner at TCG.
As the CPO, Jessica will be responsible for building a culture of performance and results by implementing objective, data-driven methods to define and measure success. She will establish a comprehensive training and development framework by implementing standardized tools and strategic plans to support both immediate employee development and long-term organizational growth. Aligning the HR team for future expansion is also a key priority, requiring an assessment of the current structure and a shift from transactional tasks to strategic contributions that support scalability. Her role will also involve partnering strategically on future acquisitions by developing an acquisition playbook that ensures seamless integration through standardized policies, onboarding processes, and procedures. Jessica will also focus on standardizing operating procedures across all HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, employee relations, compliance, compensation, and benefits. This includes refining the organization’s benefits strategy to align with employee needs and business objectives while ensuring overall operational efficiency.
“As an HR professional we understand the recruiting process in a different way than many others would. TCG understood this. Regular communication keeps candidates engaged and I’m grateful for the effort the TCG put into this match. It’s a win-win-win!” shared Jessica Johnston.
Jessica Johnston brings with her more than two decades of distinguished HR leadership in the manufacturing and industrial sectors. Jessica most recently served as Vice President of Human Resources at GrafTech International, where she played a critical role in global HR strategy, executive compensation design, and ESG initiatives. Throughout her career—including key leadership roles at Gabriel Performance Products, Precision Castparts Corporation, and Avery Dennison—Jessica has led enterprise-wide organizational development, managed complex M&A integrations, and championed high-impact talent strategies across international teams. Her proven track record in aligning people and business goals makes her an exceptional fit for Belt Power’s next chapter of growth and transformation.
About Belt Power
Belt Power is the nation’s leading distributor, fabricator, and installer of custom and standard replacement conveyor belts and power transmission products. Serving high-demand industries like food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, packaging, and distribution, the company offers 24/7 expert service and support to keep mission-critical systems running efficiently. With a comprehensive product portfolio—from conveyor components and drive belts to hose fittings and specialty parts—Belt Power combines technical expertise with hands-on service across locations throughout the U.S., with headquarters in Marietta, Georgia.
About The Christopher Group
Through its award-winning, customized HR solutions, The Christopher Group (TCG) delivers critical human capital solutions in the area of executive HR search, interim HR leaders, fractional CHROs, and HR advisory and consulting. Since 1998, TCG has served clients across all industries, locations, company sizes, and verticals. Staffed by former HR professionals and highly trained search practitioners who have sat in the job, TCG has been named one of the Fastest-Growing, Best Non-Profit, Diversity, Private Equity, and Top 50 Executive Recruiting Firms by Hunt Scanlon as well as Forbes’ 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 list of America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms.