Joel Maldonado Joins Fanimation

In a specially created video that foreshadows the kind of playful and out-of-the-box ideas customers can expect, Nathan Frampton and Joel Maldonado made this announcement together.

Watch the video here on LinkedIn or here on Facebook

Zionsville, Indiana-based Fanimation has appointed Joel Maldonado as vp/sales & marketing. Over the past nearly eight years, Maldonado has served as chief operating officer and – before that role – vice president of sales for Matthews Fan Company.

This week marks Maldonado’s first with Fanimation and he spoke with Lighting News Now about the move.

As Maldonado explained, the two companies were always friendly. Fanimation CEO and president Nathan Frampton and Maldonado would occasionally have a brief chat at industry gatherings and have strategized ways to approach industry problems and exchange ideas when outside disruptors such as the “container wars” (i.e. shortages and rising costs), new government legislation, and tariffs impacted their sector of the industry. “We would always chop off ideas. We never stole each other’s secret sauce. We always had a mutual respect for one another even though we were competitors,” he recounted.

Nathan Frampton is equally enthusiastic. “We’re excited to welcome Joel to Fanimation,” he added. “Joel brings deep ceiling fan knowledge, a strong strategic mindset, and a hands-on leadership style. Just as important, he brings an infectious energy and personality that resonates with teams and partners alike. That combination aligns extremely well with Fanimation’s culture and where we’re headed.”

In his most recent role at Matthews Fan Company, Maldonado led sales, marketing, operations, and product strategy with the goal of strengthening the brand’s position within the industry.

At Fanimation, Maldonado will lead the company’s sales and marketing efforts, with a focus on accelerating growth, strengthening channel partnerships, and supporting the evolution of Fanimation’s design-forward and differentiated product portfolio.

“I’m thrilled to join Fanimation,” Maldonado said. “Being able to work with the Framptons is super-exciting for me, as well as working with Fanimation, which has been around since 1984 and has a rich history going back to Casablanca Fan Company. This was an incredible opportunity that I could not pass up to work with an industry leader, such as Nathan Frampton, and a trailblazer and innovator like Tom Frampton, and have the chance to build on that foundation and help drive the next phase of growth and reach new heights.”

What is most important to Maldonado is that his goals for the company align with those of the Framptons.  “It’s funny that we’re so different in so many areas, but as far as expectations and the vision for the company, we are spot on the same page,” he noted.

Fanimation customers who already enjoy the sense of humor that the ceiling fan manufacturer has expressed over the years will enjoy this next chapter, according to Maldonado.

“I think what you’re going to see out of Fanimation this year and into the next is a culture where [it’s obvious] we’re having fun. We’re going to bring great product and have fun doing it,” Maldonado stated. “I think it’s going to be one of those things where when you see something come out from Fanimation, you’ll think, ‘Oh man, what are these guys up to now?’”  

Maldonado will remain based in Orlando, Florida.