KNOXVILLE, TN - VIC International Corp., a distributor of machinery, tools and accessories for the natural stone and concrete industries, has promoted two members of its staff to Regional Director - Optima Program, a move made on the heels of a highly successful launch of the Optima Polishing and Maintenance Program.

Since 1989, Bob Murrell has been a key member of VIC International’s staff. He was instrumental in developing the Restoration & Maintenance Division of VIC. For 14 years, Murrell was the chief instructor for VIC’s Restoration & Maintenance seminar, which is one of the most recognized hard surface training seminars in the country. His comprehensive knowledge of hard surfaces and years of research and development make him an asset for the Optima Program.

Born and educated in the United Kingdom, achieving a B.S. degree in Ceramics, Robert Simpson has worked in South Africa and Canada in the ceramic tile industry before emigrating to the U.S. in 1990. Since that time, he has been involved in the natural stone restoration and maintenance business with Cimex, VIC International and Ecolab, with over 14 years at VIC International. Simpson’s extensive hands-on experience with mechanical restoration systems and development work on polishing compounds and stone care chemicals make him ideally suited to promote the Optima™ Program.