The transition
Continuity, and a New Chapter
CPE Filter Systems enters its next chapter under new ownership, with the engineering approach and customer relationships that defined the last four decades fully intact. Mark Sternisha, who led the company for over forty years, continues as President Emeritus and remains closely involved. The team that built our reputation for custom-engineered, conservatively designed dust collection is the team you’ll still be working with.
Mark M. Sternisha
President Emeritus
Mark Sternisha led CPE Filter Systems for over four decades, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company and guiding its growth. Under his leadership, the business evolved from a regional supplier into a respected provider of custom-engineered dust collection solutions, known for technical depth, reliable performance, and long-standing customer partnerships.
Following his retirement from day-to-day leadership, Mark serves as President Emeritus. In this role he continues as a valued advisor, supporting the company’s strategic direction and helping preserve the culture of quality and customer focus he spent forty years building.
Nitin Jain
President
Nitin Jain is President of CPE Filter Systems. A mechanical engineer with an MBA, he brings over three decades of leadership experience across manufacturing, supply chain, and business operations in a range of industries.
Before acquiring CPE Filter Systems, Nitin was President of Nu Dimension Tech, where he led business operations and post-acquisition integration, driving volume growth and improved profitability. His career includes senior leadership roles at Atlas Copco, Coca-Cola, Radico Khaitan, United Breweries Group, and Infosys, delivering measurable improvements in operational efficiency, cost management, and business performance.
With deep expertise in end-to-end supply chain management, lean operations, and strategic execution, Nitin is focused on building on CPE Filter Systems’ legacy while driving sustainable growth and operational excellence.
Scott Franco
Vice President of Sales
Scott joined CPE Filter Systems in 1998 as a regional sales manager. His previous experience was with the Raymond/Bartlett-Snow division of Schenck Process Group, first in service engineering and later in thermal process engineering, where he handled challenging process applications including fine-grind milling, rotary drying, flash drying, and high-temperature calcining dust collection.
Across more than twenty years at CPE Filter Systems, Scott has applied and expanded that knowledge base across the company’s equipment and system design. He manages and supports our network of manufacturers’ representatives, and particularly enjoys working through difficult applications with customers and spending time on site with the field installation team.
Outside work, Scott and his wife Tanja are busy with two teenage sons. He enjoys golf, snow and water skiing, and reading.
Wayne Hawn
Sales Engineer
Wayne joined CPE Filter Systems in April 2017, bringing over thirty years in the dust collection industry across engineering, aftermarket sales, and project management. Working from the Atlanta area, he supports CPEF sales representatives and clients primarily across the Southeastern United States.
Wayne’s approach to customer care is straightforward: be the best you can be, do the best you can do, and give everything to whatever you take on. He is consistently willing to take on new challenges on behalf of the customers he serves.
Away from the office he enjoys most genres of music, cooking, woodworking, and following NFL, MLB, and SEC college football.
Nachiket (Nash) Degaonkar
Director, Projects
Nash Degaonkar serves as Director of Projects at CPE Filter Systems, leading project execution, engineering coordination, and delivery of custom dust collection systems. A mechanical engineer with strong expertise in design, simulation, and process optimisation, he brings a detail-oriented and results-driven approach to complex industrial projects.
Nash is also a member of the US Air Force Reserve, which he joined in 2022 out of a deep respect for the Armed Forces, and has completed one active deployment in Europe.
At CPE Filter Systems, Nash is focused on delivering reliable, well-executed solutions and supporting the company’s growth through strong project leadership.
Talk to Someone Who Knows Your Application
Our team has spent their careers on dust collection specifically. Tell us what you’re working on.