Bevan Cates, Former Leader of Univar’s PP&S Division, Passes Away

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Bevan Cates, whose 28-year career at Univar included six years as vice president of the company’s Professional Products & Services division, died Friday.

Cates, who took over Univar’s Professional Products & Services Division in 1994 (at the time called Van Waters & Rogers PP&S Division) after serving in several senior management positions, is widely credited for helping Univar strengthen its national presence.

“When Bevan took over Univar’s Professional Products & Services Division, we were a national distributor, but were really regionally fragmented,” recalled John Bolanos, vice president of Univar’s Professional Products & Services Division. “Under Bevan’s leadership we became unified and focused as a strong national distributor.”

Bolanos joined Univar in 1978 as a sales representative and was mentored by Cates. He later succeeded Cates as vice president of Univar’s Professional Products & Services Division in 2000. “He taught me the value of establishing goals and working very hard,” he said. “He was an excellent communicator, and a strong believer in building strong relationships with both our customers and suppliers to achieve mutual goals. He was very direct and honest, even to the point of being brutally honest, if necessary.”

Bolanos added that Cates received great satisfaction in team-building and he touched the lives of many individuals. “He worked hard to groom and develop young managers to take his place and aspire to greater heights within the organization.”

Cates is survived by wife Smokey and daughters Angie and Jennifer.

The service for Cates will be held Thursday, May 15, at 9.a.m., at:
Sacred Heart Church
43775 Deep Canyon
Palm Desert, CA 92260

A celebration of Bevan Cates’ life will be held Thursday, May 15, from 2-4 p.m., at:
Mission Hills Country Club
34-600 Mission Hills Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:
www.guidedogs.com or mail check to
Development Department,Guide Dogs for the Blind
P.O. Box 151200
San Rafael, California 94915-1200

Or, call with credit card 800-295-4050 (fax number for donations is 415-499-4023)