NEW YORK -- David R. Van Loan, president of test equipment maker Everett Charles Technologies, will move one rung higher, taking over as president of Dover Technologies. A successor at ECT has not yet been named.

Dover Technologies is a $1.5 billion subsidiary of Dover Corp. and the parent of ECT. Its companies include Universal Instruments Corp. and DEK.

Van Loan, who has been with ECT since 1981, will report to outgoing president and current chief executive John Pomeroy. That won't last long: Pomeroy will retire within the next year.

Van Loan will also take over the responsibilities of Gerhard Meese, executive vice president of Dover Technologies, who is retiring in the same time frame.

In a press statement Dover CEO Ron Hoffman said, "Dave has done an excellent job of building Everett Charles into the premier test interconnect equipment supplier to the circuit board and back end semiconductor markets. He has displayed great strategic vision in guiding his company and will bring his high energy level and proven track record of delivering outstanding operating results to his new role."

On April 19 Dover Corp. reported earnings of $100.3 million from continuing operations for the first quarter ended March 31, compared to $83.8 million last year, an increase of 20%. Net earnings were $98.1 million including $2.1 million of losses from discontinued operations, compared to $83.1 million. Sales were up 17% to a record $1.45 billion.