Knavish to take over at PPG

PPG announced that Tim Knavish, chief operating officer, has been named president and CEO, effective January 1, 2023. He will join the company’s board of directors, effective October 20, 2022.

Knavish, 57, who has served as PPG’s chief operating officer since March, will succeed Chairman and CEO Michael McGarry, 64, in the role of CEO.

“I want to thank Michael and the PPG board of directors for their trust and confidence as we continue to drive PPG forward. Our global business portfolio remains well positioned for future growth and to successfully navigate through the current global economic challenges,” said Knavish.

Prior to being named COO, Knavish served as EVP beginning in October 2019, where he was responsible for PPG’s global architectural coatings businesses; the global automotive refinish business; the Latin America region; and the digital and information technology functions.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the more than 50,000 PPG people across the world to support our customers, deliver excellent business performance and create additional shareholder value,” said Knavish.

Knavish joined PPG in 1987 at PPG’s global headquarters in Pittsburgh. He advanced through roles of increasing responsibility in several key businesses and functions, including serving as plant manager for the East Point, Georgia, architectural coatings manufacturing facility.

McGarry, who has served as CEO since September 2015, will become executive chairman, effective Jan. 1, 2023. McGarry also has announced to the PPG board of directors his intention to retire as executive chairman and as a director of the company, effective October 1, 2023.

“On behalf of the PPG board of directors, we want to congratulate Tim and also recognize Michael’s outstanding leadership and strategic vision in guiding PPG through some of the most challenging periods in its nearly 140-year history,” said Hugh Grant, PPG independent lead director and retired chairman and chief executive officer, Monsanto Company.

McGarry has served as chairman and CEO of PPG since September 2016. During his more than 40 years with PPG, said the company, he has served in a variety of key business and functional leadership roles in the U.S., Europe and Asia, and led several strategic actions that transformed PPG’s business portfolio.