PPG hires Honeywell executive

PPG appointed Rebecca Liebert as senior VP, automotive coatings. She will report to PPG chairman and CEO, Michael McGarry, and will also oversee the Latin America region and will join the company’s operating committee.

In this role, Liebert will succeed Gary Danowski, current VP, automotive coatings, who will become VP, global automotive refinish, effective July 1. Danowski will replace John Outcalt, who has announced his intent to retire, effective Aug. 1.

Liebert joins PPG from Honeywell UOP, where she served as president and CEO. During her career with Honeywell, she also served as senior VP and general manager, catalyst absorbents and specialties; senior VP and general manager, gas processing and hydrogen; and VP and general manager, electronics materials. Prior to joining Honeywell, she served as president, Reynolds Food packaging, Alcoa KAMA. Liebert began her career as a Six Sigma Top Gun development engineer with Nova Chemicals.

“Rebecca’s wide-ranging experience and proven leadership capabilities will be invaluable for the automotive OEM coatings business,” said McGarry. 

Gary Danowski[/caption>

Danowski joined PPG in 1982 as a production engineer at a former automotive glass fabrication plant. He held various roles as an automotive glass sales engineer and superintendent of engineering. In 1994, he moved to Paris as director, market development, for PPG’s European glass business, returning to the United States in 1997 as plant manager of PPG’s former Meadville, Pa., glass manufacturing facility.

During his 35-year career with PPG, Outcalt has held positions of increasing responsibility in the automotive OEM coatings and automotive refinish businesses. Outcalt joined PPG’s automotive OEM coatings business in 1983 as marketing services manager.

“John’s capacity for building relationships with our refinish distributors, as well as his passion for results made him a key executive in contributing to the company’s success,” added McGarry. “PPG is a better company today because of the industry-leading global refinish business that John has nurtured and grown during his tenure.”