PPG Industries, which recently disclosed plans to position itself as a "surfaces company," announced four executive appointments. The changes, effective Sept. 1, are as follows:
J. Rich Alexander, PPG executive vice president, has been appointed to lead all of PPG’s architectural coatings businesses. In this role, Alexander will direct the integration of PPG’s current architectural coatings – EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and architectural coatings – Americas and Asia/Pacific businesses to fully leverage strategic and operational synergies for these businesses. In addition, Alexander will assume executive leadership responsibility for the Asia/Pacific region and will retain responsibility for PPG’s fiber glass and flat glass businesses, as well as the purchasing and distribution, and corporate marketing functions. Alexander, based in Pittsburgh, will continue to be a member of PPG’s executive and operating committees and will continue to report to Charles E. Bunch, Chairman and CEO.
Pierre-Marie De Leener, PPG executive vice president, has been appointed to lead PPG’s global automotive refinish, protective and marine coatings, and aerospace businesses. De Leener also will assume executive leadership responsibility for the Latin America region. He will retain responsibility for PPG’s global information technology function. De Leener will relocate to Pittsburgh from PPG’s EMEA headquarters in Rolle, Switzerland. De Leener will continue to be a member of PPG’s executive and operating committees and will continue to report to Chairman and CEO Charles E. Bunch.
Viktoras R. Sekmakas, PPG senior vice president, industrial coatings, and president, PPG Asia/Pacific, will be named senior vice president, industrial coatings, and president, PPG Europe. Sekmakas will assume leadership responsibility for the EMEA region in addition to leading the global industrial coatings and packaging coatings businesses. Sekmakas will relocate from PPG’s Asia/Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong to Rolle, Switzerland. Sekmakas will continue to be a member of PPG’s operating committee and will continue to report to Chairman and CEO Charles E. Bunch.
Michael Horton, vice president, Asia/Pacific coatings, and general manager, automotive refinish and architectural coatings, Asia/Pacific, will be named president, PPG Asia/Pacific, and vice president, automotive refinish and architectural coatings, Asia/Pacific. Horton will remain based in Shanghai and will report to J. Rich Alexander, executive vice president, for his Asia/Pacific regional and architectural coatings responsibilities.