Key Executives is pleased to announce The Top 25 Manufacturing Executives for 2023. Over the course of history, manufacturing has had a profound impact on improving the quality of life for individuals, facilitating the growth of human populations and societies, and fostering innovation through the efficient mass production of materials. Today, more than ever, one of the main drivers behind any successful manufacturing venture is its leader. The executives on this year’s list have been instrumental in making sure their companies not only continue to play a vital role in the global economy, but also grow and flourish in a hyper-competitive manufacturing industry.
Among this year's awardees is the venerable Larry Culp, GE's 12th CEO, and the first "outsider" to run GE in the company's 126-year history. Awardee Jim Kamsickas, Chairman and CEO of Dana Incorporated, has represented the interests of the automotive supply industry in U.S. congressional proceedings; and has been recognized in the past for his leadership in the vehicle supplier industry with the prestigious Triangle Award. Meanwhile, this year's list of impressive leaders includes John May, the CEO who has doubled Deere and Company's market capitalization so that now it exceeds $100 billion.
From a vast field of highly accomplished candidates, the leaders on this year’s list were selected based on their track records for driving innovation, providing leadership to teams, fostering a culture of operational efficiency, and delivering the technological solutions their companies need to stay ahead of competitors. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 25 Manufacturing Executives for 2023.
1. Larry Culp
Chairman and CEO, General Electric Company
Larry Culp is GE’s twelfth CEO and eleventh Chairman. He also joined the GE Board of Directors in April 2018. More recently, in June 2022, he was appointed CEO of GE Aerospace. In these roles, Culp has spearheaded the transformation of GE’s portfolio, including the sales of GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), Lighting, BioPharma, and the completion of the spin of GE Transportation, along with its subsequent merger with Wabtec. Prior to joining GE, Culp served as the president and CEO of Danaher Corporation from 2000 to 2014. During his tenure there, the company increased both its revenues and its market capitalization five-fold. Moreover, investors and analysts consistently rank him as one of the top CEOs in annual Institutional Investor surveys; while the Harvard Business Review named Culp one of the Top 50 CEOs in the world.
Culp joined Danaher in 1990, becoming president in 1993. Two years later he was appointed group executive and corporate officer, with responsibility for Danaher’s Environmental and Electronic Test and Measurement platforms; while also serving as president of Fluke and Fluke Networks. Away from GE, Culp is a member of the Board of Visitors and Governors of his alma mater, Washington College. He also serves on the Wake Forest University Board of Trustees. Previously, the high-powered executive was a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, where he focused on leadership, strategy, and general management in the MBA and executive education programs. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Culp earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Washington College, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
2. Kevin Clark
Chairman and CEO, Aptiv PLC
In April 2022, Kevin Clark was named Chairman and CEO of Aptiv. He is a proven leader with notable success in creating and implementing Aptiv’s business and technology strategies. As the company’s former COO, he provides significant strategic, financial, and industry expertise. He joined Aptiv in 2010 as CFO, responsible for all financial activities including strategic planning, corporate development, financial planning, treasury, accounting, and tax.
Prior to joining Aptiv, he was a founding partner of Liberty Lane Partners, LLC, a private equity investment firm focused on investing in and building and improving middle-market companies. He served as CFO of Fisher-Scientific International, a manufacturer, distributor, and service provider to the global healthcare market, from the company’s initial public offering in 2001 through the completion of its merger with Thermo Electron Corporation in 2006. He also held a number of senior management positions at Fisher-Scientific. He began his career in the financial organization of Chrysler Corporation. Clark holds both a bachelor’s in financial administration and a master’s in finance from Michigan State University.
3. Darius Adamczyk
Chairman and CEO, Honeywell International Inc.
Darius Adamczyk is the Chairman and CEO of Honeywell, an American multinational conglomerate. He was born in Poland on February 8, 1966, and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 11, speaking no English. He went to Michigan State University to study electrical and computer engineering, where he received his bachelor's degree. He later added a master's in computer engineering from Syracuse University, and an MBA from Harvard University. Adamczyk started his career with General Electric in 1988, as an electrical engineer. He later spent four years at Booz Allen Hamilton, followed by positions at Ingersoll-Rand PLC and Metrologic.
In 2008, Adamczyk was CEO of Metrologic Inc when Honeywell purchased the holding company for $720 million. After the purchase, Adamczyk became president of Honeywell Process Solutions in 2012. After two years in this role, he then rose to become president and CEO of Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies. In June 2016, it was announced that David M. Cote would step down as CEO of Honeywell at the end of March 2017 and Adamczyk would succeed him. Fortune Magazine reported on the executive’s leadership style, saying, "Adamczyk used a similar strategy in his various roles: apply analytical rigor to identify areas of potential growth, chop deadweight, and lean into software and automation." Among his numerous accomplishments at Honeywell, Adamczyk is noted for building on the company's Sentience platform and expanding it into Honeywell Forge, a cloud-based IoT platform and product development framework for the development of scalable software. In 2019, the Carnegie Corporation of New York honored Adamczyk with the Great Immigrant Award. Currently, he is also a member of The Business Roundtable, The Business Council, and the Council on Foreign Relations.
4. George Oliver
Chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls International
A highly respected industry veteran, George Oliver is Chairman and CEO of Johnson Controls.
Prior to becoming CEO on Sept. 1, 2017, he served as president and chief operating officer, with responsibility for the company’s operating businesses and leading the integration of Johnson Controls and Tyco following their September 2016 merger. Oliver previously served as CEO of Tyco and as a member of its Board of Directors. Early on, he joined Tyco in July 2006 as president of Tyco Safety Products; and assumed additional responsibility as president of Tyco Electrical & Metal Products from 2007 through 2010. He was appointed president of Tyco Fire Protection in 2011. Prior to Tyco, Oliver had a more than 20-year career with General Electric, where he served in operational roles of increasing responsibility in several divisions, including as president and CEO of GE Water and Process Technologies; and as president and CEO of GE Engine Services. Before that, he held leadership roles in GE's Aircraft Engines and Appliances divisions.
Away from his Chairman and CEO duties, Oliver serves on the Board of Directors of Raytheon Company. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees.
5. Jim Umpleby
Chairman and CEO, Caterpillar, Inc.
Jim Umpleby joined Solar Turbines, a Caterpillar subsidiary, in 1980 as an associate engineer. In his more than 40 years with the company, he has gained extensive industry and international experience through a wide variety of leadership roles. In 2010, Umpleby was appointed president of Solar Turbines and VP of Caterpillar. Then, from 2013 to 2016, he led Caterpillar’s Energy & Transportation business segment as group president. Since January 1, 2017, Umpleby has served as Caterpillar’s CEO. The following year he was elected Chairman of Caterpillar’s Board of Directors. Umpleby now leads a team of about 109,100 employees in 63 countries. With 2022 revenues of $59.4 billion, the Irving, Texas-based company is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment.
Umpleby graduated from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. Additionally, he completed an executive leadership program at the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland. On top of his duties at Caterpillar, he serves on the board of the Chevron Corporation, the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum, the U.S.-China Business Council, and the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Umpleby is also a trustee of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and he is a member of Business Roundtable, The Business Council, and the National Petroleum Council.
6. Mike Roman
Chairman and CEO, 3M Company
Mike Roman is Chairman and CEO of 3M, one of the world’s leading science companies. 3M applies and combines its 51 technology platforms to empower consumers, reshape the future of manufacturing, improve healthcare, and enhance the performance of automobiles and electronics. Under Roman’s leadership, 3M helped lead the response to COVID-19 and distributed 4 billion respirators globally to protect nurses, doctors, and first responders – including 2 billion respirators in the U.S.
Roman became CEO in July 2018 and chairman in May 2019. He previously served as chief operating officer, led 3M’s largest business group, and was chief strategist. During his lengthy career, he has lived and led businesses around the world, including the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He holds a master’s in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California, and a bachelor’s from the University of Minnesota. Today he serves on the board of Abbott Laboratories, the University of Minnesota Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and President Biden’s Export Council. As a former “Big,” the CEO is a long-time supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
7. Craig Arnold
Chairman and CEO, Eaton Corporation, PLC
Since June 1, 2016, Craig Arnold has served as the Chairman and CEO of Eaton, a global intelligent power management company. Formerly, Arnold served as vice chairman and chief operating officer of the company’s Industrial Sector from February 2009 to August 2015. In 2000 he joined Eaton as senior vice president and group executive of the Fluid Power Group.
He previously worked at General Electric, where he had served as corporate vice president and president of GE Lighting Services. There he led the company’s lighting business in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India. Arnold started his career with General Electric in 1983 and later served as corporate vice president and president of GE Plastics, Greater China, and then of GE Appliances, Asia, from 1997 to 1999.
Arnold holds a bachelor’s in psychology from California State University, San Bernardino, and an MBA from Pepperdine University. Currently, he is lead board director for Medtronic, Inc. and a board director for the Business Roundtable, where he also serves on the group’s Special Committee for Racial Equity and Justice. Furthermore, he balances his time as a member of The Business Council and the advisory board of The Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland, among others.
8. Lal Karsanbhai
President and CEO, Emerson Electric Company
Lal Karsanbhai is President and CEO of Emerson. Karsanbhai was named CEO of the $18.2 billion global technology and industrial software leader in 2021. Prior to being named CEO, he led Emerson’s Automation Solutions business. In this role, which he began in October 2018, he was responsible for leading strategies, technologies, and innovations to help essential industries enhance operations and achieve Top Quartile performance. Notably, he led Automation Solutions to strong performance, elevating Emerson’s software profile and digital transformation business. Karsanbhai began his career at Emerson in 1995 as an international planner and has held a wide range of leadership positions over the years.
This includes serving as vice president of the regulator technologies business from 2002 until 2005, when he moved to Gallardon, France, as vice president and general manager of natural gas. There, he was responsible for integrating two European natural gas entities, restructuring the business and setting up a plant in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Additionally, Karsanbhai served as president of Emerson’s former Network Power business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa from 2014 until 2016, when he was named group president of Emerson’s Rosemount Measurement & Analytical. He held this role until his appointment as leader of Automation Solutions in 2018.
Karsanbhai currently serves on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and on the board of the U.S.-China Business Council. He is also a member of the Business Roundtable and The Business Council. Karsanbhai is fluent in Portuguese, French, and English. He has a bachelor’s in economics from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
9. John May
Chairman and CEO, Deere & Company
John May is Chairman and CEO of Deere & Company, making him responsible for a team of more than 82,000 employees in 30+ countries. In these roles, May is focused on the execution of the company’s Smart Industrial strategy, which accelerates the integration of advanced technology with Deere's legacy of manufacturing excellence. Under May’s leadership, the company’s market capitalization has more than doubled, exceeding $100 billion for the first time. May became the company’s CEO in November 2019 and assumed the position of Chairman in May 2020.
In the past, May has served in many positions at Deere. This includes serving as the chief operating officer, president of Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division, and chief information officer and president of the company’s Agricultural Solutions. In these roles, he spearheaded initiatives to develop the Deere family of "smart" machines, systems, and solutions. May also managed the company’s construction equipment factory in Dubuque, Iowa. He joined Deere in 1997 after working as a management consultant at KPMG Peat Marwick. May holds a bachelor’s from the University of New Hampshire, and an MBA from the University of Maine. He currently serves on the board of the Ford Motor Company; and is a member of the Business Roundtable and the Council on Competitiveness.
10. Jim Voss
CEO, Tenneco Inc.
Jim Voss was appointed Tenneco’s Chief Executive Officer in November 2022. He brings to his role as CEO nearly three decades of business experience in a wide range of industries, products, and technologies with publicly traded companies as well as private equity groups.
For the last 11 years, Voss has worked with Apollo Global Management, serving as both operating advisor and portfolio CEO. In October 2015, he was appointed president and CEO of Vectra immediately following Apollo’s acquisition of the company.
Prior to joining Apollo, Voss was executive vice president and chief operating officer of Solutia Inc., a specialty chemicals/materials company (formerly Monsanto Chemical/Materials Co.), and senior vice president and chief administrative officer at Premcor Inc., a major independent oil refiner. Voss currently serves as chairman of the board of directors of Vacuumschmelze, headquartered in Germany; and is a member of the board of directors of Tenneco, ABC Technologies. He has previously served on the board of directors of Vectra, Pinnacle Agriculture, Taminco Corporation, Stepan Company – and on the board of trustees at Maryville University. Voss holds dual bachelor’s in psychology and sociology from Maryville University, a master’s in organizational development from Webster University, and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
11. Judy Marks
President and CEO, Otis Worldwide Corporation
In her 38 years in industry, Judy Marks has witnessed technological advances while applying emerging and mature technologies in a way that benefits society. In her roles as President and CEO, she is leading Otis through a digital and cultural transformation that will drive its long-term success as an independent, publicly traded company. Otis is the world’s leading company for elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation, and service. This includes IoT-based service solutions with proactive data analytics for predictive maintenance; advanced video analytics and dispatching systems to manage varying traffic patterns; and a new generation of elevators.
A trusted industry veteran, Marks has held senior leadership roles at three global icons – IBM, Lockheed Martin, and Siemens AG. She was serving as CEO of both Siemens USA and Dresser-Rand, a Siemens business, when appointed President of Otis in 2017. In April 2020, Judy led the successful spin of Otis to an independent publicly traded company on the NYSE. She built her career on a host of challenging assignments, creating solutions for both global customers and government entities.
Committed to sharing her expertise, she currently serves on the Board of Directors of Otis Worldwide Corporation, Caterpillar Inc., and AdvanceCT. She is a member of the Business Roundtable and Chair of its Trade and International Committee. She is also a member of the U.S.-India CEO Forum. She earned a degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University.
12. Mikael Bratt
President and CEO, Autoliv, Inc.
Mikael Bratt serves as President, CEO, and Director for Autoliv. He was appointed a director of his company in September 2018 shortly after becoming President and CEO on June 29, 2018. Previously, Bratt served as president of Passive Safety from May 2016 until his promotion. Prior to joining Autoliv, Bratt spent approximately 30 years with the Volvo Group, including most recently as EVP Group Trucks Operations, part of the group executive management team since 2008, in which role he managed a team of 35,000 people, 50 factories, 60 distribution centers, and an annual turnover of approximately $18 billion. Prior to this, he served as CFO of the Volvo Group. Bratt studied business administration at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
13. Jennifer Rumsey
President and CEO, Cummins Inc.
Jennifer Rumsey became President and CEO of Cummins Inc., the largest independent maker of diesel engines and related products in the world, on August 1, 2022. Prior to her current role, she was president and chief operating officer, which she assumed in March 2021. She also served as VP and president of Components Segment, one of Cummins’ five business segments. As the president of Components, Rumsey oversaw an organization of more than 12,000 global employees with sales of $6 billion in 2020.
Rumsey’s early career focused on control systems and system engineering; initially at a fuel processing and fuel cell start-up company in Cambridge, MA. In 2000, she moved to Cummins and has worked in a variety of engineering roles across the company. Passionate about building high-performing, diverse teams, Rumsey is a member of the Society of Women Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, the Purdue Engineering Advisory Committee, and Women in Trucking Association. She holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, and a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
14. David Gitlin
Chairman & CEO, Carrier Global Corporation
David Gitlin is Chairman and CEO of Carrier. Before joining Carrier, he was president and chief operating officer of Collins Aerospace, which was created by bringing together UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins. Prior to Collins Aerospace, he was president of UTC Aerospace Systems, which was created by bringing together Goodrich Corporation and Hamilton Sundstrand.
Prior to UTC Aerospace Systems, Gitlin worked for Hamilton Sundstrand as president of Aerospace Customers & Business Development; president of Auxiliary Power, Engine & Control Systems; VP and general manager of Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems; VP of Pratt & Whitney programs; and general manager of Rolls-Royce/General Electric programs. Gitlin also served in roles at the corporate office of United Technologies Corporation and Pratt & Whitney.
In terms of education, he earned a bachelor’s from Cornell University, a law degree from the University of Connecticut, and an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Boeing Company. He is also a member of: the MIT Sloan Executive Board, Business Roundtable, and Business Council.
15. Thomas Williams
Chairman and CEO, Parker-Hannifin Corporation
Thomas Williams is Chairman and CEO of Parker Hannifin Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio. Previous to his most recent position, he was EVP and operating officer with responsibility for Parker’s Aerospace, Engineered Materials, Filtration, Instrumentation, and Asia Pacific groups; along with the Strategic Pricing department. Williams has demonstrated successful leadership in two of Parker’s operating groups: as VP of Operations for the Hydraulics Group and then president of the Instrumentation Group. Williams joined Parker in 2003. Prior to that, he held a number of key management positions at General Electric.
He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, a non-profit organization making wishes come true for terminally ill children. Additionally, he is a member of the Board of Directors for Chart Industries, a leading independent global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment used in the production, storage, and end-use of hydrocarbon and industrial gasses. He is also on the Board of Trustees for the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI), a leading business research and executive education organization and advocate for manufacturing interests. Williams earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Bucknell University and his MBA from Xavier University.
16. Frederic Lissalde
President and CEO, BorgWarner Inc.
Lissalde has served as the President and CEO of BorgWarner since August 2018. Before that, he was executive vice president and chief operating officer of the company from January 2018 to July 2018. From May 2013 to December 2017, he was VP of the company and president and general manager of BorgWarner Turbo Systems LLC. Prior to joining the company, Lissalde held positions at Valeo and ZF in the areas of program management, engineering, operations, and sales in the U.K., Japan, and France.
Since December 2020, Lissalde has served on the board of directors of Autoliv. Previously, he served on the board of directors of CLEPA (European Automotive Suppliers’ Association), based in Brussels, Belgium. In March 2023, Lissalde was awarded the prestigious Nessim Habif Prize, in honor of his international professional accomplishments in the automotive Industry. Lissalde brings a wide range of experience setting and executing strategic direction: driving business performance, growth, and culture. Lissalde holds a Masters of Engineering from ENSAM - Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Métiers - Paris, and an MBA from HEC Paris. He is also a graduate of executive courses at INSEAD - Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires, Harvard, and MIT.
17. Ernest Santi
Chairman and CEO, Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Ernest Santi is Chairman and CEO of Illinois Tool Works Inc. Santi joined ITW in 1983 and has spent his entire career with the company. He was elected executive vice president in 2004 and named vice chairman in 2008. He became ITW’s CEO in 2012 and was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2015. In addition, Santi is a member of the Board of Directors of W.W. Grainger. He graduated with a bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Illinois and received an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
18. Jim Kamsickas
Chairman and CEO, Dana Incorporated
Jim Kamsickas is Chairman and CEO of Dana Incorporated, which supplies engineered solutions that improve the efficiency, performance, and sustainability of powered vehicles and machinery around the world. Under Kamsickas’s leadership, the company has grown sales by nearly 75 percent, surpassing $10 billion in sales. Dana has also executed 14 acquisitions, transforming its more than 100-year industrial foundation as a leading mechanical systems supplier to also include full e-Propulsion and e-Thermal system management capabilities. With manufacturing and technical centers in 31 countries on six continents, and more than 40,000 people globally, the company has been named a top employer in many regions of the world for its emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. One of the reasons behind Dana’s recent success is Kamsickas, an industry veteran with more than 30 years in the mobility business, including more than 17 years as a CEO. Prior to joining Dana in 2015, Kamsickas was president and CEO of International Automotive Components (IAC) for eight years. In addition, he served as head of Lear Corporation’s Interior Systems Division and held several additional senior leadership roles within that organization.
It is worthy to note that Kamsickas has actively represented the interests of the automotive supply industry in U.S. congressional proceedings and the broader mobility supply industry as a member of the President of the United States’ council on manufacturing and job creation. He has also served on Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis supplier councils. In 2020, Jim was honored by The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) with the prestigious Triangle Award for his contributions to the vehicle supplier industry. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI) and the United Way of Greater Toledo and is a member of the Toledo Rotary Foundation. As for education, he earned a bachelor’s in business administration from Central Michigan University and an MBA from Michigan State University. He also holds an honorary Doctorate of Commercial Science from Central Michigan University.
19. Dave Regnery
Chairman and CEO, Trane Technologies plc
Dave Regnery is Chairman and CEO of Trane Technologies plc, a global climate innovator focused on sustainable solutions for buildings, homes and transportation. Under Regnery’s leadership, Trane Technologies has sharpened its strategy as an industry leader in climate solutions. Regnery has been with Trane Technologies for his entire career. He was appointed CEO in July 2021, and named Chair of the company's board of directors in January 2022. Previously, he served as the company’s president and chief operating officer. During this time, he held direct responsibility for its three regional reporting segments and full portfolio of businesses – as well as mission-critical company operations, including supply chain, engineering, and information technology.
On top of his role at Trane Technologies, Regnery serves on the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders for the World Economic Forum. Furthermore, when he is not with investors or customers, Regnery devotes significant time and focus speaking with early talent, new hires, and leadership development groups. The CEO graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and holds an MBA from Lehigh University.
20. Chris Peterson
President and CEO, Newell Brands Inc.
Chris Peterson is President, CEO, and a member of the Board of Directors of Newell Brands. He is an accomplished leader with an extensive background in corporate strategy, financial planning, operations, and management. Peterson joined Newell in December 2018 as CFO. Later, he was named CFO and president of Business Operations in February 2020; and president and CFO in May 2022. He assumed his current position of President and CEO in May 2023. Since joining Newell, Peterson has played an integral role in the company’s turnaround by strengthening financial performance, building operational excellence, and fostering a culture of productivity and efficiency.
Before Newell, Peterson was the COO of Operations at Revlon Inc., leading the Global Supply Chain, Finance, and IT functions. He also spent four years at Ralph Lauren as SVP, CFO, and president of Global Brands. Prior to Ralph Lauren, he spent 20 years at Procter & Gamble, where he held various roles, including VP and CFO of Global Household Care. Peterson is a Board Member of BJ's Wholesale Club and Chair of its Audit Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Science in operations research and industrial engineering from Cornell University.
21. Rafael Santana
President and CEO, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
Rafael Santana is President and CEO of Wabtec, currently the most valuable rail technology company in the world. A native of Brazil, Santana brings 28 years of executive leadership experience to this post and has extensive experience in product management and commercial leadership. This includes nearly 15 years in the transportation industry.
Santana took the helm as President and CEO in 2019 as three multinationals (Wabtec, GE Transportation, and Faiveley Transport) became Wabtec. Prior to 2019, Santana served as president and CEO of GE Transportation, a unit of General Electric company, where he significantly expanded the company’s regional footprint and built strong overhaul and modernization capabilities and backlog through multi-year programs. Prior to that, he was president and CEO of GE in Latin America, where he helped transform the market into one of GE’s largest and fastest-growing regions. A respected global executive, Santana also served as president and CEO of the Turbomachinery Solutions Business of GE Oil and Gas, where he drove significant margin improvement and growth in a contracting marketplace. Prior to joining GE in 2000, Santana worked for six years at ExxonMobil and British American Tobacco.
Santana has a degree in engineering from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil.
22. Gary Dickerson
President and CEO, Applied Materials, Inc.
Named as one of the top-performing CEOs by Barron’s, Forbes, and the Harvard Business Review, Gary Dickerson is a long-time industry leader with more than 35 years of semiconductor experience. In June 2012, he was named President of Applied Materials; and was appointed CEO and a member of the Board of Directors in September 2013. Applied Materials is the leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world.
Prior to Applied Materials, he was CEO of Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc. for seven years, until its acquisition by Applied Materials in 2011. Before that, he spent 18 years at KLA-Tencor Corporation, where he held a variety of operations and product development roles before serving as president and chief operating officer. He began his semiconductor career in manufacturing and engineering management at General Motors’ Delco Electronics Division and AT&T Technologies. Dickerson holds a bachelor of science in engineering management from the University of Missouri, Rolla, and an MBA degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.
23. Howard Heckes
President and CEO, Masonite International Corporation
Howard Heckes has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Masonite International Corporation since June 2019. Howard formerly served as the CEO of Energy Management Collaborative, a privately held company providing LED lighting and controls and IoT conversion systems and service solutions, since 2017. From 2008 to 2017, Heckes served in a variety of senior executive roles at Valspar Corporation, now a subsidiary of The Sherwin Williams Company, most recently as EVP and President, Global Coatings.
Prior to joining Valspar, Heckes held various leadership roles at Newell Rubbermaid, including President of Sanford Brands and President of Graco Children’s Products. Heckes holds an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering from Iowa State University and a graduate degree in industrial and management engineering from the University of Iowa.
24. Phil Eyler
President and CEO, Gentherm
Phil Eyler is the President and CEO at Gentherm, the global market leader and developer of innovative thermal management technologies. Eyler joined the company in December 2017 and currently serves on Gentherm’s Board of Directors. As President and CEO, he leads more than 11,000 employees in 12 countries. Previously, Eyler has driven growth through advancing Gentherm’s core business of Automotive Climate and Comfort Systems; as well as pushing new initiatives, such as Battery Thermal Management and Medical Patient Temperature Management. Under his leadership, the company is also transforming the future of personalized passenger thermal comfort with the smart, individual climate zone solution named ClimateSense™.
Eyler joined Gentherm from Harman, where he served as president of the Connected Car division. During his tenure there, he oversaw the $3 billion division of more than 8,000 employees that was dedicated to developing integrated connected car systems encompassing infotainment, telematics, and cyber security solutions, among others. Throughout his 20-year career at Harman, Eyler served in a variety of leadership roles of increasing responsibility. He was SVP and general manager of Harman’s Global Automotive Audio business. In this position, he delivered double-digit growth. Early on, he began his career at Siemens. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Sleep Number Corporation. Eyler holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.
25. Blake Moret
Chairman and CEO, Rockwell Automation, Inc.
Blake Moret is Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation. As CEO, Moret is dedicated to delivering his company’s strategy to bring the Connected Enterprise to life. Under his stewardship, Rockwell Automation integrates control and information to help make industrial companies and their people more productive and the world more sustainable. Joining Rockwell Automation in 1985 as a sales trainee, Moret has built his career with the company and has held leadership positions in many areas of the business, including international assignments in Europe and Canada. In his previous role, Moret served as SVP of Control Products and Solutions, one of the company’s two previous business segments. He rose to CEO on July 1, 2016; and was elected Chairman of the Board effective January 1, 2018.
Additionally, Moret is on the PTC, Inc. Board of Directors, the Executive Committee of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and is a member of the Business Roundtable. He also serves on the board of the Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) and the Georgia Tech Advisory Board. Adding to his list of responsibilities, he also serves on the boards of: FIRST Robotics, the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Moret graduated from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.