02.19.19
The Sherwin-Williams Company announced that its Board of Directors elected David B. Sewell to serve as president and chief operating officer effective March 1, 2019.
Sherwin-Williams also announced that the Board has elected Aaron M. Erter as president, Performance Coatings Group, succeeding Sewell, and Robert F. Lynch as president, Consumer Brands Group, succeeding Erter. Both positions are also effective March 1, 2019.
Erter, 45, joined Sherwin-Williams in June 2017 in connection with the Valspar acquisition. He has served as president, Consumer Brands Group since August 2017. Erter held the position of president and GM, Consumer Division, Consumer Brands Group from June 2017 to August 2017. Prior to joining Sherwin-Williams, Erter served as SVP of Valspar from December 2015 to June 2017 and VP and GM, North America of Valspar from November 2011 to December 2015.
Lynch, 58, has been employed with Sherwin-Williams since October 2000. He has served as president and GM, retail – North America, Consumer Brands Group since August 2017. Lynch held the position of SVP, sales, Automotive Finishes Division, Global Finishes Group from August 2012 to July 2017 and president and GM, Paint and Sundries, Diversified Brands Division, Consumer Group from November 2008 to August 2012.
“Aaron has been an excellent addition to our senior leadership team since joining Sherwin-Williams in connection with the Valspar acquisition, and Rob’s long tenure with the company and proven leadership within the Consumer Brands Group will continue to serve the company and our shareholders well,” said Morikis. “I am confident Aaron and Rob will provide their respective groups with the direction and strategic leadership necessary to continue our strong focus on accelerating our global growth, meeting the needs of our customers, and developing and retaining our talent.”
“We are fortunate to have such strong, highly skilled and effective leaders in David, Aaron and Rob to manage our increasingly global portfolio of businesses. These promotions will allow John to increase our focus on the long-term strategic direction of Sherwin-Williams,” said John M. Stropki, lead director of the Sherwin-Williams Board. “These promotions are also a reflection of our ongoing and thoughtful commitment to management development and succession planning.”
Sewell, 50, has served as Sherwin-Williams’ president, Performance Coatings Group, since August 2014. Sewell will report to John G. Morikis, who will continue as chairman and CEO.
Sewell has held numerous key leadership positions since joining Sherwin-Williams in February 2007. He previously served as president and GM, Product Finishes Division, Global Finishes Group from July 2012 to August 2014. Sewell joined Sherwin-Williams after spending 15 years at General Electric Company.
In his new role, Sewell will be responsible for all of Sherwin-Williams’ operating segments, which includes The Americas Group, the Performance Coatings Group and the Consumer Brands Group.
Sewell has held numerous key leadership positions since joining Sherwin-Williams in February 2007. He previously served as president and GM, Product Finishes Division, Global Finishes Group from July 2012 to August 2014. Sewell joined Sherwin-Williams after spending 15 years at General Electric Company.
In his new role, Sewell will be responsible for all of Sherwin-Williams’ operating segments, which includes The Americas Group, the Performance Coatings Group and the Consumer Brands Group.
“David has served as an important member of our senior leadership team for many years and is ideally suited to lead our global operations based on his deep industry knowledge and commitment to operational excellence and delivering value to our customers," Morikis said. "David’s leadership capabilities and long record of consistently delivering strong results will help Sherwin-Williams continue focusing on our long-term objectives with the goal of creating exceptional value for all of our stakeholders.”
Sherwin-Williams also announced that the Board has elected Aaron M. Erter as president, Performance Coatings Group, succeeding Sewell, and Robert F. Lynch as president, Consumer Brands Group, succeeding Erter. Both positions are also effective March 1, 2019.
Erter, 45, joined Sherwin-Williams in June 2017 in connection with the Valspar acquisition. He has served as president, Consumer Brands Group since August 2017. Erter held the position of president and GM, Consumer Division, Consumer Brands Group from June 2017 to August 2017. Prior to joining Sherwin-Williams, Erter served as SVP of Valspar from December 2015 to June 2017 and VP and GM, North America of Valspar from November 2011 to December 2015.
Lynch, 58, has been employed with Sherwin-Williams since October 2000. He has served as president and GM, retail – North America, Consumer Brands Group since August 2017. Lynch held the position of SVP, sales, Automotive Finishes Division, Global Finishes Group from August 2012 to July 2017 and president and GM, Paint and Sundries, Diversified Brands Division, Consumer Group from November 2008 to August 2012.
“Aaron has been an excellent addition to our senior leadership team since joining Sherwin-Williams in connection with the Valspar acquisition, and Rob’s long tenure with the company and proven leadership within the Consumer Brands Group will continue to serve the company and our shareholders well,” said Morikis. “I am confident Aaron and Rob will provide their respective groups with the direction and strategic leadership necessary to continue our strong focus on accelerating our global growth, meeting the needs of our customers, and developing and retaining our talent.”
“We are fortunate to have such strong, highly skilled and effective leaders in David, Aaron and Rob to manage our increasingly global portfolio of businesses. These promotions will allow John to increase our focus on the long-term strategic direction of Sherwin-Williams,” said John M. Stropki, lead director of the Sherwin-Williams Board. “These promotions are also a reflection of our ongoing and thoughtful commitment to management development and succession planning.”
