CLEVELAND - The Sherwin-Williams Co. announced that its board of directors has elected John G. Morikis to serve as the company’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2016. Morikis, who has served as Sherwin-Williams’ President and Chief Operating Officer since October 2006, will assume the CEO duties currently held by Chairman and CEO Christopher M. Connor. Connor, who has held the title of Chairman and CEO for the past 16 years, will remain at the company in the role of Executive Chairman. Morikis was also elected to the company’s board of directors effective immediately.
“This announcement today marks the successful culmination of a multi-year organizational succession plan to identify the absolute best candidate to assume leadership of the company,” said Connor. “John has been an important member of our senior leadership team for many years and is one of the key architects of the company’s current organizational structure and strategy. His success over the years is a direct result of focusing on customer needs, his in-depth knowledge of the coatings market and his dedication to hiring and developing terrific people. With this transition, John becomes only the ninth CEO in Sherwin-Williams’ 150-year history. He is the right leader, and he is surrounded by the right team, to take Sherwin-Williams to the next level.”