MEDINA, OH – RPM International Inc. announced that retired U.S. Army General John P. Abizaid has stepped down from his position on the RPM board of directors following his confirmation as the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

“Obviously, John’s new role as ambassador is of significant national and international importance and will require 100 percent of his focus, which necessitated that he resign from our board. During his time as a Director, he brought a unique perspective to RPM, particularly in the areas of strategy, operations, international affairs and leadership development,” said Frank C. Sullivan, Chairman and CEO of RPM. “We’re grateful to have benefitted from John’s tremendous expertise and sage counsel during his decade of service to RPM and wish him success in his new role.”

Abizaid was elected to the RPM board of directors in 2008 after a military career during which he rose from an infantry platoon leader to become a four-star general and the longest-serving commander of U.S. Central Command. The highly decorated officer led assignments ranging from infantry combat to delicate international negotiations. After retiring from the U.S. Army in 2007, he served as senior partner of JPA Partners LLC, a Nevada-based strategic and analytic consulting firm.