The Paint Project Appoints VP, Enhances Industrial Products Division
The Paint Project appoints Scott Stalzer as vice president of industrial products.
Stalzer began his career in 1987 at Lennox Heating & Cooling as an e-coat paint technician, where he played a pivotal role in the company’s expansion into powder coating with the installation of a fully automated conveyor system in 1992.
In 2004, he joined American Industrial Corp. (AIC) as part of the outside sales team covering the Midwest. Over the years, he earned multiple awards from Gema, including several Highflyer and Manual Gun Champion honors and is notably the only recipient to be inducted into Gema’s Masters Club.
Following AIC’s acquisition by OTC Industrial Technologies in 2022, Stalzer served as powder specialist across all five FDF branches before being promoted later that year to branch manager of Midway Industrial Supply.
CFO of Covestro AG Not Renewing Contract in 2026
Christian Baier, CFO of Covestro AG, has notified supervisory board chairman Dr. Richard Pott of his decision not to extend his contract and to step down from the company when his term concludes in September 2026, at his own initiative. By communicating this decision early, Baier intends to support a smooth and well-planned succession process.
Baier will continue to fully carry out his responsibilities as CFO until his departure. He has served on the board of management since October 2023 and oversees accounting, controlling, finance, and additional functional areas.
“We thank Christian Baier for his outstanding commitment over the past years,” Pott said. “He played a key role in guiding Covestro through an important phase in its history, securing the strategic partnership with XRG and initiating the company’s transformation. We respect his decision and are grateful for the early notice, which allows us to begin an orderly succession process.”
Dr. Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro, said, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Christian Baier for his dedicated work and the excellent cooperation. He joined Covestro during a period of change and has been instrumental in advancing our ‘Sustainable Future’ strategy.”
Baier said, “I am grateful for what we have achieved together at Covestro in recent years. With the strategic partnership with XRG, the capital increase and the implementation phase of the company’s transformation, Covestro is well positioned for long-term and sustainable growth.”
Evonik Names New President for Its Americas Operations
Evonik named Elias Lacerda president of the company’s Americas region. Lacerda succeeds Guido Skudlarek, who recently became global head of Evonik’s Health Care business line based in the U.S. The company said the Americas remain a key growth region within its global portfolio.
“The Americas region is crucial for Evonik’s success,” said Lauren Kjeldsen, Evonik’s COO and custom solutions and management board member responsible for the Americas. “I want to sincerely thank Guido for his successful work in growing the Americas business, and I look forward to Elias leading the next phase of our growth trajectory in North and South America. We see great potential there and have ambitious goals.”
Lacerda brings nearly three decades of experience at Evonik and its predecessor companies, having held senior leadership positions across the coatings sector as well as the silica and animal nutrition business lines. Most recently, he led Evonik’s coating additives business at the company’s global headquarters in Essen, Germany. From 2018 through 2022, he oversaw operations in Central and South America prior to the region’s integration with North America.
“Elias is the perfect choice for the Americas region. Fluent in four languages and with an extensive global network, he combines scientific and business expertise in an ideal way,” Kjeldsen said.
Evonik generates roughly 30% of its annual revenue in the Americas and operates more than 30 production sites in the region. “My focus is on people, performance and prosperity,” Lacerda said. “I look forward to working with our excellent team to expand Evonik’s business in the Americas, drive key strategic projects and strengthen the region.”
PPG Outlines CFO Succession Plan
PPG announced that Vincent (Vince) J. Morales, senior vice president and CFO, intends to retire July 1, 2026. Morales has served as CFO since 2017 and is a veteran of more than 40 years for the company. He is a member and secretary of PPG’s operating committee and a member of the executive committee, with executive leadership responsibilities for corporate development and information technology. As part of a previously planned succession process, a global internal and external search is underway to identify a successor.
“On behalf of the PPG leadership team and PPG board of directors, I want to congratulate Vince on an outstanding four-decade career and thank him for his many valuable contributions to PPG,” said Tim Knavish, PPG chairman and CEO. “Vince is a highly respected leader, and he’s played a key role in the company’s transformation into the world’s leading paints, coatings and specialty products company. His leadership extends beyond the finance area as a valued member of the company’s operating and executive committees. He has also served as a mentor to many PPG employees as well as an executive sponsor and advocate of our employee resource groups. We thank Vince for agreeing to remain a key part of the executive leadership team through July 2026 to ensure a seamless and coordinated transition. As a great friend, trusted confidant and valuable business partner, I wish him all the best in a well-deserved retirement.”
“Over the past 40 years, I have been privileged to work alongside truly outstanding PPG employees, leaders and Board members,” Morales said. “I am exceptionally proud to have participated in helping to build the global, industry-leading company that PPG is today, and as I prepare to retire I know the company is poised to fully capitalize on our recent growth momentum.”
Morales currently serves as a member of the board of directors at Teledyne Technologies Inc. and is chair of the board for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Robert Morris University and an MBA from The Ohio State University.
Morales joined PPG in 1985 as a corporate controller and progressed through a series of finance and accounting roles, including supervisor of shared accounting services at the shared services center and plant controller at the former PPG glass facility in Illinois. In 2000, he returned to headquarters as manager of chemical revenue recognition and was named director of internal financial reporting the following year. Starting in 2004, he led investor relations as director of investor relations, was elected vice president in 2007, and assumed additional responsibilities as corporate treasurer in 2015. He was appointed vice president of finance in June 2016 and advanced to his current position in March 2017.
Omya Performance Polymer Distribution Appoints New President
Sara Ghione has been appointed president for rubber polymers and additives at Omya Performance Polymer Distribution. She is based in Oftringen, Switzerland, and reports to Carsten Harms, chief executive officer.
Ghione has more than 20 years of experience in the chemical distribution industry. Most recently, she served as business director for polymers and rubber EMEA at Brenntag.
“We are delighted to welcome Sara to Omya Performance Polymer Distribution,” CEO Carsten Harms said. “Her extensive experience and leadership will be instrumental in actively driving growth in our global rubber polymers and additives distribution business. This area is a strategic priority for us, and Sara’s appointment underscores our commitment to expanding and strengthening this segment worldwide."
