Rockwell Automation elects new CEO

Rockwell Automation has announced the election of Blake D Moret, a 30-year veteran of the company, as its president and CEO, effective 1 July 2016. At that time, current president and CEO Keith D Nosbusch will transition from those roles while continuing as chairman of the board.

Moret has 30 years of experience in sales and business management roles in product, services and solutions businesses across Rockwell Automation. He began his career in 1985 as a sales trainee and subsequently served in senior positions across the organisation, including international assignments in Europe and Canada. In 2011 he was named senior vice president of Control Products & Solutions, one of the company’s two business segments.

“Blake has proven himself to be an exceptional leader, with demonstrated readiness to lead the company,” said lead director Donald R Parfet. “We welcome him to his new role at the conclusion of a deliberate and planned succession process. We are delighted he will build on the company’s many accomplishments under Keith’s direction and propel our vision of the connected enterprise to the next level.”

Parfet thanked Nosbusch for leading the company for the past 12 years, describing him as “a vocal champion of smart, productive and secure manufacturing”. He said the board was pleased that Nosbusch has agreed to stay on as chairman so that “the company can continue to benefit from his experience and support Blake’s transition to CEO”.

“It has been an honour and privilege to lead Rockwell Automation over the past 12 years,” said Nosbusch. “While as a team we enjoyed tremendous success, I have no doubt that we are well positioned for an even greater future. Blake is the ideal executive to move Rockwell Automation forward in its next chapter. He brings a strong customer focus, as well as a deep understanding of the company’s values, culture, people and technology, and how each of these power the company’s success.”

Image caption: Blake Moret and Keith Nosbusch.