Johns Manville Announces New CEO, Chairman Transition

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Johns Manville (JM), a global building and specialty products manufacturer and a Berkshire Hathaway company, announced today that Bob Wamboldt will become President and CEO on Sept. 1, 2020. Mary Rhinehart, the company’s current Chairman, President and CEO, will retain the role of Chairman.

Wamboldt joined Johns Manville in 2003 and became President of JM’s Insulation Systems business in February 2017. He earlier led the Engineered Products North America and Roofing Systems businesses at JM. Wamboldt is also Chairman of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association and previously served as president of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association.

“I have been privileged to lead each of our businesses and learn first-hand the strength of the Johns Manville customer relationships, products, technologies and people,” Wamboldt said. “I look forward to working with the JM team and our customers to make the company even stronger in the global markets we serve. I also want to thank Mary for her leadership and guidance over the years and know I will benefit from her continued support as Chairman.”

Before joining Johns Manville, Wamboldt worked 16 years at PPG Industries Inc., where he held a variety of positions in the company’s Fiber Glass and Coatings divisions. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Lehigh University. He and his wife live in Denver.

Rhinehart became Johns Manville’s President and CEO in 2012 and assumed the additional role of Chairman in 2014. Before becoming President and CEO, she was the company’s Chief Financial Officer for eight years. During her more than 40 years with Johns Manville, she also held leadership roles in treasury, supply chain, M&A and human resources, and she managed several of the company’s business units.

“I am immensely proud of JM’s employees and all we have accomplished together,” Rhinehart said. “Johns Manville is an important part of my life, and its continued success is my top priority as we transition to new leadership. I am pleased to hand the company over to such an accomplished JM executive as Bob and am confident he and our 8,000 employees around the world will continue to build on JM’s 162-year track record of success.”

Johns Manville became a Berkshire Hathaway company in February 2001.

“Bob’s business acumen, broad base of experience, and extensive industry knowledge make him the natural successor to Mary as CEO,” said Greg Abel, Berkshire Hathaway’s Vice Chairman. “I also want to extend my gratitude to Mary for her dedication and commitment to JM over her entire career. Under her leadership as CEO, JM delivered exceptional performance, successfully expanded its market presence, and made sound, strategic investments to position the company for success well into the future.”

Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, added: “Mary was everything we had hoped to find in a CEO.”

About Johns Manville

Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B), is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality building and specialty products. In business since 1858, the Denver-based company has annual sales over $3 billion and holds leadership positions in all of the key markets that it serves. Johns Manville employs 8,000 people and operates 46 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and China. Additional information can be found at www.jm.com.