Rockwell Automation names new leaders for its two operating segments

Rockwell Automation has elected two new corporate executives who will lead the company’s two operating segments, effective 1 April 2011. Blake Moret and Frank Kulaszewicz are being promoted to senior vice presidency roles for Control Products and Solutions (CP&S) and the Architecture and Software (A&S) segments, respectively.

“Both Frank and Blake are proven leaders in our organisation,” said Keith Nosbusch, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation. “They are well qualified for these critical roles. Our leadership team is a competitive advantage that differentiates Rockwell Automation,” Nosbusch said. “These appointments are a natural next step in our continued globalisation and are consistent with our longer-term succession planning and leadership development processes.

“Asia-Pacific is one of the fastest growing regions of the company with approximately 30% sales growth in fiscal 2010. In anticipation that our business will continue to grow, Frank will be based in Singapore and will run the A&S segment from there,” Nosbusch added. “As we continue to grow our people, our teams, our partners and our business in Asia-Pacific, we must ensure we are building our leadership capability and strengthening our cross-cultural competency,” continued Nosbusch.

For the last three years, Kulaszewicz has served as Vice President and General Manager, Control and Visualisation Business within A&S. He has worked at Rockwell Automation for over 25 years and has held several key leadership roles in the drive systems and standard drives businesses. Similarly, Moret brings over 25 years of global experience in sales, services and product groups throughout Europe and Canada. Since late 2007, Moret has served as Vice President and General Manager, Customer Support and Maintenance in CP&S.

Capitalising on the strengths of the current senior leadership team, Steve Eisenbower is being appointed Senior Vice President, Strategic Development, responsible for global business development, alignment of strategic investments and initiatives as well as the company’s multi-year global business process transformation project. In addition, Bob Ruff has been appointed President of the company’s Asia-Pacific region.

“Steve has made significant contributions to Rockwell Automation for over 35 years in various roles, most recently as Senior Vice President, Architecture and Software,” Nosbusch said. “His breadth of business and customer knowledge and passion for driving results will continue to be a tremendous asset in the ongoing execution of our global growth and performance strategy.”