Cleveland—Parker Hannifin Corp. has announced that Bob Barker, EVP and Operating Officer and Group President, Aerospace, will retire after 39 years of service to the company. Barker plans to stay on for a time to allow for a smooth transition of his responsibilities. As a result of this planned retirement, the company is making a number of changes in the leadership of several operating groups, effective July 1, 2012.Those leadership changes are:
Roger Sherrard, currently VP and President – Automation Group will replace Bob Barker as President of the Aerospace Group.
Michael Chung, currently VP and President – Asia Pacific Group, has been named President of the Automation Group, replacing Roger Sherrard. Chung will relocate to the Cleveland headquarters from Hong Kong.
Kurt Keller, currently VP and President – Seal Group, has been named President – Asia Pacific Group, replacing Michael Chung. Keller will relocate from the Cleveland headquarters to Hong Kong.
Andy Ross, currently VP of Operations for the Hydraulics Group has been named VP and President – Seal Group, replacing Kurt Keller.
“I would like to thank Bob for his many contributions to Parker over a period of four decades of loyal service,” said Chairman, CEO and President, Don Washkewicz. “Bob has been President of the Aerospace Group during a time of tremendous growth and transformation. The group has grown from $1.2 billion in 2001 to close to $2 billion today. Importantly, our Aerospace business has gone from being a component level supplier to a systems provider with almost three times the shipset value on every aircraft using our technologies today. Bob leaves the group poised for a new period of growth and success based upon a strong pipeline of new system wins secured in the past several years that are estimated at $20 billion in future potential revenue for Parker.
“We are also very fortunate that we take the time to carefully plan for successions like this one by preparing a readily available group of senior leaders that can seamlessly assume new roles within our organization. Each of these leaders has a demonstrated track record of success and I have every confidence that Roger, Michael, Kurt and Andy will adapt quickly to their new responsibilities and ensure us continued growth and success in these operating groups.”
