Jaime Irick

Jaime Irick is an accomplished executive with a proven track record of transformational leadership across diverse sectors, including manufacturing, private equity, and the military. He most recently served as CEO of Pittsburgh Paints Company, where he led a $2 billion corporate carve-out from PPG Industries Inc., transitioning the business into private equity ownership under American Industrial Partners. He was responsible for building the company’s independent growth strategy, assembling its executive leadership team, and establishing it as a standalone leader in the North American coatings industry. The company’s wide-reaching distribution includes 750 company-owned stores and a network of national and independent retail partners.

Jaime joined PPG in 2019 and progressed through roles of increasing responsibility. As Senior Vice President, he oversaw both the Architectural Coatings business for the U.S. and Canada, as well as the Global Traffic Solutions division. Collectively, these businesses generated $3 billion in revenue and employed over 7,000 people. He was also a key member of PPG’s Operating Committee, contributing to high-level corporate strategy and decision-making.

Before his tenure at PPG, Jaime served as President of Life Fitness, a $1 billion division of Brunswick Corporation and a global leader in fitness equipment. There, he led the business through its sale to KPS Capital Partners. Earlier, at General Electric, Jaime spent 13 years in various senior leadership roles, including President and CEO of GE Lighting Solutions. He was also named a GE Company Officer and helped launch MC2STEM High School, a pioneering public-private partnership located on GE’s campus in Cleveland, Ohio.

Jaime currently serves on the board of directors for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW), a Fortune 300 industrial manufacturer with $15.9 billion in annual revenue, serving markets ranging from automotive to food equipment. His leadership journey has been featured in books and case studies, including True North by Bill George, The Go Point by Michael Useem, and a Harvard Business School case study by Nitin Nohria.

A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Jaime earned a degree in Systems Engineering before serving five years in the U.S. Army. He achieved the rank of Captain and completed rigorous training as an Army Airborne Ranger. Following his military service and a faculty role at the United States Military Academy at West Point, he earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Jaime Irick and his wife are active philanthropists who support educational access through endowed scholarships. They live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with their three children.