The Kohler Co. board of directors has elected chief executive officer and president David Kohler to serve as board chair and CEO, following the death of his father and Kohler Co. executive chairman Herbert V. Kohler Jr., who died on Sept. 3 at the age of 83, the company announced today.
“I learned so much from my father, including a tireless strong work ethic, leading with candor and humility, and always driving to innovate. He believed that you must have passion for whatever you do in life if you want to be successful. Working alongside him for decades showcased the impact of embracing an entrepreneurial spirit, not being afraid to fail, and always striving for accuracy and consistency. He left an indelible mark on me personally and professionally,” David Kohler said.
David Kohler will chair the company’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, in addition to his role as CEO, which will include full scope responsibility for the three business groups of Kohler Co. (Kitchen & Bath, Power and Hospitality) and all enterprise functions.
He has been with Kohler Co. for more than 31 years, first serving in the role of director of fixtures marketing, and was elected to the role of president and CEO in 2015, having previously served as president and chief operating officer since 2009. He is the fourth generation of Kohler family leadership since the company’s inception in 1873, and the ninth person to lead the company.
“The board is confident in David’s deep experience, strong leadership, and passion for bold innovation to continue driving our company forward well into the future. David has proven to be an inspiring and forward-thinking leader for our associates around the world, including in times of uncertainty throughout the global financial crisis, the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and a variety of other challenges,” the company stated in a news release. “David understands the importance of developing a strong culture of dedicated associates passionate about innovating, inspiring, and delighting our customers. He draws upon the legacy of past Kohler leaders and our company’s established framework – grounded in our mission and guiding principles – to ensure company stability, sustained growth, and long-term success.”
Under David Kohler’s leadership, the company surpassed $8 billion in annual revenues in 2021.
In addition to the Kohler Co. board, David Kohler also serves on the board of directors of Old Course Ltd, Interface Inc., Interceramic, the Green Bay Packers, the Kohler Foundation and the advisory board for the Duke University Fuqua Center on Leadership and Ethics.
