Rick Johnson, the longtime chief financial officer of Brown Deer-based Badger Meter Inc., will retire from the company on April 5.
Badger Meter announced Friday that Robert Wrocklage, currently vice president of finance, will take over as CFO on Jan. 1. Wrocklage joined the company in August after 10 years with Menomonee Falls-based Actuant Corp.
“Bob brings strong business acumen, outstanding analytical skills and a collaborative leadership style to the CFO role,” said Ken Bockhorst, president of Badger Meter. “During his short tenure, he has gained wide-ranging knowledge of Badger Meter’s culture, products, end markets, operations and key stakeholders. The company has a robust long-term succession planning process, and we expect this CFO transition to be seamless.”
Johnson will stay on with the company as senior vice president of administration to assist with the transition before officially retiring. The 64-year-old joined Badger Meter as CFO in 2001 after working at Wisconsin Electric Power Co.
“Rick’s wealth of experiences across all areas of finance and administration, coupled with his dedication to Badger Meter and its employees, have significantly contributed to our success,” said Bockhorst, who is set to take over as chief executive officer on Jan. 1.
Bockhorst is replacing Rich Meeusen, who will stay on as chairman of the company. The transition will give Badger Meter new leaders in both the CEO and CFO positions; both are in their 40s and joined Badger Meter from Actuant.
Badger Meter also announced the retirement of Beverly Smiley, vice president-controller, effective in late March. Smiley has worked for Badger Meter for 46 years, including the past 22 in controllership and principal accounting officer positions.
