From news release
Rock River Current
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A Rockford native who has led a global aerospace company that is one of the region’s largest employers for the past 17 years will retire next month.
Woodward Inc. said Thursday that Tom Gendron will retire May 9. He has been with the company for 31 years including his time as president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board.
“Tom has provided strong, focused leadership through his stewardship of Woodward over more than three decades. The company has grown considerably and established itself as a trusted partner and market leader in its strategic arenas,” John Cohn, Woodward’s lead director, said in a news release. “On behalf of the board, we want to thank Tom for his years of dedicated leadership of Woodward and for driving substantial shareholder returns over his tenure. We wish Tom and his wife, Traci, all the best in this next chapter of their life.”
Gendron graduated from Guilford High School and earned his MBA at Rockford University. He helped found Transform Rockford, a nonprofit aimed at improving the community, in 2013.
“I have always believed that my greatest responsibility as chairman and CEO is to manage Woodward for the challenges of today while positioning the company and its members for long-term growth and success,” Gendron said in a news release. “It has been an honor and a privilege to lead this special company and its talented members.”
Woodward’s board of directors has appointed Chip Blankenship Jr. as its next president and CEO. He will also serve as board chairman. Gendron will remain with the company through July 11 to help with the transition.
“I am confident in the board’s choice of Chip as my successor, and I look forward to working with him over the coming months to ensure continuity during this transition period,” Gendron said.
Blankenship prior leadership roles before joining Woodward include the CEO of Arconic, an aerospace advanced alloys and components company, a 24-year career at GE where he held significant leadership roles in aviation, energy, and appliances. He most recently served as the Montgomery Distinguished Professor of Practice at The University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He holds a PhD in material science and engineering from The University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
“I am excited to take on my new role at Woodward, a proud company with over 150 years of excellence serving the aerospace and industrial equipment markets,” Blankenship said. “I look forward to leading this exceptional team, serving our customers and delivering results for our shareholders.”
Woodward was founded in Rockford in 1870 and moved its global headquarters to Fort Collins, Colorado in 2017.