Retirement Announcement for Chris Merritt, Vice President of Gema North America
Critical to Gema’s success throughout North America, and around the world, Merritt provided leadership with a strong customer-centric approach, great sensitivity to market dynamics, along with generosity and team attitude. Merritt will retire after almost 40 years of dedicated service.
Posted: February 12, 2024
Gema USA Inc., a Graco Inc. Company, is announcing that Chris Merritt has announced his decision to retire, effective February 23, 2024.
A Purdue University graduate, Chris joined Gema in 1984 as an Engineer. Over the years, he grew within the Gema organization assuming various responsibilities such as Engineering Manager, Application Lab Head, Distribution Manager and Sales Manager. In every step of his career, he demonstrated great dedication and unique skills. In 2005, Chris became the General Manager of Gema North America and subsequently guided the USA and Mexico business units through a fantastic journey of growth and success. His charismatic leadership, creativity and deep technical expertise are the foundation of his long and successful career. Critical to Gema’s success throughout North America, and around the world, Chris provided leadership with a strong customer-centric approach, great sensitivity to market dynamics, along with generosity and team attitude.
During his long career, Chris has been a strong advocate and active leader encouraging education and growth of the powder coating market. This includes his participation and leadership within the Powder Coating Institute (PCI). His service to PCI spans a variety of roles ranging from committee Chairman, Board of Director, Executive Committee Member, and serving as President of PCI three separate times.
Over the years, Chris has built a very solid team and is leaving the Gema North America business units in excellent hands. As previously announced, Mike Thies, General Manager of Gema USA Inc., will now assume leadership responsibilities for Gema North America, effective February 23rd. Carlos Montero, General Manager of Gema Mexico will continue in his current role and report to Mike.
Please join the Gema Team as we wish Chris and his family all the best in his well-deserved retirement. We will truly miss his contributions as a colleague, his passion for powder coating, and his positive strong leadership and joyful spirit.
ABOUT GEMA
Gema, a Graco Inc. company, is the global leader in powder coating technology. From manual units to fully automated systems, Gema offers solutions to satisfy customers in a wide variety of end markets. Gema has worldwide headquarters in St. Gallen, Switzerland and a broad worldwide distribution network. Gema operates its North American Headquarters from Indianapolis, Indiana.
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