SPX Flow CEO Kearney to retire by end of 2015

Chris Kearney will retire as chief executive officer of Charlotte-based SPX Flow at the end of the year.

The company’s board of directors announced Monday that Marc Michael, president of SPX. Corp’s food and beverage business unit, will succeed him as president and CEO, effective Jan. 1.

Kearney joined SPX Corp. in 1997 as vice president, secretary and general counsel, and was named president and CEO in 2004. He will continue to serve on SPX Flow’s board of directors as non-executive chairman.

As CEO, Kearney steered SPX Corp. through the spinoff of its flow products division into a new, independently traded company in September. The remaining part of SPX remains as a separate infrastructure company, with Gene Lowe, president of SPX’s thermal equipment unit, seving as CEO.

“(Michael’s) ability to translate vision and strategy into improved business process and operational execution, coupled with his ability to inspire, energize and connect with employees, customers and business partners are leadership qualities that will benefit SPX Flow as we enter our next chapter,” Kearney said in a statement Monday.

Michael joined SPX Corp. in 2003. In 2013, was named president of the company’s food and beverage unit. During his time at the helm of that unit, the company said, the food and beverage unit “has significantly improved its customer relationships, market position and operational execution.”

“With Marc’s charisma, energy and passion and Chris transitioning to the role of non-executive chairman, the board is very confident that SPX Flow has a strong leadership team in place to drive success moving forward,” said Emerson Fullwood, lead independent director on the SPX Flow board and chairman of the compensation committee.

This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 5:12 PM with the headline "SPX Flow CEO Kearney to retire by end of 2015."