Jaime Irick

Board of Directors of Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Jaime Irick is the former CEO of Pittsburgh Paints Company, where he led a $2 billion corporate carve-out and transition from PPG Industries Inc. (NYSE: PPG) to private equity ownership. During his tenure at the company, he oversaw its operations as a leading provider of paints, stains, caulks, sealants, and building materials for both residential and commercial use across the United States and Canada. Its products are distributed through 750 company-owned stores, as well as a broad network of national and independent retail outlets.

He currently holds a seat on the board of a public company and contributes his experience and insights through involvement with several nonprofit organizations.

A Bespoke Professional Career

Career at PPG

In September 2023, he initiated the corporate carve-out of Pittsburgh Paints Company. Jaime led the entire transaction, developed a standalone growth strategy, and assembled the executive leadership team. His leadership culminated in the successful sale of the business to American Industrial Partners (AIP), finalized in December 2024.

He began working at PPG in 2019. Over the next four years, he held various leadership roles, advancing through the organization to become Senior Vice President for two major divisions: Architectural Coatings for the U.S. and Canada, and Global Traffic Solutions. Combined, these divisions generated $3 billion in revenue and employed over 7,000 people.

Irick was also selected as one of fifteen senior leaders to serve on the company’s Operating Committee, playing a role in shaping overall business direction and strategy.

President of Life Fitness

Before joining PPG, he served as President of Life Fitness, a $1 billion division within Brunswick Corporation, focused on commercial fitness equipment. During his tenure, the company expanded its global operations and was eventually acquired by KPS Capital Partners in 2019.

Leadership at General Electric

His professional journey also includes 13 years at General Electric. During this time, he held several leadership positions, including serving as a GE Company Officer and as President and CEO of GE Lighting Solutions, the company’s global LED lighting unit. He also played a key role in launching and chairing the board of a STEM-focused high school located within a corporate setting. This initiative reflected his commitment to education and innovation.

Board Member of Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Jaime currently serves on the board of directors at Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW), a Fortune 300 manufacturing firm with global operations and 2024 revenue totaling $15.9 billion. The company produces a wide range of equipment and components used in industries such as food service and automotive manufacturing, with its products featured in restaurants, hotels, and vehicles worldwide.

A West Point Graduate and Military Background

He earned a degree in Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he also competed as a Division I basketball player.

After graduation, Irick served as a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army for five years. He rose to the rank of Captain and completed both Army Airborne and Ranger training programs. These programs included rigorous physical and mental challenges, leadership development, and parachute operations, preparing him to lead under high-pressure conditions.

Continuing Education: MBA from Harvard Business School

Following his military service, which included deployment to the Middle East and time as a staff and faculty member at West Point, he pursued graduate education. In 2003, he received his MBA from Harvard Business School, further developing his leadership and operational expertise.

Recognized Leadership and Featured Publications

Irick's professional growth and leadership approach have been highlighted in several published works. These include The Go Point: When It’s Time to Decide—Knowing What to Do and When to Do It, a Harvard Business School case study titled Life Story of a Recent MBA, and True North.

In The Go Point, his journey is cited as an example of someone who consistently sought out responsibility. From his early years in athletics and community service to his military service and corporate career, he demonstrated a pattern of stepping into demanding roles and seeking more challenging assignments.

True North recognizes his leadership philosophy as one rooted in service to others. The book presents him as a leader whose success stems from aligning personal values with professional responsibilities and focusing on collective outcomes over individual gain.

Philanthropic Engagement

Jaime and his wife support efforts to expand educational access by funding endowed scholarships. These scholarships help under-resourced students achieve their academic goals. Currently, they are active at The Gilbert School (5 years), Teachers College at Columbia University (over 3 years), and Lewis & Clark College (over 3 years) in Oregon.

Personal Life

Originally from the Bronx, New York, he now resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his wife and three children. In his free time, he enjoys reading biographies and attending his children’s taekwondo practices.

Jaime Irick continues to make an impact through leadership, education, and service, with a career marked by responsibility, strategic execution, and a strong commitment to community.