Schott North America appoints its first female CEO

Schott North America Inc., Elmsford, N.Y., appointed Linda S. Mayer to the office of president and CEO, effective April 1, according to an April 5 release. Mayer will become the first woman to head the 2,800-employee North American operations of the specialty glass and materials technologies manufacturer. She succeeds former president and CEO Gerald Fine, who in January, became a director of Schott Corp. and a member of the company’s North American Advisory Board.“I’m looking forward to the challenges and energy of working with the great people of Schott,” Mayer said in the release. “The company has a long history of innovation and industry leadership. I hope to build on the momentum they’ve created over the past few years and lead the company to consistent and strong growth with smart investments and a renewed emphasis on research and development.”“We are very pleased to welcome Linda to Schott,” said Prof. Dr. Ing. Udo Ungeheuer, chairman of the Board of Management of Schott AG, Germany, the parent company of Schott Corp. and Schott North America Inc., in the release. “I am confident we have selected a proven leader. I would also like to thank Dr. Fine for his exemplary leadership and welcome him as a director.”Mayer most recently served as a vice president and general manager for the aerial work platform division of Terex Corp., Westport, Conn., where she had global product P&L responsibility. Prior to joining Terex, she was vice president of corporate marketing at Rexnord Corp., Milwaukee, a manufacturer of power transmission and industrial components with revenues greater than $1 billion. She has also served in a variety of roles including marketing, financial analysis and corporate planning and development for the Kohler Co., Kohler, Wis., a leading provider of kitchen and bath fixtures and designs. Mayer also spent time at John Deere Consumer Products, and as SVP of marketing & product development at Moen Inc., North Olmsted, Ohio.Mayer holds a Bachelor´s degree in history from Stanford University, an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and an MA from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She will be based at Schott North America’s corporate headquarters in Elmsford, N.Y. 13.04.2011, Schott North America Inc./glassmagazine.com