Frank Archinaco, former PPG executive, dies at age 67

Frank A. Archinaco, former president and chief executive officer of Pittsburgh-based PPG’s automotive glass and services business, and senior executive vice president of PPG, passed away Feb. 17 at his home in Sewickley, Pa., surrounded by family. He was 67, according to a release. “PPG has lost one of its most beloved leaders,” said Chuck Bunch, PPG chairman and CEO, in the release. “Throughout his career, Frank was held in extremely high regard by customers and employees alike for his judgment, integrity, wisdom, and straight-forward management style. He was also an extraordinary communicator with a great wit and sense of humor. On a personal level, Frank was a good friend and mentor to me, and I will miss him greatly.” Archinaco joined PPG’s glass contract and supply department in 1965 as a management trainee in Newark, N.J. He subsequently held a series of management posts in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico and Illinois. He became director of marketing and development for PPG’s automotive and aircraft glass business in 1979, general manager of auto replacement glass products in 1981, and general manager of European glass operations in 1984. Archinaco returned to the U.S. as vice president of automotive original equipment glass products in 1986. Five years later, he was named vice president of automotive and aircraft glass. He was made vice president, glass, in 1994, and a year later was promoted to senior vice president, glass. Frank was elected corporate executive vice president for glass and chemicals in 1997. On July 1, 2002, he retired from PPG. In February 2008, Archinaco rejoined PPG as president and CEO of PPG’s automotive glass and services business, a position he held until PPG divested the business in September 2008. Archinaco was born in Elizabeth, N.J. He attended Villanova University, the first in his family to attend college, and graduated in 1965 with honors. He subsequently earned a Master of Business Administration degree at Seton Hall University and attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. Archinaco is survived by his wife Linda; sons Jason and Christopher; brothers James and Paul; and sister Nancy.

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