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 managed the company's transition from PPG Industries Inc. (NYSE: PPG) to private equity ownership. Under his direction, the company sustained its role as a leader in paints, stains, sealants, caulks, and related building products, serving homeowners and professionals across the United States and Canada. Its extensive product distribution spans 750 company-owned retail outlets, as well as multiple national and independent retail partners.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, he currently serves on the board of a publicly listed company and contributes to the governance of several nonprofit organizations.

A Bespoke Professional Career

Career at PPG

In September 2023, Irick began leading the process to separate Pittsburgh Paints Company from its parent organization. This initiative included managing the transaction, shaping a growth strategy for the standalone business, and assembling a senior leadership team to oversee operations going forward. By December 2024, the sale to American Industrial Partners (AIP), a private equity firm, was completed under his leadership.

Jaime joined PPG in 2019 and held several leadership roles over the course of four years. Before overseeing the carve-out, he served as Senior Vice President for both the Architectural Coatings division in the U.S. and Canada and the Global Traffic Solutions division. Together, these units generated a combined annual revenue of $3 billion and employed over 7,000 people.

He was also a member of the Operating Committee at PPG, composed of fifteen senior executives who advised on strategic direction and operational decisions across the enterprise.

President of Life Fitness

Before his time at PPG, he held the position of President at Life Fitness, a $1 billion division of Brunswick Corporation that specialized in commercial fitness equipment. The business operated on a global scale and was sold in 2019 to KPS Capital Partners.

Leadership at General Electric

Irick spent thirteen years in various leadership roles at General Electric. During this period, he served as a GE Company Officer and held the role of President and CEO for GE Lighting Solutions, which oversaw the company's global LED lighting business. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, he served as the founding board chair of a STEM-focused high school situated on a corporate campus, offering a unique educational model at the time.

Board Member of Illinois Tool Works Inc.

He currently sits on the board of directors of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW), a Fortune 300 multi-industry manufacturing company that reported $15.9 billion in revenue in 2024. The company produces a wide array of products used across various industries—from kitchen appliances in restaurants and hotels to components embedded in vehicles worldwide.

A West Point Graduate and Military Background

Jaime graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in Systems Engineering. While attending the academy, he also played Division I basketball.

He served in the U.S. Army for five years as a Field Artillery Officer, rising to the rank of Captain. He completed both the U.S. Army Airborne School and Ranger School. These rigorous programs focused on physical endurance, tactical leadership, and mental resilience. His military duties included conducting parachute operations and participating in combat leadership training under extreme conditions.

Continuing Education: MBA from Harvard Business School

After concluding his military service, which included deployment to the Middle East and service as faculty and staff at West Point, he pursued further education. In 2003, he earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, further enhancing his leadership background with skills in business management and strategic planning.

Recognized Leadership and Featured Publications

Irick's leadership path and approach to decision-making have been featured in multiple publications. 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 described as one defined by the consistent pursuit of responsibility. From early experiences in sports and social initiatives to roles in the military and later in corporate leadership, he demonstrated a pattern of seeking out increasingly demanding challenges. The narrative reflects how he welcomed high-stakes opportunities that expanded his capabilities and impact.

In True North, his leadership style is framed around the principle of service. Jaime is presented as someone whose values align with a commitment to people, teams, communities, and stakeholders. His decisions are guided by purpose, integrity, and long-term thinking, traits that support his effectiveness as a leader across various sectors.

Philanthropic Engagement

Irick and his spouse are dedicated to supporting access to higher education. Together, they have established multiple endowed scholarships to benefit students from under-resourced backgrounds. These scholarships are currently held at The Gilbert School (5 years), Teachers College at Columbia University (3+ years), and Lewis & Clark College (3+ years) in Oregon. Their efforts reflect a shared conviction in the transformative power of education to create opportunities.

Personal Life

He was born in the Bronx, New York, and now lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his wife and three children. In his free time, he enjoys reading biographies and supporting his children’s interest in taekwondo.

Jaime Irick continues to apply his leadership experience in board service, education, and business strategy, maintaining a professional life rooted in responsibility, discipline, and service.