The First Facility Management Blog

The company’s Board of Directors announced yesterday that Stephen A. Roell, executive vice president and vice chairman, has been elected to the position effective October 1, 2007. He was also elected chairman of Johnson Controls’ Board of Directors effective January 1, 2008.

Roell will succeed John M. Barth, who will retire December 31, 2007. He will become the eighth CEO in the company’s 123-year history. Barth will continue as a member of the company’s Board of Directors.

“John has been a truly exceptional leader, and our customers, employees and shareholders have all benefited significantly during his tenure,” Roell said. “In 2002, when he became CEO, Johnson Controls had sales of just over $20 billion. Through his focus on unparalleled customer service, operational excellence, workforce and supplier diversity, and especially the development of strong leaders across the company, we will end 2007 with sales of approximately $34.5 billion and an unbroken track record of 17 consecutive years of earnings increases. Additionally, Johnson Controls market capitalization has increased from $7 billion to over $22 billion since 2002. John has also established a tremendously strong foundation upon which our company will continue to grow and deliver outstanding results to all of our stakeholders.”

Barth said, “It’s clear to me that Steve and the management team are extremely well qualified to further strengthen the leadership position of the company. They have enormous business acumen, solid relationships with our customers around the globe, and a strong belief in the importance of our people. I am proud of our company’s achievements, and I am confident that Steve will continue to build Johnson Controls’ excellent reputation as a world-class organization.”

Barth, 61, joined the company in 1969. He served in a variety of operating management positions, including heading Johnson Controls’ automotive business for eight years before becoming president and chief operating officer in 1998. He was elected CEO in 2002. Barth was elected to Johnson Controls’ Board of Directors in 1997.

A 25-year veteran of the company, Roell said that, as CEO, his priorities will remain aligned with the organization’s current direction to further the success of the company. Roell joined Johnson Controls in 1982 as operations controller for the Systems and Services Division of the company’s controls business and was named the division controller shortly thereafter. He then served as treasurer and corporate controller, and from 1991 to 2004, as senior vice president and chief financial officer. He was elected executive vice president in 2004 and vice chairman of the Board of Directors in 2005.

Roell is also a director of Interstate Battery System of America, Inc. and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Southeast Wisconsin. He serves on the Board of Directors of Hunger Task Force and the Board of Trustees of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee.

Roell has a Bachelor of Science in accounting from St. Ambrose University. He received a Certificate of Management Development from Northeastern University.