Kohler, Wis. – At its annual meeting, the Kohler Co. Board of Directors elected Chairman and CEO Herbert V. Kohler, Jr. to the new role of executive chairman. Effective June 1, Herbert Kohler will continue to chair the board, lead its executive committee, oversee shareholder communications, manage corporate mergers and acquisitions and the Hospitality & Real Estate Group.

David Kohler, president and CEO since 2009, was elected president and chief executive officer. His duties will expand to include responsibility for the company’s corporate staff and three of its business groups.

Kohler Co. has a comprehensive succession plan for all middle and upper management positions. This change is part of an orderly transition to ensure the company is able to adhere to its mission of creating a higher level of gracious living and guiding principles of living on the leading edge of design and technology while maintaining a single level of quality.

David Kohler brings to the role an extensive business and management experience, including progressive leadership positions at Kohler Co. and experience with other companies. Under his leadership, the company will remain focused on innovation and technology and build its internal talent pool to ensure continued business success.

David Kohler will advance the company’s three-plank sustainability platform: reducing its environmental footprint, developing more plumbing product options that enable consumers to conserve water in their homes and supporting important environmental awareness and education causes.

“Business success doesn’t matter much if we can’t say we left the world a better place than we found it,” David Kohler said.

In his new role as executive chairman, Herbert Kohler looks forward to ensuring leadership continuity. “We are fortunate to have a solid foundation in place,” he said. “Our job is to explore and discover, and each day try to break new ground.”

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