Overview

This month’s featured guest on “Lean Catalyst: A Lean-Focused Interview Series” is: Gary Michel, Former President & CEO – Jeld-Wen Corporation (NYSE: JELD)

In this dynamic, one-hour interview series, we will bring together like-minded CEOs who have successfully embraced Lean thinking to drive exceptional results. Through captivating conversations, we delve into their remarkable achievements, uncovering the strategies, insights, and practical wisdom that have propelled their organizations forward. Each interview features an in-depth discussion with a distinguished CEO who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in leveraging Lean principles. It’s a great opportunity for sharing experiences, strategies, and valuable knowledge that others can apply to their own leadership journeys.

Gary S. Michel recently retired as chair and chief executive officer of JELD-WEN, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of building products with nearly 25,000 employees in North America, Europe, and Australasia. Gary has more than 37 years of strategy, business transformation, operations, and Lean manufacturing leadership experience. He has a proven track record for accelerating business growth and delivering strong financial results by creating premier performing, values-based organizations.

He joined JELD-WEN in 2018 from Honeywell International, Inc., where he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Home and Buildings Technologies strategic business group. Prior to joining Honeywell, he spent 33 years at Ingersoll-Rand, serving as a member of the company’s executive leadership team as Senior Vice President and President of its residential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning business (Trane).

Gary holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.