MKS Instruments (Andover, MA), provider of technologies that enable advanced processes and improve productivity, announced that Gerald G. Colella will retire as chief executive officer on January 1, 2020. The board of directors has elected John T. C. Lee, who currently serves as president and chief operating officer, to succeed Colella as CEO effective January 1, 2020. Colella will take on the role of chairman of the board of directors, following the company's annual meeting in May 2020, when John R. Bertucci, current chairman of the board, will retire from the board and become chairman emeritus.
"I'm thrilled that John is going to lead MKS Instruments into the future. His hard work, extensive operating experience, proven technical skills, and dedication make John a strong leader," said Gerald G. Colella. "Since I became CEO in 2014, MKS has transformed into an industrial technology solutions provider. We've expanded into new geographies, delivered sustainable and profitable growth, and made transformational acquisitions that have positioned the company for long term outperformance. It has been my privilege to have led MKS for the past five years, and I am very proud to have worked alongside such talented executives and employees. I look forward to working closely with John and our Board to ensure a smooth transition."
Commenting on the CEO and Chairman transition, John R. Bertucci, chairman of the board, said, "We are deeply grateful for Jerry’s innumerable contributions in his over thirty-six years of dedicated service to MKS and his success in building a world-class organization. We look forward to having him serve as Chairman of the Board and continuing to shape the future of MKS. We are pleased to welcome John Lee as Chief Executive Officer and believe that he will lead MKS to a bright future. With his increased responsibilities, John will drive our strategic direction, building upon and strengthening the company's success in the years ahead."
Lee joined MKS in 2007 and has served as MKS president and COO since May 2018 after serving as senior VP and COO from November 2016 to May 2018, and as group VP from October 2007 to November 2016. He previously served in various capacities in other technology industries, including semiconductor and solar as well as plasma processing research, at leading technology companies including Applied Materials, Lucent Technologies and AT&T Bell Labs. Lee holds a B.S. from Princeton University and both an M.S.C.E.P. and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, all in Chemical Engineering.
MKS Instruments provides subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity for its customers. Its products are derived from core competencies in pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, residual gas analysis, leak detection, control technology, ozone generation and delivery, power, reactive gas generation, vacuum technology, lasers, photonics, sub-micron positioning, vibration control, optics and laser-based manufacturing solutions. Primary served markets include semiconductor, industrial technologies, life and health sciences, and research and defense.
SOURCE: MKS Instruments; http://investor.mksinst.com/news-releases/news-release-details/mks-instruments-announces-ceo-succession-plan
