Paints, coatings, and materials manufacturer PPG Industries announced Wednesday that Tim Knavish was promoted to chief operating officer. When the role becomes effective March 1, Knavish will head up information technology (IT), environment, health, and safety (EHS), and procurement functions for PPG.

Based out of the firm’s global headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, he will report to chairman and chief executive officer Michael McGarry.

“Tim’s proven experience and leadership throughout his 35-year career at PPG have been instrumental in driving PPG’s performance as a leading coatings and specialty materials company,” said McGarry in a company release. “Tim has worked in virtually all of PPG’s businesses and has made structural improvements in each business that he managed. He also played a key role in the most recent Tikkurila and Ennis-Flint acquisitions. Plus, in his primary role as leader of our global architectural business, Tim is delivering further global collaboration, leading the adoption of new digital processes and delivering improved financial performance.”

Knavish has served as executive vice president since 2019, leading PPG’s global architectural coatings business, global automotive refinish business, the Latin American region, and digital and IT functions. He joined PPG in flat glass engineering in 1987 and was named plant manager for the architectural coating business’ East Point, GA manufacturing facility in 2000. The new COO has served in a number of leadership roles at the company, including senior vice president, industrial coatings.

“In this new role, Tim’s broad operational expertise, global experience and demonstrated ability to lead our business strategies will play a key role in our continued focus to drive growth and deliver increased shareholder value,” McGarry said.

The incoming COO earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh.