Jaime Irick is the former Chief Executive Officer of Pittsburgh Paints Company, where he directed a $2 billion corporate carve-out and successfully transitioned the company from PPG Industries Inc. (NYSE: PPG) to private equity ownership. Under his leadership, the organization maintained its market leadership in producing and distributing paints, stains, caulks, sealants, and other building products, catering to both professionals and homeowners across the United States and Canada. These products are available through a network of 750 company-operated retail outlets, as well as partnerships with national and independent retailers.

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Irick currently serves on the board of a publicly traded company. Additionally, he lends his expertise to various nonprofit boards, reflecting his continued commitment to leadership and service beyond his corporate responsibilities.

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A Bespoke Professional Career

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Career at PPG

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He began leading the separation of Pittsburgh Paints Company from its parent organization in September 2023. Throughout the process, he guided the transaction, established a strategic direction tailored to the company’s future as an independent business, and built the executive leadership team. In December 2024, this significant corporate transaction was completed with the sale of the industry to American Industrial Partners (AIP).

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Jaime joined PPG in 2019 and held several leadership roles over four years. Before initiating the carve-out, he served as Senior Vice President for two primary business units: Architectural Coatings for the United States and Canada, and Global Traffic Solutions. Together, these divisions accounted for $3 billion in annual revenue and employed over 7,000 team members.

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He was also one of fifteen senior executives selected to serve on the company’s Operating Committee, where he played a role in shaping strategic and operational decisions at the enterprise level.

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President of Life Fitness

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Before joining PPG, he held the position of President at Life Fitness, a $1 billion global division of Brunswick Corporation focused on manufacturing commercial fitness equipment. During his tenure, the business operated successfully on an international scale and was later sold in 2019 to KPS Capital Partners.

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Leadership at General Electric

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Irick's professional background includes 13 years with General Electric. During this time, he held a range of senior roles, including GE Company Officer and President and CEO of GE Lighting Solutions, the company’s global LED lighting business. In addition to his operational responsibilities, he served as the founding board chair of a STEM-focused high school located on a corporate campus—a pioneering education initiative at the time.

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Board Member of Illinois Tool Works Inc.

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Jaime is a current member of the board of directors at Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW), a Fortune 300 manufacturing company with a diverse industrial portfolio. In 2024, the company reported revenue of $15.9 billion. It serves various industries with products ranging from kitchen appliances used in commercial spaces to precision components used in automotive manufacturing worldwide.

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A West Point Graduate and Military Background

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He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, earning a degree in Systems Engineering. While there, he also played Division I basketball, balancing athletics with academic and leadership responsibilities.

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Irick served for five years in the United States Army as a Field Artillery Officer, achieving the rank of Captain. He completed both the U.S. Army Airborne School and the U.S. Army Ranger School, two of the military’s most demanding training programs. These courses emphasize physical endurance, combat leadership, and decision-making under extreme stress. His training included parachute operations and small-unit tactics in challenging environments.

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Continuing Education: MBA from Harvard Business School

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Following his military service, which included deployment to the Middle East and an assignment on the staff and faculty at West Point, he pursued graduate studies. In 2003, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, further developing his leadership and operational expertise.

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Recognized Leadership and Featured Publications

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Irick's leadership journey has been profiled in multiple respected publications. His story is featured in The Go Point: When It’s Time to Decide—Knowing What to Do and When to Do It, a Harvard Business School case study titled Life Story of a Recent MBA, and True North.

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In The Go Point, his career is used as an example of someone who consistently sought greater responsibility rather than waiting to be chosen. From high school athletics and college service work to military command and corporate leadership, he has consistently taken on challenging roles. The book highlights how he intentionally pursued assignments that required greater accountability and complexity.

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True North presents him as a leader who understands that leadership is grounded in service. He is described as someone who aligns his actions with his values, focusing on serving others—whether they be team members, communities, or stakeholders. His ability to lead with integrity and clarity of purpose is portrayed as a driving force in his success.

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Philanthropic Engagement

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Jaime and his spouse are committed to expanding access to education through philanthropy. They support several endowed scholarships for under-resourced students. These scholarships are currently active at The Gilbert School (5 years), Teachers College at Columbia University (3+ years), and Lewis & Clark College (3+ years) in Oregon. Their contributions reflect a shared dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for future generations.

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Personal Life

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He was born in the Bronx, New York, and currently resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his wife and three children. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys reading biographies and attending his children’s taekwondo practices.

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Jaime Irick continues to lead with purpose across industries and communities, bringing disciplined leadership, strategic vision, and a commitment to service into every role he holds.