Honeywell International Inc. named Darius Adamczyk the company’s first chief operating officer since Dave Cote took over as CEO in 2002, possibly setting up a future transition at the top position.
Adamczyk, who ran the performance materials unit, will also serve as president, and work closely with Cote “to drive continued profitable growth,” Honeywell said in a statement on Monday. The appointment might be a glimpse into how the company plans to handle the eventual succession of the 63-year-old Cote.
“Darius is absolutely the right person to help Honeywell through the changes that will undoubtedly be necessary in the future to ensure the long-term success and evolution of the company,” Cote said in the statement.
Adamczyk, 50, who has a master’s degree in computer engineering from Syracuse University and an MBA from Harvard University, rose to run one of Honeywell’s three business units in just eight years with the company. Adamczyk will focus on Honeywell’s operating strategy, which Cote developed to boost profit margins through cost cuts and new technologies.
In related Honeywell news, Rajeev Gautam succeeds Adamczyk as president and CEO of the performance materials and technologies group, with Rebecca Liebert moving up to fill Gautam's former role of president of Honeywell UOP.
By Thomas Black
