Donaldson Announces Strategic Leadership Transition: Richard Lewis Appointed President and CEO
Donaldson Company, Inc., a global titan in technology-led filtration solutions, today announced a pivotal leadership transition designed to usher the company into its next era of innovation and growth. Following a deliberate and long-term succession planning process, the Board of Directors has elected Richard Lewis, current Chief Operating Officer, as the company’s next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective March 2, 2026.
Lewis will succeed Tod Carpenter, who has served as President and CEO for the past 11 years. To ensure a seamless handover of responsibilities and continued strategic continuity, Carpenter will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. Lewis will also join the Company’s Board of Directors upon assuming his new duties.
A Legacy of Growth and Principled Leadership
The transition marks the end of a transformative decade under Tod Carpenter’s stewardship. Joining Donaldson 30 years ago, Carpenter ascended to the CEO role in 2015, navigating the company through a period of significant global volatility while consistently delivering shareholder value.
Under his guidance, Donaldson didn’t just survive; it evolved. The company significantly expanded its revenue and profit margins, refined its global operating model, and solidified its reputation as an industry leader in filtration technology. Perhaps most importantly, Carpenter is credited with fostering a “principled culture” that balanced aggressive business goals with unwavering corporate integrity.
“On behalf of the Board, we extend our sincere appreciation to Tod for his exceptional leadership and decades of service,” said Christopher Hilger, Lead Independent Director. “Under Tod’s leadership, the Company created long-term shareholder value by fostering a strong, principled culture. With Rich’s deep understanding of Donaldson’s businesses and operations, the Board is confident the Company will continue to execute well.”
The Right Leader for a New Era
Richard Lewis’s appointment is the culmination of years of internal development. A Donaldson veteran himself, Lewis joined the company in 2002. His trajectory through the organization has provided him with a panoramic view of the company’s global footprint.
Before being named COO in August 2025, Lewis held several high-impact senior leadership roles. These included:
- Senior Vice President of Global Operations: Where he streamlined supply chains and manufacturing efficiencies.
- President of Mobile Solutions: Managing one of the company’s most robust and traditional business segments.
- President of Life Sciences: Leading the company’s expansion into high-growth, high-tech sectors that represent the future of filtration.
This breadth of experience—spanning from the mechanical core of mobile engines to the sterile, high-precision requirements of life sciences—makes Lewis uniquely qualified to lead a company that sits at the intersection of heavy industry and advanced technology.
A Seamless Handover
The “Planned Succession” mentioned in the announcement is a hallmark of Donaldson’s conservative yet forward-thinking management style. By moving Carpenter to the Executive Chairman role, the company retains his institutional knowledge and strategic oversight while giving Lewis the autonomy to execute his vision.
“Elevating Rich to the president and CEO role reflects our long-term succession planning process,” Carpenter noted. “It comes at a time when Donaldson is in a strong position thanks to the talent, dedication, and discipline of our global team. Throughout his time with the Company, Rich has played an integral role in shaping and executing our strategy.”
For his part, Lewis is stepping into the role with a clear mandate: maintain momentum. “I am excited about the opportunities in front of us,” Lewis said. “We have a strong leadership team, a clear strategy, and a culture deeply committed to our customers and operational excellence. I look forward to building on the momentum established under Tod’s leadership.”
Filtration for a Changing World
As Lewis prepares to take the helm in March, the filtration industry faces both challenges and massive opportunities. From the increasing demand for sustainable manufacturing and clean energy to the rigorous requirements of the biotech sector, Donaldson’s role as a “technology-led” provider is more relevant than ever.
Investors and industry analysts will likely view this transition as a “stability” move. The promotion of an internal candidate who has already served as COO suggests that Donaldson’s current strategic path—focusing on high-margin life science applications while maintaining dominance in industrial and mobile filtration—is set to continue.
The transition effective date of March 2, 2026, allows for a month-long final integration period, ensuring that when Lewis takes the stage for the next fiscal quarter, the engine of Donaldson Company remains as finely tuned as the filters they produce.
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