Gorman-Rupp Announces The Appointment Of New Chairman Of Board, Independent Director And Chief Operating Officer

The Gorman-Rupp Company (Gorman-Rupp) has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Jeffrey S. Gorman, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, to serve as the Chairman of the Board.

New Chairman of the Board

As previously announced, James C. Gorman, Gorman-Rupp’s long-standing Chairman, informed the Board, in January 2019, of his intention to not stand for re-election as a Director, at the company’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

“Gorman-Rupp has benefited greatly, over many years, from James C. Gorman’s leadership and deep experience as Chairman,” said Ann Harlan, Lead Independent Director of the Gorman-Rupp Board. “The decision to elect Jeff as Chairman reflects the Board’s confidence in his leadership and ability, to execute our vision and strategies, to take Gorman-Rupp into the future.”

J.C. Gorman to continue as Honorary Chairman

James C. Gorman, son of J.C. Gorman, the Co-Founder of Gorman-Rupp, leaves the Board

James C. Gorman, son of J.C. Gorman, the Co-Founder of Gorman-Rupp, leaves the Board, after serving as a Director of the company since 1946 and as Chairman since 1989.

He served as the company’s President from 1964 until 1989 and as Chief Executive Officer from 1964 until 1996, and was instrumental in the Gorman-Rupp’s development and growth, over that time. Mr. Gorman plans to continue his involvement with the company as Honorary Chairman.

“I believe deeply in Gorman-Rupp and its people, and it has been an honor to serve as Chairman,” said James C. Gorman, adding “As I conclude my work as Chairman, I do so knowing that Jeff will serve as Chairman, with the same skill and commitment that he has applied to his leadership of the company as President and CEO, for the past 20 years.”

Vast Industry experience

Also, as previously announced, W. Wayne Walston notified the company, in January 2019 that he would not stand for re-election as a Director, at the company’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Mr. Walston has served as a Director of Gorman-Rupp, since 1999.

Ann Harlan stated, “Our entire Board thanks Wayne for his outstanding service to the Board and company for the past 19 years, including as a past Chair of the Compensation Committee, and we wish him the very best in his retirement.”

2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Sonja McClelland has worked for Hurco in various finance and accounting roles, since September 1996

At the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of The Gorman-Rupp Company, held on April 25, 2019, Sonja K. McClelland was elected to the Board of Directors. Aged 47 years, she is Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer of Hurco Companies, Inc., a publicly traded international industrial technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells computerized machine tools.

Sonja McClelland has worked for Hurco in various finance and accounting roles, since September 1996 and was previously employed by an international public accounting firm. Ms. McClelland will serve on the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

Deep knowledge of manufacturing operations

Jeffrey S. Gorman, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gorman-Rupp commented, “We are delighted that Ms. McClelland is joining our Board. Her public-company experience and deep knowledge of manufacturing operations and finance will add important insight to our Board.”

Gorman-Rupp has promoted Scott King to the position of Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this newly created position, Scott King will be responsible for operational and financial oversight of all of Gorman-Rupp’s divisions and subsidiaries.

Mr. King has been with Gorman-Rupp since 2004 and has held various operational management roles, most recently serving as Vice President of Operations, since March 2018.