Axalta Coating Systems announced that Steven M. Chapman has been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective July 21, 2020. Chapman will serve on the company’s Audit and Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability Committees.
“I’m pleased to welcome Steve to our Board of Directors,” said Mark Garrett, board chair of Axalta. “He brings extensive China and emerging markets experience from his long and distinguished career at Cummins Inc., a global Fortune 500 manufacturing leader. Axalta continues to focus on growing our customer base, and Steve has a proven track record of building a successful business in China, and he understands the M&A market in the region, as well as how to leverage partnerships and joint ventures to drive performance. His guidance will help Axalta further build our leadership position in the coatings industry around the world.”
Added Axalta CEO Robert Bryant, “Steve’s background and 30-plus years of experience in China and emerging markets where he successfully grew Cummins’ China business make him a great fit for Axalta’s business goals and priorities. Moreover, Steve will complement our board’s current expertise in the automotive and commercial vehicle markets, particularly in China.”
Chapman is currently group vice president – China and Russia at Cummins Inc., responsible for driving business growth in both countries. He joined Cummins in 1985 as manager – International Business Development and has held a number of positions related to Cummins’ international operations, including leadership of Southeast Asia and China. He has been instrumental in developing Cummins’ successful business model for emerging markets and is retiring from Cummins effective July 31, 2020. Previously, Chapman was employed by Green Giant in Taiwan and China.
Chapman earned his bachelor’s degree in Asian studies from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., and a master’s degree in public and private management from the Yale University School of Management. He is a senior advisor to the U.S.-China Industrial Cooperation Partnership, a private equity fund managed by Goldman Sachs. He also serves on the board of directors of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., the board of trustees for Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., and the Yale Greater China Board of Advisors.
