Rheem Makes Global Leadership Appointments

Chief Operating Officer Chris Peel has been named president and CEO of Rheem

Business Council of Alabama member Rheem Manufacturing Co. has announced two key global leadership appointments of senior management in Atlanta.

Rheem President and CEO JR Jones has been named executive chairman of the board and Chief Operating Officer Chris Peel has been named president and CEO of Rheem, with global responsibility for all business operations.

The appointments were announced June 29.

Jones has been president and CEO for 10 years and is a former general manager of Rheem’s Montgomery water heater division. He served as the company’s chief operating officer and as president of both the Air Conditioning and Water Heating Divisions. Jones also held varied leadership positions at Lennox International and The Trane Company.

Jones will continue to provide guidance for Rheem’s vision and strategy, in addition to his board responsibilities, the company said.

Rheem’s JR Jones has been named executive chairman of the board

“I am also honored to serve as the executive chairman of the board and am eager to see Rheem continue its commitment to innovation, while maintaining our core values of ethics, integrity and respect,” Jones said.

Peel has been COO since 2008 and also led the air conditioning division in Arkansas. Currently, he is chairman of the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), the industry trade association.

Peel held various leadership positions with Lennox International, United Technologies Corp. (Carrier Corporation), and the Delphi Automotive Systems division of General Motors.

“I am grateful for JR’s leadership in preparing me for this new challenge and look forward to advancing the strong vision we have for Rheem’s future with an

outstanding leadership team and talented, dedicated employees worldwide,” Peel said.

“Chris has been intimately involved with Rheem’s vision and growth plans, and his guidance has helped us expand globally and strengthen our market position,” Jones said. “I am proud of his leadership and the team he has built around the world with the Rheem family of brands.”

“Rheem has made–and continues to make–significant investments in our people, products, operations and brands as part of our strategy to be the preferred supplier to our customers and customer to our suppliers,” Peel said. “The result has been an unprecedented period of growth and the solidification of our position as a global industry innovator.

Rheem was founded in 1925 and is the nation’s No. 1 water heating brand. It’s part of Paloma Co., Ltd., of Nagoya, Japan.