PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE: PPG), one of the world’s largest paints, coatings, and specialty materials companies, has been headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania since its founding in 1883. Former PPG CEO Michael H. McGarry led the company for nearly eight years, transforming PPG from a diversified chemicals conglomerate into a focused global coatings leader. A 42-year company veteran, McGarry joined PPG in 1981 as an engineer at the Lake Charles, Louisiana plant and rose through 22 different positions to become Chairman and CEO in 2016. Under his leadership, PPG completed over 20 acquisitions, including the architectural coatings businesses of AkzoNobel and Consorcio Comex, and drove annual revenue past $16 billion with approximately 46,000 employees worldwide.

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Who Is Michael McGarry?

Michael H. McGarry is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PPG Industries, Inc., one of the world’s leading paints, coatings, and specialty materials companies. Born in 1958 in New Orleans, Louisiana, McGarry is a mechanical engineer by training who spent his entire 42-year career at PPG, rising from an entry-level engineer to the top executive position. He became CEO in September 2015, succeeding Charles E. Bunch, and was elevated to Chairman of the Board in September 2016.

During his tenure as CEO (2015–2022), McGarry orchestrated a sweeping transformation of PPG’s business portfolio, divesting the company’s commodity chemicals and glass businesses while executing over 20 strategic acquisitions in coatings and specialty materials. He transitioned to Executive Chairman on January 1, 2023, when Tim Knavish succeeded him as CEO, and retired fully from PPG on October 1, 2023. Since retirement, McGarry has taken on board director roles at several major corporations.

Michael McGarry – Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Michael H. McGarry was born in 1958 and grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1980. His engineering background provided a strong technical foundation for what would become a four-decade career in the chemicals and coatings industry.

Later in his career, McGarry returned to academia to sharpen his leadership skills, completing the prestigious Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. This executive education program is designed for senior leaders of major corporations and has produced numerous Fortune 500 CEOs.

Education

Career Path

Michael McGarry’s career at PPG Industries is a remarkable story of rising through the ranks over four decades. He joined the company in 1981 as a process engineer at the Lake Charles, Louisiana chemicals complex and held 22 different positions spanning manufacturing, marketing, business management, and executive leadership across the United States, Europe, and Asia before ultimately becoming CEO.

Michael McGarry Career Timeline

McGarry’s path to the CEO suite was defined by his willingness to take on diverse assignments. Early in his career, he moved through technical and operations roles at PPG’s chemicals facilities in Louisiana and Texas. He then shifted into business management, serving as Market Development Manager for silica products and later General Manager of fine chemicals. His 2006 move to Switzerland to lead PPG’s European coatings business gave him critical international experience, managing operations across the continent.

Returning to Pittsburgh in 2008 as Senior Vice President of Commodity Chemicals, McGarry quickly ascended to Executive Vice President (2012), Chief Operating Officer (2014), and finally President and CEO in September 2015. He was elected Chairman of the Board in September 2016, succeeding retiring Chairman Charles E. Bunch.

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PPG Industries Under Michael McGarry’s Leadership

Michael McGarry’s tenure as CEO (2015–2022) was marked by a bold and deliberate transformation of PPG Industries from a diversified chemicals and glass conglomerate into a focused global coatings and specialty materials company. Key accomplishments during his leadership include:

• Portfolio Transformation: Completed the divestiture of PPG’s commodity chemicals business (sold to Georgia Gulf, creating Axiall Corporation) and the flat glass business, allowing PPG to focus exclusively on higher-margin coatings and specialty materials
• Aggressive Acquisition Strategy: Executed over 20 acquisitions to expand PPG’s coatings portfolio, including the architectural coatings businesses of AkzoNobel, SigmaKalon, and Consorcio Comex — establishing PPG as the dominant player in Latin American architectural coatings
• Revenue Growth: Grew PPG’s annual revenue from approximately $15 billion to over $17 billion, while significantly improving the quality of earnings through higher-margin product mix
• Global Expansion: Strengthened PPG’s presence in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America, making it one of only two coatings companies with truly global scale
• AkzoNobel Takeover Attempt: Led PPG’s high-profile unsolicited bid to acquire AkzoNobel in 2017, which was ultimately rejected but demonstrated PPG’s ambitious growth strategy
• COVID-19 Response: Navigated the company through the pandemic, maintaining profitability and protecting employment while adapting operations to supply essential industries

CEO Salary & Compensation

During his time as CEO and Chairman of PPG Industries, Michael McGarry received substantial compensation tied heavily to company performance. His total pay peaked at approximately $15.9 million in fiscal year 2020, reflecting PPG’s strong financial results under his leadership.

PPG CEO Compensation History

In his final year in the CEO role, McGarry’s total compensation for fiscal year 2022 was approximately $8.87 million as Executive Chairman of the Board, which included $2.68 million in total cash, $10 million in equity awards, and pension adjustments.

Net Worth

As of 2026, Michael McGarry’s net worth is estimated at approximately $22–30 million USD. This estimate is based primarily on his disclosed PPG Industries stock holdings, accumulated compensation over his 42-year career, and board director fees from his current positions.

According to SEC filings, McGarry owned approximately 211,418 shares of PPG Industries stock, which were valued at over $22 million. He also holds smaller positions in other companies where he has served as a director, including approximately 6,477 shares of United States Steel Corporation. In July 2023, shortly before his retirement, McGarry sold 163,378 PPG shares valued at approximately $24 million.

PPG Industries Financial Summary (FY2024)

Personal Life

Michael McGarry, age 67–68 (born 1958), is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He is married to Wanda McGarry. The couple first met on the bowling team at the University of Texas and their relationship has deep roots in the chemicals industry — Wanda originally aspired to become a chemist and joined Conoco Chemicals in Lake Charles, Louisiana, located across the highway from a PPG facility.

As newlyweds, Michael sent job applications to various companies in the Lake Charles area and ultimately accepted an offer from PPG’s plant to work as an engineer in 1981 — a decision that launched his four-decade career with the company. The McGarrys eventually relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where PPG is headquartered.

McGarry is known for his hands-on management style and deep understanding of PPG’s operations from the plant floor to the boardroom. Having held 22 different positions across the company, he was often cited as one of the most operationally experienced CEOs in the chemicals industry.

CEO Contact Information

Note: Since Michael McGarry retired from PPG Industries in October 2023, his corporate email address is no longer active. For current PPG inquiries, contact the company directly through their corporate website at ppg.com.

Key Facts & Trivia

• 42-Year Company Veteran: McGarry spent his entire career at PPG Industries, joining in 1981 and retiring in 2023 — one of the longest tenures of any Fortune 500 CEO at a single company
• 22 Different Jobs: He held 22 different positions at PPG across chemicals, coatings, and glass operations before becoming CEO
• Industrialist of the Year: Named 2022 Industrialist of the Year by the Western Pennsylvania chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR)
• Bowling Team Romance: Met his wife Wanda on their college bowling team at the University of Texas
• New Orleans Native: Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana before relocating to Texas for college
• AkzoNobel Bid: Led PPG’s bold but ultimately unsuccessful $29 billion hostile bid for AkzoNobel in 2017
• Portfolio Transformation: Oversaw the divestiture of PPG’s commodity chemicals and glass businesses, making it a pure-play coatings company
• Board Service: Currently serves on the boards of four major corporations — U.S. Steel, Holcim, C.H. Robinson, and Shin-Etsu Chemical
• UT Austin Distinguished Alumni: Inducted into the University of Texas Mechanical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni

Competitors

PPG Industries operates in the highly competitive global paints, coatings, and specialty materials industry. The top competitors of PPG Industries include:

• Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) – World’s largest coatings company by revenue
• AkzoNobel (Amsterdam: AKZA) – Dutch multinational, merging with Axalta
• Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA) – Automotive and industrial coatings specialist
• RPM International (NYSE: RPM) – Specialty coatings and sealants
• Nippon Paint Holdings (TYO: 4612) – Asia’s largest coatings manufacturer
• BASF Coatings – Division of German chemical giant BASF SE
• Jotun Group – Norwegian coatings and powder coatings maker

PPG vs. Top Competitors (FY2024)

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Article last updated:February 2026March 2, 2026