About

According to Axalta's official leadership page, Chris Villavarayan has served as Chief Executive Officer and President since January 2023 and is a member of the Board of Directors, bringing extensive international experience and a track record of executing and integrating accretive acquisitions and leading transformational change that created significant shareholder value.

He joined Axalta from Meritor, Inc., where over 22 years he rose to Chief Executive Officer and President, and he earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from McMaster University and completed the Wharton Executive Education Advanced Finance Program.

Roles

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director · Current role
2023–present
Meritor, Inc.
Chief Executive Officer and President · Led the global commercial-vehicle systems and components supplier; Meritor was acquired by Cummins in August 2022.
2021 – October 2022
Meritor, Inc.
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer · Oversaw global operations for the Global Truck and Aftermarket & Industrial business units.
2020 – 2021
Meritor, Inc.
Senior Vice President and President – Global Truck · Led P&L across Meritor's global truck business.
2018 – 2020
Meritor, Inc.
President – Americas · Managed multiple businesses across Meritor's North and South America portfolios.
2014 – 2018

External Roles

Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
Director

Fixed Compensation

FY 2025
Salary
$1,100,000
ComponentBase salary paid in 2025
All other compensation
$88,778
Component401(k) match, insurance and perquisites
Total compensation
$9,551,721

Performance Compensation

Data from FY 2025

Cash incentive

Non-equity incentive plan compensation
$973,391
FormAnnual cash incentive award

Stock awards

Stock awards
$7,389,552
FormGrant-date fair value (ASC 718)

Also at Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

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