Johnson Controls has hired Katie Rowen as chief legal officer, filling the vacancy left by former general counsel John Donofrio.
Rowen joins from industrial manufacturing business Vontier, where she was latterly chief transformation and operations officer. At Johnson Controls she will lead its legal function, bringing expertise in governance, strategic transactions, litigation, compliance, enterprise risk, government relations and sustainability.
Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls makes building automation and control systems, as well as fire detection and suppression systems, HVAC equipment, security and industrial refrigeration.
Rowen was part of a double hire that also saw Shauna Latshaw appointed as chief information officer.
Joakim Weidemanis, CEO at Johnson Controls, said: “Katie and Shauna are proven leaders who bring deep expertise, strong operational experience and a shared commitment to helping customers succeed. As we continue building the world’s most consequential thermal technology company, their leadership will help us move faster, innovate with greater impact and create even more value for our customers, employees and shareholders.”
Rowen arrives after six years at Vontier. She originally joined as chief legal and sustainability officer, before becoming chief administrative officer in 2024 and then taking on her most recent role at the tail end of last year.
Prior to that she spent almost four years at Fortive, the latter nine months as VP for corporate social responsibility, employment and litigation. She also spent more than five years at legacy defence business Raytheon, first as senior counsel for labour and employment and general law, and then senior director for ethics and business conduct.
She said: “Johnson Controls has an extraordinary opportunity to help shape what comes next for society. At a time when so much depends on reliable, energy-efficient thermal technology, the work this company does matters deeply. I’m excited to join the team and work alongside my colleagues to help deliver for customers and realise the growth potential ahead of us.”
Donofrio, meanwhile, left the company to join Honeywell Aerospace as CLO in March.
In other building management-related moves, back in March German lift-maker TK Elevator hired Lars Sjobring as CLO from Swedish steelmaker SSAB. And in September last year, indoor climate tech business Trane Technologies hired Victoria Lazar as GC from TechnipFMC, replacing Evan Turtz.
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