Gema North America vice president to retire

Chris Merritt

Indianapolis-based powder coating technology provider Gema USA Inc., a Graco Inc. company, has announced that Chris Merritt, vice president, Gema North America, will retire Feb. 23, 2024, after nearly 40 years of service.

A Purdue University graduate, Merritt joined the company in 1984 as an engineer. Over the years, he assumed various responsibilities such as engineering manager, application lab head, distribution manager, sales manager, and general manager of Gema North America.

Mike Thies, general manager of Gema USA Inc., will assume leadership responsibilities for Gema North America. Carlos Montero, general manager of Gema Mexico, will continue in his current role and report to Thies.