Giant manufacturer, coming off slight dip in sales, names new CEO

NEW PORT RICHEY — Welbilt Inc. named William Johnson president and CEO, effective Nov. 9.

According to a press release, Johnson will also join the board of directors of the New Port Richey-based foodservice equipment manufacturer, which had $1.45 billion in revenue in 2017, down from $1.46 billion in 2016.

Johnson brings 30 years of experience in the commercial foodservice industry to the role, the release states. Prior to joining Welbilt, he was CEO of Chart Industries Inc. a manufacturer of equipment for the industrial gas, energy and biomedical industries. He began his career as a commissioned officer and nuclear engineer in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1985 to 1990.

Johnson succeeds Josef Matosevic, who had been interim CEO.

“Bill is a proven leader,” Welbilt board Chairwoman Cindy Egnotovich states in the release. “He has led strategic M&A, driven operating and supply chain excellence, optimized capital structures and delivered productivity and margin enhancements. We look forward to working with Bill as we execute on our strategic plan and write the next successful chapter for Welbilt."