GE Current, a Daintree company - Experts & Thought Leaders

Current announces the appointment of Shannon Thomas as the new Vice President of Marketing. She brings a wealth of expertise and a visionary approach to help drive the company's strategic growth. "With a strong background in product commercialization and a perspective that sets her apart in the lighting industry, Shannon brings unique talent to the table," said Current Chief Commercial Officer, Chip Taylor, adding "Her experience leading and building marketing teams will play a vital role in shaping Current's marketing presence and further strengthening the company's commitment to being a valuable partner to its customers." 20 years in Product & Brand leadership Thomas brings extensive experience to Current, with over 20 years in Product & Brand leadership. Her career began at Moen, where she conducted research, developed plumbing products, and created GTM plans for wholesalers and retailers. After a successful career at Moen, Shannon went on to work for companies such as Newell Rubbermaid, Electrolux, Hunter Douglas, and Britax. Throughout her career, she has focused on strategy and leadership within each marketing organization, building successful marketing teams and commercializing consumer-driven products. In her spare time, Shannon enjoys watching soccer or college football (Go Clemson!), reading, and traveling. She and her husband, Brad, stay busy with their children Ellie and Brody - Ellie attends UNC and is a rising junior, while Brody is a rising sophomore in high school.

Current announces that Steve Harris has been appointed as the new CEO of the company, effective May 30, 2023. An experienced business leader and strong operational CEO, Harris succeeds the interim CEO Bill Tolley who will remain with the company as Chairman of the Board.  “Steve is a strong force in the commercial space. He is an experienced CEO known for hands-on operational changes, which is what we need,” said Tolley. “We know lighting. His leadership will accelerate Current and position the company to deliver best in class customer service.”   Industrial leadership roles For the last ten years, Harris was President and CEO—and then Executive Chairman—at Shape Technologies Group in the Greater Seattle area. He led the company into a wide array of emerging and expanding markets, connecting customers to future-forward manufacturing processes. Today Shape operates with record revenue and earning levels. Prior to that, he spent 20 years in several world-class industrial leadership roles. “I couldn’t be more excited to join Current,” said Harris. “They have an unmatched legacy of product innovation. But more importantly, their ongoing commitment to reshaping the lighting and controls industry provides a unique opportunity to give customers more of what they want. This is a company poised for great things, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”  Various leadership roles Barry Webb joins Current as CFO. He most recently served as CFO of Shape Technologies Group Harris received a master’s degree in business from Oakland University and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Lawrence Technological University. He and his wife have a home in Florida and will be relocating to Greenville.  Meanwhile, Barry Webb joins Current as CFO. He most recently served as CFO of Shape Technologies Group. He has been a senior advisor to AIP, assuming interim CFO roles, was CFO of the Carlstar Group (another AIP portfolio company), along with having various leadership roles at Carlisle Companies, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Deloitte.   Providing unique opportunity “I am extremely excited to join the team at Current,” said Webb. “Having had the opportunity to work on the carve-out of Current Lighting from GE in 2019, it was evident to me at the time that this is a very solid business which was only strengthened by the acquisition of Hubbell’s business last year. I am very much looking forward to partnering with the team.”  Barry is a graduate of Virginia Tech where he received both his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in accounting. He lives with his wife and three children in Nashville.

Johnson Controls (JCI), the globally renowned company for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, has named Lei Schlitz as the new Vice President (VP) and President, Global Products, effective immediately. In this role, Lei Schlitz will lead the Global Products business, succeeding Jeff Williams who retired earlier this year. She will be based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Delivering increased customer value There is a multi-billion-dollar addressable market in front of us, with unconstrained growth opportunities" “There is a multi-billion-dollar addressable market in front of us, with unconstrained growth opportunities to deliver increased customer value through a wide range of building portfolio products,” said George Oliver, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Johnson Controls. George Oliver adds, “Lei brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role, and she will be an asset to Johnson Controls, as we accelerate our solution offerings and leverage our scale to capture this incredible market opportunity.” Extensive industry experience Lei Schlitz joins Johnson Controls from Illinois Tool Works (ITW), where she most recently held the role of Executive Vice President, Automotive OEM segment. Throughout her 14-year career at ITW, she held a number of progressive roles including, vice president, Research and Development; group president, Global Ware-Wash & Refrigeration Business and Food Equipment, Asia Pacific; and executive vice president, Food Equipment Group. Served in multiple executive roles Prior to Illinois Tool Works, Lei Schlitz spent 7 years at Siemens Energy & Automation Prior to Illinois Tool Works, Lei Schlitz spent 7 years at Siemens Energy & Automation, most recently as the Business Manager for Emerging Businesses, Residential Product Division. Prior to that, she served as Director of Product & Manufacturing Engineering at Low Voltage Group (LVG). Earlier in her career, Lei Schlitz spent time at both General Electric and Eaton Corporation. Highly experienced appointment Lei Schlitz holds a Doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, also from the University of Wisconsin, and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Mechanics, from Tsinghua University, China.