Crist|Kolder Associates Leads CEO Search for The Timken Company
September 17, 2025 – Crist|Kolder Associates has helped to recruit Lucian Boldea as the new president and CEO of NYSE-traded The Timken Company in North Canton, OH. He will succeed Richard G. Kyle, who has been in an interim role since March after having previously served as president and CEO from 2014 to 2024.
“Following a comprehensive search, the board is confident that Lucian is the right leader to continue to advance Timken’s strategy, accelerate growth and deliver long-term returns for stakeholders,” said John Timken, chairman of the board. “He shares our values and has the vision, experience and leadership qualities to take Timken to new levels of performance.”
Mr. Boldea is a globally recognized executive, thought leader and innovator in industrial automation and advanced manufacturing. Since joining Honeywell in 2022, he has been at the forefront of the company’s transformation toward autonomous operations, leveraging artificial intelligence, IoT (Internet of Things) and advanced sensor technologies. Previously, Mr. Boldea served in executive roles at Eastman Chemical Company, starting his career there as a chemist and advancing through a variety of leadership, strategy and operational positions over more than two decades. He also serves on the board of directors of the U.S.-China Business Council.
“I’m honored to join Timken, a company recognized globally for its strong products, values and customer commitment,” said Mr. Boldea. “I look forward to collaborating with the Timken leadership team and engaging with employees, customers and partners as we continue to diversify our portfolio, strengthen our operations and drive sustainable growth.”
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The Timken Company, a global technology leader in engineered bearings and industrial motion, designs a growing portfolio of next-generation products for diverse industries. For more than 125 years, Timken has used its specialized expertise to innovate and create customer-centric solutions that increase reliability and efficiency. Timken posted $4.6 billion in sales in 2024 and employs approximately 19,000 people globally, operating from 45 countries.
Proven Search Firm
Crist|Kolder Associates focuses on CEO, CFO, COO, board of directors and succession search for a broad range of industries. The firm has filled line management and board positions for more than 100 clients relying on what it calls “the intellectual capital” of its senior partners and professional team. Given the strength of the firm’s CFO practice, Crist|Kolder has also established a strong position in finance #2 searches, including treasurers, controllers, group CFOs, IROs, CAEs and others.
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Clem Johnson serves as president of the firm. Mr. Johnson joined the firm in 2007 and has 25 years of executive search experience, having previously been with Russell Reynolds Associates and Heidrick & Struggles. He has conducted senior executive and board searches internationally for major organizations across functional disciplines, with an emphasis on technology, industrial, retail, consumer products and professional services industries. In addition, Mr. Johnson has extensive experience assisting private equity firms and other investors with the recruitment of their portfolio companies’ senior leadership teams, with a particular functional emphasis on board of director, CEO and CFO disciplines.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
