BENTON HARBOR, Mich.,
Oct. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/
-- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) announced today that
Pamela Klyn, Vice President - Global
Product Organization, has been named Senior Vice President,
Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability effective
January 1, 2022. Klyn will join the
Executive Leadership team and report directly to Chairman and CEO,
Marc Bitzer.
In her new role, Klyn will leverage her extensive product
knowledge and global experience to advance the company's
sustainability goals. She will guide all communications for the
company and take a leadership role in government relations at a
time in which home appliance innovation is increasingly impacted by
the regulatory landscape.
Klyn succeeds current Corporate Vice President, Communications
and Public Affairs, D. Jeffrey Noel,
who has announced his long planned intention to retire in mid-2022
following nearly 18 years at the company. Noel will work with Klyn
over the first half of 2022 to ensure a smooth transition.
"Pam has been an outstanding leader at Whirlpool. She brings not
only a strong technical understanding of the products and the types
of purposeful innovation that exceed our customer's expectations,
but also a commitment to bettering the communities around her,"
said Marc Bitzer, Chairman and CEO,
Whirlpool Corporation. "I'm confident in her ability to bring that
unique combination of product knowledge and community dedication to
help improve life for all of our stakeholders, whether in the home,
within their neighborhoods or in protecting our planet."
Bitzer continued, "Jeff has been a key leader for Whirlpool,
serving as a strong advocate of building a values-based culture in
which the people of the organization are committed to improving
life at home. He has been involved in leading a multitude of
important issues faced by the company and always brought an
enthusiastic and personal approach to everything he did."
As part of the transition, Eleanor
Reece has been named Vice President of Global
Communications. Reece joined the company in 2019 as Senior Director
of Global Communications after serving across various
communications and government relations roles in the private
sector, including with General Motors, CNN International, and
consulting for other industries. "Eleanor has made a strong impact
since joining Whirlpool. The role of the global communications team
continues to grow and I look forward to her continued contributions
as she works alongside Pam to advance our company vision," said
Bitzer.
Klyn was hired into Whirlpool Corporation's Technical Excellence
Program in 1993 after graduating from Michigan
Technological University with a Bachelor's Degree in
Mechanical Engineering. She earned a Master's Degree in Mechanical
Engineering from the University of
Michigan in 1995. During her time with the company, Klyn has
held advancing roles in engineering, product development, global
innovation, and marketing. From 2013 to 2015, she lived in
Italy and served as the Vice
President of Products & Brands for Whirlpool EMEA. She is
currently a Vice President in the company's Global Product
Organization. In this role, she is accountable for all of Whirlpool
Corporation's Washer, Dryer, and Commercial Laundry platforms
globally, including the company's long-term strategy to drive
profitable growth across all regions.
Klyn is currently a Board member for the Boys & Girls Clubs
of Benton Harbor and a Trustee for
the Whirlpool Foundation. She serves on the Michigan Technological University External Advisory
Board for the Dean of Engineering and on the Board of Directors for
Patrick Industries.
Noel was appointed to his current role in 2004. During Noel's
tenure, he has been a visible leader in representing the company on
multiple issues, from social responsibility to local and regional
matters.
Along with leading Communication and Public Affairs for
Whirlpool, Noel served as President of the Whirlpool Foundation and
led the company's global partnership with Habitat for Humanity
International and the annual sponsorship of the KitchenAid Senior
PGA Championship. Noel has served as chairman and vice-chairman of
the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, Managing Director
of Harbor Shores Resort, Chairman of the Michigan Economic
Development Foundation, and for 12 years as the vice-chairman of
the Michigan Economic Development Corporation among many other
organizations.
"I am proud and humbled to have been a part of one of the most
respected and responsible companies in the world," said Noel. "My
greatest satisfaction has been the opportunity to work with
incredible Whirlpool people whose passion for our consumers and
commitment that there is no right way to do a wrong thing guided
their every action."
Noel continued, "My goal has always been to see an even stronger
leader succeed me in taking our function to even greater levels of
value creation for Whirlpool and Pam is just such a leader.
She gets to work with a fantastic team that comprises the
Communications and Public Affairs function and global
sustainability. The promotion of Eleanor
Reece to Vice President of Global Communications will
further elevate the team. Together, they will lead the global
function in new and better ways. I have several months of work
ahead of me and at some point will take the time to reflect and
determine what I plan to do in the next chapter of my personal and
professional life."
Klyn added, "Congratulations to Eleanor and I am looking forward
to working closely with Jeff over the next several months as part
of a smooth transition. I have many things to learn from him and
know that he has built a strong foundation within his team that
will assist me in advancing the positive understanding of the
people and products that have made our company great over the past
110 years."
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation
(NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best global kitchen and
laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. In
an increasingly digital world, the company is driving purposeful
innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its
iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag,
Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit and
Yummly. In 2020, the company reported approximately
$19 billion in annual sales, 78,000
employees and 57 manufacturing and technology research centers.
Additional information about the company can be found at
WhirlpoolCorp.com.
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SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation