Duravant confirms CEO succession plan
Mike Kachmer plans to retire from his role as Duravant chief executive officer.
Courtesy of Duravant LLC
Automation solutions company Duravant is announcing that Mike Kachmer will retire from his role as chief executive officer. Duravant’s Board of Directors has named Jill Evanko as CEO, who will be joining the company Jan. 5, 2026. To ensure a seamless transition, Kachmer will continue to serve as chairman of Duravant. He will also continue to serve on the boards for Northwestern Memorial Healthcare and The London Clinic.
“It has been a true honor and a humbling experience to lead this incredible company,” said Kachmer. “I am profoundly grateful to my colleagues within Duravant for their support over the years. Together, we have built an organization with a truly differentiated operating model and culture, one that cultivates collaboration, empowers innovation, and operates with unwavering integrity.”
Jill Evanko joins Duravant from Chart Industries, where she served as president and chief executive officer since 2018. Prior, Evanko was the chief financial officer of Truck-Lite Co., and held multiple executive leadership positions at Dover Corp. and its subsidiaries. Earlier in her career, she held financial and operational roles at Arthur Andersen LLP, Honeywell Corp. and Sony Corp. Evanko received a Master of Business Administration from The University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from La Salle University. She serves as an independent director of the Board of Greif.
“It is a privilege to join Duravant and build upon the remarkable foundation established by Mike,” Evanko said. “I’m grateful to him for the strong legacy of excellence he leaves behind, and I’m excited to work with this exceptional team to advance our mission and shape Duravant’s next chapter of success.”
Kachmer led the company’s transformation through 30 acquisitions and strategic partnerships and set the company’s vision to expand into new market segments. He also grew Duravant’s global footprint throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, and strengthened its position in emerging markets with the establishment of sales and service centers in Brazil, Mexico, China, Thailand and India.
“Mike’s retirement will mark the end of a remarkable career with Duravant. With his vision steering the company, Duravant has delivered unrivaled growth driven by innovation, operational excellence, and a fine-tuned customer focus,” said Jeff Goldfaden, managing director and head of industrials at Warburg Pincus and member of Duravant’s Board of Directors. “We are looking forward to welcoming Jill as Duravant’s next CEO. Her strategic mindset and extensive leadership experience at best-in-class industrials companies position her to build upon Duravant’s core strengths and lead the company’s future success.”
“Looking ahead, I am delighted that Jill will succeed me as CEO,” said Kachmer. Her extensive experience, demonstrated capabilities, and winning spirit make her the perfect person to lead Duravant forward. I am confident that Jill and her leadership team will continue to build on our strong foundation and take Duravant to new heights.”
Source: Duravant
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