Clean Harbors Appoints Robert Willett as Chairman, Marking New Leadership Chapter
Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE: CLH), a leading provider of environmental and industrial services across North America, has announced the appointment of Robert Willett as Chairman of the Board, effective immediately. The leadership transition completes a succession plan first disclosed in May, when company founder and Executive Chairman Alan S. McKim revealed his intention to retire from the Board after more than four decades of service.
The appointment represents a significant milestone in the history of Clean Harbors, a company that has evolved from a small environmental services business into one of North America’s most influential providers of environmental, industrial, and hazardous waste management solutions. As the company enters its next phase of growth, Willett’s extensive executive and governance experience is expected to provide strategic continuity while supporting long-term expansion initiatives.
End of an Era for Founder Alan S. McKim
McKim’s retirement marks the conclusion of an extraordinary career that spans more than 45 years in the environmental services sector. He founded Clean Harbors in 1980 with a vision of creating a company dedicated to protecting the environment through responsible waste management and industrial services.
Under his leadership, Clean Harbors expanded significantly through a combination of organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and operational excellence. The company developed a broad portfolio of services, including hazardous waste disposal, emergency spill response, industrial cleaning, recycling services, and sustainability solutions for customers across numerous industries.
Over the decades, Clean Harbors established itself as a market leader by continually investing in infrastructure, technology, and workforce development. The company’s growth transformed it into one of North America’s largest environmental service providers, serving thousands of industrial, governmental, and commercial customers.
Reflecting on the transition, McKim expressed confidence in the future direction of the company and emphasized the importance of maintaining Clean Harbors’ core mission of creating a safer and cleaner environment.
He noted that Robert Willett’s extensive leadership background and operational expertise make him uniquely qualified to guide the Board and support management as the company continues executing its strategic objectives.
McKim also highlighted his confidence in the company’s executive leadership team, particularly co-Chief Executive Officers Eric Gerstenberg and Mike Battles, who are expected to continue driving operational excellence and long-term value creation.
Robert Willett Brings Extensive Leadership Experience
Robert Willett joins the chairmanship after serving as an independent member of the Clean Harbors Board since 2019. During his tenure as a director, he has played an active role in shaping the company’s strategic priorities, governance initiatives, and long-term planning efforts.
Willett is widely recognized for his successful leadership career in technology and industrial automation. He spent 14 years as Chief Executive Officer of Cognex Corporation, a global leader in machine vision systems and industrial automation technologies.
During his leadership at Cognex, the company significantly expanded its international operations and nearly tripled its revenue. His tenure was characterized by disciplined capital allocation, innovation-driven growth, and successful execution of global expansion strategies.
His background in automation and advanced technologies is expected to provide valuable insights as Clean Harbors continues to modernize operations, improve efficiencies, and capitalize on emerging opportunities within the environmental services sector.
In addition to his experience at Cognex, Willett currently serves on the boards of Formlabs, a leading industrial 3D printing company, and Allegro MicroSystems, a global provider of sensing and power semiconductor solutions. These roles further strengthen his expertise in technology-driven industries and corporate governance.
Before joining Cognex, Willett held several senior leadership positions at Danaher Corporation. He served as Vice President of Business Development and Innovation within Danaher’s Product Identification Business Group and also held leadership responsibilities at Videojet Technologies, a company specializing in industrial coding and marking solutions.
Earlier in his career, Willett served as Chief Executive Officer of Willett International Ltd., a coding and marking company that was eventually acquired by Danaher and integrated into Videojet. His entrepreneurial and operational experiences have provided him with a strong understanding of business transformation, mergers and acquisitions, and long-term value creation.
Academically, Willett holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Yale University.
Strong Support from Company Leadership
Clean Harbors’ executive leadership team has expressed strong support for Willett’s appointment.
Co-Chief Executive Officer Mike Battles emphasized that Willett’s extensive CEO experience, disciplined strategic mindset, and understanding of the company’s culture make him well-positioned to lead the Board during an important period of growth.
Battles noted that the company remains focused on executing its growth strategy, expanding service capabilities, and reinforcing its position as a leader in environmental and industrial services. He added that Willett’s guidance will be instrumental in helping the company pursue these objectives while maintaining operational discipline.
Co-Chief Executive Officer Eric Gerstenberg similarly praised Willett’s contributions since joining the Board in 2019.
Gerstenberg highlighted Willett’s active involvement in shaping the company’s governance framework and strategic initiatives, noting that his leadership will provide continuity during the transition process. According to Gerstenberg, Willett has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of Clean Harbors’ operations and long-term objectives.
Positioning for Future Growth
The appointment comes at a time when environmental services companies are experiencing increasing demand driven by industrial expansion, sustainability initiatives, regulatory requirements, and growing environmental awareness.
Clean Harbors continues to benefit from favorable market trends, including increased investments in environmental remediation, hazardous waste management, recycling solutions, and industrial maintenance services.
The company has also been actively pursuing growth opportunities through strategic investments and operational improvements aimed at enhancing efficiency and expanding customer offerings.
With Willett assuming the role of Chairman, industry observers expect the company to maintain its focus on innovation, capital discipline, and sustainable growth.
His expertise in automation and technology may also support future initiatives related to digital transformation and process optimization, helping Clean Harbors further strengthen its competitive position.
The leadership transition also demonstrates the company’s commitment to effective succession planning and strong corporate governance practices. By appointing a Chairman who already possesses extensive knowledge of the business and its strategic priorities, Clean Harbors ensures continuity while preparing for future opportunities.
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