Leadership Transition at LCI Industries Marks the End of a Distinguished Era
LCI Industries, a prominent global supplier of engineered components serving the recreation and transportation sectors, has announced the upcoming retirement of James Gero from its Board of Directors, effective at the Company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, concluding an extraordinary 33-year tenure of service and leadership, during which he played a transformative role in shaping the Company’s governance, strategic direction, and long-term growth trajectory, including serving as Chairman of the Board from May 2014 through May 2021 and guiding the organization through pivotal milestones that positioned it as a market leader across its diversified portfolio of brands and solutions
A 33-Year Legacy of Governance and Strategic Stewardship
James Gero’s retirement represents the conclusion of one of the longest and most impactful board tenures in the Company’s history, as he stands as the longest-serving director at LCI Industries, contributing decades of governance insight, executive-level perspective, and strategic discipline that helped guide the organization through periods of expansion, structural evolution, and capital markets transformation, while consistently reinforcing a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and shareholder value creation that remains embedded in the Company’s leadership philosophy.
Guiding Transformational Milestones
Among the most defining moments of Mr. Gero’s tenure was his involvement in the acquisition of Lippert Components, Inc. in 1997, a strategic transaction that fundamentally reshaped the Company’s operational capabilities, product portfolio breadth, and market positioning within the recreation vehicle and adjacent transportation markets, laying the foundation for scalable growth and integration-driven expansion strategies that would become central to LCI Industries’ long-term business model, followed by the Company’s successful listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2003, which elevated its public market presence, strengthened access to capital, and enhanced corporate visibility among institutional investors and global stakeholders.
Chairman of the Board During a Dynamic Growth Phase
Serving as Chairman from May 2014 to May 2021, Mr. Gero provided steady leadership during a period marked by significant revenue growth, operational scaling, global supply chain development, and evolving market conditions within the recreation and transportation sectors, where his balanced approach to risk oversight, executive accountability, and strategic capital allocation supported management initiatives aimed at innovation, vertical integration, and diversification across product categories and geographic markets.
Deep Expertise in Corporate Governance and Compensation Strategy
As a private investor with extensive experience in corporate governance frameworks, strategic planning initiatives, executive leadership oversight, and compensation strategy alignment, Mr. Gero brought a comprehensive understanding of public company dynamics to the Boardroom, ensuring that executive incentives were aligned with long-term shareholder value creation, while also reinforcing governance best practices that strengthened transparency, compliance, and stakeholder engagement, thereby enhancing institutional confidence in the Company’s operational and financial stewardship.
Board Leadership Beyond LCI Industries
Beyond his longstanding service at LCI Industries, Mr. Gero built a distinguished record of board leadership across multiple public and private enterprises, including serving as Chairman of the Board at Orthofix International, a publicly traded global supplier of orthopedic devices, and as Chairman at Varo, Inc., a recognized aerospace and technology organization, in addition to contributing his governance expertise to eight other public companies and numerous private enterprises, reflecting the breadth of his industry exposure and the high regard with which he has been viewed across diverse sectors.
Enduring Impact on Organizational Culture and Leadership Development
Throughout his three-decade tenure, Mr. Gero’s influence extended beyond formal governance responsibilities into mentorship and executive development, as he worked closely with successive leadership teams to foster disciplined decision-making, strategic clarity, and long-range planning, while encouraging innovation and operational agility in response to shifting consumer demand, supply chain disruptions, and competitive dynamics within the recreation vehicle and transportation equipment markets
Recognition from Executive Leadership
Jason Lippert, President and Chief Executive Officer, expressed deep appreciation for Mr. Gero’s leadership contributions, noting that his steady guidance helped the Company navigate periods of extraordinary growth as well as challenging market environments, emphasizing that his wisdom, perspective, and institutional knowledge were instrumental in shaping corporate strategy, reinforcing governance discipline, and supporting management through both expansion cycles and industry volatility, underscoring that his legacy will continue to influence the Company’s direction well beyond his formal retirement.
Strategic Evolution of the Recreation and Transportation Markets
During Mr. Gero’s tenure, LCI Industries evolved from a specialized supplier into a diversified engineered components leader serving recreational vehicles, marine applications, automotive aftermarket channels, and other transportation-related markets, leveraging acquisitions, product innovation, and operational integration to build a resilient platform capable of adapting to changing consumer preferences, economic cycles, and regulatory landscapes, while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital deployment and balance sheet management.
Strengthening Shareholder Value Through Long-Term Vision
A consistent hallmark of Mr. Gero’s service was his emphasis on sustainable value creation, balancing growth investments with financial prudence, and encouraging strategic initiatives that supported margin expansion, operational efficiency, and product differentiation, thereby positioning the Company to deliver durable performance across varying macroeconomic conditions, while reinforcing investor confidence through transparent communication and governance oversight
Succession Planning and Board Refreshment
In connection with Mr. Gero’s retirement, the Board of Directors has reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing succession planning and board refreshment initiatives, recognizing that effective governance requires a deliberate evaluation of board size, composition, and skill alignment to ensure that expertise reflects the evolving needs of the business, emerging industry trends, digital transformation priorities, and global expansion opportunities, while maintaining continuity of institutional knowledge and strategic oversight.
Evaluating Future Board Composition
As part of this forward-looking governance strategy, the Board will continue assessing potential additions and structural adjustments in light of Mr. Gero’s departure in May 2026, focusing on maintaining a balanced mix of industry experience, financial acumen, operational leadership, and technological insight that supports the Company’s innovation roadmap and competitive positioning within the recreation and transportation markets
A Legacy Rooted in Integrity and Strategic Discipline
Over 33 years of service, Mr. Gero exemplified integrity, independence, and disciplined governance, helping guide LCI Industries through economic expansions, industry downturns, supply chain disruptions, and transformative acquisitions, while reinforcing a culture centered on ethical leadership, accountability, and stakeholder trust that continues to define the Company’s corporate identity
Positioning for the Next Chapter
As LCI Industries prepares for its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the transition marks both the closing of a significant chapter and the beginning of a new phase in its governance evolution, with leadership expressing confidence that the strong foundation established under Mr. Gero’s tenure will continue to support strategic growth, operational resilience, and innovation-driven expansion across global recreation and transportation markets.
Appreciation and Forward Momentum
The Board of Directors and management team have extended sincere gratitude for Mr. Gero’s decades of dedication, recognizing that his counsel, mentorship, and governance leadership were instrumental in shaping the Company’s strategic trajectory, while wishing him continued success in retirement as the organization carries forward the principles of disciplined growth, governance excellence, and stakeholder commitment that defined his remarkable 33-year legacy.
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